Physiochemical Characterization of Biochars from Six Feedstocks and Their Effects on the Sorption of Atrazine in an Organic Soil

Application of biochars in agricultural soils has the potential to reduce groundwater contamination of atrazine, a widely used herbicide in the US, therefore sustaining environmental quality and reducing human health issues. This study was conducted to characterize biochars produced from six feedstocks and investigate their ability to remove and retain atrazine in an organic-rich soil. Australian pine (AP), Brazilian pepper (BP), coconut husk (CH), cypress (Cy), loblolly pine (L), and pecan shell (P) feedstocks were pyrolyzed at 350 °C and 500 °C. Adsorption and desorption behaviors of atrazine were explained using Freundlich isotherms. Higher pyrolysis temperature increased specific surface area (5 times), total pore volume (2.5 times), and aromaticity (1.4 times) of the biochars. CH feedstock produced the most effective biochars (CH350 and CH500), which adsorb 8–12% more atrazine than unamended soils. CH350 biochar performed the best (Kd ads = 13.80, KOC = 153.63, Kd des = 16.98) and had significantly higher (p < 0.05) adsorption than unamended soil, possibly resulting from its highest cation exchange capacity (16.32 cmol kg−1). The Kd des values for atrazine desorption were greater than the Kd ads for adsorption, indicating retention of a considerable amount of atrazine by the biochar-amended soils following desorption.

Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian pepper tree).

S. terebinthifolia is a small tree, 3-10 m tall (occasionally up to 15 m) and 10-30 cm diameter (occasionally up to 60 cm). It is native to Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, generally colonizing open areas, and is particularly found on forest borders and river margins. The tree has an attractive appearance and was introduced to many countries in Europe, Central America, the West Indies, and to the USA, as an ornamental and street tree. It has become an aggressive woody weed, displacing native vegetation as well as rapidly invading disturbed sites. It may also cause allergies in sensitive people even without direct contact with the leaves and fruits. It has a high ecological plasticity, a short life cycle and very rapid growth, and its fruits are eaten by birds (Hasui and Hofling, 1998) and other animals; it is therefore recommended as a wildlife food plant and for the restoration of degraded areas and especially gallery forests. The tree is also used in hedges. It is used to stabilize dunes on the Brazilian Atlantic coast. The Brazilian pepper-tree, as S. terebinthifolia is commonly known, does not have significant commercial value in Brazil, being used for posts, fuelwood and charcoal, and as a source of tannins and resins (Baggio, 1988), but the fruits are highly appreciated as a condiment in Europe, where they are used as a substitute for black pepper (Piper nigrum) (Laca-Buendia et al., 1992). S. terebinthifolia is well known for its medicinal characteristics and produces good quality fodder, especially for goats, but it must be used carefully because of the toxicity of some of the plant parts. Essential oils extracted from the seeds of S. terebinthifolia have pesticidal activity against the housefly, Musca domestica. Its antimicrobial properties have also been investigated (Martinez et al., 1996).

Preparation of glass-ionomer cement containing ethanolic Brazilian pepper extract (Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi) fruits: chemical and biological assays

Plants may contain beneficial or potentially dangerous substances to humans. This study aimed to prepare and evaluate a new drug delivery system based on a glass-ionomer-Brazilian pepper extract composite, to check for its activity against pathogenic microorganisms of the oral cavity, along with its in vitro biocompatibility. The ethanolic Brazilian pepper extract (BPE), the glass-ionomer cement (GIC) and the composite GIC-BPE were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and thermal analysis. The BPE compounds were identified by UPLC–QTOF–MS/MS. The release profile of flavonoids and the mechanical properties of the GIC-BPE composite were assessed. The flavonoids were released through a linear mechanism governing the diffusion for the first 48 h, as evidenced by the Mt/M∞ relatively to $$\sqrt t$$ t , at a diffusion coefficient of 1.406 × 10–6 cm2 s−1. The ATR-FTIR analysis indicated that a chemical bond between the GIC and BPE components may have occurred, but the compressive strength of GIC-BPE does not differ significantly from that of this glass-ionomer. The GIC-BPE sample revealed an ample bacterial activity at non-cytotoxic concentrations for the human fibroblast MRC-5 cells. These results suggest that the prepared composite may represent an alternative agent for endodontic treatment.

The effects of treatment and management history on the control of Old World Climbing Fern (Lygodium microphyllum), Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia) and Punktree (Melaleuca quinquenervia)

To successfully reduce overall invasive plant cover over time, an effective treatment plan must be established such that mortality exceeds new colonization and re-spouting growth rates. However, few evaluations of the effects of long-term, consistent treatment at different intervals exist. We report the effects of treatment intensity on Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum (Cav.) R. Br.), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi) and punktree (Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S. T. Blake), as part of a large restoration project that has been underway for six years in Telegraph Swamp at Babcock Ranch Preserve, a 68,000 acre conservation area in Florida, U.S.A. We found that at the end of the six-year period, for all three species, average live cover did not exceed 5% across all transects. In addition, dead foliar cover was higher than live cover for all three invasive plants, indicating progress towards restoration goals. We also found that percent live cover of Old World climbing fern were significantly reduced only after four or more treatments were applied during the six-year period, as opposed to when three or fewer treatments were applied. Reductions in percent cover of live foliage were apparent only when the treatments were applied more often than biennially, as opposed to less often than biennially. Additionally, we found higher Old World climbing fern cover in clear-cut and replanted cypress stands than in natural stands. Based on these findings, we conclude that treatments applied four or more times, or more often than biennially, were more effective at significantly reducing advanced invasions of Old World climbing fern, Brazilian pepper, and punktree, especially where previous management activities or their effects may have increased the cover of invasive plants.

Copper stress affect seed germination and seedling establishment of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi

ABSTRACT Pollution by the discharge of copper in the environment due to anthropogenic, industrial, and automobile activities is an environmental problem. Copper is also widely used in different forms as fertilizers and fungicides. Here, we aimed to evaluate seed germination and the establishment of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi, popularly known as ‘Brazilian pepper tree’ seedlings submitted to different concentrations of copper. Five treatments were used, with four replicates and 20 seeds per replicate, totaling 400 seeds. Cu (CuSO4.5H2O) was added to the substrate at doses of 0; 60; 760; 2,100 or 10,000 mg kg-1. The variables percentage, speed, and mean germination time, as well as establishment of seedlings, were analyzed. Cu doses of 2,100 or 10,000 mg kg-1 inhibited seedling formation. Cu concentration of 10,000 mg kg-1 reduced the final values of germination and speed germination to about one third of those obtained in the control treatment. Compared to germination, establishment of seedlings was more affected by excess copper for the S. terebinthifolia. The species tolerated doses up to 760 mg kg-1 copper during seedling establishment, which indicates that it is a candidate for environmental restoration programs for soils with known copper contamination.