Welcome to LabInSciences

LabInSciences was founded in August 2018, based on the association among researchers from the fields of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences.

The laboratory has the infrastructure to carry out projects in various research lines regarding the areas of Analytical Chemistry, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, and the respective interfaces with other areas of knowledge.

The projects developed by the researchers focus mainly on solving analytical problems, developing new materials and diagnosing, monitoring, controlling, and remediating environmental impacts.

Development of adsorbent materials from yeast biomass residue generated by industrial fermentative processes to remove emerging contaminants (ECs) in water and effluents

Prof. Geórgia Labuto

This project has three main goals:

A) Improvement of the conversion process of biomass from industrial fermentative processes to activated yeast charcoal and evaluation of its potential applications to remove emerging contaminants in the aqueous medium.

B) Evaluation of applications of nanomodified hybrid material with magnetite ferromagnetic particles (BL-Fe3O4) obtained for the removal of emerging contaminants from the aqueous medium.

C) Obtaining and characterization of ferromagnetic particle nanomodified CAL adsorber (CAL-NM).

Evaluation of submerged photocatalytic membrane reactor for removal of water and effluent estrogenic activity

Prof. Geórgia Labuto

The project proposes the use of a submerged photocatalytic membrane reactor, operating with commercial flat silicon carbide membrane coated with TiO2 nanoparticles, using in the preparation of the membrane a sol-gel process, for the treatment of water and effluents containing hormones, namely 17β-Estradiol, 17α-ethinylestradiol, estrone, estriol, and progesterone. The project counts with the cooperation of Dr. João Crespo (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal), Coordinator of the Laboratory of Membrane Processes, Institute of Experimental and Technological Biology (IBET) and the Doctoral Program in Membrane Engineering ( universities consortium funded by the European Commission).

Methodological aspects in ecological studies based on the distribution of recent estuarine foraminifera

Prof. Décio Semensatto

We evaluate how the definition of the spatial distribution of samples, as well as the techniques of collection, processing, and analysis, interfere in the results, interpretations, and conclusions in studies about the ecology of recent estuarine foraminifera. This evaluation seeks to improve the methodological steps and indicate the limits and scope of studies with foraminifera.

Microplastic pollution: detection, characterization and environmental valuation of environmental impacts

Prof. Décio Semensatto

We analyze samples (water and sediment) from different environments, from beaches to reservoir sediments for public supply. The objective is to detect the presence, to characterize the microplastics from the physical and chemical point of view. Moreover, we assess the environmental impacts resulting from their presence in the environment as a polluting agent, associating it to the ecosystem services in each study area.

Water quality in the Guarapiranga Reservoir watershed, São Paulo (SP): multi-proxies approach

Prof. Décio Semensatto

We study the water quality in the Guarapiranga Reservoir from a temporal perspective (variation over the years), related to changes in land use and occupation and their impacts on ecosystem services. We use microbial indicators (testate amoebae), physical and chemical indicators of water (CETESB annual reports) and territorial (mapping of use and occupation). From this diagnosis, the results are applied to estimate the economic valuation of environmental resources (EVER) through several approaches. The conclusions serve as a reference for the management of water resources and the elaboration and execution of public environmental policies.

Determination of heavy metals in traditional herbal products by alternative analytical techniques employing Green Chemistry principles

Prof. Maria de Lourdes Leite de Moraes

In this project, we develop alternative analytical methods using capillary electrophoresis (CE) associated with online (stacking and sweeping) and off-line preconcentration techniques employing Green Chemistry precepts such as microextractions and extraction cloud point (ECP) in the determination of heavy metals in PTF marketed in Brazil.

Chemometric and Qualimetric

Prof. Heron Dominguez Torres da Silva

Development and application of chemometric and qualimetric methods in the areas of chemistry, environment, and medicine.

Development of protocols for Microscale Analytical Chemistry

Prof. Heron Dominguez Torres da Silva

Our objective is to demonstrate the feasibility of applying an experimental didactic approach to Qualitative Analytical Chemistry classes in microscale. Specific goals are:

A) Development of electrographic methods.

B) Development of spot tests.

C) Development of polyester microchips for analytical separations.

D) Micrograph analysis of crystals obtained in microchannel separations.

E) Development of strategies for collecting and identifying microscale gaseous products.