Published Date
Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity 30 June 2015, Vol.8(2):158–167,doi:10.1016/j.japb.2015.04.002 Open Access, Creative Commons license,Funding information Original article
Author
Kamal Joshi a,,
Dinesh Bhatt b
aGraphic Era Hill University, Department of Environmental Science, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
bGurukula Kangri University, Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India
Received 19 March 2015. Revised 16 April 2015. Accepted 27 April 2015. Available online 5 May 2015.
Abstract We assessed a diverse avian population during February 2013 to February 2014 at Doon Valley forest. During the study period we recorded a total of 218 species (18,982 individuals) belonging to 50 families using line transect along with the fixed radius point count method in the study area. Avian species diversity, richness, and abundance showed a hump-shaped distribution pattern in the study range (325–2300 m above sea level). The association of vegetation structure with avian community illustrates the significantly positive correlation with shrub diversity and density/ha along the elevation. The presence of new records (habitat area extension), endangered species, and two near-threatened species concerns the conservation of birds and forest habitat in this area. Keywords
avian diversity
conservation
Doon Valley
shrub density
vegetation structure
Introduction
Biodiversity is not evenly distributed across the Earth. It may be influenced by geography (Karr 1976). In recent decades, the relationship between species community and elevation at global level has been an important theme in ecology. Many studies (Cody, 1974, Able and Noor, 1976 and Rahbek, 2005) have been conducted on avian species distribution patterns at regional level in temperate regions and in tropical/subtropical regions (Terborgh, 1977, Brown and Gibson, 1983and Wu and Yang, 2010). Generally, the available knowledge about the avian species distribution pattern along an elevation is not clear approximately 49% of studies show peaked at mid elevation or humped shape patterns, 20% decrease and 24% high richness at low elevation respectively (Rahbek, 1995 and Rahbek, 2005). In general, forest provides a wide range of variation in bird habitat (Fuller 1995) and the important factors of this variation include vegetation structure (Cueto and de Casenave, 1999 and Holmes and Sherry, 2001). The Indian Himalayan range is well recognized for its biological diversity and ecological value (Bhattacharya and Sathyakumar 2007). Only a few studies (Acharya et al., 2011 and Bhatt and Joshi, 2011) have been conducted on avian species distribution and variation factors in the Himalayan region. By contrast in temperate regions, many studies have reported that productivity, forest structure, and vegetation cover influence the species distribution (McCoy, 1990, Rahbek, 1995 and Waterhouse et al., 2002). The Dehradun district is situated in the foothills of the western Himalayas. Knowledge of the avifauna of Doon Valley is based on only checklists (Osmaston, 1935, Mohan, 1992, Mohan, 1997 and Singh, 2000), and the available information about avian species distribution along elevations is insufficient. An attempt was made to understand the avian species distribution pattern and variation factors (especially vegetation structure) along the elevation at the forest habitat (local level) of Doon Valley.
Material and methods
Study area
The present study was carried out at Doon Valley (29°55′ N to 30°30′ N, 77°35′ E to 78°24′ E) from 300 m to 2300 m above sea level elevation ranges in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand, India (Figure 1). The elevation range was divided into three major elevation zones as follows: low zones (30°02′ N, 78°15′ E–30°20′ N, 78°08′ E) from 300 m to 900 m above sea level, covering the Mohakampur, Laxman Siddh, Clementown, and Wild Life Institutes, dominated by the Sal (Shorea robusta), Terminalia bellerica, Cedrela toona, Shisam (Dalbergia sissoo), and Butea monoserma tree species; mid elevation zones (30°20′ N, 78°08′ E–30°25′ N, 78°04′ E) extending from 900 m to 1500 m above sea level and covering the Rajpur, Ladpur, Shikhar Falls, and Maldevta Forest areas, occupied by mixed vegetation, i.e., Dhola, Amla, Hared, Ghentela, Moist Sal (Shorea robusta), Shisam (Dalbergia sissoo) tree species, etc.; and high elevation zones (30°25′ N, 78°04′ E–30°27′ N, 78°06′ E) extending from 1500 m to 2300 m above sea level, namely the Lakhwar, Mussoorie, Lal Tibba, and Dhanaulty areas, which are dominated by Burans (Rhododendron arboretum), Banj (Quercus incana), Quercus dilatata, and Deodar (Cedrus deodara)trees.
Figure 1. Different study sites in Doon Valley of the Dehradun district (Uttarakhand).
The temperature varies from 10°C in winter (December–February) to 38°C in the summer months (April–July). The rainfall pattern in the study area is monsoon dependent. Dehradun receives the maximum rainfall between July and September (Pandey et al 1994).
Bird survey
The bird survey was conducted from February 2012 to February 2014 along the full elevation (300–2300m) range of Doon Valley. This range was divided into seven different elevation zones. Fixed-width line transect along with the fixed radius point count method (Bibby et al 2000) were used to quantify the diversity and abundance of avian species in each elevation zone of forest habitat. A total of 210 transects (7 elevation zones × 5 transects in each elevation zone × 12 months) were studied in 1 year and the same transects were revisited the following year. Transects varied in length from 700 m to 1000m, depending on vegetation and accessibility. The survey was carried out between 06.00–11.00 hours and 16.30–19.30 hours in the summer months (April–September) and between 07.00–11.30 hours and 15.00–16.00 hours in winter (October–March). Surveying was avoided during foggy weather and rainy days. Field guidebooks (Grimmett et al., 2011 and Kazmierczak and Perlo, 2012) were used for bird species identification in all the elevation zones, and birds were observed for approximately 5 minutes at each point for bird count. No specimens were collected, however, most species were photographed for reference.
Vegetation sampling
The trees and shrubs were sampled in each studied elevation zone of Doon Valley forest area. The vegetation samples were collected along transects used for the avian survey. We placed 10 quadrats (10 m × 10 m) to estimate the tree inventory, and 5 m × 5 m quadrats were placed into the 10 m × 10-m tree quadrats to estimate the shrub density. Thus, in each elevation zone of bird survey transect we recorded the richness and density of the trees and shrubs.
Data analysis
The Shannon–Weaver formula [H′ = – ∑pi (ln pi)] was used to estimate the avian diversity and vegetation structure in the different elevation zones of Doon Valley (Shannon and Weaver 1949). The avian species richness, and tree and shrub richness were calculated using Margalef’s formula [SR = (S – 1) / Log N] (Margalef 1951). The nonparametric estimators of Chao I, Chao II, and Jackknife were selected to explore the abundance and distribution of estimate species using Estimate S (ver. 7.5) software (Colwell 2005). Analysis of variance (1-way ANOVA) was applied to compare the avian species distribution among the elevation zones. Jaccard’s similarity index (cluster analysis) with a single linkage dendogram was applied to identify the similarity between avifauna and different elevation zones. We used correlation tests to explore the relationship between avian species and vegetation structure.
Results
Two hundred and eighteen species belonging to 50 families (Appendix 1) were reported during the bird survey at Doon Valley forest of Dehradun district (western Himalaya). Out of 50 families, Turdinae (n = 18) was dominant, followed by Picidae (n = 13) and Sylviinae (n = 12). Out of 218 species, 156 (71.55%) were reported as residential bird species, 14 (6.54%) were summer visitors from different states of India, 27 (12.16%) were winter visitors, and 21 (9.64%) bird species were altitudinal migratory. Among the residential species, one globally endangered and two near-threatened species namely Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria Linnaeus, 1766), and River Lapwing (Vanellus duvaucelii Lesson, 1826; International Union for Conservation of Nature 2013), were reported in the Doon Valley forest area. In addition, two Schedule I (highly protected, according to Indian Wildlife Protection Act 2001) species, Eurasian Golden Oriole (Oriolus oriolus Linnaeus, 1758) and Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus Linnaeus, 1758) were also recorded. Also, three species new to the region, namely White-rumped Munia (Lounchura striata Linnaeus, 1766), White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus Scopli, 1786), and Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus Linnaeus, 1758), were reported at the study sites.
Species richness pattern
The present study results show that the avian species richness increased up to the mid-elevation zone (approximately 1300 m) of the study area. Above this elevation, species richness simultaneously declined. By contrast, the residential avian abundance was higher in terms of diversity and richness at the mid-elevation zone. Nonparametric estimators (Chao I, Chao II, and Jackknife) also support the species richness values (Figure 2). The numbers of species estimated at all the elevation zones were very close to the actual number of species observed (Table 1). Analysis of variance (1-way ANOVA) revealed that the avian community was more diverse and significantly higher (df = 6, F = 3.53, p = 0.01) at mid elevation compared with other elevation zones. Among the residential birds, eight species were shared in all the elevations. However, five species namely Spotted Dove, Jungle Crow, Great Tit, Himalayan Bulbul, and Oriental White-eye were found to be significantly abundant in the mid-elevation range. The remaining three species (Red-vented Bulbul, Blue Whistling Thrush, House Crow) were found to be significantly more common in the mid-elevation zone of the study area (Table 2). Thus, maximum avian abundance at the mid-elevation zone (approximately 1358 m) of the study area indicates a hump-shaped pattern of the species distribution along the elevation at local level. A comparison of avian species among the elevation ranges showed sequential similarity between elevation and avian community. Hierarchical cluster analysis indicates that five clusters were formed at a 0.85 similarity level. Maximum avian species were similar at low to mid elevation, followed by the mid- to high-elevation zone (Figure 3); this may be influenced by the vegetation structure in the study area.
Figure 2. Estimated avian species abundance (observed) with nonparametric values (Chao I, Chao II and Jackknife).
Table 1. Avian species observed in different elevation zones in the forest of Doon Valley.
Elevation category (m)
325
630
870
1100
1358
1800
2300
Coordinate
Elevation range (m above sea level)
250–450
530–730
770–970
1000–1200
1200–1400
1500–2100
2180–2420
Longitude
78°15′ E
78°05′ E
78°08′ E
78°05′ E
78°04′ E
77°52′ E
78°06′ E
Latitude
30°02′ N
30°19′ N
30°20′ N
30°24′ N
30°25′ N
30°42′ N
30°27′ N
Average temperature during survey (°C), range
18–35
17–35
19–36
18–34
15–27
14–22
15–21
Vegetation zone
Moist Siwalik Sal forest
Moist Siwalik Sal forest
Moist Siwalik Sal forest
Dry Siwalik Sal forest
Mixed deciduous forest
Ban Oak forest
Moist Deodar forest
Observation
Avian species observed
39
40
42
46
51
40
37
Number of individual
294
265
227
204
683
189
279
Chao I
37
41
40
45
50
38
38
Chao II
38
39
42
47
53
41
40
Jackknife
40
42
43
48
52
40
39
Avian diversity
3.25
3.46
3.63
3.65
3.68
3.18
3.28
Avian richness
10.11
11.75
12.41
12.44
12.56
5.39
5.90
Number of points studied
23
23
23
23
23
23
23
Covered study area (ha)
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
Human disturbance
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Table 2. Mean abundance and 95% confidence interval of nine bird species in the different elevation zones.
Elevation (m)
325
630
870
1100
1358
1800
2300
Common name
Scientific name
Mean
SD
95% CI
Mean
SD
95% CI
Mean
SD
95% CI
Mean
SD
95% CI
Mean
SD
95% CI
Mean
SD
95% CI
Mean
SD
95% CI
Spotted Dove
Streptopelia chinensis(Scopoli, 1786)
9.29
1.39
1.02
1.43
1.50
1.11
6.00
1.41
1.05
11.14
2.23
1.65
18.57
6.32
4.68
1.43
1.05
0.78
1.14
0.64
0.47
House Crow
Corvus splendens(Vieillot, 1817)
18.00
3.74
2.77
3.00
1.31
0.97
3.86
1.25
0.92
5.86
1.46
1.08
4.57
1.59
1.18
1.00
1.05
0.78
0.57
0.49
0.37
Jungle Crow
Corvus macrorhynchos(Wagler, 1827)
36.57
3.33
2.47
15.29
4.46
3.31
9.43
2.72
2.01
8.86
1.73
1.28
51.14
9.88
7.32
1.71
0.70
0.52
1.57
1.29
0.96
Great Tit
Parus major(Linnaeus, 1758)
33.86
2.03
1.50
12.57
2.61
1.93
24.71
4.63
3.43
18.43
3.80
2.81
19.29
5.80
4.30
0.86
0.83
0.62
1.71
0.45
0.33
Himalayan Bulbul
Pycnonotus leucogenys(Gray, 1835)
107.71
4.20
3.11
18.57
4.84
3.58
59.14
10.23
7.58
45.71
8.78
6.50
124.29
27.17
20.13
4.29
1.03
0.76
5.57
0.90
0.67
Red-vented Bulbul
Pycnonotus cafer(Linnaeus, 1766)
78.57
4.53
3.36
23.71
3.15
2.33
51.71
10.57
7.83
31.71
15.43
11.43
91.57
8.78
6.50
2.00
1.07
0.79
3.43
0.90
0.67
Blue Whistling-Thrush
Myiophonus caeruleus(Scopoli, 1786)
15.86
2.90
2.15
0.71
0.88
0.65
4.57
1.68
1.24
9.57
2.97
2.20
7.86
2.29
1.70
1.71
0.88
0.65
2.71
1.28
0.95
Oriental White-eye
Zosterops palpebrosus(Temminck, 1824)
17.43
2.06
1.53
10.29
1.28
0.95
17.00
4.31
3.19
6.57
1.29
0.96
19.43
5.29
3.92
1.86
0.83
0.62
1.71
0.45
0.33
CI = Confidence interval; SD = standard deviation.
Figure 3. Dendogram showing avian species similarity at different elevation zones.
Species–vegetation relationships
To explore the species–vegetation relationship, correlation tests were performed between avian species and vegetation structure. The pool abundance of avian species in each elevation zone was found to have a positive relationship with the vegetation structure. However, comparing the data set for all avian species and vegetation structure results illustrated that avian diversity was significantly positively correlated with shrub diversity (r = 0.82) and density/ha (r = 0.92). Similarly, avian richness was significantly positively correlated with shrub density/ha (r = 0.93) followed by shrub diversity (r = 0.77). However, avian diversity/richness shows a weak positive relationship with tree diversity and density/ha (Figure 4).
Figure 4. A, Relationship between avian diversity/richness and plant density/diversity: A, shrubs; B, trees.
Discussion
The findings of the present study illustrate the diverse population of avian species in the study area. However, the presence of a globally endangered vulture species and area extension of three species in the study sites shows that Doon Valley provides a suitable habitat to encourage avian species and populations. In our study, avifauna diversity indices increase at 325–1358 m above sea level and decrease at 1358–2300 m above sea level, thus avian distribution shows a bulge in the mid-elevation zone of the study area. On the avian distribution pattern along elevations, approximately 49% of studies have shown the highest species richness at mid elevation or a humped-shape pattern along the elevation gradient (Rahbek, 1995 and Rahbek, 2005). The species distribution results in the present study also support studies that have been conducted in temperate regions, such as the Madagascan rain forest (Colwell and Lees 2000), Bolivian Andes forest (Kessler et al 2001), and Columbian Andes forest (Kattan and Franco 2004), and in subtropical and tropical regions—the Taiwan mountain island forest (Shiu and Lee 2003), western Himalaya Nainital district, (Joshi and Bhatt, 2009, Joshi and Bhatt, 2013 and Bhatt and Joshi, 2011), and eastern Himalayan Sikkam at Teesta Valley (Acharya et al 2011). The high abundance of five species (commonly shared in all elevations) at mid elevation indicates that the mid-elevation range of the study area has rich food availability and provides good shelter and nesting sites. This may be due solely to the rich vegetation structure. However, environmental factors including sampling, area effects, temperature, human disturbance, and their combined effect also influence the species distribution along the elevation (McCain 2009). In the present study, the positive relationship between vegetation and avian species illustrated that the vegetation structure in terms of shrubs (diversity and density) and trees (diversity and density) plays a significant role to distribute the species along the elevation at local level. However, broad-leafed tree forest supports a wide range of avifauna at lower density (Batten 1976). Avian species assemblage shows a weak positive relationship with tree diversity and density/ha in the present study. Wilson et al (2006) reported that avian species assemblages are strongly dependent on forest structure but are not affected by tree species composition. The positive relationship between the avian community and vegetation (shrubs and trees) supports the nesting sites, shelter, and rich food availability to the avian species. A previous study (Joshi and Bhatt 2013) at different forests in the Nainital district also reported that mixed vegetation cover influences the avian species due to the presence of insects as food. Our study results support the previous study (Terborgh 1977) that habitat complexity increases the availability of insects, which increases the abundance of the bird population. Wiens and Rotenberry (1981) suggested that vegetation is an important habitat component for bird species, which provides variety of food, foraging opportunities, shelter or nesting substrate, and other conditions suitable for successful reproduction.
The presence of White-rumped Munia in the mid-elevation zone forest of the study area indicates that the species has extended its distribution range in Doon Valley. However, White-rumped Munia is known from the southern part of India to the northeast region (Grimmett et al., 2011 and Kazmierczak and Perlo, 2012). Earlier studies indicate the presence of White-rumped Munia in the Kumaun hills (Walton, 1900, Grimmett et al., 2011 and Kazmierczak and Perlo, 2012), however, there is no earlier record of sightings of the White-rumped Munia (Lounchura striata Linnaeus, 1766) in Doon Valley. Similarly, Red-whiskered Bulbul and White-rumped Shama were not reported in earlier records in Dehradun (Grimmett et al 2011). The three new records contribute additional information on the presence of avian species in Doon Valley. The present study recommends that the White-rumped Munia species is generally distributed in the western Himalaya region and that it is also a residential bird of Uttarakhand Himalaya. The presence of an endangered species (Egyptian Vulture) along with two Schedule I species (Eurasian Golden Oriole and Indian Peafowl), two threatened species (Alexandrine Parakeet and River Lapwing), and three new reports of the presence of White-rumped Munia, White-rumped Shama, and Red-whiskered Bulbul in the study area suggest the need for conservation efforts of avifauna and forest habitat in this area.
Acknowledgments
We are very grateful to the Uttarakhand State Biotech Department (USBD) (10/GEHU/NBRI/R&D Project-1/2011), Dehradun, Government of Uttarakhand for their financial support to carry out this work.
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FOREWORD
Biotechnology for Clean Industrial Products and Processes: Towards Industrial Sustainability is the report of an
Ad Hoc Task Force of the OECD Working Party on Biotechnology. It was approved by the Working Party’s
6th Session on 24-25 February, and by the Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy on
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Biotechnology for a Clean Environment (1994) and included workshops in Tokyo (1994), Amsterdam (1995)
and Mexico (1996), but also opens the door to major new efforts to improve industrial sustainability in
and outside the OECD.
Industrial biotechnology has emerged into a world where environmental sustainability has become
a global concern. The report illustrates how modern process biotechnologies can address this global
concern, and how they are penetrating industrial operations in many sectors. It identifies environmental
and economic advantages over other technologies, as well as technical and other bottlenecks. It also
emphasises that industry and governments must act together to respond to the challenges of industrial
sustainability through biotechnology.
The Ad Hoc Task Force was chaired by Alan Bull (United Kingdom), with co-chairs Barry Marrs
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Salomon Wald and Tadashi Hirakawa.
The report was written by seven chapter co-ordinators – Chapter 1: A. Bull (United Kingdom),
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replacing D. Mahon (Canada), Chapter 7: all.
In addition, Ad Hoc Task Force members made essential contributions, particularly R. Atlas
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The assistance of many other contributors, including industrial companies, is gratefully
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Abstract Increasingly demanding engineering applications for thermoplastic composites motivate a better understanding of how the processing conditions and resulting morphology of these materials can be modified to enhance their end-use properties. This project is focused on the manufacturing of iPP/LLDPE and iPP/LLDPE-MWCNTs blend systems reinforced with glass fibers with a subsequent evaluation of their thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties. Various PP/PE blends with three different PE to PP ratios (25%, 50% and 75%), with and without multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) will be processed in the International Institute for Nanocomposites Manufacturing (IINM) at the University of Warwick. Blend pellets will be produced by a twin screw extruder, and then they will be compression moulded with woven glass fiber mats using different cooling rates to analyse their effects on the degree of crystallinity. Extensive morphological studies will be carried out in the IINM to study the effects of blend composition and MWCNT loading on the blend morphology and distribution and dispersion of MWCNTs within blend phases using Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM, TEM). Moreover, morphology of blends with woven glass fibre mats, compression moulded at different cooling rates will be investigated using computer tomography (CT). All the samples containing MWCNTs will be subjected to electrical resistivity measurements at the IINM. Manufacturing and morphology characterization will be followed by thermomechanical characterization of produced samples at UNESP (Brazil). In particular, the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) will be used to investigate degrees of crystallinity, while the thermomechanical behavior of the laminates will be evaluated through dynamic thermal-mechanical analysis (DMTA). Further mechanical testing quantifying the quality of the interlaminar properties as a function of the cooling rate will be carried out with the help of additional mechanical tests such as the End Notched Flexure test. All this part of the work will be carried out in Brazil. (AU)
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Composites used as structural components, mainly reinforced by carbon fiber, allow a significant weight reduction and contribute for an improvement in the corrosion and fatigue resistance of an infinity of components from branded-new aircrafts, marine oil platform, satellites, submarines, rockets, automobile, among others applications.The study regarding of production, analysis and high quality composites obtainment are increasing as the time goes by, and more and more it's made needful the development of new production techniques and quality control methods.Actual processes, which use open moulds should be avoided due to certain kind of consequences as work place contamination. The resin transfer molding process (RTM) is promising one as it follows security, reproducibility and low cost standards, important to the national aeronautical industry. It deals about a resin transfer molding process using a closed mould with a preform inside, the resin presents low viscosity and it's used at low pressures. Such process is promising for polymeric composites components with complex geometry that demands high quality finishing and unlimited dimension.Closed mould utilization brings, in consequence, edge effect making necessary a quality control method to analysis of reinforcements impregnation. Among defects that can occur in the process, it's detached the void formation, because this kind of defect has hard prevention and can occur all over the composite.For analysis and verification of thermosetting matrix composites, with focus in this work, it's going to be used acoustic microscopy inspection (C-scan), equipment acquired by FATIGUE AND AERONAUTICAL METERIALS GROUP through the FAPESP process number 2006/02121-6.Non-destructive analysis by C-scan method is made through relative attenuations of ultrasonic waves that pass along the composite surface being an ultrasonic transducer used to make a scanning in the material. The component is immersed in a water tank producing with the transductor an environmental to the ultrasonic wave transmission. (AU)
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This research project is focused on the study of the morphology and mechanical properties of blends of high density polyethylene with ground tire rubber devulcanized by microwaves. The objective of the incorporation of the rubber to the thermoplastic is to obtain mechanical properties similar to the commercial materials named vulcanized thermoplastics, TPV. This project is part of a larger one, financed by FAPESP, of the type "Jovem Pesquisador em Centro Emergente", process number 10/08175-2, which has the objective to study the process of microwaves devulcanization of several kinds of rubber and its further addition to thermoplastics. It will be used a batch process to devulcanization of the rubber. This process has been investigated in details by the research group and the properties of the processed material is already well known. The knowledge of the rheological properties of the devulcanized rubber allows us to choose the best devulcanization conditions in order to obtain the desired morphology of the blend. It is known that the blends HDPE/tire rubber are imiscible, generating a two phase material. The blend morphology will be determining on the mechanical properties of the blend e it will be the focus of the research project. (AU)
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For further details log on website :
http://www.bv.fapesp.br/en/bolsas/64811/investigation-of-the-morphology-of-blends-of-polyethylene-with-grond-tire-rubber-devulcanized-by-mic/
Abstract Thermoplastic starch (TPS) is a low cost biodegradable material with great potential for applications in the composition of biodegradable plastics. Several studies have been described with the objective of improve its properties, in particular its low water resistance, low mechanical properties and low miscibility and/ or compatibility with other commercial polymers. These characteristics make it difficult its application in the biodegradable plastic production. One alternative to improve its properties is its compounding with other polymers to form blends. However, when the chemical nature of the materials to be combined is very different it is necessary to use compatibilizers ou to promote reactions between the polymers during extrusion, process named reactive compatibilization. The main objective of this project is the study a process of depolimerization and polymerization of starch by reactive extrusion. The project target is the production of new materials formed from the polymerization of starch, with plasticizers and other compounds such as citric acid. It will also be objective of this project to investigate the miscibility and compatibility of TPS blends with poly(lactic acid) and biodegradable polyesters of 1,4- butanodiol. This project is inserted in the scope of the project FAPESP No. 2007/08394-7 "Modificação do Amido Termoplástico por Extrusão Reativa (REX): Compatibilização Reativa e Modificação QuÃmica via Despolimerização/ polimerização/ Thermoplastic starch modification by reactive extrusion (REX): Reactive Compatibilization and chemical modification via depolimerization/polimerization "), which is under course in our research group. (AU)
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)
NOSSA, TAMIRES S.; BELGACEM, NACEUR M.; GANDINI, ALESSANDRO; CARVALHO, ANTONIO J. F. Thermoreversible crosslinked thermoplastic starch. Polymer International, v. 64, n. 10, p. 1366-1372, OCT 2015. Web of Science Citations: 2.
ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS
(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)