Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Nutrients'

Dissertação(mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Oceanografia Física, Química e Geológica, Instituto de Oceanografia, 2007.
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Áreas contaminadas com hidrocarbonetos tem sido um problema cada vez mais constante, uma vez que existe um grande crescimento na produção, distribuição e consumo de petróleo, principalmente nos últimos anos. Desta forma, é cada vez mais importante o conhecimento de técnicas que sejam eficientes na limpeza destas áreas. Com isso, o presente trabalho através da técnica de biorremediação buscou estabelecer qual o melhor tratamento para a remoção de contaminantes de um petróleo leve em solo arenoso. Para tanto, foram realizados dois experimentos (I e II), em que no primeiro se estudou a eficiência de remoção dos contaminantes pela utilização de três tratamentos distintos de bioestimulação (adição de nutrientes (C), adição de biossurfactante (D), adição de nutriente mais biossurfactante (E)), os quais foram comparados a dois controles, um de solo (A) e outro de atenuação natural de petróleo (B). O outro experimento serviu para verificar a eficiência da esterilização no biossurfactante utilizado, sendo utilizados um controle de solo (F), um controle de atenuação natural de petróleo (G), um tratamento com biossurfactante/nutrientes (H) e outro com biossurfactante estéril/nutrientes (I). Ao final de seis meses de estudo verificou-se que os tratamentos C e E apresentaram as melhores taxas de remoção de óleos e graxas (OG), respectivamente, 90,4 e 78%, e os melhores índices de remoção de hidrocarbonetos alifáticos: 96,82 e 98,35% e de HPAs: 83,58 e 72,3% respectivamente. Já em relação ao experimento II, concluiu-se que não houve diferenças quanto ao uso do biossurfactante estéril ou não estéril, recomendando-se no entanto, a utilização do biossurfactante estéril uma vez que desta forma não há a introdução de microorganismos estranhos ao ambiente.
Sites contaminated with hydrocarbons have been a problem more and more constant, a time that exist a great growth in the production, distribution and consumption of oil, mainly in the last years. Of this way the knowledge of techniques efficient in the cleanness of these sites is more and more important. With this, the present work through the bioremediation technique searched to establish which the best treatment for the removal of contaminantes of light oil in sandy ground. For in such a way, two experiments had been carried through (I and II), where in the first one if it studied the efficiency of removal of the contaminantes for the use of three distinct treatments of biostimulation (addition of nutrients (C), biosurfactant addition (D), addition of biosurfactant and nutrient (E)), which the two controls had been compared, one of soil (a) and another one of natural attenuation of oil (B). The other experiment served to verify the efficiency of the used biosurfactant, being used a control of soil (F), a control of natural attenuation of oil (G), a treatment with biosurfactant/nutrients (H) and another with biosurfactant sterile/nutrients (I). To the end of six months of study it can be verified that treatments C and E had presented the best ones resulted for OG, with rates of removal of 90,4 and 78% respectively. How much the Aliphatics and HPAs these had also been the best treatments with rates of removal of 96,82 and 98,35% for aliphatics and 83,58 and 72.3% for HPAs respectively. Already in relation to experiment II, it can be concluded that it doesn’t have differences how much to the use of the sterile or not sterile biosurfactant, however sends regards use to it of the biosurfactant sterile a time that of this form doesn’t have the introduction of strange microorganisms to the environment.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico
Rose is an economically important crop for the national and the international market and due to this fact generates income to the Ceara State. Rose is a demanding crop in relation to fertilizers, requiring knowledge of soil fertility, nutritional plant requirements and nutrients use efficiency to obtain adequate fertilization. Based on the nutritional balance through the use of mechanistic and empirical models, it is possible to develop a system to quantify the plant nutrients demands to achieve a given productivity. This paper aims to establish parameters of a fertilizer and lime recommendation system to rose crop, based on the plant nutritional balance. The experiment was conducted at the company Cearosa in SÃo Benedito - CE. Plants will be collected during five months and once a month, five rose plants from four varieties (Top Secret, Avalanche, Attache and Ambience) As contradictory Airlines plants Were grinded. Samples will be ground and nutrients content will be determined: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Fe, Mn, e Zn. Every sampling plant time, were also soil samples collected at two depths (0-20 and 20-40 cm) In which they underwent fertility analysis. To estimate the fertilizer recommendation, the system was be subdivided into requirement subsystem (REQ), which includes the plant nutrients demands, considering the recovery efficiency of the nutrients to be applied and a rate to achieve the "sustainability" criteria and the supply subsystem (SUP) that comprises the soil nutrient supply. After determining the total REQ and SUP, held -if the nutritional balance, and if the result is positive (REQ> SUP), fertilizers application is recommended and if the result negative or zero (REQ ≤ SUP), fertilizers application is not recommended. The system estimated that there is excess nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization for all cultivars , however , there needs to be supplemental potassium fertilizer . The system estimated that the soil is able to meet the demand of plants for P and Fe for all cultivars , however , there must be supplementary nitrogen fertilizer , potassium . As for micronutrients , the system estimated that there is need for additional fertilizer for Zn in all rosebushes and Mn for the rosebushes "Top Secret " and " Avalnche " , however with very close recommendation the optimal dose , ie equal to zero
A roseira à uma cultura de grande valor no mercado interno e externo, devido a esse fato, as rosas geram benefÃcios para o estado do CearÃ. à uma cultura muito exigente em relaÃÃo à adubaÃÃo, sendo necessÃrios conhecimentos da fertilidade do solo, exigÃncias nutricionais da planta e eficiÃncia na utilizaÃÃo de nutrientes, para obtenÃÃo de uma adubaÃÃo adequada. Partindo a hipÃtese de que conhecendo-se o balanÃo nutricional da cultura, levando-se em consideraÃÃo a demanda de nutrientes pela cultura para alcanÃar uma dada produtividade e o suprimento de nutrientes pelo solo, à possÃvel determinar a quantidade de nutrientes a ser adicionada na fertilizaÃÃo do solo. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo determinar com base no balanÃo de nutrientes solo-planta a quantidade de nutrientes a ser adicionada no solo para cultura da roseira. O experimento foi conduzido na empresa Cearosa, em SÃo Benedito - CE, as plantas foram coletadas durante cinco meses, sendo uma vez por mÃs, amostrando cinco plantas aleatÃrias, de quatro cultivares de rosas: (Top Secret, Avalanche, Attache e Ambience). As partes aÃreas das plantas foram moÃdas e mineralizadas para determinaÃÃo dos teores dos nutrientes: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Fe, Mn e Zn. Simultaneamente a coleta de plantas, tambÃm foram coletadas amostras de solo em duas profundidades, camada de 0 a 20 e de 20 a 40cm. Na qual foram submetidas à anÃlise de fertilidade. Para estimar a recomendaÃÃo de adubaÃÃo o sistema foi subdividido em: subsistema requerimento (REQ), que contempla a demanda de nutrientes pela planta, considerando a eficiÃncia de recuperaÃÃo dos nutrientes a serem aplicados, alÃm de uma dose que atende ao critÃrio de âsustentabilidadeâ e o subsistema suprimento (SUP), que corresponde à oferta de nutrientes pelo solo. ApÃs a determinaÃÃo do REQ total e SUP total, realizou -se o balanÃo nutricional, no qual se apresentar resultado positivo (REQ > SUP), recomenda-se a aplicaÃÃo de fertilizantes, e negativo ou nulo (REQ ≤ SUP), nÃo serà recomendado aplicar fertilizantes. O sistema estimou que o solo à capaz de suprir a demanda das plantas para P e Fe para todas as cultivares, no entanto, à necessÃrio que haja complementaÃÃo de adubaÃÃo nitrogenada, potÃssica. Assim como para os micronutrientes, o sistema estimou que hà necessidade de complementaÃÃo de adubaÃÃo, para Zn em todas as roseiras e Mn para as roseiras âTop secretâ e âAvalncheâ, no entanto com a recomendaÃÃo bem prÃximos a dose ideal, ou seja, igual a zero

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Understanding of the involved issues in nutritional dynamics process in eucalyptus stands is the base to sustainable management. Objective this study was to determine the nutritional dynamic in Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus globulus stand, Eldorado do Sul - RS. For this, was available: a) litter production (leaves, twigs diameter ≤ 1.0 cm, miscellaneous and thick branches diameter > 1.0cm) and nutrients uptake, from 6.5 to 9.5 years-old stand (2007 at 2010); b) leaf litter decomposition and nutrients release by litterbags method (adding 12g of dried leaves in nylon bags), for three years (2007 to 2009); c) aboveground biomass and nutrients amount in the eucalyptus (wood, bark, branches and leaves) and underground (wood and leaves) to ten-year-old stand (June 2010); d) interfere of different intensities of biomass removal (all aboveground biomass removal eucalyptus + underground; eucalyptus removal; wood with bark removal and only wood removal) in relation nutrients stock and; - silvicultural alternative for sustainable forestry management. Litter production was increasing with stand age increasing, showing seasonal behavior with deposition increasing with the air temperature increasing and being mainly composed by leaves fraction that also is main fraction nutrients return through litter. Accumulated litter showed decomposition coefficient of 0.54 with 1.86 years how time average renewal and 1.29 and 5.59 years to disappear 50 and 95% of the litter. Mass loss leaf showed positive correlation with nutrients concentration, indicating that the higher mass loss, higher the nutrients concentration in litter remaining. Litter leaf decay initially showed P, Fe, Mn and Zn immobilization and release of the others, in the second year occurred P release and in the third year occurred Mn and Zn release, with Fe exception. Eucalyptus biomass was allocated predominantly to stem (Wood + bark) with 93.7% and with the largest nutrients stock. Biomass components had different chemical composition, being generally higher in leaves and bark and smaller in wood and branches biomass. With the harvest of wood with the bark all the nutrients removal would suffer more than 45% of the total amount accumulated in aboveground biomass. However, removed just the wood, which has the highest nutrients utilization rate, the nutrients removed percentage, except by Cu and Zn, will be less than 50% and up to 10% in the case of Ca in relation the total biomass contained. Phosphorus and calcium can be the main nutrients became limiting in next rotation productivity, because the potential rotation estimates are close to one, when in the harvest of wood with the bark. Nutrients output through forestry harvest must be take account by companies during the planning of activities. Avoiding productivity decreasing with the next rotations, and also contributing sustainable management, because the nutrients exportation, Ca mainly, is high due to wood with bark harvest.
O entendimento dos aspectos envolvidos no processo da dinâmica nutricional em povoamentos de eucaliptos é a base para um manejo sustentável. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a dinâmica nutricional em um povoamento híbrido de Eucalyptus urophylla x Eucalyptus globulus em Eldorado do Sul RS, com dez anos de idade. Para isso, foi avaliado: a) a produção de serapilheira (folhas, galhos finos diâmetro ≤ 1,0 cm, miscelânea e galhos grossos diâmetro > 1,0 cm) e o aporte de nutrientes, dos 6,5 aos 9,5 anos de idade do povoamento (2007 a 2010); b) a decomposição da serapilheira foliar e liberação de nutrientes pelo método de litterbags (adição de 12g de folhas secas recém caídas em bolsas de naylon), durante três anos (2007 a 2009); c) o estoque de biomassa e nutrientes no eucalipto (madeira, casca, galhos e folhas) e sub-bosque (lenho e folhas) aos dez anos de idade do povoamento (junho de 2011); d) a influência de diferentes intensidades de remoção da biomassa (retirada de toda a biomassa eucalipto + sub-bosque; retirada de toda a biomassa de eucalipto; retirada da madeira com a casca e retirada apenas da madeira) sobre o estoque de nutrientes e; e) alternativas silviculturais para um manejo florestal sustentável. A produção de serapilheira foi crescente com o aumento da idade do povoamento, apresentando comportamento sazonal com maior deposição no período de aumento da temperatura do ar e sendo composta predominantemente pela fração folhas, que também é a responsável por maior parte do retorno de nutrientes via serapilheira. A serapilheira acumulada apresentou coeficiente de decomposição de 0,54 com tempo médio para a renovação de 1,86 anos e tempo médio para decomposição de 50 e 95% da serapilheira em 1,29 e 5,59 anos, respectivamente. A perda de massa foliar apresentou correlação positiva com a concentração de nutrientes, indicando que quanto maior a perda de massa, maior a concentração dos elementos no folhedo remanescente. A decomposição da serapilheira foliar apresentou inicialmente imobilização do P, Fe, Mn e Zn e disponibilização dos demais, a partir do segundo ano o P tornou-se disponível e a partir do terceiro ano o Mn e Zn também se tornaram disponíveis, com exceção do Fe. A biomassa do eucalipto encontra-se predominantemente alocada no fuste (madeira + casca) com 93,7% e com os maiores estoques de nutrientes. Os componentes da biomassa apresentaram composições químicas distintas, sendo geralmente maiores nas folhas e casca e menores nos componentes madeira e galhos. Com a colheita da madeira com casca todos os nutrientes sofreriam remoção superior a 45% de sua quantidade acumulada na biomassa total acima do solo. Entretanto, removendo apenas a madeira comercial, que apresenta o maior coeficiente de utilização de nutrientes, a porcentagem de remoção para os nutrientes, com exceção ao Cu e Zn, seria inferior a 50% e chegando até 10% no caso do Ca em relação ao total contido na biomassa. O fósforo e o cálcio poderão ser os principais nutrientes a tornarem-se limitantes na produtividade nas próximas rotações, pois as estimativas de rotações estão próximas a um, quando da colheita da madeira com casca. A saída de nutrientes do sítio via colheita florestal deve ser um componente levado em consideração por parte das empresas, durante o planejamento das atividades, e assim evitando que haja diminuição de produtividade nas próximas rotações e contribuindo para o manejo sustentável, pois a exportação de nutrientes, principalmente do Ca, é elevado devido à colheita da madeira com casca.

Climate change and environmental disasters are strongly dependent. Humanity is facing considerable changes in environmental adaptions and remediation of contaminated sites. Water is a valuable resource that should be protected and prevented from hazardous influences. One of the main water quality problems is the excess of nutrients causing algae blooming. Many surface-and groundwaters have lost the ability to be used as anthropogenic water sources and other purposes (recreation, water supply, irrigation, etc.). Both nutrients and other substances impact water quality and climate change, making it challenging for modern society to maintain good water quality. Moreover, extreme rainfalls become more common, temporarily increasing surface runoff and exceeding infiltration capacity during high-intensity rainfall events. Water that is not capable of infiltration in the soil will run on the watershed into depressions and be infiltrated or spread to downstream catchments. This water might contain hazardous substances, e.g., nutrients, thereby enhancing water contamination in nearby waters. The investigation is made in how nutrients (P – phosphorus and N – nitrogen) spread depending on surface runoff from cloudburst in Hörby municipality in southern Sweden, Skåne-region. The land-use of the site is investigated, where pervious-and impervious areas are defined and further classified in more specific sub-groups. Different rain returns periods used to provide clear explanation of how the nutrient spreading is taking place and how rain intensity is impacting spreading of N and P. Furthermore, the sources of nutrient load are detected and investigated with a hydraulic model. The results show that the hydrodynamic model can be used to visualize the spread and determine the accumulated concentration in the flood area. Furthermore, rainfall mapping has been carried out to identify vulnerable areas in the landscape and determine critical parameters such as distribution and maximum water depth. The method's application area has been discussed in the industry's interest in studying cloudburst more simply and cost- effectively in parallel with nutritional load problems.
Klimatförändringar och miljökatastrofer är starkt beroende händelser. Mänskligheten står inför betydande förändringar i miljöanpassningar och sanering av förorenade platser. Vatten är en värdefull resurs som bör skyddas och förhindras från farlig påverkan. Ett av de viktigaste vattenkvalitetsproblemen är överflödet av näringsämnen som orsakar alger som blommar. Många yt- och grundvattenkällor har förlorat förmågan att nyttjas som dricksvattenkällor samt källor för andra ändamål (rekreation, vattenförsörjning, bevattning etc.). Både näringsämnena och andra kemikalietyper påverkar vattenkvaliteten och klimatförändringarna, vilket gör det utmanande för det moderna samhället att upprätthålla god vattenkvalitet. Dessutom blir extrema regn i form av skyfall vanligare och ökning i avrinning från ytor som överstiger infiltrationskapaciteten under högintensiva regnhändelser. Vatten som inte kan infiltrera i marken kommer att rinna längst avrinningsområdet till låga punkter och infiltreras eller spridas till nedströms avrinningsområden. Den rinnande vatten kan innehålla farliga ämnen, t.ex. näringsämnen, vilket kan bidra till ökade föroreningar i närliggande vattendrag. Undersökningen görs i hur näringsämnen (P - fosfor och N - kväve) sprids beroende på ytavrinning från skyfall i Hörby kommun, Skåne, i södra Sverige. Områdets markanvändning undersöks, där genomträngliga och ogenomträngliga ytor definieras och klassificeras ytterligare i mer specifika undergrupper. Olika återkomsttider på regn används för att ge en förklaring på hur närsaltsspridningen sker och hur regnintensiteten påverkar spridningen av fosfor och kväve. Vidare upptäcks och undersöks källorna för näringsbelastning med en hydraulisk modell. Resultaten visar att den hydrodynamiska modellen kan användas för att visualisera spridningen och bestämma den ackumulerade näringsbelastningen i översvämningsområdet. Dessutom har skyfallskartering genomförts för att identifiera utsatta områden i landskapet och bestämma kritiska parametrar som fördelning och maximalt vattendjup. Metodens applikationsområde har diskuterats av kommersiellt intresse i att studera skyfall på ett enkelt och kostnadseffektivt sätt parallellt med närsaltsbelastningen.

Nachhaltige Landbewirtschaftung impliziert ausgeglichene Pflanzennährstoffflüsse ohne die Abhängigkeit von Düngern aus nicht erneuerbaren Quellen. Stickstoff, Phosphor und Kalium aus der menschlichen Nahrung werden in Mitteleuropa im Allgemeinen in Schwemmkanalisationen gesammelt und dabei mit Schadstoffen vermengt. Neuartige stoffstromtrennende Sanitärsysteme ermöglichen die Bereitstellung von Humanurin und Fäkalien zur Verwendung als Düngemittel. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden praxisrelevante Aspekte der Verwendung von Düngemitteln anthropogener Herkunft untersucht. Die in Gefäß- und Feldversuchen in Berlin Dahlem ermittelte Ertragswirkung zeigte, dass Urin in dieser Hinsicht äquivalenten Mineraldüngern grundsätzlich gleichwertig ist. Bei sehr hohen Konzentrationen kam es abhängig von der Pflanzenart zu Depressionseffekten, welche vermutlich auf den Salz- und Ammoniumgehalt von Urin zurückzuführen sind. Unter Freilandbedingungen traten diese Effekte nicht auf. Bodenbiologische Auswirkungen von Düngerapplikationen sind entscheidend für die Abschätzung ihrer langfristigen Bodenfruchtbarkeitserhaltung. Sowohl in Labor-versuchen als auch im Freiland zeigten sich Regenwürmer durch menschlichen Urin aus Trenntoiletten deutlich beeinträchtigt. Die Ursache der Schädigung konnte nicht geklärt werden. Von einer langfristigen bodenfruchtbarkeitsreduzierenden Beein-trächtigung wird jedoch nicht ausgegangen. Mikrobielle Enzymaktivitäten im Boden wurden im Freiland durch Urinapplikation nicht beeinflusst. Für die Praxis wird empfohlen Urin während der Ausbringung einzuarbeiten, da die Tiere dann weniger mit der Flüssigkeit in Kontakt kommen. Da es ein umweltpolitisches Ziel ist, die Ammoniakemissionen der Landwirtschaft zu minimieren, wurden diese nach der Urinausbringung im Freiland gemessen. Auf Grund der sehr geringen Trockensubstanzgehalte von Humanurin emittierte deutlich weniger NH3 als üblicherweise nach Ausbringung von Schweine- oder Rindergülle. Verbraucherumfragen bestätigten eine hohe Bereitschaft pflanzliche Nahrung, welche mit Urin als Dünger erzeugt wurde, zu kaufen und zu verzehren. Praktizierende Landwirte reagierten dagegen deutlich reservierter. Die Ausbringung von Urin aus Trenntoiletten kann im Sinne einer nachhaltigen Landwirtschaft grundsätzlich empfohlen werden. Es besteht aber weiterer Forschungsbedarf.
Sustainable agriculture implies balanced nutrient flows and independence from fertiliser made from non renewable resources. In Europe, plant nutrients excreted by humans are commonly collected in water borne sewage systems and thus mixed with potentially harmful substances. Novel segregating sanitation techniques can collect separated urine and faeces in a form which enables their use as fertiliser. In the presented thesis selected aspects concerning the use of anthropogenic plant nutrients relevant to farming were investigated. Pot and field experiments indicated that equal yields can be gained if urine instead of mineral fertiliser is applied. Very high concentrations of urine led to reduced growth, presumably caused by the presence of ammonium or salt. However, this was not found under field conditions. Soil biological effects caused by the application of a fertiliser must be considered when assessing its long term contribution to soil fertility. Laboratory experiments as well as field investigations showed that human urine application severely affects earthworms, however, the harmful components were not identified. The results suggest that the effect is of short term only. Soil microbial enzyme activities were not influenced by urine fertiliser. For farming practice it is recommended to inject or incorporate urine to prevent earthworms from coming into direct contact with the infiltrating fertiliser. Gaseous ammonia loss was measured after urine application on fields as reducing harmful emissions from agriculture is a goal of European environmental policy. Because of the very low Dry Matter contents of urine, far less ammonia was emitted to the atmosphere than usually occurs after application of cattle or pig slurry. A consumer acceptance study showed a general high public willingness to accept urine as fertiliser even if used on crops for food production. The reaction of farmers was mainly reserved as a result of the present legal regulations in Germany. Within the context of sustainable agriculture the use of human urine as fertiliser can be recommended. Further research is necessary, especially concerning any effects resulting from residues of pharmaceutical substances contained in human excreta.

It is estimated that 2.7 billion people worldwide are served by on-site sanitation facilities that require faecal sludge management. Anaerobic digestion is a treatment mechanism that can provide faecal sludge management, methane production and an effluent digestate rich in nutrients. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the composition of the input faecal sludge which hinders the advancement of anaerobic digestion treatment and downstream nutrient recovery together with a lack of knowledge as to how best to recover these output nutrients in a simple process. Following an initial review to collate composition data for fresh faeces and urine, practical studies examined the physical, biological and chemical composition and variation of four different types of faecal sludge from on-site sanitation facilities. Faecal sludge storage strongly influenced the biodegradability and methane production potential in subsequent anaerobic digestion. However, the high concentrations of ammonium observed in faecal sludge (520-1853 mg NH4-N L- 1 ) were highlighted as a key goal for nutrient recovery and the ability of biochar and clinoptilolite as natural adsorbents for ammonium recovery in a drying bed application were investigated through batch and dynamic studies using synthetic and real digestate. Batch tests observed ammonium uptake of 5 and 12.2 mg NH4-N/g for biochar and clinoptilolite respectively whilst under dynamic experimental conditions the most efficient operation for ammonium recovery was at the longest empty bed contact times (354 minutes), ensuring the maximum fertiliser value was obtained (60g NH4-N/kg clinoptilolite). Nevertheless, clogging occurred rapidly at the surface of the media bed (0.04 – 0.5 kg TS/m2 ), consequently a sacrificial sand layer (0.05 m) was included to increase the longevity of the nutrient recovery system (15 fold increase in TS application rates). It has been demonstrated that clinoptilolite can effectively be used as part of a sludge drying bed configuration to recover nutrients from digestate and the saturated media can be used directly as a fertiliser product or blended with the dried sludge to create a balanced nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertiliser product (5.9% NH4-N/ 4.2% P/ ≥6.0% K+ ).

The main objectives of this dissertation were (a) to determine the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization on the growth of microalgal groups of periphyton and phytoplankton, and (b) to evaluate some indicators of the regulatory processes (e.g. N:P content, chlorophyll content per biovolume) involved in such growth responses. To do so, we followed a field experimental approach of short-term nutrient enrichments (21-25 days), using nutrient-diffusing substrates in the case of epilithic periphyton (Chapter 1), and mesocosms in the case of phytoplankton (Chapter 2 and 3). These experiments were performed in lakes of the Pyrenees, a region of particular interest because the average conditions are just on the threshold between the N and P limitation of algal growth. Moreover, most of these lakes are oligotrophic, and the nutrient availability is highly conditioned by N and P inputs of atmospheric origin, which appears to be changing due to human activities and global change. In the first chapter, we evaluated the influence of the main factors controlling the algal colonization of epilithic periphyton, and compared the differences between the two major algal groups (i.e. diatoms and chlorophytes). We selected nine lakes and two streams to account for environmental gradients of trophic status and water renewal, while the influence of N and P availability was evaluated in each location using nutrient-diffusing substrata. Water renewal had a significant positive effect on the algal colonization of epilithic periphyton, although this influence was only significant for diatoms. Lake trophic status (i.e. dissolved organic carbon) was the second most influential factor in the algal colonization, and similarly affected diatoms and chlorophytes. High N:P availability tended to favour chlorophytes over diatoms. The nutrient enrichments inhibited the growth of diatoms -particularly the N enrichments-, but this adverse effects were mitigated by high water currents. Chlorophytes better tolerated high nutrient levels than diatoms. The second chapter aimed to assess the influence of nutrient availability on the productivity, the composition of major phytoplankton groups, and the C:N:P proportions in seston, and evaluate the interrelationships among them. We noticed that the response of productivity, community structure, and seston C:N:P to increasing P availability was not strictly coherent. Productivity was especially sensitive to low and intermediate P additions, while seston C:N:P was only markedly changed under high P supply. The highest P-enrichment lead the seston C:N:P toward Redfield proportions in a non-linear way. N excess conditions reduced the growth of phytoplankton and enhanced the differentiation of autotrophic community, but did not affect seston C:N:P. High ammonium availability tended to increase seston C:P and N:P ratios, as well as to stimulate productivity and alter phytoplankton structure when P stress diminished. Finally, we evaluated the relationships among nutrient availability, growth, and chlorophyll content per biovolume in phytoplankton. Specifically, we evaluated to what extent intense growth is associated with high chlorophyll content or with a major plasticity of that content. Pigments content and their plasticity were determined for all algal groups estimating power-law based models. We observed that diatoms and chlorophytes were the two groups that showed the highest growth capacity, what could be associated with their ability to increase the chlorophyll content per biovolume when nutrient supply increases. Chrysophyceans and dinoflagellates achieved their maximum growth rates at relatively low P supply, and may be better adapted to cope with low P availability.
Els principals objectius d’aquesta tesi han estat els de (a) determinar els efectes de la fertilització de nitrogen (N) i fòsfor (P) sobre el creixement dels grups algals del perífiton i del fitoplàncton, i (b) avaluar la influència d’alguns processos reguladors (p.ex. contingut de N:P, contingut de clorofil·la per biovolum) involucrats en les respostes del creixement. S’ha seguit una aproximació experimental de camp basada en la utilització de substrats difusors de nutrients en el cas del perífiton (Capítol 1), i en l’addició de nutrients a mesocosms en el cas del fitoplàncton (Capítol 2 i 3). En el primer capítol es va avaluar la influència dels factors que controlen la colonització del perífiton per part de les diatomees i dels cloròfits. La renovació de l’aigua i l’estat tròfic (DOC) van tenir un efecte positiu en la colonització algal. L’alta disponibilitat de N en relació a P va tendir a afavorir els cloròfits per sobre de les diatomees. Les addicions de nutrients (sobretot de N) van resultar perjudicials pel creixement de les diatomees en molts casos, mentre que els cloròfits van tolerar millor aquestes altes concentracions. En el segon capítol es van observar diferents pautes de resposta de la producció, l’estructura de la comunitat i la composició C:N:P del seston a diferents enriquiments amb P. La producció primària va augmentar considerablement a addicions baixes i mitjanes de P, mentre que les proporcions C:N:P del seston només van canviar de forma marcada -dirigint-se cap a “Redfield”- a altes addicions de P. Les condicions d’excés de N van reduir el creixement del fitoplàncton però no van afectar les proporcions C:N:P. Finalment es van avaluar les relacions entre disponibilitat de nutrients, creixement i contingut de clorofil·la per biovolum en el fitoplàncton. Les diatomees i els cloròfits van demostrar tenir les capacitats de creixement més altes, i això podria estar associat amb la seva habilitat d’incrementar el contingut de clorofil·la quan la disponibilitat de nutrients augmenta. Les crisofícies i les dinofícies van assolir les màximes taxes de creixement a concentracions de P comparativament baixes, indicant que estarien més ben adaptades a baixes disponibilitats de nutrients.

Resumo: Esta tese esta organizada em dois capítulos. O capítulo I testou a hipótese de que o crescimento de Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes e Salvinia molesta esta relacionado com a absorção de fosfato e de nitrogênio. Foi avaliado o efeito de diferentes concentrações de nutrientes sobre a taxa de crescimento e de absorção de ortofosfato (PPO4) e nitrogênio inorgânico total (NIT) em E. crassipes, P. stratiotes e S. molesta. As três espécies, quando cultivadas em baixa concentração de nutrientes apresentaram as maiores taxas de absorção tanto de P-PO4 quanto de NIT no período entre 0-5 dias, diferente do que ocorreu quando cultivadas em alta concentração, na qual as maiores taxas de absorção do P-PO4 ocorreram no período entre 0-5 dias e as maiores taxas de absorção de NIT para P. stratiotes ocorreram no período entre 5-10 dias e para E. crassipes e S. molesta no período entre 10-15 dias. Em baixa concentração, S. molesta obteve um ganho de massa 12,8 vezes menor que E. crassipes e 1,3 vezes menor que P. stratiotes e sua taxa de absorção de PPO4 no mesmo período foi semelhante a de E. crassipes e P. stratiotes. Padrão semelhante também foi observado em alta concentração, entretanto, apesar de apresentar maior taxa de absorção, S. molesta foi a espécie menos eficiente na remoção de nutrientes e a que menos estocou N e P, devido ao menor ganho de biomassa. E. crassipes e P. stratiotes apresentam crescimento vertical, o que favorece o maior ganho de biomassa e conseqüentemente maior taxa de remoção de nutrientes e estoque de N e P em sua biomassa. Os resultados permitem concluir que na aplicação para tratamento em wetlands, S. molesta, apesar de apresentar maior taxa de absorção pode ser menos eficiente. O capítulo II teve como objetivo testar o efeito de diferentes concentrações de fosfato na água sobre o crescimento e a composição química... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: The thesis is organized in two chapters. The first chapter tested the hypothesis that the growth of Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes and Salvinia molesta is related with the absorption of phosphate and nitrogen. It was studied the effect of different nutrient concentrations on the growth rate and orthophosphate (P-PO4) and total inorganic nitrogen (NIT) absorption rate in E. crassipes, P. stratiotes and S. molesta. The three species cultivated in low nutrient concentrations showed the highest absorption rate of P-PO4 and NIT between 0- 5 days. In high nutrient concentrations the highest absorption rate of P-PO4 for all species occurred between 0-5 days and the highest rate of absorption of NIT for P. stratiotes occurred between 5-10 days and for E. crassipes and S. molesta occurred between 10-15 days. The gain of mass of S. molesta in low concentration was 12.8 times minor than E. crassipes and 1.3 times minor then P. stratiotes and absorption rate in the same period were similar for the tree species. A similar pattern was observed in high concentration of nutrients. However, S. molesta have lower efficiency to absorb nutrients and have lower stock of N and P, due to the minor gain of biomass. E. crassipes and P. stratiotes showed vertical growth that provided high gain of biomass and consequently high uptake of nutrients and stock of N and P in the biomass. We concluded that S. molesta have lower efficiency in wetlands to treat effluents. In the chapter II we investigate the effect of different concentrations of phosphate in the water on the growth and the chemical composition of E. crassipes, P. stratiotes and S. molesta. The fully randomized experiment (4 treatment and 3 replicates) was conducted in the laboratory. The PPO4 concentration was different on the 4 treatment (< 0.005; 0.031; 0.31; 3.1 mg.L-1). The constant derivates from Michaelis Menten model that defined... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Orientador: Antonio Fernando Monteiro Camargo
Coorientador: Gustavo Henrique Gonzaga da Silva
Banca: Wagner Cotroni Valenti
Banca: Luiz Carlos Gazarini
Banca: Sidinei Magela Thomaz
Banca: Ciro Cesar Zanini Branco
Doutor

Three novel methods were examined to assess the effects of nutrient enrichment in three sub-tropical east Australian estuaries with differing levels of catchment disturbance. The Manning and Wallamba River catchments are 8927 and 500 km2 respectively and support intensive livestock agriculture and some residential development, whereas the smaller Wallingat River catchment is 185 km2 and is mostly forested. The Wallamba and Wallingat Rivers flow into Wallis Lake, which was the site of an environmental crisis in 1997 when the consumption of sewage-contaminated locally grown oysters caused an outbreak of Hepatitis A. This study contributes valuable and extensive water quality data to assess rehabilitative works in Wallis Lake, and in other estuaries, to reduce the input of nutrients such as sewage. The importance of various sources, loads and sinks and the dispersion and assimilation of nutrients were quantified and compared for each estuary. An ecological model coupled with a one-dimensional hydrodynamic box model revealed that nearly all of the nitrogen inputs to the modified Wallamba River entered as runoff from the intensively livestock farmed upper catchment. In contrast, in the forested Wallingat River nitrogen was generated internally from anoxic sediments and was also longitudinally dispersed upstream from the junction with the modified Coolongolook River. Bloom conditions of up to 59 mg m-3 were observed in the Wallamba River between 7 and 11 days after the storms, but in spite of high concentrations of biologically available nitrogen in the forested Wallingat River, phytoplankton biomass was low due to phosphate limitation. Longitudinal dispersion could not counter phytoplankton growth in the modified Wallamba River, in spite of large increases in river flow. Estimates of grazing pressure by the pygmy mussel, Xenostrobus securis, demonstrate that it could contribute up to half of the phytoplankton loss. The inter-tidal mangrove pneumatophore habitat of X. securis allows filtering of the upper water column from the lateral boundaries in a vertically stratified water column, exerting top-down control on phytoplankton biomass. The optical plankton counter (OPC) can provide an in situ, rapid assessment of zooplankton productivity over large temporal and spatial scales from the size distribution of zooplankton. High concentrations of sub-resolved particles, including suspended detritus, have hampered the use of the in situ OPC in estuaries. Up to 58 counts L-1 due to the coincidence of sub-resolved particles passing through 100 ??m mesh were detected by the laboratory OPC in Manning, Wallamba and Wallingat River water samples. The influence of these erroneous counts on in situ OPC measurements was assessed by comparison with measurements of simultaneously collected net zooplankton measured using the laboratory OPC. In situ OPC measurements of total zooplankton abundance could be corrected for erroneous counts of sub-resolved particles using laboratory OPC measurements of 100 ??m mesh filtered water samples from the same site, but estimates had large associated error and information on the size structure of the zooplankton community is sacrificed. In contrast to expected relationships, no meaningful or significant correlations were found between the number or biomass of sub-resolved particles and in situ light attenuance. Laboratory OPC measurements of net zooplankton in each estuary revealed that the modified Manning and Wallamba Rivers supported a greater biomass of zooplankton compared to the forested Wallingat River. The normalised biomass size spectra of net zooplankton responded to both production of small particles and predation and loss of large particles. The effect of catchment disturbance on the nitrogen and carbon stable isotope ratios (??15N and ??13C) of X. securis was investigated in the three estuaries. Manning and Wallamba River mussels were enriched in ??15N by an average of 3.2??? and 1.5??? respectively compared to mussels from the forested Wallingat River. The isotope values of particulate organic matter showed a similar pattern to mussels, indicating a direct link between them within each estuary. A multiple regression model of mussel ??15N using the fractions of land used for livestock agriculture and residential development within 5 km zones from river networks to a distance equivalent to a tidal ellipse from sites explained 67% of the variation in mussel ??15N with 95% of the differences lying within 1.6??? of observed values. Increasing fractions of land used for livestock agriculture in the regression equation depleted estimated mussel ??15N indicating the use of cow manure as a nutrient source with a value of 2.0???. Increasing fractions of land used for residential development enriched estimated mussel ??15N, indicating the use of human-derived waste with a value of 20.8???.

This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.
Thesis: Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, 2019
Cataloged from student-submitted PDF version of thesis. "February 2019."
Includes bibliographical references.
The lysosome is the major catabolic organelle, is the site of activation of the master growth regulator mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1), and is often deregulated in common diseases, such as cancer. Given the critical role of lysosomes in maintaining cellular homeostasis, a better understanding of lysosomal function and metabolism and its relation to the mTOR pathway is necessary. Most components of the nutrient-sensing machinery upstream of mTORC1 localize to the lysosomal surface, and amino acids generated by lysosomes regulate mTORC1 by promoting its translocation there, a key step in its activation. Activation of mTORC1 by the amino acid arginine requires SLC38A9, a poorly understood lysosomal membrane protein with homology to amino acid transporters. To study SLC38A9 function at the lysosome, we developed a novel method for the rapid isolation of intact mammalian lysosomes suitable for metabolite profiling.
First, we validate that SLC38A9 is an arginine sensor for the mTORC1 pathway, and we uncover a central role for SLC38A9 in amino acid homeostasis. SLC38A9 mediates the transport, in an arginine-regulated fashion, of many essential amino acids out of lysosomes to be used in growth-promoting processes. Pancreatic cancer cells, which use lysosomal protein degradation as a nutrient source, require SLC38A9 to form tumors. Thus, through SLC38A9, arginine acts a lysosomal messenger to connect mTORC1 activation and the release of the essential amino acids to drive cell growth. Finally, by performing quantitative proteomic analyses of rapidly isolated lysosomes, we find that ribosome degradation provides the lysosomal arginine that promotes SLC38A9 activation. Lysosome degradation of ribosomes is mediated by NUFIP1 (nuclear fragile X mental retardation-interacting protein 1).
The starvation-induced degradation of ribosomes via autophagy (ribophagy) depends on the capacity of NUFIP1 to bind LC3B and promotes cell survival. Thus, the NUFIP1-mediated degradation of ribosomes provides both the necessary substrate to activate SLC38A9 and the nutrients needed to promote cell survival under starvation. Altogether, this work provides insight into the regulation of lysosomal nutrients and their role in cellular growth and survival.
by Gregory A. Wyant.
Ph. D.
Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology

The aim of this work is to improve our knowledge of nutrients influence in the fossil record of the Miocene. The studied succession were analyzed trough a multidisciplinary approach encompassing paleontology, sedimentology and geochemistry in order to extract information and disclose the existing relation between fossil skeletal assemblages and nutrient abundance. The Miocene has been a turning point for our Planet evolution. During the Miocene the ocean circulation finally become comparable to the present-day situation. A further decrease in temperature brought climatic condition very close to those of the present. Land and marine life were fairly modern and many present-day ecosystems arose in the Miocene. Lower Miocene is also the oldest period in which the principle of taxonomic uniformity can be safely applied. Miocene is the first Epoch of modern Earth and therefore is the perfect setting to study, on a geological time frame, ecological processes and draw conclusions useful in the comprehension of present-day ecosystems. While many other works have tried to analyzed productivity and nutrient fluctuation in deep water sediments, this is one of the first attempt to approach the problem in shallow water setting. Shallow water biota is deeply influenced by variation in nutrient supply and may record these differences. Even thought chemical analyses may be sizebly biased by diagenesis in coarse-grained shallow-water sediment, with certain techniques and accurate combination of different groups of data it is possible to unveil precious information. The studied succession of the Pietra da Cantoni Limestone Group of the Tertiary Piedmont Basin and of the Sandy Molasse Unit of the Sommières Basin are both of Burdigalian age and they were close-by during the Miocene. They were also both characterized by an heterozoan skeletal assemblage and the abundance of coralline algae and taxa of suspension-feeder. They were chosen to minimize climatic and geographical variability and to concentrate over productivity. Nutrient-rich waters have left a clear imprint on the fossil record by influencing the marine biota. These traces may be brought to light and used to improve our knowledge of the nutrient cycle of the Earth.

L’eliminació biològica de nutrients (EBN) a les estacions depuradores d’aigües residuals (EDARs) es considera el procés més rentable y mediambientalment més respectuós per a prevenir l’eutrofització i complir amb els cada cop més restrictius límits d’abocament. L’eliminació biològica de nitrogen (N) ha estat àmpliament estudiada i implementada en nombroses EDARs, tant urbanes com industrials. Contràriament, per a l’eliminació biològica de fòsfor, P, (procés EBPR) no existeixen encara molt exemples de la seva aplicació a escala real, principalment degut a l’aparició de fallades no esperades quan s’integrà amb l’eliminació biològica de N. La presència de nitrat a la fase anaeròbia es considera la principal causa d’aquestes fallades i, tot i la seva importància, els motius que les provoquen no es coneixen en profunditat. La hipòtesi més estesa assenyala que la presència de nitrat en condicions anaeròbies provoca la competència per la font de carboni (DQO) entre els organismes desnitrificants i els acumuladors de P (PAO). No obstant això, l’experiència en plantes reals indica que aquesta hipòtesi no és capaç de descriure l’elevada pèrdua real d’activitat EBPR tenint en compte la quantitat de nitrat present a la fase anaeròbia. Aquesta tesi té com a objectiu entendre els motius subjacents a aquesta perduda d’activitat EBPR i proposar alternatives per a minimitzar les seves causes. Per tal de fer front a aquest objectiu, des de diferents punts de vista, s’han utilitzat diferent eines: modelització, anàlisis microbiològics, optimització multi-criteri, anàlisis multivariable, operació en planta pilot y control de processos. Les principals fites assolides en aquest treball es resumeixen a continuació. Per una banda, es va observar que el contingut en matèria orgànica de l’afluent i la naturalesa d’aquesta són paràmetres clau per entendre la competència entre els organismes desnitrificants i els PAO. A partir de les dades experimentals es pot concloure que quan l’afluent conté principalment àcids grassos volàtils, els PAO són capaços de guanyar la competència per la font de carboni. Contràriament, els organismes desnitrificants es troben afavorits quan es tracta de fonts de carboni més complexes. Per l’altra banda, també es va estudiar l’ús diferents estratègies de control per tal de reduir la pèrdua de EBPR. Així mateix, es va demostrar com la optimització multi-criteri de les consignes dels controlador pot millorar l’operació d’una EDAR, no només reduint els costos d’explotació, sinó que també obtenint un efluent altament clarificat i amb un baix risc de desenvolupar problemes d’origen microbiològic (creixement excessiu de bactèries filamentosos o desnitrificació al decantador secundari). A més, les consignes optimitzades van afavorir el procés EBPR reduint l’entrada de nitrat a la fase anaeròbia. L’addició controlada de glicerol cru (subproducte del biodiesel) va ser provada amb èxit com alternativa per a reduir la competència entre els PAO i els organismes desnitrificants i, alhora, controlar el contingut de P en l’efluent. També, es va desenvolupar un model bioquímic per tal de descriure les dades experimentals obtingudes i per a dissenyar l’estratègia de control, que posteriorment va ser validada a la planta pilot. Malauradament, l’ús de fonts de carboni externes no és rentable a escala real i, per tant, també es va dissenyar i avaluar, in-silico, una nova estratègia de control per a millorar l’eliminació de P sense la necessitat d’afegir font de carboni o agents precipitants. El principi bàsic d’aquesta estratègia és desviar la DQO disponible cap al procés EBPR, en detriment del procés de desnitrificació (major concentració de nitrat en l’efluent), però sempre respectant els límits d’abocament. Finalment, també es va estudiar la importància d’estendre els models bioquímics existents per tal de millorar la simulació dels processos d’eliminació biològica de N i evitar la simulació de pèrdues irreals d’activitat EBPR. D’aquesta manera, es van incloure i estudiar conceptes com la nitrificació/desnitrificació en dos passos o la inclusió de sedimentador reactius.
La eliminación biológica de nutrientes (EBN) en estaciones depuradoras de aguas residuales (EDARs) se considera el proceso más rentable y medioambientalmente más respetuoso para prevenir la eutrofización y cumplir con los cada vez más estrictos límites de vertido. La eliminación biológica de nitrógeno (N) ha sido ampliamente estudiada e implementada con éxito en numerosas EDARs, tanto urbanas como industriales. Contrariamente, para la eliminación biológica de fósforo, P, (proceso EBPR) no existen aun muchos ejemplos de su aplicación a escala real, principalmente debido a la aparición de fallos inesperados cuando se integra con la eliminación biológica de N. La presencia de nitrato en la fase anaerobia se considera la principal causa de estos fallos y, a pesar de su importancia, los motivos que los desencadenan no se conocen perfectamente. La hipótesis más extendida apunta que la presencia de nitrato en condiciones anaerobias provoca la competencia por la fuente de carbono (DQO) entre los organismos desnitrificantes comunes y los acumuladores de P (PAO). Sin embargo, la experiencia en plantas reales indica que esta hipótesis no es capaz de describir la elevada pérdida real de EBPR considerando la cantidad de nitrato en la fase anaerobia. Esta tesis pretende estudiar los motivos subyacentes a esta pérdida de actividad EBPR y proponer alternativas para minimizar sus causas. Para abordar este objetivo desde diferentes puntos de vista, se han utilizado diferentes herramientas: modelización, análisis microbiológicos, optimización multi-criterio, análisis multivariable, operación en planta piloto y control de procesos. Los mayores logros conseguidos se resumen a continuación. Por un lado, se observó que el contenido en materia orgánica del afluente y la naturaleza de la misma son parámetros clave para entender la competencia entre los organismos desnitrificantes y los PAO. A partir de los datos experimentales se puede concluir que cuando el afluente está formado principalmente por ácidos grasos volátiles, los PAO son capaces de ganar la competencia por la fuente de carbono. Contrariamente, los organismos desnitrificantes son favorecidos cuando se trata de fuentes de carbono más complejas. Por otro lado, se estudió el uso de diferentes estrategias de control para reducir la pérdida de actividad EBPR. Asimismo, se demostró como la optimización multi-criterio de las consignas de los controladores puede mejorar la operación de una EDAR, no sólo reduciendo los costes de explotación, sino también obteniendo un efluente altamente clarificado y un bajo riesgo de desarrollar problemas de origen microbiológico (crecimiento excesivo de bacterias filamentosas o desnitrificación en el decantador secundario). Además, las consignas optimizadas favorecieron el proceso EBPR reduciendo la entrada de nitrato a la base anaerobia. La adición controlada de glicerol crudo (subproducto del biodiesel) fue probada con éxito como alternativa para reducir la competencia entre los PAO y los organismos desnitrificantes por la fuente de carbono y así, controlar el contenido de P en el efluente. Se desarrolló un modelo bioquímico para describir los datos experimentales obtenidos y para diseñar la estrategia de control, posteriormente validada en planta piloto. Sin embargo, el uso de fuentes de carbono externas no es rentable a escala real y, por tanto, también se desarrolló y evaluó in-silico una nueva estrategia de control para mejorar la eliminación de P sin la necesidad de añadir fuente de carbono o agentes precipitantes. El principio básico de la estrategia de control es desviar la DQO disponible hacia el proceso EBPR, en detrimento de la desnitrificación (mayor concentración de nitrato en el efluente), pero respetando limites de vertido. Finalmente, también se estudió la importancia de extender los modelos bioquímicos existentes para mejorar la simulación de los procesos de eliminación biológica de N y evitar la simulación de fallos irreales en el proceso EBPR. De este modo, se incluyeron y estudiaron conceptos como la nitrificación/desnitrificación en dos pasos o la inclusión de sedimentadores reactivos.
Considering biological nutrient removal (BNR) in WWTPs seems nowadays an obligated short-term aim because it is the most economical and environmental alternative to prevent eutrophication of water bodies and to meet the increasingly stricter discharge limits. Biological nitrogen (N) removal has been widely studied and successfully implemented in numerous WWTPs for treating both urban and industrial wastewater. On the other side, the so called Enhanced Biological Phosphorus (P) Removal (EBPR) process is not widely applied at full-scale yet because among other reasons, unpredictable EBPR failures have been reported when it is integrated with biological N removal. Nitrate recycling to the anaerobic phase is one of the most reported causes triggering this EBPR failure in real WWTPs and, despite its importance, the causes are not fully understood yet. A commonly accepted hypothesis is that nitrate presence triggers the competition for the carbon source between denitrifying ordinary heterotrophic organisms (OHO) and Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms (PAO). However, experimental results show that this hypothesis fails to describe the magnitude of EBPR deterioration when the amount of nitrate entering the anaerobic zone is considered. This thesis aims at understating the EBPR deterioration due to nitrate presence in the anaerobic phase and studying alternatives to minimise the causes leading to this failure. Different tools have been used to study both topics from different points of view: modelling, microbial analysis, multi-criteria optimisation of the process performance, multivariate analysis, pilot plant operation and process control. As an overview, the main achievements of this thesis are next summarized. On the one hand, it was observed that the influent COD content and the nature of the carbon source are key parameters to understand the competition between OHO and PAO. The results obtained in pilot plant operation show that when influent COD was mainly composed by volatile fatty acids, PAO could outcompete OHO for the carbon source. Contrary, with more complex carbon sources, EBPR failed because denitrification process was favoured reducing COD available for PAO. On the other hand, the use of different control strategies has been assessed as a mitigating alternative to reduce EBPR failure. On this context, this thesis showed that multi-criteria optimisation of the controller setpoints can improve WWTP operation in terms of not only reducing the running costs but also ensuring low effluent discharges and low risk of developing microbiology-related failures (bulking or rising sludge). The optimised setpoints favoured P-removal process by reducing the nitrate load recycled to the anaerobic reactor. The controlled addition of crude-glycerol (biodiesel byproduct) was also demonstrated to be very useful to prevent nitrate-driven EBPR failure and for controlling effluent P concentration. A biochemical model was developed for describing the experimental data and to design the control strategy that was afterwards experimentally validated. However, the use of external carbon sources cannot be cost-effective at full-scale and thus, a novel control strategy aiming at improving P-removal without adding external carbon sources or chemicals for P precipitation was in-silico developed and evaluated. The principle behind this novel control strategy was diverting the available COD to P-removal and not to denitrification process (i.e. N in the influent increased), but always below the discharge limits. Finally, it was also studied the importance of new model extensions to correctly describe N removal. Hence, two-step nitrification/denitrification or reactive settler approaches should be considered to avoid unrealistic failure prediction of EBPR process.

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Autônoma
Introdução: A saúde óssea pode ser afetada por um conjunto de alterações metabólicas que predispõem ao maior surgimento de osteopenia e osteoporose e por consequência o maior risco de fraturas. A ingestão de nutrientes, como proteína, cálcio, fósforo, ácido fólico, vitaminas D e do complexo B pode exercer papel fundamental na manutenção da saúde óssea, participando da prevenção e tratamento de agravos relacionados ao prejuízo ósseo. Objetivo: Avaliar associação entre a ingestão de nutrientes e densidade mineral óssea entre adultos e idosos assistidos pelo Programa Médico de Família (PMF) do Município de Niterói – Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Métodos: Estudo observacional transversal com indivíduos atendidos pelo PMF de Niterói. Um total 414 (63%) mulheres) participaram da investigação. A saúde óssea foi avaliada pela DMO total do corpo, estimada por meio da técnica padrão-ouro DXA e classificada segundo a recomendação da Organização Mundial da Saúde. O consumo alimentar e a ingestão de nutrientes foram estimados pelo Questionário de Frequência Alimentar (QFA) semiquantitativo validado para adultos do Rio de Janeiro. Foram testadas possíveis variáveis de confusão: idade, raça, renda, escolaridade, obesidade, menopausa, tabagismo, uso de bebida alcoólica, atividade física, índice de massa magra, índice de massa gorda e circunferência de cintura. Foi proposto um modelo teórico hierarquizado, no qual o nível mais proximal foi caracterizado pela ingestão de nutrientes. Verificou-se a associação de cada variável presente em cada bloco com a DMO total do corpo e segundo componentes corporais por meio de regressão linear simples e regressão linear múltipla stepwise. Analisou-se a associação da ingestão de nutrientes independente de potenciais fatores de confusão presentes nos demais blocos hierárquicos. Estimaram-se modelos específicos segundo o sexo. Resultados: As prevalências de osteopenia e osteoporose em mulheres na pós-menopausa foi de 47% e 8%, e nos homens acima de 50 anos de idade foi de 34% e 7%, respectivamente. Das mulheres não menopausadas e dos homens com 50 anos ou mais de idade, 23% e 35%, respectivamente, apresentaram baixa massa óssea para idade. No modelo final, a DMO total do corpo foi associada com a raça, circunferência de cintura, índice de massa magra, idade e menopausa (p<0,01) entre as mulheres, não sendo verificada associação da DMO com nenhum nutriente investigado. Entre homens, a DMO total do corpo foi associada com a raça, tabagismo, atividade física, índice de massa magra, idade, ácido fólico (p<0,01) e vitamina B6 (p=0,04). Resultados similares de associação foram observados quando se considerou a DMO da coluna lombar e do fêmur. Conclusão: Somente entre os homens, a ingestão de vitamina B6 e ácido fólico apresentou um papel importante na saúde óssea, enquanto que entre as mulheres não foi verificado um papel da ingestão de nutrientes com a DMO, sendo possivelmente as mudanças hormonais causadas pela menopausa os principais aspectos de alterações na DMO no sexo feminino
Introduction: Bone health can be affected by a series of metabolic changes that predispose to greater appearance of osteopenia and osteoporosis and therefore the increased risk of fractures. The nutrients intake such as protein, calcium, phosphorus, folic acid, vitamins D and B complex may play a key role in bone health maintenance, participating in the prevention and treatment of diseases related to bone loss. Objective: To evaluate the association between nutrient intake and bone mineral density in adults and elderly assisted by Family Health Program (PMF) in the city of Niterói - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study of patients seen by Niterói PMF. A total 414 (63% women) participated in the investigation. Bone health was assessed by total BMD of the body, estimated by the gold standard DXA and classified according to the recommendation of the World Health Organization technique. Food consumption and nutrient intake were estimated by the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) semiquantitative validated for adults in Rio de Janeiro. Were tested potential confounders: age, race, income, education, obesity, menopause, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, lean body mass index, fat mass index and waist circumference. A hierarchical theoretical model, where the most proximal level was characterized by nutrient intake was proposed. It was the combination of each of the variables in each block to the total body BMD and second body components using simple linear regression and multiple linear stepwise regression. We analyzed the association of independent nutrient intake of potential confounding factors present in other hierarchical blocks. Were estimated specific models according to sex. Results: The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in women after menopause was 47% and 8%, and in men above 50 years of age was 34% and 7%, respectively. Women not menopausal and men aged 50 or older, 23% and 35%, respectively, had low bone mass for age. In the final model, total body BMD was associated with race, waist circumference, fat-free mass index, age and menopause (p <0.01) among women, not being verified association of BMD with no nutrient investigated. Among men, the total mix body BMD was associated with race, smoking, physical activity, lean body mass index, age, folic acid (p <0.01) and vitamin B6 (p = 0.04). Similar results were observed association when considering BMD of the lumbar spine and femur. Conclusion: Only among men, intake of vitamin B6 and folic acid had an important role in bone health, while among women has not been a role of nutrient intake with BMD, and possibly hormonal changes caused by menopause the main aspects of changes in BMD in women

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
Esta tese esta organizada em dois capítulos. O capítulo I testou a hipótese de que o crescimento de Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes e Salvinia molesta esta relacionado com a absorção de fosfato e de nitrogênio. Foi avaliado o efeito de diferentes concentrações de nutrientes sobre a taxa de crescimento e de absorção de ortofosfato (PPO4) e nitrogênio inorgânico total (NIT) em E. crassipes, P. stratiotes e S. molesta. As três espécies, quando cultivadas em baixa concentração de nutrientes apresentaram as maiores taxas de absorção tanto de P-PO4 quanto de NIT no período entre 0-5 dias, diferente do que ocorreu quando cultivadas em alta concentração, na qual as maiores taxas de absorção do P-PO4 ocorreram no período entre 0-5 dias e as maiores taxas de absorção de NIT para P. stratiotes ocorreram no período entre 5-10 dias e para E. crassipes e S. molesta no período entre 10-15 dias. Em baixa concentração, S. molesta obteve um ganho de massa 12,8 vezes menor que E. crassipes e 1,3 vezes menor que P. stratiotes e sua taxa de absorção de PPO4 no mesmo período foi semelhante a de E. crassipes e P. stratiotes. Padrão semelhante também foi observado em alta concentração, entretanto, apesar de apresentar maior taxa de absorção, S. molesta foi a espécie menos eficiente na remoção de nutrientes e a que menos estocou N e P, devido ao menor ganho de biomassa. E. crassipes e P. stratiotes apresentam crescimento vertical, o que favorece o maior ganho de biomassa e conseqüentemente maior taxa de remoção de nutrientes e estoque de N e P em sua biomassa. Os resultados permitem concluir que na aplicação para tratamento em wetlands, S. molesta, apesar de apresentar maior taxa de absorção pode ser menos eficiente. O capítulo II teve como objetivo testar o efeito de diferentes concentrações de fosfato na água sobre o crescimento e a composição química...
The thesis is organized in two chapters. The first chapter tested the hypothesis that the growth of Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes and Salvinia molesta is related with the absorption of phosphate and nitrogen. It was studied the effect of different nutrient concentrations on the growth rate and orthophosphate (P-PO4) and total inorganic nitrogen (NIT) absorption rate in E. crassipes, P. stratiotes and S. molesta. The three species cultivated in low nutrient concentrations showed the highest absorption rate of P-PO4 and NIT between 0- 5 days. In high nutrient concentrations the highest absorption rate of P-PO4 for all species occurred between 0-5 days and the highest rate of absorption of NIT for P. stratiotes occurred between 5-10 days and for E. crassipes and S. molesta occurred between 10-15 days. The gain of mass of S. molesta in low concentration was 12.8 times minor than E. crassipes and 1.3 times minor then P. stratiotes and absorption rate in the same period were similar for the tree species. A similar pattern was observed in high concentration of nutrients. However, S. molesta have lower efficiency to absorb nutrients and have lower stock of N and P, due to the minor gain of biomass. E. crassipes and P. stratiotes showed vertical growth that provided high gain of biomass and consequently high uptake of nutrients and stock of N and P in the biomass. We concluded that S. molesta have lower efficiency in wetlands to treat effluents. In the chapter II we investigate the effect of different concentrations of phosphate in the water on the growth and the chemical composition of E. crassipes, P. stratiotes and S. molesta. The fully randomized experiment (4 treatment and 3 replicates) was conducted in the laboratory. The PPO4 concentration was different on the 4 treatment (< 0.005; 0.031; 0.31; 3.1 mg.L-1). The constant derivates from Michaelis Menten model that defined... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
Avaliaram-se dietas formuladas com milho ou sorgo para suínos nas fases inicial, crescimento e terminação sobre o desempenho dos animais, digestibilidade dos nutrientes, produção e características de fezes e urina e biodigestão anaeróbia dos dejetos. No ensaio de desempenho não foram verificadas diferenças quanto ao consumo médio diário de ração, ganho médio diário de peso e conversão alimentar. Foi realizado um ensaio de digestibilidade em cada fase de crescimento dos animais utilizando o método de coleta total de fezes, não se observando diferenças para coeficientes de digestibilidade da matéria seca e da energia bruta, coeficiente de metabolizabilidade, energia digestível e metabolizável. Os maiores coeficientes de digestibilidade da proteína bruta e proteína digestível foram verificados nos animais alimentados com dietas à base de milho na fase terminação. Para animais alimentados com dietas formuladas com sorgo foram verificados maiores valores de matéria seca digestível nas fases crescimento e terminação. Verificou-se maior produção média de fezes para animais alimentados com dietas formuladas com sorgo, gerando maiores coeficientes de resíduo. Os maiores teores de sólidos totais e voláteis foram verificados nas fezes de animais alimentados com dieta à base de milho, em todas as fases de crescimento. As concentrações médias dos nutrientes nas fezes e na urina variaram entre os tratamentos e fases. O abastecimento de 20 biodigestores indicou maiores reduções nos teores de sólidos voláteis e maiores produções de biogás quando se utilizaram fezes de suínos alimentados com dietas formuladas à base de milho. As concentrações médias dos nutrientes no afluente e efluente dos biodigestores variaram entre os tratamentos e fases.
There were evaluated diets formulated with corn or sorghum for pigs in the initial stages, growing and finishing on the growth performance of animals, digestibility of nutrients, production and characteristics of feces and urine and anaerobic digestion of pigs manure. In the test of growth performance were not found differences in the average daily consumption of feed, average daily weight gain and feed conversion. There was performed a test of digestibility at each stage of growth of animals using the total collection of feces, no difference was observed for digestibility coefficients of dry matter and gross energy, coefficient to metabolize, digestible and metabolizable energy. The highest rates of digestibility of crude protein and digestible protein were observed in animals fed with diets based on corn in the finishing stage. For animals fed diets formulated with sorghum there were observed higher values of digestible dry matter in growing and finishing phases. There was a greater average production of feces by animals fed with diets based on sorghum, generating higher coefficient of waste. The highest levels of total and volatile solids were found in the feces of animals fed with diets containing corn, in all the stages of growth. The average concentrations of minerals in feces and urine varied among treatments and stages. The supply of 20 anaerobic digesters indicated greater reductions in the volatile solids levels and greater production of biogas when using waste from pigs fed with diets based with corn. The average concentrations of minerals in the affluent and effluent in the anaerobic digesters varied among treatments and stages.

Orientadores: Fumio Yokoya, Wilma Aparecida Spinosa
Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos
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Resumo: As bacterias aceticas sao utilizadas na producao de vinagre. O requerimento nutricional das bacterias aceticas e pouco conhecido e a reproducao desses microrganismos e muito dificil. Os reatores de fermentacao acetica submersa promovem condicoes de estresse fisiologico: acidez (acima de 10% p/v), teor alcoolico (2% p/v) e oxigenacao (0,4 vvm). Esses parametros sao considerados extremos e indicam a necessidade de ativacao de rotas metabolicas especificas, para a manutencao da capacidade de conversao alcool-acido acetico e divisao celular. Este estudo tem como objetivo contribuir na avaliacao qualitativa e quantitativa do efeito de minerais sobre a produtividade de acido acetico, que e definida como a porcentagem de acido acetico produzido em 24 horas. Os experimentos foram conduzidos com linhagem de Acetobacter sp., proveniente de industria produtora de vinagre. As etapas do trabalho foram: ativacao do reator com nutriente padrao; teste de efeitos dos minerais, empregando como ferramenta estatistica um delineamento fatorial incompleto (2(5-1)), isolamento e identificação dos microrganismos, utilizando provas bioquimicas classicas e analise molecular da expressao de RNA mensageiro, por meio da tecnica do DDRT/PCR, com utilizacao de primers da enzima alcool desidrogenase (ADH). Com os resultados obtidos a partir de um ensaio fatorial incompleto para a linhagem estudada, foram selecionados como minerais que aumentam a produtividade, sao eles: o ferro, o molibdenio e o manganes e, ainda, como minerais que diminuem a produtividade, o zinco e o boro. A linhagem isolada do reator apresentou todas as características bioquimicas do genero Acetobacter e a analise molecular evidenciou a expressão do gene para a enzima alcool desidrogenase em todos os experimentos
Abstract: The acetical bacteria are used in vinegar production. The nutritional requirement of acetical bacteria is poorly known, and the maintenance of these microorganisms is too difficult. The reactors of submerged acetical fermentation promote conditions of physiologic stress: acidity (up to 10% p/v), alcohol (2%p/v) and oxygenation (0,4 vvm).These parameters are considerate extremes and indicate the necessity of the activation of specifics metabolic to the maintenance of alcohol-acetic acid transformation capacity and cell division. This research has in view to contribute to the qualitatively and quantitatively evaluation of minerals effects on the productivity of acetic acid, which is defined as the acetic acid percentage produced until 24 hours. These experiments were conducted with of Acetobacter sp. strain, proceeding from vinegar industries. The work steps were: activation of the reactor with standard nutrient; minerals effects tests using the fractional factorial design (25-1) as statistic tool; isolation and identification of the microorganisms, employing classical biochemistry proofs and molecular analysis of the RNA messenger expression, through DDRT/PCR techniques, applying alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme primers. With the results obtained from the fractional factorial design for the strains studied, were selected minerals as the iron, the molybdenum and the manganese that increase productivity and, yet, minerals as zinc and boron that decrease it. The reactor isolated strain presented all biochemical characteristics of Acetobacter genus and the molecular analysis evidenced the expression of the gene for the enzyme alcohol dehidrogenase in all experiments
Doutorado
Doutor em Ciência de Alimentos

Este trabalho contém uma revisão bibliográfica relativa à eficiência de wetlands construídas para a remoção de nitrogênio total e fósforo total. Também foram revisados diversos modelos matemáticos para a simulação desta remoção e foi efetuada uma análise crítica destes modelos. Foram empregados dados de domínio público da eficiência de remoção de nutrientes por wetlands construídas de fluxo superficial. Estes dados foram analisados procurando-se calibrar um modelo matemático para a simulação da eficiência de remoção. Observou-se, porém, que estes dados apresentam comportamento bastante complexo, sendo que, por vezes, a eficiência de remoção medida apresenta valores negativos. Partiu-se então para uma abordagem estatística destes dados, a qual poderá servir para a avaliação do risco de ocorrência de desempenho insatisfatório envolvido no dimensionamento de wetlands construídas.
This work presents a bibliographic review about the efficiency of constructed wetlands to remove total nitrogen and total phosphorus. Also many mathematics models to simulate this removal were reviewed and a critical analysis of these models was carried out. Public domain data about the removal efficiency of nutrients by constructed wetlands of surface flux were used. These data were analyzed in order to fit a mathematical model to simulate the removal efficiency. However it was found that these data present a complex behavior, including the occurrence of negative values. A statistical approach of these data was then carried out as an attempt to assess the risk of unsatisfactory performance involved in the design of constructed wetlands.

No Brasil, está ocorrendo a expansão da área florestal plantada com espécies do gênero Eucalyptus, sendo que a elevada produtividade pode ser atribuída às pesquisas e melhorias operacionais introduzidas nas ultimas décadas. Nos experimentos realizados em diferentes regiões do Brasil, tem se observado maior incremento dos eucaliptos com o aumento das doses de fertilizantes. Mas o excesso ou a aplicação inadequada de fertilizantes gera freqüentemente o desperdício dos insumos e a lixiviação dos elementos, que podem contaminar o solo e o lençol freático. Portanto, foi objetivo deste trabalho analisar o efeito de doses, bem como do parcelamento da aplicação de fertilizantes na produtividade e na ciclagem de nutrientes em plantios de eucaliptos, além de avaliar a lixiviação de nitrogênio e potássio no solo, após a fertilização de cobertura parcelada em comparação à aplicação em dose única, três meses após o plantio. O experimento foi implantado no município de Anhembi-SP, sendo constituído por cinco tratamentos com a aplicação de doses crescentes e eqüidistantes de N, P e K com a aplicação da fertilização de cobertura (N e K) em 4 parcelas e por um tratamento com fertilização de cobertura aplicada em dose única, três meses após o plantio. Foram avaliados o incremento volumétrico e a produção da biomassa aérea e radicular das árvores, as concentrações e os estoques de nutrientes nos eucaliptos (mineralomassas), a eficiência do uso dos nutrientes, a transferência de nutrientes das árvores para o solo através da produção de folhedo (ciclo biogeoquímico), a ciclagem interna dos nutrientes (ciclo bioquímico), bem como o fluxo de água e a lixiviação do N e K no solo nas profundidades de 20 e 90 cm. Os eucaliptos responderam positivamente ao aumento das doses de fertilizantes, principalmente na fase inicial, apresentando maior produtividade (altura, volume e biomassa). O tratamento com a maior dose obteve, aos 24 meses de idade, 105 t ha-1 de biomassa total, sendo 48% superior ao tratamento sem fertilização, com apenas 71 t ha-1. Entretanto o efeito das maiores doses de fertilizantes foi mais acentuado na fase inicial do crescimento, até os 12 meses de idade. Ocorreu a atenuação do incremento ao longo do tempo, sendo que aos 24 meses não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos com a aplicação de doses de fertilizantes. A fertilização também propiciou maior acúmulo de nutrientes (mineralomassa) nos componentes das árvores (folhas, galhos, lenho, casca e raízes) e maior transferência de nutrientes para o solo, através do folhedo. Assim, os eucaliptos com a adição das doses mais elevadas de fertilizantes devolveram ao solo, via folhedo, aproximadamente 50 kg ha-1 ano-1 de N, 20 kg ha-1 ano-1 de K e 80 kg ha-1 ano-1 de Ca, enquanto o tratamento sem fertilização transferiu para o solo apenas 25 kg ha-1 ano-1 de N, 6,5 kg ha-1 ano-1 de K e 47 kg ha-1 ano-1 de Ca, no período entre 12 a 24 meses de idade. Foi observado que os eucaliptos com menor disponibilidade de nutrientes foram mais eficientes no uso do N e K. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas na produção de biomassa lenhosa entre os tratamentos com aplicação da fertilização de cobertura de forma parcelada ou em dose única, sendo observado maior lixiviação do N e do K, aos 90 cm de profundidade, com a aplicação em dose única.
It is occurring, in Brazil, the expansion of planted forest area with species that belong to the Eucalyptus genus, one of the reasons is the high biomass productivity resulting from the research and the operational improvements that have been implemented during the last decades. In several field experiments, has been observed an increase of eucalypts growth by using a higher amount of fertilizers. But excessive or inappropriate application of fertilizers may generate the fertilizer waste and nutrients leaching that may contaminate soil and watertable. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fertilization doses in the biomass production and nutrient cycling from the eucalypt plantation, as well as evaluating the N and K leaching in the soil after the application of split and single dose of N and K fertilization. The experiment was set up in the Anhembi city (State of São Paulo), and it was constituted by five treatments with doses of fertilizers and N and K in split application (4 times) and also a treatment with a single dose of N and K application, 3 months after planting. It was evaluated the wood volume, root and shoot biomass, concentrations and stocks of nutrients in eucalypts biomass (mineralomass), the efficiency of nutrient use, the nutrient transference from the canopy to the soil through litter production (leaf-fall), internal nutrients cycling (biochemical cycle), the water flow and leaching of N and K in the soil at the depths of 20 and 90 cm. The eucalypts responded positively to the increased fertilization doses, especially in the first year, with higher productivity (height, DBH and biomass). Treatment with the highest dose for 24 months produced 105 tons ha-1 of biomass, 48% higher than the treatment without fertilization, with only 71 tons ha-1. However the effect of higher doses was more evident at an early stage of tree growth, up to 12 months of age. However, the difference decrease over time, and at 24 months there were not significant differences among the treatments with fertilization application. Fertilization also resulted in higher nutrients accumulation (mineralomass) in all tree components (leaves, branches, wood, bark and roots) and increased nutrient transfer to the soil through deposition of leaf litter. Thus, the eucalypts applied the highest addition of fertilization dose returned to the soil through litter, about 50 kg ha-1 yr-1 of N, 20 kg ha-1 yr-1 of K and 80 kg ha-1 yr-1 of Ca, while the treatment without fertilization transferred to the soil only 25 kg ha-1 yr-1 of N, 6.5 kg ha-1 yr-1 of K and 47 kg ha-1 yr-1 of Ca during 12 months (between 12 to 24 months after planting). It was observed more efficient use of nutrients from the eucalypts with lower nutrients availability. Also, there were no significant differences in the growth of eucalypts from the treatments with split N and K application and single N and K application. However, there was a higher leaching of K and N, 90 cm deep, in the single application treatment.

A cana-de-açúcar e produtos derivados são de grande relevância econômica para o Brasil e vários outros países. Inúmeras variedades de cana-de-açúcar são cultivadas e novas variedades têm sido desenvolvidas para buscar ganhos de produtividade. Nesse sentido, são indispensáveis materiais de referência certificados (CRMs) para o controle da qualidade de sistemas de medição e validação de métodos, objetivando o estudo do estado nutricional das diferentes variedades de cana-de-açúcar, de modo a otimizar os procedimentos de fertilização e incrementar a produção. Contudo, segundo a base de dados internacional de materiais de referência certificados (COMAR) não existe um CRM que atenda adequadamente a avaliação do estado nutricional da cana-de-açúcar. Assim, este trabalho investigou a possibilidade de produção de um material de referência de folhas de cana-de-açúcar que supra essa demanda. O trabalho foi dividido em duas etapas principais: 1) estudo de variedades de cana-de-açúcar quanto à composição elementar e 2) desenvolvimento do material de referência. Doze variedades de cana-de-açúcar cultivadas no Estado de São de Paulo foram abrangidas no estudo: CTC2, CTC4, CTC11, CTC14, CTC15, CTC17, CTC20, IACSP955000, RB855156, RB965902, RB966928 e SP832847. As técnicas analíticas utilizadas para a avaliação foram a análise por ativação neutrônica instrumental (INAA) e a espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma acoplado indutivamente (ICP OES), além do método de Kjeldahl para determinação de N. Em geral, os resultados mostraram macronutrientes em níveis adequados, enquanto, dentre os micronutrientes, Cu e Zn foram encontrados no limite crítico para quase todas as variedades estudadas. A seleção da variedade RB966928 para produção do material de referência candidato foi baseada nas características nutricionais para alta produtividade, nos menores valores de coeficientes de variação de amostragem em campo (CV<30%) e nas características agronômicas. A produção do material candidato foi realizada a partir de 90 kg de folhas, utilizando apenas 15 cm da parte central sem a nervura principal. Após diversos testes para determinar o melhor procedimento de preparo, as folhas foram liofilizadas, moídas e homogeneizadas, obtendo-se 410 frascos do material candidato contendo 20 g cada. A caracterização física mostrou umidade residual do material de 3,8 % e tamanho de partículas < 115 µm. Testes de homogeneidade dentro do frasco e entre frascos foram realizados utilizando INAA e método de Kjeldahl. Os resultados de fração de massa demonstraram a homogeneidade do material dentro de frascos para dezoito elementos, usando massas de 180 mg a 200 mg. Já a homogeneidade entre frascos foi comprovada para vinte elementos. Estudos de estabilidade a curto e a longo prazo demonstraram que o material manteve-se estável nas três condições avaliadas (40°C com umidade relativa a 100%, 20°C e -20°C). A caracterização química final do material foi realizada no National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Estados Unidos, onde foram atribuídos valores para dezoito elementos com respectivas incertezas expandidas associadas: Al, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cs, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sc, Sm, Th e Zn. Além disso, foram atribuídos valores estimativos para Hf, N, P, Sb, Sr e V determinados pelo método de Kjeldahl e INAA
The sugarcane and derived products are of great economic importance for Brazil and several other countries. Many varieties of sugar cane are grown and new varieties have been developed to seek productivity gains. In this sense, certified reference materials (CRMs) are necessary for the quality control of measurement systems and validation of methods, aiming at the study of the nutritional status of the different sugarcane varieties for optimizing fertilization and increasing production. However, according to the international database of certified reference materials (COMAR) there is not a suitable CRM for the assessment of nutritional status of sugarcane. Thus, this work investigates the possibility of producing a reference material from leaves of sugarcane to fulfill such a demand. The work was divided into two main steps: 1) study of sugarcane varieties regarding elemental composition and 2) development of the reference material. Twelve varieties of sugarcane grown in the State of São Paulo were covered in the study: CTC2, CTC4, CTC11, CTC14, CTC15, CTC17, CTC20, IACSP955000, RB855156, RB965902, RB966928 and SP832847. The analytical techniques used for the assessment of composition were neutron activation analysis (NAA) and optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES), in addition to the Kjeldahl method for determination of N. In general, the results showed macronutrients in adequate levels, while, among the micronutrients, Cu and Zn were found in the critical limit for almost all the varieties studied. The selection of the variety RB966928 for producing the candidate reference material was based on the nutritional characteristics for high productivity, on the lower coefficients of variation of sampling in the field (RSD < 30%) and on the agronomic characteristics. The candidate material was produced from 90 kg of leaves, using only 15 cm from the central part without the main rib. After various tests for determining the best preparation procedure, the leaves were lyophilized, milled and homogenized, obtaining 410 bottles of the candidate material containing 20 g each. The physical characterization found residual moisture of 3.8 % and particle size < 115 µm. Homogeneity tests within and between bottles were performed using NAA and Kjeldahl method. The results confirmed the within bottle homogeneity of the material for all eighteen elements, using masses from 180 mg to 200 mg, while the homogeneity between bottles was confirmed for twenty elements. Stability studies in the short and the long term demonstrated that the material was stable in the three conditions used (40°C with a relative humidity of 100%, 20°C and 20°C). The final characterization of the candidate material was performed at NIST, National Institute of Standards and Technology, United States, where values were assigned for eighteen elements with respective expanded uncertainties: Al, Br, Ca, Ce, Cl, Co, Cs, Fe, K, La, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Sc, Sm, Th, and Zn. In addition, estimated values were also assigned for Hf, N, P, Sb, Sr and V determined by the Kjeldahl method and INAA

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Nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) are nutrients required in larger amounts by corn, requiring adequate levels of N and K phases of higher demand culture. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fertilization with N and K nutrition, performance and productivity of maize in long-term tillage system. The experiment was carried out on a Yellow Red Oxisol dystrophic with 530 g kg-1 clay under no-till for 30 years. The sequence of crops adopted before the establishment of the experiment was oat/corn/wheat/soybean/wheat/soybean with the annual crop of oat/corn in 33% of the area and wheat/soybean in 67% of the area. A randomized complete block design was used, with three replications in a split-plot arrangement. The treatments consisted of applications of urea at 0, 75, 150, and 225 kg N ha-1 to subplots within plots with KCl previously at 0, 100, 200, and 300 kg K ha-1. The K rates were applied on the surface before seeding, and the N rates were applied in top dressing when corn plants were at the V4 stage (four fully expanded leaves). The Ca/K, Ca + Mg/K, and √ relationships in the topsoil (0-0.20 m) were linearly reduced with increasing rates of K applied pre-sowing. There was no significant effect of increasing K rates on concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe in corn leaves, dry weight of shoots and grains of corn. The increase in N rates increased the contents of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn and Zn in the leaves of corn at the silking stage, increased the concentration of N and decreased the content of P, K, Mn, Zn, and Fe in the aboveground part and increased the concentrations of N, P, K, S, Mn, Zn, and Fe in corn grains. The increasing rates of K increased the extraction of K, while the N rates increased the extraction of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn, Zn, and Cu by corn shoots. The export of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Fe was not affected by K rates, but increased with increasing rates of N applied in corn. Potassium fertilization increased plant height and ear height. Increasing N rates increased stem diameter, plant height and ear height, the dry matter production of shoots, the number of kernels per row and per spike, spike and the mass of the mass 1000 grains. Potassium rates did not significantly influence corn grain yield, while increasing rates of N reached double the corn yield. The N use efficiency decreased with increasing N rates in corn and has not improved with potassium fertilization. The relative grain yield of corn was closely related to foliar N, P, Mg and S. The relative grain yield of corn had closer relations with the products N × P, N × K, and N × S than with N/P, N/K, and S/N ratio in leaf tissue of corn. The results suggest that the high demand of N by corn grown after oat under no-till does not increase the demand for K fertilization in corn, in soil with sufficient content of exchangeable K in the 0-0.20 m layer.
O nitrogênio (N) e o potássio (K) são os nutrientes exigidos em maiores quantidades pela cultura do milho, sendo necessárias quantidades adequadas de N e K nas fases de maior demanda da cultura. O presente trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da adubação com N e K na nutrição, no desempenho e na produtividade da cultura do milho em sistema plantio direto de longa duração. O experimento foi realizado em um Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo distrófico com 530 g kg-1 de argila, conduzido em sistema de plantio direto por 30 anos. A sequência de culturas adotada antes da instalação do experimento foi aveia/milho/trigo/soja/trigo/soja, com cultivo anual de aveia/milho em 33% da área e de trigo/soja em 67% da área. O delineamento experimental empregado foi em blocos ao acaso, em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com três repetições. Nas parcelas foram aplicados 100, 200 e 300 kg ha-1 de K, além de um tratamento controle sem K. Nas subparcelas foram empregados 75, 150 e 225 kg ha-1 de N, além de um tratamento controle sem N. As doses de K foram aplicadas na forma de KCl, a lanço em pré-semeadura, e as de N foram aplicadas na forma de ureia, em cobertura, quando as plantas de milho estavam no estádio V4 (quatro folhas completamente expandidas). As relações Ca/K, Ca+Mg/K e √ no solo (0–0,20 m) foram linearmente reduzidas com o aumento das doses de K aplicadas em pré-semeadura. Não houve efeito significativo do aumento das doses de K sobre as concentrações de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn, Zn, Cu e Fe nas folhas de milho, na massa seca da parte aérea e nos grãos do milho. O incremento de doses de N aumentou os teores de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn e Zn nas folhas de milho na fase de florescimento, aumentou a concentração de N e diminuiu os teores de P, K, Mn, Zn e Fe na matéria seca da parte aérea, e aumentou as concentrações de N, P, K, S, Mn, Zn e Fe nos grãos de milho. O incremento das doses de K aumentou a extração de K, enquanto as doses de N aumentaram a extração de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn, Zn e Cu pela parte aérea do milho. A exportação de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn, Zn, Cu e Fe não foi alterada pelas doses de K, porém aumentou com o incremento de doses de N aplicadas na cultura do milho. As doses de K aumentaram a altura das plantas e de inserção da espiga. O aumento das doses de N aumentou o diâmetro de colmo, a altura das plantas e de inserção da espiga, a produção de matéria seca da parte aérea, o número de grãos por fileira e por espiga, a massa da espiga e a massa de 1000 grãos. As doses de K não influenciaram significativamente a produtividade de grãos de milho, enquanto que o aumento das doses de N chegou a dobrar a produtividade de grãos do milho. A eficiência de utilização de N diminuiu com o incremento das doses de N aplicadas em cobertura e não melhorou com adubação potássica na cultura do milho. A produtividade relativa de grãos de milho esteve estreitamente relacionada com os teores foliares de N, P, Mg e S. A produtividade relativa de grãos de milho apresentou relações mais estreitas com os produtos N × P, N × K e N × S do que com as relações N/P, N/K e N/S no tecido foliar do milho. Os resultados sugerem que a alta demanda de N pelo milho cultivado após aveia preta no sistema plantio direto não aumenta a demanda de K na adubação do milho, em solo com teor suficiente de K trocável na camada de 0–0,20 m.

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The treated domestic sewer when available for the agricultural activities provides economy of water of good quality and chemical fertilizers and it motivates to the agricultural activities. In the semi-arid area of Brazil the reuse of water can be an alternative for the coexistence with the shortage of the hydric resources. In this context, the rural workers of the Municipal district of Lagoa Seca, PB, that produce vegetables during all year as source of revenue happening of the family agriculture. Several researches were already accomplished with the purpose of developing technologies of treatment of sewers that produces effluents with smaller risks of transmission of diseases, but guaranteeing appropriate concentrations of nutrients to the irrigated cultures. The present study had as objective to evaluate the sanitary aspects and nutricionais of the effluents of treated sewers in a system formed by a reactor UASB followed by polishing pond. The use of those effluents was also verified in the fertigation of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Compared with treatments of the soil using mineral and organic manuring, the planting of the bell pepper obeyed the statistical planning of blocks random, with 5 treatments and 4 repetitions. During the experimental period weekly analyses of the effluents were accomplished and of the culture of bell pepper. The pos-treatment of the sewer in the polishing pond produced effluent with sanitary quality inside of the values recommended by the World Organization of Health (OMS, 1989) for irrigation of vegetables consumed raw. The bell pepper irrigated with effluent of the reactor UASB didn't present significant difference of productivity (at the level of 5% of probability for the test Tukey), when compared to the application of mineral and organic manuring.
O esgoto doméstico tratado quando disponibilizado para as atividades agrícolas proporciona economia de água de boa qualidade e fertilizantes químicos e incentiva às atividades agrícolas. Na região semi-árida do Brasil o reúso de água poderá ser uma alternativa para a convivência com a escassez dos recursos hídricos. Neste contexto, estão inseridos os trabalhadores rurais do Município de Lagoa Seca, PB, que produzem hortaliças durante todo ano como fonte de renda advindo da agricultura familiar. Diversas pesquisas já foram realizadas com a finalidade de desenvolver tecnologias de tratamento de esgotos que produza efluentes com menores riscos de transmissão de doenças, mas garantindo concentrações adequadas de nutrientes às culturas irrigadas. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os aspectos sanitários e nutricionais dos efluentes de esgotos tratados em um sistema formado por um reator UASB seguido de lagoa de polimento. Também foi verificada a utilização desses efluentes na fertirrigação de pimentão (Capsicum annuum L.). Comparada com tratamentos do solo utilizando adubação mineral e orgânica, o plantio do pimentão obedeceu ao delineamento estatístico de blocos ao acaso, com 5 tratamentos e 4 repetições. Durante o período experimental foram realizadas análises semanais dos efluentes e da cultura de pimentão. O pós-tratamento do esgoto na lagoa de polimento produziu efluente com qualidade sanitária dentro dos valores recomendados pela Organização Mundial de Saúde (OMS, 1989) para irrigação de vegetais consumidos crus. O pimentão irrigado com efluente do reator UASB não apresentou diferença significativa de produtividade (ao nível de 5% de probabilidade pelo teste Tukey), quando comparado à aplicação de adubação mineral e orgânica.

Increased inputs of nutrients to estuaries and coastal waters can cause undesirable effects associated with eutrophication, including nuisance and toxic algal blooms, reduced amenity value, changes in species composition, bottom anoxia and fish kills. The main sources of nutrients to estuaries are river runoff, sewage discharges, atmospheric inputs and possibly submarine groundwater discharges. For the UK, estuarine eutrophication has been shown to occur in at least 16 estuaries (including the Taw in North Devon). Consequently, these systems have been designated as '(Potential) Problem Area' under the OSPAR Common Procedure for the Identification of Eutrophication and also as a 'Eutrophic Water' under the EU's Nitrates Directive and I or a 'Sensitive Area (Eutrophic)' under the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive or both. Significant reductions in N and P inputs have been realized following application of the EU's Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. Atmospheric NOx and NHx emissions have also decreased and are expected to decrease further as implementation of existing legislation continues and new controls are introduced for activities such as shipping. The Nitrates Directive was introduced to tackle N discharges from agriculture but little change in N loads to estuaries has been recorded. Using the Taw Estuary as an example, data routinely collected by the Environment Agency for England and Wales (EA) over the period 1990-2004 were interrogated to identify the drivers of excessive algal growth. The estuary was highly productive with chlorophyll a concentrations regularly exceeding 100 µg Lˉ¹ , mostly during periods of low freshwater input from the River Taw when estuarine water residence times were longest. The reported approach demonstrates the value of applying conventional statistical analyses in a structured way to existing monitoring data and is recommended as a useful tool for the rapid assessment of estuarine eutrophication. However, understanding of primary production dynamics in the Taw was constrained because of the low temporal resolution, heterogeneity and gaps in the EA data. Therefore, a temporal high resolution monitoring campaign was conducted in summer 2008 to document the development and decline of three algal blooms. The significance of long water residence times following low freshwater inflow and neap tides was confirmed. During peaks in chlorophyll a concentration (max. 226 µg Lˉ¹ ) , nutrient limitation switched from P to Si and persisted for more than 2 weeks in the outer estuary. Signs of ammonium and phosphate ( <0.2 µM) and silicate ( <2 µM) depletion were also observed. Using multivariate statistics, five distinct sets of environmental conditions present in the Taw at different stages of algal growth were identified and directly linked to freshwater inflow. UK Climate Impacts Programme scenarios predict a 30-50% decrease in Q95 flows (the flow which is exceeded 95% of the time) of rivers in south Britain by 2050. Under the current nutrient regime, this is likely to severely increase the severity and duration of symptoms of eutrophication in the Taw and favour potentially hazardous phytoplankton groups instead of diatoms. To mitigate future eutrophication events in the Taw, it is recommended to further reduce N and P inputs. It is also crucial to perform a detailed assessment of potential climate change consequences for the Taw Estuary and similar systems.

Corn (Zea mays L.) intercropped with Brachiaria spp. plays an important role in tropical agriculture management, providing residues or forage to areas intensively cropped. Although previous studies provide useful information about effects of intercropping on soil management and crop yield, a better understanding of how corn-Brachiaria intercropping systems impacts exogenous and endogenous nutrient dynamic is needed. Two experiments were performed in the both conventional and late planting season. In the first, corn and palisadegrass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) monoculture were compared with two intercropping patterns, directed for production of residues or forage, with simulated animal grazing. Biomass, crop nitrogen (N) content, N derived from fertilizer and N budget were measured. Among farming systems, variable responses remained almost unchanged during period of simultaneous growth. After corn harvest, intercropping patterns achieved greater biomass (0.6-11 Mg ha-1) and N content (12-318 kg ha-1) relative to fallow preceded by corn monoculture, but it results in overall gains (pre and post-harvest) only to conventional planting season. N fertilizer recovery was not affected by intercropping patterns. When corn and Brachiaria were intercropped to establish pasture, simulated grazing after grain harvest had a tightly influence on N budget, approximately -221 kg ha-1. The second experiment investigated the influence of Brachiaria species on corn nutrients partitioning and their cycling after corn harvest. Biomass, N, phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) content were evaluated using corn intercropped with three species of Brachiaria (B. Brizantha cv Marandu, B. ruziziensis, and B. hybrid cultivar Mulato II, Convert HD 36) and corn monoculture. Biomass and nutrient content was not affect when corn was intercropped with Brachiaria species. After corn harvest, Brachiaria nutrient content and biomass yield were ranking from greater to lower following the order: B. brizantha > B. ruziziensis > B. convert. Relative with the corn monoculture, intercropping treatments enhanced the total biomass (corn + Brachiaria) and the nutrient accumulation only when planted at conventional season. Over 6 site-yr, benefits of intercropping appear after corn harvest, particularly at conventional planting season. Corn intercropped with Brachiaria species either had no effect N fertilizer recovery or affect N-fertilizer distribution within components of soil-plant system. Nonetheless, intercropping provide greater biomass accumulation after harvest compared with corn monoculture, resulting in larger nutrient content stored in plant component. Our results suggest a larger N requirements when crop-livestock activities was integrated. Corn intercropped with B. brizantha during conventional season was the best approach to enhanced crop yield and nutrient cycle for corn production systems.
O consórcio entre milho (Zea mays L) e espécies de Brachiaria spp. (syn. Urochloa spp.) desempenha importante função no manejo da agricultura tropical, produzir resíduos ou forragem em áreas intensivamente cultivadas. Apesar de estudos anteriores fornecerem valiosas informações sobre efeitos do consórcio sobre o manejo do solo e produção de biomassa, um melhor entendimento de como este sistema de cultivo afeta a dinâmica de nutrientes (exógenos ou endógeno) é necessário. Dois experimentos foram conduzidos durante a safra e segunda safra. No primeiro, os monocultivos de milho e braquiária (Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu) foram comparados com dois padrões de consórcio, direcionado a produção de resíduos ou forragem, com simulação do pastejo animal. Biomassa, acúmulo de nitrogênio (N), N- fertilizante e balanço de N foram avaliados. As variáveis respostas praticamente não foram afetadas pelos sistemas de cultivos durante o período de coexistência. Após a colheita do milho, os sistemas consórciados acumularam mais biomassa (0,6 -11 Mg ha-1) e N (12-318 kg ha-1) comparado ao pousio precedido pelo monocultivo de milho, apesar destes incrementos afetarem apenas o acúmulos totais (pré+pós-colheita) do cultivo de safra. A recuperação do N-fertilizante foi semelhante entre os sitemas de cultivo. Quando o consórcio objetivou a implantação de pasto, o pastejo simulado após a colheita do milho influênciou o balanço de N, com deficit de aproximadamente -221 kg ha-1.O segundo experimento foi conduzido para investigar a influência das espécies de Brachiaria sobre o particionamento de nutrientes no milho e a ciclagem pós-colheita de grãos. Produção de biomassa, quantidades de N, fósforo (P) e postássio (K) acumuladas foram avaliadas no monocultivo de milho e em três espécies de Brachiaria spp. (B. Brizantha cv Marandu, B. ruziziensis, and B. hibrido cultivar Mulato II, Convert HD 36) em consórcio com milho. Biomassa e acúmulo de nutrientes não foram afetados no consórcio do milho com as espécies de Brachiaria. Após a colheita do milho, o acúmulo de biomassa e nutrientes das espéceis de braquiária classificadas em ordem decrescente foram: B. brizantha > B. ruziziensis > B. convert. Comparado ao monocultivo de milho, o consórcio aumentou a biomassa total (milho+braquiária) e o acúmulo de nutrientes apenas quando cultivado na safra. Entre os 6 locais/anos, os benefícios do consórcio ocorreu após acolheita do milho, especialmente para o cultivo de safra. O milho consorciado com espécies de Brachiaria não afetou a recuperação do N-fertilizante nem sua distribuição nos componentes do sistema solo-planta. Entretanto, o consórcio proporcionou maior acúmulo de biomassa após a colheita do milho se comparado ao pousio precedido pelo monocultivo de milho, aumentando a porção de nutrientes alocados no compartimento planta do sistema. Nossos resultados sugerem que a integração entre atividades de lavoura e pastejo aumenta a demanda por N do sistema de produção. O consórcio entre milho e Brachiaria brizantha cv Marandu no cultivo de safra foi a melhor estratégia para aumentar a produção de biomassa e a ciclagem de nutrientes no sistema de produção do milho.

Nowadays, coastal waters have to face a series of common threats that are caused primarily by human activity. In particular, the overload of nutrients can lead to an evident degradation of aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, anthropogenic activities have also affected Earth’s climate. Changes in climate have the potential to alter significantly the availability and quality of waters. In the last decade, research started to focus on how anthropogenic climate change can influence the effects posed by nutrients to aquatic ecosystems. In fact, the occurrence, fate and transport of nutrients are influenced by physico-chemical processes (e.g. runoff, flooding events, nutrient speciation and distribution, water-sediment interactions) which are likely to be altered by climate change. As a result, the exposure of living organisms is affected, and so can be the effects. In this study, we present the case study of the Zero river basin, one of the main contributors of freshwater and nutrient loadings to the Venice lagoon (Italy). In order to predict the effects of climate change on the loadings of nutrients and their effects on the first trophic levels of the lagoon ecosystem, we applied a methodology integrating an ensemble of climate projections, the hydrological model SWAT and the ecological model AQUATOX.

FERREIRA, Francisco Jardelson. Adubação de roseiras com base no balanço de nutrientes no sistema solo-planta. 2016. 77 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em agronomia)- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2016.
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Rose is an economically important crop for the national and the international market and due to this fact generates income to the Ceara State. Rose is a demanding crop in relation to fertilizers, requiring knowledge of soil fertility, nutritional plant requirements and nutrients use efficiency to obtain adequate fertilization. Based on the nutritional balance through the use of mechanistic and empirical models, it is possible to develop a system to quantify the plant nutrients demands to achieve a given productivity. This paper aims to establish parameters of a fertilizer and lime recommendation system to rose crop, based on the plant nutritional balance. The experiment was conducted at the company Cearosa in São Benedito - CE. Plants will be collected during five months and once a month, five rose plants from four varieties (Top Secret, Avalanche, Attache and Ambience) As contradictory Airlines plants Were grinded. Samples will be ground and nutrients content will be determined: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Fe, Mn, e Zn. Every sampling plant time, were also soil samples collected at two depths (0-20 and 20-40 cm) In which they underwent fertility analysis. To estimate the fertilizer recommendation, the system was be subdivided into requirement subsystem (REQ), which includes the plant nutrients demands, considering the recovery efficiency of the nutrients to be applied and a rate to achieve the "sustainability" criteria and the supply subsystem (SUP) that comprises the soil nutrient supply. After determining the total REQ and SUP, held -if the nutritional balance, and if the result is positive (REQ> SUP), fertilizers application is recommended and if the result negative or zero (REQ ≤ SUP), fertilizers application is not recommended. The system estimated that there is excess nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization for all cultivars , however , there needs to be supplemental potassium fertilizer . The system estimated that the soil is able to meet the demand of plants for P and Fe for all cultivars , however , there must be supplementary nitrogen fertilizer , potassium . As for micronutrients , the system estimated that there is need for additional fertilizer for Zn in all rosebushes and Mn for the rosebushes "Top Secret " and " Avalnche " , however with very close recommendation the optimal dose , ie equal to zero.
A roseira é uma cultura de grande valor no mercado interno e externo, devido a esse fato, as rosas geram benefícios para o estado do Ceará. É uma cultura muito exigente em relação à adubação, sendo necessários conhecimentos da fertilidade do solo, exigências nutricionais da planta e eficiência na utilização de nutrientes, para obtenção de uma adubação adequada. Partindo a hipótese de que conhecendo-se o balanço nutricional da cultura, levando-se em consideração a demanda de nutrientes pela cultura para alcançar uma dada produtividade e o suprimento de nutrientes pelo solo, é possível determinar a quantidade de nutrientes a ser adicionada na fertilização do solo. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo determinar com base no balanço de nutrientes solo-planta a quantidade de nutrientes a ser adicionada no solo para cultura da roseira. O experimento foi conduzido na empresa Cearosa, em São Benedito - CE, as plantas foram coletadas durante cinco meses, sendo uma vez por mês, amostrando cinco plantas aleatórias, de quatro cultivares de rosas: (Top Secret, Avalanche, Attache e Ambience). As partes aéreas das plantas foram moídas e mineralizadas para determinação dos teores dos nutrientes: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Fe, Mn e Zn. Simultaneamente a coleta de plantas, também foram coletadas amostras de solo em duas profundidades, camada de 0 a 20 e de 20 a 40cm. Na qual foram submetidas à análise de fertilidade. Para estimar a recomendação de adubação o sistema foi subdividido em: subsistema requerimento (REQ), que contempla a demanda de nutrientes pela planta, considerando a eficiência de recuperação dos nutrientes a serem aplicados, além de uma dose que atende ao critério de “sustentabilidade” e o subsistema suprimento (SUP), que corresponde à oferta de nutrientes pelo solo. Após a determinação do REQ total e SUP total, realizou -se o balanço nutricional, no qual se apresentar resultado positivo (REQ > SUP), recomenda-se a aplicação de fertilizantes, e negativo ou nulo (REQ ≤ SUP), não será recomendado aplicar fertilizantes. O sistema estimou que o solo é capaz de suprir a demanda das plantas para P e Fe para todas as cultivares, no entanto, é necessário que haja complementação de adubação nitrogenada, potássica. Assim como para os micronutrientes, o sistema estimou que há necessidade de complementação de adubação, para Zn em todas as roseiras e Mn para as roseiras “Top secret” e “Avalnche”, no entanto com a recomendação bem próximos a dose ideal, ou seja, igual a zero.

Understanding the dynamics of leaf litter inputs in streams involves assessment of retention, spatial distribution and processing of leaf litter inputs. However, leaf litter dynamics in streams has been mostly studied by determining the controlling factors of leaf litter processing, ignoring if leaf litter inputs are retained within the streams, and how these inputs are spatially distributed within the streambed. Furthermore, leaf litter processing in streams is not an isolated process because it can be linked with the dynamics of solutes of these streams. In fact, leachates from leaf litter provide to the streams with dissolved organic matter (DOM), as well as, dissolved nutrients (i.e., nitrogen [N] and phosphorous [P]). Also, the mineralization of leaf litter inputs implies the releasing of dissolved forms of C and nutrients to the stream water column. In addition, microbial communities inhabiting leaf litter uptake dissolved forms from water column during leaf litter decomposition. Despite the obvious linkage between leaf litter processing and in-stream solute dynamics, few studies provided information about the main drivers controlling this connection. In order to understand how leaf litter dynamics operates in stream ecosystems, the present thesis aims to examine (a) how the hydro-morphological characteristics of the recipient stream can influence the retention, spatial distribution, physical fragmentation and decomposition of leaf litter inputs. Moreover, we also examine (b) the interaction between leaf litter processing and in-stream dynamics of dissolved organic carbon and dissolved inorganic nitrogen and how it varies depending on the leaf litter species considered. To approach this aim, we specifically examine how the leaf litter quality of different riparian tree species can influence: (b1) the chemical-composition and bioavailability of leaf litter leachates to streams (b2) the uptake of DIN and DOC from water column by microbial decomposers during decomposition process and how it is related to the activity of microbial decomposers and, (b3) how microbially-driven leaf litter decomposition vary among streams which covered a wide gradient of inorganic nutrient concentrations. The present thesis reveals that heterogeneity of water velocity within a reach is a factor controlling different aspects of leaf litter dynamics in streams because not only influences the fraction of leaf litter retained but also how these inputs are spatially distributed and further processed within the streams. Therefore, we indicate that the relevance of leaf litter inputs as organic matter source to in-stream communities can be subjected to the hydro- morphological characteristics of the receiving stream reaches, since they determine the spatial heterogeneity of water velocity within the reach. In addition, we suggest that leaf litter quality influence on the chemical and structural properties of the leaf litter-leachates and also how these leaches are used by in-stream microbial assemblages. The quality of leaf litter can also dictate the microbial demands of dissolved C and N from the water column. Finally, we suggested that the influence of in-stream nutrient concentrations on leaf litter decomposition can be subjected to the leaf litter quality. Considering all our results together we suggest that riparian composition, which dictates the quality of leaf litter inputs, may control the linkage between leaf litter processing and in-stream C and N solute dynamics. However, the heterogeneity of water velocity may be the most relevant factor determining the importance of leaf litter to streams because it can control the probability that leaves contribute to the stream metabolism or to be exported downstream.
Para comprender cómo funciona la dinámica de la hojarasca en arroyos, la presente tesis pretende examinar (a) cómo las características hidro-morfológicas del lecho del arroyo pueden influir en la retención, distribución espacial, fragmentación física y descomposición de la hojarasca. Además, también examinamos (b) la interacción entre el procesamiento de hojarasca y la dinámica del carbono orgánico disuelto y nitrógeno inorgánico disuelto del arroyo y cómo varía dependiendo de las especies de hojarasca consideradas. La presente tesis revela que la heterogeneidad de la velocidad del agua dentro de un tramo es un factor que controla diferentes aspectos de la dinámica de hojarasca en arroyos, ya que no solo influye en la fracción de hojarasca retenida, sino también en cómo estas entradas se distribuyen espacialmente y se procesan en los arroyos. Por lo tanto, indicamos que la relevancia de las entradas de hojarasca como fuente de materia orgánica para las comunidades del arroyo puede estar sujeta a las características hidro-morfológicas de dicho ecosistema, ya que determinan la heterogeneidad espacial de la velocidad del agua dentro del mismo. Además, sugerimos que la calidad de la hojarasca influye en las propiedades químicas y estructurales de los lixiviados de hojarasca y también cómo estos lixiviados son utilizados por los microorganismos del arroyo. La calidad de la hojarasca también puede dictar las demandas microbianas de C y N disuelto de la columna de agua. Finalmente, sugerimos que la influencia de las concentraciones de nutrientes del arroyo en la descomposición de la hojarasca puede estar sujeta a la calidad de la hojarasca. Teniendo en cuenta todos nuestros resultados, sugerimos que la composición del bosque de ribera, que determina la calidad de las entradas de hojarasca, puede controlar el vínculo entre el procesamiento de la hojarasca y la dinámica de solutos C y N del arroyo. Sin embargo, la heterogeneidad de la velocidad del agua puede ser el factor más relevante para determinar la importancia de la hojarasca en las corrientes, ya que puede controlar la probabilidad de que las hojas queden retenidas en el arroyo o se exporten aguas abajo, perdiéndose como fuente de materia y energía.

The continuous discharge of sewage with significant nutrient loads into coastal waters, is causing a dramatic deterioration of the environment due to eutrophication processes. Actually, some practices are being taken into account in aquaculture as the integration of seaweed in fish-farming to control the level of nutrients generated. In order to study the capability of macroalgae for removing nutrients, six species of the Mediterranean Coast of Southern Europe (Corallina elongata, Ulva olivascens, Halopteris scoparia, Cystoseira mediterranea, Laurencia pinnatifida and Enteromorpha sp.) were studied in laboratory experiments. The specimens were incubated in different external nutrient load conditions to determine the uptake rate of nitrate and phosphate, and the internal concentrations of these species were analysed to obtain the concentration factor for both nutrients.

The results obtained show that these algae remove nutrients efficiently from the medium and the uptake rates follow saturation kinetics in normal conditions.

U.olivascens had the highest uptake rate for both nitrate and phosphate while C.elongata and H.scoparia had the highest concentration factor for nitrate and phosphate respectively. These results indicate that integration of these species in intensive fish-farming may play an increasingly important role as a nutrient-removal system, alleviating eutrophication problems due to fed aquaculture.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico
Avaliaram-se o consumo, a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes e o comportamento ingestivo de ovinos da raÃa Morada Nova, recebendo raÃÃes contendo nÃveis crescentes de feno de juazeiro em substituiÃÃo ao feno de capim-tifton 85 (0, 33, 67 e 100%). Utilizaramse dezesseis ovinos machos, nÃo castrados, com peso mÃdio de 26,75kg, alocados em gaiolas metabÃlicas individuais, distribuÃdos em um delineamento em blocos inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e quatro repetiÃÃes. Os consumos de matÃria seca, matÃria orgÃnica, proteÃna bruta, extrato etÃreo, fibra em detergente neutro, carboidratos totais, carboidratos fibrosos, carboidratos nÃo fibrosos e nutrientes digestÃveis totais nÃo foram influenciados pela adiÃÃo do feno de juazeiro Ãs dietas, com valores mÃdios de 1.042,78 e 595,59 g/dia de matÃria seca e fibra em detergente neutro, respectivamente. Observou-se uma reduÃÃo linear para os coeficientes de digestibilidade da matÃria seca, matÃria orgÃnica, fibra em detergente neutro e carboidratos fibrosos. Para o coeficiente de digestibilidade da fibra em detergente Ãcido, observou-se uma reduÃÃo quadrÃtica. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade da proteÃna bruta, extrato etÃreo, carboidratos totais e carboidratos fibrosos nÃo apresentaram variaÃÃes significativas. O balanÃo de nitrogÃnio tambÃm nÃo foi influenciado e apresentou-se positivo para todos os tratamentos. A inclusÃo do feno de juazeiro nÃo influenciou o consumo de nutrientes nem o balanÃo de nitrogÃnio, porÃm reduziu o coeficiente de digestibilidade de alguns componentes da dieta. NÃo se verificou influencia da inclusÃo do feno de juazeiro no tempo despendido para alimentaÃÃo e ruminaÃÃo (min/dia), eficiÃncia de alimentaÃÃo e ruminaÃÃo (g de MS/h e g de FDN/h), dos ovinos em relaÃÃo Ãs dietas experimentais. NÃo houve diferenÃas para o nÃmero de refeiÃÃes/dia, bem como para nÃmeros de perÃodos ruminativos. O feno de juazeiro administrado juntamente com feno de gramÃneas convencionais pode ser uma estratÃgia alimentar para Ãpoca seca no semi-Ãrido nordestino
The intake, the apparent digestibility of nutrients and ingestive behavior of sixteen sheep of Morada Nova race with average weight of 26.75 kg, divided into individual metabolic cages, receiving diets containing crescent levels of juazeiro hay (0, 33, 67 and 100%) were evaluated. A casualized block experimental design with four treatment and four replications was used. Dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber,acid detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, carbohydrates fiber and non-fiber carbohydrates intakes were not influenced by addiction of juazeiro hay of the experimental diets, with average value in the 1042.78 and 595 g/day the dry mater and neutral detergent fiber, respectively. Observed a reduction linear for dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber and carbohydrates fiber digestibility. For acid detergent fiber digestibility observed a reduction quadratic. The crude protein, ether extract, total carbohydrates, carbohydrates fiber digestibility did not present significant variation. The nitrogen balance was not influencing, present positive for treatments. The inclusion of juazeiro hay did not influencing the intake of nutrients, but it reduces the digestibility coefficient in some diet components. The inclusion of hay juazeiro did not influence the ingestive behavior of animals (P> 0.05). The juazeiro hay with convection grass hay is a feeding strategy for northwest semi-arid

Banco do Nordeste do Brasil
Os biofertilizantes lÃquidos vÃm sendo utilizados com relativo sucesso na recuperaÃÃo de bananais que apresentam baixa produtividade, apÃs longo tempo de cultivo. Essa Ãrea ainda carece de estudos, porque sÃo poucas as informaÃÃes existentes relacionadas a tratos culturais que visem ao aumento da vida Ãtil do bananeiral. O objetivo deste trabalho foi fazer um estudo comparativo em Ãreas de bananais degradados que receberam aplicaÃÃo do biofertilizante por um perÃodo de 2 e 5 anos e Ãrea onde a cultura nÃo recebeu esse tipo de aplicaÃÃo. Foram avaliados os efeitos do tempo de aplicaÃÃo sobre as caracterÃsticas quÃmicas do solo, medidas biomÃtricas da planta (altura, nÃmero, comprimento e largura das folhas), produÃÃo de matÃria seca, extraÃÃo e exportaÃÃo de N, P e K pela touceira (planta mÃe, filha e neta) e o aporte de resÃduos vegetais ao solo. Os estudos foram realizados nas Fazendas Frutacor Ltda e Damami na chapada do Apodi municÃpio de QuixerÃ-CE, onde trÃs Ãreas foram selecionadas em bananais de produÃÃo comercial: 1- uma Ãrea controle (AC) irrigada com Ãgua de canal e utilizando-se somente adubaÃÃo mineral; 2- uma Ãrea com 2 anos de aplicaÃÃo do biofertilizante mais adubaÃÃo mineral (A2) e irrigada com Ãgua de poÃo e 3- outra Ãrea com 5 anos de aplicaÃÃo do biofertilizante mais adubaÃÃo mineral (A5) tambÃm irrigada com Ãgua de poÃo. Todas essas Ãreas eram cultivadas com bananeira da cultivar Pacovan com 13 anos de cultivo, plantadas em fileira dupla e densidade de 1400 plantas por hectare. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com trÃs repetiÃÃes. O biofertilizante aumentou os teores de matÃria orgÃnica, K e Ca trocÃveis nas trÃs profundidades do solo. Os nÃveis de P extraÃvel e Mg trocÃvel foram superiores somente na camada superficial. O biofertilizante e a Ãgua da irrigaÃÃo de poÃo aumentaram o pH, a CE e o Na do solo. As plantas que receberam aplicaÃÃo do biofertilizante foram mais altas, com maior peso e n de folhas. A Ãrea A5 que recebeu mais tempo de aplicaÃÃo do biofertilizante apresentou maior produtividade, acumulou 20% mais matÃria seca que a Ãrea controle, extraiu mais N, P e K do solo, exportou mais nutrientes atravÃs da colheita e aportou maior quantidade de resÃduos vegetais ao solo. O sistema de manejo e adubaÃÃo influenciou no desenvolvimento e produÃÃo da bananeira, contribuindo na recuperaÃÃo de bananais degradados. Palavras-Chave: Bananeira; Biofertilizante; ExtraÃÃo de Nutrientes.
The liquid biofertilizers have been used with relative success in the recovery of banana plantations that have low productivity due to long time of cultivation. The area of the present study needs further investigations because there is little information available related to the cultural practices that could increase the time of the crop yield. The objective of the present study was to compare the areas of degraded banana plantations that received application of fertilizer for a period of 2 e 5 years with the areas where the crop did not receive fertilizer application. It was studied the effects of time of application on soil chemical characteristics, biometric measurements of the plant (height, number, length and width of leaves), dry matter production, extraction and export of N, P and K by the plants ( the mother, the daughter and the granddaughter banana plants) and amount of incorporated of plant residues into the soil. The studies were conducted in the localities of Frutacor. and Damami Farms Ltd at the Apodi plateau (county of QuixerÃ-CE, Brazil), where three areas were selected with commercial production of banana. The areas were: 1) - a control area (CA) irrigated with river water and using only mineral fertilizer; 2) - an area that received biofertilizer applications during two years plus mineral fertilization (A2) and being irrigated with well water; and 3) - another area that received 5 years of biofertilizer application plus mineral fertilization (A5) also irrigated with well water. All these areas were planted with banana Pacovan for 13 consecutive years of cultivation following a planting spacing with double rows and density of 1400 plants per hectare. The experimental design was a completely randomized blocks with three replications. The biofertilizer application increased the content of organic matter, exchangeable Ca and K contents in the three soil depths. The levels of extractable P and exchangeable Mg contents were higher only at the surface layer. The irrigation with well water and application of biofertilizer increased soil pH, soil EC and soil Na. Plants that received application of biofertilizer were higher, with both greater weight and number of leaves. The A5 area that has received the application of biofertilizer for more time showed higher productivity, accumulated 20% more dry matter than the control area, extracted more N, P and K from soil, exported more nutrients through harvesting and deposited larger amounts or plant residues on the soil. Key words: Banana; Biofertilizer; Extraction of Nutrients.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
The relationship between ecosystem productivity and biological diversity or PDR (English "productivity-diversity relationships") has become a research area in ecology that has contributed to increasing knowledge about the functioning of ecosystems. Ecologists have found variations in the shape of PDR, such as positive or negative linear, unimodal “humpshaped” or "U-shaped" and unrelated described. There is evidence that PDR is positive linear in regional scale and unimodal in local scale when the regional dissimilarity in species composition increases with productivity in lagoon systems. However, there are in literature, variations in the PDR in phytoplankton on a local scale, which allows us to suggest that environmental factors may affect this relationship locally. Reservoirs are spatially heterogeneous ecosystems, since they have compartments with conditions ranging from lentic in dam until lotic in tributary. This study aimed to: assess the shape of the PDR in phytoplankton reservoirs in local (compartments) and regional (reservoirs) scale; assess the relationship between regional dissimilarity in species composition and regional average productivity; and test the potential of environmental factors such as productivity measures and other physical and chemical factors as descriptors of phytoplankton diversity on scale spatial adopted. For this, were chosen 23 sampling points distributed in seven reservoirs located in the watershed of the river Paraíba, semi-arid northeast of Brazil. Samples were collected at these points to determine the availability of nutrients (total nitrogen, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, orthophosphate and total phosphorus), phytoplankton biomass and richness. It was used the nutrient availability and phytoplankton biomass as measures of productivity and species richness as a measure of diversity. Some physical and chemical factors of water, such as temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids and salinity were obtained from field equipment. Regression analyses were performed to verify the shape of the relationship between measures of productivity and diversity, and between regional dissimilarity in species composition and the regional average productivity. Generalized linear models analyses were done to test the potential of environmental factors as descriptors of the richness of phytoplankton. The shape of the PDR did not vary with spatial scale, linear negative and unimodal relationships were observed. The regional dissimilarity decreased with the regional average productivity. The models indicated that local richness was influenced by physical and chemical factors besides productivity measures. It was concluded that the form of PDR was independent of spatial scale using reservoirs as units of study, situation attributed to the effect of eutrophication on reducing the differences between the species composition of the compartments within each reservoir, generating losses in the diversity of these ecosystems. Furthermore, analysis of the models showed indications that the PDR on a local scale can be influenced by physical and chemical environmental factors.
A relação entre a produtividade do ecossistema e diversidade biológica ou PDR (do inglês “productivity-diversity relationships”) tornou-se uma área de pesquisa em ecologia que tem contribuído cada vez mais para o conhecimento sobre o funcionamento dos ecossistemas. Os ecologistas têm verificado variações na forma desta PDR, tais como linear positiva ou negativa, unimodal em forma de “corcunda” ou em forma de “U” e sem relação descrita. Existem evidências que a PDR é linear positiva em escala regional e unimodal em escala local quando a dissimilaridade regional na composição de espécies aumenta com a produtividade em sistemas lagunares. No entanto, encontram-se na literatura, variações na forma da PDR em fitoplâncton na escala local, o que permite sugerir que fatores ambientais podem interferir localmente nesta relação. Reservatórios são ecossistemas espacialmente heterogêneos, pois apresentam compartimentos com condições que variam de lêntica na barragem até lótica nos rio tributário. Este trabalho objetivou: avaliar a forma da PDR em fitoplâncton de reservatórios em escala local (compartimentos) e regional (reservatórios); avaliar a relação entre a dissimilaridade regional na composição de espécies e produtividade média regional; e testar o potencial de fatores ambientais, tais como medidas de produtividade e outros fatores físicos e químicos como descritores da diversidade fitplanctônica nas escalas espaciais adotadas. Para isto, foram escolhidos 23 pontos de amostragem distribuídos em sete reservatórios localizados na bacia hidrográfica do rio Paraíba, semiárido nordestino do Brasil. Amostras foram coletadas nestes pontos para determinação da disponibilidade de nutrientes (nitrogênio total, amônia, nitrito, nitrato, fósforo total e ortofosfato), biomassa e riqueza fitoplanctônica. Utilizou-se a disponibilidade de nutrientes e biomassa fitplanctônica como medidas de produtividade e a riqueza de espécies como medida de diversidade. Alguns fatores físicos e químicos da água, tais como temperatura, pH, condutividade elétrica, turbidez, oxigênio dissolvido, sólidos totais dissolvidos e salinidade foram obtidos através de equipamento de campo. Análises de regressão foram feitas para verificar a forma da relação entre as medidas de produtividade e a diversidade, e entre a dissimilaridade regional na composição de espécies e a produtividade média regional. Análises de modelos lineares generalizados foram feitas para testar o potencial de fatores ambientais como descritores da riqueza fitoplanctônica. A forma da PDR não variou com a escala espacial, foram observadas relações lineares negativas e unimodais. A dissimilaridade regional diminuiu com a produtividade média regional. Os modelos indicaram que a riqueza local foi influenciada por fatores físicos e químicos além das medidas de produtividade. Conclui-se que a forma da PDR foi independente da escala espacial utilizando reservatórios como unidades de estudo, situação atribuída ao efeito da eutrofização em reduzir as diferenças entre a composição de espécies dos compartimentos dentro de cada reservatório, gerando perdas na diversidade destes ecossistemas. Além disso, a análise dos modelos mostraram indícios que a PDR em escala local pode ser influenciada por fatores físicos e químicos do ambiente.

A presente pesquisa estudou a viabilidade do emprego de sais de magnésio em estações de tratamento de esgoto sanitário visando a remoção do fósforo, bem como a produção de estruvita, mineral que pode ser utilizado diretamente no solo como fertilizante. As estações estudadas nesta pesquisa foram a Estação de Tratamento de Esgoto Sanitário de Franca-SP e a Estação de Tratamento de Esgoto Sanitário Jardim das Flores, localizada no município de Rio Claro-SP, e a Estação de Tratamento de Esgoto Sanitário Piçarrão, no município de Campinas. No caso da ETE Jardim das Flores (Rio Claro-SP), observou a possibilidade do emprego de sais de magnésio para se remover fósforo no efluente dos reatores UASB. Com ensaios de Jar-Test, atingiu-se cerca 49% de remoção de fosfato na amostra precipitada por gravidade e cerca de 90% na amostra centrifugada. No caso da ETE-Franca-SP, constatou-se, apesar do emprego de sais de magnésio não ter sido viável, verificou-se os benefícios do emprego de cloreto férrico em estações de tratamento de esgoto sanitário.
The present research studied the use of magnesium salts to remove phosphorus. With the phosphorus removal, magnesium salts, produce, as well, struvite, mineral that can be use directly on soil as fertilizer. The wastewater treatment plants objects of studies in this research was Wastewater Treatment Plant of Franca (SABESP) city Wastewater Treatment Plant of Jardim das Flores (Foz do Brasil), at Rio Claro city, and Wastewater Treatment Plant of Piçarrão (SANASA), at Campinas city. All three WWTP\'s are at São Paulo state, Brazil. In WWTP Jardim das Flores/Foz do Brasil (Rio Claro-SP), the results shown the viability of magnesium salts use at effluent of UASB reactors. In Jar-test essays, the phosphorus removal reached among 49% and in centrifuged samples, phosphorus removal was among 90%. In WWTP Franca-SP/SABESP, the results shown the benefits of iron salts in wastewater treatment.

O feijão-caupi, através da simbiose com bactérias do gênero Bradyrhizobium, pode obter N através do processo de fixação biológica do N2 (FBN), que é uma das formas de incrementar a produtividade de leguminosas, evitando-se custos com adubos nitrogenados solúveis. As deficiências nutricionais podem interferir na FBN, pois o fósforo, deficiente na maioria dos solos tropicais, tem efeito marcante sobre a atividade da nitrogenase. Com isto objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar as doses de fósforo na cultura do feijão caupi em condições de casa de vegetação e em campo de cultivo com e sem o uso de inoculante. Os experimentos foram conduzidos, no ano agrícola 2014/15 na Universidade Federal do Tocantins, com a variedade de feijão caupi BRS Nova Era. Para a avaliação promoveu-se a inoculação de uma estirpe padrão já recomendada para a cultura do feijão caupi. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial (2x6) sendo o primeiro fator (Com e sem inoculação) e o segundo fator seis doses de fósforo (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 e 150 kg ha-1 de P2O5), totalizando 12 tratamentos, com três repetições em casa de vegetação e em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições em campo, safra 2014/15. As características avaliadas em casa de vegetação foram Massa Seca da Parte Aérea, Massa Seca das Raízes, Número de Nódulos, Massa Seca dos Nódulos e Acúmulo de fósforo na parte aérea. As características avaliadas em campo foram Florescimento, Clorofila total, Massa Seca das Raízes, Número de Nódulos, Massa Seca dos Nódulos, Massa Seca da Parte Aérea, peso de cem sementes, produtividade e Acúmulo de fósforo na parte aérea. A aplicação de fósforo juntamente com a inoculação proporcionou o acréscimo na massa seca da raiz da cultivar de feijão-caupi Nova Era. A dose de fósforo com inoculante que propiciou a máxima produção de massa seca parte aérea, massa seca da raiz e acúmulo de fósforo na parte aérea foi de 150 kg ha-1 de P2O5, em casa de vegetação. A adubação fosfatada teve influência positiva nas variáveis: número de nódulos e produtividade de grãos de feijão caupi para a região de Gurupi - TO; para as variáveis de número de nódulos e produtividade do feijão-caupi cv BRS Nova Era, observaram um melhor ajuste da equação linear, o que demonstra potencial de resposta pela cultura à adubação fosfatada.
The cowpea through symbiosis with the bacteria of the genus Bradyrhizobium can obtain N through the process of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) that is one way to increase legumes productivity avoiding costs with soluble nitrogen fertilizers. Nutritional deficiencies can interfere on the BNF, because most of the tropical soils are deficient in phosphorus and phosphorus has effect on nitrogenase activity. This study aimed to evaluate phosphorus doses in cowpea under greenhouse and field conditions, with and without inoculants. The experiments were conducted during 2014/15 crop year at Federal University of Tocantins with the variety of cowpea BRS Nova Era. The inoculation with a standard strain already recommended for cowpea was done for posterior evaluation. An experimental design of randomized blocks in a 2 x 6 factorial arrangement was used, being the first factor (with and without inoculant) and the second factor six doses of phosphorus (0, 30, 60, 90, 120 e 150 kg ha-1 de P2O5), totalizing 12 treatments with three repetitions in greenhouse and a randomized blocks with four repetitions in the field, crop 2014/15. The characteristics evaluated in greenhouse conditions were: shoot dry mass, root dry mass, nodule number and dry mass and phosphorus accumulation in the shoot. The characteristics evaluated in field conditions were: flowering, total chlorophyll, root dry mass, nodule number, nodule dry mass, shoot dry mass, one hundred seeds weigh, productivity and phosphorus accumulation in the shoot. Inoculation and phosphorus application together increased root dry mass in the cowpea cultivar Nova Era. The dose of phosphorus with inoculant that reached the maximum production of shoot dry mass, root dry mass and phosphorus accumulation in the shoot was 150 kg ha-1 of P2O5, in the greenhouse. Phosphorus fertilization had a positive influence on the variables: nodule number and productivity of cowpea grains for the region of Gurupi-TO; for the variables of nodule number and productivity of cowpea, cv BRS Nova Era, was observed a better adjustment of linear equation that shows potential response of the culture to phosphorus fertilization.

Este trabalho teve como objectivo principal avaliar tecnologias que permitam monitorizar o efeito das árvores sobre a dinâmica dos nutrientes no solo e sobre a variabilidade da produtividade e da qualidade de uma pastagem integrada no ecossistema de montado. O processo de amostragem foi realizado entre Novembro de 2015 e Julho de 2016. O estudo revelou um efeito positivo das árvores sobre as propriedades do solo e sobre a qualidade da pastagem. Foram também encontradas correlações significativas entre as medições da capacitância, realizadas pela sonda “Grassmaster II”, ou do NDVI, realizadas pelo sensor óptico activo “OptRx”, e parâmetros da produtividade ou da qualidade da pastagem, respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos mostram o potencial das técnicas e equipamentos de agricultura de precisão para monitorizar e interpretar a variabilidade espacial da produtividade e da qualidade das pastagens; Evaluation of technologies for monitoring the influence of trees in the evolution of the spatial pattern of pastures under montado. Abstract: The main purpose of this work was to evaluate technologies that allow monitoring the effect of trees on the dynamic of soil nutrients and on the variability of productivity and quality of a pasture integrated in the montado ecosystem. The sampling process was carried out between November 2015 and July 2016. The study revealed the positive effect of the trees on the soil properties and on the quality of the pasture. Significant correlations were found between the capacitance measurements carried out by the “Grassmaster II”, or NDVI measurements carried out by the “OptRx”active optical sensor, and the productivity parameters or those of the quality of the pasture, respectively. The results show the potential of the precision agriculture techniques and equipment for monitoring and understanding the spatial variability of productivity and quality of the pastures.

FERREIRA, Kássia Crislayne Duarte. Qualidade de água em um reservatório na região semiárida. 2014. 64 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em ecologia e recursos naturais)- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2014.
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Oros reservoir is the second largest in the state of Ceará and is used for human supply for the population of the Lower and Middle Jaguaribe and the Metropolitan Region of Fortaleza, besides being used for food production, aquaculture, tourism and irrigated fields. Due to the importance of this reservoir in the context of management of water resources in the state, this work aims to investigate the water quality of the reservoir to adapt an water quality index to the physical, chemical and biological conditions of the reservoir, and calculate the intake and balance of nutrients in its waters. The total period of study comprehended the months from April 2008 to December 2012, where water sampling were performed in a total of nine points in the reservoir, for monitoring of attributes pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, total phosphorus , nitrate, total suspended solids, turbidity and fecal coliform, to adapt the quality index, using principal component analysis; and seven points with monitoring of the concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus to calculate balance and nutrient input. When obtaining adapted water quality index, it was concluded that the reservoir has water classified as regular to good quality and there is no effect of seasonality on water quality. With respect to intake and nutrient balance, the reservoir is storing the nutrients nitrogen (176 tonnes during the study period) and phosphorus (230 tonnes). Moreover, we could infer the same trend of intake of nutrients in the reservoir for both nutrientes and there was increase in the intake over time.
O açude Orós é o segundo maior reservatório do estado do Ceará e utilizado para abastecimento humano das populações do Baixo e Médio Jaguaribe e da Região Metropolitana de Fortaleza, além de ser utilizado para produção de alimentos, piscicultura e turismo. Devido à importância desse reservatório no contexto da gestão de recursos hídricos do estado, esse trabalho visa investigar a qualidade de água do reservatório ao adaptar um índice de qualidade de água às condições físicas, químicas e biológicas do reservatório, e calcular o aporte e balanço de nutrientes em suas águas. O período total de estudo compreendeu os meses de abril de 2008 a dezembro de 2012, onde foram realizadas coletas de água em sete pontos no reservatório, para monitoramento dos atributos pH, temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, demanda bioquímica de oxigênio, fósforo total, nitrato, sólidos totais, turbidez e coliformes termotolerantes, para adaptação do índice de qualidade, utilizando análise da componente principal; e sete pontos com o monitoramento de nitrogênio total e fósforo total para cálculo do balanço e aporte de nutrientes. De acordo com o índice de qualidade de água adaptado, o reservatório tem águas de qualidade regular a boa e que não há efeito da sazonalidade sobre a qualidade da água. Com relação ao aporte e balanço de nutrientes, o reservatório está armazenando os nutrientes nitrogênio (176 toneladas no período de estudo) e fósforo (230 toneladas). Além disso, pôde-se inferir a mesma tendência de aporte dos nutrientes no reservatório e houve aumento do aporte ao longo do tempo.

COSTA, Marcus Roberto Góes Ferreira. Consumo, digestibilidade dos nutrientes e comportamento ingestivo de ovinos com dietas à base de feno de juazeiro (Zizyphus joazeiro). 2008. 46 f . : Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Departamento de Zootecnia, Fortaleza-CE, 2008
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The intake, the apparent digestibility of nutrients and ingestive behavior of sixteen sheep of Morada Nova race with average weight of 26.75 kg, divided into individual metabolic cages, receiving diets containing crescent levels of juazeiro hay (0, 33, 67 and 100%) were evaluated. A casualized block experimental design with four treatment and four replications was used. Dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber,acid detergent fiber, total carbohydrates, carbohydrates fiber and non-fiber carbohydrates intakes were not influenced by addiction of juazeiro hay of the experimental diets, with average value in the 1042.78 and 595 g/day the dry mater and neutral detergent fiber, respectively. Observed a reduction linear for dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber and carbohydrates fiber digestibility. For acid detergent fiber digestibility observed a reduction quadratic. The crude protein, ether extract, total carbohydrates, carbohydrates fiber digestibility did not present significant variation. The nitrogen balance was not influencing, present positive for treatments. The inclusion of juazeiro hay did not influencing the intake of nutrients, but it reduces the digestibility coefficient in some diet components. The inclusion of hay juazeiro did not influence the ingestive behavior of animals (P> 0.05). The juazeiro hay with convection grass hay is a feeding strategy for northwest semi-arid
Avaliaram-se o consumo, a digestibilidade aparente dos nutrientes e o comportamento ingestivo de ovinos da raça Morada Nova, recebendo rações contendo níveis crescentes de feno de juazeiro em substituição ao feno de capim-tifton 85 (0, 33, 67 e 100%). Utilizaramse dezesseis ovinos machos, não castrados, com peso médio de 26,75kg, alocados em gaiolas metabólicas individuais, distribuídos em um delineamento em blocos inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os consumos de matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, fibra em detergente neutro, carboidratos totais, carboidratos fibrosos, carboidratos não fibrosos e nutrientes digestíveis totais não foram influenciados pela adição do feno de juazeiro às dietas, com valores médios de 1.042,78 e 595,59 g/dia de matéria seca e fibra em detergente neutro, respectivamente. Observou-se uma redução linear para os coeficientes de digestibilidade da matéria seca, matéria orgânica, fibra em detergente neutro e carboidratos fibrosos. Para o coeficiente de digestibilidade da fibra em detergente ácido, observou-se uma redução quadrática. Os coeficientes de digestibilidade da proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, carboidratos totais e carboidratos fibrosos não apresentaram variações significativas. O balanço de nitrogênio também não foi influenciado e apresentou-se positivo para todos os tratamentos. A inclusão do feno de juazeiro não influenciou o consumo de nutrientes nem o balanço de nitrogênio, porém reduziu o coeficiente de digestibilidade de alguns componentes da dieta. Não se verificou influencia da inclusão do feno de juazeiro no tempo despendido para alimentação e ruminação (min/dia), eficiência de alimentação e ruminação (g de MS/h e g de FDN/h), dos ovinos em relação às dietas experimentais. Não houve diferenças para o número de refeições/dia, bem como para números de períodos ruminativos. O feno de juazeiro administrado juntamente com feno de gramíneas convencionais pode ser uma estratégia alimentar para época seca no semi-árido nordestino

High concentrations of dissolved nutrients in stormwater have been identified as contributing to eutrophication of receiving waterways near urban areas. To reduce dissolved nutrient concentrations in stormwater a range of devices such as wetlands and bioretention systems are used. Bioretention systems are increasingly employed for their supposedly high nutrient removal capacity, however very little is known about their treatment efficiency or the chemical and biological mechanisms controlling their function. This research aimed firstly to test and compare the efficiency of different bioretention system designs for the removal of dissolved nutrients from stormwater, and secondly to investigate the chemical and biological mechanisms responsible for the nutrient removal (sorption, microbial uptake, and plant uptake). Bioretention mesocosms were built in plastic containers (1 m x 0.5 m x 0.5 m). Three different media treatments were built, representing those most commonly used: gravel, fine sand and loamy-sand. To assess the nutrient removal capacity of plants, vegetated and unvegetated examples of each media type were made. The mesocosms were regularly irrigated with tap water for six months, and then regularly irrigated with synthetic stormwater for a further six months to ensure that the treatment performance assessed would represent fully established systems. The synthetic stormwater solution was based on field measurements of stormwater, and was made using a combination of inorganic chemicals and organic fertilisers. By incorporating organic carbon and major cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K), the measured treatment performance of the biofilters would be more realistic than previous studies that did not corporate these compounds. Some mesocosms were watered only with tap water so that the effect of frequent fertilisation (enrichment) could be compared. It was expected that vegetated media would enhance nutrient removal directly through plant uptake, and indirectly by stimulating microbial productivity and microbial uptake in the rhizosphere. Nutrient removal was evaluated by comparing the influent to the effluent. Detention times of 24 and 72 hours were compared to test if longer contact periods resulted in greater nutrient removal. The mesocosms were also flushed with tap water (no nutrients) to determine the proportion of entrained nutrients that might subsequently leach from the media. Vegetated bioretention mesocosms were much more efficient than unvegetated systems at removing total nitrogen (63 – 77 % removal compared to -12 – 25 %) and total phosphorus (85 – 94 % removal compared to 31 – 90 %). The vegetation effect did not improve dissolved organic carbon removal but there was a difference between soil types, with smaller particle size media removing more organic carbon. Enriched mesocosms removed similar quantities of nutrients to non-enriched mesocosms. Extending the detention time from 24 hours to 72 hours slightly increased the removal of total nitrogen from the vegetated mesocosms, but reduced total nitrogen removal from unvegetated mesocosms. When flushed with tap water, inorganic and organic forms of nitrogen and phosphorus leached from the unvegetated mesocosms, but were mostly retained within the vegetated mesocosms...
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School of Engineering
Science, Environment, Engineering and Technology
Full Text

The variability in surf-zone phytoplankton community composition together with variability in nutrient concentrations was studied at seven beaches along the coast near Port Elizabeth, South Africa over a one-year sampling period. The nutrient requirements of selected diatoms and dinoflagellates that co-occur at these beaches were studied. The highest nutrient concentrations were recorded at Brighton beach, with phosphate concentration being substantially higher than standards set out for both South African and European waters. Nitrate, ammonium and silicate concentrations were consistent (low variability) at all beaches. The species composition of beaches without surf diatoms was also not variable (except for King’s Beach – an artificial beach). Maitland beach was the only beach that could be identified as a surf diatom beach due to the presence of Anaulus australis. The surf diatom Anaulus australis was found to be a superior competitor compared to all other species tested: the other surf diatom Asterionellopsis glacialis, and the dinoflagellates Gonyaulax spinifera, Prorocentrum micans, and Scrippsiella trochoidea. Gonyaulax spinifera could possibly outcompete Anaulus australis in systems should nitrate become limiting.

Ovine placental lactogen (oPL) is postulated to be involved in the repartitioning of maternal nutrients during pregnancy, through its effect on insulin metabolism. Ovine pancreatic insulin responses to exogenous glucose are depressed during pregnancy and this depression becomes more pronounced as gestation advances. In addition, under the hormonal environment of rising oPL and growth hormone (oGH) concentrations, maternal whole body glucose irreversible loss (GIL) increases. The percentage of GIL accounted for by uterine glucose uptake also increases with advancing gestation and increasing litter size. Regression analysis of oPL concentration with glucose uterine uptake as a percentage of GIL, accounts for 39% of variation. Maternal oPL concentrations which increase with gestational age, were significantly greater in multiple bearing ewes and ewes subjected to reduced metabolisable energy (ME) intakes. It is postulated that through actions on pancreatic sensitivity, oPL plays a major role as a homeorhetic control during pregnancy. Elevated oPL concentrations were strongly associated with continually depressed pancreatic insulin secretory ability. The reduction in pancreatic sensitivity to glucose was not as a result of elevation in GH or non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. Muscle insulin receptor number and affinity were found to increase with increasing litter size, suggesting that pregnancy associated insulin resistance occurs predominantly in adipose tissue. During ovine pregnancy there is a specific stimulation of maternal gluconeogenesis. As gestation advances, an increasingly greater proportion of this glucose is partitioned to the gravid uterus. The development of insulin resistance, together with the suppression of pancreatic activity, ensures the preferential uptake of glucose by non-insulin dependent tissues over insulin dependent tissues. These activities favour uterine glucose uptake, decrease adipose glucose uptake, and also promote adipose mobilisation and hepatic gluconeogenesis, so as to meet the increasing energy requirement of pregnancy. It is postulated that through these effects on insulin secretion and associated adipose tissue mobilisation factors, oPL plays a major role in homeorhesis during pregnancy.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007.
The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on March 31, 2008) Includes bibliographical references.

Using nutrients bacteria utilize to grow as treatments of bacterial biofilms have been investigated. This dissertation examines the problem of the prevention and treatment of biofilms by: (i) testing the effect of the nutrient ?-phenylethylamine (PEA) on growth, ATP content of biofilm, and biofilm biomass, (ii) testing the effect of ethyl acetoacetate (EAA) and other small molecules on growth, ATP content of biofilm, and biofilm biomass, and (iii) investigating three applications of PEA and EAA. PEA could be used as both, prevention and treatment for bacterial biofilms. We observed a reduction of growth, ATP content of biofilm, and biofilm biomass of Escherichia coli K-12 AJW678 with increasing concentrations regardless of when PEA was added. PEA and EAA were able to reduce growth, ATP content of biofilm, and biofilm biomass for multiple bacterial strains, but the efficacy of the nutrients were strain dependent. PEA was found to effectively reduce growth, ATP content of biofilm, and biofilm biomass when used in multiple applications. When PEA was physically integrated in polyurethane, we observed at least a 20 % reduction of ATP content of biofilm for all the bacterial strain tested. To mimic a clinically relevant environment, biofilms were formed in silicone tubing and treatment of PEA and EAA were administered similar to antibiotic lock treatments (ALT). The PEA and EAA treatments reduced ATP content and biofilm biomass of multiple pathogens. PEA was also effective on ATP content, biofilm biomass, and cell counts when used in a microfluidic system.
NIH/NIAID
Agricultural Products Utilization Commission Grant
NDSU Centers of Excellence Commission Phase I Venture Grant

Child care centers are becoming much more influential in educating and caring for children because more and more families choose supplemental care for their young children in child development programs. In June 1997, Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP) served nearly 2.2 million children and provided meals to 2.6 million children in March 1998. A large number of children eat at least one and sometimes two or more of their meals at child care centers. It is imperative that nutritious and satisfying meals and snacks are served at child care centers. The purpose of this study was to examine menus planned in Head Start Program and Child Day Care Centers in Virginia and to assess if they meet the national Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) standards for vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron.

Lunch menus for 3-5 year old children were collected from 114 CACFP staffs attending a state wide CACFP menu training session. Fifty-seven weekly menus were selected based on geographic representation to analyze vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron levels by a nutritional analysis computer program. Menus were also divided into Head Start Program and Child Day Care Center for further analysis and comparison.

For all 57 sites, the mean values of these lunches exceeded the one-third RDAs for vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium; the average percentages were 198%, 121% and 134%, respectively. But the average iron level was only 63% RDAs. None of the child care centers met 100% of one-third RDAs for the lunch menus. Because dietary iron levels are consistently low, iron food sources were studied. The results showed no significant (p< 0.05) difference between the Head Start Program and Child Day Care Center.

Based on the findings of this study, following the established meal pattern guidelines for the child nutrition programs did not guarantee adequate iron levels in the planned menus of the child care centers. Some foods with high iron levels should be used more often. Further research is needed for this population in implementing the appropriate dietary guideline. In addition, the menu planing, food purchasing and preparation should be part of the training programs for child care centers.
Master of Science

The purpose of this project is to create a fully automatedgreenhouse that can produce year-round crops, using sensorsand actuators. Temperature in both water and air,relative humidity, water level, nutrient level and pH are allmeasured with different sensors. Though only water level,pH and nutrients will be regulated. The greenhouse will berelying on a hydroponic growing technique, meaning thatthe growing is soil-less and will be done in water. Thismakes measuring and controlling said levels easier and alsominimizes water waste and makes for a more environmentalsystem. The main focus of this project is on regulating pHand nutrient levels of the water. The system has shown tobe stable and self regulating within the desired intervals fornutrient concentration and pH for growing basil.
Syftet med det här projektet är att skapa ett automatiserat växthus som kan producera grödor året runt med hjälp av sensorer och aktuatorer. Med olika sensorer mäts temperaturen i både vattnet och luften, relativa luftfuktigheten, vattennivå, pH- och näringsvärden. Dock kommer endast vattennivå, pH- och näringsvärden regleras. Växthuset använder sig av så kallad hydroponisk odling, vilket innebär att odlingen inte sker i jord utan i vatten. Detta underlättar bland annat mätningar och kontrollering av systemet men minimerar även vattenkonsumptionen och bidrar till ett mera miljövänligt system. Projektet kommer i huvudsak inrikta sig på reglering av pH och näringsnivåer av vattnet. Systemet har visats stabilt och har förmågan att reglera sig självt inom önskat intervall för näringskoncentration och pH för att odla basilika.