Thèses sur le sujet « Physico-Chemical Parametres »

The issue of acid deposition and associated environmental problems has received special attention during recent decades and has been the subject of extensive research in a number of countries. However, there are no recent studies on acid deposition in Cardiff. Weekly rainfall samples were obtained from two urban areas in Cardiff from February 2006 to July 2007 and analysed for pH, electrical conductivity and major ions; SO42−, NO3−, Cl−, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+, K+ and Pb2+. The chemical composition of precipitation was analysed in conjunction with meteorological variables to evaluate temporal and seasonal variations. Annual wet deposition was estimated, and enrichment factors determined. The pH of individual precipitations fluctuated excessively with a wide range from 4.9 to 6.6 indicating high variability in the acid sources and in neutralisation processes. Correlations between calcium and sulphate imply that CaSO4 may merge with the rainfall and neutralise the acidity. The volume-weighted mean concentrations of NO3− and non-sea salt SO42− were 24.1 and 31.4 μeq l−1, respectively. With the exception of the sea salt ions, no distinct spatial variations in ion composition were observed. Enrichment factors were calculated for most ions and higher correlation coefficients were obtained among most of the ions. Sea-derived material (Na+, Mg2+ and Cl−) showed pronounced cycles in concentration with maxima in autumn/winter. The Cl- (102 kg ha-1 yr-1) and Na+ (66 kg ha-1 yr-1) showed the highest wet deposition flux compared to the other ions. Anthropogenic and crustal sources made a significant contribution to both the acidification and neutralisation of precipitation in Cardiff. In all rain samples SO4-2 concentration exceeded NO3- concentration. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in the physico-chemical parameters of the rainfall samples between the sites when tested at p<0.05. However, the ionic concentrations of wet precipitation depicted significant seasonal differences except for rainfall volume, K+, NO3- and SO4-2

The recent increase in crude oil cost arose interest in cheaper oils, usually called “opportunity crudes”. These oils are difficult to transport and treat, mainly because of their sulphur content, acidity and high density, but their cheap price makes them attractive, because refineries capable of processing them could gain a higher profit. Opportunity crudes composition affects process parameters and they can also cause corrosion and failures in plant equipment. It is well known that the main corrosive agents are the naphthenic acids (NAs), but the mechanism is complex and very little is known about it since there are many factors affecting it such as type of acids, temperature, sulphur compounds and fluid velocity. Thus damage process has not been clarified yet and at this time there is no accurate model available for predicting crude oil corrosiveness. Though considerable work has been done to understand NA corrosion in refineries, it turned out to be unsuccessful when the interdependence of NAs type and corrosion effects is considered. The objective of the research activity was to get more insight into the relationships between physico-chemical properties of crude oils and corrosion, in order to build a model aimed at identification of a corrosivity index which might help operators to determine the aggressiveness of processed fluids. For this purpose an analytical protocol was identified in order to determine the main molecular characteristics, such as number of carbon atoms, rings and average molecular weight. After some preliminary high temperature and pressure tests, a new equipment was developed and designed capable of reproducing real plant conditions. The small-scale plant was first used with a reference fluid consisting of gasoil and a commercial mixture of NAs, and then tested with actual crudes. The use of experimental design and of proper analytical techniques allowed to build a model for the corrosion of two different materials.

Microarrays containing long oligonucleotides provide sensitive and specific detection of gene expression and are becoming a popular experimental platform. In the process of designing an oligonucleotide microarray for Brucella, we optimized the overall design of the array and created probes to distinguish among the known Brucella species. A 3-way genome comparison identified a set of genes which occur uniquely in only one or two of the sequenced Brucella genomes. Reverse transcriptase PCR assays of over one hundred unique and pairwise-differential regions identified in Brucella revealed several groups of genes that are transcribed in vivo with potential significance for virulence. The structural and thermodynamic properties of a set of 70mer oligonucleotide probes for a combined B. abortus, B. melitensis and B. suis microarray were modeled to help perform quantitative interpretation of the microarray data. Prediction and thermodynamic analysis of secondary structure formation in a genome-wide set of transcripts from Brucella suis 1330 demonstrated that properties of the target molecule have the potential to strongly influence the rate and extent of hybridization between transcript and an oligonucleotide probe in a microarray experiment. Despite relatively high hybridization temperatures used in the modeling process, parts of the target molecules are predicted to be inaccessible to intermolecular hybridization due to the formation of stable intramolecular secondary structure. Features in the Brucella genomes with potential diagnostic use were identified, and the extent to which target secondary structure, a molecular property which is not considered in the array design process, may influence the quality of results was characterized.
Master of Science

Après une dizaine d'années de recherche, les verres autonettoyants ont été commercialisés en 2001. Leur principe est basé sur les propriétés photocatalytiques d'une couche submicronique de TiO2 déposée à leur surface. Sous l'action du rayonnement solaire et en présence d'oxygène, ils sont capables de dégrader les salissures organiques adsorbées en surface. Le présent travail a pour but d'apporter une meilleure compréhension des interactions entre la couche TiO2 et les salissures réelles, ainsi que d'évaluer les cinétiques de dégradation photocatalytique de polluants modèles par les verres. L'influence de différents paramètres tels que la température, les caractéristiques de l'irradiation, la nature des familles des polluants a été étudiée et corrélée aux performances des verres.

Yeasts form an important part of many ecosystems and significantly contribute to biodiversity. However, yeast biodiversity in the North West Province remains largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to determine the diversity and characteristics of yeasts from water sources in the North West Province, South Africa. Samples were collected over a two year period and included three rivers, a spruit and an inland lake. Temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) were measured on site using a multi-probe. Nitrate (NO3-N), nitrite (NO2-N) and phosphate (PO42-) levels were determined in the laboratory using Hatch kits and equipment. The pH ranged from 7.2 to 9.2. Elevated EC levels (36-70 mS) were detected especially at the Harts River and Barberspan (38-165 mS) sites. Physico-chemical parameter levels were higher during the cold dry sampling period compared to the warm rainy sampling period. Levels and diversity of yeasts were determined using the membrane filtration method. The highest level of yeasts was detected in the Mooi River and Schoonspruit during 2010 and 2011 sampling periods. Pigmented and non-pigmented yeasts were enumerated from all samples. Over the two year period the highest number of pigmented yeasts was detected in the Schoonspruit samples. In some cases there were significant (P<0.05) differences between pigmented and non-pigmented yeast levels among the sites. The diazonium blue B (DBB) test was carried out to distinguish between ascomycetous and basidiomycetous yeasts. These isolates were then identified using the API ID 32C system. Yeasts isolates were identified as belonging to the following genera: Candida, Cryptococcus, Pichia, Rhodotorula and Zygosaccharomyces. In addition using 26S rRNA gene sequencing Aureobasidium spp., Clavispora spp., Cystofilobasidium spp., Hanseniaspora spp., Meyerozyma spp., Sporidiobolus spp., and Wickerhamomyces spp.were also identified. The diversity and abundance of yeasts in the water sources demonstrated that opportunistic pathogens were present. This was supported by results that indicated some isolates could grow at 37°C and higher. In conclusion, our results provide preliminary information on the distribution and diversity of yeasts in water sources of the North West Province, South Africa.
Thesis (MSc (Environmental Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are new type of materials with tailor made molecular recognition sites. Despite their enormous potential in separations, sensing and pharmaceutical industry, MIPs have so far failed to achieve significant commercial application. This is in part due to lack of understanding of MIPs at a molecular level, strong binding site heterogeneity and poor compatibility with aqueous solvents. This work is aimed at improving overall MIP performance and quality, with special focus on the improvement of compatibility with aqueous environment. Compatibility with aqueous solvents was achieved by (i) employing a molecular modelling step prior to polynerisation, (ii) by studying the ionic properties of the polymer and (iii) by analysis of the influence of different polymerisation conditions. The study of the pressure and magnetic field effects on polymers allowed us to produce materials with increased stability, lower binding site heterogeneity and higher affinity, as compared to standard imprinted materials. To minimise site heterogeneity imprinted nanoparticles with ca. 90 kDa were produced using a living polymerisation method. The particles with essentially uniform population of binding sites were obtained by employing affinity chromatography with immobilised template. As a model system variety of drugs were imprinted with the polymers being able to discriminate between closely related structural analogues in aqueous media. This work had substantial effect on success of project Pisarro - Piezoelectric Sensing Arrays for Biomolecular Interactions and Gas Monitoring where range of imprinted polymers were designed with high affinity to drugs of abuse. Currently 1 work is in progress aimed at application of these materials in commercial sensors for forensic use.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are new type of materials with tailor made molecular recognition sites. Despite their enormous potential in separations, sensing and pharmaceutical industry, MIPs have so far failed to achieve significant commercial application. This is in part due to lack of understanding of MIPs at a molecular level, strong binding site heterogeneity and poor compatibility with aqueous solvents. This work is aimed at improving overall MIP performance and quality, with special focus on the improvement of compatibility with aqueous environment. Compatibility with aqueous solvents was achieved by (i) employing a molecular modelling step prior to polynerisation, (ii) by studying the ionic properties of the polymer and (iii) by analysis of the influence of different polymerisation conditions. The study of the pressure and magnetic field effects on polymers allowed us to produce materials with increased stability, lower binding site heterogeneity and higher affinity, as compared to standard imprinted materials. To minimise site heterogeneity imprinted nanoparticles with ca. 90 kDa were produced using a living polymerisation method. The particles with essentially uniform population of binding sites were obtained by employing affinity chromatography with immobilised template. As a model system variety of drugs were imprinted with the polymers being able to discriminate between closely related structural analogues in aqueous media. This work had substantial effect on success of project Pisarro - Piezoelectric Sensing Arrays for Biomolecular Interactions and Gas Monitoring where range of imprinted polymers were designed with high affinity to drugs of abuse. Currently 1 work is in progress aimed at application of these materials in commercial sensors for forensic use.

Sa  jedne  strane  se  eksploatacija  šljunka  navodi kao  značajan  ugrožavajući  faktor  sa  velikim negativnim  uticajem  na  vodena  staništa  i biodiverzitet,  dok  same  šljunkare  mogu predstavljati  vredne  refugijume  akavtičnog  biodiverziteta.  Osnovni  cilj  disertacije  je određivanje  najznačajnijih  i  relevantnih hidromorfoloških  parametara  koji  utiču  na strukturiranje  makrofitskih  zajednica  u šljunkarama  duž  plavnog  područja  reke  Drine  i određivanje  korelacije  između  izdvojenih parametara  i  kvantitativnih  indeksa  makrofita.Istraživanje  je  vršeno  u  toku  letnjih  meseci 2015, 2016, 2017 i 2018. godine na 18 šljunkara (60 istraživačkih vegetacijskih sektora) u okviru tri   eksploataciona  polja  u  Crnoj  Bari, Badovincima  i  Lipničkom  Šoru  i  na  četiri prirodna  fluvijalna  jezera  (13  istraživačkih vegetacijskih  sektora)  u  plavnom  području  reke Drine.  Makrofitska  vegetacija  je  konstatovana na svih 18 istraţivanih šljunkara, prikupljenih na tri eksploataciona polja (Badovinci, Crna Bara  iLipniĉki Šor). Zabeležena je 31 biljna vrsta. Kao najučestalije,  sa  najvećom  apsolutnom pokrovnošću izdvojile su se vrste:  Potamogeton nodosus  Poiret,  Ceratophyllum  demersum  L subsp.  demersum,  Myriophyllum  spicatum  L,Najas  marina  L  i   Chara  globularis  Thuill  Na četiri prirodna fluvijalna jezera zabeleženo je 13 vrsta.  Vrste  Vallisneria  spiralis  L,  Elodea canadensis  Michx,  Callitriche  palustris  L, Potamogeton  natans  L  i  Nuphar  lutea  (L)  Sm izdvojile  su  se  kao  konstantne  i  dominantne. Vrednosti svih kvantitativnih indeksa makrofita,značajno  su  veće  za  šljunkare  u  poređenju  sa prirodnim  fluvijalnim  jezerima  na  nivouLEAFPACS  sektora.  Na  istraživanim šljunkarama,  analizom  klasterovanja  jeizdvojeno  13  vegetacijskih  grupa  (VG):  VG1 Ceratophyllum  demersum,  VG2  Ceratophyllum demersum  -  Valisneria  spiralis,  VG3  Chara contraria,  VG4  Chara  globularis,  VG5  Elodea canadensis,  VG6  Elodea  nuttallii,  VG7  Najas marina,  VG8  Najas  minor,  VG9  Nitellopsis obtusa,  VG10  Nuphar  lutea,  VG11 Potamogeton  nodosus,  VG12  Potamogeton natans  i   VG13  Potamogeton  pectinatus.  Na prirodnim  fluvijalnim  jezerima  konstatovane  su četiri  vegetacijske  grupe:  VG5  Elodea canadensis,  VG10  Nuphar  lutea,  VG12 Potamogeton natans  i  VG14  Typha latifolia.  Na osnovu izmerenih fizičko-hemijskih parametara,kvalitet vode u većini šljunkara odgovara II klasi kvaliteta, na osnovu čega se mogu okarakterisati kao  vodna  tela  sa  dobrim  i  boljim  ekološkim potencijalom. Sve šljunkare i fluvijalna jezera se klasifikuju  kao  visoko  alkalna.  Kvalitet  vode  u prirodnim  fluvijalnim  jezerima  odgovara  III  – IV  klasi  kvaliteta  voda,  pri  čemu  se  mogu okarakterisati  kao  vodna  tela  sa  slabim  do umerenim  ekološkim  statusom.  Značajno  većevrednosti  ukupnih  suspendovanih  materija, hemijske  i  biološke  potrošnje  kiseonika, ukupnog  organskog  kiseonika  i  nitrata zabeležene su na prirodnim fluvijalnim jezerima u poređenju sa šljunkarama. Izmerene vrednosti fizičko-hemijskih  parametara  ukazuju  na mezotrofni  karakter  lokaliteta  u  Badovincima  i mezo-eutrofni  karakter  lokaliteta  u  Lipničkom Šoru,  dok  se  šljunkare  na  teritoriji  Crne  Bare mogu  okarakterisati  kao  eutrofna  jezera.Vrednosti  LHMS  (modifikacionog)  skora  za šljunkare kretale su se u rasponu od 9  –  15, dok su vrednosti LHQA skora (stanišnog diverziteta) bile u rasponu izmeĊu 33  –  44. Sliĉne vrednosti za  LHQA  skor  su  izraĉunate  i  za  prirodna fluvijalna  jezera  (36  –  49).  MeĊutim,  vrednostiLHMS  skora  za  prirodna  fluvijalna  jezera  su znaĉajno  veće  u  odnosu  na  vrednosti  LHMS skora za šljunkare. Ovi podaci ukazuju na manje prisustvo  antropogenog  pritiska  na  šljunkarama u poređenju sa prirodnim fluvijalnim jezerima uistraţivanom  podruĉju.  Fizičko -hemijski  i hidromorfološki  parametri  zajedno  su  objasnili 57.07  %  od  ukupne  varijanse  vegetacijskih podataka,  sa  16.57  %  deljenog  efekta.  Fizičkohemijski  parametri  kvaliteta  vode  objasnili  su 17.02  %  varijabilnosti  u  strukturi  makrofitske vegetacije.  Kao  najsignifikantniji  parametriizdvojili  su  se:  saturacija  vode  kiseonikom,ukupni  organski  ugljenik,  površinski  aktivne materije, temperatura, elektroprovodljivost, pH i ukpni  alkalitet.  Hidromorfološki  parametri  su objasnili  23.48  %  varijabilnosti  u  strukturi makrofitske  vegetacije.  Kao  najsignifikantnije varijable,  izdvojile  su  se:  struktura  vegetacije  u priobalnoj  zoni,  diverzitet  prirodnih  tipova staništa  priobalne  zone,  prirodnost  obale, diverzitet  prirodnog  supstrata  litorala,masimalna dubina šljunkara, površina šljunkara,indeks relativne dubine, udaljenost šljunkara od glavnog  reĉnog  toka  i  starost  šljunkara. Hidrološki  parametri  su  objasnili  8.38  % varijabilnosti u strukturi  makrofitske vegetacije. Kao  najsignifikantnije  varijable,  izdvojile  su  se broj plavnih talasa u vegetacionoj sezoni tokom godine u kojoj je vršeno uzorkovanje vegetacije i broj plavnih talasa u prolećnom periodu za sve četiri  godine.  Ovi  rezultati  potvrđuju  direktni destruktivni  uticaj  plavnih  talasa  na  vodenu vegetaciju u vegetacionoj sezoni, kao i indirektni uticaj prolećnih poplava, usled uticaja na trofički status  vode.  Sumarno,  šljunkare  u  plavnom području  reke  Drine  predstavljaju  optimalno stanište  za  razvoj  retke  i  ugroţene  makrofitske flore.  Od  ukupnog  broja  zabeleženih  vrsta makrofita,  30  %  se  kategoriše  kao  zaštićeno  ili ugroženo na nacionalnom nivou.  Značajno veće vrednosti  konzervacionih  indeksa  ustanovljene su  za  šljunkare  u  poređenju  sa  prirodnim fluvijalnim jezerima, što ukazuje na njihov visok ekološki  potencijal.  Ustanovljen  je  visok diverzitet  prioritetnih  tipova  akvatiĉnih  staništa prema  Pravilniku  o  kriterijumima  za  izdvajanje tipova  staništa,  o  tipovima  staništa,  osetljivim, ugroženim,  retkim  i  za  zaštitu  prioritetnim tipovima  staništa  i  o  merama  zaštite  za  njihovo očuvanje, Aneksu I, Direktive Evropske unije ozaštiti  prirodnih  staništa  i  divlje  flore  i  faune (Natura  2000),  Rezoluciji  br.  4  Konvencije  o očuvanju  evropske  divlje  flore  i  faune  i prirodnih  staništa (EMERALD)  i  Evropskoj crvenoj  listi  staništa.  Vrednosti  izdvojenih atributa  šljunkara  mogli  bi  se  iskoristiti  u procesu  ranog  planiranja  i  projektovanja eksploatacionih  polja  u  plavnom  području  reke Drine  i  na  drugim,  sličnim  lokalitetima. Generalna preporuka je da se dva tipa šljunkara kreiraju  u  okviru  jednog  eksploatacionog  polja. Prvi  tip,  odnosno  šljunkare  koje  bi  podržavale pionirsku  vegetaciju  pršljenčica  trebale  bi  da budu locirane na razdaljini do 100 m od glavnog rečnog  toka,  površine  do  1000  m 2 i  da  imaju vrednost indeksa relativne dubine > 5 %. Drugi tip  šljunkara  koje  bi  podržavale  vegetaciju karakterističnu  za  nizijska  fluvijalna  jezera trebale bi da budu locirane na razdaljani od oko 300 m od glavnog rečnog toka, dubine 3  –  4  m (najmanje 2 m), površine između 10000 i 20000 m ² (najmanje  4000  m ² ),  različitih  vrednosti indeksa relativne dubine, ali  ne preko 5 %. Sva eksploataciona  polja  bi  trebalo  isplanirati  i isprojektovati  kako  bi  se  minimizirao  uticaj  na priobalnu  i  obalnu  zonu.  Pridržavanjem  datih smernica  povećao  bi  se  diverzitet  i  kvalitet staništa,  kao  i  konzervacioni  potencijal šljunkara. Kreiranjem šljunkara na naĉin kao što je predloženo u ovoj disertaciji omogućila bi se spontana  rekultivacija  eksploatacionih polja,odnosno  remedijacija  u  cilju  poboljšanja kvaliteta vode i renaturalizacija staništa, čime bi se  znatno  smanjili,  ili  u  potpunosti  eliminisali, troškovi tehničke rekultivacije terena.
Gravel pit lakes in the river floodplains represent a kind of ecological paradox. Gravel exploitation was recognised  as  important  factor  significantlyaffecting  aquatic  habitats  and  biodiversity.  On the  other  hand,  gravel  pit  lakes  are  valuable biodiversity  refugiums,  potentially  supporting rarae  species  and  habitats.  The  aim  of  this dissertation  was  to  determine  the  most significant  and  relevant  hydromorphological parameters  in  structuring  macrophyte assemblages  in gravel pit  lakes along the Drina River floodplain and to determine the correlation between  selected  parameters  and  macrophyte quantitative  indices.  The  research  was  carried out at the 18 gravel pit lakes (60 survey sectors) in  Crna  Bara,  Badovinci  and  Lipnicki  Sor  and four natural fluvial lakes (13 survey sectors), in the  Drina  River  floodplain  during  the  summer months  of  2015,  2016,  2017  and  2018.Macrophyte  vegetation  was  recorded  in  all  18 gravel pit lakes, in total supporting 31 taxa.  The most  abundant  species,  with  highest  tot al  cover value  were Potamogeton  nodosus,Ceratophyllum  demersum  subsp.  demersum, Myriophyllum  spicatum,  Najas  marina  and Chara  globularis.  Fluvial  lakes  supported  13 macrophyte  taxa  with  Vallisneria  spiralis, Elodea  canadensis,  Callitriche  palustris,Potamogeton  natans  and  Nuphar  lutea  as constant and dominant  species.  The values of all macrophyte  quantitative  indices  found  to  be significantly  higher  in  the  gravel  pit  lakes compared  to  the  fluvial  ones.  The  cluster analysis  revealed  14  aquatic  vegetation  groups (VG).  At  16  out  of  18  gravel  pit  lakes  13 vegetation  groups  were  revealed:  VG1Ceratophyllum  demersum,  VG2  Ceratophyllum demersum- Valisneria  spiralis,  VG3  Chara contraria,  VG4  Chara  globularis,  VG5  Elodea  canadensis,  VG6  Elodea  nuttallii,  VG7  Najas marina,  VG8  Najas  minor,  VG9  Nitellopsis obtusa,  VG10  Nuphar  lutea,  VG11 Potamogeton  nodosus,  VG12  Potamogeton natans, VG13  Potamogeton pectinatus), Natural fluvial  lakes  supported  4  vegetation  groups: VG5  Elodea  canadensis,  VG10  Nuphar  lutea, VG12  Potamogeton  natans  and  VG14  Typha latifolia.  All  gravel  pit  lakes  can  be characterized  as  water  bodies  with  good  to maximal  ecological  potential,  while  all  the fluvial ones can be characterized as water bidies with  poor  to  moderate  ecological  status.  The values  of  total  suspended  supstances,  chemical and  biological  oxygen  demand,  total  organic carbon  and  nitrates  were  significantly  higher  in the natural  fluvial  lakes compared to the gravel pit  ones.  Measured  level  of  physico-chemical parameters  indicating  mesotrophic  character  of gravel  pit  lakes  in  Badovinci  and  mesoeutrophic  in  Lipnicki  Sor,  while  all  the  gravel pits  in  Crna  Bara  could  be  characterized  as eutrophic.  Similar  range  values  were  calculated for  LHQA  for  gravel  pit  and  fluvial  lakes  (36 – 49). However, natural lakes  showed significantly higher  values  for  LHMS  score.  The  above mentioned,  indicates  higher  anthropogenic pressures  on  natural  fluvial  lakes  compared  to gravel  pit  ones.  Physico-chemical  and hydromorphological  parameters  together explained  about  57  %  of  the  total  variance  of macrophyte  assemblages  with  16.57  %  of  the shared effect. After accounting for the effects of physico-chemical  parameters  (17.02  %), hydromorphological  variables  explained  around 23 % of the total variance.  The most significant water  quality variables  were: oxygen saturation, total  organic  carbon,  surfactants, ,electroconductivity,  pH  and total alkalinity. The The most significant hydromorphology  variables for  structuring  macrophyte  assemblages  were: riparian  vegetation  structural  complexity, diversity  of  natural  landcover  types  in  riparianzone, shore structural habitat  diversity, diversity of  natural littoral zone, maximal  lake depth, lake surface  area,  relative  depth  ratio,  lake  distance from  r iver  main  channel  and  lake   age.Hydrologycal parameters were explained 8.38 % of  variance  in  structuring  macrophyte assemblages.  The  most  significant  hydrology variables  were  the  number  of  floods  in vegetation  season  in  first  year  when  vegetation was sampled, and the number of spring floods in all four research years. These results   confirm the direct destructive influence of summer floods  on aquatic vegetation, as   well as the indirect impact of  spring  floods,  due  to  the  impact  on  trophic status  of  water.  Gravel  pit  lakes  in  te  Drina River floodplain  represent an optimal habitat   for rare  and  threatened  macrophyte  flora.  Of  the total  macrophyte  species  recorded,  30  %  were categorized  as  protected  or threatened.  At  least one  strictly  protected,  protected  or  threatened species  was  recorded  in  each  gravel  pit  lake. Significantly  higher  values  of  conservation indices  (C  and  Csp  score)  found  to  be significantly  higher  in  the  gravel  pit  lakes compared  to  the  fluvial  ones.  High  habitat diversity  and  conservation  value  of  the  sites have  been  recorded  according  to  the  National Rulebook,  Annex  I  of  Habitats  Directive (NATURA 2000), Resolution  no. 4 of the Bern Convention (EMERALD) and the European Red List  of  Habitats.  Values  of  selected  lake attributes can be used for early-design phases of future  gravel  extraction  in  the  Drina  River floodplain  area,  and  in  other  similar  sites. Therefore,  general  recommendations  are  that two gravel pit types should be excavated within the  single  extraction  area  in  order  to  support pioneering charophyte vegetation and vegetation of typical eutrophic lowland floodplain lakes as well.  The  first  hydromorphological  lake  type, suitable  for  stonewort  species,  should  be excavated up to 100 m from river main channel, saving  a  surface  area  up  to  1000  m 2 and  a relative depth ratio > 5 %. The second gravel pit type  should  be  located  about  300  m  from  river main channel, with preferable maximal depth inrange  3–4  m  (at  least  2  m  depth),  and  a  lake surface area between 10000 m 2 and 20000 m 2 (at least  4000  m 2 ).  Relative  depth  ratio  may  vary, but should be less than 5 %. Generally, all sites should  be  designed  with  the  minimal  impact to the  riparian  and  shore  zones.  These  proposed measures  would  considerably  increase  lake habitat diversity and their conservation potential. Creating  gravel  pit  lakes  as  proposed  in  this dissertation    would  allow  spontaneous recultivation  of  exploitation  fields,  remediation in  order  to  improve  water  quality  and renaturalization  of  habitats,  which  will significantly reduce, or completely eliminate, the costs of terrain technical recultivation.

Sizing (hydrophobization) is one of the most important process steps within the added-value chain of about 1/3rd of the worldwide produced paper & board products. Even though sizing with so-called reactive sizing agents, such as alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) was implemented in the paper industry decades ago, there is no total clarity yet about the detailed chemical and physical mechanisms that lead to their performance. Previous research was carried out on the role of different factors influencing the sizing performance, such as bonding between ASA and cellulose, ASA hydrolysis, size revision as well as the most important interactions with stock components, process parameters and additives during the paper making process. However, it was not yet possible to develop a holistic model for the explanation of the sizing performance given in real life application. This thesis describes a novel physico-chemical approach to this problem by including results from previous research and combining these with a wide field of own basic research and a newly developed method that allows tracing back the actual localization of ASA within the sheet structure. The carried out measurements and trial sets for the basic field of research served to evaluate the stock and process parameters that most dominantly influence the sizing performance of ASA. Interactions with additives other than retention aids were not taken into account. The results show that parameters, such as the content of secondary fibers, the degree of refining, the water hardness as well as the suspension conductivity, are of highest significance. The sample sets of the trials with the major impacting parameters were additionally analyzed by a newly developed localization method in order to better understand the main influencing factors. This method is based on optical localization of ASA within the sheet structure by confocal white light microscopy. In order to fulfill the requirements at magnification rates of factor 100 optical zoom, it was necessary to improve the contrast between ASA and cellulose. Therefore, ASA was pretreated with an inert red diazo dye, which does not have any impact on neither the sizing nor the handling properties of ASA. Laboratory hand sheets that were sized with dyed ASA, were analyzed by means of their sizing performance in correlation to measurable ASA agglomerations in the sheet structure. The sizing performance was measured by ultrasonic penetration analysis. The agglomeration behavior of ASA was analyzed automatically by multiple random imaging of a sample area of approx. 8650 µm² with a minimum resolution for particles of 500 nm in size. The gained results were interpreted by full factorial design of experiments (DOE). The trials were carried out with ASA dosages between 0% and 0.8% on laboratory hand sheets, made of 80% bleached eucalyptus short fiber kraft pulp and 20% northern bleached softwood kraft pulp, beaten to SR° 30, produced with a RDA sheet former at a base weight of 100 g/m² oven dry. The results show that there is a defined correlation between the ASA dosage, the sizing performance and the number and area of ASA agglomerates to be found in the sheet structure. It was also possible to show that the agglomeration behavior is highly influenced by external factors like furnish composition and process parameters. This enables a new approach to the explanation of sizing performance, by making it possible to not only examine the performance of the sizing agent, but to closely look at the predominant position where it is located in the sheet structure. These results lead to the explanation that the phenomenon of sizing is by far not a pure chemical process but rather a more physical one. Based on the gained findings it was possible so far to optimize the ASA sizing process in industrial-scale by means of ~ 50% less ASA consumption at a steady degree of sizing and improved physical sheet properties.

Surface water is globally becoming more and more a scarce resource, and in Addis Ababa the capital of Ethiopia, river water quality has been degraded due to anthropological forcing for many years. Therefore, the study objective was to investigate causes and impact of surface water pollution in Kebena and Great Akaki rivers. The technical aspect of the study focused on analysing the parameters E. coli, phosphate, nitrate and total ammonia nitrogen in 34 different sampling sites in the western part of the Great Akaki catchment. The other aspect was to evaluate authorities’ and companies’ perspective on the water quality, usage and future plans to mitigate further pollution of rivers. Another perspective was to interview households and farmers regarding their view on usage, water quality and health risks. The main finding was a high surface water contamination in both Kebena and Akaki river, throughout the city, mostly from domestic, municipality and industrial wastewater and solid waste. E. coli concentrations exceeded thresholds given by WHO. Concentrations of phosphate and total ammonia nitrogen strongly indicated eutrophication. Nitrate values were lower than expected with no perceived healthrisk. The interview study with authorities, households and farmers indicated irrigation as the main usage. Little to moderate health risks perceived by farm users and high health risks perceived by authorities for farmers were found. Therefore, addressing a stronger collaboration between authorities and the local community is important. In addition, the implementation of mitigation strategies should be strengthened and the stakeholders need to be accountable for their actions. A continued monitoring of pollutants as well as a multi-sectoral approach to solidwaste and wastewater management will help improve the river water quality.
Ytvatten blir globalt allt mer en knapp resurs och i Addis Abeba, huvudstaden i Etiopien, har flodernas vattenkvalitet under många år försämrats på grund av antropogen påverkan. Denna studie syftar till att undersöka orsaker och påverkan på ytvattenföroreningar i floderna Kebena och Akaki. Den tekniska aspekten av studien inkluderar vattenanalyser av parametrarna E.coli, fosfat, nitrat och totalt ammonium kväve som utfördes på 34 olika provtagningsplatser i västra delen av Great Akakis avrinningsområde. Den andra aspekten var att utvärdera myndigheters och företags perspektiv på vattenkvalité, flodvattnets användningsområden och framtida planer för förbättring av föroreningsgraden i floderna. Ett annat perspektiv var att intervjua hushåll och lantbrukare angående deras bild av ytvattenanvändning, om vattenkvaliteten och hälsorisker. Studiens huvudsakliga upptäckt är en genomgående hög föroreningsgrad i stadens flodvatten. Föroreningen består till största del av avlopp och avfall från hushåll, kommuner och industrier. Koncentrationerna av E.coli överskred WHO:s gränsvärden. Halterna av fosfat och totalt ammoniumkväve indikerade övergödning. Nitratvärdena visade lägre halter än förväntat och därmed ingen påvisad hälsorisk. Intervjustudien med myndigheter, hushåll och lantbrukare påvisade att ytvattnet mest används för bevattning av åkermark. Lantbrukarna uppfattade en liten till medelhög hälsorisk med denna användning, medan myndigheter ansåg att lantbrukarna utsattes för en hög risk. Därför är ett starkare samarbete mellan myndigheter och samhället viktigt. Dessutom behöver implementationen av förbättringsåtgärder förbättras och alla aktörer måste göras ansvariga för sina handlingar. En fortsatt övervakning av föroreningar och ett multi-disciplinärt arbetssätt vid avfall- och avloppshantering kommer att vara till hjälp vid förbättring av vattenkvaliteten i floden.

In the wake of the growing dependence on small water treatment plants (SWTPs) in providing quality water to rural areas and the global burden of water borne diseases, this study sought to examine the efficiency of 55 SWTPs located in rural or peri-urban areas of Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces in order to gauge the safety of water supply for human consumption. The microbiological and physical parameters of raw water, treated water and water in the distribution systems were examined using standard methods. Management issues impacting on quality of water supply were determined by use of questionnaires and focus group discussions. Results obtained showed that the pH, turbidity, temperature and conductivity of the raw water in SWTPs studied in both provinces ranged between 6.46 to 9.05 pH units, 0.19 to 8.0 NTU, 15.4oC to 31.40oC and 44.40.4 μS to 108 μS respectively. Water quality compliance at point of use (treated water) according to the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry of South Africa guidelines in SWTPs studied in both provinces were 85% for faecal coliforms and 69% for total coliforms. In the distribution systems, TCCs, FCCs and HPCs were within recommended limits except for few SWTPs suggesting a possibility of inadequate treatment and this may represent post-treatment contamination and possible risk of infection from these water supply sources. Physical parameters were generally within the recommended ranges . In terms of administrative issues, some plant operators did not have adequate knowledge of the functioning of the SWTPs and most were unable to calculate chlorine dosage, determine flow rates or undertake repairs of basic equipment. Poor working conditions , frequent stock depletion of chemicals , lack of maintenance culture , lack of emergency preparedness and poor communication were also cited . The study has revealed that the microbiological quality of raw water was very poor but that water treatment was efficient in the majority of SWTPs studied in both provinces. Regular monitoring of microbial and physico-chemical parameters of water quality served by the different SWTPs to the population is recommended to gauge their safety for human consumption. Issues such as enhanced incentives and periodic training of plant operators, improved communication and conditions of service , periodic stock inventory and entrenchment of maintenance culture may be necessary to ensure sustained and efficient water distribution systems.

Numerical descriptors, beginning with Wiener, and then named topological indices by Hosoya, have gained gradually increasing importance along with other descriptors for use in QSAR and QSPR studies. Being able to estimate the physical or chemical properties of a yet nonexistent substance as close as possible is very important due to huge consumption of time and money upon direct synthesis. In addition, one may face safety problem as in the case of explosives. There have been almost hundred topological indices so far in the chemical graph theory literature. However, there is no topological index which is generalizable to all kinds of molecules. In the present study, a novel topological index (TG Index) has been developed and applied to a wide range of organic molecules including explosives for modeling their physical, structural and molecular orbital properties. The index yielded quite successful correlation data with most of the properties considered in this study.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
O conceito de microbacias hidrográficas reflete a sensibilidade ao regime de precipitação e uso alternativo do solo da área de drenagem. Neste sentido, ao pensar em planejamento territorial, a conservação das microbacias hidrográficas é o que garante o suprimento da quantidade e qualidade do corpo de água à jusante. Assim, sabendo que a exportação dos nutrientes em uma microbacia hidrográfica está relacionada ao manejo exercido na área, e em que, ao depender da sua concentração no sistema aquático pode gerar um processo de degradação ambiental, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a dinâmica de parâmetros de qualidade da água e a oscilação do índice de estado trófico em duas microbacias hidrográficas. As microbacias estão sob diferentes coberturas de vegetação, e enquanto uma possui vegetação nativa do bioma Mata Atlântica, a outra possui predominância de florestas plantadas de Pinus. Foram coletados dados durante uma série histórica de dez anos (2005 – 2015), com frequência de observação quinzenal. As variáveis aferidas foram os nutrientes nitrato, fósforo, potássio, cálcio e magnésio, assim como parâmetros físicos de sólidos suspensos totais, turbidez e cor aparente. O monitoramento dos parâmetros de qualidade é fruto do Programa Cooperativo sobre Monitoramento e Modelagem de Bacias Hidrográficas (PROMAB) do Instituto de Pesquisas e Estudos Florestais (IPEF). Neste estudo observou-se que apesar do regime de precipitação condicionar a flutuação de alguns nutrientes, a mobilidade dos elementos pode ser em função da solubilidade e reatividade com a água. Não foi observado depreciação da qualidade de água pelo manejo florestal.
The concept of catchments reflects the sensitivity of the precipitation regime and the alternative use of soil in the drainage area. In this sense, when thinking about territorial planning, the conservation of watersheds is what guarantees the supply of the quantity and quality of the water body downstream. Thus, knowing that the export of nutrients in a watershed is related to the management in the area, and that, depending on its concentration in the aquatic system can generate an environmental degradation process, the objective of this work was to evaluate the parameters dynamics of water quality and the oscillation of the trophic state index in two catchments. The watersheds are under different coverages of vegetation, while one of the watershed is surrounded by vegetation native to the Atlantic Forest biome, the another is predominantly planted pine forests. Data were collected during a ten - year historical series (2005 - 2015), with frequency of biweekly observation. The measured variables were nitrate, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium nutrients, as well as physical parameters of total suspended solids, turbidity and apparent color. The monitoring of the quality parameters is the result of the Cooperative Program on Monitoring and Modeling of Watershed of the Forest Research Institute. In this study it was observed that although the precipitation regime conditions the fluctuation of some nutrients, the mobility of the elements can be in function of the solubility and reactivity with the water. No water quality depreciation was observed by forest management.
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L'acidose ruminale est l'une des préoccupations majeures des exploitations laitières actuelles. Les levures vivantes (LV) ont été largement étudiées et utilisées chez les vaches laitières pour stabiliser la fermentation ruminale. Récemment, la mesure du potentiel redox ruminal (Eh, en mV) a été considérée comme un outil intéressant pour indiquer le trouble de la fermentation ruminale. L'effet positif de LV sur Eh ruminal a été rapporté, mais il reste variable selon les conditions expérimentales. Les objectifs de ce travail étaient de fournir une meilleure compréhension du mode d'action de LV et de définir la condition optimale de l'utilisation de LV chez les vaches laitières. La première partie de ce travail a consisté en une analyse quantitative des résultats de 22 expériences avec des vaches laitières canulées. La deuxième partie de ce travail a consisté à vérifier certains des résultats de l'analyse quantitative par une expérience chez des vaches en lactation. En utilisant l'analyse quantitative de données existantes provenant d'expériences antérieures, nous avons clarifié la relation entre le Eh ruminal et d'autres paramètres ruminaux principaux tels que le pH et le profil VFA, et suggéré que les variations de Eh pourraient être liées au transfert d'électrons dans les réactions dans le rumen. En outre, la réponse du Eh après la supplémentation en LV était également liée à celle du profil AGV ruminal, suggérant que l'effet de LV sur le profil VFA était atteint par l'augmentation du pouvoir réducteur, reflétant un meilleur transfert d'électrons dans le rumen. L'analyse a en outre démontré que la régulation du Eh ruminal par LV serait particulièrement efficace lorsque le risque de troubles digestifs est élevé. Puisque l'influence des caractéristiques de la ration sur le Eh ruminal a été quantifiée, l'effet de LV dans un régime donné pourrait être estimé indirectement. En outre, l'analyse quantitative a également révélé que la réponse de Eh suite à la supplémentation en LV était associée à la quantité de sucres solubles ingérée. L'expérience in vivo chez des vaches en début de lactation a confirmé un effet plus important de LV sur Eh ruminal avec une ration riche en sucres solubles, et a démontré que la supplémentation en LV avait un impact sur la richesse des bactéries, et que les métabolites ont également été influencés par la supplémentation en LV, probablement associée à la diminution du Eh ruminal
Ruminal acidosis is one of the major concerns of current dairy farms. Live yeasts (LY) have been extensively studied and used in dairy cows for stabilization of rumen fermentation. Recently, measurement of ruminal redox potential (Eh, in mV) has been considered as an interesting tool to indicate ruminal fermentation disorder. The positive effect of LY on ruminal Eh has been reported, but it remains variable according to the experimental conditions. The aims of this work was to provide better understanding of mode of actions of LY, and to define the optimal condition of LY utilization in dairy cows. The first part of this work consisted to quantitative analysis of existing results from 22 experiments with cannulated dairy cattle. The second part of this work consisted to verify some of the results from quantitative analysis by an in vivo experiment in lactating cows. By using quantitative analysis of existing data from previously conducted experiments, we clarified the relationship between ruminal redox and other main ruminal parameters such as pH and VFA profile, and suggested that Eh variations might be related to the transfer of electrons in the reactions producing VFAs in the rumen. Moreover, response of ruminal Eh following live yeast supplementation was also related to that of ruminal VFA profile, which suggested that the effect of LY on VFA profile was achieved via the increase of reducing power, possibly reflected improved electron transfer and use in the rumen. The analysis further demonstrated that the regulation of ruminal Eh by LY would be particularly effective when risk of digestive disorder is high. Since the influence of dietary characteristics on ruminal Eh was quantified, the effect of LY in a given diet could be indirectly estimated. In addition, quantitative analysis also associated the response of ruminal Eh following LY supplementation to the intake of soluble sugars. The in vivo experiment in early-lactating cows confirmed greater effect of LY on ruminal Eh in diet rich in soluble sugars, and further demonstrated that i) LY supplementation tended to impact the richness of ruminal bacteria, and ii) some unidentified metabolites were also influenced by LY supplementation, probably associated to the decrease of ruminal Eh

Over the last few decades, Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) in South Africa has developed from early experimental designs to large scale, commercially operating farms. This was in response to uncertainty regarding food availability for stock (primarily kelp in the case of abalone farms) and a desire to recirculate water whilst reducing the environmental footprint of the abalone farms. The growing prevalence of IMTA as a commercially viable activity has brought about a need for an expansion of the knowledge pool regarding the physico-chemical processes at work in such systems. Of particular interest to researchers are mechanisms and dynamics of nutrient transfer between components of the system and how these could be manipulated to increase efficiency and reduce running cost of farms. This work was conducted to try and quantify some of the changes in some physical and chemical characteristics of the water stream on a large-scale IMTA farm cultivating seaweed of the genus Ulva (Ulva rigida) and the locally named perlemoen abalone (Haliotis midae) on the south west coast of South Africa (Viking Abalone Farm at Buffeljagsbaai, Western Cape, South Africa) (34.7550° S, 19.6154° E). Experiment one was a three-day experiment taking place in December of 2018, there was no particular reason for the choice of month, analyses of this nature are potentially useful on any given day of any given month as although the literature contains plenty of gaps, there is no single identifiable data gap sufficient to encourage the use of particular timeframes. The sampling regime involved single sample point testing of three modular clusters each operating a different rate of water recirculation (50%, 75% and 100%) with 50% recirculation being standard farm operation, 75% and 100% tested to gauge effect of increasing recirculation, 75% tested as a potential standard farm operation to reduce load on pumps and reduce volumes of water pumped in, 100% tested in case of emergency situation which requires farm to be isolated from the inbound water stream arriving from the immediate coastal water, ambient conditions were also tested for reference and comparison. Parameters tested were those which the farmers already tested periodically to gauge changes in water quality which may effect the abalone or seaweed, though slightly different methods were used for the testing of ammonia. On the farm the standard method is the Nesler photometric test (Lovibond photometer), whereas this research was conducted using a calibrated indophenol blue spectrophotometric technique (Modified Grasshoff, 1976). Results showed no statistically significant differences (Mood's Median Test, p>0.05) between the 50% and 75% recirculation cluster for temperature, pH, Total Ammonia Nitrogen (TAN) or Free Ammonia Nitrogen NH3 (FAN). At 100% recirculation, statistically significant differences (Mood's Median Test, p0.05) occurred for temperature. At 100% recirculation, TAN and FAN increased rapidly, though the commensurate rapid and considerable decrease in pH meant the FAN increase was not as high in magnitude as it would be at 4 a normal seawater pH of around 8.2. Abalone suffered no mortalities at 100% recirculation for three days and later reports from the farmers suggested no noticeable drop in growth rate that could be attributed to this test in the months following the experiment. From the regulatory perspective, the TAN levels breached WWF guideline maximum effluent concentrations for abalone aquaculture (600µM/l) only in the 100% recirculation cluster, and only then during three of the thirteen sampling runs. The TAN concentrations in 50% and 75% recirculation treatments were far below the WWF guideline maximum effluent concentration with maximum concentrations of 7.15 µM/l in 50% and 13.46 µM/l at 75%, the increase in maximum concentration was large but not egregious and resulted from a more pronounced build-up of ammonia as residence time of water in the cluster increases at 75% recirculation. Experiment two was an intensive 24-hour sampling run; the primary aim was to test the effectiveness of the seaweed biofilter in an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) farm culturing perlemoen abalone and a green macroalga. Parameters tested were temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, TAN, nitrate and nitrite as these are relevant parameters for the farmer and the necessary equipment to test them was available. Samples were stored in a freezer for this experiment due to intensity of sampling regime, and spiked standards were prepared to check shifts in concentration of TAN, nitrate and nitrite that may have resulted from the freezing and thawing processes. Spike recoveries were good in the case of TAN (87%-98%) and nitrite (92%-96%), but random and widely dispersed in the case of nitrate. As such, nitrate and nitrite were removed from the analysis as nitrite values only really held value if taken in conjunction with nitrate values. Minimal and non-useful variation in salinity observations meant that salinity was also discounted from the analysis. Temperatures varied minimally between sampling points during the experiment, though they rose in all sampling points during daytime as would be expected. pH was higher in abalone inbound and Ulva effluent water compared to the abalone effluent water. Total ammonia nitrogen percentage removal across the seaweed biofilters ranged from 65%-85% with the mean and median at 73% and 71% respectively. Free ammonia nitrogen percentage removal across the seaweed biofilters ranged from 41%-80% with the mean and median removals at 63% and 66% respectively. A regression analysis demonstrates a strong positive linear relationship between TAN removal and TAN load to the seaweed biofilter (r2= 0.90). Principal component analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between FAN removal and pH, as pH increased across the seaweed biofilters, the level of FAN removal decreased. This suggests that the perceived benefit of increasing pH in seaweed biofilters during the day-time may have some negative repercussions.

Sida rhombifolia L belongs to the family Malvaceae, it is native to the American continent and can be found in all regions of Brazil. It is popularly known as prickly sida , and used in traditional medicine as anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and lipid lowering. The aim of this study was to determine and evaluate the physical and chemical parameters of quality in the four seasons and the aerial parts and roots of the plant drug; determining the content of total polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins in the extracts of the aerial parts and roots of S. rhombifolia in four seasons; evaluating the antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in these same extracts; investigating the hypoglycemic and lipid lowering activity of extracts that have a higher content of flavonoids, as well as to analyze biochemical parameters of liver, kidney and pancreatic toxicity and cytotoxicity in cells NCTC clone 929 by incorporation of neutral red dye. The drug was collected at the four seasons in Santa Maria, RS, separated into aerial parts and roots and made hydroethanolic extracts 70% from each of these collections. The physico-chemical parameters varied according to the plant part analyzed and the season. The values found for strange matter, determination of water and ash insoluble in hydrochloric acid are consistent with those established for herbs. The winter collection showed higher content of total ash, both to shoots (21.20%) and roots (17.63%). The swelling rates varied significantly among the aerial parts and roots, and the highest rates obtained for each of the samples were collected in summer (35.47%) and autumn (18.40%), respectively. There were significant differences between the content of total polyphenols and flavonoids throughout the year and these have focused differently from the aerial parts and roots. The content of tannins and did not suffer seasonal variation nor the distribution between the parties analyzed the plant. The extracts of the aerial parts (172.50 g / mL) and roots (374.08 g / mL) of winter presented the best antioxidant activity. Extracts of S. rhombifolia showed good antibacterial activity while showed no activity against fungi. The extracts of the aerial parts and roots of the summer of the winter showed no hypoglycemic and lipid lowering activity in healthy animals, the markers of liver, kidney and pancreatic damage did not vary in relation to the control group, and the IC50 obtained at the cytotoxicity assays were 8.88 mg/mL e 12.57 mg/mL, respectively.
Sida rhombifolia L. pertence à família Malvaceae, é nativa do continente americano e pode ser encontrada em todas as regiões do Brasil. É conhecida popularmente por guanxuma, e utilizada na medicina tradicional como antiinflamatória, hipoglicemiante e hipolipidemiante. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar e avaliar os parâmetros físico-químicos de qualidade nas quatro estações do ano e nas partes aéreas e raízes da droga vegetal; realizar o doseamento de polifenóis totais, flavonoides e taninos condensados nos extratos das partes aéreas e raízes de S. rhombifolia nas quatro estações; avaliar a atividade antioxidante e antimicrobiana nestes mesmos extratos; investigar a atividade hipoglicemiante e hipolipidemiante dos extratos que apresentarem maior conteúdo de flavonoides, assim como analisar parâmetros bioquímicos de toxicidade hepática, renal e pancreática e citotoxicidade em células NCTC clone 929 por incorporação do corante vermelho neutro. A droga vegetal foi coletada nas quatro estações do ano no município de Santa Maria, RS, separada em partes aéreas e raízes e feitos extratos hidroetanólicos 70% de cada uma destas coletas. Os parâmetros físico-químicos variaram de acordo com a parte da planta analisada e a estação. Os valores encontrados para matéria estranha, determinação de água e cinzas insolúveis em ácido clorídrico estão de acordo com os estabelecidos para drogas vegetais. A coleta de inverno apresentou maior conteúdo de cinzas totais, tanto para as partes aéreas (21,20%) quanto para as raízes (17,63%). Os índices de intumescência variaram significativamente entre as partes aéreas e raízes, e os maiores índices obtidos para cada uma das coletas foram nas amostras do verão (35,47%) e outono (18,40%), respectivamente. Houve diferença significativa entre os conteúdos de polifenóis totais e flavonoides ao longo do ano e estes concentraram se diferentemente entre as partes aéreas e raízes. O conteúdo de taninos não sofreu variação entre as partes analisadas da planta e de sazonalidade. Os extratos das partes aéreas (172,50 μg/mL) e das raízes (374,08 μg/mL) do inverno foram os que apresentaram melhor atividade antioxidante. Os extratos de S. rhombifolia apresentaram boa atividade antibacteriana e não apresentaram atividade contra fungos. Os extratos das partes aéreas do verão e das raízes do inverno não demonstraram atividade hipoglicemiante e hipolipidemiante em animais sadios. Os marcadores de danos hepáticos, renais e pancreáticos não variaram em relação ao grupo controle, e as IC50 obtidas nos testes de citotoxicidade das partes aéreas e raízes foram 8,88 mg/mL e 12,57 mg/mL, respectivamente.

Verbena litoralis Kunth belongs to the family Verbenaceae is native to South America and can be found in tropical and subtropical regions, mainly in temperate regions of the southern hemisphere and some temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. It is popularly known as gervãozinho of field or herb-of-father-caetano and used in traditional medicine against diarrhea, against fever and gastrointestinal disorders. It is a herbaceous perennial has erect stems, ovate leaves and quadrangular, ovate-lanceolate, lanceolate, spatulate or linear, its inflorescences are long and sparcely lilac. The aim of this study was to control physical and chemical quality of the aerial parts of the plant drug, perform the assay of polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins from the four seasons, extract essential oil, as well as submit these extracts together with the oil of V. litoralis to test antimicrobial activity. In quality control physicochemical conducted in four seasons found that the loss on drying and the percentage of foreign matter are in agreement with the values established for herbal drugs. The collection realized in the autumn had the highest content of total ash, insoluble ash and sulphated ash. The swelling index was higher in autumn and bitter index was higher in the winter. Dosages of polyphenols and tannins showed higher values in winter, while the flavonoid content was higher in the fall. In determination the in vitro antimicrobial activity of hydroethanolic extracts and essential oil of V. litoralis front of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Providencia rettgeri, Streptococcus agalactiae, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus intermedius, Proteus mirabilis, Klebisiella pneumoniae, Salmonella pullorum, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus fumigatus were found that all bacteria showed sensitivity to the extracts of the four seasons, with the exception of Aspergillus fumigatus. The greater sensitivity of micro-organisms to the extracts was collection in the winter. The oil of V. litoralis showed antimicrobial activity against the Providence rettgeri, Streptococcus agalactiae, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus intermedius and Klebisiella pneumonia and cis-chrysanthenol, neo-verbanol, isobornyl propanate, myrac aldehyde, ternine, isophyllocladene, phenyl ethyl anthranilate are the major compounds of the oil.
Verbena litoralis Kunth pertence à família Verbenaceae é nativa da América do Sul, podendo ser encontrada nas regiões tropicais e subtropicais, principalmente nas regiões temperadas do hemisfério sul e pouco nas regiões temperadas do hemisfério norte. É conhecida popularmente como gervãozinho-do-campo ou erva-de-pai-caetano e utilizada na medicina tradicional como antidiarréico, antifebrífugo e em desordens gastrintestinais. É uma planta herbácea perene, possui caule ereto, quadrangular e folhas ovadas, ovado-lanceoladas, lanceoladas, espatuladas ou lineares, suas inflorescências são longas e pouco densas de cor lilás. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar o controle de qualidade físico-químico das partes aéreas da droga vegetal, realizar o doseamento de polifenóis, flavonóides e taninos provenientes das quatro estações do ano, extrair o óleo essencial, assim como submeter esses extratos juntamente com o óleo de V. litoralis ao ensaio de atividade antimicrobiana. No controle de qualidade físico-químico realizado nas quatro estações do ano verificou-se que a perda por dessecação e a porcentagem de matéria estranha estão de acordo com os valores estabelecidos para drogas vegetais. A coleta realizada no outono apresentou o maior teor de cinzas totais, cinzas insolúveis e cinzas sulfatadas. O índice de intumescência foi mais elevado no outono e o índice de amargor foi maior no inverno. As dosagens de polifenóis e taninos apresentaram valores mais elevados no inverno, enquanto que o teor de flavonóides foi maior no outono. Na determinação da atividade antimicrobiana in vitro dos extratos hidroetanólicos e do óleo essencial de V. litoralis frente à Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Providência rettgeri, Streptococcus agalactiae, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus intermedius, Proteus mirabilis, Klebisiella pneumoniae, Salmonella pullorum, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans e Aspergillus fumigatus foram verificadas que todas as bactérias apresentaram sensibilidade frente aos extratos das quatro estações do ano, com exceção de Aspergillus fumigatus. A maior sensibilidade dos micro-organismos para os extratos foi na coleta de inverno. O óleo de V. litoralis apresentou atividade antimicrobiana frente à Providência rettgeri, Streptococcus agalactiae, Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus intermedius e Klebisiella pneumoniae, sendo cis-crisantenol, neo-verbanol, isobornil propanato, mirac aldeído, ternine, isofilocladeno e fenil etil antranilato os compostos majoritários do óleo.

Avec onze millions de touristes/an pour une population de 66. 000 habitants, les écosystèmes de la Principauté d'Andorre sont soumis à une forte pression anthropique. Les rivières andorranes subissent les impacts du tourisme dès les têtes de bassin (stations de ski). Les analyses physico-chimiques, le suivi spatio-temporel de la macrofaune benthique, l'utilisation d'un panel d'indices et l'étude de la croissance des Truites montrent que la qualité ses eaux s'est fortement dégradée depuis les 25 dernières années. La pollution accélère la simplification des structures trophiques (RCC) dès la zone amont. Les courbes rang-fréquence permettent de diagnostiquer précocement les modifications de structure des communautés dans les sites soumis à des perturbations masquées par le caractère torrentiel des rivières. L'étude de la relation microhabitat/invertébrés, dans le cas de rivières montagnardes moyennement ou non polluées, montre que le courant, et donc le type de substrat, est le facteur structurant majeur des communautés au cours des saisons. Si la pollution est marquée, elle masque tous les liens invertébrés-microhabitats. La croissance des Truites pourrait aussi servir d'outil d'évaluation de l'état des rivières andorranes mais l'état actuel de ces rivières ne permet pas la survie de populations de Truites sauvages dans la moitié aval des cours principaux. L'ensemble de l'étude démontre l'intérêt de sauvegarder certains sites en tête de bassin dans le but d'avoir un référentiel
Responses of benthic and fish communities to man induced disturbances in Andorran streams. Role of habitat, and biomonitoring tools setting in mountain environment. With eleven millions tourists per year for 66,000 inhabitants, Andorran ecosystems are exposed to high anthropogenic pressure. Andorran streams suffer tourism impact up from headwaters (ski resorts). Physico-chemical analyses, spatio temporal macroinvertebrate survey, use of an index panel and Trout growth features showed that water quality has become degraded since the last 25 years. Pollution hastens the simplification of the functioning structure of the communities (RCC) down from the upstream zone. Rank-frequency diagrams make possible early diagnostic in community structure degradation for sites exposed to disturbances, masked by the torrential features of the rivers. The habitat/invertebrates relationships, in the case of moderately or unpolluted mountain streams, shows that current, and consequently substrate types, is the major structuring factor of the communities in the course of the seasons. When pollution is well marked, it masks all the fauna-habitat relationships. Native trout growth could be used as quality assessment tool in the Andorran streams but the present state of these streams do not allow the survival of native trout populations in the whole downstream reaches of the main streams. Globally, this study shows the conservation need of some headwater sites in order to preserve a referential

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
The Moraceae family consists of approximately 1000 species, distributed in 61 genera. Morus alba has small flowers, simple stems up to 33 feet tall and whole leaves, serrated or lobed, fruit September to November. M. alba is used in traditional medicine as hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and in the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Flavonoids such as quercetin, rutin and alkaloid 1- deoxinojirimicina were isolated and identified in their leaves. The physico-chemical quality control was performed with M. Alba s leaves collected in four seasons. The values found in the analysis of loss on drying and foreign matter are agreement with established for herbal drugs. The collection made in March had the highest content of total ash and acid insoluble and swelling index was higher in September. The dosages of polyphenols and flavonoids were higher in summer. The evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of M. alba in induction of granulomatous tissue showed that animals treated with hydroethanolic extract presented 20.24 ± 6.94% inhibition of the formation of granulomatous tissue while those treated with nimesulide has 21.42 ± 6.52%, confirming significant anti-inflammatory activity. The dosages of AST, ALT and creatinine were performed with the same animals, demonstrating absence of toxicity in liver and kidney. In determining the in vitro antimicrobial activity, the fractions ethyl acetate and chloroform showed the best responses front of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus fumigatus, Prothoteca zophii and Candida albicans. The cytotoxicity of the hydroethanolic extract by cell cultures of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and cells of connective tissue of mouse (NCTC) clone 929 showed, respectively, IC50 of 0.34 mg/mL and 3.24 mg/mL.
A família Moraceae compreende aproximadamente 1000 espécies, distribuídas em 61 gêneros. Morus alba possui flores pequenas, caule simples com até 10 metros de altura e folhas inteiras, serreadas ou lobadas, frutifica de setembro a novembro. M. alba é utilizada na medicina tradicional como hipoglicemiante, antioxidante, anti-inflamatória e no tratamento dos sintomas da menopausa. Flavonóides como quercetina, rutina e o alcalóide 1-deoxinojirimicina foram isolados e identificados nas suas folhas. O controle de qualidade físico-químico foi realizado com folhas de M. alba coletadas nas quatro estações. Os valores encontrados nas análises de perda por dessecação e matéria estranha estão de acordo com os estabelecidos para drogas vegetais. A coleta realizada em março apresentou o maior conteúdo de cinzas totais e insolúveis em ácido e o índice de intumescência foi mais elevado em setembro. As dosagens de polifenóis e flavonóides foram mais elevadas no verão. A avaliação da atividade anti-inflamatória de M. alba em modelo de indução de tecido granulomatoso demonstrou que os animais tratados com o extrato hidroetanólico apresentaram 20,24 ± 6,94% de inibição da formação de tecido granulomatoso enquanto que os tratados com nimesulida apresentaram 21,42 ± 6,52%, confirmando significativa atividade anti-inflamatória. As dosagens de AST, ALT e creatinina foram realizadas com os mesmos animais, demonstrando ausência de indícios de toxicidade hepática e renal. Na determinação da atividade antimicrobiana in vitro, as frações acetato de etila e clorofórmio apresentaram as melhores atividades frente à Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus fumigatus, Prothoteca zophii e Candida albicans. A citotoxicidade do extrato hidroetanólico por culturas de células de ovário de hamster chinês (CHO) e células do tecido conectivo de camundongo (NCTC) clone 929 apresentaram, respectivamente, IC50 de 0,34 mg/mL e 3,24 mg/mL, demonstrando ação citotóxica in vitro.

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Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior
In the present study we compute the atmospheric parameters (Teff , log g and vmic, [Fe/H]) and chemical abundance of 16 ions (Fe I, Fe II, O I, Si I, Na I, Mg I, Al I, Ca I, Ti I, Co I, Ni I, Rb I, Zr I, Ba II, La II and Cr I) for 16 solar-like stars with masses between 0:8 and 1:2 Mfi aproximatedly, including 10 planet-host stars detected by the CoRoT Space Mission. For this study, we use data from the ESO public archive: (i) high resolution spectra (R 47000) from the UVES spectrograph on the VLT/UT2-ESO (for 7 stars, covering the wavelength range 3450-4515 ? and 5500-9400 ?) and (ii) high resolution spectra from HARPS spectrograph on the La Silla-ESO 3.60 m telescope (for 9 stars, covering the wavelength range 4200-6865 ?). Our spectral analysis is based on MARCS models of atmosphere and Turbospectrum spectroscopic tools. On the base of the computed parameters, the referred abundances appears to follow the same behavior of the solar curve abundances. Further, one observes a signifficant correlation between the abundance ratio [m/Fe] and condensation temperature (Tc) of refractory elements (Tc > 900 K). The behavior of the projected rotational velocity (v sin i) versus the computed abundances [m/Fe] is also analyzed, presenting no clear trends. This study oers additional constraints to trace the evolutive history of solar-like stars with planets, including the search for chemical dierences between stars with and without transit planets and anomalies in the studied abundances
No presente estudo, n?s determinamos os par?metros atmosf?ricos (Teff , log g, vmic e [Fe/H]) e as abund?ncias qu?micas de 16 ?ons (Fe I, Fe II, O I, Si I, Na I, Mg I, Al I, Ca I, Ti I, Co I, Ni I, Rb I, Zr I, Ba II, La II e Cr I) para 16 estrelas solares, com massas entre 0:8 e 1:2 M , aproximadamente, incluindo 10 estrelas com planetas detectados pelo telesc?pio espacial CoRoT. Para este estudo, foram usados dados do arquivo p?blico do ESO: (i) espectros de alta resolu??o (R 47000) do espectr?grafo UVES localizado no VLT/UT2- ESO (para 7 estrelas, cobrindo o dom?nio espectral de 3450-4515 ? e 5500-9400 ?) e (ii) espectros de alta resolu??o obtidos com o espectr?grafo HARPS localizado no telesc?pio de 3,60 m, em La Silla-ESO (para 9 estrelas, cobrindo a faixa de 4200-6865 ?). Nossa an?lise espectral ? baseada nos modelos de atmosfera MARCS e nas ferramentas espectrosc?picas do Turbospectrum. Com base nos par?metros obtidos, as abund?ncias referidas parecem seguir tend?ncia semelhante ? curva de abund?ncias solares. Adicionalmente, observa-se uma correla??o signi cativa entre a abund?ncia relativa [m/H] e a temperatura de condensa??o (Tc) dos elementos refrat?rios (Tc > 900 K). O comportamento da velocidade rotacional projetada (v sin i) em fun??o das abund?ncias obtidas tamb?m ? analisada, n?o apresentando correla??es claras. Este estudo oferece v?nculos adicionais para o tra?ado da hist?ria evolutiva de estrelas solares com planetas, incluindo a busca por diferen?as qu?micas entre estrelas com e sem planetas em tr?nsito, e por anomalias nas abund?ncias estudadas

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The crude oil can be understood as a mixture sufficiently polydisperse where its diverse components form a dispersion and/or solution whose original state can be modified in function of variations of temperature, pressure and composition causing, for example, the formation of organic deposits. The asphaltene constitutes heavy fractions of oils with great capacity for precipitation and consequent deposition. Better understanding of the asphaltenes behavior is essential to reduce the negative impacts caused by these fractions in petroleum production and processing. An important subject is the relation between the asphaltenes stability in the oils and the measurements of asphaltenes onset precipitation, which represent the minimum amount of a flocculent (n-alkane of low molar mass) necessary to initiate the formation of the precipitated ones in the oils. These measurements, in general, are executed in different conditions against the found ones during the production, and are found also significant errors for oils with low amounts of asphaltenes and with particles in suspension. Distinct interpretations in relation to the precipitation phenomenon are still verified when comparing the results between diverse techniques. In this work, the results of different techniques in the determination of the asphaltenes onset precipitation have been evaluated by optical microscopy, viscosimetry and impedance spectroscopy in ten samples of Brazilian crude oils with different characteristics. The results of precipitation onset also had been related with the asphaltenes stability in the pure oils and mixtures of oils. The oil samples had been assigned P1-P10, A and B. The precipitation onset was induced by the addition of heptane in the oil and the toluene oil (2:1) mixture. The results showed good agreement with the values of precipitation onset for the three evaluated techniques, indicating that the flocculation and precipitation represent the same phenomenon. The addition of the toluene provoked a displacement of the asphaltene onset precipitation point strengthening the influence of the aromaticity in the solubilization of the asphaltenes. It was still observed that the stability of the asphaltene in the oil depends on a relation between all the physico-chemical parameters, however parameters such as resins and aromatics exert a bigger influence on the stability. The study in oil mixtures had indicated that the precipitation onset is not a parameter that can be used exclusively as indicative of asphaltenes stability.
O petróleo pode ser compreendido como uma mistura bastante polidispersa em que, seus diversos componentes formam uma dispersão e/ou solução cujo estado original pode ser alterado em função de variações de temperatura, pressão e composição, acarretando, por exemplo, a formação de depósitos orgânicos. Os Asfaltenos constituem frações pesadas de petróleos com grande capacidade para a precipitação e conseqüente deposição pelas mudanças no equilíbrio de fases da mistura. Uma melhor compreensão do comportamento dos asfaltenos é essencial para reduzir os impactos negativos causados por estas frações na produção e processamento do petróleo. Um assunto importante e também bastante discutível é a relação entre estabilidade dos asfaltenos nos petróleos e as medidas de início de precipitação dos asfaltenos, que representa a quantidade mínima de um floculante (n-alcano de baixa massa molar) necessária para iniciar a formação dos precipitados nos petróleos. Essas medidas, em geral, são executadas em condições distintas às encontradas durante a produção, e também, verificam-se erros bastante significativos para petróleos com baixos teores de asfaltenos e que apresentam partículas em suspensão. Neste trabalho avaliaram-se os resultados obtidos a partir de diferentes técnicas para a determinação do inicio de precipitação dos asfaltenos, seja a microscopia ótica, viscosimetria e espectroscopia de impedância, para dez amostras de petróleos brasileiros com características diferentes. Os resultados de início de precipitação foram também relacionados com a estabilidade dos asfaltenos nos petróleos puros e em misturas de petróleos. As amostras de petróleos foram designadas P1-P10, A e B. O início de precipitação foi induzido pela adição de n-heptano no petróleo e na mistura petróleo tolueno (2:1). Os resultados revelaram uma boa concordância nos valores de início de precipitação para as três técnicas avaliadas indicando que a floculação e precipitação representam o mesmo fenômeno. A adição do tolueno provocou um deslocamento do ponto de início de precipitação dos asfaltenos reforçando a influência da aromaticidade na solubilização dos asfaltenos. Observou-se ainda que a estabilidade dos asfaltenos no petróleo depende de uma relação entre todos os parâmetros físico-químicos, entretanto os parâmetros resinas e aromáticos exercem uma maior influência sobre a estabilidade. Os resultados obtidos com as misturas dos petróleos indicaram que o início de precipitação não é um parâmetro que possa ser empregado, exclusivamente, como indicativo da estabilidade dos asfaltenos em misturas.

Les poussières (<3 mm) générées chaque année par les industries minières et métallurgiques ont un impact économique et écologique conséquent. Le recyclage de ces matériaux par l’agglomération à froid et sans liant est la meilleure option, mais ces procédés manquent de prédictibilité. La présente étude vise à améliorer cette prédictibilité grâce à une meilleure compréhension des phénomènes.Une caractérisation étendue des propriétés chimiques, physiques et morphologiques a été réalisée sur les matériaux fins généré durant la production d’alliages de ferromanganèse. Une prédiction qualitative a pu être développée selon des considérations théoriques et empiriques. Des tests de compaction uniaxiale ont été réalisés sur des échantillons de bentonite, kaolinite, minerai enrichi et hausmannite pour tester les hypothèses formulées. Ils ont confirmé l’importance de la présence de matériaux en feuillet et/ou qui se déforment de façon plastique. L’ajout d’humidité et l’accroissement de la pression ont une limite maximale d’efficacité, dépendante du matériau. Des tests de modélisation DEM préliminaires ont été réalisés pour estimer l’impact des variation du module d’Young et de la force et la taille des liens sur la force des agglomérés et leur comportement à la cassure
The mining and metallurgical industries produce significant amount of fine materials (<3mm) each year, which bears a high economic and ecological impact. Recycling these materials through cold, binder-free agglomeration is the best course of action, but still lacks predictability. The present study aims increases this predictability through a deeper comprehension of the phenomena. An extensive characterization of the chemical, physical and morphological characteristics of the fine materials generated along the ferromanganese alloy production process was performed. A qualitative prediction of the agglomeration potential of the material was developed based on theoretical and empirical comparisons. Agglomeration experiments using uniaxial compaction were performed on bentonite, kaolinite, enriched ore and hausmannite samples to test the hypothesis formulated. They confirmed the importance of the presence of materials with a layered structure (such as clays) and/or that deform plastically. The moisture addition and the pressure increase have an upper limit of efficiency, depending on the material. Preliminary DEM modelling were performed to assess the impact of the variation of young’s modulus, bond strength and bond size on the simulation of the agglomerate strength and breakage style

O tratamento e o destino final dos resíduos sólidos de serviços de saúde são assuntos que têm gerado controvérsias no tocante às alternativas tecnológicas disponíveis e aos riscos para a saúde pública e ao meio ambiente. O presente trabalho consistiu na caracterização físico-química e toxicológica de lixiviados de resíduos de serviços de saúde e de lixo domiciliar coletados pela Companhia Municipal de Limpeza Urbana (COMLURB) na cidade do Rio de Janeiro e teve por objetivo subsidiar a discussão com relação à questão da necessidade de tratamento e disposição final diferenciada para os resíduos de serviços de saúde. Os resultados obtidos ilustram uma biodegradabilidade não tão elevada dos lixiviados das Células experimentais C1, C2 e C3, onde C1 contém 100% de RSD, C2 100% de RSS e C3 98% de RSD em mistura com 2% de RSS. Percolados oriundos de aterros sanitários novos se caracterizam nomalmente por valores elevados de biodegradabilidade. No entanto, os resultados mostram um baixo nível de biodegradabilidade dos lixiviados das Células experimentais C1, C2 e C3. Os parâmetros físico-químicos analisados indicam que os microorganismos encontram-se ainda na fase de adaptação ao meio. Os resultados mostraram mais similaridades do que diferenças no lixiviado gerados da disposição de RSD, RSS e sua codisposição durante um período de 60 dias de operação das células experimentais.
The treatment and final disposal of hospital solid wastes have been subjects of controversies related to the available technological alternatives and to the risks to the environment and public health. The present work evaluates the physico-chemical and toxicological characterization of leachate of healthcare solid wastes (HSW) and municipal household solid wastes (MSW) collected by the municipal service of waste collection (Companhia Municipal de Limpeza Urbana COMLURB), in Rio de Janeiro city and the aim was to support the discussion about the need of a differential treatment and final disposal of hospital wastes. The solid wastes were disposed as follows: C1 contains 100% of MSW, C2 contains 100% of HSW and C3 contains 98% of USW mixed with 2% of de HSW. Leachates generated from new sanitary landfills are characterized by high levels of biodegradability. However, the results showed a low biodegradability level in the leachate from the experimental cells C1, C2 and C3. The physico-chemical results also indicate that microorganisms are still at the stage of adaptation to the environment. The results has shown more similarities than differences in the leachate generated from the disposal of MSW, HSW and their codisposal during a period of 60 days of experimental cells operation.

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This work aimed at the evaluation of the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of sixty Apis mellifera honey samples, commercialized in different regions of the state of Rio de Janeiro (Metropolis, Southern, Central, Northwestern and Seaside). For each sample, the total phenolic and the total flavonoid contents were analyzed by the Folin-Denis and aluminum chloride (AlCl3) methods, respectively. Also, the antioxidant activity (%AA and EC50) for all the honey samples was evaluated, as well as for some phenolic acids and flavonoids, used as standards. The determination of the antioxidant capacity was carried out by the method of trapping the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl organic radical (DPPH) by antioxidant compounds, resulting in an absorbance decrease at 520 nm. The analyzed honeys were classified as monofloral or heterofloral. For the monofloral samples, it was observed that Anadenanthera honeys showed the highest average value for total phenolics (112,60 mgEAG/100g) and also for the antioxidant capacity (59,93 (AA)mgEQC/500g or 18,92 mg/mL if expressed as EC50), while the Eucalyptus honeys showed the highest mean for total flavonoids (9,17 mgEQC/100g). With these results, a comparative study was carried out with diverse honey samples of different regions, in terms of total phenolic and flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity and some physico-chemistry parameters (HMF, acidity, pH, humidity, water activity and color intensity). Comparison of these results allowed to observe that darker honeys showed both higher antioxidant activity and the highest values for total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as for all the other physico-chemical parameters.
O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os teores de fen?licos e flavon?ides totais de sessenta amostras de mel de Apis mellifera comercializadas em diferentes mesorregi?es do estado do Rio do Janeiro (Metropolitana, Sul, Centro, Noroeste Fluminense e Baixada Litor?nea). Para cada amostra foram analisados os totais de fen?licos e flavon?ides, atrav?s dos m?todos de Folin-Denis e cloreto de alum?nio (AlCl3), respectivamente. Foi determinado, tamb?m, o potencial da atividade antioxidante (%AA e CE50) para todas as amostras de mel, bem como para alguns padr?es de ?cidos fen?licos e flavon?ides. O m?todo utilizado para determinar a capacidade antioxidante foi o de captura do radical org?nico 2,2-difenil-1-picril-hidrazil (DPPH) por antioxidantes, produzindo um decr?scimo da absorb?ncia a 520 nm. Os m?is avaliados foram classificados de monoflorais e heteroflorais. Para os monoflorais foi observado que os m?is de Anadenanthera apresentaram a maior m?dia em totais de fen?licos (112,60 mgEAG/100g), e tamb?m a maior atividade antioxidante (59,93 (AA)mgEQC/500g ou 18,92 mg/mL em termos de CE50), enquanto os m?is de Eucalyptus apresentaram, em m?dia, o maior conte?do de flavon?ides totais (9,17 mgEEC/100g). A partir dos resultados obtidos foi feito um estudo comparativo entre as v?rias amostras de m?is de diferentes regi?es quanto ao teor de fen?licos e flavon?ides totais, a atividade antioxidante e algumas propriedades f?sico-qu?micas (HMF, acidez, pH, umidade, atividade de ?gua e intensidade de colora??o). Ao comparar esses resultados, foi poss?vel observar que os m?is mais escuros apresentaram uma maior atividade antioxidante e uma maior quantidade de fen?licos e flavon?ides totais, bem como valores mais altos para todos os outros par?metros f?sico-qu?micos comparados.

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O tratamento de esgoto pode ser insuficiente para a completa eliminação de vírus entéricos, tais como adenovírus humanos (HAdV) e rotavírus do grupo A (RVA). Portanto, o retorno do lodo e do efluente tratado ao ambiente pode representar riscos à saúde pública. Este estudo foi conduzido para otimizar um protocolo de floculação orgânica para recuperação viral a partir de lodo de esgoto e efluente tratado, bem como realizar um monitoramento de HAdV e RVA na estação de tratamento de esgoto (ETE) de Juiz de Fora, MG. Nos estudos de otimização, foram propostas adaptações no protocolo de floculação com leite desnatado para lodo e efluente tratado, com modificações no tempo de agitação da amostra, na concentração final de leite desnatado e/ou na etapa de centrifugação. No estudo de monitoramento, esgoto bruto (P1), esgoto primário (P2), lodo (P3) e efluente tratado (P4) foram coletados bimensalmente em 2014 (durante as épocas seca e chuvosa), totalizando 96 amostras (simples e compostas). As cargas virais foram determinadas por PCR quantitativo e o bacteriófago PP7 foi usado como controle interno. Amostras de HAdV e RVA foram submetidas ao sequenciamento e a viabilidade das partículas de HAdV foi avaliada em amostras de P4. Os parâmetros físico-químicos e a contagem de coliformes termotolerantes (CT) foram determinados em cada ponto. Nos estudos de otimização, foram selecionadas duas condições que apresentaram as maiores taxas de recuperação viral no lodo (menor tempo de agitação e maior concentração de leite desnatado) e no efluente tratado (sem primeira etapa de centrifugação e com maior concentração de leite desnatado). Ambas provaram ser ferramentas úteis para pesquisa viral em amostras de campo, inclusive para a pesquisa de vírus gigantes. No monitoramento, o HAdV foi detectado em 85,4% (82/96) dos concentrados, com cargas virais variando de 3,27 x 102 a 2,42 x 106 cópias do genoma por mililitro (cg/mL), ao longo do ano. A presença de RVA foi observada em 52,1% (50/96) dos concentrados (1,38 x 103 a 3,65 x 105 cg/mL), com maior detecção na época seca. A carga viral não foi influenciada pelo tipo de amostra, sendo detectada tanto em amostras simples, quanto em amostras compostas. Todas as amostras de HAdV sequenciadas pertenciam à espécie F tipo 41 e as amostras de RVA pertenciam ao genótipo I1. O tratamento de esgoto reduziu a quantidade de matéria orgânica e sólidos, bem como a contagem de CT e as cargas virais. No entanto, a presença de HAdV e RVA foi observada mesmo após o tratamento, inclusive em amostras de efluente tratado consideradas adequadas pelas legislações atuais, com detecção de partículas infecciosas de HAdV. Foram observadas correlações positivas entre a carga viral e a demanda bioquímica de oxigênio, os sólidos sedimentáveis e sólidos suspensos totais. Os dois protocolos otimizados neste estudo podem ser facilmente adequados para uso em laboratório de rotina, podendo impulsionar o monitoramento viral nos subprodutos gerados na ETE. A carga viral detectada na ETE salienta a disseminação ambiental de RVA e HAdV e aponta o potencial do HAdV como um marcador viral de contaminação em ambientes aquáticos.
Sewage treatment may be insufficient for the complete elimination of enteric viruses such as human adenoviruses (HAdV) and group A rotaviruses (RVA). Thus, the return of sewage sludge and treated effluent to the environment poses concerns potential for public health. This study was conducted to optimize an organic flocculation procedure for viral recovery from sludge and treated effluent, and carry out a surveillance of HAdV and RVA in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) at Juiz de Fora, MG. In optimization studies, conditions were proposed for sludge and treated effluent with changes in the stirring time, in the final concentration of skimmed-milk and/or in the centrifugation step. In surveillance study, raw sewage (P1), primary sewage (P2), sludge (P3) and treated effluent (P4) were collected bimonthly in 2014 (during the dry and the rainy season), totaling 96 samples (simple and composite). Quantitative PCR determined viral loads and PP7 bacteriophage was used as internal control. HAdV and RVA strains were selected for sequencing, and the HAdV viability was evaluated in P4 samples. Physicochemical parameters and thermotolerant coliforms (TC) counting were determined at each point. After the optimization studies, two conditions were selected: the ones that showed the highest viral recovery rates in sludge (lower stirring time and higher concentration of skimmed-milk) and treated effluent (without the first centrifugation step and with a higher concentration of skimmed-milk). These conditions proved to be a useful tool for viral search in the field samples, including for the research of giant virus. In surveillance study, HAdV was detected in 85.4% (82/96) of the concentrated, with viral loads ranging from 3.27 x 102 to 2.42 x 106 genome copies per milliliter (gc/mL), throughout the year. RVA presence was observed in 52.1% (50/96) of the samples (1.38 x 103 to 3.65 x 105 gc/mL) with detection greater in the dry season. Viral load was not influenced by the type of sample being detected both in single samples, as in composite samples. All the sequenced HAdV strains belonged to species F type 41, and RVA strains belonged to genotype I1. Sewage treatment reduced the content of organic matter and solids, as well as the TC counts and the viral loads. However, the presence of HAdV and RVA was observed after treatment, even in samples considered adequate by current laws with detection of infectious HAdV particles. Positive correlations were observed between viral load and biochemical oxygen demand, sedimented solids and total suspended solids. Two optimized protocols in this study are easily suitable for routine laboratory use and can boost viral monitoring in by-products generated in the WWTP. Viral load detected in WWTP stress the environmental dissemination of HAdV and RVA and addressed the potential of HAdV as a virological marker of contamination in aquatic environments.

A tuberculose (TB) é uma doença causada pelo Mycobacterium tuberculosis. De acordo com estimativas da Organização Mundial da Saúde, a tuberculose é responsável pela morte de ~2 a 3 milhões de pessoas/ano no mundo e nos próximos 15 anos cerca de 1 bilhão de pessoas deverão ser infectadas, e destas, aproximadamente 35 milhões deverão morrer. Apesar de existirem vários medicamentos sendo utilizados no tratamento da doença, constatasse o crescimento no número de casos devido, principalmente, às variedades resistentes do M. tuberculosis. Considerando-se o aparecimento de cepas resistentes em TB, recomenda-se que novos medicamentos e/ou alvos biológicos alternativos devam ser intensivamente pesquisados. A ribonucleotídeo redutase (RNR), por exemplo, é uma proteína de interesse, pois catalisa uma etapa importante e única na síntese de novo dos dNTPs, reduzindo o ribonucleosídeo 5\' -difosfato ao seu correspondente desoxirribonucleosídeo 5\' -difosfato. A RNR é importante na síntese do DNA, e portanto, na divisão das células. Esta enzima importante, que possuí 16% de homologia com a RNR de mamíferos, é um alvo potencial para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos, com provável aplicação no tratamento do câncer, da malária e do tripanossoma. Sabe-se que diferentes classes de compostos, através de diferentes mecanismos de ação, inibem a RNR, incluindo as α-(N)-heterocíclicas carboxaldeído tiossemicarbazonas, um dos inibidores mais potentes da RNR. Sabe-se que alguns derivados da tiossemicarbazona, inibidoras da RNR de células tumorais, apresentam atividade frente o M. tuberculosis atuando provavelmente através do mesmo mecanismo, envolvendo a inibição da correspondente RNR. Neste contexto, nesta tese de doutorado, foram aplicadas diferentes abordagens de QSAR/QSAR-3D no estudo de 40 derivados da 2-piridino-carboxaldeído tiossemicarbazona, inibidores da RNR de células H.Ep.-2, retirados de literatura selecionada (French & Blanz-Jr. 1974). Estes compostos foram divididos em cinco séries, a saber: séries A, B, C, D, e E contendo, respectivamente, 40, 39, 30, 23 e 22 compostos, na tentativa de tornar estas séries estruturalmente mais homogêneas. Para cada série, foram criados três grupos de treinamento e os respectivos grupos de teste (I, II e III), visando-se avaliar o poder de predição dos modelos gerados através das análises de QSAR/QSAR-3D. Para as análises de QSAR clássico, foram utilizados como variáveis independentes, os descritores mais relevantes gerados através do programa DRAGON e, pré-selecionados por PLS. Considerando-se a ausência de informações sobre a estrutura cristalográfica da enzima RNR do M. tuberculosis, os estudos de QSAR-3D foram iniciados empregando-se metodologias propostas em CoMFA e, em CoMSIA, implementadas no programa SYBYL. Além destas, foi realizada a modelagem por homologia da RNR do M. tuberculosis, utilizando-se o programa WHATIF. Para as abordagens CoMFA e CoMSIA as geometrias otimizadas através do método semi-empírico AM1 foram alinhadas átomo-a-átomo e, através da similaridade dos respectivos campos estéricos e eletrostáticos, utilizando-se o programa SEAL. Nos dois procedimentos a geometria do composto não substituído, um dos mais ativos na série, foi utilizada como molde considerando-se a ausência de informações sobre a conformação bioativa. A modelagem da RNR por homologia foi realizada utilizando-se como molde as estruturas cristalográficas, respectivamente, do C. ammoniagenes (código PDB 1KGN) e da S. typhimurium (código PDB 1R2F), sambas apresentando valores de identidade superior a 65%. Mais recentemente foram publicados os dados cristalográficos para a cadeia beta (subunidade menor) da RNR do M. tuberculosis (código PDB 1UZR). Os modelos CoMFA e CoMSIA gerados apresentaram valores aceitáveis para os coeficientes de correlação de predição, com altos valores para os coeficientes de correlação ajustados e baixos valores para os erros padrões. Os melhores modelos CoMFA e CoMSIA foram obtidos considerando o grupo com substituintes apenas na posição 5 do anel piridínico. Razoáveis coeficientes de correlação de predição para os modelos CoMSIA com altos coeficientes de correlação de ajuste e baixos valores para os erros padrões forma obtidos. Os mapas de contorno gerados em CoMFA e CoMSIA sugerem que grupos aceptores de ligações de hidrogênio próximos ao nitrogênio do anel piridínico deverá aumentar o valor da atividade inibitória. Esta observação está em boa concordância com os dados da literatura, na qual a formação de um complexo entre a TSC e o íon Ferro foi sugerido para a inibição da RNR. Estes estudos deverão permitir um melhor entendimento sobre as características estruturais desta classe de TSC inibidoras da RNR, como agentes antitumorais, em termos dos campos estéricos, eletrostáticos, hidrofóbico, doador e aceptor de ligações de hidrogênio, bem como a contribuição para o desenvolvimento racional de novos inibidores para esta importante enzima. Adicionalmente, dois compostos preparados em nosso laboratório, demonstraram atividade frente o M. tuberculosis, em testes realizados in vivo.
Tuberculosis is an illness caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Data from World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, that about 2-3 millions of human population died by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection and that during the next 15 years about 1 billion will be infected and 35 million will certainly die. Although, in the clinic it was found several antiTBdrugs, these numbers will increase due several reasons including M. tuberculosis resistant strains. It has been stressed the importance of novel medicines and/or alternative biological targets research projects. It is known that Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), is an enzyme that catalyses the rate limiting step in the de novo synthesis of dNTPs, reducing the ribonucleoside 5\'-diphosphates to the corresponding deoxyribonuc1eoside 5\' -diphosphates. RNR has a critical role in the DNA synthesis and, hence, cell division. This key enzyme, that shows 16% homology when compared with mammals RNR, is a potential target for drug design of cell growth inhibitors, with potential application in cancer therapy, antimalaria and trypanosome chemotherapy. It is known that different types of compounds or species by means of different mechanism pathways can show RNR inhibition, including α-(N)-heterocyclic carboxaldehydes thiosemicarbazones that are one of the most potent classes of RNR inhibitors. More than that, some of them, that shows activity against M. tuberculosis seems to follow the same mechanism pathways proposed to the thiosemicarbazones tumor cells activity that means, that they probably are RNR inhibitors. In this study, a series of 40 α-(N)-2-formyl-pyridine thiosemicarbazone derivatives tested against RNR of H.ep.-2-cells (human epidermoid carcinoma), taken from selected literature (French & Blanz-Jr. 1974), has quantitatively analyzed by means of several QSAR/3D-QSAR approaches. These compounds were divided into 5 individual subsets, namely A, B, C, D, and E, having 40, 39, 30, 23 e 22 compounds, respectively. This procedure has been done in order to achieve more structurally homogeneous subsets. For each set, three individual training and test sets (I,II and III) have been created in order to evaluate the predictivity power of the generated QSAR/3D-QSAR models. QSAR analysis have been done using descriptors generated by DRAGON program that have been further pre-selected by PLS procedures. Considering that crystallographic data of RNR M. tuberculosis are not available in the literature, 3D-QSAR studies have been done these applying, initially, CoMFA and CoMSIA approaches, implemented in SYBYL. Homology model studies have been performed with WHATIF program CoMFA e CoMSIA approaches used optimized geometry obtained by semi-empirical AM1 methods that have been aligned by two different methods. Rigid alignment, in which the compounds were fitted atom-by-atom onto a template, based on the root mean square fit. The N(l) and C(2) atoms of the pyridine moiety and the heavy atoms of thiosemicarbazone backbone of TSC were used as template structure. (2) Field based, in which the steric and electrostatic fields, generated by the SEAL program were considered in the alignment. In both procedures the unsubstituted 2-formylpyridine thiosemicarbazone in its syn conformation, has been taken as template. Homology RNR models were done using as template crystallographic data of ammoniagenes (1KGN) and S. typhimurium (1R2F) as template, respectively, with identity larger than 65%. More recent1y new crystallographic data have been published for the beta chain (smaller subunity) of RNR do M. tuberculosis (1UZR). CoMFA and CoMSIA generated models showed acceptable predictive correlation coefficients with high fitted correlation coefficients and low standard errors. Betler CoMFA and CoMSIA models have been derived considering a homogeneous subset of TSC substituted only at 5-position in pyridine ring. Reasonable predictive correlation coefficients for CoMSIA models with high fitted correlation coefficients and very low standard errors were obtained. The derived CoMFA and CoMSIA countour maps suggested that a hydrogen bond acceptor near the nitrogen pyridine ring could enhance inhibitory activity value. This observation is in good agreement with literature, in which a complex formation between TSC and iron ion has been suggested, to RNR inhibition. These studies are expected to enhance the understanding of the structural features of this class of TSC-RNR inhibitors as antitumor agents in terms of steric, electrostatic, hydrophobic and hydrogen donor and acceptor fields as well as to contribute to rational design of inhibitors of this key enzyme. Additionally, two compounds that have been prepared by us showed activity against M. tuberculosis using in vivo test system.

Дисертація на здобуття наукового ступеня кандидата технічних наук за спе-ціальністю 05.05.03 – двигуни та енергетичні установки. – Національний технічний університет «Харківський політехнічний інститут». – Харків, 2017. Дисертаційна робота присвячена вибору схеми та параметрів силової енергетичної установки для утилізації попутного нафтового газу. В роботі проаналізовано можливість використання різних силових установок для утилізації попутного нафтового газу. Розроблено схеми енергогенеруючих установок з використанням газо-турбінних і газопоршневих двигунів внутрішнього згоряння для виробництва еле-ктричної енергії за рахунок утилізації попутного нафтового газу на нафтовидобувних і нафтопереробних підприємств. Використано енергоексергетичний метод для оцінки ефективності запропонованих схем. Проведено економічний аналіз доцільності побудови енергогенеруючих потужностей, що будуть споживати попутний нафтовий газ з аналізом чутливості для таких параметрів як зміна ціни на електроенергію та вплив високих температур навколишнього середовища. При зміні температури навколишнього середовища з +15 до +45 °С кількість енергії, що виробляється для проекту А буде зменшуватися на 26%, для проекту В – на 10,9%. Визначено, що попри більшу вартість проекту В ($2 843 009.55) супроти проекту А ($1 964 434.69), термін окупності складає: для проекту А – 6 років, 1 місяць; для проекту В – 3 роки, 8 місяців. Обґрунтована доцільність використання поршневого ДВЗ у складі енергогенеруючої установки.
Thesis for the degree of candidate of technical sciences by specialty 05.05.03 - engines and power units. - National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute". - Kharkiv, 2017. The thesis is devoted to the choice of the scheme and parameters of the power plant for utilization of associated petroleum gas. The paper analyzes the possibility of using various power plants for utilization of associated petroleum gas. The schemes of power units using gas turbine and gas piston internal combustion engines to generate power electricity have been developed by using associated petroleum gas in oil refinery. The anergy-exergy method was used to analys the effectiveness of the proposed schemes. An economic analysis of the feasibility of constructing power generating capacities that will consume the associated oil gas with an analysis of sensitivity for such parameters as a change in the price of electricity and the impact of high ambient temperatures has been carried out. If the ambient temperature is changed from +15 to + 45 ° C, the amount of energy generated for Project A will be reduced by 26%, for Project B - by 10.9%. It is determined that despite the high cost of Project B ($ 2,843,009.55) against Project A ($ 1964,434.69), the payback period is: for Project A - 6 years, 1 month; For Project B - 3 years, 8 months. The expediency of using the piston-internal ICE as part of the power generating unit is substantiated.

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No cenário mundial, a água passou a se tornar progressivamente um recurso disputado, tanto pela sua disponibilidade quantitativa, quanto qualitativa, para os mais diferentes usos. O acesso à água de boa qualidade deve ser garantido a todos os habitantes do planeta como direito básico de todos os seres vivos. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a morfometria e a qualidade da água superficial em microbacias no município de Guaçuí, localizado no sul do Estado do Espírito Santo, na Região da Serra do Caparaó. Foram selecionadas 10 microbacias da bacia do Ribeirão de São Tiago. Para o mapeamento e análise morfométrica das microbacias, foram utilizadas Ferramentas de Sistema de Informações Geográficas (SIGs). Para validação dos mapas usou-se a medida Kappa. Avaliaram-se 16 parâmetros físico, químicos e biológicos para determinar a qualidade da água e compará-los com os limites permitidos pela legislação. As coletas aconteceram entre os meses de setembro/2010 a agosto/2011 nos períodos de chuva e estiagem. A análise morfométrica mostrou que a bacia não está sujeita a enchentes e que sua declividade influencia na qualidade da água. As amostras analisadas mostraram que os parâmetros Sólidos Suspensos nas bacias com área agrícola, pastagens, café, frutas e hortaliças (AG), 10% apresentam uso moderado de uso e Turbidez, nas bacias de uso misto, agricultura e vegetação nativa (MC) apresentam 20% com uso inadequado para a agricultura. Nas bacias mistas (MC), período das chuvas, os níveis de potássio ficaram acima do recomendado para agricultura. As análises mostraram que o parâmetro coliforme termotolerante está fora dos limites recomendados pelo Ministério da Saúde para consumo humano
Globally, the water has become an increasingly contested resource, both for its availability quantitative and qualitative, for the most different uses. Access to good water quality must be guaranteed to all inhabitants of the planet as a basic right of all living beings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphology and surface water quality in watersheds in the county Guaçuí, located in the southern state of Espírito Santo, in the region of Serra do Caparaó. It Was selected 10 watersheds of the basin of the Ribeirão São Tiago. For mapping and morphometric analysis of micro, tools were used Geographic Information System (GIS). For validation of the maps used to measure Kappa. Sixteen parameters were evaluated physical, chemical and biological agents to determine the water quality and compare them to the extent permitted by law. Sampling took place between the months of the September/2010 to august/2011 during the rainy and dry seasons. The morphometric analysis showed that the basin is not subject to flooding and that its slope influences on water quality. The samples showed that the parameters suspended solids in the basins to cropland, pasture, coffee, fruits and vegetables (AG), 10% has moderate use of use and Turbidity in the basin mixed-use, agriculture and native vegetation (MC) are 20% with inappropriate use for agriculture. Basins mixed (MC), the rainy season, potassium levels were above the recommended level for agriculture. Analyzes showed that thermotolerant coliform parameter is outside the limits recommended by the Ministry of Health for human consumption

Le développement de nouvelles technologies pour le recyclage des eaux usées est une priorité pour les régions arides et semi-arides tels que les pays du bassin méditerranéen. L'objectif de ce travail a été, dans un premier temps, de développer un système de traitement tertiaire des eaux usées en testant l'efficacité de diodes électroluminescentes émettant des UV-A et/ou des UV-C (DEL-UV) sur l'inactivation de souches bactériennes indicatrices de pollution fécale (Escherichia coli et Enterococcus faecalis) puis sur des effluents urbains, en étudiant la diminution des pollutions microbiennes et chimiques. Cette première étape a mis en évidence l'efficacité accrue du couplage UV-A et UV-C, permettant d'obtenir une eau de qualité répondant aux exigences législatives relatives à la réutilisation des eaux usées pour l'irrigation. La deuxième partie de ce travail était l'étude de l'impact de l'arrosage avec des eaux usées traitées par DEL-UV sur les paramètres du sol et sur le devenir de certain polluant aromatiques dans les sols (anthracène et carbamazépine). L'arrosage avec des eaux usées traitées par DEL-UV ne modifie pas la composition chimique de la matière organique de sol, l'activité catabolique globale des microorganismes, et le nombre et la diversité de bactéries indicatrices de pollution fécale par rapport au sol arrosé avec de l'eau d'irrigation. Certaines activités enzymatiques liées à la dégradation de la matière organique augmentent dans les sols arrosés avec des eaux usées traitées par DEL-UV, montrant que la matière organique apportée par l'effluent est activement dégradée par les microorganismes
The development of new technologies for wastewater reuse is a priority for arid and semi-arid areas such as Mediterranean countries. The objective of this work was, firstly, to develop a system for tertiary treatment of wastewaters testing LEDs emitting UV-A and / or UV-C (UV LEDs) on fecal indicator inactivation (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis) and then on urban effluents, by studying the decrease in both microbial and chemical pollution. This first step has highlighted a higher efficiency of this system when UV UV-A and UV-C are coupled. Wasterwaters with quality meeting the statutory requirements for the reuse of wastewater for irrigation were obtained and used in the second part of this work was to study the impact of watering with UV-LED- treated wastewaters on soil parameters and on the fate of pollutants (anthracene and carbamazepine) in soils. Watering with UV-LED treated wastewater does not change the chemical composition of soil organic matter, the global catabolic activity of soil microorganisms, and the number and diversity of fecal indicators compared to control (irrigation water). Certain enzymatic activities related to the degradation of organic matter increased in soil watered with UV-LED treated wastewater, showing that the organic matter added by the effluent is actively degraded by microorganisms. In addition, aromatic pollutants are oxidized two to three times faster in soils watered with UV-LED treated wastewater

The rational development of bees is one of the most promising agricultural activities, since it is essentially self-sustaining family and therefore helps to maintain and restore the environment, through their role in pollination, and guarantee income to the producer who employs his family on it. Honey is the main product of this activity, being generated by honey bees - native or Africanized. Its chemical composition is quite varied, depending mainly of floral, entomological and geographical origin. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of honey from different entomologic sources of the State of Alagoas, in the dry season of 2008/09, by physico-chemical and microbiological criteria, and know their likely actions antioxidant and antimicrobial. Thus, 43 samples of honey (14 of Apis mellifera, 22 of M. scutellaris, 3 of M. quadrifasciata, 2 of M. subnitida e 2 of Plebeia sp) were collected from different municipalities of Alagoas. In relation to the physicochemical parameters, it were evaluated the content of reducing carbohydrates, total carbohydrates, sucrose apparent, moisture, electrical conductivity, pH, acidity, content of total protein, concentration of proline, diastase activity and hydroxymethylfurfural. Regarding to the antioxidant activity, it was evaluated in qualitative and quantitative terms of the content of total phenols and flavonoids, capture of the radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrilhdrazil (DPPH) and through the antioxidant power of reduction of Fe3 + → Fe2 + (FRAP method). It was also evaluated the microbiological safety of honeys through the detection of spores of Clostridium sp., and through the profile of various antimicrobial. We used the nonparametric test of Kruskal Wallis to 95% (p <0.05), because the data did not show normal distribution. It was also performed the correlation of Spearman to 95% significance, p <0.05, and 99% significance, p <0.01. With regard to the physico-chemical parameters, only electrical conductivity and sucrose showed no statistically significant difference (p <0.05) among the different species of honey bees. On the antioxidant activity, the honey of A. mellifera showed higher activity than those of natives, except in the case of honey of Plebeia sp, who stood out in a number of parameters compared to the other native bees. It was found also that the honey of native bees showed slight difference in comparizon to the honeys of A. mellifera regarding to its antimicrobial action, and it was not seen this variation on the activity of heat-resistant fungi, which were also much less sensitive than the bacteria to aqueous solutions of honey (25%). Therefore, the antibacterial action is probably due to the synergistic effect of high concentration of H+ ions (low pH), carbohydrates (osmotic potential) and phenolic compounds that bind to glucose forming units of its cell wall, preventing their proper proliferation.
Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Alagoas
A criação racional de abelhas é uma das atividades agropecuárias mais promissoras, visto que é essencialmente familiar e auto-sustentável, pois auxilia na manutenção e recuperação do meio ambiente através de seu papel na polinização e garante renda ao produtor que emprega nela a sua família. O mel é o principal produto dessa atividade, sendo gerado por abelhas melíferas - nativas ou africanizadas. Sua composição química é bastante variada, dependendo principalmente da origem floral, entomológica e geográfica. O propósito deste trabalho foi avaliar qualidade do mel de diferentes origens entomológicas do Estado de Alagoas, na estação das secas de 2008/09, por meio de parâmetros físico-químicos e microbiológicos, além de conhecer suas prováveis ações antioxidante e antimicrobiana. Para tanto, coletou-se 43 amostras de méis (14 de Apis mellifera, 22 de M. scutellaris, 03 de M. quadrifasciata, 02 de M. subnitida e 02 de Plebeia sp.) em diferentes municípios alagoanos. Em relação aos parâmetros físico-químicos, avaliou-se o conteúdo de glicídios redutores, glicídios totais, sacarose aparente, umidade, condutividade elétrica, pH, acidez, teor de proteínas totais, concentração de prolina, hidroximetilfurfural e atividade diastásica. Em relação à atividade antioxidante avaliou-se quantitativamente e qualitativamente o conteúdo de fenóis e flavonóides totais, captura do radical 2,2-difenil-1- picril-hidrazil (DPPH), além do método de redução do Fe3+ → Fe2+ (método FRAP). Avaliou-se, ainda, a segurança microbiológica dos méis através da detecção de esporos de Clostridium sp., além do perfil antibacteriano e antifúngico dos diferentes méis. Foi utilizado o teste não paramétrico de Kruskal Wallis a 95 % de probabilidade (p< 0,05), pois os dados não apresentaram distribuição normal, realizando-se, ainda, a correlação de Spearman a 95 % de significância, p<0,05 e 99% de significância, p<0,01. No tocante aos parâmetros físico-químicos, apenas condutividade elétrica e sacarose não apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa (p<0,05) entre os méis das distintas espécies de abelhas. Em relação à atividade antioxidante, os méis de A. mellifera apresentaram ação superior do que os das nativas, exceto no caso dos méis de Plebeia sp., que se destacaram em uma série de parâmetros em comparação com o das demais abelhas nativas. Verificouse, ainda, que os méis de abelhas nativas apresentaram maior atividade antimicrobiana em relação aos méis de A. mellifera. Portanto, a ação antibacteriana provavelmente se deve ao efeito sinergístico da alta concentração de íons H+ (baixo pH), glicídios (potencial osmótico) e compostos fenólicos que se ligam às unidades glicídicas formadoras de sua parede celular, inviabilizando sua adequada proliferação.

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The aim of this work is devoted to reduction of the environmental impact of galvanic industry effluents. An electro-coagulation (EC) laboratory scale system using iron plates electrodes was studied for the removal of organic and inorganic pollutants as a by-product from the treatment of galvanic process based-platining industry. An EC reactor consisting of a 1,5 L conical container and a set of seven firmly assembled iron electrode plates, which were parallelly arranged to each other and electrically operated in mono-polar mode, was built. A 1.0 cm gap between the anode and cathode plates using a non-conducting horizontal support was chosen in order to operate the EC reactor in a low electrical current range. A long, electrical rotating cilindrical rotor, with 2,7cm blades at the end of it, made in non-conducting material, was used to turn mechanically the effluent around the rotor axis during the EC treatment. In addition, a 225 cm2 active electrode surface area was kept during the whole EC experiments. In order to obtain optimal values of reaction time, electrical current, rotor angular velocity, and initial effluent pH, a central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was applied. A wide range of reaction time (10-60 min), electrical current (0.3-3.0 A), rotor angular velocity (50-300 rpm), and initial efluent pH (3-10) were used, performing a total of 28 runs with 24+2x4 axial points and 4 central points. Physico-chemical parameters such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), color, turbidity, total solids, and metals (Cr, Ni, Zn, and Cu) were used as response variables. The measurements of physico-chemical parameter and metal concentration values in non- and treated waste waters were carried out by applying the Standard Methodology and the Synchrotron Radiation X-Ray Fluorescence (SR-TXRF) technique, respectively. Using the Statistica software, a 95%-significance level (p<0.05) of the predicted models and interaction effects between reactor operating variables on response variables were evaluated using 3-D response surface curves and analysis of variance. With the factorial design was obtained the following optimum conditions of the reactor, 35 minutes for the time of electrolysis, 170 rpm for agitation, 2.2 A for the electric current and 6.5 for pH. Under these conditions the removal of color and turbidity reached 100%, another considerable value was the removal of around 90% of COD and total solids. Moreover, a removal of around 99% of Zn and Cu was obtained, whereas for Cr and Ni obtained a removal of 100%. Finally, the results of technical and economic analysis showed the cost obtained by the treatment, indicating clearly that the method of electro-coagulation is very promising for industrial application.
O presente trabalho tem como objetivo remover os poluentes de um efluente de galvanização, de modo a reduzir o impacto ambiental dos efluentes da indústria galvânica. Para a remoção dos poluentes, orgânicos e inorgânicos, gerado nos processos de galvanização foi aplicada a eletrocoagulação (EC) em escala de laboratório utilizando eletrodos de ferro. Foi construído um reator de EC, constituído por um recipiente cônico com capacidade de 1,5 L e um eletrodo de ferro montado firmemente com seis placas de ferro, que foram dispostas paralelamente com uma distância de 1(um) centímetro, operado em modo mono-polar. O sistema de agitação mecânico foi construído com duas pás de geometria cilíndrica de 2,7 cm e uma haste de 31,5 cm feito com material não condutor acoplado em um motor elétrico. Durante o experimento da EC foi utilizada uma área efetiva de 225 cm2 do eletrodo. A fim de obter valores ideais do tempo de eletrolise, corrente elétrica, agitação e pH inicial do efluente, foi aplicado o planejamento estatístico composto central (DCCR) com fatorial 24+2X4 pontos axiais + 4 ponto centrais, totalizando 28 ensaios experimentais. Os valores aplicados as variáveis independentes foram de 0,3 a 3 A para a corrente, de 10 a 60 min. para o tempo de eletrolise, de 3 a 10 para o pH inicial e agitação como valores entre 50 e 300 rpm. Foram utilizadas como variáveis resposta os parâmetros físico químico tais como, a demanda química de oxigênio (DQO), cor, turbidez, Sólidos totais e concentração dos metais Cr, Ni, Zn e Cu.Todos os parâmetros físico-químicos foram determinados através o Método Padrão para análise de água, enquanto que as concentrações dos metais foram determinadas através da técnica de Fluorescência de Raios X por Reflexão Total, (SR-TXRF). Utilizando o software Statistica, com nível de significância de 95% (p <0,05), os modelos preditos e os efeitos de interação entre as variáveis de operação do reator e as variáveis respostas foram avaliados, utilizando as curvas 3-D de superfície de resposta e a análise de variância. Com o planejamento fatorial foi obtido as seguintes condições ótimas de trabalho do reator, 35 minutos para o tempo de eletrolise, 170 rpm para a agitação, 2,2 A para a corrente elétrica e 6,5 para o pH. Nestas condições a remoção da cor e turbidez alcançaram 100%, outro valor considerável foi a remoção em torno de 90% da DQO e sólidos totais. Além disso, uma remoção em torno de 99% de Zn e Cu também foi obtida, enquanto que para o Cr e Ni obteve-se uma remoção de 100%. Finalmente, os resultados da análise técnico-econômica mostraram o baixo custo obtido pelo tratamento, evidenciando claramente que o método da eletrocoagulação é muito promissor para aplicação industrial.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines the amazon region and adjacent areas, such as the Pantanal, as world heritage territories, since they possess unique flora and fauna and great biodiversity. Unfortunately, these regions have increasingly been suffering from anthropogenic impacts. One of the main anthropogenic impacts in the last decades has been the construction of hydroelectric power plants. As a result, dramatic altering of these ecosystems has been observed, including changes in water levels, decreased oxygenation and loss of downstream organic matter, with consequent intense land use and population influxes after the filling and operation of these reservoirs. This, in turn, leads to extreme loss of biodiversity in these areas, due to the large-scale deforestation. The fishing industry in place before construction of dams and reservoirs, for example, has become much more intense, attracting large populations in search of work, employment and income. Environmental monitoring is fundamental for reservoir management, and several studies around the world have been performed in order to evaluate the water quality of these ecosystems. The Brazilian Amazon, in particular, goes through well defined annual hydrological cycles, which are very importante since their study aids in monitoring anthropogenic environmental impacts and can lead to policy and decision making with regard to environmental management of this area. The water quality of amazon reservoirs is greatly influenced by this defined hydrological cycle, which, in turn, causes variations of microbiological, physical and chemical characteristics. Eutrophication, one of the main processes leading to water deterioration in lentic environments, is mostly caused by anthropogenic activities, such as the releases of industrial and domestic effluents into water bodies. Physico-chemical water parameters typically related to eutrophication are, among others, chlorophyll-a levels, transparency and total suspended solids, which can, thus, be used to assess the eutrophic state of water bodies. Usually, these parameters must be investigated by going out to the field and manually measuring water transparency with the use of a Secchi disk, and taking water samples to the laboratory in order to obtain chlorophyll-a and total suspended solid concentrations. These processes are time- consuming and require trained personnel. However, we have proposed other techniques to environmental monitoring studies which do not require fieldwork, such as remote sensing and computational intelligence. Simulations in different reservoirs were performed to determine a relationship between these physico-chemical parameters and the spectral response. Based on the in situ measurements, empirical models were established to relate the reflectance of the reservoir measured by the satellites. The images were calibrated and corrected atmospherically. Statistical analysis using error estimation was used to evaluate the most accurate methodology. The Neural Networks were trained by hydrological cycle, and were useful to estimate the physicalchemical parameters of the water from the reflectance of visible bands and NIR of satellite images, with better results for the period with few clouds in the regions analyzed. The present study shows the application of wavelet neural network to estimate water quality parameters using concentration of the water samples collected in the Amazon reservoir and Cefni reservoir, UK. Sattelite imagens from Landsats and Sentinel-2 were used to train the ANN by hydrological cycle. The trained ANNs demonstrated good results between observed and estimated after Atmospheric corrections in satellites images. The ANNs showed in the results are useful to estimate these concentrations using remote sensing and wavelet transform for image processing. Therefore, the techniques proposed and applied in the present study are noteworthy since they can aid in evaluating important physico-chemical parameters, which, in turn, allows for identification of possible anthropogenic impacts, being relevant in environmental management and policy decision-making processes. The tests results showed that the predicted values have good accurate. Improving efficiency to monitor water quality parameters and confirm the reliability and accuracy of the approaches proposed for monitoring water reservoirs. This thesis contributes to the evaluation of the accuracy of different methods in the estimation of physical-chemical parameters, from satellite images and artificial neural networks. For future work, the accuracy of the results can be improved by adding more satellite images and testing new neural networks with applications in new water reservoirs.

Dissertação de mestrado em Ecology
Rivers supports key ecological processes and provides essential benefits to human welfare. Humans have been changing river processes and services by changing riparian land cover, river hydromorphology and by discharging pollutants on rivers. Excessive nutrient loadings have been severely impacting river processes and services, so improve the river capacity to buffer excessive nutrient loadings is determinant to human well-being by reducing the impact of pollutant discharges. To assess the influence of river water chemistry and hydromorphology on changes in physico-chemical water parameters along rivers, six river segments with different trophic status and channel width were selected in the Ave River watershed (northwestern Portugal). The influence of riparian land cover on river habitat quality and physico-chemical water parameters was assessed by dividing each river segment in stretches based on land cover type, and then comparing habitat quality and changes in physico-chemical water parameters along rivers, among stretches. River segments were classified as mesotrophic (S1-S4), eutrophic (S5) and large (S6), and stretches from each river segment type were analyzed independently. The habitat quality was evaluated using the Fluvial Functional Index (FFI), the HABSCORE (RBP) and the Riparian Forest Quality Index (QBR). Changes in physico-chemical water parameters along rivers were determined measuring differences in ammonium, nitrate, phosphate and oxygen concentrations, and conductivity, pH and temperature between the two sampling sites defining each stretch. Results demonstrated that stretches with more urban and agricultural land use had worse habitat quality than stretches with more natural land cover, regardless river segment type. Nitrate and phosphate concentration tended to increase along stretches with more agricultural and urban land use, but to decrease along stretches with more natural land cover, in all river segment type. Nitrate concentration decreased more along stretches with higher concentrations of nitrate and greater abundance of macrophytes, suggesting that river water chemistry and photosynthetic organisms have a strong influence on nitrate concentration in rivers. Overall results demonstrated that i) the conversion of natural riparian areas to human land use can degrade river habitat quality and increase nutrient concentrations in rivers, with consequences for river ecosystem services and their economic value, and ii) changes in physico-chemical water parameters along rivers can be related to water chemistry, biota and hydromorphology of rivers.
Os rios suportam processos ecológicos chave e fornecem benefícios essenciais para o bem-estar humano. Os seres humanos têm vindo a alterar os processos e os serviços que os rios providenciam ao alterarem a cobertura do solo ripário, a hidromorfologia dos rios e por descarregarem poluentes nos rios. Cargas excessivas de nutrientes têm vindo a afectar severamente os processos e os serviços fornecidos pelos rios, pelo que melhorar a capacidade dos rios de moderar o excesso de nutrientes é determinante para o bem-estar humano ao reduzir os impactos das descargas de poluentes. Para avaliar a influência da composição química da água e da hidromorfologia dos rios nas alterações dos parâmetros físico-químicos da água ao longo dos rios, seis segmentos de rio com diferentes estados tróficos e largura de canal foram seleccionados na bacia do Rio Ave (noroeste de Portugal). O efeito da cobertura do solo ripário sobre a qualidade do habitat e os parâmetros físico-químicos da água do rio foi avaliado dividindo cada segmento de rio em trechos de acordo com o tipo de cobertura de solo, e, posteriormente, comparando a qualidade do habitat e as alterações nos parâmetros físico-químicos da água ao longo dos rios, entre trechos. Os segmentos de rio foram classificados em mesotróficos (S1-S4), eutrófico (S5) e largo (S6), e os trechos de cada tipo de segmento de rio foram analisados de forma independente. A qualidade do habitat foi avaliada utilizando o Fluvial Functional Index (FFI), o HABSCORE (RBP) e o Riparian Forest Quality Index (QBR). As alterações nos parâmetros físico-químicos da água ao longo dos rios foram determinadas medindo as diferenças na concentração de amónia, nitrato, fosfato e oxigénio e na conductividade, pH e temperatura entre os dois locais de amostragem que definiam cada trecho. Os resultados mostraram que os trechos com mais uso de solo urbano e agrícola tinham pior qualidade de habitat do que os trechos com mais cobertura de solo natural, independentemente do tipo de segmento de rio. As concentrações de nitrato e fosfato tenderam a aumentar ao longo de trechos com maior ocupação de solo agrícola e urbana, mas a diminuir ao longo de trechos com maior ocupação natural, em todo o tipo de segmentos de rio. A concentração de nitrato diminuiu mais ao longo de trechos com concentrações mais elevadas de nitrato e maior abundância de macrófitas, sugerindo que a composição química da água dos rios e os organismos fotossintéticos têm uma forte influência sobre a concentração de nitrato nos rios. No seu conjunto, os resultados mostraram que i) a conversão de áreas ripícolas naturais para usos de solo humano pode degradar a qualidade do habitat dos rios e aumentar a carga de nutrientes, com consequências para os serviços de ecossistemas de rio e o seu valor económico, e que ii) as alterações nos parâmetros físico-químicos da água ao longo dos rios podem estar relacionadas com a composição química da água, as comunidades biológicas e a hidromorfologia dos rios.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Medicine, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy ( Med )
Chemical pollution of the environment is a major problem attracting justified concern world wide. To date, most of the focus has been on the impact of pollution on humans, animals and plants. It is however , necessary to look at its effects on pathogenic microorganisms many of which have very delicately balanced ecological relationships within their habitants. This study investigate the effect of one major industrial pollutant, iron, and pH on V. cholera in both natural and man-made aquatic habitats.
IT2019

M.Sc. (Chemistry)
In this study the stability as well as the fate and behavior of ZnO engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) in municipal wastewater systems were investigated. The first part of the study examined the influence of pH and ionic strength on the stability of ZnO ENPs in domestic wastewater to elucidate the dynamic changes on the ENPs physicochemical characteristics (e.g. aggregation or dissolution). The ZnO ENPs obtained commercially were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), BET surface area determination, and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). Results derived from inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for zinc analysis indicated a decrease on the released zinc concentration from wastewater as the pH and ionic strength increased. Conversely, an increase on zinc concentration from the sludge was observed. The findings suggest the removal of ZnO ENPs from the influent wastewater as the sludge settled out, and the removal efficiency was directly proportional to ionic strength and pH. In addition, the ZnO ENPs suspension in the wastewater was used to monitor the particle size distribution using the dynamic light scattering analysis (DLS). The formation of agglomerates was observed which the TEM and EDS analysis confirmed to be ZnO aggregates. The distribution of zinc in the sludge was investigated using XRD analysis and the findings indicated partial sedimentation of ZnO ENPs as the sludge settled out. The second part of the study assessed the fate and behavior of ZnO ENPs in wastewater treatment systems. This study was carried out in a simulated activated sludge wastewater treatment plant (AS WWTP), constructed in accordance to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD 303 A) guidelines. Results from the ICP-OES analysis for zinc indicated 50 – 200 μgL-1 and about 3 000 mgkg-1 were released into the effluent and sludge, respectively, after spiking the influent wastewater with 5 mgL-1 ZnO ENPs. Moreover, we noted that increasing the ZnO ENPs concentration up to 20 mgL-1 resulted in a linear increase in the zinc releases into effluent wastewater. However, the increase was insignificant in comparison to the zinc found in the control unit. Therefore, the findings indicated that ZnO ENPs had stronger affinity for the suspended bio-solids during wastewater treatment, and postulated that the ENPs removal from the influent wastewater was due to bio-sorption, and bio-solid settling mechanisms. These were confirmed by results from XRD and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) analysis of the sludge as they showed the presence of ZnO in the sludge. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were concurrently monitored during the ENPs exposure studies to indirectly assess the ZnO ENPs impact to the bacterial degradation of the organic matter. An average of 43 and 91 % for DOC and COD removal efficiencies, respectively, were observed throughout the study. Overall, from results obtained indicated the suitability of the OECD 303 A method to assess the fate and behavior of ZnO ENPs in WWTPs. Secondly, in light of low concentrations of ZnO ENPs found in the treated effluent due to their removal with the waste activated sludge (WAS), suggest low likelihood of ZnO ENPs release and dispersion into the aquatic systems from WWTPs as point sources. Finally, the elevated concentrations of ZnO ENPs in the sludge therefore necessitates additional treatment steps to ensure mitigation of possible dispersion of ENPs from various disposal mechanisms such as landfilling, incineration, and agricultural applications.

The main aim of the study was to analyse the impact of physico-chemical parameters on drinking water quality, biofilm formation and antibiotic resistant bacteria in the drinking water distribution system in Mafikeng, North West Province, South Africa. Another objective was to isolate and characterise Pseudomonas and Aeromonas species from drinking water distribution system and detect the virulence gene determinants in the isolates by PCR analysis. The physico-chemical data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using Excel 2007 (Microsoft) and SPSS (version 14.0) programmes. Pearson’s correlation product of the moment was used to determine the correlation between EC, TDS, pH and temperature. The two tailed test of significance (p<0.05) was used in order to determine the significance of the result. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Cluster analysis based on the antibiotic inhibition zone diameter data of different organisms isolated from different sites was determined and was expressed as dendograms using Wards algorithm and Euclidean distance of Statistica version 7. Specific PCR was used to determine the identities of presumptive Pseudomonas and Aeromonas species through amplification of the gyrB, toxA and the ecfX gene fragments. Virulence gene determinants for the confirmed Pseudomonas and Aeromonas species were detected by amplifying the exoA, exoS and exoT genes and the aerA and hylH gene fragments, respectively. A Gene Genius Bio imaging system (Syngene, Synoptics; UK) was used to capture the image using GeneSnap (version 3.07.01) software (Syngene, Synoptics; UK) to determine the relative size of amplicons. Physico-chemical parameters were monitored from three drinking water sources three times a week and bacteriological quality was monitored weekly for four months from raw and treated drinking water. Water samples were analysed for pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS) and electric conductivity (EC). Bacterial consortia from drinking water samples were isolated using selective media and enumerated. The results revealed a good chemical quality of water. However, the microbial quality of the water is not acceptable for human consumption due to the presence of Pseudomonas, Aeromonas, faecal coliforms (FC), total coliforms (TC) and Heterotrophic bacteria. The results showed that the drinking water is slightly alkaline with pH value ranging between7.7 to 8.32. What is of concern was the microbial quality of the water. Pseudomonas sp., faecal coliforms (FC), total coliforms (TC) and heterotrophic bacteria were present in some of the treated water samples. The most significant finding of this study is that all drinking water samples were positive for Pseudomonas sp.(>100/100ml), but also that when one considers the TDS it demonstrates that water from the Modimola Dam has an impact on the quality of the mixed water. The prevalence and antibiotic resistance profiles of planktonic and biofilm bacteria isolated from drinking water were determined. The susceptibility of these isolates was tested against 11 antibiotics of clinical interest and the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) patterns were compiled. The most prevalent antibiotic resistance phenotype observed was KF-AP-C-E-OT-K-TM-A. All isolates from all samples were susceptible to ciprofloxacin. However, all faecal coliforms and Pseudomonas spp. were susceptible to neomycin and streptomycin. On the contrary all organisms tested were resistant to erythromycin (100%) trimethoprim and amoxycillin. Cluster analysis based on inhibition zone diameter data could not differentiate the various isolated into sample types. The highest prevalence of antibiotic resistant isolates was observed in Modimola Dam and Molopo eye. Biofilms were investigated in both raw water and treated drinking water sources for the presence of faecal coliforms, total coliforms, Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonas spp. and heterotrophic bacteria based on conventional microbiology and molecular methods. Drinking water biofilms were grown twice and the biofilm developing device containing copper and galvanized steel coupons were utilized. The Mini Tap filter, a home water treatment device which can be used at a single faucet, under constant flow was used during the second collection of treated water samples from cold water taps. Scanning electron micrograph revealed the existence of biofilms in all the sites investigated and the highest density was obtained on galvanized steel coupons. Isolates were tested against the antibiotics ampicillin (10μg), cephalothin (5μg), streptomycin (10μg), erythromycin (15μg), chloramphenicol (30μg), neomycin (30 μg), amoxycillin (10 μg), ciprofloxacin (5 μg), trimethoprim (25μg), kanamycin (30μg), and oxytetracycline (30μg). The multiple antibiotic resistance profiles and the presence of virulence related genes were determined. Various types of drug resistance and presence of virulence genes were observed. The most prevalent resistance phenotype observed was KF-AP-C-E-OT-TM-A. In conclusion, the results indicated the occurrence of faecal indicator bacteria in the drinking water destined for human consumption. Faecal indicator bacteria are the major contributors of poor drinking water quality and may harbour opportunistic pathogens. This highlighted survival of organisms to treatment procedures and the possible regrowth as biofilms in plumbing materials. The detection of large proportion of MAR Aeromonas and Pseudomonas species which possessed virulent genes was a cause of concern as these could pose health risks to humans. The data obtained herein may be useful in assessing the health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated water.
PhD (Microbiology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Αντικείμενο της παρούσας διπλωματικής εργασίας είναι η μελέτη των περιβαλλοντικών παραμέτρων της λιμνοθάλασσας της Κλείσοβας, η οποία βρίσκεται στο ανατολικό άκρο του λιμνοθαλάσσιου συστήματος του Μεσολογγίου. Στο πρώτο στάδιο γίνεται επεξεργασία των περιβαλλοντικών δεδομένων με χρήση μεθόδων πολυδιάστατης στατιστικής ανάλυσης με σκοπό τον καθορισμό των κύριων διεργασιών που αναπτύσσονται στις υδάτινες μάζες της λιμνοθάλασσας με ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στον εντοπισμό διάφορων ρυπογόνων διεργασιών. Στο δεύτερο στάδιο γίνεται η επεξεργασία των περιβαλλοντικών δεδομένων με χρήση του αλγορίθμου CLEAN καιεφαρμόζεται πολυδιάστατη στατιστική ανάλυση στα επεξεργασμένα δεδομένα.
Subject of the current work is the study of the physico-chemical parameters of Kleisovas'lagoon which is located in SE part of Mesologgi lagoon complex. In the first part are defining the most important lagoon process with emphasis to pollution processes through the execution of multidimensional statistical methods. In the second part is implemented a spectrum analysis of the environmental data through the Clean algorithm. Through execution of multidimentional statistical methods of the cleaned data are defining, in correlation with the analysis of the raw data, the dominant lagoon processes which effect the water quality of the ecosystem.

Increasing socio-economic growth and development of South Africa’s freshwater systems require continuous augmentation of water sources to meet the growing water requirements of communities and industries. Anthropogenic disturbances have caused the water quality of many freshwater systems to drastically deteriorate due to constant disposal of domestic, industrial, and agricultural waste into surface waters. Government agencies make use of biomonitoring programmes to effectively manage the countries’ freshwater resources. These programmes use a variety of biological indicators (e.g., macroinvertebrates, fish, diatoms and algal species) and physico-chemical variables to determine the state of the environment. However, attempts to use microbial community structures as bioindicators of anthropogenic perturbations are greatly neglected. This study used molecular techniques (PCR-DGGE and 454-pyrosequencing) and multivariate analysis to develop a robust monitoring technique to determine the impacts of environmental disturbances on bacterial community compositions in river systems in the North West Province. Significant contributions made by this project included the establishment of a bacterial diversity framework for South African freshwater systems that are impacted by a variety of anthropogenic activities (e.g., urban and informal settlements, agriculture and mining). Furthermore, case studies demonstrated the prevalence of specific taxa at polluted sites, as well as positive and negative associations between taxa and environmental variables and pollutants. Finally, biogeochemical cycles could be partially matched to bacterial community structures in river systems. The first part of the project included a pilot study that investigated bacterial structures in a segment of the Vaal River in response to environmental parameters using molecular techniques and multivariate analysis. The most important observations made during this study included the generation of a larger bacterial diversity dataset by pyrosequencing compared to PCR-DGGE. In addition, metagenomic and multivariate analyses provided clues about potential biogeochemical roles of different taxa. The second and third part of the project included two case studies that investigated bacterial communities in the Mooi River and Wonderfonteinspruit in response to environmental activities. Both these systems are impacted by a variety of external sources such as urban and informal settlements, agriculture, and mining. The results demonstrated that perturbations nearby the Mooi River and Wonderfonteinspruit caused the overall water quality to deteriorate which in turn had a profound impact on bacterial community composition. Bacterial community structures at reference/control sites (Muiskraal and Turffontein dolomitic eye) had overall high species diversity (richness and evenness), whereas polluted sites showed lower species diversity and were dominated by the Beta- and Gammaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Verrucomicrobia. In addition, various potential pathogens (e.g. Eschirichia/Shigella, Legionella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus etc.) were identified at impacted sites. Multivariate analysis suggested that bacterial communities and certain taxa (Malikia, Algoriphagus, Rhodobacter, Brevundimonas and Sphingopyxis) at polluted sites were mainly impacted by temperature, pH, nutrient levels, and heavy metals. Finally, the proportion of nitrogen and sulphur bacteria corresponded well with the nitrogen and sulphur levels measured in the Wonderfonteinspruit. Based on these results, it was concluded that bacterial community structures might provide a good indicator of anthropogenic disturbances in freshwater systems and may be incorporated into biomonitoring programs.
PhD (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Sizing (hydrophobization) is one of the most important process steps within the added-value chain of about 1/3rd of the worldwide produced paper & board products. Even though sizing with so-called reactive sizing agents, such as alkenyl succinic anhydride (ASA) was implemented in the paper industry decades ago, there is no total clarity yet about the detailed chemical and physical mechanisms that lead to their performance. Previous research was carried out on the role of different factors influencing the sizing performance, such as bonding between ASA and cellulose, ASA hydrolysis, size revision as well as the most important interactions with stock components, process parameters and additives during the paper making process. However, it was not yet possible to develop a holistic model for the explanation of the sizing performance given in real life application. This thesis describes a novel physico-chemical approach to this problem by including results from previous research and combining these with a wide field of own basic research and a newly developed method that allows tracing back the actual localization of ASA within the sheet structure. The carried out measurements and trial sets for the basic field of research served to evaluate the stock and process parameters that most dominantly influence the sizing performance of ASA. Interactions with additives other than retention aids were not taken into account. The results show that parameters, such as the content of secondary fibers, the degree of refining, the water hardness as well as the suspension conductivity, are of highest significance. The sample sets of the trials with the major impacting parameters were additionally analyzed by a newly developed localization method in order to better understand the main influencing factors. This method is based on optical localization of ASA within the sheet structure by confocal white light microscopy. In order to fulfill the requirements at magnification rates of factor 100 optical zoom, it was necessary to improve the contrast between ASA and cellulose. Therefore, ASA was pretreated with an inert red diazo dye, which does not have any impact on neither the sizing nor the handling properties of ASA. Laboratory hand sheets that were sized with dyed ASA, were analyzed by means of their sizing performance in correlation to measurable ASA agglomerations in the sheet structure. The sizing performance was measured by ultrasonic penetration analysis. The agglomeration behavior of ASA was analyzed automatically by multiple random imaging of a sample area of approx. 8650 µm² with a minimum resolution for particles of 500 nm in size. The gained results were interpreted by full factorial design of experiments (DOE). The trials were carried out with ASA dosages between 0% and 0.8% on laboratory hand sheets, made of 80% bleached eucalyptus short fiber kraft pulp and 20% northern bleached softwood kraft pulp, beaten to SR° 30, produced with a RDA sheet former at a base weight of 100 g/m² oven dry. The results show that there is a defined correlation between the ASA dosage, the sizing performance and the number and area of ASA agglomerates to be found in the sheet structure. It was also possible to show that the agglomeration behavior is highly influenced by external factors like furnish composition and process parameters. This enables a new approach to the explanation of sizing performance, by making it possible to not only examine the performance of the sizing agent, but to closely look at the predominant position where it is located in the sheet structure. These results lead to the explanation that the phenomenon of sizing is by far not a pure chemical process but rather a more physical one. Based on the gained findings it was possible so far to optimize the ASA sizing process in industrial-scale by means of ~ 50% less ASA consumption at a steady degree of sizing and improved physical sheet properties.:Acknowledgment I Abstract III Table of Content V List of Illustrations XI List of Tables XVI List of Formulas XVII List of Abbreviations XVIII 1 Introduction and Problem Description 1 1.1 Initial Situation 1 1.2 Objective 2 2 Theoretical Approach 3 2.1 The Modern Paper & Board Industry on the Example of Germany 3 2.1.1 Raw Materials for the Production of Paper & Board 5 2.2 The Sizing of Paper & Board 8 2.2.1 Introduction to Paper & Board Sizing 8 2.2.2 The Definition of Paper & Board Sizing 10 2.2.3 The Global Markets for Sized Paper & Board Products and Sizing Agents 11 2.2.4 Physical and Chemical Background to the Mechanisms of Surface-Wetting and Penetration 13 2.2.4.1 Surface Wetting 14 2.2.4.2 Liquid Penetration 15 2.2.5 Surface and Internal Sizing 17 2.2.6 Sizing Agents 18 2.2.6.1 Alkenyl Succinic Anhydride (ASA) 19 2.2.6.2 Rosin Sizes 19 2.2.6.3 Alkylketen Dimer (AKD) 23 2.2.6.4 Polymeric Sizing Agents (PSA) 26 2.2.7 Determination of the Sizing Degree (Performance Analysis) 28 2.2.7.1 Cobb Water Absorption 29 2.2.7.2 Contact Angle Measurement 30 2.2.7.3 Penetration Dynamics Analysis 31 2.2.7.4 Further Qualitative Analysis Methods 33 2.2.7.4.1 Ink Stroke 33 2.2.7.4.2 Immersion Test 33 2.2.7.4.3 Floating Test 34 2.2.7.4.4 Hercules Sizing Tester (HST) 34 2.2.8 Sizing Agent Detection (Qualitative Analysis) and Determination of the Sizing Agent Content (Quantitative Analysis) 35 2.2.8.1 Destructive Methods 35 2.2.8.2 Non Destructive Methods 36 2.3 Alkenyl Succinic Anhydride (ASA) 36 2.3.1.1 Chemical Composition and Production of ASA 37 2.3.1.2 Mechanistic Reaction Models 39 2.3.1.3 ASA Application 42 2.3.1.3.1 Emulsification 42 2.3.1.3.2 Dosing 44 2.3.1.4 Mechanistic Steps of ASA Sizing 46 2.3.2 Physico-Chemical Aspects during ASA Sizing 48 2.3.2.1 Reaction Plausibility 48 2.3.2.1.1 Educt-Product Balance / Kinetics 48 2.3.2.1.2 Energetics 51 2.3.2.1.3 Sterics 52 2.3.2.2 Phenomena based on Sizing Agent Mobility 53 2.3.2.2.1 Sizing Agent Orientation 54 2.3.2.2.2 Intra-Molecular Orientation 55 2.3.2.2.3 Sizing Agent Agglomeration 55 2.3.2.2.4 Fugitive Sizing / Sizing Loss / Size Reversion 56 2.3.2.2.5 Sizing Agent Migration 58 2.3.2.2.6 Sizing Reactivation / Sizing Agent Reorientation 59 2.3.3 Causes for Interactions during ASA Sizing 60 2.3.3.1 Process Parameters 61 2.3.3.1.1 Temperature 61 2.3.3.1.2 pH-Value 62 2.3.3.1.3 Water Hardness 63 2.3.3.2 Fiber Types 64 2.3.3.3 Filler Types 65 2.3.3.4 Cationic Additives 66 2.3.3.5 Anionic Additives 67 2.3.3.6 Surface-Active Additives 68 2.4 Limitations of State-of-the-Art ASA-Sizing Analysis 69 2.5 Optical ASA Localization 71 2.5.1 General Background 71 2.5.2 Confocal Microscopy 72 2.5.2.1 Principle 72 2.5.2.2 Features, Advantage and Applicability for Paper-Component Analysis 74 2.5.3 Dying / Staining 75 3 Discussion of Results 77 3.1 Localization of ASA within the Sheet Structure 77 3.1.1 Choice of Dyes 77 3.1.1.1 Dye Type 78 3.1.1.2 Evaluation of Dye/ASA Mixtures 80 3.1.1.2.1 Maximum Soluble Dye Concentration 80 3.1.1.2.2 Thin Layer Chromatography 81 3.1.1.2.3 FTIR-Spectroscopy 82 3.1.1.3 Evaluation of the D-ASA Emulsion 84 3.1.1.4 Paper Chromatography with D-ASA & F-ASA Emulsions 85 3.1.1.5 Evaluation of the D-ASA Emulsion’s Sizing Efficiency 86 3.1.2 The Localization Method 87 3.1.2.1 The Correlation between ASA Distribution and Agglomeration 88 3.1.2.2 Measurement Settings 89 3.1.2.3 Manual Analysis 90 3.1.2.4 Automated Analysis 92 3.1.2.4.1 Automated Localization / Microscopy Measurement 92 3.1.2.4.2 Automated Analysis / Image-Processing 93 3.1.2.5 Result Interpretation and Example Results 96 3.1.2.6 Reproducibility 97 3.1.2.7 Sample Mapping 98 3.1.3 Approaches to Localization-Method Validation 102 3.1.3.1 Raman Spectroscopy 102 3.1.3.2 Confocal Laser Scanning Fluorescent Microscopy 102 3.1.3.3 Decolorization 103 3.2 Factors Impacting the Sizing Behavior of ASA 104 3.2.1 ASA Type 105 3.2.2 Emulsion Parameters 107 3.2.2.1 Hydrolyzed ASA Content 107 3.2.2.2 ASA/Starch Ratio 109 3.2.2.3 Emulsion Age 110 3.2.3 Stock Parameters 111 3.2.3.1 Long Fiber/Short Fiber Ratio 111 3.2.3.2 Furnish Type 112 3.2.3.3 Degree of Refining 114 3.2.3.4 Filler Type/Content 116 3.2.4 Process Parameters 119 3.2.4.1 Temperature 119 3.2.4.2 pH-Value 120 3.2.4.3 Conductivity 122 3.2.4.4 Water Hardness 123 3.2.4.5 Shear Rate 125 3.2.4.6 Dwell Time 127 3.2.4.7 Dosing Position & Dosing Order 128 3.2.4.8 Drying 130 3.2.4.9 Aging 131 3.3 Factors Impacting the Localization Behavior of ASA 132 3.3.1 Degree of Refining 132 3.3.2 Sheet Forming Conductivity 135 3.3.3 Water Hardness 136 3.3.4 Retention Aid (PAM) 137 3.3.5 Contact Curing 138 3.3.6 Accelerated Aging 139 3.4 Main Optimization Approach 141 3.4.1 Optimization of ASA Sizing Performance Characteristics 142 3.4.2 Emulsion Modification 144 3.4.2.1 Lab Trials / RDA Sheet Forming 146 3.4.2.2 TPM Trials 147 3.4.2.3 Industrial-Scale Trials 149 3.4.2.4 Correlation between Sizing Performance Optimization and Agglomeration Behavior on the Example of PAAE 152 3.5 Holistic Approach to Sizing Performance Explanation 154 4 Experimental Approach 157 4.1 Characterization of Methods, Measurements and Chemicals used for the Optical Localization-Analysis of ASA 157 4.1.1 Characterization of used Chemicals 157 4.1.1.1 Preparation of Dyed-ASA Solutions 157 4.1.1.2 Thin Layer Chromatography 157 4.1.1.3 Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy 157 4.1.1.4 Emulsification of ASA 158 4.1.1.5 Paper Chromatography 159 4.1.1.6 Particle Size Measurement 159 4.1.2 Optical Analysis of ASA Agglomerates 160 4.1.2.1 Microscopy 160 4.1.2.2 Automated Analysis 163 4.1.2.2.1 Adobe Photoshop 163 4.1.2.2.2 Adobe Illustrator 164 4.1.2.3 Confocal Laser Scanning Fluorescent Microscopy 166 4.2 Characterization of Used Standard Methods and Measurements 166 4.2.1 Stock and Paper Properties 166 4.2.1.1 Stock pH, Conductivity and Temperature Measurement 166 4.2.1.2 Dry Content / Consistency Measurement 167 4.2.1.3 Drainability (Schopper-Riegler) Measurement 167 4.2.1.4 Base Weight Measurement 168 4.2.1.5 Ultrasonic Penetration Measurement 168 4.2.1.6 Contact Angle Measurement 169 4.2.1.1 Cobb Measurement 169 4.2.1.2 Air Permeability Measurements 170 4.2.1.3 Tensile Strength Measurements 170 4.2.2 Preparation of Sample Sheets 171 4.2.2.1 Stock Preparation 171 4.2.2.2 Laboratory Refining (Valley Beater) 171 4.2.2.3 RDA Sheet Forming 171 4.2.2.4 Additive Dosing 173 4.2.2.5 Contact Curing 174 4.2.2.6 Hot Air Curing 174 4.2.2.7 Sample Aging 174 4.2.2.8 Preparation of Hydrolyzed ASA 175 4.2.2.9 Trial Paper Machine 175 4.2.2.10 Industrial-Scale Board Machine 177 4.3 Characterization of used Materials 178 4.3.1 Fibers 178 4.3.1.1 Reference Stock System 178 4.3.1.2 OCC Fibers 179 4.3.1.3 DIP Fibers 179 4.3.2 Fillers 180 4.3.3 Chemical Additives 180 4.3.3.1 ASA 180 4.3.3.2 Starches 181 4.3.3.3 Retention Aids 181 4.3.3.4 Poly Aluminum Compounds 181 4.3.3.5 Wet Strength Resin 181 4.3.4 Characterization of used Additives 182 4.3.4.1 Solids Content 182 4.4 Description of Implemented Advanced Data Analysis- and Visualization Methods 183 4.4.1 Design of Experiments (DOE183 4.4.2 Contour Plots 184 4.4.3 Box-Whisker Graphs 185 5 Conclusion 186 6 Outlook for Further Work 191 7 Bibliography 192 Appendix 207 7.1 Localization Method Reproducibility 207 7.2 DOE - Coefficient Lists 208 7.2.1 Trial 3.3.4 – Impact of Retention Aid (PAM) on Agglomeration Behavior and Sizing Performance 208 7.2.2 Trial 3.3.5 – Impact of Contact Curing on Agglomeration Behavior and Sizing Performance 208 7.2.3 Trial 3.3.6 – Impact of Accelerated Aging on Agglomeration Behavior and Sizing Performance 209

As lagoas costeiras estão entre os ambientes mais produtivos da Terra, fornecendo múltiplos serviços ecossistémicos. No entanto, o aumento da pressão humanas, juntamente com as alterações climáticas, podem aumentar os perigos, resultando em alterações da sua dinâmica. Apesar do aumento do número de estudos de processos físicos, químicos e biológicos em lagoas costeiras, ainda é difícil obter conjuntos de dados de séries temporais longas. Neste trabalho, foi efectuada uma análise do conjunto de dados registados em tempo real ao longo de dois anos, por uma estação de monitorização fixa localizada na costa sul de Portugal, numa zona interior da Ria Formosa, onde a pressão humana é maior. O intervalo de amostragem de alta frequência 15 min) permitiu descrever a variabilidade temporal da temperatura, salinidade, oxigénio dissolvido (concentração e saturação), pH, clorofila a, e turbidez, a várias escalas temporais, desde a diurnae a semi-diurna, até à quinzenal e à sazonal. Os resultados da análise espectral revelaram que a variabilidade típica dos parâmetros estudados foi induzida principalmente por forças astronómicas, tais como as constituintes principal lunar semi-diurna M2 e lunisolar sinódica quinzenal MSF, mas também por outros factores relacionados com a configuração do sistema, tais como a constituinte lunar quarto-diurna M4 e o componente diurna associada aos efeitos da radiação solar. Além disso, os dados adquiridos permitiram a identificar processos marinhos, e eventos episódicos, desde o desenvolvimento de fitoplâncton, a ocorrências de mesoscala, tais como tempestades, afloramento costeiro e contracorrente costeira. Utilizando uma correlação cruzada entre os dados de vento de hora em hora e as séries temporais de temperatura quase em tempo real, foi possível identificar a alternância entre eventos de afloramento e de contracorrente, ambos suportados pela análise de imagens de satélite. Estes eventos de mesoscala tiveram um impacto importante nos parâmetros da água da Ria Formosa, o que reflectiu a influência das trocas de água através do sistema de múltiplas barras. A estação de monitorização fixa revelou ser uma equipamento eficaz em termos de variação da qualidade da água, permitindo ter uma imagem mais abrangente dos processos e eventos que ocorrem na área da Ria Formosa e que pode representar uma ferramenta muito útil numa perspectiva de gestão ambiental.
Coastal lagoons are among the most productive environments on Earth, providing multiple ecosystem services. However, the increase of human pressures, together with climate changes, may increase the hazards resulting in changes of their dynamics. Despite growing of number of studies in physical, chemical, and biological processes in coastal lagoons, long term temporal data sets are still difficult to obtain. In this work analysis of data set recorded in a real-time mode along two years was performed, by a fixed monitoring station located in the south coast of Portugal, in an inner area of Ria Formosa, a sector more influenced by pressures from the surround populations. The high frequency sampling interval permitted to describe the temporal variability of temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen (concentration and saturation), pH, chlorophyll a, and turbidity, at several temporal scales, from diurnal and semidiurnal, to fortnightly (spring tide vs neap tide) and seasonal. The spectral analysis’s results revealed that the typical variability of the studied parameters was induced principally by astronomical forces, such as the principal lunar semidiurnal constituent M2, the lunisolar synodic fortnightly constituent MSF, and to other factors related with the system configuration such as the shallow water overtides of principal lunar constituent M4 and the radiational tidal constituent associated with solar radiation effects. Moreover, the data acquired allowed to capture marine processes and episodic events, from phytoplankton growth to mesoscale occurrences, such as storm, coastal upwelling, and countercurrents. Using a cross-correlation between hourly wind data and almost real-time temperature timeseries, it was possible to identify the alternation between upwelling and countercurrent events, both supported by the satellite images analysis. Those mesoscale events had an important impact on Ria Formosa water parameters which reflected the influence of the water exchanges through the multi-inlets system. The fixed monitoring station revealed to be an effective tool in terms of water quality control, enabling to have a more comprehensive picture of the processes and events occuring in the area of Ria Formosa resulting a very useful tool from an environmental management perspective.

Thesis (M. Sc. (Horticulture)) -- University of Limpopo, 2019
The South African Avocado Industry is continuously expanding with ‘Hass’ cultivar occupying the largest land and therefore, the most exported cultivar. Expansion of the industry implies an increased demand for irrigation water. However, South Africa is a water scarce country characterised by low and erratic rainfall, where fruit production relies heavily on irrigation. The agricultural sector is under an obligation to reduce water use due to the increasing demand for water by other economic sectors. Therefore, it must find efficient water use techniques to save water and ensure water availability for other economic sectors. Partial root-zone drying (PRD) is an irrigation technique which may lead to 50% reduction in water use, half of the root system is kept wet while the other half is left dry to a predetermined level of soil water depletion, the dry and the moist sides are alternated at regular intervals. During storage and transportation of fresh produce, low temperature is a post-harvest tool used to maintain quality, especially when fruit are destined for long distant export markets. This study investigated the effect of PRD and low temperature storage on post-harvest quality parameters of ‘Hass’ avocado fruit. The experiment was laid as a factorial arranged in randomised complete block design (RCBD). The treatment factors for chilling injury, electrolyte leakage and vascular browning were 2 x irrigation regimes (Full Irrigation (FI) vs. PRD) and 2 x storage temperatures (2.0 and 5.5°C). However, treatment factors for fruit weight loss, respiration rate, fruit firmness, ripening percentage and fruit skin colour were 2 x irrigation regimes (Full Irrigation (FI) vs. PRD), 2 x storage temperatures (2.0 and 5.5°C) and 4 ripening days (0, 2, 4 and 6 days). Mature ‘Hass’ avocado fruit were harvested from PRD and fully irrigated trees and thereafter fruit of each treatment were stored at 2.0 and 5.5°C for 28 days. Each treatment consisted of 6 replicates, with an exception of electrolyte leakage, whereby the experiment was replicated 4 times. After 28 days’ storage at 2.0 and 5.5°C, fruit were ripened at 21°C. The effect of PRD and low temperature storage was determined by evaluating the following physico-chemical fruit parameters during ripening: external chilling injury, electrolyte leakage, fruit weight loss, respiration rate, firmness, fruit skin colour and vascular browning. During ripening, ‘Hass’ avocado fruit stored at 2.0°C showed significantly higher incidences of external chilling injury symptoms compared with xiii 5.5°C, irrespective of irrigation treatment. Furthermore, an interaction between irrigation treatment and low storage temperature had a significant (P<0.05) effect on cell membrane electrolyte leakage. All evaluated fruit showed similar weight loss, irrespective of irrigation and storage treatment. Irrigation, storage temperature and ripening days did not have effect on respiration during ripening. Fruit reached the respiratory climacteric peak on the same day (day 2). Furthermore, there was no significant interaction effect (P˃0.05) on fruit firmness. However, PRD treated fruit showed slightly low firmness when compared with control fruit. ‘Hass’ avocado fruit harvested from PRD and fully irrigated trees and stored at 5.5°C ripened quicker compared to fruit stored at 2.0°C. There was no significant interaction effect (P˃0.05) on fruit skin lightness (L), chroma (C), hue angle (h°) and fruit eye colour due to irrigation and cold storage treatment. In general, fruit showed skin colour change from emerald green to approximately 75% coloured. Furthermore, irrigation and storage temperature did not have effect on vascular browning, however, there incidence was high on fruit stored at 2.0°C when compared with 5.5°C. The results of this study indicated that ‘Hass’ avocado fruit stored at 2.0°C was negatively affected by low temperature storage and this cold storage temperature is not recommended. PRD reduced water use during irrigation, however, its effect on post-harvest quality of ‘Hass’ avocado fruit subjected to 5.5°C must be further investigated before recommended for export markets.
Agricultural Research Council-Tropical and Subtropical Crops (ARC-TSC) and Agricultural Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSeta)