Water and other volatiles (e.g. CO2, H2, CH4, etc.) are crucial components on Earth that ensure the habitability of the planet and play an important role in many geological processes. Small aliquots of these fluids can be preserved in the geological record as fluid inclusions and can provide valuable information about the physical and chemical environment in which they formed. The ocean is the largest water reservoir on the Earth's surface, and seawater participates in important water-rock reactions such as hydrothermal alteration of the ocean floor, a process that is currently in the spotlight for hypotheses on the origin of life, as it is an environment where generation of abiotic carbohydrates occur. The ocean chemistry varied in the geologic past to reflect major changes in the intensity of weathering, rates of midocean ridge hydrothermal discharge, changes in the climate and atmospheric CO2 concentration, and also played an important part in mass extinction events. Understanding the history of Earth's ancient oceans may hold the key to answer some of the important questions about the future of the Earth. Today, oceans hold valuable resources, such as offshore basalt formations which have been considered for submarine CO2 sequestration to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions associated with global warming. In the chapters of this dissertation, the reader will be presented with studies using fluid inclusions to advance our knowledge about the chemical evolution of seawater and reaction kinetics involving CO2, seawater and olivine – an abundant mineral in the oceanic lithosphere. Chapter I "Redox conditions in Late Permian seawater based on trace element ratios in fluid inclusions in halite from the Polish Zechstein Basin" describes application of a new redox proxy for paleo-seawater that involves analysis of redox-sensitive trace elements (e.g., Fe, Mn, U, V, Mo) in ancient seawater trapped as fluid inclusions in halite. Chapter II "Partitioning behavior of trace elements during evaporation of seawater" investigates the behavior of trace elements during the evaporation of seawater. This information is required to interpret trace element data from fluid inclusions in halite. In Chapter III "In situ monitoring of the carbonation of olivine under conditions relevant to carbon capture and storage using synthetic fluid inclusion micro-reactors: Determination of reaction rates", fluid inclusions are used as micro-reactors to monitor the reaction progress of olivine carbonation in situ and in real time at elevated temperatures (50-200 °C) and pressures using non-destructive analytical techniques such as Raman spectroscopy. / Doctor of Philosophy / Many geological processes on Earth involve water and other volatiles (e.g. CO2, H2, CH4, etc.) which are crucial components that ensure the habitability of the planet. These fluids can be preserved in the geological record in the form of fluid inclusions which are small aliquots of fluids trapped in minerals that provide information about the physical and chemical environment in which they formed. The majority of water on the Earth's surface is stored in the oceans. Seawater participates in important water-rock reactions, one of which is the hydrothermal alteration of the ocean floor. This reaction is in the spotlight currently because it represents an environment where generation of abiotic carbohydrates occur, giving rise for hypotheses about the origin of life on Earth. The chemical composition of seawater varied in the geologic past reflecting major changes in the intensity of weathering, discharge rate of midocean ridge hydrothermal systems, climate, and atmospheric CO2 concentration, and affected the survival of various marine species throughout Earth's history. For example, periodic extensions of oxygen minimum zones in the oceans played an important part in mass extinction events in the last 488 million years. Understanding the history of Earth's ancient oceans may hold the key to answer some of the important questions about the future of the Earth. Today, oceans hold valuable resources, such as offshore basalt formations which have been considered for submarine CO2 sequestration to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions associated with global warming. This dissertation explores ways to use fluid inclusions to advance our knowledge about the chemical evolution of seawater in the past and present, and the reaction of seawater with CO2 and olivine – an abundant mineral in the oceanic lithosphere – to facilitate long-term storage of CO2 in minerals to decrease the rate of global warming. Chapter I describes the application of a new redox proxy for paleo-seawater that involves analysis of redox-sensitive trace elements (elements whose solubility changes significantly as the oxidation state changes, such as Fe, Mn, U, V, Mo) in ancient seawater trapped as fluid inclusions in halite. The results suggest that trace element abundances in fluid inclusions in halite vary in response to redox changes in seawater and provide a potential redox proxy. Chapter II investigates the behavior of trace elements during the evaporation of seawater. This information is required to interpret trace element data from fluid inclusions in halite. The results of this study indicate that some elements remain in the water during evaporation of seawater (e.g. Li, B, Mo, U), while others are partially removed by precipitation of various mineral phases (e.g. Ba, Sr, Cs, Rb, Mn, V) as seawater evaporates. In Chapter III, fluid inclusions are used as micro-reactors to monitor the reaction progress of olivine carbonation in situ and in real time at elevated temperatures (50-200 °C) and pressures using non-destructive analytical techniques such as Raman spectroscopy. The results highlight that this reaction occurs rapidly, which makes it an ideal candidate for safe storage of CO2 by commercial CO2 injection projects in mafic and ultramafic rocks.

The Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE; ~183 million years ago) represents an interval during the Mesozoic when the emplacement of the Karoo-Ferrar Large Igneous Province (LIP) is thought to have resulted in significant environmental change. Associated with this interval was the widespread deposition of organic-rich sediments, carbon cycle and seawater chemistry changes, global warming, the development of marine anoxia, and major extinction events. The majority of studies of this event that have documented these responses have come from the Boreal and Tethyan regions of Europe, thus casting some doubt to the regional versus global significance of the event. Thus my dissertation has sought to reconstruct biogeochemical and paleoenvironmental changes across the T-OAE from a sedimentary succession that was deposited on the margins of a different ocean basin away from the well-studied European successions. Specifically, I have studied the chemostratigraphy of the Fernie Formation of the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB), which was deposited on the eastern margin of the Panthalassa Ocean. The Toarcian carbon isotope excursions (CIEs) in the WCSB confirm that these features are global phenomena. I have suggested a new driver for small-scale CIEs observed during the event: the release of wetland-derived methane during progressive global warming. The osmium isotope record and numerical modeling of the osmium cycle suggests that continental weathering rates increased during the T-OAE by 230 – 540%. Rhenium abundance data also suggests that the increased geographic extent of marine anoxia during the T-OAE caused a global drawdown in the seawater rhenium inventory. Iron speciation data are used to reconstruct redox conditions within the WCSB, which suggest ferruginous conditions developed in the more distal locations at the onset of the T-OAE before returning to euxinic (anoxic and sulfidic) conditions. This is likely related to enhanced pyrite burial on a global scale, which caused the drawdown of the seawater sulfate inventory, thus limiting pyrite formation in the distal locations. The proximal setting remained euxinic across the T-OAE, and in all locations the iron speciation data suggest anoxic conditions persistent well after the interval that has been traditionally called the end of the T-OAE. / Ph. D.

The Brazilian Northeast presents, for the most part, a semi-arid climate, hot and dry. This region is predominantly occupied by the Caatinga biome characterized by presence of xerophytic vegetation, with variety of physiognomy and floristic. Part of the São Francisco River Basin in the states of Alagoas and Sergipe, is part of this biome. However, this presents little knowledge of vegetation component and advanced levels of environmental degradation. For its recovery is essential knowledge of the species ecophysiology to be used for revegetation of the basin areas and especially in marginal areas of the waterways of the Caatinga. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the behavior of species that occur in the Caatinga biome, compared to soil flooding (stress anoxic / hypoxic) in order to indicate the same for revegetation of the marginal areas of the waterways of the Caatinga. Seedlings of Tabebuia aurea, Caesalpinia ferrea, Aspidosperma pyrifolium and Bauhinia forficata, with five months of age were subjected to soil flooding permanent or temporary (flooding followed by drainage). For the flood water depth was maintained between 10-20 mm above ground level. Throughout the experiment we evaluated the fluorescence emission of chlorophyll, before dawn (Fv / Fm) and midday (Fv / Fm and Yield) and chlorophyll content in the third leaf fully developed, using a portable fluorometer modulated light and the SPAD, respectively. At the end of the experiment was determined leaf water potential and chlorophyll (a, b and total), the accumulation of soluble sugars, proline, total amino acids, proteins and activity of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) (newer roots). It was also accompanied the growth of plants during the experiment determining the height, diameter and number of leaves, every four days, and at the end of the experiment the leaf area, biomass accumulation and distribution. Stress reduced the quantum efficiency of photosystem II and SPAD reading in all the seedlings of the species studied, with recovery in these variables when the plants were removed from the stress. Flooding reduced chlorophyll content only in the seedlings of A. pyrifolium and B. forficata subject to flooding. The seedlings of C. ferrea flooded had increased the content of chlorophyll b; however this was reduced in A. pyrifolium and B. forficata the same treatment. The total chlorophyll content was reduced by lack of oxygen only in seedlings of C. ferrea. The four species showed increases in response to stress, in the variables carbohydrate and protein. There was a reduction from plants subjected to flooding in the growth analysis and leaf water potential. The results allowed inferring that T. aurea and B. forficata develop mechanism of tolerance to flooding and better recovery when removed from the stress. / Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Alagoas / O nordeste brasileiro é caracterizado por possuir clima semi-árido, quente e seco. Ocupado predominantemente pelo Bioma Caatinga, que apresenta vegetação xerófila, de fisionomia e florística variada. Parte da Bacia Hidrográfica do São Francisco, nos estados de Alagoas e Sergipe, situa-se neste Bioma. No entanto, este apresenta componente vegetacional pouco conhecido e com níveis avançados de degradação ambiental. Para sua recuperação é imprescindível que se conheça a ecofisiologia das espécies a serem utilizadas para revegetação de áreas da bacia e especialmente das áreas marginais aos cursos d água da Caatinga. Desta forma, este trabalho teve como objetivo o estudo do comportamento de espécies ocorrentes no Bioma Caatinga, frente ao alagamento do solo (estresse anóxico/hipóxico), com vistas a indicação das mesmas para revegetação de áreas marginais aos cursos d água, situadas neste bioma. Mudas de Tabebuia aurea (Craibeira), Caesalpinia ferrea (Pau-Ferro), Aspidosperma pyrifolium (Pereiro) e Bauhinia forficata (Mororó), com cinco meses de idade, foram submetidas ao alagamento do solo permanente ou temporário (alagamento seguido de drenagem). Para o alagamento, a lâmina d água foi mantida entre 10-20 mm acima nível do solo. Durante todo o experimento foi avaliada a emissão de fluorescência da clorofila a, antes do amanhecer (Fv/Fm) e ao meio-dia (Fv/Fm e Yield) e o teor de clorofila na terceira folha completamente desenvolvida, utilizando-se o fluorômetro portátil de luz modulada e o SPAD, respectivamente. Ao final do experimento determinou-se o potencial hídrico foliar e a concentração de clorofila a, b e total, o acúmulo de açúcares solúveis, prolina, aminoácidos totais, proteínas e a atividade da enzima álcool desidrogenase (ADH) (nas raízes mais novas). Também foi acompanhado o crescimento das plantas durante o experimento determinando a altura, o diâmetro do caule e número de folhas, a cada quatro dias, e ao final do experimento a área foliar, acúmulo e distribuição de biomassa. O estresse reduziu a eficiência quântica do fotossístema II e a leitura Spad em todas as mudas das espécies estudas, havendo recuperação nestas variáveis quando as plantas foram retiradas do estresse. O alagamento reduziu teor de clorofila a apenas nas mudas de A. pyrifolium (Pereiro) e B. forficata (Mororó) submetidas ao alagamento. As mudas de C. ferrea (Pau-Ferro) alagadas apresentaram aumento no teor da clorofila b, por outro lado esta foi reduzido em A. pyrifolium (Pereiro) e B. forficata (Mororó) do mesmo tratamento. O teor de clorofila total foi reduzido com a falta de oxigênio apenas nas mudas de C. ferrea (Pau-Ferro). As quatro espécies apresentaram aumento, em resposta ao estresse, nas variáveis carboidratos e proteínas. Houve redução das plantas submetidas ao alagamento nas análises de crescimento e no potencial hídrico foliar. Os resultados obtidos permitiram inferir que T. aurea (Craibeira) e B. forfikata (Mororó) desenvolvem mecanismos de tolerância ao alagamento e melhor recuperação, quando retiradas do estresse.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine / Master / Master of Philosophy

[Résumé traduit automatiquement par le site web Reverso : Un problème majeur dans la biologie de cellule souche pour la recherche de base et clinique est l'accessibilité aux cellules souches de sain ou des individus de malade et le maintien(la maintenance) de leur puissance pour l'expérimentation, des écrans de médicament(drogue) thérapeutiques, ou des transplantations. Ici nous rapportons des conditions pour l'isolement de cellules myogenic squelettiques viables et fonctionnelles de l'homme jusqu'à 17 jours et la souris jusqu'à 14 jours post-mortem, significativement au-delà des rapports précédents. Les cellules souches de muscle ont été enrichies dans le mouchoir en papier(le tissu) post-mortem suggérant un avantage de survie sélectif comparé à d'autres types cellulaires. Les transplantations de 4 jour le muscle de souris post-mortem et des cellules souches haematopoietic ont régénéré des mouchoirs en papier(des tissus) solidement. La quiétude cellulaire contribue à cette viabilité de cellule souche de muscle où les cellules adoptent un état inerte réversible caractérisé par l'activité métabolique réduite, une phase de décalage prolongée avant la première division cellulaire et un statut transcriptional moins prêt pour l'engagement. Plus loin(De plus), nous montrons que la réponse de stress(d'accent) de cellules souches à l'environnement post-mortem est NF-? B-independent et que des cellules souches de muscle post-mortem sont caractérisées par les niveaux élevés de ROS, plus haut mitochondrial le contenu d'ADN et l'activité inférieure d'oxyde super dismutases, pourtant ils ne montrent(n'affichent) pas de changements(monnaies) de niveaux de redox. Finalement, l'hypoxie sévère(grave), ou l'anoxie sont critiques pour maintenir(entretenir) la viabilité de cellule souche et la capacité régénératrice robuste. Ces découvertes ont des implications majeures pour des études fondamentales et cliniques sur des cellules souches et ils peuvent aussi être prolongés(étendus) à d'autres systèmes de cellule souche de normal et des patients de malade (comme un exemple que nous avons aussi montré que des cellules souches hematopoietic survivent pendant une période prolongée(étendue) après la mort dans des mouchoirs en papier(des tissus) et restent fonctionnelles in vivo).] / A major issue in stem cell biology for basic and clinical research is the accessibility to stem cells from healthy or diseased individuals, and the maintenance of their potency for experimentation, therapeutic drug screens, or transplantations. Here we report conditions for the isolation of viable and functional skeletal myogenic cells from human up to 17 days, and mouse up to 14 days post mortem, significantly beyond previous reports. Muscle stem cells were enriched in post mortem tissue suggesting a selective survival advantage compared to other cell types. Transplantations of 4 day post mortem mouse muscle and haematopoietic stem cells regenerated tissues robustly. Cellular quiescence contributes to this muscle stem cell viability where cells adopt a reversible dormant state characterised by reduced metabolic activity, a prolonged lag phase before the first cell division, and a transcriptional status less primed for commitment. Further, we show that the stress response of stem cells to the post mortem environment is NF-κB-independent, and that post mortem muscle stem cells are characterised by elevated levels of ROS, higher mitochondrial DNA content, and lower activity of super oxide dismutases, yet they do not display changes in redox levels. Finally, severe hypoxia, or anoxia is critical for maintaining stem cell viability and robust regenerative capacity. Ces découvertes ont des implications majeures pour des études fondamentales et cliniques sur des cellules souches et ils peuvent aussi être prolongés(étendus) à d'autres systèmes de cellule souche de normal et des patients de malade (comme un exemple que nous avons aussi montré que des cellules souches hematopoietic survivent pendant une période prolongée(étendue) après la mort dans des mouchoirs en papier(des tissus) et restent fonctionnelles in vivo).

A anóxia neonatal, considerada problema clínico mundial, é importante causa de lesão encefálica em neonatos que pode apresentar consequências graves e permanentes, como déficits cognitivos e comportamentais. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar longitudinalmente possíveis alterações na morte, proliferação e diferenciação neuronais no hipocampo de ratos submetidos à anóxia neonatal. Para tanto, utilizamos modelo adaptado e validado em nosso laboratório. Os resultados mostraram que a anóxia neonatal causa morte neural em CA1 e CA2-3, detectadas pela maior quantidade de células TUNEL+ em CA1 e CA2-3 e FJB+ em CA2-3, além de diferentes tipos de morte neuronal em CA1 e GD, 24 horas após a anóxia,observadas por microscopia eletrônica. Houve aumento do volume de CA1 em P14 no grupo anóxia, porém o padrão de proliferação na zona subgranular não foi alterado. Enfim, a anóxia neonatal promoveu diminuição da neurogênese em animais adultos, o que poderia estar associado aos déficits de memória espacial e aprendizagem descritos em literatura para modelos similares. / Neonatal anoxia, considered a worldwide clinical problem, is a major cause of brain injury in neonates and may present serious and permanent consequences such as cognitive and behavioral deficits. The aim of this study was to analyze possible changes longitudinally in neural death, proliferation and neuronal differentiation in the hippocampus of rats submitted to neonatal anoxia. We used an adapted model validated in our laboratory. The results showed that neonatal anoxia cause neural death in CA1 and CA2-3 detected by the TUNEL+ cells in CA1 and CA2-3 and FJB+ in CA2-3, and different types of neuronal death in CA1 and GD 24 hours of anoxia, observed by electron microscopy. There was an increase in the volume of CA1 in the P14 anoxia group but the pattern of proliferation in the subgranular zone was not changed. Anyway, neonatal anoxia caused decrease in neurogenesis in adult animals, which could be associated with deficits in spatial memory and learning described in the literature in similar models.

O Cretáceo inferior é caracterizado por mudanças drásticas em todos os envelopes terrestres, envolvendo desde variações geodinâmicas a importantes mudanças paleoclimáticas. Entretanto, há poucos registros desses eventos no hemisfério sul, sendo o DSDP-511 o principal deles. Com objetivo de gerar melhores vínculos temporais para os registros do Cretáceo Inferior no hemisfério sul, foram realizados estudos paleomagnéticos e de magnetismo ambiental em alta resolução espacial em uma secção do sítio DSDP-511 (núcleos 58 e 59), a qual corresponde ao intervalo entre 508,77 a 523,94 mbsf (meters below sea floor) e abrange os estágios Barremiano e Aptiano. A compreensão dos eventos paleoclimáticos neste sítio não é trivial, uma vez que, além de ambiguidade nas idades inferidas pela bioestratigrafia, apenas parte do evento de anoxia oceânica OAE 1a está registrada devido a uma lacuna de amostragem. Foram identificados dois principais portadores magnéticos através da análise de curvas de aquisição e desmagnetização de magnetização remanente anisterética (ARM) e magnetização remanente isotérmica (IRM). O mineral de baixa corecividade é a magnetita, confirmada a partir da desmagnetização de IRM triaxial. Sua origem é provavelmente detrítica. O portador de alta coercividade foi interpretado como hematita. A contribuição relativa dos portadores magnéticos apresentou uma variação acentuada no intervalo entre 512 e 514 mbsf, sendo manifestada através de um pico em todos os parâmetros de magnetismo ambiental. Esta variação está associada também à maior concentração de minerais magnéticos neste intervalo e coincide com um marcado aumento na temperatura da superfície dos oceanos. Após desmagnetização progressiva e identificação da componente magnética característica foram definidas duas zonas de polaridade normal e uma zona de polaridade reversa (518,9 e 518,16 mbsf). Além disso, foi definida uma zona discreta de polaridade reversa em 509,20 mbsf. Os resultados encontrados apresentam diferenças significativas quando comparadas com estudos anteriores no mesmo testemunho. Uma datação Re-Os em folhelhos negros de 125,3 ± 2,2 Ma entre 519,01 e 519,40 mbsf foi obtida recentemente e forneceu um vínculo absoluto de idade para o intervalo estudado. O padrão de reversões encontrado foi compatível com a presença dos chrons M0r e ISEA. O modelo de idades proposto permite reposicionar o evento OAE 1a entre as profundidades 513,5 a 518 mbsf, incluindo a parte não recuperada do testemunho. Esta interpretação também compatível com dados de TOC e de 13C obtidos recentemente por outros autores. / The lower Cretaceous is characterized by drastic changes in the Earth, from geodynamic variations to important paleoclimatic changes. However, there are few records of these events in the southern hemisphere, the DSDP-511 being the most comprehensive one. In order to provide better temporal constraints for the lower Cretaceous records in the southern hemisphere, paleomagnetic and high-resolution environmental magnetism studies were performed in a section of the DSDP-511 site (cores 58 and 59), which corresponds to the interval between 508.77 to 523.94 mbsf (meters below sea floor) and covers the Barremian and Aptian stages. The correct assessment of paleoclimatic events at this site is not trivial because, in addition to the ambiguity at the ages inferred by biostratigraphy, only part of the OAE 1a (oceanic anoxic event) was recovered. Two main magnetic carriers were identified through the analysis of acquisition and demagnetization of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) and isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) curves. The low coercivity mineral is magnetite, as attested by triaxial IRM demagnetization. Its origin is likely detrital. The high coercivity carrier was interpreted as hematite. The relative contribution of magnetic carriers has a strong variation in the interval between 512 and 514 mbsf, being manifested by a peak in all parameters of environmental magnetism. This variation is also associated with the higher concentration of magnetic minerals and coincides with a marked increase in the sea surface temperature in this interval. After stepwise demagnetization and identification of the characteristic magnetic component, two zones of normal polarity and a zone of reverse polarity (518.9 and 518.16 mbsf) were defined. In addition, a discrete zone of reverse polarity was defined at 509.20 mbsf. The results obtained present significant differences when compared with previous studies in the same core. A Re-Os dating on black shales of 125.3 ± 2.2 Ma between 519.01 and 519.40 mbsf was obtained recently and provided an absolute constraint onto which the polarity zones could be matched. The pattern of reversions found is compatible with the presence of chrons M0r and ISEA. The proposed age model allows repositioning the OAE 1a event between depths 513.5 to 518 mbsf in the core and overlap the unrecovered part. This interpretation is also compatible with TOC and 13C data recently obtained by other authors.

O Cretáceo inferior é caracterizado por mudanças drásticas em todos os envelopes terrestres, envolvendo desde variações geodinâmicas a importantes mudanças paleoclimáticas. Entretanto, há poucos registros desses eventos no hemisfério sul, sendo o DSDP-511 o principal deles. Com objetivo de gerar melhores vínculos temporais para os registros do Cretáceo Inferior no hemisfério sul, foram realizados estudos paleomagnéticos e de magnetismo ambiental em alta resolução espacial em uma secção do sítio DSDP-511 (núcleos 58 e 59), a qual corresponde ao intervalo entre 508,77 a 523,94 mbsf (meters below sea floor) e abrange os estágios Barremiano e Aptiano. A compreensão dos eventos paleoclimáticos neste sítio não é trivial, uma vez que, além de ambiguidade nas idades inferidas pela bioestratigrafia, apenas parte do evento de anoxia oceânica OAE 1a está registrada devido a uma lacuna de amostragem. Foram identificados dois principais portadores magnéticos através da análise de curvas de aquisição e desmagnetização de magnetização remanente anisterética (ARM) e magnetização remanente isotérmica (IRM). O mineral de baixa corecividade é a magnetita, confirmada a partir da desmagnetização de IRM triaxial. Sua origem é provavelmente detrítica. O portador de alta coercividade foi interpretado como hematita. A contribuição relativa dos portadores magnéticos apresentou uma variação acentuada no intervalo entre 512 e 514 mbsf, sendo manifestada através de um pico em todos os parâmetros de magnetismo ambiental. Esta variação está associada também à maior concentração de minerais magnéticos neste intervalo e coincide com um marcado aumento na temperatura da superfície dos oceanos. Após desmagnetização progressiva e identificação da componente magnética característica foram definidas duas zonas de polaridade normal e uma zona de polaridade reversa (518,9 e 518,16 mbsf). Além disso, foi definida uma zona discreta de polaridade reversa em 509,20 mbsf. Os resultados encontrados apresentam diferenças significativas quando comparadas com estudos anteriores no mesmo testemunho. Uma datação Re-Os em folhelhos negros de 125,3 ± 2,2 Ma entre 519,01 e 519,40 mbsf foi obtida recentemente e forneceu um vínculo absoluto de idade para o intervalo estudado. O padrão de reversões encontrado foi compatível com a presença dos chrons M0r e ISEA. O modelo de idades proposto permite reposicionar o evento OAE 1a entre as profundidades 513,5 a 518 mbsf, incluindo a parte não recuperada do testemunho. Esta interpretação também compatível com dados de TOC e de 13C obtidos recentemente por outros autores. / The lower Cretaceous is characterized by drastic changes in the Earth, from geodynamic variations to important paleoclimatic changes. However, there are few records of these events in the southern hemisphere, the DSDP-511 being the most comprehensive one. In order to provide better temporal constraints for the lower Cretaceous records in the southern hemisphere, paleomagnetic and high-resolution environmental magnetism studies were performed in a section of the DSDP-511 site (cores 58 and 59), which corresponds to the interval between 508.77 to 523.94 mbsf (meters below sea floor) and covers the Barremian and Aptian stages. The correct assessment of paleoclimatic events at this site is not trivial because, in addition to the ambiguity at the ages inferred by biostratigraphy, only part of the OAE 1a (oceanic anoxic event) was recovered. Two main magnetic carriers were identified through the analysis of acquisition and demagnetization of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) and isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) curves. The low coercivity mineral is magnetite, as attested by triaxial IRM demagnetization. Its origin is likely detrital. The high coercivity carrier was interpreted as hematite. The relative contribution of magnetic carriers has a strong variation in the interval between 512 and 514 mbsf, being manifested by a peak in all parameters of environmental magnetism. This variation is also associated with the higher concentration of magnetic minerals and coincides with a marked increase in the sea surface temperature in this interval. After stepwise demagnetization and identification of the characteristic magnetic component, two zones of normal polarity and a zone of reverse polarity (518.9 and 518.16 mbsf) were defined. In addition, a discrete zone of reverse polarity was defined at 509.20 mbsf. The results obtained present significant differences when compared with previous studies in the same core. A Re-Os dating on black shales of 125.3 ± 2.2 Ma between 519.01 and 519.40 mbsf was obtained recently and provided an absolute constraint onto which the polarity zones could be matched. The pattern of reversions found is compatible with the presence of chrons M0r and ISEA. The proposed age model allows repositioning the OAE 1a event between depths 513.5 to 518 mbsf in the core and overlap the unrecovered part. This interpretation is also compatible with TOC and 13C data recently obtained by other authors.

Leung, Kin Ling. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 133-162). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / CONTENTS --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.ii / ABBREVIATIONS --- p.iii / ABSTRACT --- p.vi / 論文摘要 --- p.ix / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- Symptoms of OSA --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Causes of OSA --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Complications of OSA --- p.6 / Chapter 1.1.4 --- Episodic hypoxia profile --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2 --- Hippocampus --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- General structure of hippocampus --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- The neuronal circuitry of hippocampus --- p.17 / Chapter 1.2.3 --- Cell types of hippocampus --- p.21 / Chapter 1.2.4 --- Functions of hippocampus --- p.24 / Chapter 1.3 --- Memory Formation and long term potentiation --- p.27 / Chapter 1.4 --- Neurotrophins --- p.33 / Chapter 1.5 --- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) --- p.38 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- Molecular characteristics of BDNF --- p.38 / Chapter 1.5.3 --- Functions of BDNF --- p.46 / Chapter 1.5.4 --- BDNF and neuronal plasticity --- p.46 / Chapter 1.6 --- Tissue plasminogen activator - plasmin system --- p.51 / Chapter 1.6.1 --- Molecular characteristics of tissue plasminogen activator - plasmin system --- p.51 / Chapter 1.6.2 --- Functions of tissue plasminogen activator - plasmin system --- p.54 / Chapter 1.7 --- Aim of the study --- p.59 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- MATERIALS AND METHODS --- p.61 / Chapter 2.1 --- Animal model of obstructive sleep apnea --- p.61 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Intermittent hypoxia --- p.61 / Chapter 2.2 --- Electrophysiological recordings --- p.65 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Preparation of brain slices --- p.65 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Visualization of hippocampus CA1 Neurons --- p.66 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Patch-clamp recordings --- p.66 / Chapter 2.3 --- Protein analysis - ELISA --- p.71 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Isolation of mouse hippocampus total protein --- p.71 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- ELISA --- p.72 / Chapter 2.3 --- Protein analysis (II) - Western blot --- p.74 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Isolation of mouse hippocampus total protein --- p.74 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- Western blot analysis --- p.75 / Chapter 2.5 --- Data analysis --- p.78 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- RESULTS --- p.79 / Chapter 3.1 --- Effect of intermittent hypoxia on passive and active properties of hippocampal CA1 neurons --- p.79 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- Passive properties --- p.79 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- Membrane excitability --- p.83 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Action potential characteristics --- p.93 / Chapter 3.2 --- Effect of intermittent hypoxia on the expression of BDNF and related proteins --- p.104 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- "Levels of total BDNF, NGF, NT-3 and NT-4/5" --- p.104 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Recovery study of the expression of BDNF after IH treatment --- p.110 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- Differential effect of IH on pro-BDNF and mature BDNF --- p.114 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- "Expressions of tissue plasminogen activator, plasmin and plasminogen" --- p.117 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion --- p.121 / Chapter 4.1 --- Changes in neuronal excitability of CA1 neurons under intermittent hypoxia --- p.121 / Chapter 4.2 --- Intermittent hypoxia-induced changes in BDNF level --- p.127 / Chapter 4.3 --- Conclusion --- p.130 / REFERENCES --- p.133

Αναφορές για την υποξία ή ακόμη και την ανοξία, υπήρχαν παγκοσμίως σε όλη τη διάρκεια των γεωλογικών ετών. Ωστόσο, η αρνητική τάση της συγκέντρωσης του οξυγόνου στις θάλασσες, που καταγράφεται μετά το 1950, σε συνδυασμό με τις αυξημένες διαστάσεις που λαμβάνει καθημερνά η υποξία, αλλά και τις δυσοίωνες προβλέψεις για ετήσια μελλοντική μείωση των συγκεντρώσεων του οξυγόνου, έχουν οδηγήσει στο χαρακτηρισμό της ως ένα παγκόσμιο πρόβλημα. Ο συνδυασμός φυσικών και ανθρωπογενών διεργασιών, αλλά και οι αρνητικές επιδράσεις του ευτροφισμού, ως αποτέλεσμα της παροχής μεγάλων ποσοτήτων θρεπτικών αλάτων αζώτου και φωσφόρου, σχετίζονται άμεσα με την παγκόσμια αύξηση των υποξικών περιοχών. Ανάμεσα στα πιο επιρρεπή περιβάλλοντα στην εμφάνιση υποξικών/ανοξικών συνθηκών είναι οι ημί-κλειστοι κόλποι. Η επικράτηση ή ακόμη και η εκδήλωση υποξικών συνθηκών σε ένα τέτοιο περιβάλλον, εκτός από την αρνητική επίδραση που έχει στους οργανισμούς και τα ενδιαιτήματά τους, επηρεάζει άμεσα αφενός την τροφική αλυσίδα και αφετέρου τις βιογεωχημικές διεργασίες που λαμβάνουν χώρα στο εσωτερικό του. Ο Αμβρακικός Κόλπος, αποτελεί ένα χαρακτηριστικό παράδειγμα ημί-κλειστου κόλπου, τύπου φιόρδ, στη Μεσόγειο, εφόσον το μοναδικό σημείο επικοινωνίας του με την ανοιχτή θάλασσα είναι ο στενός δίαυλος του Ακτίου. Παρά τη σημαντικότητα του συγκεκριμένου περιβάλλοντος, η εξέλιξη και η ανάπτυξη του ανθρώπινου παράγοντα, έχουν οδηγήσει το οικοσύστημα του κόλπου σε ιδιαίτερα οριακό σημείο, υποβαθμίζοντας συνεχώς την ποιότητα των υδάτων του. Σκοπό της συγκεκριμένης διδακτορικής διατριβής, αποτέλεσε η παρακολούθηση, κατανόηση και ερμηνεία του τρόπου λειτουργίας ενός Μεσογειακού κλειστού κόλπου, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της υδροδυναμικής κυκλοφορίας και των φυσικοχημικών διεργασιών που λαμβάνουν χώρα στο εσωτερικό του, καθώς επίσης και η ανάδειξη της δυναμικής και του μηχανισμού δημιουργίας της υποξικής/ανοξικής ζώνης που χαρακτηρίζει ένα τέτοιο περιβάλλον. Για την επίτευξη των προαναφερθέντων, πραγματοποιήθηκε συστηματική παρακολούθηση των φυσικοχημικών, ωκεανογραφικών και μετεωρολογικών χαρακτηριστικών του συστήματος του Αμβρακικού, μέσω μιας σειράς εποχιακών και διμηνιαίων δειγματοληψιών, συνολικής διάρκειας δύο ετών. Επιπρόσθετα, για τις ανάγκες της μελέτης της υδροδυναμικής κυκλοφορίας του κόλπου, προσομοιώθηκε η κυκλοφορία του, χρησιμοποιώντας ένα κατάλληλο τρισδιάστατο αριθμητικό ομοίωμα. Η βαθμονόμηση, η επαλήθευση και η προσομοίωση της υδροδυναμικής του Αμβρακικού, πραγματοποιήθηκε χρησιμοποιώντας δεδομένα, τα οποία και συλλέχθηκαν κατά τη διάρκεια των διετών δειγματοληψιών. Η μόνιμη στρωμάτωση της υδάτινης στήλης του κόλπου, σε όλη τη διάρκεια του έτους, ως αποτέλεσμα της παροχής μεγάλων ποσοτήτων γλυκού νερού επιφανειακά, σε συνδυασμό με τον εμπλουτισμό της υδάτινης στήλης με θρεπτικά στοιχεία, είναι οι σημαντικότερες διεργασίες οι οποίες οδήγησαν στην περεταίρω υποβάθμιση του συστήματος τα τελευταία τριάντα χρόνια. Τα κύρια χαρακτηριστικά αυτής, είναι η επικράτηση πλέον υποξικών συνθηκών στο μεγαλύτερο τμήμα του κόλπου, καθώς επίσης και η εποχιακή εμφάνιση ανοξικών συνθηκών στο βαθύτερο στρώμα της υδάτινης στήλης. Η δυναμική της υποξικής ζώνης, η οποία αναπτύσσεται στο εσωτερικό του κόλπου, εκφράζεται μέσω ενός ιδιαίτερα γνώριμου προτύπου κυρίως σε παρόμοια περιβάλλοντα (τύπου φιόρδ) των Σκανδιναβικών χωρών, ωστόσο, σπάνιου ή ακόμη και πρωτόγνωρου για τα Μεσογειακά δεδομένα. Η εισροή των υδάτων της ανοιχτής θάλασσας, η οποία λαμβάνει χώρα σαν ένα ρεύμα, πυκνού νερού κοντά στο πυθμένα, είναι η κύρια αιτία εμπλουτισμού των βαθύτερων στρωμάτων του κόλπου με οξυγόνο. Το γεγονός αυτό έχει ως αποτέλεσμα η υδάτινη στήλη να οξυγονώνεται από τα βαθύτερα προς τα ρηχότερα τμήματα αυτής και ένα στρώμα νερού υποξικών/ανοξικών συνθηκών να επιπλέει σε ενδιάμεσα βάθη. Η προσομοίωση της ετήσιας υδροδυναμικής κυκλοφορίας του Αμβρακικού, ενός συστήματος με τόσο ιδιαίτερα μορφολογικά και υδρολογικά χαρακτηριστικά, βοήθησε στην κατανόηση και περιγραφή των υδροδυναμικών διεργασιών που λαμβάνουν χώρα ετησίως και ελέγχουν την οξυγόνωση του βαθύτερου τμήματος της υδάτινης στήλης. Ανάμεσα στις πιο σημαντικές συγκαταλέγονται η διαφορά πυκνότητας μεταξύ των υδάτων της ανοιχτής θάλασσας και του βαθύτερου τμήματος του Αμβρακικού, η οποία σε συνδυασμό με την έκταση του πυκνοκλινούς και την παροχή γλυκού νερού από του δύο ποταμούς που εκβάλλουν στο εσωτερικό, ελέγχουν το βάθος της εισροής και κατ’ επέκταση το βαθμό της οξυγόνωσης του βαθύτερου στρώματος του κόλπου. Από την ολοκληρωμένη παρακολούθηση των χημικών χαρακτηριστικών της υδάτινης στήλης, την εκτίμηση της ποιότητας και της τροφικής κατάστασης των υδάτων του Αμβρακικού, προέκυψε στο συμπέρασμα ότι τελικά ο Αμβρακικός, είναι ένα μεσοτροφικό και εποχιακά ευτροφικό περιβάλλον. Ο ευτροφικός χαρακτήρας του κόλπου, χρονικά συνδέεται άμεσα με την περίοδο των μέγιστων παροχών των ποταμών, υποδεικνύοντας την καθοριστική συμβολή τους στην ποιότητα των υδάτων του κόλπου. / Hypoxic or even anoxic references existed globally throughout the geological age. However, the negative trend of the oxygen concentration is recorded after 1950. This, in combination with the increased dimensions that hypoxia is daily receiving and also ominous predictions for the future annual reduction of its concentrations, have led to the characterization as a global problem. The combination of natural and anthropogenic processes and also the negative effects of eutrophication as a result of the enrichment with large amounts of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, are directly related to the global increase of hypoxic areas. Among the most prone environments in appearance of hypoxic / anoxic conditions are semi-enclosed bays. The dominance or even the appearance of hypoxic conditions in such an environment, apart from the negative impact that it has on organisms and their habitats, directly affects both the food chain and also the biogeochemical processes that take place inside it. Amvrakikos Gulf, is a characteristic example of semi-enclosed bay, fjord-type, in the Mediterranean Sea, as its only connection with the open sea is the narrow inlet of Aktio. Despite the importance of this environment, the evolution and development of human factors have led the ecosystem of the gulf in particular boundary point, degrading constantly the water quality. The main purpose of this thesis, has been the monitoring, understanding and interpretation the mode of operation of a Mediterranean semi-enclosed bay, including hydrodynamic circulation and physicochemical processes that take place inside, as well as highlighting of dynamic and forming mechanism of hypoxic / anoxic zone which characterizes such an environment. In order the above targets to be achieved, a systematic monitoring of physico-chemical, oceanographic and meteorological characteristics of Amvrakikos Gulf takes place, through a series of seasonal and bimonthly samplings, of two years duration. Additionally, for the purposes of the study of hydrodynamic circulation, an appropriate three-dimensional hydrodynamic model was used. The calibration and verification of the hydrodynamic model and the simulation of the hydrodynamic circulation takes place using data, which were collected during the two-year sampling. The permanent stratification of the water column , throughout the year, as a result of the surface enrichment with large quantities of fresh water ,in combination with the water column' s enrichment with nutrients, are the most important processes which lead to further degradation of the system over the last thirty years. The main characteristics of this degradation are the dominance of hypoxic conditions in the greater part of the gulf, and the seasonal occurrence of anoxic conditions in the deepest layer of the water column. The dynamics of the hypoxic zone, which grows inside the gulf, expressed through a very familiar pattern mainly in similar environments (fjord-type) of the Scandinavian countries, however, it is rare or even unprecedented for the Mediterranean area. The inflow of waters of the open sea, which occurs as a stream of dense water near the bottom, is the main reason of enrichment of the deepest layers of the bay with oxygen. This has resulted in the water column to be oxygenated from its deepest to the shallowest parts and a water layer with hypoxic / anoxic conditions to be floated at intermediate depths. The simulation of the annual hydrodynamic circulation of Amvrakikos Gulf, a system with both morphological and hydrological characteristics, helped the understanding and description of hydrodynamic processes that take place annually and monitor the oxygenation of the deepest parts of the water column. Among the most important processes are included the density difference between the waters of the open sea and the deepest part of Amvrakikos Gulf, which combined with the extent of pycnocline and supply of fresh water from the two rivers that flow inside, control the depth of the input and consequently the degree of oxygenation of the deeper layer of the gulf. The comprehensive monitoring of the chemical characteristics of the water column, the assess of the quality and trophic status of waters of Amvrakikos Gulf have shown that eventually Amvrakikos Gulf is a mesotrophic and seasonally eutrophic environment. The eutrophic character of the gulf, is directly related to the period of maximum discharges of rivers, indicating the vital contribution to the water quality of the bay.