In order to delineate the potential sources and to understand the main controls on the biogeochemical cycling of dissolved and particulate organic matter (DOM, POM) and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) during estuarine mixing, comprehensive seasonal geochemical and isotopic and surveys across the freshwater-tidal interface were carried out in the Tyne and Tweed Estuaries, NE UK. This study provided a contrast between a relatively pristine system (Tweed) with one that is heavily influenced by anthropogenic activity (Tyne). Geochemical and isotopic (13C, 14C and 15N) analyses demonstrated the predominance of terrigenous organic matter in both these estuaries, with elevated river discharges leading to enhanced terrestrial loading. High pCO2 values in the Tyne (summer) and Tweed (winter) suggested that a significant fraction of this terrestrially-derived organic matter (both DOM and POM pools) is relatively labile and can potentially undergo significant mineralization during estuarine mixing. In both estuaries in situ processing of DIN was relatively minor, with mixing between different sources being the main factor in controlling the distribution of nitrate and ammonium across the salinity gradient. However, anthropogenic ammonium discharges in the Tyne were found to have an enormous direct and indirect impact on estuarine nitrogen cycling. Large, concave removals of terrigenous high molecular weight (HMW) DOC caused by flocculation, biodegradation, and/or photochemical oxidation were associated with a non-conservative 13C-enrichment in d13C signatures. Radiocarbon dates showed an export of young (modern) HMW DOC and old (100-1000s of years), terrigenous POC to the North Sea. 14C-enriched values in coastal North Sea HMW DOC were attributed to anthropogenic discharges originating from within the coastal North Sea environment. In the Tweed, seasonal changes in soil characteristics resulted in an older age for POM during the summer. In the Tyne, decreases in POC% with increasing salinity sometimes coincided with an increase in POC age. This was attributed to mixing with older sediment and to the possible preferential loss of the younger, more labile POC fraction during mineralization. This study has shown that land use patterns, sewage inputs, and freshwater flushing time are the main influences in determining the behaviour and origin of organic matter and DIN entering the coastal North Sea in these two systems.

Para avaliar os efeitos da fertilização potássica e sódica sobre a resposta do Eucalyptus grandis em crescimento, estado nutricional, eficiência de uso de água e de nutrientes foi instalado na Estação Experimental de Ciências Florestais de Itatinga (SP) em LVA distrófico (200 g kg-1 de argila) um experimento em blocos ao acaso contendo sete tratamentos: Testemunha, K1,5, K3,0, K4,5, KS3,0, Na3,0 e K1,5+Na1,5 (os valores correspondem à quantidade de K ou Na fornecidos em kmol ha-1, sob as formas de KCl, K2SO4 e NaCl). O nível crítico de K foliar variou de 6,6 a 5,0 g kg-1 e as amostragens realizadas no final da estação de chuvas (maio) sempre proporcionaram melhor avaliação do estado nutricional. A fertilização potássica elevou a resistência e/ou tolerância à ferrugem (Puccini pisidii Winter.). A concentração de Na na idade de 6 meses foliar atingiu 3,4 e 2,3 g kg-1 nos tratamentos Na3,0 e K1,5+Na1,5, mas o crescimento das árvores as concentrações reduziram para valores < 1,0 g kg-1, 36 meses pós-plantio. O Eucalyptus grandis foi capaz de absorver o Na e o transportar até as folhas, mantendo a relação K/Na >1 (elevada), uma característica relacionada às plantas tolerantes ao Na e à salinidade. A resposta do Eucalyptus grandis à fertilização potássica e sódica foi expressiva, enquanto a Testemunha alcançou 8,6 cm de DAP, 13,4 m de altura e 68 m3 ha-1 de madeira, 36 meses pós-plantio, sob a maior dose de potássio (K4,5), o DAP foi de 11,6 cm, a altura de 17,5 m que resultaram em 141 m3 ha-1 de madeira. A fertilização sódica, por sua vez, proporcionou árvores 13% (10,0 cm) mais grossas, 18% (15,7 m) mais altas, e produtividade de madeira 52% (103 m3 ha-1) maior que a Testemunha aos 36 meses pós-plantio. A combinação de K1.5+Na1.5, comparada ao fornecimento de K1,5, aumentou em 12% o volume de madeira. A produção de biomassa do tronco aos 36 meses pós-plantio nos tratamentos K3,0, Na3,0 e Testemunha foi de 55,1, 41,5 e 26,1 Mg ha-1, respectivamente. Os aumentos de produtividade estiveram diretamente relacionado com índices de área foliar (IAF) maiores aos 36 meses pós-plantio: K3,0 (5,4 m2 m-2), Na3,0 (3,2 m2 m-2) e Testemunha (2,7 m2 m-2). O conteúdo de K na parte aérea aos 36 meses pós-plantio foi de 82, 38 e 31 kg ha-1, respectivamente nos tratamentos K3,0, Na3,0 e Testemunha, e os tratamentos Na3,0 e Testemunha não diferiram significativamente. O conteúdo de Na no tratamento Na3,0 (51 kg ha-1) foi maior que nos tratamentos K3,0 e Testemunha (17 e 28kg ha-1). Desses totais, o lenho acumulou cerca de 40% do conteúdo de K e mais de 75% do conteúdo Na. O retorno de K ao 10 solo como folhedo no tratamento K3,0 foi de 14,9, 22,2 e 13,1 kg ha-1 ano-1, consecutivamente nos três anos de avaliação. Nos tratamentos Testemunha e Na3,0, as quantidades de K não ultrapassaram 8,8, 14,3 e 11,9 kg ha-1 ano-1. A ciclagem bioquímica do K foi bastante intensa (>80%) ao contrário do Na em que a retranslocação é menor (27%). A EUK estimada sob fertilização sódica (1356 kg MS kg-1) foi superior às dos tratamentos K3,0 (829 kg MS kg-1) e Testemunha (1042 kg MS kg-1) Os índices de recuperação de K e Na atingiram, respectivamente 44 e 52%, aos 36 meses pós-plantio. Sob fertilização potássica e sódica, a transpiração foi em média 20% maior que na Testemunha (P<0,06) foram respectivamente, 505, 519 e 397 mm. Nestas condições, estima-se que a transpiração diária do Eucalyptus grandis tenha variado de 2,6 a 3,6 mm dia-1. A importância do K para o controle do processo da transpiração pode ser comprovada através do índice de transpiração por unidade de área foliar que foi menor no tratamento K3,0 (0,62 mm dia-1 m-2) que na Testemunha (0,96 mm dia-1 m-2) e em Na3,0 (1,05 mm dia-1 m-2), função que aparentemente o Na não exerceu. Embora a fertilização tenha aumentado o consumo de água, essa prática estimulou o desenvolvimento do Eucalyptus grandis fazendo com que aumentasse a eficiência de uso de água (EUA) e diminuísse a exigência de água (EA). Em termos de biomassa, as estimativas da EUAB, em ordem crescente, foram de 0,0021, 0,0033 e 0,0041 kg L-1, o equivalente à exigência de 500, 304 e 248 L de água por kg-1 de tronco, respectivamente pela Testemunha, K3,3 e Na3,0. Ao considerar a produtividade em volume de madeira, os índice de EUAV estimados para os tratamentos K3,0 (0,0068 dm3 L-1) e Na3,0 (0,0057 dm3 L-1) foram maiores que o da Testemunha (0,0034, dm3 L-1), permitindo reduzir a exigência de água em mais de 100 L dm-3. Nesse contexto, a fertilização potássica é uma prática de manejo essencial que pode elevar a produtividade e aumentar a eficiência no uso de água em plantações de Eucalyptus grandis. A fertilização sódica, além de contribuir para o aumento da produtividade pode ser uma estratégia para elevar a eficiência de uso de potássio. / The effects of potassium and sodium fertilizer applications on Eucalyptus grandis tree growth, nutritional status, water use efficiency and nutrients use efficiency were studied at the Itatinga Experimental Station (SP) on a Ferralsol (LVA dystrophic, 200 g kg-1 clay). Seven treatments were established in complete randomized block designs: Control, K1.5, K3.0, K4.5, KS3.0, Na3.0 and K1.5+Na1.5 (the values correspond to rates of Na or K applied as KCl, K2SO4 or NaCl, expressed in kmol ha-1). The critical level of K in leaves ranged from 6.6 g to 5.0 kg-1 and the sampling performed at the end of the rainy season (May) always provided better assessment of nutritional status. The potassium fertilization increased the resistance and / or tolerance to rust (Puccinia pisidii Winter.). The foliar Na concentration was 3.4 and 2.3 g kg-1 in Na3.0 and K1.5+Na1.5 treatments, respectively, six months after planting, but Na concentrations decreased with tree ageing down to 1,0 g kg-1 at age 36 months. Sodium was taken up by Eucalyptus grandis trees and carried up to leaves, keeping the ratio K / Na > 1. This ratio is characteristic of salinity tolerant plant. The response of Eucalyptus grandis trees to K and Na fertilizer applications was significant. While trees in the control treatment reached on average 8.6 cm in DBH, 13.4 m in height and 68 m3 ha-1 of stemwood at age 36 months, under the higher dose of K addition (K4.5), mean values of DBH, height, and stemwood volume were 11.6 cm, 17.5 m, and 141 m3 ha-1 in the K4.5 treatment. Sodium fertilizer application increased tree DBH by 13% (10.0 cm on average at age 36 months), height by 18% (15.7 m on average), and stemwood volume by 52% (103 m3 ha-1) compared to the Control treatment. Stemwood volume in the K1,5+Na1,5 treatment was 12% higher than in the K1,5 treatment. Trunk biomass at age 36 months in treatments K3,0, Na3,0 and Control were 55.1, 41.5 and 26.1 Mg ha-1, respectively. Leaf area index (LAI) at age 36 months were 5.4, 3.2 and 2.7 m2 m-2, in the K3,0, Na3,0 and Control treatments, respectively. The amount of K in the aboveground biomass at age 36 months was 82, 38 and 31 kg ha-1 in treatments K3.0, Na3.0 and Control, respectively, and was not significantly different in the Na3.0 and Control treatments. The Na content at age 36 months was significantly higher in the Na3.0 treatment (51 kg ha-1) than in the control and K3.0 treatments (17 e 28 kg ha-1). About 40% of the total amount of K aboveground and more than 75% of the amount of Na were found in 12 stemwood. The amount of K in litterfall was 14.9, 22.2 and 13.1 kg ha-1 yr-1 in K3.0, the first, second and third years after planting, respectively. In the other treatments, K content in litterfall over the same period was < 14.3 kg ha-1 yr-1. Retranslocations of K during leaf senescence were intense (> 80%) and Na retranslocations were much lower (27% on average). Potassium use efficiency, calculated as the ratio between biomass and K content aboveground at age 36 months, was greater in the Na3.0 treatment (1356 kg kg-1) than in treatments K3.0 (829 kg kg-1) and Control (1042 kg kg-1). The rates of K and Na recovery in aboveground tree components were 44 and 52%, respectively, 36 months after planting. Potassium and sodium fertilizers applications increased stand transpiration (P <0.06) by 20% relatively to the Control treatment, from 30 to 35 months after planting (505, 519 and 397 mm, respectively). The mean daily stand transpiration over the study period ranged from 2.6 mm day-1 in the Control treatment to 3.6 mm day-1 in the K3.0 treatment. The transpiration/LAI ratio was lower in the K3,0 treatment (0.62 mm day-1 m-2) than in the Control (0, 96 mm day-1 m-2) and Na3.0 (1.05 mm day-1 m-2) treatments. This pattern showed that K availability largely influenced tree transpiration control, and Na availability was unlikely to reduce the loss of water per unit of LAI. Potassium and sodium fertilizers applications increased both the growth and the transpiration of Eucalyptus grandis trees and led to an improvement in water use efficiency (WUE) in biomass (B) or wood volume (V). WUEB were 0.0021, 0.0033 and 0.0041 kg L-1 over the study period in treatments Control, K3.0, Na3.0, respectively. WUEV were higher in treatments K3.0 (0.0068 dm3 L-1) and Na3.0 (0.0057 dm3 L-1) than in the Control treatment (0.0034 dm3 L-1). Therefore, K fertilization increased stand productivity and WUE in fast growing Eucalyptus grandis plantations. Sodium fertilization, in addition to K fertilization, also increased productivity and might be a valuable option to increase potassium use efficiency in commercial Eucalyptus plantations.

En raison de leur accumulation possible dans la glande thyroïde, les radio-isotopes de l'iode, 131I (t1/2 = 8,07 jours) et 129I (t1/2 = 15,7 106 ans), sont préoccupants pour la santé humaine. En raison de sa longue demi-vie, 129I est également d’une importance radio-écologique majeure du fait de son intégration potentielle au cycle biogéochimique naturel de son isotope stable (127I). Les forêts dont la surface couvre près du tiers du territoire en France et en Europe, se caractérisent par leur longévité, un haut niveau de recyclage de la biomasse et une forte influence sur les cycles hydrologiques et des nutriments. La végétation forestière peut intercepter puis recycler et accumuler les polluants et radionucléides émis dans l’environnement. Dans ce contexte, des axes de recherche ont été développés dans cette thèse afin de décrire qualitativement et quantitativement le cycle de l’iode et améliorer les prédictions à long-terme du comportement de 129I dans les écosystèmes forestiers.Les pluies constituent une source majeure d’iode pour les sols et la végétation forestière, les quantités apportées dépendant de la distance côtière et de la pluviométrie. La végétation modifie les quantités et la spéciation de l’iode apporté par les pluies. L'humus représente un compartiment d'accumulation provisoire d'iode associé à la matière organique. Ce compartiment constitue également une zone de réémission possible de l’iode par lessivage lors d’évènements pluvieux et/ou par volatilisation. Cette thèse a montré que les teneurs d'iode dans les sols forestiers dépendaient à la fois des apports atmosphériques et des chutes de biomasse, mais également de la capacité du sol à fixer l'iode. Ainsi, les conditions environnementales conduisant à une accumulation de matière organique et la présence d’(hydr)oxydes métalliques dans les sols favorisent la rétention de l’iode. A l’échelle de la placette forestière, le sol constitue le principal réservoir en iode (~99,9%). Du fait de la proportion d'iode au sein des arbres (< 0,03% du stock total en iode), les quantités d’iode recyclées par la végétation sont faibles, l’iode n’étant pas un oligo-élément pour les végétaux. Ainsi ces travaux de thèse ont permis de combler le manque de données relatives d’une part à la répartition de l’iode au sein des écosystèmes forestiers et d’autre part, aux processus de réémissions (lessivage et volatilisation) liés à la dégradation de la matière organique. Les données générées par cette thèse permettent de mieux appréhender la modélisation du cycle de l’iode dans cet écosystème forestier. / As radioisotopes of iodine may concentrate in thyroid gland, 131I (t1/2 = 8.07 days) and 129I (t1/2 = 15.7 106 years) are of health concern. 129I is of major radioecological importance because it can potentially integrate natural biogeochemical cycle of its stable isotope (127I) due to its long half-life. Forests, characterized by their longevity, a high biomass turnover and a strong influence on hydrological and nutrients cycles, can intercept, recycle and accumulate a significant amount of pollutants and radionuclides released into environment. In this context, research developed in this thesis had the purpose of correct long-term prediction of iodine behaviour in forest ecosystems.Rainfall appears to be a significant input flux of iodine in forest soils and vegetation, depending on coastal distance and precipitation amount. Forest canopy modifies quantities and speciation of iodine initially present in rainfall. Humus would act as temporary iodine accumulation layer through its association with organic matter. However, humus layer also behaves as potential iodine mobilisation source by leaching and/or volatilization. This thesis has demonstrated that iodine levels in soils depend both on its atmospheric and litterfall inputs, but also on the soil's ability to fix iodine. Thus, environmental conditions characterized by organic matter accumulation and presence of metal (hydr)oxides in soils promote iodine retention. Thereafter, soil is the main iodine reservoir at the forest plot scale (~99.9%). Given small amounts of iodine in the trees (<0.03% of the total iodine stock), recycling of iodine by vegetation is low, iodine being not an essential element for vegetables.This thesis contributes to fill some gaps in the knowledge of iodine distribution within forests and on the processes of iodine reemission related to organic matter degradation. Data generated by this thesis help to better understand the modeling of iodine cycle in this forest ecosystem.

Chemical dynamics in the vadose zone are poorly understood due to the transient nature of chemical and hydrologic conditions, but are nonetheless critical to understanding contaminant fate and transport. This work explored the effects of soil structure (i.e. layers, lenses) on linked geochemical, hydrological, and microbiological processes under changing hydrologic conditions (e.g. rainfall, introduction of groundwater, and fluctuating water table heights). A homogenized medium-grained sand, homogenized organic-rich loam and a sand-over-loam layered column were constructed for the first series of experiments. The second series of experiments employed two soil columns with lenses that were packed identically with sterilized and untreated sediments. Each consisted of two lenses of organic-rich loam in a medium-grained sand matrix. Lenses were located at different vertical depths and were horizontally offset. In-situ collocated probes collected soil hydrologic and chemical data. In the layered column, enhanced biogeochemical cycling was observed over the texturally homogeneous soil columns. Enumerations of Fe(III) and SO42- reducing microorganisms also show 1-2 orders of magnitude greater community numbers in the layered column. The greatest concentrations of aqueous FeS clusters (FeSaq) were observed in close proximity to the soil interface. To our knowledge, this was the first documentation of FeSaq in partially saturated sediments. Mineral and soil aggregate composite layers were also most abundant near the soil layer interface; the presence of which, likely contributed to an order of magnitude decrease of hydraulic conductivity. In the live lens column, Fe-oxide bands formed at the fringes of the lenses that retarded water flow rates by an order of magnitude compared to the sterilized column. Microbial activity also produced insoluble gases and that led to the creation of a separate gas phase that reduced hydraulic conductivity. This limited the interaction between groundwater with soil-pore waters that led to the formation of geochemically distinct water masses in relatively close proximity to one another. No such changes were observed in the sterilized column. When compared to homogenous columns, the presence of soil heterogeneities altered biogeochemical and hydrologic processes considerably which highlights the need to consider soil heterogeneity in contaminant fate and transport models. These findings suggest that quantifying coupled hydrologic-biogeochemical processes occurring at small scale soil interfaces is critical to accurately describing and predicting chemical changes at the larger system scale.

Para avaliar os efeitos da fertilização potássica e sódica sobre a resposta do Eucalyptus grandis em crescimento, estado nutricional, eficiência de uso de água e de nutrientes foi instalado na Estação Experimental de Ciências Florestais de Itatinga (SP) em LVA distrófico (200 g kg-1 de argila) um experimento em blocos ao acaso contendo sete tratamentos: Testemunha, K1,5, K3,0, K4,5, KS3,0, Na3,0 e K1,5+Na1,5 (os valores correspondem à quantidade de K ou Na fornecidos em kmol ha-1, sob as formas de KCl, K2SO4 e NaCl). O nível crítico de K foliar variou de 6,6 a 5,0 g kg-1 e as amostragens realizadas no final da estação de chuvas (maio) sempre proporcionaram melhor avaliação do estado nutricional. A fertilização potássica elevou a resistência e/ou tolerância à ferrugem (Puccini pisidii Winter.). A concentração de Na na idade de 6 meses foliar atingiu 3,4 e 2,3 g kg-1 nos tratamentos Na3,0 e K1,5+Na1,5, mas o crescimento das árvores as concentrações reduziram para valores < 1,0 g kg-1, 36 meses pós-plantio. O Eucalyptus grandis foi capaz de absorver o Na e o transportar até as folhas, mantendo a relação K/Na >1 (elevada), uma característica relacionada às plantas tolerantes ao Na e à salinidade. A resposta do Eucalyptus grandis à fertilização potássica e sódica foi expressiva, enquanto a Testemunha alcançou 8,6 cm de DAP, 13,4 m de altura e 68 m3 ha-1 de madeira, 36 meses pós-plantio, sob a maior dose de potássio (K4,5), o DAP foi de 11,6 cm, a altura de 17,5 m que resultaram em 141 m3 ha-1 de madeira. A fertilização sódica, por sua vez, proporcionou árvores 13% (10,0 cm) mais grossas, 18% (15,7 m) mais altas, e produtividade de madeira 52% (103 m3 ha-1) maior que a Testemunha aos 36 meses pós-plantio. A combinação de K1.5+Na1.5, comparada ao fornecimento de K1,5, aumentou em 12% o volume de madeira. A produção de biomassa do tronco aos 36 meses pós-plantio nos tratamentos K3,0, Na3,0 e Testemunha foi de 55,1, 41,5 e 26,1 Mg ha-1, respectivamente. Os aumentos de produtividade estiveram diretamente relacionado com índices de área foliar (IAF) maiores aos 36 meses pós-plantio: K3,0 (5,4 m2 m-2), Na3,0 (3,2 m2 m-2) e Testemunha (2,7 m2 m-2). O conteúdo de K na parte aérea aos 36 meses pós-plantio foi de 82, 38 e 31 kg ha-1, respectivamente nos tratamentos K3,0, Na3,0 e Testemunha, e os tratamentos Na3,0 e Testemunha não diferiram significativamente. O conteúdo de Na no tratamento Na3,0 (51 kg ha-1) foi maior que nos tratamentos K3,0 e Testemunha (17 e 28kg ha-1). Desses totais, o lenho acumulou cerca de 40% do conteúdo de K e mais de 75% do conteúdo Na. O retorno de K ao 10 solo como folhedo no tratamento K3,0 foi de 14,9, 22,2 e 13,1 kg ha-1 ano-1, consecutivamente nos três anos de avaliação. Nos tratamentos Testemunha e Na3,0, as quantidades de K não ultrapassaram 8,8, 14,3 e 11,9 kg ha-1 ano-1. A ciclagem bioquímica do K foi bastante intensa (>80%) ao contrário do Na em que a retranslocação é menor (27%). A EUK estimada sob fertilização sódica (1356 kg MS kg-1) foi superior às dos tratamentos K3,0 (829 kg MS kg-1) e Testemunha (1042 kg MS kg-1) Os índices de recuperação de K e Na atingiram, respectivamente 44 e 52%, aos 36 meses pós-plantio. Sob fertilização potássica e sódica, a transpiração foi em média 20% maior que na Testemunha (P<0,06) foram respectivamente, 505, 519 e 397 mm. Nestas condições, estima-se que a transpiração diária do Eucalyptus grandis tenha variado de 2,6 a 3,6 mm dia-1. A importância do K para o controle do processo da transpiração pode ser comprovada através do índice de transpiração por unidade de área foliar que foi menor no tratamento K3,0 (0,62 mm dia-1 m-2) que na Testemunha (0,96 mm dia-1 m-2) e em Na3,0 (1,05 mm dia-1 m-2), função que aparentemente o Na não exerceu. Embora a fertilização tenha aumentado o consumo de água, essa prática estimulou o desenvolvimento do Eucalyptus grandis fazendo com que aumentasse a eficiência de uso de água (EUA) e diminuísse a exigência de água (EA). Em termos de biomassa, as estimativas da EUAB, em ordem crescente, foram de 0,0021, 0,0033 e 0,0041 kg L-1, o equivalente à exigência de 500, 304 e 248 L de água por kg-1 de tronco, respectivamente pela Testemunha, K3,3 e Na3,0. Ao considerar a produtividade em volume de madeira, os índice de EUAV estimados para os tratamentos K3,0 (0,0068 dm3 L-1) e Na3,0 (0,0057 dm3 L-1) foram maiores que o da Testemunha (0,0034, dm3 L-1), permitindo reduzir a exigência de água em mais de 100 L dm-3. Nesse contexto, a fertilização potássica é uma prática de manejo essencial que pode elevar a produtividade e aumentar a eficiência no uso de água em plantações de Eucalyptus grandis. A fertilização sódica, além de contribuir para o aumento da produtividade pode ser uma estratégia para elevar a eficiência de uso de potássio. / The effects of potassium and sodium fertilizer applications on Eucalyptus grandis tree growth, nutritional status, water use efficiency and nutrients use efficiency were studied at the Itatinga Experimental Station (SP) on a Ferralsol (LVA dystrophic, 200 g kg-1 clay). Seven treatments were established in complete randomized block designs: Control, K1.5, K3.0, K4.5, KS3.0, Na3.0 and K1.5+Na1.5 (the values correspond to rates of Na or K applied as KCl, K2SO4 or NaCl, expressed in kmol ha-1). The critical level of K in leaves ranged from 6.6 g to 5.0 kg-1 and the sampling performed at the end of the rainy season (May) always provided better assessment of nutritional status. The potassium fertilization increased the resistance and / or tolerance to rust (Puccinia pisidii Winter.). The foliar Na concentration was 3.4 and 2.3 g kg-1 in Na3.0 and K1.5+Na1.5 treatments, respectively, six months after planting, but Na concentrations decreased with tree ageing down to 1,0 g kg-1 at age 36 months. Sodium was taken up by Eucalyptus grandis trees and carried up to leaves, keeping the ratio K / Na > 1. This ratio is characteristic of salinity tolerant plant. The response of Eucalyptus grandis trees to K and Na fertilizer applications was significant. While trees in the control treatment reached on average 8.6 cm in DBH, 13.4 m in height and 68 m3 ha-1 of stemwood at age 36 months, under the higher dose of K addition (K4.5), mean values of DBH, height, and stemwood volume were 11.6 cm, 17.5 m, and 141 m3 ha-1 in the K4.5 treatment. Sodium fertilizer application increased tree DBH by 13% (10.0 cm on average at age 36 months), height by 18% (15.7 m on average), and stemwood volume by 52% (103 m3 ha-1) compared to the Control treatment. Stemwood volume in the K1,5+Na1,5 treatment was 12% higher than in the K1,5 treatment. Trunk biomass at age 36 months in treatments K3,0, Na3,0 and Control were 55.1, 41.5 and 26.1 Mg ha-1, respectively. Leaf area index (LAI) at age 36 months were 5.4, 3.2 and 2.7 m2 m-2, in the K3,0, Na3,0 and Control treatments, respectively. The amount of K in the aboveground biomass at age 36 months was 82, 38 and 31 kg ha-1 in treatments K3.0, Na3.0 and Control, respectively, and was not significantly different in the Na3.0 and Control treatments. The Na content at age 36 months was significantly higher in the Na3.0 treatment (51 kg ha-1) than in the control and K3.0 treatments (17 e 28 kg ha-1). About 40% of the total amount of K aboveground and more than 75% of the amount of Na were found in 12 stemwood. The amount of K in litterfall was 14.9, 22.2 and 13.1 kg ha-1 yr-1 in K3.0, the first, second and third years after planting, respectively. In the other treatments, K content in litterfall over the same period was < 14.3 kg ha-1 yr-1. Retranslocations of K during leaf senescence were intense (> 80%) and Na retranslocations were much lower (27% on average). Potassium use efficiency, calculated as the ratio between biomass and K content aboveground at age 36 months, was greater in the Na3.0 treatment (1356 kg kg-1) than in treatments K3.0 (829 kg kg-1) and Control (1042 kg kg-1). The rates of K and Na recovery in aboveground tree components were 44 and 52%, respectively, 36 months after planting. Potassium and sodium fertilizers applications increased stand transpiration (P <0.06) by 20% relatively to the Control treatment, from 30 to 35 months after planting (505, 519 and 397 mm, respectively). The mean daily stand transpiration over the study period ranged from 2.6 mm day-1 in the Control treatment to 3.6 mm day-1 in the K3.0 treatment. The transpiration/LAI ratio was lower in the K3,0 treatment (0.62 mm day-1 m-2) than in the Control (0, 96 mm day-1 m-2) and Na3.0 (1.05 mm day-1 m-2) treatments. This pattern showed that K availability largely influenced tree transpiration control, and Na availability was unlikely to reduce the loss of water per unit of LAI. Potassium and sodium fertilizers applications increased both the growth and the transpiration of Eucalyptus grandis trees and led to an improvement in water use efficiency (WUE) in biomass (B) or wood volume (V). WUEB were 0.0021, 0.0033 and 0.0041 kg L-1 over the study period in treatments Control, K3.0, Na3.0, respectively. WUEV were higher in treatments K3.0 (0.0068 dm3 L-1) and Na3.0 (0.0057 dm3 L-1) than in the Control treatment (0.0034 dm3 L-1). Therefore, K fertilization increased stand productivity and WUE in fast growing Eucalyptus grandis plantations. Sodium fertilization, in addition to K fertilization, also increased productivity and might be a valuable option to increase potassium use efficiency in commercial Eucalyptus plantations.

Submitted by Emanuel Varela Cardoso (emanuel.varela@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-10-15T21:11:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 THYAGO DE ALMEIDA SILVEIRA - TESE (PPGRN) 2017.pdf: 7826699 bytes, checksum: 411f7475b113a4b1f39d4c7ddf148553 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-10-15T21:11:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 THYAGO DE ALMEIDA SILVEIRA - TESE (PPGRN) 2017.pdf: 7826699 bytes, checksum: 411f7475b113a4b1f39d4c7ddf148553 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-31 / No Semiárido Brasileiro (SAB), onde predomina o Bioma Caatinga, o processo de desertificaçao tem-se intensificado devido às ações antrópicas, sendo atingida severamente e alterada por corte de lenha, agricultura, queimadas, caça e ação contínua de rebanhos bovinos e caprinos, restando apenas uma pequena parcela preservada e protegida. No município de Picuí, no Seridó Oriental Paraibano, durante as últimas quatro décadas, as fazendas de subexistências, localizadas na zona rural, receberam o plantio de monocultivos que fez com as terras fossem completamente devastadas, tornando-se improdutivas. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar alterações ambientais na decomposição da serrapilheira de Marmeleiro e Catingueira, e na fauna edáfica em áreas degradadas do bioma Caatinga que estão passando por diferentes processos de sucessão ambiental na Paraíba. Para tanto, foi realizada a caracterização histórica da degradação ambiental utilizando imagens de satélite e índices de vegetação, em seguida, foi montado um experimento na Fazenda Agroecológica Gavião e Izidro, em três áreas, sendo elas Degradada, Restaurada e Preservada, cuja metodologia abrangeu estudos de decomposição da serrapilheira, análises físicas e químicas do solo, da macrofauna decompositora e da respiração do solo (Efulxo de CO2). Os resultados da caracterização mostraram como o processo de degradação aconteceu nas últimas décadas, e que a vegetação se recompôs. A decomposição da serrapilheira identificou que duas espécies são importantes provedoras de nutrientes para o solo, sendo que o Marmaleiro se decompõe mais rápido, e Catingueira deposita mais nutrientes no solo. As análises dos solos, revelaram que apesar de serem pedregosos e muito arenosos, eles possuem uma fertilidade muito boa, e que é o processo da ciclagem de nutrientes da serrapilheira, advinda das vegetação presente nas áreas, que contribui significativamente para tal. A macrofauna decompositora foi identificada em maior quantidade na serrapilheira depositada nos litterbags na superfície, do que a presente no solo. Já o Efluxos de CO2 foram muito baixos, e ressalta-se a importância da identificação do fenômeno do Influxo de CO2, que foi medido em condições semelhantes a de uma região desértica, evidenciando que se não houver intervenções nas áreas degradas com condições semelhantes, esses processos tendem a se expandir para outras áreas. Todos os resultados indicaram que a Área Preservada se comportou melhor, exaltando a necessidade da proteção e manuntenção de áreas semelhantes, pois os processos de ciclagem de nutrientes ocorre mais facilmente em ambientes semelhantes. / In the Brazilian semi-arid, where the Caatinga Biome predominates, the process of environmental degradation has intensified due to the anthropic actions, being severely affected and altered by firewood cutting, agriculture, burned, hunting and continuous action of cattle and goats, leaving only a small preserved and protected portion. In Picuí municipality, in Seridó Oriental Paraibano, during the last four decades, the subexistences farms, located in the rural area, were planted with monocultures caused the completely land devastated by degradation of its soils, becoming quite unproductive. In this sense, the work objective was to identify environmental changes in the litter decomposition and in the edaphic fauna in degraded areas of the Caatinga biome that are undergoing different environmental succession processes in Paraíba. For this purpose, the historical characterization of the environmental degradation using satellite images and vegetation indexes was realized, then, an experiment was made at the Agroecological Farm Gavião and Izidro, in three areas, a Degraded, Restored and Preserved Areas, whose developed procedures associated litterbags decomposiotion, physical and chemical soil analyzes, decomposing macrofauna and soil respiration measurements (Efflux de CO2). The characterization results showed how the degradation process occurred in the last decades, and that the vegetation was recovered. For the litter decomposition it was identified that the two species are important nutrients suppliers to the soil, and the Marmaleiro decomposes faster, and Catingueira deposits more nutrients in the soil. Soil analyzes, revealed that, although they are rocky and very sandy, they have a very good fertility, which is the cycling nutrients process from the litter, from the vegetation present in the areas, contributes significantly to this. The decomposing macrofauna was identified in greater quantity in the litterbags deposited in the surface than in the soil. The CO2 fluxes measured were very low, and it is important to identify the CO2 Influx phenomenon, which was measured in conditions similar a desert region, evidencing that if there aren’t interventions in the degraded areas with similar conditions, they process trend to expand to another areas. All results indicated that the Preserved Area behaved better, exalting the need for protection and maintenance of similar areas, because the processes of nutrient cycling occur more easily in similar environments.

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