A travers l'étude des Calcisols alluviaux des bassins de Digne-Valensole (SE France) et de Loranca (Espagne centrale), l'objectif de cette thèse est de développer des approches spécifiques à ce type de profils paléopédologiques, et de proposer de nouvelles données paléoenvironnementales et paléoclimatiques pour l'Europe occidentale.Ces paléosols ont été investigués par des méthodes pédologiques, sédimentologiques, minéralogiques et géochimiques, qui mettent en avant la lixiviation et la fersiallitisation comme des processus majeurs dans leur formation, ainsi qu'une influence non négligeable des variations latérales des matériaux parentaux sur leurs caractéristiques. L'étude couplée des paléosols et des dépôts sédimentaires associés permet également d'intégrer les dépôts dans un modèle de stratigraphie séquentielle à haute résolution, et ouvre une discussion sur les biais d'estimation du taux d'aggradation à partir des séries alluviales.De nouvelles climofonctions basées sur les teneurs et distributions des éléments majeurs au sein de ces profils sont proposées à partir de l'analyse d'analogues actuels du Nord-Est de l'Espagne. Celles-ci prennent en compte l'hétérogénéité des dépôts soumis à l'altération, en comparant la composition des horizons de subsurface à celle de la partie superficielle du matériau parental. Elles apparaissent complémentaires des climofonctions précédemment développées pour estimer les précipitations et leur saisonnalité à partir de la morphologie de l'horizon d'accumulation du carbonate de calcium, en apportant la possibilité d'estimer les températures et les précipitations annuelles moyennes, y compris à partir de paléosols tronqués par l'érosion, fréquents dans ces séries.Leur application aux paléosols étudiés permet de mettre en évidence un climat relativement chaud à fort contraste saisonnier en termes de précipitations, similaire au climat méditerranéen actuel. Ces données remettent en cause la vision soutenue par les études paléontologiques d'un climat humide à cette période, et pose la question de l'enregistrement du signal climatique selon l'objet considéré. En effet, si la préservation des fossiles est généralement liée à des conditions humides, les sols se développent sur l'ensemble des parties émergées et enregistrent des conditions et périodes plus sèches, ce qui justifie la nécessité de prendre davantage en compte les paléosols dans ces reconstitutions. / Through the study of alluvial Calcisols from the Digne-Valensole (SE France) and the Loranca (central Spain) basins, the aim of this thesis is to develop specific methods and to propose new paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic data for Western Europe.These paleosols were investigated by pedological, sedimentological, mineralogical and geochemical methods. These highlight leaching and fersiallitisation as major processes in the formation of these profiles, and the influence of the lateral variations of parent materials on paleosols features. Moreover, the cross study of paleosols and sedimentary deposits allows their integration in a high-resolution sequence stratigraphy model, and opens a discussion about the estimation of aggradation rate from alluvial successions.New climofunctions based on major elements contents and distributions through these profiles are also proposed from the study of modern analogs from NE Spain. These functions include a ratio between the subsurface horizon and the upper part of parent material to avoid bias due to the strong heterogeneity of the altered deposits. These are complementary to previous methods developed from the morphological study of calcium carbonate accumulation horizon, which permit to estimate mean annual precipitations and their seasonality, bringing the possibility to quantify mean annual temperatures and precipitations even with truncated profiles, frequent in such successions.Their application to the studied paleosols reveals a relatively hot climate with a strong seasonal contrast in terms of precipitations, similar to the modern Mediterranean climate. These data improve our knowledge of this period that paleontological studies qualify as more humid, and raise the question about the recording of climatic signal according to the considered object. Indeed, if the preservation of fossils is usually linked to humid conditions, soils form over the emerged parts of environment and record drier conditions, which justify the need to enhance the use of paleopedological studies in such reconstructions.

MSc., Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / Granitoid intrusions are numerous in southwestern Rajasthan and are useful because they can provide geochronological constraints on tectonic activity and geodynamic conditions operating as the time of intrusion, as well as information about deeper crustal sources. The particularly voluminous Neoproterozoic felsic magmatism in the Sirohi region of Rajasthan is of particular interest as it may have implications for supercontinental (Rodinia and Gondwana) geometry. The Mt. Abu granitoid pluton is located between two major felsic suites, the older (~870-800 Ma) Erinpura granite and the younger (~751-771 Ma) Malani Igneous Suite (MIS). The Erinpura granite is syn- to lateorogenic and formed during the Delhi orogeny, while the MIS is classified as alkaline, anorogenic and either rift- or plume-related. This tectonic setting is contentious, as recent authors have proposed formation within an Andean-type arc setting. The Mt. Abu granitoid pluton has been mapped as partly Erinpura (deformed textural variant) and partly younger MIS (undeformed massive pink granite). As the tectonic settings of the two terranes are not compatible, confusion arises as to the classification of the Mt. Abu granitoid pluton. Poorly-constrained Rb-Sr age dating place the age of formation anywhere between 735 ± 15 and 800 ± 50 Ma. The older age is taken as evidence that the Mt. Abu intrusion was either a late phase of the Erinpura granite. However, U-Pb zircon geochronology clearly indicates that the Mt. Abu felsic pluton is not related to- or contiguous with- the Erinpura granite suite. The major results from this study indicate that the all textural variants within the Mt. Abu pluton were formed coevally at ~765 Ma. Samples of massive pink granite, mafic-foliated granite and augen gneiss from the pluton were dated using U-Pb zircon ID-TIMS at 766.0 ± 4.3 Ma, 763.2 ± 2.7 Ma and 767.7 ± 2.3 Ma, respectively. The simple Mt. Abu pluton is considered as an enriched intermediate I- to A-type intrusion. They are not anorogenic A-types, as, although these felsic rocks have high overall alkali and incompatible element enrichment, no phase in the Mt. Abu pluton contains alkali rich amphibole or pyroxene, nor do REE diagrams for the most enriched samples show the gull-wing shape typical of highly evolved alkaline phases. The alkali-enriched magma may be explained by partial melting of a crustal source such as the high-K metaigneous (andesite) one suggested by Roberts & Clemens (1993), not derivation from a mantle-derived mafic magma. The fairly restricted composition of Mt. Abu granitoids suggests that partial melting and a degree of assimilation/mixing may have been the major factors affecting the evolution of this granitoid pluton; fractional crystallization was not the major control on evolution of these granitoids. Revdar Rd. granitoids that are similar in outcrop appearance and petrography to Mt. Abu granitoids also conform to Mt. Abu granitoids geochemically and are classified as part of the Mt. Abu felsic pluton. Mt. Abu samples from this study have a maximum age range of 760.5-770 Ma, placing the Mt. Abu pluton within the time limits of the Malani Igneous Suite (MIS) as well as ~750 Ma granitoids from the Seychelles. Ages of the Sindreth-Punagarh Groups are also similar. These mafic-ultramafic volcanics are thought to be remnants of an ophiolitic mélange within a back-arc basin setting at ~750-770 Ma. The three Indian terranes are spatially and temporally contiguous. The same contiguity in space and time has been demonstrated by robust paleomagnetic data for the Seychelles and MIS. These similarities imply formation within a common geological event, the proposed Andean-type arc (Ashwal et al., 2002) on the western outboard of Rodinia. The implications are that peninsular India did not become a coherent entity until after this Neoproterozoic magmatism; Rodinia was not a static supercontinent that was completely amalgamated by 750 Ma, as subduction was occurring here simultaneous with rifting elsewhere. Pageiv The Mt. Abu pluton has undergone deformation, with much of the pluton having foliated or augen gneiss textures. The timing of some of the deformation, particularly the augen gneiss and shear zone deformation, is thought to have occurred during intrusion. The Mt. Abu and Erinpura granitoids have experienced a common regional metamorphic event, as hornblende (Mt. Abu) and biotite (Erinpura) give 40Ar/39Ar ages of 508.7 ± 4.4 Ma and 515.7 ± 4.5 Ma, respectively. This event may have reactivated older deformatory trends as well. The temperature of resetting of argon in hornblende coincides with temperatures experienced during upper-greenschist to lower-amphibolite facies metamorphism. These late Pan-African ages are the first such ages reported for the Sirohi region and southern part of the Aravalli mountain range. They offer evidence for the extension of Pan-African amalgamation tectonics (evidence from southern India) into NW India. The age of formation of the Erinpura augen gneiss magma is 880.5 ± 2.1 Ma, thus placing the Erinpura granitoids within the age limits of the Delhi orogeny (~900-800 Ma; Bhushan, 1995). Most deformation observed here would have been caused by compression during intrusion. The Erinpura granitoids are S-type granitoids due to their predominantly peraluminous nature, restricted SiO2-content, normative corundum and the presence of Al-rich muscovite and sillimanite in the mode. Weathered argillaceous metasedimentary material may also have been incorporated in this magma, while the presence of inherited cores suggests relatively lower temperatures of formation for these granitoids as compared to the Mt. Abu granitoids. The age of inheritance (1971 ± 23 Ma) in the Erinpura augen gneiss is taken as the age of the source component, which coincides with Aravalli SG formation. The Sumerpur granitoids differ from the Erinpura granitoids in terms of macroscopic and microscopic texture (undeformed, rarely megaporphyritic) but conform geochemically to the Erinpura granitoid characteristics and may thus be related to the Erinpura granitoid suite.The Revdar Rd. granitoids that are similar in macroscopic appearance to Erinpura granitoids also conform geochemically, and may similarly belong to the Erinpura granite suite. A Revdar Rd. mylonite gneiss with the Erinpura granitoids’ geochemical signature was dated at ~841 Ma, which does not conform to the age of the type-locality Erinpura augen gneiss dated here, but later intrusion within the same event cannot be ruled out because of the uncertainty in the age data (~21 Ma). The presence of garnet in one Revdar Rd. (Erinpura-type) sample implies generation of these granitoids at depth and/or entrainment from the source, similar to the S-type Erinpura granitoids. The Ranakpur granitoids differ significantly from both the Erinpura and Mt. Abu intrusives due to their low SiO2-content and steep REE profiles (garnet present in the source magma); they are thought to have been generated under higher pressures from a more primitive source. The deeper pressure of generation is confirmed by the absence of a negative Eu-anomaly. The Ranakpur quartz syenite dated at 848.1 ± 7.1 Ma is younger by ~30 m.y. than the Erinpura augen gneiss. It is within the same time range as numerous other granitoids from this region as well as the Revdar Rd. granitoid dated in this study. The prevalence of 830- 840 Ma ages may indicate that a major tectonic event occurred at this time. The Ranakpur quartz syenite may have been generated near a subduction or collision zone, where thickened crust allows for magma generation at depth. The deeply developed Nb-anomaly in the spider diagram also implies a larger subduction component to the magma. The Swarupganj Rd. monzogranite is interpreted to have formed by high degrees of partial melting from a depleted crustal source and is dissimilar to other granitoids from this study. More sampling, geochemical and geochronological work needs to be done in order to characterize this intrusion. Pagev The Kishengarh nepheline syenite gneiss is situated in the North Delhi Fold Belt and is the oldest sample dated within this study. The deformation in this sample is due to arc- or continental- collision during a Grenvillian-type orogeny related to the amalgamation of the Rodinia supercontinent (and peninsular India), dated by the highly reset zircons at ~990 Ma. This is considered a DARC (deformed alkaline rock and carbonatite) and represents a suture zone (Leelanandam et al., 2006). The primary age of formation of this DARC is older than 1365 ± 99 Ma, which is the age of xenocrystic titanites from the sample. The granitoid rocks from this study area (Sirohi region) range widely in outcrop appearance, petrography and geochemistry. Granitoids from the Sirohi region dated in this study show a range of meaningful ages that represent geological events occurring at ~880 Ma, ~844 Ma, ~817 Ma, ~789 Ma, ~765 Ma and ~511 Ma. Granitoid magmatism (age of formation) in this region is predominantly Neoproterozoic, and the number of events associated with each granitoid intrusion as well as diverse tectonic settings implies a complexity in the South Delhi Fold Belt that is not matched by the conventional and simplified view of a progression from collision and orogeny during Grenvillian times (Rodinia formation), through late orogenic events, to anorogenic, within-plate (rift-related) alkaline magmatism during Rodinia dispersal. Instead, it is envisaged that convergence and subduction during the formation of Rodinia occurred at ~1 Ga (Kishengarh nepheline syenite deformation), with a transition to continental-continental collision at ~880-840 Ma (Erinpura and Ranakpur granitoids). This was then followed by far-field Mt. Abu and MIS magmatism, related to a renewed period of subduction at ~770 Ma. The last deformatory event to affect this region was that associated with the formation of Gondwana in the late Pan-African (~510 Ma).

Uma abordagem multiproxy [n-alcanos, alquenonas, n-alcanóis, esteróis, carbono orgânico total (COT) e δ13C] foi utilizada em amostras de testemunho sedimentar de alta resolução para avaliar variações paleoclimáticas e paleoceanográficas na região da Plataforma Continental de Sudeste do Brasil ao longo do Holoceno Tardio. O modelo de idade, obtido através da análise de 14C, demonstrou que o testemunho representa os últimos 2900 anos. A partir dos marcadores, principalmente os moleculares orgânicos, foi possível observar quatro diferentes fases ao longo do testemunho, com eventos característicos de cada fase. A primeira fase, entre a base do testemunho e 1800 anos antes do presente (AP), apresentou as concentrações mais altas de marcadores moleculares terrígenos, valores mais altos de COT e da taxa de sedimentação, além de apresentar um aumento nos valores da temperatura da superfície do mar (TSM). Com isso, essa fase foi relacionada a um regime pluviométrico mais intenso no continente adjacente provavelmente relacionado ao dipolo de temperatura entre os oceanos Atlântico nordeste e sudoeste e mudanças na intensidade da Zona de Convergência do Atlântico Sul (ZCAS), influenciado principalmente pela frequência de eventos El Niño Oscilação Sul (ENOS) e deslocamento da Zona de Convergência Intertropical (ZCIT) para regiões mais ao sul. A segunda fase, entre 1800 e 1600 AP, foi associado a um período de regime hidrodinâmico mais intenso, com um meandramento mais vigoroso da Corrente do Brasil (CB), dificultando a deposição de sedimentos finos na região e causando os percentuais mais altos da fração areia nesse período. A terceira fase, entre 1600 e 600 anos AP, foi caracterizada por uma mudança do aporte regional de material terrígeno proveniente de regiões mais ao sul da área de coleta do testemunho, provavelmente Rio da Prata, e transportado pela Corrente Costeira do Brasil (CCB), indicado pela presença dos marcadores moleculares e pela diminuição da TSM. A quarta fase, entre 600 anos AP e o topo do testemunho, apresentou um aumento gradual de marcadores marinhos e diminuição mais acentuada da TSM. Esse comportamento está relacionado a intensificação dos eventos de ressurgência na região entre a Ilha de São Sebastião e Cabo Frio, causada por regimes de vento NE e pela formação de meandros da CB. Os períodos correspondentes aos eventos Medieval Climate Change e Little Ice Age não apresentaram variações dos marcadores ou da TSM no testemunho analisado. / A multiproxy approach [n-alkanes, alkenones, n-alkanols, sterols, total organic carbon (TOC) and δ13C] was used in samples of a high resolution sediment core to evaluate paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic variations in the continental shelf region of Southeastern Brazil along the Late Holocene. The age model, obtained through the 14C analysis, demonstrated that the core represents the last 2900 years. Using the markers, especially the organic molecular ones, it was possible to observe four different phases along the core, with characteristic events of each phase. The first phase, between the base of the core and 1800 years before present (BP), presented the highest concentrations of terrigenous molecular markers, the highest values of TOC and sedimentation rate, in addition to an increase in the sea surface temperature (SST) values. This phase was related to a more intense pluviometric regime in the adjacent continent, probably related to the temperature dipole between the northeast and southwest Atlantic oceans and changes in the South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ) intensity, mainly influenced by the frequency of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events and displacement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) to more southern regions. The second phase, between 1800 and 1600 BP, was associated to a more intense hydrodynamic period, with a more vigorous meander of the Brazilian Current (BC), making the deposition of fine sediments difficult in the region and causing the highest percentages of the sand fraction in this period. The third phase, between 1600 and 600 years BP, was characterized by a change in the regional supply of terrigenous material, where it would come from regions further south from the sampling core area, probably Rio de la Plata, and transported by Brazilian Coastal Current (BCC), indicated by the presence of molecular markers and decreased of SST. The fourth phase, between 600 years AP and the top of the core, showed a gradual increase of marine markers and a more pronounced decrease of SST. These results are related to the intensification of resurgence events in the region between São Sebastião Island and Cabo Frio, caused by NE wind regimes and CB meander formation. The periods corresponding to the events Medieval Climate Change and Little Ice Age did not present variations of the markers or the SST in the analyzed core.

Orientador: Otto Bismarck Fazzano Gadig / Coorientador: Debra Jean Murie / Resumo: As raias-viola (Elasmobranchii: Rhinobatiformes) são geralmente components da captura acessória da pesca multiespecífica de arrasto na região sudeste e sul do Brasil. Considerando a falta de estudos específicos sobre a estrutura etária e populacional dessas espécies há, portanto uma necessidade de pesquisas que possibilitem uma avaliação adequada da condição desses estoques. O presente avaliou a estrutura e a capacidade de crescimento populacional, dessas espécies na plataforma continental do Estado de São Paulo, utilizando para isso o estudo de idade e crescimento e a análise demográfica. Estavam disponíveis para o estudo 149 exemplares de Rhinobatos horkelli, 752 exemplares de Rhinobatos percellens e 952 exemplares de Zapteryx brevirostris. Desse total foi utilizada uma sub-amostra para realização do estudo de idade e crescimento. O melhor modelo que descreveu o crescimento das espécies foi a função do cresciemento de três parâmetros von Bertalanffy, sendo que os parâmetros estimados foram: L∞=121.71, k=0.21 e t0=-1.34 para Rhinobatos horkelli (sexo agrupado); L∞=106.99, k=0.17 e t0=-1.51 para Rhinobatos percellens (fêmea); L∞=90.69, k=0.24 e t0=-1.36 para Rhinobatos percellens (macho); L∞=60.73, k = 0.23 e t0 = -1.44 para Zapteryx brevirostris (fêmea) e L∞ = 57.88, k=0.26 e t0=-1.29 para Zapteryx brevirostris (macho). Através da análise de borda e do incremento marginal, sugere-se a formação de um par de banda (opaca e translúcida) por ano. A formação da banda translúcida deve ocorrrer entre o final do inverno até próximo do final da primavera. Cinco cenários foram avaliados para verificar a taxa intrínseca de crescimento populacional. De acordo com os resultados obtidos sob condições naturais e com a ausência da pesca a populacão de Rhinobatos horkelli pode aumentar cerca de 9% por ano, Rhinobatos percellens cerca de 10% ao ano e Zapteryx brevirostris 3.9% ao ano. Em um outro cenário com ... / Abstract: Guitarfishes (Elamobranchii, Rhinobatiformes) are usually components of the multispecific fishery as by-catch of double-rig, pair and single bottom trawls in the southeast and south of Brazil (Martins & Schwingel, 2003). Considering the lack of life history parameters on the age and population structure studies of these species there is therefore a need for research to enable a proper assessment of the condition of these stocks. We evaluated the structure and the capacity of population growth in the State of São Paulo continental shelf, using the estimated growth and demographic parameters. Were available for this study, 149 samples of Rhinobatos horkelli, 752 samples of Rhinobatos percellens and 952 samples of Zapteryx brevirostris.A sub-sample were used for the age and growth study. The best model that describes the growth of the species was the three parameters von Bertalanffy growth function. Estimated parameters were : L∞=121.71 , k =0.21, and t0 = -1.34 for Rhinobatos horkelli (grouped sex), L∞ = 106.99 , k = 0.17 and t0 = -1.51 for Rhinobatos percellens (female) , L∞ = 90.69 , k = 0:24 and t0 = -1.36 for Rhinobatos percellens (male), L∞ = 60.73 , k = 0.23 and t0 = - 1.44 to Zapteryx brevirostris (female) and L∞ = 57.88 , k = 0.26 and t0 = -1.29 for Zapteryx brevirostris (male). Centrum edge analysis and marginal increment suggests the formation of one band-pair (opaque and translucent) per year. The formation of the translucent band should occour from late winter to the end of the spring. Five scenarios were evaluated for estimated the intrinsic rate of population growth. According to the results obtained under natural mortality conditions and in the absence of fishing, population trends of Rhinobatos horkelli showed a increase about 9% per year, Rhinobatos percellens about 10% per year and Zapteryx brevirostris 3.9% per year. When were considered scenarios with the presence of fishing, all species ... / Doutor

Proxies geoquímicos (n-alcanos, alquenonas, GDGTs, δ13C, Fe/Ca e Ti/Ca), obtidos em amostras de um testemunho sedimentar, foram utilizados para avaliar as mudanças paleoclimáticas e paleoceanográficas na região da Plataforma Continental de São Sebastião ao longo do Holoceno Tardio. O modelo de idade, obtido através da análise conjunta dos métodos de 210Pb e 14C, demonstrou que testemunho aqui estudado cobre os últimos 1500 anos. A avaliação dos marcadores terrígenos permitiu a identificação das mudanças na drenagem e erosão continental, as quais estão relacionadas às alterações no regime de precipitação do continente adjacente. Variações ao longo do tempo na temperatura da superfície do mar foram relacionadas às mudanças no regime de ventos predominante, os quais são responsáveis por um aumento ou uma redução da frequência dos eventos de ressurgência. Já as mudanças nos valores de temperatura de subsuperfície foram relacionadas com a entrada e saída da Água Central do Atlântico Sul próxima às regiões costeiras, e com os processos de mistura na coluna d\'água. As variações na temperatura média do ar (TMA), por sua vez, provavelmente estiveram relacionadas com mudanças na irradiação total solar. Períodos representados pelos valores mais elevados de TMA correspondem aos períodos de máxima irradiação solar conhecidos como Máxima Medieval (1100 a 1250 DC) e Máxima Moderna (1950 - presente) e o período representado pelos menores valores de TMA coincide com o período de mínima solar conhecido como Spörer. Além disso, foi possível observar uma redução na entrada de material terrígeno para a plataforma continental durante a Anomalia Climática Medieval. Em contrapartida, o período que corresponde a Pequena Era do Gelo foi caracterizado por um aumento da contribuição terrígena. No geral, foi possível observar que o gradiente de temperatura da superfície do mar entre o Oceano Atlântico Norte e o Atlântico Sul parece desempenhar um papel importante desencadeando ou amplificando as mudanças climáticas observados nos trópicos. Este dipolo de temperatura pode ocasionar mudanças na posição da Zona de Convergência Intertropical e no regime de ventos predominantes, que por sua vez irão influenciar, direta e indiretamente, nas mudanças na circulação marinha de superfície e no regime de chuvas da região. / Geochemical proxies (n-alkanes, alkenones, GDGTs, δ13C, Fe / Ca and Ti / Ca) were used to evaluate the paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic changes in the Continental Shelf of São Sebastião during the Late Holocene. The age model, obtained through the combined analyses of 210Pb and 14C methods, indicated that the core used in this study covers the last 1500 years. Variations in the sea surface temperature may be related to changes in the prevailing winds, which in turn are responsible for an increase or reduction in the frequency of the upwelling events. Changes in subsurface temperature values can be related to the presence of the South Atlantic Central Water near the coastal regions, and the mixing processes in the water column. Changes in mean air temperature (MAT), in turn, are probably related to fluctuations in total solar radiation, since periods represented by higher values of MAT correspond to the periods of maximum solar irradiation known as Medieval (1100-1250 AD) and Modern Maximum (1950 - present). While the period represented by the lower MAT values can be linked to the solar minimum period known as Spörer. The evaluation of terrigenous markers allowed the identification of variations in the drainage and continental erosion, which in turn are related to changes in the precipitation of the adjacent continent. Furthermore, the Medieval Climate Anomaly was characterized by a decrease in the terrigenous input, while the Little Ice Age could be characterized as a period of increased terrestrial contribution. Overall, it was observed that the sea surface temperature gradient between the North Atlantic and the South Atlantic Oceans appears to play an important role in triggering or amplifying climate change observed in the tropics. This temperature dipole can cause changes in the position of the Intertropical Convergence Zone and the direction of prevailing winds, which in turn will influence, directly and indirectly, the marine circulation and the rainfall.

A fim de avaliar a influência do sistema estuarino de Santos sobre os Nematoda da plataforma continental adjacente, a densidade, composição genérica e diversidade desse grupo foram analisadas e relacionadas com o tipo de sedimento, teor de matéria orgânica e biomassa de fitopigmentos. Para isso, o sedimento foi coletado em seis estações, no inverno/2005 e verão/2006, com um amostrador do tipo box-corer, do qual foram retiradas amostras para a meiofauna com um tubo de 4,9 cm2 de área superficial e 10 cm de altura. Os Nematoda representaram mais de 95% da meiofauna, com densidades médias de 2472±1794 ind.10cm-2 no inverno/2005 e de 2606±2017 ind.10cm-2 no verão/2006. A influência do sistema estuarino de Santos restringiu-se às áreas na saída da baía de Santos e do canal de Bertioga e deu-se através do aporte de sedimentos finos e de matéria orgânica, que foi mais evidente no verão devido à maior pluviosidade. Nessas áreas foram observadas menores densidades e maior abundância de gêneros depositívoros, como Sabatieria e Terschellingia e da família Xyalidae. Nas outras estações rasas com sedimento arenoso, bem selecionado e com biomassa de clorofila-a relativamente alta, as densidades foram as mais altas e predominaram Chromadorita e Microlaimus, herbívoros/comedores de epistrato. Nas estações mais profundas, com sedimento mais finos, a densidade e diversidade foram menores e Sabatieria foi dominante. Portanto, além do sistema estuarino, a profundidade e o hidrodinamismo local, que determinam as condições sedimentares e tróficas, foram fatores importantes para as associações dos Nematoda. / To assess the influence of Santos estuarine system on the nematodes of the adjacent continental shelf, the density, composition and generic diversity of this group were analyzed and related to the sediment type, organic matter content and phytopigments biomass. The sediment was collected at six stations, in the winter of 2005 and summer of 2006, with a box-corer from which meiofauna samples were taken with a 4.9 cm2 superficial area and 10 cm height corer. Nematodes represented more than 95% of the total meiofauna, and their average densities were 2,472±1,794 ind.10cm-2 in the winter/2005 and 2,606±2,017 ind.10cm-2 in the summer/2006. The influence of Santos estuarine system was restricted to the closest areas to Santos bay and Bertioga channel and it was observed through the contribution of fine sediments and organic matter, which was more evident in the summer due to higher rainfall. In these areas, lower nematodes densities were found as higher abundance of deposit feeders genera, like Sabatieria and Terschellingia, and from the Xyalidae family. In the other shallow stations with well sorted sands and relatively high chlorophyll-a biomasses, densities were the highest and Chromadorita and Microlaimus, herbivorous/epistrate feeders, were predominant. In the deepest stations with finer sediments, the densities and diversities were the lowest and Sabatieria was dominant. Therefore, apart from the estuarine system, the depth and local hydrodynamics, which determines the sediment and trophic conditions, were important factors for the nematodes assemblages.

O presente trabalho visa avaliar a mobilidade de sedimentos na plataforma continental do Estado de São Paulo levando em conta a propagação de ondas e o tipo de sedimento. Com base no clima de ondas da região, resultante do modelo global de ondas WAVEWATCH-III, o modelo MIKE-21 (SW) foi aplicado para avaliar os processos de transformação de ondas a medida em que elas avançam sobre a plataforma continental. As ondas predominantes são as de sul com 36% e leste com 34%, variando de 1 a 2,5 metros de altura e 6 a 10 segundos de período. Esses dados formam a condição de contorno externa do modelo que fornece as informações necessárias para as estimativas de mobilidade sedimentar. Este processo foi avaliado através da aplicação de uma aproximação empírica onde a máxima velocidade orbital de fundo deve ser maior que a velocidade crítica de fundo. A altura significativa e período médio chegam a remobilizar areia fina até 40 m, areia muito fina até 45 m e silte até 60 m de profundidade. Altura máxima e período de pico, remobilizam areia fina até 60 m, areia muito fina até 80 m e silte até 90m de profundidade. / This study aims to evaluate the mobility of sediments on continental shelf of São Paulo State considering wave propagation and sediment type. Based on wave climate of the region resulting from global wave model WAVEWATCH-III, numerical model MIKE-21 (SW) was applied to evaluate wave transformation processes as they propagate over the continental shelf. Waves from south and east are predominant with 36% and 34%, respectively, wave height ranged from 1 to 2.5 meters and wave period varied between 6 and 10 seconds. These data form boundary condition of the model and provides necessary information to estimate sediment mobility. In order to evaluate this process, an empirical approach was applied, where maximum bed orbital velocity must exceed a critical bottom velocity. The significant wave height and mean period mobilize fine sand up to 40 m, very fine sand up to 45 m and silt up to 60 meters deep. Maximum height and peak period, mobilize fine sand up to 60 m, very fine sand up to 80 m and silt up to 90 meters deep.

O principal objetivo desse trabalho foi analisar a influência das condições ambientais na higidez das larvas de engraulidídeos da plataforma continental ao largo de Santos (24o49\'S - 23o49\'S e 46o55\'W - 45o24\'W). As coletas foram realizadas em dois cruzeiros oceanográficos (setembro de 2005 e março de 2006). Verificou-se diferença nas condições hidrográficas entre as duas campanhas de coletas, sendo que em setembro de 2005 houve maior influência de descarga de águas estuarinas na plataforma, enquanto em março de 2006 houve intrusão da Água Central do Atlântico Sul. As duas situações geraram estratificação vertical e favoreceram a entrada de nutrientes no sistema, o que gera enriquecimento da zona eufótica e beneficia as cadeias tróficas locais. Para avaliar a condição de higidez das larvas, foram utilizados indicadores morfológicos (relação massa-comprimento, fator de condição, altura do corpo da larva, relação entre altura da cabeça e diâmetro do olho) e bioquímicos (quantidade de proteína e relação proteína/DNA). Os indicadores apontaram melhor condição relativa, para as larvas coletadas em março de 2006, que pode ser conseqüência da ocorrência de uma intensa estratificação vertical na coluna de água e de uma maior estabilidade gravitacional em março de 2006, proporcionando maior concentração de nutrientes e ocasionando aumento na densidade e melhora na condição das populações planctônicas. / The aim of this study was to analyze influence of environmental conditions on health of engraulidid larvae of the continental shelf off Santos (24º49´S - 23º49´S e 46º55´W - 45º24´W). Samples were collected during two oceanographic cruises (September 2005 and March 2006). Differences among hydrographic conditions were verified between surveys: in September there was a major influence of the estuarine water discharge in the inner shelf, whereas in March there was an intrusion of the South Atlantic Central Water (SACW) in the region. The two conditions generated vertical stratification and improved the pelagic food web, in which fish larvae participate. Morphological (weight-length relation, condition factor, larvae body height, head height-eye diameter relation) and biochemical (protein quantity and protein/DNA relation) indicators were used to evaluate the larvae health condition. Results showed better relative condition of larvae collected in March 2006 that can be a consequence of the intense water column vertical stratification and gravitational stability in March 2006, providing higher nutrients concentration, increasing density of organisms and improving condition of planktonic populations.

Este trabalho analisou dados correntográficos, de três projetos distintos na Plataforma Continental Interna do Estado de São Paulo, além de implementar um modelo numérico, com objetivo de determinar a importância relativa das diversas forçantes que atuam na região. Foram analisados o campo de densidades, a ação dos ventos, das marés e os aportes fluviais, dos sistemas estuarinos de Santos e Cananéia, no condicionamento hidrodinâmico da Plataforma Continental Interna do Estado de São Paulo. Em todos os pontos de análise, as correntes e os ventos apresentaram frequências dominantes na banda subinercial do espectro, com coeficiente de correlação dentro do intervalo de confiança de 95%. Os resultados obtidos pelas simulações numéricas foram considerados bons, visto que apresentaram valores elevados de skill para a componente paralela à costa das correntes nas simulações de validação do modelo. Quanto às forçantes de movimentos, constatou-se que os aportes fluviais aplicados não foram suficientes para reproduzir o campo termohalino médio da região e nem as correntes associadas à estes campos. Os movimentos gerados pelos campos termohalinos são bastantes significativos para o período de verão. A forçante meteorológica gerou movimentos bastante coerentes com as observações para o período de inverno. A forçante de maré apresentou alguma contribuição para a componente perpendicular à costa, mas foi quase insignificante para a componente paralela à costa das correntes. / This work analysed current meter data of three projects in the inner Continental Shelf of Sao Paulo State. The analysis is complemented with a numerical model in order to determine the relative importance of the forcings that act in the region. It was analysed the mean density field, winds, tides and the continental fresh water discharges of the estuarine regions of Santos and Cananeia in the hydrodynamic conditioning of the Sao Paulo inner Continental Shelf. In all analysis, the winds and currents presented the dominant frequencies in the subinercial band of the spectrum, with relatively small lag correlation coefficients between currents and winds, but whitin the confidence level of 95%. The numerical simulations presented good coherence with the observations, with a high skill for the alongshore current in the validation simulations. About the forcings, the river discharges was not be able to maintain the mean thermohaline field and the currents associated to them. The mean currents generated by the thermohaline fields are quite significant for the summer period. The meteorological forcing generated movements very coherent with the observations for the winter period. The tidal forcing have some contribution in the crosshore component of the current, but was almost insignificant for the alongshore component.

A crise financeira que assolou a Ásia no ano de 1997 demonstrou que a China possuía, igualmente seus vizinhos asiáticos, problemas em sua estrutura econômica e financeira. Os chineses reagiram a esta crise implementando uma política que contemplasse a expansão de sua demanda doméstica e a formação nas próximas décadas de uma economia continental que consolidasse o poder estatal sob o território e a sociedade do país. As condições objetivas para esse enfrentamento foram criadas ao longo de 20 anos de política de Reforma e Abertura: capacidade produtiva, sistema de intermediação financeira e o efetivo controle do Estado Nacional em todos os terrenos da governança chinesa. O verificado alavancamento dos investimentos nas infra-estruturas em energia e transportes constitui, assim, meio para abrir um novo ciclo de desenvolvimento econômico com expansão considerável de sua demanda doméstica e ao mesmo tempo viabilizar a formação de uma economia continental com impactos no mundo semelhantes aos verificados no momento em que os Estados Unidos da América consolidaram seu atual território na segunda metade do século XIX. / The financial crises that desolated Asia in 1997 has demonstrated that China, by the same way of the Asiatic neighbors, had economical and financial structures problems. The Chinese government reacted to this crisis with a policy that can lead with the extension of it domestic demand and the formation on the next decades of a continental economy to consolidate the power of the State beneath the country territory and society. The objective conditions of this confrontation were created along by 20 years of policies of Reform and Opening: productive capacity, intermediary financial system and the effective control of the National State on every branch of activities of the Chinese governance. The verified uptake of investments on infrastructure of energy and transports constitutes a mean to open a new cycle of economical development and simultaneously a considerable expansion of China's domestic demands and to make possible the formation of a continental economy with similar impacts to the world as can be verified at moment in which the United States of America has consolidated it's actual territory, in the second half of 19th Century.