Field measurements and numerical modelling of the shallow coastal waters offshore in south-western Australia were used to describe changes in the water column's vertical structure and the biological response on temporal scales of the order of hours and days. A cycle of chlorophyll a concentration, primary production, and photosystem II function on a diel timescale, which was related to changes in the solar irradiance and thermal structure, was identified. The diel cycle included (1) vertically well-mixed (or weakly linear) conditions in density and chlorophyll a early in the morning, resulting from vertical mixing through penetrative overnight convection; (2) depleted chlorophyll a concentration in the surface layer during the middle of the day due to photoinhibition; (3) an increased chlorophyll a concentration in the bottom layer by late afternoon due to optimum light conditions; and (4) the formation of a chlorophyll a break point (CBP) at the thermocline, which migrated downwards with the deepening surface mixed layer. On a longer timescale (days), moored acoustic instruments were used to derive echo level (EL), which approximated suspended particulate matter (SPM). Wind events ultimately controlled SPM, a conclusion based on (1) elevated EL during high windgenerated turbulence and bed shear stress, (2) positive time-lagged correlations between wind speed and EL at three field sites with different exposures to wave action, and (3) significant negative correlations between wind speed and depth-differentiated echo level (d(EL)/dz) at all sites. Sea breezes produced a similar response in EL through the water column to a small storm event, and wind-driven SPM resuspension resulted in a reduction in the sub-surface light climate (kd). Near-bed dissolved oxygen concentrations varied in accord with elevated wind speeds, EL and kd, highlighting a possible suppression of photosynthesis. One-dimensional modelling revealed that wind stirring was most often the dominant process in these waters. It was found that for a brief period during thermal stratification there was shear production of turbulent instabilities that migrated from the thermocline to the surface and the seabed. Convective cooling was not able to mix the water column entirely overnight without the addition of wind, and minimum wind speeds were determined for this complete vertical mixing. Bottom-generated turbulence was limited to a small region above the bed, and was deemed insignificant compared with mixing generated at the surface. Minimum wind speeds required for de-stratification and prevention of stratification were determined for summer, autumn and winter. A hypothetical desalination outfall was simulated for all seasons and it was concluded that positioning of the discharge at middepth was preferable compared to at the seabed. The results of this thesis advance the current knowledge of coastal biophysical oceanography and provide new insights into the temporal dynamics of the coastal water column of south-western Australia.

Mysid shrimps (Mysidacea, Crustacea) are efficient zooplanktivores in both marine and freshwater systems as well as lipid rich prey for many species of fish.  Although some efforts have been made to study the role of mysids in the Baltic Sea, very few studies have been carried out in recent time and there are still knowledge gaps regarding various aspects of mysid ecology. This thesis aims to explore some of these gaps by covering a mixture of topics. Using multifrequency hydroacoustics we explored the possibility to separate mysids from fish echoes and successfully established a promising and effective method for obtaining mysid abundance/biomass estimates (paper I). An investigation of the current mysid community in a coastal area of the northern Baltic proper (paper II) demonstrated that the formerly dominant, pelagic mysid Mysis mixta had decreased substantially (~50%) in favor for phytoplanktivorous, juvenile Neomysis integer and Mysis relicta sp. By examining different aspects of mysid behavior, we studied the vertical size distribution of mysids in the field and found that size increased with depth/declining light, irrespective of temperature; indicating that their vertical size distribution primarily is a response to predation (paper II). In paper III, a combination of ecological and genetic markers was used to investigate intraspecific differences in migratory tendency. Both marker types indicated that some part of the Mysis salemaai population is sedentary on the bottom and that this strategy is a phenotypically plastic but persistent trait, analogous to the partial migrations seen in many birds and fishes. In paper IV a temperature and weight specific respiration model was developed for the littoral Praunus flexuosus. Routine respiration was moreover elevated by post-prandial effects (specific dynamic action) for longer times than previously suggested. Consequently, ignoring such effects could significantly bias respiration measurements. / At the time of doctoral defence the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper  2: Accepted; Paper 3: Submitted; Paper  4: Accepted

This thesis was written within the framework of a biomanipulation project where young-of-the-year (YOY) pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) were stocked to a Baltic Sea bay to improve water quality through a top-down trophic cascade. The aim of my doctorial studies was however focused on a broader ecological question, namely predation (the main driving force in a biomanipulation). Hence, this thesis consists of four papers where we study the interactions between predator and prey using fish and zooplankton and how these interactions can be measured. In paper I we evaluated the performance of different diet analysis methods by individual based modelling and found that when having a nutritional gain perspective, mass based methods described diets best. Paper II investigated how the explorative, foraging and anti-predator behaviour of the YOY pikeperch used for stocking were affected by their rearing environment (pond vs. tank rearing). The more complex and varied environment in the semi-natural ponds seemed to promote a more flexible and active behaviour, better equipping young fish for survival in the wild. For paper III we studied the diel vertical migration in the six copepodite stages of the zooplankton Acartia spp. and Eurytemora affinis in relation to fish biomass, phytoplankton abundance and temperature. Both species migrated and in addition showed increased migration range with size within species, indicating evasion from visual predators. Paper IV addressed the movement of littoral Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis) via stable isotope signatures (13C and 15N) and body condition. We found clear indications of sedentarity and intra-habitat dietary differences. Interactions between predators and prey are complex and affected by both physiological and environmental characteristics as well as behavioural traits. The results in this thesis suggest that different species and even different life stages pursue different strategies to survive. / At the time of doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 1: Submitted.  Paper 2: In press.  Paper 4: Submitted.

The seasonal and diel feeding habits of the goosander, Mergus merganser, the red-breasted merganser, M. serrator, gulls (Larus canus, L. argentatus and L. fuscusj and terns, Sterna hirundo/paradisaea were studied at 64V05'N. Birds' activity patterns were influenced by the nocturnal spawning of the river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis). Food selection and food consumption by hand-raised mergansers together with aquarium studies of the diel activity patterns of their most important prey supplemented the field data. River lamprey dominated the diet of the goosander by weight and the sculpin Cottus gobio by number. The fish consumption of the goosanders was found to be about 12% of the available river lamprey biomass and about 17% of the sculpin biomass during the breeding season. In experimental situations the river lamprey was a low- pritority species compared with salmon , Salmo salar, brown trout, 53. trutta, and minnow, Phoxinus phoxinus, when presented to satiated birds of both Mergus species. When hungry, however, the birds caught the available prey irrespective of species, but they selected larger prey when two size classes were present. Experimental results were compared with field data on availability, consumption and the escape behaviour of the various fish species. The rivers emptying in the Bothnian Bay are regarded as important feeding areas for birds breeding along the coast. In early spring they get access to abundant and reliable food resources, e.g the river lamprey. Later on the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, supply both Mergus species with food in the river and also along the coast. From the middle of June potential food supply available to birds decreases in the rivers and becomes more abundant in the coastal area. / <p>S. 1-41: sammanfattning, s. 43-227: 7 uppsatser</p> / digitalisering@umu

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:07:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ElialdoCS_TESE.pdf: 4625434 bytes, checksum: bec8d03e9004e11648c49c45f84ffe0f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-26 / Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte / The dielectric porcelain is usually obtained by mixing various raw materials proportions and is used in the production of electronic equipment for various applications, from capacitors of high and low Power to insulators for low, medium, high and extra high voltage, which are used in distribution lines and transmission of electricity.This work was directed to the s tudy of technological properties of technic porcelain, made from raw materials extracted from pegmatites found in the regions of Serid? and the Alto Oeste of Rio Grande do Norte, which are made of kaolin, quartz and feldspar, abundant and high quality in these regions. The technic ceramics were obtained by mixing in appropriate levels, kaolin, feldspar, quartz and clay, the last item from a pottery in the city of Sao Gon?alo do Amarante, Rio Grande do Norte. During the development the following characterizations correlated to raw materials were made: laser particle sizing, x-ray diffraction, DTA and TG. The compositions studied were formed by uniaxial pressing at a pressure of 50 MPa and sintered at temperatures ranging from 1150 to 1350?C and levels (times) of sintering between 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. The characterization of the samples were taken from the analysis of weight loss, linear shrinkage, porosity, stoneware curve, bulk density, flexural strength of three points, SEM and X-ray diffraction, TMA, Dielectric and cross Resistivity. The studied materials can be employed in producing the objects used in electrical engineering such as: insulators for low, medium and high-voltage electrical systems, command devices, bushing insulation for transformers, power capacitors, spark plugs, receptacles for fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs and others / A porcelana diel?trica ? normalmente obtida atrav?s da mistura de diferentes mat?rias-primas, em propor??es adequadas, sendo utilizada na produ??o de equipamentos eletroeletr?nicos de diversas aplica??es, desde capacitores de alta e baixa pot?ncia, a isoladores para baixa, m?dia, alta e extra alta tens?o, que s?o utilizados em linhas de distribui??o e transmiss?o de energia el?trica. Neste trabalho, s?o estudadas as propriedades tecnol?gicas de uma porcelana diel?trica, formulada a partir de mat?rias-primas obtidas de pegmatitos encontrados nas regi?es do Serid? e do Alto Oeste do Rio Grande do Norte, sendo estas constitu?das de caulim, quartzo e feldspato, abundantes e de alta qualidade nestas regi?es, e de uma argila proveniente de uma cer?mica situada no munic?pio de S?o Gon?alo do Amarante, tamb?m no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte. As mat?rias-primas foram caracterizadas atrav?s de: granulometria a laser, difra??o de raios X, an?lise t?rmica diferencial e an?lise termogravim?trica. As amostras foram conformadas por prensagem uniaxial a uma press?o de 50 MPa, e sinterizadas ?s temperaturas de 1150, 1200, 1250, 1300 e 1350 ?C, com patamares de sinteriza??o de 30, 60, 90 e 120 minutos. Os ensaios tecnol?gicos realizados foram: an?lise da perda de massa, retra??o linear, porosidade, curva de gressifica??o, microscopia eletr?nica de varredura, difra??o de raios X, dilatometria, rigidez diel?trica, resistividade transversal e permissividade diel?trica. Os melhores valores de propriedades foram obtidos na temperatura de 1250 ?C, para as composi??es estudadas, n?o sofrendo varia??es significativas em seu comportamento com o tempo de sinteriza??o. Os materiais estudados podem ser empregados na obten??o de objetos usados em eletrot?cnica como por exemplo: isoladores de baixa, m?dia e alta-tens?o para redes el?tricas, dispositivos de comando, bucha de isolamento de transformador, capacitores de pot?ncia, vela de igni??o, recept?culos de l?mpadas incandescentes e fluorescentes e outros

Cette thèse porte sur l'étude d'un diélectrique de type ferroélectrique pour une application aux transistors organiques. La configuration adoptée est de type bottom-gate top- contact. Le matériau semi-conducteur utilisé est un transporteur d'électrons. Dans la première partie de ce projet, nous avons réalisé des transistors organiques à effet de champ (OFETs) avec une couche de PMMA comme diélectrique de grille. Ce matériau, très étudié et connu, permet d'avoir un composant servant de référence. Nous avons également mené une étude sur la longueur de canal, la vitesse de dépôt du semi-conducteur organique et l'épaisseur du diélectrique, en vue d'en déduire l'influence de ces grandeurs sur les performances électriques des OFETs. Après l'optimisation de ces paramètres, nous avons démontré une amélioration de la mobilité des porteurs, une augmentation du rapport Ion/Ioff, une amélioration de la capacité et une diminution des tensions d'alimentation et de seuil. Ces résultats ont été interprétés à l'aide de caractérisations électriques. Dans un second temps, le diélectrique ferroélectrique poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) a été ajouté au composant, afin de réaliser un diélectrique hybride avec le PMMA. Ce dernier permet de combiner les avantages de la haute permittivité relative du P(VDF-TrFE), et de la faible rugosité du film de PMMA en contact avec le semiconducteur. Une étude comparative a été effectuée avec les transistors de référence. Il en ressort, pour une épaisseur identique de diélectrique, une diminution des tensions d'alimentation et de seuil, et une amélioration de la mobilité des charges avec l'OFET implémentant le matériau ferroélectrique. La discussion de ces résultats est appuyée par des caractérisations électriques et morphologiques. / This thesis deals with the study of a ferroelectric material as gate dielectric for organic transistor applications. The configuration adopted is bottom-gate top-contact. The semiconductor used is an electron transport material. In a first part, we made organic field effect transistors (OFETs) with a layer of PMMA as a gate dielectric. This material, very studied and well known, serves as reference. We also carried out a study on the channel length, the organic semiconductor deposition rate and the dielectric thickness, in order to deduce the impact of these parameters on OFETs performances. After optimization, we have demonstrated an improvement of the mobility, on/off current ratio, capacitance and a reduction of supply and threshold voltages. These results have been interpreted using electrical characterizations. In a second step, the poly (vinylidenefluoride-co- trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) ferroelectric material was added to provide a hybrid dielectric with PMMA. This OFET combine the advantages of high permittivity of P(VDF-TrFE) and low roughness of PMMA. A comparative study was carried out with reference transistors. For same dielectric thickness, a reduction of the supply and threshold voltages and an improvement of the mobility is obtained for the OFET implementing ferroelectric material. The discussion of these results is supported by electrical and morphological characterizations.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:26:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 GIRON_Aline_Karen_Santana_2013.pdf: 2858732 bytes, checksum: 4ad23866f7e01480263dd620fcc75074 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-24 / The present study aimed to analyse the Itupararanga reservoir zooplankton community in relation to diel and seasonal variation and vertical migration of the organisms in the water column and verify if there are patterns of variation. For this two samples were performed in the reservoir in 2011: in February, rainy period and in july, dry period. The collections were performed in diel cycle (every four hours), in three different layers of the water column (surface, middle and bottom) and in two environments of the reservoir (dam and central body). Stratification in the water column was observed for both environments and both periods. 25 species of the mesozooplankton were identified. Chaoborus larvae were more abundant in February in relation to july and the opposite was observed for cladocerans and copepods. Among the copepods, dominance of juvenile stages (nauplii and copepodites) was observed in both environments and periods. Among the adults of copepods the specie more abundant was Notodiaptomus deitersi (1.298 org.m3) and among the cladocerans was Bosmina freyi (32.282 org.m3). The peak of the total density of the zooplankton community occurred during the dry period in the dam environment with 81.211 org.m3. Chaoborus exercised predation pressure on microcrustaceans during the rainy period. During the dry period, in the absence of Chaoborus in the water column, cladocerans and copepods were more ecologically successful. For all of the groups was observed the usual pattern of vertical migration; reverse migration was not observed. Despite predation pressure, the microcrustaceans not altered their vertical distribution for decrease special overlap with Chaoborus. For all of the groups the migration pattern adopted seems a result of escape from predators and search for good food resources. / O presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a comunidade zooplanctônica do reservatório de Itupararanga com relação à variação nictemeral, sazonal e migração vertical dos organismos na coluna de água e verificar a existência de padrões de variação. Para isto foram realizadas duas coletas no reservatório no ano de 2011: em fevereiro, período chuvoso e em julho, período seco. As coletas foram realizadas no ciclo nictemeral (de 4 em 4 horas), em três diferentes estratos da coluna de água (superfície, meio e fundo) e em dois pontos do reservatório (barragem e corpo central). Foi observada estratificação na coluna de água para ambos os pontos e em ambos os meses. Foram identificadas 25 espécies do mesozooplâncton. Larvas de Chaoborus spp. foram mais abundantes em fevereiro com relação a julho sendo o contrário observado para Cladocera e Copepoda. Entre os Copepoda observou-se dominância dos estágios juvenis (náuplios e copepoditos) para ambos os pontos e em ambos os períodos. Entre os adultos a espécie de Copepoda mais abundante foi Notodiaptomus deitersi (1.298 org.m3) e entre os Cladocera a espécie mais abundante foi Bosmina freyi (32.282 org.m3). O pico de densidade total da comunidade zooplanctônica ocorreu durante o período seco no ponto da barragem com 81.211 org.m3. Chaoborus exerceu pressão de predação sobre os microcrustáceos durante o período chuvoso. Durante o seco, na ausência de Chaoborus na coluna de água, foi observado maior sucesso ecológico para Cladocera e Copepoda. Para todos os grupos foi observado o padrão comum de migração vertical; migração reversa não foi observada. Apesar da pressão de predação, os microcrustáceos não ajustaram sua distribuição vertical de forma a diminuir a sobreposição espacial com Chaoborus. Para todos os grupos considerados o padrão de migração adotado parece ter sido resultado da fuga de predadores e busca por boas condições alimentares.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:58:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 IvanAS_DISSERT.pdf: 2705711 bytes, checksum: 6ce27c30f3560c2a25149045f4d7bb71 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-21 / The plasma produced by Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) is a promising technique for producing plasma in atmospheric pressure and has been highlighted in several areas, especially in biomedical and textile industry, this is due to the fact that the plasma generated by DBD not reaches high temperatures, enabling use it for thermally sensitive materials. But still it is necessary the development of research related to understanding of the chemical, physical and biological interaction between the non-thermal plasma at atmospheric pressure with cells, tissues, organs and organisms. This work proposes to develop equipment DBD and characterize it in order to obtain a better understanding of the process parameters of plasma production and how it behaves under the parameters adopted in the process, such as distance, frequency and voltage applied between electrodes. For this purpose two techniques were used to characterize distinct from each other. The first was the method of Lissajous figures, this technique is quite effective and accurately for complete electrical characterization equipment DBD. The second technique used was Optical Emission Spectroscopy (EEO) very effective tool for the diagnosis of plasma with it being possible to identify the excited species present in the plasma produced. Finally comparing the data obtained by the two techniques was possible to identify a set of parameters that optimize the production when combined DBD plasma atmosphere in the equipment was built precisely in this condition 0.5mm-15kV 600Hz, giving way for further work / O plasma produzido por Descarga em Barreira Diel?trica (DBD) ? uma promissora t?cnica de produ??o de plasma em press?o atmosf?rica e vem se destacando em diversas ?reas, principalmente na biom?dica e ind?stria t?xtil, isso se deve ao fato de que o plasma gerado por DBD n?o atinge grandes temperaturas, possibilitando utiliz?-lo em materiais termicamente sens?veis. Por?m, ainda faz-se necess?rio o desenvolvimento de pesquisas relacionadas ao dom?nio e compreens?o dos mecanismos qu?micos, f?sicos e biol?gicos da intera??o entre o plasma n?o t?rmico ? press?o atmosf?rica com c?lulas, tecidos, ?rg?os e microrganismos. O presente trabalho se prop?s a desenvolver um equipamento DBD e caracteriz?-lo para assim obter um maior conhecimento dos par?metros do processo de produ??o de plasma e de como este se comporta mediante os par?metros adotados no processo, tais como dist?ncia, frequ?ncia e voltagem aplicada entre eletrodos. Para este fim foram utilizadas duas t?cnicas de caracteriza??o bem distintas entre si. A primeira foi o m?todo das figuras de Lissajous, essa t?cnica ? bastante eficaz e precisa para uma completa caracteriza??o el?trica de equipamentos DBD. A segunda t?cnica usada foi Espectroscopia de Emiss?o ?ptica (EEO) uma ferramenta bastante eficaz para o diagn?stico de plasma sendo poss?vel com ela identificar as esp?cies excitadas presentes no plasma produzido. Por fim confrontando os dados obtidos mediante as duas t?cnicas foi poss?vel identificar um conjunto de par?metros que quando associados aperfei?oam a produ??o do plasma DBD atmosf?rico no equipamento constru?do isso ocorreu mais precisamente na condi??o 0,5mm-600Hz-15kV, dando rumo para trabalhos futuros

Inshore tropical and subtropical estuaries harbor a relatively high abundance and diversity of organisms. Specifically within estuaries, mangrove and seagrass habitats provide shelter and food for a plethora of organisms, through some or all their life histories. Given the biological connection between offshore coral reefs and coastal estuaries, there is a critical need to understand the underlying processes that determine distribution and abundance patterns within mangrove-seagrass habitats. The predatory fish assemblage within the mangrove and seagrass beds of Biscayne Bay, Florida (USA), was examined over 24-hr. time periods along a distance and habitat gradient from the mangrove edge and nearshore environment (0–300 m) to farshore (301–700 m) seagrass beds. This thesis also investigated the occurrence, distribution and timing of reef fish movement between offshore coral reef habitat and inshore seagrass beds over 24-hr periods. Results indicate that fish predators differed over both the sampling period and with distance from mangrove edge. The results also demonstrated reef fishes move into Biscayne Bay at dusk and exit at dawn by utilizing Broad Creek Channel as a passageway. This work supports the idea of diel migration of selected reef fishes to inshore seagrass beds and highlights the importance of connective channels between habitats. The results suggest that the degradation or loss of seagrass habitat could differentially impact the life-history stages of reef fish species.

Unregulated North Swedish rivers show large seasonal variations in their physical characteristics. During winter the whole littoral zone freezes solid, and in spring the water flow increases rapidly and the same areas become flooded. The two mayflies Parameletus chelifer and P. minor are common in the North Swedish river Vindelälven. They probably pass through a dormant egg stage in its mid-stream section. The first tiny nymphs appeared in January to March, but they did not become abundant until the ice broke up in May. At this time they migrated rapidly to the flooded upper littoral, some continuing into the tributaries. During  the migration phase, both species used chemoreception to orient themselves towards the flooded areas. The shoreward migration allowed the nymphs to avoid high current velocity, and to utilize unexploited food resources. The two species differed with respect to utilization of the upper littoral. Most Parameletus chelifer nymphs colo­nized a seasonal stream, while the P. minor nymphs were equally abundant at the river margin as in a seasonal stream. Both temperature and food quality differed between the river margin and the seasonal stream. Compared to P. minor specimens, those of Parameletus chelifer showed a somewhat higher optimum tempe­rature, and they gained advantage of the higher food quality observed in the seasonal stream. Parameletus chelifer specimens colonizing a seasonal stream had higher growth rate, higher fecundity, and probably also advanced emergence as well as larger adult size compared with those remaining at the river margin. In addition mortality from fish predation may be lowered by utilizing shallow seasonal streams. Specimens of P. minor had higher growth rate, larger adult size and advanced emergence in the seasonal stream compared with those at the river margin. Nevertheless, fecundity was equal in both habitats and the mortality caused by predation seemed almost similar in both habitats. In most years Parameletus chelifer specimens utilizing the seasonal stream thus obtain a higher fitness than those utilizing the river margin. In P. minor this diffe­rence was not so pronounced. However, due to mortality risks caused by an early desiccation of the seasonal stream, the long-term reproductive output of the two species probably varies irregularly in the two habitats. / digitalisering@umu