Diatoms are a large and diverse group of algae which are distributed throughout the world in all types of aquatic systems and are one of the most important food resources in freshwater ecosystems. The need to sample diatoms arises from the necessity to know the history of the water quality. Diatom communities reflect the overall ecological integrity by integrating various stressors and as result provides a broad measure of their impacts. They are recognized as valuable organisms for bio assessment, due to their ease of identification, rapid life cycle and their visibility to the naked eye. Diatom communities provide interpretable indications of specific changes in the water quality Environmental gradients and assemblage composition in the Mnweni River catchment revealed that water chemistry, habitat structure, flow type and land use were the most important environmental factors for diatom assemblage composition in the Mnweni River. The results indicates that the diatom diversity and assemblage composition in the Mnweni River shows that changes in the water chemistry as well as organic pollution, but also indicate changes in the habitat character which is related to the water flow, river bank character and catchment land use. The diatom assemblages that were found at the sites are typical of clean or mildly enriched water conditions. The changing salinity in St. Lucia is the main physical factor that is driving the constant change in ecological conditions within the estuary. The changes in the diatom community structure in the estuarine system indicate the variable nature of the benthic communities under different salinity conditions. Contrary to the drought conditions that are being experienced, the diatom biomass did not show any significant changes or differences. This may be due to the rapid recovery ability that diatom communities exhibit in response to changes that are occurring in their environment. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

Heavy metal pollutants enter watersheds because of deforestation, industrialization, and farming practices. Much research has been done on the Rio Tarcoles watershed, which includes Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose, but much less has been performed on the Rio Parrita watershed, which lies adjacently South of the Tarcoles. This study aimed to examine the presence of metal pollutants in the Rio Parrita watershed and its possible implications on the wildlife that rely on it. Water and sediment samples were collected during the rainy season at the mouth of the Rio Tarcoles (high pollution control), Quebrada Terciopelo (low pollution control), and Rio Parrita watersheds and analyzed using ICP-MS to determine the concentrations of metallic elements along with the water’s pH and total dissolved solids (TDS). Statistical tests were used to analyze the differences in the availability of select metals in water and sediments that were frequently examined in relevant literature (Al, Fe, U, Cd, Tl, V, Ni, Cr). GIS maps were examined to delineate the watersheds and examine population densities in the Rio Parrita and Rio Tarcoles watersheds. Rio Parrita had significantly greater concentrations of Ni and Cr than either control river (p

Rivers all around the world have become increasingly polluted with heavy metals, largely due to industrialization and urbanization. Organisms exposed to high concentrations of heavy metals have shown evidence of biotoxicity and physical deformities. With biomagnification in mind, the possibility that this contamination may soon directly affect humans is a real concern, and policies in manufacturing industries worldwide may have to be reformed. In this study, we measured the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) in the Hatillo River and compared these values to those measured in the Tarcoles River, a highly polluted river, and Terciopelo Creek, a relatively clean river. The results showed that the Hatillo River had significantly lower levels of most detected heavy metals than both the Tarcoles and Terciopelo. Overall, sediments in all rivers showed high levels of heavy metal content--especially in chromium, copper, nickel, and lead--which could build up and affect organisms over a long period of time.

Pollution from industrial sources, such as leather tanneries, jewelry factories, car batteries, and construction refuse, has been linked to increased concentrations of toxic heavy metals in rivers in Costa Rica. This study focused on the concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, and lead in sediment and water in Rio Baru, Costa Rica, which has not been previously studied. The concentrations in Rio Baru were compared to two controls and the Environmental Protection Agency toxicity limits to determine pollution levels. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was utilized to determine the concentrations of heavy metals in water and sediment samples from Rio Baru, Terciopelo, and Rio Tarcoles. Watershed analysis for Rio Baru was expected to reveal mostly agricultural sources of contaminants. Rio Baru was predicted to have levels of inorganic heavy metals between Rio Tarcoles and Terciopelo, with Tarcoles containing the highest levels. As, Cr, and Ni in Rio Baru were between unpolluted levels in Terciopelo and polluted levels in Rio Tarcoles, but Rio Baru had lower concentrations of Cu and Pb than both Rio Tarcoles and Terciopelo. Analysis of watersheds determined that Rio Baru’s watershed contained intermediate ratios of human development and agricultural sources of pollution. Further comparisons of watershed size with total dissolved sediment levels found a positive linear relationship, indicating a portion of differences in heavy metal concentrations were due to watershed sizes. Concentrations of heavy metals in Rio Baru’s water were below toxic limits for drinking water and placed Rio Baru within “good” sediment levels for As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb. As geochemistry and proximity to industrial sources was not accounted for in methodology, further research would be necessary for determination of natural concentrations of heavy metals in Rio Baru.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Victoria University (Melbourne, Vic.), 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Technische Universität, Darmstadt, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [281]-297).

Thesis (M.B.Sc.)--Victoria University of Wellington, 2010. / Accompanying disc (on p. 371) contains: Appendix K: NZ ALI -- Working examples: NZ ALI for existing buildings ; NZ ALI for existing buildings. Includes bibliographical references.

O objetivo geral da dissertação é avaliar a sustentabilidade, no Tempo 2, de seis agroecossistemas hortícolas familiares, com base na produção agroecológica, da microrregião de Pato Branco – PR, para comparar com os resultados do Tempo 1. A revisão teórica contextualiza a evolução histórica e a modernização na agricultura e o processo histórico da sustentabilidade, além de seu conceito e da noção de desenvolvimento sustentável notória nos mais diversos meios da atualidade. Apresenta reflexões relacionadas ao conceito, características e a importância da Agricultura Sustentável e seus enfoques: Agricultura Familiar e Agroecologia. Descreve sobre o processo de avaliação da sustentabilidade com abordagem das metodologias e de seus instrumentos. A proposta MESMIS (Marco para a Avaliação de Sistemas de Manejo de Recursos Naturais Incorporando Indicadores de Sustentabilidade) caracteriza o roteiro metodológico para a realização da pesquisa e a aplicação de suas etapas, no Tempo 2, fundamenta-se em um estudo de caso e em consultas documentais da avaliação dos agroecossistemas no Tempo 1. Dessa forma, avaliam-se os níveis de sustentabilidade através de uma nova caracterização; da redefinição dos pontos que fortalecem ou limitam as atividades; da reestruturação dos indicadores estratégicos; da mensuração e do monitoramento e da apresentação integrada dos resultados, nas quais se compara os resultados dos dois tempos; e com conclusões e recomendações em concordância com os resultados obtidos no segundo período e na sua comparação com os resultados do monitoramento anterior. Conclui se que, os índices de sustentabilidade do Tempo 1 para o Tempo 2, mantiveram-se entre regular e desejável e as recomendações e orientações quanto aos indicadores visam a melhoria nos níveis de sustentabilidade no transcorrer do tempo. / The general goal of this dissertation is to evaluate the sustainability, at Time 2, of six family vegetable agroecosystems, based on agroecological production, of the microregion of Pato Branco - PR, to compare with the results from Time 1. The theoretical review contextualizes the historical evolution and modernization in agriculture and the historical process of sustainability, besides its concept and the notion of sustainable development notorious in many meansof the actuality. Presents related reflexing to the concept, characteristics and importance of the Sustainable Agriculture and its approaches: Family Agriculture and Agroecology. Describes about sustainability evaluation process with approach of the methodologies and its instruments. The proposal MESMIS (Management evaluation systems mark of the incorporated natural resources of the sustainability indicators) characterizes the methodological guide for the research and application of its steps, at Time 2, is based on a case study and documentary consultations of the evaluation of agroecosystems at Time 1. This way, we evaluate the levels of sustainability through a new characterization, the redefinition of the points that strengthen or limit the activities; restructuring of strategic indicators, measurement and monitoring and integrated presentation of the results, in which we compare the results of the two times, and with conclusions and recommendations in accordance with the obtained results in the second period and comparing with the results of the previous monitoring. We concluded that the sustainability indexes of Time 1 to the Time 2 maintained between fair and desirable and the recommendations and orientation on indicators intents at improving the levels of sustainability in the elapse of time.

Submitted by Raniere Barreto (raniere.barros@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2018-04-13T18:12:37Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) gerson_lucas_alves_martins.pdf: 4707935 bytes, checksum: 114ff3651605b976177f3a5469d75bd4 (MD5) / Rejected by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br), reason: verificar refer?ncia, keywords e agencia financiadora. on 2018-04-20T15:02:06Z (GMT) / Submitted by Raniere Barreto (raniere.barros@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2018-05-15T18:55:50Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) gerson_lucas_alves_martins.pdf: 4707935 bytes, checksum: 114ff3651605b976177f3a5469d75bd4 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Rodrigo Martins Cruz (rodrigo.cruz@ufvjm.edu.br) on 2018-05-15T19:45:27Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) gerson_lucas_alves_martins.pdf: 4707935 bytes, checksum: 114ff3651605b976177f3a5469d75bd4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-15T19:45:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) gerson_lucas_alves_martins.pdf: 4707935 bytes, checksum: 114ff3651605b976177f3a5469d75bd4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016 / A disponibilidade de ?gua e a sua devida qualidade configuram como fatores essenciais ao desenvolvimento humano, e, por isso, a avalia??o da qualidade da ?gua representa, dentre outras, uma ferramenta eficiente para a gest?o dos recursos h?dricos. O rio Set?bal ? o ?nico rio perene no munic?pio de Jenipapo de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brasil. A constru??o da barragem de Set?bal no munic?pio foi um empreendimento que visou a garantir a perenidade do rio Set?bal e, consequentemente, promover o desenvolvimento socioecon?mico atrav?s do uso da ?gua para a agricultura irrigada. A quantidade de ?gua por si s? n?o ? suficiente para promover o desenvolvimento, ? preciso, ainda, que a ?gua disponibilizada seja garantida com a devida qualidade. Assim, este trabalho objetivou caracterizar a qualidade da ?gua do rio Set?bal utilizando o ?ndice de Qualidade da ?gua (IQA) e os padr?es estabelecidos na Resolu??o do CONAMA 357/2005, bem como analisar os efeitos socioecon?micos decorrentes da maior disponibilidade de recursos h?dricos a partir da constru??o da barragem de Set?bal, no Munic?pio de Jenipapo de Minas - MG. Os dados que atestam um poss?vel desenvolvimento socioecon?mico no munic?pio foram coletados em ?rg?os p?bicos. Para a caracteriza??o da qualidade da ?gua, seis amostras foram coletadas entre junho de 2015 a junho de 2016, em pontos estrat?gicos, sendo analisados os par?metros: potencial hidrogeni?nico (pH), oxig?nio dissolvido (OD), temperatura, demanda bioqu?mica de oxig?nio (DBO), nitrato (NO3-), f?sforo (PO4-3), cloretos, turbidez, s?lidos totais, ferro total, coliformes totais e Escherichia coli. O IQA foi calculado a partir da metodologia proposta pelo Instituo Mineiro de Gest?o das ?guas IGAM. Dos resultados obtidos, concluiu-se que a maior disponibilidade de recursos h?dricos tem fomentado o desenvolvimento da agricultura irrigada com o aumento do n?mero de projetos de irriga??o e a produtividade agr?cola. A ?gua do rio Set?bal, nos pontos de amostragem, apresentou um IQA predominantemente de n?vel m?dio, por?m com algumas vari?veis em desconformidade com a Resolu??o do CONAMA 357/2005, como elevadas concentra??es de ferro e de turbidez, fazendo com que as duas esta??es amostrais ficassem em desacordo com o enquadramento do rio que ? de Classe 2. / Disserta??o (Mestrado Profissional) ? Programa de P?s-Gradua??o em Tecnologia, Sa?de e Sociedade, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, 2016. / The water availability and its due quality sets essential factor to the human development, and, therefore, the evaluation of the water quality represents, amongst others, a efficient tool to water resources management. Set?bal river is the only perennial river in the Jenipapo de Minas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The construction of Setubal Dam in the county was an enterprise that aimed to maintain the Setubal River?s perennial, and, consequently promote the socioeconomic development through the usage of the water for irrigated agriculture. The water quantity by its own, it is not enough to promote development, it must, also, the available water be guarantee with a due quality. Thereby, this work had as objective to characterize Set?bal river waters quality, using the Quality Index Water (QIW) and the patterns settled down in the CONAMA?s 351/2005 Resolution, as well, analyze the socioeconomic effects from the increased availability of water sources from the construction of Set?bal Dam, in the Jenipapo de Minas - MG. The data that shows a possible socioeconomic development in the county was collected in public agencies. To characterize water quality, six samples were collected between 2015 June and 2016 June, in strategic spots, with these parameters being analyzed: hydrogen potential (Hp), Dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nitrate (NO3-), phosphor (PO4-3), chlorides, turbidity, total solids, total iron, total coliforms and Escherichia coli. The QIW was calculated from the methodology proposed by Instituto Mineiro de Gest?o das ?guas (IGAM). According to the results, it is concluded that the increased availability of water resources has fostered the development of irrigated agriculture with the raise in the numbers of irrigation projects and the agricultural productivity. Set?bal river water, in the sampling points, presented a QIW predominantly middle level, but with some variables in disagreement with the CONAMA?s 351/2005 Resolution, like high iron and turbidity concentrations, what put that two sampling stations in disagreement with the river framework, which is Class 2.

Submitted by Maike Costa (maiksebas@gmail.com) on 2016-01-06T14:43:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 7277736 bytes, checksum: 5ff25964dd64c960bf96c46026077cfe (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-06T14:43:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 7277736 bytes, checksum: 5ff25964dd64c960bf96c46026077cfe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-13 / The catchment areas of coastal southern state of Paraiba are considered essential, because them are the main sources that are used to supply the metropolitan region of João Pessoa, in the basins of rivers Marés, Mumbaba and Gramame and Mamuaba. Four more captations of streams in the basin of Abiaí-Papocas river were planned, further south, by the Water and Sewerage Company of the State of Paraíba aimed at expanding the supply system that is in operation. These watersheds are located in the meso-regions of Paraíba and Pernambuco Forest, where agriculture, especially the cultivation of sugarcane is the most significant among land uses.. It is desirable that these watersheds, that contributes to the sources of water, presents the best conditions for soil properties and their use in order to maintain the water production capacity and your quality. The analysis of the vulnerability of basins considering the threats arising from the anthropism, it is essential in view of the range of these threats posed mainly by inappropriate land use. Recognizing the importance of conducting diagnostic studies on environmental conditions watershed relating to land use, including the properties of the soil, this research is proposed to build and apply a system of indicators that spatially represents various levels of vulnerability. The proposed system for evaluation of vulnerability watershed, based on use indicators and properties of the soil (SAVIUS), covers the amount of forested areas, riparian forests of the rivers, amount of urban areas and indicators that add more than one variable as the propensity to risk to loss of soil and occurrence of conflicts. A vulnerability rating scale was set to values ranging from zero to one, composed of five classes ranging from very low to very high. The analysis resulting from the application of the proposed system of indicators of vulnerability to the studied basins pointed a percentage of vulnerability High and Very High in 41.66% of the calculated indicators. On the other hand, the percentage of 30.56% of the basins indicators was reached under the classification of vulnerability Low or Very Low. The vulnerability ranked as Average reached the percentage of 27.78%. The results from the applications made for the seven river basins demonstrates the possibilities of the system which is designed to support managers in the process of knowledge of the environmental conditions in the watershed and in the monitoring and implementation of land management programs. / As bacias hidrográficas da zona costeira Sul do estado da Paraíba são consideradas essenciais, pois nelas se encontram os principais mananciais utilizados para o abastecimento da Região Metropolitana de João Pessoa, nas bacias dos rios Marés, Mumbaba e Gramame e Mamuaba. Mais ao sul foram planejadas mais quatro captações de cursos d’água na bacia do rio Abiaí-Papocas pela Companhia de Água e Esgotos do Estado da Paraíba, visando a ampliação do sistema de abastecimento em operação. Essas bacias hidrográficas localizam-se nas mesorregiões da Mata Paraibana e Pernambucana, onde a agricultura, principalmente a cultura da cana-de-açúcar, é a mais expressiva entre os usos do solo. É desejável que essas bacias hidrográficas contribuintes aos mananciais apresentem as melhores condições relativas às propriedades do solo e do seu uso, no sentido de manter a capacidade de produção hídrica e a qualidade das águas. A análise da vulnerabilidade das bacias considerando as ameaças advindas do antropismo, torna-se indispensável haja vista o leque dessas ameaças representadas principalmente pelo uso inadequado do solo. Reconhecendo a importância de se realizar estudos diagnósticos sobre as condições ambientais de bacias hidrográficas relativas ao uso do solo, incluindo suas propriedades, nessa pesquisa é proposta a construção e aplicação de um sistema de indicadores que represente espacialmente os diversos níveis de vulnerabilidade. O Sistema para Avaliação da Vulnerabilidade de bacias hidrográficas com base em Indicadores de Uso e propriedades do Solo (SAVIUS), proposto nesta pesquisa, abrange a quantidade de áreas florestadas, áreas de matas ciliares dos rios; quantidade de áreas urbanas e indicadores que agregam mais de uma variável como a propensão ao risco à perda de solo e de ocorrência de conflitos de uso. Definiu-se uma escala de classificação da vulnerabilidade com valores variando de zero a um composta por cinco classes que variam de Muito Baixa a Muito Elevada. A análise resultante da aplicação do sistema proposto de indicadores de vulnerabilidade às bacias contribuintes aos mananciais estudados apontou um percentual de vulnerabilidade Elevada e Muito Elevada em 41,66% dos indicadores calculados. Por outro lado, foi atingido o percentual de 30,56% dos indicadores das bacias com a classificação vulnerabilidade Baixa ou Muito Baixa. A vulnerabilidade classificada como Média atingiu o percentual de 27,78 %. Os resultados das aplicações realizadas para as sete bacias demonstram as possibilidades do sistema que se destina a apoiar os gestores no processo de conhecimento das condições ambientais das bacias hidrográficas e no monitoramento e implementação de programas de gestão do território.