An accurate model for RO process has significant importance in the simulation and optimization proposes. A steady state model of RO process is developed based on solution diffusion theory to describe the permeation through membrane and thin film approach is used to describe the concentration polarization. The model is validated against the operation data reported in the literature. For the sake of clear understanding of the interaction of feed temperature and salinity on the design and operation of RO based desalination systems, simultaneous optimization of design and operation of RO network is investigated based on two-stage RO superstructure via MINLP approach. Different cases with several feed concentrations and seasonal variation of seawater temperature are presented. Also, the possibility of flexible scheduling in terms of the number of membrane modules required in operation in high and low temperature seasons is investigated A simultaneous modelling and optimization method for RO system including boron removal is then presented. A superstructure of the RO network is developed based on double pass RO network (two-stage seawater pass and one-stage brackish water pass). The MINLP problem based on the superstructure is used to find out an optimal RO network which will minimize the total annualized cost while fulfilling a given boron content limit. The effect of pH on boron rejection is investigated at deferent seawater temperatures. The optimal operation policy of RO system is then studied in this work considering variations in freshwater demand and with changing seawater temperature throughout the day. A storage tank is added to the RO layout to provide additional operational flexibility and to ensure the availability of freshwater at all times. Two optimization problems are solved incorporating two seawater temperature profiles, representing summer and winter seasons. The possibility of flexible scheduling of cleaning and maintenance of membrane modules is investigated. Then, the optimal design and operation of RO process is studied in the presence of membrane fouling and including several operational variations such as variable seawater temperature. The cleaning schedule of single stage RO process is formulated as MINLP problem using spiral wound modules. NNs based correlation has been developed based on the actual fouling data which can be used for estimating the permeability decline factors. The correlation based on actual data to predict the annual seawater temperature profile is also incorporated in the model. The proposed optimization procedure identified simultaneously the optimal maintenance schedule of RO network including its design parameters and operating policy. The steady state model of RO process is used to study the sensitivity of different operating and design parameters on the plant performance. A non-linear optimization problem is formulated to minimize specific energy consumption at fixed product flow rate and quality while optimizing the design and operating parameters. Then the MINLP formulation is used to find the optimal designs of RO layout for brackish water desalination. A variable fouling profile along the membrane stages is introduced to see how the network design and operation of the RO system are to be adjusted Finally, a preliminary control strategy for RO process is developed based on PID control algorithm and a first order transfer function (presented in the Appendix).

Cyanobacteria blooms have increased in Lake Champlain due to excessive nutrient loading, resulting in negative impacts on the local economy and environmental health. While climate warming is expected to promote increasingly severe cyanobacteria blooms globally, predicting the impacts of complex climate changes on individual lakes is complicated by the many physical, chemical, and biological processes which mediate nutrient dynamics and cyanobacteria growth across time and space. Furthermore, processes influencing bloom development operate on a variety of temporal scales (hourly, daily, seasonal, decadal, episodic), making it difficult to identify important factors controlling bloom development using traditional methods or coarse temporal resolution datasets. To resolve these inherent problems of scale, I use 4 years of high-frequency biological, hydrodynamic, and biogeochemical data from Missisquoi Bay, Lake Champlain; 23 years of lake-wide monitoring data; and integrated process-based climate-watershed-lake models driven by regional climate projections to answer the following research questions: 1) To what extent do external nutrient inputs or internal nutrient processing control nutrient concentrations and cyanobacteria blooms in Lake Champlain; 2) how do internal and external nutrient inputs interact with meteorological drivers to promote or suppress bloom development; and 3) how is climate change likely to impact these drivers and the risk of cyanobacteria blooms in the future? I find that cyanobacteria blooms are driven by specific combinations of meteorological and biogeochemical conditions in different areas of the lake, and that in the absence of strong management actions cyanobacteria blooms are likely to become more severe in the future due to climate change.

Este trabalho tem como objetivos estudar a variabilidade das propriedades hidrográficas e da circulação durante ciclos completos de maré, classificar o sistema estuarino com o diagrama estratificação-circulação de Hansen & Rattray, calcular o transporte resultante de sal e a contribuição relativa dos termos advectivos, de difusão turbulenta e a parcela dispersiva, e estudar a influência das alterações ocorridas na descarga fluvial. Medidas de temperatura, salinidade e correntes foram realizadas no verão, outono, inverno e primavera, durante marés de sizígia e quadratura. Os perfis hidrográficos foram executados em intervalos horários durante ciclos completos de maré (13 horas), em três estações fixas (Barra de Cananéia, Baía do Trapandé e sul do Mar de Cananéia). A descarga fluvial média foi estimada através de dados climatológicos históricos da região. Os resultados sugerem mudanças no comportamento hidrodinâmico do sistema após a abertura do canal Valo Grande, com intensificação das correntes e aumento na estratificação vertical da salinidade. O aporte fluvial foi mais intenso (uma ordem de grandeza) que o obtido antes do rompimento da barragem do Valo Grande. As defasagens encontradas entre oscilações e correntes de maré, nas três estações fixas, indicam que a onda de maré se propaga pelo sistema como onda mista. A estação da Barra de Cananéia apresentou os maiores valores médios de salinidade e correntes mais intensas, sendo o oposto para a Baía do Trapandé, sugerindo que as trocas entre as águas oriundas da drenagem continental e da região costeira adjacente são mais efetivas pelo canal do Mar de Cananéia. O transporte de sal foi dominado principalmente pela parcela gerada pela descarga fluvial, seguida (com uma ordem de grandeza menor) pelas parcelas geradas pelo deslocamento da onda de maré (marés de sizígia) ou pela circulação gravitacional (marés de quadratura). As demais parcelas apresentam valores máximos inferiores a duas ordens de grandeza em relação à parcela dominante. A classificação do sistema estuarino-lagunar apresentou variações nas escalas de tempo quinzenal e sazonal, sendo sistema classificado como Tipo 2b no verão e Tipo 2a no inverno, ambos em maré de sizígia. No outono e primavera, o sistema foi classificado como Tipo 2b em marés de sizígia e Tipo 2a em marés de quadratura. / The aim of this work is to examine variations of physical water properties and estuarine circulation during complete tide cycle, to classify the estuary through Hansen and Rattray stratification-circulation diagram, to calculate salt transport and relative contribution of advection process, turbulent diffusion and dispersion, and to study the influences of alterations in fresh water discharge. Temperature, salinity and currents sampling were made in summer, autumn, winter and spring during neap and spring tides. Hydrographic profile measurements were accomplished in three fixed stations (Cananéia Bar, Trapandé Bay and south of Cananéia Sea) in hourly intervals, during a complete tidal cycle (13 hours). The medium fresh water discharge was evaluated through semi-empiric equations based on data climatological reports. The obtained results may suggest hydrodynamic system changes after the opening of the Valo Grande channel with currents intensification and increase in the salinity vertical stratification. The fresh water discharge estimative showed an increase in one order of greatness, if compared to obtained data found in recent works done when Valo Grande channel was closed. The differences found in the oscillation and tide current, in the three studied stations, indicated that the tide wave spreads in the system as a mixed wave. The station of Cananéia Bar presented the largest medium values of salinity and the most intense currents, being the opposite for the Bay of Trapandé, suggesting that the changes among the waters originating from continental drainage and adjacent coastal area are more effective for the Cananéia Sea. The transport of salt was dominated mainly by river discharge, with approximately an order of smaller greatness, followed by portions generated by tide wave displacement (in spring tides) or for the portion generated by the circulation gravitacional (in neap tides). The other portions presented inferior maximum values in two orders of greatness in relation to the dominant portion. The classification of the estuary-lagoon system showed variations in the scales of biweekly and seasonal time, being three fixed stations classified as Type 2b estuary in the summer and Type 2a estuary in the winter. In autumn and spring, during spring tides, the system changes to a Type 2b estuary, and during neap tides to a Type 2a estuary.

Pela utilização de métodos bioquímicos, biofísicos, de tipagem sorológica e de visualização das proteínas totais bacterianas, isolados de surubim Pseudoplatystoma corruscans, tilápia Oreochromis niloticus e pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus, foram caracterizados, identificados e sua virulência determinada. Dentre as linhagens de referência, o isolado de surubim caracterizou-se como sendo Plesiomonas shiguelloides e os demais isolados de tilápia e pacu foram identificados como Aeromonas hydrophila, todos pertencentes à família Vibrionaceae. Os isolados de tilápia e pacu caracterizaram-se como linhagens virulentas, resistentes aos antibióticos ampicilina, amoxicilina, lincomicina, novobiocina, oxacilina, penicilina, rifampicina e trimetoprim+sulfametoxazol, em ensaios de antibiograma realizados em meio YEA que evidenciaram que as linhagens isoladas de peixes são resistentes a oito das dezessete substâncias antimicrobianas testadas pelo método de difusão em disco. Essas características são compatíveis com as apresentadas pelo espécime tipo de A. hydrophila. Ambas as linhagens quando cultivadas em meio YEA compartilharam a mesma banda de aproximadamente 33,61kDa com o espécime tipo para A. hydrophila. Em meio enriquecido com glucose, a banda compartilhada entre elas teve peso molecular aproximado de 144,28kDa. Os testes de aglutinação sorológica evidenciaram nestas duas linhagens a presença de antígenos estáveis ao calor do tipo O. A técnica de dupla imunodifusão de Ouchterlony demonstrou que o antígeno preparado a partir do isolado de tilápia é a linhagem de A. hydrophila mais indicada para ser utilizada em estudos visando o desenvolvimento de uma vacina polivalente. / Bacteria isolated from surubim Pseudoplatystoma corruscans, tilapia Oreochromis niloticus e pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus, were characterized and identified by biochemical, biophysical, serology, and SDS-PAGE, and their virulence observed. The strain isolated from surubim was characterized as Plesiomonas shigelloides. The other strains isolated from tilapia and pacu were Aeromonas hydrophila. The isolated A. hydrophila strains presented virulence and resistance against the follow antibacterial substances: ampicillin, amoxicillin, lincomicin, novobiocin, oxacillin, penicillin, rifampin and trimetoprim+sulfametoxazole. Both strains when cultivated in YEA medium shared with the A. hydrophila type strain a similar protein band of 33,61kDa. In a medium supplemented with glucose, only one protein exhibiting relative molecular mass of 144.28 kDa, was shared by the type strains isolated from fish and the type strain. The serology tests revealed that all isolated strains presented heat-stable O-antigens. The Ouchterlony double-immunodiffusion showed that the antigen prepared from the tilapia strain possessed surface antigens similar to A. hydrophila type strain and the strains isolated from pacu. This suggested the possibility of development and usage of a common or polyvalent vaccine for A. hydrophila among tilapia and pacu or other freshwater fish species.

O rio Pardo é o principal e fluente da Bacia do Pardo nos estado de Minas Gerias e São Paulo, Brasil, sendo considerado um importante corpo hídrico na região. Esse estudo teve como objetivo realizar uma avaliação ambiental no rio Pardo, integrando a caracterização da situação das Áreas de Preservação Permanente (APP); a integridade dos habitats a partir de um Protocolo de Avaliação Rápida (PAR) e o monitoramento de parâmetros físico-químicos da água. Também, foi objetivo deste estudo avaliar se existe algum grau de concordância estatística entre os resultados do PAR e dos parâmetros físico3químicos da água. Foram avaliados 12 trechos no rio Pardo, desde a nascente até a foz, totalizando 550 km, em quatro campanhas de coleta de dados, sendo duas no período chuvoso e duas no período seco. Em cada trecho, foi caracterizada a condição da APP e qualificados os seguintes parâmetros do PAR: Substratos e/ou habitats disponíveis, Regimes de velocidade/profundidade, Deposição de sedimentos, Condições de escoamento do canal, Alterações no canal, Sinuosidade do canal, Estabilidade das margens, Proteção das margens pela vegetação, Estado de conservação da vegetação do entorno, Materiais sólidos flutuantes. Também em cada trecho foram analisados pH, temperatura, turbidez, oxigênio dissolvido, condutividade elétrica da água. Os resultados das condições das APPs indicam em nenhum dos trechos avaliados houve respeito aos limites estabelecidos pela legislação (BRASIL, 2012). Os resultados da avaliação pelo PAR revelaram que a maioria dos trechos foi classificada como em \"Boas\" condições. A diferença encontrada nas avaliações das condições das APPs com os resultados do PAR podem ser devidas ao fato de que o PAR permite verificar desde a existência de substratos para a colonização da fauna até a composição da mata ciliar. Os resultados dos parâmetros físico-químicos revelaram que o pH dos trechos 1 e 2 estavam abaixo dos limites estabelecidos pela legislação (BRASIL, 2005); as temperaturas mais baixas foram verificadas nos trechos 1 e 2; os resultados de oxigênio dissolvido na água apontam que o trecho 12 estava abaixo dos limites estabelecidos pela legislação (BRASIL, 2005). A comparação entre os resultados dos parâmetros físico-químicos durante os períodos chuvosos e secos demonstram que houve diferença entre os resultados de temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido e turbidez. Os resultados da avaliação de concordância estatística entre os resultados do PAR e os parâmetros físico-químicos apontaram baixa reprodutibilidade (k<0,35), indicando que não foi encontrada concordância estatisticamente significante entre os resultados obtidos do PAR e da análise físico-química da água. Esse resultado indica que o PAR, mesmo sendo uma ferramenta importante para as avaliações ambientais em rios, não deve ser considerado substituto aos métodos de avaliação físico-químicos da água, e sim um complemento para avaliação integrada do ecossistema. Recomendamos o reflorestamento da mata ciliar e o tratamento adequado dos efluentes de indústrias antes do lançamento no rio Pardo. Cabe destacar que o nosso grupo de pesquisa está propondo, perante agências de fomento, a realização de um estudo de avaliação de risco para a população frente à exposição a pesticidas e fertilizantes presentes nesse corpo hídrico, considerando as extensivas culturas agrícolas da região. / The Pardo river is the main river of Pardo basin in the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo, Brazil and is considered an important water body in the region. This study aimed to conduct an environmental assessment in the Pardo river, integrating the characterization of the status of Permanent Preservation Areas (PPA), the integrity of habitats from a Rapid Assessment Protocol (RAP) and monitoring of physico-chemical parameters of water. Also, an objective of this study was to assess whether there is any degree of statistical correlation between the results of the RAP and the physico-chemical parameters of the water. Twelve stretches were evaluated in the Pardo river, from its source to its mouth, completing 550 km in four data collection campaigns, two in the rainy season and two in the dry season. In each stretch, was characterized the condition of PPA and qualified the following parameters RAP: Substrates and/or habitats available, Speed/depth regimes, Sediment deposition, Channel flow conditions, Channel changes, Channel sinuosity, Margins stability, Margins protection by vegetation, Conservation status of the surrounding vegetation, Solid materials floating. Also in each stretch were analyzed pH, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, water electrical conductivity. The results of PPAs conditions indicates that none of the evaluated stretch had the limits established by law respect (BRASIL, 2012). The evaluation results for the PAR revealed that most of the sections was classified as in \"Good\" conditions. The difference in assessments of the conditions of the PPAs with the results of PAR may be due to the fact that the check from PAR allows the existence of substrates for colonization by fauna composition of riparian vegetation. The results of physicochemical parameters revealed that the pH of stretches 1 and 2 were below the limits established by law (BRASIL, 2005), the lowest temperatures were recorded in sections 1 and 2, the results of dissolved oxygen in the water indicate that the stretch 12 was below the limits established by law (BRASIL, 2005). The comparison between the results of physicochemical parameters during the wet and dry periods show that were difference between the results of temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. The results of the statistical evaluation of agreement between the results of the PAR and the physico-chemical parameters showed poor reproducibility (k<0.35), indicating no statistically significant correlation was found between the results of the RAP and physicochemical analysis of water. This result indicates that the RAP, despite being an important tool for environmental assessments in rivers should not be considered as an alternative to methods of physico-chemical assessment of water, but a complement to integrated assessment of ecosystem. We recommend the riparian vegetation reforestation and industry effluent proper treatment before launching into the Pardo river. It is worth noting that our research group is proposing to carry out an evaluating risk to the population about exposure to pesticides and fertilizers in this river, considering the extensive agricultural crops in the region.

Este trabalho tem como objetivos estudar a variabilidade das propriedades hidrográficas e da circulação durante ciclos completos de maré, classificar o sistema estuarino com o diagrama estratificação-circulação de Hansen & Rattray, calcular o transporte resultante de sal e a contribuição relativa dos termos advectivos, de difusão turbulenta e a parcela dispersiva, e estudar a influência das alterações ocorridas na descarga fluvial. Medidas de temperatura, salinidade e correntes foram realizadas no verão, outono, inverno e primavera, durante marés de sizígia e quadratura. Os perfis hidrográficos foram executados em intervalos horários durante ciclos completos de maré (13 horas), em três estações fixas (Barra de Cananéia, Baía do Trapandé e sul do Mar de Cananéia). A descarga fluvial média foi estimada através de dados climatológicos históricos da região. Os resultados sugerem mudanças no comportamento hidrodinâmico do sistema após a abertura do canal Valo Grande, com intensificação das correntes e aumento na estratificação vertical da salinidade. O aporte fluvial foi mais intenso (uma ordem de grandeza) que o obtido antes do rompimento da barragem do Valo Grande. As defasagens encontradas entre oscilações e correntes de maré, nas três estações fixas, indicam que a onda de maré se propaga pelo sistema como onda mista. A estação da Barra de Cananéia apresentou os maiores valores médios de salinidade e correntes mais intensas, sendo o oposto para a Baía do Trapandé, sugerindo que as trocas entre as águas oriundas da drenagem continental e da região costeira adjacente são mais efetivas pelo canal do Mar de Cananéia. O transporte de sal foi dominado principalmente pela parcela gerada pela descarga fluvial, seguida (com uma ordem de grandeza menor) pelas parcelas geradas pelo deslocamento da onda de maré (marés de sizígia) ou pela circulação gravitacional (marés de quadratura). As demais parcelas apresentam valores máximos inferiores a duas ordens de grandeza em relação à parcela dominante. A classificação do sistema estuarino-lagunar apresentou variações nas escalas de tempo quinzenal e sazonal, sendo sistema classificado como Tipo 2b no verão e Tipo 2a no inverno, ambos em maré de sizígia. No outono e primavera, o sistema foi classificado como Tipo 2b em marés de sizígia e Tipo 2a em marés de quadratura. / The aim of this work is to examine variations of physical water properties and estuarine circulation during complete tide cycle, to classify the estuary through Hansen and Rattray stratification-circulation diagram, to calculate salt transport and relative contribution of advection process, turbulent diffusion and dispersion, and to study the influences of alterations in fresh water discharge. Temperature, salinity and currents sampling were made in summer, autumn, winter and spring during neap and spring tides. Hydrographic profile measurements were accomplished in three fixed stations (Cananéia Bar, Trapandé Bay and south of Cananéia Sea) in hourly intervals, during a complete tidal cycle (13 hours). The medium fresh water discharge was evaluated through semi-empiric equations based on data climatological reports. The obtained results may suggest hydrodynamic system changes after the opening of the Valo Grande channel with currents intensification and increase in the salinity vertical stratification. The fresh water discharge estimative showed an increase in one order of greatness, if compared to obtained data found in recent works done when Valo Grande channel was closed. The differences found in the oscillation and tide current, in the three studied stations, indicated that the tide wave spreads in the system as a mixed wave. The station of Cananéia Bar presented the largest medium values of salinity and the most intense currents, being the opposite for the Bay of Trapandé, suggesting that the changes among the waters originating from continental drainage and adjacent coastal area are more effective for the Cananéia Sea. The transport of salt was dominated mainly by river discharge, with approximately an order of smaller greatness, followed by portions generated by tide wave displacement (in spring tides) or for the portion generated by the circulation gravitacional (in neap tides). The other portions presented inferior maximum values in two orders of greatness in relation to the dominant portion. The classification of the estuary-lagoon system showed variations in the scales of biweekly and seasonal time, being three fixed stations classified as Type 2b estuary in the summer and Type 2a estuary in the winter. In autumn and spring, during spring tides, the system changes to a Type 2b estuary, and during neap tides to a Type 2a estuary.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-07T11:34:15Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Alexandre Duarte Rodrigues da Silva.pdf: 439100 bytes, checksum: 1b2fd1350f22fda3959acac92bbccf28 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-07T11:34:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alexandre Duarte Rodrigues da Silva.pdf: 439100 bytes, checksum: 1b2fd1350f22fda3959acac92bbccf28 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-06-14 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Culture of Litopenaeus vannamei in freshwater (0.0 g L-1) and low alkalinity and hardness (<50 mg L-1 CaCO3) were performed during 2008 to 2009, with the aim of evaluating the influence of adding of lime, to maximize production indices of shrimp. Post-larvae of this species, with 10 to 12 days (PL10-12), were initially acclimated to fresh water and then stored at density of 17 PL m-2, 12 experimental ponds of 60 m2. The concentrations of lime (4.0, 8.0, 12.0 and 16.0 t ha-1 cycle-1) were evaluated in the presence or absence of fertilizer-based K+ and Mg2+, in completely randomized. The diet was formed based pelleted feed, shrimp with 32% protein, and administered at feeders. The monitoring of physical and chemical qualities of water was carried out in different phases. After 60 days of cultivation,the best survival were observed in treatments of 8.0 and 12.0 t ha-1 without fertilizer, and application of 4.0 t ha-1 in crops with fertilizer. It was concluded that the use of lime favors the growth of L. vannamei in freshwater. / Cultivos do Litopenaeus vannamei, em água doce (0,0 g L-1) e com baixa alcalinidade e dureza (< 50 mg L-1 CaCO3) foram realizados no período de 2008 a 2009, com o objetivo de avaliar a influência da adição de calcário dolomítico, para maximizar os índices zootécnicos desses camarões. Pós-larvas dessa espécie, com 10 a 12 dias (PL10-12), foram inicialmente aclimatadas a água doce e, posteriormente, estocados a densidade de 17 PL m-2, em 12 viveiros experimentais de 60 m2. As concentrações de calcários (4,0, 8,0, 12,0 e 16,0 t ha-1 ciclo-1) foram avaliadas na presença ou não de fertilizantes a base de K+ e Mg2+, em experimentos inteiramente casualizados. A dieta foi constituída a base de ração peletizada,para camarão com 32% de proteína, e administrada em comedouros. O monitoramento das qualidades físicas e químicas da água foi realizado, nas diferentes fases experimentais. Após 60 dias de cultivo, as melhores sobrevivências foram observadas nos tratamentos de 8,0 e 12,0 t ha-1, sem fertilizante, e na aplicação de 4,0 t ha-1 em cultivos com fertilizante. Concluiu-se que a utilização do calcário dolomítico favorece o cultivo do L. vannamei em água doce.

O rio Pardo é o principal e fluente da Bacia do Pardo nos estado de Minas Gerias e São Paulo, Brasil, sendo considerado um importante corpo hídrico na região. Esse estudo teve como objetivo realizar uma avaliação ambiental no rio Pardo, integrando a caracterização da situação das Áreas de Preservação Permanente (APP); a integridade dos habitats a partir de um Protocolo de Avaliação Rápida (PAR) e o monitoramento de parâmetros físico-químicos da água. Também, foi objetivo deste estudo avaliar se existe algum grau de concordância estatística entre os resultados do PAR e dos parâmetros físico3químicos da água. Foram avaliados 12 trechos no rio Pardo, desde a nascente até a foz, totalizando 550 km, em quatro campanhas de coleta de dados, sendo duas no período chuvoso e duas no período seco. Em cada trecho, foi caracterizada a condição da APP e qualificados os seguintes parâmetros do PAR: Substratos e/ou habitats disponíveis, Regimes de velocidade/profundidade, Deposição de sedimentos, Condições de escoamento do canal, Alterações no canal, Sinuosidade do canal, Estabilidade das margens, Proteção das margens pela vegetação, Estado de conservação da vegetação do entorno, Materiais sólidos flutuantes. Também em cada trecho foram analisados pH, temperatura, turbidez, oxigênio dissolvido, condutividade elétrica da água. Os resultados das condições das APPs indicam em nenhum dos trechos avaliados houve respeito aos limites estabelecidos pela legislação (BRASIL, 2012). Os resultados da avaliação pelo PAR revelaram que a maioria dos trechos foi classificada como em \"Boas\" condições. A diferença encontrada nas avaliações das condições das APPs com os resultados do PAR podem ser devidas ao fato de que o PAR permite verificar desde a existência de substratos para a colonização da fauna até a composição da mata ciliar. Os resultados dos parâmetros físico-químicos revelaram que o pH dos trechos 1 e 2 estavam abaixo dos limites estabelecidos pela legislação (BRASIL, 2005); as temperaturas mais baixas foram verificadas nos trechos 1 e 2; os resultados de oxigênio dissolvido na água apontam que o trecho 12 estava abaixo dos limites estabelecidos pela legislação (BRASIL, 2005). A comparação entre os resultados dos parâmetros físico-químicos durante os períodos chuvosos e secos demonstram que houve diferença entre os resultados de temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido e turbidez. Os resultados da avaliação de concordância estatística entre os resultados do PAR e os parâmetros físico-químicos apontaram baixa reprodutibilidade (k<0,35), indicando que não foi encontrada concordância estatisticamente significante entre os resultados obtidos do PAR e da análise físico-química da água. Esse resultado indica que o PAR, mesmo sendo uma ferramenta importante para as avaliações ambientais em rios, não deve ser considerado substituto aos métodos de avaliação físico-químicos da água, e sim um complemento para avaliação integrada do ecossistema. Recomendamos o reflorestamento da mata ciliar e o tratamento adequado dos efluentes de indústrias antes do lançamento no rio Pardo. Cabe destacar que o nosso grupo de pesquisa está propondo, perante agências de fomento, a realização de um estudo de avaliação de risco para a população frente à exposição a pesticidas e fertilizantes presentes nesse corpo hídrico, considerando as extensivas culturas agrícolas da região. / The Pardo river is the main river of Pardo basin in the states of Minas Gerais and São Paulo, Brazil and is considered an important water body in the region. This study aimed to conduct an environmental assessment in the Pardo river, integrating the characterization of the status of Permanent Preservation Areas (PPA), the integrity of habitats from a Rapid Assessment Protocol (RAP) and monitoring of physico-chemical parameters of water. Also, an objective of this study was to assess whether there is any degree of statistical correlation between the results of the RAP and the physico-chemical parameters of the water. Twelve stretches were evaluated in the Pardo river, from its source to its mouth, completing 550 km in four data collection campaigns, two in the rainy season and two in the dry season. In each stretch, was characterized the condition of PPA and qualified the following parameters RAP: Substrates and/or habitats available, Speed/depth regimes, Sediment deposition, Channel flow conditions, Channel changes, Channel sinuosity, Margins stability, Margins protection by vegetation, Conservation status of the surrounding vegetation, Solid materials floating. Also in each stretch were analyzed pH, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, water electrical conductivity. The results of PPAs conditions indicates that none of the evaluated stretch had the limits established by law respect (BRASIL, 2012). The evaluation results for the PAR revealed that most of the sections was classified as in \"Good\" conditions. The difference in assessments of the conditions of the PPAs with the results of PAR may be due to the fact that the check from PAR allows the existence of substrates for colonization by fauna composition of riparian vegetation. The results of physicochemical parameters revealed that the pH of stretches 1 and 2 were below the limits established by law (BRASIL, 2005), the lowest temperatures were recorded in sections 1 and 2, the results of dissolved oxygen in the water indicate that the stretch 12 was below the limits established by law (BRASIL, 2005). The comparison between the results of physicochemical parameters during the wet and dry periods show that were difference between the results of temperature, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. The results of the statistical evaluation of agreement between the results of the PAR and the physico-chemical parameters showed poor reproducibility (k<0.35), indicating no statistically significant correlation was found between the results of the RAP and physicochemical analysis of water. This result indicates that the RAP, despite being an important tool for environmental assessments in rivers should not be considered as an alternative to methods of physico-chemical assessment of water, but a complement to integrated assessment of ecosystem. We recommend the riparian vegetation reforestation and industry effluent proper treatment before launching into the Pardo river. It is worth noting that our research group is proposing to carry out an evaluating risk to the population about exposure to pesticides and fertilizers in this river, considering the extensive agricultural crops in the region.

The future of Lake Baikal’s biodiversity is uncertain in response to climate change. Unlike its diverse benthos, Lake Baikal’s zooplankton is species poor, with up to 96% of its biomass being composed of a single Calanoid copepod species, Epischura baikalensis. This study characterizes the genetic differentiation and differential gene expression of E. baikalensis. Using partial-transcriptome sequences obtained by 454 Rosche and Illumina sequencing technologies, the genetic differentiation at inferred single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites and differential gene expression in populations sampled from various parts of the lake were analyzed. The functional genomics of genes showed significant differential expression among the lake’s regions with some genes being highly up-or down-regulated. High genetic differentiation among regions suggests isolated subpopulations. Moreover, significantly differentially expressed transcripts were significantly more genetically differentiated than transcripts exhibiting no differential expression. These results suggest high potential phenotypic plasticity and adaptability in response to climate change, e.g., temperature.

The design, construction and testing of a reverse-osmosis (PV-RO) desalination system for fresh water shortage area is presented. The system operates from salt water or brackish water and can be embedded in a renewable energy power supply system, since many fresh shortage areas are remote and isolated. Special attention is given to the energy efficiency of small-scale reverse osmosis desalination systems. Limitations of conventional control strategy using toggle control are presented. Based on this, an objective of creating a small-scale reverse osmosis desalination system was set out. Initially, the background information is presented. This includes the natural resources crisis and main desalination technologies and the viability of the integration with renewable energy source. A reverse osmosis (RO) desalination system was assembled and set up at the Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Western Australia Supervisor Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system was built using a Human Machine Interface software and a programmable logic controller (PLC). Instrumentation that included signal conditioners was made in analysis of the system characteristics. Initial testing of the system was conducted after the system design and configuration was accomplished. Testing results were used as a guideline for the development of the whole system. / Modelling and simulation of the system components in MATLABSimulink is presented, together with a discussion of the control systems modelling and design procedure, in which the aim was to improve the efficiency of the reverse osmosis system. Simulations show the designed reverse osmosis system with Proportional Integral and Derivative (PID) controller has better performance than other controllers. This consequently leads to a lower overall cost of the water, as well as reducing full maintenance cost of the electric drives in the reverse osmosis unit. Additionally, the configuration of the remote control system through General Package Radio System (GPRS) network is depicted. After the PID control algorithm was programmed into the Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), system experiments were carried out in short durations and long durations. System performance was monitored and experimental results prove that the new control strategy applied increase the water productivity and is able to improve the system efficiency up to 35%. Based on the data obtained from the simulations and experiments, Mundoo Island was chosen to be the location for a case study. The electric load profile of the island was derived from the Island Development Committee in Mundoo. / A water demand profile was created and modelled in Matlab to be the input of the reverse osmosis system. The electric load of the reverse osmosis system was generated from Matlab simulation. This result was entered in Hybrid Optimisation Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER) simulator. Having the designed RO unit as one of the electric loads, the entire remote area power supply (RAPS) system was tested in simulations which shows the energy cost is AUS$0.174 per kWh, lower than the Island Development Committee budget estimation of AUS$0.25 per kWh. The cost of the water treatment is very promising at AUS$0.77 per m3.