Diferenças no timing da melanização e esclerotização do exoesqueleto são evidentes quando se compara a morfologia externa de abelhas de hábitos sociais e as solitárias. A esta diferença convencionamos chamar de heterocronia da maturação cuticular, o termo heterocronia significando variações no tempo relativo, ou ritmo, de um evento ontogenético em relação ao ancestral ou entre taxons. Propusemos que as abelhas sociais, que após a ecdise permanecem na colônia por vários dias, alcançariam a maturidade de alguns sistemas orgânicos, entre eles o tegumento, muito mais tarde que as espécies de abelhas solitárias que ao emergir partem imediatamente para atividades extra-nidais. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em testar esta hipótese utilizando o tegumento em maturação das espécies de abelhas sociais, Apis mellifera e Frieseomelitta varia, e da espécie solitária Centris analis, em estudos comparativos de expressão gênica, ultraestrutura e quantificação de hidrocarbonetos cuticulares (CHCs). Para isto utilizamos sequenciamento de mRNA (RNA-seq), microscopia eletrônica de transmissão (MET) e cromatografia de gás e espectrometria de massas (CG/MS). Os perfis de expressão de genes da via de melanização/esclerotização cuticular (ebony e tan) diferenciaram as espécies sociais da solitária, assim como a expressão de genes com função na via de metabolismo de quitina (Cda5, Idgf4 e chitooligosacchariodolytic-domain-like) e de genes codificadores de proteínas estruturais da cutícula (CPR14, CPR17, CPR18, CPR25, CPR23, CPR26, Apd-3 e Apd-like). Genes com função na regulação da maturação cuticular (FTZ-F1, E74, Hr46 e Hr4) se mostraram co-expressos nas espécies sociais e os perfis de expressão destes genes, exceto Hr46, e de outros reguladores (Ethr, Hr38, Rickets e Ptx-1) também diferenciaram as espécies sociais da solitária. Ressaltamos em nossas análises os genes do ciclo circadiano, cuja expressão tem relação com a deposição de quitina cuticular, além de genes de vias de pigmentação não melanínicas. As análises de MET, abrangendo outras três espécies de abelhas (Bombus brasilienses: primitivamente eussocial; Euglossa cordata: facultativamente social; Tetrapedia diversipes: solitária), mostraram diferenças consistentes entre a ultraestrutura e espessura das cutículas das espécies sociais e solitárias, o que reforçou nossos resultados de RNA-seq. A quantificação absoluta dos CHCs diferenciou as abelhas sociais da solitária, consistente com a hipótese de heterocronia da maturação cuticular e com os perfis de expressão de genes envolvidos na biossíntese de CHCs. Assim, além de desvendar transcriptomas de tegumento de três espécies de abelhas, a comparação da expressão gênica aliada à análise de ultraestrutura da cutícula e quantificação de CHCs levaram à caracterização de diferenças no processo de maturação cuticular entre as espécies sociais e solitárias / Differences in the timing of exoskeleton melanization and sclerotization processes are evident when comparing the external morphology of social and solitary bee species. Such differences may constitute a relevant example of cuticular maturation heterochrony, this term referring to a genetic change in timing of an ontogenetic process relative to an ancestor or between taxons. We proposed that social bees, which remain protected inside the colony for many days before initiating outside nest activities, would reach the maturity of some organic systems, such as the integument (epidermis and cuticle), later than solitary bees, which start such activities immediately after ecdysis. We tested this hypothesis in a comparative study of the developing integument of eusocial bees, Apis mellifera and Frieseomelitta varia, and the solitary bee Centris analis. Using RNA-seq, we verified that the expression profiles of genes involved in cuticular melanization and sclerotization (ebony and tan), chitin deposition and organization (Cda5, Idgf4, chitooligosacchariodolytic-domain-like), and cuticle formation (CPR14, CPR17, CPR18, CPR25, CPR23, CPE26, Apd-3, Apd-like) were positively, correlated between the two eusocial species, but not between the eusocial and the solitary species. Some of the genes with roles in regulating exoskeleton maturation (FTZ-F1, E74, Hr46, Hr4) were co-expressed only in the eusocial species. The expression profiles of these genes (except Hr46) and other regulatory genes (Ethr, Hr38, Rickets, Ptx-1) were also positively correlated exclusively in the eusocial bees. We also highlighted the expression of genes involved in non-melanin pigment production and the expression of circadian rhythm genes that could be related to chitin layers deposition. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of the integument of the two eusocial and the solitary bee species, in addition to other three bee species (the primitively eusocial Bombus brasilienses; the facultatively social Euglossa cordata; the solitary bee Tetrapedia diversipes), showed differences in cuticle ultrastructure and thickness, thus supporting the RNA-seq data. In agreement with our hypothesis, CHC quantifications were consistent with the expression levels of genes involved in CHC biosynthesis, thus differentiating the superficial cuticle layer of the eusocial and solitary species. Together, the integument transcriptomes, ultrastructure, and CHC quantification allowed us to characterize differences in the timing of cuticle maturation in social and solitary bees

In Canada, about 60% of contaminated sites involve petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) contamination and most of these sites have been abandoned due to contamination. Among current technologies used for soil remediation, supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) is a relatively recent and potentially viable method. The main aim of this research was to investigate the application of SFE for removal of PHCs from contaminated soils. In the first phase, the effects of SFE operational parameters including fluid pressure, fluid temperature, time duration and mode of extraction on the removal efficiency of PHCs from a spiked sandy soil (with diesel fuel with a ratio of 5 wt%) were investigated. SFE experiments were performed at different pressures (15, 33 and 50 MPa) and temperatures (30, 75 and 120 °C). The combination of 10 min static mode followed by 10 min dynamic mode, repeated for 3 cycles (60 min in total) led to the highest PHC removal percentage. According to response surface methodology (RSM), the optimum pressure and temperature were found to be 50 MPa and 69.3 °C, respectively. According to experimental results, the optimum combination of pressure and temperature determined to be 33 MPa and 75 °C; which resulted in the extraction percentages of 99.2%, 91.7% and 86.1% for PHC F2, F3 and F4 fractions, respectively. In the second phase, the influence of several parameters including soil water content, soil pH and addition of modifier on PHCs removals from a field-contaminated sandy soil using SFE were experimentally investigated. SFE experiments were performed at 33 MPa pressure and temperatures of 45 and 75 °C. Three water content levels of 8%, 14% and 20% at two levels of pH 6.5 and 7.5 were investigated. The extraction of total petroleum hydrocarbon fractions (TPHF), the sum of F2, F3, and F4 fractions, decreased due to the increase in the water content from 8% to 20% at both pH 6.5 and 7.5. The difference of extractions of all PHC fractions at pH values of 6.5 and 7.5 were not statistically significant (at p < 0.05 confidence level) at all three water content levels and pH did not have a significant influence on the PHC removal efficiency. Addition of acetone as a modifier (33.7% TPHF removal) was more effective than hexanes (24.3% TPHF removal) to decrease the concentrations of PHCs for the field contaminated soil. In the third phase, the influence of soil texture and grain size on the extraction of PHC fractions was investigated. SFE experiments were performed at 33 MPa pressure and 75 °C temperature. Three types of soils (soil A, B and C) were spiked with diesel fuel with a ratio of 5 wt%. Soil A, B and C had different particle sizes and were categorized as sand, silt loam and clay, respectively. Soil A (sand) which had the largest particle size resulted in the highest TPHF removal percentage while soil C (clay) with the smallest particle size led to the lowest TPHF removal percentage. A higher clay content in soil C resulted in a lower extraction of PHCs. In the fourth phase, the effects of pressure and temperature on the extraction of PHC fractions from a clay soil spiked with diesel fuel with a ratio of 5 wt% were investigated. SFE experiments were performed at three pressures (15, 33 and 50 MPa) and temperatures (30, 75 and 120 °C). According to the statistical analysis including factorial design and RSM, the optimized combination of pressure and temperature was selected at 42.8 MPa and 120 °C; which resulted in the removal percentages of 74.9% and 65.6% for PHC F2 and F3 fractions, respectively. The optimum combination of pressure and temperature based on the experimental results was selected at 33 MPa and 120 °C that led to 70.3%, 58.4% and 32.6% removal of PHC F2, F3 and F4 fractions, respectively.

La phytoremédiation, la technique de bioremédiation qui utilise les plantes, est considérée comme une technologie « verte » et efficace pour décontaminer des sols pollués aux hydrocarbures. Les plantes agissent essentiellement à travers la stimulation des microorganismes de la rhizosphère, où l’exsudation racinaire semble être le moteur majeur de l’activité microbienne qui s’y déroule. Beaucoup de gènes responsables de l’adaptation bactérienne, dans le sol contaminé ou dans la rhizosphère, semblent être portés par les plasmides conjugatifs et transférés entre les bactéries. Une meilleure compréhension de ce phénomène pourrait améliorer le développement de techniques de manipulation du microbiome rhizosphérique afin d’accélérer la bioremédiation. Le but de cette recherche est d’étudier le plasmidome, soit le contenu total en plasmides, de la rhizosphère de saules provenant d’un sol contaminé aux hydrocarbures. Des analyses métagénomiques, de données obtenues à partir d’un séquençage Illumina, ont été utilisées pour étudier les fonctions portées par les plasmides. Nos résultats ont indiqué un fort effet de la contamination aux hydrocarbures sur la composition des plasmides. De plus, les plasmides contenaient des gènes impliqués dans de nombreuses voies métaboliques, telles que la biodégradation d’hydrocarbures, la production d’énergie, la transduction du signal, le chimiotactisme, et les métabolismes des sucres, acides aminés et métabolites secondaires. À ce jour, c’est la première étude de métagénomique comparative documentant la diversité des plasmides dans un contexte de phytoremédiation. Ces résultats fournissent de nouvelles connaissances sur le rôle du transfert latéral de gènes dans l’adaptation bactérienne dans la rhizosphère et dans le sol contaminé aux hydrocarbures. / Phytoremediation, a bioremediation technique that uses plants, is considered to be an effective and affordable “green technology” to clean up hydrocarbon contaminated soils. Plants essentially act indirectly through the stimulation of rhizosphere microorganisms. Root exudation is thought to be one of the predominant drivers of microbial communities in the rhizosphere and is therefore a potential key factor behind enhanced hydrocarbon biodegradation. Many of the genes responsible for bacterial adaptation in contaminated soil and the plant rhizosphere are thought to be carried by conjugative plasmids and transferred among bacteria. A better understanding of these phenomena could thus inform the development of techniques to manipulate the rhizospheric microbiome in ways that improve hydrocarbon bioremediation. This research aims to study the plasmidome (the overall plasmid content) in the rhizosphere of willow growing in hydrocarbon contaminated and non-contaminated soils, as compared with unplanted soil. Metagenomic analyses based on Illumina sequencing were used to highlight functions carried by plasmids. Our results indicate a strong effect of hydrocarbon contamination on plasmid composition. Furthermore, plasmids harbored genes involved in several metabolic pathways, such as hydrocarbon biodegradation, energy production, signal transduction, chemotaxis, metabolisms of carbohydrates, amino acids and secondary metabolites. To date, this is the first comparative soil metagenomics documenting the plasmidome diversity in a phytoremediation system. The results provide new knowledge on the role of lateral gene transfer in the bacterial adaptation in rhizosphere and in hydrocarbon contaminated soil.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are omnipresent and persistent environmental pollutants. In particular, 29 congeners are of special concern, and these are usually referred to as dioxin-like compounds (DLCs). In the European Union, the risks associated with DLCs in food products are estimated by a weighted sum of the DLCs’ concentrations. These weights, also called toxic equivalency factors (TEFs), compare the DLCs’ potencies to the most toxic congener, 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin (2378- TCDD). The toxicological effects of PCDD/Fs and PCBs are diverse, ranging from chloracne and immunological effects in humans to severe weight loss, thymic atrophy, hepatotoxicity, immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and carcinogenesis in rodents. Here, the molecular structures of DLCs were used as the basis to study the congeneric differences in in vitro data from both human and rodent cell responses related to the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Based on molecular orbital densities and partial charges, we developed new ways to describe DLCs, which proved to be useful in quantitative structure-activity relationship modeling. This thesis also provides a new approach, the calculation of the consensus toxicity factor (CTF), to condense information from a battery of screening tests. The current TEFs used to estimate the risk of DLCs in food are primarily based on in vivo information from rat and mouse experiments. Our CTFs, based on human cell responses, show clear differences compared to the current TEFs. For instance, the CTF of 23478-PeCDF is as high as the CTF for 2378-TCDD, and the CTF of PCB 126 is 30 times lower than the corresponding TEF. Both of these DLCs are common congeners in fish in the Baltic Sea. Due to the severe effects of DLCs and their impact on environmental and human health, it is crucial to determine if other compounds have similar effects. To find such compounds, we developed a virtual screening protocol and applied it to a set of 6,445 industrial chemicals. This protocol included a presumed 3D representation of AhR and the structural and chemical properties of known AhR ligands. This screening resulted in a priority list of 28 chemicals that we identified as potential AhR ligands.

Abstract Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), especially dioxin-like chemicals, have been shown to have adverse effects on skeleton and these effects are likely to be mediated via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). In spite of the extensive research, the characteristics of developmental effects of POPs are poorly known and the role of AHR in POP bone toxicity and skeletal development in general. In this project changes in bone morphology and strength as well as tissue matrix mechanics are studied by applying state of the art biomedical engineering methods. This allows understanding of the effects of dioxins exposure and AHR activity on the development and maturation of extracellular matrix in musculoskeletal tissues from a completely new perspective, and thereby improving the health risk assessment of POPs. In the present study skeletal properties of rats exposed maternally to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), Northern Contaminant Mixture (NCM) and Aroclor1254 (A1254) were studied for cross-sectional morphometric and biomechanical properties, and data were analysed with benchmark dose modelling. In addition, extracellular matrix properties were analysed using nanoindentation. Similar measurements were performed for adult wild-type and AHR-null mice after TCDD exposure. The same animals were also analysed for microstructural changes using micro-computed tomography and their bone cell activity was estimated from serum markers and gene expression. Analyses show decreased bone length and cross-sectional properties with consequently decreased bone strength. On the other hand, an increased trabecular BMD in response to NCM and A1254 was observed. In addition, bone matrix properties indicated delayed maturation or early senescence after maternal or adult exposure, respectively. The AHR is mainly responsible for bone toxicity of dioxin-like compounds and plays a role in bone development. This is likely due to disturbed bone remodeling as indicated by altered serum markers and gene expression. Overall these results indicate that POPs decrease bone strength, but the interpretation is difficult as there is more trabecular bone within cortical bone with compromised quality and increased porosity. / Tiivistelmä Altistumisen pysyville orgaanisille ympäristökemikaaleille on todettu heikentävän luustoa. Dioksiinien ja dioksiininkaltaisten yhdisteiden vaikutusten on havaittu välittyvän aryylihiilivetyreseptorin (AHR) välityksellä. Huolimatta pitkään kestäneestä tutkimuksesta POP-yhdisteiden sikiönkehityksen aikaisen altistuksen vaikutukset ja etenkin niiden mekanismit ovat edelleen huonosti tunnettuja, samoin kuin AHR:n osuus POP-yhdisteiden luutoksisuudessa ja luuston kehityksessä ylipäätään. Tässä työssä tutkittiin luuston rakenteellisia ja mekaanisia ominaisuuksia niin perinteisillä kuin uusimmilla biolääketieteen tekniikan menetelmillä. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena on saada uutta tietoa POP-altistuksen ja AHR-aktiivisuuden vaikutuksista luuston kehitykseen ja luukudoksen ikääntymisprosesseihin, mikä edesauttaa kyseisten yhdisteiden riskinarviointia. Tutkimuksissa altistettiin kantavia rottaemoja 2,3,7,8-tetraklooridibenzo-p-dioksiinille (TCDD), pohjoiselle saasteseokselle ja kaupalliselle Arokloori 1254 PCB-seokselle. Sikiönkehityksen aikana altistuneiden jälkeläisten luuston poikkileikkausen morfologia ja biomekaaniset ominaisuudet mitattiin ja tulokset mallinnettiin vertailuannoksen määrittämiseksi. Lisäksi TCDD-altistettujen rottien luustomatriisin ominaisuuksia selvitettiin nanoindentaatiomenetelmällä. Samaa menetelmää käytettiin myös aikuisiässä TCDD:lle altistettujen villityypin hiirten ja AHR-poistogeenisiten hiirten tutkimiseen. Näiden hiirten luuston hienorakennetta mitattiin myös korkean resoluution mikro-tietokonetomografialla ja niiden luusolujen aktiivisuutta tutkittiin seerumin biomarkkerien ja luun muodostumiseen osallistuvien geenien ekspressiotasojen avulla. Sikiönkehityksen aikainen altistuminen pohjoiselle saasteseokselle ja Arokloori 1254:lle hidasti luiden pituuskasvua. Lisäksi luiden poikkileikkauspinta-alat olivat pienentyneet ja mekaaniset ominaisuudet heikentyneet. Toisaalta hohkaluun määrä oli lisääntynyt altistumisen seurauksena. Myös sikiönkehityksen aikainen altistuminen TCDD:lle hidasti luukudoksen kypsymistä ja johti aikuisiällä luukudoksen ennenaikaiseen vanhenemiseen. AHR:llä oli päärooli ainakin aikuisiän vaikutusten ilmenemiselle ja reseptorilla vaikutti olevan rooli luuston kehityksessä ylipäätään. Seerumin biomarkkereiden ja geeniekspression muutosten perusteella nämä vaikutukset johtuvat todennäköisesti luuston uusiutumisen häiriöistä. Yhteenvetona voidaan todeta, että POP-yhdisteet heikentävät luustoa, mutta tämän ilmiön diagnosoiminen on hankalaa, koska huonolaatuisen kuoriluun sisällä hohkaluun määrä on lisääntynyt.

[pt] A presente dissertação busca compreender as principais dinâmicas políticas, lutas sociais e processos econômicos que configuraram a história da Bolívia nas últimas duas décadas. Mais especificamente, apresenta um estudo de caráter histórico afim de demonstrar quais atores e projetos se constituem como protagonistas no país andino. Os conflitos por hegemonia entre representantes do neoliberalismo, por um lado, e movimentos sociais – com destaque para o movimento indígena – de outro, são inseridos em uma contextualização político-social, além de investigados a partir de um arsenal teórico que combina elementos da tradição marxista aos posicionamentos críticos atualmente em voga na teoria de Relações Internacionais, em especial o arcabouço teórico conhecido com neo-gramscianismo. A partir da análise do processo de nacionalização dos hidrocarbonetos levado a cabo pelo presidente Evo Morales em 2006, é apresentada uma discussão acerca das possibilidades de superação do paradigma neoliberal em um país que é rico em recursos naturais, mas pobre – especialmente a maioria indígena da população – em função da avidez por riquezas de sua elite branca-mestiça em associação subordinada ao capital transnacional. Os avanços e recuos dos projetos neoliberais – em função da resistência que sofrem de setores populares organizados – são analisados de modo a traçar tendências sobre as configurações políticas na América Latina do início do século XXI, doméstica e internacionalmente. / [en] The current dissertation tries to comprehend the critical political dynamics, social struggles and economic process that shaped Bolivian history in the past two decades. More specifically, it presents a historical study aiming to show which actors and projects constitute themselves as the most significant in this Andean country. The conflicts for hegemony between the representatives of Neoliberalism, on one side, and social movements – specially the indigenous movement – on the other, are placed in a socio-political contextualization, and investigated from a theoretical standpoint that combines elements of the Marxist tradition with the current critical strands of International Relations theory, in special the so-called neo-gramscian approach. Departing from the analysis of the hydrocarbon nationalization process led by Evo Morales government in 2006, a discussion on the possibilities of the transcendence of the neoliberal paradigm is presented, taking in account the apparent paradox of a country which is rich in natural resources, but also one that has extreme poverty – specially among the indigenous majority of the population – because its elite s greediness for wealth, in a subordinated association with transnational capital. The up s and down s of neoliberal projects – in function of the resistance led by organized popular sectors – are analyzed in a way as to suggest tendencies on the political configurations in early 21th century Latin America, both domestically and internationally.

Le chapitre 1 présente un résumé bibliographique des différentes façons de casser une liaison C-Hd'hydrocarbures, plus particulièrement du méthane, avec des complexes de métaux de transition tant de la gauche que de la droite du système périodique. Pour les métaux de transition de la gauche, notre attention a été principalement axée sur trois mécanismes: i) la métathèse de liaison sigma, ii) l’abstraction d’un hydrogène en position alpha couplée a l’addition-1,2 d’une liaison CH et iii) l’abstraction d’un hydrogène en position bêta couplée à l’addition-1,3 d’une liaison C-H.Le chapitre 2 aborde le problème de l'activation d'une liaison C-H du méthane par un complexe transitoire eta2-cyclopropène de niobium. Des études RMN à haute pression en solution, des études de marquage isotopiques ainsi que des analyses cinétiques sur l'échange dégénéré du méthane dans le complexe méthyle [TpMe2NbCH3(c-C3H5)(MeCCMe)] (1) sont décrits. L’activation stoechiométrique du méthane par le complexe mésitylène [TpMe2Nb(CH2-3,5-C6H3Me2)(c-C3H5)(MeCCMe)] (2) pour donner 1 est également réalisée. Les données montrent que ces réactions se déroulent via une abstraction intramoléculaire d'un hydrogène bêta du groupe cyclopropyle soit par un groupe méthyle soit par un groupe mésityle à partir du composé 1 ou 2, respectivement, ce qui donne l’intermédiaire réactif eta2-cyclopropène [TpMe2Nb(2-c-C3H4)(MeCCMe)] (A). Ceci est suivi par sa réaction inverse, l'addition-1,3 d’une liaison C-H du méthane pour donner le produit.Le chapitre 3 explore la réactivité du complexe 1 en vers des hétéroaromatiques, des hydrocarbures insaturés ainsi que le pentafluorobenzène et le ferrocène (FcH) via l’abstraction d’un hydrogène en position beta couplée à l’addition-1,3 d’une liaison C-H. Le compose 1 est en mesure d'activer de manière sélective la liaison C-H du furane, thiophène, 1-cyclopentène, phénylacétylène, pentafluorobenzène et ferrocène, donnant les produits correspondants [TpMe2NbX(c-C3H5)(MeCCMe)] (X = 2-C4H3O, 2-C4H3S, 1-C5H7, PhCC, C6F5, Fc) qui ont été isolés et caractérisés par spectroscopie RMN du 1H et 13C, des études électrochimiques ainsi que par des analyses de diffraction des rayons X. / Chapter 1 reports a literature summary of the different ways of cleaving a hydrocarbon C-H bond, mostparticularly methane, with both early and late transition metal complexes. For early transition metals ourattention is focused on three mechanisms: i) the σ-bond metathesis, ii) the α-H abstraction/1,2-CH bond addition and iii) the β-H abstraction/1,3-CH bond addition.Chapter 2 challenges the problem of the activation of a CH bond of methane by a transient η2-cyclopropene complex of niobium. High pressure solution NMR, isotopic labelling studies and kinetic analyses of the degenerate exchange of methane in the methyl complex [TpMe2NbCH3(c-C3H5)(MeCCMe)] (1) are reported. Stoichiometric methane activation by the mesitylene complex [TpMe2Nb(CH2-3,5-C6H3Me2)(c-C3H5)(MeCCMe)] (2) giving 1 is also realized. Evidence is provided that these reactions proceed via an intramolecular abstraction of a β-H of the cyclopropyl group from either methane or mesitylene from 1 or 2, respectively, yielding the transient unsaturated η2-cyclopropene intermediate [TpMe2Nb(η2-c-C3H4)(MeCCMe)] (A). This is followed by itsmechanistic reverse 1,3-CH bond addition of methane yielding the product.Chapter 3 explores the reactivity of complex 1 towards heteroaromatics, unsaturated hydrocarbons, pentafluorobenzene and ferrocene (FcH) via the β-H abstraction/1,3-CH bond activation mechanism. Compound 1 is able to selectively activate the C-H bond of furan, thiophene, 1-cyclopentene, phenylacetylene, pentafluorobenzene and ferrocene, yielding the corresponding products [TpMe2NbX(c-C3H5)(MeCCMe)] (X = 2-C4H3O, 2-C4H3S, 1-C5H7, PhC≡C C6F5, Fc) which have been isolated and characterized by 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy, electrochemical studies and X-ray diffraction analysis.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / The main purpose of this study was to identify and characterize the various sand prone depositional facies in the deepwater Southern Outeniqua Basin which generally tend to form during lowstand (marine regression) conditions producing progradational facies. It made use of sequence stratigraphy and turbidite facies models to predict the probable location of deepwater reservoirs in the undrilled Southern Outeniqua Basin using data from basin margin Pletmos Basin and the deepwater Southern Outeniqua Basin. Basin margin depositional packages were correlated in time and space with deepwater packages. It was an attempt at bridging the gap between process-related studies of sedimentary rocks and the more traditional economic geology f commercial deposits of petroleum using prevailing state-of-the-art in basin analysis. It enabled the most realistic reconstructions of genetic stratigraphy and offered the greatest application in exploration. Sequence stratigraphic analysis and interpretation of seismics, well logs, cores and biostratigraphic data was carried out providing a chronostratigraphic framework of the study area within which seismic facies analysis done. Nine (9) seismic lines that span the shallow/basin margin Pletmos basin into the undrilled deepwater Southern Outeniqua basin were analysed and interpreted and the relevant seismic geometries were captured. Four (4) turbidite depositional elements were identified from the seismic lines: channel, overbank deposits, haotic deposits and basin plain (basin floor fan) deposits. These were identified from the relevant seismic geometries (geometric attributes) observed on the 2D seismic lines. Thinning attributes, unconformity attributes and seismic facies attributes were observed from the seismic lines. This was preceded by basic structural analyses and interpretation of the seismic lines. according to the structural analysis and interpretation, deposition trended NW-SE and NNW-SSE as we go deepwater into the Southern Outeniqua basin. Well logs from six (6) of the interpreted wells indicated depositional channel fill as well as basin floor fans. This was identified in well Ga-V1 and Ga-S1 respectively. A bell and crescent shape gamma ray log signature was observed in well Ga-V1 indicating a fining up sequence as the channel was abandoned while an isolated massive mound-shape gamma ray log signature was observed in Ga-S1 indicating basin plain well-sorted sands. Core analyses and interpretation from two southern-most wells revealed three (3) facies which were derived based on Walker‘s 1978, turbidite facies. The observed facies were: sandstone, sand/shale and shale facies. Sequence stratigraphic characterisation of petroleum reservoirs in block 11b/12b of the Southern Outeniqua Basin. Cores of well Ga-V1 displayed fine-grained alternations of thin sandstone beds and shales belonging to the thin-bedded turbidite facies. This is typical of levees of the upper fan channel but could easily be confused with similar facies on the basin plain. According to Walker, 1978 such facies form under conditions of active fan progradation. Ga-S1 cores displayed not only classic turbidite facies where there was alternating sand and shale sections but showed thick uninterrupted sections of clean sands. This is typical of basin plain deposits. Only one well had biostratigraphic data though being very limited in content. This data revealed particular depth sections and stratigraphic sections as having medium to fast depositional rates. Such rates are characteristic of turbidite deposition from turbidity currents. This study as well as a complementary study by Carvajal et al., 2009 revealed that the Southern Outeniqua basin is a sand-prone basin with many progradational sequences in which tectonics and sediment supply rate have been significant factors (amongst others such as sea level change) in the formation of these deepwater sequences. In conclusion, the Southern Outeniqua basin was hereby seen as having a viable and unexplored petroleum system existing in this sand prone untested world class. / South Africa

En milieu industriel, si l'analyse en ligne d'effluents gazeux à l'aide de la chromatographie en phase gazeuse est actuellement réalisée sans difficultés majeure, l'analyse des liquides reste une des principales problématiques à résoudre. En effet, comparée à une analyse réalisée au laboratoire, l'analyse en ligne d'un échantillon liquide permettrait de s'affranchir de l'étape de prélèvement et de préparation avant injection ainsi que des problèmes de contamination et de représentativité de l'échantillon. Des systèmes d'injection de liquide en ligne sont actuellement disponibles, cependant, des difficultés d'injection liées à la discrimination des analytes sont rencontrées. C'est dans ce contexte qu'une vanne dédiée à l'injection des liquides en ligne a été développée, puis validée en laboratoire, et enfin mise en œuvre sur des applications industrielles pétrolières. Un tout autre enjeu, lié entre autres à la réduction des coûts de maintenance et d'installation, ainsi qu'à la compatibilité de systèmes analytiques destinés à l'industrie et aux micro-pilotes, a orienté des développements instrumentaux vers la miniaturisation des systèmes. Un assemblage de différentes briques technologiques a ensuite été réalisé afin d'évaluer la faisabilité d'un système miniaturisé incorporant la technologie d'injection des liquides en ligne. Finalement et toujours dans ce contexte de miniaturisation, des colonnes monolithiques courtes ont été mises en œuvre en chromatographie en phase gazeuse à haute pression, au laboratoire pour commencer, puis sur des effluents industriels gazeux. Elles ont permis de réaliser des analyses très rapides avec une grande efficacité par unité de longueur tout en pouvant agir sur la sélectivité des colonnes grâce à un contrôle de leurs propriétés de surface / In industry, although on-line analysis of gaseous effluents using gas chromatography is carried out without major difficulty, the analysis of liquids remains problematic and is one of the main issues to be solved. Indeed, compared to an analysis carried out in a laboratory, the on-line analysis of a liquid sample would bypass the steps of sampling and preparation prior to injection and would avoid problems of contamination and representativeness of the sample. Systems for injecting liquids on-line are currently available; however, difficulties are encountered, due to the discrimination of analytes. It is in this context that a valve dedicated to the on-line injection of liquids was developed, validated under laboratory conditions and finally implemented in the oil industry. Another issue, related, amongst other things, to the reduction of maintenance and installation costs, as well as to the compatibility of analytical systems for industry and for micro-pilots, steered instrumental developments towards the miniaturization of systems. Different technological bricks were therefore brought together to assess the feasibility of a miniaturized system involving the technology for on-line injection of liquid. Finally, and still in the context of miniaturization, short monolithic columns were implemented in gaseous phase chromatography at high pressure, first in the laboratory and then on industrial gas effluents. They allowed very fast analyses to be performed which had greater efficiency per unit of length while still being able to act on the selectivity of the columns thanks to the control of their surface properties

The present work is concerned with fundamental studies on the liquid fuel transport in the intake manifold of small carburetted engines. This work is motivated by the need for development of technologies to meet the stringent cold-start emission norms that are to be prescribed for two-wheelers in particular. More specifically, visualization studies conducted in a transparent manifold made of quartz in a small four-stroke 110-cc two-wheeler engine have shown the presence of gasoline films on the walls of the inlet manifold under cold start conditions. Advanced Laser diagnostic techniques such as Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF) have been utilized to measure the thickness of the fuel films. The Sauter Mean Diameter for the fuel droplets at the carburettor exit is measured using Laser Shadowgraphy technique. It is observed that the films are present both at idling conditions and under load. This large amount of liquid fuel entering the engine leads to incomplete combustion and higher emissions of unburned hydrocarbons. A detailed analysis of the effects of heating the inlet manifold has been performed. The potential of this manifold heating strategy in reducing hydrocarbon emissions has been assessed and found to be promising. In addition, a need of proper control of the fuel exiting the carburettor is shown to reduce emissions and increase fuel efficiency.