The current work has as its general theme the solutions-locations found by the poorest part of the population of Brazilian cities in terms of housing. It specifically addresses the appropriation of environmentally sensitive areas in urban locations for that purpose, (more precisely, the edges of urban water bodies), and the conflicts (social, environmental and, consequently, political) that surround such situations. The research is a case study which has as its empirical focus the situation of the human settlements on the banks of the Mundaú Lagoon in Maceió, capital of Alagoas, and takes as its starting point the hypothesis that "the urban environmental issue is primarily a housing problem and a problem of the adoption of policies that will facilitate the access of the majority of the population to adequate housing". (Martins 2002, p.126) The discussion focuses initially on the relationship between the process of urbanization and poverty in Brazil, contextualizing the settlements of the poorest part of the population of Brazilian cities and specifically of the city of Maceió. This is followed by a discussion of the socio-environmental dimension of human settlements in environmentally sensitive areas, especially those located on the shores of Mundaú Lagoon. Later, we discuss public policies for the promotion of housing for the poorest in Brazilian cities, with emphasis on those policies which are related to the human settlements on the banks of Mundaú Lagoon, and point out the conflicts of interest that permeate the decisions of public authorities, especially those with respect to the use and occupation of environmentally fragile areas in the urban space. The work leads us to understand that the phenomenon of precarious human settlements in environmentally fragile areas is the result of the reproductive processes of the socio-spatial inequalities inherent in the reproduction of urban space in Brazil. In this manner we come to see the urban environmental issue as a problem that stems from the difficulties of access to adequate housing of most of the population. While this access is determined by the income of the population the place of the poor will be a place ever more excluded from the benefits of the city. / Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Alagoas / O presente trabalho tem por tema geral as soluções-localizações encontradas pela população mais pobre nas cidades brasileiras para moradia. Aborda-se especificamente a apropriação de áreas ambientalmente frágeis em meios urbanos para aquele fim, mais precisamente, as margens de corpos d água urbanas, bem como os conflitos (sociais, ambientais e, conseqüentemente, políticos) que envolvem tais situações. A pesquisa consiste em um estudo de caso, que tem por objeto empírico a situação dos assentamentos humanos às margens da lagoa Mundaú, em Maceió, capital de Alagoas e parte da hipótese de que a questão ambiental urbana é antes de tudo um problema de moradia e de adoção de políticas que possibilite o acesso da maioria da população a uma moradia adequada. (MARTINS 2002, p.126) A discussão trata inicialmente da relação entre o processo de urbanização e a pobreza no Brasil, contextualizando os assentamentos da população mais pobres nas cidades brasileiras e especificamente na cidade de Maceió. Em seguida, discute-se a dimensão socioambiental dos assentamentos humanos em áreas ambientalmente frágeis, mas especificamente, daqueles localizados às margens da Lagoa Mundaú. Posteriormente, abordam-se as políticas públicas de promoção de habitação para os mais pobres nas cidades brasileiras, enfatizando-se aquelas referentes aos assentamentos humanos às margens da lagoa Mundaú e aponta-se para os conflitos de interesse que permeiam as decisões do poder público, especialmente, quando se referem ao uso e ocupação de áreas ambientalmente frágeis no espaço urbano. O trabalho leva a compreensão de que o fenômeno dos assentamentos humanos precários em áreas ambientalmente frágeis é fruto dos processos de reprodução das desigualdades sócioespaciais inerente à reprodução do espaço urbano no Brasil. Desse modo, a questão ambiental urbana aparece como um problema decorrente das dificuldades de acesso à moradia adequada da maior parte da população. Enquanto esse acesso estiver condicionado à renda da população, cada vez mais, a localização dos pobres consistirá em locais excluídos dos benefícios da cidade.

O impacto de um lançamento de efluente na qualidade da água do corpo hídrico depende de características do lançamento e do corpo hídrico, a exemplo de suas condições hidrodinâmicas. O conhecimento das relações entre os fatores envolvidos permite avaliar os riscos envolvidos, alterar a forma de lançamento de efluentes de modo a reduzir seu impacto e reduzir os custos com as formas de controle da poluição, entre outras ações. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho é compreender as relações entre os fatores dominantes das condições hidrodinâmicas e a dispersão de poluentes na região nordeste da Laguna dos Patos, buscando identificar formas de utilizar a modelagem hidrodinâmica para melhorar a gestão do corpo hídrico e de lançamento de efluentes. A área de estudo consiste na região nordeste da Laguna dos Patos, no Rio Grande do Sul, onde o vento e a vazão afluente são os fatores determinantes de circulação de água. O modelo utilizado (IPH-A) apresentou boa representação da variação de nível, exceto pelo posto mais próximo da região estuarina, e da circulação de água. O coeficiente de dispersão foi definido a partir da comparação visual da simulação da dispersão dos sedimentos em suspensão afluentes ao Lago Guaíba e a pluma do Guaíba observada em imagens de satélite. Cenários de vento e vazão foram determinados a partir da análise da série histórica de dados de vento na estação de Rio Grande e da vazão afluente ao Lago Guaíba.Os resultados dos ventos sudoeste e nordeste foram semelhantes ao verificado na literatura com uso de modelo bidimensional para o corpo lagunar. Na região nordeste, uma célula de circulação entre o Banco das Desertas e o Banco dos Abreus é observada no sentido horário (anti-horário) para os cenários com vento sudoeste (nordeste). O vento sudeste provoca o aumento do nível na margem oeste e redução na margem leste É observada uma maior renovação de água na região ao norte do Banco das Desertas e menor troca de água com a Lagoa do Casamento do que nos cenários anteriores. Nos cenários de vento nulo, as velocidades da água na região nordeste da laguna são bastante baixas. A vazão necessária para manutenção do nível na laguna dependeu do vento predominante. Os diferentes cenários de vento produziram diferentes plumas de dispersão do lançamento de efluente simulado, seguindo os padrões da circulação de água no local. As maiores concentrações foram observadas no local de lançamento do efluente para o cenário de vento nulo e a maior área de influência foi observada para os cenários de vento nordeste (maior velocidade de vento simulada). Para os cinco dias de simulação, foi observada pouca influência da vazão afluente no nível e na circulação de água do corpo lagunar e, consequentemente, na dispersão de poluentes. Os resultados evidenciam a necessidade de as concentrações de lançamento permitidas serem estabelecidas com base em estudo da dispersão física do efluente no corpo hídrico receptor, conforme determinado pela legislação nacional para corpos d’água onde não se aplica a vazão de referência. A consideração de uma zona de mistura onde as concentrações dos parâmetros podem estar em desacorpo com o enquadramento do corpo hídrico é debatida nas discussões. As simulações permitiram ainda identificar locais prioritários para monitoramento dos efeitos do efluente lançado na qualidade da água, cenários críticos para conflitos de uso da água considerando outros usos na região e verificar possíveis consequências do encurtamento ou alongamento do emissário. / The aim of this study is to understand the relationship between hydrodynamic and the pollutants dispersion in the northeast region of the Patos Lagoon, looking for identify ways of using hydrodynamic modeling to improve water resources and effluent discharge management. The study area is the northeastern region of Patos Lagoon, a chocked lagoon in the brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, where winds and freshwater runoff drive water circulation. The model IPH-A performed well, except for the estuarine region. The dispersion coefficient was defined from the visual comparison between the dispersion of suspended sediments on Guaíba Lake simulated and observed in satellite images. The wind and freshwater runoff scenarios were determined by analyzing the historical wind data series at the Rio Grande station and the freshwater discharge of the main tributaries of Guaíba Lake. The results for the scenarios of the southwest and northeast winds were similar to those observed in the literature using a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model. In the northeast region, a circulation cell between the Banco das Desertas and Banco dos Abreus is observed clockwise (counter-clockwise) for the southwest (northeast) wind scenarios. The southeast wind increases water level in the west margin and reduces in the east margin. It is observed a more intense water exchange in the region to the north of the Banco das Desertas and less water exchange with the Casamento Lagoon than in the previous scenarios In null wind speed scenarios, the water velocities in the northeast region of the lagoon are quite low. The water inflow necessary to maintain the water level in the lagoon depends on the wind condition. Different wind scenarios produced different effluent plumes, following the local water circulation patterns. The highest concentrations were observed at the effluent discharge site for the scenario with null wind speed and the largest area of influence was observed for the northeast wind scenario (highest simulated wind speed). Due to the only 5-days period of simulation, little influence was observed of the freshwater runoff on the water level and on the lagoon circulation, and, consequently, on the dispersion of pollutants. This evidences the need for the maximum permitted concentrations of pollutants to be established based on a study of the physical dispersion of the effluent in the receiving water body, as determined by national legislation for water bodies where the reference flow does not apply. The simulations also allowed to identify priority sites for monitoring the effects of effluent discharge on water quality, critical scenarios for water use conflicts considering other uses, and to verify possible consequences of changes in emissary length.

O impacto de um lançamento de efluente na qualidade da água do corpo hídrico depende de características do lançamento e do corpo hídrico, a exemplo de suas condições hidrodinâmicas. O conhecimento das relações entre os fatores envolvidos permite avaliar os riscos envolvidos, alterar a forma de lançamento de efluentes de modo a reduzir seu impacto e reduzir os custos com as formas de controle da poluição, entre outras ações. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho é compreender as relações entre os fatores dominantes das condições hidrodinâmicas e a dispersão de poluentes na região nordeste da Laguna dos Patos, buscando identificar formas de utilizar a modelagem hidrodinâmica para melhorar a gestão do corpo hídrico e de lançamento de efluentes. A área de estudo consiste na região nordeste da Laguna dos Patos, no Rio Grande do Sul, onde o vento e a vazão afluente são os fatores determinantes de circulação de água. O modelo utilizado (IPH-A) apresentou boa representação da variação de nível, exceto pelo posto mais próximo da região estuarina, e da circulação de água. O coeficiente de dispersão foi definido a partir da comparação visual da simulação da dispersão dos sedimentos em suspensão afluentes ao Lago Guaíba e a pluma do Guaíba observada em imagens de satélite. Cenários de vento e vazão foram determinados a partir da análise da série histórica de dados de vento na estação de Rio Grande e da vazão afluente ao Lago Guaíba.Os resultados dos ventos sudoeste e nordeste foram semelhantes ao verificado na literatura com uso de modelo bidimensional para o corpo lagunar. Na região nordeste, uma célula de circulação entre o Banco das Desertas e o Banco dos Abreus é observada no sentido horário (anti-horário) para os cenários com vento sudoeste (nordeste). O vento sudeste provoca o aumento do nível na margem oeste e redução na margem leste É observada uma maior renovação de água na região ao norte do Banco das Desertas e menor troca de água com a Lagoa do Casamento do que nos cenários anteriores. Nos cenários de vento nulo, as velocidades da água na região nordeste da laguna são bastante baixas. A vazão necessária para manutenção do nível na laguna dependeu do vento predominante. Os diferentes cenários de vento produziram diferentes plumas de dispersão do lançamento de efluente simulado, seguindo os padrões da circulação de água no local. As maiores concentrações foram observadas no local de lançamento do efluente para o cenário de vento nulo e a maior área de influência foi observada para os cenários de vento nordeste (maior velocidade de vento simulada). Para os cinco dias de simulação, foi observada pouca influência da vazão afluente no nível e na circulação de água do corpo lagunar e, consequentemente, na dispersão de poluentes. Os resultados evidenciam a necessidade de as concentrações de lançamento permitidas serem estabelecidas com base em estudo da dispersão física do efluente no corpo hídrico receptor, conforme determinado pela legislação nacional para corpos d’água onde não se aplica a vazão de referência. A consideração de uma zona de mistura onde as concentrações dos parâmetros podem estar em desacorpo com o enquadramento do corpo hídrico é debatida nas discussões. As simulações permitiram ainda identificar locais prioritários para monitoramento dos efeitos do efluente lançado na qualidade da água, cenários críticos para conflitos de uso da água considerando outros usos na região e verificar possíveis consequências do encurtamento ou alongamento do emissário. / The aim of this study is to understand the relationship between hydrodynamic and the pollutants dispersion in the northeast region of the Patos Lagoon, looking for identify ways of using hydrodynamic modeling to improve water resources and effluent discharge management. The study area is the northeastern region of Patos Lagoon, a chocked lagoon in the brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, where winds and freshwater runoff drive water circulation. The model IPH-A performed well, except for the estuarine region. The dispersion coefficient was defined from the visual comparison between the dispersion of suspended sediments on Guaíba Lake simulated and observed in satellite images. The wind and freshwater runoff scenarios were determined by analyzing the historical wind data series at the Rio Grande station and the freshwater discharge of the main tributaries of Guaíba Lake. The results for the scenarios of the southwest and northeast winds were similar to those observed in the literature using a two-dimensional hydrodynamic model. In the northeast region, a circulation cell between the Banco das Desertas and Banco dos Abreus is observed clockwise (counter-clockwise) for the southwest (northeast) wind scenarios. The southeast wind increases water level in the west margin and reduces in the east margin. It is observed a more intense water exchange in the region to the north of the Banco das Desertas and less water exchange with the Casamento Lagoon than in the previous scenarios In null wind speed scenarios, the water velocities in the northeast region of the lagoon are quite low. The water inflow necessary to maintain the water level in the lagoon depends on the wind condition. Different wind scenarios produced different effluent plumes, following the local water circulation patterns. The highest concentrations were observed at the effluent discharge site for the scenario with null wind speed and the largest area of influence was observed for the northeast wind scenario (highest simulated wind speed). Due to the only 5-days period of simulation, little influence was observed of the freshwater runoff on the water level and on the lagoon circulation, and, consequently, on the dispersion of pollutants. This evidences the need for the maximum permitted concentrations of pollutants to be established based on a study of the physical dispersion of the effluent in the receiving water body, as determined by national legislation for water bodies where the reference flow does not apply. The simulations also allowed to identify priority sites for monitoring the effects of effluent discharge on water quality, critical scenarios for water use conflicts considering other uses, and to verify possible consequences of changes in emissary length.

In the pursuit of low-carbon, renewable energy sources one option with great potential in the UK is tidal energy. Specifically the proposed construction of the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon (SBTL) in South Wales has become one such discussed option. With a potential net annual output of 400 GWh and a 120-year lifetime the scheme represents a long-term and large-scale electricity production option. An assessment of carbon emissions and embodied energy (EE) of the lagoon’s life cycle was carried out. Total lifetime carbon emissions for the SBTL are in the region of 470,000 tCO2e and EE was found to be around 7,800 TJ. The assessment shows that the SBTL has significantly lower emissions per year than the existing National Grid mix and with emissions of around 0.01 kgCO2e/KWh is significantly lower than the UK emissions target of 0.07 kgCO2e/KWh. Energy payback of the SBTL was found to be in the region of 5.5 years. The use of dredged ballast infill sourced from within the area of the lagoon plays an important role in keeping emissions and energy use low; and is a key consideration when planning future tidal lagoon structures.

As the focus of over 70 years* of archaeological research, Oaxaca, Mexico, is one of Mesoamerica*s best understood regions. Yet, despite the volume of work in Oaxaca, information about one of its key resource areas, the central Pacific coast, remains limited. Specifically, the ambiguous role of Oaxaca*s Central Coast in interregional relationships during pre-Hispanic times to the sites of Monte Alban and Tututepec has been a chronic problem and major source of debate for decades. The purpose of this thesis is to begin clarifying the role of Oaxaca*s Central Coast in interregional networks and its pre-Hispanic history. Analysis utilized surface observations, surface collections, and information from limited excavations performed by the Proyecto Arqueologico Laguna de Manialtepec (PALM) in the Manialtepec Basin, located on the Central Coast of Oaxaca. The data was then mapped using ArcGIS software to render settlement and artifact patterns. Based on the results of this project I suggest a history of settlement for this area. I also argue that the Basin contained three centers, maintained interregional interactions, and was invaded by the Mixtecs of highland Oaxaca during the Late Postclassic Period (A.D. 1200-1500).

Les zones côtières ne sont prises en compte dans les budgets globaux de CO2 atmosphérique que depuis peu. Il s’avère que bien qu’elles ne représentent globalement que de faibles superficies, les flux de carbone et de nutriments y sont très significatifs à l’échelle globale. On sait peu de chose sur le comportement des écosystèmes lagunaires vis-à-vis du CO2 et, encore moins des zones intertidales où les échanges avec l’atmosphère ont lieu alternativement avec l’eau et le sédiment. Les objectifs de cette étude ont été d’une part, d’établir le bilan de carbone échangé entre la lagune d’Arcachon, l’atmosphère et le milieu terrestre, et d’autre part de mettre en relation ces flux avec la production nette de l’écosystème (NEP) afin de mieux caractériser le statut métabolique de celle-ci ainsi que les facteurs environnementaux clés. Pour cela, nous avons mis en place pour la première fois et à différentes saisons et stations, des mesures directes de flux de CO2 par Eddy Corrélation, une méthode fonctionnant en continu pendant l’immersion et l’émersion. En parallèle, les apports de carbone terrestre sous ses différentes formes ont été quantifiés par un suivi annuel sur 9 rivières alimentant la lagune. L’export total de carbone par le bassin versant à travers les eaux de surface des rivières est estimé à 116 t C km-2 an-1 dont 39% est exporté à la lagune sous forme organique dissoute (DOC) du fait de la prédominance de podzols dans le bassin versant. La forte minéralisation de la matière organique terrestre dans les sols et eaux souterraines sursature largement les eaux en CO2 et l’export sous forme de carbone inorganique dissoute (DIC) représente environ 21%. La formulation d’un modèle mathématique, le « StreamCO2-DEGAS », basé sur les mesures de pCO2, de concentrations et de compositions isotopiques en DIC a permis de montrer que 43% de l’export total de carbone était dégazé sous forme de CO2 depuis les rivières vers l’atmosphère, réduisant alors le flux net entrant dans la lagune à 66 t C km-2 an-1. Concernant la mesure de flux verticaux, l’analyse cospectrale ainsi que les résultats obtenus en adéquation avec les contrôles physiques et biologiques aux différentes échelles tidale, diurne et saisonnières, ont permis de valider la méthode de l’Eddy Covariance en zone intertidale. Sur l’ensemble de la période de mesures, les flux de CO2 étaient faibles, variant entre -13 et 19 µmol m-2 s-1. Des puits de CO2 atmosphérique à marée basse le jour ont été systématiquement observés. Au contraire, pendant l’immersion et à marée basse la nuit, des flux positifs ou négatifs ou proche de zéro ont été observés suivant la saison et la station étudiées. L’analyse concomitante des flux de CO2 et des images satellites du platier à marée basse le jour a clairement permis de discriminer l’importance relative des deux cycles métaboliques distincts des principaux producteurs primaires avec (1) les herbiers de Zostera noltii à cycle annuel long, dominant la NEP en été et en automne à la station la plus centrale et (2) les communautés microphytobenthiques, dominant la production primaire brute (PPB) au printemps à la même station et en automne au fond du bassin. Un recyclage rapide de cette production durant l’immersion et l’émersion a aussi clairement été mis évidence. Au vue des différents résultats, la technique d’Eddy Covariance utilisée en zone intertidale laisse envisager d’intéressantes perspectives en termes de connaissances sur les budgets de carbone et les processus écologiques et biogéochimiques dans la zone côtière. / The coastal zone is only taken into account since recently in global carbon budgeting efforts. Although covering globally modest surface areas, carbon and nutrient fluxes in the coastal zone appear significant at the global scale. However, little is known about the CO2 behaviour in lagoons and even less in intertidal zones where exchanges with the atmosphere occur alternatively with the water and the sediment. The purposes of this work are, on one hand, to establish the carbon budget between the Arcachon lagoon, the atmosphere and the terrestrial watershed and on the other hand, to link these fluxes with the net ecosystem production (NEP) and better characterize its metabolic status along with the relevant environmental factors. For the first time, CO2 flux measurements by Eddy Correlation have been carried out at different seasons and stations in the tidal flat. In parallel, the total terrestrial carbon export from river waters has been quantified throughout a complete hydrological cycle in nine watercourses flowing into the lagoon. The total carbon export from the watershed through surface river waters is estimated at 116 t C km-2 yr-1 on which 39% is exported to the lagoon as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) owing to the predominance of podzols in the watershed. Intense organic matter mineralization in soils and groundwaters largely over-saturate river waters in CO2 on which export accounts for 21% as dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). The mathematical “StreamCO2-DEGAS” model formulation based on water pCO2, DIC concentrations and isotopic composition measurements permits to show that 43% of the total carbon export was degassed as CO2 from the riverine surface waters to the atmosphere, lowering then this latter to 66 t C km-2 yr-1. With respect to the CO2 flux measurements in the lagoon, cospectral analysis and the well accordance of results with physical and biological controls at the tidal, diurnal and seasonal time scales permit to validate the Eddy Correlation technique over tidal coastal zone. CO2 fluxes with the atmosphere, during each period, were generally weak and ranged between -13 and 19 µmol m-2 s-1. Low tide and daytime conditions were always characterized by an uptake of atmospheric CO2. In contrast, during the immersion and during low tide at night, CO2 fluxes where either positive or negative, or close to zero, depending on the season and the site. The concomitant analysis of CO2 fluxes with satellite images of the lagoon at low tide during the day clearly discriminate the relative importance of the two distinct metabolic carbon cycling involving the main primary producers, i.e. (1) the Zostera noltii seagrass meadow predominance on the NEP in autumn and summer in the more central station, with an annual cycling and (2) the microphytobenthos community predominance on the gross primary production (GPP) in spring at the same station and in autumn in the inner part of the bay where a rapid carbon cycling during the immersion and the emersion was clearly highlighted. The different results obtained with the Eddy Correlation technique over tidal flats opens interesting perspectives on the knowledge of the carbon budget and the biogeochemical and ecological processes within the coastal zone.

No description available.

The Sulaiy Formation, which is the oldest unit in the Lower Cretaceous succession, is conformably overlain by the Yamama Formation and it is a challenge to identify the precise age of the two formations using foraminifera and other microfossil assemblages. In the eastern side of Saudi Arabia, the Sulaiy Formation and the base of Yamama Formation are poorly studied. The main objectives of this study is to enhance the understanding of the Sulaiy Formation sequence stratigraphical correlation, regional lateral variations and palaeoenvironmental investigation. Lithological and semi-quantitative micropalaeontological analysis of 1277 thin sections taken from core samples from nine cored wells providing a geographically representative distribution from the Saudi Arabian Gulf. These cores intersected the base of the Yamama Formation and the Sulaiy Formation in the total thickness of cored wells of 843.23 meters (2766.5 feet). On the evidence provided by the foraminifera, the Sulaiy Formation is considered to represent the Berriasian to the lowermost Valanginian. The investigation of the micropalaeontology has provided considerable insights into the biocomponents of Sulaiy and the base of Yamama formations in order to identify their biofacies. These microfossils include rotalid foraminifera, miliolid foraminifera, agglutinated foraminifera, calcareous algae, calcispheres, stromatoporoids, sponge spicules, problematica (e.g. Lithocodium aggregatum), molluscs, corals, echinoderms and ostracods. Systematics of planktic and benthic foraminifera is accomplished using the foraminiferal classification by Loeblich and Tappan (1988) as the main source. The assemblage contains foraminifera that recorded for the first time in the Sulaiy Formation. Other microfossils were identified and recorded to help in the identification of the sedimentary environments. The investigation of the micropalaeontology and the lithofacies analysis have provided evidence the identification of the various lithofacies. About twenty four microfacies were identified on the basis of their bio−component and non-skeletal grains. The lithofacies and the bio−component results have provided the evidence of the sedimentary palaeoenvironmental model namely the Arabian Rimmed Carbonate Platform. This palaeoenvironmental depositional model is characterised by two different platform regimes. They are the Platform Interior and the Platform Exterior each of which have unique sedimentary lithofacies zones that produce different types of lithofacies. Each lithofacies is characterised by special depositional conditions and palaeobathymetry that interact with sea level changes and the accommodation space. The important palaeoenvironments are intertidal, restricted lagoon (subtidal), open marine, deeper open marine, inner shoal, shoal and platform margin. Generating, and testing, a depositional model as a part of formulating a sequence stratigraphical interpretation of a region is a key to understanding its geological development and – ultimately – reservoir potential. The micropalaeontology and sedimentology of the Sulaiy Formation in the subsurface have indicated a succession of clearly defined shallowing−upwards depositional cycles. These typically commence with a deep marine biofacies with wackestones and packstones, capped with a mudstone-wackestone maximum flooding zone and an upper unit of packstone to grainstones containing shallow marine biofacies. The upper part of the Sulaiy Formation is highstand-dominated with common grainstones that host the Lower Ratawi reservoir which is capped by karst that defines the sequence boundary. This karst is identified by its abundant moldic porosity that enhanced the the reservoir quality by increasing its porosities into greater values. Integration of the sedimentology and micropalaeontology has yielded a succession of shoaling−upwards depositional cycles, considered to be 4th order sequences, that are superimposed on a large scale 3rd order system tract shallowing−upwards, highstand-associated sequence of the Sulaiy Formation. The Lower Ratawi Reservoir is located within the latest high-stand portion of a third-order Sulaiy Formation sequence. The reservoir consists of a succession of several sequences, each of which is sub-divided into a lower transgressive systems tract separated from the upper highstand systems tract by a maximum flooding surface (MFS/Z). The last of these depositional cycles terminates in beds of porous and permeable ooid, or ooidal-peloidal, grainstone. The reservoir is sealed by the finer-grained sediments of the Yamama Formation.

D’un point de vue géographique, la lagune de Venise n’a que peu en commun avec les baies principales de la Bretagne septentrionale, si ce n’est son ouverture sur la mer. Les deux réalités étudiées ont pourtant en commun leur soumission à l’action des marées qui a poussé les populations littorales à développer des savoirs et des techniques de pêche traditionnelles d’une très grande richesse et qu’ils ont su faire évoluer au cours du temps pour mieux les adapter aux caractéristiques du milieu.Les différentes formes de récolte et de pêche, l’élevage des moules en particulier, ont entraîné une domestication et une anthropisation de ces zones. En Bretagne, tout comme à Venise, la valorisation de la moule en tant que ressource alimentaire et économique est assez tardive.Que ce soit dans les sources bibliographiques ou durant l’enquête réalisée sur le terrain, notre recherche nous a permis de repérer des allusions fréquentes à la toxicité présumée de ce mollusque, à Venise appelé « peòcio » c’est-à-dire « pou » et considéré non comestible. Quels mécanismes ont métamorphosé la moule en un aliment aujourd’hui apprécié et recherché ? Et comment des zones, autrefois très pauvres se sont transformées, en des lieux renommés pour la production de moules ? C’est pour répondre à ces questions que nous avons entrepris la reconstruction de l’histoire de la mytiliculture. / From a geographic perspective, the Venice Lagoon has almost nothing in common with the main northern bays of “Bretagne”; simply, both open on the sea. Therefore, the two studied realities have to share their submission to the action of tides that have pushed the coastal communities to develop fishing knowledge and techniques. They were able to evolve over time to better suit the characteristics of the environment. The different forms of harvesting and fishing, mussel farming in particular, led to domestication and human impacts in these areas. In “Bretagne”, as in Venice, is rather late the development of mussels as food and as economic resource.Whether in the literature sources or during the survey in the field, our research has led us to identify frequent allusions to the alleged toxicity of this mollusk in Venice called “peòcio” that mean “cootie” and considered inedible. What mechanisms have metamorphosed mussels into a regarded and sought food today? And how formerly very poor areas are transformed into places renowned for the production of mussels? It is to answer these questions that we undertook the reconstruction of the history of the mussel. / Da un punto di vista geografico la laguna di Venezia ha poco in comune con la Bretagna settentrionale se non il suo sbocco sul mare. Di conseguenza le due realtà condividono la dipendenza dall’azione delle maree, le quali hanno spinto le popolazioni litoranee a sviluppare dei saperi e delle particolari tecniche di pesca adattate alle caratteristiche dell’ambiente.Nel corso della nostra ricerca abbiamo incontrato delle frequenti allusioni alla presunta tossicità del mitilo, a Venezia chiamato “peòcio”, cioè pidocchio. Infatti a Venezia, come in Bretagna, la valorizzazione dei mitili quale risorsa alimentare ed economica è un fenomeno tardivo. Quali meccanismi hanno trasformato i mitili in un alimento che è oggi apprezzato e ricercato? E in che modo delle zone un tempo molto povere si sono trasformate in località rinomate per la produzione di questi molluschi? Per rispondere a queste domande abbiamo ricostruito la storia della mitilicoltura.