This thesis looked at the effects of offshore drilling on food security prospectively. The thesis aimed to understand the effects of offshore drilling and the importance of traditional foods to the Canadian Arctic Indigenous People. Furthermore this thesis aimed to contribute to food security research that is conceptualized within an indigenous context. / Background: Due to global climate change, the melting of arctic ice has increased geopolitical interest in the land due to newly accessible oil reservoirs on the continental shelf. With the imminent rise in offshore gas drilling, this presents an additional threat to Arctic food security. Indigenous populations living in the circumpolar north face many challenges in accessing adequate and nutritional food sources. One of the most significant factors impacting food security is the availability of traditional food. Objectives: To critically examine existing data and literature to discuss the impact of offshore gas drilling on traditional marine food sources. Additionally, the cultural, spiritual and physical health aspects of traditional food consumption will be determined. Methods: Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework was adopted to examine the effects of offshore drilling activities on marine fauna. Furthermore, a literature review was used to determine the significance of traditional food to Canada Arctic Aboriginals. Conclusions: Offshore drilling activities may impact the four dimensions (access, availability, utilization and stability) of food security, therefore threatening food security in the Canadian Arctic. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

Grande parte das ameaças à biodiversidade dos ambientes marinhos e costeiros é resultado direto da população humana e das tendências de aumento demográfico. Uma das dificuldades para a proteção dos ambientes naturais está na existência de diferenças nas percepções dos valores e importância dos mesmos entre os indivíduos de culturas diferentes ou de diferentes grupos. Consideramos que uma importante etapa para a conservação da biodiversidade é entender a Percepção Ambiental dos sujeitos que compõe a população local. Entendemos como Percepção Ambiental a relação que indivíduo estabelece com o meio no qual está inserido, que ocorre através de mecanismos perceptivos e cognitivos. O presente trabalho visa contribuir na ampliação do conhecimento de tal temática, principalmente enfocando Ambientes Marinhos e Costeiros. Para isso, investigamos a Percepção Ambiental de um grupo de professores de uma escola pública do litoral norte de São Paulo (Ubatuba, SP) que participaram de uma vivência formativa em atividades de Educação Ambiental. Este trabalho apresenta como objetivos específicos: 1) verificar se e como a participação nas atividades educacionais influenciou a Percepção Ambiental de tais professores; 2) investigar as concepções que os professores apresentam sobre as possibilidades e desafios da prática docente ao abordar o ambiente marinho e costeiro a partir dos subsídios fornecidos pela vivência formativa. Os professores participaram das atividades do Projeto Trilha Subaquática que foram desenvolvidas ao longo de dois dias no Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar e no Parque Estadual Ilha Anchieta, ambos em Ubatuba, São Paulo. Utilizamos instrumentos de coleta de dados que foram aplicados tanto no início quanto no final da vivência (questionário e redação), além do registro audiovisual referente às Reflexões Coletivas realizadas ao final de cada dia. A partir da análise dos dados coletados, que foi feita por categorização aberta e por análise de conteúdo categorial, foi possível notar que participar das atividades de Educação Ambiental influenciou, em alguns aspectos a Percepção Ambiental dos professores. Tal influência ficou mais evidente em aspectos específicos, como, por exemplo, em relação à biodiversidade destes ambientes. Ainda que a percepção dos professores em relação a causarem impactos ao ambiente durante a realização das atividades não tenha sido expressa por todos, quando tais impactos foram percebidos, estavam bastante relacionados aos organismos do costão rochoso, especificamente ao pisoteio dos mesmos. Verificamos ainda aspectos interessantes sobre as representações sociais desses sujeitos que, apesar da participação na vivência, continua sendo majoritariamente antropocêntrica. Sobre as possibilidades e desafios da prática docente ao abordar os ambientes marinhos e costeiros, pudemos notar que para os professores sujeitos desta pesquisa, as atividades de campo são as mais significativas para se trabalhar tal tema. Além disso, pudemos notar a grande importância que a troca de experiências entre os pares, como os proporcionados pela vivência, apresentam na composição das práticas docentes. / Much of the threats to marine and coastal biodiversity are directly result of human population and tendency of demographic increase. One of the difficulties to protect natural environments relies in the differences in perceptions of the values and importance of those between individuals of different cultures or different groups. We consider that understand Environmental Perception from local population is an important step for biodiversity conservation. We understand as Environmental Perception the relation that people establish with the environment in which it is inserted, that occurs through perceptual and cognitive mechanisms. The aim of this work is contribute to expansion of the knowledge about the concept, mainly focusing in Marine Environment e Coastal Environment. For that, we investigated the Environmental Perception of a group of teachers from a public school in north coast of São Paulo State (Ubatuba) who participated in a formative experience in Environmental Education activities. This work presents as specifics goals: 1) verify whether and how the participation in educational activities influenced the environmental perception of such teachers; 2) investigate the conceptions that teachers have about the possibilities and challenges of teaching practice in addressing marine and coastal environment from the subsidies provided by the training experience. The teachers participated of Underwater Trail Project activities that are developed along two days in Serra do Mar State Park and in Ilha Anchieta State Park, both in Ubatuba, São Paulo State. We use data collection instruments which were applied at the beginning and at the end of the experience (a questionnaire and a composition), besides the transcripts of the audiovisual material related to Collective Reflections made at the end of each day. From the analysis of the data collected, it was done by open categorization and categorical content analysis, it was noticeable that participate in environmental education activities influenced, even subtly, teacher\'s Environmental Perception. This effect was more evident in specific aspects, such as, for example, in relation to biodiversity of these environments. Although the perception of teachers in relation to cause impacts on the environment during the course of the activities it has not been expressed by all, when such impacts were perceived, were closely related to the rocky shore organisms, specifically to trampling them. We also found interesting aspects about the social representations of those guys who, despite participating in the experience, remains largely anthropocentric. About the possibilities and challenges of teaching practice in addressing marine and coastal environments, we noticed that for subject teachers of this research, field activities are the most significant to work with such a theme. In addition, we noted the great importance that the exchange of experiences among peers, as provided by the experience, present in the composition of teaching practices.

As machine topologies and technologies mature, the fundamental function of the device is honed. Direct drive machines have the potential to launch the renewable energy sector into a new era of large scale, reliable, offshore power generation. With advancements in new technologies, such as superconductivity, the reduction of generator mass due to incorporation of machine and device structures, the continued advancements in component and system reliability; direct drive generators have the ability to outsize geared wind systems and simplify submerged linear and rotary power generation. The research held within this thesis will focus on improving direct drive power take off systems for offshore renewable energy power generation by splitting the area into four parts. The first part will discuss the various methods of energy extraction within the offshore and marine environment. The future of the sector will be discussed, and a forecast of technological advancement and existing reliability issues will be provided based on current data. The second part will focus on drive trains and direct drive generators, assessing the current topologies and suggesting alternatives that may thrive in a variety of large and small offshore renewable machines. The third part investigates the application of novel linear bearings in direct drive systems for offshore and submerged operation. A brief study of the loads found in wave applications will be presented and the testing of several polymer bearing materials will be outlined. The final part will discuss the potential benefits of flooding the airgap of a direct drive generator with sea water for marine applications. Results will be presented from two linear test rigs and the marinisation of devices will conclude the report.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2002. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

The repair of reinforced concrete structures attracts more and more attention of researchers and constructors who see an ever growing number of pathologic phenomenons on several constructions that make use of this widely accepted material. The wrong notion which claims the concrete is an eternal and unchangeable matter has been definitively substituted by the fact that it s a dynamic and complex substance, vulnerable to several aggressive compounds which modify and cause damage to its chemical and physical structure. The present work intended to gather data about the performance of silica fume as a chemical admixture to mortars under the marine atmosphere in the tidal zone, and also evaluate if the magnesium sulfate has any major role in the development of the mortar s properties. To achieve the objectives of the study two groups of mortar were made, one used silica in its composition, and the other didn t. The mortar was cast in cylindrical and prismatic molds to, later, be subjected to natural drying and wetting cycles in the sea coast of Maceió. The cylindrical specimens were 10 x 5 cm and the prismatic ones were 50 x 15 x 4 cm and had reinforcement inside. The tests were conducted in the ages of 14, 28, 91, 135 and 180 days and concerned measuring the compressive, tensile and elastic modulos of the samples and also determine the corrosion potential of the reinforced mortar using the ASTM C 876-91 method. As an addition, X-Ray diffraction tests were conducted to verify if the compounds within the mortars had change and help explain the results from the earlier experiments. Results show that the silica fume mortars developed lower compressive strength than ordinary Portland cement mortars. The tensile strength tests displayed more balanced values for both mortars, with the ordinary exhibiting less strength than its silica fume counterpart at 91 and 135 days, but catching up with it (even slightly surpassing it) at latter ages. X-ray diffraction indicates changes on the phases of the hydrated paste. The analysis of the results suggests that cement mortar with silica fume addition doesn t present the same behavior related to ordinary cement mortar / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O reparo de estruturas de concreto armado atrai cada vez mais a atenção de pesquisadores e construtores que vêem um número crescente de fenômenos patológicos em diversas construções com este material. A noção errônea de que o concreto é um material eterno e imutável foi substituída pelo fato de que ele é uma substância dinâmica e complexa, vulnerável a muitos compostos agressivos que modificam e causam dano à sua estrutura química e física. O presente trabalho propôs-se a coletar dados sobre o comportamento da sílica ativa como uma adição mineral a argamassas expostas ao ambiente marinho, na zona de variação da maré, e também avaliar se o sulfato de magnésio participa de alguma maneira no desenvolvimento das propriedades da argamassa. Para alcançar os objetivos do estudo dois grupos de argamassas foram feitos, um de argamassa convencional e o outro usando sílica em sua composição. Corpos de prova cilíndricos (10 x 5 cm) e prismáticos (50 x 15 x 4 cm com armadura de aço) foram sujeitos a ciclos naturais de molhagem e secagem no litoral de Maceió. Os testes foram feitos nas idades de 14, 28, 91, 135 e 180 dias e compreenderam medir a resistência à compressão, à tração e o módulo de elasticidade das amostras. Ensaios de potencial de corrosão foram conduzidos nas placas de argamassa armada de acordo com a ASTM C 876 91 e análise por difração de raios X foram efetuadas para verificar mudanças nos compostos das argamassas. Resultados mostram que, ao fim do período de testes, a argamassa com sílica desenvolveu resistência à compressão menor quando comparada à argamassa convencional. A resistência à tração mostrou resultados mais equilibrados, com alguma vantagem para a argamassa com sílica. Análise da difração de raios X sugere possíveis mudanças nas fases da argamassa com sílica. Os resultados apontam que o uso de sílica ativa em matriz cimenticia aplicada em ambiente marinho não apresenta o mesmo desempenho quando comparado a matriz cimenticia convencional.

Bacterioplankton provide important ecosystem functions by carrying out biogeochemical cycling of organic matter. Playing an important role in the microbial loop they help remineralize carbon and nutrients. Bacteria also interact with phytoplankton during phytoplankton blooms. However, fundamental understanding on the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the degradation of phytoplankton-derived organic matter is still in its infancy. Therefore, we analysed data from a mesocosm experiment following a natural phytoplankton-bloom from an upwelling system in the North- East Atlantic Ocean. The purpose was to contribute a mechanistic understanding based on functional gene expression analysis of natural microbial assemblages. Our results show the difference in functional gene expression within a bacterial metacommunity and how this functional response drastically switches between bloom build up and senescence. Transcripts showed a broad change in gene expression involving major SEED categories, with the bloom senescence phase exhibiting a higher relative abundance in major categories such as Carbohydrates, Protein Metabolism and Amino Acids and Derivatives. Within these categories genes connected to carbon utilization and transport systems (Ton and Tol) as well as chemotaxis showed a higher abundance during bloom senescence. The change in functionality based on transcripts showed a different bacterial community composition appearing over a very short time. We thus conclude that the bacterial functional gene expression response between build-up and degradation bloom phases is remarkably different and associated with a change in the identity of bacteria with active expression. Our findings highlight the importance of bacterial substrate specialists with different functional roles during different time points of phytoplankton blooms.

The goal of this thesis was to adopt a reverse flow injection analysis (rFIA) technique to the fluorometric analysis of the reaction o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) with ammonium, allowing accurate measurements of ammonium concentrations lower than the detection limit of the widely used indophenol blue (IPB) colorimetric method while accounting for the background fluorescence of seawater. Ammonium is considered an essential nutrient for primary productivity, especially in the nutrient depleted surface ocean where as the most reduced form of dissolved inorganic nitrogen, it is readily assimilated via metabolic pathways. Challenges in the quantification of ammonium require more sensitive analytical techniques for a greater understanding of the biogeochemical cycling of ammonium in the oligotrophic ocean. On-line and automated flow analysis techniques are capable of mitigating some of the challenges. Fluorescent-based methods out-perform colorimetric methods in terms of detection limits and sensitivity. Presented here is the development of an rFIA technique paired with an OPA-sulfite chemistry. For this method, a sulfite-formaldehyde reagent is mixed with the sample stream and then injected with the OPA reagent before being heated. Fluorescence is measured before and at the peak of the OPA injection, differentiating the background fluorescence from the analyte signal. Experiments to optimize reaction parameters and characterize the effects of salinity and potentially interfering species were conducted. The newly developed method offers a reasonable throughput (18 samples per hour), low limit of detection (1.1 nM) ammonium analysis technique with automatic background fluorescence correction suitable for oligotrophic seawater as a preferable alternative to the low sensitivity and high limit of detection IPB colorimetric method.

Grande parte das ameaças à biodiversidade dos ambientes marinhos e costeiros é resultado direto da população humana e das tendências de aumento demográfico. Uma das dificuldades para a proteção dos ambientes naturais está na existência de diferenças nas percepções dos valores e importância dos mesmos entre os indivíduos de culturas diferentes ou de diferentes grupos. Consideramos que uma importante etapa para a conservação da biodiversidade é entender a Percepção Ambiental dos sujeitos que compõe a população local. Entendemos como Percepção Ambiental a relação que indivíduo estabelece com o meio no qual está inserido, que ocorre através de mecanismos perceptivos e cognitivos. O presente trabalho visa contribuir na ampliação do conhecimento de tal temática, principalmente enfocando Ambientes Marinhos e Costeiros. Para isso, investigamos a Percepção Ambiental de um grupo de professores de uma escola pública do litoral norte de São Paulo (Ubatuba, SP) que participaram de uma vivência formativa em atividades de Educação Ambiental. Este trabalho apresenta como objetivos específicos: 1) verificar se e como a participação nas atividades educacionais influenciou a Percepção Ambiental de tais professores; 2) investigar as concepções que os professores apresentam sobre as possibilidades e desafios da prática docente ao abordar o ambiente marinho e costeiro a partir dos subsídios fornecidos pela vivência formativa. Os professores participaram das atividades do Projeto Trilha Subaquática que foram desenvolvidas ao longo de dois dias no Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar e no Parque Estadual Ilha Anchieta, ambos em Ubatuba, São Paulo. Utilizamos instrumentos de coleta de dados que foram aplicados tanto no início quanto no final da vivência (questionário e redação), além do registro audiovisual referente às Reflexões Coletivas realizadas ao final de cada dia. A partir da análise dos dados coletados, que foi feita por categorização aberta e por análise de conteúdo categorial, foi possível notar que participar das atividades de Educação Ambiental influenciou, em alguns aspectos a Percepção Ambiental dos professores. Tal influência ficou mais evidente em aspectos específicos, como, por exemplo, em relação à biodiversidade destes ambientes. Ainda que a percepção dos professores em relação a causarem impactos ao ambiente durante a realização das atividades não tenha sido expressa por todos, quando tais impactos foram percebidos, estavam bastante relacionados aos organismos do costão rochoso, especificamente ao pisoteio dos mesmos. Verificamos ainda aspectos interessantes sobre as representações sociais desses sujeitos que, apesar da participação na vivência, continua sendo majoritariamente antropocêntrica. Sobre as possibilidades e desafios da prática docente ao abordar os ambientes marinhos e costeiros, pudemos notar que para os professores sujeitos desta pesquisa, as atividades de campo são as mais significativas para se trabalhar tal tema. Além disso, pudemos notar a grande importância que a troca de experiências entre os pares, como os proporcionados pela vivência, apresentam na composição das práticas docentes. / Much of the threats to marine and coastal biodiversity are directly result of human population and tendency of demographic increase. One of the difficulties to protect natural environments relies in the differences in perceptions of the values and importance of those between individuals of different cultures or different groups. We consider that understand Environmental Perception from local population is an important step for biodiversity conservation. We understand as Environmental Perception the relation that people establish with the environment in which it is inserted, that occurs through perceptual and cognitive mechanisms. The aim of this work is contribute to expansion of the knowledge about the concept, mainly focusing in Marine Environment e Coastal Environment. For that, we investigated the Environmental Perception of a group of teachers from a public school in north coast of São Paulo State (Ubatuba) who participated in a formative experience in Environmental Education activities. This work presents as specifics goals: 1) verify whether and how the participation in educational activities influenced the environmental perception of such teachers; 2) investigate the conceptions that teachers have about the possibilities and challenges of teaching practice in addressing marine and coastal environment from the subsidies provided by the training experience. The teachers participated of Underwater Trail Project activities that are developed along two days in Serra do Mar State Park and in Ilha Anchieta State Park, both in Ubatuba, São Paulo State. We use data collection instruments which were applied at the beginning and at the end of the experience (a questionnaire and a composition), besides the transcripts of the audiovisual material related to Collective Reflections made at the end of each day. From the analysis of the data collected, it was done by open categorization and categorical content analysis, it was noticeable that participate in environmental education activities influenced, even subtly, teacher\'s Environmental Perception. This effect was more evident in specific aspects, such as, for example, in relation to biodiversity of these environments. Although the perception of teachers in relation to cause impacts on the environment during the course of the activities it has not been expressed by all, when such impacts were perceived, were closely related to the rocky shore organisms, specifically to trampling them. We also found interesting aspects about the social representations of those guys who, despite participating in the experience, remains largely anthropocentric. About the possibilities and challenges of teaching practice in addressing marine and coastal environments, we noticed that for subject teachers of this research, field activities are the most significant to work with such a theme. In addition, we noted the great importance that the exchange of experiences among peers, as provided by the experience, present in the composition of teaching practices.

Les éléments traces (ET) se trouvent naturellement dans l’environnement. Ces dernières années, des apports croissants en ET sont induits par des activités anthropiques, causant des problèmes environnementaux surtout dans le milieu marin. Certains ET sont toxiques et le besoin de méthodes fiables pour leur analyse dans des échantillons environnementaux est indéniable. À travers cette thèse, des méthodes analytiques ont été développées et validées pour l’analyse des ET dans les sédiments et les organismes marins par spectrométrie d’absorption atomique à source continu, haute résolution et introduction solide directe (SS-HR-CS-AAS). Des études environnementales basées sur l’utilisation de cette méthode et d’autres ont été réalisés. Une première étude a été réalisée sur des sédiments (de surface et carottes) collectés en Namibie. Cette thèse présente une série inédite de concentrations de base sur la côte namibienne. Une contamination importante en Pb, Cu, Zn et Cd a été démontrée autour des zones les plus peuplées. Les pollutions au Pb et leurs sources ont été étudiées grâce aux rapports isotopiques du Pb. Une deuxième étude a été réalisée sur différentes espèces d’éponges marines et des sédiments collectés en France et en Irlande. Il est montré que les éponges accumulent plus les ET que les sédiments et de façon différente selon les espèces. Des analyses de spéciation de l’arsenic ont été réalisées sur les éponges par chromatographie liquide haute performance couplée à un ICP-MS. Les résultats ont montré une bioaccumulation très importante de ce métalloïde dans les éponges et sa biotransformation des formes inorganiques en formes organiques beaucoup moins toxiques. / Trace elements (TE) naturally occur in the environment but their inputs have been increasing by anthropogenic activities in the last decades, causing environmental concerns, particularly in coastal ecosystems. TE are toxic and the need of reliable methods for their determination in environmental samples is undeniable. The first part of this PhD was focused on the development and full validation of methods for the analysis of TE in sediments and marine organisms by Solid Sampling High Resolution Continuum Source Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (SSHR-CS-AAS). Second, environmental studies based on these and others methodologies were then performed. A first monitoring survey was performed on sediments (surface and core samples) collected along the Namibian coast. This thesis provides the first baseline of TE contents and historical record of pollution in the area. Significant Pb, Cu, Cd and Zn enrichments were highlighted around the most populated areas, providing a needed baseline for present and future evaluation of the Namibian marine environment. Pb pollutions and their sources were also tracked through the use of Pb isotope ratios. A second monitoring survey was performed on different marine sponges and sediments collected in the French Mediterranean and in the Irish coasts. This work showed that sponges accumulate more TE than sediments in different extents according to species. Arsenic speciation analysis was performed in sponges by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) coupled with ICP-MS. This special focus on arsenic highlighted the great bioaccumulation of this metalloid in sponges and its biotransformation from inorganic forms to less toxic organic forms.

O ambiente marinho muitas vezes é negligenciado nas discussões ambientais devido ao aparente distanciamento entre esse e nosso cotidiano, tendo sofrido um acentuado processo de transformação e degradação. Assim, fica evidente a necessidade de atividades de Educação Ambiental que abordem tal ambiente. A Exposição interativa Mergulho Fora d\'Água (MFA) insere-se nesse contexto. O presente trabalho visa contribuir para a ampliação do conhecimento sobre concepções de estudantes do Ensino Fundamental acerca do ambiente marinho, bem como para a avaliação e aprimoramento da exposição interativa MFA. A pesquisa apresenta como objetivos específicos investigar concepções iniciais e verificar se e como a atividade MFA influência tais concepções dos alunos do Ensino Fundamental de uma escola da cidade de São Paulo sobre: (1) meio ambiente; (2) ambiente marinho, sua conservação e relação com o cotidiano desses alunos. Para isso, foram aplicados questionários estruturados compostos por questões fechadas e abertas, antes e após os estudantes participarem da exposição MFA. Para a análise dos dados, as respostas de questões abertas foram submetidas a um processo de categorização aberta e as categorias foram comparadas por meio de quantificações simples (cálculo de médias de ocorrência). Respostas provenientes de questões fechadas foram diretamente quantificadas e comparadas. Os dados foram coletados em turmas de sétimo, oitavo e nono ano do Ensino Fundamental de uma Escola Estadual da Cidade de São Paulo, localizada nas proximidades da USP. Um total de 476 estudantes participou da pesquisa. Nossos resultados evidenciaram que os estudantes sujeitos da pesquisa podem apresentar diversas concepções de meio ambiente, aplicando-as dependendo das várias situações as quais são expostos. Por exemplo, como concepções iniciais, ao pensarem no meio ambiente em geral, foram predominantemente Naturalistas e excluíram o homem do meio ambiente. Já quando pensam no ambiente marinho propriamente dito, justificam a necessidade de sua conservação também com base em concepções Naturalistas, mas estabelecem relação entre tal ambiente e seu cotidiano com base em uma concepção Antropocêntrica, justificada principalmente por uso de substâncias e alimentos derivados do mar. Vale ainda ressaltar que uma porcentagem bastante reduzida dos estudantes (20%) conseguiu estabelecer tal relação ambiente marinho-cotidiano. A principal palavra associada a esse ambiente foi “curiosidade” e, ao serem questionados sobre organismos marinhos, os cordados foram os mais citados (baleias, peixes e tubarões). Apesar da persistência de muitas dessas concepções iniciais, pudemos verificar algumas mudanças após a realização da exposição MFA, como uma maior inclusão do homem como elemento do meio ambiente. Além disso, concepções Antropocêntricas e Problema de meio ambiente sofreram redução. Quanto às concepções sobre ambiente marinho, a porcentagem absoluta de estudantes que conseguiu estabelecer a relação desse ambiente com seu cotidiano aumentando discretamente (para 30%). Quanto às palavras associadas ao ambiente marinho, “curiosidade” aumentou para estudantes de todos os anos. Já para os mais jovens alguns aspectos negativos também sofreram aumento (como poluição, doença e medo). No caso do nono ano, a situação foi diferente, ocorrendo maior citação de aspectos positivos, como beleza e diversão. Para todos os anos escolares, as citações de animais não cordados (ex. estrelas e ouriços), vegetais (algas) e plâncton foram maiores e organismos não marinhos (ex. girinos) foram menos citados. Nossa percepção geral é que a exposição MFA alcançou objetivos mais efetivos para os alunos de nono ano. Pautamos essa percepção em dados como o aumento de interesse após a exposição por parte dos alunos e do aumento da associação do ambiente marinho à beleza e diversão, além de curiosidade. Assim, o presente trabalho representou um esforço inicial para a melhor compreensão sobre as concepções de meio ambiente e, especialmente sobre o ambiente marinho. Esperamos que os dados obtidos possam ser subsídios para a avaliação à atividade MFA por parte de seus idealizadores em um processo continua de aprimoramento / The marine environment is often neglected in environmental discussions due to the apparent detachment between this and our daily lives, having undergone a marked transformation and degradation processes. Based on this, it is evident the need for environmental education activities about this environment. The interactive exhibition Out of Water Diving (OWD) is inserted in this context. The present work aims to contribute to the expansion of knowledge about the concepts of elementary school students about the marine environment, as well as for the evaluation and improvement of the interactive exhibition OWD. The specific objectives are to investigate the initial conceptions and check whether and how the OWD activity influence conceptions of students from a São Paulo school about: (1) the environment, (2) marine environment, its conservation and relation with the daily lives of students. We used structured questionnaires consisting of open and closed questions, before and after OWD exhibition. For data analysis, responses to open questions were subjected to a process of open categorization and categories were compared. Answers from closed questions were directly quantified and compared. Data were collected in classes of seventh, eighth and ninth year of elementary school in a public School of São Paulo city, located near at USP. A total of 476 students participated in the survey. Our results showed that students may have different environment conceptions, applying them depending on various situations which are exposed. For example, as initial conceptions about the environment, the students showed predominantly Naturalist concepts and excluded the man of environment. However, when they think about marine environment, they justify the need for its conservation also based on conceptions Naturalists, but establish relationship between such an environment and their daily based on an anthropocentric concepts, mainly explained by substance use and food derived from the sea. In addition, a small percentage of students (20 %) was able to establish a relation between marine environment and everyday life. The key word associated with this environment was “curiosity”, and when questioned about marine organisms, the chordates were the most frequent cited (whales , fishes and sharks ). Despite the persistence of many of these initial conceptions, we could detect some changes after the exposure OWD, as an increase on inclusion of man as an element of the environment. In addition, Anthropocentric and Problem concepts of environmental were reduced. Regarding conceptions of the marine environment, the absolute percentage of students who were able to establish the relationship of this environment with their everyday life slightly increasing (to 30 %). About the words associated with the marine environment, “ curiosity” increased for students of all years. However, for the youngest students, some negative aspects also increase (pollution, disease and fear). For the ninth year, the situation was different, occurring most citations of positive aspects, such as beauty and fun. For all school years, the citations of animals not chordates (eg. stars and sea urchins), vegetables (seaweed) and plankton were higher and non-marine organisms (eg, tadpoles) were lower cited. Our general perception is that OWD exposure achieved goals more effective for students of ninth year. We base this perception on data such as the increase after exposure of interest by students and increased of the association among marine environment and beauty and fun, as well as curiosity. Thus, this study represented an initial effort to better understanding of environment concepts as well as marine environment concepts. We hope that the data can be subsidy for the evaluation OWD exposition by its creators in a continuous improvement process