Hydroxylated polybrominated diphenyl ethers (OH-PBDEs) are naturally produced in aquatic ecosystems e.g. by algae. Many OH-PBDEs have been observed to be highly bioactive and to cause adverse effects through several pathways, e.g. via disrupting oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). The levels of some OH-PBDEs have increased in Baltic biota over the past decades. This may be associated with the nutrient enrichment of the Baltic Sea, which has favored growth of some of the OH-PBDE producers. Ceramium tenuicorne has been suggested to be a producer of OH-PBDEs in the Baltic Sea, which is supported by the results presented in this thesis. The levels of OH-PBDEs were observed to fluctuate greatly in C. tenuicorne over the summer season, and to correlate with the levels of pigments in the algae. However, the observed congener pattern in C. tenuicorne questioned theories regarding the mechanism of their biosynthesis. The results indicate a much more selective pathway for biosynthesis than previously suggested for the production of OH-PBDEs. One of the most abundant OH-PBDEs in C. tenuicorne, 6-OH-BDE137, has previously been observed to be toxic to bacteria, fungi, and crustaceans. Furthermore, Baltic gammarids seemed to change their feeding preferences towards less grazing on C. tenuicorne during the production peek of OH-PBDEs in the alga. This suggests that OH-PBDEs may serve as allelochemical defense agents for C. tenuicorne. The transport and fate of OH-PBDEs through a Baltic food chain was also studied, including C. tenuicorne, Gammarus spp., three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus), and perch (Perca fluviatilis). A small portion of the OH-PBDEs were observed to be methylated in the alga, or by associated bacteria. The methylated OH-PBDEs biomagnified in the food chain up to perch, in which they were converted back to the OH-PBDEs via demethylation. The OH-PBDEs and their methylated counterparts were also partially debrominated in the food chain, which resulted in high concentration of 6-OH-BDE47 in the perch. This congener is the most toxic OH-PBDE with regards to OXPHOS disruption. Another biotransformation of OH-PBDEs was identified in Baltic Sea blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). High concentrations of OH-PBDEs were conjugated with lipophilic moieties, e.g. fatty acids. This increases the residence time of the OH-PBDEs in the mussels. Mussels have been suggested to conjugate steroids with fatty acids as a means to regulate hormone levels. The conjugation of OH-PBDEs to fatty acids may occur due to intrusion into this pathway. Methods were developed to include quantification of conjugated OH-PBDEs in the analysis of mussels. OH-PBDEs were also quantified in blood from Baltic Sea grey seals (Halichoerus grypus). Seals originating from the Baltic proper were observed to be more highly exposed to 6-OH-BDE47 than seals from the Gulf of Bothnia. However, the levels of OH-PBDEs were generally low. A major effort was invested into securing these results, including development of a new analytical method. Blood obtained from dead seals is a difficult matrix for quantification of OH-PBDEs, and previous attempts using an established method yielded unsatisfactory results. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Manuscript.</p>

O ambiente marinho é o destino final de muitos contaminantes, como os PAHs, PCBs, DDTs e HCHs, que têm sido detectados em vários compartimentos do ambiente marinho, podendo trazer efeitos deletérios para o ecossistema. O objetivo deste trabalho foi a avaliação da contaminação por hidrocarbonetos alifáticos, PAHs, PCBs, DDTs e HCHs através da análise de 15 amostras de sedimento, 6 de mexilhão e 11 de fígado de peixe. Para isso, foi otimizada uma mesma metodologia para todas as matrizes bióticas. A amostragem foi feita ao longo da costa do estado do Rio de Janeiro, no período de 1996 a 1998, durante o Programa de Monitoramento do Ambiente do Meio Ambiente Marinho, promovido pela Marinha do Brasil. Os controles de qualidade analítica e confiabilidade dos dados gerados seguiram os padrões internacionais. A metodologia utilizada foi considerada satisfatória para análise dos organismos e sedimentos, de acordo com a avaliação feita através da análise de materiais de referência certificados. Os PCBs e DDTs apresentaram o fenômeno da magnificação com concentrações crescentes: sedimentos < mexilhões < peixes. Os HCHs apresentaram as maiores concentrações nos mexilhões. Os hidrocarbonetos alifáticos apresentaram concentrações similares nas três matrizes amostradas, o mesmo ocorrendo com os PAHs. As concentrações de hidrocarbonetos do petróleo indicam que as maiores introduções são próximas às áreas urbanas. Os PCBs e pesticidas também foram detectados em grande parte das amostras, mas em baixas concentrações. A fonte desses OCs para o ambiente marinho pode ser oriunda de outras regiões devido ao transporte e à deposição atmosférica. A comparação entre as matrizes mostrou a importância da análise simultânea de sedimentos e organismos em função da concentração de cada grupo de compostos e sua diferente acumulação. / The marine environment is the final recipient of many organic compounds that are widely found in seawater, sediments and organisms. The purpose of this study was the assessment of the contamination of aliphatic hydrocarbons, PAHs, PCBs, DDTs and HCHs through the analyses of 15 sediments, 6 mussels and 11 fish livers. The same methodology was optimized for biotic matrices. The sampling was performed from 1996 to 1998 along the Coast of the State of Rio de Janeiro, during the Brazilian Navy Environmental Monitoring Program. Quality assurance and quality control followed the international procedures. The methodology give satisfactory results in accord with the analyses of certified standard reference materials. Data of PCBs and DDTs from different matrices revealed increasing concentrations: sediment < mussel < fish. HCHs prevailed in mussels. Data of aliphatic hydrocarbons and PAHs were similar between sediments and organisms. Levels of petroleum hydrocarbons showed major inputs near the urban areas. PCBs and chlorinated pesticides were detected in the majority of samples but in low levels. These inputs can be attributed to long-range atmospheric transport. Comparison among the sampled matrices showed the importance of simultaneous analyses of sediments and organisms based in the concentration of each group of compounds and their different accumulations.

Os mexilhões são alimentos marinhos freqüentemente ingeridos crus, ou parcialmente cozidos, e o hábito de aferventar estes bivalves somente até que abram as valvas, é insuficiente para eliminar os microrganismos patogênicos eventualmente presentes neste molusco. Após levantamento inicial, e visando melhorar a qualidade do mexilhão Perna perna cultivado e comercializado no município de Ubatuba, SP, esta pesquisa estudou o crescimento de Staphylococcus aureus e Bacillus cereus em mexilhões in natura e pré-cozidos, e a eliminação dos mesmos por meio de tratamentos térmicos, avaliando, posteriormente, as características físico-químicas e sensoriais dos produtos. Em ambos os casos, lotes de 1 kg de mexilhão foram inoculados, individualmente, com cepas de S. aureus e B. cereus e mantidos, por 10 horas, a temperatura ambiente (25ºC±1ºC) e sob refrigeração (7ºC±1ºC). Posteriormente, foram estabelecidos seis tipos de tratamentos térmicos, sendo três sob vapor (5, 10 e 15 min) e três por imersão em água (5, 10 e 15 min), buscando estabelecer o binômio que proporcionasse a eliminação dos mesmos, e avaliando o rendimento, os aspectos físico-químicos e sensoriais. Para ambos microrganismos, ocorreu crescimento durante as 10 horas de estudo, sendo este mais evidente, nos tratamentos mantidos a temperatura ambiente. No mexilhão pré-cozido ocorreram as maiores contagens microbianas, se comparado ao mexilhão in natura. Com relação aos tratamentos térmicos, todos foram eficientes, eliminando os microrganismos da ordem de, pelo menos 2 ciclos logarítmicos, no entanto, os tratamentos térmicos por imersão em água, permitiram melhores resultados do que os tratamentos sob vapor. As análises fisico-químicas e sensoriais, não apresentaram diferença estatística entre os tratamentos térmicos estudados. Com o emprego de altas temperaturas por um determinado período, obteve-se perda de alguns minerais, como Potássio e Boro, tendo outros, não apresentado alteração com relação ao tempo de exposição ao calor. Já, quanto ao rendimento, houve diferença, em nível de 5%, sendo os melhores rendimentos alcançados nos menores tempos de exposição ao calor e, os tratamentos por imersão, apresentaram resultados melhores que os tratamentos sob vapor. Concluiu-se que o tratamento térmico, binômio tempo-temperatura, de 10 min em água à ebulição, é suficiente para reduzir os microrganismos, permitindo a retenção dos nutrientes e um rendimento de 54,36%, podendo, portanto, ser recomendado para os produtores, visando melhorar a qualidade do mexilhão, via adequação do manejo atualmente empregado. / Mussels are seafood frequently ingested raw or partially cooked and the habit of boiling bivalves only to open the valves, is insufficient to eliminate several species of pathogenic bacteria. Seeking to improve the quality of the cultivated and marketed Perna perna mussel in the district of Ubatuba, SP, this research studied the microbiological growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus in fresh and pre-cooked mussels, and the elimination by thermal treatments, being evaluated its physicochemical and sensorial characteristics. For such, lots of 1 kg of mussel was inoculated individually with strains of S. aureus and B. cereus, and maintained by 10 hours at environmental temperature (25ºC±1ºC) and under refrigeration (7ºC±1ºC). Six thermal treatments were established, 3 in steam (5, 10 and 15 min) and 3 in boiling water (5, 10 and 15 min), being looked in the elimination of B. cereus and S. aureus, and also evaluating the performance, and physical-chemical and sensorial aspects. Microbiological growth was verified after 10 hours for both microorganisms, and this being more evident in the treatments maintained at environmental temperature. Pre-cooked mussel obtained the largest microbial developments, if compared to fresh mussels. About the thermal treatments, everyone was efficient, eliminating at least 2 logarithmic cycles, however, thermal treatments in boiling water obtained better results than the steam treatments. The physical-chemical and sensorial analyses, didn't present statistical difference among the thermal treatments studied. Use of high temperatures for a determinate period, obtained lost in some minerals, like potassium and boron, and others minerals not presented alteration in relation to the heat time exposure. Already in the performance, it was obtained statistical difference, being the best performances reached in the smallest times of heat exposition, and the treatments in boiling water presented better results than the steam treatments. The thermal treatment, binomial time-temperature, of 10 min in boiling water, is enough to reduce the microorganisms, allowing the retention of the nutrients and performance of 54.36%, could be recommended for the producers seeking to improve the traditional handling.

O ambiente costeiro tem sido fortemente alterado em função de múltiplos impactos ambientais decorrentes das atividades antrópicas, como por exemplo, o escoamento de esgoto proveniente de áreas urbanas, a liberação de inúmeros produtos químicos das indústrias, a agricultura e o fluxo de embarcações, que podem acarretar vazamentos acidentais de petróleo e derivados, combustíveis e outros produtos transportados por via marítima. Neste contexto, um dos meios para avaliação da contaminação ambiental causada por essas substâncias potencialmente tóxicas em água do mar é a monitoração por meio de diferentes espécies de bivalves, que tem sido utilizada por diversos pesquisadores, do Brasil e do exterior. No que se refere aos moluscos bivalves, particularmente os mexilhões, o seu uso no biomonitoramento da contaminação marinha deve-se principalmente à sua ampla distribuição geográfica, hábito séssil e habilidade de concentrar metais tóxicos em até 102 - 105 vezes em relação às concentrações detectadas na água. No presente trabalho, foi empregado o biomonitoramento passivo com o uso do molusco bivalve Perna perna com relação aos elementos Br, Cl, K, Mg, Mn e V. Foram escolhidos estes elementos uma vez que eles podem ser determinados pelo método de INAA (Análise por Ativação com Nêutrons Instrumental), por meio da irradiação curta o que proporciona análises mais rápidas e também por serem importantes do ponto de vista nutricional ou ambiental. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar os teores de Br, Cl, K, Mg, Mn e V em amostras de mexilhões Perna perna (Linnaeus, 1758: Mollusca, Bivalvia) coletados em regiões costeiras de São Paulo sujeitas à contaminação antrópica (Ponta de Itaipu e Ilha das Palmas, em Santos), comparando os valores obtidos nos sítios possivelmente impactados com os valores do sítio controle situado na Praia da Cocanha, em Caraguatatuba. Os pontos de coleta no litoral de São Paulo estão localizados nas regiões geográficas 23º 37 S 45º 24 W (Caraguatatuba) e 23º 57\' S - 46º 20\' W (Santos). A coleta dos organismos foi realizada em todas as estações do ano, com início na primavera de 2008 e término no inverno de 2009. As amostras coletadas foram limpas, trituradas, homogeneizadas e secas por meio da liofilização para posterior INAA. O procedimento de INAA consistiu em irradiar alíquotas das amostras obtidas na forma de pó em invólucros de polietileno no reator nuclear IEA R1 do IPEN/CNEN - SP juntamente com padrões sintéticos de elementos. O tempo de irradiação no reator foi de 8 a 10 s e sob o fluxo de nêutrons térmicos de 6,6 x 1012 n cm-2 s-1. As concentrações dos elementos foram calculadas pelo método comparativo. O procedimento de INAA foi validado com relação à exatidão e precisão, por meio das análises dos materiais de referência certificados NIST SRM 1566b Oyster Tissue e NIST SRM 2876 Mussel Tissue. Os resultados destes materiais de referência certificados indicaram uma boa qualidade dos resultados com relação à precisão e exatidão. As faixas das concentrações (em base seca) dos elementos obtidos nos mexilhões coletados em Santos e na Praia da Cocanha para as quatro estações do ano foram de: 173,80 a 358,99 mg kg-1 para Br; 45658 ± 1811 a 109166 ± 824 mg kg-1 para Cl; 7043 ± 856 a 12506 ± 675 mg kg-1 para K; 2774 ± 211 a 5691 ± 717 mg kg-1 para Mg; 7,01 ± 0,30 a 29,74 ± 3,32 mg kg-1 para Mn e 0,77 ± 0,02 a 3,43 ± 0,28 mg kg-1 para V. Foi estudada a variação sazonal e espacial das concentrações desses elementos e também foram comparados esses resultados com valores da literatura. A partir dos resultados obtidos pode - se concluir que os mexilhões da espécie Perna perna, podem ser utilizados como biomonitores da contaminação marinha. / The coastal environment has been heavily altered by multiple environmental impacts of human activities, such as disposal of sewage from urban areas, the release of numerous chemical industries, agriculture and the flow of vessels, which can lead to accidental spills of oil and oil products, fuels and other products transported by sea. In this context, a means of determining concentrations of these potentially toxic substances in the sea water is the biomonitoring by means of different types of bivalves, which have been used by various researchers, in Brazil and other countries. With regard to bivalve mollusks, particularly mussels, their use in monitoring the marine contamination is mainly due to their wide geographic distribution, sessile habit and ability to concentrate toxic metals to 102-105 times in relation to the concentrations detected in water. In the present study, we employed the passive biomonitoring using the Perna perna bivalve mollusk with respect to the elements Br, Cl, K, Mg, Mn and V. These elements were chosen since they can be determined by INAA method (Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis), by means of short irradiation which provides faster analyzes and also due to their importance from the standpoint of environmental or nutritional studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of Br, Cl, K, Mg, Mn and V in samples of Perna perna mussels (Linnaeus, 1758: Mollusca, Bivalvia) collected in coastal regions of São Paulo subject to anthropogenic contamination (Ponta de Itaipu and Palmas Island, in Santos), comparing the values obtained in sites potentially impacted with the values of the control site in Praia da Cocanha, in Caraguatatuba. The collection points located in São Paulo coast are located in the geographical areas 23º 37\'S - 45° 24\' W (Caraguatatuba) and 23º 57\'S - 46º 20\' W (Santos). The collection of organisms was performed in all seasons of the year, beginning in spring 2008 and ending in winter 2009. The samples were cleaned, crushed, homogenized and dried by lyophilization for further analysis by INAA. The INAA procedure consisted of irradiating aliquots of the samples obtained in powder form in polyethylene envelopes in the nuclear research reactor IEA - R1 of IPEN / CNEN - SP together with synthetic standards of elements. The irradiation time in the reactor was 8 to 10 s under the thermal neutron flux of 6.6 x 1012 n cm-2 s-1. The concentrations of the elements were calculated using the comparative method. The INAA procedure was validated with respect to accuracy and precision, through the analysis of certified reference materials NIST SRM 1566b Oyster Tissue and NIST SRM 2876 Mussel Tissue. The results of these certified reference materials indicated good quality of results with respect to precision and accuracy. The ranges of concentrations (dry basis weight) of the elements obtained in mussels collected in Santos and Praia da Cocanha for the four seasons of the year were: 173.80 to 358.99 mg kg-1 for Br; 45658 ± 1811 to 109166 ± 824 mg kg-1 for Cl; 7043 ± 856 to 12506 ± 675 mg kg-1 for K; 2774 ± 211 to 5691 ± 717 mg kg-1 for Mg; 7.01 ± 0.30 to 29.74 ± 3.32 mg kg-1 for Mn and 0.77 ± 0.02 to 3.43 ± 0.28 mg kg-1 for V. The seasonal and spatial variations of the concentrations of these elements were studied and the values compared to the literature. From the results obtained it can be concluded that the species of Perna perna mussels, can be used as biomonitors of marine contamination.

<div>Wounds are created in soft and hard tissue through surgery or disease. As the wound heals, the tissue is held in place using sutures or staples for soft tissue or plates, pins, or screws for hard tissues. These fixation methods inherently damage the surrounding healthy tissue. Surgical adhesives are a non-damaging alternative to these methods. In order to be effective, surgical adhesives must be biocompatible,</div><div>adhere strongly in a moist environment, and have mechanical properties similar to those of the native tissue.</div><div><br></div><div><div>To address the design criteria for surgical adhesives, we look to nature to find inspiration from compounds that provide these properties. Mussels use catechol-based</div><div>molecules to adhere to surfaces in wet and turbulent environments. Incorporating catechols into polymer systems can provide adhesion even in moist biological environments.</div><div>Mimics of elastomeric proteins from soft tissue can be used as backbones for soft and flexible adhesive systems. In particular, elastin-inspired proteins have a well-defined modular sequence that allows for a range of design choices. In this work, we explored the behavior of elastin- and mussel-inspired natural and synthetic polymers in biologically relevant environments.</div></div><div><br></div><div><div>First, the cytocompatibility of a catechol-containing poly(lactic acid) (cPLA) hard tissue adhesive was studied. The cPLA polymer was reacted with iron- or periodatebased</div><div>crosslinkers and compared to PLA. Fibroblasts grown directly on cPLA or cultured with leachate from cPLA had high viability but slower growth than cells on PLA. The periodate crosslinker was significantly cytotoxic, and cells grown on cPLA crosslinked with periodate had reduced metabolism and slowed growth. Cells grown on or in leachate from iron-crosslinked cPLA had similar viability, metabolism, and growth to cells on or in leachate from cPLA. The iron-crosslinked cPLA is a promising</div><div>cytocompatible adhesive for hard tissue applications.</div></div><div><br></div><div><div>Second, two elastin-like proteins (ELP) were developed that had pH-sensitive properties in solution and when crosslinked into hydrogels. Both ELPs had a large number of ionizable tyrosine and lysine residues, and one design also had a large number of ionizable histidine and aspartic acid residues. The stiffness of the hydrogels was maximized at pH values near the isoelectric point of the protein. The stoichometric ratio of crosslinker used affected hydrogel stiffness but did not significantly alter the pH-sensitivity of the gel. The crosslinked gel shrank when swelled at physiological pH. The pH-sensitive mechanical properties of hydrogels made from the two ELPs did not vary significantly. The tyrosine and lysine residues in one ELP were also</div><div>chemically blocked through acetylation to lower the isolectric point of the protein. The acetylated hydrogels had maximum stiffness at a pH near the isoelectric point of the acetylated ELP. The stiffness of both the native and acetylated gels were within the range of soft tissue. Through a combination of crosslinker ratio and chemical modification, the pH-responsive properties of the elastin-inspired hydrogels could be tuned.</div></div><div><br></div><div><div>Finally, adhesive proteins were created that were inspired by both elastin and mussels. An ELP was modified to include catechol groups (mELP). The ELP and mELP were optimized for adhesive use in a soft tissue system. A warm and humid environment was used to study the adhesion of these proteins on pig skin. Iron and (hydroxymethyl) phosphine crosslinkers increased the adhesive strength of both proteins, and periodate increased the adhesive strength of mELP. The adhesive strengths of the proteins were maximized when mELP was mixed with iron or when either protein were mixed with (hydroxymethyl)phosphine crosslinkers. These maximized adhesives were 12-17 times stronger than a commercially available sealant. In addition,</div><div>the iron and mELP adhesive formulation achieved high adhesive strengths even when cured for only ten minutes. This adhesive formula shows promise for adhesive</div><div>applications on soft tissue.</div></div>

L’objectif de cette thèse est le diagnostic de l’état de santé de la lagune de Bizerte par une approche multi-marqueurs (chimique, biochimique et morphométrique) et multi-compartiments (sédiment et biote). Pour atteindre cet objectif, les modèles biologiques choisis sont la moule Mytilus galloprovincialis et le poisson gobie Zosterisessor ophiocephalus. Ces deux espèces sont largement répandues dans la lagune de Bizerte et la mer Méditerranée. Dans une première partie et afin d’estimer les niveaux de contamination de la lagune de Bizerte par les polluants organiques persistants (POPs), des analyses chimiques, granulométriques et minéralogiques (COT) de sédiments superficiels ont été réalisées. Par la suite la toxicité potentielle des sédiments a été évaluée par une batterie de bioessais. Dans une troisième partie la biodisponibilité et l’impact écotoxicologique des POPs étudiés ont été évalués par l’accumulation de ces contaminants au niveau des deux organismes indicateurs choisis et l’étude des réponses biologiques associées à travers quelques biomarqueurs tels que la catalase (CAT), l’acide thiobarbiturique (TBARS); l’Ethoxyrésorufine O-dééthylase (EROD); la glutathion-S-transférase (GST) et l'acétylcholinestérase (AChE). Les principaux résultats des analyses chimiques révèlent une contamination générale des sédiments et organismes étudiés par les POPs. Les niveaux de contamination sont fonction de l’espèce et de la station étudiée. La comparaison de nos valeurs avec les données de la littérature a montré que les niveaux de contamination de la lagune sont similaires ou légèrement inférieurs à ceux enregistrés dans des écosystèmes équivalents dans d’autres pays du monde. L’estimation de la toxicité des sédiments au moyen des valeurs guides sédimentaires (ERL, ERM, TEL et PEL) et trois tests biologiques (Microtox®, SOS-Chromotest® et test MELA) ont montré que les sédiments des stations du canal de Bizerte S1 et S3 représentent un danger accru pour les organismes aquatiques. Nos résultats ont montré que les biomarqueurs mesurés chez les deux espèces choisies sont des paramètres sensibles et inductibles permettant de qualifier l’état de santé des organismes et la qualité globale du milieu étudié. Les marqueurs morphométriques contrairement aux marqueurs biochimiques n’ont pas permis de discriminer les différents sites étudiés. Contrairement aux poissons, il a été démontré chez les moules que les facteurs abiotiques ont une influence sur les concentrations en POPs et les réponses des biomarqueurs.Au vu de l’ensemble de ces résultats, il apparaît que cette approche intégrative associant des mesures chimiques et écotoxicologiques représente un bon moyen pour évaluer la qualité de l’environnement notamment dans le cadre de programmes de biosurveillance. / The objective of this thesis was the diagnosis of the health status of the Bizerte lagoon using a multi-marker (chemical, biochemical and morphometric) and multi-compartment approach (sediment and biota). To achieve this objective, the selected biological models were the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the goby fish Zosterisessor ophiocephalus. Both species are widespread in the Bizerte lagoon and the Mediterranean Sea. In a first part and in order to estimate the levels of contamination of the Bizerte lagoon, persistent organic pollutant (POPs), granulometric and mineralogical (TOC) analyses of surficial sediments were carried out. Afterwards, the potential toxicity of sediments was assessed by a battery of bioassays. In a the third part, bioavailability and ecotoxicological impact of POPs studied were assessed by bioaccumulation measurement in these two indicators species, and the study of biological responses associated through a battery of biomarkers such as catalase (CAT), thiobarbituric acid (TBARS); Ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD); glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The main results of the chemical analyses show a general contamination of sediments and organisms studied by POPs. Contamination levels are dependent on the studied species and stations. Comparing our values with literature data, showed that the levels of contamination of the lagoon are similar or slightly lower than equivalent ecosystems in other parts of the world. Besides, the estimation of sediment toxicity, using sediment guideline values (ERL, ERM, TEL et PEL), as well as bioassays (Microtox®, SOS-Chromotest® and MELA test) showed that stations of canal of Bizerte S1 and S3 were associated with an increased hazard to aquatic organisms. Our results showed that biomarkers measured in both selected species are sensitive and inducible parameters, which allowed to characterize the health status of organisms and global quality of the studied environment. Biochemical but not morphometric markers allowed to discriminate the different studied sites according to chemical risk. Unlike fish, it has been demonstrated in mussels that abiotic factors influence the concentrations of POPs and biomarker responses.Obtained data suggest that integrative approach, combining chemical and ecotoxicological measurements, may represent a good way to asses the quality of the environment, particularly, in the context of biomonitoring programs.

No description available.

A trial established in 2003 at Upper Moutere in Nelson, New Zealand, was used to evaluate the effect of mussel shells as reflective mulch on Vitis vinifera L. cv. Pinot noir vine performance and fruit and wine quality. Shell mulch had several effects on the environment and vine growth as well as grape and wine composition in the 2006/2007 season. Soil under mulch was cooler compared to un-mulched control, but buffered the extremes in temperatures. Fruiting zone temperature over shells was slightly higher during the day and cooler at night, showing no effect on mean hourly temperature. Shell mulch reflected greater amounts of UV-A, UV-B and PAR radiation into the fruiting zone. Shell reduced weed growth compared to control. Leaf petiole and blade samples showed higher amounts of calcium compared to control. Leaf SPAD values were higher in the shell treatment during veraison, previous and postharvest, but lower post budburst. While date of budburst was not affected by treatments, dates of flowering and veraison appeared to be slightly advanced over shells. Fruit set was similar between treatments and was considered poorer in shell bunches due to a larger population of seedless berries. Vine growth was not affected in terms of the number of nodes laid at pruning, flower cluster and shoot number pre shoot thinning, early shoot growth and lateral shoots development. Vigour was not increased by shells as demonstrated by pruning weights, canopy density and trunk circumferences being similar, though internode lengths in shell shoots were greater in 2007 and lower in 2006. Berry weights, bunch weights and vine yields were lower in shell than control, though greater berry numbers were recorded. There were slight differences between treatments in fruit and wine composition. Grape pH only varied in the middle of the sampling time, being higher the 2nd week and lower the 3rd week in shell grapes and TA was greater at harvest time. However, °Brix was only higher in shell grapes in the middle of the sampling period, being similar to control at veraison and harvest. Peduncle lignification was delayed at veraison as well as at harvest time. Shell must after crushing was greater in Brix but similar to control in pH and TA. Similarly, shell wines pre bottling showed higher alcohol and no differences for pH and TA. HPLC-DAD analyses of commercial-scale and microvin wines showed consistent differences of the individual flavonoid composition. Shell microvin wines were greater than control in quercetin and resveratrol. However, commercial shell wines were lower in epicatechin, gallic acid, resveratrol, and catechin than control. Leaf phenolic composition was also different between treatments. However, further analyses by HPLC-MS in wines as well as in leaves are necessary to identify individual compounds. Total anthocyanins and total phenolics were no different between treatments. Sensory analyses of microvin and commercial shell wines exhibited consistently lower levels of green and unripe tannins, and greater smoothness and complexity as well. Further analysis by GC-MS and HPLC-MS is warranted. Shell mulch improved sensory characteristics of the resulting wines.

<p>Biological invasion has become a major threat to economy, ecology, global biodiversity and ecosystem function of aquatic ecosystems. The main aim of the thesis was to study the effects of the zebra mussel <i>(Dreissena polymorpha)</i>, a versatile invasive species, on phytoplankton dynamics and ecosystem function of lakes. </p><p>In a first attempt, I compared the density of <i>Dreissena</i> and the physicochemical data of ecosystems that it invaded among North American and European lakes to identify important factors in its invasion success. Secondly, I investigated the impact of zebra mussels on phytoplankton community composition in a natural lake. Thirdly, I evaluated whether zebra mussel feeding behavior were affected by the presence of predatory waterborne cues. Finally, I examined the effect of <i>Dreissena</i> on seston stoichiometry.</p><p>A Generalized Additive Model revealed that a joint effect of surface area, mean depth, total phosphorus and calcium concentrations can explain the variability in <i>Dreissena</i> density. Selective grazing by zebra mussels varied in relation to seasonal phytoplankton dynamics. Risk cues released by predators affected both feeding rate and prey selection of the mussels and had cascading indirect effects on phytoplankton biomass and community structure. I found that the flux in nutrients caused by differences in zebra mussel consumption lead to a variation in phytoplankton nutrient limitation.</p><p>The flexibility of zebra mussel feeding behavior and variation in susceptibility among phytoplankton groups to mussel ingestion indicate that invading zebra mussels could alter phytoplankton community composition of lakes and have important ecosystem consequences. The results of this thesis contribute to the growing evidence that predators indirectly affect resource dynamics and food web structure through their non-lethal effects on consumers. The results suggested that zebra mussel can indirectly both reduce and increase the energy transfer efficiency from primary producers to upper trophic levels in the pelagic and benthic food webs, respectively. </p>

Dreikantmuscheln (Dreissena polymorpha) sind aufgrund ihrer speziellen Ernährungsweise in der Lage, erhebliche Wassermengen unterschiedlichster Qualität sehr effektiv zu filtrieren und dabei zu reinigen (Biofilter). Ziel der Arbeit waren Einschätzungen zum Leistungsumfang, der Nutzung und von Grenzen des Muschelfilters. Die Exposition der Muscheln erfolgte in der Elbe am Neustädter Hafen in Dresden (Oberflächengewässer), in dem ersten und zweiten Schönungsteich der Kläranlage Reichenau (Sachsen) und in einem Waldbad in Langebrück (Badegewässer). Eine wirksame Elutionsmethode war die Grundlage um Mikroorganismen (Bakterien, Viren und Parasiten) aus dem Muschelgewebe effizient nachweisen zu können. Die bakterielle Wiederfindungsrate von 86% und eine Wiederfindung von 97% für Bakteriophagen bestätigen die Elutionseffizienz des Verfahrens. Die Befähigung von Dreissena polymorpha zu einer saisonal beeinflussten Bioakkumulation gegenüber dem Umgebungswasser konnte durch ein Monitoring mit einem Anreicherungsfaktor für Bakterien von 87 (gemittelt) und für Bakteriophagen von 261 (gemittelt) eindrucksvoll bestätigt werden. Batchversuche im Labormaßstab bestätigten die im in situ - Monitoring ermittelte Bakterienakkumulation und demonstrieren darüber hinaus eine temperaturabhängige Inaktivierung (Elimination) der Bakterien (Intestinale Enterokokken) durch die Muscheln mit Reduktionsraten von -77% bei 20°C bzw. -61% bei 6°C. Nicht alle aufgenommenen Organismen werden durch die Muscheln inaktiviert. Das ergaben die in situ Sedimentuntersuchungen unter dem Muschelfilter. Die Verdopplung der Enterokokken sowie die erhöhten Werte der somatischen Coliphagen im Sediment unter Muschelbesatz charakterisieren dieses Kompartiment als Keimreservoir. Die bakterielle Besiedlung des Verdauungstraktes von Dreissena polymorpha wird stark durch die Bakterienzönose des umgebenden Wassers beeinflusst. Sowohl im Wasser als auch im Muschelgewebe dominierten fünf Bakterienstämme (Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes,&amp;quot;environmental group&amp;quot;). Eine auffallend hohe Dominanz zeigten die Mycoplasmen (Firmicutes), was auf eine mögliche ökologische Nische für Vertreter dieser Gattung in der Muschel hindeutet. In allen Muscheleluaten des Monitorings wurden Legionellen nachgewiesen. Die Muscheln des Teiches 2 der KA Reichenau zeigten mit 86% die höchste Kontamination aller Expositionsorte. Legionellenamplifikate im Muscheleluat 2 gingen kontinuierlich mit ebenfalls positiven Befunden im Wasser einher, so dass der Einsatz von Dreissena polymorpha auch im Biomonitoring von Legionellaceae möglich ist. Erstmalig wurden in der Elbe und im Abwasser der KA Reichenau E. coli O157:H7 infizierenden Phagen und deren Anteile nachgewiesen. Die Elbe lag mit einem E. coli O157:H7 infizierenden Phagenanteil von 7,5% deutlich über dem Rohabwasser (1,0%) und dem Zulauf zum ersten Schönungsteich der Kläranlage (0,5%). Der Stx Gennachweis im Muscheleluat war dagegen nur in einer von 24 Proben erfolgreich. Enterale Viren (AdV, EV) wurden in den Dreikantmuscheln und ihrem Umgebungswasser diskontinuierlich nachgewiesen. Enteroviren wurden im Wasser (57% gemittelt) häufiger als in der parallelen Muschelproben (10%) nachgewiesen. Parasiten (Giardia lamblia und Cryptosporidium parvum) werden durch die exponierten Muscheln aufgenommen, dies bestätigten die qualitativen Testergebnisse. In den Dreikantmuscheln wurde sowohl für G. lamblia (78%), als auch für Cryptosporidien (77%) eine durchschnittlich höhere Nachweisrate im Vergleich zu den korrespondierenden Wasserproben (42% und 36%) ermittelt. Die effiziente Akkumulation und die Umweltresistenz der Dreikantmuscheln sind hervorragende Eigenschaften, die sich zu einem zuverlässigen Biomonitor mit &amp;quot;Hygienegedächtnis&amp;quot; und hoher Sensibilität vereinen lassen.