Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a central component of the global carbon cycle. Thus, small changes to the amount of DOM imported, processed and produced within lakes can have a large effect on regional carbon budgets. In addition to being a vital energy source at the base of the aquatic food web, DOM is physico-chemically reactive. However, identifying and understanding the controls of DOM processing has remained challenging due to the complex composition of DOM. DOM comprises a mixture of decomposition by-products of terrestrial origin as well as newly synthesized material from in situ production. DOM compounds form gradients of reactivity to biogeochemical processes, such as photodegradation, biodegradation, and flocculation, and they perform a suite of functions in aquatic systems. The overarching goal of this thesis was to investigate controls of DOM processing in Swedish lakes. We do this in two ways: 1) by characterizing the molecular-level composition of DOM in lakes, and 2) by investigating interactions between very labile and relatively recalcitrant DOM. The first three chapters utilize ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry to show that the detailed chemical composition of DOM varies along a hydrology gradient, and secondarily along a temperature gradient that co-varies with agriculture and nutrients. Next, we illustrate the coherence between molecular-level characteristics and bulk optical characteristics. Together, these studies suggest that protein-like fluorescence, aliphatic compounds, and N-containing compounds are either resistant to degradation or tightly cycled in the system, and thus persist at long water residence times. The most oxidized compounds, such as vascular plant-derived polyphenolic compounds, are abundant in areas with high precipitation and are lost with increasing water residence time. Vascular plant-derived polyphenolic compounds were most strongly related to DOM with high apparent molecular weight, suggesting that hydrophobic interactions drive aggregate formation. Furthermore, the association of high molecular weight DOM with polyphenolic compounds suggests that aggregates are hotspots of reactivity in aquatic systems. Finally, we find no indication that the addition of labile organic matter enhances the biodegradation of less reactive DOM. Thus, we suggest that in freshwaters, intrinsic molecular properties, such as the basic structural features of compounds, dominate over extrinsic factors.

The amount of organic carbon (OC) present in Siberian Arctic permafrost soils is estimated at twice the amount of carbon currently in the atmosphere. The shelf seas of the Arctic Ocean receive large amounts of this terrestrial OC from Eurasian Arctic rivers and from coastal erosion. Degradation of this land-derived material in the sea would result in the production of dissolved carbon dioxide and may then add to the atmospheric carbon dioxide reservoir. Observations from the Siberian Arctic suggest that transfer of carbon from land to the marine environment is accelerating. However, it is not clear how much of the transported OC is degraded and oxidized, nor how much is removed from the active carbon cycle by burial in marine sediment. Using bulk geochemical parameters, total OC, d13C and D14C isotope composition, and specific molecular markers of plant wax lipids and lignin phenols, the abundance and composition of OC was determined in both dissolved and particulate carrier phases: the colloidal OC (COC; part of the dissolved OC), particulate OC (POC), and sedimentary OC (SOC). Statistical modelling was used to quantify the relative contribution of OC sources to these phases. Terrestrial OC is derived from the seasonally thawing top layer of permafrost soil (topsoil OC) and frozen OC derived from beneath the active layer eroded at the coast, commonly identified as yedoma ice complex deposit OC (yedoma ICD-OC). These carbon pools are transported differently in the aquatic conduits. Topsoil OC was found in young DOC and POC, in the river water, and the shelf water column, suggesting long-distance transport of this fraction. The yedoma ICD-OC was found as old particulate OC that settles out rapidly to the underlying sediment and is laterally transported across the shelf, likely dispersed by bottom nepheloid layer transport or via ice rafting. These two modes of OC transport resulted in different degradation states of topsoil OC and yedoma ICD-OC. Terrestrial CuO oxidation derived biomarkers indicated a highly degraded component in the COC. In contrast, the terrestrial component of the SOC was much less degraded. In line with earlier suggestions the mineral component in yedoma ICD functions as weight and surface protection of the associated OC, which led to burial in the sediment, and limited OC degradation. The degradability of the terrestrial OC in shelf sediment was also addressed in direct incubation studies. Molecular markers indicate marine OC (from primary production) was more readily degraded than terrestrial OC. Degradation was also faster in sediment from the East Siberian Sea, where the marine contribution was higher compared to the Laptev Sea. Although terrestrial carbon in the sediment was degraded slower, the terrestrial component also contributed to carbon dioxide formation in the incubations of marine sediment. These results contribute to our understanding of the marine fate of land-derived OC from the Siberian Arctic. The mobilization of topsoil OC is expected to grow in magnitude with climate warming and associated active layer deepening. This translocated topsoil OC component was found to be highly degraded, which suggests degradation during transport and a possible contribution to atmospheric carbon dioxide. Similarly, the yedoma ICD-OC (and or old mineral soil carbon) may become a stronger source with accelerated warming, but slow degradation may limit its impact on active carbon cycling in the Siberian Shelf Seas. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: Manuscript. Paper 4: Manuscript.</p>

Soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are not uniform across the landscape, but assemble in "hotspots" in specific areas. These differences are mainly driven by human-induced activities such as agricultural management. 40-50% of the Earth's land surface is under agricultural land-use, for instance cropland, managed grassland and permanent crops including agro-forestry and bio-energy crops. Furthermore, 62% of the global soil C stock is SOC and the soil stores more than 3 times more C than the atmosphere. Thus, C sequestration in agricultural soil has a potentially important role in increasing SOC storage and GHG mitigation, and there is considerable interest in understanding the effects of agricultural management on SOC and GHG fluxes in both grasslands and croplands, in order to better assess the uncertainty and vulnerability of terrestrial SOC reservoirs. For the sake of discovering the agricultural management practices relating to the effective and sustainable C sequestration in agricultural lands in Europe, simulating future terrestrial C stocks and GHG budgets under varied agricultural management systems in major European ecosystems is essential. Using models is a useful method with the purpose of this and abundant studies have carried out. However, many model results have not been validated with reliable observed long-term data, while other studies have reported a strong impact of model initialisation on model result. Nevertheless, predictions of annual to decadal variability in the European terrestrial C and GHG ressources largely rely on model results. Consequently, finding the most appropriate and comprehensive model initialisation method for obtaining reliable model simulations became important, especially for process-based ecosystem models. In recent years, Zimmermann et al. (2007) have succeed in initialising the Rothamsted Carbon model (RothC) using a physical and chemical soil fractionation method. For that reason, we hypothesised that measured detailed SOC data would be useful to initialise ecosystem models, and this hypothesis should be tested for different process-based models and agricultural land-use and management. (...)

The objectives of this study are to determine the non-methane volatile organic carbon emissions from the parts used in the interiors of buses at different temperatures and to analyze the components of these emissions. The total non-methane volatile organic carbon (NMVOC) concentrations in various sections of a bus were measured in order to determine the indoor air pollution in the bus. Different samples of the materials used in the interior parts of the buses were provided by the manufacturing company and they were tested in the METU Air Pollution Laboratory in order to see what hydrocarbon components make up this total NMVOC concentration.The results of experiments showed that the leading constituent emitted from the test pieces was toluene. Benzene concentration was very low. This is very important since benzene is a carcinogen and it has very low indoor concentration limits determined by OSHA and NIOSH. When the concentrations of the total NMVOC emitted from various parts are examined, it was seen that the most of the VOC emissions occur from the floor materials and ventilation channel. After measurements were done in two buses the average indoor total NMVOC concentrations were found as 21.15 &plusmn / 5.8 ppmv (as C3H8) and 46.04 &plusmn / 9.2 ppmv (as C3H8) in the first and second bus, respectively. Suggestions were made to the manufacturing company for some replacement of solvents and adhesives, and measurements were repeated with the newly manufactured parts for the bus. The highest concentrations were observed for toluene in these measurements, too. However, the toluene concentration was at least 40% lower than the initial values. Benzene concentrations were again very low. The average indoor total NMVOC concentrations were found as 10.41 &plusmn / 2 ppmv (as C3H8) in the measurements done in the bus decorated with new materials. This concentration was about 50% and 25% of the values measured in the first and the second bus at the beginning of the study, respectively.

The quantity of stormwater runoff from the city of Adelaide almost matches the demand for drinking water. It therefore becomes increasingly important as an alternative source for water supply. This research focused at the Parafield Stormwater Harvesting Facility near Adelaide in order to better understand: (1) nutrient dynamics between the water column, sediments and plant community, (2) allochthonous and autochthonous sources of nutrients and (3) nutrient retention capacity of the reed bed. A weekly monitoring programme for the physical and chemical parameters of the water column, sediment and plant community was carried out over three years for specific locations within the reed bed. Ordination and clustering of the time series data revealed distinctive seasonal and spatial nutrient patterns. The concentrations for total nitrogen (TN) showed high concentrations for the summer period (1.04 to 1.86 mg/L) and low concentration for the winter season (0.25 to 0.46 mg/L). For the other nitrogen fractions in form of nitrate (NO₃⁻) and ammonium (NH₄⁺) the seasonal patterns were different to that of TN. In NO₃⁻ the concentrations were high during the summer and winter seasons and NH₄⁺ showed high concentration during the spring. The seasonality for total phosphorus (TP) showed high concentration for the spring period (0.049 to 0.163 mg/L) and low concentration for the other seasons (0.01 to 0.019 mg/L). A similar pattern has been observed for phosphate (PO₄³ ⁻) as well. The dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations showed high concentrations during the summer period (21.36 to 31.64 mg/L) and low concentration during the winter seasons (5.48 to 7.14 mg/L). The seasonal pattern for the nutrient contents of the plant community showed highest concentrations during summer (5.5 to 34.2 gTN/kg) and lowest concentrations in winter (0.2 to 7.7 gTN/kg). Nutrient concentrations in the sediments were highest during the non-growing seasons (autumn and winter). This result indicated that the function of sediments changes seasonally from being a sink during the non-growing season by accumulating both allochthonous and autochthonous nutrients in the rainy season, and becoming a source during the growing seasons due to nutrient release from anaerobic sediments supporting the growth of the macrophyte community. Overall the function of sediment in reed bed pond of the Stormwater Harvesting Facility was to be a source of nutrients and therefore no accumulation of nutrients occurred during the study period. The research has demonstrated that the reed bed currently performs as a reasonable nutrient retention system with following nutrient removal rates: 0.85 mg TN /m²/day, 0.79 mg NO₃⁻ /m²/day, 0.28 mg NH₄⁺/m²/day, 0.05 mg TP /m²/day, 0.04 mg PO₄³ ⁻ /m²/day, and 5.75 mg DOC /m²/day. Seasonal difference in the water retention time showed that the for most of the nutrients the removal performance was most effective during autumn and winter with the exception of the removal performance of P forms, which most effective during spring and summer. For TN, NO₃⁻ and DOC the RE was most efficient at a residence time > 15days, for TP and PO₄³ ⁻ it is 5-10 days and for NH₄⁺ it is <;5days. Time–series modelling of the monitoring data resulted in rule-based prediction models for the different nutrients. Sensitivity analyses of the models revealed key driving variables for the nutrient dynamics of the reed bed. The prediction results revealed that the DO was the key driving variable influencing the nutrient concentrations in the water column and therefore to improve the water quality of the treatment water DO levels have to maintained above the threshold of 4 mg/L. Beside DO other key driving variables were turbidity, ORP and the nutrient levels from the previous site. Therefore the control of these parameters would be the start to develop a management plan for best-practice management in terms of water quality at the Parafield Stormwater Harvesting Facility. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1458926 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Science, 2010

Land-use change (LUC) or land use has been largely responsible for a large part of carbon dioxide emissions and soil degradation. The increased demand for bioenergy has led to the expansion of sugarcane areas in the south-central region, especially in areas previously used as pasture, and increased demand for food has expanded the use of marginal soils (i.e, sandy). In this way, the native vegetation gave place to the areas with pastures and, later, the transformed pastures in fields for the production of grains or bioenergy. However, despite the high positive economic impact for the country through the production of soybeans and sugarcane, it is not known how this LUC is affecting the resources and the quality of the soil. For this, in this work the indicators to evaluate soil quality under different land uses in the tropical transition region of southern Brazil were measured. Four land uses (native vegetation, pasture, sugarcane, and soybean) were evaluated in three sites with different soil conditions. The hypothesis tested in this study was that intensification of agriculture through pasture management, soybean cultivation under no-tillage system (NT), integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS) and sugarcane improved soil quality. Soil samples were collected in three layers (0.0 - 0.10, 0.10 - 0.20, 0.20 -0.30 m) in Londrina, Santo Inácio and São Jorge do Ivaí, northern- PR- Brazil. Physical, chemical, biological attributes, stocks of carbon and nitrogen were analyzed in the laboratory. A Soil Quality Index (SQI) was also calculated using the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF). The results point to the enormous potential of soil carbon sequestration through NT, ICLS and pasture management, especially in the marginal areas in the process of agricultural expansion in Brazil. In addition, it was concluded that land use with soybean and sugarcane does not induce physical and chemical degradation of the soil in relation to pasture, but the low carbon and nitrogen inventory in the soil, and the lower SQI, the expansion of sugarcane should be avoided in sandy soils. / A mudança de uso da terra (MUT), ou o uso da terra, tem sido responsável, globalmente, por grande parte das emissões de dióxido de carbono e pela degradação do solo. O aumento da demanda por bioenergia, tem ocasionado a expansão das áreas de cana-de-açúcar na região centro sul, principalmente em áreas que anteriormente eram usadas como pastagem, e o aumento da demanda por alimentos tem expandido as áreas de produção de grãos para solos marginais (ou seja, arenosos). Desta forma, a vegetação nativa deu lugar às áreas com pastagens e, posteriormente, as pastagens transformadas em lavouras para a produção de grãos ou bioenergia. Contudo, apesar do alto impacto econômico positivo para o país através da produção da soja e da cana-de-açúcar, não se tem conhecimento de como esta MUT está afetando os recursos e a qualidade do solo. Para isto, neste trabalho mensuramos indicadores para avaliar a qualidade do solo sob diferentes usos na região de transição tropical no Sul do Brasil. Foram avaliados quatro usos da terra (vegetação nativa, pastagem, cultivo com cana-de-açúcar e cultivo com soja) em três locais com condições de solo distintas. A hipótese testada neste trabalho foi que a intensificação da agricultura através do manejo das pastagens, do cultivo da soja em sistema plantio direto (SPD), integração lavoura pecuária (ILP) e da cana-de-açúcar melhoram a qualidade do solo. Amostras de solo foram coletadas em três camadas (0,0 – 0,10; 0,10 – 0,20; e 0,20 – 0,30 m) nos municípios de Londrina, Santo Inácio e São Jorge do Ivaí, região norte do PR. Foram analisados, em laboratório, atributos físicos, químicos, biológicos, estoques de carbono e nitrogênio do solo. Também foi calculado um índice de qualidade do solo (IQS) através da Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF). Os resultados apontam enorme potencial de sequestro de carbono no solo através do SPD, ILP e manejo das pastagens, principalmente nas áreas marginais em processo de expansão da agricultura no Brasil. Além disso, concluiu-se que o uso da terra com soja e cana-de-açúcar não induz degradação física e química do solo em relação a pastagem, porém o baixo estoque de carbono e nitrogênio no solo, e o menor IQS, orientam que a expansão da cana-de-açúcar deve ser evitada em solos arenosos.

Lors du Paléocène, le bassin d’avant-pays nord-pyrénéen est une large baie ouverte sur le proto-océan Atlantique. Ce golfe est constitué d’une plateforme carbonatée peu profonde dans la région des Petites-Pyrénées, et de sédiments majoritairement continentaux dans les Corbières (Aude). Nous avons recueilli des donnés sédimentologiques, au travers de 10 coupes, réparties sur un transect ouest-est d’environ 150 km, parallèle à l’actuelle chaîne des Pyrénées. L’analyse faciologique de ces coupes a permis de définir des séquences. L’absence de données stratigraphiques notamment dans les séries continentales des Corbières, rendait les corrélations incertaines. Ainsi pour améliorer le calage stratigraphique une analyse des variations du δ13Corg a été réalisée sur une coupe (Lairière)pour l’ensemble du Paléocène. Cette coupe a été comparée avec des coupes de références marines bien calées et ainsi ce travail a permis d’affiner la stratigraphie du Paléocène en domaine continental et plus largement dans la zone d’étude. Couplées à l’analyse séquentielle, ces données ont aussi permis de reconstituer l’architecture du Paléocène. Notre approche nous a permis de (1) tracer des esquisses paléogéographiques pour chacun des trois étages du Paléocène, de (2) proposer un modèle d’évolution tectono-stratigraphique et de (3) discuter des facteurs de contrôle de la sédimentation paléocène dans le bassin nord-pyrénéen. / During the Paleocene, the North Pyrenean Foreland Basin is an open bay on the Atlantic Ocean. This gulf consists of a shallow carbonate platform in the Petites-Pyrenees area, and mainly continental sediments in the Corbières area (Aude). We collected sedimentological data, through 10 sections, on a west-east transect of 150 km, parallel to the present-day Pyrenees. The facies analysis of these sections allowed us to define sequences but the lack of stratigraphical data, particularly in the continental deposits of the Corbières, made correlations uncertain. To overcome this problem, an analysis of the δ13Corg variations was carried out. It provided a geochemical curve for the whole Paleocene that was then compared with marine reference sections which made possible to refine the stratigraphy of the continental succession and more largely of the study area. Coupled with sequential analysis, these data have also enabled the reconstruction of Paleocene architecture. Our approach allowed us to (1) draw paleogeographic map for each of the Paleocene three stages, to (2) propose a model of tectono-stratigraphical evolution and to (3) discuss the control factors of Paleocene sedimentation in the North Pyrenean Basin

Ce travail a pour objectif d’étudier les conditions physicochimiques qui causent dans la Loire des développements excessifs de phytoplancton, et de mettre en évidence les modifications des équilibres biogéochimiques qui en résultent. L’analyse des variables de l’eutrophisation a été conduite sur plusieurs niveaux d’échelle temporelle et spatiale, sur la base de longues chroniques de qualité de l’eau (1980- 2012), de données acquises à l’échelle journalière pendant la thèse (2012-2014), et d’un modèle numérique biogéochimique à résolution horaire. Depuis les conditions hypereutrophes des années 1980, la biomasse phytoplanctonique qui se développe en période estivale a été réduite d’un facteur 2,5 dans la Loire et dans ses affluents, de manière concomitante avec la baisse généralisée d’un facteur 3 des teneurs en phosphore biodisponible, liée au contrôle des rejets ponctuels urbains et industriels. Le fleuve de la Loire (France) reste cependant sensible à l’eutrophisation, du fait d’une forte pression agricole et urbaine, des étiages prononcés, et une morphologie fluviale à chenaux multiples qui ralentit l’écoulement, laissant pleinement au phytoplancton le temps de se développer. Lorsque les conditions hydrologiques le permettent, le développement du phytoplancton impacte fortement le fonctionnement de l’écosystème, en agissant significativement sur les cycles biogéochimiques des nutriments, du carbone et de l’oxygène. / This thesis aims at studying the physical and chemical causes and consequences that result from excessive phytoplankton growth in the Loire River. The analysis identified some parameters characterizing river eutrophication and was conducted on several spatial and temporal scales. This was based on long-term water quality time-series (1980-2012), a daily survey carried out during this work (2012-2014), and the numerical modeling of the river biogeochemical functioning with an hourly resolution. Phytoplankton development in summer was reduced 2.5-fold in the Loire River and in the main tributaries, synchronously with the generalized reduction 3-fold of bioavailable phosphorus as a result of controlling and limiting phosphorus point sources. However, the Loire River remains sensitive to eutrophication, with a significant urban and agricultural pressure, low water levels in summer, and its multiple channels morphology slowing down the water velocity. All these factors combined favor phytoplankton development. When hydrological conditions are favorable, phytoplankton grows and significantly affects the ecosystem functioning, with an impact on nutrients, carbon and oxygen biogeochemical cycles.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T13:51:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao de Tiago de Oliveira Godinho.pdf: 1688395 bytes, checksum: dc21ea66b57c80303036285def87fa34 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-07-07 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O presente trabalho teve por objetivo estudar a deposição e o acúmulo da serapilheira e os nutrientes nela contidos na Floresta Estacional Semidecidual Submontana, localizada no município de Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, ES. A amostragem da serapilheira depositada e acumulada foi realizada em 12 parcelas de área fixa (20 m x 50 m), sendo as mesmas distribuídas de forma sistemática no campo, totalizando 1,2 ha de área amostrada. Em cada uma das 12 parcelas foram distribuídos cinco coletores de serapilheira depositada de forma sistemática, construídos em estrutura de madeira de formato quadrado com 0,5 m x 0,5 m e 0,75 m de altura do solo, com telas de nylon, em malha de 2 mm, totalizando 60 coletores, onde foi realizado a coleta mensal da serapilheira depositada sobre os coletores. Após a coleta, as amostras foram levadas imediatamente para o laboratório, onde foram separadas nas frações folhas/miscelânea e galhos. A quantidade de serapilheira depositada no coletor foi quantificada para megagrama por hectare por mês (Mg.ha-1.mês-1). Foram determinados os conteúdos de nutrientes e carbono orgânico contidos na serapilheira e a eficiência no uso de nutrientes. Em cada uma das 12 parcelas do presente estudo foram coletadas mensalmente sobre o piso da floresta, 12 amostras de serapilheira acumulada, de forma aleatória, com o auxílio de um gabarito de metal de 0,25 m x 0,25 m, que foi lançado sobre o piso da floresta totalizando 144 amostras em cada mês do estudo. Determinou-se os teores de macronutrientes (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S), micronutrientes (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, B) e carbono orgânico (CO) da serapilheira depositada e acumulada. O estudo da deposição e acumulo de serapilheira na floresta foi analisado segundo o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 12 tratamentos (meses do ano) e 12 repetições (para efeito de cálculo, os coletores na parcela foram unidos, e cada parcela tornou-se uma repetição). A deposição e o acumulo de serapilheira mostrou-se sazonal, com maiores produções e acúmulos ocorrendo no final da estação seca e de menores temperaturas do ar. A floresta em questão produziu no decorrer de um ano 9,3 Mg.ha-1 de serapilheira e obteve uma média de 5,5 Mg.ha-1 de serapilheira acumulada. O retorno total de nutrientes foi de 511,80 kg.ha-1.ano-1, sendo 506,62 kg.ha-1.ano-1 de macronutrientes e 5,18 kg.ha-1.ano-1 de micronutrientes. O aporte de serapilheira e sua posterior decomposição são responsáveis por grandes teores de nutrientes na camada superficial do solo, condicionando uma melhoria na fertilidade do mesmo / This work aimed to study the deposition and accumulation of litter and nutrients it contains in the Submontane Seasonal Semideciduous Forest, located in the city of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, ES. A sampling of deposition and accumulated litter was performed in 12 fixed area plots (20 m x 50 m), and were distributed systematically in the field, totaling 1.2 ha of sampled area. In each of the 12 plots were distributed five litter deposited collectors in a systematic way, wooden structure built in the square format with 0.5 m x 0.5 m and 0.75 m above the ground, with screens of nylon mesh 2 mm, a total of 60 collectors, which was performed monthly collection of litter deposited on the collectors. After collection, samples were taken immediately to the laboratory where they were separated into fractions leaves/miscellaneous and branches. The amount of litter deposited on the collector was measured to megagram per hectare per month (Mg.ha-1.mês-1). Were determined the nutrient content and organic carbon contained in the litter and nutrient use efficiency. In each of the 12 plots of this study were collected monthly on the floor of the forest, 12 samples of litter accumulated at random, with the aid of a metal template of 0.25 m x 0.25 m, which was released on forest floor total of 144 samples in each month of this study. It was determined the levels of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S), micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, B) and organic carbon (OC) of litter deposited and accumulated. The study of the deposition and accumulation of litter in the forest was analyzed according to completely randomized design with 12 treatments (months of the year) and 12 repetitions (for calculation purposes, the collectors were joined in the plot, and each installment became a repeat). The deposition and accumulation of litter was found to be seasonal, with higher production and accumulation occurring at the end of the dry season and lower air temperatures. The forest in question produced in the course of a year 9.3 Mg.ha-1 of litter, and received an average of 5.5 Mg.ha-1 of litter accumulated. The total return of nutrients was 511.80 kg.ha-1.year-1, being 506.62 kg.ha-1.year-1 of macronutrients and 5.18 kg.ha-1.year-1 of micronutrients. The contribution of litter and its subsequent decomposition are responsible for large amounts of nutrients in the topsoil, conditioning an improvement in fertility