<p>The Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic are part of the sub-Arctic region, a remote region far from industrial activity. In spite of this remoteness, the Islands are not a sanctuary: exposures and effects of environmental pollutants mar its natural beauty and wildlife. In the Arctic regions, fish, sea mammals and seabirds have shown to contain elevated levels of the classical persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as more recent POPs such as the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Human populations living in the Arctic regions are usually highly dependent on seafood and seabirds as food sources, and diet becomes their major source of exposures to POPs. As reported in the 1980’s, residents of the Faroe Islands were shown to have high concentrations of organohalogen substances (OHS) in their breast milk. Long-finned pilot whales (<i>Globicephala melas</i>) blubber and meat have been shown to be a major source of OHS exposure for some of the Faroe Islanders.</p><p>The main objective of this thesis is to investigate the sources and concentrations of some POPs and their metabolites for the Faroese population. First, human milk and serum from pregnant women (mothers) and children were analyzed for PBDEs, PCBs, and polychlorinated biphenylols (OH-PCB), the major PCB metabolites. Second, POPs were measured in seabirds, i.e. PCBs in fulmars (<i>Fulmarus glacialis</i>) and guillemots (<i>Uria algae</i>), and PBDEs in fulmars to search for other potential sources of POPs exposure.</p><p>The results reinforce previous findings that part of the Faroe Island population is highly exposed to OHS. Median concentrations (430 ng/g lipid weight (l.w.) of CB-153) in maternal serum (1994-95) are among the highest in the world. Serum concentrations of CB-153 in children (age 7, samples collected in the early 2000’s) were approximately 90% of those in the mothers, sampled 1994-95. Similarly high CB-153 concentrations (380 ng/g l.w.) were measured in samples of mother’s milk, collected in 1999. The OH-PCB concentrations were also high in segments of the population, with 2.9 ng/g fresh weight as the sum of five OH-PCBs. Except for 4-OH-CB107, concentrations of OH-PCBs were generally lower in children than in mothers.</p><p>The ΣPBDE median concentrations in maternal serum and human milk (1999) are at the higher end of those reported in Europe, with levels of 9.5 and 8.2 ng/g l.w. respectively. ΣPBDE levels increase in human milk samples collected at three different time points (1987-1999), mainly due to increasing BDE-153 concentrations. The range of serum ΣPBDE concentrations in mothers and children are similar, although the congener patterns show differences. BDE-47 is the dominant congener in maternal serum, while BDE-153 is the major congener in children. The differences seen in PBDE congener patterns may arise differences in dates of sampling (7 years) for the two populations, maternal serum sampled in 1994-95 and children serum sampled in 2000-01, rather than from differences in uptake/metabolism or in contemporary exposures.</p><p>PCB concentrations in fulmars and pilot whales show similar ranges. In contrast, PBDE concentrations are 100 times higher in pilot whales than in fulmars. Consequently, Faroese may be especially exposed to PCBs via consumption of fulmars and fulmar eggs, while the exposure to PBDEs is less pronounced.</p><p>Results from this thesis highlight the pronounced exposures to PCBs, OH-PCBs, and PBDEs among residents of the Faroe Islands, a remote region in the Northern Atlantic far away from industrial and urban sources of pollution.</p>

The Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic are part of the sub-Arctic region, a remote region far from industrial activity. In spite of this remoteness, the Islands are not a sanctuary: exposures and effects of environmental pollutants mar its natural beauty and wildlife. In the Arctic regions, fish, sea mammals and seabirds have shown to contain elevated levels of the classical persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as more recent POPs such as the polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Human populations living in the Arctic regions are usually highly dependent on seafood and seabirds as food sources, and diet becomes their major source of exposures to POPs. As reported in the 1980’s, residents of the Faroe Islands were shown to have high concentrations of organohalogen substances (OHS) in their breast milk. Long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas) blubber and meat have been shown to be a major source of OHS exposure for some of the Faroe Islanders. The main objective of this thesis is to investigate the sources and concentrations of some POPs and their metabolites for the Faroese population. First, human milk and serum from pregnant women (mothers) and children were analyzed for PBDEs, PCBs, and polychlorinated biphenylols (OH-PCB), the major PCB metabolites. Second, POPs were measured in seabirds, i.e. PCBs in fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) and guillemots (Uria algae), and PBDEs in fulmars to search for other potential sources of POPs exposure. The results reinforce previous findings that part of the Faroe Island population is highly exposed to OHS. Median concentrations (430 ng/g lipid weight (l.w.) of CB-153) in maternal serum (1994-95) are among the highest in the world. Serum concentrations of CB-153 in children (age 7, samples collected in the early 2000’s) were approximately 90% of those in the mothers, sampled 1994-95. Similarly high CB-153 concentrations (380 ng/g l.w.) were measured in samples of mother’s milk, collected in 1999. The OH-PCB concentrations were also high in segments of the population, with 2.9 ng/g fresh weight as the sum of five OH-PCBs. Except for 4-OH-CB107, concentrations of OH-PCBs were generally lower in children than in mothers. The ΣPBDE median concentrations in maternal serum and human milk (1999) are at the higher end of those reported in Europe, with levels of 9.5 and 8.2 ng/g l.w. respectively. ΣPBDE levels increase in human milk samples collected at three different time points (1987-1999), mainly due to increasing BDE-153 concentrations. The range of serum ΣPBDE concentrations in mothers and children are similar, although the congener patterns show differences. BDE-47 is the dominant congener in maternal serum, while BDE-153 is the major congener in children. The differences seen in PBDE congener patterns may arise differences in dates of sampling (7 years) for the two populations, maternal serum sampled in 1994-95 and children serum sampled in 2000-01, rather than from differences in uptake/metabolism or in contemporary exposures. PCB concentrations in fulmars and pilot whales show similar ranges. In contrast, PBDE concentrations are 100 times higher in pilot whales than in fulmars. Consequently, Faroese may be especially exposed to PCBs via consumption of fulmars and fulmar eggs, while the exposure to PBDEs is less pronounced. Results from this thesis highlight the pronounced exposures to PCBs, OH-PCBs, and PBDEs among residents of the Faroe Islands, a remote region in the Northern Atlantic far away from industrial and urban sources of pollution.

A elevada concentração de cloro das bifenilas policloradas provoca alta toxicidade do composto, o qual dificulta sua biodegradação. A contaminação de PCB no Brasil foi confirmada em estudo realizado na Bahia de Santos-São Vicente (São Paulo), o qual revelou a necessidade de um plano de ação para o controle e remoção de PCB no Brasil. Pretendeu-se assim, na realização da presente pesquisa, verificar quatro hipóteses: (1) A técnica de Microextração em fase sólida é uma metodologia eficaz para avaliação de bifenilas policloradas de amostras de reatores; (2) A condição fermentativa-metanogênica abriga comunidade resistente ao PCB, e removê-lo; (3) A condição desnitrificante abriga comunidade resistente ao PCB, e removê-lo e (4) A remoção de PCB, bem como, a composição microbiana é distinta em cada condição metabólica. Para tanto, reatores em batelada foram montados separadamente com biomassa anaeróbia proveniente de reator UASB usado no tratamento de água residuária de avicultura e biomassa de sistemas de lodos ativados de tratamento de esgoto sanitário. Os reatores operados em condição mesófila foram alimentados com meio sintético, co-substratos, sendo etanol (457 mg.L-1) e formiato de sódio (680 mg.L-1) para os reatores anaeróbios, e somente etanol (598 mg.L-1) para os reatores anóxicos, além de PCB padrão Sigma (congêneres PCBs 10, 28, 52, 153, 138 e 180) em diferentes concentrações, dependendo do objetivo do ensaio. A aplicação do método de extração por SPME com análise em cromatógrafo gasoso com detector por captura de elétrons foi adequada para a determinação dos seis congêneres de PCB. Obteve-se ampla faixa de linearidade, seletividade frente aos vários interferentes, além da robustez do método, utilidade e confiabilidade na identificação e quantificação específica dos seis congêneres de PCB. A Hipótese 1 foi aceita; ou seja, por meio da aplicação da metodologia SPME foi possível quantificar os PCB nos reatores em batelada. Apesar de ter sido comprovada a inibição metanogênica na presença de PCB, com IC50 de 0,03 mg.L<sup-1 (concentração na qual 50&#37; da atividade metanogênica é inibida), a partir da análise dos reatores metanogênicos no Ensaio de Remoção, foi confirmada a remoção de 0,92 mg.L-1, 0,19 mg.L-1, 0,18 mg.L-1, 0,07 mg.L-1, 0,55 mg.L-1 e 0,47 mg.L-1 para os PCBs 10, 28, 52, 153, 138 e 180, respectivamente, para 1,5 mg.L-1 inicial. Thermotogaceae, Sedimentibacter, Anaerolinaceae e Pseudomonas, foram identificadas nos reatores anaeróbios por meio da plataforma Illumina. Representantes de Thermotogaceae e Sedimentibacter foram identificados em sistemas com elevada taxa de remoção de PCB, e representantes do filo Chloroflexi (grupo no qual representantes da Anaerolineae estão inseridos) foram os primeiros microrganismos desalogenadores de PCB identificados. Assim a Hipótese 2 foi aceita; ou seja, por meio de ensaios em batelada foi comprovada a toxicidade do PCB sobre a comunidade anaeróbia, a alteração da composição microbiana influenciada pela presença de PCB e a remoção nesta condição. Verificou-se ainda que na presença de PCB ocorreu a desnitrificação e comparando-se diferentes relações C/N-NO3-, foi estipulado a relação 6,95 como ideal na presença de PCB. Mesmo sendo confirmada a inibição da comunidade anóxica na presença de PCB com IC50 de 1,0 mg.L-1, verificou-se remoção de 1,02 mg.L-1, 0,85 mg.L-1, 1,31 mg.L-1, 1,02 mg.L-1, 0,03 mg.L-1, e 0,09 mg.L-1, para os PCBs 10, 28, 52, 153, 138 e 180, respectivamente, para 1,5 mg.L-1, inicial. Bactérias semelhantes a Aeromonadaceae, Lutispora, Sedimentibacter e Thermotogaceae foram identificadas nos reatores desnitrificantes. Representantes de Aeromonadaceae e Lutispora estão relacionados com o metabolismo desnitrificante e representantes de Thermotogaceae e Sedimentibacter foram identificados em sistemas com elevada taxa de remoção de PCB. A Hipótese 3 foi também aceita; ou seja, por meio de ensaios em batelada foi calculada a relação C/N-NO3- ideal na presença de PCB e foi comprovada a toxicidade do PCB sobre a comunidade anóxica, a alteração da composição microbiana influenciada pela presença de PCB e a remoção nesta condição. A maior remoção de PCB foi verificada para a condição anaeróbia (entre 45&#37; a 100&#37;), quando comparada com a condição anóxica (entre 10&#37; a 95&#37;). Bactérias semelhantes a Sedimentibacter e pertencentes a família Thermotogaceae foram identificadas nas duas condições nutricionais. Entretanto, mesmo verificando-se elevada abundancia relativa desses grupos nos reatores, evidenciou-se distinção entre as biomassas em cada condição. Assim, a Hipótese 4 foi aceita; ou seja, por meio de ensaios em batelada foi comprovada maior eficiência de remoção sob condição anaeróbia e distinta composição microbiana em cada condição. / The high chlorine concentration in polychlorinated biphenyls improves its toxicity, complicating their biodegradation. A study conducted in Santos-São Vicente Bay (São Paulo) confirmed the PCB contamination in Brazil and reveled the need of an action plan to control e remove the PCB in Brazil. In this sense the aim of this study was to evaluate four hypotheses: (1) The Solid Phase Micro Extraction is an efficient methodology to evaluate biphenyl polychlorinated in reactors; (2) The fermentative-methanogenic microorganisms are resistant to PCB and capable to consume it; (3) The denitrifying microorganisms are resilient to the PCB and capable to remove it; (4) The PCB removal, as well the microbial composition is distinct in each condition. Therefore, batch reactors were operated separately inoculated with anaerobic biomass from UASB reactor treating poultry wastewater and biomass from activated sludge treating sewage wastewater. The reactors were feed with synthetic medium, co-substrates, as ethanol (457 mg.L-1) and sodium formate (680 mg.L-1) for the anaerobic reactors, and ethanol (598 mg.L-1) for the anoxic reactors and different concentrations of six congeners of PCB (PCBs 10, 28, 52, 153, 138 and 180) depending on the aim of the assay. The applicability of SPME technique in gas chromatography with electrons capture detection was attested in the analysis of six PCB congeners. Higher linearity, selectivity, accuracy, reproducibility and robustness was obtained in the PCB quantification analyses. The Hypothesis 1 was accepted; since the PCB congeners in the reactors were quantified by the SPME methodology. Although the PCB causes methanogenic inhibition, with IC50 of 0.03 mg.L-1 (concentration in which 50&#37; of the methanogenic metabolism is inhibited), by the Removal Assay was confirmed the anaerobic removal of 0.92 mg.L-1, 0.19 mg.L-1, 0.18 mg.L-1, 0.07 mg.L-1, 0.55 mg.L-1 and 0.47 mg.L-1 to PCB 10, 28, 52, 153, 138 and 180, respectively, for 1.5 mg.L-1 initial. By means of platform Illumina Thermotogaceae, Sedimentibacter, Anaerolinaceae and Pseudomonas, were identified in the anaerobic reactors. The Thermotogaceaeand Sedimentibacter were related to systems with high PCB removal and the Chloroflexi members (Anaerolineae phylum) were the first PCB-dechlorination microorganisms identified. Therefore, the Hypothesis 2 was accepted since the PCB leads to anaerobic inhibition and in the reactors were verified the PCB removal and changes in the microbial composition. Even with PCB, the denitrification metabolism occurs and evaluating different C/N-NO3- relations, the 6.95 was stipulated the ideal in the presence of PCB. Even though the PCB causes inhibition in the denitrification bacteria, with IC50 of 1.0 mg.L-1, by the Removal Assay in the denitrifying reactors, was confirmed the anoxic removal 1.02 mg.L-1, 0.85 mg.L-1, 1.31 mg.L-1, 1.02 mg.L-1, 0.03 mg.L-1 and 0.09 mg.L-1 to PCB 10, 28, 52, 153, 138 and 180, respectively, for 1.5 mg.L-1 initial. Aeromonadaceae, Lutispora, Sedimentibacter and Thermotogaceae were identified in the denitrifying reactors. Members of Aeromonadaceae e Lutispora were related to the denitrification metabolism and Thermotogaceae e Sedimentibacter were identified in systems with high PCB removal rate. The Hypothesis 3 was accepted since the PCB leads to anoxic inhibition and in the reactors were verified the PCB removal and changes in the microbial composition. The anaerobic reactors presented the higher PCB removal percentage (between 45&#37; and 100&#37;) when compared to the anoxic reactors (between 10&#37; and 95&#37;). Member of Sedimentibacter and Thermotogaceae were identifyied in both conditions. However, even with high relative abundance of these two groups in the reactors, it was shown distinct composition in each biomass. Thus, the Hypothesis 4 was accepted since the PCB removal was more efficient in the anaerobic condition and were verified different changes in the microbial composition in each condition.

Le désir de miniaturisation des circuits électroniques a mené l’électronique à développer de nouvelles méthodes d’assemblage. Les progrès réalisés passent par la complexification des fonctions, le développement de nouvelles interconnexions liant le circuit au composant ou par les choix d’architecture, une optimisation du volume. Après avoir repoussé les limites d’optimisation avec les assemblages en trois dimensions, la technologie s’est tournée vers un volume présent dans toutes les cartes électroniques mais qui ne joue aucun rôle actif dans celui-ci : le support des fonctions, le PCB. La solution apportée est l’enfouissement de composant dans ce volume. Les premiers bénéfices de cette solution apparaissent rapidement : gain de volume et protection des composants, c’est pourquoi elle se développe rapidement dans l’industrie.Partant de ce postulat, Valeo souhaite adapter cette technologie pour réduire la taille d’une caméra de recul dédiée à l’automobile. Les exigences du domaine automobile étant plus strictes que dans d’autres industries, l’investigation plus poussée de la technologie d’enfouissement est nécessaire. L’objectif est de valider la fiabilité et la robustesse du circuit selon une méthode de fabrication. Ainsi, l’IMS de Bordeaux intègre le projet EDDEMA pour apporter une expertise, via des simulations thermomécaniques par éléments finis, sur la conception du circuit.Dans le cadre de cette thèse et pour répondre aux attentes du projet, deux axes d’études sont suivis. Une méthodologie généraliste est proposée pour parvenir à définir les interconnexions jugées les plus fragiles dans le cadre de l’emploi de la technologie d’enfouissement et justifier l’utilisation des simulations par éléments finis selon les exigences attendues. L’objectif est de déterminer la durée de vie d’une interconnexion liant le composant au circuit en fonction de sa nature (brasure, via,…) et des caractéristiques du composant et du circuit (dimensions, hauteur,…) et valider les choix technologiques tels que les matériaux ou les techniques faits dès la fabrication. Cette étude s’inscrit dans une recherche locale autour du composant. La seconde étude se recentre sur le circuit développé dans le cadre du projet. Il sera étudié l’impact de la position des composants actifs enfouis dans le PCB sur le circuit (déformation, contraintes) et la représentation des composants passifs dans cette structure pour définir, selon les considérations thermomécaniques, les limites de positionnement dans la conception du circuit. Affiner le modèle passera par des mesures réalisées sur les premiers prototypes pour corroborer les simulations réalisées.Tout ceci mène à déterminer les avantages sur la technologie d’enfouissement et le gain apporté en terme de fiabilité et de robustesse du circuit et des composants et valider son utilisation dans le secteur automobile. / The desire for miniaturization of electronic circuits led the electronics to develop new methods of assembly. Progress is made through the complexification of functions, the development of new interconnections linking the circuit to the component or by the choice of architecture, an optimization of the volume. After pushing the limits of optimization with the three-dimensional assemblies, the technology turned to a volume present in all the electronic cards but which plays no active part in this one: the support of the functions, the PCB. The solution provided is to embed component in this volume. The first benefits of this solution appear quickly: volume gain and protection of components, which is why it is developing rapidly in the industry.Based on this premise, Valeo wants to adapt this technology to reduce the size of a rearview camera dedicated to the automobile. As automotive requirements are stricter than in other industries, further investigation of embedded technology is required. The objective is to validate the reliability and robustness of the circuit according to a manufacturing method. Thus, the IMS Bordeaux integrates the EDDEMA project to provide expertise, via finite element thermomechanical simulations, on the design of the circuit.As part of this thesis and to meet the expectations of the project, two studies are investigated. A general methodology is proposed to define the interconnections considered the most fragile in the context of the use of embedded technology and justify the use of finite element simulations according to the expected requirements. The objective is to determine the lifetime of an interconnection linking the component to the circuit according to its nature (solder, via, ...) and the characteristics of the component and the circuit (dimensions, height, ...) and validate the choices. such as materials or techniques made from the time of manufacture. This study is part of a local search around the component. The second study focuses on the circuit developed in the project. The impact of the position of the active components embedded in the PCB on the circuit (deformation, constraints) and the representation of the passive components in this structure will be studied to define, according to the thermomechanical considerations, the positioning limits in the circuit design. . To refine the model will pass by measurements realized on the first prototypes to corroborate the realized simulations.All this leads to determining the advantages on the embedded technology and the gain in terms of reliability and robustness of the circuit and components and validating its use in the automotive sector.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Due to large amount of solid wastes produced each year, thermal treatment in conjunction with the resource utilization has become attractive in the future. Treatment by pyrolysis can recover the gaseous products for fuels and solid residuals, thus it has potential for R&D and market development.

Cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A), a xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme found in allvertebrates, is highly induced following exposure to a number of organic contaminants.Several populations of teleosts residing in highly contaminated areas have been found toexhibit resistance to the toxic effects of contaminants, a condition characterized byreduced expression of CYP1A.Within this work I demonstrated that expression of CYP1A mRNA, protein, andactivity in caged rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was an effective biomarker ofpolychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination. Furthermore, through the use of bothlaboratory and field studies, I demonstrated that several species inhabiting a PCBcontaminated site exhibited either acquired (Ameiurus natalis) or natural (Lepomiscyanellus) resistance to the CYP1A inducing effects of PCBs. Further studiescharacterized the response of several other Lepomis species to CYP1A inducingcompounds, demonstrating that the natural resistance of L. cynaellus is a characteristicshared by at least two other members of the genus. Lepomis species were relativelyinsensitive to CYP1A induction following PCB exposure yet exhibited highly inducedCYP1A levels following exposure to another CYP1A inducer, the model polyaromatichydrocarbon benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), suggesting a number of species within the genusLepomis may display natural resistance to certain classes of CYP1A inducingcompounds.Additional studies using responsive and resistant populations of killifish wereused to examine the consequences of resistance on fish physiology. Thyroid hormones,known to be altered by PCBs in mammals, were variable but did not differ significantlybetween responsive and resistant fish following PCB exposure. Treatment with PCBssuppressed production of the egg yolk precursor protein vitellogenin in primaryhepatocytes of responsive fish. Studies examining the developmental impacts of toxicantexposure demonstrated altered aspects of development in PCB responsive but notresistant Fundulus heteroclitus embryos exposed to polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs), compounds structurally related to PCBs. PBDE exposure in juvenile Ictaluruspunctatus failed to induce CYP1A or uridine diphosphate glucuronyltransferase(UDPGT) activity indicating PBDEs do not impact these commonly measuredtoxicological endpoints. The findings of this work describe novel pollutant responses in anumber of species with varying degrees of pollutant sensitivity and contribute to theunderstanding of toxicant induced alterations in teleost physiology.