This thesis is concerned with measurements of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in environmental samples. The POPs consist of several groups of compound with many isomers, hence analysing POPs in a complex environment is a This thesis is concerned with measurements of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in environmental samples. The POPs consist of several groups of compound with many isomers, hence analysing POPs in a complex environment is a challenging task. Studies of the abundance or dynamics of such substances in the environment require careful consideration of several key steps. The environmental and analytical problems must be correctly defined, suitable analytes, sampling strategies and techniques must be selected, the chemical analyses must be reproducible and accurate, and the data evaluation protocols must be rigorous and appropriate. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the use of pollutant profiles in order to assess complex patterns of environmental exposure. When combined with multivariate data analysis (MVDA) a maximum of information may be extracted from analytical data. Nevertheless, good quality data is essential for correct evaluation of the environmental phenomena under investigation. The precision and accuracy of a solid phase assisted liquid extraction method was therefore assessed by comparison to a reference method. The validated method was used in two human exposure studies. The concentrations of PCBs and dioxins were determined in human tissues from general populations in Sweden and Spain. Although it was concluded that the populations were exposed to similar degree to PCBs and dioxins, principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the compound profiles differed between the populations. PCA was also used to differentiate between occupationally exposed workers and matched controls and between exposed workers with recent and earlier exposure. In addition, the analysis indicated that the differences in PCB patterns in workers with recent and earlier exposure were related to differences in the metabolic degradation rates of individual PCBs. The PCA model was further used to select PCB congeners that were representative of each group. Finally, the emission of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a traffic tunnel was estimated by measuring 29 individual PAHs. The sampling periods were chosen to reflect a maximum variation in the traffic composition. An excellent prediction of the percentage of heavy-duty vehicles was obtained using partial least squares (PLS) regression. It was shown by PCA that it might be possible to predict source compositions at other locations with the aid of multivariate statistical tools. Thus, properly gathered pollutant profiles and MVDA may be combined to extract a large amount of significant information from environmental source and exposure data.

L'ingénierie écologique a permis l'émergence de nouvelles technologies telles que la phytoremédiation, une approche de dépollution des sols basée sur l'utilisation des plantes. Cependant, jusqu'à présent, les mécanismes physiologiques et moléculaires qui contrôlent la dégradation des polluants organiques, en particulier les HAPs, restent très mal documentés chez les plantes supérieures. Dans ce travail, une approche intégrative et un profilage trancriptomique à l'échelle du génome entier ont permis d'étudier les premiers événements moléculaires impliqués dans la réponse, chez les plantes, à un stress provoqué par le phénanthrène. Un réseau de gènes susceptibles d'intervenir dans la perception, la dégradation et/ou la transformation des HAPs en molécules moins dangereuses a ainsi été identifié. D'autre part, nous avons pu montrer que le saccharose induit une tolérance à ce polluant, qui se traduit (i) par une activité transcriptionnelle très rapide, ce qui suggère un effet signalétique, (ii) une reconfiguration importante à l'échelle transcriptionnelle du génome exprimé, qui conduit à une mise en place des voies métaboliques de production d'énergie, de détoxification et de réparation cellulaire. Parallèlement, un site pilote de dépollution a été conçu et mis en œuvre, en exploitant les données obtenues au laboratoire. Cette expérimentation, sur deux ans, nous a permis de comparer l'efficacité de plusieurs espèces végétales mais aussi de tester l'effet protecteur du saccharose in-situ. Malgré l'obtention de résultats contrastés, cette étude confirme l'incidence de la nature des espèces végétales et des pratiques culturales sur l'efficacité de cette méthode de dépollution. Elle souligne également le rôle important de l'interaction plante-microorganismes du sol. / Ecological engineering strategies allowed the emergence of new technologies such as phytoremediation to clean up environmental pollution. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous and hazardous molecules for natural ecosystems and human health. However, molecular mechanisms involved in PAHs detoxification in plant remain largely unknown. This work allowed to decipher the early plant response of phenanthrene induced stress through an integrative investigation using wide genome transcriptomic and targeted metabolomic approaches. Hence, a gene network was identified to be involved in the early perception and signalization of PAHs and putative degradation and/or transformation to harmless molecules. Additionally, we showed that sucrose mitigate phenanthrene induced stress, while Arabidopsis development was arrested and seedlings were unable to accumulate chlorophyll in the presence of high phenanthrene concentration, sucrose allowed growth and chlorophyll accumulation. These phenotypical changes were associated with (i) very early transcriptional regulation, suggesting a sucrose signaling effect (ii) reconfiguration of wide genome transcriptional changes, as metabolic, detoxification and cell repair pathways were induced. In parallel, based on previous results accumulated in controlled conditions. Field investigation allowed the evaluation of the ability of different plant species to clean up PAHs polluted soil. We also evaluate the impact of sucrose supply on natural phytoremediation efficiency. Despite contrasted results, this study confirms the incidence of the plant species and the cultural practices on the efficiency of this method. It also underlines the role of soil microorganisms and plant interactions.

A poluição marinha por petróleo e seus derivados é uma preocupação crescente de caráter global. O litoral norte do estado de São Paulo é hoje caracterizado como a região mais altamente impactada por esses contaminantes de toda a costa Sul e Sudeste do país. Dentre as substâncias que compõem esses produtos estão os Hidrocarbonetos Aromáticos Policíclicos (HPAs), como o fenantreno, que apresentam potencial de alterar o sistema endócrino de peixes, gerando desajustes hormonais de alto risco para o processo reprodutivo dos animais expostos. Com base nestes fatos, o presente trabalho buscou verificar efeitos do fenantreno como desregulador endócrino em juvenis de E. marginatus. Essa espécie se caracteriza pelo hermafroditismo protogínico, de modo que os juvenis costumam apresentar altas concentrações de esteroides gonadais, o que gera preocupação quanto os efeitos reprodutivos decorrentes de alterações no padrão de produção de esteroides, especialmente em uma espécie que já vem sofrendo declínios populacionais por conta da sobrepesca. A CL50 encontrada para juvenis de E. marginatus foi 1,51 mg⁄L. Em seguida, foi realizado um bioensaio subletal (96h) com quatro grupos experimentais (n=5) em duplicata: grupo controle; duas concentrações distintas de fenantreno (0,1 mg⁄L e 1 mg⁄L) e grupo exposto ao veículo de diluição (0,004% de etanol). Foram dosadas as concentrações de 17β-estradiol (E2), testosterona (T) e 11-cetotestosterona (11-KT) plasmáticos por ELISA. Gônadas, fígado e baço foram processados para análise histológica. Foi conduzido bioensaio in vitro com incubação de fragmentos gonadais sob ação de fenantreno (50μM) ou etanol. Os níveis dos mesmos esteroides também foram dosados por ELISA. A exposição in vivo ao fenantreno resultou em aumento na área dos hepatócitos, bem como no número de centro melanomacrofágicos e hemossiderose no baço. O etanol induziu efeitos similares no baço. Os níveis de E2 e T não se alteraram no plasma ou no meio de incubação in vitro. O fenantreno reduziu a concentração de 11-KT in vitro e in vivo. No plasma, o etanol também causou esse decréscimo. Considerando a importância do 11-KT no desenvolvimento dos ovários em teleósteos, o fenantreno parece causar desregulação da esteroidogênese em juvenis de E. marginatus, possivelmente gerando disfunções durante a inversão sexual / Marine pollution by crude oil and its residual products is a growing global concern. The Northern coast of São Paulo is characterized as the highly impacted area by these contaminants through Brazil\'s South and Southeast coast. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), such as phenanthrene, are the main crude oil components and have a significant toxic potential to biota, acting as endocrine disruptors (ED) and negatively impacting reproduction. This study aimed to investigate the effects of phenanthrene as ED on gonadal steroidogenesis in E. marginatus juveniles. As a hermaphrodite protogynous species, E. marginatus juveniles maintain high levels of plasma steroids as substrates for sex inversion, which causes concern about reproductive effects of disruptions in steroid production patterns, especially in an overfished species. LD50 to E. marginatus exposed to phenanthrene was established in 1.51 mg⁄L. An in vivo sublethal exposure (96 h) to phenanthrene was carried out at two concentrations (0.1mg⁄L and 1 mg⁄L); exposure to the vehicle (ethanol) was also performed. Plasma levels of 17β-estradiol (E2), testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) were measured by ELISA. Gonads, liver and spleen were processed for histological analysis. In an in vitro bioassay, gonad fragments were incubated with phenanthrene (50μM) or ethanol. Steroid levels in the culture media were also measured by ELISA. The in vivo exposure to phenanthrene triggered an increase of the area of the hepatocytes, increased number of melanomacrophagic centers and hemosiderosis in the spleen. Ethanol also induced similar effects on spleen. E2 and T levels did not change neither in plasma nor in vitro media. Phenanthrene sharply reduced 11-KT levels in vitro and in vivo. In plasma, ethanol also decreased 11-KT levels. Considering the importance of 11-KT in fish developing ovaries, phenanthrene seems to disrupt steroidogenesis in juvenile grouper, possibly being able to cause dysfunctions during sex change

Os hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPA) são poluentes formados por dois ou mais anéis aromáticos que podem causar efeitos mutagênicos, carcinogênicos e teratogênicos aos seres humanos. Os HPA não são suscetíveis à degradação pela maioria dos micro-organismos devido a sua baixa solubilidade em água e a sorção destes poluentes na parte mineral e orgânica do solo. Uma forma de tratamento é o uso de processos oxidativos que podem degradar inúmeros contaminantes orgânicos e minerizá-los a gás carbônico e água. Neste trabalho foi avaliada a eficiência da degradação do isômeros fenantreno e antraceno, dois tipos de HPA, em areia padrão, utilizando-se como oxidantes o permanganato, peróxido de hidrogênio e persulfato ativado. De acordo com a matriz e o contaminante, após 24 horas de tratamento, verificou-se a degradação de 95 a 98% utilizando-se como oxidantes permanganato e de 34 a 62% utilizando-se a reação de Fenton. Foi identificada a antraquinona como produto do antraceno, independentemente do oxidante utilizado. Dentre os oxidantes, avaliou-se o persulfato ativado com ferro para a aplicação em solos arenosos contaminados com HPA. Quando se utilizou persulfato ativado com ferro em areia padrão houve a decomposição, após 24 horas de tratamento, de 60 e 95%, de fenantreno e antraceno, respectivamente. Em solos arenosos utilizando-se o persulfato, a degradação dos contaminantes foi predominantemente inferior devido ao possível efeito de matriz. Em contrapartida praticamente não houve a decomposição das substâncias húmicas. Esta é característica favorável, pois não houve a competição da matéria orgânica com o contaminante pelo persulfato, além de não promover alterações no teor de carbono presente no solo / Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are pollutants formed by two or more aromatic rings that can be mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic to humans. PAH do not undergo degradation by most microorganisms due to this low water solubility and adsorption in the mineral and organic soil phase. One form of treatment is the use of oxidative processes that can degrade numerous organic contaminants and mineralize them to carbon dioxide and water. In this study, it was evaluated the efficiency of phenanthrene and anthracene degradation, in standard sand soil using permanganate, hydrogen peroxide and activated persulfate as oxidants. Depending on the contaminant and the matrix, over 24h of treatment, it was found the degradation 95 to 98% using permanganate and 34 to 62% using reaction Fenton. Anthraquinone was identified as product of anthracene, independent of the oxidant used. Among the oxidants, persulfate activated with iron was evaluated in the degradation of PAH in sandy soils. In standard sand, this process promoted,over 24 hours of treatment, a degradation level up to 60 % phenanthrene and 95% for anthracene. In sand soils, the degradation of the contaminants was lower due to possible matrix effect. In constrast there was no decomposition of humic substances, indicating no competition between the organic matter and the PAH by persulfate, and no change in the soil carbon content

Die vorliegende Dissertation berichtet über die Untersuchung von selbst-aggregierten Einfach- und Mehrfachschichten aus Nanographenen-Derivate mit Hilfe der Rastertunnelmikroskopie (RTM) an Fest-Flüssig-Grenzflächen. Die -Konjugation bringt einzigartige elektronische Eigenschaften mit sich, so dass die Nanographen-Derivate viel versprechende Bausteine für eine molekulare und organische Elektronik sind, da sie maßgeschneidert und kostengünstig prozessiert werden können, und leicht und flexibel sind. Für elektronische Anwendungen ist es notwendig, die Nanographene in ultradünnen Filmen mit geordneten supramolekularen Strukturen zu organisieren. Nanostrukturen werden für Nanographene-Derivate auf hoch orientiertem pyrolytischem Graphit (HOPG) untersucht, wie zum Beispiel alkylierte Hexi-peri-hexabenzocoronene (HBCs) unterschiedlicher Symmetrie und dreiecksförmige polyzyklische aromatische Kohlenwasserstoffe (PAK). Es zeigt eine erstaunliche Vielfalt von supramolekularen Strukturen, z.B. Zick-Zack-, Blumen- oder Honigwaben-Muster. Eine faszinierende Besonderheit besteht in den Honigwaben Strukturen, die sich durch Selbstaggregation dreieckiger alkylierter Phenyl-PAKs bilden, und die damit Nanotemplate für Gastmoleküle darstellen. In vielen Fällen bilden Nanographene-Derivate nicht nur Monoschichte sondern auch Multischichten auf Graphit. Die Selbstorganisation von Doppelschichten aus einer HBC-Stern-Verbindung bietet das Potenzial für Baustelemente in der organischen Elektronik, zum Beispiel für Nanodrähte. Die alkylierten Phenyl-HBCs bilden polykristalline Strukturen sowohl in der "face-on"-Anordnung in Monoschichten auf Graphit wie in der "edge-on"-Anordnung in Multischichten, die sich in einem äußeren elektrischen Feld bilden. Beides kann nützlich sein, da für die mögliche Anwendung in einer Photovoltaik-Zelle die "face-on"-Orientierung auf Oberflächen erforderlich ist, während für organische Feldeffekt-Transistoreneine "edge-on" Nanostruktur benötigt wird. / This thesis reports on the investigation of self-assembled mono- and multilayers from nanographene derivatives via scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at solid-liquid interfaces. Because of the unique electronic properties associated with their -bonded topology, nanographenes are promising building blocks for molecular and organic electronics, which provide the possibility of tunability together with low-cost processing, light weight, and flexibility. For the application in electronics it is necessary to organize nanographenes in ultrathin films with well-ordered supramolecular structures. Nanostructures of monolayers on Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite (HOPG) are studied for different nanographene derivatives, such as alkylated hexa-peri-hexabenzocoronenes (HBCs) with different symmetries, and triangle-shaped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). They exhibit a surprising diversity of supramolecular structures, for example zigzag, flower-like or honeycomb shapes. A fascinating peculiarity provides the honeycomb structures which are self-assembled from triangle-shaped alkylated phenyl PAHs, which provide nanotemplates to accommodate guest molecules. In many cases, nanographene derivatives not only form monolayers but also multilayers on HOPG. Star-shaped HBC molecules self organize into bilayers in polar solvents, which exhibit the potential for the formation of building blocks of organic electronics, for instance nanowires. The alkylated phenyl HBCs form polycrystalline structures both in the “face-on” arrangement in a monolayer on HOPG, and “edge-on” in multilayers within an external electric field. Both may be useful for potential applications, since in a photovoltaic cell, the “face-on” orientation on surfaces is required, while for the purpose to be applied in organic field-effect transistors, the “edge-on” nanostructure on the electrodes is necessary.

Dois milhões de toneladas por ano de resíduos plásticos são gerados no Brasil. Apenas 16,5% em massa deste resíduo plástico são mecanicamente reciclados, a maior parte restante é levada a aterros ou lixões. Todo este material poderia ser incinerado e, desta forma reduzir em até 90% a massa do volume aterrado, e seu conteúdo energético seria usado para gerar vapor ou energia. Esta investigação foi feita sobre os produtos de combustão incompleta emitidos da pirólise e combustão em estado estacionário do polietileno e poliestireno em um forno vertical de dois estágios, eletricamente aquecido. Separadamente, os polímeros na forma pulverizada foram pirolisados em temperatura constante de 1000°C e, depois da mistura com N2/O2, os produtos de pirólise foram queimados a 900, 1000 e 1100°C. Os testes foram conduzidos com 21% de O2 em volume no forno de oxidação. Diferentes razões de combustível e ar foram usadas no forno de combustão, pela variação da taxa de alimentação de polímero no forno de pirólise. A motivação para a combustão indireta de PE e PS foi obter a combustão nominalmente pré-misturada dos gases de pirólise com ar, assim, obtendo menores emissões dos produtos de combustão incompleta comparativamente à combustão direta do polímero sólido. Este trabalho examinou os efeitos da temperatura de combustão e a razão equivalente de ar e combustível. Os efluentes da pirólise e combustão foram analisados, e as emissões de CO, CO2, O2, hidrocarbonetos leves, hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos e materiais particulados foram mensurados. Ainda, o material particulado foi caracterizado quanto ao tamanho das partículas. Foi observado que enquanto a quantidade de gás de pirólise diminuiu com o aumento da taxa de alimentação do polímero, sua composição permaneceu praticamente independente da taxa de alimentação. As emissões de CO2 foram máximas perto da razão equivalente 1, enquanto as emissões de CO aumentaram com o aumento da razão equivalente. As emissões totais de hidrocarbonetos leves e PAH na combustão aumentaram tanto com o aumento da razão equivalente, quanto do aumento da temperatura. A maior parte do material particulado teve o tamanho menor que um micrometro. No geral, as emissões de PAH e material particulado da combustão indireta de PE e PS foram uma ordem de grandeza menor que a emissão correspondente da combustão direta e heterogênea do polímero sólido, obtida em outros trabalhos. Como a pirólise destes polímeros requer uma entrada nominal de calor mínima em relação à quantidade de calor gerada na sua combustão, a implantação desta técnica pode ser vantajosa. / Two millions tons/year of plastic wastes are generated in Brazil. Only 16.5% of this plastic waste is mechanically recycled, the rest is mostly landfilled. All these material could be incinerated, in a way to reduce by 90% the volume of landfilled waste, and use its energy content to supply energy. This investigation was conducted on pollutants emitted from steady-flow pyrolysis and combustion of polyethylene and polystyrene in a two-stage electrically-heated vertical furnace. Separately, the polymers, in pulverized form, were first pyrolyzed at constant temperature of 1000°C and subsequently their pyrolyzates were burned at 900, 1000 and 1100°C, upon mixing with air. Tests were conducted with 21% of O2 and different fuel to air equivalence ratios in the oxidizer furnace, by keeping the flow of gases and changing the feed rate of polymer in the pyrolyzer furnace. The motivation for this indirect combustion of PE and PS was to attain nominally-premixed combustion of the pyrolyzate gases with air, thereby achieving lower pollutant emissions than those from direct combustion of the solid polymer. This work examined the effects of the combustion temperature, as well as of the polymer feed rate and the resulting fuel to air equivalence ratio. The effluents of pyrolysis and combustion were analyzed for fixed gases (CO, CO2, O2), light hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and particulate matter. It was found that whereas the amount of pyrolysis gas decreased with increasing polymer feed rate, its composition was nearly independent of the feed rate. CO2 emissions peaked at an equivalence ratio near unity, while the CO emissions increased with increasing equivalence ratio. The total light hydrocarbon and PAH emissions of combustion increased both with increasing equivalence ratio and with temperature. The generated particulates were mostly submicronmeter in size. Overall, PAH and soot emissions from indirect burning of PE and PS were an order of magnitude lower than corresponding emissions from direct heterogeneous burning of the solid polymer, obtained elsewhere. As pyrolysis of these polymers requires a nominal heat input that amounts to a diminutive fraction of the heat released during its combustion, implementation of this technique is deemed advantageous.

Os hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPA) são poluentes formados por dois ou mais anéis aromáticos que podem causar efeitos mutagênicos, carcinogênicos e teratogênicos aos seres humanos. Os HPA não são suscetíveis à degradação pela maioria dos micro-organismos devido a sua baixa solubilidade em água e a sorção destes poluentes na parte mineral e orgânica do solo. Uma forma de tratamento é o uso de processos oxidativos que podem degradar inúmeros contaminantes orgânicos e minerizá-los a gás carbônico e água. Neste trabalho foi avaliada a eficiência da degradação do isômeros fenantreno e antraceno, dois tipos de HPA, em areia padrão, utilizando-se como oxidantes o permanganato, peróxido de hidrogênio e persulfato ativado. De acordo com a matriz e o contaminante, após 24 horas de tratamento, verificou-se a degradação de 95 a 98% utilizando-se como oxidantes permanganato e de 34 a 62% utilizando-se a reação de Fenton. Foi identificada a antraquinona como produto do antraceno, independentemente do oxidante utilizado. Dentre os oxidantes, avaliou-se o persulfato ativado com ferro para a aplicação em solos arenosos contaminados com HPA. Quando se utilizou persulfato ativado com ferro em areia padrão houve a decomposição, após 24 horas de tratamento, de 60 e 95%, de fenantreno e antraceno, respectivamente. Em solos arenosos utilizando-se o persulfato, a degradação dos contaminantes foi predominantemente inferior devido ao possível efeito de matriz. Em contrapartida praticamente não houve a decomposição das substâncias húmicas. Esta é característica favorável, pois não houve a competição da matéria orgânica com o contaminante pelo persulfato, além de não promover alterações no teor de carbono presente no solo / Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are pollutants formed by two or more aromatic rings that can be mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic to humans. PAH do not undergo degradation by most microorganisms due to this low water solubility and adsorption in the mineral and organic soil phase. One form of treatment is the use of oxidative processes that can degrade numerous organic contaminants and mineralize them to carbon dioxide and water. In this study, it was evaluated the efficiency of phenanthrene and anthracene degradation, in standard sand soil using permanganate, hydrogen peroxide and activated persulfate as oxidants. Depending on the contaminant and the matrix, over 24h of treatment, it was found the degradation 95 to 98% using permanganate and 34 to 62% using reaction Fenton. Anthraquinone was identified as product of anthracene, independent of the oxidant used. Among the oxidants, persulfate activated with iron was evaluated in the degradation of PAH in sandy soils. In standard sand, this process promoted,over 24 hours of treatment, a degradation level up to 60 % phenanthrene and 95% for anthracene. In sand soils, the degradation of the contaminants was lower due to possible matrix effect. In constrast there was no decomposition of humic substances, indicating no competition between the organic matter and the PAH by persulfate, and no change in the soil carbon content

Les hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques (HAPs) sont des polluants organiques persistants (POP) émis essentiellement par les activités humaines suite à la combustion incomplète de la matière organique (industrie, chauffage, trafic routier...). En raison de leur faible taux de dégradation, de leur toxicité et de leur bioaccumulation, les HAPs font l'objet de plusieurs études d'écotoxicologie. La présente thèse, entreprise dans ce contexte par le biais d'une étude microcosmique se propose d'évaluer l'impact des HAPs sur la microflore et la méiofaune et d'appliquer différentes techniques de bioremédiation (biostimulation, bioaugmentation et combinaison des deux techniques) dans le but de dégrader les HAPs. Nos résultats ont montré que les HAPs sont toxiques aussi bien pour la microflore que pour la méiofaune de la lagune de Bizerte. Sur la microflore, l'effet toxique de ces contaminants s'est manifesté par l'inhibition de l'activité bactérienne à l'interface eau–sédiment et par la modification profonde de la structure des communautés bactériennes. En ce qui concerne la méiofaune, les HAPs ont entrainé une altération de la structure des communautés nématologiques. En effet, nous avons pu caractériser des espèces indicatrices de pollution par les HAPs. Ainsi, l'espèce Spirinia parasitifera dont la densité s'accroît dans tous les microcosmes contaminés par les HAPs paraît être une espèce “opportuniste” à la pollution par les HAPs. Cependant, Oncholaimus campylocercoïdes, fortement dominante dans tous les microcosmes témoins, a diminué de densité dans tous les microcosmes contaminés et a été considérée comme HAP-sensible. En analysant la structure des communautés microbiennes et méiofaunistiques, nous avons observé que la méiofaune joue un rôle structurant dans le maintien d'une communauté microbienne peu sensible aux effets des HAPs. Ce rôle structurant a été moins prononcé dans le cas d'ajout des sels nutritifs par la technique de biostimulation ; technique qui a présenté des effets non significatifs vis-à-vis des communautés nématologiques et a semblé plus efficace dans la minéralisation des HAPs et par conséquent à la réduction de leur effet toxique sur les organismes benthiques. Ces résultats suggèrent que la bioremédiation serait une alternative prometteuse à la dégradation des HAPs. / Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent organic pollutants (POP) emitted mainly by human activities due to the incomplete combustion of organic matter (industry, heating, traffic ...). Because of their low rate of degradation, their toxicity and their bioaccumulation, PAHs are main of concern in ecological studies. In this context, the objectives of this thesis were to assess the impact of PAHs on the benthic microflora and meiofauna and apply different techniques of bioremediation (biostimulation, bioaugmentation and combination of both treatments) in order to degrade PAHs, using experimental approach with microcosms.Our results showed that PAHs are toxic for microflora but also for meiofauna of Bizerta lagoon. The toxic effects of these contaminants were demonstrated by the inhibition of bacterial activity in the sediment/water interface and by profound changes in the structure of bacterial communities. PAHs provoked significant changes on meiofaunal community with the selection of nematode species that could be proposed as bioindicators of PAH pollution. Thus, Spirinia parasitifera which significantly (p<0.05) increased in PAH contaminated microcosms, suggesting that it is an "opportunistic» species to PAH pollution. In contrast, Oncholaimus campylocercoïdes, strongly dominant in control microcosms, decreased in PAH contaminated microcosms and seemed to be a ‘‘PAH-sensitive'' species.By analyzing the structure of microbial and meiofaunal community, we observed that the structural role of meiofauna on bacteria community structure was still evident even under PAH contamination despite the toxic effects on meiofauna. However, this structural role of meiofauna disappeared when nutrients were added to the sediment resulting in an almost complete removal of PAHs. Biostimulation seemed to be the most effective bioremediation strategy in the reduction of PAH toxic effects on benthic organisms. Overall, these results suggest that bioremediation using nutrient addition is a promising alternative technique for the degradation of PAHs in coastal polluted environments.

A poluição marinha por petróleo e seus derivados é uma preocupação crescente de caráter global. O litoral norte do estado de São Paulo é hoje caracterizado como a região mais altamente impactada por esses contaminantes de toda a costa Sul e Sudeste do país. Dentre as substâncias que compõem esses produtos estão os Hidrocarbonetos Aromáticos Policíclicos (HPAs), como o fenantreno, que apresentam potencial de alterar o sistema endócrino de peixes, gerando desajustes hormonais de alto risco para o processo reprodutivo dos animais expostos. Com base nestes fatos, o presente trabalho buscou verificar efeitos do fenantreno como desregulador endócrino em juvenis de E. marginatus. Essa espécie se caracteriza pelo hermafroditismo protogínico, de modo que os juvenis costumam apresentar altas concentrações de esteroides gonadais, o que gera preocupação quanto os efeitos reprodutivos decorrentes de alterações no padrão de produção de esteroides, especialmente em uma espécie que já vem sofrendo declínios populacionais por conta da sobrepesca. A CL50 encontrada para juvenis de E. marginatus foi 1,51 mg&frasl;L. Em seguida, foi realizado um bioensaio subletal (96h) com quatro grupos experimentais (n=5) em duplicata: grupo controle; duas concentrações distintas de fenantreno (0,1 mg&frasl;L e 1 mg&frasl;L) e grupo exposto ao veículo de diluição (0,004% de etanol). Foram dosadas as concentrações de 17&beta;-estradiol (E2), testosterona (T) e 11-cetotestosterona (11-KT) plasmáticos por ELISA. Gônadas, fígado e baço foram processados para análise histológica. Foi conduzido bioensaio in vitro com incubação de fragmentos gonadais sob ação de fenantreno (50&mu;M) ou etanol. Os níveis dos mesmos esteroides também foram dosados por ELISA. A exposição in vivo ao fenantreno resultou em aumento na área dos hepatócitos, bem como no número de centro melanomacrofágicos e hemossiderose no baço. O etanol induziu efeitos similares no baço. Os níveis de E2 e T não se alteraram no plasma ou no meio de incubação in vitro. O fenantreno reduziu a concentração de 11-KT in vitro e in vivo. No plasma, o etanol também causou esse decréscimo. Considerando a importância do 11-KT no desenvolvimento dos ovários em teleósteos, o fenantreno parece causar desregulação da esteroidogênese em juvenis de E. marginatus, possivelmente gerando disfunções durante a inversão sexual / Marine pollution by crude oil and its residual products is a growing global concern. The Northern coast of São Paulo is characterized as the highly impacted area by these contaminants through Brazil\'s South and Southeast coast. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), such as phenanthrene, are the main crude oil components and have a significant toxic potential to biota, acting as endocrine disruptors (ED) and negatively impacting reproduction. This study aimed to investigate the effects of phenanthrene as ED on gonadal steroidogenesis in E. marginatus juveniles. As a hermaphrodite protogynous species, E. marginatus juveniles maintain high levels of plasma steroids as substrates for sex inversion, which causes concern about reproductive effects of disruptions in steroid production patterns, especially in an overfished species. LD50 to E. marginatus exposed to phenanthrene was established in 1.51 mg&frasl;L. An in vivo sublethal exposure (96 h) to phenanthrene was carried out at two concentrations (0.1mg&frasl;L and 1 mg&frasl;L); exposure to the vehicle (ethanol) was also performed. Plasma levels of 17&beta;-estradiol (E2), testosterone (T) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) were measured by ELISA. Gonads, liver and spleen were processed for histological analysis. In an in vitro bioassay, gonad fragments were incubated with phenanthrene (50&mu;M) or ethanol. Steroid levels in the culture media were also measured by ELISA. The in vivo exposure to phenanthrene triggered an increase of the area of the hepatocytes, increased number of melanomacrophagic centers and hemosiderosis in the spleen. Ethanol also induced similar effects on spleen. E2 and T levels did not change neither in plasma nor in vitro media. Phenanthrene sharply reduced 11-KT levels in vitro and in vivo. In plasma, ethanol also decreased 11-KT levels. Considering the importance of 11-KT in fish developing ovaries, phenanthrene seems to disrupt steroidogenesis in juvenile grouper, possibly being able to cause dysfunctions during sex change

The overall objective of the research presented in this dissertation was to investigate molecular risk factors of susceptibility to estrogenic chemicals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hormone replacement therapy, and oral contraceptives and how that leads to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Environmental and molecular risk factors for PAH are not clearly understood. This is a major hurdle for the development of new therapy against PAH as well as understanding individual susceptibility to this disease. Gender has been shown to impact the prevalence of PAH. Although controversial, estrogens have been implicated to be a risk factor for PAH. Thus, we hypothesize that women exposed to estrogenic chemicals are at increased risk of developing PAH when endocrine disrupting chemicals interact with unopposed estrogen to worsen pulmonary arterial disease. In support of this hypothesis, we have accomplished the following: Microarray data on PAH were collected and subsequent meta-analysis was conducted using genome-wide association and environment-wide association approaches on published studies as well as GEO and NHANES data. All PCB geometric mean concentrations found higher levels in people at risk of PAH than people not at risk of PAH. The sum of non-dioxin-like PCBs and the sum of dioxin-like PCBs were significantly higher in people at risk of PAH than people not at risk of PAH. Also, different levels of LOD (including PCBs concentration >LOD, > 50th percentile, 50th-75th percentile, and ≥75th percentile) were significantly higher in people at risk of PAH than people not at risk of PAH. We reported that females used estrogen pills and oral contraceptive were associated with risk of PAH. However, females used progestin and estrogen/progestin pills were not at risk of PAH. Molecular risk factor analysis using machine learning approaches revealed that VAMP2, LAMA5, POLR2C, VEGFB, and PRKCH genes are causal genes of PAH pathogenesis. Gene ontology and pathway analysis of PAH showed that genes involved in the apoptosis pathway, p53 pathway, Ras Pathway, T-cell activation, TGF-beta pathway, VEGF pathway, and Wnt pathway appear to be significantly associated with PAH. Documenting the exposure to estrogenic chemicals among the general U.S. population, and identifying agents and molecular risk factors associated with PAH have the potential to fill research gaps and facilitate our understanding of the complex role environmental chemicals play in producing toxicity in the lungs.