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Ecosystem disturbances are a significant and ongoing threat to wildlife, caused by both natural environmental changes and human impacts. These disturbances can have a range of impacts, but one of the most crucial is on the wildlife habitat. In tropical forests, one such disturbance that is occurring at an alarming rate is peat fires. Peatfires impact the forest structure and fragmentation, which in turn directly relate to the wildlife habitat, ultimately threatening the population and even risking extinction for certain species. Of particular concern is the population of orangutans in Indonesia, which is at risk due to the impact of peat fires. This research used an agent-based modelling approach to explore the impact of ecosystem disturbances on wildlife habitat. The focus was on the orangutan population in tropical forests affected by peat fires. A systematic review of agent-based models revealed a shift towards a more mechanistic representation of entities in wildlife response to disturbances. However, fire disturbances and primate species such as orangutans still have a limited number of models. To address this gap, two agent-based models are presented: PeatFire, a model of the ignition and spread of tropical peatfire, validated using data from a fire pattern in South Sumatra; and the BORNEO model, which simulates the movement behaviour of orangutans in a disturbed forest using real tree inventory data and orangutan tracking data from the Sebangau forest in Central Kalimantan. The models were calibrated and validated using state-of-the-art methods and high-performance computing. The study demonstrates the ability of ABM to tackle complex research problems in various fields, including wildlife response to disturbances. The models developed in this study are important examples of the shift towards a more mechanistic representation of agents in ABM, and contribute to advancing the field in this direction. The research offers insights into the impact of ecosystem disturbances on wildlife habitat and highlights the potential of ABM in addressing these issues.

Peat extraction for horticultural production poses a threat to wetland ecosystems. The rapid growth rate of the horticulture industry has prompted an ongoing search for sustainable alternative growth media components to replace peat. The alternative components need to provide properties (physical and chemical) similar to or better than peat and provide conditions that will enhance ideal growth and yield of potted plants. Potted Dendranthema x grandiflorum is one of the most important pot plants cultivated worldwide in the floriculture industry. There is a global research effort to replace peat with a sustainable alternative growth media for potted plants; however, so far, no study has been conducted in South Africa that used similar treatments on potted Dendranthema x grandiflorum. The aim of this study was to determine a suitable alternative growth media to replace peat as a growth media for cultivation of potted D. x grandiflorum. A greenhouse experiment was conducted at the University of South Africa’s Horticulture centre in Florida, Johannesburg for 89 days. Eight growth media (100 % peat (T1) (control), 100 % bagasse (T2), 50:50 % v/v bagasse:peat (T3), 75:25 % v/v bagasse:peat (T4), 25:75 % v/v bagasse:peat (T5), composted bagasse (T6), Coir (T7), and pine bark (T8)) as treatments and one hybrid (Mount® Runca) of D. x grandiflorum were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. In this study, nutrient uptake, chlorophyll content, growth, and yield parameters were measured for potted D. x grandiflorum grown in all eight growth media. The results show that treatments had different chemical and physical properties compared to peat. The pH of 100 % bagasse and coir were within the ideal range recommended for growth media. The EC results indicated that after the experiment, other treatments were within the defined range except for composted bagasse due to high concentration of soluble salts. The BD of control and composted bagasse were similar and may have resulted in the low root response. The concentration of total N was high in the shoots of plants cultivated in 100 % peat with a subsequent increased fresh and dry shoots weight. The highest significant chlorophyll content was present in plants cultivated in composted bagasse, which contained high total N and, Fe and Zn concentrations in shoots. Taken together, the results showed that composted bagasse was the best alternative to replace peat for cultivation of potted D. x grandiflorum. / Turfonttrekking vir tuinboukundige produksie hou ʼn bedreiging vir moerasland-ekostelsels in. Die vinnige groeitempo van die tuinboubedryf het gelei tot ʼn voortdurende soektog na volhoubare groeimediakomponente om turf te vervang. Die alternatiewe komponente moet (fisiese en chemiese) eienskappe kan bied wat soortgelyk aan, of beter as dié van turf is, en moet toestande gee wat die ideale groei en opbrengs van potplante verbeter. Potplant- Dendranthema x grandiflorum is een van die belangrikste potplante wêreldwyd wat in die blomboerderybedryf aangeplant word. Daar word wêreldwyd navorsing gedoen om turf met ʼn volhoubare groeimedium vir potplante te vervang; sover is daar egter nog nie in Suid-Afrika ʼn studie gedoen wat soortgelyke behandelings vir potplante- Dendranthema x grandiflorum gebruik nie. Die doel van hierdie studie was om ʼn gepaste alternatiewe groeimedium te bepaal om turf as ʼn groeimedium te vervang vir die aanplanting van D. x grandiflorum-potplante. ʼn Kweekhuis-eksperiment is by die Universiteit van Suid-Afrika se Tuinbousentrum in Florida, Johannesburg uitgevoer vir 89 dae. Agt groeimedia (100% turf (T1) (beheer), 100% bagasse (T2), 50:50% v/v bagasse:turf (T3), 75:25% v/v bagasse:turf (T4), 25:75 % v/v bagasse:turf (T5), bagasse wat tot kompos verwerk is (T6), klapperhaar (T7), en dennebas (T8)) as behandelings en een hibried (Mount® Runca) van D. x grandiflorum is in ʼn verewekansigde, volledige blokontwerp met vier repliserings gerangskik. In hierdie studie is voedingstofopname-, chlorofilinhoud-, groei- en opbrengs-parameters gemeet vir potgroei van D. x grandiflorum in al agt groeimedia. Die resultate toon dat die behandelings verskillende chemiese en fisiese eienskappe in vergelyking met turf het. Die pH van 100% bagasse en klapperhaar val binne die ideale reikwydte wat vir groeimedia aanbeveel word. Volgens die EG (elektriese geleiding)-resultate was ander behandelings binne die gedefinieerde reikwydte – behalwe vir bagasse wat tot kompos verwerk is – vanweë die hoë konsentrasie oplosbare soute. Die BD van beheer en bagasse wat tot kompos verwerk is, was soortgelyk en kon die lae wortelrespons veroorsaak het. Die konsentrasie totale N was hoog in die lote van plante wat in 100% turf aangeplant is, met ʼn gevolglike verhoging in die gewig van vars en droë lote. Die hoogste beduidende chlorofilinhoud was teenwoordig in plante wat gekweek is in bagasse wat tot kompos verwerk is, en wat hoë totale konsentrasies van N, Fe en Zn in die lote bevat het. Alles in ag genome het die resultate getoon dat bagasse wat tot kompos verwerk is, die beste alternatief is om turf te vervang in die kweking van D. x grandiflorum in potte. / Go ntsha borubu mo kumong ya mokgwa wa temo go na le matshosetsi mo matshelong a diphologolo le ditlhare tsa lefatshe le le kolobileng. Kelo ya kgodiso e e bonako ya intaseteri ya matshelo a diphologolo le ditlhare e susumetsa patlo e e tswelelang ya dikarolo tsa mekgwa ya kgodiso ya thefosano e e tswelelang ya go emela go ntsha borubu. Dikarolo tse dingwe di tlhoka go neela dipharologantsho (sebopego le khemikale) tse di tshwanang le kgotsa botoka mo go ntsheng borubu le go neela mabaka a a ka tsholetsang kgodiso e e ikaeletsweng, mme ya ntsha dijalo tse di ka fa dipitseng. Dendranthema x grandiflorum e e ka fa dipitseng ke thefosano nngwe ya dijalo tsa ka fa dipitseng tse di botlhokwa thata tse di jadilweng mo lefatsheng ka bophara mo intasetering ya mokgwa wa temo ya dithunya. Go na le boiteko jwa patlisiso ya bogotlhe ya go emela go ntsha borubu ka mokgwa wa kgodiso wa thefosano o mongwe o o tswelelang wa dijalo tsa ka fa dipitseng; le gale, go le kalo, ga go na thuto e e setseng e dirilwe mo Aforikaborwa e e dirisang ditshwaro tse di tshwanang mo go Dendranthema x grandiflorum e e mo dipitseng. Maikaelelo a thuto eno e ne e le go tlhomamisa mekgwa ya grandiflorum e e mo dipitseng. Maikaelelo a thuto eno e ne e le go tlhomamisa mekgwa ya kgodiso ya thefosano e mengwe e e tshwanelang go emela go ntsha borubu jaaka mekgwa ya kgodiso ya go jala D. x grandiflorum ka mo dipitseng. Tekelelo ya ntlo e tala e ne ya dirwa kwa lefelong la Mokgwa wa matshelo a diphologolo le ditlhare ya Yunibesiti ya Aforikaborwa kwa Florida, Johannesburg mo matsatsing a le 89. Mekgwa ya kgodiso e merobedi (100 % ya go ntsha borubu (T1) (taolo), 100 % bagasse (T2), 50:50 % v/v bagasse: go ntsha borubu (T3), 75:25 % v/v bagasse: go ntsha borubu (T4), 25:75 % v/v bagasse: go ntsha borubu (T5), bagasse e e bodisitsweng (T6), Coir (T7), le kutu ya phaene (T8)) jaaka ditshwaro le lotswakwa lo lo longwe (Mount® Runca) ya D. x grandiflorum di ne di beilwe ka moakanyetso wa boloko e e feletseng ka kakaretso ka ditshwano di le nne. Mo thutong eno, go tsaya kotlo, diteng tsa setalafatsi, kgodiso le diparametara tse di ntshitsweng di ne tsa lekanyediwa mo go D. x grandiflorum e e mo dipitseng e e jadilweng mo mekgweng ya dikgodiso tse di robedi tse tsotlhe. Dipheto di bontsha gore ditshwaro di na le dikarolo tsa dikhemikale le dibopego tse di farologaneng fa di tshwantshanngwa le go ntsha borubu. Bagasse ya pH ya 100 % le coir di ne di le magareng ga paka ya botlhokwa ya kgodiso e e atlenegisitsweng mo mekgweng ya kgodiso. Dipheto tsa EC di bontsha gore morago ga tekelelo, ditshwaro tse dingwe di ne di le magareng ga paka e e tlhalositsweng kwa ntle ga bagasse e e bodisitsweng kwa kokoanong e e kwa godimo ya matswai a a tlhaolositsweng. BD ya taolo le bagasse e e bodisitsweng, mme go ka bo go dirile gore go nne le tsibogelo ya medi e e kwa tlase. Kokoano ya N yotlhe e ne e le kwa godimo mo matlhogeding a dijalo tse di jadilweng ka go ntsha borubu jwa 100 % ka koketso e e latelang ya bokete jwa matlhogedi a mantshwa le a a omileng. Diteng tsa setalafatsi se se botlhokwa se se kwa godimodimo di ne di le teng mo dijalong tse di jadilweng ka bagasse e e bodisitsweng, e e nang le kokoano ya bogotlhe jo bo kwa godimo jwa N, Fe le Zn mo matlhogeding. Di tserwe mmogo, dipheto di bontsha gore bagasse e e bodileng jaaka sengwe se se gaisang go emela go ntsha borubu mo jalong ya D. x grandiflorum ka mo dipitseng. / School of Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Ornamental Horticulture)

<p>Landfill leachate contains a variety of contaminants and is created when rainwater percolates the landfill. For landfill management the leachate is the main issue that can cause problems to the environment. At the landfill of Fläskebo, Renova AB treats the leachate in a local treatment plant. The treatment consists of a chemical treatment step with chemical precipitation, flocculation, sedimentation and filtration, and a final step with a carbon and peat filter. Renova has to ensure that the condition of the leachate reaches the regulation set for the landfill before it is released to the recipient. This regulation has not yet been established and a final suggestion will be given to the county administrative board in spring 2006.</p><p>In this master thesis the chemical treatment of Fläskebo is optimized. A comparison between the control program and the regulation was made to estimate the contamination of the leachate. Also the effectiveness of the two steps is evaluated. For optimization, the leachate was first tested in a laboratory with different coagulants and flocculants.</p><p>The purpose was to increase the precipitation of particles and metals; arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead, copper, nickel and zinc through sweep floc coagulation and hydroxide precipitation. After the laboratory tests the precipitation was tested in the treatment plant with higher pH and coagulant. Also the process control for sodium hydroxide was examined.</p><p>The leachate had a small content of organic matter and nutrients, but had a large content of halogenated substances (AOX) and the heavy metals nickel and copper. High concentrations of contaminants were reduced better than low concentrations in the two treatment steps. The carbon and peat filter material also caused an increase of the arsenic content in the leachate after filtration. From the laboratory work the results showed a better reduction of metals with iron-chloride, PlusJÄRN and the anjonic polyacrylamid, Fennopol A. Because of the high content of chloride the iron- sulphate, PurFect was chosen for further tests. The optimal pH for the heavy metals arsenic, zinc, copper and nickel was between pH 9 and 9, 5. The precipitation in the treatment plant showed better results with sodium hydroxide and a higher pH, pH 9 in the flocculation basin. An increase of the coagulant PurFect from 202 mg/l to 225 mg/l meant only a higher chemical cost. The process control of sodium hydroxide showed an oscillating and unstable control performance, which may lead to a higher consumption of chemicals.</p> / <p>Lakvatten har varierande föroreningsgrad och karaktär och bildas då regnvatten perkolerar igenom en deponi. För en deponiverksamhet är lakvattnet den huvudsakliga påverkan på den omgivande miljön. Vid en av Renova ABs deponier, Fläskebo, utanför Göteborg sker reningen av vattnet i den lokala reningsanläggningen. Reningen består av kemisk fällning, flockning, sedimentering och filtrering samt ett kol- och torvfilter. För att få släppa ut lakvattnet har Renova just nu ett prövotidsvillkor på lakvattnets kvalité och till våren 2006 skall förslag på slutgiltiga utsläppsvillkor lämnas till Länsstyrelsen.</p><p>I detta examensarbete har den kemiska reningen av lakvattnet från Fläskebo optimerats utifrån lakvattnets karaktär. Lakvattnets föroreningsgrad bedömdes efter en jämförelse av analysresultatet inom kontrollprogrammet och riktvärdena i prövotidsvillkoret. Dessutom utvärderades effektiviteten i varje enskilt reningssteg, den kemiska reningen och kol- och torvfiltret. För optimering av den kemiska reningen testades lakvattnet först på lab med olika fällnings- och flockningsmedel. Uppgiften var att öka partikelfällningen och reducera metallerna arsenik, kadmium, krom, kvicksilver, bly, koppar, nickel och zink i lakvattnet genom svepkoagulering och hydroxidfällning.</p><p>Utifrån resultaten på lab testades sedan fällningen i full skala, pH höjdes i flockningsbassängen och så även dosen fällningsmedel till vattnet. En inledande undersökning av regleringen av lutdosering gjordes med några stegsvarsexperiment.</p><p>Lakvatten innehöll låga halter av organiskt material och närsalterna kväve och fosfor, medan de halogena ämnena (AOX) och tungmetallerna nickel och koppar var höga. De båda reningsstegen, kemisk rening och kol- och torvfiltret var generellt bra på att rena föroreningar i höga koncentrationer men var sämre vid låga. Kol- och torvfiltret ökade koncentrationen i vattnet av arsenik genom materialets interna läckage. I fällningsförsöken gav järnkloriden, PlusJÄRN och den anjoniska polyakrylamiden, Fennopol A bäst resultat i att avskilja metaller. Järnsulfaten PurFect gav näst bäst resultat och valdes istället för järnkloriden för vidare försök då kloridhalten i lakvattnet redan var högt. Optimalt pH för arsenik, zink, koppar och nickel var inom pHintervallet 9 och 9,5. Fällningen i full skala ute i verket visade ett bättre resultat vid tillsatt lut och ett högre pH (pH 9) i flockningsbassängen. Däremot betydde en höjning av fällningskemikalien från 202 mg/l PurFect till 225 mg/l enbart en ökad kemikaliekostnad och en överdosering. Det visade sig dessutom att lutregleringen var svängig och på gränsen till instabil. Regulatorn bör därför ses över så att risken för ökad kemikaliekonsumption och kostnader minskar.</p>

Les tourbières ont contribué à refroidir le climat terrestre pendant l’Holocène en accumulant un réservoir de carbone important. Dans la forêt boréale canadienne, les sols gelés en permanence (pergélisols) sont répandus et ceux-ci sont principalement localisés dans les tourbières où ils forment des plateaux surélevés. Le dégel du pergélisol, causé entre autres par le réchauffement atmosphérique ou d’autres perturbations, provoque l’effondrement des plateaux et la saturation en eau du sol ce qui modifie entre autres le couvert végétal et le cycle du carbone. Les modélisations suggèrent que les latitudes nordiques seront les plus affectées par le réchauffement climatique alors qu’on y observe déjà un recul du couvert du pergélisol. Il est primordial de comprendre comment le dégel du pergélisol affecte la fonction de puits de carbone des tourbières puisque des rétroactions sur le climat sont possibles si une grande quantité de gaz à effet de serre est émise ou séquestrée. J’utilise une chronoséquence représentant le temps depuis le dégel d’un plateau de pergélisol des Territoires du Nord-Ouest pour comprendre les facteurs influençant l’aggradation et la dégradation du pergélisol dans les tourbières et évaluer l’effet du dégel sur l’accumulation de carbone et la préservation du carbone déjà accumulé. Les taux d’accumulation de carbone associés à la présence de pergélisol dans le passé et au présent sont lents, et la tourbe est moins décomposée dans les secteurs ayant été affectés plus longtemps par le pergélisol. En somme, le pergélisol réduit l’accumulation de carbone en surface mais permet une meilleure préservation du carbone déjà accumulé. / Peatlands have contributed to cool the Earth's climate during the Holocene by accumulating a large carbon pool. In the Canadian boreal forest, perennially frozen soils (permafrost soils) are abundant and they are located mainly in peatlands where they form elevated plateaus. Thawing permafrost caused by atmospheric warming or other disturbances lead to the collapse of plateaus and soil saturation, impacting vegetation cover and carbon cycling. Models suggest that northern latitudes will be the most severely affected by global warming as we are already observing a decline in permafrost cover. It is important to understand how permafrost thaw affects the peatland carbon sink function as feedbacks on the climate are possible if a large amount of greenhouse gas is emitted or sequestered. I use a chronosequence representing the time since permafrost in a Northwest Territories peatland to understand the factors influencing aggradation and degradation of permafrost in peatlands and to evaluate the effect of thawing on the carbon accumulation and preservation. The carbon accumulation rates associated with the presence of permafrost in the past and present are slow, and the peat is less decomposed in areas that have been affected by permafrost longer. In sum, permafrost reduces surface carbon accumulation but allows for better preservation of the carbon already accumulated.

Besides spatial heterogeneity, an important component of diversity of the protist communities is also the variation in species assemblages through time (temporal turnover). Spatial and temporal variation in patterns of distribution and abundance of lentic microphytobenthos assemblages is often large and occurs at relatively small spatial scale. Desmids (Zygnematophyceae) often constitute a characteristic part of the microphytobenthos of peat bogs. Despite their important role in primary production and fact that they are useful indicators of ecosystem uniqueness, investigations of their seasonality and spatial distribution are scarce. In my thesis I have investigated if desmid epipelic communities are driven rather by neutral or niche-based processes, and I also focused on the factors affecting their diversity, seasonal dynamics and spatial patterns at the local spatial scale. The study was conducted at the two different types of biotopes - minerotrophic lowland peat bogs (Doksy region) and ombrotrophic raised bogs (Jizera Mountains region). Seasonal changes in species composition and diversity of assemblages were not evident. This may be affected by a monopolization effect and also that local abundance of species was positively correlated with population persistence, which suggests that high local...

The aim of this diploma thesis was to elaborate a literature survey and especially to conduct an experimental study of ecological demands of the critically endangered species Sedum villosum. The localities, on which S. villosum formely occurred, disappeared largely because of habitat destruction by draining and plowing of wet meadows, or by the abandonment followed by development of high vegetation and biomass accumulation. Therefore, this work could contribute to the knowledge of shadow influence and surrounding vegetation concurency on seed germination and flowering of this species. Retrieved knowledge can be later used for rescue program realization (repatriation options, strengthening populations, habitat requirements). The experiments showed a significant negative effect of the shading and the presence of surrounding vegetation (sedges, brown mosses and peat mosses) on germination and flowering of S. villosum. Furthermore, it was found that S. villosum is able to germinate directly on water surface, with seed germination even higher than on wet soil. The experimental sowing, planting and subsequent monitoring of germination, growth and survival of S. villosum at the rehabilitated area of Knížecí Pláně (NP Šumava) showed that it is possible to strengthen S. villosum population by sowing and planting autochthonous material on prepared areas with a torn down turf. As an acceptable tools seems to be using mulch from mown in the area of the original population. Similar process can be used in the future for restoring historical localities of this species.

Foram conduzidos dois experimentos em casa-de-vegetação com solo contaminado acidentalmente com metais pesados. No primeiro deles objetivou-se avaliar o potencial das espécies vegetais Brassica juncea, Raphunus sativus L., Hybiscus cannabinus e Amaranthus crentus em absorver, translocar e acumular zinco, cobre, manganês, chumbo e boro na parte aérea e assim atuarem na recuperação do solo estudado. No segundo experimento avaliou-se a aplicação dos materiais orgânicos: Solomax, turfa e concentrado húmico mineral como amenizantes de toxidez dos elementos citados para Brassica juncea. Em um terceiro experimento em laboratório, avaliou-se a capacidade de retenção de zinco pelos materiais orgânicos estudados. As variáveis avaliadas foram: produção de material vegetal; quantidades absorvida e acumulada de Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb e B; índices de translocação e remoção desses elementos pelas plantas. No solo foram determinados os teores total e disponível (DTPA e CaCl2 0,01 mol L-1) de Zn, Cu, Mn e Pb. No extrato de saturação foram determinados os teores solúvel (ICP-OES) e livre (eletroforese capilar) dos elementos citados, que também foram determinados na parte aérea da Brassica juncea. Resultados das determinações analíticas também foram introduzidos no programa de especiação iônica MINTEQ. Foram avaliados ainda os efeitos dos materiais orgânicos na distribuição dos metais pesados nas frações do solo. No ajuste dos dados do experimento de retenção de zinco foi a empregado o modelo de Freundlich e calculado o coeficiente de distribuição Kd. Embora as espécies tenham sido capazes de acumular quantidades elevadas dos elementos na parte aérea, elas não puderam ser consideradas hiperacumuladoras. O Amaranthus crentus e a Brassica juncea apresentaram os maiores índices de remoção para Zn, Mn e B. Os materiais orgânicos apresentaram valores elevados de Kd refletindo a alta afinidade do zinco pela fase sólida e elevada capacidade dos materiais orgânicos em imobilizar o elemento. Os elevados coeficientes de correlação obtidos para as isotermas de adsorção indicam que o modelo Freundlich pode ser utilizado para descrever a adsorção do Zn pelos materiais. A quantidade de Zn removida pelos materiais, em termos percentuais variou com o material e com o pH, sendo favorecida nos valores mais elevados. A turfa e o concentrado húmico reduziram os teores de metais extraídos por DTPA e CaCl2 sendo esta redução refletida nos teores acumulados pela Brassica juncea, contudo esta redução não foi suficiente para impedir os efeitos fitotóxicos dos elementos. A especiação dos metais mostrou que o Zn e o Mn encontraram-se principalmente na forma livre, enquanto que o Cu e o Pb apresentaram-se complexados à matéria orgânica dissolvida. Não foram observadas correlações significativas entre os teores dos metais determinados diretamente por eletroforese capilar e indiretamente pelo programa de especiação. O fracionamento seqüencial dos metais indicou que grande parte dos metais está ligada a frações pouco disponíveis do solo. Conclui-se que a aplicação da turfa e do concentrado húmico mineral juntamente com o cultivo do Amaranthus crentus e da Brassica juncea podem auxiliar na recuperação a longo prazo de solos contaminados com Zn, Mn Pb e B. / Two pot trials were carried out using a heavy metal accidentally contaminated soil. In the first one it was evaluated the plant absorbing, translocating and accumulating power for zinc, copper, manganese, lead and boron by the following vegetal species: Brassica juncea, Raphunus sativus L., Hybiscus cannabinus and Amaranthus crentus, so they could help in the rehabilitation of the studied soil. In the second pot trial it was evaluated the application of the following organic materials: Solomax, peat, and humic mineral concentrate for heavy metal toxicity amelioration for Brassica juncea. In a laboratory experiment it was evaluated the zinc retention capacity for the above mentioned organic materials. The measured variables were plant dry matter yield, absorbed and accumulated amounts of Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb and B; the translocation index and the removal index of metal by the mentioned plant species. The total and available (DTPA and CaCl2 001 mol L-1) content of Zn, Cu, Mn and Pb, were determined in soil samples. Concerning the soil saturation extract, the soluble and free forms of the mentioned elements were determined by ICPOES and capillary electrophoresis respectively. The same metals were also determined in the plant tissue of Brassica juncea. Analytical results were introduced in the chemical equilibrium program MINTEQ in order to calculate the concentration of the free forms of Zn, Cu, Mn, and Pb. A fractioning scheme for metals in soil was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of adding sources of organic carbon. The Freundlich model was used to account for zinc adsorption by the studied organic materials and the distribution coefficient Kd was also calculated. Although the plant species were able to accumulate high amounts of metal in the aerial part, that could not be considered as a hipper-accumulation process. The highest metal removal indexes were observed for Brassica juncea and Amaranthus crentus. Organic materials showed high values of Kd, reflecting its high affinity for zinc and a great capacity of zinc immobilization as well. Freundlich model was very effective in describing the adsorption isotherms as indicated by the high determination coefficients. Zinc retention was affected by the organic material type and pH, being favored by the highest studied pH values. Peat and humic mineral concentrate reduced the amounts of metals extracted by DTPA and CaCl2 in soil but the reduction was not great enough to avoid toxic effects in plants. Zn and Mn were present mostly as free cations in soil saturation extract while Pb and Cu were complexed by dissolved organic matter. It was not detected any significant correlation between free metal contents directly determined by capillary electrophoresis and those estimated by MINTEQ. Metal sequential extraction showed that most of them occurred in the least available fractions of soil. Peat and humic mineral concentrate application to soil associated with Amaranthus crentus and Brassica juncea cultivation may be used in long term amelioration of soils contaminated with Zn, Mn, Pb and B.

A região de Ibiúna, onde se encontra a Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Sorocá-Mirim, vem sofrendo mudanças com relação ao uso e ocupação ao longo dos tempos, de cinturão caipira a área de crescente especulação imobiliária. Essas mudanças aconteceram sem um conhecimento adequado de alguns condicionantes naturais, em especial a existência de turfas (organossolos) e a quais ambientes elas estão associadas. O presente trabalho teve como objetivos: a) numa primeira etapa elaborar uma carta morfopedológica simplificada da Bacia do Rio Sorocá-Mirim, com objetivo de reconhecer as bases físicas da bacia e identificar os locais dos depósitos orgânicos; b) numa segunda etapa caracterizar as feições fluviais às quais as turfeiras estão relacionadas, elaborando mapeamentos de setores da planície e caracterizando morfologicamente o material orgânico em transectos determinados. A carta morfopedológica (1:100.000) construída a partir da correlação das variáveis naturais basicamente, relevo x rocha x solos (Castro e Salomão, 2000) individualizou sete compartimentos. Nos compartimentos das planícies, aparecem turfeiras e solos hidromórficos; compartimentos com relevo de colinas, substrato granítico/migmatítico, e cobertura latossólica, fazem a articulação entre os planos aluviais e as Serras que bordejam a bacia; os setores mais elevados correspondem aos altos regionais dos maciços graníticos de São Roque (NNE) e Paranapiacaba (SSE). Ai o relevo é de morros e serras com altas declividades e sobre os quais se desenvolvem solos rasos sobre granito, alem de cambissolos háplicos, e argissolos vermelhoamarelos. O compartimento CMPIa Planícies do Rio Sorocá-Mirim e do Ribeirão Vargem Grande, onde estão alojados os materiais orgânicos, foi objeto de analise mais detalhada com mapeamento morfológico (1:25.000) das feições fluviais e caracterização do material orgânico da planície. Transectos foram levantados com tradagens, no intuito de verificar a profundidade e distribuição areolar dos depósitos, bem como caracterizar morfologicamente os diferentes volumes. Analises e ensaios laboratoriais foram feitos em amostras selecionadas, a fim de caracterizá-las no tocante aos atributos físicos e químicos. Os resultados mostraram que há uma relação entre os aspectos morfológicos observados com auxílio do microscópio óptico e alguns resultados laboratoriais. As amostras que apresentaram grande quantidade de matéria orgânica e de carbono orgânico apresentam também características morfológicas particulares, como untuosidade e coloração preta intensa. As amostras com menores valores de matéria orgânica e carbono orgânico, apresentam uma cor cinza e sem untuosidade, com a fração mineral mais aparente. Esses aspectos possibilitaram propor uma classificação mais precisa e com base em maior numero de parâmetros. As zonas de acumulação de material orgânico foram encontradas relacionadas a ambientes fluviais particulares e que pelas interpretações mais recentes da evolução geológica da área, estariam relacionadas a um controle estrutural. O Planalto de Ibiúna, faz parte de um conjunto de blocos falhados formando grábens, alguns deles reconhecidos por Silva (2012) como os meio grábens de Ibiúna, Vargem Grande e do Grilo Esse sistema de bloqueio estrutural aprisiona a água em sub superfície, criando um ambiente úmido e confinado, gerando as condições ideais para a formação das turfeiras, sobretudo nos climas frios pleistocênicos. / Throughout time, the region of Ibiúna, in which the Sorocá-Mirim river basin is located, has been suffering changes regarding the use and occupation of land, going from a green belt zone to an area of strong real estate speculation. Such shifts took place without a previous knowledge of the natural aspects, especially concerning the existence of peat bogs (organic soils) and its associated environments. The present work has as its main goals: a) in a first approach, build a simplified morphopedological map of the Sorocá-Mirim river basin, which will allow the recognition of the location of the organic deposits and; b) in a second step, characterize the fluvial features to which the peat bogs are related, building maps of specific sectors of the flood plain and reaching a morphological characterization of the organic matter in determined transects. The morphopedological map (1:100,000) built through the correlation of the natural variables landform x lithology x soils (Castro & Salomão, 2000) individualized seven compartments. The floodplains compartment present peat bogs and hydromorphic soils; the compartment of the hills, with a granite/migmatite substract and latossolic coverage, plays the role of an articulator between the first one and the ridge that borders the basin; and finally, the most elevated compartments correspond the the regional height limits of the granitic massifs of São Roque (NNE) and Paranapiacaba (SSE). The landform in this last sector is dominated by hills and ridges with steep granite slopes, over which shallow and rocky soils, and also red-yellow podzolic soils develop. The compartment CMP-Ia, Sorocá-Mirim river and Vargem Grande creek floodplains, contain the organic matter and was object of detailed mapping (1:25,000) of the morphological fluvial features and characterization of the surface organic matter. In order to infer the depth and areal distribution of such deposits, some transects were plotted, with the aid of probing techniques, which also allowed the morphological characterization of the different volumes. The selected samples were analyzed with laboratory techniques in order to characterize them according to their physical and chemical attributes. The results show a relationship between aspects observed through the optical microscope and lab results. The samples that present an elevated amount of organic matter also show particular morphological features, such as greasiness an intense black coloration. The samples with lower amounts of organic matter present a grayish coloring and no greasiness, as well as an evident mineral fraction. These aspects allowed the proposition of a more precise classification, based on a larger amount of parameters. The zones of accumulation of organic matter found in the area are related to particular fluvial environments, which according to the most recent interpretations of geological evolution of the area are under structural control. The Ibiúna Plateau is part of a set of faulted blocks which form grabens, some of them previously acknowledged by Silva (2012), like the half-grabens of Ibiúna, Vargem Grande and Grilo. This system of structural blockage traps water in the subsurface, creating a saturated and confined environment, which are ideal for the formation of peat bogs, especially under the cold pleistocenic climates.

O grupo de organoclorados, Bifenilas Policloradas (PCBs) é de difícil degradação e persistente no meio ambiente, tendo sido associado a diversos problemas nos organismos devido ao potencial toxicológico. Biodegradação constitui uma ferramenta eficaz e barata para remoção destes contaminantes do ambiente. O isolado RHA1 (fcb) de Rhodococcus sp. foi geneticamente construído com a introdução do operon de degradação hidrolítica de 4-clorobenzoato (fcb) para evitar a formação de produtos tóxicos durante a degradação de ácidos clorobenzóicos. Com o intuito de se obter informações sobre o processo adaptativo do recombinante Rhodococcus sp. isolado RHA1 (fcb) em substratos contendo PCBs, foram feitos dois ensaios avaliando-se a sobrevivência e o crescimento deste isolado. Rhodococcus sp. isolado RHA1 (fcb) foi inoculado (104 células.g-1) em substrato turfoso previamente irradiado a 50 KGy, contendo ou não 200 mg.Kg-1 de bifenilo. Em outro ensaio, além do recombinante, as bactérias Escherichia coli e Arthrobacter sp. foram inoculados em sedimento coletado na região do Estuário de Santos, contendo PHAs e PCBs, também irradiado (50 KGy). O crescimento das bactérias em ambos os substratos foi monitorado através de contagem de Unidades Formadoras de Colônias (UFCs). Algumas colônias eram selecionadas aleatoriamente para extração de DNA, detecção do operon fcb através de amplificação por PCR e sequenciamento do gene 16S rRNA. Aumento no número de UFCs nos tratamentos inoculados com o recombinante foi observado até 150 dias no ensaio com substrato turfoso e 70 dias na amostra ambiental. Entretanto, houve queda no número de UFCs após os 10 dias nos tratamentos inoculados com E. coli e Arthrobacter sp. Os genes fcbA e fcbB do operon fcb foram detectados nas colônias isoladas dos tratamentos inoculados com o isolado RHA1 (fcb) em ambos os substratos. A análise das seqüências pertencentes às colônias isoladas do tratamento inoculado com o isolado RHA1 (fcb) feita através de BLAST nos sites do NCBI e Ribossomal Database Project, apresentou 99% de identidade com a seqüência do gene ribossomal 16S de Rhodococcus sp. isolado ZC–3 (AM076672.1). Somente as seqüências referentes ao tratamento inoculado com E. coli foram analisadas, as quais apresentaram 99% de identidade com a seqüência do gene ribossomal 16S de E. coli isolado K-12 MG 1655 (U00096.2). Estes resultados sugerem que Rhodococcus sp. isolado RHA1 (fcb) cresce na turfa irradiada (até 150 dias) na presença e ausência de PCB e nesta amostra de sedimento irradiada (até 70 dias), com aparente estabilidade do operon fcb durante este período e nestas condições. A possível presença dos genes fcbB e fcbA em bactérias nativas crescidas em meio K1 com ácido 4- clorobenzóico isoladas do sedimento antes da irradiação, sugere a presença de bactérias do local com potencial biodegradador deste composto. / The group of organochlorates Biphenyl Polychlorates (PCBs) is of difficult degradation and persistent in the environment, being associated to several problems in the organisms due to its toxicological potential. The isolate RHA1 (fcb) from Rhodococcus sp. was genetically built with the introduction of the operon of hydrolytic degradation 4-chlorobenzoate (fcb) to avoid the formation of toxic products during the degradation of chlorobenzoic acids. In order to obtain information about the adaptative process of the recombinant Rhodococcus sp. isolate RHA1 (fcb) in substrates containing PCBs, two essays were made evaluating the survival and growth of this isolate. Rhodococcus sp. isolate RHA1 (fcb) was inoculated (104 cells.g-1) in peat substrate previously irradiated with 50 kGy, with and without 200 mg.kg-1 of biphenyl. In another essay, besides of the recombinant, the bacteria Escherichia coli and Arthrobacter sp. were inoculated in soil, also irradiated (50 kGy), from the Estuário de Santos region containing PHAs and PCBs. The growth of the bacteria in both substrates was monitorated counting the Colony Forming Units (CFUs). Some colonies were selected randomly for DNA extraction, fcb operon detection through PCR, and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Rising in the number of CFUs in the recombinant inoculated treatments was observed until 150 days in the essay with peat substrate, and until 70 days in the environmental sample. Nonetheless, there was a reduction in the number of CFUs after 10 days in the treatment inoculated with E. coli and Arthrobacter sp. The genes fcbA and fcbB from the operon fcb were detected in the isolated colonies of the treatments inoculated with the isolate RHA1 (fcb) in both substrates. The analysis of the sequences belonging to the colonies isolated from the treatment inoculated with the isolate RHA1 (fcb) through BLAST in the NCBI and Ribosomal Database Project sites showed 99% identity with the sequence of the gene 16S ribosomal from Rhodococcus sp. isolate ZC-3 (AM076672.1). Only the sequences referring to the treatment inoculated with E. coli were analyzed, which showed 99% identity with the sequence of the 16S ribosomal gene from E. coli isolate K-12 MG 1655 (U00096.2). These results suggest that Rhodococcus sp. isolate RHA1 (fcb) grows in the peat irradiated (until 150 days), in the presence and absence of PCB and in this irradiated sediment sample (until 70 days), with apparent stability of the fcb operon during this period and in these conditions. The possible presence of the fcbA and fcbB genes in native bacteria grown in K1 medium with 4-chlorobenzoate acid isolated from sediment before irradiation suggests the presence of native bacteria with biodegradation potential of this compound.