Small back-barrier sand islands are poorly known in terms of hydrogeology and have been overlooked in more extensive studies of coastal groundwater systems that include larger barrier island complexes. This study employs a three-fold sequential approach to aquifer characterisation in a back-barrier sand island. A three-dimensional stratigraphic model forms the foundation framework, being derived from a multidisciplinary approach to sedimentary analysis and the construction of a depositional chronology. A conceptual hydrostratigraphic model is formulated based on the translation of sedimentary facies to hydrofacies, combined with density dependent flow calculations and tidal oscillation measurements. Groundwater hydrochemical data and mineral geochemistry are integrated with the resulting hydrogeological model to examine water-rock interaction and solute transport mechanisms. The study area is Toorbul Island, a small back-barrier sand mass of ~5 km2 with a maximum surface elevation of ~3.5 m AHD, located in the Pumicestone Passage of Southeast Queensland. The island hosts a dual aquifer system consisting of an unconfined island freshwater lens, underlain by a semi-confined palaeovalley-fill aquifer. Groundwater in the semi-confined aquifer is hyper-saline, carrying high concentrations of dissolved metals, with iron, in particular, ranging from 40 to < 200 mg l-1. This is of significant interest for both human health and environmental management, because iron is an important nutrient source for toxic algal bacteria such as Lyngbya majuscula. Conceptual modelling demonstrates that iron oxides and hydroxides are the main source of iron in the semi-confined aquifer, with a contribution from ferruginous chlorite dissolution. Aqueous manganese and a proportion of the aqueous iron are derived from the dissolution of manganoan ilmenite. Ferric iron minerals also contribute a significant proportion of dissolved iron in the deeper regions of the unconfined aquifer. Aqueous iron in the shallow unconfined groundwater is limited by iron sulphides, which also regulate acidity and indirectly limit dissolved aluminium concentrations. Groundwater redox state governed by seasonal climatic fluxes is the most significant control on iron-bearing mineral phase stability. Transport of dissolved metals to the surrounding estuary and the adjacent barrier island groundwater system is limited by the rate of ion diffusion across transition zone boundaries. The overall conclusions derived from this research show that back-barrier islands should be evaluated as discrete hydrogeological entities. The stratigraphic complexity that may be apparent within these island landforms should not be underestimated and the model domain should not necessarily be treated as a homogeneous system. This complexity is exemplified by the relationship between the upper and lower aquifers on Toorbul Island and the associated distribution of groundwater compositional heterogeneity. The complex stratigraphy within the sedimentary pile is derived from the presence of a sub-surface palaeovalley and the sedimentary response to changing sea-level over time. Considering the current widespread distribution of estuarine systems, complex hydrogeology as exhibited by Toobul Island, may be common in many small back-barrier island groundwater systems. The aquifer characteristics and their influence on solute transport and delivery can have significant ramifications for the exploitation of the adjacent coastal plain and barrier island aquifers. The potential influence on the latter is of particular concern due to the pressure imposed on potable groundwater supplies by increasing population densities in coastal areas.

Hexachloro-1,3-butadiene (HCBD) is a toxic aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbon which is widely used as a fungicide, herbicide and heat transformer fluid. HCBD is resistant to microbial degradation and, therefore, persists in aquatic and soil environments worldwide. In this thesis, the ability of non-specific bacteria from various sources to dechlorinate HCBD in the presence of either acetate or lactate (as an electron donor) and cyanocobalamin (as an electron shuttle) under different conditions was investigated. Cultivating specific populations to reduce cyanocobalamin as a method to increase HCBD dechlorination rate was investigated. Also, the factors responsible for HCBD dechlorination and the stalling of dechlorination were studied. Lastly, redox potential measurement during the microbial reductive dechlorination of HCBD for online detection of ongoing dechlorination was evaluated. Findings from the Project „« Non-specific bacteria from activated sludge, anaerobic digested effluent from municipal waste, piggery waste and sheep rumen content are able to dechlorinate HCBD in the presence of cyanocobalamin to chlorine-free C4 gases in a biochemical reaction. „« Dechlorination was equated to the formation of completely dechlorinated end-products from HCBD dechlorination. „« Methanogens were found to be involved in HCBD dechlorination. „« Mediators rather than specific bacteria were responsible for the fast dechlorination rates. Results suggest that activated sludge may release synthesized mediators into the supernatant to enable enhanced HCBD dechlorination. „« HCBD dechlorination can be monitored using oxidation reduction potential (ORP). ORP has an effect on HCBD dechlorination rate. Scientific Significance/Novelty The most significant finding from this research is that it demonstrates chlorine-free end-products in contrast with other studies in literature (Booker and Pavlosthasis, 2000; Bosma et al., 1994) where dechlorination was equated with disappearance of HCBD into bacterial biomass and the detection of partially dechlorinated gases such as trichlorobutadiene. It also shows that, in contrast to literature where specific bacteria (i.e., pure strains/cultures) were commonly used for the dechlorination of polychlorinated hydrocarbons, results from this thesis show that non-specific bacteria were able to dechlorinate HCBD in the presence of cyanocobalamin at ratesƒx sufficiently high to be considered for bioremediation projects. Moreover, results demonstrate that ORP can be used to monitor HCBD dechlorination.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Tekn. högsk. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Fatty acid components on yeast plasma membrane were critical in maintaining proper cell activity during bioethanol fermentation. The alteration of fatty acid composition on yeast plasma membrane was recognized as an adaptive response to several environmental stress including osmotic pressure, ethanol inhibition and nutrients limit. These stresses were exacerbated under very-high-gravity condition in which excessive fermentable sugar was provided in feedstock. Controlling redox potential was proved beneficial in improving yeast performance under very-high-gravity condition. Fatty acid synthesis and desaturation pathways involved dissolved oxygen as well as balance between NAD+/NADH and NADP+/NADPH which could be influenced by the regulation of redox potential in media. In this study, fatty acid composition profiles under different glucose concentrations and different redox potential control level were examined. Its connection with yeast cell growth, ethanol productivity and other metabolites’ concentrations were studied as well to reveal any causal correlation between redox potential control, membrane fatty acid composition and yeast activity. Two glucose concentrations used in this study were 200 g/L and 300 g/L which represented normal and very high gravity respectively in bioethanol fermentation. In 300 g/L fermentation, three redox conditions were adopted while two different redox conditions were used in 200 g/L fermentation. Biomass concentration, ethanol productivity and fatty acid composition were observed to be affected by both gravity and ORP control strategy. Final biomass concentrations were 4.302 g/L in 200 g/L glucose with no ORP control condition and 7.658 in 200 g/L glucose with ORP controlled at -100 mV condition. In 300 g/L glucose fermentation, final biomass concentrations were 3.400 g/L for no ORP control, 4.953 g/L for -150 mV ORP control and 5.260 for -100 mV ORP control. Ethanol productivities were 2.574 g/Lh for 200 g/L glucose without ORP control and 3.780 g/Lh for 200 g/L glucose with -100 mV ORP control. In 300 g/L glucose fermentation, ethanol productivity decreased to 1.584 g/Lh when no ORP control was imposed. ORP control at -150 mV could improve the ethanol productivity to 1.693 g/Lh while -100 mV ORP control was able to further enhance the ethanol productivity to 1.829 g/Lh. Fatty acid composition was observed to shift to more saturated components when no ORP control was applied. Such trend of saturation was increased by higher gravity condition. ORP control was shown to change this tendency to saturation and help restore fatty acid components on plasma membrane to a more balanced distribution.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:36:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissWOM.pdf: 867642 bytes, checksum: a5425baf394bc1447e17847d5fd1c4ab (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-03-02 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The legislation is evolving towards the establishment of restrictions to the concentration of Cr(VI), the most toxic redox form of chromium, in solid materials. This aspect has stimulated the development of sample preparation procedures for redox speciation analysis of chromium in solid samples. In the work here described it was studied procedures for Cr(VI) extraction in solid samples using alkaline solutions. Molecular absorption spectrophotometry based on 1,5 - diphenylcarbazide as chromogenic reagent was used for the determination of Cr(VI). The quantification of Cr(III) was carried out by the subtraction of the total chromium concentration and the concentration of Cr(VI). The samples employed were: soils, cements, cementrelated materials, nutritional complements and metallic components. The extractor solution composed by 0.10 mol L-1 Na2CO3 presented good performance for solid samples. Tests of stability of Cr(VI) indicated that reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) did not occur in the adopted extraction conditions, even in the presence of significant amounts of Cr(III). The diphenylcarbazide method presents good sensitivity for the determination of Cr(VI) in extracts, however the presence of organic matter in the soil samples caused interferences. The total chromium concentrations were determined using either FAAS or ICP OES after complete decomposition of the samples. Sample preparation procedure for total chromium determination was implemented according to the type of sample. Cement samples and cement-related materials were decomposed by fusion. On the other hand, all the other samples were microwave-assisted digested using high pressure vessels. The main limitation of the studied procedures is the evaluation of accuracy because of the lack of standard reference materials. / A legislação está se desenvolvendo no sentido de estabelecer restrições à concentração de Cr(VI), espécie redox mais tóxica do elemento cromo, em materiais sólidos. Esse aspecto tem estimulado estudos referentes à etapa de preparo de amostra para análise de especiação redox de cromo em amostras sólidas. Neste trabalho avaliou-se procedimento de extração de Cr(VI) em materiais sólidos utilizando soluções alcalinas. A espectrofotometria de absorção molecular utilizando 1,5 - difenilcarbazida como reagente cromogênico foi empregada para a determinação de Cr(VI) nos extratos. A quantificação de Cr(III) foi realizada pela subtração do teor de cromo total e o teor de Cr(VI). As amostras utilizadas no trabalho foram: solos, cimentos, derivados de cimento, multimisturas e peças metálicas. O extrator 0,10 mol L-1 Na2CO3 apresentou boa aplicabilidade para amostras sólidas. Testes de estabilidade de íons Cr(VI) indicaram que reduções de Cr(VI) a Cr(III) não ocorreram nas condições de extração empregadas, mesmo na presença de concentrações significativas de íons Cr(III). O método da difenilcarbazida é sensível e adequado para a determinação de Cr(VI) nos extratos, contudo a presença de matéria orgânica nas amostras de solo causou interferências. As análises de cromo total foram feitas empregando as técnicas de FAAS e ICP OES após completa decomposição das amostras. O método de preparo de amostra utilizado para a determinação de cromo total variou de acordo com o tipo de amostra, sendo que para amostras de cimento e derivados aplicou-se fusão e para as demais amostras adotou-se procedimento de digestão em forno de microondas com cavidade e frascos fechados. A maior limitação dos procedimentos estudados foi a comprovação da exatidão devido à praticamente inexistência de materiais de referência certificados.

Os sedimentos aquáticos podem fornecer importantes subsídios na avaliação dos ecossistemas aquáticos lênticos, uma vez que grande parte dos nutrientes se encontra no estado sólido. A ocorrência de uma floração de cianobactérias tóxicas originada no Blang, segundo de três reservatórios em cascata do Sistema Salto de Hidrelétricas, localizado no município de São Francisco de Paula (RS), motivou a investigação das possíveis fontes de nutrientes, especialmente de fósforo (P) que foi identificado como limitante para a eutrofização. Foram investigadas fontes de origens difusas (solos, águas e sedimentos dos tributários) e pontuais (uso urbano e a carga interna representada pelo sedimento do leito dos reservatórios). Os resultados mostraram características oligotróficas nas fontes externas e a presença de P disponível em excesso no sedimento do leito, indicando que a carga interna poderia ser uma fonte significativa de nutrientes. A possibilidade de circulação da água hipolimnética foi investigada através de números adimensionais e características físicas do corpo de água, demonstrando que dificilmente ocorreria, uma vez que somente eventos climáticos extremos poderiam provocar a inversão da massa líquida. Excluídas as fontes externas, os resultados sugerem que a fertilização do reservatório Blang tenha sido causada pela abertura da comporta de fundo do reservatório Divisa, localizado imediatamente à montante, durante uma estiagem. O segundo objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a importância dos agregados de partículas e da seleção granulométrica para a análise química de nutrientes em sedimentos aquáticos. Resultados obtidos em sedimentos de ambientes lóticos e lênticos (Sistema Salto, RS), demonstraram que os agregados maiores (465 - 63 μm) concentram nitrogênio nos ambientes lênticos, por isso a análise deve ser realizada, preferencialmente, na fração ≤ 465 μm em sedimentos de ambientes lênticos e na fração ≤ 63 μm dos ambientes lóticos. O último objetivo deste estudo foi testar os efeitos da oxidação sobre a capacidade e a velocidade da sorção de fosfato em sedimentos aquáticos orgânicos, identificando as melhores condições para retenção. Foram utilizados sedimentos aquáticos siliciclásticos de origens distintas, principalmente no que se refere ao clima e à origem do conteúdo orgânico, alóctone e autóctone, representados pelos tipos Dy (Reservatório Divisa, RS) e Sapropel (Reservatório de Tapacurá, São Lourenço da Mata, PE) respectivamente. O experimento foi realizado em suspensões de sedimentos mantidos sob níveis de potencial redox compreendidos entre - 200 mV e + 400 mV. Resultados demonstram que a sorção de fosfato é maior no sedimento tipo Dy em condições reduzidas e no Sapropel em condições oxidadas. / Water-borne sediments can provide important information for evaluating lentic aquatic ecosystems because a large proportion of their nutrients are found in the solid phase. A toxic algal bloom in the Blang Reservoir, the second of three in the Salto System chain of hydroelectric dams located in Sao Francisco de Paula in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, motivated the investigation of possible nutrient sources, especially phosphorus, which was identified as the limiting nutrient for eutrophization. Non-point sources, including soil, water and sediment carried by tributaries, and point sources, including urban areas and the internal load from the reservoir bottom, were examined. Results showed oligotrophic characteristics in the external sources and excess P availability in bottom sediments, indicating that the internal load may be a significant source of nutrients. The possible circulation of hypolimnic water was investigated using adimensional numbers and physical characteristics of the body of water, demonstrating that this is unlikely to occur, since only extreme climatic events could cause inversion of the liquid mass. By excluding external sources, results suggest that the fertilization of the Blang Reservoir was most likely caused by the opening of the floodgates from the Divisa Reservoir immediately upstream during a drought period. The second goal of this study was to evaluate the importance of particle aggregates and particle size selection for chemical analyses of nutrients and water-borne sediments. Results from sediments in lentic and lotic environments from the Salto System show that the larger aggregates (465 - 63 μm) concentrate nitrogen under lentic conditions and that, therefore, analyses should be performed on the fraction smaller than 465 μm in lentic environments and in the fraction ≤ 63 μm in lotic environments. The final objective of this study was to test the effects of oxidation on the phosphate sorption capacity and rate in organic aquatic sediments, identifying the best conditions for retention. Silicate aquatic sediments from different origins in terms of climate and source of organic content (allochtonous or autochtonous) were used, and were represented by the types Dy (Divisa Reservoir, RS) and Sapropel (Tapacurá Reservoir, São Lourenço da Mata, PE), respectively. The experiment was carried out in suspended sediment maintained under levels of redox potential between –200mV and +400mV. Results demonstrated that phosphate sorption is greatest in sediment type Dy under reduced conditions and in Sapropel under oxidized conditions.

O Cor pulmonale induzido pela administração intraperitoneal de monocrotalina é um dos modelos mais utilizados para estudar os efeitos dessa síndrome sobre o sistema cardiovascular. Essa síndrome é caracterizada por um desequilíbrio no estado redox celular e uma consequente alteração no imunoconteúdo de proteínas sinalizadoras para a hipertrofia e insuficiência cardíaca. Normalmente, o peróxido de hidrogênio caracteriza-se como a espécie reativa do oxigênio mais estável, e por isso, a molécula mais envolvida com a modulação dessa sinalização. O exercício físico aeróbio tem sido extensamente estudado devido ao fato de ser uma prática que altera o estado redox celular e, consequentemente, a sinalização nos cardiomiócitos. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi testar a hipótese de que o exercício físico poderia modular o estado redox no ventrículo direito em animais tratados com monocrotalina e, ao mesmo tempo, provocar alterações na sinalização celular, estrutura e função cardíaca. Ratos Wistar machos com aproximadamente 180 gramas de massa corporal foram treinados por quatro semanas após a injeção de monocrotalina ou solução salina. Os grupos experimentais (n=6-9 animais/grupo) foram: controle sedentário (CS) – ratos sedentários que receberam uma dose única de solução salina (i.p), monocrotalina sedentário (MS) – ratos sedentários que receberam uma dose única de monocrotalina (i.p), controle treinado (CT) - ratos treinados que receberam uma dose única de solução salina (i.p) e monocrotalina treinado (MT) - ratos treinados que receberam uma dose única de monocrotalina (i.p). As medidas hemodinâmicas foram realizadas após 24 horas da última sessão de exercício físico aeróbio. Os dados de pressão diastólica final do ventrículo direito (PDFVD), pressão sistólica do ventrículo direito (PSVD), derivada pressão/tempo máxima (dP/dtmax) e derivada pressão/tempo mínima (dP/dtmin) foram analisados. Após a análise hemodinâmica, os ratos foram mortos por deslocamento cervical e seus órgãos (coração, pulmão e fígado) foram coletados para análises morfométricas, bioquímicas e moleculares. As concentrações de peróxido de hidrogênio e a relação GSH/GSSG foram medidas obtidas com o objetivo de verificar o estado redox nos diferentes grupos experimentais. A massa dos órgãos foi utilizada para analisar a hipertrofia cardíaca, congestão pulmonar e hepática. A massa ventricular direita foi utlizada em cortes histológicos e para a análise de proteínas relacionadas com o remodelamento cardíaco pela técnica de Western Blot. A administração de monocrotalina provocou hipertrofia do ventrículo direito, congestão pulmonar, aumento da PDFVD, da PSVD, da dP/dtmax e da dP/dtmin nos animais MS e MT. Além disso, nos animais MS e CT, notamos uma redução nas concentrações de peróxido de hidrogênio, sugerindo uma modificação do sistema de defesa antioxidante provocada pela monocrotalina e pelo exercício físico. Já quanto ao volume de vasos, no grupo MS tivemos uma diminuição dessa variável em relação ao seu controle (CS), sendo que, o exercício físico preveniu este efeito nos animais MT em relação ao grupo MS. O exercício físico aeróbio promoveu uma redução no volume intersticial e na espessura da túnica média da artéria pulmonar nos animais MT. A monocrotalina provocou uma redução na relação p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β no grupo MT, sendo que que o exercício físico foi capaz de provocar um aumento nessa relação. Dessa forma, acreditamos que o exercício físico aeróbio possa alterar a função de proteínas redox-sensíveis e, dessa forma, modular a hipertrofia cardíaca nos animais que receberam a monocrotalina. / The Cor pulmonale induced by monocrotaline intraperitoneal administration is one of the most widel used models to study the effects of this syndrome on the cardiovascular system. This syndrome is characterized by an imbalance in cellular redox state and a consequent change in immunocontent of signaling proteins for hypertrophy and heart failure. Mostly, hydrogen peroxide is characterized as the most stable reactive oxygen species, and therefore the most involved molecule in the modulation of these signaling pathways. The aerobic exercise has been extensively studied due to the fact that it is a practice that alters the cellular redox state and thus signaling in cardiomyocytes. Thus, the aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that exercise could modulate the redox state of the right ventricle in animals treated with monocrotaline and, at the same time, cause changes in cell signaling, structure and cardiac function. Male Wistar rats approximately 180 grams of body mass were trained for four weeks after injection of monocrotaline or saline. The experimental groups (n = 6-9 animals / group) were: sedentary control (SC) - sedentary rats that received a single dose of saline (ip), sedentary monocrotaline (SM) - sedentary rats that received a single dose of monocrotaline (ip), trained control (TC) - trained rats that received a single dose of saline (ip) and trained monocrotaline (TM) - trained rats that received a single dose of monocrotaline (ip). Hemodynamic measurements were performed 24 hours after the last session of aerobic exercise. Data for end-diastolic pressure of the right ventricle (EDPRV), right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), maximum derived from pressure/time (dP/ dtmax) and minimum derived pressure/time (dP/dtmin) were analyzed. After hemodynamic analysis, mice were killed by cervical dislocation and their organs (heart, lung and liver) were colected. The hydrogen peroxide concentrations and GSH/GSSG are measurements with the aim of verifying the redox state in different experimental groups. The organ weights was used to analyze cardiac hypertrophy, pulmonary and hepatic congestion. A portion of the right ventricular mass was utilized for histological examination and other part fot analyze proteins related to cardiac remodeling, by Western blot. Morphometric analysis were performed after the removal of organs. Administration of monocrotaline caused right ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary congestion, increased EDPRV, RVSP, dP/dtmax and dP/dtmin in SM and TM animals. Furthermore, in animals and SM and TC, we visualized a reduction in the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, suggesting a change in the antioxidant defense system caused by monocrotaline and by exercise. Already for the volume of vessels in the SM group, we note a decrease of this variable in relation to its control (SC). At the same time, TM animals had an increase in the volume of vessels in relation to the SM group, showing that exercise promotes an increase in this item. The aerobic exercise promoted a decrease in interstitial volume and thickness of the muscle layer of the pulmonary artery in animals TM. The monocrotaline caused a decrease in the p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β in the TM group, showed that exercise was able to cause an increase in this ratio. Thus, we believe that aerobic exercise can alter the function of signaling proteins and thereby modulate cardiac hypertrophy in animals that received monocrotaline.

Mitochondria are key generators of cellular ATP, vital to complex life. Historically, mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was considered to be an unregulated process, produced by dysfunctional mitochondria. More recently, mitochondrial ROS generated by complex I, particularly by the process of reverse electron transfer (RET), has emerged as a potentially biologically relevant signal that is tightly-regulated and dependent on mitochondrial status. ROS production by RET is reported to play a role in the innate immune response and lifespan extension in fruit flies. One way in which mitochondrial ROS may behave as a signal is by altering the activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key metabolic sensor and regulator of cell metabolism, which is activated when cellular ATP levels decrease during energy demand. Mitochondria can signal to AMPK via the magnitude of the cellular ATP/AMP and ATP/ADP ratios, which alter in response to mitochondrial function. Our view is mitochondria may also signal to AMPK via ROS. Important studies have helped to clarify the role of exogenous or cytosolic ROS in AMPK regulation. However, the effects of mitochondrial ROS on AMPK activity, specifically that generated by complex I, remain unclear and is the main focus of this thesis. I characterized the effects of exogenous H2O2 on cellular AMPK activity, ATP/ADP ratios and cellular redox state in a cell model. I then compounded this with selective mitochondria generated ROS by the mitochondria-targeted redox-cycler, MitoParaquat (MPQ). AMPK activity appeared to correlate with decreasing cell ATP/ADP ratios, indicating that both sources of ROS primarily activate AMPK in an AMP/ADP-dependent mechanism. In parallel, I developed an approach for analyzing the redox state of candidate proteins, an important step in determining if a protein is directly regulated by ROS. I also initiated development of a cell model for studying the downstream effects of mitochondrial ROS production by RET, by expressing alternative respiratory enzymes in a mammalian cell line.

Os sedimentos aquáticos podem fornecer importantes subsídios na avaliação dos ecossistemas aquáticos lênticos, uma vez que grande parte dos nutrientes se encontra no estado sólido. A ocorrência de uma floração de cianobactérias tóxicas originada no Blang, segundo de três reservatórios em cascata do Sistema Salto de Hidrelétricas, localizado no município de São Francisco de Paula (RS), motivou a investigação das possíveis fontes de nutrientes, especialmente de fósforo (P) que foi identificado como limitante para a eutrofização. Foram investigadas fontes de origens difusas (solos, águas e sedimentos dos tributários) e pontuais (uso urbano e a carga interna representada pelo sedimento do leito dos reservatórios). Os resultados mostraram características oligotróficas nas fontes externas e a presença de P disponível em excesso no sedimento do leito, indicando que a carga interna poderia ser uma fonte significativa de nutrientes. A possibilidade de circulação da água hipolimnética foi investigada através de números adimensionais e características físicas do corpo de água, demonstrando que dificilmente ocorreria, uma vez que somente eventos climáticos extremos poderiam provocar a inversão da massa líquida. Excluídas as fontes externas, os resultados sugerem que a fertilização do reservatório Blang tenha sido causada pela abertura da comporta de fundo do reservatório Divisa, localizado imediatamente à montante, durante uma estiagem. O segundo objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a importância dos agregados de partículas e da seleção granulométrica para a análise química de nutrientes em sedimentos aquáticos. Resultados obtidos em sedimentos de ambientes lóticos e lênticos (Sistema Salto, RS), demonstraram que os agregados maiores (465 - 63 μm) concentram nitrogênio nos ambientes lênticos, por isso a análise deve ser realizada, preferencialmente, na fração ≤ 465 μm em sedimentos de ambientes lênticos e na fração ≤ 63 μm dos ambientes lóticos. O último objetivo deste estudo foi testar os efeitos da oxidação sobre a capacidade e a velocidade da sorção de fosfato em sedimentos aquáticos orgânicos, identificando as melhores condições para retenção. Foram utilizados sedimentos aquáticos siliciclásticos de origens distintas, principalmente no que se refere ao clima e à origem do conteúdo orgânico, alóctone e autóctone, representados pelos tipos Dy (Reservatório Divisa, RS) e Sapropel (Reservatório de Tapacurá, São Lourenço da Mata, PE) respectivamente. O experimento foi realizado em suspensões de sedimentos mantidos sob níveis de potencial redox compreendidos entre - 200 mV e + 400 mV. Resultados demonstram que a sorção de fosfato é maior no sedimento tipo Dy em condições reduzidas e no Sapropel em condições oxidadas. / Water-borne sediments can provide important information for evaluating lentic aquatic ecosystems because a large proportion of their nutrients are found in the solid phase. A toxic algal bloom in the Blang Reservoir, the second of three in the Salto System chain of hydroelectric dams located in Sao Francisco de Paula in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, motivated the investigation of possible nutrient sources, especially phosphorus, which was identified as the limiting nutrient for eutrophization. Non-point sources, including soil, water and sediment carried by tributaries, and point sources, including urban areas and the internal load from the reservoir bottom, were examined. Results showed oligotrophic characteristics in the external sources and excess P availability in bottom sediments, indicating that the internal load may be a significant source of nutrients. The possible circulation of hypolimnic water was investigated using adimensional numbers and physical characteristics of the body of water, demonstrating that this is unlikely to occur, since only extreme climatic events could cause inversion of the liquid mass. By excluding external sources, results suggest that the fertilization of the Blang Reservoir was most likely caused by the opening of the floodgates from the Divisa Reservoir immediately upstream during a drought period. The second goal of this study was to evaluate the importance of particle aggregates and particle size selection for chemical analyses of nutrients and water-borne sediments. Results from sediments in lentic and lotic environments from the Salto System show that the larger aggregates (465 - 63 μm) concentrate nitrogen under lentic conditions and that, therefore, analyses should be performed on the fraction smaller than 465 μm in lentic environments and in the fraction ≤ 63 μm in lotic environments. The final objective of this study was to test the effects of oxidation on the phosphate sorption capacity and rate in organic aquatic sediments, identifying the best conditions for retention. Silicate aquatic sediments from different origins in terms of climate and source of organic content (allochtonous or autochtonous) were used, and were represented by the types Dy (Divisa Reservoir, RS) and Sapropel (Tapacurá Reservoir, São Lourenço da Mata, PE), respectively. The experiment was carried out in suspended sediment maintained under levels of redox potential between –200mV and +400mV. Results demonstrated that phosphate sorption is greatest in sediment type Dy under reduced conditions and in Sapropel under oxidized conditions.

O Cor pulmonale induzido pela administração intraperitoneal de monocrotalina é um dos modelos mais utilizados para estudar os efeitos dessa síndrome sobre o sistema cardiovascular. Essa síndrome é caracterizada por um desequilíbrio no estado redox celular e uma consequente alteração no imunoconteúdo de proteínas sinalizadoras para a hipertrofia e insuficiência cardíaca. Normalmente, o peróxido de hidrogênio caracteriza-se como a espécie reativa do oxigênio mais estável, e por isso, a molécula mais envolvida com a modulação dessa sinalização. O exercício físico aeróbio tem sido extensamente estudado devido ao fato de ser uma prática que altera o estado redox celular e, consequentemente, a sinalização nos cardiomiócitos. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi testar a hipótese de que o exercício físico poderia modular o estado redox no ventrículo direito em animais tratados com monocrotalina e, ao mesmo tempo, provocar alterações na sinalização celular, estrutura e função cardíaca. Ratos Wistar machos com aproximadamente 180 gramas de massa corporal foram treinados por quatro semanas após a injeção de monocrotalina ou solução salina. Os grupos experimentais (n=6-9 animais/grupo) foram: controle sedentário (CS) – ratos sedentários que receberam uma dose única de solução salina (i.p), monocrotalina sedentário (MS) – ratos sedentários que receberam uma dose única de monocrotalina (i.p), controle treinado (CT) - ratos treinados que receberam uma dose única de solução salina (i.p) e monocrotalina treinado (MT) - ratos treinados que receberam uma dose única de monocrotalina (i.p). As medidas hemodinâmicas foram realizadas após 24 horas da última sessão de exercício físico aeróbio. Os dados de pressão diastólica final do ventrículo direito (PDFVD), pressão sistólica do ventrículo direito (PSVD), derivada pressão/tempo máxima (dP/dtmax) e derivada pressão/tempo mínima (dP/dtmin) foram analisados. Após a análise hemodinâmica, os ratos foram mortos por deslocamento cervical e seus órgãos (coração, pulmão e fígado) foram coletados para análises morfométricas, bioquímicas e moleculares. As concentrações de peróxido de hidrogênio e a relação GSH/GSSG foram medidas obtidas com o objetivo de verificar o estado redox nos diferentes grupos experimentais. A massa dos órgãos foi utilizada para analisar a hipertrofia cardíaca, congestão pulmonar e hepática. A massa ventricular direita foi utlizada em cortes histológicos e para a análise de proteínas relacionadas com o remodelamento cardíaco pela técnica de Western Blot. A administração de monocrotalina provocou hipertrofia do ventrículo direito, congestão pulmonar, aumento da PDFVD, da PSVD, da dP/dtmax e da dP/dtmin nos animais MS e MT. Além disso, nos animais MS e CT, notamos uma redução nas concentrações de peróxido de hidrogênio, sugerindo uma modificação do sistema de defesa antioxidante provocada pela monocrotalina e pelo exercício físico. Já quanto ao volume de vasos, no grupo MS tivemos uma diminuição dessa variável em relação ao seu controle (CS), sendo que, o exercício físico preveniu este efeito nos animais MT em relação ao grupo MS. O exercício físico aeróbio promoveu uma redução no volume intersticial e na espessura da túnica média da artéria pulmonar nos animais MT. A monocrotalina provocou uma redução na relação p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β no grupo MT, sendo que que o exercício físico foi capaz de provocar um aumento nessa relação. Dessa forma, acreditamos que o exercício físico aeróbio possa alterar a função de proteínas redox-sensíveis e, dessa forma, modular a hipertrofia cardíaca nos animais que receberam a monocrotalina. / The Cor pulmonale induced by monocrotaline intraperitoneal administration is one of the most widel used models to study the effects of this syndrome on the cardiovascular system. This syndrome is characterized by an imbalance in cellular redox state and a consequent change in immunocontent of signaling proteins for hypertrophy and heart failure. Mostly, hydrogen peroxide is characterized as the most stable reactive oxygen species, and therefore the most involved molecule in the modulation of these signaling pathways. The aerobic exercise has been extensively studied due to the fact that it is a practice that alters the cellular redox state and thus signaling in cardiomyocytes. Thus, the aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that exercise could modulate the redox state of the right ventricle in animals treated with monocrotaline and, at the same time, cause changes in cell signaling, structure and cardiac function. Male Wistar rats approximately 180 grams of body mass were trained for four weeks after injection of monocrotaline or saline. The experimental groups (n = 6-9 animals / group) were: sedentary control (SC) - sedentary rats that received a single dose of saline (ip), sedentary monocrotaline (SM) - sedentary rats that received a single dose of monocrotaline (ip), trained control (TC) - trained rats that received a single dose of saline (ip) and trained monocrotaline (TM) - trained rats that received a single dose of monocrotaline (ip). Hemodynamic measurements were performed 24 hours after the last session of aerobic exercise. Data for end-diastolic pressure of the right ventricle (EDPRV), right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), maximum derived from pressure/time (dP/ dtmax) and minimum derived pressure/time (dP/dtmin) were analyzed. After hemodynamic analysis, mice were killed by cervical dislocation and their organs (heart, lung and liver) were colected. The hydrogen peroxide concentrations and GSH/GSSG are measurements with the aim of verifying the redox state in different experimental groups. The organ weights was used to analyze cardiac hypertrophy, pulmonary and hepatic congestion. A portion of the right ventricular mass was utilized for histological examination and other part fot analyze proteins related to cardiac remodeling, by Western blot. Morphometric analysis were performed after the removal of organs. Administration of monocrotaline caused right ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary congestion, increased EDPRV, RVSP, dP/dtmax and dP/dtmin in SM and TM animals. Furthermore, in animals and SM and TC, we visualized a reduction in the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, suggesting a change in the antioxidant defense system caused by monocrotaline and by exercise. Already for the volume of vessels in the SM group, we note a decrease of this variable in relation to its control (SC). At the same time, TM animals had an increase in the volume of vessels in relation to the SM group, showing that exercise promotes an increase in this item. The aerobic exercise promoted a decrease in interstitial volume and thickness of the muscle layer of the pulmonary artery in animals TM. The monocrotaline caused a decrease in the p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β in the TM group, showed that exercise was able to cause an increase in this ratio. Thus, we believe that aerobic exercise can alter the function of signaling proteins and thereby modulate cardiac hypertrophy in animals that received monocrotaline.