Nas últimas décadas, a disposição final de lixo tornou-se um sério problema a ser enfrentado por todos os países, em função da escassez crescente de terrenos disponíveis para aterros sanitários e distância cada vez maior dos centros geradores e a disposição final, assim como do aumento substancial da geração per capita. A acumulação de lixo nos grandes centros populacionais estimula a proliferação de macro e microvetores (ratos, baratas, moscas, vírus, bactérias, parasitos) e conseqüentemente, a disseminação de doenças. Em particular, com relação ao lixo gerado em ilhas e comunidades isoladas, é de alta relevância estratégias baseadas na descentralização do tratamento da fração orgânica de lixo domiciliar, com fim do transporte através de barcas para o continente, gerando mau cheiro e riscos de poluição ambiental. O presente projeto teve por objetivo: Testar o mesmo reator de compostagem descentralizada sob condições do verão sueco, alimentando-o com resíduos de restaurantes da cidade costeira Kalmar e sob condições brasileiras, alimentando-o com resíduos de cozinha da escola municipal de Abraão-Ilha Grande, RJ; propor modificações mecânicas e/ou operacionais para otimização dos processos; avaliar a qualidade e o grau de maturação do composto de diferentes fases através do método respirométrico Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate (SOUR)o método respirométrico NBR 14283 da ABNT. Em resumo, concluiu-se que a composição do lixo e pH inicial do material estruturante adicionado são fatores determinantes do tempo requerido para degradação dos ácidos orgânicos gerados e subseqüente elevação do pH; dependendo das características dos resíduos orgânicos, é necessária a inclusão de inoculante (ex: composto) para melhor desenvolvimento de bactérias e fungos e, conseqüentemente, otimização do processo; as análises físico-químicas e microbiológicas confirmaram que o processo de degradação aeróbia ocorre no interior do corpo principal do reator e que a qualidade do composto gerado é satisfatória; entretanto, melhorias consideráveis no sistema de trituração e alimentação são requeridas para que o reator testado possa se usado em sua capacidade plena. Os testes respirométrico atráves do Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate(SOUR) e da norma NBR 14283 da ABNT mostraram-se ambos eficazes na identificação do grau de maturação do composto e do avanço do processo de compostagem. Uma vez removidos os problemas mecânicos de trituração e alimentação, o reator testado poderá ser utilizado como uma tecnologia inovadora do tratamento de lixo orgânico in situ para pequenos e médios geradores de lixo orgânico domiciliar. / In recent decades, the disposal of biodegradable solid waste has become a serious problem to be faced by all countries, due to the increasing scarcity of available land for landfills and increasing distance from generation centers, as well as the substantial increase in total solid waste generated per capita. The accumulation of solid waste in highly populated areas stimulates the dissemination of vectors (rates, cucarachas, flies, virus, bacteria, and parasites) and, consequently spreading of diseases. Regarding the solid waste generated in islands and isolated communities, decentralized strategies for treatment of organic fraction, reducing transportation and impacts related to that is very convenient. This study had the following main objectives: to test the same reactor for decentralized composting during the Swedish summer using organic waste from restaurants at the coast, in Kalmar, Sweden, and under Brazilian conditions, using organic waste from the kitchen of the municipal primary school at Abraão, Ilha Grande, RJ; to evaluate and propose mechanical and operational changes in the reactor for process optimization; to assess the quality and degree of maturation of the compost at different stages of composting through two respirometry methods, the Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate (SOUR) and the ABNT norm NBR 14283. In short, it was concluded that the solid waste composition and initial pH of the material used as amendment are important factors to determine the time required for degradation of the organic acids produced and subsequent pH increase; depending on the organic waste characteristics, it is necessary to use material for augmentation (ex: compost) to improve the development of microorganisms and consequently, optimization of the process; the physic-chemical and microbiological analyses confirmed that the aerobic degradation occurred inside the reactor and that the quality of the produced compost is satisfactory; however, considerable improvements in the shredding and feeding system is required in order to test the reactors performance in its full-capacity. The respirometric tests carried out using the specific oxygen uptake ra(SOUR) method and the NBR 14283 norm, were effective in indicating the maturity of the compost and the degree of progress in the composting process. Once the mechanical problems in the shredding and feeding system are solved, the reactor might be useful as an innovative technology for treatment of organic waste in situ for small and medium generators.

Nas últimas décadas, a disposição final de lixo tornou-se um sério problema a ser enfrentado por todos os países, em função da escassez crescente de terrenos disponíveis para aterros sanitários e distância cada vez maior dos centros geradores e a disposição final, assim como do aumento substancial da geração per capita. A acumulação de lixo nos grandes centros populacionais estimula a proliferação de macro e microvetores (ratos, baratas, moscas, vírus, bactérias, parasitos) e conseqüentemente, a disseminação de doenças. Em particular, com relação ao lixo gerado em ilhas e comunidades isoladas, é de alta relevância estratégias baseadas na descentralização do tratamento da fração orgânica de lixo domiciliar, com fim do transporte através de barcas para o continente, gerando mau cheiro e riscos de poluição ambiental. O presente projeto teve por objetivo: Testar o mesmo reator de compostagem descentralizada sob condições do verão sueco, alimentando-o com resíduos de restaurantes da cidade costeira Kalmar e sob condições brasileiras, alimentando-o com resíduos de cozinha da escola municipal de Abraão-Ilha Grande, RJ; propor modificações mecânicas e/ou operacionais para otimização dos processos; avaliar a qualidade e o grau de maturação do composto de diferentes fases através do método respirométrico Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate (SOUR)o método respirométrico NBR 14283 da ABNT. Em resumo, concluiu-se que a composição do lixo e pH inicial do material estruturante adicionado são fatores determinantes do tempo requerido para degradação dos ácidos orgânicos gerados e subseqüente elevação do pH; dependendo das características dos resíduos orgânicos, é necessária a inclusão de inoculante (ex: composto) para melhor desenvolvimento de bactérias e fungos e, conseqüentemente, otimização do processo; as análises físico-químicas e microbiológicas confirmaram que o processo de degradação aeróbia ocorre no interior do corpo principal do reator e que a qualidade do composto gerado é satisfatória; entretanto, melhorias consideráveis no sistema de trituração e alimentação são requeridas para que o reator testado possa se usado em sua capacidade plena. Os testes respirométrico atráves do Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate(SOUR) e da norma NBR 14283 da ABNT mostraram-se ambos eficazes na identificação do grau de maturação do composto e do avanço do processo de compostagem. Uma vez removidos os problemas mecânicos de trituração e alimentação, o reator testado poderá ser utilizado como uma tecnologia inovadora do tratamento de lixo orgânico in situ para pequenos e médios geradores de lixo orgânico domiciliar. / In recent decades, the disposal of biodegradable solid waste has become a serious problem to be faced by all countries, due to the increasing scarcity of available land for landfills and increasing distance from generation centers, as well as the substantial increase in total solid waste generated per capita. The accumulation of solid waste in highly populated areas stimulates the dissemination of vectors (rates, cucarachas, flies, virus, bacteria, and parasites) and, consequently spreading of diseases. Regarding the solid waste generated in islands and isolated communities, decentralized strategies for treatment of organic fraction, reducing transportation and impacts related to that is very convenient. This study had the following main objectives: to test the same reactor for decentralized composting during the Swedish summer using organic waste from restaurants at the coast, in Kalmar, Sweden, and under Brazilian conditions, using organic waste from the kitchen of the municipal primary school at Abraão, Ilha Grande, RJ; to evaluate and propose mechanical and operational changes in the reactor for process optimization; to assess the quality and degree of maturation of the compost at different stages of composting through two respirometry methods, the Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate (SOUR) and the ABNT norm NBR 14283. In short, it was concluded that the solid waste composition and initial pH of the material used as amendment are important factors to determine the time required for degradation of the organic acids produced and subsequent pH increase; depending on the organic waste characteristics, it is necessary to use material for augmentation (ex: compost) to improve the development of microorganisms and consequently, optimization of the process; the physic-chemical and microbiological analyses confirmed that the aerobic degradation occurred inside the reactor and that the quality of the produced compost is satisfactory; however, considerable improvements in the shredding and feeding system is required in order to test the reactors performance in its full-capacity. The respirometric tests carried out using the specific oxygen uptake ra(SOUR) method and the NBR 14283 norm, were effective in indicating the maturity of the compost and the degree of progress in the composting process. Once the mechanical problems in the shredding and feeding system are solved, the reactor might be useful as an innovative technology for treatment of organic waste in situ for small and medium generators.

Orientador: Rosane Aparecida Gomes Battistelle / Resumo: A compostagem é um conjunto de técnicas muito importante para o tratamento da fração orgânica dos resíduos sólidos, por meio do uso de tecnologias sustentáveis que processam os resíduos orgânicos originados da agricultura, agroindústria, silvicultura, resíduos orgânicos domiciliares e, ainda, o lodo de esgoto. A busca da sociedade por melhores condições ambientais, aponta para uma tendência de ocorrer um incremento substancial na quantidade de lodo a ser disposto nos próximos anos, surgindo, portanto, a necessidade de que sejam apresen¬tadas técnicas que possibilitem um tra¬tamento eficiente e adequado dos mesmos. O emprego do processo de compostagem no Brasil, é ainda bastante incipiente e possui alto grau de empirismo no controle e avaliação do processo, devido a falta de conhecimento técnico mais aprofundado, sendo necessário o implemento de novas formas de análise e controle eficazes. No processo avaliativo chamado método "respirométrico", utiliza-se uma nova metodologia na qual os parâmetros de degradação biológica dos resíduos não são medidos na fase sólida, mas em sua fase gasosa. A análise do lodo de esgoto pelo método respirométrico, demonstrou ser uma ferramenta, pode a vir a ser muito útil, desde que sejam levados em considerações todos parâmetros apontados na literatura, buscando o equilíbrio destes parâmetros na escolha e quantificação dos resíduos. O reator rotativo hermético apresentou como vantagens a homogeneização dos resíduos, favorecendo o contato de toda ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Composting is a very important set of techniques for the treatment of the organic fraction of solid waste, through the use of sustainable technologies that process organic waste originating from agriculture, agribusiness, forestry, household organic waste and, also, sewage sludge. Society's search for better environmental conditions points to a tendency for there to be a substantial increase in the amount of sludge to be disposed of in the coming years, therefore, the need arises for techniques to be presented that enable efficient and efficient treatment. of them. The use of the composting process in Brazil, is still quite incipient and has a high degree of empiricism in the control and evaluation of the process, due to the lack of more in-depth technical knowledge, requiring the implementation of new forms of effective analysis and control. In the evaluation process called the "respirometric" method, a new methodology is used in which the biological degradation parameters of the residues are not measured in the solid phase, but in the gas phase. The analysis of sewage sludge using the respirometric method, proved to be a tool, it may prove to be very useful, provided that all parameters pointed out in the literature are taken into consideration, seeking to balance these parameters in the choice and quantification of waste. The hermetic rotary reactor had as advantages the homogenization of residues, favoring the contact of all organic matter with the decomposing bacteria, s... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

<div>Animal species that consume carrion provide an essential ecosystem service by recycling the resource’s nutrients intothe ecosystem. Carrion is an unpredictable and ephemeral resource that is variable across a landscape and is an important resource to many taxa. Furthermore, the colonization of small vertebrate carcasses by different species influences competition and coexistence dynamics, which in turn influence species dominance. The American burying beetle, <i>Nicrophorus americanus</i>(ABB) has recently experienced a dramatic decline in abundance and geographic range. An essential requirement of the ABBs life cycle is the availability of small vertebrate carcasses for reproduction. We know little about the preferred carrion base necessary to support a healthy ABB population. However, we know that reproduction is costly in buying beetles, and physiological trade-offs associated with resource use likely influences metabolic activity, fecundity, and survivorship. Furthermore, successful monitoring of wildlife populations requires reliable estimates of abundance, dispersal, and population demographics. This is often problematic within ABB populations because they are elusive, nocturnal, often occur at low population densities, and are a species of conservation concern. These factors constitute a management and conservation challenge in ecology and conservation biology. Therefore, identifying and evaluating the resources used for reproduction, along with life history trade-offs associated with resource use, in addition to species abundance within a habitat are key requirements for this species’ conservation and management. We used stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen to determine the carrion base used by burying beetles in situ. Additionally, we evaluated resting metabolic rate and the energetics of prehatching parental care using flow through respirometry. Finally, we investigated the utility of using photographs with an individual identification machine learning software program paired with program MARK to estimate population abundances of burying beetles.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Between populations, ABBs are not specializing on either avian or mammalian carrion but are using both natural and provisioned carrion for reproduction. Furthermore, among co-occurring burying beetle species, we observed large niche overlap in both populations. Periods of sexual development and prehatching parental care were periods of elevated metabolic activity, which provides insight into life-history tradeoffs associated with resource quality. Carcass size did not significantly influence the metabolic rate of parents, however, the number of days needed to 13prepare a small carcass was significantly shorter compared to large carcass preservation. Furthermore, beetle pairs on larger carcasses accumulated significantly larger metabolic cost over the course of parental care. Additionally, using digital images of naturally occurring spot patterns on beetles’ elytra, we tested the feasibility and the application of photographic mark-recapture (PMR) using machine learning software. We demonstrated the utility of using PMR in estimating population abundance for Nicrophorusspp. based on elytral spot patterns. Future research is needed to fully quantify reproductive resource use over time, and how it influences ABB abundance in extant and reintroduced populations. For successful management and reintroduction of ABBs, managers must consider the resources used for reproduction, the composition and availability of appropriately sized potential reproductive carrion, they should limit intra-/interspecific competition for carrion resources and need accurate data on species abundance.<br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

Poikilothermic organisms experience trade-offs associated with life at different temperatures caused by incompatible physiological and biochemical demands caused by temperature extremes. As the result many such organisms exhibit acclamatory effects, adjusting their metabolism and physiology to recently experiences temperatures. One such acclamatory effect is the metabolic compensation that allows an organism to withstand increases in temperature by decelerating biological rates below Arrhenius expectations, presumably reducing energetic demand and reducing stress. Daphnia magna is resilient across a wide temperature range, and if acclimated to mildly stressful temperatures first, exhibits longer survival in lethal temperatures. Certain genotypes of Daphnia also exhibit higher acute thermal tolerance than others, indicating the presence of genetic variation and local adaptation in heat tolerance. This study examined the effect of ambient temperature (5°C-37°C) and acclimation history (2 generations at 10°C or 25°C) on the oxygen consumption rates of 8 genotypes of Daphnia (4 with high acute temperature tolerance, and 4 low). There are nonlinear decelerations of Daphnia respiratory rates across a temperature gradient when acclimated to 25°C or following short 8-hour acclimation to measurement temperatures. Furthermore, Daphnia exposed to a near-lethal temperature (35°C) with a subsequent 24-hour recovery period at their native 25°C-acclimation temperature shows no indication of respiratory damage. Genotype showed no difference in metabolic compensation, indicating the process is genetically constrained. Regulation of mitochondrial and membrane function are promising areas to further characterize the mechanism of metabolic compensation found in this study.

Poikilothermic organisms experience trade-offs by differential physiological demands generated by temperature extremes. Many such organisms exhibit acclimatory effects, adjusting their metabolism and physiology to recently experienced temperatures. One such acclimatory effect is metabolic compensation, the deceleration of biological rates below Arrhenius expectations. Daphnia magna is eurythermal, and if acclimated to mildly stressful temperatures first, survives longer in lethal temperatures. This study examined the effect of ambient temperature (5°C-37°C) and acclimation history (lifetime at 10°C or 25°C) on the oxygen consumption rates of 8 genotypes of Daphnia with high or low acute temperature tolerance. There were decelerations of respiratory rates across a temperature gradient when acclimated to 25°C or following short 8- hour acclimation to measurement temperatures. Daphnia exposed to a near-lethal temperature (35°C) with a 24-hour recovery period at 25°C-acclimation temperature showed no difference in respiratory control compared to unexposed 25°C-acclimated Daphnia. Genotypes showed no difference in potential compensatory ability.

This study was done to determine the effectiveness of a commercially available bioaugmentation product, BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG, for remediating petroleum-contaminated sandy soil. Biodegradation enhancement by BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG was evaluated in laboratory microcosms by directly measuring total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and indirectly using respirometry. Attempts were made to enrich hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG, and the resulting enrichment cultures were screened using respirometry as well. Potential hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG were isolated. Experiments were performed at bench-scale using microcosm bottles containing sand contaminated with either motor oil or No. 2 diesel fuel. The microcosms were incubated at 25oC under aerobic conditions. TPH measurements of soil in the microcosms at 0, 25 and 56 days indicated that the addition of 500-ppm BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG improved biodegradation of the motor oil-contaminated soil by 45%. However, BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG did not have a measurable effect on biodegradation in the diesel-contaminated soil. In the respirometry experiments, BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG and two hydrocarbon-enriched BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG cultures were evaluated indirectly by the measurement of microbial carbon dioxide production and oxygen uptake using a MicroOxymaxTM respirometer. The respirometry experiments showed that in the six-day period following motor oil-contamination of soil, the addition of BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG substantially improves biodegradation rates. The added organisms in the product out-performed the indigenous organisms in the 5-6 days following contamination of the soil. The CO2 production observed in the BiOWiSHTM microcosms contaminated with motor oil was much greater than CO2 production without motor oil, which confirms that the observed metabolism can be attributed to motor oil biodegradation rather than metabolism of other organic material in the soil. Enriched consortia consistently generated far less CO2 than microcosms with the 500 ppm BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG. Stoichiometric calculations suggested that BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG removed approximately 1400 ppm TPH (14%) from the soil in 6.5 days, while an enrichment culture of BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG only reduced TPH levels by 459 ppm (5%). This result suggests that increased biodegradation rate in bioaugmented soil is aided by biodiversity in the augmenting inoculum. A potential hydrocarbon-degrading candidate organism was isolated from the product and cultured on Bushnell-Haas agar and plate-count agar (PCA). While at least two distinct colony types were successfully grown on media with motor oil, these same colonies appeared on Bushnell-Haas agar with no apparent carbon source, and survived repeated transfers onto this same medium. Therefore, their status as hydrocarbon-degraders is inconclusive. More thorough enrichment work could be pursued, especially using soil samples collected from petroleum-contaminated sites.

No description available.

No description available.

<p>Knowledge on fuel use and muscle metabolism in high altitude mammals is very limited. Yet, as the oxidation of carbohydrates offers an oxygen-saving advantage over the oxidation of fatty acids (15-30% more energy produced per oxygen used), one possible adaptation to maintain performance at high altitude is to elevate the use of carbohydrates as a fuel source for energy metabolism. To test this hypothesis, I performed intraspecific and interspecific comparisons of whole-body fuel use and muscle metabolism in closely related high (4000-4500 m) and low altitude (100-300 m) native mice (genus <em>Phyllotis</em>), which I collected at different locations in Andean and coastal regions of Peru. My results show a higher proportional use of carbohydrates when oxygen becomes limited in high altitude <em>Phyllotis</em> in comparison to their low altitude counterparts. This phenotype does not seem to result from similar phylogenetic history or from a chronic exposure to hypobaric hypoxia during development or adulthood. Accordingly, this thesis provides the first compelling evidence of enhanced carbohydrate utilization as an adaptation to high altitude, a hypothesis proposed nearly 30 years ago. The mechanisms responsible for this shift in fuel use are unknown. There were no strong indications of a greater capacity for carbohydrate oxidation in skeletal and cardiac muscles of high altitude <em>Phyllotis</em> mice. Finally, as this thesis provides the first report of whole-body fuel use in mice, a comparison with other mammalian species (rats, dogs and goats) revealed that the current model of mammalian fuel selection, which is thought to be conserved among mammals, does not apply to small mammals. I thus revisited the current model and proposed a new one general to all mammals. This thesis thus provides significant advancements not only in the field of high altitude physiology but also in the field of mammalian energetics.</p> / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)