The pollution generated by human activities has aroused the continuing need to map and assess the conditions of the environment in relation to possible sources of contamination, especially harmful to groundwater resources. The study, for the city of Boa Vista do Cadeado in the Rio Grande do Sul State, located in northwest riograndense, is inserted in the Province of the Southern Plateau Brazilian Geomorphological where spills outcrop of volcanic rocks forming the Serra Geral Aquifer System / SGAS. Spatialize in thematic maps hydrodynamic data of wells related to: the static water level, flow rate, the potentiometric surface, the specific capacity and vulnerability indices natural fissure aquifer contamination. Using the system GOD, were simulated by funding 12 wells, which contained all the information necessary for their application. We obtained two classes of natural vulnerability, and 83.3% in class insignificant and 16.7% in low class. It was concluded that the region presents little vulnerable to contamination having a natural protection due to volcanic basalt rock layers in confined aquifer and a mean water level, slightly deeper. The catchment wells are at odds with the standards constructive, as well as with the environmental legislation of the State, therefore, must be appropriate in order to protect the fountain groundwater. / A poluição gerada pelas atividades antrópicas tem despertado a necessidade contínua de mapear e avaliar as condições do meio ambiente em relação a possíveis fontes de contaminação, principalmente as prejudiciais aos recursos hídricos subterrâneos. Por meio deste estudo, referente ao Município de Boa Vista do Cadeado no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Situado na Mesorregião noroeste riograndense, está inserido na Província Geomorfológica do Planalto Meridional brasileiro, onde afloram derrames de rochas vulcânicas formadoras do Sistema Aquífero Serra Geral/SASG. Espacializaram-se em mapas temáticos dados hidrodinâmicos dos poços tubulares referentes: ao nível estático, a vazão, a superfície potenciométrica, a capacidade específica e aos índices de vulnerabilidade natural do aquífero fissural à contaminação. Utilizando-se o sistema GOD, simularam-se 12 captações por poços, as quais continham todas as informações necessárias a sua aplicação. Foram obtidas duas classes de vulnerabilidade natural, sendo 83,3% na classe insignificante e 16,7% na baixa. Conclui-se que a região apresenta-se pouco vulnerável à contaminação, possuindo uma proteção natural, devido às camadas de rochas vulcânicas basálticas, em aquífero confinado e com um nível médio da água, pouco profundo. Os poços tubulares de captação estão em desacordo com as normas construtivas, bem como, com a legislação ambiental do Estado, portanto, devem ser adequados, visando à proteção do manancial subterrâneo.

Next-generation sequencing technology provides high-resolution data for epidemiological surveillance of bacterial pathogens on local and global scales. This approach has been used for many species including Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In this thesis I demonstrate the utility of these data for understanding the spread of the globally disseminated clone MRSA ST239. I focus both on local and national-level epidemiology through sequence data of 71 isolates recovered from four hospitals representing three cities in Turkey; Istanbul (x2). Ankara and Izmir. I analyse whole genome sequence data from a further 33 ST239 isolates from global sources. These data were combined with previously published data for phylogenetic analysis based only on the core genome. I demonstrate how transmission events can be inferred from this approach on multiple levels; within hospital, between hospitals and between countries. The data pointed to a European origin of ST239, and independent introductions from Europe to Turkey, South America and East Asia. I also demonstrate how whole genome sequence data can be used to develop bespoke PCR assays, based on phage variation, for rapid local epidemiology. Finally, I consider how the sequence data might be used to explain variation in virulence potential, and describe the distribution and transfer of an important phage-borne virulence determinant, sasX, within Europe. Finally, I identified a single isolate with very strong biofilm forming ability likely due to the over-expression of the important adhesion SasG.