For over a decade, researchers at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI) have conducted surveys of the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) population of Indian River Lagoon (IRL) in Florida. I have constructed a 4-stage population model using the statistical program R. The model is used to conduct a viability analysis by analyzing the relationship between birth, calf and adult survival rates. The power analysis compares survey frequency to expected confidence intervals in estimating abundance. The sensitivity analysis shows that the population is most sensitive to changes in adult survival, followed by birth rate and calf survival. The model shows a strong chance of viability over a 50 year time span. The population is vulnerable to long periods of decline if birth, calf or adult survival rates fall below certain thresholds. Overall, the model simulates the future impacts of demographic change, providing a tool for conservation efforts. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

As ecosystems degrade globally, ecosystem services that support life are increasingly threatened. Indications of degradation are occurring in the Northern Indian River Lagoon (IRL) estuary in east central Florida. Factors associated with ecosystem degradation are complex, including climate and land use change. Ecosystem research needs identified by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) include the need to: consider the social with the physical; account for dynamism and change; account for complexity; address issues of scale; and focus on ecosystem structure and process. Ecosystems are complex, self-organizing, multi-equilibrial, non-linear, middle-number systems that exist in multiple stable states. Results found are relative to the observation and the frame of analysis, requiring multi-scaled analytical techniques. This study addresses the identified ecosystem research needs and the complexity of the associated factors given these additional constraints. Relativity is addressed through univariate analysis of dissolved oxygen as a measure of the general health of the Northern IRL. Multiple spatial levels are employed to associate social process scales with physical process scales as basin, sub-basins, and watersheds. Scan statistics return extreme value clusters in space-time. Wavelet transforms decompose time-scales of cyclical data using varying window sizes to locate change in process scales in space over time. Wavelet transform comparative methods cluster temporal process scales across space. Combined these methods describe the space-time structure of process scales in a complex ecosystem relative to the variable examined, where the highly localized results allow for connection to unexamined variables. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Macroalgal blooms are responses to nutrient enrichment in shallow seagrass ecosystems like the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida. Little is known about nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) limitation or the importance of morphological/physiological characteristics of bloom-forming macroalgae (Ulva lactuca, Hypnea musciformis, and Gracilaria tikvahiae) in the IRL. We hypothesized: 1) all species would proliferate in nutrient-rich Titusville, 2) opportunistic U. lactuca would dominate, 3) Rapid Light Curves (RLCs) would assess nutrient status, and 4) nutrient concentrations would regulate growth more than N:P ratios. Field studies showed rapid biomass doubling times of 2 days (U. lactuca; November 2012) in urbanized Titusville. RLCs in a guano-enriched island off Big Pine Key (BPK) and Titusville (Ulva spp.) were similar due to P-saturation. Laboratory studies showed three-fold higher RLCs and two-fold faster growth at high nutrient concentrations of N and P. Reductions of both N and P will be required to moderate future blooms. / by Lisa N.A. Vlaming. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2013. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

A brown tide bloom of the pelagophyte Aureoumbra lagunensis caused significant impacts to north Indian River Lagoon (IRL) in 2012-2013, including seagrass die-offs, fish kills, and reduced growth and grazing of ecologically important bivalves. There is potential for another pelagophyte, Aureococcus anophagefferens, to expand into this system. Filtration rates (FR) of the pleated tunicate Styela plicata exposed to Aureoumbra lagunensis and Aureococcus anophagefferens were measured against exposure to a control alga (Tisochrysis lutea) in order to determine its potential use as a bioremediator against these harmful algal blooms (HABs). In addition, whether S. plicata might serve as a vector of HABs was studied by culturing fecal deposits. Short-term exposure to HABs significantly reduced FR, whereas long-term exposure indicates comparable cell removal compared to the control. Vector potential of S. plicata was inconclusive. Results warrant further research to determine whether S. plicata can acclimate or respond to HAB conditions over time. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The lagoon coast area in Maceio city has been changing significantly regarding to the original landscape since the beginning of the century XX. This area itself extends for approximately 24km from the neighborhood called Pontal da Barra to Rio Novo. The main site consider into this research is a fragment of this area and it corresponds physically by an urban road which border the neighborhood of Levada, Ponta Grossa, Vergel do Lago and Trapiche da Barra, as known as Dique-Estrada or simply lagoon coast. This research focuses on the lagoon coast landscape s transformation between 1960 and 2009 and its implications for the site, investigating the site s appropriation for its inhabitants. The methodological procedures for data collection and analysis were based on a bibliographic revision, journals collections, photographic and registers and inhabitant s interviews. As a result, it is possible to identify that a planned site s appropriation happened during the 70 s decade with Dique-Estrada Project implantation. However, from this decade until recently this appropriation have been changing for a more spontaneous and not formal planned way from its inhabitants along with isolated governmental actions. As a consequence, the lagoon coast was consolidated as an area where serious social issues and low development levels demarcated significantly its landscape. / A paisagem da Orla Lagunar de Maceió passou por um processo de interferências significativas em relação ao sítio existente nos meados do século XX. Esta orla se estende do bairro do Pontal da Barra até o bairro do Rio Novo, com cerca de 24km de extensão. A área corpus da pesquisa é um fragmento desta orla e compreende o trecho demarcado fisicamente por uma via urbana com 5km de extensão, margeando os bairros da Levada, Ponta Grossa, Vergel do Lago e Trapiche da Barra, conhecido como Dique-Estrada, e sendo denominado nos últimos anos de Orla Lagunar de Maceió ou simplesmente de Orla Lagunar, como será considerado no desenrolar da pesquisa. O trabalho se propôs estudar a transformação da paisagem da Orla Lagunar de Maceió no período compreendido entre 1960 a 2009 e suas implicações para a paisagem local, investigando como se deu a apropriação desta paisagem no período. Os procedimentos metodológicos para o levantamento dos dados e análise dos resultados seguiram o percurso da revisão bibliográfica, da pesquisa hemerográfica, da pesquisa de campo, do levantamento fotográfico, de entrevistas, do estudo de plantas e mapas da cidade. Como resultado da pesquisa pode-se afirmar que se buscou uma apropriação planejada do espaço da Orla Lagunar, na década de 1970, com a implantação do Projeto Dique-Estrada. Contudo, a partir daí até os dias atuais a apropriação do espaço local se deu de forma espontânea ou através de intervenções públicas pontuais, consolidando a área como uma região pobre da cidade, com baixos níveis dos indicadores sociais, interferindo significativamente na paisagem local.

[pt] Os modelos de balanço de massa servem como ferramenta para compreender e/ou quantificar o comportamento e destino de compostos químicos no meio ambiente, através dos diferentes compartimentos ambientais. Estes têm como finalidade principal a obtenção de um panorama geral e observação das conexões entre diversos fatores que impactam na concentração, no transporte e na transformação de compostos químicos. A Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas e o Complexo Lagunar de Jacarepaguá, no Rio de Janeiro, são regiões costeiras que funcionam como bacias de acumulação sofrendo constantemente com problemas relacionados à poluição, por estarem situadas em regiões de alta urbanização, densidade demográfica e fluxo de veículos. Trabalhos de monitoramento realizados nas regiões apontam que as lagoas apresentam concentrações elevadas de metais, que quando liberados no meio ambiente tendem a se distribuir e acumular em diferentes compartimentos, bióticos e abióticos. Estes contaminantes apresentam persistência ambiental, estão frequentemente biodisponíveis no compartimento aquático e muitas vezes levam a efeitos tóxicos, tanto para a biota exposta quanto para os humanos. Todavia algumas regiões são de difícil monitoramento devido a questões logísticas e financeiras, e o uso desse tipo de modelagem vêm sendo empregada como uma ferramenta interessante. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho descreve os resultados da modelagem ambiental, tendo a aquivalência como critério de equilíbrio, na análise do destino e transporte de diferentes metais nas duas regiões supracitadas, através da estimativa e discussão das taxas de fluxos, regiões de acúmulo, variações locais e graus de complexidade dos modelos. Os resultados indicam que, em ambos os casos, houve um bom ajuste dos modelos para a realidade local. Na Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas a maior remoção de metais ocorreu através do ar (89,88 por cento). Água e sedimento (49,11 por cento) foram as regiões que mais trocaram metais, sendo também a poeira urbana uma importante fonte de troca. Sedimento, poeira urbana e emissões diretas no meio aquático contribuíram mais significativamente para o transporte de metais para a água (maior 75 por cento). Na Lagoa de Jacarepaguá a maior remoção de metais ocorreu através do ar (49,36 por cento) e soterramento (28,42 por cento). A advecção do ar (49,39 por cento) e da água (44,68 por cento) foram as maiores vias de remoção de metais na Lagoa da Tijuca, enquanto na Lagoa de Marapendi a remoção se deu quase exclusivamente através da advecção no ar. A advecção da água e o sedimento foram as principais fontes de metais para as águas das Lagoas de Jacarepaguá e Tijuca, enquanto o ar foi o responsável por grande parte desse aporte na Lagoa de Marapendi, sendo justificado pela configuração espacial das lagoas e as premissas adotadas no modelo. As regiões com maior tendência de acúmulo de metais foram o sedimento, o solo e a poeira urbana. O maior grau de complexidade do modelo em comparação a um modelo mais simplificado e a maior quantidade/confiabilidade dos dados ambientais aumentaram a precisão das predições do modelo. Estes resultados certificam o uso desse tipo de modelagem como ferramenta auxiliar no controle, classificação e avaliação de risco e tomada de decisões pelos órgãos competentes. / [en] Mass balance models serve as a tool to understand and/or quantify the behavior and fate of chemical compounds in the environment, across different environmental compartments. These have as main purpose to obtain an overview and observation of the connections between different factors that impact the concentration, transport, and transformation of chemical compounds. The Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon and the Jacarepaguá lagoonal complex, in Rio de Janeiro, are coastal regions that function as accumulation basins, constantly suffering from problems related to pollution, as they are located in regions of high urbanization, demographic density and vehicles flow. Monitoring work carried out in the regions indicates that the lagoons have high concentrations of metals, which when released into the environment tend to be distributed and accumulated in different compartments, biotic and abiotic. These contaminants have environmental persistence, are often bioavailable in the aquatic compartment, and often lead to toxic effects, both for exposed biota and for humans. However, some regions are difficult to monitor due to logistical and financial issues, and the use of this type of modeling has been used as an interesting tool. In this context, the present work describes the results of the environmental modeling, having aquivalence as a balance criterion, in the analysis of the destination and transport of different metals in the two aforementioned regions, through the estimation and discussion of the flow rates, accumulation regions, local variations and degrees of complexity of the models. The results indicate that, in both cases, there was a good adjustment of the models to the local reality. In Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, the highest removal of metals occurred through air (89.88 per cent). Water and sediment (49.11 per cent) were the regions that most exchanged metals, with road dust also being and important source of exchange. Sediment, road dust, and direct emissions into aquatic environment contributed most significantly to the transport of metals into water (more than 75 per cent). In the Jacarepaguá lagoon, the highest metal removal occurred through air (49.36 per cent) and burial (28.42 per cent). Air (49.39 per cent) and water (44.68 per cent) advection were the major means of metal removal in the Tijuca lagoon, while in the Marapendi lagoon removal occurred almost exclusively through air advection. The advection in water and sediment were the main sources of metals for the waters of the Jacarepaguá and Tijuca lagoons, while the air was responsible for a large part of this contribution in the Marapendi lagoon, being justified by the spatial configuration of the lagoons and the assumptions adopted in the model. The regions with the greatest tendency for metal accumulation were sediment, soil and road dust. The greater degree of complexity of the model compared to a more simplified model and the greater quantity/reliability of the environmental data increased the accuracy of the model s predictions. These results certify the use of this type of modeling as an auxiliary tool in the control, classification and risk assessment, and decision-making by the competent agencies.

Esta pesquisa propôs o desenvolvimento de um sistema de biofiltros submersos, modificados com base na configuração de filtros de pedra, visando o pós-tratamento do efluente de lagoas de estabilização, inicialmente para a remoção de algas. A modificação consiste na variação das alturas da camada filtrante e na colocação de tampa na superfície do BS, evitando o acesso da luz. O esgoto tratado captado na lagoa de maturação foi feito em duas profundidades – a 60 cm de profundidade da superfície da lagoa (denominada zona superficial) e a 180 cm de profundidade da superfície da lagoa (denominada zona intermediárias). O experimento foi composto por 8 BS sendo 4 BS alimentados pelo esgoto captado na zona superficial (60 cm) e outros 4 BS alimentados pela esgoto captado na zona intermediária (180 cm). Foi utilizado, como recheio dos biofiltros submersos, pedra brita nº 3, nas seguintes alturas de camada filtrante: 50 cm, 100 cm, 150 cm e 200 cm, tendo por objetivo avaliar a influência deste fator sobre a eficiência de remoção de algas mediante análise de Clorofila a, e outras 16 variáveis de qualidade associadas neste estudo. Concluiu-se que a extração a partir da zona superficial da lagoa de maturação, e uma profundidade de leito entre 150 cm e 200 cm, foram os parâmetros operacionais que levaram a um melhor desempenho global dos biofiltros submersos modificados, e mais especificamente quanto às seguintes variáveis: Clorofila a, DQO (Demanda Química de Oxigênio), DBO (Demanda Bioquímica de Oxigênio) e sólidos totais. / This research proposed the development of a submerged bio filters system, modified based in rock filters configuration, aiming the post treatment of the effluent of stabilization lagoons, for algae removal first. The modification consists invariance of the heights of the filter layer and the cover placed on the surface of the BS, preventing access of light. The treated sewage captured in the maturation lagoon was made at two depths – at 60cm depth of the lagoon surface (called superficial zone) and at 180cm depth of the lagoon surface (called intermediary zone). The experiment consisted of 8 BS, with 4 BS being fed by sewage captured in the superficial zone (60 cm) and other 4 BS fed by sewage captured in the intermediary zone (180 cm). It was used, as a stuff of submerged biofilters, rock number three, at the following heights of filtering layers: 50 cm, 100 cm, 150 cm e 200 cm, aiming to evaluate the influence of this factor over algae removal efficiency towards chlorophyll a, and other 16 quality variables associated in this study. It was concluded that the collecting from superficial zone of the maturation lagoon, and a layer depth between 150 cm e 200 cm, were the operational parameters that lead to a better overall performance of modified submerged biofilters, and more particularly to the following variables: Chlorophyll a, COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) and total solids.

The Sefidrud has developed a large delta in the south west of the Caspian Sea. Its delta is characterized by rapid sedimentation rate (20 mm/yr) in the delta plain and low sedimentation rate (1.67 mm/yr) in a very steep delta front. Sefidrud Delta evolution depends upon sediment supply by river and longshore current under rapid Caspian Sea Level (CSL) fluctuation and tectonic setting at the point of entry to the basin. The tectonic setting caused a very steep slope in the delta front. Sediment supply is variable and affected by river avulsion and dam construction. The CSL has undergone significant changes during the last millennium. Therefore, the Sefidrud Delta evolution during the last millennium is explained based on CSL fluctuations. This fluctuation has major impacts not only on coastal lagoons, but also more inland in wetlands when the CSL rose up to at least -21.44 m (i.e. >6 m above the present water level) during the early Little Ice Age. Although previous studies in the southern coast of the Caspian Sea have detected a high-stand during the Little Ice Age period, this study presents the first evidence that this high-stand reached so far inland and at such a high altitude. This study also examines the interdependence of different factors in the evolution of coastal lagoons as a part of delta evolution. Dam flushing operations and rapid sea–level rise (~3 m between 1977 and 1995) have accelerated the infilling of the coastal lagoon system. This rapid infilling (31 mm/yr) makes the whole system more prone to sediment encroachment in the short term. Because the lagoons are short-lived and have dynamic evolution, the impact of the Anthropocene is also visible in the delta evolution.

A Lagoa dos Patos, por sua importância e magnitude, é alvo de inúmeras pesquisas relacionadas ao seu contexto evolutivo geológico e paleogeográfico. Para a investigação das características de seu fundo e subfundo, foram executados, nos anos de 2002 e 2006, levantamentos de cerca de 700 Km de dados sísmicos de 3,5 kHz. O presente trabalho considerou aproximadamente 153 Km de registros sísmicos levantados na célula sul da Lagoa dos Patos, objetivando a identificação e mapeamento dos eco-caracteres da área. Para integração dos dados e visualização dos resultados finais, métodos de geoprocessamento foram aplicados. Os perfis sísmicos analisados permitiram a identificação de três principais eco-caracteres, que foram agrupados de acordo com o aspecto do refletor primário (fundo), ocorrência de refletores subsuperfície e geometria dos refletores de subsuperfície. O eco-caráter A se foi definido por refletor primário (fundo) plano e forte, seguido por refletores fortes e bem definidos; o eco-caráter B foi caracterizado a partir de refletor primário difuso e reflexões de subsuperfície pouco definidas, difusas ou com aspecto de manchas; o eco-caráter C consistiu em refletor primário plano e muito forte, seguido por sucessivas reflexões múltiplas de baixa perda. Estes eco-caracteres foram relacionados à batimetria da área e aos sedimentos de fundo do local, de forma observar a relação entre estes e a resposta acústica associada ao eco. Os eco-caracteres identificados foram correlacionáveis às características sedimentológicas da área e aos processos hidrodinâmicos atuantes na célula sul do sistema lagunar. Anomalias acústicas identificadas nos registros sonográficos evidenciaram a ocorrência de grande quantidade de gás raso, disseminado nos pacotes sedimentares intralagunares. Este trabalho confirma a importância de um melhor entendimento dos efeitos da hidrodinâmica nos processos de sedimentação e apresenta informações relevantes para o auxílio de estudos geomorfológicos e hidrodinâmicos a serem realizados na Lagoa dos Patos. / The Patos Lagoon, for its importance and magnitude, is the subject of numerous researches related to its geological and paleogeographic evolutionary context. For the investigation of its bottom and subbottom characteristics, about 700 km of seismic data of 3.5 kHz were surveyed in 2002 and 2006. This study considered nearly 153 Km of seismic records collected in the south of the Patos Lagoon cell, aiming to the identification and mapping of echo-character. For data integration and visualization of the results, geoprocessing methods were applied. The seismic profiles analyzed allowed the identification of three major echo-characters, which were grouped according to the aspect of the primary reflector (bottom), the occurrence of subbottom reflections, the geometry of the subbottom reflections. The echo-character A presented distinct and continuous surface (bottom) with well-defined subbottom reflections, generally parallel and continuous, which follow the topography of the surface; echo-character B was characterized by a diffuse primary reflector and poorly defined subbottom reflections, diffuse or blurry; echo-character C consisted of a plane and very strong well-defined first reflector and presents a series of low loss multiple reflections. These echo-characters were related to the bathymetry and the bottom sediments of the area, in order to observe the relationship between them and the acoustic response associated with the echo. The echo-characters identified presented good correlation to the sedimentological characteristics of the area and the hydrodynamic processes acting in the south cell of the lagoon system. Acoustic anomalies identified in ecograms indicate the occurrence of large amounts of shallow gas spread in intra-lagoon sedimentary packages. This study confirms the importance of a better understanding of the effects of hydrodynamics in sedimentation processes and presents relevant information to support geomorphological and hydrodynamics studies to be conducted in the Patos Lagoon.

Le lagon de la Nouvelle Calédonie (Pacifique Sud-Ouest), est drainé par les entrées fluviales et océaniques sous la pression de l’érosion des sols ultramafiques (enrichies en Nickel et Cobalt). Le but de cette thèse était de mieux comprendre les sources et la variabilité spatio-temporelle de la matière organique dissoute colorée (MODC) et fluorescente (MODF) le long de continuum rivière-côte-lagon-large en zone lagonaire tropicale du Pacifique dans un contexte de changement climatique et d’anthropisation locale (activité minière). Les côtes Est et Ouest calédoniennes ont été échantillonnées pendant 1 an et demi et pendant la campagne CALIOPE 3 (côte Est) lors d’un épisode El Niño fort (2015-2016), ponctués de forts épisodes pluvieux. L’analyse parallèle factorielle (PARAFAC) des matrices d’excitation-émission de fluorescence (MEEFs) a abouti à l’indentifications de 5 fluorophores : humique-like marin, 2 tyrosine-like, et tryptophane-like d’origine autochtone issus des compartiments phytoplanctoniques et bactériens, et un fluorophore humique-like d’origine allochtone provenant des rivières drainant les côtes. La MODC à 350 et 442 nm suivait une dynamique fortement dépendante des apports fluviaux pouvant être découplée de la dynamique de la MODF. La MODF sur la côte Est suivait un cycle saisonnier (saison sèche/humide) contrairement à la côte Ouest dépendante de d'évènements pluvieux sporadiques. Des fluorophores (humique, tyrosine et tryptophane-like) ont montré des affinités avec certains métaux traces (Nickel, Manganèse, Cobalt) ce qui a permis de développer une expérience de quenching de fluorescence pour déterminer le pouvoir complexant de la MODF naturelle. / New Caledonia (South-West Pacific) is a tropical area under strong environmental pressure (climate change and local anthropogenic forcing). The aim of this thesis was to gain a better understanding of the colored (CDOM) and fluorescent (FDOM) dissolved organic matter dynamic in the New Caledonia Lagoon where strong ultramafic erosion pressure is associated with trace metals (i.e., nickel, manganese and cobalt). 3D spectrofluorimetry was used to characterize the CDOM/FDOM. The West and East coasts were sampled during one year and a half in a context of El Niño (2015-2016), interrupted by strong rainy events (storms) and during CALIOPE 3 cruise (East coast). A parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) of EEMF led to the identification of 5 fluorophores: marine humic-like, 2 tyrosine-like and tryptophan-like peaks (T2 peak) from the biological balance between phytoplankton and bacterioplankton and a terrestrial humic-like from rivers draining caledonian coast. The CDOM signal at 350 and 442 nm had a strong dependency on river inputs accentuated during storms and revealed photodegraded CDOM. The FDOM signal in the East showed a seasonal cycle (wet/dry season) contrary to the West coast depending on sporadic rainy events. Data acquired during the CALIOPE 3 were coupled with trace metal concentrations, biogeochemical parameters, and plankton communities. Some fluorophores displayed a preferential association with nickel and cobalt. The complexation capacities of these fluorophores toward trace metals were revealed by a quenching experiment that allowed to derive complexation constants.