A acidificação dos oceanos, resultado do aumento das emissões de gás carbônico (CO2), por atividades antrópicas, vem causando uma mudança no equilíbrio químico do sistema carbonato e uma consequente diminuição do pH nos oceanos mundiais. Cerca de 30% das emissões antropogênicas de CO2 é absorvida pelo oceano, o que já reduziu o PH em 0,1 unidade em águas superficiais e são esperadas ainda maiores reduções. A escala de mudanças \"toleráveis\" de pH ainda é incerta para muitos organismos e pouco conhecida para muitos processos biológicos, particularmente no sedimento. Este trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar tanto as taxas atuais de remineralização da matéria orgânica e fluxos de nutrientes na interface água-sedimento, como as alterações nessas taxas em resposta a diferentes cenários de acidificação do oceano, usando câmaras de incubação bêntica tanto in situ como em laboratório. Os experimentos in situ e coleta de material para montagem dos experimentos em laboratório foram realizados através de mergulho autônomo, na área rasa de Ubatuba-SP (6-8 m de profundidade). As incubações mostraram alto consumo de O2, variando entre -17 mmol m-2 d-1 em Julho de 2012 e -112 mmol m-2 d-1 em Abril e Junho de 2013. Houve uma dominância da nitrificação, com fluxos entre 0.2 and 0,4 µmol m-2 d-1 (sem variação temporal). As incubações também mostraram fluxos positivos de amônio, sendo os mais altos (1.0 - 1.5 µmol m-2 d-1) observados em Março, Abril e Junho de 2013. No geral, os processos de heterotrofia líquida prevaleceram sobre os processos autotróficos na região de estudo. Esses resultados indicam que os processos que ocorrem nos sedimentos costeiros de Ubatuba são: (1) remineralização aeróbica bêntica, (2) processos de nitrificação maiores que denitrificação e (3) provável excreção de organismos bênticos. O experimento de acidificação in situ indicou um aumento nos fluxos de O2 (de 0.02 para 45 mmol m-2 d-1). Os experimentos com acidificação mostraram efeitos similares: aumento do consumo médio de O2 e liberação de CO2, principalmente na areia. Houve diminuição nos processos de nitrificação em resposta à diminuição do pH. O estudo forneceu resultados importantes e inéditos sobre os processos biogeoquímicos em sedimentos costeiros da região de Ubatuba (SP), assim como os efeitos da acidificação dos oceanos nos processos biogeoquímicos em sedimentos costeiros. / Ocean acidification, a result of an increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) anthropic emissions, has caused a change in the chemical balance of the carbonate system and a consequent pH decrease in the world\'s oceans. Approximately 30% of anthropogenic CO2 is absorbed by the ocean, which has already reduced the pH by ∼0.1 units in surface waters (with further reductions expected). The scale of \"tolerable\" pH changes is still uncertain for many organisms and little-known for biological processes, particulary for the sediment. This work aimed to quantify both the current rates of organic matter remineralization and nutrient fluxes at the sediment-water interface and the changes in those rates in response to different ocean acidification scenarios, using benthic incubation chambers both in situ and in the laboratory. The in situ studies and sample collections for laboratory experiments were performed via SCUBA in a shallow area near Ubatuba-SP (6-8 m deep). Incubation experiments showed high oxygen (O2) consumption, ranging from -17 mmol m-2 d-1 in July 2012 to -112 µmol m-2 d-1 in April and June 2013. They also exhibited a dominance of nitrification, with fluxes between 0.2 and 0,4 µmol m-2 d-1 (with no temporal variation). Incubations also exhibited a release of ammonium, with the highest fluxes (1.0 - 1.5 µmol m-2 d-1) in March, April and June 2013. In general, net heterothrophic processes prevailed over autotrophic processes for the study region. The interstitial water parameters (ammonium, phosphate, dissolved iron and total sulfides) exhibited no significant difference between the two kinds of sediment analyzed, silt (station 1) and sand (station 2). These results suggested that the processes occurring in the coastal sediments of Ubatuba are: (1) benthic remineralization mediated by bacterial biota, (2) nitrification prevailed over denitrification and (3) probably excretion by benthic organisms. The experiment in situ indicated an increase in the fluxes of O2 (from -70 to -108 µmol m-2 d-1) and CO2 (from 0.02 to 45 µmol m-2 d-1). The acidification experiments showed a similar effect: a higher O2 average consumption and CO2 release, mostly in the sandy sediment. A decrease in nitrification processes occurred in response to decreased pH. This work has provided a baseline for the biogeochemical processes in coastal sediments in Ubatuba (SP), as well as demonstrated the effects of ocean acidification on biogeochemical processes in coastal sediments.

A acidificação dos oceanos, resultado do aumento das emissões de gás carbônico (CO2), por atividades antrópicas, vem causando uma mudança no equilíbrio químico do sistema carbonato e uma consequente diminuição do pH nos oceanos mundiais. Cerca de 30% das emissões antropogênicas de CO2 é absorvida pelo oceano, o que já reduziu o PH em 0,1 unidade em águas superficiais e são esperadas ainda maiores reduções. A escala de mudanças \"toleráveis\" de pH ainda é incerta para muitos organismos e pouco conhecida para muitos processos biológicos, particularmente no sedimento. Este trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar tanto as taxas atuais de remineralização da matéria orgânica e fluxos de nutrientes na interface água-sedimento, como as alterações nessas taxas em resposta a diferentes cenários de acidificação do oceano, usando câmaras de incubação bêntica tanto in situ como em laboratório. Os experimentos in situ e coleta de material para montagem dos experimentos em laboratório foram realizados através de mergulho autônomo, na área rasa de Ubatuba-SP (6-8 m de profundidade). As incubações mostraram alto consumo de O2, variando entre -17 mmol m-2 d-1 em Julho de 2012 e -112 mmol m-2 d-1 em Abril e Junho de 2013. Houve uma dominância da nitrificação, com fluxos entre 0.2 and 0,4 µmol m-2 d-1 (sem variação temporal). As incubações também mostraram fluxos positivos de amônio, sendo os mais altos (1.0 - 1.5 µmol m-2 d-1) observados em Março, Abril e Junho de 2013. No geral, os processos de heterotrofia líquida prevaleceram sobre os processos autotróficos na região de estudo. Esses resultados indicam que os processos que ocorrem nos sedimentos costeiros de Ubatuba são: (1) remineralização aeróbica bêntica, (2) processos de nitrificação maiores que denitrificação e (3) provável excreção de organismos bênticos. O experimento de acidificação in situ indicou um aumento nos fluxos de O2 (de 0.02 para 45 mmol m-2 d-1). Os experimentos com acidificação mostraram efeitos similares: aumento do consumo médio de O2 e liberação de CO2, principalmente na areia. Houve diminuição nos processos de nitrificação em resposta à diminuição do pH. O estudo forneceu resultados importantes e inéditos sobre os processos biogeoquímicos em sedimentos costeiros da região de Ubatuba (SP), assim como os efeitos da acidificação dos oceanos nos processos biogeoquímicos em sedimentos costeiros. / Ocean acidification, a result of an increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) anthropic emissions, has caused a change in the chemical balance of the carbonate system and a consequent pH decrease in the world\'s oceans. Approximately 30% of anthropogenic CO2 is absorbed by the ocean, which has already reduced the pH by ∼0.1 units in surface waters (with further reductions expected). The scale of \"tolerable\" pH changes is still uncertain for many organisms and little-known for biological processes, particulary for the sediment. This work aimed to quantify both the current rates of organic matter remineralization and nutrient fluxes at the sediment-water interface and the changes in those rates in response to different ocean acidification scenarios, using benthic incubation chambers both in situ and in the laboratory. The in situ studies and sample collections for laboratory experiments were performed via SCUBA in a shallow area near Ubatuba-SP (6-8 m deep). Incubation experiments showed high oxygen (O2) consumption, ranging from -17 mmol m-2 d-1 in July 2012 to -112 µmol m-2 d-1 in April and June 2013. They also exhibited a dominance of nitrification, with fluxes between 0.2 and 0,4 µmol m-2 d-1 (with no temporal variation). Incubations also exhibited a release of ammonium, with the highest fluxes (1.0 - 1.5 µmol m-2 d-1) in March, April and June 2013. In general, net heterothrophic processes prevailed over autotrophic processes for the study region. The interstitial water parameters (ammonium, phosphate, dissolved iron and total sulfides) exhibited no significant difference between the two kinds of sediment analyzed, silt (station 1) and sand (station 2). These results suggested that the processes occurring in the coastal sediments of Ubatuba are: (1) benthic remineralization mediated by bacterial biota, (2) nitrification prevailed over denitrification and (3) probably excretion by benthic organisms. The experiment in situ indicated an increase in the fluxes of O2 (from -70 to -108 µmol m-2 d-1) and CO2 (from 0.02 to 45 µmol m-2 d-1). The acidification experiments showed a similar effect: a higher O2 average consumption and CO2 release, mostly in the sandy sediment. A decrease in nitrification processes occurred in response to decreased pH. This work has provided a baseline for the biogeochemical processes in coastal sediments in Ubatuba (SP), as well as demonstrated the effects of ocean acidification on biogeochemical processes in coastal sediments.

O aumento da concentração do dióxido de carbono (CO2) na atmosfera vem causando o aquecimento global e a acidificação dos oceanos (AO), os quais cada vez mais são reconhecidos como importantes condutores de mudanças em sistemas biológicos. A AO tem o potencial de alterar de inúmeras maneiras a dinâmica biogeoquímica do carbono orgânico no oceano, levando a uma mudança na qualidade da matéria orgânica (MO) disponível para os organismos marinhos. Até agora, sabe-se muito pouco sobre como os sedimentos, os organismos que nele vivem e os processos que nele ocorrem vão reagir a mudanças na acidez da água do mar. Na costa brasileira, em especial, o estudo sobre os efeitos das mudanças climáticas nos processos bênticos ainda é incipiente. O presente estudo propôs uma investigação experimental com o intuito de seguir a incorporação do carbono orgânico e seu destino através da comunidade bêntica marinha após a chegada de alimento fresco, em condições atuais e de baixo pH. Nossos resultados indicaram que quando há chegada de MO fresca, a comunidade bêntica presente nos primeiros centímetros do sedimento responde de maneira rápida, incorporando esse material. Na biomassa bacteriana, após 2 dias de experimento, altos valores de incorporação (7283,04 μg13C.m-2) foram detectados. Entre os grupos da macrofauna, poliquetas apresentaram a maior incorporação do traçador e, em 4 dias de experimento, os principais agentes na incorporação do traçador foram Prionospio steenstrupi (51291,9 μg13C.m-2, 0-4 cm), Leodice rubra (20971,5 μg13C.m-2, 0-4 cm) e Poecilochaetus perequensis (6171,8 e 7263,2 μg13C.m-2, em 0-4 e 4-10 cm, respectivamente), além do molusco bivalve Eurytellina nitens (10600,4 μg13C.m-2, 0-4 cm). Quando submetidos a condições de AO, o poliqueta Leitoscoloplos sp. (2,02 μg13C.m-2) e o antozoário Edwarsia sp. (0,16 μg13C.m-2) se destacaram na incorporação do traçador em baixo pH (7,3). Em contrapartida, o molusco Dosinia concentrica (2,77 μg13C.m-2) e o poliqueta Poecilochaetus perequenses (2,68 μg13C.m-2) foram importantes agentes do processamento do carbono orgânico marcado nos primeiros centímetros do sedimento no controle (pH 8,1). Nas comunidades bacterianas, não houve diferenças de incorporação na biomassa entre o controle e o tratamento (6298,7 e 6562,2 μg13C.m-2, respectivamente). Assim, nosso estudo mostrou que eventos episódicos de chegada de alimento fresco vindos de processos que intensificam a produção primária adjacente (i.e., intrusão da ACAS e ressuspensão de sedimentos) nessa região meso-oligotrófica parecem ser essenciais não somente para a manutenção e sobrevivência da comunidade bêntica, mas também para a ciclagem de carbono nesses ambientes relativamente pobres em alimentos. Além disso, em condições de mudanças climáticas, a incorporação e o fluxo do carbono orgânico de parte da macrofauna bêntica pode ser potencialmente afetada pela AO. / Increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere is causing global warming and ocean acidification (OA) which are increasingly recognized as important drivers of changes in biological systems. The OA has the potential to change in various ways the biogeochemical dynamics of organic carbon in the ocean, leading to a change in the quality of the organic matter (OM) available to marine organisms. So far, very little is known about how the sediments, the organisms that live in it and the processes that occur in it will respond to changes in the acidity of seawater. In the Brazilian coast, in particular, the study on the effects of climate change on benthic processes is still incipient. The present study was an experimental investigation in order to follow the incorporation of organic carbon and its destination over the marine benthic community after the arrival of fresh food, in current conditions and low pH. Our results indicated that when there is arrival of fresh OM, benthic community present in the first few centimeters of sediment responds quickly incorporating this material. In bacterial biomass, after 2 days of experiment, high incorporation values (7283.04 μg13C.m-2) were detected. Among the macrofaunal groups, polychaetes had the highest incorporation of the tracer, and after 4 days of experiment, the key players in the incorporation of the tracer were Prionospio steenstrupi (51291.9 μg13C.m-2, 0-4 cm), Leodice rubra (20971.5 μg13C.m-2, 0-4 cm) and Poecilochaetus perequensis (6171.8 and 7263.2 μg13C.m-2, 0-4 and 4-10 cm, respectively), besides the mollusk bivalve Eurytellina nitens (10600.4 μg13C.m-2, 0-4 cm). Under conditions of OA, the polychaete Leitoscoloplos sp. (2.02 μg13C.m-2) and anthozoa Edwarsia sp. (0.16 μg13C.m-2) stood out in the incorporation of the tracer at low pH (7.3). In contrast, the mollusk Dosinia concentrica (2.77 μg13C.m-2) and the polychaete Poecilochaetus perequenses (2.68 μg13C.m-2) were important agents of processing organic carbon in the first centimeters of sediment in control (pH 8.1). Our results showed that episodic events of fresh food arrival, coming from processes that enhance the primary production (i.e., intrusion of SACW and resuspension of sediment) in this meso-oligotrophic region, appears to be essential not only for the maintenance and survival of benthic community, but also to carbon cycling in these relatively food poor environments. Furthermore, in conditions of climate change, the incorporation and the flow of the organic carbon by part of benthic macrofaunal can be potentially affected by OA.

A Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV) apresenta quatro fases em sua estrutura metodológica, que podem ser encontradas em normas como a ISO 14.040 e ISO 14.044. A Avaliação de Impacto do Ciclo de Vida (AICV) é a terceira fase da ACV e utiliza métodos e modelos de caracterização para avaliar a importância de intervenções ambientais contidas no Inventário do Ciclo de Vida (ICV). Os métodos para a AICV mais utilizados são em sua maioria desenvolvidos em países da Europa, embora sejam aplicados em diferentes partes do mundo, incluindo o Brasil. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa é analisar as características e a aplicabilidade dos principais métodos de AICV e verificar o escopo dos modelos de caracterização para a categoria de impacto acidificação a fim de fornecer subsídios para aplicação desses métodos e modelos no Brasil. Por meio da revisão bibliográfica as informações referentes a cada método foram classificadas de acordo com as categorias de comparação: categorias de impacto abordadas, nível de avaliação do impacto, abrangência de aplicação e existência ou não de metodologias para normalização e ponderação. Dessa forma a análise realizada identifica que a maioria das categorias de impacto dos métodos CML 2002, EDIP 97, EPS 2000, USEtox e IMPACT World+ apresentam escopo de aplicação classificado como global, sendo recomendados, para estas categorias, para uso no Brasil. Com a finalidade de auxiliar com informações sobre os modelos de caracterização para a categoria de impacto acidificação, por meio da revisão bibliográfica foi possível analisar os procedimentos e parâmetros de cálculos utilizados por cada modelo para esta categoria. A análise comparativa entre os modelos, com base na revisão bibliográfica, foi feita a partir dos seguintes critérios: substâncias abordadas, ano e região de referência dos fatores de caracterização, parâmetros usados nos cálculos, dados necessários, ano e área de coleta dos dados, resolução espacial, relevância ambiental, robustez científica e exatidão, e documentação, transparência e reprodutibilidade. O modelo Accumulated Exceedance apresentou a melhor avaliação frente a esses critérios e, portanto, é recomendado como referência inicial para o desenvolvimento de procedimentos metodológicos que suportem a aplicação desse modelo no Brasil. Para que isso seja possível é necessário que esse modelo de caracterização seja complementado por um modelo de destino atmosférico adequado à realidade brasileira. Isto posto, pretende-se subsidiar, tanto pelo procedimento adotado quanto pelos resultados obtidos, pesquisas direcionadas ao desenvolvimento de modelos de caracterização, para diferentes categorias de impacto, que representem as características específicas regionais do Brasil durante a AICV. / Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has four phases in its methodological framework, which can be found in standards such as ISO 14,040 and ISO 14,044. Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) is the third phase of LCA and uses characterization models and methods to assess the importance of environmental interventions contained in the Life Cycle Inventory (LCI). The methods most commonly used for LCIA are mostly developed in European countries, although applied in different parts of the world, including Brazil. This research aims to analyze the characteristics and the applicability of the main methods of LCIA and to check the characterization models scope for acidification impact category in order to provide support for application of these methods and models in Brazil. Through the LCIA methods review their information were classified according to the criteria: impact categories addressed, impact assessment level, scope of application and the existence or not of methodologies for normalization and weighting. Thus, the analysis identifies that most impact categories of CML 2002, EDIP 97, EPS 2000, USEtox and IMPACT World+ methods present scope of application classified as global, being recommended for these categories for the use in Brazil. In order to assist with information about the characterization models for acidification impact category through the literature review it was possible to analyze the procedures and the calculation parameters used by each model for this category. The comparative analysis between the models, based on review, was done based on the following criteria: substances addressed, reference year and region of characterization factors, parameters used in the calculations, necessary data, year and area of data collection, spatial resolution, environmental relevance, scientific robustness and accuracy, and documentation, transparency and reproducibility. The Accumulated Exceedance model presented the best assessment against these criteria and is therefore recommended as initial reference for the development of methodological procedures that support the application of this model in Brazil. To make this possible it is necessary that this characterization model is complemented by an atmospheric fate model appropriate to the Brazilian reality. That said, it is intended to subsidize, through the procedures adopted and the results obtained, research directed to the development of characterization models, for different impact categories, which represent the specific regional characteristics of Brazil during the LCIA.

No description available.

L'objectif de cette thèse est d'évaluer l'incidence de la pollution azotée des transports sur les écosystèmes de montagne, mais aussi de montrer que la géographie propose une approche complémentaire à celles des chimistes ou des biologistes. Deux vallées Pyrénéennes ont été choisies comme terrain d'étude : le site de Biriatou/Saint-Jean-de-Luz, un axe de passage international (A63) confronté à une progression considérable du trafic, notamment poids lourds avec plus de 7500 PL par jour durant l'année 2000, et la vallée d'Aspe (RN134), pour faire un état de la situation avant l'ouverture du nouveau tunnel routier international du Somport. La recherche dans le domaine de la pollution atmosphérique du trafic routier pose de nombreuses difficultés méthodologiques. Etablir une cartographie de cette pollution constitue pourtant un préalable indispensable à l'étude des risques induits par le trafic. Un modèle de diffusion spatiale de la pollution a été mis en œuvre dans cette optique. Le polluant retenu pour cette étude est le dioxyde d'azote (NO2) car il contribue – avec les autres polluants azotés – à l'acidification et à l'eutrophisation des eaux et des sols. Une méthode intégrant la topographie a permis d'établir une cartographie des dépôts azotés pour les deux secteurs d'étude. Nous montrons que l'évaluation du dépôt polluant (l'aléa) ne permet pas – à elle seule – de déterminer le risque. Chaque écosystème possédant des caractéristiques qui lui sont propres (capacité tampon du sol, nature de la végétation notamment), la vulnérabilité traduite en termes de charges critiques diffère en fonction des conditions environnementales. C'est à travers la mise en relation spatiale des niveaux de pollution avec la connaissance des milieux naturels que les zones à risques peuvent être localisées. La méthodologie proposée dans cette thèse a permis de montrer que les risques environnementaux liés aux transports routiers sont bien réels, même lorsque le trafic est faible selon les conditions de dispersion.

While Andosols have a proven capacity to buffer acid inputs, their long-term chemical response to elevated acid deposition remains poorly known. In this respect, the high anion retention capacity of Andosols constitutes a key parameter. Yet, the mechanisms involved in anion retention, especially sulphate, are still a matter of scientific debate. In this study, we report on the impacts of volcanogenic S and acid depositions on (i) the sulphate distribution and (ii) the processes involved in the neutralisation of the acid inputs, in two distinct soil series located downwind from Masaya volcano (Nicaragua), one of the world's largest natural source of SO2. The first series corresponds to weathered Eutric Andosols rich in allophanic constituents and the second series to weakly developed Vitric Andosols rich in volcanic glass. Long-term acid gas emission by Masaya volcano has led to important changes in the chemistry of the Andosols downwind. Sustained acid inputs have decreased the pH and exchangeable base cations contents in both Vitric and Eutric soils. These soils also show substantial S enrichment (up to 5470 mg S kg-1). However, these changes do not affect the soil acid neutralising capacity of the solid phase (ANCs) in a significant way. Despite the larger ANCs of the Vitric comparatively to the Eutric Andosols, soil pH was less in the Vitric than in the Eutric Andosols. This is related to the naturally and kinetically different mechanisms involved in the regulation of the volcanogenic acid fluxes: mineral weathering (slow kinetics) is the dominant process in Vitric Andosols, whereas cation exchange and sulphate sorption (rapid kinetics) significantly contribute to regulate proton consumption in Eutric Andosols. Formation of basic aluminium sulphate (BAS) [(K,Na)nAlx(OH)y(SO4)z] minerals in soils exposed to volcanogenic S-rich acid inputs was inferred from the results of selective extraction experiments (NH4F, KH2PO4 and oxalate). Precipitation of BAS probably constitutes the most effective inorganic SO42- retention mechanism (9-51% of total S), SO42- adsorption onto soil constituents (1-36% of total S) and occlusion into short-range ordered minerals (0-22% of total S), probably governed by ferrihydrite, constituted additional effective inorganic SO42- retention processes. Using transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive analysis, we provide the first direct evidence of BAS minerals in soils. BAS minerals can form in these Andosols, because of the large inputs of H+ and SO2 and the availability of readily weatherable volcanic glass, which acts as an effective source of Al. Surface precipitation, i.e. two-dimensional chemisorption followed by three-dimensional nucleation and precipitation, rather than direct precipitation from solution, is likely the formation pathway of BAS particles in these soils. / Malgré une capacité importante à neutraliser les apports acides, le fonctionnement à long terme des Andosols est aussi susceptible d'être affecté par les dépôts acides. A cet égard, la capacité de rétention anionique élevée des Andosols constitue un paramètre clef. Or, les mécanismes de rétention des anions, en particulier du sulfate, demeurent un sujet controversé.Nous étudions ici les effets de dépôts acides et soufrés d'origine volcanique sur (i) la distribution du sulfate et (ii) les processus impliqués dans la neutralisation des apports acides, dans deux séries d'Andosol contrastées exposées aux émissions du volcan Masaya (Nicaragua), une des principales sources naturelles de SO2 atmosphérique. La première série comprend des Andosols Vitriques possèdant une réserve importante de minéraux altérables de nature vitreuse et la seconde est constituée d'Andosols Eutriques, plus évolués, possèdant des teneurs élevées en minéraux secondaires à organisation cristalline à courte distance. Les émissions prolongées de gaz acides provenant du volcan Masaya modifient fortement la chimie des sols exposés à ces apports. Ainsi, le pH et les teneurs en cations échangeables des Andosols Vitriques et Eutriques diminuent alors que la concentration totale en S augmente (jusqu'à 5470 mg S kg-1) en réponse aux apports d'acides. Par contre, la capacité de la phase solide de ces sols à neutraliser l'acidité (ANCs) n'est pas significativement affectée. Malgré une ANCs plus élevée dans les Andosols Vitriques comparativement aux Andosols Eutriques, le pH de ces sols est plus faible parce que les mécanismes impliqués dans la régulation des flux de protons sont différents: ceux-ci s'opèrent principalement par des réactions lentes d'altération minérale dans les Andosols Vitriques et par des réactions rapides impliquant l'échange ionique et la sorption d'anions sulfates dans les Andosols Eutriques. Sur base d'extractions sélectives (NH4F, KH2PO4 et oxalate), l'immobilisation sous forme de minéraux hydroxy-alumino-sulfatés [(K,Na)nAlx(OH)y(SO4)z] apparaît comme le mécanisme de rétention du SO42- inorganique le plus important (9-51% du S total), l'adsorption du SO42- à la surface de constituants du sol (1-36% du S total) et le piégeage du SO42- (0-22% du S total), vraisemblablement au sein d'oxydes de fer mal cristallisés, constituent également des processus efficaces de rétention du sulfate inorganique. Nous mettons en évidence par observation directe, pour la première fois, la présence de minéraux hydroxy-alumino-sulfatés dans des sols par microscopie électronique à transmission couplée à une sonde analytique EDS. La formation de ces minéraux est elle-même favorisée par l'apport considérable de sulfate d'origine volcanique et l'hydrolyse intense des verres qui libère l'aluminium en solution. La précipitation à la surface des phases adsorbantes plutôt que la précipitation directe en solution semble être le mécanisme de formation des minéraux hydroxy-alumino-sulfatés dans ces sols.

The objective of this thesis was to validate the dynamic model SAFE (Soil Acidification in Forested Ecosystems) in a small deciduous watershed of southern Quebec. SAFE could then be used to: (1) identify which processes are governing acidification, and (2) assess the rates of acidification according to various forest conditions. / Soil and soil solution chemistry between unburned and burned zones following fire disturbance seventy-five years ago was examined within the watershed. Results showed two major, statistically significant, differences: (1) higher base status, and (2) lower soil solution N in the burned zone. High quality leaf litter of aspen and birch (burned zone) relative to that of sugar and red maple (unburned zone) has contributed to the enrichment of base cations in the forest floor. The enrichment of the forest floor did not however impoverish the B horizon as seen in other studies. Rather, fire enriched the soil in base cations and buffered the effect of forest regrowth in the B horizon. / The MAKEDEP model was used to reconstruct the time-series input files needed to run SAFE. In MAKEDEP, the availability of N determines tree growth which in turn, affects most of the processes involved in nutrient cycling. Regressions of measured deposition at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest and that of simulated deposition at the study site suggest MAKEDEP is suitable to model the deposition trends of all elements except Na. / SAFE was calibrated for the unburned and burned conditions at the study site. Fire disturbance and forest regrowth have produced different soil chemical composition within the zones as discussed above. SAFE was therefore validated at the study site as a function of its ability to reproduce soil chemistry under unburned and burned conditions. The simulated soil chemistry was in close agreement with the measured unburned soil conditions, but some processes would have to be clarified or accounted for with greater accurately, e.g., biological N fixation and N immobilization by myccorhizal fungi, to reproduce more accurately the measured burned soil chemistry. Simulated soil chemistry in the unburned zone reinforced nevertheless the conclusions of a few historical soil chemistry studies supporting the hypothesis that acid-sensitive forest sites of the United States underwent significant acidification during 1930--1980 during major input of acidity from the atmosphere. Model output suggests that cation nutrient deficiencies could occur in the long-term, but future Al phytotoxic responses are unlikely to occur due to a relatively high projected pH. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Free-access acidified milk feeding is increasingly being adopted to feed dairy and veal calves. Acidification is used to preserve milk and facilitate free-access feeding. There is, however, little controlled research to support the adoption of free-access acidified milk feeding over traditional feeding programs. The objectives of this thesis were to describe the preweaned calf management and feeding practices used on dairy farms in Ontario, Canada, and to investigate the effects of milk replacer acidification and free-access feeding on the productivity and welfare of calves. A total of 140 Ontario dairy producers participated in a cross-sectional study and were surveyed about on-farm calf management and feeding practices. Results from this study documented that there are currently a range of management practices and several different feeding programs being used on farms. Colostrum and milk feeding management are the areas where the most progress has been made in recent years; however, several other aspects of calf management and feeding still warrant improvement. A pilot study was conducted to examine the effects of milk replacer acidification and free-access feeding on the nutrient intake, growth, rumen papillary development and behaviour of calves. A field study was designed to evaluate the effects of a free-access acidified milk replacer feeding program on the pre and postweaning health and growth of dairy and veal calves. A randomized controlled study was completed to investigate how milk replacer acidification, under free-access feeding conditions, affects the pre and postweaning performance and health of veal calves. Results from these studies demonstrated that milk replacer acidification limited calves’ intake of milk replacer by approximately 1 L/d, resulted in more fragmented feeding behaviour, promoted earlier solid feed intake and tended to support improved respiratory health, but had little impact on rumen development or long-term calf performance. Moreover, free-access feeding facilitated larger intakes of milk, resulted in fewer signs of hunger or frustration, and supported greater preweaning growth, but delayed the onset of solid feed consumption and appeared to negatively affect rumen development, compared to restricted feeding. Collectively, these results demonstrate that free-access acidified milk feeding promotes greater early life productivity and enhances calf welfare. / Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Veal Association, National Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Grober Nutrition and 3M Canada

During summer, the Baltic Sea is subjected to the world’s largest cyanobacterial blooms. These blooms are linked to eutrophication and raise many questions concerning their effects on the ecosystem. To understand their impacts on the food web dynamics, it is essential to assess growth responses of grazers to these cyanobacteria. In the northern Baltic proper, copepods are the most important herbivores providing an essential link between the primary producers and higher trophic levels. In this Thesis, Papers I &amp; II evaluate methods to estimate copepod growth in response to feeding conditions in situ. The most conspicuous diazotrophic filamentous cyanobacterium in the Baltic Sea is Nodularia spumigena, a producer of nodularin which is highly toxic to vertebrates, yet its ecological role is largely unknown. In Paper III, reciprocal interactions between cyanobacteria, sympatric algae and copepods are studied. The results suggest that nodularin is likely involved in allelopathic interactions, but it is not an inducible defense against grazers. Furthermore, the results of Papers IV &amp; V, indicate that natural assemblages of N. spumigena and Anabaena spp. may support copepod reproduction and that total diazotrophic filamentous cyanobacteria appear to provide a beneficial feeding environment for the feeding stages of copepod nauplii, most probably by stimulating the microbial communities that nauplii feed upon. Since cyanobacterial blooms are projected to increase due to global climate change, the combined effects of toxic cyanobacteria, ocean acidification and global warming predicted for year 2100 are further investigated on copepods in Paper IV. Taken together, these studies indicate that filamentous diazotrophic cyanobacteria contribute to sustaining secondary productivity and have potential implications of management practices with respect to combating eutrophication, global climate change and sustaining fish feeding conditions. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Manuscript. Paper 5: Manuscript.</p>