Neste trabalho é apresentado um estudo sobre a estrutura vertical e massas d\'água presentes na região oeste e norte da Península Antártica. Foram utilizados dados de temperatura, salinidade e pressão (profundidade) coletados por plataformas de coleta de dados (PCDs) fixadas em elefantes-marinhos do sul (EMS) pelo Projeto MEOP-BR, coordenado pela Profª Dra Mônica M. C. Muelbert, no período de fevereiro a novembro de 2008. Estes dados são transmitidos via sistema de satélites ARGOS a uma taxa de 2.91+/-0.25 vezes ao dia, distância média entre cada perfil coletado é de 14.43 +/- 12.28 km resultando em uma resolução espacial de 41.61 km/dia. Estes dados permitiram uma descrição detalhada da estrutura vertical e identificação de massas d\'água durante diferentes meses do ano de 2008. São comparados perfis verticais em diferentes estações do ano em regiões de plataformas de gelo marinho, do Estreito de Bransfield (EB) e norte da Península Antártica (PA), comparados transectos da porção oeste da PA coletados durante o verão e inverno de 2008 e são apresentados transectos através do Mar da Escócia (ME) nos meses de Setembro a Outubro de 2008. Os valores de temperatura potencial coletados estiveram na faixa entre -1.89ºC e 2.32ºC, os valores mínimos estão relacionados a áreas de formação de gelo marinho e os máximos a investidas através da Corrente Circumpolar Antártica (CCA) em mar aberto e em direção as Ilhas Georgia (IGS). Os valores de salinidade possuem variações entre 32.36 e 35.03 psu, estes valores resultam de diferentes processos, sendo os extremos relacionados a regiões de derretimento e formação de gelo marinho, respectivamente. Graças à grande área utilizada pelos EMS para forrageio durante o x período analisado, diversas massas d\'água são identificadas através de diagramas -S, são elas: Água Profunda Circumpolar (CDW), Água de Inverno (WW), Água de Plataforma de Baixa Salinidade (LSSW), Água Superficial Antártica (AASW), Água de Plataforma de Alta Salinidade (HSSW), Água Profunda Circumpolar Superior e Inferior (UCDW e LCDW), Água de Plataforma (SW), Água de Plataforma de Gelo (ISW), Água Profunda Cálida (WDW) e Água Profunda Cálida Modificada (MWDW). / To study the termohaline structure and water masses in the north and west sides of Antarctic Peninsula, 10 southern elephant seals (EMS) were equipped with highaccuracy conductivity-temperature-depth satellite-relayed data loggers (CTDSRDLs) by the MEOP-BR Project in beginning of 2008 at Elephant Island. Here, we show that measurements collected by these long-ranging, deep-diving predators allow oceanic vertical structure and water masses of the Southern Ocean to be mapped in regions and at times of year not sampled by other oceanographic instruments. These data are transmitted by the ARGOS satellite system at a rate of 2.91+/-0.25 times per day, mean distance between each profile collected is 14.43+/- 12.28 km, resulting in a spatial resolution of 41.61km/day. Vertical profiles are compared at different seasons in sea ice platforms regions, Bransfield Strait (EB) and northern tip of Antarctic Peninsula (PA). Are compared transects at the western side of the PA collected during summer and winter of 2008 and are presented transects across the Scotia Sea (ME) in the months of September and October of 2008. The collected potential temperature values were in the range from -1.89º C to 2.32ºC, the minimum values are related to areas of sea ice formation and the maximum amounts to dives through the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) in the open sea and towards the South Georgia Islands. The salinity values have variations between 32.36 and 35.03 psu, these values result from different processes, being related to melting and formation of sea ice. The large region sampled allowed us to identify during the study period several water masses from -S diagrams, they are: Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW), Winter Water (WW), Low Salinity Shelf Water xii (LSSW), Antarctic Surface Water (AASW), High Salinity Shelf Water (HSSW), Upper and Bottom Circumpolar Deep Water (UCDW and LCDW), Shelf Water (SW), Ice Shelf Water (ISW), Warm Deep Water (WDW) and Modified Warm Deep Water (MWDW).

Em escalas interanuais a advecção de calor, sal e nutrientes pode afetar a produtividade primária. Pode-se citar a Circulação de Revolvimento Meridional (MOC) no impacto da concentração de clorofila. Neste estudo, a partir do método Multidimensional Empirical Mode Decomposition foram obtidos tendências decadais de PAR, nitrato integrado na coluna d\'água, concentração de clorofila e fluxo de volume da MOC. Em variações de baixa frequência há uma relação entre o transporte de volume da MOC com o nitrato integrado na coluna d\'água no Atlântico Sul, e consequentemente, na concentração de clorofila. Dois possíveis cenários foram identificados sobre o efeito da MOC no nitrato integrado e na concentração de clorofila. O cenário 1 apresenta uma relação direta no sistema MOC-nitrato integrado-concentração de clorofila, enquanto o efeito do cenário 2 é indireto, com a MOC afetando outras variáveis que perturbam o sistema. Neste estudo também foi analisado a influência de teleconexões atmosféricas na MOC do Atlântico Sul. Foi achado indícios da influência da Oscilação Antártica na MOC do Atlântico Sul em escalas decadais. Conclui-se que variações de baixa frequência no fluxo de volume da MOC alteram o padrão espaço-temporal da concentração de clorofila no Atlântico Sul. / On interannual timescales the advection of heat, salt and nutrients can affect the primary production. The influence of the Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) over the chlorophyll concentration can be mentioned. In this study, decadal trends of PAR, integrated nitrate over the water column, chlorophyll and volume flux of the MOC were obtained using the Multidimensional Empirical Mode Decomposition method. On low frequency variations there is a relationship between the MOC volume transport with integrated nitrate over the water column in the South Atlantic, and therefore, on chlorophyll concentration. Two scenarios were identified as possible mechanisms of influence of the MOC over integrated nitrate and chlorophyll concentrations. Scenario 1 presents a direct relationship on the system MOC-integrated nitrate-chlorophyll concentration, while scenario 2 has an indirect effect, with the MOC affecting other variables that disturb the system. In this study the influence of atmospheric teleconnections on the South Atlantic MOC were also investigated. It was found evidence that the Antarctic Oscillation can affect the South Atlantic MOC on decadal timescales. It was concluded that low frequency variability on the volume flux of the MOC can alter the spatiotemporal pattern of the chlorophyll concentration on the South Atlantic.

Oceanic Gyres are the most conspicuous features in the Earth\'s ocean. They are ubiquitous to each basin and hemisphere. In the Atlantic Ocean, there is an uncanny symmetry between the North and South Atlantic Subtropical Gyres. Focusing on their poleward limits, we can think of them as virtually perfect analogues. However, while the North Atlantic Current has been extensively studied, the South Atlantic Current (SAC) still has been very little investigated and its knowledge presents crucial gaps on understanding it ocean\'s mesoscale variability and climate. Very little studies attempted so far to describe the SAC characteristics in terms of water mass properties and volume transports. In addition, there is the presence of recently described Saint Helen Current (StHC), which can be considered as the South Atlantic analogue of the Azores Current. The StHC has its formation tied with the Brazil Current (BC) retroflection. The SAC, on the other hand, is originated at the Brazil-Malvinas Confluence (BMC), and flows crossing zonally the Atlantic Basin. However, the presence of the northern branch of Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACCn) (without an analogue in the northern hemisphere) brought a few additional challenges to studying the SAC. The ACCn can be thought as the Malvinas Current (MC) Extension, which exits the BMC region via the southern flank of the Zapíola Rise. In this work, we revisit the descriptive oceanography of the SAC system with newly developed climatologies (WOA13 and ARMOR3D) and seek to unravel the pattern associated with the current in the Southern limb of the region. Recent literature mentions that there is an important interplay between this three zonal jets as the cross the South Atlantic. However, only kinematics arguments were used to pinpoint this interplay so far. Hence, we opted to employ a statistical correlation method involving temperature, salinity and density vertical profiles (and consequently, T-S curves as well). We also computed volume transport values for the whole zonal domain across the South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre southern limb. In particular, at the longitude that it reaches the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the major portion of the SAC veers south and merge almost completely with the ACCn. Its smaller northern the StHC. Near the eastern ocean border of the South Atlantic Ocean, the SAC-ACCn as well as a portion of the StHC traverse into the Indian Ocean. The combined analysis of geostrophic streamfunction fields and the temperature-density correlation diagrams do not show sufficient evidence for the StHC being an independent current, and not a branch of the SAC. Since there is also no study regarding the dynamics of the SAC we also constructed a linear QG instability model aiming to evaluate the current system mesoscale activity. We then analyzed the mesoscale activity of the SAC, and discovered that SAC is unstable throughout the whole path domain towards Africa. This instabilities, however, are found to be not as vigorous as the ACC. We also identify a shift in mesoscale vorticity wave regime as the SAC crosses the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. We found it to be less unstable than at the western side. We, however, could not identify the type of instabilities associated with the current. Therefore, we propose as sequential future work to further pursue investigation on the mesoscale dynamics of the ACCn-SAC-StHC system. / Os Giros Oceânicos são os aspectos mais notáveis dos oceano. Eles são ubíquos em todos os hemisférios e bacias oceânicas. No Atlântico, por exemplo, existe uma clara simetria entre os giros subtropicais do Atlântico norte e sul. Nos seus limites mais polar, podemos pensar neles como análogos perfeitos. Entretanto, enquanto a Corrente do Atlântico Norte foi extensamente estudado, a Corrente do Atlântico Sul ainda tem sido muito pouco investigada deixando lacunas cruciais no conhecimento no entendimento do clima e variabilidade de mesoscala nos oceanos. Pouquíssimos estudos foram realizados até agora a fim de descrever a CAS e suas características nos tópicos relacionados às propriedades das massas de água transporte de voluma. Ademais, há a presença de um corrente recentemente descrita, cunhada de Corrente de Santa Helena (CStH) que pode considerada, tal qual a Corrente do Atlântico Sul, uma análoga da Corrente dos Açores. A CStH possui sua formação atrelada à Corrente do Brasil (CB). A CAS, por sua vez, origina-se na confluência Brasil-Malvinas e escoa atravessando zonalmente a bacia do Atlântico. Entretanto, a presença do ramo norte da Corrente Circumpolar Antártica (CCAn) (sem um análogo no hemisfério norte) trouxe desafios adicionais ao estudo da CAS. A CCAn pode ser pensada como uma extensão da Corrente das Malvinas (CM), a qual sai da região da confluência via o flanco sul da Elevação de Zapiola. Nesse trabalho, revisitamo a oceanografia descritiva do sistema CAS com novas climatologias desenvolvidas (WOA13 e ARMOR3D) e procuramos desvendar o padrão associado à corrente no membro sul da região. Estudos recentes apontam uma importante interação entre os três jatos zonais enquanto atravessam o Atlântico Sul. Somente argumentos cinemáticos, entretanto, foram utilizados para identificar essa interação. Consequentemente, optamos em empregar um método de correlação estatística envolvendo perfis verticais de temperatura, salinidade e densidade(e, logo, curvas T-S). Nós também calculamos o transporte de volume para todo o domínio zonal através do ramo sul do Giro Subtropical do Atlântico Norte. Em particular, na longitude que alcança a Cadeia Meso-Atlântica, a maior porção da CAS desvia-se para o sul e dilui-se quanse que por completo à CCAn. Próxima à borda este do Oceano Atlântico Sul, tanto a CAS-CCAn como uma parte da CStH atravessam em direção ao Oceano Índico. A análise combinada dos campos de função de corrente geostróficos e pelos diagramas de correlação de temperatura-densidade não mostra evidências suficientes para que a CStH seja considerada uma corrente independente e não um ramo da CAS. Além disso, já que não há estudos relacionados a dinâmica da CAS, nós tambémconstruímos um modelo de instabilidade QG a fim de avaliar a atividade de mesoscala do sistema de correntes. Analisamos essa atividade da CAS e descobrimos que ela é instável durante todo o seu percurso em direção à África. Essas instabilidades, entretanto, não são tão vigorosas quanto aquelas da CCA. Também identidicamos mudanças no regime de ondas das vorticidades de mesoscala no cruzamento da CAS com a cadeia meso-oceânica. Descobrimos que a corrente é menos instável ao lado leste da cadeia. Não podemos, contudo, identificar os tipos de instabilidades associada à corrente. Por conseguinte, propomos trabalhos futuros que irão auxiliar à investigação da dinâmica de mesoscala do sistema CCAn-CAS-CstH.

Neste trabalho é apresentado um estudo sobre a estrutura vertical e massas d\'água presentes na região oeste e norte da Península Antártica. Foram utilizados dados de temperatura, salinidade e pressão (profundidade) coletados por plataformas de coleta de dados (PCDs) fixadas em elefantes-marinhos do sul (EMS) pelo Projeto MEOP-BR, coordenado pela Profª Dra Mônica M. C. Muelbert, no período de fevereiro a novembro de 2008. Estes dados são transmitidos via sistema de satélites ARGOS a uma taxa de 2.91+/-0.25 vezes ao dia, distância média entre cada perfil coletado é de 14.43 +/- 12.28 km resultando em uma resolução espacial de 41.61 km/dia. Estes dados permitiram uma descrição detalhada da estrutura vertical e identificação de massas d\'água durante diferentes meses do ano de 2008. São comparados perfis verticais em diferentes estações do ano em regiões de plataformas de gelo marinho, do Estreito de Bransfield (EB) e norte da Península Antártica (PA), comparados transectos da porção oeste da PA coletados durante o verão e inverno de 2008 e são apresentados transectos através do Mar da Escócia (ME) nos meses de Setembro a Outubro de 2008. Os valores de temperatura potencial coletados estiveram na faixa entre -1.89ºC e 2.32ºC, os valores mínimos estão relacionados a áreas de formação de gelo marinho e os máximos a investidas através da Corrente Circumpolar Antártica (CCA) em mar aberto e em direção as Ilhas Georgia (IGS). Os valores de salinidade possuem variações entre 32.36 e 35.03 psu, estes valores resultam de diferentes processos, sendo os extremos relacionados a regiões de derretimento e formação de gelo marinho, respectivamente. Graças à grande área utilizada pelos EMS para forrageio durante o x período analisado, diversas massas d\'água são identificadas através de diagramas -S, são elas: Água Profunda Circumpolar (CDW), Água de Inverno (WW), Água de Plataforma de Baixa Salinidade (LSSW), Água Superficial Antártica (AASW), Água de Plataforma de Alta Salinidade (HSSW), Água Profunda Circumpolar Superior e Inferior (UCDW e LCDW), Água de Plataforma (SW), Água de Plataforma de Gelo (ISW), Água Profunda Cálida (WDW) e Água Profunda Cálida Modificada (MWDW). / To study the termohaline structure and water masses in the north and west sides of Antarctic Peninsula, 10 southern elephant seals (EMS) were equipped with highaccuracy conductivity-temperature-depth satellite-relayed data loggers (CTDSRDLs) by the MEOP-BR Project in beginning of 2008 at Elephant Island. Here, we show that measurements collected by these long-ranging, deep-diving predators allow oceanic vertical structure and water masses of the Southern Ocean to be mapped in regions and at times of year not sampled by other oceanographic instruments. These data are transmitted by the ARGOS satellite system at a rate of 2.91+/-0.25 times per day, mean distance between each profile collected is 14.43+/- 12.28 km, resulting in a spatial resolution of 41.61km/day. Vertical profiles are compared at different seasons in sea ice platforms regions, Bransfield Strait (EB) and northern tip of Antarctic Peninsula (PA). Are compared transects at the western side of the PA collected during summer and winter of 2008 and are presented transects across the Scotia Sea (ME) in the months of September and October of 2008. The collected potential temperature values were in the range from -1.89º C to 2.32ºC, the minimum values are related to areas of sea ice formation and the maximum amounts to dives through the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) in the open sea and towards the South Georgia Islands. The salinity values have variations between 32.36 and 35.03 psu, these values result from different processes, being related to melting and formation of sea ice. The large region sampled allowed us to identify during the study period several water masses from -S diagrams, they are: Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW), Winter Water (WW), Low Salinity Shelf Water xii (LSSW), Antarctic Surface Water (AASW), High Salinity Shelf Water (HSSW), Upper and Bottom Circumpolar Deep Water (UCDW and LCDW), Shelf Water (SW), Ice Shelf Water (ISW), Warm Deep Water (WDW) and Modified Warm Deep Water (MWDW).

Este estudo tem como objetivo estudar o fósforo total e as especiações de fósforo nos sedimentos superficiais associados aos processos biogeoquímicos em dois sistemas estuarinos, na plataforma continental sudeste e na região polar antártica. Amostras de água de fundo foram coletadas em dois períodos sazonais (verão-inverno) nos estuários sob diferentes graus de impacto ambiental antrópico. A metodologia de extração das frações de (SEDEX) aplicada para obter as especiações químicas de fósforo foi testada com padrões certificados antes das análises. Os resultados foram reprodutivos e a eficiência da extração foi aceitável. As concentrações das espécies químicas de fósforo sedimentar nos dois estuários mostraram diferenças entre os setores seguindo as características granulométricas, influência da maré, condições redox das águas de fundo bem como, as ações antrópicas reveladas pelos dados quantitativos e qualitativos. Uma influência sazonal mínima foi observada. No caso da plataforma sudeste, altos valores de matéria orgânica foram observados em núcleos ao longo da plataforma, junto às estações externas das radiais de Santos e Ilha Grande mostrando uma diferenciação acompanhada pelas frações de fósforo orgânico e carbono orgânico. Nas demais radiais, altos valores de CaCO3 foram observados nas estações mais externas. Na Baía do Almirantado as frações predominantes foram P mineral, P detrítico, P-ligado à apatita autigênica, sendo que a forma orgânica foi baixa e associada a baixos valores de carbono orgânico. A quantificação e distribuição das espécies de fósforo nos sedimentos constituem importante ferramenta para compreender o ciclo biogeoquímico do fósforo e dos demais nutrientes nos ecossistemas marinhos. / This work aims to study the total and chemical species of phosphorus in the surface sediments associated to the biogeochemical processes in two estuarine systems, the southeastern continental shelf and Antarctic polar region. Bottom water samples were collected in two seasonal periods (summer-winter) in the estuaries under different degrees of environmental anthorpic impacts. The fraction extraction methodology (SEDEX) applied to obtain the chemical phosphorus species was tested in relation to the certified standards before analyses. The results were reproductive and the extraction efficiency was acceptable. The chemical species concentrations of sedimentary phosphorus in the two estuarine systems showed differences between sectors following the granulometric characteristics, tide influence, redox conditions of the bottom waters as well as anthropic actions revealed by quantitative and qualitative data. A minimum seasonal influence was observed. In the case of eastern continental shelf, high values of organic matter were found in nuclei distribution along the platform in the external stations of Santos and Ilha Grande radials showing a differentiation accompanied by organic phosphorus and C org., fractions. In the other radials high CaCO3 values were observed in the external stations. In the Admiralty Bay the predominant fractions were detrital apatite and authigenic/biogenic apatite, being that organic form was low, linked to low values of organic carbon. The quantification and distribution of P species in the sediments constitute important tools to understand the P and the other nutrient biogeochemical cycles in the sea ecosystems

Modern Pine Island and Thwaites Glaciers, which both drain into Pine Island Bay, are some of the fastest moving portions of the cryosphere and may be the most unstable ice streams in Antarctica. I examined over 133 cores to conduct a detailed sedimentological facies analysis. These data, augmented by new radiocarbon and 210Pb dates, and bathymetric data, are used to reconstruct the post-LGM deglacial history of PIB and gain a better understanding of the causes of ice sheet retreat. My results record a clear retreat stratigraphy in PIB composed of, from top to base; terrigenous sandy silt (plumite), pebbly sandy mud (ice-proximal glacimarine), and till. Initial retreat from the outer-continental shelf began shortly after the LGM and before 16.4 k cal yr BP, in response to rising sea level. Bedforms in outer PIB document episodic retreat in the form of back-stepping grounding zone wedges and are associated with proximal glacimarine sediments. A sub-ice shelf facies is observed in central PIB that spans ∼12.3–10.6 k cal yr BP. Widespread impingement of warm water onto the continental shelf caused an abrupt change from sub-ice shelf sedimentation to distal glacimarine sedimentation dominated by dispersal of terrigenous silt between 7.8 and 7.0 k cal yr BP. The uppermost sediments in Pine Island Bay were hydrodynamically sorted by meltwater plumes. Inner Pine Island Bay contains several large basins that are linked by channels. The most recent release of sediment coincides with rapid retreat of the grounding line, and has an order of magnitude greater flux relative to the entire unit, indicating episodic sedimentation. This is the first identification of a meltwater-derived deposit in Antarctica and demonstrates that punctuated meltwater-intensive glacial retreat occurred at least three times throughout the Holocene in this region. Quartz sand grains were used to conduct an analysis of mode of transport for sediments in the Antarctic Peninsula region from the Eocene to present to record the onset of glaciation. Glacial transport imparts a unique suite of microtextures on quartz grains from high shear-stresses. Eocene samples are free of glacial influence. Late Eocene samples show the inception of glacially derived high-stress microtextures, marking the onset of alpine glaciation. Oligocene grains are similar to the late Eocene samples. Middle Miocene microtextures are characteristic of transport from far-field large ice sheets, originating from ice rafting from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. The Pliocene and Pleistocene samples indicate the existence of the northern Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheet at this time, consistent with other proxies.

This thesis provides an analysis of recent attempts to regulate the governance of genetic resources through the initiation of new global commons regimes. These attempts have arisen out of a combination of the growing recognition of genetic resources' value and global nature; a new resurgence in support for the common property paradigm; and, during a period in which the world is becoming increasingly globalised, with many governance competencies moving to the supranational level. They can be viewed as part of a broader effort to proffer the common property approach as a legitimate alternative in the property regime debate: a debate that has increasingly become trapped in the public-private dichotomy at the dawn of the twenty-first century. The aim of this thesis is to investigate the success of these attempts, and offer suggestions about how future attempts might be more successful. While there are a multitude of books, articles, opinion pieces and media reports produced that concern themselves with property theory, intellectual property theory, the efficacy or morality of applying property regimes to living materials, and the threats and promises of globalisation, all of which influence the notion of a potential global genetic commons, relatively little has been written directly on the idea of applying global common property regimes to genetic resource governance issues. The first part of this thesis constructs a theory of a global genetic commons, drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, while the second part tests this theory in order to analyse the outcomes of the recent attempts, and suggest directions for future research. The thesis finds that the conception of a global genetic commons is indeed a valid one, and that while not all attempts so far have been successful, the common property paradigm does offer valuable insights for the future governance of genetic resources at the global level.

"2003". / Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University, Division of Environmental & Life Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, 2004. / Bibliography: leaves 136-160. / Introduction: The Antarctic environment; Antarctic inhabitants; Microfungi; Identification of microfungi; Physiological factors affecting Antactic microfungi; Flow cytometry and microfungi; Hydrolytic enzymes of industrial interest; Isolation of genes from microfungi; Aims of this study -- Materials and methods: Fungal strains and cultivation conditions; Molecular identification of fungal isolates; Fungal physiology; Hydrolase activity of secreted proteins; Gene cloning and expression -- Results and discussion: Microfungal identification; Physiological factors affecting Antarctic microfungi; Activity in microfungi when grown on solid media; Characterisation of hemicellulases from selected Antarctic microfungi; Cloning of an Antarctic Penicillium allii lipase gene and its expression in Trichoderma reesei -- Conclusions and future prospects. / The Antarctic occupies that region of the planet that falls below the 60th parallel of South latitude. Although it has been frequented by adventurers, journeyman scientists and tourists for the past 100 years, the Continent has remained virtually unoccupied. The intense cold, the absence of human occupation and the limited range of local higher animal species have combined to create the impression that the Continent is virtually devoid of life. -- Although the microbiota of the Antarctic has attracted some small level of attention in the past, the examination of filamentous microfungi has been largely overlooked and fallen to a small group of dedicated investigators. In this study it will be shown that far from being an insignificant component of the Antarctic network, microfungi represent a potentially large and so far untapped bioresource. -- From just 11 bryophyte samples collected at four sites in the Ross Sea/Dry Valleys region of Southern Antarctica, some 30 microfungal isolates were recovered. Using molecular techniques, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) was sequenced to reveal no less than nine unique microfungal species. For only two of these species did the ITS sequence data produce a 100% match with records held on the public databases. This investigation also highlighted the problems inherent in the traditional morphological identification system which are now being perpetuated in the molecular database records. -- A set of seven notionally identified isolates obtained from ornithogenic soil samples gathered in the Windmill Islands in Eastern Antarctica (offshore from the Australian Antarctic Division's Casey Station) were also subjected to molecular identification based on ITS sequence data. Each of the seven isolates was identified as a unique species; six were cosmopolitan in nature and the one remaining bore very little resemblance at the molecular level to any of the recorded species although it was provided with an epithet commonly used in the identification of Antarctic microfungal species. -- To evaluate their potential as a bioresource, samples of Antarctic microfungi were examined to determine if the same physiological factors common to mesophilic species also applied to their Antarctic analogues. It is known that when placed under stress, trehalose can act as a protectant against cold (cryoprotection) and dehydration in mesophilic yeasts and fungi. The level of trehalose produced by the Antarctic isolates and their mesophilic analogues when subjected to stress was compared. A similar comparison was made for the production of glycerol which is well established as a compatible solute providing protection to mesophilic species against osmotic stress. Only in the case of trehalose production by an Antarctic Embellisia was there any indication that either of these two compounds could play a significant role in providing protection to the Antarctic fungi against the rigours of their environment, which leaves open to question what in fact does. -- In the course of investigating the means by which Antarctic microfungi guard against the damage which can ensue when subjected to oxidative stress, flow cytometry was introduced as an investigatory tool. It was established that there is a window of opportunity during which flow cytometry can be used to undertake a detailed analysis of the early stages of fungal growth from germination through hyphal development. -- Of major significance in determining the potential of Antarctic microfungi as a resource is their ability to produce new and novel enzymes and proteins. The microfungal isolates were screened for hydrolytic activity on solid media containing indicative substrates and proved to be a fruitful source of enzymes active over a range of temperatures. A detailed characterisation of two hemicellulases, β-mannanase and xylanase, secreted into a liquid medium by a subset of the Antarctic fungi and a high producing mesophilic reference strain permitted direct comparisons to be made. It was shown that the maximum hemicellulase activity of the Antarctic strains occurred at least 10°C and as much as 30°C lower than that of the reference strain and that mannanase activity for two of the Antarctic isolates exceeded 40% of their maximum at 0°C. These assay results highlight the potential of Antarctic microfungi to yield novel cold-active enzymes. -- As a final measure of the capacity of the Antarctic to yield novel enzymes from its microfungal stock, a lipase gene was selected as a target for isolation and expression in a heterologous fungal host. Using PCR techniques, the gene of interest was isolated from an Antarctic isolate of Penicillium allii, transformed into the mesophilic production host Trichoderma reesei and the active protein successfully produced in the growth medium. The recombinant lipase was assayed and found to exhibit novel characteristics consistent with a cold-adapted enzyme. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / 186 leaves ill

Este estudo tem como objetivo estudar o fósforo total e as especiações de fósforo nos sedimentos superficiais associados aos processos biogeoquímicos em dois sistemas estuarinos, na plataforma continental sudeste e na região polar antártica. Amostras de água de fundo foram coletadas em dois períodos sazonais (verão-inverno) nos estuários sob diferentes graus de impacto ambiental antrópico. A metodologia de extração das frações de (SEDEX) aplicada para obter as especiações químicas de fósforo foi testada com padrões certificados antes das análises. Os resultados foram reprodutivos e a eficiência da extração foi aceitável. As concentrações das espécies químicas de fósforo sedimentar nos dois estuários mostraram diferenças entre os setores seguindo as características granulométricas, influência da maré, condições redox das águas de fundo bem como, as ações antrópicas reveladas pelos dados quantitativos e qualitativos. Uma influência sazonal mínima foi observada. No caso da plataforma sudeste, altos valores de matéria orgânica foram observados em núcleos ao longo da plataforma, junto às estações externas das radiais de Santos e Ilha Grande mostrando uma diferenciação acompanhada pelas frações de fósforo orgânico e carbono orgânico. Nas demais radiais, altos valores de CaCO3 foram observados nas estações mais externas. Na Baía do Almirantado as frações predominantes foram P mineral, P detrítico, P-ligado à apatita autigênica, sendo que a forma orgânica foi baixa e associada a baixos valores de carbono orgânico. A quantificação e distribuição das espécies de fósforo nos sedimentos constituem importante ferramenta para compreender o ciclo biogeoquímico do fósforo e dos demais nutrientes nos ecossistemas marinhos. / This work aims to study the total and chemical species of phosphorus in the surface sediments associated to the biogeochemical processes in two estuarine systems, the southeastern continental shelf and Antarctic polar region. Bottom water samples were collected in two seasonal periods (summer-winter) in the estuaries under different degrees of environmental anthorpic impacts. The fraction extraction methodology (SEDEX) applied to obtain the chemical phosphorus species was tested in relation to the certified standards before analyses. The results were reproductive and the extraction efficiency was acceptable. The chemical species concentrations of sedimentary phosphorus in the two estuarine systems showed differences between sectors following the granulometric characteristics, tide influence, redox conditions of the bottom waters as well as anthropic actions revealed by quantitative and qualitative data. A minimum seasonal influence was observed. In the case of eastern continental shelf, high values of organic matter were found in nuclei distribution along the platform in the external stations of Santos and Ilha Grande radials showing a differentiation accompanied by organic phosphorus and C org., fractions. In the other radials high CaCO3 values were observed in the external stations. In the Admiralty Bay the predominant fractions were detrital apatite and authigenic/biogenic apatite, being that organic form was low, linked to low values of organic carbon. The quantification and distribution of P species in the sediments constitute important tools to understand the P and the other nutrient biogeochemical cycles in the sea ecosystems

La baleine bleue Antarctique, Balaenoptera musculus intermedia, est en danger critique d’extinction depuis la chasse baleinière intensive du 20e siècle. L’état de ses populations et leur écologie restent encore mal connus. En raison de l’inefficacité des observations visuelles, la surveillance par acoustique passive est privilégiée pour étudier cette espèce vocalement très active. Cette thèse porte sur l’analyse de 7 ans de surveillance acoustique passive dans l’océan Indien austral, région d’habitat et de migration particulièrement importante pour la baleine bleue Antarctique. Déployé depuis 2010 sur une aire de près de 9 000 000 km2, le réseau d’hydrophones OHASISBIO fournit une base de données acoustiques multi-site et pluri-annuelle. L’application d’un algorithme de détection automatique des vocalisations de baleines bleues Antarctique, préalablement testé et validé, a permis d’établir les patrons géographiques et saisonniers de présence de l’espèce au sein du réseau. L’analyse systématique de ces vocalisations a également permis de caractériser des variations intra- et inter-annuelles de leur fréquence, affectée par une décroissance long-terme et des modulations saisonnières. L’analyse préliminaire de signatures vocales d’autres espèces présentes dans le réseau - rorquals communs et trois populations de baleines bleues pygmées – a révélé des variations de fréquence similaires de leur vocalisation et permis d’esquisser leurs patrons géographiques et saisonniers. Enfin, deux vocalisations, jusqu’alors non décrites, aux caractéristiques semblables à celles de baleines bleues, ont été identifiées et caractérisées. / The Antarctic blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus intermedia, is currently critically endangered since the commercial whaling in the 20th century. The population recovery of this species, as well as its ecology, are still poorly known. Due to the ineffectiveness of visual observations, passive acoustics is a preferred method to monitor this highly vocal species. This dissertation presents an analysis of 7 years of passive acoustic monitoring in the southern Indian Ocean, known as a particularly important area of habitat and migration for the Antarctic blue whale. Deployed since 2010 over an area of about 9,000,000 km2, the OHASISBIO hydrophone network provides a multi-site and multi-year acoustic database. An algorithm for the automated detection of Antarctic blue whale calls, first tested and validated, has been applied to characterize the seasonal and geographic patterns of the species presence in the study area. The systematic analysis of these vocalizations also allowed to characterize intra- and inter-annual variations of their frequency, with a long-term decline and seasonal variations. A preliminary analysis of other vocal signatures recorded by the network, from 3 populations of pygmy blue whales and fin whales, highlighted similar variations of their frequencies and outlined their geographic and seasonal patterns of presence in the area. Finally, two previously undescribed vocalizations, with characteristics close to that of blue whale calls, were identified and characterized.