The Kvarntorp area, some 200 km SW of Stockholm, Sweden, is a former mining site for alum shale. Kvarntorpshögen is a refuse dump from the hydrocarbon extraction during 1940-1965. The area is also dotted by abandoned quarries, which most are water filled today. The area is divided into two watersheds; the central and the eastern. Frommestabäcken is the main watercourse flowing out of the central watershed while Frogestabäcken is the corresponding watercourse in the eastern watershed. These two watercourses have been sampled annually since 1994 by consulting companies for the municipality of Kumla. The sampling sites at Ulftorpsbäcken (main inlet to the central watershed) and at the outlet from Serpentindammssystemet (the water treatment system in the central watershed) was added to the sampling program in 1997 and 1996 respectively. Other consulting companies have sampled the groundwater around Kvarntorpshögen (in 2004) and the water in the lake Norrtorpssjön (in 2004), which is an old water filled quarry. The lake Norrtorpssjön has also been sampled as part of a project performed by Örebro University. This thesis is a compilation and evaluation of all this data but the main part will be given focused on seasonal variations. Samples have been analysed with regard to the metals Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Al, Li, B, As, Cu, Ni, Zn, Co, Cr, Cd, Pb, Mo, Sr and U. Other analysed parameters were tot-N, tot-P, bicarbonate (alkalinity), sulphate, chloride and the parameters pH, electrical conductivity and COD(Mn). Samples of bottom fauna have also been collected in Frommestabäcken. Concentration of most metals increased in the surface water while passing the Kvarntorp area. High metal concentrations were found for example in some of the groundwater samples. Such high concentrations were not observed in the samples from Frommestabäcken or Frogestabäcken, indicating for example dilution of metals or immobilisation through precipitation or adsorption. Seasonal effects on the dissolution and precipitation/adsorption of compounds were observed at all annually sampled watercourses. One of these effects was the spring- and autumn circulation of the lake Norrtorpssjön. The lake forms a thermocline during summer which causes higher concentrations of metals beneath the thermocline. During circulation these concentrations mixes throughout the depth profile which affects the amount of elements that is transported from the lake via Frogestabäcken. During winter the highest concentrations of metals are expected near the surface of the lake since the surface is colder than the rest of the water mass.

La réactivité d'un oxyde de manganèse naturel vis-à-vis de quatre composés pharmaceutiques a été étudiée. Alors que la carbamazépine ne présente aucune interaction avec l'oxyde, le paracétamol est éliminé pour des temps de séjour en colonne de quelques minutes et converti en benzoquinone (BZQ) pour pH < 6. La vitesse d'oxydation diminue quand le pH augmente. Le tampon MOPS inhibe la réactivité par des phénomènes de compétition. Le manganèse dissous n'a pas d'influence mais les matières organiques inhibent la formation de BZQ probablement par des réactions de couplage croisées. Le diclofénac est éliminé dans les mêmes conditions avec des effets similaires du pH et du MOPS. L'identification des sous-produits a mis en évidence une décarboxylation du diclofénac. Une analyse par ATR-FTIR a montré l'adsorption du triclosan mais pas d'oxydation. Des capacités d'adsorption ont été obtenues en réacteur fermé et en colonne. Les oxydes de manganèse peuvent ainsi participer à la dégradation de ces molécules dans l'environnement et le traitement de l'eau. / The reactivity of a natural manganese oxide towards four pharmaceutical compounds was studied. Whereas carbamazepine does not interact with the oxide, paracetamol is eliminated for residence time of a few minutes during column experiment and converted into benzoquinone (BZQ) for pH < 6. The oxidation rate decreases with increasing pH. MOPS buffer inhibits the reactivity because of competition mechanism. Dissolved manganese has no effect but organic matter reduces BZQ formation probably through cross coupling reactions. Diclofenac is eliminated in the same conditions with similar effect of pH and MOPS. Identification of by-products shows decarboxylation of diclofenac. ATR-FTIR analysis shows adsorption of triclosan without oxidation. Sorption capacities were obtained in column and closed reactors. Manganese oxides can then participate to the degradation of these molecules in the environment and water treatment.

Sediments from four areas adjacent to marinas and a background site in the Intracoastal Waterway were assessed for macroinvertebrate composition and heavy metal contamination. Sediment core samples were collected in 2004 and 2005 for analyses of macroinvertebrate composition and sediment grain size. Additional sediment samples were collected in 2005 for chemical analyses of metals (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Hg, Ni and Zn). MANOVA and dendograms using Bray-Curtis similarity matrices grouped the sites into two clusters: the 3 sites closest to the New River formed one group, and the two end sites formed the other. The sites nearest the New River were dominated by polychaetes, half of which were pollutant-tolerant species (e.g., Capitella capitata). The macroinvertebrate communities of the two end sites were dominated by tanaids, gastropods and sipunculids with fewer annelids than the other 3 sites. The influence of the New River on the study sites appeared to outweigh the sources of metal pollution found in marinas. The 3 sites closest to the New River had higher metal concentrations than the two end sites. The background site, nearest the mouth of the New River, exceeded the Florida sediment quality guideline probable effect level for cadmium and copper while three of the four marina sites exceeded at most one probable effect level and one or more threshold effect levels for cadmium and copper. The furthest site from the New River, which was the closest site to Port Everglades, had the lowest metal concentrations. Additional studies are needed to determine the level of pollutant loading from the New River and its effects on nearby biological communities.

Contaminated soils are a large issue worldwide and much effort has been made to find efficient remediation methods. At many contaminated sites, mixtures of dif­ferent contaminants with different properties are present, which may lead to addi­tional problems, and thus additional costs, during the remediation process. This thesis presents the results from soil remedia­tion of two mixed contaminated soils, containing explosives and heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and arsenic, respectively. The re­sults demonstrate that bioremediation may be an efficient method for moderate explosives concentration, but that too high contaminant concentrations may prevent the biodegradation, measured by both chemical and ecotoxicological analyses. If the contaminant concentration is very high, soil washing with alkaline pH (~12, NaOH) may be a good alterna­tive, which was observed to remove both explosives and heavy metals. For a PAH and arsenic contaminated soil, little degradation of organics was ob­served during the bioremediation. However, the arsenic present was re-distributed in the soil, which could poten­tially lead to increased availability and thus in­creased risk for contaminant spreading. Soil washing at alkaline pH (~12-13; Ca(OH)2) with a combination of a biodegradable non-ionic sur­factant and a biodegradable chelating agent, executed at high temperature (50°C), reached treatment goals for both arsenic and PAH after 10 min treatment. Measurement of ecotoxicity using Microtox® demonstrated that remaining surfactant in the soil may lead to increased toxicity despite lower con­taminant concentrations. Soil is a basically non-renewable resource and thus re-cycling of remediated soil ought to be commonly occurring. Yet, the re-cycling of remediated masses has so far been limited in Sweden, mainly because of the risk of spreading of pollu­tant remains. However, a recent proposition from the Swedish EPA opens for re-cycl­ing, even though the thresholds are very con­servative. Risk assessment of the re­mediated soil includes the utilization of leach­ing tests to estimate the risk of spreading of remaining pollutants. A comparison of the leaching from four reme­diated soils using three different leaching solutions reveals that leaching of both heavy metals and PAH occurs. In addition, differ­ences between different legisla­tions were observed, which could imply that the same soil could be re-cycled in one country (the Netherlands) but not another (Sweden).

Les résultats obtenus au cours des travaux de thèse traitent dans une première partie de l’applicabilité et des limitations des bio-essais à l’étude des MF (problématiques telles que l’hydratation des échantillons, l’apport de nourriture, l’extraction des organismes de matrices complexes,…). D’autre part, la réponse des critères d’effet étudiés pour chacun des deux organismes (i.e. mortalité, croissance, et reproduction pour C. elegans ainsi que mortalité et reproduction pour H. aculeifer) a été renseignée après exposition à différentes substances chimiques préconisées en tant que substances de référence. La deuxième partie présente la sensibilité des organismes étudiés par rapport à des éléments contaminant (i.e. ETM) pouvant potentiellement être apportés au sol lors de l’épandage de MF. La dernière partie des résultats concerne l’évaluation de différentes MF par approche directe et indirecte, en utilisant les critères d’effet définis pour les deux organismes modèles. La discussion des travaux de thèse est axée en premier lieu sur la comparaison de la sensibilité des critères d’effet suivis chez les deux organismes modèles pour les différentes substances chimiques étudiées. Dans un second temps, la pertinence d’intégrer les organismes modèles C. elegans et H. aculeifer dans des batteries de bio-essais est discutée, cela afin de proposer, à terme, une stratégie expérimentale permettant une caractérisation a priori des dangers pour l’environnement liés à l’utilisation agricole des MF / Fertilizing matters (FM) can be hazardous to the environment during application, due to the potential presence of contaminants. The approval process involves demonstrating the safety of these matrices towards the environment, but there is no ecotoxicological test strategy to date. In this context, tests using the nematode C. elegans and the predatory mite H. aculeifer have been proposed in a battery of bioassays, as new model organisms for the ecotoxicological assessment of FM. The results obtained with C. elegans and H. aculeifer by direct and indirect approaches were compared and discussed in relation to those obtained for other terrestrial (plants and earthworms) and aquatic organisms (bacteria, algae, rotifers and crustaceans) in order to provide, in fine, a relevant test strategy to assess the environmental hazards of the agricultural use of FM

Bottom sediments around the world store large amounts of legacy hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs), forming mixtures of unknown chemical composition. Primary emissions to the environment of many HOCs have been reduced as a consequence of regulation. However, HOCs may be released from the sediments to water and biota, and there is therefore a risk of negative effects on local ecosystems. The activity of benthic organisms can enhance the sediment-to-water flux of HOCs, a process called bioturbation. Few in situ assessments of the sediment-to-water flux are available in the scientific literature, and the effect of bioturbation on the sediment-to-water flux of HOCs has not been studied in the field. Thus, there is a need to improve in situ methods for direct determination of sediments as a source of HOCs to water, and thereby include the effect of bioturbation. In Paper I, a benthic flow-through chamber was developed for environmentally realistic in situ assessments of the sediment-to-water flux. In Paper II, the sediment-to-water flux of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was assessed using the flow-through chamber at four sites on the Swedish Baltic Sea coast. The sediments at all four sites acted as sources of PAHs to water. In the same study, potential effects of bioturbation, with an increase of the sediment-to-water flux by up to one order of magnitude, were observed at sites with bioturbating organisms. In the past, assessing the toxicity of HOCs has been challenging due to difficulties in maintaining stable exposure concentrations of the test chemical. In Paper III, a passive dosing method, where the test chemical partitions from a polymer (silicone) to the aquatic exposure medium, was developed and tested for chronic exposure. A stable exposure concentration could be maintained, and the chronic toxicity to the sediment-dwelling harpacticoid Nitocra spinipes of chronic exposure to triclosan was assessed in a 6-week population development test. In Paper IV, a passive sampling and dosing method was developed and used to assess the toxicity of an environmental chemical mixture of bioavailable sediment-associated HOCs transferred from a contaminated sediment to the laboratory-based bioassay. The passive sampling and dosing method can be used to assess the toxicity of environmental mixtures of chemicals at environmentally realistic concentrations to which ecosystems are constantly exposed. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Manuscript.</p>

La pollution des produits agroalimentaires et des eaux environnementales par les substances phytosanitaires et les médicaments est une réelle préoccupation de santé publique. Il existe aujourd’hui de nombreuses méthodes d’analyses quantitatives développées sur des appareils de type triple quadripôle pour leur détection mais elles ne se préoccupent peu ou pas des résidus médicamenteux et des produits de dégradation abiotique ou biologique des polluants et sont limitées à un nombre restreint et figé de molécules.Dans ce contexte, nous avons développé une méthode d’analyse basée sur la métabolomique par chromatographie liquide haute performance couplée à la spectrométrie de masse à ultra-haute résolution (LC-HRMS). Deux matrices (miel et eau souterraine) ont ainsi été étudiées comme preuve de concept. Nous avons montré que la LC-HRMS associée à des outils de fouille de données permet (i) une recherche ciblée de polluants prioritaires, (ii) la détection sans a priori de contaminants inattendus ou inconnus et (iii) la recherche de métabolites nécessaire à la classification des échantillons en fonction de leur métadonnée (adultération, origine géographique, etc.). Ensuite, une approche semi-quantitative ciblée large spectre a été développée et validée pour la détection de pesticides, médicaments et métabolites dans l’eau par couplage de la SPE en ligne avec l’UHPLC-ESI-HRMS. Cette méthode permet la détection de 539 contaminants organiques en 36 minutes dans 5 millilitres d’eau au seuil minimum réglementaire de 0,1 µg/L. L’étude de 26 eaux du robinet de la région parisienne a permis de mettre en évidence la présence à l’état de trace de 37 polluants dont 6 médicaments. / Pollution of agrifood and environmental water by pesticides and drugs is a real public health concern. There are many quantitative methods developed on triple quadrupole mass spectrometer for their detection, but drug residues and abiotic or biological degradation of pollutants are generally not considered and are limited to a predetermined and restricted list of molecules.In this context, we have developed an analytical method based on metabolomic analyses by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Two matrices (honey and groundwater) were investigated as proof of concept studies. We showed that LC-HRMS associated to data mining tools enables (i) targeted analyses of pollutants, (ii) detection of untargeted and unknown xenobiotics, and (iii) detection of metabolites useful for the characterization of matrices. Then, a large targeted and semi-quantitative approach has been developed and validated for the detection of pesticides, drugs and metabolites in water samples by using on line SPE and UHPLC-ESI-HRMS. This method allowed the detection of 539 organic contaminants at the MLR of 0.1 µg/L in 36 minutes with only 5 milliliter of water. A study of 26 tap water samples from the Paris region showed the presence of 37 pollutants including 6 drugs.

O presente trabalho estuda a degradação fotocatalítica da nicotina em solução aquosa, um alcaloide altamente tóxico que tem sido detectado em efluentes, águas subterrâneas e água mineral. Os experimentos foram realizados em um reator batelada sob irradiação ultravioleta, tendo sido avaliadas três principais variáveis: concentração inicial do contaminante, concentração de catalisador e pH inicial da solução. Foram realizados dois planejamentos de experimentos para os catalisadores comerciais ZnO e TiO2, com o objetivo de encontrar a melhor condição para promover a degradação da nicotina em água. Outros catalisadores, preparados a partir de resíduos industriais e laboratoriais, foram testados nas condições otimizadas. O método analítico empregado para quantificar a nicotina nas amostras foi a cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência, o que permitiu registrar a formação de intermediários e subprodutos de reação. Os resultados experimentais demostraram que a degradação da nicotina por fotocatálise heterogênea é um processo bastante eficiente. Em ambos os planejamentos, o pH foi a variável que exerceu o maior efeito sobre a degradação, sendo este fortemente positivo. Já a concentração inicial de nicotina exerceu efeito negativo sobre a resposta e a concentração de catalisador em suspensão exibiu um ponto ótimo, que correspondeu a 0,91 g.L-1 para o ZnO, e 1,20 g.L-1 para o TiO2. Ensaios foram realizados nas condições otimizadas encontradas, onde cerca de 98% da molécula foi degradada utilizando ZnO em suspensão e 88% empregando TiO2, em uma hora de reação. A degradação fotocatalítica da nicotina demonstrou seguir uma cinética de pseudoprimeira ordem dentro do tempo de reação de 60 minutos, para os dois catalisadores comerciais. Entre os catalisadores não convencionais que foram testados, aquele que demonstrou o maior percentual de degradação foi obtido a partir de resíduo de uma indústria petroquímica, cerca de 43%. / The present work studies the photocatalytic degradation of nicotine in aqueous solution. This alkaloid is highly toxic and it has been detected in wastewater, groundwater and mineral water. The experiments were performed in a batch reactor under ultraviolet radiation. Three main variables of process were evaluated: initial concentration of pollutant, catalyst concentration and initial pH of the solution. Two experimental designs were performed for commercial catalysts ZnO and TiO2. The purpose was to find the best condition to promote the nicotine degradation in water. Other catalysts prepared from industrial and laboratory waste were tested under the optimized conditions. Analytical method used to quantify nicotine and its degradation products in all samples was high performance liquid chromatography. Experimental results showed that nicotine degradation by heterogeneous photocatalysis is a very efficient process. In both designs, initial pH was the most significant variable which has a strong positive effect. Initial nicotine concentration showed a negative effect, and catalyst concentration exhibited an optimal value for both commercial catalysts: 0,91 g.L-1 using ZnO, and 1,20 g.L-1 with TiO2. At the best conditions, about 98% of the molecule was degraded using ZnO and 88% with TiO2. Photocatalytic nicotine degradation followed a pseudo first order kinetic until 60 minutes of reaction for both commercial catalysts. Among the non-conventional catalysts tested, the one prepared from a petrochemical industry residue exhibited the highest photocatalytic degradation, about 43%.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-04-13T12:48:36Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Daniele Maciel, 2015.pdf: 8269323 bytes, checksum: 502a5b895730f3f0f1d5a51d67510dac (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-13T12:48:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Daniele Maciel, 2015.pdf: 8269323 bytes, checksum: 502a5b895730f3f0f1d5a51d67510dac (MD5) Previous issue date: 30-09-30 / CAPEs / O sistema Estuarino do Rio Capibaribe (SERC) está localizado na região metropolitana do Recife e trata-se de uma área muito importante do ponto de vista socioeconômico. Apesar disto, recebe intensa carga de efluentes domésticos e industriais, na sua maioria sem tratamento. Vários processos físicos e químicos regem o destino destes contaminantes, incluindo a tendência dos mesmos serem adsorvidos ao material particulado. O regime de circulação do SERC favorece a retenção deste material e, por consequência, os contaminantes acabam se depositando nos sedimentos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar, pela primeira vez, a saúde ambiental do SERC, considerando aspectos químicos e biológicos. Primeiramente, investigou-se a contaminação de sedimentos por Hidrocarbonetos (HCs) e Organoestânicos (OTs), em 9 estações distribuídas dentro do estuário. Também foram analisados HCs em mais 5 pontos da plataforma adjacente ao SERC, com o intuito de se investigar o potencial de transferência de contaminantes do estuário para a área costeira. Os compostos foram determinados através de cromatografia em fase gasosa associada a um detector de ionização de chama (para hidrocarbonetos alifáticos - HAs) e a um detector de espectrometria de massas (para hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs) e OTs). As concentrações dos alifáticos totais no estuário variaram entre 7,5 μg g-1 e 190,3 μg g-1. A Mistura Complexa Não Resolvida esteve presente em grande parte das amostras indicando a contaminação dos sedimentos do estuário por óleo. A concentração de HPAs variou desde abaixo do limite de detecção a 497,6 ng g-1, com predominância de fontes pirolíticas, mas, em alguns pontos do estuário, há indicações de contribuição petrogênica, sugerindo uma mistura de fontes. Observou-se uma diminuição na concentração dos HCs em direção a foz do estuário. As concentrações de OTs variaram entre 13,97 e 541,69 ng Sn g-1, e os resultados indicam aporte recente destes contaminantes no ambiente, mesmo após obanimento de seu uso como agente anti-incrustante. A partir da constatação da contaminação dos sedimentos, cinco dos locais mais contaminados e próximos a potenciais fontes de contaminação foram novamente amostrados. O objetivo foi avaliar a qualidade dos sedimentos do estuário através da abordagem clássica ―Tríade da Qualidade de Sedimento‖ (TQS) e o uso de análises multivariadas. Foram investigadas a contaminação por HAs e HPAs, compostos organoclorados (OCs) e metais pesados. Testes ecotoxicológicos e análise da estrutura da comunidade bentônica também foram realizados. Para determinação dos compostos orgânicos foi usada a mesma metodologia descrita anteriormente e, para determinação dos metais, a técnica de ICP-MS. Todas as estações apresentaram contaminação por HCs, OCs e metais pesados, sendo as maiores concentrações na porção superior do estuário e na área portuária. Em alguns casos, alguns compostos excederam os limites de segurança estabelecidos por agências reguladoras internacionais, podendo causar efeitos nocivos à biota. As estações localizadas em frente ao Porto do Recife e na parte mais interna do estuário apresentaram toxicidade para o copépodo Tisbe biminiensis e, ainda, na porção mais interna do estuário foram registrados os menores valores de abundância e diversidade de organismos. Os resultados das análises integradas indicaram a presença de um gradiente de diminuição da degradação, do interior do estuário à sua desembocadura. A TQS mostrou-se eficaz para avaliar a qualidade e saúde ambiental da região e pode ser usada em programas de monitoramento de outras regiões estuarinas. / The Capibaribe Estuarine System (CES) is located in the metropolitan region of Recife and, besides its important socio-economic role, it receives high load of domestic and industrial effluents, mostly untreated. Several physical and chemical processes govern the fate of these contaminants, but the hydrophobics tend to be adsorbed to the particulate material. The CES hydrodynamics favors the retention and deposition of this material and, consequently, the contaminants as well. The objective of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the environmental health of CES, considering chemical and biological aspects. Firstly, the sediment contamination by Hydrocarbons (HCs) and Organotins (OTs) was investigated in 9 stations distributed along the estuary. HCs were also analyzed in five stations on the adjacent shelf, in order to investigate the potential transfer of contaminants from estuary to the coastal area. The compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to a flame ionization detector (aliphatic hydrocarbons - HAs) and a mass spectrometric detector (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - PAHs, and OTs). Concentrations of total aliphatic in the estuary ranged from 7.5 μg g-1 to 190.3 μg g-1. The Unresolved Complex Mixture was registered in most samples indicating the contamination of sediments by oil. PAHs concentrations ranged from <limit of detection to 497.6 ng g-1. Pyrolytic compounds predominated in most sites but, in some portions of the estuary, the dominance of petrogenic suggests a mixture of sources. There was a decrease in the HCs concentration from upper to lower estuary. OTs concentrations ranged between 13.97 and 541.69 ng Sn g-1, and the results indicated recent input of this contaminant in the environment, even after its banishment as antifouling agent. Based on the sediments contamination and proximity of potential sources, five stations were again sampled. The objective was to evaluate the quality of the sediments through the classical approach "Sediment Quality Triad" (SQT) and multivariate analyzes. The contamination by PAHs, HAs, organochlorine (OC) and heavy metals were investigated. The OCs were analyzed using the same methodology described above, and for metals, the ICP-MS technique was used. Ecotoxicological bioassays and analysis of benthic community structure were also performed. All stations are contaminated by HCs, OC and heavy metals, and the highest concentrations were recorded in the upper portion of the estuary and in the port area. Some compounds exceeded the safe limits established by international regulatory agencies in a few samples, and they may be harmful to biota. The stations located in front of the Port of Recife and in the inner part of the estuary showed toxicity to the copepod Tisbe biminiensis. In addition, the inner portion had the lowest abundance and diversity of organisms. Integrated analyses indicated a decreasing gradient of degradation, from most inner part of the estuary to river mouth. The SQT was effective to assess the quality and environmental health and should be used in monitoring programs of other estuarine areas.

Introduction Des études épidémiologiques ont montré qu'une restriction nutritionnelle pendant la grossesse pouvait conduire à une réponse adaptative du fœtus conduisant à une altération durable du métabolisme. Ainsi, les enfants nés avec un petit poids de naissance sont plus à risque de développer des maladies cardiovasculaires à l'âge adulte. L'exposition à des contaminants obésogènes pourrait également jouer un rôle dans l'augmentation du risque d'obésité. L’alimentation est une des principales voies d'exposition à ces contaminants. Après une description de la qualité de l’alimentation pendant la grossesse, l’objectif était d'étudier l'association entre l'exposition prénatale aux contaminants alimentaires et la croissance des enfants.MéthodesLes données de trois cohortes de naissance ont été utilisées : deux études françaises (EDEN et ELFE), et une étude norvégienne (MoBa). Les femmes de ces cohortes, ont rempli un questionnaire de fréquence alimentaire (QFA) portant sur l’alimentation pendant la grossesse. L'évaluation des contaminants a été réalisée en combinant le QFA et des bases de données de contamination, la deuxième Etude de l’Alimentation Total (EAT2) française pour EDEN et plusieurs bases de données de contamination pour MoBa. Premièrement dans ELFE, nous avons créé un score de qualité de l'alimentation et un score spécifique à la grossesse, puis nous avons étudié les facteurs associés à une meilleure qualité alimentaire. Ensuite, nous avons examiné l’association entre la qualité de l'alimentation et la croissance prénatale. Deuxièmement, nous avons étudié la relation entre un contaminant alimentaire : l'acrylamide (AA), et la croissance prénatale, dans EDEN, et la croissance postnatale, dans MoBa. Troisièmement, nous avons étendu nos analyses à tous les contaminants alimentaires de l’EAT2, en analysant les composés pris individuellement, puis considérés en mélange.RésultatsPremièrement, nous avons montré que les recommandations générales et spécifiques étaient globalement bien suivies par les femmes enceintes. Certaines caractéristiques socioéconomiques ou démographiques étaient associées à la fois au score de qualité de l’alimentation et au score spécifique de la grossesse telles que l’âge à l’accouchement, niveau d’étude et revenu du foyer et le tabagisme. Un score élevé de qualité de l’alimentation était associé à un poids de naissance plus élevé et un risque plus faible d'avoir un enfant petit pour l’âge gestationnel (PAG).Deuxièmement, nous avons montré que plus l'exposition pendant la grossesse à l’AA est importante, plus la taille de naissance était faible et plus le risque de PAG est élevé. Dans MoBa, nous avons constaté que l'exposition prénatale à l'AA était associée à une prévalence accrue d'enfants en surpoids ou obèses et à une plus grande vitesse de croissance du poids durant l’enfance.Dans EDEN, sur les 99 composés chimiques sélectionnés, le poids de naissance était associé négativement à l’exposition à quatre contaminants alimentaires et positivement à l’exposition à quatre autres. L'IMC à 5 ans était associé négativement à un contaminant. Aucune de ces associations étaient statistiquement significative après prise en compte de la multiplicité des tests. Lorsque les composés chimiques étaient considérés en mélanges, un mélange de contaminants était positivement associé au poids de naissance et aucun mélange n’était associé à l'IMC à 5 ans.ConclusionUne qualité de l’alimentation élevée est associée à un poids de naissance plus élevé et une diminution du risque de PAG, alors que l'exposition alimentaire à l'AA est associée à une altération de la croissance fœtale. L’exposition prénatale aux contaminants alimentaires, évaluée à partir des données d’EAT, ne semble pas préoccupante vis-à-vis de la croissance prénatale et postnatale précoce car les effets retrouvés sont de faible amplitude et ne sont plus significatifs après prise en compte des tests multiples. / Introduction Maternal diet is the only prenatal source of nutrients and the major source for non-nutrients and can influence foetal growth and offspring’s long-term health. Chemicals known as “obesogens” might also play a role in increasing obesity risk and one of the main route of exposure to these chemicals is through foods. After a description of diet quality during pregnancy, the aim of this thesis was to study the association between prenatal exposure to food chemicals and prenatal and postnatal growth among children.MethodsWe used the data of three birth cohort studies: two French studies (EDEN and ELFE), and a Norwegian study (MoBa). We first described the compliance to dietary guidelines of French pregnant women and the impact of a better diet quality on birth outcomes using the data of the ELFE study. Secondly, we studied the relationship of a specific food contaminant, acrylamide, on birth size in the EDEN and postnatal growth in MoBa. Finally, we extended analyses to all available food chemicals in the second French Total Diet Study (TDS).ResultsThe nutritional guidelines for pregnant women were rather well followed in ELFE. The diet quality score was associated with higher birth weight and lower risk of having a small for gestational (SGA) baby. We showed that prenatal dietary exposure to acrylamide was associated with reduced birth size in EDEN, and to increased postnatal growth in MoBA. In EDEN, on the 99 selected food chemicals, birth weight was associated with eight chemicals (four negatively and four positively). BMI at 5 years was associated with one food chemical. These results were not significant after correction for multiple testing. When using the mixture approach, one mixture of chemical was positively associated with postnatal growth.ConclusionsThe diet quality score was associated with higher birth size. Whereas dietary exposure to acrylamide was associated with impaired foetal growth, when looking at a larger number of food chemicals, we did not find concerning association on child prenatal or postnatal growth. Exposure to food chemical assessed by TDS did not appear to be of major concern for growth but other windows of susceptibility, such as early childhood, and other outcomes, such as cognitive development, should be considered in future studies.