Cyanobacteria are ancient prokaryotic organisms capable of performing oxygenic photosynthesis. An increase in the temporal and spatial distribution of cyanobacteria blooms worldwide has drawn considerable research attention in recent decades because of the health risks cyanobacteria pose to humans and wildlife through the production of cyanotoxins, interference with recreation, and ecosystem changes. A variety of hypotheses have sought to explain the increasing frequency and severity of cyanobacteria blooms around the world, with the relationship between cyanobacteria abundance and eutrophication receiving considerable attention. While the impacts of phosphorus concentration on cyanobacteria success are relatively well-studied, less is known about how nutrient stoichiometry and nitrogen uptake kinetics of different species contribute to cyanobacteria dominance. The underlying mechanism for the impacts of nitrogen to phosphorus (N:P) ratio and nitrogen form on cyanobacteria involves internal cycling of nitrogen within lakes and aspects of cyanobacteria cell physiology. The primary objective of this study was to assess the impacts of N:P ratios and nitrogen form on the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa and Anabaena flos-aquae in both axenic cultures and natural phytoplankton assemblages from Missisquoi Bay, Lake Champlain. A second objective was to determine whether treatment condition affected the production of the cyanotoxin microcystin. A final objective was to document the presence of benthic ammonium in Missisquoi Bay and the vertical migration of cyanobacteria throughout the water column in the bay, to provide evidence in support of the underlying mechanisms that might provide advantages to cyanobacteria in the bay. In laboratory culture experiments with M. aeruginosa and A. flos-aquae alone and in a mixed community, N:P ratios were varied between 5, 15, 30 and 45:1, and nitrogen was supplied as both nitrate and ammonium at each ratio. Triplicate samples were preserved after one, three and six days for cell enumeration using the standard Ütermohl method. Differences in density between initial and later times were used as an estimate of growth. Microcystin concentration was measured with the ELISA method. Weekly field sampling was conducted in the summer of 2006 in Missisquoi Bay to measure benthic nitrogen concentrations. Nocturnal sampling at varied depths in the bay was used to explore the vertical migration of cyanobacteria throughout the water column. There were weak associations between ammonium-nitrogen and M. aeruginosa growth and nitrate-nitrogen and A. flos-aquae growth, while the effects of N:P ratio on growth was highly variable across time and treatment condition. Ammonium-nitrogen was documented in the benthic water of Missisquoi Bay throughout the growing season, and M. aeruginosa dominated the vertical migration of cyanobacteria throughout the water column. The lack of clear trends visible within the data from laboratory experiments can be in part attributed to high variability of cell density within treatment conditions and the limitations of the methodology used for cell enumeration. Taken together these data suggest that the distribution of nitrogen within an aquatic system and the ability of M. aeruginosa to vertically migrate may contribute to the M. aeruginosa dominance of the summer phytoplankton community.

With the global rise in frequency of harmful algal blooms in estuarine environments comes an increase in prevalence of toxic metabolites, such as microcystin (MC), that some of the cyanobacteria involved will produce. At high concentrations, MC may accumulate in consumer tissues and have deleterious effects on organisms; however impacts of the toxin on aquatic living resources at ecologically relevant concentrations have not been widely documented. We analyzed the effects of MC on juveniles of five fish species from the James River, Virginia to determine if MC has the potential to impede growth. Using three separate experimental approaches, it was shown that exposure to concentrations of the toxin currently observed in the James River estuary do not appear to significantly impact the growth or survivorship of tested fish species. Extraneous factors in parts of the study led to an inability to draw clear conclusions on mortality or growth impacts; however it is evident from the experiments that at least some of the fish species have biological mechanisms in place that allow them to effectively eliminate the toxin from their systems. An ability to extricate the toxin suggests the possibility for fishes to withstand MC exposures and sustain few negative health impacts at low MC concentrations.

This work deals with the possibility of Raman spectroscopical identification of selected biomarkers of extremophile species. It focuses mainly on selected cyanobacteria, algae and lichens with an emphasis on the ability to detect carotenoids. These pigments exhibit three characteristic bands of Raman spectra which represent stretching vibrations C=C; C-C and bending vibration C-CH3 in molecules of carotenoids. Raman spectra were measured not only by laboratory microspectrometers (λ - 514 nm and 532 nm), but also by portable and handheld spectrometers (λ - 532 nm, 785 nm and 700 - 1100 nm). In the case of cyanobacteria, the spectroscopical analysis was performed also on the fractions obtained by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This work critically evaluates the possibilities of Raman spectroscopy to identify the carotenoids of cyanobacteria, algae and lichens. Besides the signal of carotenoids, interpretation of other bands in the Raman spectra corresponding to the presence of other biomarkers is given here for selected samples. The obtained Raman spectra of carotenoids should be interpreted with great caution, because of the ifluence of several factors, which potentially cause unsystematic shifts in the positions of Raman bands (carotenoids bond in biological tissue, interactions with...

L’utilisation des microorganismes marins ou terrestres pour la séquestration à long terme du CO2 est une des solutions envisagées pour diminuer la teneur en CO2 dans l'atmosphère. Le travail de cette thèse se concentre sur les microorganismes calcifiants, et notamment les cyanobactéries, qui peuvent fixer du CO2 sous forme de biomasse et carbonate de calcium. Ce dernier, insoluble dans l’eau, précipite et peut donc constituer un puits à long terme. La compréhension des mécanismes de calcification induits par les cyanobactéries et la possibilité de contrôler ces processus sont nécessaires pour développer une technologie de séquestration du CO2. Cette biotechnologie pourrait constituer une alternative à la technologie de capture et stockage géologique du CO2. Synechococcus PCC8806 une souche marine de cyanobactérie purifiée à l'Institut Pasteur de Paris est utilisée comme organisme au cours du travail expérimental réalisé dans le cadre de cette thèse. Le premier résultat important de cette thèse est le développement d'une stratégie analytique ayant permis d'accéder à un bilan de masse carbone et calcium au cours d'une culture de cyanobactérie sur hydrogénocarbonate. La mise en œuvre de cette stratégie au cours de différents essais réalisés dans le cadre de ce travail a permis par ailleurs de quantifier avec précision la production de carbone organique (biomasse) et de carbone inorganique (CaCO3) en fonction du calcium et du carbone inorganique présent dans les milieux de culture. Nous avons ensuite étudié la précipitation de la calcite au cours de la croissance de Synechococcus PCC8806 en présence de calcium. Pour cela les conditions de culture ont été variées de telle sorte que la survenue des évènements de précipitations a pu être comprise ainsi que l'influence de sites de nucléation mis en évidence. Le grossissement des cristaux a également été étudié attentivement par microscopie électronique à balayage. Une autre partie de ce travail a permis d'identifier la source de carbone inorganique utilisée par Synechococcus PCC8806 pour la photosynthèse. Cela a été l'occasion de réécrire les équations liées aux transferts entre le CO2 atmosphérique et le système carbonaté, ainsi que les équations de photosynthèse en fonction des conditions de disponibilité des deux sources de carbone inorganique (CO2 et hydrogénocarbonate). De plus ont pu être mis en évidence, les effets des phases diurne et nocturne de la croissance de cyanobactéries sur les équilibres du système carbonaté et le pH. Ce travail a également permis de déterminer les vitesses de croissance des cyanobactéries et donc de calculer des rendements de croissance par unité de surface. Cela permettra à terme d'optimiser la production de biomasse et de calcite dans un procédé industriel / The use of marine or terrestrial microorganisms for long-term sequestration of CO2 is a possible solution to reduce the CO2 content in atmosphere. This thesis work focuses on calcifying organisms, in particular the cyanobacteria, which can fix CO2 as biomass and calcium carbonate. The latter is insoluble in water; precipitates may therefore constitute a long term sink. Understanding of the calcification mechanisms induced by cyanobacteria and the possibility of controlling these processes are necessary to develop a technology for CO2 sequestration. This biotechnology could be an alternative technology to CO2 capture and geological storage. Synechococcus strain PCC8806, marine cyanobacteria purified by the Institute Pasteur de Paris is used during the experimental work in this thesis. The first important result of this work is to develop an analytical strategy that allowed access to a mass balance of carbon and calcium in a cyanobacteria culture on hydrogencarbonate. The implementation of this strategy in various tests of this work has also allowed to accurately quantify the production of organic carbon (biomass) and inorganic carbon (CaCO3) according to the calcium and Ci introduced (hydrogencarbonate) in the medium. We then studied the calcite precipitation during growth of Synechococcus PCC8806 in the presence of calcium. For that, culture conditions were varied in order to understand the occurrence of precipitation events and the influence of nucleation sites. The development of crystals has also been carefully studied by scanning electron microscopy. Another part of this work has identified the inorganic carbon source used by Synechococcus PCC8806 for photosynthesis. This was an opportunity to rewrite the equations related to transfers between atmospheric CO2 and the carbonate medium, as well as the equations of photosynthesis depending on the conditions of availability of two sources of inorganic carbon (CO2 and hydrogencarbonate). In addition, we have revealed the effects of diurnal and nocturnal phases of the growth of cyanobacteria on the carbonate system balance and pH. This work also allowed estimating the cyanobacteria growth rates and thus calculating growth yields per unit area. This will ultimately optimize biomass and calcite production in an industrial process

Un excès d’énergie lumineuse peut être délétère pour les organismesphotosynthétiques ; en effet, il en résulte la formation d’espèces réactives de l’oxygène ausein des centres réactionnels. Les cyanobactéries ont adopté divers mécanismes dephotoprotection afin de contrer ce phénomène. L’un d’eux repose sur l’activité de l’OrangeCarotenoid Protein (OCP), protéine soluble qui attache un kéto-caroténoïde (hydroxyechinenone).Subissant de fortes intensités de lumière bleu-verte, l’OCP se convertit d’uneforme inactive/orange vers sa forme active/rouge. L’OCP ainsi photoactivée possède la facultéd’interagir avec les phycobilisomes - principales antennes collectrices de lumière - induisantla dissipation de l’énergie collectée par ces gigantesques complexes sous forme de chaleur. Lapression d’excitation au niveau des centres réactionnels ainsi que la fluorescence du systèmedécroissent alors.L’OCP photoactivée se fixe au coeur des phycobilisomes qui sont majoritairementconstitués de protéines chromophorylées de la famille des allophycocyanines (APC). J’aiconstruit différentes souches mutantes de Synechocystis PCC 6803 en modifiant ousupprimant les sous-unités mineures d’APC (ApcD, ApcF et ApcE). Ces sous-unités jouent lerôle essentiel d’émetteurs terminaux des phycobilisomes, véhiculant l’énergie qu’ellesreçoivent à la Chlorophylle a. J’ai aussi démontré que le mécanisme photoprotectif associé àl’OCP chez ces mutants restait inchangé, aussi bien in vivo que in vitro. Ces résultatssuggèrent qu’aucun émetteur terminal n’est nécessairement requis pour l’attachement del’OCP aux phycobilisomes et sous-entendent que l’OCP interagit probablement avec unesous-unité majeure d’APC.Divers phycobilisomes, contenant 2, 3 ou 5 cylindres d’APC dans leur coeur, ont étéisolés à partir de cyanobactéries variées. Les OCPs de Synechocytis et d’Arthrospira ont étépurifiées à partir de souches mutantes de Synechocystis. J’ai alors mené une étude in vitro desinteractions entre ces OCPs et les phycobilisomes. Le nombre de cylindres d’APC présents ausein des phycobilisomes n’affecte en rien la diminution de fluorescence. De plus, j’ai constatéque l’OCP de Synechocystis est spécifique pour ses propres phycobilisomes alors que l’OCPd’Arthrospira interagit avec tous les phycobilisomes employés ici. Des hypothèses, fondéessur les structures disponibles, ont été formulées pour élucider ces différences.Les domaines N- et C-terminaux de l’OCP d’Arthrospira ont été dissociés parprotéolyse. Le domaine N-terminal isolé conserve le caroténoïde attaché, ayant uneconformation similaire à celle observée lorsque l’OCP est photoactivée. Ce domaine Nterminalest aussi capable d’induire une importante diminution de la fluorescence desphycobilisomes. A l’inverse, le domaine C-terminal isolé est incolore et n’a aucun effet sur lafluorescence des phycobilisomes. Ces résultats suggèrent que seul le domaine N-terminal del’OCP est impliqué dans l’interaction avec les phycobilisomes. Le domaine C-terminal quantà lui module son activité. / Too much light can be lethal for photosynthetic organisms. Under such conditionsharmful reactive oxygen species are generated at the reaction center level. Cyanobacteria havedeveloped photoprotective mechanisms to avoid this. One of them relies on the solubleOrange Carotenoid Protein (OCP) that binds a ketocarotenoid (hydroxyechinenone, hECN).Under strong blue-green illumination, OCP gets photoconverted from an orange inactive form(OCPo) to a red active one (OCPr). OCPr interacts with phycobilisomes, the majorcyanobacterial light harvesting antennae, and triggers heat dissipation of the excess lightenergy collected by these gigantic pigment-protein complexes. Consequently, excitationpressure on reaction centers and fluorescence emission decrease.OCPr binds to phycobilisome cores, containing mainly chromophorylated proteins ofthe allophycocyanin (APC) family. I constructed Synechocystis PCC 6803 mutants affected insome minor APC forms (ApcD, ApcF and ApcE). These special APCs play the role ofterminal emitters, i.e. funnel light energy to Chlorophyll a. Strong-blue green illuminationtriggered normal OCP-related fluorescence quenching in all mutant cells. The fluorescencedecrease induced by Synechocystis OCP in vitro was similar when using phycobilisomesisolated from wild-type or mutant cells. These results demonstrated that the terminal emittersare not needed for interaction with the OCP and they strongly suggested that OCPr interactswith one of the major APC forms of the phycobilisome core.Phycobilisomes containing 2, 3 or 5 APC cylinders per core were isolated fromdifferent cyanobacterial strains. Synechocystis and Arthrospira OCPs were purified from overexpressingSynechocystis mutant strains. I then performed in vitro OCP/phycobilisomeinteraction studies. The number of APC cylinders per core had no clear influence on theamount of fluorescence quenching. Both OCPs behaved very differently, one appearing muchmore species-specific than the other. Structure-based hypotheses were emitted to explain suchdissimilarity.Arthrospira OCP N-terminal and C-terminal domains were separated throughproteolysis. The isolated N-terminal domain retained a bound carotenoid, which displayedsimilar conformation than in OCPr. This isolated N-terminal domain triggered importantphycobilisome fluorescence quenching even under dark conditions. In contrast, the isolated Cterminaldomain attached no pigment and had no visible effect on phycobilisome emission. Itwas then proposed that only the N-terminal domain of OCP is implied in interactions withphycobilisomes. The C-terminal domain modulates its activity.

O uso intensificado de combustíveis fósseis como fonte de energia, vê-se a necessidade do desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias, principalmente as renováveis, como o hidrogênio, que possui vantagens por ser elemento abundante no universo, ser renovável e não poluente. A utilização de microalgas e cianobactérias é uma alternativa para a produção de biohidrogênio a partir da quebra da água e de compostos orgânicos. De acordo com isso, nesta pesquisa foram testados diversos fatores físico-químicos e nutricionais nas condições de cultivo de cepas de Chlamydomonas spp. e Anabaena spp. Para tanto, cepas selecionadas foram cultivadas em duas fases experimentais, a primeira aeróbia e a segunda anaeróbia, para proporcionar produção de hidrogênio por biofotólise direta anaeróbia, via hidrogenase, sob privação de enxofre para a clorofícea, e de nitrogênio para a cianobactéria, estimulando para esta também a produção por biofotólise indireta, via nitrogenase. A cepa com melhor produtividade de hidrogênio, de cada gênero, foi selecionada para a etapa de otimização das fases experimentais de cultivo. Durante os ensaios foram realizadas análises de produção máxima, velocidade de produção, volume e produtividade de hidrogênio, além de análises de concentração de biomassa, físico-químicas, bioquímicas e geração de subprodutos. O método utilizado foi eficiente para produção de hidrogênio e ficou comprovada a diferença de produção de hidrogênio entre diferentes cepas. Anabaena sp. obteve produtividade média de hidrogênio quatro vezes maior, aproximadamente de 76,8 µmol.L-1.h-1, comparada a C. reinhardtii, com média de 18,6 µmol.L-1.h-1. / The intensifying use of fossil fuels as energy source, one sees the need to develop new technologies, especially renewable, such as hydrogen. This has advantages because hydrogen is an abundant element in the universe, be renewable and non-polluting. The use of microalgae and cyanobacteria is an alternative for the production of bio-hydrogen of breaking water and organic compounds. Accordingly, in this study were tested several physic-chemical factors and nutrition in growing conditions of Chlamydomonas spp. and Anabaena spp. strains. For this purpose, strains selected were cultured in two experimental phases, first aerobic and second anaerobic, to hydrogen production by direct biofotolise anaerobic, via hydrogenase, under sulfur deprived to chlorofycea, and nitrogen to cyanobacterium, for this also to production by indirect biofotolise, via nitrogenase. The strain with highest productivity of hydrogen, of each gender, was selected for the optimization of the experimental stages of cultivation. During the tests were analyzes of maximum production, velocity, volume and productivity of hydrogen, and analysis of biomass concentration, physic-chemical, biochemical and generation of by-products. The method used was efficient for the production of hydrogen and was different between strains. Anabaena sp. obtained average yield four times highest, approximately 76.8 µmol. L-1.h-1compared to C. reinhardtii, averaging 18.6 µmol. L-1.h-1.

A oferta de água vem se tornando cada vez mais diminuta à medida que a população, a indústria e a agricultura se expandem. A contaminação dos mananciais gerada pelo descarte de efluentes domésticos e industriais leva a eutrofização, processo pela qual grande aporte de nutrientes, particularmente fosfatos, leva ao crescimento excessivo de algas. As cianobactérias são microrganismos procariontes, que vivem nos ambientes mais adversos. A floração dessas algas quando presente em mananciais destinados ao consumo humano gera sérios problemas à saúde humana, pois algumas dessas algas podem gerar toxinas, conhecidas como hepatotoxinas, neurotoxinas e dermatotoxinas, de acordo com sua ação farmacológica. Dentre as hepatotoxinas encontramos a microcistina, um heptapeptídeo cíclico que pode levar à morte em horas ou dias. O objetivo desse estudo foi viabilizar a técnica HPLC, já proposta por outros autores, para quantificar microcistinas-LR em reservatórios de água, em escala empresarial para ser implementada em laboratórios de análise de águas. Para o desenvolvimento da técnica, foram utilizadas amostras de uma lagoa com floração de Microcystis. Para determinar a eficiência da técnica cromatográfica, foram realizados estudos com outro método, através do kit ELISA. Nessa etapa do trabalho, verificou-se que a técnica HPLC é mais sensível e viável para a quantificação das microcistinas. Nos experimentos realizados com a cromatografia líquida, observou-se que a coluna C-18 LiChrosorb (25 cm) 7 Sm utilizada no método, e o solvente metanol apresentaram grande influência nos resultados. À medida que os experimentos foram executados, verificou-se o decréscimo da sensibilidade da coluna. Os resultados foram satisfatórios apenas após a limpeza realizada na coluna, onde os padrões apresentaram uma curva de correlação igual a 0,92. Este fato leva a concluir que as colunas precisam ser renovadas para análises mais sensíveis, como no caso das microcistinas. As amostras extraídas com metanol apresentaram resultados relevantes, isto é, quanto maior a concentração de metanol utilizado na extração, maior a concentração de microcistina-LR obtida nos resultados, concluindo o metanol ser o solvente apropriado para a extração. Por fim, conclui-se que o método desenvolvido é viável, apresentando algumas dificuldades para sua implantação em escala empresarial. / The water supply has been decreasing more and more as the population, industry and agriculture expand. The contamination of the water sources generated by the domestic and industrial effluents discharges leads to the eutrophization, process where the large presence of nutrients, particularly phosphates, causes excessive increase of algae. The cyanobacteria are procaryote microorganisms which live in the most diverse environments. The florescence of the algae when present in sources directed to human consumption generates serious problems to the human health, for some of them may produce toxins known as hepatotoxins, neurotoxins and dermotoxins, according to their pharmacological action. Among the hepatotoxins, the microcystin, a cyclic heptapeptide that can lead to death in hours or days, is found. The objective of this study was to make feasible the use of the HPLC technique, already proposed by other authors, to quantify microcystins-LR in water reservoirs, in enterprise scale to be implemented in water analysis laboratories. In order to develop the technique, samples of water from a pond with Microcystis florescence were utilized. To evaluate the efficiency of the chromatographic technique, studies were performed with another method, through the ELISA kit. In this phase of the work, it was verified that the HPLC technique is the most sensible and viable for the quantification of the microcystins. It was observed, in the experiments performed with the liquid chromatography, that the column C-18 LiChrosorb (25 cm) 7 Sm utilized in the method and the methanol solvent presented great influence in the results. As the experiments were realized, the decrease of the sensibility of the column was verified. The results were satisfactory only after the column being cleaned, when the patterns presented a curve of correlation equal to 0.92. This fact leads to the conclusion that the columns need to be renewed for more sensible analysis, like in the case of the microcystins. The samples extracted with methanol presented relevant results, that is, the greater the concentration of the methanol utilized, the higher the concentration of microcystin-LR obtained in the results, leading to the conclusion that methanol was the solvent adequate to the extraction. Finally, it was concluded that the method developed is feasible, presenting some difficulties concerning its implantation in enterprise scale.

As cianobactérias atuam no tratamento de águas residuárias em lagoas de estabilização. Seu estudo torna-se importante tanto pela atuação no referido tratamento como na possível produção de toxinas e seus efeitos nos sistemas aquáticos e saúde da população. Protocolos moleculares para culturas axênicas ou naturais foram testados e adaptados para as amostras analisadas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o método molecular de eletroforese em gel de gradiente desnaturante nas espécies de Microcystis (cianobactérias) em um sistema de lagoas de estabilização. Foram utilizadas as técnicas de Reação de Polimerização em Cadeia (PCR) e Eletroforese em Gel de Gradiente Desnaturante (DGGE) do gene RNAr 16S como marcador molecular na análise de cianobactérias no sistema de lagoas de estabilização de São Lourenço da Serra - SP. Este sistema é composto por tratamento primário (caixa de areia), fossa séptica seguida de um sistema australiano (lagoa anaeróbia seguida por uma lagoa facultativa) e na saída do sistema de lagoas um tanque de cloração. Na amostra ambiental realizada na lagoa facultativa obteve-se, através de exame microscópico, o predomínio das espécies Microcystis aeruginosa e Microcystis flos-aquae. Através da técnica molecular de DGGE foi obtido um padrão de aproximadamente 18 bandas com a amostra ambiental. / Cyanobacteria are active in wastewater treatment in stabilization ponds. The study of these microrganisms is of a great importance considering their role in the referred wastewater treatments as well as their potential to produce toxins and their effects in aquatic systems and public health. Molecular protocols for pure or natural cultures were tested and adapted for the collected environmental samples. This work had as objective to evaluate the molecular method of denatuirng gradient gel electrophoresis in the Microcystis species (cyanobacteria) in a system of stabilization ponds. The techniques Polimerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) of the gene 16S rRNA as molecular marker were used in the cyanobacteria analysis in the system of stabilization ponds of São Lourenço da Serra - SP. This system is composed by primary treatment (box of sand), septic tank followed by an Australian system (anaerobic pond proceeded by an facultative pond) and in the exit of the system a clorine tank. In environmental sample accomplished in the facultative pond it was obtained, as microscopic result, the prevalence of the species Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis flos-aquae. Through molecular techniques a pattern of approximately 18 bands with these environmental sample was obtained.

Os sistemas de lagoas de estabilização constituem uma tecnologia de tratamento de esgoto atraente para pequenas e médias comunidades, principalmente devido ao baixo custo, simplicidade operacional e boa eficiência de remoção de poluentes orgânicos e patógenos. Entretanto, apresentam elevadas concentrações de algas, cianobactérias e outras bactérias em seus efluentes. Neste trabalho, três coletas foram realizas na lagoa facultativa no município de Cajati - São Paulo - Brasil em 16 de dezembro de 2004, 25 de janeiro e 13 de abril de 2005. A população de cianobactérias foi estimada usando as técnicas de Número Mais Provável (NMP) e isolamento em meio de cultura BG-11 com e sem nitrogênio. O NMP da população de Cajati na lagoa facultativa variou em torno de 2,3 x \'10 POT.2\' a 1,5 x \'10 POT.4\' células/mL. Um total de 10 linhagens, pertencentes a cinco gêneros de cianobactérias (Synechococcus, Merismopedia, Leptolyngbya, Limnothrix e Nostoc), foi isolado e identificado morfologicamente e por análises moleculares. A identificação morfológica das linhagens isoladas foi congruente com análises filogenéticas baseadas nas seqüências do gene RNAr 16S. A amostra ambiental coletada no dia 16 de dezembro de 2004 foi também analisada por meio da construção de uma mini-biblioteca do espaço intergênico (IGS) juntamente com suas regiões flanqueadoras dos genes cpcB e cpcA do operon da ficocianina. Somente três seqüências de cpcBA-IGS de boa qualidade foram obtidas dos 112 clones gerados, as quais apresentaram baixa similaridade com seqüências do GenBank. Testes foram realizados para avaliar microcistinas nas cianobactérias isoladas e nas amostras ambientais usando o método ELISA e a detecção do gene mcyA. Resultados acima de 0,1 µg/L de microcistinas foram obtidos em seis das dez linhagens isoladas e em duas amostras ambientais. Não foram observadas amplificações por PCR do gene mcyA em todas as linhagens e amostras ambientais analisadas. Testes de bioatividade para detectar a presença de substâncias bioativas foram conduzidos usando extratos intra e extracelulares de cianobactérias obtidos com diferentes solventes orgânicos. Alguns extratos mostraram atividades inibitórias contra Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus pasteuri e Staphylococcus aureus. O DNA genômico dos isolados foi analisado por PCR para seqüências similares ao domínio da cetosintase (KS) do tipo I do gene da policetídeo sintase, obtendo resultado positivo para as linhagens Leptolyngbya CENA 103, Nostoc CENA 105, Nostoc CENA 107, Synechococcus CENA 108, Limnothrix CENA 109, Limnothrix CENA 110, Limnothrix CENA 111 e Leptolyngbya CENA 112. Espectrometria de massa (Q-TOF) dos isolados de cianobactérias revelou espectros de cianopeptídeos putativos. Esses resultados mostraram que as cianobactérias de lagoas facultativas produzem uma variedade de metabólitos secundários bioativos de funções desconhecidas. / Stabilization ponds systems constitute a sewage treatment technology attractive to small and medium communities, mainly due to low cost, operational simplicity and good efficiency of removing organic pollutants and pathogens. However, high concentrations of algae, cyanobacteria and other bacteria are present in their effluent. In this work, three sampling were carried out at the facultative pond from Cajati city - São Paulo - Brazil in December 16, 2004, January 25 and April 13, 2005. The cyanobacterial population was estimated using the Most Probable Number (MPN) and isolation in BG-11 culture medium (with and without nitrogen) techniques. The MPN of the population from Cajati facultative pond varied from 2.3 x \'10 POT.2\' to 1.5 x \'10 POT.4\' cells/mL. A total of 10 strains, belonging to five cyanobacteria genera (Synechococcus, Merismopedia, Leptolyngbya, Limnothrix and Nostoc) was isolated and identified by morphological and molecular analyses. The morphological identification of the strains was congruent with their phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rDNA gene sequences. The environmental sample collected in December 16, 2004 was also analyzed through the construction of a mini-library of the intergenic spacer (IGS) together with its flanking regions of the cpcB and cpcA genes of the phycocyanin operon. Only three cpcBA-IGS sequences with good qualities were obtained from 112 clones, which showed low similarities with sequences from GenBank. Tests were carried out to evaluate microcystins in the cyanobacterial isolates and environmental samples, using ELISA assay and detection of mcyA gene. Results above of 0.1 µg/L of microcystin were obtained in six of the ten isolate strains and in two environmental samples. No PCR amplification of mcyA gene was observed in all strains and environmental samples analyzed. Bioactivity test to detect the presence of bioactive compounds were conducted using intra and extracellular cyanobacterial extracts obtained with different organic solvents. Some extracts showed inhibitory activities against Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus pasteuri and Staphylococcus aureus. The genomic DNA of isolates was analyzed by PCR for sequence similarities to the ketosynthase (KS) domain of type I polyketide synthase with positive results for Leptolyngbya CENA 103, Nostoc CENA 105, Nostoc CENA 107, Synechococcus CENA 108, Limnothrix CENA 109, Limnothrix CENA 110, Limnothrix CENA 111, and Leptolyngbya CENA 112. Mass spectrometry (Q-TOF) of the cyanobaterial isolates revealed spectra of putative cyanopeptides. These results showed that cyanobacteria of facultative pond produce a variety of bioactive secondary metabolites of unknown functions.

Por suas características fisiológicas, cianobactérias se adaptam rapidamente em sistemas eutrofizados e geralmente predominam na comunidade fitoplanctônica. O crescimento excessivo desses microrganismos resulta em dificuldades e acréscimo nos custos do tratamento de água para consumo humano. Além da rápida colmatação dos filtros devido à grande massa orgânica, atribuição de cor e sabor, cianobactérias podem se apresentar tóxicas, liberar na água metabólitos nocivos e também serem precursoras na formação de subprodutos. Assim, este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a eficiência de remoção da cianobactéria Microcystis sp por pré-oxidação com cloro, coagulação com sulfato de alumínio, filtração direta e pós-cloração em escala de bancada, baseando-se nos parâmetros de turbidez, contagem celular, distribuição de tamanho e contagem de partículas, carbono orgânico dissolvido e subprodutos organoalogenados. Para atingir tal objetivo foi necessária a realização de experimentos para determinação da dosagem e do tempo de contato de cloro livre e a construção de diagramas de coagulação-filtração. Paralelamente foi determinado o Potencial de Formação de Trialometanos. A presença de cianibactérias não pareceu favorecer a formação de subprodutos indesejados da cloração. O ensaio final foi realizado com pré-cloração, coagulação, filtração e pós-cloração. Para a água pré-clorada com 2,5 mg/L de cloro livre, coagulada com 4 mg/L de sulfato de alumínio comercial, filtrada em areia com tamanho de grãos entre 0,3 a 0,59 mm e pós-clorada com 3,0 mg/Lde cloro livre, a turbidez reduziu de 2,89 para 0,36 uT, redução de 88%. A contagem celular mostrou decréscimo de 99,98% e a contagem de partículas reduziu 96,3% na faixa de tamanho de 3 a 20 \'mü\'m. Também foi observado aumento do carbono orgânico dissolvido com o aumento da dosagem de cloro livre. / Because of their physiological characteristics, cyanobacteria are able to adapt themselves quickly in eutrophic systems and are usually predominant in water bodies. The excessive growth of these organisms results in an increase in water treatment costs and other problems. Beside faster filter clogging due to the large amounts of cyanobacteria, these organisms may be toxic, release toxic metabolites and act as nuisance subproducts precursors. The aim of this work is to evaluate Microcystis sp cyanobacteria removal efficiency by chlorine preoxidation, aluminum sulfate coagulation, direct filtration and post-chlorination in bench-scale experiments. The removal efficiency was evaluated based on turbidity, cell counts, particle size distribution, dissolved organic carbon and halogenated organic subproducts. To reach the objectives it was first necessary to do experiments to determine free chlorine dose and contact time and also prepare coagulation-filtration diagrams. The trihalomethane formation potential was also determined, showing the presence of cyanobacteria did not contribute to subproduct formation. The final test, involving prechlorination, coagulation, filtration and post-chlorination, showed excellent Microcystis sp removal results. For prechlorinated water with 2,5 mg/L of free chlorine, coagulated with 4 mg/L of aluminum sulfate, filtered in a sand bed with grain size between 0,3 and 0,59 mm and post-chlorinated with 3,0 mg/L of free chlorine, turbidity was reduced from 2,89 to 0,36 uT, a 88% decrease. Cell count showed a 99,98% decrease and the particle count was reduced in 96,3% in the size range of 3 to 20 \'mü\'m. An increase in dissolved organic carbon related to the increase in the free chlorine dose was also noted.