Submitted by Anaclaudia Mattos Villalba (anaclaudiamattosvillalba@gmail.com) on 2016-04-09T22:49:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 youblisher.com-1121544-Disserta_o_Paulo_Roberto_Santos_dos_Santos.pdf: 1064090 bytes, checksum: eedf7bfcf7e22c42250917e5321c9714 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by cleuza maria medina dos santos (cleuzamai@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-04-21T02:08:25Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 youblisher.com-1121544-Disserta_o_Paulo_Roberto_Santos_dos_Santos.pdf: 1064090 bytes, checksum: eedf7bfcf7e22c42250917e5321c9714 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-21T02:08:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 youblisher.com-1121544-Disserta_o_Paulo_Roberto_Santos_dos_Santos.pdf: 1064090 bytes, checksum: eedf7bfcf7e22c42250917e5321c9714 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / O aumento na abundância de peixes não residentes da zona estuarina, atraem o interesse da frota pesqueira, que atua sobre os estoques de forma intensa, muitas vezes levando a sobreexplotação. No estuário da Lagoa dos Patos, a Miragaia (Pogonias cromis), é um peixe estuarino dependente que por muitos anos foi um importante recurso pesqueiro, e hoje encontra-se sobreexplotado e ameaçado de extinção. As capturas que atingiram 1400 t em 1976, decaíram posteriormente e foram inexistentes nos anos de 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009 e 2010. Mas recentemente, se observa o aumento dos desembarques na região. A partir disso, a presente dissertação tem por objetivo descrever a pesca artesanal da Miragaia no estuário da Lagoa dos Patos e analisar o efeito da sobreexplotação no ciclo reprodutivo da população remanescente na região. No primeiro capítulo intitulado "A pesca artesanal da Miragaia (Pogonias cromis, Scieanidae) no estuário da Lagoa dos Patos", é discutida a hipótese de que os maiores valores de esforço e CPUE são encontrados no mesmo período de maior abundância da espécie no estuário, e verifica-se a influência do esforço de pesca nas variações da CPUE. De forma complementar, se confirma a distinta composição dos desembarques entre o período de desova e o resto do ano, a predominância de adultos no período de desova evidencia o aumento da abundância. No segundo capítulo intitulado "O efeito da sobreexplotação no ciclo reprodutivo da Miragaia (Pogonias cromis, Scieanidae)" é discutido a redução da idade e tamanho de primeira maturação sexual e consequentemente fecundidade dos exemplares, como consequência da sobrepesca sofrida pela espécie em anos anteriores. Os resultados encontrados mostram a situação preocupante da população de Miragaias no estuário da Lagoa dos Patos, onde a manutenção da intensidade pesqueira pode levar ao colapso da atividade e posterior extinção local da espécie. / The increase in the abundance of non-resident fish estuarine zone attract the interest of the fishing fleet, which operates on the intensely stocks, often leading to overexploitation. In the estuary of Patos Lagoon, the Black drum (Pogonias cromis) is an estuarine-dependent fish who for many years was an important fishing resource, and today is overexploited and threatened with extinction. Catches reached 1400 t in 1976, declined later and were negligible in the years 2004, 2005, 2008, 2009 and 2010. But recently observed increased landings in the region. Thus, this thesis aims to describe artisanal fishing of Black drum in the estuary of Patos Lagoon and analyze the effect of v overexploitation in the reproductive cycle of the remaining population in the region. In the first chapter entitled "The artisanal fishery Black drum (Pogonias cromis, Scieanidae) in the estuary of Patos Lagoon," discusses the hypothesis that higher values of effort and CPUE are found in the same period of greatest abundance of the species in the estuary, and there is the influence of fishing effort in changes in CPUE in a complementary way confirms the different composition of landings spawning periods for the rest of the year, the prevalence of adults in spawning highlights the increasing abundance. In the second chapter entitled "The effect of overexploitation in the reproductive cycle of Black drum (Pogonias cromis, Scieanidae)" is discussed reducing the age and size at first sexual maturity and consequently fertility of copies as a result of overfishing suffered by the species in previous years. The results show the worrying situation of the population of Black drum in the estuary of Patos Lagoon, where the maintenance of fishing intensity can lead to the collapse of activity and subsequent local extinction of the species.

A bacia hidrogrÃfica do Rio Jaguaribe, localizada no Estado do CearÃ, ocupa uma Ãrea de em torno de 80.000 km2, a sub-bacia do Baixo Jaguaribe tem Ãrea de drenagem de 6.875 km2, sendo esta correspondente a 4,64% do territÃrio cearense. A regiÃo estuarina do Rio Jaguaribe à dominada por florestas de manguezal que ocupam 215,5 ha, particularmente no canal de marà da Gamboa do Cumbe. Estando na regiÃo Ãrea implantada a maior Ãrea de produÃÃo de camarÃo em cativeiro do estado, ocupando 1.316 ha em viveiros cerca de 50% do total de todo o Estado do CearÃ. A quantificaÃÃo de mercÃrio (Hg), na Ãgua e em sedimento (superficial e testemunhos sedimentares) ao longo de toda a Gamboa do Cumbe mostrou valores variando de 6,3 a 32,1 ng/l (14,4  8,4), 1,1 a 23,5 ng/l (7,0  7,8), 3,2 a 15,0 ng/l (7,4  3,9), para o Hg total, dissolvido e particulado na Ãgua respectivamente. No sedimento as concentraÃÃes variaram de 1,6 a 10,3 ng/g (4,7  2,9) e 1,9 a 16,2 % (6,7  4,9) respectivamente para a concentraÃÃo de Hg e percentual de matÃria orgÃnica. A concentraÃÃo de Hg em peixes coletados na regiÃo variaram de 4,3 â 37,0 ng/g (9,9  9,0) em Sphoeroides testudineos e 9,7 a 66,1 ng/g (31,8  14,4) Cathorops spixii. Com a obtenÃÃo destes dados pÃde-se definir a Ãrea preferencial de deposiÃÃo e acumulaÃÃo de Hg e a forma dissolvida mostrou-se a predominante exportada. Aquacultura promove alteraÃÃes significativas das cargas de Hg nos Ãltimos anos baseado nos valores da concentraÃÃo de Hg nos perfis sedimentares. O Hg proveniente da aquicultura à 156,4 kg.ano-1, na sua maioria associados ao MPS sendo transportado para a regiÃo estuarina adjacente e depositado na Ãrea da Gamboa do Cumbe. / The Jaguaribe River basin, located in State CearÃ, occupies an area of about 80,000 km2, wher as the sub-basin of the Lower Jaguaribe River has a drainage area of 6,875 km2, equivalent to 4.64% of the stateâs area. The estuarine region of the Jaguaribe River is dominated by mangrove forests that occupy 215.5 ha, particularly in the tidal channel of the Gamboa do Cumbe. In this area it is located the largest area of shrimp production in captivity in the state, with 1,316 ha of pond area around 50% of the entire aquaculture area of the state of CearÃ. The quantification of mercury (Hg) in water and sediments (surface and sedimentary profile) along the Gamboa do Cumbe showed values ranging from 6.3 to 32.1 ng / l (14.4  8.4) , 1.1 to 23.5 ng / l (7.0  7.8), 3.2 to 15.0 ng / l (7.4  3.9), or total Hg, dissolved and particulate Hg respectively. In sediments concentrations ranged from 1.6 to 10.3 ng / g (4.7  2.9) and 1.9 to 16.2% (6.7  4.9) for Hg and organic matter respectively. The concentration of Hg in fish collected in the region ranged from 4.3 to 37.0 ng / g (9.9  9.0) in Testudines sphoeroides and from 9.7 to 66.1 ng / g (31.8  14 , 4) in Cathorops spixii. These data made possible to define the area of preferential deposition and accumulation of Hg and that the predominant form of Hg export is dissolved Hg. Aquaculture, seems to have promoted significant changes in Hg loads in recent years based on records of Hg concentration in sedimentary profiles. Hg of burden from aquaculture to the region is about 156.4 kg.ano-1, mostly associated with TSS transported of the adjacent estuarine region and is stored in the sediment of the deposition area of Gamboa do Cumbe.

A determinação dos íons Cd(II) e Zn(II) foi realizada em amostras de águas estuarinas por voltametria de redissolução anódica utilizando microeletrodo de fibra de carbono (raio =3 µm). O filme de bismuto foi depositado in situ, simultaneamente com os analitos em microeletrodo sob as condições otimizadas. O intervalo linear da curva de calibração para ambos os íons metálicos foi 0,5 -10,0 nmol L-1 e os limites de detecção de Cd(II) e Zn(II) foram estimados em 17 e 52 pmol L-1, respectivamente. A precisão dos resultados fornecidos empregando-se o microeletrodo de filme de bismuto (BiFME) foi avaliada pela realização de experimento com uma amostra certificada e teste de recuperação. A utilidade da metodologia foi demonstrada aplicando o BiFME para determinar baixas concentrações de Cd(II) e de Zn(II) em água do estuário. / A bismuth-film electrode for use in anodic stripping voltammetry was employed in order to quantify Cd(II) and Zn(II) in estuarine water samples. The bismuth film was deposited in situ simultaneously with the analytes onto a carbon fiber disc microelectrode (radius = 3 µm). Under the optimised conditions, calibration plots for both metallic ions were obtained in the range 0.5 to 10.0 nmol L-1 and the limits of detection for Cd(II) and Zn(II) were estimated as 17 and 52 pmol L-1, respectively. The accuracy of the results supplied by the bismuth film microelectrode (BiFME) was assessed by performing experiment with a certified sample and addition-recovery experiments. The usefulness of the methodology was demonstrated by applying the BiFME to measuring the Cd(II) and Zn(II) content in estuarine water.

A Actuopaleontologia é o ramo da Paleontologia que visa aperfeiçoar as interpretações paleoambientais e paleoecológicas através das assinaturas tafonômicas, principalmente aquelas presentes em conchas bivalves. Tais estudos tafonômicos com bivalves marinhos têm sido conduzidos em ambientes sedimentares do Holoceno, porém, no Brasil, investigações similares são ainda incipientes, tendo sua predominância no litoral norte do Estado de São Paulo. O Complexo Estuarino de Paranaguá (CEP), situado na porção centro-norte do litoral do Paraná, possui feições fisiográficas distintas das encontradas no litoral norte do Estado de São Paulo. Com o objetivo de gerar dados comparativos entre os diferentes ambientes da costa brasileira, este estudo pretende caracterizar tafonomicamente as associações de moluscos bivalves em 11 pontos de coleta ao longo do CEP. Foram coletados oito litros de sedimento com a utilização de pegador de fundo tipo Petersen, em parceria com o Laboratório de Oceanografia Geológica (LOGeo CEM/UFPR). As assinaturas tafonômicas analisadas, podendo ser de origem química, física e/ou biológica, foram: articulação, tipo de valva, fragmentação, modificação da margem da concha, corrasion, perióstraco, brilho, cor, bioerosão, incrustação e predação. A ação dessas assinaturas pode resultar em outra assinatura tafonômica aqui analisada, a alteração da textura da superficial da concha. Foram analisados 150 bioclastos de cada um dos pontos de coleta, e cada assinatura tafonômica foi classificada individualmente. Os bioclastos foram peneirados em malhas de 2 mm para que as menores classes de tamanho não fossem excluídas das análises tafonômicas. Além dos bioclastos, foram coletadas amostras da água junto ao fundo dos locais amostrados, para registro de pH, salinidade, temperatura e turbidez. Ao total, 1.438 bioclastos foram utilizados nas análises tafonômicas e, das 11 estações de coleta, apenas duas não apresentaram o n mínimo de 150 conchas. Os dados abióticos não apresentaram grandes diferenças nas diferentes estações de coleta. A análise de cluster foi feita levando-se em consideração todas as assinaturas tafonômicas estudadas, e um dendograma geral relacionou os 9 pontos de coleta em que obteve-se o mínimo de 150 bioclastos. O dendograma gerado nesta análise mostrou quais as acumulações de moluscos bivalves e seus respectivos pontos de coleta estão mais semelhantes. Há um primeiro grupo formado pelas estações 683, 336, 482, 696 e 32. Com exceção da estação 32, as estações reunidas no primeiro grupo são os pontos de coleta mais próximos às desembocaduras do CEP, região de maiores profundidades e fortes correntes de marés. O segundo grupo é formado pelas estações 607, 152, 645 e 472, sendo pontos de coleta mais internos na área do CEP, próximos a ilhas, manguezais e bancos de areia. As assinaturas alteração da cor, brilho, modificação da margem, perióstraco e corrasion não parecem ser assinaturas úteis na identificação ou para uma possível caracterização dos diferentes ambientes do CEP. Isto porque elas não são variáveis entre esses diferentes ambientes. Houve predominância de desarticulação e fragmentação das valvas em todos os ambientes estudados, sendo possível que a fragmentação esteja sobre maior influência dos danos biológicos. Bioerosão e incrustação não apareceram em frequências expressivas, porém, apenas as estações de coleta próximas a desembocadura do CEP apresentaram bioeorosão, enquanto incrustação apareceu em todas as estações. A textura superficial da concha correlacionou-se positivamente com as assinaturas corrasion e bioerosão. / Actuopaleontology is the branch of Paleontology that aims to enhance paleoecological and paleoenvironmental interpretations, through the taphonomic signatures, especially those in bivalve shells. Such taphonomic studies with marine bivalves have been conducted in sedimentary Holocene environments, however, in Brazil, similar investigations are still incipient, having its predominance in the northern coast of São Paulo. The Paranaguá Estuarine Complex (CEP), situated in the north central portion of the Paraná coast, has different physiographic characteristics of those found in the north coast of São Paulo. In order to generate comparative data between different environments of the Brazilian coast, this study aims to characterize the taphonomy of bivalve mollusk associations from 11 collection stations along the CEP. Eight liters of sediment were collected with background catcher Petersen, in partnership with the Laboratory of Geological Oceanography (LOGeo - CEM/UFPR). The taphonomic signatures analyzed, which may be of chemical, physical and/or biological origin, were: articulation, valve type, fragmentation, edge modification, corrasion, periostracum, brightness, color, bioerosion, encrustation and predation. The action of these signatures may result in other taphonomic signature analyzed here, the alteration of shell superficial texture. 150 bioclasts were analyzed from each collection point and each taphonomic signature was individually classified. The bioclasts were sieved through mesh of two millimeter, so that classes of smaller size were not excluded from the taphonomic analyzes. In addition, water samples were collected at the bottom of each station for analysis of pH, salinity, temperature and turbidity. In total, 1,438 bioclasts were used in the taphonomic analysis and only two stations did not show the minimum n of 150 shells. Abiotic data showed no great differences in the different sampling stations. The cluster analysis was performed taking into account all studied taphonomic signatures, and a general dendrogram listed the collection points that showed the minimum of 150 bioclasts. The dendrogram generated in this analysis showed which accumulations of bivalve molluscs and their respective collection points are more similar. There is a first group formed by the stations 683, 336, 482, 696 and 32. With the exception of station 32, the stations on the first group are the closest to the mouths of the CEP, region of greater depths and strong tidal currents. The second group is formed by stations 607, 152, 645 and 472, being the more internal collection points, near islands, mangroves and sandbanks. The signatures color, brightness, edge modification, periostracum and corrasion do not seem to be useful in identifying or for a possible characterization of the different environments of the CEP, because they are not variable between these different environments. There was predominance of disarticulation and fragmentation of the valves in all study sites, being possible that the fragmentation was influenced more by biological damages. Bioerosion and encrustation did not appear in expressive frequencies, however, only the stations near the mouth of the CEP presented bioeorosão, while encrustation appeared in all stations. The surface texture of the shell was correlated positively with the sigantures corrasion and bioerosion.

A criação de camarões marinhos em cativeiro tem sido acusada de causar sérios impactos ambientais, sobretudo em função do lançamento de grandes quantidades de nutrientes e metais pesados nas águas estuarinas. Diversos estudos realizados nos principais estados produtores de camarão no Brasil, através do uso de fatores de emissão, estimaram as cargas destes poluentes para seus principais estuários. Neles ficou caracterizada a importância desta atividade como fonte de nutrientes, uma vez que a carcinicultura dominou as emissões de nitrogênio para os estuários dos rios Açu (RN) e Jaguaribe (CE). Ocorre que esses estudos consideraram a forma de cultivo de camarão, predominante há alguns anos, a qual estava baseada em uma produção intensiva. Desta forma, devem ser consideradas as alterações nos processos produtivos dessa atividade, e precisam ser determinados novos fatores de emissão. O estuário do rio Potengi (RN), objeto de estudo, apresenta características que o tornam bastante susceptível a elevadas depreciações da qualidade de suas águas, pelo fato de nessa bacia hidrográfica estar implantada a capital do estado, cidade com maiores contingente populacional e grau de urbanização do RN. O presente trabalho trata da determinação de novos fatores de emissão relativos a nutrientes e a metais pesados para a carcinicultura, com base na realidade atual desta atividade no estuário do rio Potengi e avalia, também a importância da carcinicultura como fonte de nutrientes e metais pesados para o referido estuário. Estes novos fatores de emissão foram determinados e serviram como base para estimativa da carga anual da carcinicultura; também foram determinadas as cargas de outras fontes naturais e antrópicas presentes no ecossistema de estudo o que permitiu verificar que a carcinicultura, apesar de não ser a atividade predominante, constitui fonte ) importante de nitrogênio (5,28%), cobre (10,54%) e zinco (14,04%). / The creation of marine shrimp in captivity has been blamed for causing serious environmental impacts, particularly through the release of large amounts of nutrients and heavy metals in estuarine waters. Several studies in the major shrimp-producing states in Brazil, through the use of emission factors, estimated the loads of these pollutants to their main estuaries. In them was a characteristic aspect of this activity as a source of nutrients, since the carciniculture dominated the emission of nitrogen to the estuaries of the Acu (RN) and Jaguaribe (CE). It turns out that these studies considered the form of shrimp farming, prevalent a few years ago, which was based on an intensive production. Thus, should be considered the changes in production processes of this activity, and need to be certain new emission factors. The estuary Potengi (RN), the object of study, has characteristics which make it very susceptible to high depreciation of the quality of the water, because this basin has been introduced to the state capital city with the highest overall population and degree of urbanization of the RN. This paper deals with the new emission factors for nutrients and heavy metals in the carciniculture, based on the current reality of this activity in the estuary Potengi and evaluates also the importance of carciniculture as a source of nutrients and heavy metals in that estuary. These new emission factors were determined and served as a basis to estimate the annual load of carciniculture, were also determined loads of other natural and anthropogenic sources in the ecosystem of the study that showed that the carciniculture, though not the predominant activity, constitutes an important source of nitrogen (5.28%), copper (10.54%) and zinc (14.04%).

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-09-13T12:16:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 danielaferrodegodoy.pdf: 2592911 bytes, checksum: 6114e08864f1042a3c5fe154817038fe (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Diamantino Mayra (mayra.diamantino@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-09-13T12:46:55Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 danielaferrodegodoy.pdf: 2592911 bytes, checksum: 6114e08864f1042a3c5fe154817038fe (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-13T12:46:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 danielaferrodegodoy.pdf: 2592911 bytes, checksum: 6114e08864f1042a3c5fe154817038fe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-05-27 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Em muitos estudos sobre o uso de hábitat conclui-se que as características ambientais influenciam efetivamente na distribuição e abundância de recursos alimentares, que determinam, por sua vez, toda a distribuição da espécie numa determinada área. As áreas que os animais passam a maior parte do tempo são denominadas de habitatschave. A utilização do habitat realizada pelo boto-cinza na região do Complexo Estuarino Lagunar de Cananéia foi estudada durante o período de agosto de 2009 a junho de 2010. As amostragens foram realizadas mensalmente em três setores, através de transecções lineares paralelas. Em duas das quatro saídas mensais foram registrados a localização geográfica dos agrupamentos avistados, sua composição e tamanho. Além disso, no inicio, meio e fim de cada transecção foram coletados os seguintes descritores ambientais: profundidade, temperatura da água, transparência da água e salinidade. Nas outras duas saídas mensais as transecções foram percorridas a fim de registrar as atividades comportamentais – alimentação ou deslocando - dos agrupamentos encontrados. Foram avistados 330 agrupamentos, com 1028 botos-cinza no total. O setor de maior ocorrência foi a Baía de Trapandé, próxima à ligação com o oceano adjacente, local este em que a alimentação foi a atividade comportamental mais observada e a freqüência de indivíduos nas estações do ano foi constante, diferentemente dos demais. Na área como um todo, o tamanho de agrupamento variou de um a 14 botos, mas os registros mais freqüentes foram de dois e três indivíduos. Os infantes foram registrados em todas as saídas de campo, sobretudo na estação chuvosa (novembro a abril). Houve uma maior freqüência de botos-cinza no período da manhã (8:00h a 12:30h) do que no período da tarde (12:31h a 18:00h), como também em marés de sizígia de enchente, se comparado as outras marés. Os botos ocorreram em todas as classes de valores dos descritores ambientais analisados. As maiores ocorrências foram registradas em águas mais turvas; profundidades entre cinco e quinze metros; salinidade acima de 20 ppm; e temperaturas acima de 20ºC. Pelo exposto, fica claro que os botos-cinza apresentaram uma distribuição heterogênea dentro do estuário estudado e as áreas de maior concentração merecem maior atenção na elaboração de estratégias de conservação. / In several studies regarding habitat use it was concluded that environmental characteristics effectively influence distribution and abundance of food resources, which determine species entire distribution in a given area. The areas that animals spend most of their time are called key habitats. The estuarine dolphin habitat use in the Estuarine Complex of Cananéia – Iguape- Paranagua region was studied from August 2009 to June 2010. Samples were monthly collected in three sectors, using parallel linear transects. In two out of four field trip were registered geographical location, composition and size of spotted groups. In the beginning, middle and end of each transection the following environmental descriptors were collected: water depth, temperature, transparency and salinity. In the other two field trips the transections were traversed to record behavioral activities - feeding or moving - of fouded groups. In total, 330 groups with 1028 individuals were spotted. The sector with major occurrence of groups was the Trapandé Bay, close to the conection with adjacent ocean. In this place, feeding was the most observed behavior, and the frequency of individuals was constant in every season, differently of the other sectors. Group size varied from 1 to 14 individual, but most frequent records had two or three individuals per group. Infants were recorded in all field trips, especially in the rainy season. There was a higher frequency of estuarine dolphins in mornings than afternoons, as also higher frequency in spring tides flood when compared to other tides. The estuarine dolphin occurred in every values classes of environmental descriptors analyzed. The highest occurrences were recorded in turbid waters; depths between 5 and 15 m, salinity above 20 ppm and temperatures above 20ºC. For these reasons, it is clear that the estuarine dolphin showed a heterogeneous distribution in the studied estuary and the areas of greatest concentration deserve more attention in developing conservation strategies.

Les estuaires sont généralement soumis à des phénomènes de comblement sédimentaires. Dans cette partie des systèmes fluviaux du territoire, l'accumulation des matériaux fins modifie radicalement la morphologie de l'estuaire, et conditionne la présence des espèces animales et végétales et on distingue un impact fort sur le plan économique, social et industriel. Les comblements compliquent la circulation dans les estuaires, compliquent les activités de pêches, de loisirs, modifient les propriétés des écoulements et constituent un facteur risque sur les zones d'habitations voisines. Des solutions temporaires consistent à curer les estuaires et des solutions d'aménagement des estuaires peuvent être envisagées. Néanmoins, il ressort de la littérature un manque important sur la caractérisation des mélanges liquides-solides et sur les mécanismes de structuration. Ce travail s'inscrit dans le contexte de l'étude des mécanismes de structuration des matériaux sédimentaires dans les estuaires afin de mieux comprendre les remplissages des zones estuariennes et surtout d'envisager des solutions durables de « nettoyage » de ces zones. L'estuaire de la Rance est particulièrement ciblé par notre étude. Le but est de donner des éléments de réponse sur le comportement rhéologique des vases naturelles en distinguant les échelles les plus significatives afin de détecter les facteurs structurants qui influencent les paramètres rhéologiques. La rhéologie des sédiments est ainsi étudiée à l'aide du rhéomètre Kinexus, géométrie plan-plan. On a pu alors détecter un comportement visco-plastique Bighamien. L'influence du diamètre moyens et de la fraction volumique solide sur la viscosité et le seuil de la contrainte de cisaillement dynamique du modèle de Bingham sont ainsi analysés. Ensuite, nous avons étudié grâce à des sédiments sans sel et sans matière organique, l'influence de ces deux composés chimiques sur le comportement rhéologiques des sédiments et puis leurs influences sur le vieillissement des sédiments. Une étude statique est également réalisée à l'aide du Va ne test permettant le calcul de la contrainte de cisaillement seuil. •Enfin, une assimilation du piège du Lyvet est réalisée grâce à des colonnes de sédimentation dans des conditions assez proches des conditions naturelles. Un processus de sédimentation-tassement-consolidation sous poids propre est recréé en laboratoire. Les sédiments sont amenés à vieillir cette fois pour des longues durées allant jusqu'à 9 mois. Au terme de périodes de vieillissement retenues, le massif créé est caractérisé depuis l'interface fluide-sédiments. Cela nous a permis d'étudier la répartition granulaire des sédiments après structuration et la variation de la contrainte de cisaillement seuil selon la profondeur de la colonne et la durée du vieillissement. Ce type d'essai est aussi réalisé pour les sédiments sans sel et sans matières organiques. / Estuaries are generally subject of sedimentary filling phenomena that alter their morphology and affect subsequently the economic, social and industrial plans. In this part of the fluvial systems of the territory, the accumulation of fine materials radically modifies the morphology of the estuary, and conditions the presence of animal and plant species and cause a strong impact on the economic, social and industrial. Filling complicates navigation in estuaries, fishing, recreational activities and modifies flow properties and is a risk factor in neighboring housing areas. Temporary solutions consist of cleaning estuaries and estuarine management solutions can be considered. Nevertheless, the literature shows a significant lack of characterization of liquid-solid mixtures and structuring mechanisms. This work is in the context of the study of structuring mechanisms of sedimentary materials in estuaries to better understand the fillings estuarine areas and specially to consider sustainable solutions of "cleansing" of these areas. The Rance estuary is particularly targeted by the study. The aim is to provide answers on the rheological behavior of natural vessels by distinguishing the most significant scales to detect structural factors influencing the rheological parameters. The rheology of the sediments is studied using the Kinexus rheometer, plan-plan geometry. A Bighamien visco-plastic behavior was then detected. The influence of the mean diameter and the solid volume fraction on the viscosity and the threshold of the dynamic shear stress of the Bingham model are thus analyzed. Then, using sediments without salt and organic matter, we studied the influence of these two chemical compounds on the rheological behavior of the sediments and their influence on the aging of the sediments. A static study is also carried out using the Vane test allowing the calculation of the threshold shear stress. Finally, an assimilation of the natural filling phenomenon is achieved in columns under conditions similar to natural conditions. These columns are then filled with natural sediments, washed sediments and sediments free of organic material and left for ages ranging from one week to 9 months. Then, the columns will be disassembled and rheological tests with the Brookfield Rheometer will be performed throughout the depth of the columns as well as measurements of water content and grain size. These tests allow us to study sediment structuring in the long term and also to identify the effect of salt and organic matter on sedimentation.

Estuarine systems are of crucial importance to the provision of goods and services on a global scale. High human population densities in coastal systems have caused an increasing input of pollutants, of which nutrient pollution is of major concern. Increasingly, these areas are also impacted by physical disturbance, which can originate from anthropogenic sources (e.g. bait digging, shipping) or climate change causing increasingly frequent and intense storms. The individual impacts of such stressors on ecosystems have been investigated however their combined impacts have received less attention. Cumulative impacts of multiple stressors are unpredictable and will likely result in non-additive effects. Further, the effect of local environmental context on multiple stressors is a relatively understudied topic. Work in this thesis compared the combined impact of nutrient enrichment and physical disturbance in Scotland and Australia, using a series of manipulative field experiments. Results demonstrate that response to stressors is highly context dependent, varying between and within geographic locations. While the background levels of stress may vary, by comparing these two locations it is possible to comment on the adaptations and response that communities within different parts of the world display when subjected to additional stress. This study demonstrates that environmental context must be considered when implementing future management practices. Further work demonstrated that the impact of multiple stressors varies depending on how the stress is applied –whether stressors are applied simultaneously or whether there is a delay between two stressors. This study was among the first of its kind, assessing the implications of how multiple stressors react with each other given the order and intensity in which stressors were applied. Results demonstrated that systems can become sensitised to stress making them increasingly vulnerable to additional stress. Future research should be focussed on incorporating ecologically relevant scenarios of how stressors will impact estuaries while considering how environmental context will mediate impacts.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether nutrient absorption rates by water hyacinths are affected by low-salinity levels. In a controlled experiment, water hyacinths demonstrated the ability to absorb a significant amount of nutrients in low-saline waters while maintaining a slowed growth rate and shortened life span. Nutrient rates were reduced by an average of 36% in ammonia nitrogen and 48% in reactive phosphorus in the tanks of 4.45 parts per thousand (ppt) salinity. Growth rate in the experimental tanks of 4.45 ppt was observed at 33% slower than that of the control. The high salinity comparison tank of 7.0 ppt experienced complete mortality after three days. Phytoremediation practices through the use of an aquatic invader, water hyacinths, can be used to reduce large-scale fish kills along the eastern U.S.’s major estuarine systems, focusing on Florida’s waters. Toxic dinoflagellates and other harmful algal blooms have been plaguing the contributing waterways of North Carolina and the Chesapeake Bay and are the main causes of these massive fish kills. The characteristics and trends that these upstream estuarine systems are following could serve as a warning for Florida. An analysis of Florida’s fish kill database, as well as patterns and trends of the fish kills in North Carolina and the Chesapeake Bay, were used to determine areas at an increased risk for toxic dinoflagellates and harmful algal blooms to occur. Areas are proposed for water hyacinths to be implemented in a controlled method to reduce massive fish kills in Florida’s waters.

Temporarily open/closed estuaries (TOCEs) are the dominant estuary type in South Africa. These systems are often characterized by extensive beds of submerged macrophytes, which form important foraging and shelter habitats for fishes, especially for estuary-dependent fish species such as the Cape stumpnose Rhabdosargus holubi and Cape moony Monodactylus falciformis that are commonly associated with them. A loss of submerged macrophytes from an estuary has been shown to affect the fish community as well as reducing overall system productivity. The TOC East Kleinemonde Estuary, situated in the warm-temperate biogeographic region of South Africa has been subject to an ongoing long-term fish monitoring project since 1995. During the period 1995 to 2002, this estuary contained large beds of the submerged macrophytes Ruppia cirrhosa and Potamogeton pectinatus. However, subsequent to a major flood event in 2003 these macrophytes have been largely absent from this system. The effect of the loss of submerged macrophytes on the East Kleinemonde fish assemblage was investigated through an analysis of seine and gill net catch data. Seine net catches for a 12 year period, encompassing six years of macrophyte presence and six years of macrophyte senescence, revealed changes in the relative abundance of certain fish species. Vegetation-associated species such as R. holubi and M. falciformis decreased in abundance whereas sediment-associated species, especially members of the family Mugilidae, increased in abundance following loss of the macrophytes in this estuary. The critically endangered pipefish Syngnathus watermeyeri was only recorded in catches during years in which macrophyte beds were present. In addition to the analysis of catch data, the importance of macrophytes as a primary energy source for selected estuarine fishes was explored through the analysis of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes. Prior to conducting these analyses, common methodological practices to address the presence of carbonates and lipids within isotope samples were evaluated. A subset of samples were either acid washed to remove carbonates, or lipids were removed according to the method of Bligh and Dyer (1959) as both of these compounds have been shown to affect stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios. The suitability of the lipid normalization models of Fry (2002) and Post et al. (2007) for samples of estuarine fish muscle were also tested. Based on this evaluation both models are suitable for use with estuarine fish muscle tissue, however since neither carbonate nor lipid content of any of the samples used in this study was high all samples were left untreated in the following analysis. Carbon isotope ratios from a wide range of fish species collected from the East Kleinemonde Estuary during the macrophyte-senescent phase were compared with individuals of the same species from the neighbouring West Kleinemonde Estuary (where extensive beds of R. cirrhosa and P. pectinatus were present) and revealed the influence of submerged macrophyte material in the diet of fishes in the latter system. However, it was apparent that these plants are not directly consumed but rather contribute to the detrital pool that forms a food source for most invertebrate and some fish species. The most significant source of carbon for East Kleinemonde fishes during the macrophyte senescent phase appeared to have a more depleted origin; probably from benthic or pelagic microalgae. In conclusion, while the importance of macrophyte beds as shelter and foraging habitats for estuarine fishes are well documented, their role in terms of the structuring and functioning of fish assemblages in TOCEs remains somewhat uncertain. The findings of this study were possibly masked by the resilience of vegetation-associated species to the loss of this habitat, as well as by life history characteristics of species such as R. holubi that allow their numerical dominance despite habitat change. Nonetheless, macrophyte senescence in the East Kleinemonde Estuary resulted in the loss of at least one species and the reduced abundance of vegetation-associated species, probably reflective of reduced food resources and/or increased vulnerability to predation. As a result, beds of submerged macrophytes are an important habitat within TOCEs.