Th. Doct.-ing.--pétrolières--Paris--École nationale supérieure du pétrole et des moteurs, 1986. / Bibliogr. p. 187-194.

There is limited knowledge and understanding of the role of nutrients and effect of herbivore grazing on epilithon production in Australian upland rivers. Before investigating these processes, a method was required that will allow the study of factors (physical, chemical and biological) that affect epilithon abundance and distribution in lotic systems. The Thredbo River, Kosciusko National Park, New South Wales, provided an opportunity to conduct this investigation because it: is relatively undisturbed; has been intensely studied; is easily accessed; and is of appropriate width and depth to conduct in-stream experiments. The specific goals of this research were the: (1) validation of the nutrient-diffusing substrate method for investigating epilithon responses to nutrients; (2) development of experimental channels in which to investigate nutrient/epilithon dynamics in an upland stream; (3) development of a method to inhibit macroinvertebrate grazing from in situ experimental channels, so that epilithon responses to nutrients with and without grazing pressure can be studied; and (4) assessment of the ecological implications of nutrient/ epilithon/macroinvertebrate interactions assessed from in-stream experiments. Major achievements of my research, that advance the study of stream ecology, are as follows: · The investigation of the features of nutrient release from terracotta nutrientdiffusing substrates showed that phosphorus does not readily diffuse through terracotta clay, probably because terracotta contains known binding agents for phosphorus, such as iron, and because pores are easily blocked. I concluded that this type of substrate is inappropriate for studying nutrient dynamics and epilithon responses to the nutrient(s) limiting growth. The outcomes of this research has implications for future research using nutrient-diffusing substrates, and of how nutrient limitation information is interpreted from past research using terracotta nutrient-diffusing substrates. · I designed and tested in-stream experimental channels that were functional and provided near natural conditions for studying the interactions between nutrients/ epilithon/macroinvertebrates, without affecting physical variables not tested for. The in situ method developed was successful in simulating 'real world' complexities. Clay paving bricks were used as standardized common surface for community development because their colour, size and surface texture are similar to those of natural stones. · I developed a technique for successfully inhibiting macroinvertebrate grazing from designated areas, using electricity, without affecting flow and light. This technique will enable in-stream herbivory studies to assess the effects of macroinvertebrate grazing pressure on epilithon under natural conditions, including variability in flow, temperature, light and nutrients. It will allow the vexed question of whether epilithon biomass is controlled by bottom-up or top-down processes to be objectively addressed. The construction of in situ experimental channels that simulate natural conditions, combined with the non-intrusive methods of macroinvertebrate exclusion and nutrient addition, resulted in a study design that will facilitate the investigation of biotic responses to nutrients in Australian upland streams. Using the method developed, I showed that variable flows in the upper Thredbo River appear high enough to slough epilithon, but not high enough to dislodge macroinvertebrates. This may mean that in systems such as the Thredbo River that experience frequent low level disturbance, the epilithon is unable to reach equilibrium. There is strong top-down control of epilithon in this stream, with nutrients, temperature and light playing a secondary role. I concluded that natural variability may be more important than previously considered and perhaps this, rather than constancy, should be studied. This thesis adds support to the continuance of multiple factor investigations, and advocates that such studies be conducted under natural conditions so that the results are more relevant to natural systems than from studies conducted in controlled laboratory and outdoor artificial streams. Clearly, the in-stream channels, developed as part of the current research, will allow research that contributes to our understanding of community responses to the physical, chemical and biological processes operating in lotic environments.

In situ Raman spectroscopy was used to explore etching of carbon nanotubes as well as their growth from C60. The thesis is in three parts: (1) C60 seed particles were partially oxidized in air and were used to grow carbon nanotubes and other nanocarbon structures. Seed oxidization was characterized by monitoring the evolution of the Raman Ag(2) peak and the D band, and oxidation temperature was found to be critical to nanotube growth. (2) To further explore oxidation, carbon nanotubes were thermally oxidized in air at different temperatures, while the evolution of different Raman bands was tracked. Etching dynamics and band intensity evolution were tracked in situ. Notably, metallic species were found to etch much more rapidly than semiconducting species of similar diameter. (3) To confirm and expand on this, a novel, simultaneous two-laser Raman spectroscopy setup was used to track the thermal oxidation of carbon nanotubes in O2 and CO2 gases at different temperatures. Metallic species were resonant with one laser line, while semiconducting species were resonant with the other, so changes to sample metallicity could be tracked unambiguously in two separate spectra. Again, metals were found to etch more rapidly. In situ Raman spectroscopy can track the evolution of nanotubes in real time and provide insight into processing. In general, detailed process monitoring like this can help in the development of selective synthesis and processing.

L’amido è la maggiore fonte di energia per i ruminanti e la sua efficienza di utilizzazione nel tratto gastro-intestinale è importante per soddisfare i fabbisogni energetici dell’animale. La degradabilità dell’amido è misurata da diversi metodi (i.e., metodi in vivo, in situ, in vitro con inoculo ruminale e/o metodi enzimatici) e appare essere influenzata dal tipo di cereale, dai metodi di lavorazione e conservazione degli alimenti, dalla dimensione delle particelle, dal tipo di endosperma, etc.). La tesi è consistita di 4 esperimenti: Esperimento 1) la degradabilità dell’amido di diversi alimenti è stata valutata con un metodi condotto in situ ed il metodo in vitro proposto da Tilley&Terry: entrambi sono stati capaci di differenziare gli alimenti in base alla diversa degradabilità dell’amido. Esperimento 2) Un approccio enzimatico è stato studiato per determinare la quantità di amido degradato. Esperimento 3) Il metodo enzimatico ed il metodo Tilley&Terry sono stati comparati e sono risultati essere ben correlati, evidenziando la possibilità di utilizzare l’approccio enzimatico per studiare i fattori che influenzano la degradabilità dell’amido. Dato che pochi lavori scientifici hanno confrontato la degradabilità dell’amido di granelle e pastoni di mais, nell’Esperimento 4) sono stati raccolti campioni di mais conservati con diverse modalità (i.e., farina di mais, pastoni di granella e pastoni integrali di mais) per verificare quali le caratteristiche chimiche che influenzano la degradabilità dell’amido. I fattori che maggiormente condizionano la valutazione enzimatica della degradabilità dell’amido sono il contenuto in prolamine e l’umidità dei campioni. In conclusione, il metodo enzimatico può essere routinariamente utilizzato dai laboratori commerciali per la rapida valutazione della degradabilità dell’amido negli alimenti destinati all’uso animale. / Starch is the main energy source for ruminants and its efficient utilization in gastro-intestinal tract is important to meet animal energy requirements. The starch degradability is determined by several methods (i.e., in vivo, in situ, in vitro ruminal and/or enzymatic methods) and is affected by type of grain, processing and conservation methods, particle size, type of endosperm, etc.. Four experiments were conducted: Experiment 1) starch degradability of different feeds was evaluated with in-situ and in-vitro Tilley&Terry methods: both are able to differentiate starch degradability among feeds. Experiment 2) An in-vitro enzymatic approach was studied to determine the amount of starch degradation. Experiment 3) Enzymatic and Tilley-Terry methods were compared, resulting well correlated and highlighting the possible application of enzymatic method to investigate the factors affecting starch degradability. Because few works compared the starch degradability of dry-ground and high-moisture corns, in Experiment 4) a data set of different conserved corn samples (i.e., dry, high-moisture and high-moisture-ear corns) was produced and chemical factors affecting starch degradability were studied. The most important factors influencing the enzymatic starch degradability were prolamin and moisture. Concluding, the enzymatic method could be used by commercial laboratories as a routine method for rapid determination of feed starch degradability.