Mining operations, including crushing, grinding, smelting, refining, and tailings management, are a significant source of airborne metal and metalloid contaminants such as As, Pb, Cd and other potentially toxic elements. Dust particles emitted from mining operations can accumulate in surrounding soils, natural waters and vegetation at relatively high concentrations through wind and water transport. Human exposure to the dust can occur through inhalation and, especially in the case of children, incidental dust ingestion, particularly during the early years when children are likely to exhibit pica. Furthermore, smelting operations release metals and metalloids in the form of fumes and ultra-fine particulate matter, which disperses more readily than coarser soil dusts. Of specific concern, these fine particulates can be transported to the lungs, allowing contaminants to be transferred into the blood stream. The main aim of this research is to assess the role of atmospheric aerosol and dust in the transport of metal and metalloid contaminants from mining operations to assess the deleterious impacts of these emissions to ecology and human health. In a field campaign, ambient particulates from five mining sites and four reference sites were examined utilizing micro-orifice deposit impactors (MOUDI), total suspended particulate (TSP) collectors, a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS), and Dusttrak optical particle counters for an understanding of the fate and transport of atmospheric aerosols. One of the major findings from size-resolved chemical characterization at three mining sites showed that the majority of the contaminant concentrations were found in the fine size fraction (<1 micrometer). Further, metal and metalloids (e.g. As, Cd, and Pb) around smelting activities are significantly enriched in both the coarse and fine size fraction when compared to reference sites. Additionally, with dust events being a growing concern because of predicted climate change and mine tailings being a significant source for dust, high wind conditions around mine tailings were studied for dust generation. Relative humidity was found to play an important predicting role in atmospheric dust concentration. More generally, findings indicate mining activities remain a serious threat to human health and ecology despite the regulations in place to protect from their pollution.

Depuis le début de l'industrialisation, de nombreux déchets contaminés en éléments métalliques et métalloïdes sont rejetés dans l'environnement sans aucune gestion. L’activité minière a généré des quantités colossales de déchets, fins et non consolidés, riches en EMM stockés sous forme de terrils ou entreposés dans des bassins de décantation puis laissés à l’abandon à l’air libre sans aucun aménagement ni protection. Ces déchets restent sur place exposés à une forte érosion éolienne et hydriques induisant une dissémination des particules contaminées dans les différents compartiments de l’environnement (sols/sédiments/eau/atmosphère). Dans un premier temps, l’étude du devenir des éléments métalliques et métalloïdes dans les sols contaminés relatif à l’activité minière ont mis en évidence la présence de risques environnementaux et sanitaires associés. Les résultats soulignent que (i) le comportement géochimique des trois éléments (cadmium, zinc et plomb) est différent, (ii) la spéciation de ces éléments change clairement entre les déchets miniers et les sols, (iii) le Pb plomb peut causer des effets néfastes sur la santé pour les enfants. Dans un second temps, deux techniques de réhabilitation des sites contaminés ont été appréhendées: i) dans le cadre de la refonctionnalisation des sols, la potentialité d’une phytostabilisation assistée par des amendements organique et inorganique de parcelles contaminées avec le sapin de Douglas, ainsi que ii) la valorisation ex-situ par attaque des déchets miniers par voie alcaline qui mets en jeu la réduction de la source de pollution. / Since the beginning of industrialization, many wastes contaminated with metal(loid)shave been released into the environment without any management. Mining has generated huge quantities of fine, unconsolidated waste, rich in metal(loid)s, stored in tailing or in settling ponds and then left to be abandoned in the open air without any development or protection. This waste remains on site exposed to strong wind and water erosion leading to the spread of contaminated particles in the various environmental compartments (soil/sediment/water/atmosphere). First, the study of the fate of metal(loid)s in contaminated soils related to mining activity revealed the presence of associated environmental and health risks. The results highlight that (i) the geochemical behaviour of the three elements (cadmium, zinc and lead) is different, (ii) the speciation of these elements clearly changes between tailings and soils, (iii) Pb lead can cause adverse health effects for children. In a second step, two techniques for the rehabilitation of contaminated sites were apprehended: (i) in the context of soil refunctionalization, the potential for phytostabilization assisted by organic and inorganic amendments of plots contaminated with Douglas fir, as well as (ii) ex-situ recovery by attacking mining waste by alkaline way, which involves reducing the pollution source.

L'objectif général de cette thèse est de mieux comprendre l'influence d'anciens sites miniers sur la contamination en métaux (Cd, Hg, Tl, Pb, Zn) et métalloïdes (As, Sb) de l'hydrosystème aval. Une attention particulière a été portée à l'antimoine (Sb), dont le comportement dans les cours d'eau contaminés par les drainages miniers reste mal connu et dont la signature isotopique pourrait permettre de tracer différentes sources et processus. Le site d'étude est le bassin des Gardons dans le Gard ; ce cours d'eau Cévenol draine de nombreux sites miniers abandonnés (Pb, Zn, Sb, charbon). L'enrichissement en métaux et métalloïdes a été étudié dans les sédiments actuels et anciens du bassin des Gardons. Un historique de la contamination métallique a été reconstitué à l'aide d'une archive sédimentaire. Les sources prépondérantes de métaux et métalloïdes dans les sédiments ont été déterminées ainsi que la mobilité potentielle de ces éléments vers la phase aqueuse. En complément, les variations de concentrations en métaux et métalloïdes dans les phases dissoute et particulaire ont été étudiées lors d'un épisode de crue grâce à un échantillonnage à haute résolution temporelle. Dans leur ensemble, les résultats montrent que les anciennes mines du bassin des Gardons contribuent à l'enrichissement en métaux et métalloïdes du cours d'eau aval, particulièrement en période de crue. Plus spécifiquement, le comportement de l'antimoine a été étudié dans un affluent du Gardon impacté par du drainage minier acide en aval de l'ancienne mine de Carnoulès et la composition isotopique de l'antimoine a été déterminée dans des eaux prélevées sur le bassin des Gardons et de l'Orb amont, après mise au point d'un protocole de purification/pré-concentration de Sb. Les résultats mettent en évidence le potentiel des isotopes de l'antimoine pour tracer l'origine de cet élément et les processus qu'il subit au cours de son transfert dans les cours d'eau impactés par du drainage de mine. / The overall objective of this thesis was to improve understanding of the influence of former mining sites on metal (Cd, Hg, Tl, Pb, Zn) and metalloid (As, Sb) contamination of the downstream hydrosystem. A special care was given to antimony (Sb), its behavior in mining-impacted streams remains poorly known and its isotopic signature could be usefull to track sources and processes. The study site is the Gardon River watershed in the south-east of France which drains many abandoned mining sites (Pb, Zn, Sb, coal). Metal and metalloid enrichment was studied in current and historical sediments of the Gardon River watershed. A sedimentary archive was used to investigate past metal contamination history. The prevailing metal and metalloid sources in sediments were determined together with the potential mobility of these elements toward the aqueous phase. In addition, dissolved and particulate metal and metalloid concentration variations were studied during a flood event using a high temporal resolution sampling. Altogether, the results suggest that former mining sites of the Gardon River watershed contribute to metal and metalloid enrichment of the downstream hydrosystem, especially during floods. More specifically, antimony behavior was investigated in a tributary of the Gardon River which is impacted by acid mine drainage originating from the disused Carnoulès mine and antimony isotopic composition was determined in waters collected in the Gardon River watershed and in the Upper Orb River after developing a protocol for preconcentrating and purifying Sb. The results highlight the potential of antimony isotopes to track the origin of this element and the processes that it undergoes during its transfer in streams impacted by mine drainage.

Submitted by Ana Hilda Fonseca (anahilda@ufba.br) on 2016-09-06T15:11:17Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO LUIZ RAIMUNDO S.S.R.SANTOS.pdf: 1266644 bytes, checksum: 450e692c86f2ffc5bc25ffa7e76b9e3d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vanessa Reis (vanessa.jamile@ufba.br) on 2016-09-06T15:37:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO LUIZ RAIMUNDO S.S.R.SANTOS.pdf: 1266644 bytes, checksum: 450e692c86f2ffc5bc25ffa7e76b9e3d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-06T15:37:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO LUIZ RAIMUNDO S.S.R.SANTOS.pdf: 1266644 bytes, checksum: 450e692c86f2ffc5bc25ffa7e76b9e3d (MD5) / O estudo de elementos essenciais e contaminantes nas amostras biológicas é de grande importância visto que a variação da concentração destes é um parâmetro para detecção de diversas doenças e distúrbios metabólicos provocados pela exposição a substâncias tóxicas e medicamentos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi propor um método analítico visando avaliar o efeito da furosemida (diurético de alça) sobre a composição mineral (Mg, Cu, Fe, Se, Zn, Cd e Pb) em amostras biológicas (fígado, rim, coração, pulmão e soro) de ratos Wistar por espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP OES). Para a decomposição das amostras foi utilizado um procedimento por via úmida, com adição de ácido nítrico e peróxido de hidrogênio, empregando forno de microondas com cavidade. As figuras analíticas de mérito (precisão, limites de detecção (LOD) e quantificação (LOQ) e efeito de matriz) foram determinadas para o procedimento proposto. A exatidão foi verificada com material de referência certificado fígado bovino NIST 1577b e por comparação com método de referência da AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). O procedimento proposto foi aplicado para avaliação dos efeitos da furosemida sobre a composição corporal de elementos essenciais e contaminantes de ratos Wistar. Os dados para Se, Cd e Pb foram abaixo do LOQ, sendo necessário a utilização de técnicas mais sensíveis como GF AAS e ICP-MS para a quantificação desses elementos em amostras biológicas. Em relação ao comportamento dos minerais nas amostras biológicas estudadas, o Cu, nas amostras biológicas dos ratos machos, este apresenta uma redução no fígado, rim e coração, mantendo-se constante no pulmão. Nas fêmeas há um aumento no fígado e redução no rim, coração e pulmão. Para o Fe, o comportamento é semelhante entre machos e fêmeas, com redução no fígado, rim e soro e aumento no coração e pulmão. O Mg apresenta uma constância no fígado e pulmão, redução no rim, coração e aumento no soro para machos, enquanto para fêmeas, em fígado e rim permanecem constantes e há redução no coração, pulmão e soro. Já o Zn reduz no fígado e rim dos machos e se mantém constante no coração e pulmão, sendo o inverso para as fêmeas. Foi encontrando como resultados uma extração dos elementos Mg, Cu e Zn em todos os tecidos biológicos estudados em uma magnitude de 16,8; 15,1 e 6,4 % para ratos machos e 13,0; 16,5 e 8,1 % para fêmeas, após a administração da furosemida em todos os animais estudados. O Fe apresentou um aumento de 21,8% e 5,1%, em todos os tecidos biológicos estudados, para ratos machos e fêmeas respectivamente, concluindo que a furosemida não traz prejuízos para a saúde com relação à perda de elementos essenciais / The study of essential elements and contaminants in biological samples is of great importance since the variation of the concentration of these is a parameter for the detection of various diseases and metabolic disorders caused by exposure to toxic substances and medicines. The aim of this study was to propose an analytical method to evaluate the effect of furosemide (loop diuretic) on the mineral composition (Mg, Cu, Fe, Se, Zn, Cd and Pb) in biological samples (liver, kidney, heart, lung and serum) of rats by optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP OES). For decomposition of the samples we used a procedure by wet, with the addition of nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, using a microwave cavity. The analytical figures of merit (precision, limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) and matrix effect) were determined for the proposed procedure. The accuracy was checked with certified reference material NIST 1577b bovine liver and by comparison with reference method AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). The proposed procedure was applied to assess the effects of furosemide on body composition of essential elements and contaminants in rats. The data for Se, Cd and Pb were below the LOQ, necessitating the use of more sensitive techniques such as GF AAS and ICP-MS for quantification of these elements in biological samples. As for the behavior of minerals in biological samples studied, the Cu in biological samples from male rats, this presents a reduction in the liver, kidney and heart, remaining constant in the lung. In females there is an increase in the liver and reduction in kidney, heart and lung. For Fe, the behavior is similar between males and females, with a reduction in the liver, kidney and serum and increased heart and lung. Magnesium has a constancy in the liver and lung, reduction in kidney, heart and an increase in serum for males as for females, liver and kidney remain constant and there is a reduction in heart, lung and serum. Already reduces the Zn in the liver and kidney of males and remained constant in the heart and lungs, and the converse for females. Was found as a result of the extraction elements Mg, Cu and Zn in all biological tissues studied in a magnitude of 16.8, 15.1 and 6.4% for males and 13.0, 16.5 and 8.1 % for females, after administration of furosemide in all animals studied. Fe showed an increase of 21.8% and 5.1% in all biological tissues studied, for males and females respectively, concluding that furosemide does not bring harm to health in relation to loss of essential elements

134 f. / Submitted by Ana Hilda Fonseca (anahilda@ufba.br) on 2013-04-11T14:28:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Flor de tricô.docx: 411814 bytes, checksum: d1a4ae77e444ad8ff1fca87eb3a1c5c0 (MD5) / Rejected by Ana Hilda Fonseca(anahilda@ufba.br), reason: ficheiro on 2013-05-10T16:19:20Z (GMT) / Submitted by Ana Hilda Fonseca (anahilda@ufba.br) on 2013-05-10T16:23:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Geysa.pdf: 4445790 bytes, checksum: 4f7a470247b94c6056cd2d214bed0ec7 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Hilda Fonseca(anahilda@ufba.br) on 2013-05-10T16:25:35Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Geysa.pdf: 4445790 bytes, checksum: 4f7a470247b94c6056cd2d214bed0ec7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-05-10T16:25:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Geysa.pdf: 4445790 bytes, checksum: 4f7a470247b94c6056cd2d214bed0ec7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / CAPES / As macroalgas estão sendo bastante utilizadas com êxito no monitoramento da qualidade ambiental. Diante da crescente contaminação na Baía de Todos os Santos (BTS), Bahia, Brasil, neste trabalho foram determinadas as concentrações de elementos traço, micro e macro em macroalgas e fanerógama marinhas coletadas em vários pontos da baía, visando estudar a distribuição dos elementos. As macroalgas estudadas foram: Acanthophora spicifera, Bostrychia montagnei, Dictyopteris jamaicensis, Padina spp., Sargassum spp., Ulva lactuca, Bryopsis plumosa, Caulerpa racemosa, Caulerpa scalpelliformis, Codium isthmocladum e Penicillus capitatus. A fanerógama marinha foi Halodule wrightii. As amostras foram coletadas em: Salinas da Margarida, Ilha de Bimbarras (São Francisco do Conde), Ilha de Maré (Salvador), Praia de Caboto (Candeias), Praia da Ribeira (Salvador) e Praia da Penha (Vera Cruz – Ilha de Itaparica). Os períodos de coleta seguiram a sazonalidade (períodos seco e chuvoso) e os elementos estudados foram As, Al, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, Sb, Sn, Se, Sr, V e Zn. As amostras foram submetidas à digestão em forno de micro-ondas com cavidade, após otimização de parâmetros, e os analitos determinados em espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP OES) e espectrometria de massas com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-MS). Foi observado que alguns elementos se destacaram em determinadas localidades, em ambos os períodos, tais como, em μg g-1: Cd (0,140-6,13) e Zn (6,63-45,9) em Bimbarras; Li (0,233-10,1) e As (2,29-54,2) em Praia da Penha; Cd (0,293-3,25) em Salinas da Margarida; Li (1,92-9,86), Pb (6,28-8,58), V (14,1-21,2), Cr (1,45-7,42) e Cu (70,1-126) em Caboto; Ni (1,95-17,3) na praia da Ribeira; e Li (0,980-11,4), Pb (1,32-8,05), Cu (13,1-57,8) e Zn (20,1-56,6) em Ilha de Maré. Os táxons que apresentaram maiores capacidades de acumulação para a maioria dos elementos estudados foram Sargassum spp, Caulerpa racemosa e Padina spp. No estudo da variação da concentração dos analitos quanto à variação da intensidade de chuvas, foi observado que apenas os elementos Li e Co exerceram influência significativa sobre os resultados. / Salvador

Les conséquences des activités industrielles passées, et notamment métallurgiques, persistent encore aujourd'hui. C'est le cas dans l'actuel Parc National des Calanques, qui abrite l'ancienne fonderie de plomb de l'Escalette (sud-est de Marseille). Ainsi, plus de 80 ans après la fermeture de cette usine, une contamination importante et étendue en éléments traces métalliques et métalloïdes (ETMM) est présente. Les objectifs de cette thèse ont été de contribuer à l'évaluation de la contamination diffuse en ETMM des sols des Calanques situés aux alentours du site industriel abandonné de l'Escalette. Dans un but futur de restauration écologique, solution adaptée dans le contexte particulier de la zone de pollution diffuse, située dans le Parc National des Calanques, les capacités d'accumulation et les mécanismes de tolérance d'une espèce autochtone, le romarin (Rosmarinus officinalis) ont été étudiés. Ainsi, cette étude a permis de mettre en évidence quelques mécanismes de tolérance aux ETMM certainement mis en jeu dans le cas du romarin. Les résultats montrent que le romarin pourrait être un candidat intéressant pour la phytostabilisation aux vues de sa capacité d'accumulation des ETMM dans les racines, ainsi que sa résistance à des niveaux de contamination très élevés. / Past industrial activities, particularly metallurgical one, have current environmental consequences. As an example, the former lead smelter from l'Escalette (South-East Marseille, France) in the National Park of Calanques lead to an important environmental pollution of its surroundings. Thus, more than 80 years after its activity ceased, a trace metal and metalloide (TMM) diffuse pollution is still present. This PhD study aimed to contribute to the assessment of the diffuse contamination levels by TMM of the Calanque's soils around the former lead smelting factory. Aiming at identifying an adapted solution of ecological restoration of the areas with diffuse pollution located in the National Park of Calanques. Accumulation abilities and tolerance mechanisms of a native plant species, rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), were studied. In order to achieve this, in situ and ex situ assays were performed. TMM concentrations in rosemary organs (leaves, stems, roots) and some stress phytometabolites were assessed. Moreover, the role of mycorrhizal symbioses in rosemary tolerance was evaluated.

Les Technosols comprennent les sols soumis à une forte pression anthropique et en particulier les sols influencés par les matériaux d'origine humaine. Dans ce contexte, les sites miniers abandonnés peuvent souvent contenir une grande quantité de déchets transformés enrichis en métaux et métalloïdes. En comparaison avec les sols naturels, la singularité des Technosols miniers correspond à leur matériel parental constitués de déchets minéraux de granulométrie fine. Contrairement à leurs homologues peu anthropisés, les Technosols sont encore assez mal connus. L'objectif global de cette étude est d'approfondir les connaissances des processus pédogénétiques des Technosols développés naturellement à partir de déchets miniers de façon à mieux anticiper la réhabilitation de ces sites. Ainsi, différents profils ont été échantillonnés correspondant respectivement à d’anciennes exploitations de W, Pb-Ag, Sn et Au. Leurs fonctionnements pédologiques ont dès lors été étudiés afin de déterminer les liens potentiels et les leviers guidant leur évolution. Cette étude préliminaire correspond à une image contemporaine de ce que peut donner une réhabilitation naturelle (par simple formation de solum après végétation spontanée) pour une durée d’environ 75 ans en moyenne. Dans un second temps plusieurs techniques de réhabilitation ont été étudiés respectivement: (i) la phytoremédiation par culture du Douglas ainsi que (ii) la revalorisation des déchets par synthèse de géopolymères enrichis en déchets miniers. / The Technosols include soils subject to strong anthropogenic pressure and particularly to the soil influenced by human-made materials. In this context, abandoned mine sites can contain a large amount of transformed waste materials often enriched with metals and metalloïds. Compared to natural soils, the singularity of mining Technosols naturally developed from mining waste corresponding to their parental material made by fine-grained mineral waste. Unlike their poorly anthropized homologous, Technosols are not enough well known. So, the overall objective of this study is to increase knowledge of soil processes of Technosols after spontaneous vegetation impact. Thus, different profiles were sampled respectively corresponding to different abandoned mine exploitation type: W, Pb-Ag, Sn and Au. Their pedogenic way have therefore been studied to determine potential linkages and levers guiding their evolution. This preliminary study is based on the contemporary picture of a natural rehabilitation (by simple solum formation) for a period of about 75 years on average. Secondly several rehabilitation techniques have been studied respectively: (i) the phytoremediation by growing Douglas plant and (ii) the reused of waste by mine sediment based geopolymer synthesis.

La biosurveillance humaine permet aujourd’hui d’évaluer notre exposition aux produits chimiques par la mesure soit des substances elles-mêmes, soit de leurs métabolites ou marqueurs d'effets sur la santé, à partir des fluides corporels ou des tissus. Les informations recueillies dans le cadre d’enquêtes épidémiologiques renseignent sur l'exposition humaine et constituent des bases précieuses dans la recherche des relations exposition-réponse chez les humains. Les travaux de cette thèse s’inscrivent dans le cadre de l’enquête transversale IMePoGe conduite entre 2008-2010 dans la région Nord–Pas-de-Calais (au nord de la France), incluant 2000 résidents adultes âgés de 20 à 59 ans, et visant à quantifier les niveaux d’imprégnation de la population à 14 métaux et métalloïdes (aluminium, antimoine, arsenic total, béryllium, cadmium, cobalt, chrome, mercure, manganèse, nickel, plomb, thallium, vanadium, zinc) choisis pour leurs effets toxiques et la fréquence de l’exposition professionnelle et environnementale. Les objectifs spécifiques de cette thèse étaient, tout en portant une attention particulière au plomb et au cadmium, deux métaux néphrotoxiques connus dans la littérature : i) d’établir la distribution de l’imprégnation aux métaux et métalloïdes dans la population du Nord de la France et de comparer le niveau régional d’imprégnation avec les données nationales et internationales ; ii) d’identifier les facteurs majeurs de variation de l’imprégnation et les sources d’exposition au plomb et au cadmium dans la population générale ; iii) d’étudier la relation entre la variation du débit de filtration glomérulaire et les niveaux d’imprégnation aux métaux. Globalement, les concentrations sanguines et urinaires de la plupart des métaux et métalloïdes étaient plus élevées que celles rapportées dans l’enquête nationale nutrition santé conduite sur la même période dans la population française, à l’exception du vanadium urinaire et du plomb sanguin. La plombémie moyenne régionale (moyenne géométrique) était de 18,8 μg/L. De nombreuses sources d’exposition au plomb existaient dans la population et étaient à la fois d’origine professionnelle, environnementale et alimentaire. Pour ce qui est du cadmium, le tabagisme se présentait comme la principale source d’exposition récente ou chronique au métal : la cadmiémie moyenne, reflet de l’exposition récente, était de 0,39 μg/L et passait de 0,26 μg/L chez les non-fumeurs à 0,84 μg/L chez les fumeurs ; la cadmiurie moyenne, reflet de l’exposition chronique, était de 0,37 μg/L (0,33 μg/g créatinine) et passait de 0,33 μg/L (0,29 μg/g créatinine) chez les non-fumeurs à 0,46 μg/L (0.37 μg/g créatinine) chez les fumeurs. Enfin, dans le cadre de l’étude de la relation entre l’imprégnation aux métaux et le débit de filtration glomérulaire, notre étude a montré que la prise en compte de la co-exposition à d’autres métaux et métalloïdes potentiellement néphrotoxiques bouleversait considérablement les associations antérieures jusqu’ici rapportées spécifiquement avec le plomb et le cadmium, dans le cadre de faibles niveaux d’imprégnation en population générale. / Human Biomonitoring allows us to evaluate our exposure to chemicals by measuring substances themselves or their metabolites or markers of health effects, from body fluids or tissues. The information collected through epidemiological surveys provide information on human exposure and are valuable databases in the research of exposure-response relationships in humans. This thesis is part of the cross-sectional IMePoGe survey conducted between 2008-2010 in the Nord–Pas-de-Calais region (in northern France), including 2,000 adult residents aged 20 to 59 years old, and aimed to quantify the impregnation levels of the population to 14 metals and metalloids (aluminum, antimony, total arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, mercury, manganese, nickel, lead, thallium, vanadium, zinc) chosen for their toxic effects and the frequency of occupational and environmental exposure. The specific objectives of this thesis were, which a special interest for lead and cadmium, two nephrotoxic metals known in the literature: i) to establish the distribution of impregnation metals into the northern population of France and compare the exposure regional level to metals and metalloids with the national and international data; ii) to identify the major factors of variation of the impregnation and the sources of exposure to lead and cadmium in the general population; iii) to study the relationship between the change in glomerular filtration rate and the impregnation levels to metals. Overall, blood and urinary concentrations of most metals and metalloids were higher than those found in the national nutritional health survey conducted during the same period in the French population, with the exception of urinary vanadium and blood lead. The regional mean of blood lead level (geometric mean) was 18.8 μg/L. Several sources of lead exposure existed in the population and were link to the occupational, environmental and consumption parameters. Regarding cadmium, smoking was the main source of recent or chronic exposure to metal: the geometric mean of blood cadmium, reflecting a recent exposure, was 0.39 μg/L and increased from 0.26 μg/L in non-smokers to 0.84 μg/L in smokers; the geometric mean of urinary cadmium, reflecting the chronic exposure, was 0.37 μg/L (0.33 μg/g creatinine) and increased from 0.33 μg/L (0.29 μg/g creatinine) in non-smokers to 0.46 μg/L (0.37 μg/g creatinine) in smokers. Finally, as part of the study of the relationship between the metal levels and the glomerular filtration rate, our study showed that taking into account the multiple exposure to the other potentially nephrotoxic metals and metalloids upset considerably the previous associations specifically reported with lead and cadmium, in the context of low levels exposure in the general population.

The current research project investigated the anoxygenic phototrophic and metal(loid) transforming bacteria of hypersaline and deep ocean hydrothermal environments. The East German Creek brine springs, an unusual flowing hypersaline system, was enumerated using classical techniques. Subterranean sulfide supported purple sulfur and nonsulfur bacteria, but at the highly oxygenated surface, aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs (AAP) were numerically dominant (up to 16-36% of cultivable bacteria). Strains (EG8, EG13, EG17, EG19) with unusual phylogenetic affiliation and novel photosynthetic and metal(loid) reducing traits were described taxonomically. Chromocurvus halotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov. was proposed as a second example of a gammaproteobacterial AAP. It exhibited bent rod-shaped cells, unusual among AAP. Facultatively anaerobic Charonomicrobium ambiphototrophicum gen. nov., sp. nov. was capable of both aerobic and anaerobic anoxygenic photosynthesis, and incapable of photoautotrophy, distinguishing it from both AAP and purple nonsulfur bacteria. Roseovarius vanadiphilum sp. nov. surprisingly produced 4.5 times more biomass and 2 times more bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) at extremely high NaVO3 concentration (7.5 g/l) than in metal-free medium. A second novel metabolic mode, anaerobic respiration on the toxic metalloid tellurate, was described for a relative of non-phototrophic Shewanella frigidimarina (ER-Te-48), from deep ocean hydrothermal vent Paralvinella worms at Explorer Ridge in the Pacific Ocean. Other strains respired on SeO32- (ER-Se-17L), VO3- (ER-V-6), and VO43- (AV-V-25). These organisms provided the first examples of anaerobic respiration on Te, Se and V at hydrothermal vents. High level resistance of AAP to metal(loid)s prompted investigation of the influence of TeO32- on photosynthetic pigment production in species including Erythromicrobium ramosum (from a terrestrial hydrothermal system) and Erythrobacter litoralis (from a hypersaline supralittoral system). Tellurite enhanced photosynthetic pigment production up to 3.4 times, consistent with an antioxidant carotenoid-based defense mechanism. However, in E. litoralis BChl precursors such as Mg protoporphyrin or its monomethyl ester also accumulated, indicating biosynthetic pathway interruption. In hydrothermal and hypersaline ecosystems, largely devoid of eukaryotic phototrophs but often enriched in metal(loid)s, AAP and metal(loid) reducers are key modulators of nutrient and toxin availability. The presented results on their ecology, physiology and biochemistry have important implications for theoretical understanding of extreme environments and hold potential for biotechnological applications.

The current research project investigated the anoxygenic phototrophic and metal(loid) transforming bacteria of hypersaline and deep ocean hydrothermal environments. The East German Creek brine springs, an unusual flowing hypersaline system, was enumerated using classical techniques. Subterranean sulfide supported purple sulfur and nonsulfur bacteria, but at the highly oxygenated surface, aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs (AAP) were numerically dominant (up to 16-36% of cultivable bacteria). Strains (EG8, EG13, EG17, EG19) with unusual phylogenetic affiliation and novel photosynthetic and metal(loid) reducing traits were described taxonomically. Chromocurvus halotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov. was proposed as a second example of a gammaproteobacterial AAP. It exhibited bent rod-shaped cells, unusual among AAP. Facultatively anaerobic Charonomicrobium ambiphototrophicum gen. nov., sp. nov. was capable of both aerobic and anaerobic anoxygenic photosynthesis, and incapable of photoautotrophy, distinguishing it from both AAP and purple nonsulfur bacteria. Roseovarius vanadiphilum sp. nov. surprisingly produced 4.5 times more biomass and 2 times more bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) at extremely high NaVO3 concentration (7.5 g/l) than in metal-free medium. A second novel metabolic mode, anaerobic respiration on the toxic metalloid tellurate, was described for a relative of non-phototrophic Shewanella frigidimarina (ER-Te-48), from deep ocean hydrothermal vent Paralvinella worms at Explorer Ridge in the Pacific Ocean. Other strains respired on SeO32- (ER-Se-17L), VO3- (ER-V-6), and VO43- (AV-V-25). These organisms provided the first examples of anaerobic respiration on Te, Se and V at hydrothermal vents. High level resistance of AAP to metal(loid)s prompted investigation of the influence of TeO32- on photosynthetic pigment production in species including Erythromicrobium ramosum (from a terrestrial hydrothermal system) and Erythrobacter litoralis (from a hypersaline supralittoral system). Tellurite enhanced photosynthetic pigment production up to 3.4 times, consistent with an antioxidant carotenoid-based defense mechanism. However, in E. litoralis BChl precursors such as Mg protoporphyrin or its monomethyl ester also accumulated, indicating biosynthetic pathway interruption. In hydrothermal and hypersaline ecosystems, largely devoid of eukaryotic phototrophs but often enriched in metal(loid)s, AAP and metal(loid) reducers are key modulators of nutrient and toxin availability. The presented results on their ecology, physiology and biochemistry have important implications for theoretical understanding of extreme environments and hold potential for biotechnological applications.