A acidez do solo é um sério problema que limita o crescimento radicular das culturas. A aplicação de calcário na superfície do solo visando à correção da acidez é utilizada em áreas cultivadas no sistema de plantio direto (SPD) já instalado. A amenização da acidez no subsolo devido à aplicação do calcário na superfície é influenciada pelo manejo da cobertura vegetal e pela adubação nitrogenada. Além disso, a calagem e a cobertura vegetal afetam os ciclos de C e de N devido à influência em atributos biológicos do solo, como estrutura e atividade microbiana, qualidade e quantidade de substrato disponível aos microorganismos decompositores. Os objetivos desse estudo foram avaliar o efeito da calagem e da cobertura de resíduos de aveia preta, com e sem adubação nitrogenada (i) nos atributos químicos e na especiação iônica da solução de um Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico, textura média, na nutrição e na produção de grãos de soja em experimento conduzido em Ponta Grossa-PR (25º10S, 50º05W) sob SPD; (ii) nos compartimentos de C e de N, no potencial de mineralização de N e na taxa de decomposição de aminoácidos; e (iii) estudar o efeito do pH inicial do solo e local de adição de resíduos de aveia preta na composição da solução do solo e no comportamento da comunidade microbiana. A calagem aumentou o pH do solo e os teores de Ca e Mg trocáveis e reduziu os teores de Al e Mn até 60 cm de profundidade, independentemente dos tratamentos de cobertura vegetal. A adição de N promoveu acidificação do solo. A maior parte do Al estava complexada com carbono orgânico dissolvido na solução do solo, ao contrário de Ca e de Mg, que estavam predominantemente na forma livre. A produção de grãos de soja aumentou de forma linear com a aplicação de calcário. A atividade microbiana, o potencial de mineralização de N e taxa de decomposição de aminoácidos foi estimulada devido ao aumento do pH do solo proporcionado pela calagem, principalmente na camada superficial. Aminoácidos liberados da decomposição inicial dos resíduos de aveia preta foram rapidamente consumidos pelos microorganismos do solo principalmente em valores altos de pH do solo. Portanto, a calagem superficial, o manejo da cobertura vegetal e a adubação nitrogenada interferiram na disponibilidade de nutrientes e na composição e atividade da biomassa microbiana em SPD. / Soil acidity is a serious problem in tropical and subtropical regions of the world reducing root growth and crop yield. Surface liming is a common practice to ameliorate soil acidity in areas under no-till system (NTS). The subsoil acidity amelioration, as a result of surface liming, is affected by cover crop residues as well as N fertilization. Liming and crop residues play important roles on C and N cycles due to changes in soil biological attributes, such as microbial community and activity, quantity and quality of substrate to microorganisms. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of surface liming and black oat residues, with or without N addition, on (i) soil chemical attributes, ionic speciation, soybean nutrition and yield of a loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Hapludox in an experiment carried out in Ponta Grossa, state of Paraná, Brazil (25º10S, 50º05W) under NTS; (ii) C and N pools, potentially mineralizable N and decomposition rate of amino acids; and (iii) to evaluate the initial soil pH and black oat residues placement on soil solution composition and microbial behaviour. Surface liming increased soil pH and contents of Ca and Mg throughout soil profile, and also it reduced Al content to a 60 cm soil depth, regardless of cover crop treatments. The addition of N caused soil acidification. The Al content in soil solution was found mainly complexed to dissolved organic compounds, in contrast to Ca and Mg, which were found in a free form. Soybean yield was increased by lime rates. Due to soil pH increase, surface liming stimulated soil microbial biomass, potentially mineralizable N and amino acids decomposition rate, mainly at soil surface layer. Amino acids released from the initial decomposition of black oat residues were immediately used by soil microorganisms. Surface liming, cover crop residues and N fertilization affected nutrients availability and microbial biomass composition and activity under NTS.

A adição ao solo de resíduo vegetal de elevada relação C/N no sistema \"cana crua\", afeta o equilíbrio entre os processos de entrada e saída do N no sistema solo-planta-atmosfera. Assim, a presença da palhada modifica o agrossistema fazendo-se necessários ajustes no manejo da fertilização nitrogenada. Nesse sentido, quatro estudos foram desenvolvidos com os seguintes objetivos: (i) Avaliar as características produtivas e nutricionais da cultura da cana-de-açúcar de modo a identificar a fonte e a dose de N de maior eficiência agronômica; (ii) Quantificar a recuperação do N proveniente do fertilizante pela cana-de-açúcar; (iii) avaliar o potencial de inibição do íon cloreto na nitrificação no solo; (iv) avaliar as taxas de mineralização e imobilização do N-fertilizante e a sua interação com o Nnativo do solo. Em campo, foi conduzido um experimento em Latossolo Vermelho distróficocom cana-de-açúcar. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições e nove tratamentos, com as fontes nitrogenadas: sulfato de amônio, YaraBela NitromagTM, nitrato de amônio e ureia na dose de 100kg ha-1 de N, cloreto de amônio, nas doses de N: 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha-1, e controle. Foram instaladas microparcelas com aplicação das fontes marcadas no isótopo 15N na dose de 100 kg ha-1 de N. Os fertilizantes nitrogenados foram aplicados manualmente, sobre a palhada. Posteriormente, amostras do solo coletadas previamente foram incubadas aerobiamente por um período de 21 dias. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições e os tratamentos constaram da combinação de sulfato de amônio ou cloreto de amônio, na dose de 100 mg kg-1 de nitrogênio, com cloreto de potássio na dose de 100 ou 200 mg kg-1 de cloro. Avaliou-se, também, doses de cloreto de amônio (50, 100 e 200 mg kg-1 de N). As formas de N-mineral foram determinadas por meio de sistema de análise por injeção em fluxo. Amostras de solo foram, também, incubadas aerobiamente por um período de 20 semanas. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com três repetições e seis tratamentos, constituindo-se um fatorial 3x2 (Namídico, N-amoniacal ou sem N versus com ou sem resíduo de cana). As fontes nitrogenadas (enriquecidas com 2% em átomos de 15N) foram aplicadas superficialmente no solo na dose de 100 mg kg-1 de N e o resíduo de cana-de-açúcar incorporado na dose de 5,2 g kg-1. O fornecimento de doses de N na forma de cloreto de amônio resultou em decréscimo de produtividade de colmos e açúcar. As fontes nítrico/amoniacais promoveram maior atividade da enzima redutase do nitrato nas folhas da cana-de-açúcar, porém, não apresentaram influência no acúmulo total de N. O aproveitamento do N-fertilizante pela cana-de-açúcar foi da ordem de 60% nos estádios iniciais, reduzindo-se para aproximadamente 20% próximo à fase de maturação. O íon cloreto reduziu a concentração de nitrato no solo devido a ação do ânion na reação de nitrificação. A incorporação de resíduo de cana-de-açúcar ao solo promoveu maiores taxas de imobilização do N e a aplicação de sulfato de amônio resultou em maior mineralização do N nativo do solo comparado a ureia. / The addition of plant residue with high C/N ratio to the soil in a \"green cane\" system affects the balance of input/output processes of N in a soil-plant-atmosphere system. Thus, the presence of straw modifies the agroecosystem requiring adjustments in management of nitrogen fertilization. Accordingly, four studies were developed to: (i) evaluate the nutritional and productive characteristics of sugarcane crops to identify the source and N rates of greater agronomic efficiency; (ii) quantify the sugarcane N recovery from fertilizers; (iii) assess the potential inhibition of chloride ion in reaction to soil nitrification, (iv) evaluate mineralization and immobilization rates of fertilizer-N and their interaction with the native soil N. We conducted a field experiment on a Typic Hapludox with sugarcane, in the 2009/2010 harvest. The experimental design was a randomized block with four replications and nine treatments with nitrogen sources: ammonium sulfate, YaraBela NitromagTM, ammonium nitrate and urea at 100 kg N ha-1, ammonium chloride at N doses: 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg ha-1 and control. Microplots were installed with application of nitrogen sources labeled 15N at 100 kg N ha-1. Nitrogen fertilizers were applied manually over straw. Subsequently, previously collected soil samples were incubated aerobically for 21 days. The experimental design was completely randomized with four replications and the treatments consisted of ammonium sulfate or ammonium chloride at 100 mg N kg-1 with potassium chloride at a chlorine dose 100 or 200 mg kg-1. We also evaluated doses of ammonium chloride (50, 100, and 200 mg N kg-1). Forms of mineral-N were determined by Flow Injection Analysis (FIA) system. Soil samples were incubated aerobically for 20 weeks. The experimental design was completely randomized with three replications and six treatments, comprising a 3x2 factorial (amidic-N, ammonium- N or without N versus with or without cane residue). Nitrogen sources (enriched with 2 atom% 15N) were applied to the soil surface at a N dose of 100 mg kg-1 and residue sugarcane incorporated at 5.2 g kg-1. The N supply in ammonium chloride form resulted in decreased yield of sugar and stalks. Nitric-ammonium sources promoted higher activity of nitrate reductase in sugarcane leave; however, they did not affect total N accumulation. The sugarcane recovery of fertilizer-N was approximately 60% in early stages, dropping to about 20% near the maturity stage. The chloride ion reduced nitrate concentration in soil due to the anion action in the nitrification reaction. The sugarcane residue incorporation to the soil showed higher N immobilization rates and the use of ammonium sulfate resulted in higher N mineralization rates of native soil N compared to urea.

A acidez do solo é um sério problema que limita o crescimento radicular das culturas. A aplicação de calcário na superfície do solo visando à correção da acidez é utilizada em áreas cultivadas no sistema de plantio direto (SPD) já instalado. A amenização da acidez no subsolo devido à aplicação do calcário na superfície é influenciada pelo manejo da cobertura vegetal e pela adubação nitrogenada. Além disso, a calagem e a cobertura vegetal afetam os ciclos de C e de N devido à influência em atributos biológicos do solo, como estrutura e atividade microbiana, qualidade e quantidade de substrato disponível aos microorganismos decompositores. Os objetivos desse estudo foram avaliar o efeito da calagem e da cobertura de resíduos de aveia preta, com e sem adubação nitrogenada (i) nos atributos químicos e na especiação iônica da solução de um Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico, textura média, na nutrição e na produção de grãos de soja em experimento conduzido em Ponta Grossa-PR (25º10S, 50º05W) sob SPD; (ii) nos compartimentos de C e de N, no potencial de mineralização de N e na taxa de decomposição de aminoácidos; e (iii) estudar o efeito do pH inicial do solo e local de adição de resíduos de aveia preta na composição da solução do solo e no comportamento da comunidade microbiana. A calagem aumentou o pH do solo e os teores de Ca e Mg trocáveis e reduziu os teores de Al e Mn até 60 cm de profundidade, independentemente dos tratamentos de cobertura vegetal. A adição de N promoveu acidificação do solo. A maior parte do Al estava complexada com carbono orgânico dissolvido na solução do solo, ao contrário de Ca e de Mg, que estavam predominantemente na forma livre. A produção de grãos de soja aumentou de forma linear com a aplicação de calcário. A atividade microbiana, o potencial de mineralização de N e taxa de decomposição de aminoácidos foi estimulada devido ao aumento do pH do solo proporcionado pela calagem, principalmente na camada superficial. Aminoácidos liberados da decomposição inicial dos resíduos de aveia preta foram rapidamente consumidos pelos microorganismos do solo principalmente em valores altos de pH do solo. Portanto, a calagem superficial, o manejo da cobertura vegetal e a adubação nitrogenada interferiram na disponibilidade de nutrientes e na composição e atividade da biomassa microbiana em SPD. / Soil acidity is a serious problem in tropical and subtropical regions of the world reducing root growth and crop yield. Surface liming is a common practice to ameliorate soil acidity in areas under no-till system (NTS). The subsoil acidity amelioration, as a result of surface liming, is affected by cover crop residues as well as N fertilization. Liming and crop residues play important roles on C and N cycles due to changes in soil biological attributes, such as microbial community and activity, quantity and quality of substrate to microorganisms. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of surface liming and black oat residues, with or without N addition, on (i) soil chemical attributes, ionic speciation, soybean nutrition and yield of a loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Hapludox in an experiment carried out in Ponta Grossa, state of Paraná, Brazil (25º10S, 50º05W) under NTS; (ii) C and N pools, potentially mineralizable N and decomposition rate of amino acids; and (iii) to evaluate the initial soil pH and black oat residues placement on soil solution composition and microbial behaviour. Surface liming increased soil pH and contents of Ca and Mg throughout soil profile, and also it reduced Al content to a 60 cm soil depth, regardless of cover crop treatments. The addition of N caused soil acidification. The Al content in soil solution was found mainly complexed to dissolved organic compounds, in contrast to Ca and Mg, which were found in a free form. Soybean yield was increased by lime rates. Due to soil pH increase, surface liming stimulated soil microbial biomass, potentially mineralizable N and amino acids decomposition rate, mainly at soil surface layer. Amino acids released from the initial decomposition of black oat residues were immediately used by soil microorganisms. Surface liming, cover crop residues and N fertilization affected nutrients availability and microbial biomass composition and activity under NTS.

Les métaux rares, comme le niobium (Nb), le tantale (Ta), le tungstène (W) et l'étain (Sn), sont définis comme des «ressources stratégiques» ou des «matériaux critiques». Dans cette étude, nous prenons les gisements de Nb de Huangshan et de Ta de Songshugang dans le complexe de Lingshan, province de Jiangxi, en Chine du Sud, comme exemples. Les roches de ce gisement sont classées en deux catégories en fonction de la présence de micas riches en Nb et de la quantité de columbite-tantalites: granites à grain moyen avec des micas riches en Nb et sans columbite-tantalites, et granites à grain fin et pegmatites riches en columbite-tantalites. Ces columbite-tantalites sont riches en Nb et pauvres en Mn, les classant comme columbite. Ces columbites ont des zonations complexes liées à des processus répétitifs. Notre travail indique plutôt que la formation de tels minéraux est liée à des processus de mélanges multiples avec au moins deux types de magmas. Les granites à grain moyen dans la suite Huangshan sont différents des autres granites du complexe de Lingshan par la composition de leurs micas: Li-annite (granite MA) et "protolithionite" (granite MP). Ils sont caractérisés par des teneurs Nb élevées (moyenne de 144 ppm en MP et 158 ppm en MA) et des rapports Nb/Ta très élevés (moyenne 15,3 en MP et 31,2 en MA). Le niobium est principalement hébergé dans les micas, avec une teneur moyenne en Nb de 1347 ppm dans les Li annites, et 884 ppm dans le «protolithionite», concentrations encore jamais mesurées dans les micas d’origine magmatique. Avec un contenu estimé à ~80 kt Nb, les granites de Huangshan représentent un nouveau style potentiel de ressource de Nb. Le granite à albite de Songshugang est localisé dans l'ouest du complexe de Lingshan et est enrichi en Ta. Le granite de Songshugang n’affleure pas et est se trouve sous des couches de granites à feldspath K-topaze, de greisens et de pegmatite. Tous les granites et pegmatites sont fortement peralumineux. Les minéraux de columbite-tantalites, de zircons et de cassitérites sont constants pour chaque type de roches et présentent les mêmes textures bi-phasées. Les caractéristiques pétrographiques indiquent que le stade précoce de columbite et de zircon ont été formés dans un environnement strictement magmatique. Le stade postérieur de ces minéraux a été influencé par des circulations fluides à la transition magmatique-hydrothermale. Les micas montrent également une texture en deux étapes, avec une grande quantité de d’inclusions de columbite-tantalites. L'enrichissement en Rb dans les bordures (Znw-II) est le résultat d’un fractionnement magmatique, comme démontré par la diminution de la teneur en Nb (16,3-108 ppm comparé avec 109-313 ppm pour le coeur). Cependant, les teneurs faibles et invariables du Ta, W et Sn démontrent que le magma résiduel n'a eu aucune influence sur les processus post-magmatiques postérieurs, contrairement aux minéraux de columbite-tantalites. Enfin, les datations U-Pb in-situ sur zircons et columbite-tantalites démontrent que les granites de Huangshan et de Songshugang se sont mis en place vers 130 Ma durant l’épisode tardi-Yanshanien (Crétacé), au même moment que l’ensemble des roches magmatiques formant le complexe de Lingshan. Ce résultat indique que cette période géologique est d’intérêt pour la formation de ressources en Nb-Ta, définissant une nouvelle période géologique prospective pour ces ressources / Rare metals, including niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), tungsten (W) and tin (Sn), are defined as “strategic resources” or “critical materials”. For this work, we studied the Huangshan Nb deposit and Songshugang Ta deposit, in the Lingshan complex, Jiangxi Province, South China, as examples. The rocks from Huangshan granite are classified in two categories based on the occurrence of Nb-rich mica and the amount of columbite-tantalites minerals: medium-grained granites with Nb-rich mica and devoided of columbite-tantalites and fine-grained granites and pegmatites rich in columbite-tantalite minerals. Columbite-tantalite minerals are classified as columbite-(Fe), and characterized by complex zonings with various “go and back” processes, indicating that their formation is linked to multi-mixing processes of two different magma sources. The medium-grained granites in the Huangshan suite differed from the other granites of the Lingshan complex by their mica compositions: lithian annite (MA granite) and “protolithionite” (MP granite). They are characterized by elevated Nb contents (average 144 ppm in MP and 158 ppm in MA) and very high Nb/Ta ratios (average 15.3 in MP and 31.2 in MA). Niobium is mainly hosted in the micas, with an average Nb content of 1,347 ppm in the lithian annite, and 884 ppm in the “protolithionite”. Such contents are the highest ever reported in magmatic-related micas. With an estimated content of ~80 kt Nb, the Huangshan granites represent a new style of potential Nb resource. The Songshugang albite granite is found in the west of Lingshan complex and is specifically enriched in Ta. The major Songshugang albite granite is buried and covered by layers of K-feldspar granite, greisen and pegmatite. All the granites are strongly peraluminous. The compositions of columbite-tantalite minerals, the zircons and cassiterites are constant and display a similar two-stage texture. Petrographic features indicate that the early-stage columbite and zircon were formed in magmatic environment, whereas the later-stage of rare-element minerals were influenced by fluid fluxes at the magmatic-hydrothermal transitional stage. Micas also show a two-stage texture. The Rb-enrichment in the margin of the zinnwaldite is the result of magmatic fractionation, as also demonstrated by the decrease of Nb contents (16.3-108 ppm compare with core of 109-313 ppm). The invariable low contents of Ta, W and Sn demonstrate that the residual melt has no influence on later post-magmatic stages, contrary to the columbite minerals. Finally, in-situ U-Pb dating of zircon and columbite-tantalite by SIMS and LA-ICP-MS indicates that both Huangshan and Songshugang granites were emplaced at ca. 130 Ma during Later Yanshanian (or Cretaceous) and contemporary with the formation of the Lingshan complex. This result indicates that the Later Yanshanian is a prospective geological period for Nb-Ta deposits, and this result enlarges the time frame of rare-metal mineralization.

Ecosystems currently face widespread biodiversity losses and other environmental disturbances, such as climate warming, related to increased anthropogenic activities. Within this context, scientists consider the effects of such changes on the biodiversity, and hence on the activity, of soil microorganisms. Indeed, soil microorganisms mediate a wide range of soil processes. Currently, knowledge on soil microbial diversity is still limited, partially due to technical limitations. The advent of molecular-based analyses now allows studying the soil microbial diversity. These advances in the study of soil microbial communities have lead to a growing evidence of the critical role played by the microbial community in ecosystem functioning. This relationship is supposed to be relevant for narrow processes, regulated by a restricted group of microorganisms, such as the nitrification process. This PhD thesis aimed at studying ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) community structure and richness as an integrated part of soil functioning. This research aimed at investigating the effect of aboveground plant diversity on ammonia oxidizing bacteria diversity and function in forest and grassland soils with focus on the influence of (a) functional group identity of grassland plants (legumes, grasses, forbs), (b) grassland plant species richness and (c) tree species, on AOB diversity and function. Another objective of this research was to study the effect of a 3°C increase in air temperature on AOB diversity and function. The link between AOB diversity and function (potential nitrification) is also investigated. For grassland ecosystems, a microcosm experiment was realized. An experimental platform containing 288 assembled grassland communities was established in Wilrijk (Belgium). Grassland species were grown in 12 sunlit, climate controlled chambers. Each chamber contained 24 communities of variable species richness (S) (9 S=1, 9 S=3 and 6 S=9).The grassland species belonged to three functional groups: three species of each grasses (Dactylis glomerata L., Festuca arundinacea SCHREB., Lolium perenne L.), forbs (non-N-fixing dicots; Bellis perennis L., Rumex acetosa L., Plantagolanceolata L.), and legumes (N-fixing dicots; Trifolium repens L., Medicago sativa L., Lotus corniculatus L.). Half of these chambers were exposed to ambient temperature and the other half were exposed to (ambient +3°C) temperature. One ambient and one (ambient+3°C) chambers were destructively harvested 4, 16 and 28 months after the start of the experiment. The influence of plant functional group identity on the nitrification process and on AOB community structure and richness (AOB diversity) was assessed in soils collected from the first two destructive amplings (chapter 2). The effect of plant species richness on AOB diversity and function was considered for soils sampled after 16 and 28 months (chapter 3). AOB function was determined by potential nitrification. AOB community structure and richness were assessed by polymerase chain reaction followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequencing of excised DGGE bands. I found that functional group identity can affect AOB community structure. In particular, the presence of legumes, both in monoculture or in mixture with forbs and grasses, lead to AOB community composition changes towards AOB clusters tolerating higher ammonium concentrations. This change in AOB community structure was only linked to increased potential nitrification under monocultures of legumes, when ammonium was supposed to be not limiting. This study revealed that physiological attributes of AOB and resource availability may be important factors in controlling the nitrification process. This research showed that the impact of plant species richness on the nitrification process could be mediated by the interactions between plants and AOB, through competition for substrate. A 3°C increase in air temperature did not affect AOB community structure, richness or function. In forest ecosystems, we studied the effect of tree species in forest sites located in Belgian and in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg covered each by several deciduous or coniferous tree species (Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus petraea (Mattuschka) Lieblein, Picea abies (L.) Karst, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco). We investigated the influence of these tree species on microbial processes (chapter 5) related to C and N cycling, particularly with emphasize on the nitrification process and on the diversity of AOB (chapter 6). The results showed that the effect of tree species on net N mineralization was likely to be mediated through their effect on soil microbial biomass, reflecting their influence on organic matter content and carbon availability. Influence of tree species on nitrification (potential and relative) might be related to the presence of ground vegetation through its influence on soil ammonium and labile C availability. AOB community structure was more site-specific than tree specific. However, within sites, AOB community structure under broadleaved trees differed from the one under coniferous trees. The effect on tree species on AOB was likely to be driven by the influence of tree species on net N mineralization, which regulates the substrate availability for AOB. The results also demonstrated that the relationship between AOB diversity and function might be related both to AOB abundance and AOB community structure and richness. This thesis showed no clear relationship between AOB community structure or richness and AOB function. However, we revealed that aboveground grassland plant richness, grassland plant functional groups and tree species influence AOB community structure and richness. Actuellement, les écosystèmes sont soumis à dimportantes pressions anthropiques et environnementales, pouvant aboutir à des pertes massives de biodiversité. Les scientifiques sinterrogent sur limpact de ces perturbations sur la diversité et, par conséquent, sur lactivité des microorganismes du sol. En effet, ceux-ci régulent de nombreux processus du sol. Actuellement, de nombreuses lacunes subsistent dans la connaissance de la diversité microbienne du sol. Celles-ci peuvent être partiellement attribuées aux difficultés méthodologiques associées à l'étude des micro-organismes du sol. Lavènement des techniques moléculaires nous permet de combler ces lacunes. Les avancées réalisées dans l'étude des communautés microbiennes du sol ont mis en évidence le rôle crucial joué par les communautés microbiennes dans le fonctionnement des écosystèmes. De plus, il semblerait que les processus régulés par un groupe restreint dorganismes, tel le processus de nitrification, soient plus sensibles à toute altération de la communauté. Lobjectif de cette thèse était détudier la structure de la communauté ainsi que la richesse (nombre de bandes DGGE) des bactéries oxydant lammoniac (AOB) comme une partie intégrante du fonctionnement des sols. Notre étude se focalisait sur linfluence de (a) différents groupes fonctionnels de plantes (graminées, légumineuses, dicotylédones), (b) communautés de plantes présentant une richesse spécifique croissante et (c) différentes essences forestières, sur la diversité (structure de la communauté et richesse des AOB) et la fonction des AOB. Cette recherche étudiait également limpact dune augmentation de température de 3°C sur ces paramètres. Létablissement dun lien éventuel entre la diversité et la fonction (nitrification potentielle) des AOB a aussi été envisagé. Concernant les écosystèmes prairiaux, nous avons réalisé une étude en microcosmes. Une plateforme expérimentale comprenant 288 communautés artificielles de plantes a été établie à Wilrijk (Belgique). Cette plateforme consistait en 12 chambres, dont une moitié était à température ambiante et la seconde était à température ambiante augmentée de 3°C. Chaque chambre contient 24 communautés de plantes de richesse spécifique variable (9 S=1, 9 S=3 et 6 S=9). Les communautés de plantes sont créées avec 9 espèces de plantes appartenant à trois groupes fonctionnels : 3 espèces de graminées (Dactylis glomerata L., Festuca arundinacea SCHREB., Lolium perenne L.), de légumineuses (dicotylédones fixatrices dazote ;Trifolim repens L., Medicago sativa L., Lotus corniculatus L.), et de dicotylédones non fixatrices dazote (Bellis perennis L., Rumex acetosa L., Plantago lanceolata L.). Les sols issus dune chambre à température ambiante et dune chambre à température ambiante augmentée de 3°C ont été échantillonnés, respectivement, 4, 16 et 28 mois après le début de lexpérimentation. Linfluence des groupes fonctionnels de plantes sur le processus de nitrification ainsi que sur la structure de la communauté et la richesse des AOB a été mesuré sur les sols issus des deux premiers échantillonnages (chapitre 2). Nous avons mesuré leffet de la richesse croissante en plantes sur la diversité et lactivité des AOB sur les sols échantillonnés après 16 et 28 mois dexpérimentation (chapitre 3). La structure de la communauté ainsi que la richesse des AOB ont été évaluées à laide dune amplification spécifique par réaction de polymérisation en chaîne (PCR) de lADN génomique extrait du sol suivie par une séparation par électrophorèse sur gel dacrylamide en présence dun gradient dénaturant (DGGE). Nous avons identifié les différentes AOB présentes par séquençage des bandes DGGE excisées. Nos résultats ont montré que les différents groupes fonctionnels peuvent affecter la structure de la communauté des AOB. En particulier, la présence de légumineuses, aussi bien en monoculture quen mélange avec des graminées ou des dicotylédones non fixatrices dazote, provoque des changements au sein de la structure de la communauté des AOB, favorisant la présence de clusters tolérants des concentrations en ammonium plus élevées. Ces changements de la structure de la communauté des AOB sont liés à des augmentations de la production potentielle de nitrates (nitrification potentielle) quand lammonium est supposé être non limitant. Cette étude révèle que la physiologie des AOB ainsi que la disponibilité en substrat peuvent être des facteurs majeurs intervenant dans le contrôle du processus de nitrification. Cette recherche montre que linfluence de la richesse spécifique des plantes sur la nitrification pourrait dépendre des interactions entre les plantes et les AOB via la compétition pour le substrat. Une augmentation de la température de lair de 3°C na pas influencé les richesse, structure de la communauté ou les fonctions des AOB. Pour les écosystèmes forestiers, nous aborderons leffet de différentes essences forestières (Picea abies (L.) KARST, Fagus sylvatica L., Quercus petraea LIEBLEIN ; Pseudotsuga menziezii (MIRB.) FRANCO) dans différents peuplements au Grand Duché du Luxembourg et en Belgique. Nous avons étudié l'influence de ces essences forestières sur les processus microbiens (chapitre 5) liés aux cycles du carbone et de lazote, en particulier leur effet sur le processus de nitrification et la diversité des AOB (chapitre 6). Notre étude révèle que linfluence des essences forestières sur la minéralisation nette de lazote pourrait être attribuable à leur effet sur la biomasse microbienne, reflétant ainsi leur effet sur la teneur en matière organique et la disponibilité en carbone. Limpact des essences forestières sur la nitrification (à la fois sur la nitrification relative et sur la nitrification potentielle) serait conditionné par la présence de végétation au sol, en raison de linfluence de celle-ci sur la disponibilité en ammonium et en carbone labile. Nous avons observé que la structure de la communauté des AOB était plus spécifique aux sites quaux essences forestières. Cependant, au sein dun site, elle différait sous feuillus et sous conifères. Les essences forestières influenceraient la structure de la communauté des AOB au travers de limpact quelles ont sur la minéralisation nette de lazote qui régule, quant à elle, la disponibilité en ammonium. Cette recherche démontre que le lien observé entre la diversité et la fonction dépendrait la fois de labondance, de la structure de la communauté et de la richesse des AOB. Cette thèse na révélé aucune relation claire entre la structure de la communauté ou la richesse des AOB et leur fonction. Par contre, nous avons observé que la richesse spécifique et les groupes fonctionnels de plantes prairiales et les essences forestières affectent la structure de la communauté et la richesse des AOB.

Aquatic sediments are, by surface, the largest habitat on Earth. A wide diversity of organisms inhabit these sediments and by their actions they have a large influence on and also mediate many ecosystem processes. Several of these processes, such as decomposition and remineralisation of organic matter are important on a global scale and are essential to sustain life on Earth. The main aim of this thesis was to use an experimental ecosystem ecology approach in order to study some of these ecosystem processes in marine sediments and how they are linked to biodiversity. Paper I and II found that an increased species richness of sediment deposit feeders increases the processing of organic matter from phytoplankton settled on the sea-floor, and that species-rich communities have a more efficient resource utilization of deposited organic matter. The results in paper IV and V also suggest that there is a link between microbial diversity in sediments and the degradation of organic contaminants. Paper V also shows that antibiotic pollution is a potential threat to natural microbial diversity and microbially mediated ecosystem services. The introduction of invasive species to ecosystems is another major threat to biodiversity and was studied in Paper II and III, by investigating the ecology of Marenzelleria arctia, a polychaete worm recently introduced in the Baltic Sea. Paper II suggests that M. arctia mainly utilize food resources not used by native deposit feeders, thus potentially increasing the benthic production in the Baltic Sea by increasing resource use efficiency. Paper III, however, show that M. arctia is protected from predation by the native benthic invertebrate predators, due to its ability to burrow deep in the sediment, suggesting that predation on M. arctia by higher trophic levels is restricted, thereby limiting trophic transfer. In conclusion, this thesis gives some examples of the importance of marine biodiversity for the generation of a few key ecosystem processes, such as organic matter processing and the degradation of harmful contaminants. / At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Manuscript. Paper 3: Manuscript. Paper 4: In press.

Η παρούσα έρευνα αναφέρεται στην πετρολογική και κοιτασματολογική μελέτη του πλουτωνίτη της νήσου Τήνου και την συνδεδεμένη μ' αυτόν μεταλλοφορία σεελίτη (βολφραμιούχος) τύπου skarn. Ο ασβεσταλκαλικού χαρακτήρα πλουτωνίτης δείχνει τεκτονικού-θερμομεταφορικού τύπου επαφή με τα πετρώματα του πλαισίου. Συνίσταται άπό δύο βασικές λιθολογικές φάσεις: έναν μεταργιλικού χαρακτήρα βιοτιτικό-κεροστιλβικό γρανοδιορίτη που τοποθετήθηκε γύρω στους 17 Μα σε καθεστώς συμπίεσης σε θερμοκρασία ~770οC και πίεση ~5,2 Kbars. Ο γρανοδιορίτης προήλθε από ένα μάγμα που ήταν αποτέλεσμα μερικής τήξης υλικών μανδυακής προέλευσης και πετρωμάτων του ανώτερου φλοιού. Ο δεύτερος λιθότυπος πλουτωνίτη είναι ένας περιφερειακά αναπτυσσόμενος υπεραργιλικός γρανιτικός - βιοτιτικός λευκογρανίτης. Ο λευκογρανίτης τοποθετήθηκε γύρω στα 14 Μα σε καθεστώς διαστολής σε θερμοκρασία ~680οC και πίεση ~2Kbars. Κρυσταλλώθηκε από μάγμα που προήλθε από την μερική τήξη του γρανοδιορίτη και των περιβαλλόντων μεταϊζημάτων. Γύρω από τον πλουτωνίτη σχηματίσθηκε άλως επαφής πάχους ~1km. Μέσα στην ζώνη του πυροξενικού κερατίτη εντοπίστηκαν σε δύο περιοχές της δυτικής επαφής του πλουτωνίτη οι σχηματισμοί skarn πυροξένου - γρανάτη. Ο τύπος του skarn είναι "οξειδωτικός" εντούτοις διατηρούνται υπολέιμματα του αναγωγικού σταδίου (πλούσιοι σε εδεμβεργίτη πυρόξενοι και πλούσιοι σε γροσσουλάριο πυρήνες γρανατών που έχουν υποστεί ανθρακορρωγμάτωση). Η μεταλλοφορία του σεελίτη εντοπίστηκε μέσα στην ζώνη του πυροξενικού κερατίτη ως αποτέλεσμα διηθητικών - μετασωματικών διαδικασιών. Οι μεγακρύσταλλοί του βρίσκονται σε ισορροπία με τον υδροθερμικό γρανάτη (ζωνώδεις κρύσταλλοι πλούσιοι σε ανδραδίτη με παλμική ζώνωση και ανισοτροπία) και έχουν αποτεθεί σε θερμοκρασία ~375 οC (από ρευστά εγκλείσματα) και πίεση μικρότερη των 500 bars. / The present work is a petrological and mineralization study of the Tinos pluton and particularly of the tungsten skarn ie scheelite mineralization associated with this intrusion. the calcalkaline pluton displays a thermal - tectonic contact with the country rocks. It consists of two lithotypes: a metaluminous biotite- hornblende granodiorite and emplaced ca.17Ma under compression at T~700oC and P ~ 5.2kbars. The granodiorite represents a partial melt of mantle derived and upper crustal materials. The second lithotype of Tinos pluton is a peripherally occurring metaluminous garnet - biotite leucogranite that was emplaced ca. 14Ma at T ~ 680oC and P ~ 2kbars. The leucogranite crystallized from a magma representing a hybrid partial melt from the granodiorite and the encasing metasedimentary rocks. A contact halo of ~1km was formed around the Tinos pluton. In the pyroxene hornfels zone in the western part of the halo, mineralized pyroxene - garnet skarns were developed in two areas as a result of pyrometasomatism followed by infiltration metasomatism. The type of the Tinos skarn is "oxidized" however retains "reduced" characteristics such as hedenbergite and garnet rich in grossular component. The carbofractured grossular garnet cores with hourglass twinning are overgrown by anisotropic, oscillatory - zoned andradite - rich mantles. The scheelite megacrysts are in equilibrium with the latter, hydrothermal garnet. Fluid inclusion studies indicate that the scheelite has crystallized at T~375oC and pressure lesser than 500bars.

No description available.

No description available.

L’ostéoarthrose (OA) est une pathologie de forte incidence affectant les articulations. Elle est caractérisée principalement par une dégradation du cartilage articulaire, un déséquilibre au niveau du remodelage osseux et une sclérose de l’os sous-chondral. L’étiologie de cette pathologie reste encore méconnue, cependant il semble de plus en plus que tous les tissus composant l’articulation soient affectés dans cette pathologie. L’importance du rôle de l’os dans le développement de l’OA est incontestable et représente donc une cible thérapeuthique intéressante. Des études effectuées par tomodensitométrie ont démontré une structure et une organisation anormales du tissu osseux des patients OA. Parallèlement, les cultures primaires d’ostéoblastes (Ob) humains OA issus de l’os sous-chondral démontrent un phénotype altéré et une faible minéralisation in vitro. La signalisation Wnt, essentielle dans l’embryogenèse, a montré avoir un rôle clé dans la régulation de l’ostéogenèse en régulant notamment la différenciation terminale des Ob. Le facteur de croissance transformant-β1 (TGF-β1), un facteur agissant notamment sur la prolifération et sur le début de la différenciation des Ob, est surexprimé par les Ob OA et pourrait moduler cette signalisation. Aussi, deux populations de patients OA peuvent être différenciées in vitro par la production de prostaglandines E2 (PGE2) par leurs Ob et les PGE2, dans une étude sur le cancer colorectal, ont montré moduler la signalisation Wnt. Notre hypothèse de travail est que l’activation de la voie de signalisation Wnt/β-caténine est diminuée dans les Ob OA. Cette diminution est responsable de la sous-minéralisation et de l’altération du phénotype des Ob humains OA. Par ailleurs, DKK2, dont l’expression est contrôlée par TGF-β1, est responsable de la diminution de l’activité Wnt/β-caténine et les PGE2 peuvent en partie corriger cette situation. L’objectif général de cette étude est d’une part, de démontrer le rôle de TGF-β1, DKK2 et de PGE2 sur l’altération de la signalisation Wnt/β-caténine et d’autre part, de démontrer le lien entre TGF-β1 et DKK2 et l’effet de ces derniers sur le phénotype des Ob. Dans cette étude on a montré que la signalisation canonique Wnt est altérée dans les Ob OA et que cela était responsable de l’altération du phénotype des Ob OA. On a montré, parmi les acteurs de la signalisation Wnt, que l’expression de l’antagoniste Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) était relativement similaire entre les Ob OA et normaux contrairement à celle de l’antagoniste DKK2 qui était augmentée et à celle de l’agoniste Wnt7B qui était diminuée dans les Ob OA. On a également montré que les PGE2 pouvaient potentialiser l’activité de la signalisation Wnt dans les Ob OA. L’inhibition de DKK2 a permis d’augmenter l’activité de la signalisation Wnt et de corriger le phénotype anormal ainsi que d’augmenter la minéralisation des Ob OA. L’inhibition de TGF-β1, un facteur aussi surexprimé dans les Ob OA, a également permis la correction du phénotype et l’augmentation de la minéralisation dans les Ob OA. L’inhibition de TGF-β1 a aussi menée à l’inhibition de DKK2. Le contraire ne fût pas observé démontrant ainsi la régulation de DKK2 par TGF-β1. En conclusion, la signalisation canonique Wnt est diminuée dans les Ob OA et cela est dû au niveau élevé de DKK2 dans ces Ob. TGF-β1 régule positivement DKK2 et donc la surexpression de TGF-β1 entraîne celle de DKK2 ce qui a pour conséquences d’altérer le phénotype des Ob. Les PGE2 ont aussi montré pouvoir potentialiser l’activité de la signalisation Wnt et auraient donc un rôle positif. Ensemble, ces données suggèrent que ces altérations au niveau des Ob OA pourraient être responsables de la structure osseuse anormale observée chez les patients OA. / Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease affecting joints and it has a very strong incidence in the population. It is characterized by articular cartilage degradation, an abnormal bone remodelling cycle and subchondral bone sclerosis. The aetiology of this disease is still unknown although OA is now considered as a joint disease involving all the tissues of the joint. The importance of bone in OA pathogenesis is now considered as fundamental and thus bone represent an interesting target for treatments. Tomodensitometric studies have shown an abnormal structure and organisation of the bone tissue of OA patients. In parallel, primary human OA osteoblast (Ob) cultures grown from the tibiofemoral subchondral bone show an abnormal phenotype and a reduced mineralization in vitro. The Wnt signalling pathway, known primarily for its important role in embryogenesis, is of utmost importance in osteogenesis and it has been shown to regulate terminal Ob differentiation. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), known to act on proliferation and on early phases of the differentiation of Ob, is overexpressed by OA Ob and could also modulate the Wnt signalling activity. Furthermore, two populations of OA patients can be discriminated in vitro by the production of prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) of their Ob. In a study on colorectal cancer, PGE2 was shown to modulate the canonical Wnt signalling pathway. Our hypothesis is that canonical Wnt signalling is diminished in OA Ob. This reduction is responsible for the poor mineralization and the abnormal phenotype of human OA Ob. Furthermore, DKK2, overexpressed in OA Ob and whose expression is controlled by TGF-β1, is responsible for the diminution of Wnt signalling activity, and PGE2 can partly correct this situation. The general goal of this study is twofold: 1) to demonstrate the role of TGF-β1, DKK2 and of PGE2 in the Wnt signalling activity; 2) to demonstrate the link between TGF-β1 and DKK2 and their effect on the abnormal OA Ob phenotype. We have shown in this study that the canonical Wnt signalling pathway is altered in OA Ob and that this was responsible for the altered phenotype observed in OA Ob. Also, we have shown that among the mediators of the Wnt signalling pathway, the expression of antagonist Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) was similar between OA and normal Ob. In contrast, the antagonist DKK2 was overexpressed and the expression of the agonist Wnt7B was low in OA Ob. Moreover, PGE2 increased Wnt signalling activity in OA Ob. The inhibition of DKK2 expression also increased Wnt signalling activity and corrected the abnormal phenotype along with increasing the mineralization of OA Ob. The inhibition of TGF-β1 expression, also overexpressed in OA Ob, also resulted in the correction of the phenotype and increased the mineralization of OA Ob. Inhibiting TGF-β1 expression also led to DKK2 inhibition. As the contrary was not observed, this demonstrated that TGF-β1 could regulate DKK2 expression. To conclude, Wnt signalling is reduced in OA Ob and this is due to elevated DKK2 levels in these cells. High levels of TGF-β1 in OA Ob increased DKK2 expression which could be responsible, at least partially, for their altered phenotype. PGE2 was shown to also increase Wnt signalling activity in OA Ob. Taken together these data suggest that such alterations in OA Ob could be responsible for the abnormal bone structure observed in OA patients.