I investigated seasonal and inter-site variation in factors influencing diel dissolved oxygen (DO) metabolism at four streams in the Virginia Coastal Plain. Data were collected monthly from January to August 2008 to characterize DO metabolism (diel DO amplitude, production, respiration), incident solar radiation (PAR), dissolved nutrients, fine benthic materials (mass, C:N, Chlα) and hydrology (discharge, water transit time, transient storage). Reach-scale metabolism estimates were determined using the one-station diurnal DO technique and transit time and transient storage were determined by conservative tracer additions. Incident solar radiation was the primary determinant of DO metabolism as streams experiencing higher light levels (Herring and Powell Creeks) exhibited greater diel DO amplitudes, production and respiration. Streams with greater riparian shading (Courthouse and Crump Creeks) exhibited lower DO metabolism despite their higher nutrient concentrations. Higher incident solar radiation was associated with greater benthic algal biomass at some (Herring, Crump, and Courthouse Creeks) but not all (Powell Creek) sites. Diel DO amplitudes were significantly and positively correlated with benthic Chlα and incident solar radiation at less shaded sites. These factors were not significant predictors of DO amplitude, production or respiration at more shaded sites.

On 26 May 2003, intense rainfall from a series of thunderstorms in eastern North Carolina caused flooding that eventually destroyed the concrete dam in Hope Mills, draining Hope Mills Lake, and revealing a formerly submerged and buried structure that was identified as a timber crib dam. Inspection revealed these logs to be old-growth longleaf pines, which are now rare on the coastal plain landscape. Our primary objective was to develop a new multi-century longleaf pine tree-ring chronology by crossdating the tree rings from sections extracted from logs in the crib dam with an anchored tree-ring chronology created from nearby living longleaf pine trees. We also examined the climatic response in the longleaf pine trees to evaluate their potential for reconstructing climate. Using tree-ring measurements obtained from old-growth longleaf pines found at a nearby church, we were able to date the rings on 21 series representing 14 logs from the crib dam, spanning the years 1597 to 1825. Distorted sapwood in many of the logs prevented us from finding absolute cutting dates and lessened the strength of correlation during the period of overlap between the church series and crib dam series. Human disturbances, specifically related to the naval stores industry, likely influenced the growth-ring patterns of the crib dam pine samples, as well. Correlation analyses between the longleaf pine chronology and temperature, precipitation, Palmer Drought Severity Indices, and North Atlantic sea surface temperatures showed a significant response to cool and wet spring months.

Magister Artium - MA / Cape Town has arguably the most diversified urban agriculture sector across the country. Nevertheless, the desired gains of urban agriculture are barely realized. The organization of urban agriculture, specifically the nature in which urban farmers are organized in relation to supporting actors, is identified as a significant factor in influencing the success of the activity. Surprisingly, the literature on the organization of urban farmers and supporting actors in Cape Town is scanty. It is on this basis that this study aimed to investigate the organization of urban farmers and their relationship with supporting actors in Mitchells Plain. Informed by the social capital theory, a case-study approach was employed where both the qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis were utilized to meet the study objectives. A random sampling technique was used in the selection of the 60 respondents for a questionnaire survey. Purposive sampling was employed to select the key informant respondents which included knowledgeable urban farmers, Non-Governmental Organization officials, a Research official and a Provincial Department of Agriculture official. Secondary data collection was achieved through a systematic review of scholarly literature and policy documents. The statistical software IBM SPSS 25 was employed to process and analyze quantitative data through descriptive and inferential techniques. For qualitative data, thematic analysis was conducted to process the transcribed interviews whilst a hermeneutic approach was used to analyze secondary data. The study findings show that urban farmers are organized into loose and largely fragmented informal networks within Mitchells Plain. Although these forms of networks in their current state are beneficial to household farmers, community farmers require more formal networks to operate optimally and receive resources beyond non-governmental organization assistance. Moreover, the study discovered a lack of meaningful coordination of activities between the supporting actors involved in urban farming initiatives which militate against the success of urban agriculture activities in the community. Consequently, the study recommends that supporting actors need to develop functional partnerships to enhance the impact of urban agriculture activities. Also, community farmers are encouraged to affiliate with formal networks while household farmers simply need to enhance informal networking amongst themselves to improve activity coordination and resource access from supporting actors.

Master of Public Health - MPH / Background: Obesity in South Africa is a critical public health issue. Previously considered a problem of the affluent, obesity is now reported among all populations in South Africa regardless of age, race, gender or geographical location. Although a body of literature suggests that sociocultural, environmental and behavioural factors are likely to explain the increasing levels of obesity in South Africa, few studies have examined the relationship between socioeconomic status and obesity. As such, there is dearth of evidence showing how socioeconomic status influences obesity in the country. Given the multiplicity of challenges associated with controlling obesity, understanding the link between socioeconomic status and obesity is critical for informing and developing effective prevention programmes. This study therefore examines the nexus between socioeconomic status and obesity by using Khayelitsha as a case study area. Goal and objectives: Guided by the conceptual framework of the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the overall goal of this study is to determine how education status and income level influence dietary and weight control behaviours in relation to obesity. The objectives are to 1) examine the role of social factors on food consumption behaviour; 2) investigate the influence of income levels on food consumption; 3) explore the relationship between education levels and food choices and 4) provide recommendations for policy review. Methods: This research is embedded within a larger study conducted by researchers from the Institute for Social Development on factors that influence food choices and eating habits of residents in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain. The epistemological position forming the basis of this research was guided by the concepts of positivist and interpretivist paradigms, as both perspectives were deemed relevant for achieving the study objectives. Moreover, the study combined both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to analyze the gathered data. Results: The study identified cereals, bread, pasta, milk products, processed meat, fried chicken, fish and oil fat, soft drinks, fruit and vegetables as the main kinds of food consumed by residents in Khayelitsha. However, among these food groups, fruit and vegetables consumption was found to be low. In general, cost was identified as the main barrier for the frequent consumption of fruit and vegetables. The study also discovered a positive relationship between education and eating habits, with most educated individuals’ demonstrating high intentions to consume healthy foods compared to people with lower education. However, in contrast to the hypothesis of this study, the impact of education on dietary behaviour was found to be insignificant. Similarly, the impact of education on weight control behaviour was found to be insignificant although the relationship between these two variables was equally found to be positive. With regards to the association between income and food choices the study discovered an overall positive relationship between the two variables. However, the general effect of income on food choice was not statistically significant. Cost of food and low family income were found to be key barriers to the purchase and consumption of healthy foods. Conclusion and recommendations: This study has demonstrated that education and income status correlate positively with dietary lifestyle as well as weight management practices. However, contrary to the hypotheses outlined in this study, neither education nor income status was found to significantly impact on dietary and weight control behaviours. In general, other factors such as culture, price of foods, television advertisement and perception of weight status were found to also contribute to respondent’s dietary lifestyle and weight management practices. Given these findings, a multidisciplinary approach involving the promotion of proper dietary patterns as well as physical activity are recommended. Specifically, the strategies should focus on 1) the development of policy measures that regulate the high cost of healthy foods, 2) the roll-out of food voucher interventions that promote frequent consumption of fruit and vegetables and 3) the promotion of physical exercises in religious and health centers.

O conhecimento do relevo, geologia, cronologia e dos solos nos ambientes costeiros, constitui importante elemento para a interpretação, reconstituição e conservação dos mesmos. Em Bertioga-SP, alguns setores das unidades morfoestratigráficas pleistocênicas e holocênicas, que formam as planícies do litoral paulista, encontram-se preservados na paisagem. A busca pela compreensão da relação entre os solos, o relevo, a natureza e a cronologia dos sedimentos costeiros, acrescida do interesse em estudar os Espodossolos desenvolvidos sobre esses sedimentos direcionaram os objetivos deste trabalho. Para tanto, identificou-se e caracterizou-se os solos e os sedimentos sobre os quais eles se desenvolveram. A fotointerpretação, os trabalhos de campo, as análises químicas, geocronológicas (datações por TL, LOE e 14C) e a granulometria dos solos/sedimentos auxiliaram na identificação, delimitação espacial, bem como o desenvolvimento de teorias sobre a evolução dos solos sobre os depósitos sedimentares. Depósitos continentais, fluviais e marinhos foram identificados. Também foi registrada a influência das formas de relevo e da profundidade do lençol dágua na dinâmica evolutiva e distribuição espacial dos solos em cada unidade geomorfológica. Os Espodossolos, Neossolos, Organossolos, Gleissolos e Cambissolos foram as principais Ordens de solos identificadas. As diferenças topográficas, geomorfológicas e geológicas dos ambientes condicionam a quantidade de água, a fisionomia da vegetação e o conteúdo matéria orgânica nas seis principais unidades geomorfológicas identificadas na planície costeira: (a) depressões fluviolagunares caracterizadas por sedimentos orgânico-pelítico-psamíticos e Organossolos e Gleissolos; (b) terraços marinhos arenosos com predomínio de Espodossolos com ou sem horizontes cimentados (ortstein) e horizontes plácicos; (c) cristas praiais arenosas com Neossolos Quartzarênicos e Espodossolos destituídos de horizontes cimentados (ortstein); (d) rampas de colúvio, psamíticas, com Cambissolos; (e) planície fluvial de granulometria variada com Gleissolos e Neossolos Flúvicos e (f) planícies de maré, psamíticas e pelíticas, onde predominam os Organossolos e Gleissolos. Além dessas unidades, as praias recentes e os setores dominados pelos depósitos continentais colúvio-aluviais indiferenciados também foram abordados como unidades geomorfológicas individuais. A topografia das unidades geomorfológicas de origem marinha, além de indicar a cronologia dos depósitos, influencia no desenvolvimento de diferentes classes de Espodossolos. Os atributos físico-químicos e morfológicos dos Espodossolos podem auxiliar na diferenciação cronológica dos depósitos quaternários mais recentes (holocênicos). A área de ocorrência dos terraços marinhos pleistocênicos é mais extensa do que aquelas registradas nos documentos cartográficos existentes. Nos setores bem drenados dos remanescentes de terraços marinhos pleistocênicos altos, a influência das condições de relevo na pedogênese se reflete na formação dos Neossolos Quartzarênicos (RQ) a partir do desmantelamento dos Espodossolos, enquanto nos terraços marinhos holocênicos os RQ se desenvolvem, podendo evoluir para Espodossolos. / Knowledge of the chronology, relief, geology and soils in sedimentary coastal environments is relevant for their interpretation, reconstitution and conservation. In Bertioga, São Paulo State Brazil, several sections of the Pleistocene and Holocene morphostratigraphic costal plain units are preserved in the landscape. This thesis seeks the perception of the relationships between soils, geomorphology, relief and the chronology of Bertiogas coastal sand deposits as well as to study Podzols developed on them. Soils and the different sedimentary environments where these soils develop were thus identified and characterized. Photointerpretation, field work, chemical, physical and chronological (luminescence and radiocarbon dating) analysis supported the identification, spatial delimitation as well as the development of genesis theories of soils over continental, fluvial and marine deposits. Previous data additionally allowed the evaluation of the influence of relief forms and water table depth on the evolutionary dynamics of soils and on their spatial distribution pattern. The main identified orders of soils included Podzols, Arenosols, Fluvisols, Histosols, Gleysols and Cambisols. The topographic, geomorphologic and geologic differences of the environments had conditioned the amount of water, the vegetation features and the organic matter content of the following geomorphologic units: (a) lagoonal terrace depressions, characterized by organo-pelitic-psammitic sediments under Histosols and Gleysols; (b) marine terraces formed by fine to very fine sand under Podzols with and without hardpans (ortstein); (c) fine sandy beach ridges with a dominance of Arenosols and, on a secondary level, Podzols without hardpans (ortstein) and placic horizons; (d) psammitic colluvial slope deposits with Cambisols; (e) fluvial plains with varied texture and with Gleysols and Fluvisols and (f) psammitic and pelitic tidal flats, where Histosols and Gleysols predominate. Besides these units, modern beaches and sections dominated by non-differentiated colluvial-alluvial continental deposits were also analyzed as individual geomorphological units. Topography of geomorphological units from marine origin indicates the chronological sequence of deposits, in addition to influencing the development of different of Podzols, the physical, chemical and morphological properties of which allowed the chronological differentiation of modern Quaternary deposits (Holocene). The mapped area of the Pleistocene marine terraces occurrence was found to be larger than the one indicated on cartographic documents published up to the moment. In the well-drained sections of remnant soils from high Pleistocene marine terraces, the influence of the relief forms on pedogenesis is shown through the formation of Arenosols originated from the destruction of spodic horizons, whereas Arenosols in Holocene marine terrace tends to evolve into Podzols.

A nucleação é uma técnica de restauração florestal na qual se espera que o plantio agregado de mudas aumente o recrutamento e o estabelecimento de espécies, uma vez que o crescimento de algumas plantas pode fornecer melhores condições ambientais para as plantas vizinhas. Porém, o plantio agregado também pode intensificar a competição por nutrientes entre as plantas. Espera-se que o efeito facilitador do núcleo seja maior para espécies não pioneiras, que são mais sensíveis a altas irradiâncias e melhores competidoras por nutrientes. Para espécies pioneiras, tolerantes a altas irradiâncias e piores competidoras, os núcleos devem ser desfavoráveis. A adição de nutrientes pode minimizar a competição e tornar os núcleos mais favoráveis, principalmente às espécies pioneiras. Com o objetivo de avaliar respostas das mudas à nucleação e à adição de nutrientes, foram avaliados a eficiência fotossintética máxima (Fv/Fm) e o conteúdo de pigmentos fotossintéticos. Temperaturas foliares e do solo foram medidas para avaliar o potencial do núcleo em minimizar microclimas extremos. As mudas foram plantadas em parcelas, cada uma com uma combinação de tipo de plantio, em núcleo ou em linha, e tipo de adubo aplicado, com adubo químico (NPK), com terra vegetal ou sem adubação. Os núcleos foram compostos de 13 mudas de espécies diferentes, sendo 5 pioneiras e 8 não pioneiras. As mudas foram separadas entre si por distâncias de aproximadamente 30 cm. Nas linhas as mudas foram plantadas isoladas entre si por 2 m. Mudas plantadas no sistema de nucleação apresentaram melhores condições, com maior Fv/Fm e conteúdo de clorofilas a, b e total (a+b), indicando efeitos de facilitação do núcleo. Menores temperaturas foliares e do solo foram encontradas em núcleos. Tanto plantas de espécies pioneiras quanto não pioneiras apresentaram sinais de fotoinibição, com valores de Fv/Fm abaixo do considerado como livre de estresse, quando plantadas tanto em linhas quanto em núcleos. Os sinais de fotoinibição foram maiores para o grupo de não pioneiras, com menores valores Fv/Fm. Não pioneiras apresentaram menor razão de clorofila a/b, evidenciando seu investimento em absorver maior quantidade de luz. Entretanto, o efeito diferenciado dos núcleos para espécies pioneiras e não pioneiras não foi conclusivo, assim como os efeitos da adição de nutrientes. O presente estudo fornece evidências para o efeito de facilitação em núcleos, agregando mais uma informação aos efeitos benéficos da nucleação, fornecendo subsídios para a recomendação da utilização dessa técnica em restauração. Não foram encontrados indícios que o plantio em núcleos seja prejudicial para pioneiras ou não pioneiras, justificando, dessa forma, o plantio de núcleos mistos / Nucleation of seedlings is a technique for forest restoration in which is expected that the aggregated planting of seedlings increases the recruitment and establishment of species. This would occur because the growth of some species can provide better environmental conditions to neighboring plants. However, the aggregated planting can also intensify the competition for nutrients between plants. It is expected that the facilitating effects are greater for the non-pioneers species that are more sensitive to high light intensities and better competitors for nutrients. For pioneers that are tolerant to high irradiance and worst competitors, the nuclei must be unfavorable. The addition of nutrients can minimize the competition and then turn the nuclei more favorable, especially to the pioneer species. In order to evaluate the responses of seedlings to the nucleation and the addition of nutrients were measured the maximum photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm) and the content of photosynthetic pigments. Foliar and soil temperatures were measured to assess the potential of nucleation to minimize extreme microclimates. The seedlings were planted in plots, each with a combination of type of planting in nucleus or line, and type of fertilizer applied, chemical fertilizer (NPK), topsoil or without fertilizer. The nuclei were composed of 13 seedlings of different species, 5 pioneers and 8 non-pioneer pioneers. The seedlings were separated from each other by distances of approximately 30 cm. Seedlings planted in lines were isolated from each other by 2 m. Seedlings planted in the nucleation system showed better conditions with greater Fv/Fm and chlorophyll a, b and total contents, indicating the facilitation effects of nucleation. Foliar and soil temperatures were lower in nuclei. Both pioneers and non-pioneers showed signals of photoinhibition, with values of Fv/Fm below of that considered as stress-free when were planted in both, lines or nuclei. Photoinhibition signals were higher for the group of non-pioneer with lower Fv/Fm values. Non-pioneers had lower ratio of chlorophyll a/b, evidencing their investment to absorb more light. However, the different effects of nuclei for pioneers and non-pioneer species were not conclusive, as well as the effects of the addition of nutrients. The present study provides evidence for the effect of facilitation in nuclei, adding more information to the beneficial effects of nucleation, providing aid for the recommendation of the use of this technique in projects of ecological restoration. No evidence that planting in nuclei is harmful to pioneer or non-pioneer were found, thus justifying the planting of mixed nuclei

Submitted by Silvana Teresinha Dornelles Studzinski (sstudzinski) on 2015-10-26T16:38:39Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Ismael da Silva Raupp_.pdf: 11785634 bytes, checksum: df9af2077289fc6b1cfb3a3a6d6a7476 (MD5) Ismael da Silva Raupp_.pdf: 11785634 bytes, checksum: df9af2077289fc6b1cfb3a3a6d6a7476 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-26T16:38:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Ismael da Silva Raupp_.pdf: 11785634 bytes, checksum: df9af2077289fc6b1cfb3a3a6d6a7476 (MD5) Ismael da Silva Raupp_.pdf: 11785634 bytes, checksum: df9af2077289fc6b1cfb3a3a6d6a7476 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-07 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Este trabalho propôs uma pesquisa interdisciplinar entre a Geologia e a Arqueologia, buscando compreender, a partir de uma perspectiva geoarqueológica, a relação entre a evolução da Planície Costeira do Rio Grande do Sul (PCRS) e a ocupação humana pretérita na área. Nossa área de estudo foi o Litoral Norte do estado, nos limites do município de Arroio do Sal, onde utilizamos o Radar de Penetração de Solo (GPR) para adquirir perfis onde foi possível identificar feições pretéritas que indicaram configurações da planície favoráveis à ocupação humana na região. A partir dos dados coletados na PCRS foi realizada uma interpretação do possível cenário no qual antigos grupos humanos viveram, mostrando a presença de antigas lagoas e lagunas hoje colmatadas. A mesma ferramenta geofísica foi utilizada em aquisições no sambaqui Marambaia I (RS-LN-312). Com as informações obtidas, criamos um mapa indicativo de locais propensos à presença de materiais arqueológicos, esperando diminuir assim erros e custos em futuras escavações e manter a integridade do sítio. / This work is an interdisciplinary research between Geology and Archeology. It aims to understand from a geoarchaelogycal perspective the relationship between the evolution of the northern portion of the coastal plain of the Rio Grande do Sul State (PCRS) and the preterit human occupation in the area. Our study area is located within the limits of the Arroio do Sal municipality. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) devices were used to acquire profiles in which were identified past coastal plain features favorable to human occupation of the region. From the data collected an interpretation of the possible scenario in which ancient human groups lived was elaborated, including the presence of currently filled back barrier lakes and lagoons. The same geophysical tool was used for subsurface acquisition in the shell mound named Marambaia I (RS-LN-312). The results have allowed the elaboration of a map of places prone to the presence of archaeological materials, hence hoping to reduce errors and costs in future excavation and therefore to preserve as much as possible the site integrity.

A conectividade é um fator chave na manutenção de metacomunidades. A conectividade hidrológica vem sendo estudada ao longo dos anos, porém poucos trabalhos de fato discriminam, apropriadamente, os conceitos de conectividade estrutural e funcional. O sistema Tramandaí possui formação geológica recente, situa-se na região do litoral norte do estado do Rio Grande do Sul e possui 41 lagoas conectadas por canais que foram categorizados previamente através de valores de atrito baseados no custo de dispersão dos peixes. Porém, essas conexões não foram exploradas empiricamente, com isso nosso objetivo é investigar a composição de peixes e a influência da configuração do hábitat na estruturação e dinâmica desta ictiofauna interlagunar. Foram amostrados 56 sítios ao longo de 23 conexões entre as estações quente e fria, onde foram coletados peixes com rede de arrasto e puçá e foram realizados levantamentos da estrutura de hábitat local. As análises mostraram alta correlação entre as espécies das lagoas e das conexões, indicando um efeito de massa no sistema. O tamanho das espécies foi em média pequeno, fortalecendo a ideia de que as margens de ambientes aquáticos servem de berçário e proteção contra a predação. A categorização baseada em valores de atrito prediz uma diferenciação em termos de hábitat e composição de espécies nas conexões. Além disso, foi detectada influência de fatores ambientais como temperatura, fluxo de água e transparência sobre a riqueza – sendo que a temperatura apresentou relação direta e fluxo de água e transparência relação inversa. A temperatura, galhos e troncos, largura, fluxo de água, oxigênio dissolvido e salinidade influenciaram a composição de espécies principalmente no verão. No inverno foi detectada pouca influência do hábitat sobre a composição. Estes resultados indicam que a configuração do hábitat nas conexões é importante para determinar apropriadamente a conectividade interlagunar do sistema, principalmente em períodos de grande ocupação destes ambientes. O gradiente ambiental (espacial e temporal) nas conexões, e a influência do hábitat na composição de espécies, mostram que além do modelo de efeito de massa, a seleção de espécies pelas condições de hábitat é atuante nessa metacomunidade. / The connectivity is a key factor on structuring metacommunities. The hydrological connectivity has been studied along the years, but only a few works indeed properly distinct the concepts of structural and functional connectivity. The Tramandaí system is a geological early formation located in the north coast of the Rio Grande do Sul state in Southern Brazil and has 41 costal lagoons connected by channels. These connections were categorized by friction values based on costs of dispersion for fishes. But, those connections were never explored empirically, and our goal is to investigate the fish composition and the influence of habitat configuration on the fish fauna dynamics and structure along the connections to access the more realistic functional connectivity. 56 sites in 23 connections were sampled in both warm and cold seasons, the fishes were collected by seine and dip net and also habitat surveys were conducted. The data analysis showed high correlation between the lagoons and the connections species, suggesting a mass effect in the system. The species body size were average small, empowering the idea that shore habitats works as nursery areas and for predator avoidance. The connection’s categories based on friction values indeed predict habitats and composition distinctiveness. Environmental features were detected as influent over richness, like the temperature with a direct relation and water flow and transparency in an inverse relation. The temperature, branches and trunks, width, water flow, dissolved oxygen and salinity influenced the species composition along the year and in the summer. In the winter a short influence of the habitat configuration over composition were detected. This results indicate that the habitat configuration in the connections is important to determinate properly the functional connectivity, mainly in high occupation periods in this environments, like in the summer. The environmental gradient (both temporal and spatial) in the connections, and the habitat influence over the species composition, show that not only the mass effect, but also the species sorting acts in this metacommunity.

O método Geofísico de Radar de Penetração no Solo - GPR vem contribuindo muito em estudos de zonas costeiras, sobretudo por apresentar uma resposta e uma interpretação geofísico-geológica satisfatória na grande maioria dos casos. No entanto o GPR possui algumas limitações, por utilizar de princípios físicos para sua execução algumas propriedades existentes nos materiais em subsuperfície podem causar a atenuação do sinal ou mesmo manter a onda eletromagnética confinada se igualando a uma camada guia de onda. O objetivo desse estudo é entender e inferir a partir de uma análise física e de uma interpretação geofísica-geológica quais os fatores que podem estar causando esse tipo de fenômeno. A área de estudo está localizada no Banhado do Taim uma região do extremo Sul do Brasil, no estado do Rio Grande do Sul. O dado utilizado neste estudo consta de um perfil de GPR obtido sobre um paleocanal que conectava a região da atual lagoa Mirim com o oceano Atlântico. Esse registro apresente dados excelentes de preenchimento de canais, porém na parte final do perfil esse registro é sombreado como se fosse adicionado um escudo bloqueador. Os resultados indicaram que esse bloqueio está relacionado à existência da camada guia de onda, que a mesma está associada a um tipo de ambiente lagunar. Esse ambiente está relacionado à presença de sedimentos finos, nos quais a fração de argila existente e a matéria orgânica misturada a um teor elevado de umidade contribuem para um alto valor de condutividade e baixa resistividade, resultando numa forte atenuação do sinal e aprisionamento da onda eletromagnética. / The Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) method has contributed to studies of coastal zones, especially because it presents a response and interpretation geophysicalgeological satisfactory. However, GPR has some limitations, because it uses physical principles in its execution, and some properties in subsurface materials can cause signal attenuation or even keep the electromagnetic wave confined to a waveguide layer. The objective of this study is to understand and infer from a physical analysis and a geophysical-geological interpretation the factors that cause this phenomenon. The study area is located in Banhado do Taim (marshes), a region in southernmost Brazil, state of Rio Grande do Sul. The data used in this study consists of a GPR profile obtained on paleochannels that connected the region of the current Mirim lagoon with the Atlantic Ocean. This record shows excellent channel fill data, however, in the final part of the profile, this record is shaded as if a shield were blocking the signal. Results indicate that this blockade is related to the existence of the waveguide layer, which is associated with a type of lagoon environment. This environment is related to the presence of fine sediments, in which the clay fraction and organic matter mixed with high humidity content, which contributed to the high conductivity and low resistivity value. Result is strong signal attenuation and entrapment of the electromagnetic wave

Análises palinológicas de depósitos quaternários utilizadas para elucidar questões paleoclimáticas, paleovegetacionais e paleoambientais, devido ao elevado potencial de preservação dos palinomorfos e à ampla variedade de hábitos e habitats nos quais eles são distribuídos. Neste contexto, este trabalho apresenta uma reconstrução paleoambiental a partir de análises palinológicas de um testemunho sedimentar com idade holocênica, perfurado na Planície Costeira de Santa Catarina, município de Garopaba, sul do Brasil. Um total de 46 amostras foi coletado ao longo dos 450 cm do testemunho (poço PCSC-3). Além disso, três datações radiocarbônicas e análises granulométricas foram realizadas. Das 46 amostras, três delas apresentaram-se escassas para as análises palinológicas e foram descartadas para as interpretações paleoambientais. Os diagramas palinológicos e a análise de agrupamento foram considerados a partir da soma total de palinomorfos (100%) O conteúdo palinológico inclui 84 táxons identificados: grãos de pólen de angiospermas (46) e gimnospermas (3), esporos de pteridófitas (16) e briófitas (2), esporos de fungos (8), cistos de algas (3), acritarcos (3), cistos de dinoflagelados (2) e palinoforaminíferos (1). Três espécimes de acritarcos são descritos e ilustrados devido à sua importância paleoambiental. A partir da análise de agrupamento, três fases palinológicas foram definidas baseadas nas mudanças nas assembleias palinológicas: Fase I, Fase II e Fase III. A Fase I é caracterizada por um paleoambiente lagunar com influência marinha desde o início de sua sedimentação (5390 anos AP), com base em ocorrências de acritarcos, cistos dinoflagelados e palinoforaminíferos. A Fase II, de 3032 anos AP até 858 anos AP, também é caracterizada por um paleoambiente lagunar; no entanto a diminuição da porcentagem de elementos marinhos e o aumento do registro de algas de água doce (Botryococcus) sugerem menor influência marinha dentro do corpo lagunar, indicando uma fase transicional entre a Fase I e Fase III. Na Fase III (últimos 856 anos) prevalece a sedimentação subaquosa, sob condições pantanosas. / Palynological analyses of Quaternary deposits are used in order to elucidate paleoclimatic, paleogeographic and paleoenvironmental issues, due to the high potential of palynomorph preservation and the wide variety of habits and habitats in which they are distributed. In this context, this study presents a paleoenvironmental reconstruction from palynological analyses of a sedimentary core of Holocene age (PCSC-3 well), drilled at the Santa Catarina Coastal Plain, municipality of Garopaba, southern Brazil. A total of 46 samples was collected for palynological analyses in the 450 cm-long core, as also three samples for radiocarbon dating and granulometric analyses. Of the 46 samples, three of them revealed scarce for palynological analysis, which were discarded for paleoenvironmental interpretations. Palynological diagrams and a clustering analysis were calculated considering the total sum of palynomorphs (100%) The palynological content includes 84 taxa related to pollen grains of angiosperm (46) and gimnosperm (3), spores of pteridophyta (16) and bryophyta (2), spores of fungi (8), algae (3), acritarchs (3), dinoflagellate cysts (2) and microforaminiferal linings (1). Three specimens of acritarchs are described and illustrated due to their paleoenvironmental importance. From the cluster analysis, three palynological phases were defined based on changes in the palynological assemblages: Phase I, Phase II and Phase III. The Phase I is characterized as a lagoonal paleoenvironment with marine influence from the beginning of the sedimentation (5390 cal yr BP), based on occurrences of acritarchs, dinoflagellate cysts and microforaminiferal linings. The Phase II (3032 yr BP until 858 cal yr BP) also is characterized by a lagoonal paleoenvironment; however the decrease in percentage of marine elements and the increase in freshwater algae record suggest less marine influence in the lagoonal body, indicating a transitional phase between the Phase I and Phase III. In Phase III (last 856 years), underwater sedimentation prevailed, under swamp-like conditions.