According to Kierkegaard it is through our sense of hearing that we can make this journey within, “Gradually, then, hearing became my most cherished sense, for just as the voice is the disclosure of inwardness incommensurable with the exterior, so the ear is the instrument that apprehends this inwardness, hearing the sense by which it is appropriated.”[1] The music is an invitation to all participants to become wanderers. An invitation to step into the music and by doing that, stepping into one’s own imagination on a journey within. This is a double movement similar to what French philosopher Roland Barthes (1915–1980) described: a movement which bears forward and at the same time back to somewhere in oneself.[2] On another note, the Italian writer Italo Calvino (1923–1985) wrote, that “imagination is a world of potentialities that no single work will successfully enact.”[3] Experiences have the potentiality to cause profound changes within a person. In his book The Poetics of Space[4] the French philosopher Gaston Bachelard (1884–1962) wrote that to imagine wandering in the desert is to change space, and as a consequence to change oneself; in his words, “for we do not change place. We change our nature.”[5]   [1] Kierkegaard, Søren, Either/Or: a fragment of life, Penguin, London, 1992, p. 3. [2] Barthes, Roland, Camera Lucida: reflections on photography, New edition, Vintage, London, 2000 [1980], p. 40. [3] Calvino, Italo & Brock, Geoffrey, Six memos for the next millennium, Penguin Classics, London, 2016,  p. 119. [4] Bachelard, Gaston, The Poetics of Space, New edition., Penguin Classics, London, 2014[1994] [5] Ibid., p. 222.

A crescente demanda do mercado mundial em aumentar a produção agrícola e minimizar danos ambientais confere crescente relevância à agricultura de precisão, para a qual a Geoinformação é uma importante ferramenta. Diferentes dados provenientes de imagem de sensores orbitais e terrestres têm sido utilizados para o monitoramento agrícola em escalas local, regional e global. Neste contexto, e focalizando esta percepção à viticultura, o objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o comportamento espectral de diferentes cultivares de videiras ao longo do ciclo fenológico, dando suporte para realização da discriminação espectral das variedades e o mapeamento da variação espacial do vigor vegetativo dentro da parcela. Para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa proposta o trabalho foi dividido em duas etapas. A primeira investigação consistiu em um estudo realizado em vinhedos da região de Borgonha na França, onde foram estudadas as variedades de uva Chardonnay e Pinot Noir. O trabalho teve como pressuposto verificar se as categorias de qualidade que definem os vinhedos e são transmitidas a partir do solo ao vinho são igualmente transmitidas às folhas das videiras, e se estas podem ser detectadas na informação espectral de imagens de satélites ASTER. Os resultados obtidos mostraram ser possível esta discriminação e instigaram novos estudos mais detalhados que foram conduzidos em vinhedos da Vinícola Geisse, localizada na Serra Gaúcha, realizados a partir de dados de radiometria de campo e imagens orbitais. Novamente foram investigadas as variedades viníferas Chardonnay e Pinot Noir, monitoradas ao longo de duas safras. As medições de campo foram realizadas com um radiômetro FieldSpec Pro. Também foram usados dados orbitais provenientes do sensor WorldView-2. Dados de campo e orbitais apresentaram relações consistentes, e mostraram ser possível discriminar as variedades através de suas características espectrais. A alta relação sinal/ruído dos dados de campo permitiu detectar diferenças consistentes e sistemáticas nos comprimentos de onda do verde e vermelho, atribuídas à presença de pigmentos como as antocianinas. O monitoramento da dinâmica espectral do ciclo fenológico revelou feições espectrais consistentes nos comprimentos de onda do infravermelho atribuídas ao período de senescência da videira. A espacialização dos dados de vigor vegetativo, obtidos através de índices de vegetação (NDVI) permitiu a setorização de áreas com diferentes potenciais enológicos. / The growing demand of world markets to increase agricultural production and to minimize environmental impacts puts the Geoinformation as an important tool of precision agriculture. Several sets of data of images from orbital and ground sensors have been used for agricultural monitoring at local, regional and global scales. In this context, focusing this perception to viticulture, the aim of this study was to evaluate the spectral comportment of different grapevine cultivars along of phenological cycle, giving support to realization of spectral discrimination of varieties and the mapping of the spatial variation of vegetative vigor within the plot. For the development of this project, our research was divided into two stages. The first research consisted in a study of vineyards of the Burgundy region in France, where the studied grape varieties were Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The work was to verify the assumption that the quality categories that define the vineyards and are transmitted from the soil to wine are also transmitted to the leaves of the vines, and these can be detected in the spectral information contained in ASTER satellite images. Results showed that this discrimination is indeed possible, and lead to the second part of the project, with new and more detailed studies, which were performed in the vineyards of Geisse Winery, located in the Serra Gaúcha region, Brazil, based on field radiometry and orbital images. The same grape varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes were again investigated. Field measurements were performed with a radiometer FieldSpec Pro. The investigation was made on two vine plots, based on a selection of plants of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which were monitored over two growing seasons. Orbital data were from the WorldView-2 sensor. Field and orbital data showed consistent relations and showed that it is possible to distinguish the varieties by their spectral characteristics. The high relation signal/noise of field data allowed detecting consistent and systematic spectral features at red and green wavelengths, thought to be linked to the presence of pigments such as anthocyanins. The monitoring of spectral dynamics during the phenological cycle revealed consistent spectral features in infrared wavelengths assigned to the vine senescence period. The spatial distribution of vegetative vigor data obtained from the vegetation index (NDVI) allowed the sectorization of areas with different enological potentials.

A crescente demanda do mercado mundial em aumentar a produção agrícola e minimizar danos ambientais confere crescente relevância à agricultura de precisão, para a qual a Geoinformação é uma importante ferramenta. Diferentes dados provenientes de imagem de sensores orbitais e terrestres têm sido utilizados para o monitoramento agrícola em escalas local, regional e global. Neste contexto, e focalizando esta percepção à viticultura, o objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o comportamento espectral de diferentes cultivares de videiras ao longo do ciclo fenológico, dando suporte para realização da discriminação espectral das variedades e o mapeamento da variação espacial do vigor vegetativo dentro da parcela. Para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa proposta o trabalho foi dividido em duas etapas. A primeira investigação consistiu em um estudo realizado em vinhedos da região de Borgonha na França, onde foram estudadas as variedades de uva Chardonnay e Pinot Noir. O trabalho teve como pressuposto verificar se as categorias de qualidade que definem os vinhedos e são transmitidas a partir do solo ao vinho são igualmente transmitidas às folhas das videiras, e se estas podem ser detectadas na informação espectral de imagens de satélites ASTER. Os resultados obtidos mostraram ser possível esta discriminação e instigaram novos estudos mais detalhados que foram conduzidos em vinhedos da Vinícola Geisse, localizada na Serra Gaúcha, realizados a partir de dados de radiometria de campo e imagens orbitais. Novamente foram investigadas as variedades viníferas Chardonnay e Pinot Noir, monitoradas ao longo de duas safras. As medições de campo foram realizadas com um radiômetro FieldSpec Pro. Também foram usados dados orbitais provenientes do sensor WorldView-2. Dados de campo e orbitais apresentaram relações consistentes, e mostraram ser possível discriminar as variedades através de suas características espectrais. A alta relação sinal/ruído dos dados de campo permitiu detectar diferenças consistentes e sistemáticas nos comprimentos de onda do verde e vermelho, atribuídas à presença de pigmentos como as antocianinas. O monitoramento da dinâmica espectral do ciclo fenológico revelou feições espectrais consistentes nos comprimentos de onda do infravermelho atribuídas ao período de senescência da videira. A espacialização dos dados de vigor vegetativo, obtidos através de índices de vegetação (NDVI) permitiu a setorização de áreas com diferentes potenciais enológicos. / The growing demand of world markets to increase agricultural production and to minimize environmental impacts puts the Geoinformation as an important tool of precision agriculture. Several sets of data of images from orbital and ground sensors have been used for agricultural monitoring at local, regional and global scales. In this context, focusing this perception to viticulture, the aim of this study was to evaluate the spectral comportment of different grapevine cultivars along of phenological cycle, giving support to realization of spectral discrimination of varieties and the mapping of the spatial variation of vegetative vigor within the plot. For the development of this project, our research was divided into two stages. The first research consisted in a study of vineyards of the Burgundy region in France, where the studied grape varieties were Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The work was to verify the assumption that the quality categories that define the vineyards and are transmitted from the soil to wine are also transmitted to the leaves of the vines, and these can be detected in the spectral information contained in ASTER satellite images. Results showed that this discrimination is indeed possible, and lead to the second part of the project, with new and more detailed studies, which were performed in the vineyards of Geisse Winery, located in the Serra Gaúcha region, Brazil, based on field radiometry and orbital images. The same grape varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes were again investigated. Field measurements were performed with a radiometer FieldSpec Pro. The investigation was made on two vine plots, based on a selection of plants of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which were monitored over two growing seasons. Orbital data were from the WorldView-2 sensor. Field and orbital data showed consistent relations and showed that it is possible to distinguish the varieties by their spectral characteristics. The high relation signal/noise of field data allowed detecting consistent and systematic spectral features at red and green wavelengths, thought to be linked to the presence of pigments such as anthocyanins. The monitoring of spectral dynamics during the phenological cycle revealed consistent spectral features in infrared wavelengths assigned to the vine senescence period. The spatial distribution of vegetative vigor data obtained from the vegetation index (NDVI) allowed the sectorization of areas with different enological potentials.

A crescente demanda do mercado mundial em aumentar a produção agrícola e minimizar danos ambientais confere crescente relevância à agricultura de precisão, para a qual a Geoinformação é uma importante ferramenta. Diferentes dados provenientes de imagem de sensores orbitais e terrestres têm sido utilizados para o monitoramento agrícola em escalas local, regional e global. Neste contexto, e focalizando esta percepção à viticultura, o objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o comportamento espectral de diferentes cultivares de videiras ao longo do ciclo fenológico, dando suporte para realização da discriminação espectral das variedades e o mapeamento da variação espacial do vigor vegetativo dentro da parcela. Para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa proposta o trabalho foi dividido em duas etapas. A primeira investigação consistiu em um estudo realizado em vinhedos da região de Borgonha na França, onde foram estudadas as variedades de uva Chardonnay e Pinot Noir. O trabalho teve como pressuposto verificar se as categorias de qualidade que definem os vinhedos e são transmitidas a partir do solo ao vinho são igualmente transmitidas às folhas das videiras, e se estas podem ser detectadas na informação espectral de imagens de satélites ASTER. Os resultados obtidos mostraram ser possível esta discriminação e instigaram novos estudos mais detalhados que foram conduzidos em vinhedos da Vinícola Geisse, localizada na Serra Gaúcha, realizados a partir de dados de radiometria de campo e imagens orbitais. Novamente foram investigadas as variedades viníferas Chardonnay e Pinot Noir, monitoradas ao longo de duas safras. As medições de campo foram realizadas com um radiômetro FieldSpec Pro. Também foram usados dados orbitais provenientes do sensor WorldView-2. Dados de campo e orbitais apresentaram relações consistentes, e mostraram ser possível discriminar as variedades através de suas características espectrais. A alta relação sinal/ruído dos dados de campo permitiu detectar diferenças consistentes e sistemáticas nos comprimentos de onda do verde e vermelho, atribuídas à presença de pigmentos como as antocianinas. O monitoramento da dinâmica espectral do ciclo fenológico revelou feições espectrais consistentes nos comprimentos de onda do infravermelho atribuídas ao período de senescência da videira. A espacialização dos dados de vigor vegetativo, obtidos através de índices de vegetação (NDVI) permitiu a setorização de áreas com diferentes potenciais enológicos. / The growing demand of world markets to increase agricultural production and to minimize environmental impacts puts the Geoinformation as an important tool of precision agriculture. Several sets of data of images from orbital and ground sensors have been used for agricultural monitoring at local, regional and global scales. In this context, focusing this perception to viticulture, the aim of this study was to evaluate the spectral comportment of different grapevine cultivars along of phenological cycle, giving support to realization of spectral discrimination of varieties and the mapping of the spatial variation of vegetative vigor within the plot. For the development of this project, our research was divided into two stages. The first research consisted in a study of vineyards of the Burgundy region in France, where the studied grape varieties were Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The work was to verify the assumption that the quality categories that define the vineyards and are transmitted from the soil to wine are also transmitted to the leaves of the vines, and these can be detected in the spectral information contained in ASTER satellite images. Results showed that this discrimination is indeed possible, and lead to the second part of the project, with new and more detailed studies, which were performed in the vineyards of Geisse Winery, located in the Serra Gaúcha region, Brazil, based on field radiometry and orbital images. The same grape varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes were again investigated. Field measurements were performed with a radiometer FieldSpec Pro. The investigation was made on two vine plots, based on a selection of plants of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which were monitored over two growing seasons. Orbital data were from the WorldView-2 sensor. Field and orbital data showed consistent relations and showed that it is possible to distinguish the varieties by their spectral characteristics. The high relation signal/noise of field data allowed detecting consistent and systematic spectral features at red and green wavelengths, thought to be linked to the presence of pigments such as anthocyanins. The monitoring of spectral dynamics during the phenological cycle revealed consistent spectral features in infrared wavelengths assigned to the vine senescence period. The spatial distribution of vegetative vigor data obtained from the vegetation index (NDVI) allowed the sectorization of areas with different enological potentials.

Commodity chains and cognates approaches are widely debated in many social science disciplines to understand and explain the drivers, mechanisms and effects of transnational production processes, including development perspectives and economic inequalities. This article aims to situate the understanding of commodity chains and cognate approaches as historically constituted imaginations of spatial economic relations that contingently travel between scientific disciplines and a wide range of social actors (policy makers, enterprises). The article is based on a spatial heuristic for understanding globalization processes inspired by the Leipzig school of global studies. Discussing commodity chains as spatial formats defined by the interplay of imagination / materialization in the context of particular spatial orders (of a globalized economy), leads to a number of hitherto less explored research questions. Drawing on this school of theorizing, I argue that the multiplicity of approaches should be embraced but simultaneously questioned from the perspective of why, how and for whom differences in imagination and enactment matter. Building upon the centrality of performativity based on the interplay of imagination / materialization, I highlight four areas (divided into chain actors and along imagination and materialization) in which commodity chain related research could benefit from a closer engagement with the Leipzig school heuristic.

本篇論文企圖運用三種不同之理論架構分別來詮釋詹涅特•溫特森（Jeanette Winterson）的第二本小說《激情》（The Passion）。小說中的兩位敘述者，亨利（Henri）與薇菈妮爾（Villanelle）各自在不同的城市□（Paris and Venice）遭受當權者的操縱與剝削，因此下定決心脫離宰制的空間，進而在逃亡的過程中彼此相識。不過由於諸多的因素，這對無緣的戀人終究以悲劇收場，分別在不同的空間□尋找自我生存的意義。論文第二章以克麗絲蒂娃（Julia Kristeva）的理論為基礎，探討小說人物的主體性如何受到兩種空間（the semiotic and the symbolic）的相互拉扯，而呈現出不穩定的狀態。第三章運用布希亞（Jean Baudrillard）所提出的擬像（simulation）與內爆（implosion）等觀念，分析小說人物如何在真實界與擬像界中來回擺盪。第四章從列菲弗爾（Henri Lefebvre）的空間概念為出發點，透過三種空間（spatial practice, representations of space, and representational spaces）的交互辯證關係，一方面挑戰傳統二分法的制式化對立，一方面藉由檢視小說人物與城市空間的互動，賦予空間議題某種顛覆傳統的可能性。最後在論文的結論部分，首先歸納出三位理論家一致的共通性—空間共生與空間擺盪，並以此做為貫穿理論架構與小說文本的中心概念，希冀將小說《激情》做更全面的詮釋與研究。 / This thesis aims to interpret Jeanette Winterson’s The Passion through three different theoretical frameworks, including Julia Kristeva’s feminism, Jean Baudrillard’s postmodernism, and Henri Lefebvre’s spatial theory. Interwoven with two narrators, The Passion describes the ill-starred lovers, Henri and Villanelle, both of whom undergo a series of manipulations and exploitations from those-in-power in Paris and Venice respectively, later determine to escape, and encounter each other in Russia unexpectedly. On account of the radical differences in personality and preference, this romantic story of Henri and Villanelle ends up with the permanent separation in two diverse spaces where both protagonists eventually feel the sense of belonging. Accordingly, this thesis pays much attention to the function of space in the novel, which is conducive to the dissection of Winterson’s characters and which becomes a crucial perspective penetrating these three theorists’ assertions. In Chapter Two, The Passion is first scrutinized in terms of Kristeva’s theory, particularly from the viewpoint of the semiotic and symbolic spaces, between which the subjectivity of the characters ineluctably oscillates. Chapter Three applies the operation of simulation and implosion within Baudrillard’s spectrum as the groundwork to elaborate The Passion, in which the characters again are entrapped in the oscillation of the real and simulated spaces. In Chapter Four, the focus is laid on the elucidation of how Lefebvre’s spatial trialectics, namely, spatial practice, representations of space, and representational spaces, interact with each other in the world of the novel. This dialectical relation of oscillation between the spatial triad not only challenges the oppositional rigidity of the traditional dichotomy but implies a possibility of subversion against the dominant space as well. Finally in the last chapter, I attempt to deduce the interrelation from three theorists in the scope of the novel, concluding my thesis with the concept—spatial symbiosis and spatial oscillation—as the major one probing into these four littérateurs of different fields.

The main focus of the research presented within this thesis is, as the title suggests, binaural spatialization. Binaural technology and, especially, the binaural recording technique are not particu-larly recent. Nevertheless, the interest in this technology has lately become substantial due to the increase in the calculation power of personal computers, which started to allow the complete and accurate real-time simulation of three-dimensional sound-fields over headphones. The goals of this body of research have been determined in order to provide elements of novelty and of contribution to the state of the art in the field of binaural spatialization. A brief summary of these is found in the following list: • The development and implementation of a binaural spatialization technique with Distance Simulation, based on the individual simulation of the distance cues and Binaural Reverb, in turn based on the weighted mix between the signals convolved with the different HRIR and BRIR sets; • The development and implementation of a characterization process for modifying a BRIR set in order to simulate different environments with different characteristics in terms of frequency response and reverb time; • The creation of a real-time and offline binaural spatialization application, imple-menting the techniques cited in the previous points, and including a set of multichannel(and Ambisonics)-to-binaural conversion tools. • The performance of a perceptual evaluation stage to verify the effectiveness, realism, and quality of the techniques developed, and • The application and use of the developed tools within both scientific and artistic “case studies”. In the following chapters, sections, and subsections, the research performed between January 2006 and March 2010 will be described, outlining the different stages before, during, and after the development of the software platform, analysing the results of the perceptual evaluations and drawing conclusions that could, in the future, be considered the starting point for new and innovative research projects.

Esta tese apresenta um estudo sobre a espacialização da economia colonial nas minas do Cuiabá e do Mato Grosso, no centro da América do Sul, na primeira metade do século XVIII. No primeiro capítulo procuramos demonstrar como algumas interpretações e imagens recorrentes a respeito da economia colonial reproduzida nos territórios que formariam a capitania de Mato Grosso, impõem-se aos indícios documentais e são reproduzidas sem o questionamento sobre os pressupostos que as sustentam. No segundo capítulo, definimos nosso posicionamento teórico e metodológico em relação aos documentos cartográficos. No terceiro capítulo analisamos mapas classificados como sertanistas. Demonstramos que uma análise dos rústicos mapas do sertanismo revela uma lógica da expansão das conquistas territoriais portuguesas distante das interpretações consagradas sobre estes mapas. No quarto capítulo reconstruímos o processo de formação de ambientes rurais na primeira década de colonização portuguesa nas minas do Cuiabá, revelando a estruturação de uma estrutura fundiária diversificada voltada para o comércio e o mercado interno. No quinto capítulo analisamos a relação entre as práticas administrativas e a espacialização da economia colonial. No sexto capítulo, procuramos relacionar a espacialização da economia no centro da América do Sul às transformações da economia na primeira metade do século XVIII, em diversas escalas. / This thesis present a study about the spatialization of the colonial economy in the mines of Cuiabá and of Mato Grosso, in the center of South America in the first half of the eighteenth century. In the first chapter we demonstrate how some recurring images and interpretations about the economy reproduced in the colonial territories that would form the captaincy of Mato Grosso, are imposed regarding the documental evidences and are reproduced without questioning the assumptions that underpin them. In the second chapter, we defined our theoretical and methodological positioning in relation to cartographic documents. In the third chapter we analyze maps classified as sertanistas. We demonstrate that an analysis of rustic maps of sertanismo reveals a logical of the Portuguese expansion distant of the interpretations consecrated about these maps. In the fourth chapter we reconstruct the process of formation of rural environments in the first decade of colonization in the mines of Cuiabá, revealing the structuring a diversified land structure facing the trade and the internal market. In the fifth chapter we analyze the relationship between and administrative practices and the colonial economy spacialization. In the sixth chapter, we relate the economy spacialization at the center of South America with the transformations of the economy in the first half of the eighteenth century, in various scales.

Les travaux de cette thèse se focalisent sur l’élaboration du cadre méthodologique de l’Analyse du cycle de vie territoriale spatialisée (ACVTS), qui intègre la spatialisation dans le calcul des impacts environnementaux, et son application sur un territoire d’étude dans une optique d’aide à la décision. Elle s’organise autour de : (1) la construction du cadre méthodologique de l’ACVTS ; (2) la spatialisation des émissions azotées ; (3) le développement d’une méthode de caractérisation régionalisée de l’eutrophisation ; (4) la comparaison des résultats d’ACVTS et d’ACV. L’ACVTS permet une évaluation des impacts du territoire plus proches des impacts réels et permet de cartographier émissions et impacts pour l’aide à la décision. Gourmande en temps, données et expertise, elle nécessite de bien définir le questionnement de l’étude. / This thesis focuses on development of the spatialized territorial life cycle assessment (STLCA) method, which spatializes environmental-impact calculation, and on its application to a case study to help decision making. The thesis is organized into four main chapters: (1) building the STLCA framework, (2) spatializing nitrogen emissions, (3) developing regionalized characterization factors for eutrophication and (4) comparing STLCA and LCA results. STLCA can estimate environmental impacts of a territory that are more similar to real impacts and can map emissions and impacts to help decision making. However, STLCA requires time, data and expertise to be applied; thus, it is necessary to determine its suitability for the goals of a given study before using it.

A Bacia do Alto Paraguai é definida pelo trecho compreendido entre as nascentes do Rio Paraguai e a confluência deste com o Rio Apa, e abrange planaltos, depressões e a vasta planície do Pantanal, a maior zona úmida continental do planeta. O objetivo geral deste trabalho é propor uma compartimentação do Pantanal com base em seu funcionamento atual. Para isto, utilizou-se de um conjunto de métodos, análise em componentes principais (ACP), análise em fatores de correspondência (AFC), e análise de deconvolução pelo modelo EMMA (End-Members Mixing Analysis). Essas análises foram aplicadas em amostragens de águas coletadas sob diferentes escalas, desde a da Bacia do Alto Paraguai até a da Nhecolândia, uma sub-região do Pantanal (MS). Esses procedimentos permitiram discriminar, hierarquizar e espacializar os fatores responsáveis pela variabilidade química das águas. Os resultados mostram que a composição química das águas que alimentam a planície pode ser considerada como uma mistura de três perfis químicos, definidos pelo tipo de rocha (calcário, arenito, cristalino) que explica 50% da variância total, e pelo uso e ocupação do solo (adubação de nitrogênio no planalto) responsável por 15% da variância total. As distribuições dos perfis químicos permitiram identificar grandes regiões, e áreas limítrofes entre elas com justaposição de perfis químicos contrastados, tanto no planalto quanto na planície. Apesar de ter-se observado algumas modificações na composição química das águas entre as estações seca e úmida, essas duas amostragens mantém discriminadas as mesmas regiões. Na subregião da Nhecolândia, a evaporação e as precipitações salinas a ela associadas (calcita e Mg-calcita, Mg-silicatos K-silicatos) respondem por 76% da variância total. A influência antrópica (adubação com potássio e nitrogênio nas zonas agrícolas do planalto) respondem por cerca de 10% da variância total. Evaporação, processos redox, uso e ocupação do solo foram apontados como as principais fontes de variabilidade na composição química das águas na Nhecolândia. / The Upper Paraguay Basin is defined by the stretch from the headwaters of the Paraguay River to the confluence with the Apa River. It includes plateaus, depressions and the vast floodplain of the Pantanal, the world largest continental wetland. The aim of this work is to propose a partitioning of the Pantanal based on its current functioning. A set of methods was used, including, principal components analysis (PCA), correspondence factor analysis (CFA), and A PCA-based EMMA procedure (End-Members Mixing Analysis). These methods were applied to water sampling collected at different scales, from the Upper Paraguay River Basin to the Nhecolândia, a sub-region of the Pantanal (MS). It allowed discriminating, prioritizing and spatializing the factors responsible for the variability in water chemistry. The results show that the chemical composition of the waters that supply the floodplain can be considered as a mixture of three end-members, defined by the type of rock (limestone, sandstone, crystalline), which explains 50% of the total variance, and the land use (nitrogen fertilization on the plateau), which accounted for 15% of the total variance. The distributions of chemical profiles discriminated large regions, and areas with juxtaposition of contrasting chemical profiles, both in the highlands and the floodplain. Although some changes occur in the chemical composition of water between dry and wet seasons, these two sets of samples have drawn the same regions. In the sub-region of the Nhecolândia, evaporation and associated salt precipitations (Mg-calcite and calcite, Mg-silicates silicates K) account for 76% of the variance. The anthropogenic influence (K and N-fertilization in agricultural areas of the plateau) accounts for about 10% of the variance. Evaporation, redox processes, land use were identified as major sources of variability in the chemical composition of surface waters in the Nhecolândia.