[pt] As partículas finas (PM2.5) são um dos principais poluentes atmosféricos associados a problemas de saúde. Estas partículas penetram no sistema respiratório, carreando desde metais traços a substâncias orgânicas. Apesar disso, a legislação ambiental brasileira ainda não tem estabelecido padrões para este poluente. Entretanto, Agencia Ambiental dos Estados Unidos (US.EPA) já tem adotado limites para exposições de curto (25 (micro)g m-3/diário) e longo (15 (micro)g m-3/anual) prazo. Esta tese teve quatro principais objetivos: (1) investigar a relação das condições meteorológicas, sazonalidade e bacias aéreas sobre as concentrações de PM2.5 na atmosfera; (2) avaliar modelos de previsão de qualidade do ar inovadores para estimar concentração de PM2.5 em locais com diferentes fontes de emissão; (3) validar método de extração e determinação pseudototal de metais traços presentes no material particulado, com espectrômetro de emissão ótica por plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-OES) de acordo com critérios estabelecidos pelo INMETRO; (4) quantificar carbono orgânico e metais traços presentes no material particulado fino para entender melhor como a atmosfera do estado do Rio de Janeiro tem sido afetada, devido aos vários tipos de emissão e condições meteorológicas. Amostradores de grandes volumes coletaram todas as amostras de PM2.5. Estes amostradores foram operados por 24 h, a cada seis dias, em locais com diferentes fontes de emissão (industrial, veicular, poeira do solo, etc.), no estado do Rio de Janeiro. As amostras foram coletadas pelo Instituto Estadual do Ambiente (INEA), no período de janeiro/11 até dezembro/13. Variáveis meteorológicas próximas (d(menor que)2 km) aos pontos de monitoramento de PM2.5 também foram obtidas na mesma frequência e período de amostragem. Em relação a este estudo, quatro resultados podem ser destacados. O primeiro, as concentrações médias diárias de PM2.5 variaram de 1-65 (micro)g m-3, ultrapassando em alguns pontos os limites adotados pela US.EPA. Estes resultados mostraram que concentrações de PM2.5 no RJ não é influenciada, em expressão, pela sazonalidade. Além disso, foi observado que as bacias aéreas definidas no Rio de Janeiro não têm sido confirmadas, e os locais mostraram uma semelhança de comportamento em função da sua fonte de emissão. O segundo, a aplicação do modelo Holt-Winters para previsão de PM2.5 simulou melhor a zona industrial, com RMSE (raiz do erro quadrático médio) entre 5,8-14,9 (micro)g m-3. Em contrapartida, a rede neural artificial associada a variáveis meteorológicas estimou melhor os resultados das zonas urbanas e rurais, com RMSE entre 4,2-9,3 (micro)g m-3. O terceiro, o método de extração e determinação pseudototal de metais por ICP-OES atendeu aos critérios de validação estabelecidos pelo INMETRO. Além disso, mostrou-se ser equivalente ao método US.EPA IO-3.1. Finalmente, as concentrações de carbono orgânico solúvel em água variaram de 0,8-4,9 (micro)g m-3. Os principais metais determinados foram: Na (5,8-13,6 (micro)g m-3), Al (1,6-6,7 (micro)g m-3) e Zn (1,9-6,6 (micro)g m-3). Foi verificado também que os fenômenos meteorológicos de superfície aumentam em 30 por cento a explicação da variância do modelo receptor (PCA), quando adicionados aos dados das substâncias químicas analisadas do PM2.5. Contudo, é crucial a aplicação de ferramentas quimiométricas para ajudar na caracterização e estimava das concentrações de poluentes atmosféricos. / [en] Fine particulate matters (PM2.5) are one of the primary air pollutants associated with health problems. These particles penetrate in the respiratory system, loading from trace metals to organic compounds. Neverthelere4ss, the Brazilian environmental legislation has not yet established standards for this pollutant. However, the US Environmental Agency (US.EPA) has already adopted limits for short-term (25 (micro)g m-3/daily) and long-term (15 (micro)g m-3/annual) exposures. This thesis had four main objectives: (1) to investigate the relation of weather conditions, seasonality and air basins on PM2.5 concentrations in the atmosphere; (2) to evaluate innovative air quality forecast models to estimate PM2.5 concentration in sites with different emission sources; (3) to validate method to extract and pseudo total determinate trace metals present in the particulate matter by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) according to criteria established by INMETRO; (4) to quantify organic carbon and trace metals present in fine particulate matter to better understand how the Rio de Janeiro State (RJ) atmosphere has been affected due to the various types of emission and weather conditions. High volumes samplers PM2.5 collected all PM2.5 samples. These samplers were operated for 24 h, every six days, in places with different emission sources (industrial, vehicular, soil dust, et caetera), in the Rio de Janeiro State. The samples were collected by the State Environmental Institute (INEA) during the period from January/2011 still December/2013. Meteorological variables nearby (d(less than)2 km) to PM2.5 monitoring points were also obtained at the same frequency and sampling period. Regarding this study, four results can be highlighted. The first one, the PM2.5 dailly concentrations average ranged from 1-65 (micro)g m-3, exceeding in some sites the limits adopted by US.EPA. These results showed that PM2.5 concentrations in RJ is not influenced, in expression, by the seasonality. In addition, it was observed that the defined RJ air basins have not been confirmed, and the local showed a similar performance according to their emission sources. The second one, the application of the Holt-Winters model for PM2.5 forecast simulated best industrial zone, with RMSE (root mean square error) between 5.8 to 14.9 (micro)g m-3. On the others hand, the artificial neural network associated with meteorological variables estimated best results from urban and rural areas, with RMSE between 4.2 to 9.3 (micro)g m-3. The third one, the method to extract and determine pseudo total metals by ICP-OES followed the validation criteria established by INMETRO. Furthermore, it was shown to be equivalent to US.EPA IO-3.1 method. Finally, the water-soluble organic carbon concentrations ranged from 0.8 to 4.9 (micro)g m-3. The principal metals determined were: Na (5.8-13.6 (micro)g m-3), Al (1.6-6.7 (micro)g m-3) and Zn (1.9-6.6 (micro)g m-3). It was also found that the surface meteorological phenomena increase at 30 percent the explicated variance of the receiver model (PCA) when added to PM2.5 chemical analysis data. Therefore, it is crucial the application of chemometric tools to help in the characterization and estimated air pollutant concentrations.

[pt] Durante o período compreendido entre junho e dezembro de 2014, foram coletadas amostras de MP2.5 e MP10 ao longo da orla marítima do Rio de Janeiro, com a finalidade de caracterizar quimicamente as espécies presentes, identificar as possíveis fontes e avaliar a influência do oceano nas amostras. As amostras foram coletadas por um período de 24 h utilizando Hi-Vol e filtros de fibra de vidro e quartzo. A massa do material particulado (MP) foi determinada por gravimetria. Os filtros com MP foram extraídos com água e/ou HNO3. O extrato ácido foi analisado por Espectrometria de Massas com Plasma Indutivamente Acoplado para a determinação de onze elementos. O extrato aquoso foi analisado por Cromatografia Iônica e Carbono Orgânico Total, para a determinação de íons inorgânicos e de ácidos orgânicos e carbono orgânico. As maiores concentrações de íons inorgânicos, foram obtidas para SO42->Na+>NO3->Cl->C2O42- na maioria das estações monitoradas. Em MP2,5 correlações acima de 0,7 foram observadas entre os íons NO3- e SO42-, além disso, estes aníons também apresentaram coeficientes de correlação significativos com o NH4+, sugerindo fontes antrópicas e a formação de aerossóis secundários. Por outro lado, no MP10 foi possível observar a contribuição marinha nas amostras, através das correlações fortes, entre o Na+, principal traçador de água de mar, com o Cl-, Mg2+ e Ca2+. Finalmente, através da fração mássica reconstituída se observou que as fontes naturais, representadas pelo aporte do solo e do sal marinho contribuem com cerca do 50 porcento dos aerossóis nas duas frações, apresentando maiores porcentagens no MP10, enquanto que, os aerossóis secundários predominam no MP2,5. / [en] During the period between June and December of 2014, was collected samples of PM2.5 and PM10 along the seafront of Rio de Janeiro, in order to chemically characterize the species present, identify the possible sources and evaluate the influence of the ocean in the samples. The samples were collected for a 24 h period using Hi-Vol and quartz and glass fiber filters. The particulate material (PM) mass was determined by gravimetry. The filters with PM were extracted with water and/or HNO3. The acid extract was analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry for the determination of eleven elements. The aqueous extract was analyzed by Ionic Chromatography and Total Organic Carbon, for the determination of inorganic ions and organic acids and organic carbon. The highest inorganic ions concentrations were obtained for SO42->Na+>NO3->Cl-->C2O42- in most of the monitored stations. In PM2,5 correlations were observed above 0,7 between the ions NO3- and SO42-, furthermore, this anions also showed significant correlation coefficients with NH4+, suggesting anthropogenic sources and the formation of secondary aerossols. On the other hand, in PM10 was possible to observed the marine contribution in the samples, through the strong correlations, between o Na+, major tracer of seawater, with Cl-, Mg2+ e Ca2+. Finally, through the reconstituted mass fraction it was observed that the natural sources, represented by land and sea salt contributes about 50 percent of the aerossol in the two fractions, showing higher percentages in the PM10, while, the secondary aerossol prevail in the PM2,5.

PhDENV / Department of Hydrology and Water Resources / Geothermal springs are natural geological phenomena that occur throughout the world. South Africa is endowed with several springs of this nature. Thirty-one percent of all geothermal springs in the country are found in Limpopo province. The springs are classified according to the residing mountain: Soutpansberg, Waterberg and Drakensberg. This study focused on the geothermal springs within the Soutpansberg region; that is, Mphephu, Siloam, Sagole and Tshipise. The study was aimed at elucidating on the isotopic signatures and trace metals concentrations from the geothermal springs to their environmental media in Soutpansberg region. This study also assessed the interconnectivity of the isotopic signatures within the ecosystem and evaluated the potential human health risks associated with trace metals from geothermal springs and surrounding soils in the study areas. Geothermal springs and boreholes were sampled for a period of twelve months (May 2016 – May, 2017) to accommodate two major seasons in the study areas. The surrounding soils were sampled vertically from a depth of 10 cm to 50 cm for trace metals and isotopic compositions. Three different plants were sampled at each of the study sites, namely, Amarula tree, Guava tree and Mango tree at Siloam; Acacia tree, Fig tree and Amarula tree at Mphephu; Amarula tree, Lowveld mangosteen and Leadwood tree at Sagole; Sausage tree, Amarula tree and Acacia tree at Tshipise. To achieve the objectives, the physicochemical, geochemical and isotopic compositions of the geothermal springs, boreholes, soils and vegetation were analysed using ion chromatography (IC) (Dionex Model DX 500), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), HTP-Elemental analyzer, Liquid water isotope analyzer (LWIA-45-EP) and Liquid scintillation analyzer. The temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), pH and total dissolved solid (TDS) of the geothermal springs and boreholes samples were measeured in situ and in the laboratory. Trace metals analysed in geothermal springs, boreholes, soil and vegetation include Beryllium (Be), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Arsenic (As), Selenium (Se), Cadmium (Cd), Antimony (Sb), Barium (Ba), Vanadium (V), Zinc (Zn), and Mercury (Hg). vii | Isotopic signatures and trace metals in geothermal springs and their environmental media within Soutpansberg Results obtained from this study in the studied geothermal springs and boreholes were classified according to their temperature as hot and scalding; except for tepid boreholes. This study has provided comprehensive physicochemical, geochemical and isotopic compositions of the geothermal springs within the Soutpansberg region (Siloam, Mphephu, Sagole and Tshipise). The local meteoric line (δD = 7.56δ18O + 10.64) was generated from rainwater in Vhembe district. This is a crucial component for depicting the source and flow path of the geothermal springs/boreholes; and could be used for future isotopic hydrological studies within the locality. Rain formation processes within Soutpansberg occurred under isotopic equilibrium conditions with minor evaporation effect during rainfall. The δD and δ18O values of the geothermal spring water/boreholes confirm that the waters are of meteoric origin, which implies that rainfall is the fundamental component of these groundwaters because they were derived from the infiltration of rainwater, with significant contribution of another type of water in the deeper part of the aquifer. Na-Cl and Na-HCO3 were established as the water types, which are typical of marine and deep groundwaters which are influenced by the ion - exchange process. The reservoir/aquifer temperature of these springs ranges between 95 – 185°C (Na-K geothermometer), which implies most of the waters are mature water (not native). Hence, geothermal springs water is a mixture of the rainwater and salt water. Radiocarbon values of the geothermal springs ranged from 2700 to 7350 BP, this implies that they are submodern and a mixture of submodern and modern waters. Tritium relative age also corroborates with radiocarbon age, that is the groundwaters were recharged before and after 1952. This gives an indication that the rainfall contributes to the geothermal springs recharge. Various radiocarbon correction models were employed and constrained by tritium relative age. Ingerson and Pearson, Eichinger and Fontes and Garnier correction models have been shown to be the most appropriate models for radiocarbon correction of groundwater in this semi-arid region. Although, geothermal springs water and boreholes are not fit for drinking due to high fluoride content, they could be used for the following: domestic uses (drinking exclusive) due to its softness, direct heating in refrigeration, green-housing, spa, therapeutic uses, aquaculture, sericulture, concrete curing, coal washing and power generation. In contrast with mentioned uses, viii | Isotopic signatures and trace metals in geothermal springs and their environmental media within Soutpansberg the studied geothermal springs are currently used for domestic purposes (drinking inclusive), limited irrigation and spa (swimming and relaxation). This is an eco-hydrological study that shows the interconnectivity of isotopic signatures among water (rainwater, geothermal springs and boreholes), soils and vegetation. The soil-water reflects the rainwater/geothermal springs water in isotopic composition, which is more depleted as a result of isotopic fractionation in soil. δD values of soil-water increase, whereas δ13C values in soil-water decrease with the soil depth at all sites. Two equations connecting δD and δ13C in soil-water were deduced per season for soil-water; δ13C = 0.0812δD - 10.657 in winter; δ13C = -0.0278δD - 21.945 for summer. δ13C in soil-water is induced by Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) (mixture of C3 and C4 photosynthetic cycles) with a stronger C4 trend, which corroborates with δ13C of the geothermal springs. From literature, Amarula and Acacia trees have been documented for isotopic compositions, while this study has given additional information on other plants including Lowveld, Leadwood, Sausage, Fig, Guava and Mango trees. These plants are categorised as C3, C4 and CAM plants. C3 plants include Amarula, Lowveld and Leadwood trees; C4 plants include Acacia and Sausage trees; and CAM plants include Fig, Guava and Mango trees. This study shows that with CAM soils, there is a possibility of having either C3, C4 or CAM vegetation. This finding has shown that the δD and δ13C isotopes in water, soil and vegetation are interrelated, which has been statistically justified. This study has shown the potential human health risks associated with trace metals concentrations from geothermal springs and their surrounding soils. From the geothermal spring’s water, it was found that As, Cr and Cd were the highest contributors to the cancer risk with children having a higher risk than adults. Whereas in soils, it was found that Cr, As and Co were the highest contributors to the cancer risk in the studied communities. Therefore, the cancer risk is high in the general population; that is 1 in 72-162 individuals in children and 1 in 7-107 individuals for adults. The ingestion route seems to be the major contributor to excess lifetime cancer risk followed by the dermal pathway. Therefore, proper monitoring and control measures to protect human health, particularly in children, should be implemented for safety. The study also explored the use of surrounding trees ix | Isotopic signatures and trace metals in geothermal springs and their environmental media within Soutpansberg for phytoremediation and found their uptake capacity to be high, thus, they could be used as bio-indicators to assess the level of contamination of trace metals in the soil. In conclusion, this study has eludicated on the isotopic signatures and trace metals concentrations from the geothermal springs and their surrounding soils and vegetation within Soutpansberg. This study has contributed towards the advancement and enhancement of the existing knowledge of the geothermal systems, such that water resource management could be applied successfully in the respective areas with similar characteristics for the benefit of the local communities and society at large. Hence, this study recommends that proper monitoring and control measures need to be put in place to protect human health, especially in children. / NRF

Le but principal de cette étude est de comprendre le fonctionnement de la zone interface, continuum terre-mer au Liban. Suite à l’anthropisation spécifiquement la construction des barrages, les apports du fleuve vers la mer en termes de quantité et qualité, sont modifiés de nos jours. Le fleuve Ibrahim, ayant le débit le plus important parmi les fleuves libanais, interrompu par trois barrages, a été choisi comme étude de cas représentant les fleuves côtiers libanais. Les différents paramètres retenus ont permis de dégager des résultats intéressants. Au niveau de l’eau de surface marine le panache fluvial est décelé par l’étude des paramètres hydrologiques des masses d’eaux superficielles. Les résultats montrent aussi que l’apport fluviatile est le contributeur principal en nutriments au niveau de la région côtière durant la saison humide, élucidé par les teneurs en nitrates et silice dissoute. D’autre part, le transfert des particules de la zone côtière vers le large, à travers la pente continentale, se fait par l’intermédiaire de couches néphéloïdes.L’origine des sédiments et de leurs constituants est mise en relief en analysant plusieurs paramètres sédimentaires. La combinaison des paramètres granulométriques et géochimiques organiques et inorganiques et l’application des tests statistiques a permis de distinguer entre deux environnements de dépôt. (1) Les environnements littoraux (≤ 30 m) ou zone de « bypass » où le sable fin et la matière organique autochtone dominent. (2) Les environnements profonds (≥ 60 m) ou zones de dépôts où la fraction fine et la matière organique allochtone dominent.Sur l’ensemble du suivi l’état chimique de l’eau du fleuve au niveau des deux stations échantillonnées, déduit des teneurs en nutriments et macrofaune benthique, est considéré comme bon à très bon d’après les normes internationales Finalement, l’analyse des éléments traces métalliques confirme la faible contribution anthropique dans les stations marines et fluviatiles échantillonnées malgré la densité de population croissante au niveau de la région côtière Libanaise. / The main purpose of this study is to understand the functioning of the coastal zone, land-sea continuum in Lebanon. Following the construction of dams, the contributions of the river towards the sea in terms of quantity and quality, are modified nowadays. The Ibrahim river, having the highest flow among the Lebanese rivers, interrupted by three dams, was chosen as a case study representing the Lebanese coastal rivers. The various parameters retained made it possible to obtain interesting results. At sea surface water level, the river plume is detected by studying the hydrological parameters of surface water.The results also show that the river is the main nutrient contributor in the coastal region during the wet season, elucidated by the nitrate and dissolved silica contents. On the other hand, the transfer of particles from the coastal zone to the open sea, across the continental slope, takes place through the nepheloid layers.The origin of sediments and their constituents is highlighted by analyzing several sediment parameters. The combination of organic and inorganic particle size and geochemical parameters and the application of statistical tests made it possible to distinguish between two deposition environments. (1) Coastal environments (≤ 30 m) or “bypass” area where fine sand and autochtonous organic matter dominate. (2) Deep environments (≥ 60 m) or deposit areas where the fine fraction and allochthonous organic matter dominate.The ecological state of the river water at the two sampled stations, deduced from the contents of nutrients and benthic macrofauna, is considered good to very good according to international standards. Finally, the analysis of metallic trace elements confirms the low anthropogenic contribution in the marine and river stations despite the increasing density of the population in the Lebanese coastal region.

Les potentiels de nouveaux moyens d’investigation en sciences de l’environnement, tel que la géochimie des isotopes stables du Cu et du Zn et l’étude de la spéciation des éléments en trace métalliques (ETM) par titrage acidimétrique sont évalués dans le cadre de trois cas d’études, faisant intervenir des matériaux de matrices et de concentrations en ETM variables. Afin de mettre en évidence de très subtiles variations des compositions isotopiques du Cu et du Zn dans les matériaux particulaires variablement pollués, une attention particulière à été voué à la mise au point des méthodes de séparation chimique et d’analyse par MC-ICP-MS. La méthodologie analytique a été développée afin d’exploiter tout les avantages techniques offerts par le spectromètre de masse à l’ULB. Différents modes d’introduction (plasma humide vs plasma sec (Aridus/DSN), d’acquisition des mesures (mode statique ou dynamique) de correction du biais de masse (dopage au Cu, au Zn et au Ga; correction SSBM, SSBC et EEN)ont été évaluées, pour leurs effets sur la précision et la reproductibilité des mesures. D’autres travaux ont permis de quantifier les effets des interférences spectrales et non spectrales par les éléments de la matrice (Ti, Cr, Co,Fe, Ba, Si, Na, Mg et Ca)et par le rapport dopant/analyte en vue de comprendre les sources d’inexactitudes des mesures isotopiques et d’y remédier. Les données isotopiques acquises sur des minerais, sur des (plaques de) dépôts atmosphériques (usine Pb-Zn Metaleurop de Noyelles-Godault), sur des sédiments et des matières en suspension (estuaire de l’Escaut et mer du Nord), révèlent des variations significatives des compositions isotopiques du cuivre et du zinc. Dans l’estuaire de l’Escaut, les variations temporelles (carotte non perturbée, enregistrant la sédimentation sur 30 ans) et spatiales (matières en suspension échantillonnées sur 100 km, selon le profil de salinité) sont caractérisées par des signatures isotopiques en Zn anticorrélées à celle du Cu. Les données peuvent permettre de distinguer le fond géochimique naturel (le « réservoir naturel »), les pollutions diffuses (le « réservoir anthropique commun »- intégrant de multiples sources de contamination en provenance du bassin versant) et certaines pollutions ponctuelles associées à la métallurgie du Zn. Alors que les procédés utilisés en métallurgie sont eux,capable de produire des signatures isotopiques très fractionnées en Zn, ni la diagenèse précoce dans les sédiments, ni les gradients physicochimiques développés lors du mélange des eaux continentales et marines ne sont capables d’affecter significativement la signature isotopique du Cu et du Zn en phase particulaire. Dans de tels milieux, les signatures isotopiques en Cu et Zn (ainsi que celles en Pb) semblent n’être contrôlées que par le mélange conservatif entre le « réservoir naturel » et le « réservoir anthropique commun ». Les données en elles-mêmes constituent la seule base de données isotopiques en Cu, Zn, Pb dans des matériaux particulaires anthropisés estuariens et marins jamais produite à ce jour. Elles permettent de prédire que la signature isotopique en Cu du « réservoir naturel » devrait être légèrement plus enrichie en isotopes lourds que celle du réservoir « anthropique commun » (par analogie au Zn).<p>Si la géochimie isotopique du Cu et du Zn a le potentiel de distinguer différentes sources de pollution, l’évaluation des risques liés à ces pollutions doit tenir compte des formes chimiques des ETM, typiquement mises en évidences par les méthodes d’extraction sélectives (séquentielles, dont le protocole BCR). La méthode alternative proposée pour l’étude de la spéciation, plus versatile (capable de mettre en évidence des phases non prédéfinies et applicable à une variété de matrices plus large) est capable de surmonter plusieurs limitations (dont les problèmes de sélectivité liées au mauvais contrôle de l’acidité du milieu réactionnel) caractéristiques des méthodes traditionnelles. Appliquée à des sédiments marins/estuariens et des sols, la méthode de titrage acidimétrique s’est révélée capable de quantifier les proportions relatives des phases acido-solubles (principal problème des méthodes d’extraction sélectives), ce qui permet d’établir univoquement la spéciation des éléments qui leurs sont associés, d’évaluer la réactivité des ETM vis-à-vis du pH, mais aussi d’évaluer la sélectivité des protocoles d’extraction séquentielle « BCR » et « Tessier ». La méthode de titrage acidimétrique apporte également des informations importantes sur la géochimie des éléments majeurs dans l’estuaire de l’Escaut et met en évidence les particularités minéralogiques des sols pollués en comparaison aux sédiments.<p>Les études de cas démontrent que ces nouvelles techniques ont des applications dans le domaine de la géochimie de l’environnement, mais peuvent également être vouées, sur le moyen/long terme à une utilisation sortant du cadre des sciences exactes. En effet, l’identification/discrimination des sources de pollutions et l’évaluation des risques de remobilisation des polluants métalliques font partie des nombreuses questions posées par la société aux scientifiques de l’environnement. / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished