Submitted by Biblioteca de Pós-Graduação em Geoquímica BGQ (bgq@ndc.uff.br) on 2017-02-16T16:40:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÂO FELIPPE BRAGA.pdf: 3584465 bytes, checksum: 5a6e3d3041992e9cdde4fba139fbe982 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-16T16:40:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÂO FELIPPE BRAGA.pdf: 3584465 bytes, checksum: 5a6e3d3041992e9cdde4fba139fbe982 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Universidade Federal Fluminense. Instituto de Química. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geociências- Geoquímica Ambiental. Niterói, RJ / Bivalves marinhos podem acumular altas concentrações de metais disponíveis no ambiente. Como consequência, eles têm sido utilizados como biomonitores de contaminação costeira. No presente estudo, bivalves marinhos da espécie Anomalocardia brasiliana coletados na Baía de Sepetiba (Rio de Janeiro, Brasil), foram aclimatados e submetidos a um conjunto de experimentos realizados em sistema fechado onde foram expostos à radiotraçadores por até 10 dias no Laboratório de Radioisótopos Aplicados ao Meio Ambiente (LARAMAM) na Universidade Federal Fluminense. A fim de avaliar a cinética de incorporação e de depuração de metais-traço foi adicionada concentração conhecida dos radioisótopos 54Mn, 57Co e 65Zn na água do mar coletada. Os radiotraçadores foram analisados por espectrometria da radiação γ. Neste estudo foi investigado o uso potencial da Anomalocardia brasiliana como biomonitor em eventos agudos de contaminação, uma vez que pouco se sabe sobre a dinâmica de acumulação de metais nesta espécie. Esta avaliação teve como finalidade fornecer subsídios para a futura aplicação desta abordagem metodológica no monitoramento de eventos de real contaminação por metais no Brasil. Os resultados observados mostraram que é possível aplicar esta metodologia para avaliar a dinâmica de depuração dos metais nesta espécie de bivalve, essencialmente em casos de contaminação aguda. Foi observado que o intervalos de tempo adotados para a amostragem, com base na literatura, não foram suficientes para a obtenção da cinética de incorporação dos radiotraçadores por esta espécie, além disso, observou-se que esta espécie foi capaz de depurar assim que a atividade de radioisótopos na água atingiu o equilíbrio. Em termos da distribuição dos radioisótopos na coluna sedimentar, as maiores concentrações de 57Co, 54Mn e 65Zn foram encontradas nas camadas mais superficiais dos sedimentos. / Marine bivalves can accumulate high metal concentration from the surrounding environment. Consequently, they have been used as biomonitors in processes of coastal contamination. In the present work marine bivalves from Anomalocardia brasiliana species were collected from the Sepetiba Bay (Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil), acclimated in laboratory conditions and exposed to radiotracers in a closed system experiment during 10 days. The experimental procedure was developed in the Laboratory of radioisotopes applied to the environment at the Fluminense Federal University (LARAMAM/UFF). The main objectives of this work were to evaluate the uptake and downtake kinetics of trace metals through the addition of 54Mn, 57Co and 65Zn to the collected sea water. The radiotracers were measured using gamma radiation spectrometry. In the present study the potential use of Anomalocardia brasiliana a biomonitor in events of contamination was investigated, since little is known the metal accumulation dynamics for such species. This evaluation had the objective of providing subsides for the future application of this methodology for monitoring actual metal contamination events in Brazil. The results have shown that it is possible to apply such methodology to evaluate the depuration dynamics in this bivalve species, essentially in acute contamination. It was observed that the time intervals adopted for the sampling based on literature were not enough for obtaining the radiotracers incorporation kinetics for this species. Also, it was able to depurate as soon as the water activity reached the equilibrium. In terms of radioisotpes distribution within the sedimentation column the highest concentrations of 57Co, 54Mn e 65Zn were found in the top layers.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T14:36:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao_Fernanda_San Martins_Sanes.pdf: 5281441 bytes, checksum: fbbc1a751686fa9d7ba5f7cfcc6c3273 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-07-06 / The rice is the cultivated and consumed cereals more in Brazil. In the coastal region, the adverse effect of salinity can cause decrease in plant growth and nutrients uptake, being that the absorption capacity, mainly of K, that is one of the main nutrients for the culture of the rice irrigated, is the result of the tax of absorption for unit of length of roots, as well as its morphology. With the objective of this study was to evaluate rice genotypes with respect to salts tolerance in irrigation water and with different K uptake, two studies, being one experiment was developed in an experimental area of Embrapa Clima Temperado, Capão do Leão, RS, in tanks of masonry, where a surface layer of an Albaqualf soil was deposited. The treatments applied from the time of differentiation panicle to physiological maturity: plant irrigation with drinking water, water with 0.25% NaCl and water with 0.5% NaCl, arranged in a completely randomized design, with three replications. There were evaluated twelve rice genotypes: BRS Querência, BRS Atalanta, BRS Bojuru, BRS Fronteira, CNA 10754, CNA 10756, CNA 10757, BRA 1455, BRA 1024, BRA 1073, Avaxi. The Inov hybrid was only evaluated in the salinity experiment. In the first study. To the ending of the cycle of each genotype, the degree tolerance to the salinity the irrigation water was evaluated, for diagnose visual, evaluation of the productivity and text nutrients of each to cultivate. On the basis visual evaluation intensity of symptoms of damages for excess salt applied in the water irrigation in the period of differentiation panicle physiological maturity, all the genotypes are tolerant to the average level of salinity (0.25% of NaCl). In the high level (0.50% of NaCl), the genotypes `Avaxi', BRA 1024, `BRS Atalanta', `BRS Bojuru', `BRS Fronteira', CNA 10756 and `Inov' moderately classify as tolerant and BRA 1073 BRA 1455, `BRS Querência', CNA 10754 and moderately susceptible CNA 10757 as. The sterility of spikelet varies with the rice genotype, being distinguished to cultivate it BRS Bojuru, as only with inferior index 50%. Under the level highest salt in the irrigation water, the dry mass of the rice plants is reduced, having variations, still, between the genotypes. The text of sodium in the stalk and leves and the grains of rice increases with the concentration of salt in the irrigation water, the opposite occurring for the magnesium concentration. The increase of the salinity in the irrigation water increases texts of in the exchangeable one, the percentage of saturation for sodium and the electrical conductivity of the extract of saturation of the ground, not influencing the exchangeable concentration of excessively cations. In the study of the difference of capacity of absorption of K, The experiment was set up in an entirely randomized experimental design, with three repetitions. The amount of potassium absorbed for the genotypes of irrigated rice directly is related with area and the root length and development of the aerial part. The kinetic parameters of potassium absorption, Imax, km and Cmin, had varied between the genotypes resulting in three distinct groups how much to the tax of potassium accumulated. The group of bigger capacity of potassium uptake is formed by genotypes BRS Atalanta, BRS Querência, Avaxi, BRA 1073 and BRA 1455. The main responsible kinetic parameter for the biggest capacity of potassium uptake for cultivating BRS Atalanta is the Imax. The growth root, of genotypes Avaxi , BRS Querência , BRA 1073 and BRA 1455, compensated the lesser tax of absorption. / O arroz é um dos cereais mais cultivados e consumidos no Brasil. Na região litorânea do RS, o efeito adverso da salinidade pode causar diminuição no crescimento da planta e na absorção de nutrientes, sendo que a capacidade de absorção, principalmente de K, que é um dos principais nutrientes para a cultura do arroz irrigado, é o resultado da taxa de absorção por unidade de comprimento de raízes, bem como sua morfologia. Com o objetivo de identificar de genótipos de arroz com tolerância ao excesso de sais na água de irrigação e com diferentes taxas de absorção de K, foram realizados dois estudos, um na Estação Experimental Terras Baixas da Embrapa Clima Temperado, em tanques de alvenaria, contendo camada superficial de um Planossolo háplico, e outro no Depto de Solos da FAEM/UFPel, em bancada de luz, com solução nutritiva. Em ambos os experimentos foram avaliados os genótipos: BRS Querência , BRS Atalanta , BRS Bojuru , BRS Fronteira , CNA 10754, CNA 10756, CNA 10757, BRA 1455, BRA 1024, BRA 1073, Avaxi . O híbrido Inov foi avaliado somente no experimento de salinidade. No primeiro estudo, os tratamentos aplicados a partir do período da diferenciação da panícula até a maturação foram irrigação com: água natural; água com 0,25% de NaCl e água com 0,5% de NaCl, arranjados em delineamento experimental parcela subdivididas, com três repetições. Ao término do ciclo de cada genótipo, o grau de tolerância à salinidade da água de irrigação foi avaliado, por diagnose visual, avaliação da produtividade e teor de nutrientes de cada cultivar. Com base em avaliação visual de intensidade de sintomas de danos todos os genótipos são tolerantes ao nível médio de salinidade (0,25% de NaCl). No nível alto (0,50% de NaCl), os genótipos Avaxi , BRA 1024, BRS Atalanta , BRS Bojuru , BRS Fronteira , CNA 10756 e Inov classificam-se como moderadamente tolerantes e BRA 1073 BRA 1455, BRS Querência , CNA 10754 e CNA 10757 como moderadamente suscetíveis. A esterilidade de espiguetas varia com o genótipo de arroz, destacando-se a cultivar BRS Bojuru, como a única com índice inferior a 50%. Sob o nível mais alto de sal na água de irrigação, a massa seca das plantas de arroz é reduzida, havendo variações, ainda, entre os genótipos. O teor de sódio nos colmos e folhas e nos grãos de arroz aumenta com a concentração de sal na água de irrigação, o contrário ocorrendo para a concentração de magnésio. Nas condições em que foi realizado o experimento, o aumento da salinidade na água de irrigação aumenta os teores de Na trocável, a porcentagem de saturação por sódio e a condutividade elétrica do extrato de saturação do solo, não influenciando a concentração dos demais cátions trocáveis. No estudo da diferença de capacidade de absorção de K, o delineamento experimental foi completamente casualizado, com três repetições. A quantidade de K acumulado pelos genótipos de arroz irrigado está diretamente relacionada com área e o comprimento radicular e desenvolvimento da parte aérea. Os parâmetros cinéticos de absorção de potássio, Imax, Km e Cmin, variaram entre os genótipos resultando em três grupos distintos quanto à taxa de absorção de potássio. O grupo de maior capacidade de absorção de potássio é formado pelos genótipos BRS Atalanta, BRS Querência, Avaxi, BRA 1073 e BRA 1455. O principal parâmetro cinético responsável pela maior capacidade de absorção de potássio pela cultivar BRS Atalanta é o Imax. O crescimento radicular, dos genótipos Avaxi, BRS Querência, BRA 1073 e BRA 1455, compensou a menor taxa de absorção.

Deep-water formation supplies oxygen-rich water to the deep sea, spreading throughout the ocean via the global thermohaline circulation. Models suggest that gases in newly formed deep-water do not come to equilibrium with the atmosphere. However, direct measurements during wintertime convection are scarce, and the controls over the extent of this disequilibria are poorly quantified. Here we show that oxygen is consistently undersaturated at -6.3% to -7.6% in the Labrador Sea at the end of convection, when convection reaches deeper than 800 m. Deeper convection resulted in greater undersaturation while convection lasting later in the year resulted in values closer to equilibrium, from which we produce a predictive relationship. We use dissolved oxygen data from six profiling Argo floats in the Labrador Sea between 2003 to 2016, allowing direct observations of wintertime convection. Four of the six optode oxygen sensors displayed in situ drift of -2.98 μmol O2 kg-1 year-1 on average, which we corrected to stable deep-water oxygen values from repeat hydrography. Observations of low oxygen intrusions during restratification and a simple mixing calculation demonstrate that lateral processes act to lower the oxygen inventory of the central Labrador Sea. This suggests that the Labrador Sea is a net sink for atmospheric oxygen, but uncertainties in parameterizing gas exchange limit our ability to quantify the net uptake. Our results constrain the initial oxygen concentration of Labrador Sea Water and allow more precise estimates of oxygen utilization and nutrient regeneration in this water mass. / Graduate

Arabidopsis thaliana, s’est adaptée à la variété des niveaux de Pi dans le sol en développant 9transporteurs de phosphates, membres de la famille PHT1, intervenant dans l’acquisition de cet ionpar les racines et sa translocation. Ces protéines révèlent une très forte homologie de séquence entre elles (plus que 61%). La présence de certains transporteurs de type PHT1 dans différents types d’organes ainsi que le chevauchement fréquent entre les divers membres de la famille PHT1 témoigne de la complexité de leurs rôles. De plus, leur redondance génétique et fonctionnelle empêche l’analyse de leur rôle spécifique. En vue de s’affranchir de ces obstacles, notre approche combine plusieurs stratégies génétiques avec l’insertion d’une construction RNAi inactivant plusieurs membres de la famille PHT1 et en particulier le cluster localisé sur le chromosome 5 (PHT1;1/1;2/1;3). Ces outils génétiques ont révélé aussi le fonctionnement des protéines PHT1 à la fois en tant que transporteurs à basse et à haute affinité, ce qui suggère que leur activité est contrôlée au niveau post-traductionnel. En cas de carence en Pi, ces lignées affichent des modifications physiologiques (biomasse, rendement,…) dues à une forte réduction affectant l’activité de l’influx en phosphate (80 à 96%). Ce travail suggère que la redondance génétique et les mécanismes de compensations pourraient protéger la plante de l’inactivation de PHT1. Il a aussi révélé que la perception systémique du Pi est déclenchée par des mécanismes en aval de l’activité des PHT1. / Arabidopsis thaliana absorb inorganic phosphate (Pi) from the soil through an active transport process mediated by the 9 members of the PHT1 family. These proteins share a high level of similarity (greater than 61%), with overlapping expression patterns. The resulting genetic and functional redundancy prevents the analysis of their specific roles. To overcome this difficulty, our approach combined several mutations with gene silencing to inactivate multiple members of the PHT1 family, including a cluster of genes localized on chromosome 5 (PHT1;1, PHT1;2 and PHT1;3). Physiological analyses of these lines established that these three genes, along with PHT1;4, are the main contributors to Pi uptake. Furthermore, PHT1;1 plays an important role in translocation from roots to leaves in high phosphate conditions. These genetic tools also revealed that some PHT1 transporters likely exhibit a dual affinity for phosphate, suggesting that their activity is posttranslationally controlled. These lines display significant phosphate deficiency-related phenotypes (e.g. biomass and yield) due to a massive (80 to 96%) reduction in phosphate uptake activities. These defects limited the amount of internal Pi pool, inducing compensatory mechanisms triggered by the systemic Pi starvation response. Such reactions have been uncoupled from PHT1 activity suggesting that systemic Pi sensing is most probably acting downstream of PHT1.

This thesis links papers reporting field measurements, modelling studies and reviews of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and their abatement from agriculture, in particular from livestock production. The aims of the work were to: quantify GHG emissions from litter-based farmyard manures; evaluate means by which GHG emissions from agricultural production may be abated; assess synergies and conflicts between the abatement of other N pollutants on emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O); analyse two records of soil temperature from 1976-2010 from Wolverhampton (UK) and Vienna (Austria). Agricultural emissions of GHGs are not readily abated by ‘end of pipe’ technologies. Large decreases in agricultural GHG emissions may require changes in the production and consumption of food that could have unwelcome impacts on both consumers and producers. However, identifying and prioritizing both modes and locations of production, together with utilizing inputs, such as N fertilizer and livestock feeds, more efficiently can reduce GHG emissions while maintaining outputs. For example, GHG emissions from livestock production may be lessened by increasing the longevity of dairy cows, thereby decreasing the proportion of unproductive replacement animals in the dairy herd. Sourcing a larger proportion of calves from the dairy herd would decrease emissions of GHGs from beef production. The distance between the region of food production to that of consumption has relatively little impact on total GHG emissions per tonne of food product. Due to greater productivity or lesser energy inputs, importing some foods produced in other parts of the world may decrease GHG emissions per tonne compared with UK production, despite the additional emissions arising from long-distance transport. Manure application techniques to abate ammonia (NH3) emissions do not axiomatically increase emissions of N2O and may decrease them. Soil temperature measurements from 1976 to 2010 were consistent with the warming trends reported over the last 40 years.

No description available.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increasing global health concern, currently affecting an estimated 382 million individuals. There is no cure for T2DM and the search for new and improved treatments is ongoing. Presently, various pharmacological regimens are available to treat T2DM, but with varied success. Thousands of traditional herbs are also used to treat T2DM, but mainly without scientific validation. The aim of this study was to assess the polyphenolic content, antioxidant capacity, as well as in vitro toxicity and hypoglycaemic activity of a commercial ‘antidiabetic’ tea mixture (Diabetea) and its individual constituents: Achillea millefolium L. (Yarrow), Agathosma betulina Bartl. & Wendl. (Buchu), Salvia officinalis L. (Sage), Taraxacum officinalis L. (Dandelion), Thymus vulgaris L. (Thyme), Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (Fenugreek) and Urtica urens L. (Nettle). All herbs were tested as crude extracts, prepared using hot water (HW) and dichloromethane (DCM). The total polyphenolic content of each extract was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteau and aluminium trichloride methods. The non-cellular antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) methods. The cell-based antioxidant activity was measured against p-chloranil-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Ea.hy926 cells, using the fluorescent dye, 2',7'-dichlorfluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA). The effect of each extract on the viability of C2C12 myotubes, Ea.hy926 endothelial cells and human lymphocytes (HL) was determined using sulforhodamine B (SRB). The in vitro hypoglycaemic activity was assessed against α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity using 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA) and p-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (p-NPG), respectively. The type of inhibition exerted on these enzymes was determined using the Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics model, expressed as mixed, competitive, non-competitive and uncompetitive. Glucose uptake activity was measured using the 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amino]-2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-NBDG) fluorescent analogue. T. vulgaris and S. officinalis had the highest amount of polyphenols of all extracts tested. The HW extracts of T. vulgaris and S. officinalis showed significant (p < 0.05) cell-free antioxidant activity and cell-based radical scavenging activity. In addition, U. urens (HW) also limited cell-based ROS generation (p < 0.05). The Diabetea extracts presented with poor antioxidant activities, of which some had a pro-oxidant effect on Ea.hy926 cells. The positive linear relationship between antioxidant activity and polyphenolic content was shown to be dependent on the solvent type used. All of the DCM extracts had low antioxidant activity and polyphenolic content. None of the extracts produced < 50% cell density at the concentrations tested (1.3 - 20 μg/mℓ). In general, the DCM extracts showed a greater decrease in cell density than the HW extracts. The Ea.hy926 cells were the least affected by the extracts in terms of decreased cell density. The DCM extract of U. urens inhibited α-amylase activity in a mixed manner, which was comparable to the percentage inhibition exerted by the commercial drug, acarbose. Both the HW and DCM extracts of U. urens caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in glucose uptake into C2C12 myotubes. The HW extract of T. vulgaris had a significant (p < 0.05) inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase (mixed). It also caused the uptake of glucose into C2C12 myotubes, which was significantly (p <0.05) more active than insulin. S. officinalis (DCM extract) also inhibited α-glucosidase activity (p < 0.05) in a mixed manner. Its HW extract displayed potent hypoglycaemic potential by causing glucose uptake into C2C12 myotubes, which was more significant (p < 0.05) than the activity of the positive control, insulin. The DCM extract of A. betulina was active against α-glucosidase (non-competitive), which was comparable to the activity of acarbose. Its HW extract also showed a significant (p < 0.05) glucose uptake activity. Furthermore, the DCM extracts of T. officinalis, A. millefolium, Diabetea and HW extracts of T. foenum-graecum and T. officinalis also caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in glucose uptake into C2C12 myotubes. This study provides evidence for the antidiabetic potential of T. vulgaris and S. officianlis, in terms of antioxidant capacity and potential to prevent of post-prandial hyperglycaemia and alleviate hyperglycaemia by mimicking the action of insulin. In addition, the organic preparation of U. urens is also a potent α-amylase inhibitor. All herbs tested in this study exerted some form of in vitro antidiabetic activity. The Diabetea mixture, as a traditional preparation, did not have a significant antidiabetic capacity. In vitro observations from this study do not support the use of Diabetea as an antidiabetic preparation and reveal that some of the individual extracts prove more efficacious than the herb mixture. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lk2014 / Pharmacology / MSc / Unrestricted

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Anatomy and Physiology / Thomas J. Barstow / Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a manifestation of the systemic disease of atherosclerosis that results in arterial stenoses of the lower extremities. Patients with PAD demonstrate slowed dynamics of pulmonary oxygen uptake (VO2 kinetics) following the onset of exercise and a profound reduction in peak oxygen uptake and work capacity. However, whereas the primary pathophysiology of PAD results from the lower extremity hemodynamic limitation, there are abnormalities distal to the arterial stenoses in PAD-affected skeletal muscle that may also contribute to the impaired exercise responses. Thus, the potential contributions of abnormal muscle metabolism versus local circulatory defects in the PAD exercise impairment remains unclear. In this context, the purpose of the dissertation was to advance our understanding of the abnormal pulmonary VO2 kinetics in PAD and characterize the local muscle deoxygenation responses during the rest-exercise transition exercise in health and PAD. The present series of investigations were designed to: 1. localize the abnormal pulmonary VO2 kinetics in PAD to the affected lower extremities, 2. characterize the kinetics of calf muscle deoxygenation during walking in PAD and healthy subjects, 3. describe muscle deoxygenation kinetics in relation to exercise work rate and blood flow in PAD and health, and 4. evaluate the effect of arterial revascularization on pulmonary VO2 kinetics in PAD. These investigations revealed a persistent abnormality in muscle oxygen utilization in PAD-affected skeletal muscle that was not associated with the severity of hemodynamic compromise. In particular, we observed slowed pulmonary VO2 kinetics in PAD only during exercise of the PAD-affected skeletal muscles. Moreover, muscle deoxygenation kinetics following the onset of walking and lower intensity calf exercise were prolonged in PAD subjects while leg blood flow responses were normal. However, at higher work rates, PAD muscle deoxygenation kinetics accelerated, demonstrating a work rate and presumably blood flow dependence. Lastly, arterial revascularization tended to improve, but not consistently normalize, pulmonary VO2 kinetics in PAD subjects. Thus, these investigations demonstrate abnormal oxygen uptake kinetics in PAD and provide evidence that local abnormalities of the affected skeletal muscle may contribute to the abnormal VO2 kinetics and exercise intolerance of patients with PAD.

DMagister Scientiae - MSc / The proton exchange membrane is one key component of direct methanol fuel cells, which has double functions of conducting protons, separating fuels and oxidant. At present, the performance and price of sulfonic acid proton exchange membrane used in direct methanol fuel cells are deeply concerned. In order to reduce membrane 's cost and improve performance of Nafion membrane, three different kinds of membranes have been studied in this thesis. These membranes are SPEEK membranes, SPEEK/ZP composite membranes and Nafion/ZP composite membranes. / South Africa

Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) / Elevated temperatures accompanying climate warming are expected to have adverse effects on sensitive lichen species. This premise was examined by measuring the sensitivity of different lichen species to elevated temperatures in the laboratory and in the field. Laboratory studies involved the exposure of nine hydrated lichen species (Xanthoparmelia austro-africana, X. hyporhytida, Xanthoparmelia sp., Xanthomaculina hottentotta, Teloschistes capensis, Ramalina sp., Flavopuntelia caperata, Lasallia papulosa, Parmotrema austrosinensis) collected from sites of different aridity and mean annual temperature for 2 hourly intervals to temperatures ranging from 24ºC to 48ºC in a forced daft oven and measuring their respiration rates and maximum quantum yield of PSII. Field studies involved simultaneous hourly measurements of ground surface air temperatures and Lichen effective quantum yield of PSII of hydrated lichen species populations under ambient and artificially modified environmental conditions. / South Africa