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Taxas de transpiração inferiores às taxas potenciais limitam o crescimento e desenvolvimento vegetal e ocorrem em solos que apresentam condições hidráulicas inadequadas para a manutenção do fluxo de água requerido em direção às raízes de uma planta. A pesquisa que resultou nesta tese teve como objetivos: estimar em quais condições hidráulicas se inicia a redução da taxa de transpiração, em termos de potencial de fluxo matricial (Mcrit), teor de água ( ?crit), potencial matricial (hcrit) e condutividade hidráulica (Kcrit), para diferentes solos e condições atmosféricas; demonstrar experimentalmente que Mcrit é independente do tipo de solo e influenciado apenas pelas características radiculares e demanda atmosférica, ao contrário de ?crit, hcrit e Kcrit; comparar valores de Mcrit obtidos nos experimentos com respectivos valores de Mcrit estimados por um modelo de extração de água do solo por raízes, para uma mesma densidade radicular; propor uma alternativa para a estimativa de ?crit no solo, baseada na interrelação entre M, ? e h. O presente estudo conteve dois experimentos conduzidos em ambiente protegido, com plantas de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivadas em vasos. O delineamento experimental utilizado, tanto no primeiro quanto no segundo experimento, foi o inteiramente casualizado com três repetições. Os tratamentos do primeiro experimento formaram uma combinação bifatorial 2x2 (solos: argiloso e arenoso; e regimes hídricos: sem e com deficiência hídrica) para as características das plantas e um fatorial (solos: argiloso e arenoso) para as condições hidráulicas críticas do solo. Para o segundo experimento os tratamentos tiveram uma combinação trifatorial 2x2x2 (solos: argiloso e arenoso; regimes hídricos: sem e com deficiência hídrica; e demandas atmosféricas: sem e com ventilação forçada) para as características das plantas e um bifatorial 2x2 (solos: argiloso e arenoso; e demandas atmosféricas: sem e com ventilação forçada) para as condições hidráulicas críticas. O ponto crítico (?crit, hcrit, Kcrit e Mcrit) foi identificado no dia anterior à transpiração relativa TR < 1. Compararam-se os valores de TR em função de ?, h, K e M observados no experimento (após o ponto crítico) com seus respectivos valores estimados por um modelo teórico, obtendo-se um bom ajuste. Verificaram-se diferenças na ordem de grandeza entre os valores de Mcrit observados no experimento em relação aos estimados por modelo (Mcrit*), em que Mcrit > Mcrit*. Em conseqüência disso, propôs-se uma alternativa para estimar as condições hidráulicas críticas para uma distribuição heterogênea da densidade radicular em frações de volume do solo. Os valores experimentais foram comparados aos obtidos pelo modelo, resultando nos índices RMSE (raiz do quadrado médio do erro), MAE (erro médio absoluto) e \"d\" (índice de concordância de Willmott). Os resultados evidenciaram que o Mcrit pode ser utilizado para identificar o início da taxa de transpiração decrescente e da diminuição na fotossíntese líquida, em plantas de feijão. Os valores de Mcrit podem ser transformados em ?crit e hcrit, que são mais facilmente medidos em campo. A heterogeneidade na distribuição do sistema radicular no solo infere em diferentes valores de Mcrit observados experimentalmente e obtidos por modelo. Pode-se estimar a TR com base nos valores de M (após o ponto crítico) para uma distribuição heterogênea das densidades radiculares em frações de volume do solo. O melhor ajuste ocorreu quando uma menor densidade radicular ocupasse uma maior fração de volume do solo (? 90%). / Transpiration lower than potential rates reduce plant productivity and occur in soils with hydraulic conditions that are inadequate to maintain the necessary water flux towards the plant roots. Soil physical models that describe root water uptake are an important tool to estimate this transpiration reduction. The research that resulted in this thesis aimed: to estimate under which hydraulic conditions occurs the onset of transpiration reduction in terms of matric flux potential (Mcrit), water content ( ?crit), pressure head (hcrit) and hydraulic conductivity (Kcrit) for different soil and atmospheric conditions; to demonstrate experimentally that Mcrit is independent of soil properties and only influenced by root characteristics and atmospheric demand, on the contrary of ?crit, hcrit e Kcrit; to compare values of Mcrit obtained in the experiments with Mcrit estimated by a root water uptake model at the same root length density; to estimate the onset of the falling rate phase from Mcrit values; to propose an alternative to estimate ?crit, based on the relationship among M, ? e h. The present study contained two greenhouse experiments with bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in pots. A completely randomized design was used with three repetitions in both experiments. The treatments, in the first experiment, formed a factorial 2x2 combination (soils: loamy and sandy; and water regimes: irrigated and water deficit) for plant characteristics and a one-factorial was used for critical hydraulic conditions of the soil (soils: loamy and sandy). In the second experiment a 2x2x2 combination factorial was applied (soils: loamy and sandy; water regimes: irrigated and water deficit; and atmospheric demands: without and with forced ventilation) for plant characteristics and a 2x2 factorial (soils: loamy and sandy; and atmospheric demands: without and with forced ventilation) for the critical hydraulic conditions. The critical point (?crit, hcrit, Kcrit and Mcrit) was identified on the day previous to a relative transpiration TR <1. The TR values as a function of ?, h, K and M observed in the experiments (after occurrence of critical conditions) were compared with values estimated by a model, resulting in a good fit. The experimental values (Mcrit) and the model-estimated values (Mcrit*) were different, with Mcrit > Mcrit*. A model was proposed to estimate the critical hydraulic conditions by heterogeneous distribution of root densities in soil volume fractions. The experimental and model-estimated Mcrit were compared through the RMSE (root medium square error), MAE (medium absolute error) and \"d\" (agreement index of Willmott) indexes. The results showed that Mcrit can be used to identify the onset of the falling rate phase referring to transpiration and liquid photosynthesis for the bean crop. The Mcrit values can be transformed in ?crit and hcrit, which are easily measured at field. The heterogeneous distribution of the root system in the soil caused different values of Mcrit observed experimentally and Mcrit obtained by the model. A good estimation of TR was obtained through M values by using a heterogeneous distribution of root densities in the model. The best fit was obtained when a large soil volume fraction (? 90%) was modeled with a small root density and the remaining 10% with a high root density.

Taxas de transpiração inferiores às taxas potenciais limitam o crescimento e desenvolvimento vegetal e ocorrem em solos que apresentam condições hidráulicas inadequadas para a manutenção do fluxo de água requerido em direção às raízes de uma planta. A pesquisa que resultou nesta tese teve como objetivos: estimar em quais condições hidráulicas se inicia a redução da taxa de transpiração, em termos de potencial de fluxo matricial (Mcrit), teor de água ( ?crit), potencial matricial (hcrit) e condutividade hidráulica (Kcrit), para diferentes solos e condições atmosféricas; demonstrar experimentalmente que Mcrit é independente do tipo de solo e influenciado apenas pelas características radiculares e demanda atmosférica, ao contrário de ?crit, hcrit e Kcrit; comparar valores de Mcrit obtidos nos experimentos com respectivos valores de Mcrit estimados por um modelo de extração de água do solo por raízes, para uma mesma densidade radicular; propor uma alternativa para a estimativa de ?crit no solo, baseada na interrelação entre M, ? e h. O presente estudo conteve dois experimentos conduzidos em ambiente protegido, com plantas de feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivadas em vasos. O delineamento experimental utilizado, tanto no primeiro quanto no segundo experimento, foi o inteiramente casualizado com três repetições. Os tratamentos do primeiro experimento formaram uma combinação bifatorial 2x2 (solos: argiloso e arenoso; e regimes hídricos: sem e com deficiência hídrica) para as características das plantas e um fatorial (solos: argiloso e arenoso) para as condições hidráulicas críticas do solo. Para o segundo experimento os tratamentos tiveram uma combinação trifatorial 2x2x2 (solos: argiloso e arenoso; regimes hídricos: sem e com deficiência hídrica; e demandas atmosféricas: sem e com ventilação forçada) para as características das plantas e um bifatorial 2x2 (solos: argiloso e arenoso; e demandas atmosféricas: sem e com ventilação forçada) para as condições hidráulicas críticas. O ponto crítico (?crit, hcrit, Kcrit e Mcrit) foi identificado no dia anterior à transpiração relativa TR < 1. Compararam-se os valores de TR em função de ?, h, K e M observados no experimento (após o ponto crítico) com seus respectivos valores estimados por um modelo teórico, obtendo-se um bom ajuste. Verificaram-se diferenças na ordem de grandeza entre os valores de Mcrit observados no experimento em relação aos estimados por modelo (Mcrit*), em que Mcrit > Mcrit*. Em conseqüência disso, propôs-se uma alternativa para estimar as condições hidráulicas críticas para uma distribuição heterogênea da densidade radicular em frações de volume do solo. Os valores experimentais foram comparados aos obtidos pelo modelo, resultando nos índices RMSE (raiz do quadrado médio do erro), MAE (erro médio absoluto) e \"d\" (índice de concordância de Willmott). Os resultados evidenciaram que o Mcrit pode ser utilizado para identificar o início da taxa de transpiração decrescente e da diminuição na fotossíntese líquida, em plantas de feijão. Os valores de Mcrit podem ser transformados em ?crit e hcrit, que são mais facilmente medidos em campo. A heterogeneidade na distribuição do sistema radicular no solo infere em diferentes valores de Mcrit observados experimentalmente e obtidos por modelo. Pode-se estimar a TR com base nos valores de M (após o ponto crítico) para uma distribuição heterogênea das densidades radiculares em frações de volume do solo. O melhor ajuste ocorreu quando uma menor densidade radicular ocupasse uma maior fração de volume do solo (? 90%). / Transpiration lower than potential rates reduce plant productivity and occur in soils with hydraulic conditions that are inadequate to maintain the necessary water flux towards the plant roots. Soil physical models that describe root water uptake are an important tool to estimate this transpiration reduction. The research that resulted in this thesis aimed: to estimate under which hydraulic conditions occurs the onset of transpiration reduction in terms of matric flux potential (Mcrit), water content ( ?crit), pressure head (hcrit) and hydraulic conductivity (Kcrit) for different soil and atmospheric conditions; to demonstrate experimentally that Mcrit is independent of soil properties and only influenced by root characteristics and atmospheric demand, on the contrary of ?crit, hcrit e Kcrit; to compare values of Mcrit obtained in the experiments with Mcrit estimated by a root water uptake model at the same root length density; to estimate the onset of the falling rate phase from Mcrit values; to propose an alternative to estimate ?crit, based on the relationship among M, ? e h. The present study contained two greenhouse experiments with bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in pots. A completely randomized design was used with three repetitions in both experiments. The treatments, in the first experiment, formed a factorial 2x2 combination (soils: loamy and sandy; and water regimes: irrigated and water deficit) for plant characteristics and a one-factorial was used for critical hydraulic conditions of the soil (soils: loamy and sandy). In the second experiment a 2x2x2 combination factorial was applied (soils: loamy and sandy; water regimes: irrigated and water deficit; and atmospheric demands: without and with forced ventilation) for plant characteristics and a 2x2 factorial (soils: loamy and sandy; and atmospheric demands: without and with forced ventilation) for the critical hydraulic conditions. The critical point (?crit, hcrit, Kcrit and Mcrit) was identified on the day previous to a relative transpiration TR <1. The TR values as a function of ?, h, K and M observed in the experiments (after occurrence of critical conditions) were compared with values estimated by a model, resulting in a good fit. The experimental values (Mcrit) and the model-estimated values (Mcrit*) were different, with Mcrit > Mcrit*. A model was proposed to estimate the critical hydraulic conditions by heterogeneous distribution of root densities in soil volume fractions. The experimental and model-estimated Mcrit were compared through the RMSE (root medium square error), MAE (medium absolute error) and \"d\" (agreement index of Willmott) indexes. The results showed that Mcrit can be used to identify the onset of the falling rate phase referring to transpiration and liquid photosynthesis for the bean crop. The Mcrit values can be transformed in ?crit and hcrit, which are easily measured at field. The heterogeneous distribution of the root system in the soil caused different values of Mcrit observed experimentally and Mcrit obtained by the model. A good estimation of TR was obtained through M values by using a heterogeneous distribution of root densities in the model. The best fit was obtained when a large soil volume fraction (? 90%) was modeled with a small root density and the remaining 10% with a high root density.

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

The cold season in the Arctic extends over eight to nine months during which ecosystem gas exchange and water balance of arctic plants have been largely unexplored. The overall objective of this thesis was to examine two critical gaps in our knowledge about tundra cold season processes – ecosystem respiration at very low temperatures and water uptake during the winter-spring transition. I determined the temperature response of ecosystem respiration of tundra monoliths down to temperatures as low as can be expected under snow-covered conditions (-15 °C). Temperature responses fit the Arrhenius function well with Q10 values over the range of -15 to 15 °C varying from 6.1 to 4.8. I used deuterium-enriched water (2H2O) as a tracer to evaluate water uptake of evergreen plants at snowmelt when soils are largely frozen. The results revealed that evergreen plants take up water under snow cover, possibly via roots but undoubtedly by foliar uptake.

Die Wurzelwasseraufnahme aus dem Boden wird durch die Rhizosphäre beeinflusst. Die Rhizosphäre ist eine dünne Bodenschicht, die sich um Wurzeln herum bildet. Die Rhizosphäre wird durch Mucilage beeinflusst. Mucilage ist ein polymeres Gel, was von Wurzeln abgesondert wird und vor allem die hydraulischen Eigenschaften der Rhizosphäre verändert. Wenn es im Kontakt mit Wasser ist, kann Mucilage große Mengen an Wasser aufnehmen, aber wenn es trocken ist, wird seine Oberfläche hydrophob. Hier konzentrieren wir uns auf den Effekt von Mucilage auf die hydraulischen Eigenschaften des Bodens. Zunächst präsentieren wir experimentelle und numerische Studien, die die hydraulischen Prozesse in der Rhizosphäre nach der Bewässerung von trockenem Boden beschreiben. Bei Mucilagekonzentrationen, die niedriger als ein gewisser Schwellwert waren, konnte Wasser durch die Rhizosphärenschicht fließen, über dieser Konzentration wurde die Schicht wasserundurchlässig während der ersten Minuten bis zu Stunden nach Bewässerung. Wir präsentieren eine analytische Abschätzung der Mucilagekonzentration an der Perkolationsschwelle als Funktion von mittlerer Teilchengröße und Bodenwasserpotential nach Bewässerung. Die Abschätzung wurde an Hand von Experimenten des kapillaren Aufstiegs in Bodensäulen validiert. Wir entwickelten ein effektives Model um zu beschreiben, wir Mucilage die hydraulischen Funktionen des Bodens verändert: (a) Quell- und Trocknungsprozesse von Mucilage resultieren in Nicht-Gleichgewichtsdynamiken zwischen Wassergehalt und Wasserpotential, (b) die Präsenz von Mucilage im Boden reduziert das Wasserpotential bei einem gegebenen Wassergehalt und (c) Mucilage ist viskos und reduziert dadurch die hydraulische Leitfähigkeit des Bodens bei einem gegebenen Wassergehalt. In Experimenten mit Boden-Mucilage-Mischungen testeten wir das Model und wandten es an, um Beobachtungen von früheren Experimenten mit echten Pflanzen zu simulieren, die veränderte hydraulische Dynamiken in der Rhizophäre zeigen. Im Anhang dieser Arbeit sind zwei Studien zur Wärmeausbreitung von Erdkabeln. Hier können hydraulische Dynamiken autreten, die dem radialen Wasserfluss zu einer einzelnen Wurzel ähneln.

O déficit de irrigação tem sido utilizado como uma das mais vantajosas estratégias de economia de água, redução dos custos com irrigação e custo de oportunidade de água. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito da irrigação plena e com déficits em duas épocas distintas, no crescimento da planta, nas relações hídricas e parâmetros de produção e qualidade da pimenta cv. Tabasco (Capsicum frutescens). Como objetivo secundário avaliar o método da sonda de dissipação térmica (SDT) na estimativa da transpiração da pimenta Tabasco. O experimento foi desenvolvido em ambiente protegido, no Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas na Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz ESALQ-USP, em Piracicaba-SP, de setembro de 2009 a agosto de 2010. O delineamento foi em blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, lâminas de irrigação de 40, 60, 80 e 100% da evapotranspiração da cultura (Etc), inicializadas aos 39 dias após o transplantio - DAT (E1) e aos 59 DAT (E2). Aferiu-se a altura da planta (AP) e o comprimento de fruto (CF), o diâmetro do fruto (DF) e do caule da planta (DCP). Mediu-se a temperatura da folha aos 176 DAT, com termômetro de infravermelho e o potencial da água na folha antes do amanhecer falv, aos 59, 96 e 110 DAT, com câmara de pressão. O número de frutos (NF), a massa fresca de frutos por planta (MFFP) e a massa total de frutos por planta (MTFP) foram quantificados. Calculou-se a taxa de incremento de crescimento (TMICP) e do diâmetro do caule da planta (TMIDCP). Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância para testar a significância das lâminas de irrigação (plena e com restrição) diferenciadas na E1 e E2 e, quando significativo, determinou-se a tendência por meio de análise de regressão. Foram instaladas sondas de dissipação térmica - SDT em 29 plantas com 8 meses de idade. A equação para estimativa do fluxo de seiva foi calibrada tendo como padrão medidas lisimétricas em uma planta. Os volumes de irrigação totais aplicados variaram de 160 (E1L40) a 362 L planta-1 (L100), num ciclo de 208 DAT. Houve efeito significativo da irrigação plena e com déficit aplicado a partir da fase vegetativa e de floração sobre a AP, DCP, TMICP, TMIDCP, folha antes do amanhecer, temperatura média da folha, NFP, sendo o modelo linear o que melhor se ajustou. A MMFP não variou com o déficit, nem com as épocas de inicialização. O déficit de irrigação 40% Etc imposto na E2 permitiu economia de até 49,8% de água no ciclo de 208 DAT. O déficit de irrigação afetou a produção da pimenta, mas o mesmo não foi observado para a sua qualidade física. Há maior influência do déficit de irrigação na relação hídrica da pimenteira quando aplicado a partir da fase de floração. O método da SDT, com ajuste da calibração original, correção das diferenças térmicas naturais e uma correta amostragem na determinação da área do xilema, é eficaz na avaliação da transpiração de pimenta Tabasco. Palavras-chave: Capsicum frutescens; Restrição de irrigação; Estresse hídrico; Sonda de dissipação de calor / The deficit irrigation has been used as one of the most advantageous strategies for saving water, reducing costs witch irrigation and the opportunity cost of water. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of full irrigation and with deficits in two different periods in plant growth, water relations, production parameters and quality of pepper cv. Tabasco (Capsicum frutescens). As a secondary objective method to evaluate the thermal dissipation probe (SDT) in the estimation of transpiration pepper \'Tabasco\'. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the Biosystems Engineering Department at the Escola Superior de Agricultura \"Luiz de Queiroz\" - ESALQ-USP, Piracicaba-SP, from September 2009 to August 2010. The experiment was conduced as randomized block design with four replications and irrigation levels of 40, 60, 80 and 100% of crop evapotranspiration (Etc), beginning 39 days after transplanting - DAT (E1) and 59 DAT (E2) . The plant height (PH), fruit length (FL), fruit diameter (FD) and the stem diameter (SD) were measured. Leaf temperature was measured upon 176 DAT, with infrared thermometer, also the pre-dawn leaf water f predawn, at 59, 96 and 110 DAT, pressure chamber was measured. The fruit number (FN), average mass fruit per plant (AMFP) and the total mass of fruits per plant were (TMFP) are quantified. The rate growth increment (RGI) and the plant stem diameter (PSD), considering the current and previous evaluation were calculated. Data were subjected to analysis of variance to test the significance of irrigation (full and restricted) differentiated in E1 and E2, and when significant, the trend was determined by regression analysis. A heat dissipation probe - HDP were installed in 29 plants 8 months old. The equation to estimate the sap flow was calibrated using a lysimeter as a standard measure in a plant. The total volume of irrigation applied ranged from 160 (E1L40) to 362 L plant-1 (L100), in a cycle of 208 days from transplanting. There was a significant deficit and full irrigation started at vegetative stage and flowering on the PH, SD, RGI, PSD, f pre-dawn, average leaf temperature, FN been the linear model that best fitted. The average fruit plant mass did not vary with deficit neither with beginning time. The deficit irrigation 40% Etc in E2 allowed savings of up to 49.8% water consumption in a cycle 208 DAT. The deficit irrigation affected the pepper production witch was not observed for the physical quality of the fruits. There is greater influence of deficit irrigation on pepper water relation when applied from the flowering stage. It can be concluded the method of HDP, adjusting the original calibration, correction of the natural thermal differences and a correct sampling in determining the area of the xylem, is effective in evaluating the transpiration of pepper Tabasco.

Le palmier-dattier constitue une des rares cultures à vocation alimentaire adaptées aux conditions climatiques extrêmes (sécheresse, salinité), telles que rencontrées à Djibouti. Dans un contexte de ressources en eau fortement limitées, la connaissance des modalités de l’alimentation hydrique du palmier dattier est essentielle. L’objectif de ce travail de recherche est d’acquérir cette connaissance, dans le contexte pédoclimatique de Djibouti, par la réalisation d’un suivi in situ du fonctionnement hydrique du système sol-palmier, à l’échelle d’un individu, et la quantification du puits racinaire du palmier-dattier. Un palmier-dattier, pleinement développé, a été instrumenté à l’échelle de la cuvette d’irrigation, à l’aide de plusieurs tubes d’accès de sonde à neutrons, pour le suivi de la teneur en eau volumique du sol, et de plusieurs tensiomètres, répartis de 10 à 160 cm de profondeur. Trois expériences d’infiltration/redistribution a été réalisées successivement, la première sans altérer le fonctionnement du système sol-palmier, la seconde après avoir coupé le palmier, tout en permettant l’évaporation de la surface du sol, la dernière après avoir couvert la surface du sol afin d’empêcher l’évaporation. Les résultats mettent en évidence une forte hétérogénéité des propriétés hydriques du sol, avec une stratification liée au contexte sédimentaire littoral. L’impact du puits racinaire sur la dynamique hydrique du sol est observé jusqu’à 80 cm de profondeur. Pour la période fraîche, les besoins en eau du palmier dattier sont estimés à 130 L par jour, avec une fréquence d’irrigation d’une fois toutes les 2 semaines. Pour la première fois, le coefficient cultural du palmier dattier (kc = 1,39) a été établi dans les conditions climatiques de Djibouti. Les résultats obtenus contribueront à une meilleure gestion de l’irrigation et à une meilleure maîtrise du risque de salinisation du sol dans le contexte pédoclimatique de la République de Djibouti. / Date palm is one of the few food crops adapted to the extreme weather conditions (drought, salinity), such as encountered in Djibouti. In the context of highly limited water resources, knowledge of the date palm water requirements is essential. The objective of this research was to determine the date palm water requirements, in the Djibouti pedoclimatic context, using in situ monitoring of water transport in the soil-plantatmosphere system, at the scale of a single date palm tree, and to quantify the date palm root water uptake. A fully developed date palm tree was instrumented at the irrigation basin scale, using several access tubes for neutron probe for monitoring the soil volumetric water content, and several tensiometers, installed from 10 to 160 cm depth. Three infiltration/redistribution experiments have been performed successively, the first without alteration of the soil-plant system, the second after cutting off a date palm tree while allowing the surface evaporation, the last with covering the soil surface to avoid evaporation. The results show large heterogeneity in soil hydraulic properties, with stratification linked to the coastline sedimentary context. The root water uptake is observed up to 80 cm depth. The date palm water requirements in the fresh period are estimated at 130 liters per day with a frequency of irrigation of one time every two weeks. For the first time, the date palm cultural coefficient has been established in the Djibouti climatic conditions (kc = 1.39). The obtained results will contribute to better management of irrigation and to improve the control of soil salinization in the pedoclimatic context of the Republic of Djibouti.

Cette thèse porte sur les possibilités que les méthodes d’imagerie géoélectrique offrent à la fois pour la caractérisation des processus géochimiques mais aussi pour l’étude d’interaction sol-racines. La ligne conductrice de ce travail, repose sur la position centrale de la qualité des sols et des interactions racines-sols dans de nombreux problèmes environnementaux. En effet, un nombre croissant d’études rapportent l’importance des interactions mutuelles entre les racines et le sol. Dans cette optique, cette thèse explore l’utilisation le développements approfondis de méthodes géoélectriques. Les processus physico-chimiques ainsi que les interaction sol-racines sont à l’origine de mouvement d’eau et de soluté, d’altération de la structure des sols ainsi que de perturbations biologiques. Les méthodes géoélectriques sont potentiellement sensibles à ces modifications hydrologique et biochimique. La méthode de Polarisation Provoquée Spectrale (PPS) a été combinée avec des analyses et des modélisations géochimiques permettant de connaitre sa sensibilité à la composition du fluide interstitiel (contenu dans l’espace poral), du pH et de la force ionique. Plus particulièrement, la signature PPS de la substitution Na+/Cu2+ a été analysée car il s’agit d’un critère pertinent traduisant la qualité d’un sol et reconnu mondialement. L’analyse PPS a été réalisée sur un sable (silicate) saturé et pour des concentrations typiques de Na+/Cu2+ que l’on trouve classiquement dans des sols exposés à des utilisations de pesticides au Cuivre (Cu). Les résultats ont montré que le pH et la force ionique ont été les variables prépondérantes contrôlant le signal PPS, alors que des effets négligeables sont liés à la substitution Cu/Na. L’utilisation simultanée d’analyses chimiques et géophysiques en laboratoire a permis de mieux caractériser les processus de complexation étudiés et d’appuyer considérablement l’interprétation des signaux PPS. Enfin, la tomographie de résistivité électrique et la méthode de Mise-A-La-Masse ont été combinées pour développer une nouvelle approche d'imagerie du chemin préférentiel emprunté par le courant électrique dans le système racines-sols. Etant donné que la conduction électrique dans le sol et les racines est principalement électrolytique, l'approche proposée repose sur le mouvement de l'eau et des solutés dans le système racines-sol. Le potentiel de la méthode pour son application in-situ a été testée à l’aide d’une série d’expériences sur une vigne. À la suite des résultats prometteurs, la méthode a été développée et appliquée lors d’une expérience en laboratoire portant sur la croissance racinaire dans un rhizotron de plantes de coton et de maïs. La méthode s'est révélée sensible aux différences physiologiques entre les espèces et éventuellement à la réponse de la plante aux facteurs de stress environnementaux. De nouvelles expériences contrôlant les variables physiologiques des tissus racinaires sont nécessaires pour une meilleure compréhension de leurs influences. Les développements technologiques récents soutiennent fortement la diffusion de l’imagerie et du suivi géoélectriques à l'échelle du terrain. Dans ce contexte prometteur, les résultats de cette thèse contribuent au développement d'approches géoélectriques pour l'étude du sol et de ses interactions mutuelles avec les racines des plantes à des échelles spatio-temporelles pertinentes. / In this thesis I investigate some of the possibilities offered by the use of geoelectrical methods for characterizing soil geochemical processes and root-soil interactions. The motivation for this thesis arises from the pivotal role of soil quality and root-soil interactions in manifold environmental issues. In addition, there is growing evidence of the importance of mutual interactions between roots and soil, for this reason this thesis explores the use of geoelectrical methods for more comprehensive approaches. Both soil physicochemical processes and root-soil interactions involve, among others, the movement of water and solutes, altercations of the soil structure, and biological feedbacks. Geoelectrical methods are potentially sensitivity to these hydrogeological and biogeochemical modifications. The Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP) method was combined with geochemical analyses and modeling in order to investigate its sensitivity to pore fluid composition, pH, and ionic strength. In particular, the SIP signature of Na+/Cu2+ substitution was investigated because of their worldwide relevance for soil quality. The SIP investigation focused on saturated silica, and explored concentrations of Na+ and Cu2+ that are typical to agricultural soils exposed to the use of Cu pesticides. The results showed how pH and ionic strength were the main variables controlling the SIP signals, while negligible effects were related to the Cu/Na substitution. The concurrent use of chemical and geophysical laboratory experiments allowed a better characterization of the investigated complexation processes and significantly supported the interpretation of the SIP signals. The Electrical Resistivity Tomography and the Mise-A-La-Masse methods were combined to develop a novel approach for imaging the electric current pathways in the root-soil system. Since the current conduction in soil and roots is mostly electrolytic, the proposed approach relates to the movement of water and solutes within the root-soil system. The potential of the method for field investigations was explored with a set of experiments on a grapevine. In light of the promising results, the method was further developed and applied to rhizotron laboratory experiments on cotton and maize plants. The method proved to be sensitive to inter-species physiological differences and possibly to the plant response to environmental stressors. New experiments with physiological analyses of root tissues are needed to elucidate these aspects. Emerging technologies are strongly supporting to the diffusion of imaging and monitoring geoelectrical applications at the field-scale. In this promising context, the results of this thesis contribute to the development of geoelectrical approaches for studying soil and its mutual interactions with plant roots over relevant spatiotemporal scales.

<p>The acceptance of blood contacting implants creating favorable conditions <i>in vivo</i> is decisively determined by their interaction with proteins that mediate inter cellular interactions with synthetic substrates. Adsorbed proteins can activate blood cascade systems like coagulation and complement that may result in serious blood clots, and/or immunological reactions. Poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG), heparin, and phosphoryl choline (PC) functional poly (methacrylates) are previously used polymers with known non-adhesive properties in blood contacting events.</p><p>This thesis contributes to this extensive research by introducing a novel type of biomaterial that equips biodegradable polymers with biomimetic functionalities. The phospholipid mimetic material is synthesized by combining biodegradable polymers with various functional polar end-groups consisting of zwitterionic phosphoryl choline (PC), anionic succinates, and cationic quaternary ammonium. The polymer backbone provides mechanical stability and biodegradability whilst the various head groups provide a variety of functions. The careful evaluation of the synthesis has allowed reaction conditions to be optimized leading to complete conversion at each step and subsequently high yields. Initially, poly (e-caprolactone) (PCL) was used since it provided a suitable synthetic starting point. However, the synthesis has also included poly (trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) to provide a material that allows spontaneous surface enrichment of the polar PC group. This was achieved with an added hydrophilic environment. </p><p>Through the synthesis of multi PC functional PTMC, additional bulk organisation by the formation of zwitterionomers (PC ionomer) was achieved. Low modulus elasticity and water uptake were some of the properties of the formed material. As a result it was shown that the PC ionomer could be used for protein/drug loading and subsequent release. Furthermore, the material possessed non-adhesive properties in different biological environments.</p><p>Importantly, the result suggests that a versatile synthetic platform has been established that may provide a smorgasbord of different functional polymers, or combinations of such. This is indeed important since it was shown that the polymer in many ways dictates how the material may take advantage of an added functionality. </p><p>Such materials should be interesting for a variety of biomedical applications including the production of soft hemocompatible tissue.</p>