Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Respirometer'

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In recent years there has been an intensified studies on the biological removal of phosphorus from wastewater and as a result, a breakthrough in the understanding of the microbial groups involved in this process. This was possible due to the availability of different laboratory techniques for the identification and quantification of these organisms that often is associated with molecular biology. As part of sanitary engineering, new approaches can be inserted to enable the determination of operating parameters that support rational projects, such respirometry combined with mathematical modeling of microbial metabolisms. Furthermore, the possibility of identifying the predominance of phosphorus accumulating organisms (PAO) by means of techniques available and low cost is attractive in countries such as Brazil. For this reason, nine activated sludge systems were operated with different strategies to stimulate not only the predominance of PAO, in four of these systems as well as in other settings, the prevalence of other bacterial groups as glycogen storage batteries (GAO), heterotrophic ordinary (OHO) and mixed populations. Five tools based on physico-chemical and respirometric tests were used to assess the prevalence of different populations from stoichiometric ratios and kinetic data. The PAO predominance strategy that got the most attention in average temperature of 25°C, which consisted of a system that promoted denitrification via nitrite using exclusively propionate as organic carbon source. From the data obtained was built an array of predominance of PAO, also using mixed sludge, OHO and GAO comparatively. The results obtained in this study can be applied in rational models and optimized projects and support other biotechnological applications.
Nos últimos anos, tem havido uma intensificação de estudos sobre a remoção biológica de fósforo de águas residuárias e, como consequência, um avanço no conhecimento dos grupos microbianos envolvidos neste processo. Isso foi possível devido à disponibilidade de diferentes técnicas laboratoriais para a identificação e quantificação desses organismos que frequentemente encontra-se associada à biologia molecular. No âmbito da engenharia sanitária, novas abordagens podem ser inseridas para viabilizar a determinação de parâmetros operacionais que subsidiem projetos racionais, a exemplo da respirometria aliada à modelagem matemática de metabolismos microbianos. Além disso, a possibilidade de identificar a predominância de organismos acumuladores de fósforo (PAO) por meio de técnicas acessíveis e de baixo custo é atrativa para países como o Brasil. Por esse motivo, nove sistemas de lodo ativado foram operados com diferentes estratégias para estimular não só o predomínio de PAO, em quatro destes sistemas, bem como, nas demais configurações, a predominância de outros grupos bacterianos como acumuladores de glicogênio (GAO), heterotróficos ordinários (OHO) e populações mistas. Foram utilizadas cinco ferramentas com base em análises físico-químicas e testes respirométricos, para avaliar a predominância de populações diferentes a partir de relações estequiométricas e dados cinéticos. A estratégia de predominância de PAO que obteve maior destaque, em temperatura média de 25°C, foi a que consistia em um sistema que promovia desnitrificação via nitrito utilizando exclusivamente propionato como fonte de carbono orgânico. A partir dos dados obtidos foi construída uma matriz de predominância de PAO, utilizando também lodos mistos, OHO e GAO de forma comparativa. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho poderão ser aplicados em modelos racionais e projetos otimizados e fundamentar outras aplicações biotecnológicas.

This project examines whether there is a direct link between respiration and the rate of senescence of fresh produce. Treatments that increase the storage life of fresh products, such as cooling, modified atmospheres and semi-permeable coatings, often decrease respiration rates. This suggests that it may be possible to assess the effectiveness of a specific storage treatment in terms of its effect on reducing respiration. If this is so, total respiration during storage should sum to a constant regardless of changes in the storage conditions. Such an equivalence between 'respiration life' and storage life has been demonstrated in only a few cases. Respiration data from a wide range of published work was analysed from the viewpoint of testing this hypothesis. In general, the results were positive, with some reservations that were further investigated by experiment. In conclusion, respiration rate may be a guide to storage life for products that have clearly defined stages of senescence, and for which rots are not the primary cause of the end of acceptability. The development of the respirometer should make it possible to examine this relationship for many other commodities. However, while respiration may be a function of the rate of senescence under some circumstances, it is also affected by other factors. These include photosynthesis, attachment to the plant, and permeance to gases. Directions for future work therefore include the contribution of photosynthesis to fruit development, the effects of ethylene on respiration rates of non-climacteric fruit while attached to the plant, and interactions between ethylene synthesis and disease resistance
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are natural occurrences that can severely impact marine communities. Depending on the species, they can produce a wide array of toxins, which may elicit devastating effects on marine life. Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) is a specific type of food poisoning, characterized by severe gastrointestinal illness due to the ingestion of filter feeding bivalves contaminated with a specific suite of toxins such as okadaic acid (OA) and dinophysistoxins (DTXs). OA and DTXs are lipophilic and heat-stable compounds that frequently accumulate in bivalve mollusks along European coasts. It is established that organisms such as bivalves accumulate these toxins in their tissues, mostly in the digestive gland, through their filter feeding behavior acting therefore as a vectors for other organisms such as planktivorous fish. Here, for the first time, the time course of accumulation and elimination of Diarrhetic shellfish toxins (DSTs) in juveniles of Zebra seabream (Diplodus cervinus) was assessed during an experimental period of 15 days. It was shown that fish present a high excretion rate and low toxin conversion, in fact no other compounds except for DTX-1 were found. Then fish aerobic metabolism and swimming performance were investigated, exposing individuals to OA group of toxins via dietary route during 3 days, after which fish were challenged with increasing swimming velocity trials using a swim tunnel respirometer. Results show that OA impaired on metabolic performance, assessed both during the standard metabolic rate (SMR) and during the maximum metabolic rate (MMR) as an oxygen consumption increment. Moreover, from critical swimming speed (Ucrit) analysis, significant differences among the two tested groups were observed. In conclusion, these studies show that fish can act temporary as a vector and, although a high elimination rate was found, at the same time toxins ingestion was able to impair their fitness.

Les bioprocédés environnementaux prennent une place de plus en plus importante dans le paysage industriel mondial. La complexité et la diversité des processus impliqués dans les réactions biologiques de dégradation des polluants limitent considérablement la compréhension et l’utilisation de ces procédés. De plus, les mesures disponibles pour le suivi de cette activité sont souvent hors-ligne et/ou indirectes. Dans ce cadre, les outils de modélisation phénoménologique permettent, via le choix d’hypothèses judicieuses, de lier les observations du système aux processus biologiques sous-jacents. Ces méthodes nécessitent néanmoins l’application d’une étude rigoureuse d’identifiabilité afin de pouvoir exploiter correctement les résultats obtenus. Les modèles ainsi développés permettent de capitaliser des connaissances sur la description des processus biologiques grâce aux mesures effectuées sur le système. Cette approche a été développé au travers de deux cas d’étude, correspondant à deux domaines d’application industrielle. La bioremédiation des sols contaminés aux hydrocarbures constitue la méthode la plus écologique de traitement des sols. Néanmoins, le processus de biodégradation peut être long, voire inexistant en fonction des conditions environnementales. Afin de mesurer l’efficacité de la dégradation, la mesure de la respiration en phase gaz apparaît comme étant l’observation la plus facile à mettre en œuvre. Le problème est que la simple mesure de la consommation d’oxygène est généralement insuffisante. Pour répondre à cette limite, un modèle capable d’expliquer les évolutions du quotient respiratoire apparent grâce aux différentes étapes de la biodégradation a été développé. Cette mesure pourrait alors donner une indication sur l’efficacité de la biodégradation. La seconde partie de ce travail, plus conséquente, s’intéresse à l’épuration des eaux usées par boues activées, elle reprend et amplifie l’approche méthodologique développée pour la biomédiation des sols. L’efficacité de ce traitement des eaux est grandement liée à la production de boues en excès, exprimée par le rendement hétérotrophe. Ce paramètre difficile à maitriser constitue une information primordiale pour la modélisation et la conduite des stations d’épurations. Il apparaît néanmoins que sa définition usuelle ne suffit pas à expliquer ses variations observées. Dans ce cadre, différents modèles phénoménologiques issus des travaux du groupe de travail ASM (Activated Sludge Modeling) ont été étudiés afin de décrire les variations de ce rendement apparent en introduisant les hypothèses réactionnelles liées au stockage du substrat. Une étude expérimentale en laboratoire a permis de confronter ces hypothèses à des mesures de dégradation de substrats purs par des boues activées en respiromètre. L’équilibre entre le stockage du substrat et la croissance bactérienne a ainsi été proposé comme source d’influence majeure sur la valeur du rendement. Ce travail a abouti à une clarification nécessaire de la définition du rendement hétérotrophe
Environmental bioprocesses are gaining importance in the industrial landscape. Nevertheless, the complexity of mechanisms involved in biological reactions stays an issue for their implementation. Moreover, available measurements of biological activity are often off-tine and/or indirect. ln this context, phenomenological modeling tools are a solution to link observations of the system to underlying biological reactions, considering the right hypotheses. These methods require a rigorous sensitivity analysis in order to properly process the results. Thus, the models permit to obtain precise knowledge about biological systems thanks to indirect measurement. This approach was developed throughout two cases of study corresponding to two industrial fields of application. Bioremediation is the most ecological method for hydrocarbons contaminated soils remediation. Nevertheless, biodegradation can be long or absent depending on environmental conditions. In order to measure its efficiency, respiration measurement in the gas phase seems to be the easiest observation to implement. Oxygen measurement can be insufficient on its own, that is why a model able to describe the evolution of the apparent respiratory quotient has been developed considering the different steps of biodegradation. This observation alone could give insights on the efficiency of biodegradation. The second part of this work deals with activated sludge wastewater treatment using the theoretical approach developed for soil bioremediation. The eftïciency ofthe process depends on the excess production of sludge, which is linked to the heterotrophic yield of the reaction. This parameter is a key component for modeling and optimization of wastewater treatment plant. Most of the time, its common definition is not sufficient to explain its observed variations. In this context, several phenomenological models derived from the activated sludge models were studied to explain these variations, taking into account the substrate storage process. An experimental study was conducted in order to confront the reactional hypothesis of the models to actual measurements of single substrate degradations in respirometer. The balance between substrate storage and direct growth was proposed as a main component of the yield value. This study resulted in a necessary clarification of the heterotrophic yield definition

O principal impacto ambiental do processo de beneficiamento da casca de coco verde é a geração de resíduo líquido com elevada carga orgânica. Este trabalho teve como objetivo aplicar o sistema convencional de lodos ativados para o tratamento biológico do líquido gerado no beneficiamento da casca de coco verde, além de utilizar o teste de taxa de consumo de oxigênio (TCO) para avaliar a toxicidade do efluente ao lodo aeróbio. O reator de escala laboratorial foi inoculado com lodo proveniente de uma estação de tratamento de esgoto em escala plena. Inicialmente o sistema foi alimentado com efluente sintético contendo sacarose e nutrientes para posterior adição progressiva do resíduo líquido proveniente da reciclagem da casca de coco verde. Para o ensaio de respirometria, as composições testadas foram 25, 50, 75 e 100% de resíduo líquido em termos de carga orgânica e o teste se baseou na medição manual da TCO ao longo do tempo. Para cada composição de efluente se verificou o valor máximo de TCO, o nível de toxicidade devido ao líquido da casca de coco verde (LCCV) e a indicação de inibição permanente. O parâmetro usado nos cálculos de toxicidade e de inibição permanente foi a taxa de consumo de oxigênio específica (TCOe) máxima. Para o monitoramento do sistema de fluxo contínuo, foram empregados os parâmetros pH, índice volumétrico de lodo (IVL), oxigênio dissolvido (OD), demanda química de oxigênio (DQO), taninos totais e sólidos suspensos. O reator foi operado com carga orgânica volumétrica (COV) de 0,8 a 2,9 gDQO/L.d e tempo de detenção hidráulica (TDH) de 26,7 d. Devido à presença natural de leveduras no resíduo líquido, os testes de respirometria foram realizados com o efluente tanto esterilizado quanto in natura. Como os resultados preliminares de respirometria não foram conclusivos, optou-se por começar a adaptação do reator de fluxo contínuo com a menor porcentagem testada: 25% de resíduo líquido. Nos testes adicionais de respirometria não houve toxicidade ao lodo e a TCOe foi diretamente proporcional à concentração de resíduo líquido. A remoção média de DQO obtida durante a operação (LCCV a 100%) foi de 81% com amostra filtrada e 82% com amostra bruta. Houve diminuição significativa da concentração de taninos, de 5332 para 1206 mg/L, em média. No início da operação ocorreu o decaimento da concentração de oxigênio dissolvido (OD) no reator para valores menores que 1 mg/L em decorrência do aumento da concentração de biomassa, mas esta situação não afetou a remoção de matéria orgânica e nem a sedimentabilidade do lodo. A remoção de matéria orgânica obtida com o tratamento em escala laboratorial do LCCV mostra que o sistema convencional de lodos ativados pode ser aplicado como alternativa no tratamento biológico dos resíduos líquidos do beneficiamento da casca de coco verde, porém a demanda elevada de oxigênio pode ser um entrave na operação em escala plena.
The main disadvantage of coconut recycling is the highly pollutant wastewater generated during the process. The objectives of this study were to treat the coconut husk liquor (CHL) using a conventional activated sludge system (AS) and to use the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) test for determining the initial effluent composition of reactor feeding and for wastewater toxicity assessment. The laboratory-scale reactor was inoculated with sludge from a full-scale sewage treatment plant. Firtly the system was fed with synthetic effluent containing saccarose and nutrients which was substituted by CHL. For the OUR test the substrate compositions were 25, 50, 75 and 100% of CHL. For each substrate composition, it was verified the maximum OUR value, the toxicity level and permanent inhibition caused by CHL. The maximal specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) was the parameter applied for the toxicity assessment and permanent inhibition calculation. The lab-scale reactor was monitored on the basis of pH, sludge volume index, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand (COD), total tannins and suspended solids. The respirometry assays were carried out with sterilized and natural effluent because of yeast contamination in CRW. Because of the lack of conclusive results in the first respirometry test, it was chosen the lower composition for reactor adaptation beginning: CRW 25%. In the additional OUR tests it was not detected toxicity and the SOUR values were as higher as CRW concentration. After initializing the reactor adaptation with CRW 25%, the percentage changed to 30% and than increased by 10% each 2 or 3 days until the operation beginning. The mean COD removal values were 81% (filtered sample) and 82% (raw sample). The mean tannin concentration decreased from 5332 to 1206 mg/L. The organic removal and sludge settleability were not affected by the DO concentration decrease to less than 1 mg/L due to biomass increase. The organic removal obtained in the lab-scale AS treatment shows that this system can be an alternative for CHL biological treatment, even though the high oxygen demand could be a disadvantage at full-scale treatment.

District heating has a long standing tradition in Sweden and today it is the most common way of producing and transporting heat. A District heating system (DH system) is divided into three parts: a production facility, distribution network (DH network) and one more heat stations. The heat produced in the facilities is distributed to the customers via a heat transfer medium, usually water (DH water), in piping networks that make up the DH network. The heat is transferred to the customers via the heat exchanger at which point they can use it as heated tap water or for heating purposes. The DH networks are often constructed in steel as it is cheap and a relatively resistant material. However it has the disadvantages of corrosion and expansions when it is exposed high temperatures which lead to damages in the DH network resulting in loss of the DH water, this is an unavoidable occurrence in any DH network. This results in addition of pollutants by leakages into the DH network or with the water that is used to compensate for the losses. The pollutants cause further corrosion, leading to metal contamination, and more damages on the DH network meaning there is a continuous degradation. Therefore various treatments are used to clean and ascertain an acceptable chemical environment in the DH systems. These treatments are effective but not at a level which is required so many chemicals are used to enhance the treatment of the water. Some of these are known to be toxic to humans and water ecosystems. As leakages are abundant and often end up in the WWTPs of the concerned municipality, which often have troubles with disturbances of the biological treatment, it was decided that an assessment of the toxic effects that DH water pose on activated sludge was to be investigated. This was done by testing water from two DH networks, Växjö and Kalmar, on the same activated sludge obtained from Tegelviken WWTP in Kalmar. A respirometric bioassay approach established by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), OECD standard 209; OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals was used with changes made to exposure and measuring time as this decrease the risk of misinterpretation of the results. A dilution series using different concentrations (6.25%, 25% and 100%) of DH water was tested and compered to a blank control samples containing only activated sludge. Assessment of toxicity on total oxidation, oxidation carbon and oxidation of nitrogen was made. To get some idea of what might cause toxic effect samples of the waters was sent to outside laboratories for analyses of metals. The result from the bioassay and metal analysis was used to formulate risk factors associated with a DH water spill and exposure to WWTPs. It was found that both DH waters have a significant inhibition on nitrification in WWTPs. The DH water from Kalmar exhibited similar toxicity dynamics, roughly 20% inhibition, despite large differences in concentration. The DH water from Växjö showed a negative correlation between an increase in concentration of DH water and toxicity, 74% for the lowest concentration and 11% for the highest. The metal analysis concluded that there was no abundance of metal contamination which led to the inference that toxicity is probably caused by the chemicals used for treatment. This poses a great risk for the Baltic Ocean as many WWTPs release their treated water directly into water courses with a short detention time before reaching the sea.

A mecanismos fisiológicos é frequentemente usada para explicar fenômenos importantes da evolução (p.e. endotermia) e ecologia (p.e. limitações fisiológicas para ocupação de determinado microhabitat) dos vertebrados. Apesar de ser uma área promissora para fornecer explicações e mecanismo que tornam hipóteses evolutivas e ecológicas mais robustas, como já é amplamente praticado no estudo dos vertebrados, ela é raramente usada nas hipóteses elencadas para explicar a megadiversidade das aranhas de teia. Por outro lado, as leis da fisiologia são baseadas fortemente em dados de vertebrados que consistem em menos de 1% da biodiversidade existente no planeta. As aranhas são o sétimo maior táxon em número de espécies e são um bom modelo para testar a validade das regras gerais propostas para os vertebrados. Com insto em mente, o presente trabalho investigou três tipos de taxa metabólica - Metabolismo Padrão, Metabolismo Espontâneo Máximo e Metabolismo Diário - em aranhas de teia. Todas estas taxas foram obtidas através de respirometria intermitente Em um primeiro experimento, usando como modelo Loxosceles, um gênero de aranhas especialmente homogêneo em sua morfologia, testou-se o efeito de sedentarismo e intensidade de construção da teia nas taxas metabólicas. Em um segundo experimento, testou-se como as taxas metabólicas se apresentariam frente a grande diversidade das aranhas do clado Orbiculariae. Os resultados mostram que: as diferenças comportamentais analisadas não afetam significativamente as taxas metabólicas; as taxas metabólicas não possuem sinal filogenético; e o melhor modelo é o que ajusta uma relação alometrica diferente para cada gênero em detrimento de um coeficiente exponencial da massa único para toda a amostra. As diferenças comportamentais de Loxosceles provavelmente apresentam-se na distribuição de gasto energético ao longo do dia partindo de um mesmo montante energético. Os dados de diversidade de Orbiculariae provavelmente precisam ser investigados futuramente sob o aspecto das diferenças morfológicas subjacente à diversidade do clado.
The physiological mechanisms are often applied to explain important evolutionary adaptations (e.g. endothermy) and ecology (e.g. physiological limitations to occupy a particular microhabitat) of vertebrates. Despite the fact that it improves vertebrates ecological and evolutionary hypotheses with possible processes and mechanisms, it is scarcely used to understand the megadiversity of web spiders. On the other hand, the physiological rules are based mainly on vertebrates data, an animal group that represents less than 1% of the world biodiversity. Spiders group is the seventh most diverse taxon in terms of species number on the world and are a good model to test the validity of the general rules proposed for vertebrates. Accordingly, this study investigated three types of metabolic rate - Standard Metabolism, Maximum Spontaneous Metabolism, Daily Metabolism - on web spiders. All these rates were obtained by intermittent respirometry. In the first experiment, the Loxosceles model was chosen, a genus of spider with a especially homogeneous morphology, with whom we tested the differences on metabolic rates of spiders with different sedentarity and web building expenditure. In a second experiment we tested how metabolic rates would vary under the high diversity of Orbiculariae spiders clade. The results show that: behavioral differences do not affect significantly the metabolic rates examined, metabolic rates do not have any significant phylogenetic signal and the best model is the one that adjusts a separate allometric relation for each genus at the expense of an unique allometric model for the whole sample. The behavioral differences of Loxosceles probably could be explained by the distribution of energy expenditure throughout the day under the same amount of energy. The diversity of data of Orbiculariae clade probably need to be investigated in the future under the aspect of morphological differences underlying the diversity of the clade

Purely diffusive O2 transport typically is insufficient to sustain aerobic metabolism in most multicellular organisms. In small animals, however, a high surface-to-volume ratio may allow passive diffusion alone to supply sufficient O2 transfer. The purpose of this thesis was to explore the impacts of internal convection on the exchange of respiratory gases in a small complex organism, the larval zebrafish (Danio rerio). Thus, I tested the hypothesis that internal convection is required for the normal transfer of the respiratory gases O2 and CO2 and maintenance of resting aerobic metabolic rate. Use of morpholino knockdown of the VEGF-A and TNNT2 proteins allowed examination of two independent models lacking internal convection. Using micro-respirometry, I demonstrated that loss of internal convection reduces resting rates of O2 consumption and CO2 excretion in larvae at 4 days post fertilization. I also used the scanning micro-optrode technique to demonstrate that acute loss of internal convection resulted in reduced rates of cutaneous O2 flux, a trait that was reversed upon the restoration of internal convection. Finally, I demonstrated that in larval zebrafish, loss of internal convection resulted in decreased hypoxic performance and loss or severe reduction of the hypoxic cardiorespiratory responses. The results from these experiments showed that internal convection is i) required to maintain resting rates of respiratory gas transfer in the larval zebrafish, ii) important in facilitating the hypoxic cardiorespiratory responses in larval zebrafish and iii) augments O2 extraction capacity in the face of progressive hypoxia.

One of the most striking things about many animals is that they can be defined by the ways in which they move. Moving costs metabolic energy and is a significant contributor to the daily energy balance of organisms and therefore fitness. Balancing energy needs is critically important to species inhabiting areas of limited resources. The metabolic cost of locomotion is influenced by physiological, morphological and behavioural factors that vary across species. The influence of these factors within species is less well understood. The objective of my PhD is to elucidate the potential for variation in locomotor performance, in particular the energy consumed and the biomechanics of locomotion within a species, in response to differences in season, sex, age and the nature of the terrain. The Svalbard ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) is the only year-round avian resident of the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. Svalbard is characterized by extreme photoperiodic and climatic conditions, with 24 hours of daylight in summer and continuous darkness in winter, when ice makes food unpredictable. As a result, ptarmigan annually gain significant fat stores, as much as doubling their body mass in winter. The consequences of such large gains in mass upon the metabolic cost and biomechanics of terrestrial locomotion are yet to be quantified. The Svalbard ptarmigan represents a unique opportunity to gain insight into avian adaptations.Using respirometry, I present evidence that winter birds are able to carry their fat stores at no metabolic cost. Using kinematic and force plate data, I show that acquiring fat results in reduced locomotor performance in terms of speed and take-off ability. As well as exhibiting phenotypic variation, male and female Svalbard ptarmigan are behaviourally very different. I present evidence that these behavioural differences are reflected in the metabolic cost of locomotion. In particular, males are both more efficient and faster than female birds during both summer and winter. I suggest that this results from sexual selection upon male locomotor performance. Furthermore, I present data demonstrating that sub-adult males experiencing their first winter possess the same metabolic and speed capabilities of adults. These data may indicate that selection for improved male locomotor performance may act upon sub-adult birds. Regardless of season, age or sex, Svalbard ptarmigan must locomote on a predominantly sloping terrain. The influence of inclines upon the metabolic cost of locomotion in birds is poorly understood. I provide evidence that at the same degree of incline, the cost of lifting 1 kg by 1 vertical metre is similar regardless of season and is therefore dictated by increased positive work. However, this cost varies according to the degree of incline and may be influenced by gait.The principal findings of the 5 first author papers presented are that behavioural, physiological and morphological variation within a species can have significant impacts upon the metabolic cost of locomotion and other aspects of locomotor performance. The potential for intraspecific differences should therefore be taken into account in future research regarding the patterns of energy expenditure in animals.

A dinâmica ambiental possui capacidade limitada de reciclagem e a crescente utilização resíduos agroindustriais, especialmente na agricultura, pode levar a situações de poluição do solo e demais componentes ambientais. A manutenção da produtividade de ecossistemas agrícolas e naturais depende do processo de transformação da matéria orgânica e, por conseguinte, da biomassa microbiana do solo, e que é responsável pela decomposição e mineralização de resíduos no mesmo. A dinâmica natural dos microrganismos do solo, em constante mudança e adaptação, os torna um indicador sensível às mudanças resultantes de diferentes práticas de manejo agrícola. Sendo assim, conhecer essas alterações e suas interferências é fundamental para identificar estratégias adequadas de manejo, apontando técnicas de utilização adequadas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade de um solo agrícola, cultivado com três variedades de cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp.), comparando a utilização de adubação mineral frente à utilização de fertilizante orgânico composto no período final de formação dos perfilhos (120 dias após o plantio). Foi implantado, em condições de campo, o cultivo de cana-de-açúcar (cana planta), utilizando as variedades RB 867515, RB 962869 e RB 855453, onde cada variedade foi cultivada de três formas distintas, sendo elas: plantio controle (CT) sem aplicação de insumos para adubação; plantio orgânico (OG) com aplicação de fertilizante orgânico; e plantio convencional (CV) com aplicação de adubação mineral, seguindo recomendações de adubação após análise química inicial do solo local. Cada parcela possuía 37 m2, com 5 sulcos de 5,0 m de comprimento e espaçamento de 1,5 m entrelinhas, sendo os três sulcos centrais formando a área útil. De acordo com a variedade e o tipo de adubação, foram formados nove tratamentos: T1 86CT, T2 96CT, T3 85CT, T4 6OG, T5 96OG, T6 85OG, T7 86CV, T8 96CV e T9 85CV, com delineamento estatístico de blocos ao acaso e quatro repetições. Os parâmetros químicos do solo analisados foram macronutrientes e micronutrientes; os parâmetros microbiológicos foram carbono da biomassa microbiana (CBM), respiração basal do solo (RBS), quociente metabólico (qCO2), número mais provável de fungos e bactérias do solo (NMP); e, por fim, a produtividade agrícola (t/ha). Os resultados foram submetidos a análise de variância (ANOVA) e à comparação das médias através do teste de Tukey (10%). Também foi realizada a análise de variância dos dados e correlação cofenética de Pearson para formação de dendogramas. Com base no período estudado, considerado como fase crítica da formação do canavial, concluiu-se que os parâmetros químicos que evidenciaram alterações no solo foram pH e os macronutrientes Mg, Al e SB, sendo os tratamentos orgânicos equivalentes e/ou melhores que os tratamentos convencionais. Para os parâmetros microbiológicos, o NMP de fungos apresentou os maiores valores nos tratamentos convencionais e controle. A produtividade agrícola não foi influenciada pelos diferentes tratamentos e insumos utilizados, independente da variedade de cana-de-açúcar utilizada. Por fim, foram observadas correlações positivas entre as variáveis CTC e quociente metabólico (qCO2) apontando potencial melhoria da qualidade do solo, com o emprego de insumos orgânicos
The environmental dynamics has limited recycling capacity and increasing use of agroindustrial waste, especially in agriculture, can lead to soil pollution situations and other environmental components. The maintenance of the productivity of agricultural and natural ecosystems is dependent on the transformation process of organic matter and therefore, the microbial biomass, which is responsible for the decomposition and mineralization of waste therein. The natural dynamics of soil microorganisms, constantly changing and adapting, makes them a sensitive indicator of changes resulting from different agricultural practices. So, knowing these changes and their interference is critical to identify appropriate management strategies, pointing appropriate use of techniques. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of an agricultural soil cultivated with three varieties of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), comparing the use of mineral front fertilizer use of organic compound fertilizer at the end of training period of tillers (120 days after planting). Was deployed in field conditions, the sugarcane crop (plant cane), using the varieties RB 867515, RB 962 869 and RB 855 453, where each variety was grown in three different ways, namely: planting control (CT) without application of inputs for fertilizer; organic planting (OG) with organic fertilizer application; and conventional tillage (CV) with application of mineral fertilizer, following fertilizer recommendations after initial chemical analysis of the local soil. Each plot had 37 m2, with 5 grooves of 5.0 m long and 1.5 m spacing between lines, with the three central grooves forming the floor area. According to the variety and type of fertilization, they were formed nine treatments: T1 86CT, T2 96CT, T3 85CT, T4 6OG, T5 96OG, 85OG T6, T7 86CV, T8 96CV and T9 85CV, with statistical design of randomized blocks and four replications. Chemical parameters analyzed were macronutrients and micronutrients; microbiological parameters were microbial biomass carbon (MBC), the basal soil respiration (RBS), metabolic quotient (qCO2), most likely number of fungi and soil bacteria (NMP); and, finally, agricultural productivity (t/ha). The results were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and comparison of means by Tukey test (10%). It was also performed the analysis of variance of data and cophenetic Pearson correlation to dendograms training. Based on the study period, considered critical stage of the formation of sugarcane, it was concluded that chemical parameters showed changes in soil were pH and macronutrients Mg, Al and SB being equivalent organic treatments and/or better than those treatments conventional. For microbiological parameters, NMP fungi showed the highest values in conventional and control treatments. Agricultural productivity was not affected by the different treatments and inputs used, regardless of the variety of sugarcane used. Finally, positive correlations were observed between the CTC variables and metabolic quotient (qCO2) indicating potential improvement of soil quality, with the use of organic inputs

Abdominal pumping is a well-known behavior in insects, thought to function largely in respiratory processes. In particular, the abdominal pump is considered to produce ventilation of air in the tracheal system, but the mechanistic link between abdominal movement and flow of air is not well understood. In this thesis, we explore the relationship between the abdominal pump and ventilation of air using pupal and adult forms of the darkling beetle Zophobas morio. First, we investigated the mechanical linkage between abdominal pumping and active ventilation in pupae by simultaneously measuring abdominal movement, hemolymph pressure, CO2 emission, and deformation of tracheal tubes. This study revealed that pupae with low metabolic rates do indeed exhibit tracheal compression, which is coincident with abdominal pumping and pressure pulsation. However, more than 63% of the abdominal pumps and associated pressure pulsations did not lead to tracheal compression. This result can be explained by the status of the spiracles; when the system is closed, little compression in the tracheae can occur. Therefore, we conclude that abdominal pumping in insects does not necessarily lead to ventilation and may serve other functions, such as producing hemolymph flow for circulation. Insects have an open circulatory system, with flow driven largely by the small dorsal vessel. Within the open coelom, hemolymph pressure should be mostly uniform, suggesting that abdominal pumping does not produce hemolymph flows within the main body cavity. We tested this assumption by simultaneously measuring hemolymph pressure in different locations in the coelom. Within the abdomen and thorax, hemolymph pressure is nearly uniform, as expected. However, hemolymph pressures are significantly different between the abdomen and thorax. This suggests that the coelom is compartmentalized, and that abdominal pumping can induce hemolymph flow within the coelom. Throughout these experiments, we faced a common difficulty inherent to flow-through respirometry systems: they are incapable of providing direct, instantaneous measurement of gas concentration. Previous methods are not able to reconstitute the rapid dynamical changes in respiratory signals that are required for precise temporal analysis. Therefore, we developed two new methods to accurately recover instantaneous gas exchange signals, based on new models of the impulse response of the system. These methods enabled us to accurately recover fast- changing respiratory signals with a higher fidelity than previously possible. Using these methods, we demonstrate the synchronization of respiratory data with other physiologically relevant signals, such as pressure and abdominal movement. This research was supported by NSF grant #0938047 and the Virginia Tech Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS).
Ph. D.

Poikilothermic organisms experience trade-offs by differential physiological demands generated by temperature extremes. Many such organisms exhibit acclimatory effects, adjusting their metabolism and physiology to recently experienced temperatures. One such acclimatory effect is metabolic compensation, the deceleration of biological rates below Arrhenius expectations. Daphnia magna is eurythermal, and if acclimated to mildly stressful temperatures first, survives longer in lethal temperatures. This study examined the effect of ambient temperature (5°C-37°C) and acclimation history (lifetime at 10°C or 25°C) on the oxygen consumption rates of 8 genotypes of Daphnia with high or low acute temperature tolerance. There were decelerations of respiratory rates across a temperature gradient when acclimated to 25°C or following short 8- hour acclimation to measurement temperatures. Daphnia exposed to a near-lethal temperature (35°C) with a 24-hour recovery period at 25°C-acclimation temperature showed no difference in respiratory control compared to unexposed 25°C-acclimated Daphnia. Genotypes showed no difference in potential compensatory ability.

Although bed bug eggs are a difficult life stage to control with our currently labeled insecticides, few studies have examined how bed bug egg morphology and physiology is potentially related to pesticide resistance in bed bug eggs. Bed bug egg morphological features were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the chorion and respiration structures were identified. Scanning electron microscopy photographs and bed bug egg measurements indicated there were no morphological differences between different bed bug egg strains (susceptible and resistant). Bed bug egg respiration rates measured by the amount of oxygen consumed (standard metabolic rate; SMR) also indicated there was no difference in SMR between different bed bug egg strains. Water conservation during respiration is vital to terrestrial insects. Therefore, similar patterns would be expected between egg water loss and respiration rates. However, susceptible strain eggs lost more water than one resistant strain of bed bug eggs, which was dissimilar from the respiration results, indicating that bed bug egg water loss and respiration are not directly related. Dose- response bioassays using two insecticide formulations (Temprid; imidacloprid/β-cyfluthrin, and Transport; acetamiprid/bifenthrin) indicated that bed bug eggs collected from pyrethroid resistant adult bed bug strains are also highly resistant. RNA sequencing of bed bug eggs from two resistant strains indicated that egg resistance may be directly related to the overexpression of multiple genes associated with insecticide resistance.
Master of Science in Life Sciences

This study was done to determine the effectiveness of a commercially available bioaugmentation product, BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG, for remediating petroleum-contaminated sandy soil. Biodegradation enhancement by BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG was evaluated in laboratory microcosms by directly measuring total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and indirectly using respirometry. Attempts were made to enrich hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG, and the resulting enrichment cultures were screened using respirometry as well. Potential hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG were isolated. Experiments were performed at bench-scale using microcosm bottles containing sand contaminated with either motor oil or No. 2 diesel fuel. The microcosms were incubated at 25oC under aerobic conditions. TPH measurements of soil in the microcosms at 0, 25 and 56 days indicated that the addition of 500-ppm BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG improved biodegradation of the motor oil-contaminated soil by 45%. However, BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG did not have a measurable effect on biodegradation in the diesel-contaminated soil. In the respirometry experiments, BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG and two hydrocarbon-enriched BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG cultures were evaluated indirectly by the measurement of microbial carbon dioxide production and oxygen uptake using a MicroOxymaxTM respirometer. The respirometry experiments showed that in the six-day period following motor oil-contamination of soil, the addition of BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG substantially improves biodegradation rates. The added organisms in the product out-performed the indigenous organisms in the 5-6 days following contamination of the soil. The CO2 production observed in the BiOWiSHTM microcosms contaminated with motor oil was much greater than CO2 production without motor oil, which confirms that the observed metabolism can be attributed to motor oil biodegradation rather than metabolism of other organic material in the soil. Enriched consortia consistently generated far less CO2 than microcosms with the 500 ppm BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG. Stoichiometric calculations suggested that BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG removed approximately 1400 ppm TPH (14%) from the soil in 6.5 days, while an enrichment culture of BiOWiSHTM-Aqua FOG only reduced TPH levels by 459 ppm (5%). This result suggests that increased biodegradation rate in bioaugmented soil is aided by biodiversity in the augmenting inoculum. A potential hydrocarbon-degrading candidate organism was isolated from the product and cultured on Bushnell-Haas agar and plate-count agar (PCA). While at least two distinct colony types were successfully grown on media with motor oil, these same colonies appeared on Bushnell-Haas agar with no apparent carbon source, and survived repeated transfers onto this same medium. Therefore, their status as hydrocarbon-degraders is inconclusive. More thorough enrichment work could be pursued, especially using soil samples collected from petroleum-contaminated sites.

Wood is a material with an enormous number of applications. For decades, the development of wastewater treatment technologies tailored for the wood sector has focused on those industries that have water as an integral part of the industrial production, such as paper and pulp. However, there is a large and potentially growing sector that has been neglected, which is formed by industries in which water is not part of their production line, as for example, the wood floor and furniture industries (named wood-based dry industries). These industries still produces relatively low volumes of highly polluted wastewaters, with COD up to 30,000 mg/L, due to cleaning/washing procedure (named cleaning wastewaters). These cleaning wastewaters are often sent to the municipal wastewater treatment plant after dilution with potable water. Once there, recalcitrant pollutants are diluted and discharged into recipient water bodies or trapped in the municipal wastewater sludge. Another type of contaminated water these “dry industries” often generate in high volumes, and which is usually discharged with no previous treatment, is storm-water containing contaminants that have leached from large wood storage areas. The overall aim of this thesis was to increase the level of knowledge and competence and to present on-site wastewater treatment options for wood-based dry industries using the wood floor industry as a case-study, with a focus on combined treatment methods and solutions applicable to both the cleaning wastewater and storm-water. Among the treatment technologies investigated, electrocoagulation was studied both as a standalone treatment and combined with sorption using activated carbon. The combined treatment achieved a COD reduction of approximately 70%. Some advanced oxidation processes (AOP) were also studied: a COD reduction of approximately 70% was achieved by photo-Fenton, but the most successful AOP was ozone combined with UV light, were a COD reduction around 90% was achieved, with additional improvement in the biodegradability of the treated effluent. Ozone also proved to be effective in degrading organic compounds (approximately 70% COD reduction) and enhanced the biodegradability of the storm-water runoff from wood storage areas. The results have shown that the application of ozone can be considered an option for treatment of cleaning wastewaters and possibly for storm-water biodegradation enhancement.
Trä är ett material med ett stort antal möjliga användningsområden. Inom träindustrin har utvecklingen av vattenbehandlingsmetoder varit inriktat på de branscher som har vatten som en del av produktionen, såsom papper- och massaindustrin. Men det finns en stor och potentiellt växande sektor inom träindustrin som har försummats, den utgörs av industrier som inte har vatten som en del av produktionen, t.ex. trägolv och trämöbel industrier. Trots detta så producerar dessa industrier fortfarande relativt kraftigt förorenade avloppsvatten med t.ex. COD-värden upp till 30000 mg/l men i relativt låga volymer. Dessa avloppsvatten uppkommer vid rengöring av maskiner och städning av lokaler, varefter de oftast efter utspädning med dricksvatten skickas till det kommunala reningsverket. Väl där späds det förorenade vattnet vidare ut med annat inkommande vatten men passerar dock till stor del obehandlat och släpps ut i mottagande vattendrag eller så fastnar föroreningarna i avloppsslamet. Dagvatten är en annan typ av förorenat vatten från dessa "torra industrier" som ofta genereras i stora volymer och innehåller föroreningar som lakats från de trämaterial som förvaras i de stora upplag som ofta förekommer vid denna typ av industrier. Det övergripande syftet med avhandlingen var att öka kunskapen och kompetensen för att kunna miljömässigt riktigt och ekonomiskt billigt behandla industriavloppsvatten lokalt på plats inom trävaruindustrin, genom att använda en trä-golvsindustri som fallstudie. Fokus lades på kombinerade behandlingsmetoder och lösningar som skulle kunna vara lämpliga både för industriavloppsvatten och dagvatten. Ett antal behandlingstekniker har undersökts; elektrokoagulering studerades både som en fristående behandling och i kombination med aktivt kol. Den kombinerade behandlingen gav en COD-reduktion på ungefär 70 %. Flera avancerade oxidationsprocesser (AOP) studerades också, och en COD-reduktion på cirka 70% uppnåddes med en kombination av UV-ljus och Fenton behandling. Den mest framgångsrika behandlingen var ozon i kombination med UV-ljus där en COD-reduktion runt 90 % uppnåddes varvid en avsevärd förbättring av den biologisk nedbrytbarhet på det behandlade avloppsvattenet erhölls. Ozon visade sig också vara effektivt för nedbrytning av organiska föreningar (ca 70% COD reduktion) och förbättrade den biologiska nedbrytbarheten av föroreningarna i dagvattnet från den studerade industrin. Resultaten har visat att ozon kan anses vara ett lämpligt alternativ för att behandla industriavloppsvatten inom trävarusektorn och möjligen för att öka den biologiska nedbrytbarheten av dagvattnet från dessa industrier
Integrated Approach for Handling of Industrial Wastewater and Stormwater
Triple Helix Collaboration on Industrial Water Conservation in Småland and the Islands

Nas últimas décadas, a disposição final de lixo tornou-se um sério problema a ser enfrentado por todos os países, em função da escassez crescente de terrenos disponíveis para aterros sanitários e distância cada vez maior dos centros geradores e a disposição final, assim como do aumento substancial da geração per capita. A acumulação de lixo nos grandes centros populacionais estimula a proliferação de macro e microvetores (ratos, baratas, moscas, vírus, bactérias, parasitos) e conseqüentemente, a disseminação de doenças. Em particular, com relação ao lixo gerado em ilhas e comunidades isoladas, é de alta relevância estratégias baseadas na descentralização do tratamento da fração orgânica de lixo domiciliar, com fim do transporte através de barcas para o continente, gerando mau cheiro e riscos de poluição ambiental. O presente projeto teve por objetivo: Testar o mesmo reator de compostagem descentralizada sob condições do verão sueco, alimentando-o com resíduos de restaurantes da cidade costeira Kalmar e sob condições brasileiras, alimentando-o com resíduos de cozinha da escola municipal de Abraão-Ilha Grande, RJ; propor modificações mecânicas e/ou operacionais para otimização dos processos; avaliar a qualidade e o grau de maturação do composto de diferentes fases através do método respirométrico Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate (SOUR)o método respirométrico NBR 14283 da ABNT. Em resumo, concluiu-se que a composição do lixo e pH inicial do material estruturante adicionado são fatores determinantes do tempo requerido para degradação dos ácidos orgânicos gerados e subseqüente elevação do pH; dependendo das características dos resíduos orgânicos, é necessária a inclusão de inoculante (ex: composto) para melhor desenvolvimento de bactérias e fungos e, conseqüentemente, otimização do processo; as análises físico-químicas e microbiológicas confirmaram que o processo de degradação aeróbia ocorre no interior do corpo principal do reator e que a qualidade do composto gerado é satisfatória; entretanto, melhorias consideráveis no sistema de trituração e alimentação são requeridas para que o reator testado possa se usado em sua capacidade plena. Os testes respirométrico atráves do Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate(SOUR) e da norma NBR 14283 da ABNT mostraram-se ambos eficazes na identificação do grau de maturação do composto e do avanço do processo de compostagem. Uma vez removidos os problemas mecânicos de trituração e alimentação, o reator testado poderá ser utilizado como uma tecnologia inovadora do tratamento de lixo orgânico in situ para pequenos e médios geradores de lixo orgânico domiciliar.
In recent decades, the disposal of biodegradable solid waste has become a serious problem to be faced by all countries, due to the increasing scarcity of available land for landfills and increasing distance from generation centers, as well as the substantial increase in total solid waste generated per capita. The accumulation of solid waste in highly populated areas stimulates the dissemination of vectors (rates, cucarachas, flies, virus, bacteria, and parasites) and, consequently spreading of diseases. Regarding the solid waste generated in islands and isolated communities, decentralized strategies for treatment of organic fraction, reducing transportation and impacts related to that is very convenient. This study had the following main objectives: to test the same reactor for decentralized composting during the Swedish summer using organic waste from restaurants at the coast, in Kalmar, Sweden, and under Brazilian conditions, using organic waste from the kitchen of the municipal primary school at Abraão, Ilha Grande, RJ; to evaluate and propose mechanical and operational changes in the reactor for process optimization; to assess the quality and degree of maturation of the compost at different stages of composting through two respirometry methods, the Specific Oxygen Uptake Rate (SOUR) and the ABNT norm NBR 14283. In short, it was concluded that the solid waste composition and initial pH of the material used as amendment are important factors to determine the time required for degradation of the organic acids produced and subsequent pH increase; depending on the organic waste characteristics, it is necessary to use material for augmentation (ex: compost) to improve the development of microorganisms and consequently, optimization of the process; the physic-chemical and microbiological analyses confirmed that the aerobic degradation occurred inside the reactor and that the quality of the produced compost is satisfactory; however, considerable improvements in the shredding and feeding system is required in order to test the reactors performance in its full-capacity. The respirometric tests carried out using the specific oxygen uptake ra(SOUR) method and the NBR 14283 norm, were effective in indicating the maturity of the compost and the degree of progress in the composting process. Once the mechanical problems in the shredding and feeding system are solved, the reactor might be useful as an innovative technology for treatment of organic waste in situ for small and medium generators.

Poikilothermic organisms experience trade-offs associated with life at different temperatures caused by incompatible physiological and biochemical demands caused by temperature extremes. As the result many such organisms exhibit acclamatory effects, adjusting their metabolism and physiology to recently experiences temperatures. One such acclamatory effect is the metabolic compensation that allows an organism to withstand increases in temperature by decelerating biological rates below Arrhenius expectations, presumably reducing energetic demand and reducing stress. Daphnia magna is resilient across a wide temperature range, and if acclimated to mildly stressful temperatures first, exhibits longer survival in lethal temperatures. Certain genotypes of Daphnia also exhibit higher acute thermal tolerance than others, indicating the presence of genetic variation and local adaptation in heat tolerance. This study examined the effect of ambient temperature (5°C-37°C) and acclimation history (2 generations at 10°C or 25°C) on the oxygen consumption rates of 8 genotypes of Daphnia (4 with high acute temperature tolerance, and 4 low). There are nonlinear decelerations of Daphnia respiratory rates across a temperature gradient when acclimated to 25°C or following short 8-hour acclimation to measurement temperatures. Furthermore, Daphnia exposed to a near-lethal temperature (35°C) with a subsequent 24-hour recovery period at their native 25°C-acclimation temperature shows no indication of respiratory damage. Genotype showed no difference in metabolic compensation, indicating the process is genetically constrained. Regulation of mitochondrial and membrane function are promising areas to further characterize the mechanism of metabolic compensation found in this study.

Orientador: Rosane Aparecida Gomes Battistelle
Resumo: A compostagem é um conjunto de técnicas muito importante para o tratamento da fração orgânica dos resíduos sólidos, por meio do uso de tecnologias sustentáveis que processam os resíduos orgânicos originados da agricultura, agroindústria, silvicultura, resíduos orgânicos domiciliares e, ainda, o lodo de esgoto. A busca da sociedade por melhores condições ambientais, aponta para uma tendência de ocorrer um incremento substancial na quantidade de lodo a ser disposto nos próximos anos, surgindo, portanto, a necessidade de que sejam apresen¬tadas técnicas que possibilitem um tra¬tamento eficiente e adequado dos mesmos. O emprego do processo de compostagem no Brasil, é ainda bastante incipiente e possui alto grau de empirismo no controle e avaliação do processo, devido a falta de conhecimento técnico mais aprofundado, sendo necessário o implemento de novas formas de análise e controle eficazes. No processo avaliativo chamado método "respirométrico", utiliza-se uma nova metodologia na qual os parâmetros de degradação biológica dos resíduos não são medidos na fase sólida, mas em sua fase gasosa. A análise do lodo de esgoto pelo método respirométrico, demonstrou ser uma ferramenta, pode a vir a ser muito útil, desde que sejam levados em considerações todos parâmetros apontados na literatura, buscando o equilíbrio destes parâmetros na escolha e quantificação dos resíduos. O reator rotativo hermético apresentou como vantagens a homogeneização dos resíduos, favorecendo o contato de toda ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)
Abstract: Composting is a very important set of techniques for the treatment of the organic fraction of solid waste, through the use of sustainable technologies that process organic waste originating from agriculture, agribusiness, forestry, household organic waste and, also, sewage sludge. Society's search for better environmental conditions points to a tendency for there to be a substantial increase in the amount of sludge to be disposed of in the coming years, therefore, the need arises for techniques to be presented that enable efficient and efficient treatment. of them. The use of the composting process in Brazil, is still quite incipient and has a high degree of empiricism in the control and evaluation of the process, due to the lack of more in-depth technical knowledge, requiring the implementation of new forms of effective analysis and control. In the evaluation process called the "respirometric" method, a new methodology is used in which the biological degradation parameters of the residues are not measured in the solid phase, but in the gas phase. The analysis of sewage sludge using the respirometric method, proved to be a tool, it may prove to be very useful, provided that all parameters pointed out in the literature are taken into consideration, seeking to balance these parameters in the choice and quantification of waste. The hermetic rotary reactor had as advantages the homogenization of residues, favoring the contact of all organic matter with the decomposing bacteria, s... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)
Doutor

La monitorització de l’activitat biològica en biofiltres percoladors és complexa ja que implica l’estimació de la concentració de biomassa i el rendiment de creixement. Aquestes dades no són senzilles de calcular quan la biomassa creix de forma immobilitzada. En aquesta tesi es porta a terme la caracterització de biomassa sulfuroxidant extreta de diferents biofiltres percoladors, emprats per a la desulfuració de biogas, a través de tècniques respiromètriques i titrimètriques. Durant l’estudi realitzat amb biomassa SO-NR i tiosulfat com a donador d’electrons, no es va observar competència entre el consum de nitrat i de nitrit. Els productes finals de la reacció depenien de la relació inicial S2O3 2--S/NO3 --N però aquesta relació no tenia efectes sobre les velocitats de consum de tiosulfat ni de desnitrificació. Dels perfils respiromètrics també es va observar que els consums específics de nitrit depenien de les característiques de la biomassa. La respirometria anòxica acoblada a la titrimetria va ser la metodologia emprada per a resoldre l’estequiometria de la desnitrificació en dues etapes (NO3-NO2- N2). El model cinètic proposat per a descriure la desnitrificació es va calibrar i validar estimant els paràmetres cinètics que descrivien els perfils respiromètrics fent servir nitrat i nitrit amb biomassa aclimatada i no aclimatada a nitrit. Finalment, un cop a desnitrificació va ser ben caracteritzada, es va utilitzar sulfur com a donador d’electrons i es va proposar, calibrar i validar un model cinètic que descrivís completament el procés biològic. Un cop caracteritzada la biomassa SO-NR es va utilitzar la respirometria LFS per a estudiar els mecanismes implicats a la oxidació biològica de sulfur i sofre en condicions aeròbies. Fenòmens com l’stripping o oxidació química del suflur també es va caracteritzar ja que podien interferir a la mesura de l’activitat biològica. L’estequiometria del procés així com els mecanismes de degradació i el model cinètic es van proposar. El model es va calibrar i validar amb els perfils respiromètrics sense incloure cap selectivitat cap a la formació de sofre o sulfat en funció de la relació O2/S disponible. Es va observar que els bacteris consumien preferentment el sulfur tot i haver un excés d’oxigen al medi. En aquest cas es va utilitzar un model de consum de partícules per a descriure la oxidació del sofre ja que l’equació de Monod no descrivia un perfil tan sensible com el de l’oxigen dissolt. L’últim estudi inclòs en aquesta tesi és el d’aplicació d’una tècnica novedosa, la respirometria heterogènia, per a avaluar l’activitat biològica de les cèl·lules en estat immobilitzat. Es van estudiar els fenòmens de transferència de matèria, així com l’activitat sulfur-oxidant amb dos tipus de material de rebliment obtinguts de biofiltres percoladors. Es va desenvolupar un model matemàtic per a determinar els coeficients cinètics així com les propietats morfològiques del biofilm. Es va observar que la difusió de l’oxigen és el pas limitant en aquells biofilms amb elevada activitat biològica.
Monitoring the biological activity in biotrickling filters (BTF) is difficult since it implies estimating biomass concentration and its growth yield, which can hardly be measured in immobilized biomass systems. In this study, the characterization of sulfur oxidizing biomass (SOB) obtained from different desulfurizing BTFs was performed through the application of respirometric and titrimetric techniques. The study performed with SO-NR biomass and thiosulfate as electron donor revealed that no competitive inhibition occurred when nitrate and nitrite were present in the medium. Moreover, final bioreaction products depended on the initial S2O3 2--S/NO3 --N ratio although such ratio did not affect thiosulfate oxidation or denitrification rates. Moreover, respirometric profiles showed that the specific nitrite uptake rate depended on the biomass characteristics. Then, the coupling of respirometry and titrimetry was the method used to solve the two-step denitrification (NO3 - NO2 - N2) stoichiometry. Afterwards, a kinetic model describing denitrification associated to thiosulfate oxidation was calibrated and validated through the estimation of several kinetic parameters from the fitting of experimental respirometric profiles using the stoichiometry previously solved. The profiles were obtained using either nitrate or nitrite as electron acceptors for acclimated and non-acclimated biomass to nitrite. Finally, sulfide was used as electron donor and again a kinetic model was proposed, calibrated and validated using the procedure developed in previous chapters. After the characterization of SOB under anoxic conditions, the LFS respirometry was used in order to find out which were the mechanisms involved in biological sulfide oxidation under aerobic conditions. Other physical-chemical phenomena, as H2S stripping or chemical oxidation of H2S(aq), were characterized since they might cause interference over the biological activity measurement. Besides the stoichiometry of the process, a kinetic model describing each of the reactions occurring during sulfide oxidation was calibrated and validated. No product selectivity was found related with the O2/S ratio available in the medium. Moreover, it was found that sulfide was preferentially consumed and oxidized to elemental sulfur even though an excess of oxygen was present in the medium. The shrinking particle equation was included in the kinetic model to describe elemental sulfur oxidation since the oxygen profile could not be described with a simple Monod equation. As an innovative technique, the heterogeneous respirometry was applied to assess the biological activity of immobilized cells (biofilm). Mass transport and the activity of sulfide-oxidizing biofilms attached on two types of packed beds, originated from operative biotrickling filters, were studied under aerobic conditions. A mathematical model for the determination of kinetic-related parameters such as the maximum OUR and morphological properties of biofilm was developed and calibrated. It was found that the oxygen diffusion rate was the limiting step in the case of very active biofilms.

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This research aimed to study the conditions of the biochemical and mechanical properties of biomass of activated sludge systems (SSLM) and define an interface for the application of these properties in the design of projects, based on a model of activated sludge. Thus, the research was divided into two parts: (1) study the conditions of the biochemical and mechanical properties of SSLM and (2) the elaboration and application of activated sludge model. During the first stage we studied the conditions for obtaining measurements of dissolved oxygen and its influencing factors, as well as a study on the respirometry. Still in this stage are two methods of determining the kinetic constants of sedimentation were evaluated. The second stage consisted of 6 experimental operation of activated sludge systems, where each system tied up to a specific treatment goal. With experimental data obtained from activated sludge systems, elaborated a simplified procedure for predicting the cycle time and the optimal treatment volume in each treatment goal. The results showed that the first stage membranes which have less than 5 min -1 K rel lead to impairments of determining the TCO. Results obtained in the first phase also showed that the selection of the respirometric test conditions may exert negative influence when we work under the following conditions: 15 s < λ < 5 s, SSLM concentration of > 5 g L -1 and EC > 1 mS / cm 2 . Focusing on respirometric procedures, that is attested sodium acetate (CH 3 COONa) can be considered as a good representative pattern for the heterotrophic metabolism studies and ammonium bicarbonate (NH 4 HCO 3 ) to study the nitrifying autotrophic metabolism. Is testified also that biomass showing ability to biodesfosfatação difficult in general to determine the constants related to the metabolic properties and that we should therefore give attention to these cases. It was possible to establish that the sodium azide (NaN 3 ) is an excellent inhibitor selective nitration at a concentration of 1 mg L -1 , thus allowing the study of nitrification in two steps. In the second stage, the three studied phases, the third phase was that the systems showed the best performance of removal of constituents within the proposed objectives, and that the sizing procedures were able to predict the operating conditions for RBS systems satisfactorily.
Nesta pesquisa objetivou-se estudar as condições de determinação das propriedades bioquímicas e mecânicas dos sólidos suspensos do liquor misto (SSLM) e definir uma relação para aplicação dessas propriedades nos projetos de dimensionamento, tendo como base um modelo de lodo ativado. Dessa forma, a pesquisa dividiu-se em duas partes: (1) estudo das condições de determinação das propriedades bioquímicas e mecânicas dos SSLM e (2) elaboração do modelo de lodo ativado e aplicação. Durante a primeira etapa foi possível estudar as condições de obtenção das medidas de oxigênio dissolvido e seus fatores intervenientes, bem como desenvolveu-se um estudo sobre a respirometria. Ainda nessa etapa foram avaliados dois métodos de determinação das constantes cinéticas de sedimentabilidade. A segunda etapa foi constituída da operação de 6 sistemas experimentais de lodo ativado (5 em regime de bateladas sequenciais e 1 em regime contínuo), em que cada sistema atrelava-se à um objetivo específico de tratamento. Com os dados experimentais obtidos dos sistemas de lodo ativado, elaborou-se um procedimento simplificado para predição dos tempos de ciclo e do volume de tratamento ideal em cada objetivo de tratamento. Os resultados da primeira etapa mostraram que membranas que apresentem constante de relaxamento (K rel ) inferiores a 5 min conduzem a comprometimentos da determinação da TCO. Resultados também obtidos na primeira etapa mostraram que a seleção das condições do teste respirométrico podem exercer influência negativa quando trabalhamos nas seguintes condições: frequência da coleta de dados de OD entre 15 s < λ < 5 s, concentração de SSLM > 5 g.L -1 e CE > 1 mS/cm 2 . Especificamente sobre os procedimentos respirométricos, atestou-se que o acetato de sódio (CH 3 COONa) pode ser considerado como um bom representante padrão para estudos do metabolismo heterotrófico e que o bicarbonato de amônia (NH 4 HCO 3 ) para o estudo do metabolismo autotrófico nitrificante. Atestou-se também que biomassas que apresentem capacidade de realizar a biodesfosfatação dificultam a determinação das constantes relacionadas com as propriedades metabólicas e que, portanto, devemos dar atenção a esses casos. Foi possível definir que a azida de sódio (NaN 3 ) é um excelente inibidor seletivo da nitratação na concentração de 1 mg.L -1 -1 , permitindo assim o estudo da nitrificação em duas etapas. Na segunda etapa, das 3 fases operacionais estudadas, a terceira fase foi a que os sistemas apresentaram os melhores desempenhos de remoção dos constituintes, dentro dos objetivos propostos, e que os procedimentos de dimensionamento foram capazes de predizer as condições operacionais para sistemas RBS de forma satisfatória.

Atualmente, um dos problemas ambientais mais graves é a contaminação dos solos e das águas subterrâneas. Na Europa, já foram identificadas 300.000 áreas contaminadas ou potencialmente contaminadas e estima-se que exista 1,5 milhão. Nos Estados Unidos da América, já foram identificadas mais de 63.000. No Brasil, 1.336 áreas contaminadas foram identificadas apenas no Estado de São Paulo. Das tecnologias de remediação de áreas contaminadas, a biorremediação tem a vantagem de destruir os poluentes. No entanto, para aplicação de tal tecnologia, é necessário determinar a biodegradação dos compostos orgânicos no solo. No Brasil, faltam estes dados, pois os solos tropicais possuem características bem diferentes dos solos de regiões de clima temperado. O método respirométrico de Bartha, adaptado de uma norma holandesa, é um método simples e economicamente viável para determinar a atividade microbiológica pela geração de gás carbônico e, indiretamente, a biodegradação de contaminantes orgânicos no solo. No presente trabalho, foi estudada a sua aplicabilidade para um latossolo, tipo de solo predominante no Estado de São Paulo, utilizando como contaminante orgânico, o fenantreno. A partir dos resultados obtidos, foi possível verificar que o gás carbônico gerado não era resultante apenas da biodegradação do contaminante, mas também de reações abióticas ocorridas no solo, principalmente as de equilíbrio do carbonato de cálcio, adicionado para neutralizar o pH. Tal constatação dificulta a análise dos resultados obtidos nos ensaios de respirometria, já que o procedimento descrito na norma brasileira NBR 14283/99 relaciona diretamente a geração do gás carbônico à biodegradação do contaminante. Apesar desta dificuldade, foi possível verificar a biodegradação do fenantreno por microrganismos indígenas, que resistiram ao processo de esterilização. Verificou-se ainda, neste trabalho de pesquisa, a dificuldade de esterilização do solo em autoclave, o que limita a avaliação de remoção de contaminantes por outros mecanismos, tais como volatilização e adsorção.
Nowadays, one of the most serious environmental problems is the contamination of soil and groundwater. In Europe, 300,000 contaminated or potentially contaminated sites have already been identified and there it is estimated that 1.5 million contaminated sites exist. In the United States of America, more than 63,000 have already been identified. In Brazil, 1,336 contaminated sites have been identified in the State of São Paulo. Of the remediation technologies that can be applied for the recovery of these sites, bioremediation has the advantage of destroying the contaminants, but it is necessary to determine the degree to which they biodegrade in the soil. In Brazil, this data is lacking, since tropical soil has different characteristics than the soil of regions with temperate climates. Bartha’s respirometric method, adapted from a Dutch norm, is a simple and economically viable method for determining carbon dioxide generation and, indirectly, the biodegradation of organic contaminants in the soil. In this research, this method’s applicability was studied for a typical tropical soil, predominant in the State of São Paulo, using phenantrene as an organic contaminant. Based on the results of this study, it was possible to verify that the carbon dioxide generated resulted not only from the biodegradation of the contaminant, but also from abiotic reactions that occurred in the soil, mainly from the balance of calcium carbonate, added to neutralize the pH. This fact makes the analysis of the results of the respirometric tests more difficult, since the procedure described in Brazilian norm NBR 14283/99 relates the generation of carbon dioxide directly to the biodegradation of the contaminant. Despite this difficulty, it was possible to verify the biodegradation of the phenantrene for indigenous microorganisms. Furthermore, this research verified the difficulty of sterilizing the soil, which would make it difficult to evaluate the removal of contaminants by other mechanisms, such as volatilization and adsorption.

The rapid urbanization and industrialization has led to an increase of disposal petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC) and trace elements (TE) into the environment. These pollutants are considered as the most toxic contaminants in the world due to their persistence in the environment, and the long range of toxicological effects for living beings. Recent concerns regarding the environmental contamination have initiated the development of several remediation technologies, including physical, chemical, and biological approaches. In this thesis, gentle soil remediation options (GRO) were investigated at different scales for the reclamation of PHC and TE co-contaminated soil. In the first part of this thesis, laboratory experiments were performed to characterize PHC and TE contaminated soil as well as the indigenous microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) present inside these contaminated soil. It was found that the studied aged contaminated soil had a negative effect on earthworm’s development and L. sativum biomass. Moreover, a high respiration of microorganisms attributed to the transformation/ mineralization of organic matter or/and organic pollutants was observed. This presence of viable microorganisms suggested an adaptation of microorganisms to the contaminant. Further results showed that the long-term exposure of soil microorganisms to high PHC concentration and the type of isolation culture media did not influence the ability of isolates to effectively degrade PHC. However, phylogenic affiliation had a strong on PHC biodegradation. In the second part of this thesis, preliminary studies in greenhouse were assessed to investigate the ability of M. sativa assisted by compost in the greenhouse aided-phytoremediation of PHC and TE. It was found that compost incorporation into the soil promoted PHC degradation, M. sativa growth and survival, and phytoextraction of TE. Residual risk assessment after the phytoremediation trial also showed a positive effect of compost amendment on plant growth and earthworm development. Pilot scale ecopile experiment carried out in the third part of this thesis allow a reduction of up to 80% of PHC and 20% of metals after 17 months. This research demonstrated that M. sativa and H. annus were suitable for phytodegradation of PHC and phytoextraction of TE.  Results from this thesis are helpful for further full-scale phytoremediation studies.

A presente pesquisa teve a intenção de desenvolver reator biológico de 159 \'M POT.3\' de volume total, com leito de carvões granulares (ativado e antracito) expandido e parcialmente aerado, para promover remoções de matéria orgânica e nutrientes (N e P) do esgoto sanitário, devido a manutenção de ambientes anaeróbio e aeróbio, estratificados ao longo da altura do reator e ao longo do biofilme cultivado em seu interior. Para avaliar o impacto das modificações operacionais no comportamento biológico dos microrganismos presentes no reator, foram aplicados métodos para análise das atividades nitrificante (ANE), desnitrificante (ADE) e metanogênica (PME), embasados em testes respirométricos padrões descritos na literatura. A estratificação reacional também foi estudada dentro de filmes biológicos com a ajuda de microsensores amperométricos de OD em testes de bancada. Assim, após 451 dias de operação, foi possível verificar remoções médias de \'DQO IND.F\', NTK e fosfato total de, respectivamente 78%, 56% e 42%, quando o reator foi operado por 66 dias com tempo de detenção hidráulica médio de 8,8 h, injetor de oxigênio puro, instalado após placa de orifício em linha de recirculação aerada, a qual funcionava pressurizada (3 a 4 bar) e com razão média de recirculação igual a 3, comparada à vazão de alimentação. Para o restante do período, no qual foram aplicadas taxas de carregamentos volumétricos médios de 0,74 \'+ OU -\' 0,28 kg\'DQO IND.F\'/\'M POT.3\'.dia; 0,17 \'+ OU -\' 0,07 kg NTK/\'M POT.3\'.dia e 0,05 \'+ OU -\' 0,02 kg\'PO IND.4\'POT.-3\'/\'M POT.3\'.dia, o sistema demonstrou remoções médias de 65 \'+ OU -\' 20% para \'DQO IND.F\', 25 \'+ OU -\' 21% para o NTK e 48 \'+ OU -\' 18% para o fosfato total, mesmo operado com tempo de retenção celular médio de 15 \'+ OU -\' 7 dias. Os testes respirométricos foram sensíveis para avaliar a atividade microbiana do material biológico coletado ao longo do reator, com os quais foram verificados PME médio de 0,25 mL\'CH IND.4\'/gSVT.h, para as amostras de material biológico coletado na região anaeróbia, ao fundo do reator; ANE variando entre 1,3 a 4,4 mg\'O IND.2\'/gSVT.h, para as amostras coletadas na região aeróbia, intermediária ao reator; e ADE variando entre 0,024 e 5,20 mg\'N IND.2\'/gSVT.h, para amostras coletadas, respectivamente, no fundo e no topo do reator. As análises do material líquido também corroboram com a idéia de estratificação dos ambientes aeróbio, no fundo do reator, e micro-aerado, em sua região intermediária superior, apontando para região com alto potencial de ocorrerem nitrificação e desnitrificação conjuntas no topo da sua zona reativa. O microsensor amperométrico de OD com ponta entre 10 e 30 \'mü\'m de diâmetro, confeccionados em laboratório especializado, se mostrou sensível para a observação do gradiente de concentração de oxigênio dissolvido dentro de filme biológico, suficientes para a formação de regiões aeróbia e anaeróbia em seu interior, cuja informação pode ser útil para a aprimoramento de reatores com biofilme, projetados para remoções combinadas de matéria orgânica e nutrientes. Entretanto, quando se pretende definir parâmetros cinéticos ou de transferência de massa, maior rigor deve ser dispensado na definição dos locais para a aplicação do sensor, nos quais sejam reduzidos os efeitos da heterogeneidade do agregado microbiano no ajuste da modelagem matemática aplicada aos pontos experimentais
The current research aimed the development of a 159 \'M POT.3\' total volume biological reactor, with a expanded and partially aerated granular coal bed (activated and anthracite), to promote organic matter and nutrients (N and P) removal from wastewater due to the maintenance of anaerobic and aerobic environments, stratified throughout the height of the reactor and also all over the biofilm cultivated in its interior. Methods for the analyses of specific nitrifying activities (ENA), denitrifying (EDA) and methanogenic (EMA) were applied to assess the impact of the operational modifications in the biological behavior of microorganisms present in the reactor, based on standard respirometric tests found in literature. The reactional stratification was also studied inside the biological films with the help of DO microsensors in batch tests. Thus, after 451 of operation it was possible to verify mean \'COD IND.F\', TNK and phosphate removal of 78%, 56% and 42%, respectively, when the reactor was operated for 66 days with average hydraulic detention time of 8.8 h, pure oxygen injector which was installed after the aerated recirculation line which was working pressurized (3 to 4 bar) and with mean recirculation ratio equal to 3, when compared to the feeding flow. For the rest of the period where mean volumetric loading rates of 0.74 \'+ OR -\' 0.28 kg\'COD IND.F\'/\'M POT.3\'.day; 0.17 \'+ OR -\' 0.07 kgTNK/\'M POT.3\'.day and 0.05 \'+ OR -\' 0.02 kg\'PO IND.4\'POT.-3\'/\'M POT.3\'.day were applied the system demonstrated average removal of 65 \'+ OR -\' 20% for \'COD IND.F\', 25 \'+ OR -\' 21% for TNK and 48 \'+ OR -\' 18% for total phosphate, even when it operated with mean cellular retention time of 15 \'+ OR -\' 7 days. The respirometric tests were sensible enough to assess the microbial activity from the biological material collected throughout the reactor, and where mean PME of 0.25 mL\'CH IND.4\'/gSVT.h was verified for the samples of biological material collected in the anaerobic region, at the bottom of the reactor; ANE varying between 1.3 to 4.4 mg\'O IND.2\'/gSVT.h, for the samples collected in the aerobic region, reactor\'s intermediary; and ADE varying between 0.024 to 5.20 mg\'N IND.2\'/gSVT.h, for samples collected at the bottom and the top of the reactor, respectively. The analyses of the liquid material also support the idea of stratification of the aerobic environments, at the bottom of the reactor, and micro-aerated, in its superior intermediate region, pointing to the region as a high potential of occurring joint nitrification and denitrification at the top of the reactive zone. The DO amperometric microsensor, with tip between 10 and 30 \'mü\'m of diameter, produced in a special laboratory, is sensible to the determination of dissolved oxygen concentration gradient inside biological film, sufficient for the formation of anaerobic and aerobic regions in its interior, this information can be useful to the improvement of biofilm reactors, projected for the combined removal of organic matter and nutrients. However, when the definition of kinetic parameters or mass transference is intended more strictness must be applied when choosing the locals for microsensor application, where the effects of the microbial aggregate heterogeneity is reduced in the adjustment of the mathematical modeling applied to the experimental points.

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In housing developments devoid of any sewage disposal system, a sustainable alternative is to decentralize management of the liquid and solid wastes generated by the residents. The trend in this type of establishment is to triturate the putrescible organic waste (leftovers from food and vegetable peelings), before discharging into the sewage network to be subsequently treated in an appropriate manner. In order to simulate a decentralized treatment system, two parallel treatment systems were operated in sequencing batch cycles with similar characteristics and monitored. The first system consisted of a sequential batch reactor (SBR 1) with a cell retention time (CRT) of 5 days and was fed with raw sewage, enriched with cooked and shredded cereals. The second system SBR 2, had a CRT of 3.36 days with a substrate of sewage mixed with ground up sludge as a carbon source. Respirometry tests were also performed as a tool to compare the biodegradability of the substrates used during the experimental period. The results with enriched sewage showed a satisfactory concentration of biodegradable COD, which provided greater efficiency during the COD, phosphorus and nitrogen removals, exceeding the concentration of biodegradable COD in SBR2 enriched with crushed sludge. The percentage COD removals for systems RBS1 and RBS2 were 93 and 80% respectively, and for phosphorus, 83 and 54% respectively, indicating that the available concentration of biodegradable organic matter in the cereal was enough to satisfactorily release phosphorus into the anaerobic zone. The percentage removals of ammonia in SBR1 and SBR2 were 98% and 40% respectively, almost all the ammonia was oxidized in SBR1 suggesting optimal conditions, which was not the case for SBR 2. The average concentration of nitrate in the effluent of SBR1 was 1.67mgN-NO 3 /L and 9.48mgN-NO /L in the effluent of SBR 2. These findings for ammonia and nitrate in the effluent, confirm the efficiency of nitrification in SBR 1 which approached 100% and that denitrification was completed successfully, whereas in SBR 2 nitrification was less than 50%, demonstrating the lack of available biodegradable COD which is necessary for denitrification and thus leading to a high concentration of nitrate in the effluent.
Em empreendimento habitacional desprovido de rede coletora de esgoto, uma alternativa sustentável é o tratamento descentralizado dos resíduos líquidos e sólidos gerados pela população residente. A tendência dos moradores, nesse tipo de empreendimento é triturar os resíduos orgânicos putrescíveis (resto de comida, legumes e verduras) e destiná-los na rede predial de esgoto para serem tratados adequadamente. Com o intuito de simular um tratamento descentralizado para atender essa demanda foram monitorados dois sistemas de tratamento em paralelo, operados em bateladas seqüenciais com ciclos de mesmas características. O primeiro sistema era constituído de um Reator em batelada seqüencial (RBS) com tempo de retenção celular (TRC) de 5 dias, alimentado com esgoto bruto enriquecido com cereais cozidos e triturados. O segundo sistema compreende de um RBS com TRC de 3,36 dias utilizando esgoto doméstico e lodo triturado como fonte de carbono. Também foram realizados testes respirométricos como ferramenta para comparar a biodegradabilidade dos substratos utilizados durante o período experimental. Os resultados constataram que o substrato esgoto enriquecido apresentou satisfatória concentração de DQO biodegradável, que proporcionou maior eficiência durante os processos de remoção de DQO, fósforo e nitrogênio, superando a concentração de DQO biodegradável verificada no lodo triturado. Os percentuais de remoção de DQO obtidos nos sistemas RBS1 e RBS2 foram respectivamente, de 93 e 80%, para fósforo foi de 83% (RBS1) e 54% (RBS2) indicando que o cereal disponibilizou concentração de matéria orgânica biodegradável suficiente para que ocorresse satisfatória liberação de fósforo na zona anaeróbia. Para a remoção de amônia no RBS1 e no RBS2 os percentuais foram 98% e 40%, quase toda a amônia do sistema 1 foi oxidada devido o favorecimento de condições ideais, o que não ocorreu no RBS2. A concentração média de nitrato no efluente do RBS1 foi de 1,67 mgN-NO e 9,48 mgN-NO 3 -- . L -1 no efluente do RBS2. Essa constatação de amônia e nitrato no efluente final, confirma que no RBS1 a eficiência da nitrificação se aproximou de 100% e a desnitrificação foi completada com sucesso, enquanto no sistema 2 ocorreu nitrificação abaixo de 50% e a necessidade de material solúvel expressa em DQO biodegradável durante a desnitrificação permitiu alta concentração de nitrato no efluente final.

A indústria moveleira em geral e de piso de madeira é caracterizada por processos a seco. Em decorrência da limpeza e lavagem de maquinário e superfícies gera águas residuárias em baixos volumes porém altamente contaminadas com substâncias recalcitrantes de difícil tratamento. Com o objetivo de oferecer uma alternativa tecnológica de fácil operação (com uso mínimo de reagentes químicos), capaz de tratar tais águas, reduzir toxicidade e aumentar biodegradabilidade do efluente, viabilizando desta forma uma etapa subsequente de tratamento biológico, o presente trabalho conduziu ensaios de tratabilidade baseados em processos oxidativos avançados com águas residuárias provenientes de lavagens em uma indústria de piso de madeira em Nybro, Suécia, com DQO inicial de aproximadamente 45.000 mg/L e pH de 2,3-2,6. Após tratamento primário in situ com redução de 89% de DQO, os seguintes processos geradores de radicais OH foram testados em escala de laboratório: ozonização sem ajuste de pH (Etapa I); ozonização com ajuste de pH (Etapa II); e ozonização + UV-C com ajuste de pH (Etapa III). Os experimentos foram realizados em semi-batelada, utilizando-se um aparato com dois reatores conectados (de O3 e de UV), entre os quais foi mantido fluxo de recirculação em contracorrente com o gás. Para o desenho experimental, utilizou-se a metodologia de planejamento fatorial do tipo Delineamento Composto Central Rotacional (DCCR) utilizando-se como variáveis independentes, (i) vazão de recirculação entre os reatores (VR) com níveis variando de 0,3 a 3L/min; (ii) concentração de O3 na mistura gasosa injetada ([O3]) ou modo de dosagem cujos níveis variaram de 40 a 115 g/Nm3 e; (iii) pH inicial (Etapas II e III) com níveis que variaram de 3 a 11. A quantidade total de O3 fornecida até o final de cada ensaio foi fixada em 2 gramas de O3 para cada grama de DQO inicial (2:1). A eficiência de cada tratamento foi avaliada em função da redução de DQO, da remoção de COT e do consumo de O3. Para ozonização sem ajuste de pH foram alcançadas reduções de DQO e COT de 65 e 31% respectivamente. No tratamento com ajuste de pH sem UV, foram alcançadas reduções de DQO e COT de 85% e 43% com pHinicial = 7,0 enquanto que no tratamento com UV foi alcançada redução de DQO e COT de 93% e 56% respectivamente, com pHi = 9,38. Os resultados de respirometria com os efluentes dos tratamentos indicaram que a ozonização destas águas em pH baixo pode resultar na geração de subprodutos menos biodegradáveis. Entretanto, tais produtos não são gerados quando a ozonização é realizada em pH mais elevado (7,0), mesmo sem aplicação de UV, com doses de O3:DQOinicial menores que 1:1. O tratamento por ozonização pode, portanto, ser aplicado como uma etapa intermediária de tratamento das águas residuárias em questão, inclusive precedendo o tratamento biológico.
The wood-based industry (including the wooden floor production) is characterized by dry process but due to cleaning and washing of machineries and surfaces this industry generates low volumes of highly polluted and recalcitrant wastewater. The purpose of this study was to investigate a technological alternative, easy to operate, with minimum use of chemicals, capable to treat these wastewaters, reducing toxicity and increasing the biodegradability making it feasible the biological treatment of the effluents. In the present study, a number of treatability assays based on advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) were carried out to treat cleaning wastewater from a wooden floor industry in Nybro, Sweden, with an initial COD of approximately 45,000 mg/L and pH of 2.3-2.6. After an initial reduction of 89% of DQO through an in situ sedimentation step, the following processes generating free radicals OH were tested in lab-scale: Ozonation without pH adjustment (Phase 1); Ozonation with pH adjustment (Phase 2); and Ozonation + UV-C with pH adjustment (Phase 3). The experiments were performed in semibatch reactors using an apparatus with two connected reactors (O3 and UV); between them, the recirculation flow was kept in countercurrent with the gas flow. For the experimental design, the factorial planning of the type Central Composite Rotatable Design (DCCR) was applied with the following independent variables: (i) recirculation flow between reactors (VR) with levels varying from 0.3 to 3.0 L/min; (ii) concentration of O3 in the injected gaseous mixture ([O3]) or dose mode, with levels varying from 40 to 115 g/Nm3; (iii) initial pH (Phases 2 and 3) with levels varying from 3 to 11. The total amount of O3 supplied along the whole treatment was 2 grams of O3 per gram of initial COD (2:1). The efficiency of each treatment was based on the COD reduction, TOC removal and O3 consumption. Ozonation without pH adjustment, promoted a reduction of COD and COT of 65 and 31% respectively. Ozonation with pH adjustment to pHinitial = 7.0 reduced COD and TOC in 85% and 43% respectively. Ozonation, UV and pH adjustment to pHinitial = 9.38 reduced COD and TOC in 93% and 56% respectively. The results of the respirometry tests with the effluent from the AOP treatments without pH adjustment suggested that such treatment generates byproducts, which are even less biodegradable than those found in the wastewater before treatment. However, such products are not generated when ozonation is carried out in higher pH (7.0), even without UV and O3:DQOi doses lower than 1:1. The treatment with O3, can be useful as an intermediate treatment step for the studied wastewater, and be placed before biological treatment.

Les règlements plus stricts pour les rejets d'eaux usées présentent de nouveaux défis technologiques pour le traitement d'eaux usées urbaines et industrielles. Le besoin notamment d‘améliorer la qualité hygiénique de l'eau traitée se fait ressentir en cas de sites sensibles ou de réutilisation. Le bioréacteur à membranes (BRMs) représente une des approches les plus innovatrices pour éviter la présence d'agents pathogènes dans l‘eau en sortie de station. En utilisant des membranes avec un seuil de coupure dans la gamme 0.04~0.2 μm, les bactéries mais aussi les virus sont pratiquement complètement retenus. Si l'encrassement membranaire reste un problème déterminant pour le développement des BRMs, le manque d‘outils de caractérisation en ligne de la qualité et la quantité de biomasse active dans les réacteurs reste un point important pour favoriser le contrôle et l‘optimisation des BRMs. Dans cette étude une méthode originale a été développée pour évaluer la viabilité des boues activées présentes dans un réacteur biologique d‘épuration en complémentarité des informations données par la mesure d'activité respirométrique. Cette méthode permet la distinction entre cellule morte et vivante, la respirométrie pouvant alors distinguée la part active de la biomasse vivante. Le travail expérimental a été conduit dans deux réacteurs biologiques de type chenal d‘oxydation équipés de membranes immergées "airlift oxidation ditch membrane bioreactor" (AOXMBR). Les modules membranaires sont immergés dans un zone aérée où l‘apport d‘air permet à la fois la circulation d‘eau par air-lift, l‘aération du milieu et le nettoyage des membranes par aération. Les essais ont été conduits en mode fermé (batch reactor), alterné (fed batch reactor) et continu. La première partie de l‘étude concerne la caractérisation hydrodynamique du réacteur déterminante en terme de conformité du système pour la circulation des fluides, l‘intensité des transferts et des réactions d‘épuration. Les résultats mettent en avant le rôle de la géométrie de l‘airlift sur la circulation des fluides mais aussi la rétention gazeuse déterminante en terme de transfert d‘oxygène et capacité de nettoyage des membranes. La viabilité et l'activité respirométrique de boues activée ont alors été étudiées sous différentes conditions opératoires. Les résultats ont montré une évolution semblable des deux paramètres en fonction des conditions imposées. Ceci confirme l‘intérêt de la mesure de viabilité qui peut être conduite en ligne sur le système, à la différence de la mesure par respirométrie qui nécessite une procédure spécifique plus ou moins complexe. Toutefois, les essais ont montré aussi qu‘une concentration en biomasse importante était nécessaire dans le bioréacteur pour que la viabilité soit mesurable. Les résultats ont aussi montré que la viabilité et l'activité augmentent avec la charge organique (Cv). Cette variation était conforme à l'augmentation des matières volatiles en suspension MVS et de la vitesse de consommation d‘oxygène OUR. Lors de diminution de charge organique, la concentration de protéine dans le milieu a changé inversement avec la viabilité de la biomasse. De possibles améliorations de l'instrument de mesure en ligne de la viabilité et de l'activité de boues activées dans les bioréacteurs sont également discutées. Les performances épuratives mesurées ont confirmé la grande capacité épuratoire d‘un BRM, toutefois, travailler à très forte charge engendre une dynamique de colmatage intense qu‘il faut maîtriser
In this study a novel method was developed to assess the viability of activated sludge present in a biological treatment process and signify its complementarity from respirometric activity. This method allows the distinction between viable vs. dead and inactive vs. active microbial cells in biomass population and can be used for a better and more efficient control of the biological activity especially in MBR systems.For this purposed two airlift oxidation ditch membrane bioreactors (AOXMBR), were designed and constructed. They were equipped with flat sheet, membranes directly immersed in the airlift section where the air injection induced sludge aeration, water circulation and continuous membrane cleaning.To evaluate the relevance of the batch, fed-batch and AOXMBR) were carried out in order to obtain a better understanding of biomass characteristic for MBR performance.Firstly, for determining the treatment capacity of the proposed AOXMBR is important to understanding of the hydrodynamic characteristics of the system. And impact of design parameter on hydrodynamic characterization of the system was investigated. The results showed the gas holdup and liquid velocity increased with increase in superficial gas velocity and decrease in distance from aeration zone. Furthermore, gas holdup and liquid velocity in downcomer section did not show any significant variations with change in the top to bottom clearance ratio. The riser gas holdup data was related to the superficial gas velocity and the top to bottom clearance ratio data. Also, the downcomer gas holdup was related to superficial gas velocity and distance from airlift section.Secondly, viability and respirometric activity of activated sludge under different activated sludge conditions (batch, fed-batch) at high cell density as the model of membrane bioreactors were investigated. The results showed the same downward trend for both these parameters (viability and respirometric activity) which was due to quantitative and qualitative changes in the microbial culture in the activated sludge. Based on different fed of substrate for each experimental run (batch, fed-batch), operational variables showed significant influence in viability and activity of activated sludge. Also, the effect of changing physicochemical condition.on viability and respirometric activity was investigated. The results showed that respirometric activity was affected more strongly by temperature than viability.Thirdly, biological performance of AOXMBR was carried out.Finally, base on data obtained in the last experiment, in this part the capacitance sensor used as the on-line monitoring of viability of activated sludge in AOXMBR. Results showed that viability and activity were increased with organic loading rate (OLR) increasing until 5 kg COD m-3 d-1. This variation was in accordance with increasing of MLSS, MLVSS and OUR. The results also showed that the viability of biomass decreased when reducing the organic loading rate from 5 to 4 kg COD m-3 d-1. Also, protein concentration in system changed inversely with activated sludge viability.The possible reasons are discussed for future improvements online instrument for measuring viability and activity of activated sludge in biological wastewater. Summary of the principal results and novelty of this thesis obtained in this study: The porposed system would reward improved efficiency across the oxidation ditch, airlift and membrane bioreactor. The AXOMBR is a suitable system for operating at high organic laoding rate. However, the suddenly reduction of OLR affects on viability of activated sludge. The specific characterization of the system is capable of working at three different zone: aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic zone. Also, the time of operating at each zone can be changed with superficial gas velocity top to bottom clearance

Studies that show discrepancy between nocturnal and diurnal activity under laboratory and field conditions, respectively, have become increasingly common in rodents and suggest that the definition of temporal niche is far more plastic than originally suspected. Recently, it has been proposed that factors that challenge the animal\'s energy balance play an important role in temporal niche switches. Food availability and environmental temperatures could then be one of the fundamental differences between field and laboratory that could alter the temporal daily pattern of activity. In laboratory, animals are fed ad libitum, while in nature they need to expend energy for foraging. The \"circadian thermo-energetics hypothesis\" suggests that daytime activity could be a response to the high energetic costs of foraging, allowing the animal to save energy during the cooler night hours by resting and taking shelter in burrows where temperatures are higher than on the surface. In this thesis, we explored the interplay of plasticity in nocturnal/diurnal activity definition and energetic metabolism in two rodent species, tuco-tucos (Ctenomys aff. knighti) and laboratory mice (Mus musculus). Tuco-tucos are subterranean rodents which face peculiar energetic challenges in their habitat and were shown to be diurnal in the field and nocturnal in the laboratory. We characterized how their energy expenditure varies across day and night and described the peculiar finding of some factor inside the metabolic chamber being itself a trigger for the nocturnal to diurnal switch. Moreover, we estimated the amount of energy tuco-tucos would save by being diurnal in the field, by combining metabolic rate measurements at various ambient temperatures with records of environmental temperature in the tuco-tuco\'s natural habitat. We also described further investigations of circadian plasticity in both locomotor activity and body temperature of laboratory mice subjected to food restriction in semi-natural conditions. The findings of these three studies provided valuable evidence for the discussion of the role of environmental factors, particularly energetic challenges, in the plasticity of daily rhythms
Estudos que apontam discrepâncias entre atividade noturna e diurna, respectivamente, sob condições de laboratório e de campo, estão cada vez mais comuns em roedores e sugerem que a definição de nicho temporal é muito mais plástica do que se suspeitava inicialmente. Recentemente, foi proposto que fatores que desafiam o balanço energético do animal desempenham um papel importante em mudanças de nicho temporal. A disponibilidade de alimento e as temperaturas ambientais poderiam ser algumas das diferenças fundamentais entre campo e laboratório, os quais poderiam alterar o padrão temporal de atividade diária. No laboratório, os animais são alimentados ad libitum, enquanto na natureza eles precisam gastar energia para forrageamento. A \"hipótese circadiana termoenergética\" sugere que a atividade diurna pode ser uma resposta aos altos custos energéticos do forrageamento, permitindo que o animal economize energia durante as horas mais frias da noite, descansando e se abrigando em tocas onde as temperaturas são mais altas do que na superfície. Nesta tese, exploramos a interação entre a plasticidade da definição noturnalidade/diurnalidade e o metabolismo energético em duas espécies de roedores, o tuco-tucos (Ctenomys aff. knighti) e o camundongo de laboratório (Mus musculus). Tuco-tucos são roedores subterrâneos que enfrentam desafios energéticos peculiares em seu habitat e verificamos que são diurnos em campo e noturnos em laboratório. Nós caracterizamos a variação de seu gasto energético ao longo do dia e da noite e descrevemos o achado peculiar de que algum fator presente no interior da câmara metabólica pode ser um gatilho para a mudança de noturnalidade para diurnalidade. Além disso, estimamos a quantidade de energia que os tuco-tucos economizariam ao serem diurnos em campo, combinando medidas de taxa metabólica em várias temperaturas ambientes com registros dessa temperatura no habitat natural do tuco-tuco. Descrevemos também investigações adicionais sobre a plasticidade circadiana na atividade locomotora e na temperatura corporal de camundongos submetidos à restrição alimentar, em condições seminaturais. Os achados desses três estudos forneceram evidências valiosas para a discussão do papel dos fatores ambientais, particularmente os desafios energéticos, na plasticidade dos ritmos diários

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Petroleum Refinery wastewaters (PRW) have hart-to-degrade compounds, such as: phenols, ammonia, cyanides, sulfides, oils and greases and the mono and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons: benzene, toluene and xylene (BTX), acenaphthene, nitrobenzene and naphtalene. It is known that the microrganisms activity can be reduced in the presence of certain substances, adversely affecting the biological process of wastewater treatment. This research was instigated due the small number of studies regarding to this specific topic in the avaiable literature. This body of work ims to evaluate the effect of toxic substances on the biodegradability of the organic material found in PRW. Glucose was chosen as the model substrate due to its biodegradable nature. This study was divided into three parts: i) a survey of recalcitants compounds and the removal of phenol by using both biological and photochemical-biological processes; ii) biomass aclimation and iii) evaluation of the inhibitory effect certain compounds have on glucose biodegradation. The phenol degradation experiments were carried out in an activity sludge system and in a photochemical reactor. The results showed the photochemical-biological process to be more effective on phenol degradation, suggesting the superioruty of a combined photochemical-biological treatment when compared with a simple biological process for phenol removal from industry wastewaters. For the acclimation step, was used an activated sludge from industrial wastewaters. A rapid biomass aclimation to a synthetic solution composed of the main inhibitory compouns fpund in a PRW was obtained using the following operation condition: (pH = 7,0; DO ≥ 2,0 mg/L; RS = 20 days e qH = 31,2 and 20,4 hours), The last part was consisted of using respirometry evaluation toxicity effects of selected compounds over oxygen uptake rate to adaptated and non adaptated biomass in the presence of inhibitory compounds. The adaptated sludge showed greater degration capacity, with lower sensibility to toxic effects. The respirometry has proved to be very practical, as the techiniques used were simple and rapid, such as: Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), and Volatile Suspended Solids (VSS). Using the latter it is possible to perform sludge selection to beggingthe process; thus allowing its use for aerobic treatment system`s behacior prediction
Os despejos l?quidos provenientes de refinarias de petr?leo cont?m elevadas concentra??es de compostos de dif?cil degrada??o, dos quais destacam-se: fen?is, am?nia, cianetos, ?leos e graxas e os arom?ticos mono e polinucleares: benzeno, tolueno e xileno (BTX), acenafteno, naftaleno e nitrobenzeno. Sabe-se que a atividade de microrganismos pode ser reduzida na presen?a de subst?ncias, genericamente chamadas de inibidores, afetando adversamente um processo biol?gico de tratamento de ?guas residu?rias. A escassez de dados na literatura sobre o assunto, motivou a realiza??o de um levantamento bibliogr?fico, objetivando inicialmente avaliar o estado da arte. O presente trabalho teve como principal objetivo avaliar a influ?ncia de mol?culas t?xicas, presentes em despejos de refinarias de petr?leo, na biodegrada??o de mat?ria org?nica. Tomou-se como modelo de substrato a glicose em virtude de ser um composto facilmente biodegrad?vel. O trabalho foi dividido em tr?s etapas: i) levantamento dos compostos recalcitrantes e investiga??o da estrat?gia de remo??o de fenol atrav?s de processos biol?gico e fotoqu?mico-biol?gico, ii)adapta??o da biomassa e iii) avalia??o do efeito inibit?rio de alguns compostos na biodegrada??o da glicose. Os ensaios de degrada??o do fenol foram realizados em um sistema de lodos ativados e em reator fotoqu?mico. Os resultados mostraram que o processo fotoqu?mico biol?gico foi o mais eficiente na degrada??o do fenol, mostrando o potencial da utiliza??o do tratamento combinado, fotoqu?mico biol?gico, em rela??o ao processo biol?gico na remo??o de fenol presente em efluentes industriais. Na etapa de adapta??o, foi empregado um lodo proveniente de uma industria petroqu?mica. Os resultados mostraram, para as condi??es operacionais utilizadas (pH = 7,0; OD ≥ 2,0 mg/L; RS =20 dias e qH de 31,2 e 20,4 horas), uma r?pida adapta??o da biomassa a um despejo sint?tico contendo os principais compostos inibidores presentes em efluentes de refinarias de petr?leo. Outra etapa deste estudo consistiu no uso da respirometria para avalia??o da toxicidade dos compostos selecionados sobre a velocidade de consumo de oxig?nio, tanto para biomassa n?o adaptada como para adaptada ? presen?a dos compostos inibidores. O lodo adaptado apresentou maior capacidade de degrada??o, tendo menor sensibilidade aos seus efeitos t?xicos. A metodologia de respirometria mostrou-se atraente e pr?tica, pois utilizando-se an?lises laboratoriais simples e r?pidas, tais como: Demanda Qu?mica de Oxig?nio (DQO), oxig?nio dissolvido (OD) e S?lidos em Suspens?o Vol?teis (SSV), ? poss?vel efetuar a sele??o de lodos para a partida de instala??es, os quais permitem predizer o comportamento futuro em sistemas de tratamento aer?bio, pelo menos no in?cio da opera??o

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Aquatic environments are subjected to wide variations in their physicochemical properties which can compromise the survival of the animals that inhabit these waters, especially the fish, which exhibit adaptive behavioral, physiological, biochemical and genetic responses to face such variations. The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between heart morphology and the cardiorespiratory responses to hypoxia at different temperatures (15, 25 and 35 °C) of two fish species with different habits and habitats: matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) and trahira (Hoplias malabaricus). Both species presented pyramidal ventricles with compact and spongy layers (mixed myocardium), differentiated by the thickness of the compact layer and its irrigation, which occurs in greater proportion in matrinxã, the active species. Gradual temperature reductions decreased the values of metabolic rate ( ̇ ), gill ventilation ( ̇ ), respiratory frequency (fR), ventilatory volume (VT), and heart rate (fH) while increases in temperature induced opposite responses, increasing the values of these parameters. In matrinxã and trahira, the gradual reduction in the water O2 concentration at different temperatures induced significant changes in the cardiorespiratory parameters. The combined effects of low temperature (15 °C) and hypoxia led to a significant reduction in ̇ , ̇ , fR, VT, EO2 (O2 extraction) and fH, while high temperature (35 °C) and hypoxia led to a significant increase in these parameters. The results showed that temperature acts in the overall metabolism of fish as well as in myocardial metabolism and membrane permeability to the ions involved in their polarity. Moreover, the active species matrinxã presented higher values of cardiorespiratory parameters and a lower tolerance to hypoxia when compared to trahira, the sedentary species.
Os ambientes aquáticos estão sujeitos a grandes variações em suas propriedades físicoquímicas as quais pode comprometer a sobrevivência dos animais que habitam essas águas, especialmente os peixes, os quais exibem comportamento adaptativo, respostas fisiológicas, bioquímicas e genéticas para enfrentar tais mudanças. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a relação entre a morfologia cardíaca e as respostas cardiorrespiratórias à hipóxia e em diferentes temperaturas (15, 25 e 35 °C) em duas espécies de peixes de diferentes hábitos e habitats: matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) e traíra (Hoplias malabaricus). Ambas as espécies possuem ventrículos piramidais, com camada compacta e esponjosa (miocárdio misto), diferenciadas pela espessura da camada compacta e sua irrigação, a qual ocorre em maior proporção em matrinxã, espécie ativa. A redução gradual da temperatura diminuiu os valores da taxa metabólica ( ̇ ), ventilação branquial ( ̇ ), frequência respiratória (fR), volume ventilatório (VT) e frequência cardíaca (fH), enquanto o aumento da temperatura levou a respostas opostas, aumentando os valores destes parâmetros. Tanto no matrinxã, quanto na traíra, a redução gradual na concentração O2 da água em diferentes temperaturas induziram alterações significativas nos parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios. Os efeitos combinados da baixa temperatura e hipóxia levaram a uma redução significativa na ̇ , na ̇ , na fR, no VT, na EO2 (extração de O2) e na fH, enquanto altas temperaturas (35 °C) e hipóxia levaram a um aumento destes parâmetros. Os resultados sugerem que a temperatura atue no metabolismo global do peixe, bem como no metabolismo do miocárdio e na permeabilidade de membrana aos íons envolvidos em sua polaridade. Além disso, o matrinxã, espécie ativa, apresentou valores mais elevados dos parâmetros cardiorrespiratórios e uma menor tolerância à hipóxia, quando comparada com traíra, espécie de hábito sedentário.

O fenômeno conhecido como Nitrificação e Desnitrificação Simultânea (SND) significa que em um mesmo reator ocorre simultaneamente a nitrificação e a desnitrificação, sob condições de operações idênticas, podendo ser justificada principalmente pela teoria de microambiente no floco ou biofilme. Assim, em um único reator, sob condições controladas de oxigênio dissolvido (OD) e elevados tempos de residênciacelular épossível que ocorra a nitrificação e a criação de zonas anóxicas no interior dos flocos ou biofilme para a ocorrência da desnitrificação. Neste sentido, a tecnologia MBBR/IFAStem como característicaelevado tempo de residência celular do biofilme formado nos meios suporte presentes no reator. Deste modo, neste estudo avaliou-se a remoção de nitrogênio via SND em um sistema IFAS quando submetido a diferentes concentrações de OD e Tempo de DetençãoHidraulica de 5,5 e 11 horas, tratando efluente sanitário e efluente sintético. Os resultados experimentais demonstraram que pode ser possível desenvolver efetiva SND com concentrações de OD média de 1,0 mg.L-1 e 1,5 mg.L-1. Sendo que, foram obtidas eficiência média de remoção de NTde cerca de 68% e concentrações médias efluente de N-NH4 de aproximadamente 5,0 mg L-1, de N-NO3 inferiores a 4,5 mg L-1 e de N-NO2 em torno de 0,1 mg L-1, e com eficiência média de remoção DQO solúvel acima de 90%, quando empregado efluente sintético. Ademais, por meio da avaliação da emissão de Óxido Nitroso (N2O), foi possível comprovar que a desnitrificação ocorreu de forma efetiva.
The phenomenon known as Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification (SND) means that in the same reactor simultaneously occurring nitrification and denitrification under identical operations conditions, and can be mainly explained by the microenvironment theory inside the floc or biofilm. Therefore, in a single reactor under controlled conditions of dissolved oxygen (DO) and high Solids Retention Time (SRT) it is possible that the nitrification happens and the creation of anoxic zones within the flocsor biofilm to the occurrence of the denitrification. In this sense, the MBBR/IFAS technology is characterized by high SRT of the biofilm formed on the carriers present in the reactor. Thereby,this work evaluated the nitrogen removal through SND in a IFAS system when submitted to different DOconcentrations and Hydraulic Retention Time of 5.5 hours and 11.0 hours, treating domestic and synthetic effluents. The experimental results showed that it may be possible to develop effective SND withaverage concentrations of DO of 1.0 mg L-1 and 1.5 mg L-1. It was obtained a TN average removal efficiency about 68%, and an average effluent concentration of NH4-N of approximately 5.0 mg L-1, of NO3-N less than 4.5 mg L-1 and ofNO2-N around 0.1 mg L-1, and an average CODsoluble removal efficiency above 90%, employing synthetic effluent. Furthermore, by evaluating the Nitrous Oxide(N2O) emission, it was possible to prove that the denitrification occurred effectively.

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Salinity is a factor of great concern on soil degradation and is a threat to the microbial communities, and it prevents the release of soluble compounds in water and restricts the metabolic capacity of microorganisms to biodegrade. It increases the respiratory rate of the microbiota, which indicates high microbial activity, however, due to the negative effects of salinity, microbial activity tends to decrease. The present study aimed to evaluate the microbial activity of two different types of soils, Oxisols and Inceptisols, from agricultural areas located in the state of Rio Grande do Norte. The soils were distributed in sealed bottles, arranged in a randomized block design (RBD) and arranged in a saturated paste extract factorial of scheme 2 x 5 x 2, referring to the two soils, the five ECe (electrical conductivity in the saturated paste extractand two doses of organic material (presence or absence) and, tested in triplicate. The indirect measurement of microbial activity was determined according to the Standard Specifications of the Bartha Respirometric Method, adapted. Then, the regression of CO2 was taken against time for all treatment and for the evaluation of the final CO2 production, the surface response model was used. The experiment, conducted by 133 days of incubation, found a production of CO2 always higher in treatments with the addition of organic matter than in its absence, considering the same ECe. The CO2 production was obtained by the Oxisols, the treatments with and without organic matter, was in T40 and T41, referring to treatments with the highest ECe in the absence and presence of organic matter, respectively; on the CO2 production rate, salinity not affected and, in the presence of organic material, the treatments showed higher values than the control. In Inceptisols, CO2 production increases in the presence of organic matter, but decreases with increasing salinity, whose effect was also observed for the CO2 production rate. So, there was a difference in salt tolerance between soils, although the addition of organic matter has improved microbial activity in different salinities
A salinidade é um fator cada vez mais preocupante de degradação do solo e uma ameaça às comunidades microbianas, pois impede a liberação de compostos solúveis na água e restringe a capacidade metabólica dos microrganismos à biodegradação. Esta, por sua vez, faz aumentar a taxa respiratória da microbiota, a qual indica alta atividade microbiana, contudo, devido aos efeitos negativos da salinidade, a atividade microbiana tende a diminuir. Neste sentido, o presente estudo objetivou avaliar a atividade microbiana em dois solos, Latossolo Vermelho Eutrófico e Cambissolo Háplico, de áreas agrícolas localizadas no estado do Rio Grande do Norte. Os solos foram distribuídos em frascos hermeticamente fechados, organizados em Delineamento em Blocos Casualizados (DBC) e arranjados em esquema fatorial 2 x 5 x 2, referente aos dois solos, cinco CEes (condutividade elétrica no estrato de saturação) e duas doses de matéria orgânica (presença e ausência) e, testados em triplicata. A avaliação indireta da atividade microbiana foi determinada de acordo com a Norma Especifica do Método Respirométrico de Bartha, adaptada. E então, foi feita a regressão do CO2 em função do tempo para todos os tratamentos e, para a avaliação da produção final de CO2, utilizou-se o modelo de superfície de resposta. O experimento, conduzido por 133 dias de incubação, constatou uma produção de CO2, na mesma CEes, sempre maior nos tratamentos com adição de matéria orgânica do que na sua ausência. Para o Latossolo Vermelho Eutrófico, a maior produção de CO2, nos tratamentos sem e com matéria orgânica, foi em T40 e em T41, referentes aos tratamentos com a maior CEes, na ausência e presença de matéria orgânica, respectivamente; sobre à taxa de produção de CO2, a salinidade não a afetou e, na presença de material orgânico, os tratamentos apresentaram valores superiores em relação à testemunha. No Cambissolo Háplico, a produção de CO2 aumenta na presença de matéria orgânica, mas diminui com o aumento da salinidade, cujo efeito foi observado também para a taxa de produção de CO2. Portanto, houve diferença na tolerância à salinidade entre os solos, embora a adição da matéria orgânica tenha melhorado a atividade microbiana nas diferentes salinidades

For many scientific applications, inverse problems have played a key role in solving important problems by enabling researchers to estimate desired parameters of a system from observed measurements. For example, large-scale inverse problems arise in many global problems and medical imaging problems such as greenhouse gas tracking and computational tomography reconstruction. This dissertation describes advancements in computational tools for solving large-scale inverse problems and for uncertainty quantification. Oftentimes, inverse problems are ill-posed and large-scale. Iterative projection methods have dramatically reduced the computational costs of solving large-scale inverse problems, and regularization methods have been critical in obtaining stable estimations by applying prior information of unknowns via Bayesian inference. However, by combining iterative projection methods and variational regularization methods, hybrid projection approaches, in particular generalized hybrid methods, create a powerful framework that can maximize the benefits of each method. In this dissertation, we describe various advancements and extensions of hybrid projection methods that we developed to address three recent open problems. First, we develop hybrid projection methods that incorporate mixed Gaussian priors, where we seek more sophisticated estimations where the unknowns can be treated as random variables from a mixture of distributions. Second, we describe hybrid projection methods for mean estimation in a hierarchical Bayesian approach. By including more than one prior covariance matrix (e.g., mixed Gaussian priors) or estimating unknowns and hyper-parameters simultaneously (e.g., hierarchical Gaussian priors), we show that better estimations can be obtained. Third, we develop computational tools for a respirometry system that incorporate various regularization methods for both linear and nonlinear respirometry inversions. For the nonlinear systems, blind deconvolution methods are developed and prior knowledge of nonlinear parameters are used to reduce the dimension of the nonlinear systems. Simulated and real-data experiments of the respirometry problems are provided. This dissertation provides advanced tools for computational inversion and uncertainty quantification.
Doctor of Philosophy
For many scientific applications, inverse problems have played a key role in solving important problems by enabling researchers to estimate desired parameters of a system from observed measurements. For example, large-scale inverse problems arise in many global problems such as greenhouse gas tracking where the problem of estimating the amount of added or removed greenhouse gas at the atmosphere gets more difficult. The number of observations has been increased with improvements in measurement technologies (e.g., satellite). Therefore, the inverse problems become large-scale and they are computationally hard to solve. Another example of an inverse problem arises in tomography, where the goal is to examine materials deep underground (e.g., to look for gas or oil) or reconstruct an image of the interior of the human body from exterior measurements (e.g., to look for tumors). For tomography applications, there are typically fewer measurements than unknowns, which results in non-unique solutions. In this dissertation, we treat unknowns as random variables with prior probability distributions in order to compensate for a deficiency in measurements. We consider various additional assumptions on the prior distribution and develop efficient and robust numerical methods for solving inverse problems and for performing uncertainty quantification. We apply our developed methods to many numerical applications such as greenhouse gas tracking, seismic tomography, spherical tomography problems, and the estimation of CO2 of living organisms.

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Air-breathing fish are classified as obligatory (when breathing obligatory atmospheric air independently of the water O2 tension) or facultative air-breather (using an air breathing organ ABO -, when theirs gills are not able to extract all O2 necessary to maintain the aerobic mechanisms under hypoxic conditions). The catfish, Clarias gariepinus, is airbreathing fish that shows modifications on the gill lamella, forming a ventilatory fan, and on the 2o e 4o gill arches, forming an arborescent organ. These structures form the ABO of this specie.The objectives of the present study were: 1. To determine if C. gariepinus is an obligatory or a facultative air breather. 2. To analyze the cardio-respiratory responses ( VO2 - metabolic rate; VG - gill ventilation; VT ventilatory volume; fR respiratory frequency; EO2 O2 extraction from the ventilatory current; fH- heart frequency) in response to progressive hypoxia. 3. To verify if the critical O2 tension (PcO2) of this specie is correlated with the O2 uptake from the atmospheric air.To classify the air-breathing mode of C. Gariepinus, the fish (Wt ~ 350 g; n = 7) were maintained in normoxia during 24 hours without access to air. The fR maintained constant during all the experiment and there was no mortality, indicating that C. gariepinus is a facultative air-breather. To analyze the cardio-respiratory responses to progressive hypoxia, VO2 , EO2, fR, VT, VG , EO2 and fH were recorded under the following water O2 tensions(PwO2): 100, 70, 50 e 30 mmHg. Fish maintained a constant VO2 until the PcO2 (~ 55 mmHg), below which VO2 decreased significantly. This decreasing was followed with the significant reduction of EO2 in PinspO2 of 62,7 ± 1,30 mmHg reaching values of 19,6 ± 1,9 % in severe hypoxia. The VG and the VT increased progressively until PinspO2 of 28,0 ± 0,5 mmHg, reaching highest values of, respectively, 1545,7 ± 63,5 mLH2O.kg-1.min-1, 33,9 ± 0,8 mLH2O.Kg-1.resp-1 e 57,2 ± 1,4 resp.min-1. The fH reduced progressively from 43,4 ± 0,4 bpm, in normóxia, arriving significant values just above the PcO2 and reaching minimum values (19,2 ± 3,0 bpm) in severe hypoxia. Under progressive hypoxia (100, 70, 50, 30 e 20 mmHg) and with the access to the atmospheric air, C. gariepinus (Wt ~ 610 g; n = 9) presented a 5-fold increase in the air-breathing frequency (fRA). A bradycardia was observed just before the air breath and a tachycardia just after.Concluding, C. gariepinus is a continuous facultative air-breathing fish that regulate the 2 O V until the PcO2 of ~54 mmHg. Below this tension fish increase the VG mainly due to a larger increase of VT (lower metabolic cost of VG ). The hypoxic pre-air breath bradycardia is characteristic of aquatic breathers while the post-air breath tachycardia is typical of air respirators. The fRA increased proportionally with the progressive hypoxia, mainly just above the PcO2. These results show that C. gariepinus is adapted to survive at hypoxic habitats and that this species show a higher dependence of the atmospheric air than the others facultative air-breathing fishes.
Peixes de respiração aérea são classificados como respiradores aéreos obrigatórios (aqueles que respiram ar atmosférico independente das tensões de O2 da água) ou facultativos (aqueles que usam o órgão de respiração aérea ABO quando as brânquias não conseguem extrair a quantidade de O2 necessário para manter o metabolismo aeróbico em condições hipóxicas). O bagre-africano, Clarias gariepinus, é um peixe de respiração aérea que apresenta modificações na lamela branquial, formando um leque ventilatório, e, nos 2os e 4os arcos branquiais, os órgãos arborescentes. Estas últimas estruturas formam o ABO desta espécie.Os objetivos do presente estudo foram: 1. Determinar se C. gariepinus é um respirador aéreo facultativo ou obrigatório. 2. Analisar as respostas cardiorrespiratórias ( VO2 - taxa metabólica; EO2 - extração de O2 da corrente ventilatória; VG - ventilação branquial; VT - volume ventilatório; fR - frequência respiratória; fH- frequência cardíaca) em resposta a hipóxia gradual. 3. Verificar se a tensão crítica de O2 (PcO2) desta espécie está relacionada com a tomada de O2 do ar atmosférico.Para classificar a modalidade da respiração aérea de C. gariepinus, os peixes (Wt ~ 350 g; n = 7) foram mantidos em normóxia durante 24 h sem acesso ao ar atmosférico. A fR manteve-se constante durante todo o experimento e não houve mortalidade, indicando que C. gariepinus é um respirador aéreo facultativo. Para analisar as respostas cardiorrespiratórias em normóxia (controle) e hipóxia gradual, a VO2 , EO2, fR, VT, V G e fH foram registradas durante as seguintes tensões de O2 (PwO2): 100, 70, 50 e 30 mmHg. Os peixes mantiveram VO2 constante até a PcO2 (~ 55 mmHg), abaixo da qual a VO2 decresceu significativamente. Esta diminuição da VO2 foi acompanhada da diminuição significativa da EO2 em PinspO2 de 62,7 ± 1,30 mmHg atingindo valores de 19,6 ± 1,9 %, em hipóxia severa. A VG , VT e fR aumentaram progressivamente até a PinspO2 de 28,0 ± 0,5 mmHg, chegando a valores máximos de, respectivamente, 1545,7 ± 63,5 mLH2O.kg-1.min-1, 33,9 ± 0,8 mLH2O.Kg-1.resp-1 e 57,2 ± 1,4 resp.min-1. A fH diminui progressivamente de 43,4 ± 0,4 bpm, em normóxia, até alcançar valores significativos próximos a PcO2 e valores mínimos em hipóxia severa (19,2 ± 3,0 bpm). Em experimentos de hipóxia gradual (100, 70, 50, 30, 20 e 10 mmHg) com acesso ao ar atmosférico, C. gariepinus aumentou aproximadamente 5x a frequência de respiração aérea (fRA). Em cada tensão hipóxica ocorreu uma bradicardia pré-RA seguido de taquicardia significativa pós-RA (típico de respiração aérea); a fR manteve-se praticamente constante (~ 32 resp.min-1) até as duas últimas PwO2 (20 e 10 mmHg), nas quais a fR diminuiu para 23,0 ± 1,18 resp.min-1.Finalmente, C. gariepinus é um peixe de respiração aérea facultativa contínua que regula a VO2 até a PcO2 de ~ 55 mmHg. Abaixo desta tensão o animal aumenta a VG devido principalmente a um pronunciado aumento na VT (diminuição do custo metabólico da VG ). A bradicardia hipóxica pré-RA é uma característica de respiradores aquáticos, enquanto a taquicardia hipóxica pós-RA é típica de respiradores aéreos. A fRA aumentou proporcionalmente com a hipóxia gradual, principalmente próximo a PcO2. Tais resultados demonstram que C. gariepinus está adaptado a sobreviver em habitats hipóxicos e demonstra uma maior dependência do ar atmosférico do que outros respiradores bimodais facultativos.

Dans cette thèse, la biodégradation et le devenir des matières organiques lentement biodégradables contenues dans les eaux usées ont été étudiés. La thèse s’est particulièrement penchée sur l’étude du processus d’hydrolyse dans la mesure où plusieurs auteurs considèrent qu’il s’agit du processus limitant durant la dégradation des matières considérées. L’analyse des résultats de la littérature en complétés de ceux que nous avons obtenu en laboratoire a permis d’identifier et ainsi souligner les manques par rapport aux mécanismes qui régissent la dégradation des matières organiques lentement biodégradables. Ensuite, nous avons confronté ces résultats expérimentaux (expériences réalisées en batch sur des substrats type « particules décantables ») aux modèles conventionnels du traitement des eaux mais aussi à d’autres modèles moins usuels afin d’évaluer les performances de ces derniers à décrire l’hydrolyse des différents substrats. La difficulté de ces modèles à décrire la diversité des situations rencontrées nous a amené à développer un nouveau modèle qui tient compte des propriétés physiques et géométriques du substrat et qui permettrait d’améliorer la caractérisation du processus d’hydrolyse. Enfin, nous nous sommes intéressés à la distinction d’une biomasse hydrolytique dans la masse cellulaire totale et de déterminer son origine. Il a été clairement démontré que l’hydrolyse des PSS dans les procédés à boues activées était plus impactée par les bactéries indigènes, initialement adsorbées dans le réseau, que par les bactéries exogènes, en provenance d’un inoculum de boue activées
In this work, the fate and biodegradation of slowly biodegradable organic matter contained in wastewaters were investigated. The hydrolysis process was particularly targeted as many sources proved that it controls the fate of the considered substrate. First, a synopsis of the literature results related to this topic as well as internal results were investigated especially in terms of respirometric aspects (OUR measurement) in order to identify differences and/or similarities between the experiments and, thus, address gaps in knowledge of the mechanisms that are involved in the hydrolysis of this matter. Then, in the second part of this thesis, experimental data from batch respirometric tests (performed in our laboratory), involving typical slowly biodegradable matter that are found in wastewaters (e.g. Particulate settleable solids, toilet paper…), were confronted to conventional (IAWQ models) and non-conventional models to evaluate the efficiencies of those models to describe the hydrolysis step. In the third part of this thesis, based on hypotheses, a novel conceptual framework was developed in order to enhance the description of the hydrolysis process. The physical properties (density, size, shape) of the components (bacteria and substrate) were taken into account in this model. Finally, in the fourth and last chapter of this thesis, the specific role of each bacterial population involved in the biodegradation of slowly biodegradable organic matter was assessed. It was here clearly evidenced that the hydrolysis of PSS in activated sludge processes appears more influenced by the initially adsorbed bacteria onto the sewage than by the added AS-inoculum concentration

Wastewater reduction and treatment is one of the challenges faced by our consume society. As an example, in the EU, 5400 tons/year wastewater containing aromatic compounds is released having both toxic and bactericide effect. Several technologies have shown their potential for treating this kind of industrial wastewater. Nearly all of them are based on the oxidation of the organic pollutants, which are converted into carbon dioxide and water or into harmless intermediate products, more suitable for a biological treatment. Therefore, Catalytic and non-catalytic Wet Air Oxidation (CWAO and WAO) have become attractive techniques to efficiently treat organic wastewater that is either too concentrated or toxic to be biologically restored. As complete mineralisation of pollutants is extremely costly, the coupling of an initial oxidative step with a biological treatment can solve these pollution problems in a rational and less expensive way.
Hence, the main goal of this study was to demonstrate the technical feasibility of coupling an initial CWAO step with a municipal Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) to deal with phenolic industrial wastewater. Therefore, it was necessary to find suitable pressure and temperature conditions in the oxidation step, so that the effluent can be treated in a municipal WWTP afterwards. The main challenge in the coupling is to achieve the right balance between the oxidation deepness (economic cost) and the effluent biodegradability (distribution of oxidation products) after the oxidation step, which ensures the success of a subsequent biological treatment.
To this end, several WAO and CWAO tests were completed (140ºC-160ºC in CWAO, 215-265ºC in WAO and 2-9 bar of oxygen partial pressure) for several model compounds typically appearing in industrial wastewater such as phenol, o-cresol, 2-chlorophenol and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate at concentrations higher than 8000 mg l-1of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). All the CWAO experiments were done in a fixed bed reactor, operating in trickle flow regime, and using activated carbon (AC) as catalyst. The WAO experiments were done in batch reactor without catalyst. The results show that model compound disappearance, COD removal and total organic carbon (TOC) abatement were very sensible to temperature change but almost independent of oxygen partial pressure. For instance, in CWAO of o-cresol at 2 bar of oxygen partial pressure, as temperature increases from 140 to 160ºC, o-cresol conversion increases from 30% to 85%, COD removal from 15 to 50% and TOC abatement from 18% and 47%. Similar behaviour was found for the other model compounds tested.
To measure biological parameters, respirometric tests were completed before and after WAO and CWAO tests and independently, for each one of the identified oxidation intermediates. In the case of WAO and CWAO effluents, these tests have enabled the determination of the biodegradability enhancement. For the oxidation intermediates, these respirometric tests have allowed obtaining the biomass yield coefficient for biodegradable carboxylic acids and to detect some co-metabolic effects, which serve to explain the biodegradability results obtained for WAO and CWAO effluents. Taking into account these results, it was possible to establish whether or not the WAO or CWAO effluents were suitable for a following treatment with non previously adapted sludge. Later, it was possible to perform a suitable procedure to couple the CWAO step with a biological lab-scale plant. The integrated treatment of wastewater with o-cresol as model pollutant achieved more than 99% of COD removal and more than 92% of CWAO intermediates removal without undesirable effects over the biomass of the biological step.
Keywords: activated carbon, activated sludge, catalytic wet air oxidation, phenolic industrial wastewater, respirometry.
La reducción del agua residual y su tratamiento es uno de los retos a los que se enfrenta nuestra sociedad de consumo. Por ejemplo, en la UE se vierten 5400 toneladas al año de efluentes industriales de compuestos aromáticos, los cuales presentan efectos tóxicos y bactericidas. Hoy en día, existen varias tecnologías que han demostrado su potencial para tratar este tipo de efluentes industriales. La mayoría de ellas están basadas en la oxidación del contaminante orgánico, el cual es transformado en dióxido de carbono y agua o en intermedios de reacción menos nocivos, más adecuados para un tratamiento biológico. Así pues, la oxidación húmeda catalítica con aire (del inglés, CWAO) usando carbón activo como catalizador y la oxidación húmeda con aire (del inglés WAO) sin catalizador se han convertido en técnicas muy atractivas para el pretratamiento efectivo de este tipo de agua residual industrial que o bien está muy concentrada o bien es muy tóxica como para ser tratada directamente en una Estación Depuradora de Aguas Residuales (EDAR) convencional. Ya que la mineralización completa del contaminante es sumamente costosa, el acoplamiento de una etapa inicial de oxidación química con un posterior tratamiento biológico puede resolver este problema de contaminación en una forma más barata y racional.
Siguiendo esta premisa, el objetivo global de este trabajo fue demostrar la viabilidad técnica del acoplamiento de una etapa inicial de CWAO con una EDAR municipal para tratar aguas residuales industriales fenólicas. Para esto fue necesario hallar las condiciones apropiadas en la etapa de oxidación, en términos de: a)
destrucción del contaminante modelo, b) preservación del catalizador en el caso de la oxidación húmeda catalítica con aire, c) distribución de intermedios y d) aumento de la biodegradabilidad. Dichos parámetros permitieron evaluar la adecuación del pretratamiento por oxidación de los efluentes industriales fenólicos para su posterior depuración en una EDAR convencional como parte de la entrada a la misma.
Para cumplir este objetivo, se realizaron varias pruebas de WAO y CWAO (140ºC-160ºC en CWAO, 215- 265ºC en WAO y de 2-9 bar presión parcial de oxígeno-PO2-) para varios contaminantes modelo típicamente presentes en aguas residuales industriales, tales como fenol, o-cresol, 2-clorofenol y dodecilbenceno sulfato de sodio (DBS) a concentraciones por encima de 8000 mg l-1 en demanda química de oxígeno (DQO). Los ensayos de CWAO fueron realizados en continuo en un reactor de lecho fijo de goteo por un tiempo total de 72 h. Se utilizó un carbón activo comercial como catalizador. El caudal de aire fue ajustado para garantizar oxígeno en exceso, mientras que el caudal de líquido fue fijado de acuerdo al peso del lecho catalítico para proporcionar un tiempo espacial del líquido de 0.12 h. Los experimentos de WAO fueron realizados en un sistema discontinuo y con tiempos de reacción de 30, 60, 90 y 120 minutos. Las temperaturas utilizadas en los experimentos WAO fueron 215, 240 y 265ºC manteniendo la presión parcial de oxígeno (PO2) en 2 bar y 9 bar. En el caso del DBS, los experimentos de WAO fuero realizados con temperaturas de 180, 200 y 220ºC y 15 bar de PO2.
Los resultados obtenidos demostraron que la destrucción del contaminante modelo y la reducción tanto de DQO como de carbono orgánico total (COT) son dependientes de los cambios de temperatura pero prácticamente independientes de los cambios en la PO2. Así pues, en la CWAO de o-cresol a 2 bar de PO2, un cambio en la temperatura de 140ºC a 160ºC implica un aumento en la destrucción de o-cresol de 30 a 85%, en la eliminación de DQO de 15 a 50% y en la eliminación de COT de 18 al 47%. Un comportamiento similar fue hallado para el resto de contaminantes modelo.
La biodegradabilidad de los efluentes procedentes de los distintos ensayos de oxidación y de los intermedios de oxidación fue determinada mediante pruebas respirométricas. Para los efluentes de WAO y CWAO estas pruebas permitieron obtener el grado de aumento de la biodegradabilidad producido por cada una de las condiciones de oxidación empleadas. Para el caso de los intermedios de reacción, estas pruebas respirométricas permitieron determinar el coeficiente de rendimiento biomasa/sustrato para los ácidos carboxílicos biodegradables y detectar algunos comportamientos co-metabólicos; los cuales a su vez, sirvieron para explicar los resultados obtenidos en cuanto a la biodegradabilidad de los efluentes procedentes de WAO y CWAO.
Teniendo en cuenta estos resultados, fue posible establecer si los efluentes de WAO o CWAO eran adecuados para su posterior tratamiento con un lodo activo no aclimatado. De esta manera se estableció un protocolo de acoplamiento apropiado de la etapa de CWAO con una planta biológica a escala laboratorio. El tratamiento integrado de las aguas residuales de o-cresol alcanzó una eliminación de DQO de más del 99% y una destrucción de los intermedios de CWAO de más del 92%, sin causar efectos adversos sobre la biomasa de la etapa biológica.
Palabras clave: aguas residuales industriales fenólicas, carbón activo, lodos activos, oxidación húmeda catalítica con aire, respirometría.
La reducció de l'aigua residual i el seu tractament és un dels reptes als quals s'enfronta la nostra societat de consum. Com a exemple, a la UE s'aboquen 5400 tones a l'any d'efluents industrials que contenen compostos aromàtics, els quals presenten efectes tòxics i bactericides. Avui, existeixen diverses tecnologies que han demostrat el seu potencial per a tractar aquest tipus d'efluents industrials. La majoria d'elles estan basades en l'oxidació dels contaminants orgànics, el qual és transformat en diòxid de carboni i aigua o en intermedis de reacció menys nocius, més adequats per a un tractament biològic. Així doncs, l'oxidació humida catalítica amb aire amb carbó actiu com catalitzador (de l'anglès, CWAO) i l'oxidació humida amb aire (de l'anglès, WAO) sense catalitzador s'han convertit en tècniques molt atractives pel pretractament efectiu d'aquest tipus d'aigua residual industrial que o bé està molt concentrada o bé és molt tòxica com per a ser tractada directament a una Estació Depuradora d'Aigües Residuals (EDAR) convencional. Com que la mineralització complerta del contaminant és summament costosa, l'acoblament d'una etapa inicial d'oxidació amb un tractament biològic pot resoldre aquest problema de contaminació d'una forma més barata i racional.
Seguint aquesta premissa, l'objectiu global d'aquest treball va ser demostrar la viabilitat tècnica de l'acoblament d'una etapa inicial de CWAO amb una EDAR municipal per a tractar aigües residuals industrials fenóliques. Per això, va ser necessari trobar les condicions apropiades a l'etapa d'oxidació, en termes de: a) destrucció del contaminant model, b) preservació del catalitzador en el cas de l'oxidació humida catalítica amb aire, c)
distribució d'intermedis i d) augment de la biodegradabilidad. Aquests paràmetres van permetre avaluar l'adequació del pretractament per oxidació dels efluents industrials fenólics per a la seva posterior depuració a una EDAR convencional, com partde l'entrada a la mateixa.
Per a assolir aquest objectiu, es van realitzar diverses proves de WAO i CWAO (140ºC-160ºC en CWAO, 215-265ºC en WAO i de 2-9 bar de pressió parcial d'oxigen-PO2-) per a diversos contaminants model típicament presents a les aigües residuals industrials, com poden ser el fenol, o-cresol, 2-clorofenol i dodecilbenzè sulfat de sodi (DBS) a concentracions per sobre de 8000 mg l-1 de Demanda Química d'Oxigen (DQO). Els experiments de CWAO van ser realitzats en continu en un reactor de llit fix de goteig per un temps total de 72 h. Es va utilitzar un carbó actiu comercial com catalitzador. El cabal d'aire va ser ajustat per a garantir oxigen en excés i el cabal de líquid va ser fixat en funció del pes del llit catalític per a proporcionar un temps espacial del líquid de 0.12 h. Els experiments de WAO van ser realitzats a un sistema discontinu i amb un temps de reacció de 30, 60, 90 i 120 minuts. Les temperatures utilitzades als experiments WAO van ser 215, 240 i 265ºC, mantenint la PO2 a 2 bar i 9 bar. Pel cas del DBS, els experiments de WAO van ser realitzats a temperatures de 180, 200 i 220ºC i 15 bar de PO2.
Els resultats obtinguts van demostrar que la destrucció del contaminant model i la reducció tant de l'DQO com de Carboni Orgànic Total (COT) són dependents dels canvis de temperatura però pràcticament independents dels canvis a la PO2. A mode d'exemple, per a la CWAO d'o-cresol a 2 bar de PO2, un canvi a la temperatura de 140ºC a 160ºC implica un augment de la destrucció d'o-cresol de 30 a 85%, de l'eliminació de DQO de 15 a 50% i de l'eliminació de COT de 18 al 47%. Un comportament similar va ser trobat per a la resta de contaminants model.
La biodegradabilidad dels efluents procedents dels diferents assaigs d'oxidació i dels intermedis d'oxidació va ser determinada mitjançant proves respirométriques. Pels efluents de WAO i CWAO aquestes proves van permetre obtenir el grau d'augment de la biodegradabilidad produït per cadascuna de les condicions d'oxidació emprades. Pel cas dels intermedis de reacció, aquestes proves respirométriques van permetre determinar el coeficient de rendiment biomassa/substrat per als àcids carboxílics biodegradables i detectar alguns comportaments co-metabòlics; els quals, van servir per a explicar els resultats obtinguts pel que fa a la biodegradabilidad dels efluents procedents de WAO i CWAO. Tenint en compte aquests resultats, va ser possible establir si els efluents de WAO o CWAO eren adequats per al seu posterior tractament amb un llot actiu no aclimatat. D'aquesta manera es va establir un protocol d'acoblament apropiat de l'etapa de CWAO amb una planta biològica a escala de laboratori. El tractament integrat de les aigües residuals d'o-cresol va assolir una eliminació de DQO de més del 99% i una destrucció dels intermedis de CWAO de més del 92%, sense causar efectes nocius sobre la biomassa de l'etapa biològica.
Paraules clau: aigües residuals industrials fenólicas, carbó actiu, llots actius, oxidació humida catalítica amb aire, respirometria.

Esta pesquisa teve por objetivo a produção de elementos para a avaliação da viabilidade de se agregar novas tecnologias a uma estação de tratamento de esgoto sanitário pelo processo de lodo ativado com aeração prolongada em escala real. O estudo foi desenvolvido na ETE Limoeiro da SABESP, localizada no Município de Presidente Prudente/SP. Foi estudado a remoção biológica de nitrogênio via nitrificação e desnitrificação simultânea (NDS), controlando-se a idade do lodo e o sistema de fornecimento de ar por meio de sensores de concentração de oxigênio dissolvido de luminescência (LDO), amônia e nitrato, e de potencial de óxido-redução instalados nos tanques de aeração. No controle do processo foi avaliado a emissão de óxido nitroso e determinado os parâmetros cinéticos da nitrificação e desnitrificação, por meio de testes respirométricos. Foi utilizado a técnica de biologia molecular de FISH para identificação das bactérias nitritantes, nitratantes e desnitrificantes envolvidas no processo da NDS. Em termos de remoção de matéria orgânica, a qualidade do efluente final foi compatível aos processos de lodos ativados tradicionais com OD na faixa de 2,0 mgO2/L, com eficiências entre 85 a 95% de DQO e DBO. Os resultados demostraram que a nitrificação do esgoto ocorreu de forma eficiente, resultando concentrações de amônia no efluente final menores que 3,8 mgNNH3/ L. Os resultados de concentração de nitrato no efluente final do processo de lodos ativados demonstram a expressiva eficiência do processo de desnitrificação, resultando em concentrações de nitrato no efluente final menores que 2,5 mgNNO3/ L. A otimização do sistema de aeração resultou em uma economia média de 34% com o gasto de energia elétrica para aeração do sistema. Conclui-se que o processo de lodos ativados com nitrificação e desnitrificação simultânea de fluxo contínuo é uma alternativa promissora de tratamento, a ser considerada tano nos estudos de concepção para implantação de novas estações como na adaptação de processos de lodos ativados já existentes.
This research aimed at the production of elements for assessing the feasibility of adding new technologies to a sewage treatment plant for sludge process with extended aeration activated in real scale. The study was developed in ETE Limoeiro SABESP, located in the Municipality of President Prudente / SP. Biological nitrogen removal by biological nitrification and simultaneous denitrification was studied (NDS), controlling the sludge age and the system supply air through oxygen concentration sensors dissolved luminescence (LDO), ammonia and nitrates, and the redox potential installed in the aeration tanks. In process control, the emission of nitrous oxide was evaluated and determined the kinetic parameters of nitrification and denitrification, by molecular biology techniques FISH was the identification nitritantes bacteria and denitrifying nitratantes involved in the process of NDS. In terms of removal of organic matter, the effluent quality is compatible to traditional activated sludge processes, with efficiencies from 85 to 95% of COD and BOD. The results showed that the sewer nitrification took place efficiently, resulting in ammonia concentrations in the final effluent smaller than 3.8 NH3 mgN / L. The nitrate concentration results in the final effluent from the activated sludge process demonstrate the significant efficiency of denitrification process, resulting in nitrate concentration in the final effluent smaller than 2.5 mgNNO3 / l. Optimization of the aeration system resulted in an average savings of 34% with the electricity spent aeration system. We conclude that the activated sludge process with nitrification and denitrification simultaneous streaming is a promising alternative treatment to be considered thane in design studies for implementation of new stations as the adaptation of sludge processes already activated.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
The research aimed to treat sewage through combined anaerobic/aerobic system, using primary sludge and lysed excess sludge as an endogenous carbon source for removal of nutrients, aiming to produce effluent with low concentrations of organic material and nutrients and lower production excess sludge. The experiment was conducted in three phases. In the first, were performed respirometric tests as tool to assess the biodegradability of lysed biological sludge, through by techniques of cellular lysis induced: mechanical action, thermal and acid-base reaction. In the second phase, was monitored a Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) together with Fermentation and Hydrolysis Reactor (FHR), which received excess sludge of SBR, tritured by mechanical action and primary sludge. SBR and FHR were operated with TRC of 3.36 and 10 days respectively. The third phase consisted of an anaerobic reactor followed by Immobilized Submerged with support Medium (polyurethane synthetic sponge) Aerated Reactor (ISMAR) operated in recirculation batch system. The results obtained from the respirometric tests found that the thermal sludge showed concentration biodegradable readily material greater than the tritured sludge and treated sludge by acid-base reaction. Values of the percentages of COD solubilized varied from 1.6% to 4.2%, with an average of 2.6%. The system presented promising results for the removal of nutrients, with removal efficiency of 85%, 93% and 98% for phosphorus soluble, nitrate and nitrite, respectively. However, the final effluent was maintained with concentration average of ammonia of 27 mgN-NH , considered out of the discharge standards. The combined system, anaerobic reactor and Immobilized Submerged with support Medium Aerobic Reactor (ISMAR), removed efficiently carbonaceous material (88%), TSS (86%), SSV (90%), TKN (94%) and N-NH4 - (96%). Producing effluent with average concentrations of nitrite and nitrate, respectively of 0.19 mgN-NO2-.L-1 and 2.52 mgN-NO3-.L. After addition of primary sludge the system, this presented a better performance with efficiency of COD removal gross and filtered 95%. However, the process of phosphorus removal was considered unsatisfactory since there was sludge disposal in the ISMAR reactor. Introducing an efficiency of removing just 20% for total phosphorus and 22% for the orthophosphate.
A pesquisa teve como objetivo principal tratar esgotos sanitários através de sistema combinado anaeróbio/aeróbio, utilizando lodo primário e lodo de excesso lisado como fonte endógena de carbono para remoção de nutrientes, buscando produzir efluente com baixas concentrações de material carbonáceo e de nutrientes e menor produção de lodo de excesso. O experimento foi realizado em três fases. Na primeira, foram realizados testes respirométricos como ferramenta para avaliar a biodegradabilidade de lodo biológico lisado, por meio de técnicas de lise celular induzida: ação mecânica, térmica e reação ácido-base. Na segunda fase, foi monitorado um Reator em Batelada Seqüencial (RBS) conjuntamente com Reator de Hidrólise e Fermentação (RHF), o qual recebia lodo de excesso do RBS, triturado por ação mecânica e lodo primário. O RBS e o RHF foram operados com TRC de 3,36 e 10 dias, respectivamente. A terceira fase foi constituída de reator anaeróbio seguido de reator aerado com meio suporte (esponja sintética de poliuretano) submerso imobilizado (RAMSI) operado em regime de bateladas com recirculação. Os resultados obtidos através dos testes respirométricos constataram que o lodo térmico apresentou concentração de material rapidamente biodegradável superior ao lodo triturado e ao lodo lisado por reação ácido-base. Os valores dos percentuais da DQO solubilizada variaram de 1,6% a 4,2%, com uma média de 2,6%. O sistema apresentou resultados promissores para a remoção de nutrientes, com eficiência de remoção de 85%, 93% e 98% para fósforo solúvel, nitrato e nitrito, respectivamente. Entretanto, o efluente final manteve-se com concentração média de nitrogênio amoniacal de 27 mgN-NH4.L-1, considerada fora dos padrões de lançamento. O sistema combinado, reator anaeróbio e reator aeróbio com meio suporte submerso imobilizado (RAMSI), removeram de forma eficiente material carbonáceo (88%), SST (86%), SSV (90%), NTK (94%) e N-NH4 -(96%). Produzindo efluente com concentrações médias de nitrito e nitrato, respectivamente de 0,19 mgN-NO e 2,52 mgN-NO3 -.L-1. Após a adição do lodo primário no sistema, este apresentou um melhor desempenho, com eficiência de remoção de DQO bruta e filtrada de 95%. No entanto, o processo de remoção de fósforo foi considerado insatisfatório, visto que não havia descarte de lodo no reator RAMSI. Apresentando uma eficiência de remoção de apenas 20% para o fósforo total e 22% para o ortofosfato.

Recentemente foi desenvolvido na Europa o processo conhecido por Nitrificação e Desnitrificação Simultânea (NDS), em que o lodo ativado opera com tempo de retenção de sólidos suficientemente altos para que a nitrificação ocorra mesmo com baixa concentração de oxigênio dissolvido nos tanques de aeração, situação em que é possível a manutenção de condições anóxicas no interior dos flocos e a ocorrência da desnitrificação. Em países de clima tropical, muitas estações de tratamento de esgoto foram construídas ou estão sendo projetadas para operarem sob as condições da variante do processo de lodo ativado conhecida por aeração prolongada, reconhecidamente eficiente na remoção de matéria orgânica e na nitrificação do esgoto. Tais estações podem ser adaptadas para estas novas condições, de forma a se obter o benefício técnico da desnitrificação e o ganho econômico relativo à redução no consumo de energia elétrica para aeração. Este estudo avaliou as condições de remoção de nitrogênio via NDS em um sistema de lodo ativado com aeração prolongada alimentada em fluxo contínuo com diferentes idades do lodo 40, 30 e 20 dias, tratando esgoto sanitário. O processo de tratamento permaneceu estável durante todo o período de observação. Os resultados experimentais demonstram que é possível manter baixas concentrações de OD no tanque de aeração em uma faixa relativamente estreita (0,3-0,8 mg.L-1), e, consequentemente desenvolver os processos de nitrificação e desnitrificação sob as mesmas condições (NDS) com alta eficiência e estabilidade. A remoção de DQO e DBO foi acima de 90 por cento . Os valores de crescimento específico máximo (m20) das bactérias autotróficas nitritantes e nitratantes, resultaram muito próximos aos descritos na literatura, sendo para a idade do lodo de 20 dias os valores de 0,68 d-1 para as bactérias nitritantes e de 0,62 d-1 para as bactérias nitratantes. Os valores das taxas de utilização máxima de amônia foram maiores do que as obtidas com o nitrito e, pode-se observar que o acúmulo de nitrato devido à diminuição da amônia foi mais rápido do que o com nitrito. Desse modo, conclui-se que a nitrificação foi governada pelas bactérias autotróficas nitritantes. A taxa de utilização de nitrato foi maior tendo como substrato material rapidamente biodegradável. Confirmando que a disponibilidade de carbono tem papel fundamental nas taxas de desnitrificação no processo de NDS
It was developed in Europe the process known as Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification (SND) in activated sludge that operates with a SRT, high enough for nitrification to occur, even with low concentration of dissolved oxygen in the aeration tanks. Such situation in the tanks is possible to maintain anoxic conditions inside the flocs and to have the occurrence of denitrification. In countries with tropical climate, many sewage treatment plants have been built or are being designed to operate under the conditions of the variant of the activated sludge process known as extended aeration, admittedly effective in removing organic matter and nitrification of the sewage. Such plants may be adapted to these new conditions in order to obtain the technical benefit of denitrification and economic gain on the reduction in energy consumption for aeration. This study aimed at assessing the conditions of nitrogen removal by SND in a system of extended aeration activated sludge in a continuous flow, with different SRT of 40, 30 and 20 days, treating sewage. The process of treatment remained stable throughout the observation period. The experimental results show that it is possible to maintain low DO concentrations in the aeration tank in a relatively narrow range (0.3 to 0.8 mg.L-1), and hence develop the processes of nitrification and denitrification under the same conditions (NDS) with high efficiency and stability. The BOD and COD removal was above 90 per cent . The values of maximum specific growth (m20) of bacteria autotrophic nitrites and nitrates, are the result very similar to those described in the literature, for the sludge age of 20 days the values of 0.68 d-1 for nitrites bacterium and 0,62 d-1 for nitrates bacterium. The values of the maximum utilization rates of ammonia were higher than those obtained with the nitrite and can be observed that the accumulation of nitrate of ammonia due to the decrease was faster than with nitrite. This way, it was concluded that nitrification was ruled by autotrophic nitrites. The utilization rate of nitrate was higher as substrate material readily biodegradable. Confirming that the availability of carbon performs a fundamental role in the denitrification rates in the process of SND

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The relation between metabolic demand and maximal oxygen consumption during exercise have been investigated in different areas of knowledge. In the health field, the determination of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) is considered a method to classify the level of physical fitness or the risk of cardiocirculatory diseases. The accuracy to obtain data provides a better evaluation of functional responses and allows a reduction in the error margin at the moment of risk classification, as well as, at the moment of determination of aerobic exercise work load. In Brasil, the use of respirometry associated to ergometric test became an opition in the cardiorespiratory evaluation. This equipment allows predictions concerning the oxyredutase process, making it possible to identify physiological responses to physical effort as the respiratory threshold. This thesis focused in the development of mathematical models developed by multiple regression validated by the stepwise method, aiming to predict the VO2max based on respiratory responses to physical effort. The sample was composed of a ramdom sample of 181 healthy individuals, men and women, that were randomized to two groups: regression group and cross validation group (GV). The voluntiars were submitted to a incremental treadmill test; objetiving to determinate of the second respiratory threshold (LVII) and the Peak VO2max. Using the m?todo forward addition method 11 models of VO2max prediction in trendmill were developded. No significative differences were found between the VO2max meansured and the predicted by models when they were compared using ANOVA One-Way and the Post Hoc test of Turkey. We concluded that the developed mathematical models allow a prediction of the VO2max of healthy young individuals based on the LVII
A rela??o entre a demanda metab?lica e o consumo de oxig?nio durante a pr?tica de exerc?cios f?sicos ? alvo de investiga??o em distintas ?reas do conhecimento. No campo da sa?de, a determina??o do consumo m?ximo de oxig?nio (VO2m?x) ? considerada um m?todo para classificar o n?vel de aptid?o f?sica ou risco de doen?as cardiocirculat?rias. A obten??o de dados de forma acurada possibilita uma melhor avalia??o das respostas funcionais, o que permite reduzir a margem de erros tanto no momento da classifica??o dos riscos, como tamb?m no momento da determina??o das cargas de treinamento aer?bico. No Brasil a utiliza??o da ventilometria conjugado ao teste de ergom?trico passou a ser uma op??o na avalia??o cardiorrespirat?ria. O emprego deste equipamento possibilita inferir sobre o processo de oxidorredutase, permitindo identificar respostas fisiol?gicas ao esfor?o como o limiar ventilat?rio. A presente tese centrou-se no desenvolvimento de modelos matem?ticos desenvolvidos por meio de regress?o m?ltipla com valida??o pelo m?todo stepwise com o objetivo de predi??o do VO2m?x tomando como base, as respostas ventilat?rias ao esfor?o. Para tanto, o estudo contou com uma amostra aleat?ria de 181 indiv?duos saud?veis, de ambos os sexos, que foram randomizados em dois grupos: grupo de regress?o e o grupo de valida??o cruzada (GV). Os volunt?rios foram submetidos a teste cardiopulmonar em esteira rolante em protocolo incremental; onde se visou a determina??o do limiar ventilat?rio II (LVII) e o VO2m?x de pico. Atrav?s da aplica??o do m?todo adi??o forward foram desenvolvidos 11 modelos de predi??o do VO2m?x em esteira rolante. N?o foram encontradas diferen?as significativa entre o VO2m?x mensurado com os preditos pelos modelos quando comparados pelo teste t pareado. Os resultados possibilitam-nos concluir que os modelos matem?ticos desenvolvidos permitem estimar o VO2m?x de indiv?duos jovens e h?gidos, tendo como ponto de refer?ncia o LVII

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
Sanitary landfill leachate has high, potentially toxic organic and nutrient loads that may cause negative impacts during combined biological treatment with sewage. In this study, the effect of intermittent leachate addition at the inlet of the activated sludge municipal sewage treatment plant in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, located in southeastern Brazil, was evaluated. Raw sewage, leachate, mixed leachate-sewage and treated wastewater samples were collected monthly over six months for physicochemical characterization (organic matter, solids, nutrients, metals) and determination of acute toxicity to Daphnia similis. Return activated sludge was also collected and used to quantify specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) and biomass growth in sewage and leachate-sewage mixtures in the laboratory. Leachate presented higher values than sewage for all parameters measured, except phosphorous, though its composition varied widely. Activated sludge treatment efficiently removed organic matter and nutrients, despite the high intermittent loads associated with leachate added at the treatment plant inlet. The only parameters that regularly surpassed Minas Gerais state discharge limits were Hg and Pb. Contrary to the raw sewage that did not exhibit toxicity, all samples of leachate were acutely toxic to D. similis and this led to toxicity in four of the mixed leachate-sewage samples, while only one sample of treated wastewater exhibited slight toxicity. Leachate toxicity correlated positively with pH, nitrogen and conductivity. Potentiation of the toxic effect was observed in leachate-sewage mixtures prepared in the laboratory. SOUR values and sludge production increased in mixtures of 20% leachate-80% sewage over their values in sewage alone. SOUR values correlated negatively with As, Cd, Hg and Pb. The results suggest that activated sludge can adapt to the increased organic and nutrient load associated with landfill leachate over time, but the effect of the impulse loads that enter with leachate should be investigated further.
O lixiviado de aterro sanitário apresenta elevadas cargas orgânicas e de nutrientes potencialmente tóxicas, que podem causar impactos negativos durante o tratamento biológico combinado com esgoto. Nesta pesquisa foi avaliado o efeito da adição de lixiviado ao esgoto sanitário no cotratamento por lodos ativados em uma ETE no município de Juiz de Fora, sudeste do Brasil. Esgoto bruto, lixiviado, mistura esgoto-lixiviado afluente na ETE e efluente secundário foram coletados mensalmente, durante 6 meses, caracterizados físico-quimicamente (matéria orgânica, sólidos, nutrientes e metais) e avaliadas quanto à toxicidade aguda à Daphnia similis. Lodo da linha de reciclo foi coletado para a quantificação da taxa específica de consumo de oxigênio (SOUR) e de crescimento de biomassa do lodo no esgoto bruto e em misturas esgoto-lixiviado preparadas em bancada. Os resultados evidenciaram a grande variabilidade na composição do lixiviado, o qual apresentou valores mais elevados em todas as variáveis analisadas, exceto o fósforo. Apesar da elevada carga orgânica adicionada de forma intermitente no sistema, o tratamento por lodos ativados parece remover de forma eficiente a matéria orgânica e nutrientes e produz um efluente secundário com baixas concentrações de DQO e N orgânico. O efluente secundário apresentou concentrações de Hg e Pb acima dos limites estabelecidos para lançamento em corpos d água no estado de Minas Gerais. Ao contrário do esgoto bruto, todas as amostras de lixiviado foram tóxicas à D. similis, o que conferiu toxicidade à mistura afluente na ETE em algumas amostragens. Somente uma amostra de efluente secundário apresentou ligeira toxicidade. A toxicidade do lixiviado correlacionou-se positivamente com o pH, nitrogênio e condutividade. Testes de toxicidade em misturas preparadas em bancada evidenciaram o efeito de potencialização da toxicidade do lixiviado. Há uma tendência do aumento da SOUR com o aumento da proporção de lixiviado na mistura e os valores de SOUR correlacionaram-se negativamente com As, Cd, Hg e Pb. Os resultados sugerem que os lodos ativados podem se adaptar a misturas com maiores concentrações de lixiviado ao longo do tempo, mas o efeito de altas cargas na entrada do sistema deve ser investigado futuramente.

La bio-augmentation des stations d’épuration est parfois envisagée pour faire face à des situations transitoires au cours desquelles la capacité nitrifiante des boues activées est insuffisante pour traiter efficacement la charge reçue par l’installation. Le succès de cettestratégie repose sur l’activité nitrifiante de la biomasse ajoutée ainsi que sur sa capacitéd’adaptation et de maintien dans les boues activées en place.L’objectif de ce travail était d’évaluer la possibilité d’adaptation des micro-organismes d’une solution commerciale nitrifiante dans une station d’épuration municipale à très faible charge.Les populations nitrifiantes composant la solution étudiée ont été comparées à celles des boues activées de treize stations d’épurations, échantillonnées en été et en hiver. Une démarche couplant des outils de la biologie moléculaire et du génie des procédés a été mise en oeuvre afin d’analyser et de comparer ces populations selon trois axes : diversité, abondance et activité. Cette comparaison a été complétée par une expérience de bio-augmentation en réacteur fermé. D’après les profils obtenus en DGGE, les communautés nitrosantes des stations d’épuration à très faible charge sont généralement dominées par une même espèce appartenant au groupe Nitrosomonas oligotropha.Les biomasses nitrosantes et nitratantes ont été chacune estimées entre 0,5 et 3,5 % de la biomasse totale des boues activées par marquage FISH. La solution commerciale comporteune seule espèce nitrosante, du groupe N. europaea, qui représente 45 % de sa biomasse.Les analyses cinétiques, réalisées par suivi direct des vitesses de réaction (analyses chimiques) et/ou par respirométrie, indiquent que N. europaea adopte une stratégie de type –r contrairement aux bactéries autochtones des boues activées (stratégie de type –K). Ces résultats expérimentaux laissent supposer une faible capacité d’adaptation de la biomasse nitrifiante de cette solution commerciale aux conditions environnementales des stationsd’épuration à très faible charge. En revanche, l’expérience de bio-augmentation a montré sa capacité d’intégration aux flocs, et le maintien de son activité lors de son mélange à des boues activées
Bio-augmentation is sometimes proposed to cope with transient situations in wastewatertreatment plants, when the nitrifying capacity of the autochthonous biomass is insufficient totreat the nitrogen load.The success of such a strategy is conditioned by the nitrifying activity of the added biomass,its adaptation to local conditions and its residence time in the system.This work aimed at evaluating the adaptation of nitrifying microorganisms from a commercialsolution in very low loaded municipal wastewater treatment plant. Nitrifying populations ofthe studied solution were compared to those of thirteen wastewater treatment plants (activatedsludge), observed in summer and in winter. The analysis and the comparison of the biomasseswere performed using tools from two disciplines: molecular biology and processengineering. Three points were especially characterised: the diversity, abundance and activityof the biomasses. A bio-augmentation experiment performed in a batch reactor completed thecomparison. DGGE profiles showed that Ammonia Oxidising Bacteria (AOB) communities from lowloaded wastewater treatment plants are mostly dominated by the same species related to theNitrosomonas oligotropha.The abundance of ammonia oxidising bacteria and of nitrite oxidising bacteria, estimatedusing the FISH technique, was almost similar, ranging from 0.5 to 3.5 % of the total biomass.The AOB species present in the commercial solution is identified as Nitrosomonas europaea,and represents 45 % of the solution’s total biomass.Kinetic analyses carried out by chemical analysis and/or by respirometry indicate that N.europaea behave as –r strategist, whereas activated sludge’s bacteria are –K strategist. These results suggest a slight adaptation capacity of the commercial solution’s nitrifyingbiomass to environmental conditions prevailing in low loaded municipal wastewater treatmentplants. On the other hand, bio-augmentation experiment showed the capacity of the addedmicroorganisms to integrate the activated sludge flocs and to maintain its activity when addedto activated sludge

Using a high throughput closed respirometry method to measure oxygen consumption, I determined metabolic rates in asexual and sexual Schmidtea mediterranea and Girardia dorotocephala, as a function of temperature, taxon, stressors, reproductive mode, age, regeneration, and specific dynamic action. This study has shown that oxygen consumption can reliably be measured in planaria using optode closed respirometry, and also provided a reliable method for measuring wet mass in planaria, which has been a challenge to researchers in the past. This research revealed that oxygen consumption in S. mediterranea is 1.5-2.1X greater in the sexual strain over the asexual strain at 13-18°C. Within the sexual strain, oxygen consumption is 1.5 -2.2X greater in sexually mature adults over the sexually immature groups (hatchlings, juveniles, and regenerating sexuals). Furthermore, I was able to quantify differences in sexual morphology between these groups exhibiting significant differences in oxygen consumption. The results of this research supports a theory of higher metabolic costs with sexual maturity in S. mediterranea. Therefore, this study has established sexual and asexual S. mediterranea as simple, yet attractive models for investigating energetic costs between sexual and asexual phenotypes. This research also provided quantitative values for specific dynamic action in planaria, with a maximum increase in oxygen consumption of 160% induced by feeding, as well as metabolic relationships in planaria involving temperature, age, and regeneration. These values establish planaria as one of the simplest animal models in which common metabolic patterns, such as SDA and poikilothermic temperature sensitivity, have been demonstrated. Therefore, this research has contributed to the overall knowledge of the basic physiology in this animal, providing the framework for future metabolic studies in planaria involving environmental factors, reproduction, regeneration, development, and aging. Information from this study may supplement interpretation and understanding of modern cellular, molecular, and genomic studies in planaria.

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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico
The oil activity in the Rio Grande do Norte State (RN) is a permanent threat to coastal ecosystems, particularly mangroves, with the possibility of oil spills. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential resistance of the mangrove environment of a possible spill. Were selected and isolated microorganisms degrading oil by the technique of enrichment cultures and formation of a bacterial consortium. The kinetic study of the consortium was held in rotary incubator shaken at 150 rpm and 30? C. Samples were taken at intervals of 4 hours for analysis of cell concentration and surface tension. The biodegradation was monitored using two methods of respirometry: manometric (OxiTop-C ?) and conductivimetry, where the biodegradation of oil was estimated indirectly by oxygen consumption and CO2 production, respectively. Furthermore, it was used a full 2? factorial design with triplicate at central point to the runs that used the conductivimetric methodology.. The technique of enrichment cultures allowed to obtain thirteen bacterial strains. Kinetic study of the consortium, we can showed the absence of the lag phase, reaching a maximum cell concentration of 2.55 g / L at 16 h of cultivation and a reduction on surface tension. When we adopted the methodology of OxiTop-C was detected a band indicating biodegradability (1% oil v/v), however when we used the conductivimetry methodology did not observe any band that would indicate effective biodegradation. By monitoring a process of biodegradation is necessary to observe the methodology will be adopted to evaluate the biodegradation process, since for the same conditions adopted different methodologies can produce different results. The oil-degrading isolates from soils of the mangrove estuary Potengi / RN are largely to be used in bioremediation strategies of these places, in the case of a possible oil spill, or it can be used in the treatment of waste oil generated in saline environments, since they are optimized the conditions of the tests so that the efficiency of biodegradation reach the minimum level suggested by the standarts
A atividade petrol?fera do RN constitui uma amea?a permanente aos ecossistemas costeiros, principalmente os manguezais, com a possibilidade de derramamentos de ?leo. Neste contexto, o objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o potencial de resist?ncia do ambiente de manguezal a um poss?vel derramamento. Foram selecionados e isolados microrganismos degradadores de petr?leo pela t?cnica de enriquecimento de culturas e forma??o de um cons?rcio bacteriano. O estudo cin?tico do cons?rcio foi realizado em incubador rotativo sob agita??o de 150 rpm e temperatura de 30?C. As amostras foram retiradas em intervalos de 4h para an?lise da concentra??o celular e tens?o superficial. A biodegrada??o foi monitorada atrav?s de dois m?todos de respirometria: manom?trico (OxiTop-C?) e condutivimetria, nos quais a biodegradabilidade de petr?leo foi estimada indiretamente pelo consumo de oxig?nio e produ??o de CO2, respectivamente. Al?m disso, nos ensaios de condutivimetria foi realizado um planejamento fatorial completo 2? com triplicata no ponto central. Pela t?cnica de enriquecimento de culturas foram obtidas treze linhagens bacterianas. No estudo cin?tico do cons?rcio, pode-se observar aus?ncia da fase lag atingindo-se uma concentra??o celular m?xima de 2,55 g/L em 16 h de cultivo e queda da tens?o superficial. Quando adotou-se a metodologia do OxiTop-C foi detectado uma faixa que indica biodegradabilidade (1% de petr?leo v/v), no entanto quando utilizou-se a metodologia de condutivimetria n?o foi observado nenhuma faixa que indicasse biodegradabilidade efetiva. Ao monitorar um processo de biodegradabilidade ? necess?rio avaliar qual a metodologia ser? adotada para avaliar o processo de biodegrada??o, pois para as mesmas condi??es adotadas diferentes metodologias podem apresentar resultados divergentes. Os degradadores de petr?leo isolados do solo de mangue do estu?rio do Rio Potengi/RN podem vir a ser utilizados em estrat?gias de biorremedia??o desses lugares, no caso de um eventual derramamento de ?leo, ou ainda, podem ser empregados no tratamento de res?duos petrol?feros gerados em ambientes salinos, desde que sejam otimizadas as condi??es dos ensaios de modo que as efici?ncias de biodegrada??o atinjam o patamar m?nimo sugerido pelas normas