Tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 gene polymorphism association with susceptibility to celiac disease in Italian patients.

The aim of this research was to study polymorphisms in the genes encoding cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in patients with celiac disease (CD) antigens DQ2 (DQ2-positive) or DQ8 (DQ8-positive). We compared the results with healthy controls to determine whether any of the polymorphisms have a role in susceptibility to CD. A case-control of 192 patients with CD (96 DQ2-positive and 96 DQ8-positive) and 96 healthy controls from northeast Italy were included in the study. Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was carried out using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Significant differences for the TNF-α(-308 G>A) polymorphism were observed when we compared the flowing groups: DQ2-positive with controls [odds ratio (OR) = 0.45, P = 0.0002]; DQ8-positive with controls (OR = 3.55, P < 0.0001); and DQ2-positive with DQ8-positive (OR = 0.12, P < 0.0001). We did not observe a statistically significant association between IL-6 (-174 G>C) polymorphism and CD (P > 0.05). Our results suggest that TNF-α(-308 G>A) polymorphism may play a role in susceptibility to CD in Italian patients.

Interaction between resource identity and bacterial community composition regulates bacterial respiration in aquatic ecosystems.

Resource identity and composition structure bacterial community, which in turn determines the magnitude of bacterial processes and ecological services. However, the complex interaction between resource identity and bacterial community composition (BCC) has been poorly understood so far. Using aquatic microcosms, we tested whether and how resource identity interacts with BCC in regulating bacterial respiration and bacterial functional diversity. Different aquatic macrophyte leachates were used as different carbon resources while BCC was manipulated through successional changes of bacterial populations in batch cultures. We observed that the same BCC treatment respired differently on each carbon resource; these resources also supported different amounts of bacterial functional diversity. There was no clear linear pattern of bacterial respiration in relation to time succession of bacterial communities in all leachates, i.e. differences on bacterial respiration between different BCC were rather idiosyncratic. Resource identity regulated the magnitude of respiration of each BCC, e.g. Ultricularia foliosa leachate sustained the greatest bacterial functional diversity and lowest rates of bacterial respiration in all BCC. We conclude that both resource identity and the BCC interact affecting the pattern and the magnitude of bacterial respiration in aquatic ecosystems.

Interaction between resource identity and bacterial community composition regulates bacterial respiration in aquatic ecosystems / A interação entre a identidade do recurso e a composição da comunidade bacteriana regula a respiração bacteriana em ecossistemas aquáticos

Abstract Resource identity and composition structure bacterial community, which in turn determines the magnitude of bacterial processes and ecological services. However, the complex interaction between resource identity and bacterial community composition (BCC) has been poorly understood so far. Using aquatic microcosms, we tested whether and how resource identity interacts with BCC in regulating bacterial respiration and bacterial functional diversity. Different aquatic macrophyte leachates were used as different carbon resources while BCC was manipulated through successional changes of bacterial populations in batch cultures. We observed that the same BCC treatment respired differently on each carbon resource; these resources also supported different amounts of bacterial functional diversity. There was no clear linear pattern of bacterial respiration in relation to time succession of bacterial communities in all leachates, i.e. differences on bacterial respiration between different BCC were rather idiosyncratic. Resource identity regulated the magnitude of respiration of each BCC, e.g. Ultricularia foliosa leachate sustained the greatest bacterial functional diversity and lowest rates of bacterial respiration in all BCC. We conclude that both resource identity and the BCC interact affecting the pattern and the magnitude of bacterial respiration in aquatic ecosystems.

Resumo A identidade e a composição do recurso estruturam a comunidade bacteriana, que, por sua vez, determina a magnitude dos processos bacterianos e seus serviços ecológicos. Porém, a complexa interação entre a identidade do recursos e a composição da comunidade bacteriana (CCB) tem sido pouco avaliada até o momento. Utilizando microcosmos aquáticos, nós testamos quando e como a identidade do recurso interage com a CCB na regulação da respiração bacteriana e da diversidade funcional bacteriana. Diferentes lixiviados de macrófitas aquáticas foram utilizados como diferentes fontes de carbono, enquanto que a CCB foi manipulada através de mudanças sucessionais das populações bacterianas em culturas de recrescimento. Nós observamos que tratamentos com a mesma CCB respiraram diferentemente em cada fonte de carbono; diferentes fontes também suportaram diferentes valores de diversidade funcional bacteriana. Não houve padrão linear claro de mudança na respiração bacteriana em relação ao tempo de sucessão das comunidades bacterianas nos lixiviados, i.e. diferenças na respiração bacteriana entre diferentes CCB foram idiossincráticas. A identidade do recurso regulou a magnitude da respiração, em cada CCB, e.g. o lixiviado de Ultricularia foliosa sustentou os maiores valores de diversidade funcional bacteriana e as menores taxas de respiração bacteriana em todas as CCB. Nós concluímos que a identidade do recurso e a CCB interagem afetando o padrão e a magnitude da respiração bacteriana em ecossistemas aquáticos.

Interaction between resource identity and bacterial community composition regulates bacterial respiration in aquatic ecosystems

Abstract Resource identity and composition structure bacterial community, which in turn determines the magnitude of bacterial processes and ecological services. However, the complex interaction between resource identity and bacterial community composition (BCC) has been poorly understood so far. Using aquatic microcosms, we tested whether and how resource identity interacts with BCC in regulating bacterial respiration and bacterial functional diversity. Different aquatic macrophyte leachates were used as different carbon resources while BCC was manipulated through successional changes of bacterial populations in batch cultures. We observed that the same BCC treatment respired differently on each carbon resource; these resources also supported different amounts of bacterial functional diversity. There was no clear linear pattern of bacterial respiration in relation to time succession of bacterial communities in all leachates, i.e. differences on bacterial respiration between different BCC were rather idiosyncratic. Resource identity regulated the magnitude of respiration of each BCC, e.g. Ultricularia foliosa leachate sustained the greatest bacterial functional diversity and lowest rates of bacterial respiration in all BCC. We conclude that both resource identity and the BCC interact affecting the pattern and the magnitude of bacterial respiration in aquatic ecosystems.

Resumo A identidade e a composição do recurso estruturam a comunidade bacteriana, que, por sua vez, determina a magnitude dos processos bacterianos e seus serviços ecológicos. Porém, a complexa interação entre a identidade do recursos e a composição da comunidade bacteriana (CCB) tem sido pouco avaliada até o momento. Utilizando microcosmos aquáticos, nós testamos quando e como a identidade do recurso interage com a CCB na regulação da respiração bacteriana e da diversidade funcional bacteriana. Diferentes lixiviados de macrófitas aquáticas foram utilizados como diferentes fontes de carbono, enquanto que a CCB foi manipulada através de mudanças sucessionais das populações bacterianas em culturas de recrescimento. Nós observamos que tratamentos com a mesma CCB respiraram diferentemente em cada fonte de carbono; diferentes fontes também suportaram diferentes valores de diversidade funcional bacteriana. Não houve padrão linear claro de mudança na respiração bacteriana em relação ao tempo de sucessão das comunidades bacterianas nos lixiviados, i.e. diferenças na respiração bacteriana entre diferentes CCB foram idiossincráticas. A identidade do recurso regulou a magnitude da respiração, em cada CCB, e.g. o lixiviado de Ultricularia foliosa sustentou os maiores valores de diversidade funcional bacteriana e as menores taxas de respiração bacteriana em todas as CCB. Nós concluímos que a identidade do recurso e a CCB interagem afetando o padrão e a magnitude da respiração bacteriana em ecossistemas aquáticos.

Effect of sediment composition on methane concentration and production in the transition zone of a mangrove (Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil).

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of sediment composition on methane (CH4) dynamics in sediments of different areas in the transition zone between a mangrove and the sea. This research was conducted in a mangrove at Coroa Grande, on the southern coast of Rio de Janeiro. Samples were collected at three stations: (1) region colonised by Rhizophora mangle L. on the edge of the mangrove, (2) region colonised by seagrasses and (3) infra-littoral region without vegetation. Samples were collected from the surface layer of the sediment to determine the concentrations of nutrients (C, N and P) and CH4 concentration and production. We observed that concentrations of CH4 and carbon (C) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in station 1 than station 3. The molar ratios (C:N, C:P and N:P) suggest that the origin of the substrate is mainly autochthonous. Methanogenesis was initially low, possibly due to competition between methanogens and sulfate reducers, and increased significantly (p < 0.05) on the twenty-sixth day in the sediment of station 1, probably due to higher organic matter (OM) availability in this region. Results indicate that methanogenic activity observed herein is not regulated by the amount or quality of OM, but by other factors. The concentration of CH4 in the sea-land ecotone at Mangrove Coroa Grande is a function of available OM suggesting a possible inhibition of methanotrophy by intense oxygen consumption in the soil surface covered by detritus of Rhizophora mangle vegetation.

Temporal coherence among tropical coastal lagoons: a search for patterns and mechanisms.

Temporal coherence (i.e., the degree of synchronicity of a given variable among ecological units within a predefined space) has been shown for several limnological features among temperate lakes, allowing predictions about the structure and function of ecosystems. However, there is little evidence of temporal coherence among tropical aquatic systems, where the climatic variability among seasons is less pronounced. Here, we used data from long-term monitoring of physical, chemical and biological variables to test the degree of temporal coherence among 18 tropical coastal lagoons. The water temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration had the highest and lowest temporal coherence among the lagoons, respectively, whereas the salinity and water colour had intermediate temporal coherence. The regional climactic factors were the main factors responsible for the coherence patterns in the water temperature and water colour, whereas the landscape position and morphometric characteristics explained much of the variation of the salinity and water colour among the lagoons. These results indicate that both local (lagoon morphometry) and regional (precipitation, air temperature) factors regulate the physical and chemical conditions of coastal lagoons by adjusting the terrestrial and marine subsidies at a landscape-scale. On the other hand, the chlorophyll-a concentration appears to be primarily regulated by specific local conditions resulting in a weak temporal coherence among the ecosystems. We concluded that temporal coherence in tropical ecosystems is possible, at least for some environmental features, and should be evaluated for other tropical ecosystems. Our results also reinforce that aquatic ecosystems should be studied more broadly to accomplish a full understanding of their structure and function.

Seasonal dynamics of methane in the water column of two subtropical lakes differing in trophic status.

Alterations in methane concentration in the water column of aquatic systems is closely linked to the processes of production and consumption of this gas, i.e., methanogenesis and methanotrophy respectively. The aim of this research is to evaluate methane dynamics through diurnal variation in the concentration of this gas in the water column of two lakes differing in trophic status at the campus of Fundação Universidade do Rio Grande (FURG). In two sampling periods (November 2001 and July 2002) methane concentrations in the water column were significantly higher (3.66 and 0.41 micromoles.L-1, respectively) at Lago dos Biguás, with mesoeutrophic features when related to Lago Polegar (1.43 and 0.19 micromoles.L-1, respectively) which has oligotrophic features. The higher methane concentrations were detected in November 2001 when higher temperature was also detected. The results highlighted the importance of trophic status as well as seasonality for the methane dynamics in these ecosystems.

Seasonal dynamics of methane in the water column of two subtropical lakes differing in trophic status / Dinâmica sazonal do metano na coluna d'água de dois lagos subtropicais em diferentes estados tróficos

Alterations in methane concentration in the water column of aquatic systems is closely linked to the processes of production and consumption of this gas, i.e., methanogenesis and methanotrophy respectively. The aim of this research is to evaluate methane dynamics through diurnal variation in the concentration of this gas in the water column of two lakes differing in trophic status at the campus of Fundação Universidade do Rio Grande (FURG). In two sampling periods (November 2001 and July 2002) methane concentrations in the water column were significantly higher (3.66 and 0.41 μmoles.L-1, respectively) at Lago dos Biguás, with mesoeutrophic features when related to Lago Polegar (1.43 and 0.19 μmoles.L-1, respectively) which has oligotrophic features. The higher methane concentrations were detected in November 2001 when higher temperature was also detected. The results highlighted the importance of trophic status as well as seasonality for the methane dynamics in these ecosystems.

As alterações na concentração de metano na coluna d'água nos ecossistemas aquáticos estão intimamente ligadas aos processos de produção e consumo deste gás, ou seja, à metanogênese e metanotrofia, respectivamente. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo determinar a dinâmica do metano através da variação diurna da concentração deste gás na coluna d'água em dois lagos de diferentes estados tróficos do Campus da Fundação da Universidade do Rio Grande (FURG). Nos dois períodos de coleta (novembro de 2001 e julho de 2002), as concentrações de metano foram significativamente maiores no lago dos Biguás (3,66 e 0,41 μmoles.L-1, respectivamente) de caráter mesoeutrófico em relação ao lago Polegar (1,43 e 0,19 μmoles.L-1, respectivamente), de característica oligotrófica. Os maiores valores da concentração de metano na coluna d'água nos dois lagos foram observados no período de novembro de 2001, quando foram registrados também os maiores valores de temperatura. Estes resultados evidenciam tanto a importância do caráter trófico dos lagos quanto a sazonalidade em relação à dinâmica do metano nestes ecossistemas.

Neotropical coastal lagoons: an appraisal of their biodiversity, functioning, threats and conservation management / Lagoas costeiras neotropicais: uma apreciação sobre sua biodiversidade, funcionamento, principais ameaças e estratégias de conservação

Neotropical coastal lagoons (NCL) are human-dominated ecosystems. Their distribution along densely populated coastal areas of developing countries makes these systems among the most threatened in the world. Here, we summarize some aspects of the causes and consequences of NCL biodiversity, their functioning, their importance to the surrounding populations, their fragility, and their responses to local and global anthropogenic impacts and the challenges that Neotropical countries face in conserving these systems. Although still scarce and geographically concentrated, a growing body of studies has shown that NCLs are physiographically diversified systems, which harbor a considerable and particular proportion of the Neotropical inland aquatic biodiversity. Despite the fact that coastal lagoons are ecotones that are intricately connected to surrounding environments, they develop mechanisms for structural and functional regulation, which confer to these systems higher productivity and carrying capacities than surrounding ecosystems. Such traits attract residential developments and subsidize local traditional populations with important economic and aesthetic ecosystem revenues such as fisheries and scenic beauty. However, the disorganized human occupation around NCLs are causing profound impacts such as eutrophication, salinization, exotic species introduction, as well as other effects, which are ultimately imposing major habitat degradations and biodiversity extirpations in NCLs. We argue that interdisciplinary conservation strategies, which integrate scientific expertise, government officials, private companies and the general public, are the most likely to overcome the geographic and economic obstacles to NCL conservation.

As lagoas costeiras neotropicais (LCN) estão inseridas em um ambiente antropogênico. Sua localização em regiões costeiras densamente povoadas de países em desenvolvimento coloca estes ecossistemas entre os mais impactados do mundo. Neste trabalho, resumimos vários aspectos relacionados às causas e conseqüências da sua biodiversidade, seu funcionamento e os bens proporcionados à população do seu entorno. Sua fragilidade e as respostas a impactos humanos locais e globais, assim como os desafios para a sua conservação por países neotropicais, também são abordados. Apesar de escassos e geograficamente concentrados, um número crescente de estudos tem mostrado que as LCN são sistemas fisiograficamente diversificados, abrigando uma proporção considerável da biodiversidade dos ambientes aquáticos continentais neotropicais. Apesar de as lagoas costeiras representarem ecótonos bastante conectados ao ambiente adjacente, elas desenvolveram mecanismos próprios de regulação funcional e estrutural, conferindo uma maior produtividade e capacidade de suporte em relação aos ambientes circundantes. Tais características estimulam o desenvolvimento humano ao seu redor e subsidiam populações tradicionais locais com benefícios econômicos e estéticos como pesca e beleza cênica. No entanto, a ocupação desordenada de regiões próximas às LCN vem causando profundos distúrbios como eutrofização, salinização, introdução de espécies exóticas e outros, os quais acarretam a degradação do hábitat e a perda de biodiversidade. Acreditamos que estratégias de conservação multidisciplinares, que integrem conhecimento científico, órgãos governamentais, companhias privadas e opinião pública, são as mais indicadas para sobrepor os obstáculos geográficos e econômicos impostos à conservação das LCN.

Neotropical coastal lagoons: an appraisal of their biodiversity, functioning, threats and conservation management.

Neotropical coastal lagoons (NCL) are human-dominated ecosystems. Their distribution along densely populated coastal areas of developing countries makes these systems among the most threatened in the world. Here, we summarize some aspects of the causes and consequences of NCL biodiversity, their functioning, their importance to the surrounding populations, their fragility, and their responses to local and global anthropogenic impacts and the challenges that Neotropical countries face in conserving these systems. Although still scarce and geographically concentrated, a growing body of studies has shown that NCLs are physiographically diversified systems, which harbor a considerable and particular proportion of the Neotropical inland aquatic biodiversity. Despite the fact that coastal lagoons are ecotones that are intricately connected to surrounding environments, they develop mechanisms for structural and functional regulation, which confer to these systems higher productivity and carrying capacities than surrounding ecosystems. Such traits attract residential developments and subsidize local traditional populations with important economic and aesthetic ecosystem revenues such as fisheries and scenic beauty. However, the disorganized human occupation around NCLs are causing profound impacts such as eutrophication, salinization, exotic species introduction, as well as other effects, which are ultimately imposing major habitat degradations and biodiversity extirpations in NCLs. We argue that interdisciplinary conservation strategies, which integrate scientific expertise, government officials, private companies and the general public, are the most likely to overcome the geographic and economic obstacles to NCL conservation.

Temporal and spatial fluctuations of phytoplankton in a tropical coastal lagoon, southeast Brazil.

Spatial and temporal variability of the phytoplankton community in the tropical coastal Imboassica lagoon, an environment naturally isolated from the ocean by a narrow sandbar, was analysed every two weeks for 19 months by sampling three sites. During this study, the lagoon received direct input of marine water three times, resulting in remarkable salinity, nutrient concentrations and phytoplankton biomass variations in both temporal and spatial aspects. The phytoplankton biomass presented relatively low values ranging, on average, from 0.54 mg x L(-1) in the station closest to the sea (station 1) to 1.34 mg x L(-1) in the station close to a macrophyte bank (station 3). Diatoms and cryptomonads dominated in stations 1 and 2 (located relatively close to station 1, yet receiving the runoff of domestic sewage), and euglenoids, cryptomonads and dinoflagellates at station 3. Stations 1 and 2 usually presented the same dominant species but station 2 presented a higher phytoplankton biomass. On the other hand, station 3 showed more similar results concerning phytoplankton biomass with station 2, however the dominant species were usually different. The high fluctuations of salinity and the reduced nutrient availability are pointed out as the main factors structuring the dynamics of the phytoplankton community at the Imboassica lagoon.

Environmental changes and zooplankton temporal and spatial variation in a disturbed Brazilian coastal lagoon.

The Imboassica lagoon, located in the Municipality of Macaé (RJ), is separated from the sea by a sand bar, and its surroundings are partially occupied by residential areas. This coastal lagoon has undergone environmental degradation due to sewage input and artificial sand bar openings. The temporal and spatial variation of environmental variables and zooplankton were studied monthly for four years. There were five artificial openings of the sand bar during the period of study, mostly in the rainy season. Besides osmotic changes, these events caused the drainage of the water of the lagoon into the sea, loss of total organic nitrogen, and an increase of total phosphorus. The zooplankton community of Imboassica lagoon included freshwater and marine taxa, holoplanktonic, meroplanktonic and nectobenthonic forms. Polychaeta, Bivalvia and Gastropoda larvae, and the taxa of Rotifera Hexarthra spp., Lecane bulla, Synchaeta bicornis, nauplii of Cyclopoida and Calanoida copepods were considered constant taxa. Distinct zooplankton assemblages were found during zooplankton spatial surveys in oligohaline and mesohaline conditions. The successful zooplankton populations were either favored by the disturbance of the sand bar opening, such as the veligers of the gastropod Heleobia australis, or capable of fast recovery after the closing of the sand bar, during the succession from a marine into an oligohaline environment, such as Hexarthra spp.. Such populations seemed well adapted to the stress conditions usually found in the lagoon due to osmotic changes, column mixing, nutrient input, and high fish predation pressure. Rare species in the community, such as Moina minuta, presented population increases all over the lagoon under oligohaline conditions.

Temporal and spatial fluctuations of phytoplankton in a tropical coastal lagoon, southeast Brazil

Spatial and temporal variability of the phytoplankton community in the tropical coastal Imboassica lagoon, an environment naturally isolated from the ocean by a narrow sandbar, was analysed every two weeks for 19 months by sampling three sites. During this study, the lagoon received direct input of marine water three times, resulting in remarkable salinity, nutrient concentrations and phytoplankton biomass variations in both temporal and spatial aspects. The phytoplankton biomass presented relatively low values ranging, on average, from 0.54 mg.L-1 in the station closest to the sea (station 1) to 1.34 mg.L-1 in the station close to a macrophyte bank (station 3). Diatoms and cryptomonads dominated in stations 1 and 2 (located relatively close to station 1, yet receiving the runoff of domestic sewage), and euglenoids, cryptomonads and dinoflagellates at station 3. Stations 1 and 2 usually presented the same dominant species but station 2 presented a higher phytoplankton biomass. On the other hand, station 3 showed more similar results concerning phytoplankton biomass with station 2, however the dominant species were usually different. The high fluctuations of salinity and the reduced nutrient availability are pointed out as the main factors structuring the dynamics of the phytoplankton community at the Imboassica lagoon.

Variações espaciais e temporais da comunidade fitoplanctônica da lagoa Imboassica, um ambiente naturalmente isolado do oceano por uma estreita barra de areia, foram analisadas com base em coletas quinzenais, realizadas em três estações, durante 19 meses. Durante este estudo, a barra de areia foi rompida três vezes, resultando em acentuadas variações temporais e espaciais na salinidade, na concentração de nutrientes e na biomassa fitoplanctônica. Esta apresentou valores relativamente baixos, variando de 0,54 mg.L-1 na estação mais próxima ao mar (estação 1) a 1,34 mg.L-1 na estação próxima a um banco de macrófitas (estação 3). Diatomáceas e criptofíceas dominaram nas estações 1 e 2 (esta última localizada, relativamente próxima à estação 1, porém recebendo aporte de esgotos domésticos), e euglenofíceas, criptofíceas e dinofíceas na estação 3. As estações 1 e 2 apresentaram, de modo geral, as mesmas espécies dominantes, diferindo neste aspecto da estação 3, no entanto, esta diferiu significantemente apenas da estação 1, em termos de biomassa fitoplanctônica. As elevadas flutuações na salinidade e a reduzida disponibilidade de nutrientes são apontadas como os principais fatores estruturadores da dinâmica da comunidade fitoplanctônica na lagoa Imboassica.

Environmental changes and zooplankton temporal and spatial variation in a disturbed brazilian coastal lagoon

The Imboassica lagoon, located in the Municipality of Macaé (RJ), is separated from the sea by a sand bar, and its surroundings are partially occupied by residential areas. This coastal lagoon has undergone environmental degradation due to sewage input and artificial sand bar openings. The temporal and spatial variation of environmental variables and zooplankton were studied monthly for four years. There were five artificial openings of the sand bar during the period of study, mostly in the rainy season. Besides osmotic changes, these events caused the drainage of the water of the lagoon into the sea, loss of total organic nitrogen, and an increase of total phosphorus. The zooplankton community of Imboassica lagoon included freshwater and marine taxa, holoplanktonic, meroplanktonic and nectobenthonic forms. Polychaeta, Bivalvia and Gastropoda larvae, and the taxa of Rotifera Hexarthra spp., Lecane bulla, Synchaeta bicornis, nauplii of Cyclopoida and Calanoida copepods were considered constant taxa. Distinct zooplankton assemblages were found during zooplankton spatial surveys in oligohaline and mesohaline conditions. The successful zooplankton populations were either favored by the disturbance of the sand bar opening, such as the veligers of the gastropod Heleobia australis, or capable of fast recovery after the closing of the sand bar, during the succession from a marine into an oligohaline environment, such as Hexarthra spp.. Such populations seemed well adapted to the stress conditions usually found in the lagoon due to osmotic changes, column mixing, nutrient input, and high fish predation pressure. Rare species in the community, such as Moina minuta, presented population increases all over the lagoon under oligohaline conditions.

A Lagoa Imboassica, localizada no Município de Macaé (RJ), é separada do mar por uma barra de areia e se encontra cercada parcialmente por áreas residenciais. Esta lagoa costeira tem sofrido intensa degradação ambiental devido à afluência de esgotos domésticos e a aberturas artificiais da barra de areia. Neste estudo foram acompanhadas, mensalmente ao longo de quatro anos, as variações temporais e espaciais de variáveis ambientais e do zooplâncton. Durante o período estudado foram realizadas cinco aberturas artificiais da barra de areia, sendo a maioria efetuada na época chuvosa. Além das alterações osmóticas, estas aberturas causaram a drenagem da água da lagoa para o mar, diminuição dos valores de nitrogênio total e aumento da concentração de fósforo total. A comunidade zooplanctônica da lagoa incluiu táxons de água doce e marinhos e formas holoplanctônicas, meroplanctônicas e nectobentônicas. Foram considerados constantes na comunidade larvas de Polychaeta, Bivalvia e Gastropoda, os táxons de Rotifera Hexarthra spp., Lecane bulla, Synchaeta bicornis e naúplios de copépodos Cyclopoida e Calanoida. Durante as amostragens espaciais ao longo de todo o corpo da lagoa em condições oligohalinas e mesohalinas foram encontradas distintas assembléias zooplanctônicas. As populações zooplanctônicas que apresentaram maior ocorrência foram aquelas aparentemente favorecidas pelo distúrbio causado pelas aberturas de barra, tais como véligers do gastrópode Heleobia australis, ou capazes de recuperação rápida após o fechamento da barra de areia, durante a transição de um ambiente marinho para um oligohalino, como Hexarthra spp.. Tais populações se mostraram bem adaptadas às condições de "stress" usualmente encontradas na lagoa devido a mudanças osmóticas, mistura da coluna d'água, aporte contínuo de nutrientes e alta pressão de predação por peixes. As espécies consideradas como raras na comunidade zooplanctônica, como Moina minuta apresentaram maiores...

Bacterial growth and DOC consumption in a tropical coastal lagoon.

The aims of this research were to determine the main limiting nutrient to bacterial growth in Imboassica lagoon, southeastern Brazil, to estimate the percentage of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) available for bacterial growth, and to determine the bacterial growth efficiency (BGE) of natural assemblages. Bacterial growth and DOC consumption were determined in batch culture experiments, in which water samples were supplemented with nitrogen and phosphorus together or separately, or incubated without nutrient additions. When added together, N and P stimulated higher bacterial growth rates and production, as well as higher DOC consumption. The BGEs and DOC consumption rates were strongly dependent on the method used to determine bacterial production. The BGE ranged from 11 to 72%. However, only a minor fraction of bulk DOC was consumed by the planktonic bacteria (from 0.7 to 3.4%). The results suggest that low availability of phosphorus and nitrogen coupled with excess organic carbon was the main factor responsible for the relatively low bacterial utilization of DOC in Imboassica lagoon.

Bacterial growth and DOC consumption in a tropical coastal lagoon

Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram: determinar o principal nutriente limitante ao crescimento bacteriano na lagoa Imboassica, estimar a porcentagem de Carbono Orgânico Dissolvido (COD) disponível para o crescimento bacteriano e determinar a Eficiência de Crescimento Bacteriano (ECB) da comunidade bacteriana. O crescimento bacteriano e o consumo de COD foram avaliados em experimentos de culturas de diluição, nos quais nitrogênio e fósforo foram adicionados às amostras de água, juntos ou separadamente, e um controle foi preparado sem adições de nutrientes. Quando adicionados juntos, N e P estimularam um maior crescimento e produção bacterianos, assim como maiores taxas de consumo de COD. ECB e taxas de consumo de COD foram fortemente dependentes do método utilizado para determinar a produção bacteriana. ECB variou de 11% a 72%, porém apenas uma pequena fração do COD total foi consumida pelas bactérias planctônicas (de 0,7% a 3,4%). Sugere-se que as baixas disponibilidades de fósforo e nitrogênio são os principais fatores responsáveis pela baixa utilização de COD pelas bactérias na lagoa Imboassica.

Flood pulse influence and anthropic impact on the chemical composition and energy content of Oryza glumaepatula in an Amazonian lake.

The aim of this research was to study the flood pulse influence and the anthropic impact caused by bauxite tailings on the chemical composition of O. glumaepatula in Batata lake (PA, Brazil). Sampling was carried out in stands of O. glumaepatula in the low-water, filling, high-water, and drawdown periods in impacted and natural areas of Batata lake. During the low-water and drawdown periods the stands of O. glumaepatula were exposed, and in the filling and high-water periods the water depth was respectively 1.4 and 3.8 m. The collected material was dried at 70 degrees C, ground, and concentrations of total phosphorus, total nitrogen, organic carbon, and energy content were determined. The results indicate that the biomass increase, caused by the rise in water level, has a dilution effect on nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in O. glumaepatula. The energy contents did not present significant differences in any of the studied periods. The results suggest that from the low water to filling period, nitrogen becomes more limiting to O. glumaepatula in the impacted area, whereas phosphorus becomes more limiting in the natural area. The population of O. glumaepatula contributes to the recovery of the impacted area of Batata lake as the detritus from this species accumulates over the sediment. This accumulation impedes future re-suspension of the bauxite tailings and increases the organic matter and nutrient concentrations in the impacted sediment.

Flood pulse influence and anthropic impact on the chemical composition and energy content of Oryza glumaepatula in an Amazonian lake

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estudar as influências do pulso de inundação e do impacto antrópico causado pelo rejeito de bauxita sobre a composição química de O. glumaepatula no lago Batata (PA, Brasil). As amostras foram realizadas em estandes de O. glumaepatula nos períodos de águas baixas, enchente, águas altas e vazante nas áreas natural e impactada desse ecossistema. Nos períodos de águas baixas e vazante, a área coletada encontrava-se exposta, enquanto nos períodos de enchente e águas altas, a profundidade da coluna d'água era de 1,4 e 3,8 m, respectivamente. O material coletado foi seco a 70ºC, moído e suas concentrações de fósforo total, nitrogênio total, carbono orgânico e conteúdo energético foram mensuradas. Os resultados indicaram que o aumento da biomassa causado pela elevação do nível d'água teve efeito diluidor sobre as concentrações de nitrogênio e fósforo em O. glumaepatula. O conteúdo energético não variou significativamente entre as áreas e os períodos estudados. Os resultados sugerem que, à medida que o nível d'água aumenta, O. glumaepatula torna-se limitada por nitrogênio na área impactada e por fósforo na área natural. A população de O. glumaepatula contribui para a recuperação da área impactada do lago Batata em decorrência do acúmulo de detritos dessa espécie sobre o sedimento, impedindo a resuspensão do rejeito de bauxita e promovendo aumento das concentrações de matéria orgânica e nutrientes.

Charophytes as a nutrient and energy reservoir in a tropical coastal Lagoon impacted by humans (RJ, Brazil).

In the Imboassica Lagoon (22 degrees 24'S and 42 degrees 42'W) (Macaé, RJ, Brazil), two species of macroalgae of the genus Chara (C. angolensis and C. fibrosa) registered in large areas were identified. The lagoon is subject to several relevant anthropic impacts, of which untreated sewage is one of the most important. Results of the biomass distribution as analyzed in different areas of the lagoon showed values ranging from 172 to 510 gDW x m(-2). As for the nutrient concentration, the results presented large fluctuations, with carbon values ranging from 325 to 392 mg x g(-1)DW, those of nitrogen, from 14 to 27 mg x g DW, and of phosphorus from 0.45 to 0.85 mg.g(-1) DW. This led to large fluctuations of the C:N:P ratio (from 387:24:1 to 872:47:1). The minimum and maximum energetic values of the biomass were 9.54 e 12.34 kJ x g(-1)DW. Smaller C:N:P ratios tended to occur in more eutrophic areas. The association between biomass and nutrient concentration showed that the highest quantities in the beds are found in oligotrophic areas. The Spearman correlation between nutrient concentration in the water column and biomass was r(s) = 0.45 (p < 0.05) for nitrogen and r(s) = 0.50 (p < 0.01) for phosphorus (n = 30). The large total biomass associated with nutrient concentration and energy content indicates that Charophytes are an important biological compartment in the structure and metabolism of the lagoon.

Charophytes as a nutrient and energy reservoir in a tropical coastal lagoon impacted by humans (RJ, Brazil)

Na Lagoa Imboassica, localizada em Macaé, RJ, Brasil (22º24'S e 42º42'W), foram identificadas duas espécies de macroalgas do gênero Chara (C. angolensis e C. fibrosa), apresentando ampla distribuição. A lagoa recebe vários impactos antrópicos, e o lançamento de esgoto não tratado é um dos mais importantes. A biomassa variou entre 172 e 510 gDW.mû2 em diferentes áreas da lagoa. A concentração de nutrientes apresentou ampla variação, com os valores de carbono entre 325 e 392 mg.gû1DW, nitrogênio entre 14 e 27 mg.gû1DW e fósforo entre 0,45 e 0,85 mg.gû1DW, assim as taxas C:N:P apresentaram variação de 387:24:1 a 872:47:1. Os valores mínimo e máximo de energia na biomassa foram, respectivamente, 9,54 e 12,34 kJ.gû1DW. Há tendência de as menores taxas C:N:P ocorrerem em áreas mais eutrofizadas. Considerando os valores de biomassa e a concentração de nutrientes na biomassa, os maiores estoques de nutrientes estão associados aos bancos de Carófitas em áreas mais oligotróficas. A correlação de Spearman entre a concentração de nutrientes na coluna de água e a biomassa foi rs = 0,45 (p < 0,05) para o nitrogênio e rs = 0,50 (p < 0,01) para o fósforo (n = 30). A grande biomassa associada à concentração de nutrientes e os valores energéticos indicam que as carófitas são um importante compartimento biológico na estrutura e metabolismo da lagoa.