RESUMEN

In man-made reservoirs, the sedimentation and assimilation of elements usually prevail as a result of a decrease in the flow regime and an increase in the hydraulic retention time. Thus, the retention capacity derives from hydraulic flushing, as well as chemical and biological reactions. The aim of this study was to assess the element retention capacity of a new subtropical reservoir (Piraju Reservoir situated in São Paulo State, Brazil). Limnological monitoring was performed over four consecutive years (August 2003 to August 2007). We determined 19 variables (chemical, physical, and biological) every 3 months at the inlet (Paranapanema River) and outlet water of the Piraju Reservoir. For each variable, a mass balance was performed and the alpha parameter (i.e., retention capacity) was defined resulting in 323 determinations. From these results, only 10% led to the occurrence of element retention. Retention events were episodic; the fecal coliforms (seven times) and the N-NH4 (six times) were the variables that presented the highest number of retentions. The results show that different variables can be linked to both the retention and release of elements from the reservoirs. The results show the great significance of the physical processes (in this case, hydraulic retention time and mixing regime) in determining the element retention and exportation from the Piraju Reservoir. The water temperature was a secondary variable for the processes related to retention (such as chemical reactions and biological assimilations).

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RESUMEN

The formation of reservoirs often affects water quality strongly, with the changes in the physicochemical properties being ascribed to decomposition of remaining organic matter arising from leaching and (biological and chemical) breakdown processes. In this study, experiments under laboratory conditions were performed to show that the nature of the course particulate organic matter (CPOM; i.e., leaves, branches, barks, and litter) determines the decomposition kinetics in new reservoirs. Effects on the water quality can be of short-, mid-, and long-term duration for all types of CPOM, as indicated in the mathematical modeling of the decomposition kinetics. Leaves and litter displayed the shortest half-life times (51 and 40 days, respectively) and the highest potential of leaching/oxidation of labile compounds (19 and 21%, respectively). On the other hand, decomposition of branches and barks generated the lowest oxygen consumption (74 and 44 mg oxygen/g dry mass (DM), respectively). During formation of the reservoir, the incorporation and decomposition of organic matter prevailed over material exportation. Therefore, in addition to a decrease in oxygen availability the concentration of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and nutrients increased. After the filling stage, there was significant loss of organic matter via oxidation, sedimentation, biological assimilation, and export, thus causing the BOD concentration and the fertility of the water to decrease.

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Enzymatic activity during decomposition is extremely important to hydrolyze molecules that are assimilated by microorganisms. During aquatic macrophytes decomposition, enzymes act mainly in the breakdown of lignocellulolytic matrix fibers (i.e. cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) that encompass the refractory fraction from organic matter. Considering the importance of enzymatic activities role in decomposition processes, this study aimed to describe the temporal changes of xylanase and cellulose activities during anaerobic decomposition of Ricciocarpus natans (freely-floating), Oxycaryum cubense (emergent) and Cabomba furcata (submersed). The aquatic macrophytes were collected in Óleo Lagoon, Luiz Antonio, São Paulo, Brazil and bioassays were accomplished. Decomposition chambers from each species (n = 10) were set up with dried macrophyte fragments and filtered Óleo Lagoon water. The chambers were incubated at 22.5ºC, in the dark and under anaerobic conditions. Enzymatic activities and remaining organic matter were measured periodically during 90 days. The temporal variation of enzymes showed that C. furcata presented the highest decay and the highest maximum enzyme production. Xylanase production was higher than cellulase production for the decomposition of the three aquatic macrophytes species.

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RESUMEN

Enzymatic activity during decomposition is extremely important to hydrolyze molecules that are assimilated by microorganisms. During aquatic macrophytes decomposition, enzymes act mainly in the breakdown of lignocellulolytic matrix fibers (i.e. cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) that encompass the refractory fraction from organic matter. Considering the importance of enzymatic activities role in decomposition processes, this study aimed to describe the temporal changes of xylanase and cellulose activities during anaerobic decomposition of Ricciocarpus natans (freely-floating), Oxycaryum cubense (emergent) and Cabomba furcata (submersed). The aquatic macrophytes were collected in Óleo Lagoon, Luiz Antonio, São Paulo, Brazil and bioassays were accomplished.  Decomposition chambers from each species (n = 10) were set up with dried macrophyte fragments and filtered Óleo Lagoon water. The chambers were incubated at 22.5°C, in the dark and under anaerobic conditions. Enzymatic activities and remaining organic matter were measured periodically during 90 days. The temporal variation of enzymes showed that C. furcata presented the highest decay and the highest maximum enzyme production. Xylanase production was higher than cellulase production for the decomposition of the three aquatic macrophytes species.

RESUMEN

Decomposition of lignocellulosic detritus at enzymatic level is the rate-limiting step during aquatic macrophyte decomposition. Assays were carried out to evaluate cellulase activity during decomposition of Utricularia breviscapa; the assays included the following C-sources: leachate, lignocellulosic matrix and integral detritus. The incubations comprised U. breviscapa C-sources added to Oleo lagoon (21° 36'S and 47° 49'W) water maintained in the dark under anaerobic condition at 15°C, 20°C, 25°C and 30°C. Cellulase activity were monitored during 180 days, with the activity showing a time evolution that depended on the temperature and type of detritus: (i) cellulase activity tended to occur earlier with increasing temperatures, but it was less intense than at lower temperatures, (ii) no activity was observed in incubations with leachate, (iii) cellulase activity was observed in the incubation with integral detritus and lignocellulosic matrix and (iv) higher cellulase activity was observed in the incubations with integral detritus at 15°C (P < 0.05).

A decomposição dos detritos lignocelulósicos em nível enzimático é uma etapa limitante da decomposição de macrófitas aquáticas. Experimentos foram realizados para avaliar a atividade da celulase durante a decomposição de diferentes fontes de carbono provenientes de Utricularia breviscapa: lixiviado, matriz lignocelulósica e detritos íntegros. As incubações compreenderam as fontes de carbono de U. breviscapa adicionadas à água da lagoa do Oleo (21° 36'S e 47° 49'W) mantida no escuro à 15°C, 20°C, 25°C e 30°C. As atividades da celulase foram monitoradas durante 180 dias, apresentando uma evolução temporal dependente da temperatura e do tipo de detrito: (i) a atividade da celulase tendeu a ocorrer mais cedo nas temperaturas mais elevadas, porém foram menos intensas, que nas temperaturas mais baixas, (ii) nenhuma atividade foi observada nas incubações com lixiviado, (iii) as atividades da celulase foram observadas nas incubações com detritos integrais e com matriz lignocelulósica e (iv) as atividades da celulase foram mais elevadas nas incubações com detritos integrais à 15°C (P < 0,05).