GEOSCIENCES MEETING
B R A Z I L - T E X A S A &M U N I V E R S I T Y
SCIENCE AND EDUCATION INTERNATIONALIZATION
CAPABILITIES OF THE LABNUT GROUP: NUTRIENTS, MICRONUTRIENTS
AND TRACES IN THE OCEAN LABORATORY (LABNUT - IOUSP)
Elisabete S. Braga1
1
[email protected] (Universidade de São Paulo)
This laboratory is base for different researches in Oceanography including Chemical studies
with multidisciplinary subject interfaces demonstrating strong link with physical and
biological studies. The main research subjects are: i) biogeochemical cycles of nutrients,
micronutrients and traces in the ocean; ii) chemical elements as tracers of water masses; iii)
carbon and organic matter in coastal and oceanic processes; iv) marine pollution and
environmental water quality; v) natural and non-natural biochemical responses in coastal
systems. The studies developed by the research group include dissolved oxygen
concentrations and its association with the seawater mass sources and identification of
biogeochemical processes. Nitrogen, phosphorus and silica contents associate to the water
masses in oceanic cases and with the primary production and pollution responses in coastal
systems. Trace metal biogeochemical processes including biota, water and sediment
signatures. Rare-earth studies in coastal systems, identifying terrestrial and oceanic inputs.
Benthic flux in the interface with seawater using benthic chambers. Photo-pigments and
photosynthesis process in organic matter studies. Primary production and nutrient
availabilities. Biochemical responses by enzymatic expression and modification in the organic
matter pools in the coastal systems. Environmental studies involving polices and monitoring
actions. The team is involved in Antarctic Research using tracer to know the oceanic dynamic
and the potential for carbon retention at this region. Estuarine studies are constantly realized
by the group in mangrove region without and with anthropogenic influence in several parts of
the country. Bioaccumulation studies are located in southern Brazilian coastal system. Studies
of tracers in water masses were performed as a part of international WOCE Program,
associated with French, Spanish and American scientists and Beagle Expedition was realized
with JAMSTEC-Japan. The laboratory constantly makes a part of international exercises for
nutrients calibration. The equipment park attached to LABNUT-IOUSP is composed by:
AutoAnalyzer - Bran-Luebbe®; spectrophotometers (Bausch-Lomb®, Zeiss®, and others);
Radiometer® – Trace Lab; Varian® TOC; Photo-oxidation chamber; Metrhom® titration
equipments; Potentiometric Instruments; Liophilyzer; Centrifuges; Turbiditymeter; ultrafreezer and freezers; Correntmeter Valleport®; hydrobios® samples; van Dorn samples;
luxmeter; GPS portable; benthic chambers. For field research, in addition LABNUT-IOUSP
has a container laboratory, equipped with freezer, spectrometer and available for multiply
analyses. We have collaborators in IPEN-Brazil, UFPE-Brazil; UFC-Brazil; IUEM-France;
NOAA-USA; UNL-Portugal; LU-England and others. Collaborators: Prof. Dr. Sueli Susana
de Godói (IOUSP), Prof. Sonia Gianesella Flores (IOUSP), Prof. Dr. Joseph Harari (IOUSP),
Prof. Dr. Deborah Inês Favaro (IPEN-SP), Prof. Dr. Manuel Flores Montes (UFPE), Prof. Dr.
Luiz Drude de Lacerda (UFC), Prof. Dr. Rozane Valente Marins (UFC), Dr. Juliana de Souza
Azevedo (PD), Dr. Glaucia Bueno Bendetti Berbel (PD), Dr. Luciana Farias (PD), and Dr.
Juciene Andrade Figueiredo (PD). Students at this moment: Vitor G. Chiozzini (technician
and PhD student), João Carlos. C. Maluf (PhD student), Esther Nespoli de Oliveira (PhD
student), Chiara Machado Vieira (Master student), Ana Teresa Cordeiro Cid Bastos (Master
student), Luana Ambrósio, Kátia Agostinho, and Pâmela Nascimento.
March 26-29, 2012
Porto de Galinhas, Pernambuco, Brazil
Abstract P-58