NOBEL-BOX: Development of a Low-Cost Ship-Based Instrument for Ocean Monitoring.

This research aims to develop an inexpensive ocean observation instrument with the project name NOBEL (Nusantara Oceanography Backdoor Experiment Laboratory)-BOX. The device can be installed on all types of vessels for mapping the water conditions, providing accurate data for managing a marine area, particularly regarding water quality. The principle of NOBEL-BOX is to attach six sensors in a container connected to a microcontroller and then measure specific data directly and automatically. The methodology employed included experimental design, laboratory and field tests, and data evaluation to develop the necessary system and instruments. The design process encompassed the construction of the instrument and the fabrication, involving the creation of three-dimensional drawings and the design of microcontrollers and data transmission systems and power capacity. This instrument is box-shaped with a microcontroller, sensors, a battery, and cables located inside. The testing phase included data validation, testing of the device in the laboratory, and field testing showed that the device worked. The data provided from this instrument could meet the specific criteria for seawater analysis.

Limnoperna fortunei Dunker, 1857 larvae in different environments of a Neotropical floodplain: relationships of abiotic variables and phytoplankton with different stages of development.

Limnoperna fortunei Dunker, 1857 is an Asian invasive freshwater bivalve. Although there need to contain their spread, studies about the biology of the larvae are scarce. We correlated the larval stages of L. fortunei with biotic factors such as phytoplankton and main abiotic variables in lotic environments of the Upper Paraná River floodplain. The four samples were taken quarterly during the year 2012. The Principal component analysis (PCA) showed only spatial differences, as did a Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). High densities of larvae were recorded in all samples the Paraná River and Baía River only in December, especially those in their initial stage. In the biovolume of Class of algae, Bacillarophyceae showed the highest value, but Chlorophycea who was strongly correlated with the density of D-stage larvae. The large variety of phytoplankton, especially microplankton Chlorophyceae, high values of PO4, NH4 and temperature were positively correlated with high densities of D-stage larvae. We conclude that high temperature, and food availability, indicated by phytoplankton community, favored the reproduction of L. fortunei and enhance the ability of specie dispersion due to the increase in the emission of propagules. Therefore, studies that address the biology of golden mussel larvae should be performed in order to prevent its spread.

Limnoperna fortunei Dunker, 1857 larvae in different environments of a Neotropical floodplain: relationships of abiotic variables and phytoplankton with different stages of development / Larvas de Limnoperna fortunei Dunker, 1857 em diferentes ambientes de uma planície de inundação Neotropical: relação com variáveis abióticas e algas fitoplanctônicas em diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento

Abstract Limnoperna fortunei Dunker, 1857 is an Asian invasive freshwater bivalve. Although there need to contain their spread, studies about the biology of the larvae are scarce. We correlated the larval stages of L. fortunei with biotic factors such as phytoplankton and main abiotic variables in lotic environments of the Upper Paraná River floodplain. The four samples were taken quarterly during the year 2012. The Principal component analysis (PCA) showed only spatial differences, as did a Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). High densities of larvae were recorded in all samples the Paraná River and Baía River only in December, especially those in their initial stage. In the biovolume of Class of algae, Bacillarophyceae showed the highest value, but Chlorophycea who was strongly correlated with the density of D-stage larvae. The large variety of phytoplankton, especially microplankton Chlorophyceae, high values of PO4, NH4 and temperature were positively correlated with high densities of D-stage larvae. We conclude that high temperature, and food availability, indicated by phytoplankton community, favored the reproduction of L. fortunei and enhance the ability of specie dispersion due to the increase in the emission of propagules. Therefore, studies that address the biology of golden mussel larvae should be performed in order to prevent its spread.

Resumo Limnoperna fortunei Dunker, 1857 é um bivalve asiático dulcícola invasor. Embora haja necessidade de conter sua dispersão, estudos que abordam a biologia de suas larvas ainda são escassos. Analisou-se as fases larvais de L. fortunei relacionando-as a fatores bióticos como a comunidade fitoplânctônica e às principais variáveis abióticas, em ambientes lóticos da planície de inundação do alto do rio Paraná. As quatro coletas foram trimestrais durante o ano de 2012. A análise de componentes principais (PCA) demonstrou apenas diferenças espaciais, assim como a Análise de Correspondência Canônica (CCA). Altas densidades de larvas foram registradas em todas as coletas no rio Paraná e no rio Baía apenas no mês de dezembro, principalmente para as larvas em estádio inicial. No biovolume das classes de algas, Bacillarophyceae obteve o maior valor, porém Chlorophycea foi a que fortemente correlacionou-se com a densidade de larvas D. A grande variedade de fitoplâncton, em especial de Chlorophyceae microplanctônica, altos valores de PO4, NH4 e temperatura estiveram positivamente correlacionadas com altas densidades de larvas D. Conclui-se que, altas temperaturas, e disponibilidade de alimento, como a comunidade fitoplanctônica, favorecem a reprodução de L. fortunei e aumentam a capacidade de dispersão da espécie devido ao incremento na emissão de propágulos. Portanto, estudos que abordem a biologia das larvas de mexilhão-dourado devem ser realizados a fim de evitar sua propagação.

Interannual variability of phytoplankton in the main rivers of the Upper Paraná River floodplain, Brazil: influence of upstream reservoirs.

The interannual variation of phytoplankton communities in the three main rivers of the Upper Paraná River floodplain is evaluated in relation to changes in the hydrosedimentological regime. These changes are a result of climatic variability and the formation of Porto Primavera Reservoir, located at the upper Paraná River. Phytoplankton species richness and density were investigated in rivers during a prior period (1993-1994) and eight years after reservoir impoundment (2000-2007). Multiple analyses were conducted to test the differences between these time periods in order to find predictor variables for phytoplankton attributes. A total of 454 phytoplanktonic taxa were found. The regression analysis revealed significant differences between periods. In the years following construction of the Porto Primavera dam, species richness was lower in the Paraná River and density was higher in the three rivers. In general, the algal density decreased from 2005 to 2007. Diatoms and cyanobacteria contributed significantly to the total density during the period from March 1993 to February 1994. The years 2000-2007 presented the lowest diatom contribution to species richness and the highest cyanobacteria contribution. From 2000 on, cryptomonads and cyanobacteria dominated. The interannual variability of phytoplankton was probably influenced by changes in hydrosedimentological regime due to climatic variations (La Niña and El Niño-Southern Oscillation events--ENSO) and the operational procedures associated with an upstream reservoirs. Studies on climatic variability and its effects on hydrosedimentological regimes of the Paraná, Baía and Ivinhema rivers and the biota therein are necessary to obtain subsidies for management, including decisions related to the operation of dams upstream and downstream of the study area, with the purpose of minimizing risks to the Environmental Protection Area.

Interannual variability of phytoplankton in the main rivers of the Upper Paraná River floodplain, Brazil: influence of upstream reservoirs / Variabilidade Interanual do Fitoplâncton dos principais rios da planície de inundação do Alto Rio Paraná, Brasil: influência de reservatórios a montante

The interannual variation of phytoplankton communities in the three main rivers of the Upper Paraná River floodplain is evaluated in relation to changes in the hydrosedimentological regime. These changes are a result of climatic variability and the formation of Porto Primavera Reservoir, located at the upper Paraná River. Phytoplankton species richness and density were investigated in rivers during a prior period (1993-1994) and eight years after reservoir impoundment (2000-2007). Multiple analyses were conducted to test the differences between these time periods in order to find predictor variables for phytoplankton attributes. A total of 454 phytoplanktonic taxa were found. The regression analysis revealed significant differences between periods. In the years following construction of the Porto Primavera dam, species richness was lower in the Paraná River and density was higher in the three rivers. In general, the algal density decreased from 2005 to 2007. Diatoms and cyanobacteria contributed significantly to the total density during the period from March 1993 to February 1994. The years 2000-2007 presented the lowest diatom contribution to species richness and the highest cyanobacteria contribution. From 2000 on, cryptomonads and cyanobacteria dominated. The interannual variability of phytoplankton was probably influenced by changes in hydrosedimentological regime due to climatic variations (La Niña and El Niño - Southern Oscillation events - ENSO) and the operational procedures associated with an upstream reservoirs. Studies on climatic variability and its effects on hydrosedimentological regimes of the Paraná, Baía and Ivinhema rivers and the biota therein are necessary to obtain subsidies for management, including decisions related to the operation of dams upstream and downstream of the study area, with the purpose of minimizing risks to the Environmental Protection Area.

A variação interanual da estrutura fitoplanctônica nos três principais rios da planície de inundação do Alto Rio Paraná foi avaliada em relação às modificações no regime hidrossedimentológico. Essas modificações são resultantes da variabilidade climática e da formação do reservatório de Porto Primavera, localizado no Alto Rio Paraná. Foi avaliada a riqueza de espécies e a densidade, em um período anterior à construção da UHE de Porto Primavera (1993-1994) e nos 8 anos seguintes (2000-2007) a formação do reservatório. Foram realizadas análises de regressão múltipla para testar as diferenças entre os períodos e buscar variáveis preditoras dos atributos fitoplanctônicos analisados. Foram registrados 454 táxons. A análise de regressão evidenciou variações significativas entre os períodos analisados. A riqueza de espécies foi menor no Rio Paraná e a densidade fitoplanctônica foi maior nos três rios nos anos seguintes à formação do reservatório de Porto Primavera. Registrou-se um decréscimo nos valores de densidade nos anos de 2005 a 2007. Diatomáceas e cianobactérias contribuíram significativamente para a densidade durante o período de março de 1993 a fevereiro de 1994. No período de 2000 a 2007 ocorreu menor contribuição de diatomáceas e, maior contribuição de cianobactérias para a riqueza de espécies. A partir de 2000, criptofíceas e cianobactérias dominaram. As alterações nos atributos analisados também estiveram associadas às flutuações no regime hidrossedimentológico dos rios estudados, provavelmente, influenciadas pelas fases La Niña e El Niño (Oscilação Sul - ENOS). Estes resultados salientam a necessidade de estudos enfocando a variabilidade climática e seus efeitos sobre o regime hidrossedimentológico do Rio Paraná e, sobre sua biota, de modo a fornecer subsídios para o manejo adequado, incluindo decisões quanto à operação das barragens situadas a montante e jusante da região de estudo, para minimizar as perdas de biodiversidade nesta ...

Interannual variability of phytoplankton in the main rivers of the Upper Paraná River floodplain, Brazil: influence of upstream reservoirs

The interannual variation of phytoplankton communities in the three main rivers of the Upper Paraná River floodplain is evaluated in relation to changes in the hydrosedimentological regime. These changes are a result of climatic variability and the formation of Porto Primavera Reservoir, located at the upper Paraná River. Phytoplankton species richness and density were investigated in rivers during a prior period (1993-1994) and eight years after reservoir impoundment (2000-2007). Multiple analyses were conducted to test the differences between these time periods in order to find predictor variables for phytoplankton attributes. A total of 454 phytoplanktonic taxa were found. The regression analysis revealed significant differences between periods. In the years following construction of the Porto Primavera dam, species richness was lower in the Paraná River and density was higher in the three rivers. In general, the algal density decreased from 2005 to 2007. Diatoms and cyanobacteria contributed significantly to the total density during the period from March 1993 to February 1994. The years 2000-2007 presented the lowest diatom contribution to species richness and the highest cyanobacteria contribution. From 2000 on, cryptomonads and cyanobacteria dominated. The interannual variability of phytoplankton was probably influenced by changes in hydrosedimentological regime due to climatic variations (La Niña and El Niño - Southern Oscillation events - ENSO) and the operational procedures associated with an upstream reservoirs. Studies on climatic variability and its effects on hydrosedimentological regimes of the Paraná, Baía and Ivinhema rivers and the biota therein are necessary to obtain subsidies for management, including decisions related to the operation of dams upstream and downstream of the study area, with the purpose of minimizing risks to the Environmental Protection Area.

A variação interanual da estrutura fitoplanctônica nos três principais rios da planície de inundação do Alto Rio Paraná foi avaliada em relação às modificações no regime hidrossedimentológico. Essas modificações são resultantes da variabilidade climática e da formação do reservatório de Porto Primavera, localizado no Alto Rio Paraná. Foi avaliada a riqueza de espécies e a densidade, em um período anterior à construção da UHE de Porto Primavera (1993-1994) e nos 8 anos seguintes (2000-2007) a formação do reservatório. Foram realizadas análises de regressão múltipla para testar as diferenças entre os períodos e buscar variáveis preditoras dos atributos fitoplanctônicos analisados. Foram registrados 454 táxons. A análise de regressão evidenciou variações significativas entre os períodos analisados. A riqueza de espécies foi menor no Rio Paraná e a densidade fitoplanctônica foi maior nos três rios nos anos seguintes à formação do reservatório de Porto Primavera. Registrou-se um decréscimo nos valores de densidade nos anos de 2005 a 2007. Diatomáceas e cianobactérias contribuíram significativamente para a densidade durante o período de março de 1993 a fevereiro de 1994. No período de 2000 a 2007 ocorreu menor contribuição de diatomáceas e, maior contribuição de cianobactérias para a riqueza de espécies. A partir de 2000, criptofíceas e cianobactérias dominaram. As alterações nos atributos analisados também estiveram associadas às flutuações no regime hidrossedimentológico dos rios estudados, provavelmente, influenciadas pelas fases La Niña e El Niño (Oscilação Sul - ENOS). Estes resultados salientam a necessidade de estudos enfocando a variabilidade climática e seus efeitos sobre o regime hidrossedimentológico do Rio Paraná e, sobre sua biota, de modo a fornecer subsídios para o manejo adequado, incluindo decisões quanto à operação das barragens situadas a montante e jusante da região de estudo, para minimizar as perdas de biodiversidade nesta Área de Preservação Ambiental.