Mecanismos de emissão de CO2 em reservatórios do semi-árido brasileiro

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to understand the factors that influence the carbon balance in semi-arid reservoirs in northeastern Brazil and to evaluate the effect of the feeding characteristics in the carbon balance of these environments. The results of this thesis have shown that fish with different feeding characteristics can influence carbon balance in reservoirs (Chapter I, Chapter II, Chapter III). We have demonstrated through experiments mesocosms that benthivorous fish enhance heterotrophic and emission of CO2 to the atmosphere, through the suspension of organic matter and nutrients attached to sediment, which stimulate plankton and microbial respiration rates as well as methanotrophy processes (Chapter II). On the other hand, omnivorous fish like Nile Tilapia favor decrease CO2 emissions to the atmosphere by stimulating phytoplankton biomass mainly caused via trophic cascade by decrease in zooplankton biomass (Chapter III). In addition, reservoirs which have a predominance of inorganic suspended solids may indicate that the environment is emitting CO2 to the atmosphere. However, reservoirs have a dominance of organic suspended solids may indicate that the environment is uptake CO2 by the atmosphere (Chapter I). We can conclude, that some factors such as the dominance of suspended solids may be indicative of the of carbon balance function by aquatic ecosystem. In addition, fish with different feeding characteristics can influence the carbon balance in reservoirs.