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1st Mares Conference on Marine Ecosystems Health and Conservation. Olhão, Portugal 17-21 November 2014. Kelp forests represent some of the most conspicuous coastal habitats and today we recognize only one giant kelp species (Macrocystis pyrifera) distributed globally [1, 2]. M. pyrifera is recognized as a perennial kelp species with a low capacity of energy storage, whereas its high productivity is associated the availability of nitrogen from the water column [3]. The relation between M. pyrifera growth and biomass production results from a plastic response of the sporophytes to temporal and spatial variability in nitrogen availability [4, 5]. However, the low storage capacity of giant kelp [6, 7] is clearly disadvantageous during periods of suboptimal environmental conditions; as those that occur seasonally in California and the inland waters of southern Chile. Due to an increased demand for kelp biomass in Chile for the world alginate industry and abalone farming in Chile [8, 9] there is an increased demand of raw material and interest for developing kelp aquaculture technologies [10]. The present study evaluates the effect of different nitrogen availability on the growth and regeneration of juvenile fronds of M. pyrifera sporophytes from southern Chile and explore its consequences for the development of seeding strategies of kelp farming in southern Chile.

Copyright © 2013 Blackwell Verlag GmbH. A better understanding of biological systems can only be gained if we understand what processes are important and how they operate to determine the distribution of organisms. Coastal orientation and depth can influence environmental conditions, including the degree of water motion and availability of light, which in turn may influence the horizontal and vertical patterns of organism distribution. Here, we used a mixed-model design to examine the effects of coastal orientation and depth on the structure of benthic assemblages by comparing the abundance and distribution of macroalgae and invertebrates in shallow and deep waters on the opposing coasts of Sa˜o Miguel. Generally, coastal orientation had little influence on the distribution of most taxa. In contrast, significant differences were generally associated with depth, although patterns were spatially variable at the scale of locations. This study suggests that depth, and processes operating at the scale of location, but not at the scale of the coast, have an important influence on these assemblages, and that failure to recognise such a scale of variability may hamper our ability to better understand the processes that structure these communities.

Copyright © 2013 APRH. Submitted by Ana Neto (aneto@uac.pt) on 2013-04-11T16:51:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Wallenstein et al 2013 RGCI_JICZM.pdf: 590548 bytes, checksum: eaf4f157b580cfb1eea111082f43b925 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-04-16T15:02:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Wallenstein et al 2013 RGCI_JICZM.pdf: 590548 bytes, checksum: eaf4f157b580cfb1eea111082f43b925 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03

Jornadas "Ciência nos Açores – que futuro? Tema Ciências Naturais e Ambiente", Ponta Delgada, 7-8 de Junho de 2013. As macroalgas marinhas têm sido largamente usadas para diversos fins. Nos Açores, várias espécies têm sido usadas tradicionalmente na alimentação humana (e.g. Fucus spiralis, Porphyra spp., Laurencia spp. e Osmundea spp.) e para extracção de compostos com interesse na indústria dos ficocolóides (Pterocladiella capilacea e Gelidium spp.). As exigências no controlo da qualidade e as práticas actuais de colheita de macroalgas marinhas selvagens na Europa levantam preocupações ambientais sérias que tornam premente a necessidade se implementarem métodos de produção de biomassa controlados, como é o caso da aquacultura de macroalgas marinhas. Apesar da importância da exploração sustentável dos recursos marinhos existentes nos Açores, não existe informação sobre a viabilidade do cultivo de macroalgas marinhas no Arquipélago. O conhecimento sobre os requisitos básicos para o cultivo em grande escala das espécies nativas seleccionadas e os locais mais apropriados para a sua implementação está em falta. O objectivo principal do presente projecto é avaliar o potencial de cultivo de espécies de macroalgas marinhas seleccionadas, bem como identificar os métodos de cultivo mais adequados. Os resultados do programa de doutoramento serão de extrema importância quer em termos científicos quer em termos empresariais. Permitirão a transferência de tecnologia para o tecido empresarial regional e para a implementação de empresas de base tecnológica indo ao encontro das futuras políticas de financiamento europeias no âmbito do Programa Europeu Horizonte 2020. ABSTRACT: Seaweeds have a wide range of applications. In the Azores, several species of seaweeds were traditionally used either as food (e.g. Fucus spiralis, Porphyra spp., Laurencia spp. and Osmundea spp.) or for extraction of chemical products (Pterocladiella capilacea e Gelidium spp.). The product quality control requirements and concerns regarding the environmental sustainability of current wild seaweed biomass harvesting practices in Europe demand for controlled seaweed aquaculture. Despite the interest in exploiting Azorean seaweed resources, there is no information on the feasibility of cultivating seaweed in the Azores. Basic knowledge on large scale cultivation requirements of the selected native species is missing. The present project it’s aimed at evaluating the culture potential of selected Azorean species. The resulting outputs will be extremely important for both academic and economic purposes, bringing together the research and the market. Innovative enterprise will benefit from this project and develop technological breakthroughs into viable products with real commercial potential. This main objective is in according with the principal strategy of the Horizon 2020 that will tackle societal challenges after the end of FP7. Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia

Jornadas "Ciência nos Açores – que futuro? Tema Ciências Naturais e Ambiente", Ponta Delgada, 7-8 de Junho de 2013. Submitted by Ana Neto (aneto@uac.pt) on 2014-05-05T16:53:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2013_Patarra_etal_JCiencia_atas_pp225-228.pdf: 2412743 bytes, checksum: e10bc3cfdd4ba70dcad1b49264403891 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-06T12:57:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2013_Patarra_etal_JCiencia_atas_pp225-228.pdf: 2412743 bytes, checksum: e10bc3cfdd4ba70dcad1b49264403891 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia

Jornadas "Ciência nos Açores – que futuro?", Ponta Delgada, 7-8 de Junho de 2013. A área de Química de Produtos Naturais tem contribuído, grandemente, para a descoberta de fármacos e agroquímicos, entre outros, por meio do isolamento de substâncias ativas produzidas por diversos organismos. As novas moléculas têm grande interesse científico, económico, social e farmacológico podendo contribuir, em muito, para a saúde das pessoas e para a sua qualidade de vida. O rastreio de novos compostos com atividade biológica tem sido, recentemente, uma das prioridades da comunidade científica e os Açores, pelas suas características particulares e endemismos assumem particular importância nesta área de investigação. O estudo das potencialidades de plantas e organismos marinhos dos Açores tem sido desenvolvido na Universidade dos Açores/CIRN desde a década de noventa, usando a estratégia de investigação seguinte: (i) seleção dos organismos mais promissores para fins industriais e comerciais pela avaliação da sua atividade em ensaios biológicos diversos, (ii) extração, separação e identificação dos compostos bioativos e (iii) estudos da relação estrutura-atividade dos compostos bioativos isolados. ABSTRACT: The chemistry of Natural Products has contributed greatly to the discovery of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals agents, among others, by the isolation of active substances produced by various organisms. The new molecules are of great scientific, economic, social and pharmacological importance and may contribute greatly to the people's health and their quality of life. The screening for new compounds with biological activity has been a recent priority for the scientific community and the Azores, by its particular characteristics and endemism is of crucial importance in this area of research. The study of the Azorean plants and marine organisms potential has been investigated in Azores University/CIRN since the '90s decade, using the following research strategy: (i) screening of the most promising organisms for industrial and commercial purposes by evaluating their activity in several biological assays, (ii) extraction, purification and molecular structure elucidation of the bioactive compounds, and (iii) studies of structure-activity relationships of the isolated bioactive compounds.

Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. During summer 2008 and spring 2009, surface oceanographic surveys were carried out around three islands of the Azores archipelago (Terceira, São Miguel and Santa Maria) to assess the phytoplankton distribution and associated physico-chemical processes. The Azores archipelago is a major feature in the biogeochemical North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre (NAST) province although its influence on the productivity of the surrounding ocean is poorly known. Surface phytoplankton was studied by microscopy and HPLC (High Precision Liquid Chromatography). The mean values for biomass proxy Chlorophyll a (Chla) ranged from 0.04 to 0.55 μg Lˉ¹ (Chla maximum = 0.86 μg Lˉ¹) and coccolithophores were the most abundant group, followed by small flagellates, Cyanobacteria, diatoms and dinoflagellates being the least abundant group. The distribution of phytoplankton and coccolithophore species in particular presented seasonal differences and was consistent with the nearshore influence of warm subtropical waters from the south Azores current and colder subpolar waters from the north. The satellite-derived circulation patterns showed southward cold water intrusions off Terceira and northward warm water intrusions off Santa Maria. The warmer waters signal was confirmed by the subtropical coccolithophore assemblage, being Discosphaera tubifera a constant presence under these conditions. The regions of enhanced biomass, either resulting from northern cooler waters or from island induced processe, were characterized by the presence of Emiliania huxleyi. Diatoms and dinoflagellates indicated coastal and regional processe of nutrient enrichment and areas of physical stability, respectively.

11º Encontro de Química dos Alimentos (11EQA). Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal, 16-19 de Setembro. This study evaluates the chemical composition (proteins, fiber, total lipids, total carbohydrates and ash) os selected macroalgae common at the Azorean shores with potencial nutricional value for human food suplement. The protein content ranged from 2.86% to 18.48% of dry weight (DW) for Padina pavonica and Codium adhaerens, respectively and fiber ranged from 31.02% to 69.10% of DW for Codium adhaerens and Cystoseira humilis, respectively. The total of lipids ranged from 1.55% to 5.20% of DW for Cystoseira humulis and Codium adhaerens, respectively, and the total of carbohydrates ranged from 7,61% to 16.78% for Padina pavonica and Codium adhaerens, respectively.

AICMA 2012 (BIT's 1st Annual International Congress of Marine Algae), World Expo Center, Dalian, China, 20-23 de Setembro. Seaweeds are traditionally used in animal nutrition supplement and have also been an important human dietary component. In addition to their value as a human food supplement, seaweeds may also contribute as a functional o r health-promoting food to prevent some of the most degenerative diseases ofthe industrial countries. Over the past few decades, the consumption of seaweed products’ has increased in European countries. Currently, approxirnately 15-20 edible algae strains are being commonly marketed for consumption in Europe. In the archipelago of the Azores (Portugal), the consumption o f seaweeds is widespread and accepted as a common practice in some of the islands. Being isolated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and taking into account the low pollution levels of seawater in the region, the Azores Islands have become a very promising location as a natural resource for marine macroalgae with potential for providing new ingredients of so-called functional or health-promoting foods. In the present investigation we evaluate the crude protein and crude fiber content offive selected macroalgae (Chaetomorpha linum and Codium adhaerens, Chlorophyta; Cystoseira humilis, Padina pavonica and Sargassum cymosum, Phaeophyta) collected in the littoral zone o f Sao Miguel Island (Azores). Protein content, determined by Kjeldahl method, varies greatly, from 2.86% to 18.48% of dry weight, in Padina pavonica and Codium adhaerens, respectively. Fiber content, determined by a modified Weende procedure, ranged between 31.02% and 69.10% of dry weight, in Codium adhaerens and Cystoseira humilis, respectively. Characterization and quantification of carbohydrates, lipids and vitamins were also performed in the referred species. The major chemical constituents of all the studied macroalgae revealed a dependence of the seasonal and environmental growth conditions (climate and habitats). Indeed algae can be considered as a magnificent bioreactor that is able to provide different types of compounds at different quantities depending mostly of the environmental conditions.

IV Congresso da Ordem dos Biólogos e II Congresso dos Biólogos dos Açores (Painel Biologia Marinha e Oceanografia). Ponta Delgada, Açores, 13-15 de Outubro de 2011.

IV Congresso da Ordem dos Biólogos e II Congresso dos Biólogos dos Açores (Painel Biologia Marinha e Oceanografia). Ponta Delgada, Açores, 13-15 de Outubro de 2011.

5th European Phycological Congress. Rhodos, Grécia, 5-9 de Setembro de 2011.

International Symposium FloraMac 2010. Ponta Delgada, Açores, 23-25 de Setembro de 2010.

International Symposium FloraMac 2010. Ponta Delgada, Açores, 23-25 de Setembro de 2010.

International Symposium FloraMac 2010. Ponta Delgada, Açores, 23-25 de Setembro.

International Conference on Coastal Conservation and Management in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Estoril, Portugal, 12-17 de Abril de 2010.

7th Asia-Pacific Conference on Algal Biotechnology. Delhi, Índia, 1-4 de Dezembro de 2009.

43rd European Marine Biology Symposium. Ponta Delgada, Açores, 8-12 de Setembro de 2008.

43rd European Marine Biology Symposium. Ponta Delgada, Açores, 8-12 de Setembro de 2008.

11th International Conference on Applied Phycology. National University of Ireland, Galway, Irlanda, 21-27 de Junho de 2008.

International Symposium FloraMac2012. Colégio dos Jesuítas, Funchal, Madeira, 5-8 de Setembro.

International Symposium FloraMac2012. Colégio dos Jesuítas, Funchal, Madeira, 5-8 de Setembro.