Effects of ocean warming and acidification on the early stages of marine fishes

Tese de doutoramento, Ciências do Mar, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2016

Densidade de estocagem em camarões da espécie Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879) na fase juvenil

Among the species of freshwater shrimp being cultivated, Macrobrachium rosenbergii stands out. Knowledge about the behavior of this species and the influence of certain factors on its development can help optimize management practices and minimize the likely impacts shrimp farming has on the environment and the animals themselves. The objective of this study was to characterize the species' behavior during early stages of development under different stocking densities over a 24-hour cycle. Ten day old postlarvae were transferred from the Jundiaí School of Agriculture (EAJ - Escola Agrícola de Jundiaí) in Macaíba (RN), Brazil to the Shrimp Behavior Laboratory (LSPR - Laboratório de Estudos do Comportamento do Camarão) at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), where they were weighed and measured. Eight aquaria with constant temperature, aeration and filtration, and subjected to a12 h light/12 h dark cycle were used for each experiment. Each aquarium also contained two shelters made of bricks and the water quality was monitored weekly. Behavioral observations were made at two densities: 25 individuals/m-² and 40 individuals/m-². The methods for recording behaviors were: behavioral sampling – enter and leave the shelter, exploring on the substrate, exploring in the water column, move away, attack, pursuit and cannibalism; scan sampling - inactivity, feeding, exploration, digging, swimming, cleaning and staying in the shelter. Observations were made during a 15 minute period/per aquarium at a frequency of 4 times daily, for 4 days/week, and over 4 weeks. Food was provided 2 times/day for each aquarium population, immediately before the 1st and 3rd observation periods. Our results demonstrate that at high density, there is an increased frequency of agonistic behavior; during the light phase, there is a greater frequency of behaviors that result in less exposure (inactivity, cleaning and staying in the shelter); during the dark phase, there is an increased frequency of behaviors that result in greater exposure (feeding, exploration, swimming and digging); at times of feed offer, there is an increased frequency of leaving the shelter, moving away, pursuit, feeding, exploration and swimming. At low density, the animals showed a lower frequency of agonistic behaviors, greater weight gain and higher growth rates, which indicates that this is a more favorable growing environment for cultivation and when applied, can generate better living conditions, favor survival rates and increase management success

Uma investigação das sequências de fase Hebbianas descritas como grafos de assembleias neuronais

Hebb proposed that synapses between neurons that fire synchronously are strengthened, forming cell assemblies and phase sequences. The former, on a shorter scale, are ensembles of synchronized cells that function transiently as a closed processing system; the latter, on a larger scale, correspond to the sequential activation of cell assemblies able to represent percepts and behaviors. Nowadays, the recording of large neuronal populations allows for the detection of multiple cell assemblies. Within Hebb’s theory, the next logical step is the analysis of phase sequences. Here we detected phase sequences as consecutive assembly activation patterns, and then analyzed their graph attributes in relation to behavior. We investigated action potentials recorded from the adult rat hippocampus and neocortex before, during and after novel object exploration (experimental periods). Within assembly graphs, each assembly corresponded to a node, and each edge corresponded to the temporal sequence of consecutive node activations. The sum of all assembly activations was proportional to firing rates, but the activity of individual assemblies was not. Assembly repertoire was stable across experimental periods, suggesting that novel experience does not create new assemblies in the adult rat. Assembly graph attributes, on the other hand, varied significantly across behavioral states and experimental periods, and were separable enough to correctly classify experimental periods (Naïve Bayes classifier; maximum AUROCs ranging from 0.55 to 0.99) and behavioral states (waking, slow wave sleep, and rapid eye movement sleep; maximum AUROCs ranging from 0.64 to 0.98). Our findings agree with Hebb’s view that neuronal assemblies correspond to primitive building blocks of representation, nearly unchanged in 10 the adult, while phase sequences are labile across behavioral states and change after novel experience. The results are compatible with a role for phase sequences in behavior and cognition

Efeito de ligantes do receptor NOP no modelo animal de mania induzido por metilfenidato

Bipolar disorder is a chronic psychopathology that reaches from 1 to 4% of the world population. This mood disorder is characterized by cyclical mood changes, in which an individual alternates between states of depression and mania. Mania is described in the literature as an abnormal state of exacerbation of humor, in which the subject presents an expansive, euphoric behavior, but with increased irritability, psychomotor agitation and a feeling of invincibility, which will contribute to risks exposure. The treatment of this psychopathology is complex and it is not effective in all cases, and it evokes many side effects. In this respect, the system of Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) can be studied as a possible therapeutic target for the treatment of bipolar disorder, due to its modulatory role on monoaminergic systems and on mood. This study aims to investigate the effect of NOP receptor ligands in an animal model of mania induced by methylphenidate. To this aim, locomotor activity was assessed in an open field, in mice treated with methylphenidate (10 mg/kg, sc, 15 min). Valproate (300 mg / kg, ip, 30 min), standard treatment of mania, prevented methylphenidate-induced hyperlocomotion. The acute treatment with the antagonist of NOP receptor UFP-101 (1-10 nmol, icv, 5 min) per se did not affect the spontaneous locomotion of mice, but it was able of attenuating hyperlocomotion induced by methylphenidate. The acute treatment with N/OFQ (1 and 0.1 nmol, icv, 5 min) did not alter the distance moved, but when tested at a dose of 1 ηmol, N/OFQ slightly reduced methylphenidate-induced hiperlocomotion. In conclusion, the administration of UFP-101 and N/OFQ produced antimanic-like actions. Furthermore, these data suggest that the system of N/OFQ performs a complex modulation of voluntary movement, and consequently on dopaminergic neurotransmission.

Comportamento geotécnico de misturas de solo e resíduos de perfuração onshore

The drilling of wells for petroleum extraction generates rocks and soils fragments, among other residues. These fragments are denominated petroleum drilling gravel or simply petroleum drilling residue. On the sites of onshore exploration are formed big deposits of drilling gravel, an expensive final destination material. This work aims at evaluating the addition of drilling residue to a lateritic soil, as composite material, for construction of compacted fills for earth work projects. Soil and residue were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and by laboratory tests traditionally used in soil mechanics, as particle-size analysis of soils, determination of liquid and plasticity indexes and compaction test. After soil and residue characterization, soil-residue mixtures were studied, using dosages of 2,5%, 5%, 10%, and 15% of residue in relation to the dry soil mass. These mixtures were submitted to compaction test, CBR, direct shear test and consolidation test. The test results were compared to the current legislation of DNIT for compacted fill construction. The results showed that the mixtures presented the minimal necessary parameters, allowing, from the point of view of geotechnical analysis, the use of these mixtures for construction of compacted fills

A cafeína como agente modulador do ciclo atividade-repouso e memória em saguis (Callithrix jacchus)

Caffeine is the most consumed psychostimulant, with effects on attention, memory, and arousal. But when this substance is ingested near to bedtime there is a decrease on sleep, interfering on mnemonic processes. So, our ain was to investigate how the caffeine ingested near to sleep onset acts on sleep and memory in marmosets. We used 16 adult marmosets, single housed, in a 12:12h light-dark cycle. For registering locomotor activity were used two kinds of sensors. The gyroscope sensor registers activity each 30 sec and detects motion with good accuracy. Because of this we used this sensor for detecting nocturnal activity. The second sensor was based on infrared and accumulates activity each 5 min and it’s not able to detect nocturnal activity, just diurnal activity. We also used camera for registering Rest phase of one marmoset. For the cognitive task, the animals needed to learn a rewarded context (CR) when compared to a non-rewarded context CNR). This experiment comprises 5 phases: 1) Two days of habituation to apparatus; 2)Training for 8 days; 3) oral administration of caffeine (10 mg/kg) or placebo administration ±1h before sleep onset, for 8 days, with marmosets receiving placebo or caffeine; 4) retraining to apparatus and after that, placebo administration (placebo group-GP), or caffeine administration (with continuous group-GC and acute groupGA); 5) Test, for evaluating learning to CR. The sessions were filmed and each one had 8 min of duration. At 7 am started the habituation, training and test sessions, and at 3:15 pm started retraining. The results for gyroscope sensor showed that there was coincidence of 68,57% with nocturnal register of the cameras. Then, the gyroscope sensors detected nocturnal activity for all experimental groups Moreover, when compared sensor gyroscope with sensor based on infrared, was observed that both sensor presented similarity on patterns of activity curve. When we observed the effects of caffeine on Activity-Rest Cycle in GP, GA and GC, is possible to see that that gyroscope sensors and based on infrared presented only intra group differences. As behavioral results, the marmosets learned to discriminate CR when compared to CNR. Moreover, GP presented deficits on memory recall during the test, and GA increased the memory recall, when both were compared to GP. We concluded that the marmosets were able to learning the cognitive task and that the caffeine ingested near to sleep onset acts modulating memory in these animals. Moreover the gyroscope sensor can be used as alternative tool for investigating nocturnal activity. Then, the utilization of this non-invasive device allows marmosets exhibit their behavior within the laboratory conditions as natural as possible.

Herpetofauna associada à bromélia rupícola, encholirium spectabile, no semiárido brasileiro: revisão da literatura, ecologia das espécies e comportamento de psychosaura agmosticha (squamata: mabuyidae)

Bromeliads are an important microhabitat for the herpetofauna, for being widely used as refuge from predators and their leaf architecture allows humidity maintenance and relatively constant temperature inside, setting a favorable environment for amphibians and reptiles, especially in areas under hydric stress. However, studies addressing this relationship are still incipient and more concentrated in fitotelmatas bromeliad. For non-fitotelmatas rupicolous bromeliads of the gender Encholirium, which develops into rocky outcrops and contains species of semi-arid regions such as the Caatinga, animal-plant relationships are almost unknown. In this context, this study aimed to know the herpetological fauna inhabitant of macambiras bromeliads, Encholirium spectabile, analyzing occupation and use of these bromeliads by different taxa, and the behavioral ecology of the lizard Psychosaura agmosticha, seeking to identify factors associated with this strict relationship in Caatinga. An extensive review of the world literature on the subject “lizards in bromeliads” subsidized this study from the ecological perspective of this association. The field work was carried out at Fazenda Tanques, municipality of Santa Maria / RN, mesoregion of Agreste Potiguar. The observations and/or data collection in daytime and in the evening was conducted monthly during three consecutive days, from January 2011 to August 2012, totaling 450 hour.man of sampling effort. Sixteen species were registered: six lizards (Mabuyidae, Tropiduridae, Gekkonidae and Phyllodactylidae Families), six snakes (Boidae and Dipsadidae Families) and four of amphibians of Hylidae Family. The effect of the forest edge on the distribution of species along the outcrop was significant, with most species found in outcrop edges. Significant difference was found between some pairs of species concerning use of bromeliads, and almost total niche overlap in the use of microhabitat. 62.5% of the species are nocturnal and use these plants for sheltering, breeding and feeding. Regarding the relations between 4 the lizard Psychosaura agmosticha and macambiras bromeliads, behaviors of thermoregulation and foraging in the dry and wet seasons were recorded. Activity periods were concentrated between 7 and 10 am and between 3 and 5 pm in both seasons, showing a clear bimodal pattern. The species basically used the green leaves and there were no significant differences between males and females in the use of bromeliads. Positive associations were found between body temperature and temperatures of bromeliads and air. This species spent 1.95% ± 3.8 of the time moving (PTM) and moved on average 0:36 ± 2.1 seconds per minute (MPM), with significant differences between the wet and dry to PTM, and between the average time of stop and average duration of movements, being considered a sedentary forager. Psychosaura agmosticha, in the study area, is bromelicolous and uses macambiras primarily for thermoregulation and foraging. The results of this study elevate the rupicolous bromeliads Encholirium spectabile as key elements for the maintenance of amphibians and reptiles associated with it, and a clear advantageous association for the conservation of the groups involved.

Influência dos odores de gato e de cobra no comportamento defensivo e expressão de fos do sistema hipotalâmico de defesa de camundongo

Studies using neuronal tract-tracer in rat have shown that the anterior hypothalamic nucleus, dorsomedial division of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus and dorsal premammillary nucleus are highly connected. When the rat is exposed to predator or its odor these nuclei have shown a expression of Fos and their lesion reduces defensive behavior against predator. This set of nuclei was named the Hypothalamic Defense System. However, little is known about the response of this system to the odor of different predators or its role in mice. In this work, we exposed Swiss mice to two different predators odor (cat and snake) to verify the Fos expression in the Hypothalamic Defense System, as well as the defensive behaviors displayed. The analysis showed that the mice exposure to cat odor had an increased expression of Fos protein compared to control, while those exposed to snake odor showed no rise in Fos expression, which was corroborated by the behavioral data. Our results indicate that this distinct circuit in mice seems to act differentially to odorous stimuli of different predators, causing distinct behavioral responses of mice and that the odor of snake seems not to be perceived by Swiss mice as a threatening stimulus.

Irish Coffee: efeitos de álcool e cafeína no comportamento e aprendizagem do peixe paulistinha

Substâncias psicoestimulantes vêm sendo utilizadas de forma indiscriminada há muitos anos, e pouco se sabe os efeitos que elas causam a curto e longo prazo no comportamento geral, na aprendizagem e na memória. Essas substâncias são bastante usadas por jovens e adultos e elas possuem efeitos diferentes. Essas substâncias são dose dependente, caso consumidas em baixa quantidade agem como estimulante, aumentando a atividade locomotora, caso consumidas em alta quantidade, causam efeito depressor, diminuindo a atividade locomotora e/ou causando ansiedade. Poucos estudos vêm investigando os efeitos dessas substâncias na atividade locomotora, aprendizagem e memória e grande parte desses estudos são realizados em roedores. Peixe paulistinha é um modelo animal promissor para estudos comportamentais, cognitivos, ontogenéticos, dentre outros. Nossos objetivos foram determinar os efeitos do álcool, cafeína e de seu uso combinado com álcool, na atividade locomotora desses animais, usando para isso doses crônicas durante 27 dias e doses agudas durante um dia. Visto que pouco se sabe sobre os efeitos dessa exposição prolongada. Também investigamos os efeitos das substâncias em teste de reconhecimento de objetos, que se baseia na memória de único evento. Essas memórias são mais vulneráveis que memórias baseadas em várias repetições de eventos. Sendo assim, um teste adequado para utilizar com uso de substâncias psicoativas. Observamos que o uso crônico de cafeína provoca alteração na atividade locomotora dos animais, do mesmo modo, abstinência de álcool combinada com cafeína em dose aguda (dose média) provoca aumento de atividade locomotora. Quando submetidos a testes de memória, os animais exposto a doses altas agudas de álcool e em abstinência dessa droga têm prejuízo na formação e/ou resgate da memória. No entanto, tratamento com cafeína não prejudica a formação de memória. Animais expostos a tratamento com dose crônica moderada de álcool e dose aguda moderada de cafeína tem melhor desempenho na tarefa, indicando que dose aguda moderada de cafeína pode evitar os efeitos deletérios ocasionados pela abstinência do álcool. Em termos do comportamento geral, doses agudas de cafeína aumentam a locomoção, enquanto doses elevadas e a abstinência de cafeína induzem a comportamentos tipo-ansioso. A combinação álcool crônico e cafeína aguda induzem a alto comportamento tipo-ansiedade, enquanto a combinação cafeína crônica e álcool agudo diminuem tanto a locomoção quanto a ansiedade.

Irish Coffee: efeitos de álcool e cafeína no comportamento e aprendizagem do peixe paulistinha

Substâncias psicoestimulantes vêm sendo utilizadas de forma indiscriminada há muitos anos, e pouco se sabe os efeitos que elas causam a curto e longo prazo no comportamento geral, na aprendizagem e na memória. Essas substâncias são bastante usadas por jovens e adultos e elas possuem efeitos diferentes. Essas substâncias são dose dependente, caso consumidas em baixa quantidade agem como estimulante, aumentando a atividade locomotora, caso consumidas em alta quantidade, causam efeito depressor, diminuindo a atividade locomotora e/ou causando ansiedade. Poucos estudos vêm investigando os efeitos dessas substâncias na atividade locomotora, aprendizagem e memória e grande parte desses estudos são realizados em roedores. Peixe paulistinha é um modelo animal promissor para estudos comportamentais, cognitivos, ontogenéticos, dentre outros. Nossos objetivos foram determinar os efeitos do álcool, cafeína e de seu uso combinado com álcool, na atividade locomotora desses animais, usando para isso doses crônicas durante 27 dias e doses agudas durante um dia. Visto que pouco se sabe sobre os efeitos dessa exposição prolongada. Também investigamos os efeitos das substâncias em teste de reconhecimento de objetos, que se baseia na memória de único evento. Essas memórias são mais vulneráveis que memórias baseadas em várias repetições de eventos. Sendo assim, um teste adequado para utilizar com uso de substâncias psicoativas. Observamos que o uso crônico de cafeína provoca alteração na atividade locomotora dos animais, do mesmo modo, abstinência de álcool combinada com cafeína em dose aguda (dose média) provoca aumento de atividade locomotora. Quando submetidos a testes de memória, os animais exposto a doses altas agudas de álcool e em abstinência dessa droga têm prejuízo na formação e/ou resgate da memória. No entanto, tratamento com cafeína não prejudica a formação de memória. Animais expostos a tratamento com dose crônica moderada de álcool e dose aguda moderada de cafeína tem melhor desempenho na tarefa, indicando que dose aguda moderada de cafeína pode evitar os efeitos deletérios ocasionados pela abstinência do álcool. Em termos do comportamento geral, doses agudas de cafeína aumentam a locomoção, enquanto doses elevadas e a abstinência de cafeína induzem a comportamentos tipo-ansioso. A combinação álcool crônico e cafeína aguda induzem a alto comportamento tipo-ansiedade, enquanto a combinação cafeína crônica e álcool agudo diminuem tanto a locomoção quanto a ansiedade.

Avaliação histomorfométrica do efeito do ultrasom pulsado nas falhas ósseas provocadas em fêmures de rato: estudo experimental

SILVA, J. S. P. Avaliação histomorfométrica do efeito do ultrasom pulsado nas falhas ósseas provocadas em fêmures de rato: estudo experimental . 2000. 85 f. Dissertação (Mestrado) – Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo. São Paulo, 2000.

Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações: grau de utilização pelos mestrandos do curso de Ciência da Informação das Universidades Públicas Brasileiras

A pesquisa aborda o uso das Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação, que vem revolucionando as atividades e ocasionando muitas mudanças relacionadas ao acesso e uso de informações. O objetivo foi analisar o grau de utilização do conhecimento científico produzido pelos Programas de Pós-Graduação das Universidades Públicas Brasileiras, através da BDTD, pelos mestrandos dos referidos programas. Nos procedimentos metodológicos realizados, procurou-se inicialmente analisar o amplo espectro da população do corpus da pesquisa. Em razão da impossibilidade de trabalhar com os Programas de Pós-Graduação como um todo, optou-se por fazer um recorte, elegendo os cursos de Pós-Graduação em Ciência da Informação, vez que estes representam o principal segmento social de interesse da pesquisa. Foi utilizado o método de estudo de usuários, onde se optou por adotar o grupo, “estudos orientados aos usuários”, que identifica as necessidades e comportamento de acesso e uso da informação. Para coletar os dados, elaborou-se um questionário semi-estruturado com 25 questões, que versavam sobre o uso, dificuldades de acesso e recuperação da informação, bem como a satisfação na utilização dessa fonte informacional. Dentre os vários resultados obtidos, podemos destacar o fato de que a maioria dos mestrandos (71,8%) só teve contato com a BDTD somente no momento em que se encontrava cursando o mestrado e, somente 24,3%, tiveram contato durante a graduação. Estes resultados representam um problema, que pode afetar o bom desempenho do projeto BDTD, o qual consiste em disseminar e divulgar a produção científica dos Programas de Pós-Graduação das Universidades Públicas Brasileiras para a sua comunidade. Foi observado também, que os mestrandos oriundos do curso de Biblioteconomia tende a ter contato com a BDTD bem mais cedo do que mestrandos de outros cursos de graduação. A fim de minimizar o problema detectado, propõe-se uma divulgação mais eficaz na graduação através de dois procedimentos: Primeiro, o docente deve fazer uma divulgação mais eficaz da BDTD junto aos discentes de todos os cursos de graduação; segundo: deverá ser feita a divulgação na mídia eletrônica, através da inserção de ícones da BDTD, nos portais dos Departamentos dos Cursos de Graduação das Universidades Públicas Brasileiras. Acredita-se que com estes procedimentos seja possível aperfeiçoar o uso dessa fonte de informação científica.

Avaliação histomorfométrica do efeito do ultrasom pulsado nas falhas ósseas provocadas em fêmures de rato: estudo experimental

SILVA, J. S. P. Avaliação histomorfométrica do efeito do ultrasom pulsado nas falhas ósseas provocadas em fêmures de rato: estudo experimental . 2000. 85 f. Dissertação (Mestrado) – Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo. São Paulo, 2000.

Análise experimental e numérica do comportamento de estruturas de solo reforçado com geossintéticos : solo granular versus fino

As estruturas de solo reforçado com geossintéticos são normalmente constituídas por solos granulares com boas propriedades físicas e mecânicas. O uso de apenas este tipo de solos pode proporcionar o aumento, por vezes insustentável, do custo da execução das estruturas e o aumento do seu impacto ambiental. Deste modo, as estruturas de solo reforçado perdem a sua vantagem competitiva em relação a outros tipos de estruturas (muros de betão, muros de gravidade, muros de gabiões, etc.). Para resolver este problema podem ser utilizados outros tipos de solos (solos locais, finos, com propriedades físicas e mecânicas piores mas, no entanto, mais baratos) para a execução deste tipo de estruturas. De forma geral, com este estudo pretendeu-se contribuir para o incremento do conhecimento sobre a utilização de solos finos para a construção de estruturas de solo reforçado (muros e taludes). Para tal avaliaram-se as diferenças no comportamento mecânico dos materiais compósitos (solo granular reforçado versus solo fino reforçado) e das estruturas de solo reforçado constituídas com os dois tipos de solos. Assim, os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar: a influência de vários parâmetros nas propriedades mecânicas e na capacidade de carga dos solos reforçados com geossintéticos; a influência de vários parâmetros no dimensionamento das estruturas de solo reforçado; e o comportamento das estruturas dimensionadas (incluindo a estabilidade global e a influência do processo construtivo) recorrendo a uma ferramenta numérica (PLAXIS). Para cumprir os objetivos propostos foram realizadas análises experimentais em laboratório (análise do comportamento do solo reforçado através de ensaios triaxiais e de California Bearing Ratio) e análises numéricas (dimensionamento de estruturas de solo reforçado; modelação numérica do comportamento através de uma ferramenta numérica comercial com o método dos elementos finitos). Os resultados dos ensaios experimentais mostraram que o comportamento mecânico e a capacidade de carga do solo foram incrementados com a inclusão das camadas de geossintético. Este efeito variou com os diversos parâmetros analisados mas, de forma geral, foi mais importante no solo fino (solo com propriedades mecânicas piores). As análises numéricas mostraram que as estruturas de solo fino precisaram de maior densidade de reforços para serem estáveis. Além disso, as estruturas de solo fino foram mais deformáveis e o efeito do seu processo construtivo foi mais importante (principalmente para estruturas de solo fino saturado).

Destino no ambiente e comportamento agronômico de atrazina em resposta a doses e níveis de palha de espécies de cobertura de solo

The use of cover crops is a fundamental strategy to the weed management in Southern Brazil. In highly infested areas, the herbicides use is increasing, which increases the costs of the crops production as well as the environmental contamination. Oat and velvet bean plants havecontrasting characteristics regarding to residues decomposition speed and the capacity to immobilize Nitrogen in the soil, providing distinct results of weeds suppression throughout the time, and therefore, requiring distinct management strategies before, during, and after the corn crop establishment. The general objective of the experiment was to evaluate the environmental dynamics of the herbicide atrazine, the corn grain yield, and the efficiency of the weed control, considering areas with distinct history regarding the use of mulching, levels of straw and rates of atrazine. For this, the experiment was carried out in two parts: in the first part, two trials with the corn crop were established, one using oat and the other using velvet bean as cover crops. The experimental design used for both field trials was randomized complete blocks arrangement with four replications. The factor A was constituted by four levels of straw (0; 0.75x; 1.5x; 3x) and the factor B was constituted by four rates of the herbicide atrazine (0; 2100; 4200; 8400 g a i. ha-1). Soil samples were collected for greenhouse trialsto determine the persistence. Atrazine leaching evaluation was performed by chromatography using samples collected over the soil profile.In the field, the weed density, the fresh and dry weight and the yield of the corn were evaluated. In the greenhouse trials, the main variables evaluated were plant height and injury caused by the herbicide toxicity. In the second part, soils with distinct covering history were sampled, and the mineralization and sorption studies, both with 14C-atrazine, were conducted in the laboratory. The experimental design was randomized complete blocks arrangement with four replications. The results from the field experiment show that the high levels of straw above ground, isolated, were not efficient to control completely the weeds, and that high levels of velvet bean`s straw decreased the corn potential yield. The greenhouse trials showed that high levels of oat straw prevent the scape of atrazine to soil, this effect of oat straw upon the herbicide availability on soil was detected up to 12 days after spraying. The half-life of atrazine sprayed over oat straw varied from 7 to 14 days after spraying, while the half-life of atrazine sprayed over velvet bean varied from 5 to 14 days after spraying. Increasing oat straw levels presents the capacity to reduce the lixiviation of atrazine in the soil profile, however, this effect was not verified when using velvet bean straw, because the herbicide was not detected in the soil profile, at 21 days after spraying. The chromatographic analysis indicate thatthe atrazine concentrates closer to the soil surface regardless of amount of straw, not being detected deeper than 8 cm in the soil. The accumulated mineralization of 14C-arazine sprayed over V. sativa is superior if compared to soils with S. cereale or non-covered soils. The sorption coefficient of atrazine is superior when sprayed over straw than over the soil.