Sedimentary environments of the Baiona Basin (Pontevedra)

[Resumen] Debido a las características de la ensenada de Baiona se consideró interesante la realización de un estudio de la distribución sedimentaria en relación a la dinámica litoral. En la actualidad se ha observado en este área una marcada zonación dinámica provocada, por la acción combinada de mareas y frentes de oleaje, por su propia configuración geográfica y por las construcciones portuarias realizadas en los últimos años. En función de las características, sedimentarias e hidrodinámicas observadas en la zona se han diferenciado tres ambientes sedimentarios: playas, conjunto deltaico de marea y zona submareal.[Abstract] Due to the special characteristics of the Baiona basin the study of the sedimentary distribution related to the litoral dynamic was considered to be interesting. At present a very well delined zonation was observed, caused by the action of the tides and waves fronts, by its particular physiographic configuration and by harbour constructions that took place lately. According to the sedimentary and hydrodynamic characteristics of the zone, three sedimentary environments have been diferentiated: beaches, delta tide and subtidal zone

Organic matter decomposition by fungi in a Mediterranean forested stream: contribution of streambed substrata

Aquatic microfungi play a fundamental role in organic matter decomposition in fluvial ecosystems. These micro-organisms degrade leaf recalcitrant compounds like lignin, thereby enhancing the utilization of organic material by the microbial community. The main input of allochthonous organic matter in Mediterranean streams occurs during the autumn. In-stream breakdown processes can be affected by high physical abrasion during flooding but changes in stream water chemistry may also affect decomposition enzymatic activities of stream microorganisms. We measured two ligninolytic activities (phenol oxidase and peroxidase) and a cellulolytic activity (cellobiohydrolase) in leaves, branches, sand and gravel substrata in a reach of a Mediterranean stream. Highest ligninolytic activities were measured in biofilm developed on inorganic substrata (sand and gravel) where also accumulated the highest fungal biomass (ranging from 3.3 x 10-4 to 7.22 mg Ergosterol gAFDM-1) especially in sand substrata. Conversely, cellulolytic activities were significantly higher in biofilm on organic substrata (leaves and branches). Physical and chemical factors, such as discharge and stream water nutrient concentration (Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen) were affecting enzymatic activities, particularly enhancing the phenol oxidase. Moreover, the chemical composition of the available OM (high cellulose in leaves, high lignin in detritic material) strongly influenced the decomposition activity in each biofilm. A precise description and quantification of the benthic substrata was used to obtain enzymatic activity values in terms of stream reach. Those results showed a temporal pattern in the decomposition activities in the reach, beginning with the decomposition of cellulose (October) followed by lignin compounds (November and December

Climate fluctuations during the Holocene in NW Iberia: high and low latitude linkages

International audienceHigh resolution benthic foraminiferal oxygen and carbon stable isotopes (?18O, ?13C) from core EUGC-3B are used here to infer rapid climatic changes for the last 8500 yr in the Ría de Muros (NW Iberian Margin). Benthic foraminiferal ?18O and ?13C potentially register migrations in the position of the hydrographic front formed between two different intermediate water masses: Eastern North Atlantic Central Water of subpolar origin (ENACWsp), and subtropical origin (ENACWsp). The isotopic records have been compared with two well established North Atlantic marine Holocene paleoceanographic records from low (Sea Surface Temperatures anomalies off Cape Blanc, NW Africa) and high latitudes (Hematite Stained Grains percentage, subpolar North Atlantic). This comparison clearly demonstrates that there is a strong link between high- and low-latitude climatic perturbations at centennial-millennial time scales during the Holocene. Spectral analyses also points at a pole-to-equator propagation of the so-called 1500 yr cycles. Our results demonstrate that during the Holocene, the NW Iberian Margin has undergone a series of cold episodes which are likely triggered at high latitudes in the North Atlantic and are rapidly propagated towards lower latitudes. Conceivably, the propagation of these rapid climatic changes involves a shift of atmospheric and oceanic circulatory systems and so a migration of the hydrographical fronts and water masses all along the North Atlantic area

Reconstrucción de la dinámica del sistema barrera-lagoon del Parque Nacional de las Islas Cíes a partir de su registro sedimentario

XV lnternational A.P.L.E. Symposium of Palynolog

El desarrollo del turismo de masas en Mallorca

En la presente Memoria de Investigación se realiza una contextualización histórica a nivel europeo, español y mallorquín de las condiciones que posibilitaron el desarrollo del turismo de masas hacia la década del sesenta. Se establece una periodización del medio siglo de la mencionada actividad en Mallorca. Se establecen los objetivos y la especificidad del tema a tratar, además de la hipótesis central y la metodología a aplicar en la futura investigación. En coincidencia con estas, se definen siete categorías teóricas idóneas para el análisis y compresión del tema. Se elabora un Estado de la Cuestión multidisciplinario del tema teniendo en cuenta la producción bibliográfica de los últimos quince años. Para finalizar, se señala la bibliografía utilizada para la elaboración de la menciona memori

Dating the Anthropocene in deep-sea sediments: a gamma spectrometric approach

1 poster presented at the International meeting of Sedimentology 2017 in Toulouse, France, from October 10th to 13thUtilizando muestras de sedimentos superficiales obtenidas durante la campaña OVIDE/BOCATS 2016 y una innovadora técnica para establecer cronologías absolutas, se ha obtenido una primera estimación cuantitativa de los flujos de carbono hacia sedimentos profundos en la cuenca subpolar de Irminger. La geocronología basada en espectrometría gamma de alta resolución y bajo fondo con dos detectores simultáneos de germanio hiper-puro (HPGe) es una técnica suficientemente precisa y sensible como para datar sedimentos pelágicos profundos. El papel cuantitativo del Irminger como sumidero de carbono durante el Antropoceno se evaluó combinando una cronología basada en el radionúclido natural 210Pb junto a análisis sedimentológicos y de composición elemental. La tasa media de sedimentación para el canal central del Irminger es de 0.83±0.14 mm·yr-1. Los cálculos de flujos de carbono concluyen que durante el Antropoceno 32±14 g·Cinorg·m-2·año-1 y 4.5±3 g·Corg·m-2·año-1 sedimentan en la cuenca del Irminger, suponiendo un considerable sumidero de carbono en el área cuantificado en más de 22 Tg-C·año−1N

El efecto de exposición en el patrón sedimen- tario del sector submareal de tres playas en la Ría de Muros y Noia (NO de España)

En este trabajo se presenta la comparación de los sedimentos superficiales de la plataforma proximal de tres complejos playeros situados en las inmediaciones de la embocadura de la Ría de Muros y Noia. En cada uno de ellos, se han identificado las distintas poblaciones sedimentarias en función de los análisis granulométricos realizados. La aplicación de un análisis estadístico de componentes principales a las fracciones granulométricas, contenido en carbonatos y materia orgánica, ha permitido diferenciar poblaciones de muestras y la interpretación sedimentaria de las mismas. Las diferencias observadas en la distribución de las poblaciones sedimentarias de los tres complejos estudiados son una consecuencia del grado de exposición de cada complejo al oleaje dominante y de la presencia de afloramientos rocosos sumergidos que ejercen un efecto barrera.The subaquatic sediments from the inner continental shelf of three beach systems located in the surrondings of Ría de Muros y Noia mouth are compared. Different sedimentary populations have been stablished according to the granulometric distribution from each system. The grain-size distribution, carbonate and organic matter content have been compared by means of a principal component analysis. The results allow the identification of different populations as well as their sedimentary significance. The observed differences between the sedimentary populations from each system are explained as a consequence of their grade of exposure towards the dominant waves and the presence of subaquatic rocks, which introduce a barrier effect

Dual Ion Species Plasma Expansion from Isotopically Layered Cryogenic Targets

A dual ion species plasma expansion scheme from a novel target structure is introduced, in which a nanometer thick layer of pure deuterium exists as a buffer species at the target-vacuum interface of a hydrogen plasma. Modelling shows that by controlling the deuterium layer thickness, a composite H +/D+ ion beam can be produced by TNSA, with an adjustable ratio of ion densities, as high energy proton acceleration is suppressed by the acceleration of a spectrally peaked deuteron beam. Particle in cell modelling shows that a (4.3±0.7) MeV per nucleon deuteron beam is accelerated, in a directional cone of half angle 9◦ . Experimentally, this was investigated using state of the art cryogenic targetry and a spectrally peaked deuteron beam of (3.4±0.7) MeV per nucleon was measured in a cone of half angle 7-9◦ , whilst maintaining a significant TNSA proton component

A comparative life cycle assessment of single-use fibre drums versus reusable steel drums

This paper deals with a comparative analysis of two different packaging and transport scenarios, which exemplifies the implications of choosing between single-use and reusable packaging. In particular, transport of a batch of chemicals by means of disposable fibre drums vs. reusable steel drums is investigated from a life cycle perspective, and the associated environmental impact in terms of Global Warming Potential, Acidification Potential, Gross Energy Requirement and solid waste generation is assessed. Results prove beyond reasonable doubt that, even in the case of durable packaging containers requiring the use of comparatively energy-intensive materials for their production, the reuse scenario is characterized by lower environmental impact indicators across the board, and as such is the most advisable and environmentally sound option

Acceptability and feasibility of a virtual community of practice to primary care professionals regarding patient empowerment: A qualitative pilot study

Background: Virtual communities of practice (vCoPs) facilitate online learning via the exchange of experiences and knowledge between interested participants. Compared to other communities, vCoPs need to overcome technological structures and specific barriers. Our objective was to pilot the acceptability and feasibility of a vCoP aimed at improving the attitudes of primary care professionals to the empowerment of patients with chronic conditions. Methods: We used a qualitative approach based on 2 focus groups: one composed of 6 general practitioners and the other of 6 practice nurses. Discussion guidelines on the topics to be investigated were provided to the moderator. Sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was performed using the ATLAS-ti software. Results: The available operating systems and browsers and the lack of suitable spaces and time were reported as the main difficulties with the vCoP. The vCoP was perceived to be a flexible learning mode that provided up-to-date resources applicable to routine practice and offered a space for the exchange of experiences and approaches. Conclusions: The results from this pilot study show that the vCoP was considered useful for learning how to empower patients. However, while vCoPs have the potential to facilitate learning and as shown create professional awareness regarding patient empowerment, attention needs to be paid to technological and access issues and the time demands on professionals. We collected relevant inputs to improve the features, content and educational methods to be included in further vCoP implementation. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02757781. Registered on 25 April 2016.This study was financed by Instituto de Salud Carlos III and Cofinanced by Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER). Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Gobierno de España. (PI15/00164, PI15/00586, PI15/00566