First monitoring data of the post-project of geomorphological and geochemical rehabilitation in Lousal (Portugal)

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The rehabilitation of the Lousal mine in Portugal, carried out during September-November 2021 within the framework of the LIFE RIBERMINE project, is the first designed and built rehabilitation project in Europe where geomorphic reclamation methodologies have been combined with solutions aimed at addressing the problems caused by the generation of acid mine drainage and the mobilisation of potentially toxic elements (PTE).&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;To assess the success and impact of the rehabilitation actions on the hydrochemistry of surface and groundwater in Lousal, four groundwater samples and two surface water samples were collected in May 2022. In each of the water samples, in situ dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity was measured and PTEs and cation-anion content analysis were carried out by ICP - MS in an external laboratory. The post mine rehabilitation effects of recent less acidic leachates with lower metallic loads have not yet reflected correction to the pH or EC values, but they are significant in terms of oxidation reduction potential and presence of PTEs.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The geomorphic evolution and development of vegetation in the reclaimed area has been monitored since the conclusion of the reclamation actions in November 2021. After the completion of the rehabilitation work, localised rilling processes were observed in areas where surface run-on entered the rehabilitation topography from adjacent areas. These erosive forms were corrected by extending limestone blocks over the eroded areas to create additional open limestone channels that manage incoming surface runoff and minimise its erosive potential. Throughout 2022, no signs of active erosion have reappeared in the restored area, demonstrating the success of the physical stabilisation actions applied in the intervention area.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Vegetation has successfully developed during the year 2022, after manual sowing in November 2021. Currently, the intervention area is almost completely covered with herbaceous vegetation, with the exception of some small areas where the density of vegetation is lower.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt; &amp;lt;p&amp;gt;It is expected that the data and information obtained from the continued monitoring of this pioneering mine rehabilitation project will provide new knowledge and methodological innovations that can be applied to future mine rehabilitation projects around the globe with characteristics similar to those of the Lousal mine.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;</jats:p

Geomorphic Landform Design and Landscape Evolution Modelling for Mine Rehabilitation in Portugal and Spain (LIFE RIBERMINE PROJECT)

&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Mining is an essential activity in our society, as it provides the materials and metals essential to support our current life level and development. However, it also produces a high environmental impact wherever it occurs. The environmental impact of mining on landscape systems is well recognized. Surface mining imposes severe ecological effects on the land because alteration affects vegetation, soils, bedrock and landforms-landscapes. Surface hydrology and groundwater levels and flow paths are also changed. The science of geomorphology, which deals with the study of earth&amp;amp;#8217;s landforms and the surface processes by which they are shaped, provides a useful framework both for an understanding of the environmental effects of surface mining, including changes in erosion&amp;amp;#8211;sedimentation processes and soil properties and for designing the most appropriate strategies for landscape reconstruction. Methods for landscape reconstruction based on geomorphic science have been developed and advanced in recent decades. New technologies have developed alongside the recognition of the environmental impact and resultant societal expectation of a rehabilitated and integrated post-mining system. A post-mining landscape requires physical stability (and, if present, chemical stability). Australia, United States, Canada, Chile and the European Union, among others, have mine regulations requiring physical and chemical stability and non-polluting post-mining landforms for mine closure. Physical stability can be guaranteed by expert Geomorphic Landform Design (GLD) and Landscape Evolution Modelling (LEM). In this framework, we describe the combination of GLD tools (GeoFluv &amp;amp;#8211; Natural Regrade and Talus Royal) with a LEM method (SIBERIA), and with Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) stabilization measures where they are needed. All that at the LIFE RIBERMINE project (https://liferibermine.com/en/homepage_en/), at two locations of the Iberian Peninsula (an ancient pyrite mine at Lousal, Portugal; and an abandoned kaolin mine at Pe&amp;amp;#241;al&amp;amp;#233;n, Spain). In conjunction, LIFE RIBERMINE is the first mine rehabilitation project, globally, which combines the GeoFluv &amp;amp;#8211; Natural Regrade (for geomorphic landform design of unconsolidated sandy waste dumps) and Talus Royal (for landform design of hard-rock residual highwalls). And within the European Union, it is the first mine closure project combining GeoFluv-Natural Regrade GLD with: (a) AMD chemical stabilization measures; and, (b) landscape evolution modelling to evaluate erosional stability of post-mining landform designs. This contribution describes the design and implementation of the referred methods, demonstrating that the science of geomorphology can have a key contribution to solve critical environmental problems derived from one of our most needed economic activities (mining).&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;</jats:p

Current practice in the management of ocular toxoplasmosis

Background Ocular toxoplasmosis is common across all regions of the world. Understanding of the epidemiology and approach to diagnosis and treatment have evolved recently. In November 2020, an international group of uveitis-specialised ophthalmologists formed the International Ocular Toxoplasmosis Study Group to define current practice. Methods 192 Study Group members from 48 countries completed a 36-item survey on clinical features, use of investigations, indications for treatment, systemic and intravitreal treatment with antiparasitic drugs and corticosteroids, and approach to follow-up and preventive therapy. Results For 77.1% of members, unilateral retinochoroiditis adjacent to a pigmented scar accounted for over 60% of presentations, but diverse atypical presentations were also reported. Common complications included persistent vitreous opacities, epiretinal membrane, cataract, and ocular hypertension or glaucoma. Most members used clinical examination with (56.8%) or without (35.9%) serology to diagnose typical disease but relied on intraocular fluid testing-usually PCR-in atypical cases (68.8%). 66.1% of members treated all non-pregnant patients, while 33.9% treated selected patients. Oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was first-line therapy for 66.7% of members, and 60.9% had experience using intravitreal clindamycin. Corticosteroid drugs were administered systemically by 97.4%; 24.7% also injected corticosteroid intravitreally, almost always in combination with an antimicrobial drug (72.3%). The majority of members followed up all (60.4%) or selected (35.9%) patients after resolution of acute disease, and prophylaxis against recurrence with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was prescribed to selected patients by 69.8%. Conclusion Our report presents a current management approach for ocular toxoplasmosis, as practised by a large international group of uveitis-specialised ophthalmologists