Otolith shape as a stock discrimination tool for ling (Genypterus blacodes) in the fjords of Chilean Patagonia

ABSTRACT

Genypterus blacodes, in terms of its fishing history and local economic importance, is an emblematic species harvested in Chilean Patagonia (41°00’–57°00’S). Most of the current fisheries and biological knowledge of this species come from the open ocean, whereas information about the species in fjords and inner channels is fragmentary. In 2018, two research surveys targeting G. blacodes were conducted in the fjords and inner channels of Chilean Patagonia. A total of 253 pairs of sagittal otoliths were sampled at three different localities, and their contours were modelled using wavelet analysis as a tool for stock discrimination. Contours were compared using canonical analysis, and classification was performed using linear discriminant and Random Forest analyses. The results indicated that the wavelet method is efficient in modelling otolith contours, and the discriminant analyses showed differences among fishing grounds across the latitudinal gradient, thus confirming the hypothesis that G. blacodes conform to at least two separate stock units in Chilean Patagonia. Fishing grounds that were closer in space showed higher levels of misclassification. The discussion focuses on how environmental variables and the geography of fjords shape stock differences and how this information can be used for the sustainable management of G. blacodes.     

Flotation and depression control of arsenopyrite through pH and pulp redox potential using xanthate as the collector

The role of pH and pulp redox potential (E_H) to control the flotation and depression of arsenopyrite has been investigated through studies on microflotation of arsenopyrite crystals and batch flotation of an arsenopyritic ore using isopropyl xanthate as collector. The transition between flotation and depression of arsenopyrite is established by the reversible potential of the xanthate/dixanthogen couple. Adsorption of arsenate ions on ferric hydroxide has been studied through electrokinetics to delineate mechanisms involved in the depression of arsenopyrite using oxidants. Chemical binding between arsenate species and ferric hydroxide sites on arsenopyrite is suggested as the mechanism responsible for depression of arsenopyrite. E_H conditions are given for the flotation and depression of arsenopyite at various pH values for the arsenopyritic ore.     

Extreme temperature scenarios in Mexicali,Mexico under climate change conditions

Extreme weather events can have severe consequences for the population and the environment. Therefore, in this study a temporal trend of annual temperatures was built with a time series from 1950 to 2010 for Mexicali, Mexico, and estimates of 5- to 100-year return periods are provided by modeling of summer maximum and winter minimum temperatures. A non-parametric Kendall’s tau test and the Sen’s slope estimator were used to compute trends. The generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution was applied to the approximation of block maxima and the generalized Pareto distribution (GPD) to values over a predetermined threshold. Due to the non-stationary characteristic of the series of temperature values, the temporal trend was included as a covariable in the location parameter and substantial improvements were observed, particularly with the extreme minimum temperature, compared to that obtained with the GEV with no covariable and with the GPD. A positive and significant statistically trend in both summer maximum temperature and winter minimum temperature was found. By the end of 21st century the extreme maximum temperature could be 2 to 3 °C higher than current, and the winter could be less severe, as the probabilistic model suggests increases of 7 to 9 °C in the extreme minimum temperature with respect to the base period. The foreseeable consequences on Mexicali city are discussed.     

Interplay of orbital forcing and tectonic pulses in the Cambrian Iberian platform, NE Spain

The stratigraphy of carbonate/shale couplets, cycles and cycle-stacking patterns in a Cambrian shallow water platform (Iberian Chains, NE Spain) are related to sea-level changes driven by orbital forcing and by tectonic pulses. The interplay of both effects can be discriminated in the Iberian fault-controlled platform, in which the tectonic activity can be analysed by accurate and detailed biostratigraphic correlations based on trilobite zonation. The stratigraphic hierarchy of rhythmically interbedded limestones and shales, in two coeval but structurally separated geodynamic settings, yields cycle ratios of 1.44 :1. This ratio is supported by time thickness and spectral analysis, which is based on a graphic method of analysis: the Map of Grey Lines. The cycle ratio seems to be evidence for orbital forcing by obliquity and precession cycles predicted for early Paleozoic time. Carbonate/shale couplets, the smallest rhythmic units recognisable in the field, represent short-term, periodic fluctuations in supply of terrigenous sediments and carbonate productivity of uncertain origin, which could be associated with one of several harmonics of the former orbital cycles. The pulsating tectonic activity was approximated by using a quantitative analysis of tectonically induced subsidence (Shaw method). Recurrence frequencies of tectonic pulses were estimated and dated by biostratigraphy. As a result, tectonic disturbances in the Cambrian Iberian platform show an episodic periodicity comparable to that of orbital eccentricity cycles, which could mask their recognition. Received: 15 November 1999 / Accepted: 9 February 2000     

Morphodynamic response of a two-barred beach to a shoreface nourishment

The response to a shoreface nourishment of the two-bar system at Noordwijk (the Netherlands) is analyzed based on a daily data set of time-exposure video images collected during about 6 years, complemented with topographic and bathymetric surveys. The 1.7 Mm³ nourishment, implemented as a 3 km alongshore bump seaward of the outer bar, migrated more than 300 m onshore in 4 years before losing its integrity. Furthermore, the nourishment interrupted the autonomous seaward migration of both bars for the entire duration of the study period and, allaying earlier fears, did not intensify the three-dimensional patterns in the bars, such as the crescentic plan-shape and rip channels. The nourishment did result in clear head effects on both flanks, with the bar becoming discontinuous and the flank section decaying or becoming attached to an offshore-located bar, while the section of bar landward of the nourishment became attached to a landward-located bar. This sequence of morphologies is known as bar switching. Each switching episode took almost one year to complete and can therefore not be ascribed to individual wave events. We suspect that shoreface nourishments enhance the possibility of bar switching by creating alongshore variability in the position and depth of the outer bar and in its cross-shore migration rate and direction. The Noordwijk nourishment did not influence the shoreline position as its trend did not undergo distinctive variations after 1998. Differences in the response of the Noordwijk sandbars to the shoreface nourishment compared with other Dutch nourishments are attributed to the location and size (volume per unit length) of the nourishment with respect to the sandbars and to the median grain size of the nourished material.     

Larval fish assemblages in nearshore coastal waters off central Chile: temporal and spatial patterns

In this study we identified spatial and temporal patterns in the distribution and abundance of larval stages of several fish species in nearshore waters off central Chile. Larvae were sampled monthly at two close (20 km apart) but contrasting localities, El Quisco and Las Cruces. Surveys corresponded to standard plankton tows stratified according to bathymetry and distance from shore. Our results indicate that at both localities: (1) there is a seasonal reproductive pattern for most of the species studied; (2) there is a seasonal-related change in larval species composition and abundance, with austral Winter–Spring being the time of greatest diversity; (3) larval stages of several species that, as adults occupy intertidal, estuarine–riverine, subtidal, benthic-demersal, epipelagic or mesopelagic habitats, are found within these coastal environments; (4) there is a distinctive cross-shelf pattern of larval distribution, which seems to correspond, at least for the intertidal species, with the shallower (<30 m depth) portion of area surveyed; and (5) there is a coupling between the patterns of distribution and abundance of the entire ichthyoplankton assemblage with short-term physical features such as wind forcing, Ekman transport, and local currents. Our findings suggest that both the specific composition as well as the abundance of larval fish species varies spatially and temporally and that this variability may result from the interaction of physical and biological factors at different scales.     

Historical reconstruction and evolution of the large landslide of Inza (Navarra,Spain)

Natural Hazards - In the winter of 1714–1715, a large rotational landslide originated on the northern slope of the Sierra de Aralar (Navarra, Spain), generating an earthflow that slowly...     

Assessing mammal responses to perturbations in temperate aridlands of Argentina

Loss of species richness and reduced abundance have been the main responses to perturbations of small- and medium-sized mammals in arid and semi-arid areas. Nonetheless, some mammal species whose habitat requirements are met in disturbed patches may benefit from structural changes in the environment brought about by perturbations.In desert areas of Argentina different mammal responses are attributable to both a lower complexity of disturbed patches and a decrease in sheltered places. Therefore, species associated with high plant cover either decrease in number or become locally extinct at sites affected by fire or grazing, whereas species using open areas are favored by these events.The negative effects historically assigned to different disturbances may be mitigated by adopting a hierarchical approach that considers patch diversity in different successional stages as well as the multiple opportunities of patch occupation by mammal species.     

Integration and influence of paleoseismic and geologic data for the seismic hazard evaluation in the Catalan coastal ranges, Spain

In this study, the influence of paleoseismic and geologic data in the seismic hazard estimation for the Catalan coastal ranges is analysed. We computed the probabilistic seismic hazard using area seismic sources with a Poissonian assumption for the earthquake occurrence. For the computations, a previously published attenuation relationship based on European strong motion data was applied. The resulting hazard estimates show similarities to the previous assessments in the region. These results were then used as a reference for comparison with other new models. In order to analyse the influence of the paleoseismic data three different models were tested. Since the number of faults that are investigated in detail are few, the same area sources that were used in the Poissonian assumption were kept in all three new models. In addition, the new paleoseismic data with faults expressed as line sources were used. In this case, a cyclic earthquake occurrence was assumed. The three models were based on the paleoseismic data with different assumptions on the time elapsed since last event. The time elapsed was set to 0, 10 and 85% of the recurrence interval in each model. The results are presented as maps showing the difference between the three models and the reference model with the Poissonian assumption. The results are given in horizontal peak ground acceleration contour maps for different return periods, also taking into account large return periods as high as 25,000 years. This is done to demonstrate the effect of large recurrence intervals found for some of the active faults. In general, we observe that for short return periods (<1000 years), the Poissonian assumption of earthquake occurrence is probably sufficient and provides a robust estimate of the hazard. However, for longer return periods (>5000 years) the effects of the paleoseismic data become increasingly significant. In order to estimate the true seismic hazard potential of this apparently low seismicity area, long-term behaviour of the possible active faults in the region needs to be investigated systematically.