Sediment depth and habitat as predictors of the diversity and composition of sediment bacterial communities in an inter‐tidal estuarine environment

Saltmarshes, seagrass meadows and mudflats are key habitats in estuarine ecosystems. Despite being involved in key ecological processes, the influence of different estuarine habitats on sediment bacterial communities remains understudied. Few studies have analysed and compared the bacterial communities of more than one estuarine habitat at different depths. Here, we investigated to what extent different habitats (mudflats; mono‐specific plots of seagrass [Zostera noltei] and two saltmarsh plants [Juncus maritimus and Spartina maritima]) and sampling depth (0, 5, 10 cm) influence variation in sediment bacterial composition. Our results showed significant differences in the abundance of selected higher taxa amongst habitats and depths. Surface sediment was characterized by bacteria assigned to the Acidimicrobiia, Flavobacteriia, Thiotrichales, Alteromonadales and Rhodobacterales, whereas in deeper sediment Deltaproteobacteria and Anaerolineae were dominant. Juncus sediment, in turn, presented the most distinct bacterial community, with Myxococcales abundant in this habitat. Sampling depth and habitat proved significant predictors of variation in sediment bacterial composition. The compositional dissimilarities amongst habitats and depths suggest functional divergence and complementarity, thus enhancing ecosystem functioning and health. Given the compositionally distinct communities found in different habitats and depths, our study corroborates the importance of conserving a diverse array of estuarine habitats.     

Occurrence and spatial distribution of metals in intertidal sediments of a temperate estuarine system (Bahía Blanca,Argentina)

Intertidal sediments of the inner and middle zone from the Bahía Blanca estuary were sampled for geochemical and environmental assessment of metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cr and Fe). Results indicate that both the organic matter content and the sediment grain size plays an important role in controlling the differential concentrations of the metals found in sediments from both zones. For most of the elements (except Mn), sediment metal concentrations were greater in the middle zone, although the concentrations did not exceed the maximums for quality of marine sediments. In this sense, anthropogenic impact (i.e., sewage drain) appears to be a key factor in the distribution of metals within the estuarine system. Comparing the levels obtained with quality levels (LEL and SEL), except Cu that showed levels slightly above the LEL, the rest of the concentrations of metals were lower to those levels. The low metal concentrations obtained within this highly impacted estuarine system suggest that the great volume of water that flooding the extensive flats in each tidal cycle has much importance. Although the potential risks of metals to the estuarine environment were low, taking into account the toxicity of some of these metals, continuity of monitoring is highly recommended.     

Hydrogeological characterization of carbonated Jurassic aquifers in the Gijón-Villaviciosa basin (Asturias,N Spain) by means of geochemical and isotopic techniques

Chemical and isotopic analyses of groundwater from the carbonated Jurassic aquifers in the Gijón-Villaviciosa basin (Asturias, northern Spain) were carried out. Nine springs were sampled to determine major cations and anions, as well as the stable isotopes of the water molecule (δ²H and δ¹⁸O) and sulphate (δ³⁴S) values. Also, δ³⁴S values from gypsum coming both from Triassic rocks and bottom of Jurassic sequence were also determined. The results obtained were used to classify the waters with a genetic criteria in three groups: (1) waters with a high gypsum influence, with sulphate coming from Jurassic gypsum, (2) waters without gypsum influence, where sulphate source could be atmospheric deposition from industrial processes and marine aerosol, and (3) waters with some gypsum influence, in which sulphate origin could be a combination of different sources. In relation to recharge, δ²H and δ¹⁸O values were close to those of Global Meteoric Water Line and fit a local line that suggests a meteoric origin. The estimated elevations for spring recharge are in agreement with those obtained from hydrogeological maps.     

Determination of heterogeneities in the hydraulic properties of a phreatic aquifer from tidal level fluctuations: a case in Argentina

A well-known analytical solution of Jacob (1950) for groundwater flow due to tidal-wave propagation, together with field measurements along a complete tidal cycle and geological data, were used to evaluate the heterogeneities in the hydraulic properties of a phreatic aquifer located next to the River Ajo in the coastal plain environment of the southern sector of the Samborombon Bay wetland, Argentina. From the analysis of water-table fluctuations in a set of monitoring wells located along a riverbank-normal transect, it was possible to quantify the piecewise spatial variations of the hydraulic diffusivity of the phreatic aquifer. The results show the strong lateral variations of the sedimentary environment due to the influence of the different transport and deposition agents that characterize the coastal plain. The known thickness of the phreatic aquifer and the estimated range of the specific yield allowed the hydraulic conductivity to be identified as the most influential factor. [Jacob CE (1950) Flow of ground water. In: Rouse H (ed) Engineering Hydraulics. Wiley, New York]     

Efficient multivariable submarine depth-control system design

An efficient solution for the multivariable submarine control design at low-depth conditions under the influence of wave disturbances is presented. The analysis and control design process is carried out under the framework of individual channel analysis and design (ICAD), which is based on the multivariable structure function (MSF). Classical frequency-domain control techniques based on Bode and Nyquist plots are used. Robustness is stated in terms of gain and phase margins. The closed-loop system includes low-order diagonal controllers facilitating its implementation, assessment, and tuning. ICAD discloses new physical insights of the submarine dynamical behaviour. Previous designs based on diagonal controllers consider the input–output channels defined by pairing the bow hydroplane angle with the depth and the stern hydroplane angle with the pitch angle. The alternative input–output pairing leads to unstable closed-loop systems. This phenomenon is associated with hydroplane reverse control. Here it is shown that MSF-based diagonal controllers can be applied effectively for both sets of channel configurations. Emphasis is placed on satisfying design specifications aiming at maintaining the depth low. The solution presented is more feasible and clearer to apply in practice than those so far reported in the literature.     

Detoxification mechanisms in shrimp: comparative approach between hydrothermal vent fields and estuarine environments

Hydrothermal vents are extreme deep-sea habitats that, due to their singular features, still intrigue scientific communities. Swift growth rates and profuse biomass of biological communities can be observed, despite of their inherently unstable physical-chemical and toxic conditions, indicating that organisms inhabiting this environment must be well adapted to these inhospitable conditions. The caridean shrimp, Chorocaris chacei, Mirocaris fortunata and Rimicaris exoculata, together with bathymodiolid mussels, dominate the vent fauna along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). Crustacean species are widely used as biological indicators of environmental alterations, since they play a key ecological role as planktivorous grazers, epibenthic scavengers or as prey species. The biological consequences of the hydrothermal metal-rich environment in shrimp species are still largely unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was the determination of the metal levels (Ag, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn), metallothioneins (MT) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in shrimp species collected in Rainbow, Lucky Strike and Menez-Gwen vent sites, in order to evaluate their different adaptation strategies toward metals when compared with two common coastal shrimp species (Palaemon elegans and Palaemonetes varians) from a fairly unpolluted estuarine system in south Portugal (Ria Formosa). Results show significant differences in metal concentrations, MT levels and lipid peroxidation between vent and coastal shrimp and also between shrimp species from the same site. This indicates that biochemical responses in both vent and coastal shrimp are affected not only by the environmental characteristics but also by inter-specific differences. Nevertheless, these responses apparently grant a successful adaptation for the survival in a metal-extreme environment.     

Construction and assessment of a logistic regression model applied to short-term forecasting of thunderstorms in León (Spain)

Forecasting thunderstorms is one of the most difficult tasks in weather prediction due to the scarce knowledge on how to characterise the mechanisms taking part in the formation of thunderstorms. New tools based upon the objective recognition of appropriate conceptual models have been developed in the last years. A good example of this are the statistical models, based on variables that characterise the preconvective atmospheric conditions.This paper presents the results obtained by applying a short-term forecast model to thunderstorms during the summer periods in León (Spain). This model makes use of the logistic function as a binary forecasting technique determining storm/no storm. The logistic function used was a combination of 15 previously selected meteorological variables. The model has been constructed with the data collected on 152 occasions, and it has been verified on 77 other occasions.The skill scores obtained show that the use of statistical models combining the data, provided by variables characterizing the preconvective conditions and the triggering mechanisms, represent an important step in the difficult task of short-term thunderstorm forecasting.