Apatite fission‐track analysis of Cretaceous alkaline rocks of Ponta Grossa and Alto Paranaíba Arches,Brazil

This work presents fission‐track ages and thermal history modelling of apatite samples from two Brazilian alkaline formations: Alto Paranaíba and Ponta Grossa Arches. The apatite fission‐track ages obtained for Alto Paranaíba Arch agree with those determined by other radiometric dating methods presenting higher closure temperatures. The ages given by the fission‐track thermochronometer suggest that no strong tectonic event has occurred after Alto Paranaíba Formation during Upper Cretaceous. This event is also supported by thermal history modelling of this arch, which is characterized by fast cooling followed by residence at lower temperatures. On the other hand, apatite fission‐track ages from Ponta Grossa Arch are systematically lower than other radiometric ages, suggesting that at least one tectonic event occurred after Ponta Grossa Formation, around 130 Ma. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Escaped introduced sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) infected by Sphaerospora testicularis (Myxozoa) reach maturity in coastal habitats off Canary Islands

Aquaculture activities have introduced European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) along the coasts of some of the Canary Islands. We present the first record of simultaneous male and female gonad maturation of escaped sea bass in the wild, indicating that this species is finding its essential fish habitat (EFH). Individuals with ripe gonads were only caught during January and February 2009, although the maturation and spawning season may last from November to February in the studied area (Tenerife island). Bass infected by Sphaerospora testicularis were found and the incidence of the parasite was checked. This represents the southernmost record of the parasite, probably introduced together with sea bass stock. The results are discussed from the point of view of risk assessment and the ecology of invasions being valuable for aquaculture management in Central North Atlantic and Mediterranean areas.     

A comparative application of different EC8-3 procedures for the seismic safety assessment of existing structures

An application of the EC8-3 procedure for safety assessment is presented herein. Besides testing the applicability of the code procedure, this application aims to assess the consistency of the safety assessment results that are obtained. Based on the application of the EC8-3 procedure, the study assesses if the different methods of analysis that are permitted lead to similar safety results and identifies the factors that may affect these results. Furthermore, the results obtained by the EC8-3 procedure are complemented by a probabilistic approach yielding their corresponding fragility values. By comparing the D/C ratios and the probabilistic results, the application aims to determine if similar D/C ratios lead to similar probabilistic results. Furthermore, the application tries to determine if a correlation can be established between the D/C ratios and the expected fragility values.     

Modelling the long-term time series of significant wave height with non-linear threshold models

Linear autoregressive models and non-linear threshold autoregressive (TAR) models are used in the present work to describe the time series of the significant wave height of sea-states at Figueira da Foz, located in the Portuguese coast. The seasonal components of this series are identified and a TAR model with two regimes is proposed. A simulation study was carried out with the purpose of verifying if both the non-linear and linear models are suited to describe the probabilistic structure of the process. It is shown that both methods are adequate to describe the lower statistical moments of the original data, but the non-linear model represents better the skewness and the kurtosis of the data.     

Modelling tidal currents on the coast of Portugal

A tide circulation model of the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula has been constructed. This regional numerical model covers the whole continental shelf. The finite element computational grid is made of some 16,300 triangular elements with sizes ranging between 13 km (on the offshore boundary) and 1 km (near the coast), with local refinements on the continental shelf and in the area of Figueira da Foz. This site was selected as experimental site for the study of waves and currents in the frame of the MAST2/WAVEMOD research project.Boundary conditions along the three oceanic limits of this widely open domain are obtained from the North-Atlantic component of a World Ocean tidal numerical model known as FES94 [Le Provost, C., Genco, M.L., Lyard, F., Vincent, P. and Canceil, P. (1994) Spectroscopy of the world ocean tides from a finite element hydrodynamic model, Journal of Geophysical Research, Topex-Poseidon Special Issue]. A new radiation-like boundary condition has been introduced in the modelling system used (Telemac-2D), which solves the Shallow Water Equations (SWE), in order to interface the two models and to allow for the tidal wave to leave the northern limit without reflection. Model calibration has been performed on the dominating M₂ constituent. The introduction of the astral static potential generating the tide in the SWE improved this regional model.A long duration run (1 month) has been performed, the model being forced by the eight major tide constituents. Harmonic analysis of results has been performed on 17 tide constituents, due to non-linear interactions of constituents on the continental shelf. Comparisons with the FES94 model on one hand, and with a set of coastal tide gauges on the other hand, are good. A database of tidal harmonics is now available for forecasting sea levels and currents in this area.This work has shown that diurnal shelf trapped tide waves exist in some places along the Portuguese continental shelf, which induce diurnal dominant tidal currents in these places (North of Figueira da Foz).     

A three stage fluid flow model for Variscan gold metallogenesis in northern Portugal

Mineralogical, fluid inclusion and geochemical studies were made on two intra-granitic gold deposits (Grovelas and Penedono), together with a deposit linked to sub-vertical structures in silicified metasediments at Três-Minas, and several intra-metamorphic occurrences at Vila Pouca de Aguiar. They all possess similar mineral assemblages, deformational state, fluid flow characteristics, ore fluid composition and have comparable P–T conditions. Three successive crystallisation stages are recorded during the formation of gold-bearing structures independent of their location or host rocks (granites or metasediments). They are:Stage 1 — the development of milky quartz veins that formed primarily after the emplacement of peraluminous two-mica granites (315–310 Ma) at P–T conditions reflecting high temperature and low pressure. They are similar to those from pluton induced metamorphism (P=300–350 MPa and T=500–550°C). No clear evidence was found for gold deposition during this stage.Stage 2 — during orogenic uplift and repeated tectonic reactivation a clear quartz was deposited in the early milky quartz veins (Stage 1) at P–T conditions between 100 and 300 MPa and 300 and 450°C. Local sulphide deposition (arsenopyrite II and pyrite II) occurred in clear quartz, but was never massive. The fluids percolating within the granite were mainly aqueous-carbonic and reflect equilibrium with the metamorphic host rocks. They are very similar to those found in metamorphic environments. No evidence for the involvement of magmatic fluids was found.Stage 3 — intense microfissuring of the earlier vein infillings occurred, associated with the main episode of gold deposition. The P–T conditions were <100 MPa and <300°C based on aqueous fluid inclusions. Native gold and electrum crystallised together with sulphides (galena, chalcopyrite and bismuthinite), native Bi and sulphosalts (Pb–Bi–Ag dominated). The fractures frequently contain chlorite (± sericite) especially where they crosscut earlier sulphides (arsenopyrite).These processes and fluid types are similar in both the granites and metamorphic host rocks. Therefore, the gold ores appear to be the result of successive periods of fluid circulation, in this case related to the uplift of the Variscan basement in response to high heat flow and the intrusion of granites. Without exception, these fluids have been re-equilibrated with the metamorphic rocks. However magmatic fluids are absent; the granites thus act passively as heat engines for fluid circulation.     

Estimation of soil water content in watershed using artificial neural networks

Soil water content (SWC) is an important factor in transfer processes between soil and air, contributing to water and energy balances, and quantifying it remains a challenge. This study uses artificial neural networks (ANNs) to analyse spatial and temporal variation of SWC in a Brazilian watershed, based on climate information, soil physical properties and topographic variables. Thirty eight input variables were tested in 200 models. The outputs were compared with 650 gravimetric moisture measurements collected at 26 points (25 field studies). The results show that it is possible to estimate SWC efficiently (Nash-Sutcliffe statistic, NS = 0.77) using topographic data, soil physical properties and rainfall. If only climate information is considered, modelling is less efficient (NS = 0.28). Using many variables does not necessarily improve performance. Alternatively, SWC can be estimated by simplified models using rainfall and topographic maps information, although the performance is less good (NS = 0.65).     

Trophic relationships in tidepool fish assemblages of the tropical Southwestern Atlantic

Trophic studies are fundamental to understanding the dynamics of assemblages and functional roles of species within ecosystems, contributing to the identification of factors responsible for the organization and structure of communities. This study aimed to analyse the trophic organization of tidepool fish assemblages in the tropical Southwestern Atlantic, based on the underlying idea that food resources are not limiting and that trophic guild formation is not driven by food competition. Diets were based on feeding index values of food categories for 12 representative species collected in six tidepools (20º49′ S, 40º36′ W) at quarterly intervals (2005 to 2007). The main food categories were small crustaceans, polychaetes and macroalgae. Multivariate techniques evidenced two multispecific trophic guilds: small‐prey carnivores, including Bathygobius soporator, Bathygobius geminatus, Malacoctenus delalandii and Halichoeres poeyi, and herbivores, including Sparisoma axillare and Acanthurus bahianus. Other species presented significantly different diets and were classified into the following guilds: omnivores feeding on filamentous algae and copepods (Abudefduf saxatilis); large‐prey carnivores (Labrisomus nuchipinnis); omnivores feeding on polychaetes and filamentous algae (Stegastes fuscus); and polychaete feeders (Ahlia egmontis). Gymnothorax funebris and Gymnothorax moringa were classified as carcinophagores and piscivores, respectively. Trophic organization appears related to species convergence toward the use of abundant food resources, driven by a combination of factors allowing some resource partitioning through inter‐specific differences in consumer size, microhabitat, behavior, and trophic specialization.     

Virtual organisation in the SIMDAT meteorological activity: a decentralised access control mechanism for distributed data

The EU funded SIMDAT project is aimed at applying generic grid technology for the solution of complex application problems in several representative fields including automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical and meteorology. To satisfy the requirements of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the WMO Information Systems (WIS), the partners in the meteorology activity within SIMDAT (ECMWF, Deutscher Wetterdienst, the UK Met office, EUMETSAT and Météo-France), have developed grid-enabled software that provides generic distributed access to distributed meteorological data repositories via web-based portals, through a series of nodes organized in a mesh network. However, granting access to such an infrastructure, especially considering its fully distributed nature, is a serious challenge and a risk to the security of the overall grid infrastructure. SIMDAT solves this problem by implementing a security model based on a decentralized fine-grained access control mechanism that federates data providers and security issues using the notion of “trust domains”. In this paper we highlight the main features of the SIMDAT grid application and describe its security model in detail.