Assessment of future trends on groundwater quality in a nitrate vulnerable zone (Esposende–Vila do Conde sector,NW Portugal): towards a combined conceptual and mass transport modelling

Hydrogeology Journal - Nitrate contamination of groundwater is an important public health issue worldwide. For environmental and public health reasons, water should not contain more than...     

Coastal vulnerability assessment based on multi-hazards and bio-geophysical parameters. case study - northwestern coastline of Guinea-Bissau

Natural Hazards - Guinea-Bissau's coasts are considered highly vulnerable to coastal hazards, and this vulnerability is expected to increase under future climate change scenarios. Multi-hazards...     

Crustal Thermal Structure of the Brazilian Equatorial Margin Using Fourier and Continuous Wavelet Transforms: A Comparative Analysis Based on Different Magnetic Datasets

Surveys in Geophysics - In this work, we calculated the Curie Point Depth (CPD) for the Brazilian Equatorial Margin using the Fourier and continuous wavelet (CWT) transforms considering a linear...     

Vegetation evolution by ecological succession as a potential bioindicator of landslides relative age in Southwestern Mediterranean region

Natural Hazards - Landslides have a direct impact in the ecosystems dynamics being considered one of the main vegetation perturbation processes. Our objective is to determine the relation between...     

Comparative petroleum hydrocarbons levels and biochemical responses in mussels from hydrothermal vents (Bathymodiolus azoricus) and coastal environments (Mytilus galloprovincialis)

Aliphatic hydrocarbons and PAHs in the whole soft tissues of Bathymodiolus azoricus from three Mid-Atlantic Ridge hydrothermal vents (Menez-Gwen, Lucky Strike and Rainbow), and Mytilus galloprovincialis from three contaminated coastal sites in South Portugal were analysed, and its effects on the digestive gland microsomes mixed-function oxygenase system (MFO) were assessed. Aliphatic hydrocarbons levels were present in the same magnitude in both coastal and hydrothermal environments, while the UCM (unresolved complex mixture) for coastal mussels were higher than in vent mussels. In general, significantly higher PAHs concentrations were found in coastal mussels, compared to B. azoricus where low molecular weight PAHs (2-3 rings) represented the majority of PAHs contrarily to what was observed in M. galloprovincialis. The MFO components were present in both mussel species, and were detected in vent mussels for the first time. However this system seems to have different roles in species from these contrasting environments. In coastal mussels MFO responded to hydrocarbon contamination while response in hydrothermal organisms appeared to be related mainly to endogenous factors.     

The effect of sewage discharge on the ecosystem engineering activities of two East African fiddler crab species: consequences for mangrove ecosystem functioning

A number of studies have suggested that mangrove forests and their faunal components may be pre-adapted to the impact of organic waste discharge, making them possible natural wastewater treatment wetlands. However, the results from recent research are contradictory. Some studies have shown that negative effects, sometimes subtle and difficult to observe, can be detected on specific biotic components of forests subjected to organic pollution. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate possible alterations in the ecosystem engineering activities of a fiddler crab community dominating the landward belts of Kenyan mangrove forests. The total processed sediment produced by burrowing and foraging activities in a population from a peri-urban mangrove area receiving untreated domestic sewage was compared with that from a forest not affected by urban wastewater. The results showed how the peri-urban site hosted a higher biomass of crabs, which produced a significantly lower amount of processed sediment compared with the pristine site, resulting in a lower total top sediment mixing activity of the crabs. Thus, the present study showed a link between sewage exposure and top sediment reworking by crabs, which is potentially beneficial for mangrove growth and ecosystem functioning. This represents a possible example of cryptic ecological degradation in mangal systems.     

Spatial distribution of morphometric parameters of glacial cirques in the Central Pyrenees(Aran and Boí valleys)

Glacial cirques are typical landscape features of mid-latitude mountain environments like the Central Pyrenees. Their morphology as well as their spatial distribution provides insights about past glaciers and climates. In this study, we examine the distribution, morphometrical and topographical characteristics of glacial cirques in two U-shaped glacial valleys located in the Central Pyrenees – the Aran and the Boí valleys. They are located in different aspects of this mountain range(north vs south) under different climatic influences that promoted distinct glaciation patterns during the late Pleistocene. The spatial mapping of these landforms was carried out using high-resolution imagery and field observations. We analysed the data of the morphometrical and topographical variables of the glacial cirques by using different statistical and geospatial methods in order tounveil the factors controlling their formation and development. A total of 186 glacial cirques were mapped in the study area, including 119 in the Aran and 67 in the Boí valleys. The local topography and microclimate conditions lead to substantial differences in both areas in terms of the morphology and dimensions of the cirques. Glacial cirques in Boí are distributed at slightly higher elevations than in Aran and they are also larger, though their dimensions decrease with elevation in both valleys. Aran cirques are mostly oriented NE, while Boí landforms do not show any prevailing aspect. Even though lithology does not control the distribution of the glacial cirques, some specific lithological settings may favour the development of larger cirques. In general, glacial cirques in the Aran and the Boí valleys show morphometrical properties similar to those reported in other mid-latitude mountain ranges.     

Experimental and numerical investigation of non-predictive phase-control strategies for a point-absorbing wave energy converter

Phase control may substantially increase the power absorption in point-absorber wave energy converters. This study deals with validation of dynamic models and latching control algorithms for an oscillating water column (OWC) inside a fixed vertical tube of small circular cross-section by small-scale testing. The paper describes experimental and numerical results for the system's dynamics, using simple and practical latching control techniques that do not require the prediction of waves or wave forces, and which will be relevant to any type of point-absorbing devices.In the experimental set-up, the upper end of the tube was equipped with an outlet duct and a shut-off valve, which could be controlled to give a latching of the inner free surface movement. The pressure drop through the open valve is used as a simplified measure of the energy extraction. The control was realized by using the real-time measurement signals for the inner and outer surface displacement.A mathematical model of the system was established and applied in numerical simulation. In the case the OWC's diameter is much smaller than the wavelength and the wave amplitude much smaller than the draft, the free surface movement inside the tube can be described as an oscillating weightless piston. For this hydrodynamic problem an analytical solution is known. In addition, the mathematical model includes the effects of viscous flow losses, the air compressibility inside the chamber and the pressure drop across the valve. Experimental results were used to calibrate some of the model parameters, and the total model was formulated as a coupled system of six non-linear, first-order differential equations. Time-domain integration was used to simulate the system in order to test the control strategies and compare with experimental results.     

Mercury fluxes between an impacted coastal lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean

The objective was to estimate the seasonal and inter-tidal variability of dissolved and particulate mercury fluxes between the Ria de Aveiro (Portugal) and the Atlantic Ocean. The mercury fluxes were estimated by means of a two-dimensional vertically integrated hydrodynamic model. Results showed that the particulate fraction plays an important role in the transport of mercury while the contribution of the seston fraction to the transport of mercury was always <0.5%. During spring tides, in summer, about 2% of mercury transported in seston was present in an organic form. The mass balance for the mercury fractions revealed that the mercury export to the Atlantic Ocean varied with season and tidal regime, mainly in terms of the relative importance of the dissolved and particulate fractions. An approximate range of values for the annual mass balance between 42 and 77 kg shows that the export of dissolved and particulate mercury makes little impact on the near shore region of the Atlantic Ocean and that the recovery of the lagoon from mercury contamination is likely to remain a long-term issue.