Impact of trace metals on denitrification in estuarine sediments of the Douro River estuary,Portugal

Denitrification influences the nitrogen budget in estuaries by removing fixed nitrogen from the inorganic pool; rates are dependent on both geological and geographic conditions as well as increasing anthropogenic impacts. In this study the effects of copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), on the denitrification pathway were evaluated in subtidal and intertidal sediments of the Douro River estuary. Dinitrogen, N₂O and NO₂⁻ production rates were measured in triplicate slurries of field samples under different treatments of metal concentrations. Results demonstrated that similar metal amendments led to different site responses for denitrification, suggesting that variations in sediment properties (metal concentrations, grain size, organic matter content, etc.) and/or differences in denitrifying community tolerance modulate the level of metal toxicity. Denitrifying communities in subtidal muddy sediments were not affected by increasing concentrations of metals. In contrast, intertidal sandy sites revealed high sensitivity to almost all trace metals tested; almost complete inhibition by Cr (95%) and Cu (85%) was observed for 98 and 79 μg per gram of wet sediment respectively, and by Zn (92%) at the highest concentration added (490 μg per gram of wet sediment). Moreover, the addition of trace metals stimulated N₂O and NO₂⁻ accumulation in intertidal sandy (Zn, Cu, Cr and Cd) and muddy sediments (Cu and Zn), demonstrating a pronounced inhibitory effect on specific steps within the denitrification enzymatic system. In summary, the results obtained suggest that, according to the type of estuarine sediment, trace metals cannot only reduce total N removal from an estuary via denitrification but also can enhance the release of N₂O, a powerful greenhouse gas.     

Parametric calibration of the Hargreaves–Samani equation for use at new locations

The Hargreaves–Samani (HS) evapotranspiration equation is very useful for the on‐site irrigation management in data‐short situations such as small and midsize farms and landscaped areas. Although much work has been performed to improve the precision of the evapotranspiration (ET_o) estimates for use at new locations, the results have not been consistent and many have not been confirmed by other works. The purpose of this study was to review and to evaluate the seven most promising parameters used for the calibration of the HS evapotranspiration equation, using two different regions: California and Bolivia. The results of this study show that annual correlations between HS and Penman–Monteith can be misleading because the correlation is poor in the humid months and improves progressively along the dry season until the first rains. The average monthly wind speed can be used for both spatial and seasonal calibration of the HS equation, especially during the irrigation season. Elevation and precipitation can be used to calibrate the HS equation when no reference ET_o values are available at nearby stations. The monthly value of K_T calculated from solar radiation follows a parabolic function along the year and should not be used for improving the estimates of the HS equation because the clearness index produces better results than actual solar radiation measurements. The results also indicate that the use of distance to coast, temperature range and temperature parameter does not improve the precision of the HS equation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Substructures in lens galaxies: PG1115+080 and B1555+375, two fold configurations

We study the anomalous flux ratio which is observed in some four-image lens systems, where the source lies close to a fold caustic. In this case two of the images are close to the critical curve and their flux ratio should be equal to unity, instead in several cases the observed value differs significantly. The most plausible solution is to invoke the presence of substructures, as for instance predicted by the Cold Dark Matter scenario, located near the two images. In particular, we analyze the two fold lens systems PG1115+080 and B1555+375, for which there are not yet satisfactory models which explain the observed anomalous flux ratios. We add to a smooth lens model, which reproduces well the positions of the images but not the anomalous fluxes, one or two substructures described as singular isothermal spheres. For PG1115+080 we consider a smooth model with the influence of the group of galaxies described by a SIS and a substructure with mass ∼10⁵ M _⊙ as well as a smooth model with an external shear and one substructure with mass ∼10⁸ M _⊙. For B1555+375 either a strong external shear or two substructures with mass ∼10⁷ M _⊙ reproduce the data quite well.     

Depuration dynamics of oysters (Crassostrea gigas) artificially contaminated by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

The State of Santa Catarina produces the greatest quantity of edible mollusks in Brazil. To guarantee sanitary qualify, mollusk cultures should be monitored for contamination by pathogenic microorganisms. A self-purification or "depuration" system that eliminates Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium contamination from oysters has been developed and evaluated. The depuration process occurred within a closed system, in which 1000 L of water was recirculated for 24 h. The water was sterilized with ultraviolet (UV) light, chlorine, or both together. Oysters (Crassostrea gigas) artificially contaminated with S. typhimurium were harvested every 6 h. Samples of oyster tissue were excised and both the presence and numbers of bacteria were determined. Combined UV light and chlorine treatments resulted in total elimination of bacteria within 12 h. Polymerase chain reaction detected bacteria in water exposed to the three treatments. This pioneering study is the first of its kind in Brazil and represents a major contribution to commercial mollusk culture in this country.     

The effect of the "Prestige" oil spill on the plankton of the N-NW Spanish coast

Chlorophyll, primary production, zooplankton biomass and the species composition of phytoplankton and zooplankton were studied in 2003, after the Prestige shipwreck. The information obtained was compared to previous data series available for the area affected by the spill. A large data series on plankton variables for the N-NW Spanish coast existed, and therefore a realistic evaluation of the effects by comparison with the range of natural variability could be carried out. We emphasized the evaluation of impact during the spring bloom, the first important biological event after the spill. Some minor changes were observed occasionally, but they did not show any clear pattern and were more related to the natural variability of the ecosystem than to effect of the spill. Plankton community structure did not undergo any changes. Only a few species were more abundant during spring 2003 than in previous years. No significant changes were detected in the planktonic community during productive periods, such as the spring bloom and the summer blooms related to intrusions of East North Atlantic Central Waters. The lack of evidence of the effects of the spill on planktonic communities is discussed in terms of the characteristics of the fuel, the high dynamics of the water masses, the biological mechanisms through which the fuel from the surface waters is transferred to the sea floor and, particularly, the influence of the natural variability by means of large and meso-scale hydrographic processes in the area under study. At the present time it is not possible to determine any minor effects the spill may have had on the plankton owing to the great variability of the planktonic cycles and the short-term impact of the oil from the Prestige on the pelagic system.     

The impact of spatial resolution on area burned and fire occurrence projections in Portugal under climate change

In this study, we investigated the impact of future climate change on fire activity in 12 districts across Portugal. Using historical relationships and the HIRHAM (High Resolution Hamburg Model) 12 and 25 km climate simulations, we assessed the fire weather and subsequent fire activity under a 2 × CO₂ scenario. We found that the fire activity prediction was not affected by the spatial resolution of the climate model used (12 vs. 25 km). Future area burned is predicted to increase 478% for Portugal as a whole, which equates to an increase from 1.4% to 7.8% of the available burnable area burning annually. Fire occurrence will also see a dramatic increase (279%) for all of Portugal. There is significant spatial variation within these results; the north and central districts of the country generally will see larger increases in fire activity.     

Rhyacian (2.23–2.20 Ga) juvenile accretion in the southern São Francisco craton,Brazil: Geochemical and isotopic evidence from the Serrinha magmatic suite,Mineiro belt

The Serrinha magmatic suite (Mineiro belt) crops out in the southern edge of the São Francisco craton, comprising the Brito quartz-diorite, Brumado de Cima and Brumado de Baixo granodiorites, granophyres and felsic sub-volcanic and volcanic rocks, part of which intruded into the Nazareno greenstone belt. The suite rocks have petrographic features that are consistent with magma supercooling due to the low water content combined with volatile loss, leading to crystallization of quartz and alkaline feldspar at the rims of plagioclase phenocrysts (granophyric intergrowth). The investigated rocks are sub-alkaline, calc-alkaline and show low content in rare earth elements. The U–Pb zircon crystallization ages for the Brumado de Cima granodiorite [2227 ± 22 (23) Ma] and a coeval granophyre [2211 ± 22 (23) Ma], coupled with available single-zircon Pb evaporation ages for the Brito and Brumado de Baixo plutons, are significantly older than the “Minas orogeny” (ca. 2100–2050 Ga) of Quadrilátero Ferrífero area, eastward from the Serrinha suite. Our data establish an early Rhyacian event tectonically linked with the evolution of the Mineiro belt. The bulk Nd isotopic signature [low negative to positive ε_Nd(t) values] of the Serrinha samples are consistent with the important role of Paleoproterozoic mantle components in the magma genesis. The integrated geologic, geochemical and isotopic information suggests that Paleoproterozoic evolution of the Mineiro belt initiated in a passive continental margin basin with deposition of the Minas Supergroup at ca. 2500 Ma. This stage was succeeded by outboard rupture of the oceanic lithosphere with development and coalescence of progressively younger magmatic arcs during Rhyacian time. One of the earliest arcs formed the Serrinha suite. The tectonic collage of the Serrinha and Ritápolis (2190–2120 Ma) arcs produced the NE–SW Lenheiro shear zone, resulting in mylonitization and recrystallization of both the granitoid intrusions and host rocks. As a matter of fact juxtaposition of distinct magmatic units in age and origin took place along the Lenheiros structure in this sector of the Mineiro belt.     

Effects of Groundwater Development on Uranium: Central Valley,California, USA

Uranium (U) concentrations in groundwater in several parts of the eastern San Joaquin Valley, California, have exceeded federal and state drinking water standards during the last 20 years. The San Joaquin Valley is located within the Central Valley of California and is one of the most productive agricultural areas in the world. Increased irrigation and pumping associated with agricultural and urban development during the last 100 years have changed the chemistry and magnitude of groundwater recharge, and increased the rate of downward groundwater movement. Strong correlations between U and bicarbonate suggest that U is leached from shallow sediments by high bicarbonate water, consistent with findings of previous work in Modesto, California. Summer irrigation of crops in agricultural areas and, to lesser extent, of landscape plants and grasses in urban areas, has increased Pco₂ concentrations in the soil zone and caused higher temperature and salinity of groundwater recharge. Coupled with groundwater pumping, this process, as evidenced by increasing bicarbonate concentrations in groundwater over the last 100 years, has caused shallow, young groundwater with high U concentrations to migrate to deeper parts of the groundwater system that are tapped by public-supply wells. Continued downward migration of U-affected groundwater and expansion of urban centers into agricultural areas will likely be associated with increased U concentrations in public-supply wells. The results from this study illustrate the potential long-term effects of groundwater development and irrigation-supported agriculture on water quality in arid and semiarid regions around the world.     

Probabilistic site-dependent non-linear spectra

This paper presents a probabilistic approach to the estimation of lateral strengths required to provide an adequate control of inelastic deformations in structures during severe earthquake ground motions. In contrast to a deterministic approach, the approach presented herein accounts explicitly for the variability of the response of non-linear systems due to the inherent uncertainties in the intensity and characteristics of the input excitation by considering the probability distribution of maximum inelastic strength demands. This study is based on the computation of non-linear strength demands of single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems experiencing different levels of inelastic deformation when subjected to 124 recorded earthquake ground motions. Using empirical cumulative distribution functions site-dependent probabilistic non-linear spectra were computed for six probabilities of exceedance of different levels of inelastic deformation. It is concluded that the lateral strength required to control displacement ductility demands is significantly affected by the maximum tolerable inelastic deformation, the system's period of vibration, the local site conditions and the level of risk in exceeding the maximum tolerable deformations.     

Temporal and spatial persistence in rainfall records from Northeast Brazil and Galicia (Spain)

Summary Temporal and spatial persistence effects in historical rainfall records are investigated for a large number of stations from Northwest Spain (Galicia) and Northeast Brazil. Quantitative results, expressed by the Hurst or roughness exponent, are obtained by two methods: the R/S analysis and the semi-variogram. Despite rather different climatic conditions and period of analysis for the two regions, the results indicate that persistence and anti-persistence for the temporal and spatial analyses, respectively, are found for both regions. Temporal persistence is known to occur with other climatic fields and in many different regions of the world. Antipersistence in spatial patterns of rainfall is a strong result of this work, despite its apparent contradiction with temporal persistence. The results for Northeast Brazil support previous indications of a geographic stratification of persistence: both temporal and spatial persistence increase as latitude decreases.