The European Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC in the evaluation of the ecological status of watercourses. Case study: the river Chienti (central Apennines,Italy)

The quality of the river Chienti (eastern‐central Apennines, Italy) has been evaluated according to the Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC, taking into consideration both biotic (animal and vegetable) and chemical parameters. In studying the biotic component, two indices were used: the E.B.I, Extended Biotic Index (version adapted to the Italian rivers), based on macroinvertebrates, and the EPI‐D, the Eutrophication and/or Pollution Index, based on diatoms. For both macroinvertebrates and diatoms, two samplings were conducted, one in June and the other in October 2003. Instead, according to the Italian Law 152/99 the chemical and bacteriological analyses were conducted monthly for the entire year. The results of biomonitoring and chemical‐bacteriological analyses unanimously demonstrated a good ecological situation for the upper section of the Chienti, though the situation tends to worsen as the river continues its descent and undergoes increased anthropogenic pressure. Data obtained were correlated with Spearman's coefficients and principal component analysis. Both statistical calculations showed clear, direct correlation between the two biotic indices and an inverse correlation between these and the chemical and bacteriological parameters. However, a few differences of judgement that emerged among the various indices highlight the importance of using them simultaneously in order to obtain a more accurate diagnosis of the ecological status of the watercourses.     

武汉天河机场低能见度现象的气候特征分析

利用武汉天河机场1996—2005年共10 a的地面气象观测资料,对该机场低能见度现象的年变化、日变化等气候特征进行了统计分析,结果表明低能见度现象在冬季出现得最多,夏季最少。春、秋、冬三季低能见度出现频率较高的时段比较接近。在对影响能见度的天气现象和低能见度的持续时间进行研究后发现雾是造成低能见度形成的最主要原因,而春、秋、冬三季低能见度的持续时间在2~4 h之间的居多。     

Effects of column axial force – bending moment interaction on inelastic seismic response of steel frames

It is well known that axial force – bending moment interaction (N–M interaction) affects to a large extent the cyclic inelastic behaviour of structural elements, especially columns in framed structures, with reduction in bending capacity and loss of available ductility. A few studies have also shown that significant inelastic axial shortening affects the response of column elements subjected to medium–high levels of axial loads and cyclic bending. This paper is primarily aimed at evaluating the effects of column N–M interaction on the inelastic seismic response of steel frames. By considering the contemporaneous action of vertical loads, due to gravity, and of horizontal seismic excitation, it is shown that the progressive axial shortening of adjacent columns may differ substantially, thus inducing significant relative settlements at the ends of the connecting beams and, then, remarkable amplifications in beam plastic rotations. An evaluation of additional beam plastic rotations induced by column N–M interaction is carried out for real structures by investigating the inelastic response of steel frames designed according to European standards under horizontal and vertical earthquake excitations. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Radio jet interactions in the radio galaxy PKS 2152–699

We present radio observations of the radio galaxy PKS 2152–699 obtained with the Australia Telescope Compact Array. The much higher resolution and signal-to-noise ratio of the new radio maps reveal the presence of a bright radio component about 10 arcsec north-east of the nucleus. This lies close to the highly ionized cloud previously studied in the optical and here shown in a broad-band red snapshot image with the HST PC 2. It suggests that PKS 2152–699 may be a jet/cloud interaction similar to 3C 277.3. This could cause the change in the position angle (of ∼ 20°) of the radio emission from the inner to the outer regions. On the large scale, the source has Fanaroff & Riley type II morphology although the presence of the two hotspots in the centres of the lobes is unusual. The northern lobe shows a particularly relaxed structure while the southern one has an edge-brightened, arc-like structure.     

Adaptations and lifestyle in polar marine environments: a biological challenge for the study of fish evolution

The climatic features of Antarctic waters are more extreme and constant than in the Arctic. The Antarctic has been isolated and cold longer than the Arctic. The polar ichthyofaunas differ in age, endemism, taxonomy, zoogeographic distinctiveness and physiological tolerance to environmental parameters. The Arctic is the connection between the Antarctic and the temperate-tropical systems. Paradigmatic comparisons of the pathways of adaptive evolution of fish from both poles address the oxygen-transport system and the antifreezes of northern and southern species, (i) Haemoglobin evolution has included adaptations at the biochemical, physiological and molecular levels. Within the study of the molecular bases offish cold adaptation, and taking advantage of the information on haemoglobin amino acid sequence, we analysed the evolutionary history of the α and β globins of Antarctic, Arctic and temperate haemoglobins as a basis for reconstructing phylogenetic relationships. In the trees, the constant physico-chemical conditions of the Antarctic waters are matched by clear grouping of globin sequences, whereas the variability typical of the Arctic ecosystem corresponds to high sequence variation, reflected by scattered intermediate positions between the Antarctic and non-Antarctic clades. (ii) Antifreeze (glyco)proteins and peptides allow polar fish to survive at sub-zero temperatures. In Antarctic Notothenioidei the antifreeze gene evolved from a trypsinogen-like serine protease gene. In the Arctic polar cod the genome contains genes which encode nearly identical proteins, but have evolved from a different genomic locus–a case of convergent evolution.     

Potassium-argon dating of igneous activity in the central Chilean Andes — latitude 33°S

Potassium-argon dating of volcanic and plutonic rocks in the Andean region of central Chile has revealed previously unrecognized episodes of igneous activity during Cretaceous and Cenozoic time. These results indicate the need to re-evaluate the classic stratigraphic subdivisions that have evolved on lithologic rather than time-stratigraphic criteria.Four radiometric age groups have been identified in the coast range volcanic belt:

1. (1) Las Chilcas Formation — Early Cretaceous continental volcanic strata (120-110 m.y.).

2. (2) Lo Valle Formation — Late Cretaceous continental volcanic strata (78-65 m.y.).

3. (3) Late Oligocene extrusive volcanics (31-28 m.y.).

4. (4) Early Miocene intrusive volcanics (20.6–19.5 m.y.).

Two radiometric age groups have also been identified in the adjacent Andean Cordillera:

1. (1) Farellones Formation — continental volcanic strata (18.5–17.3 m.y.).

2. (2) Early Pliocene extrusive volcanics (5-4 m.y.).

An older group of continental volcanic strata in the Andes represented by the Abanico Formation remains undated but is intruded by plutons dated at 19.5 and 24 m.y.Available chronologic evidence indicates that volcanic activity moved eastward from the coast range volcanic belt to the Andean Cordillera between 20 and 18 m.y. ago and remained there to the present time.     

Sulla genesi dei microsismi

Riassunto In base alle registrazioni sismiche ed a quelle del moto ondoso marino raccolte a Genova dal l^o Marzo 1953 al 31 Maggio 1954 si dimostra dapprima che una forte agitazione locale dello stato del mare causa quasi sempre una corrispondente forte attività microsismica, illustrando il fenomeno e proponendo una spiegazione delle poche eccezioni trovate: questa vien data in funzione dell'ubicazione dei nodi e dei ventri che la parte di crosta terrestre posta in vibrazione presenta a seconda del modo di eccitazione e della posizione del centro eccitatore. L'analisi degli altri casi di microsismi, che costituiscono la grande maggioranza, ha portato alla conclusione che sostanzialmente essi sono tutti provocati dall'azione diretta del vento — in generale con la forte sua turbolenza che si ha al passaggio di perturbazioni meteorologiche — a seguito dell'eccitazione che la pressione dinamica oscillante del vento stesso determina sulla superficie del suolo ed in particolare sulle falde delle montagne.

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Summary From the seismic and sea-waves recordings carried out in Genoa during the period March lst 1953-May 31st 1954 it is first proved that nearly always a great agitation of the sea provokes a corresponding great microseismic activity. The analysis of the other more numerous cases of microseisms has demonstrated that they are all generated by the direct action of the wind on the ground surface, as a consequence of the wind-turbulence, action being particularly marked on the sides of mountains. Further it is also demonstrated that the Alps and the Appennines round Genoa are acting as a microseismic barrier.

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La parte principale di questa relazione venne presentata da uno di noi (M. B.) alla X Assemblea Generale dell'U.G.G.I. (Associazione Internaz. di Sismologia) che ebbe luogo a Roma nel Settembre 1954. Varie cause hanno ritardato la pubblicazione per esteso della relazione, già parzialmente sunteggiata nei Comptes Rendus N. 11 (1955, p. 128) di detta Associazione.     

Sulle correnti costiere nel Golfo di Genova

Riassunto Dapprima vengono illustrate le condizioni generali che influiscono sul regime delle correnti costiere del Mar Ligure. Quindi, in base ad osservazioni di vario tipo, compiute in estate e nell'autunno, si deducono vari risultati ed in particolare che: 1) la massima stabilità della corrente meridionale costiera si ha in Luglio; 2) in generale nell'estate la stessa corrente costiera meridionale, pervenendo nell'interno del Golfo di Genova, si estingue nello stesso, senza proseguire verso SW; 3) presso il vertice del Golfo il senso della circolazione costiera è dipendente dalle variazioni della pressione atmosferica, le correnti generate da tali variazioni interessando anche profondità dell'ordine di 100 m almeno; 4) in occasione del passaggio di depressioni sul Golfo le acque superiori subiscono un sensibile temporaneo riscaldamento.

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Summary First the general conditions determining the coastal currents in the Ligurian Sea are discussed. From observations of different type made by us during summer and autumn, some results are derived, the most important ones being these: 1) the greatest stability of the meridional coastal current occurs in July; 2) during the summer, the same current, having arrived in the Gulf of Genova, is practically extinguished in its vertex, without being turned towards SW; 3) near the vertex of the Gulf, the coastal circulation depends on the variations of the atmospheric pressure and the currents generated in this manner extend to depths until nearly 100 m at least; 4) when the Gulf is subject to a barometric depression, the upper water-strata undergo a noticeable temporary heating.

     

Seven landslide dams of old seismic origin in southeastern Sicily (Italy)

This paper focuses on origin, morphology and evolution of seven landslide dams in southeastern Sicily. These landforms are part of a set of 146 landslides recently recognised in this area, which was hitherto considered to have little or no slope instability. Southeastern Sicily consists of a plateau (the Hyblaean Mountains) incised by canyons and surrounded by lower lands. It is underlain mostly by subhorizontal, moderately to well-lithified carbonate rocks. Relief is low.Several lines of evidence justify the assumption of a seismic trigger for the landslides in this area: (1) the geo-climatic environment is not favourable to landsliding, (2) low-angle basal shear surfaces are very frequent, (3) landslide distribution is consistent with the known magnitude–distance relationships for earthquake-induced landslides, (4) historical documents testify to earthquake-triggered slope instability and (5) a specific landslide can be exactly dated.The phenomena illustrated here include six rock slides (one with a debris-flow component) and one rock fall. Slip surfaces are mostly non-circular. Landslide volume ranges from about 50×10³ to 34×10⁶ m³.With reference to the Costa and Schuster [Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 100 (1988) 1054] classification of landslide dams, five cases belong to type II (spanning the entire valley), and two to type IV (failures from both valley sides, with frontal or side contact between failed masses). With reference to Crozier and Pillans [Catena 18 (1991) 471] classification of landslide lakes, all cases show a main valley lake while tributary valley, back and supra lakes are sporadically present. One damming is attributable to the 1693 earthquake with certainty; another damming, to the same earthquake with high probability. Three dams were reincised, one breached or reincised, one is slightly reincised and two more or less intact; correspondingly, five silting up deposits were reincised, one is being reincised at present and two are still under formation.