Effect of low salinity on the survival of recently hatched veliger of Nassarius reticulatus (L.) in estuarine habitats: A case study of Ria de Aveiro

The effect of low salinity on the survival of recently hatched veliger of the gastropod Nassarius reticulatus (L.) was studied under laboratory conditions at 17 °C ± 1 °C. Significant mortality occurred for salinities ≤ 17 psu and the LS₅₀ (salinity that causes 50% mortality) varied from 14.5 psu to 17.2 psu for exposures between 1 h and 48 h, respectively. The results were included in a mathematical model in order to estimate the mortality of N. reticulatus veliger in Ria de Aveiro under different salinity scenarios determined by numerical simulation. The model predicts a massive mortality of veliger immediately after their eclosion (1 h) in Ria de Aveiro during spring tide when the river input reaches its expected maximum — a situation that has been observed occasionally and may overlap a massive eclosion of veliger in the water. Except in this extreme situation, the mortality in Ria de Aveiro is generally restricted to the upstream limits of the channels. The results indicate that N. reticulatus recruitment in estuaries may strongly depend on the prevailing salinity regime.     

Are taxonomic distinctness measures compliant to other ecological indicators in assessing ecological status?

Assessing the ecological status, a concept implemented in the European Water Framework Directive [Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council 2000/60/EC establishing a framework for community action in the field of water policy PE-CONS 3639/1/00, 72 p.], requires the application of methods capable of distinguishing different levels of ecological quality. Somerfield and Clarke [Marine Environmental Research 43 (2003) 145-156] proposed Average Taxonomic Distinctness to be used as tool in this context. We tested the robustness of Taxonomic Distinctness measures applying it in different scenarios (estuarine eutrophication, organic pollution, and re-colonisation after physical disturbance), analysing simultaneously its compliance to other types of ecological indicators. Results show that, in most of the case studies, only Total Taxonomic Distinctness was relatively satisfactory in discriminating between disturbed situations. Other Taxonomic Distinctness measures have not proved to be more sensitive than other ecological indicators (Shannon-Wiener, Margalef, and Eco-Exergy indices). Therefore, this approach does not seem to be particularly helpful in assessing systems' ecological status with regard to the WFD implementation.     

A Variable Mesh Spacing for Large-Eddy Simulation Models in the Convective Boundary Layer

A variable vertical mesh spacing for large-eddy simulation (LES) models in a convective boundary layer (CBL) is proposed. The argument is based on the fact that in the vertical direction the turbulence near the surface in a CBL is inhomogeneous and therefore the subfilter-scale effects depend on the relative location between the spectral peak of the vertical velocity and the filter cut-off wavelength. From the physical point of view, this lack of homogeneity makes the vertical mesh spacing the principal length scale and, as a consequence, the LES filter cut-off wavenumber is expressed in terms of this characteristic length scale. Assuming that the inertial subrange initial frequency is equal to the LES filter cut-off frequency and employing fitting expressions that describe the observed convective turbulent energy one-dimensional spectra, it is feasible to derive a relation to calculate the variable vertical mesh spacing. The incorporation of this variable vertical grid within a LES model shows that both the mean quantities (and their gradients) and the turbulent statistics quantities are well described near to the ground level, where the LES predictions are known to be a challenging task.     

Comparative energetics of ERA-40, JRA-25 and NCEP-R2 reanalysis, in the wave number domain

The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts 40-year Reanalysis (ERA-40), the Japan Meteorological Agency and Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry 25-year Reanalysis (JRA-25), and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction and Department of Energy AMIP-II Reanalysis (NCEP-R2) are intercompared through a global energetics analysis for all seasons.Overall, the Lorenz energy cycle is consistent among the three datasets. The flow of energy and the peaks and slopes in the spectra of the various components agree between the three reanalysis. Additionally, the temporal variability of the energy cycle terms shows consistency between the three reanalysis. Most differences between the three reanalysis are related to the magnitudes of energy forms and energy conversion/transfer rates at each wave number, generally following the relation ERA−40>JRA−25>NCEP−R2, and mainly located in the Southern Hemisphere. The best agreement between the three datasets is found for northern winter. Differences between the three datasets are greater for the other seasons, being greatest for northern summer. In general, these discrepancies are fairly modest, being likely due to the different model biases and resolutions, and the different data assimilation methods used by the respective reanalysis systems. The energetics of the three reanalysis become closer to each other in more recent years, which is likely due to the increase in the number of observations assimilated in the reanalysis.The NCEP-R2 reanalysis spectrum is smoother than those of ERA-40 and JRA-25, likely due to filtering and to its lower resolution model. The spectra show a rapid decrease for short waves in NCEP-R2 (n=36) and ERA-40 (n=63), as a consequence of filtering. The energy source in the nonlinear wave–wave interactions of kinetic energy, L(n), has a narrower spectral range in NCEP-R2 than in the other datasets. Energetics from the newer JRA-25 reanalysis is generally closer to that of ERA-40, with some exceptions as is the case of zonal–wave interactions of kinetic energy, M(n), for synoptic waves, or for eddy available potential energy, A_E, in the lower troposphere, for which JRA-25 is closer to NCEP-R2.     

High-temperature infrared properties of forsterite

Polarized emittance measurements were acquired for synthetic forsterite, the pure magnesium end member of the olivines group, on the whole infrared spectral range and up to the melting point by using CO₂ laser heating. The experimental data, fitted with a semi-quantum dielectric function model, allowed the retrieval of the temperature dependence of the absorption coefficient of forsterite both in the opaque and semi-transparent regions. The analysis of the phonon parameters indicates that the lattice dynamics evolve drastically with increasing temperature. The normal modes involving motions of the magnesium cations located in site 1 are the more impacted, and some of them vanish around 1,200 K. The results confirm that the enhancement of the lattice anharmonicity and the increasing mobility of the magnesium cations are closely linked and are at the origin of the anomalies observed in the evolution of the thermophysical properties. This complete set of spectroscopic data may be a step toward a more precise evaluation of the impact of thermal radiation heat transfer inside systems involving forsterite and quantification of their heat budget.     

Relationship between age of waste and natural electric potential generation in Sanitary Landfill

The geophysical methods are effective tools for determining changes in physical parameters of the geological environment, as soil or groundwater in the presence of contamination. This work consisted on analyzing the natural electric potential obtained over domestic solid waste ditches with controlled closure dates. The interpretation data suggest the generation of electric potential predominantly through the redox phenomenon, as opposed to the flow potential phenomenon. The statistical data analysis indicates a correlation between residence time of the waste and growing variations of voltage. In addition highlights that eight years are required to achieve the reported values for the area with absence of waste, time estimated for decomposition of most organic matter contained in the buried waste.     

Regional Structural Analysis by Remote Sensing for Mineral Exploration,Paraiba State,Northeast Brazil

Abstract

Photogeological techniques were used to analyze Landsat‐TM images of the Paraiba State, which resulted in the identification of the following structures: lineaments of regional extent, short en echelon lineaments, intricate ramification of the wrench system, and infrastructures among major lineaments and circular or ring structures. This lineament map was correlated to existing geological maps, to areas of known hydrothermal mineralization (Cu, Au, Mo, Ni, W and Ti), and the lineament map was verified in the field reconnaissance. Due to lack of systematic studies of the geology and natural resources of the region the mineral exploration is still in rudimentary stages. The objective of this research is to emphasize the detection and analysis of lineaments, their patterns, and geometry and their relations with the occurrence of mineral resources and its exploration in areas as yet explored. A large number of mineral‐bearing pegmatites of the region are controlled by major lineaments and associated minor lineaments. It is believed that the structures of interest in search for mineral deposits are warping part of the minor shear zones, the intersections of short and regional lineaments, and the circular features.     

The PMS δ Scuti star PDS2

The Herbig Ae star PDS2 was found to pulsate as a Pre-Main-Sequence delta Scuti star on the basis of R.E.M. telescope photometry. From the frequency analysis we have found four significant pulsation frequencies. We discuss these results and their interpretation through the adoption of nonradial pulsation models, deriving the first information on the intrinsic properties of this young star.     

Integrative assessment of organotin contamination in a southern European estuarine system (Ria de Aveiro, NW Portugal): tracking temporal trends in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the EU ban

Organotin (OT) compounds have been used as biocide agents in antifouling paints since the mid 1960s and are now ubiquitous in the marine environment. Due to their high toxicity to non-target species they were banned from antifouling paints in the European Union in 2003 (2002/62/EC directive). The aim of the present work is to assess any obvious decline of the OT environmental levels at Ria de Aveiro (NW Portugal) after the ban. The organotins - monobutyltin (MBT), dibutyltin (DBT), tributyltin (TBT), monophenyltin (MPT), diphenyltin (DPT), triphenyltin (TPT), monoctyltin (MOT), dioctyltin (DOT) and trioctyltin (TOT) - were quantified in the gastropod Nassarius reticulatus, in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and in sediments. Imposex (imposition of male characters on females of gonochorist gastropods) in N. reticulatus was additionally used as a biomarker of TBT pollution. Time comparisons show a slight decrease of imposex between 2003 and 2005 probably as a consequence of the EU ban, though in some cases this trend seems to have started earlier since 2000. The fraction of TBT relatively to its metabolites has been decreasing over the last years but still remains high suggesting that there are still recent inputs of this compound into the study area.     

Amazonian floodplain water balance based on modelling and analyses of hydrologic and electrical conductivity data

In the Amazon basin, floodplains form a complex mosaic of freshwater systems with differing morphologies, resulting in varied inundation patterns and heterogeneous chemical and ecological characteristics. In this study, we focused on the Janauacá floodplain, a medium‐sized system (786 km², including the local watershed) located along the Solimões River. Based on in situ and satellite observations acquired from November 2006 to November 2011, we computed water fluxes between the mainstream and the floodplain and examined the temporal dynamics of floodplain storage from river flooding, rainfall, runoff, and exchanges with groundwater through bank seepage for the 5 years from 2006 to 2011. The mainstream was the main input of water to the flooded area, accounting on average for 93% of total water inputs by the end of the water year. Direct precipitation and runoff from uplands contributed less than or equal to 5% and 10%, respectively. The seepage contribution was less than 1%. Model uncertainties, evaluated using Monte Carlo analysis of the input data and model parameters, showed that all water fluxes were relatively well constrained except for outflow through seepage, which had a standard deviation across simulations greater than 60%. The water balance computation was verified using electrical conductivity as an assumed non‐reactive tracer. Except during periods of very low water, the simulated and measured conductivities agreed well. Moreover, conductivity data analysis confirmed that the Janauacá system can be considered homogeneous in terms of electrical conductivity for filling percentages equal to or greater than 40% (i.e., when the water level is above 19.5 m, generally from April to August) but presented large heterogeneities during the rest of the hydrological cycle.