Climatic Warming in the Spanish Mediterranean: Natural Trend or Urban Effect

The evolution of the mean annual temperatures recordedin the major historical network of SpanishMediterranean observatories(36°N–45°/60°W–4°E)exhibits a significant warming trend. Analysis of thetrend is difficult and could be biased by non-climaticprocesses such as the urban effect and weather stationrelocation, which also need to be taken intoaccount.The present work examines the effects of non-climaticprocesses and shows that most of the temperature risecould be due to an urban effect. On correcting for theurban effect, the actual rise was found to be zero ornegligible. The assumption of temperature stability inthe Spanish Mediterranean should thereforenot be rejected.     

Star formation properties of Universidad Complutense de Madrid survey galaxies

We present new near-infrared J and K imaging data for 67 galaxies from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) survey used in the determination of the SFR density of the local Universe by Gallego et al. This is a sample of local star-forming galaxies with redshift lower than 0.045, and they constitute a representative subsample of the galaxies in the complete UCM survey. From the new data, complemented with our own Gunn- r images and long-slit optical spectroscopy, we have measured integrated K -band luminosities, r − J and J − K colours, and H α luminosities and equivalent widths. Using a maximum likelihood estimator and a complete set of evolutionary synthesis models, these observations allow us to estimate the strength of the current (or most recent) burst of star formation, its age, the star formation rate and the total stellar mass of the galaxies. An average galaxy in the sample has a stellar mass of 5×10¹⁰ M_⊙ and is undergoing (or has recently completed) a burst of star formation involving about 2 per cent of its total stellar mass. We identify two separate classes of star-forming galaxies in the UCM sample: low-luminosity, high-excitation galaxies (H  ii like ) and relatively luminous spiral galaxies (starburst disc- like ). The former show higher specific star formation rates (SFRs per unit mass) and burst strengths, and lower stellar masses than the latter. With regard to their specific star formation rates, the UCM galaxies are intermediate objects between normal quiescent spirals and the most extreme H  ii galaxies.     

The provenance of Australian uranium ore concentrates by elemental and isotopic analysis

Elemental and isotopic ratio analyses of U ore concentrate samples, from the 3 operating U mining facilities in Australia, were carried out to determine if significant variations exist between their products, thereby allowing the U ore concentrate’s origin to be identified. Elemental analyses were conducted using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). Lead isotope ratios were measured using ICP-MS and U isotope analyses were conducted using thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS). Minute quantities of sample, such as that obtained from a swipe, were also examined for elemental concentrations using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The results of multivariate statistical analysis show clear patterns in the trace elemental composition of the processed U ores, indicating that it is possible to use this feature as a unique identifier of an Australian U ore concentrate’s source. Secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses also allow individual particles to be differentiated using this ‘fingerprinting’ technique. Isotope ratios determined using TIMS reveal that there is a significant difference in the n(²³⁴U)/n(²³⁸U) isotope ratio between the U ore concentrate from each mine.     

A Numerical Case Study of the Implications of Secondary Circulations to the Interpretation of Eddy-Covariance Measurements Over Small Lakes

The CASES-99 experimental data are used to analyze turbulence behaviour under a range of stable conditions using an adaptive method based on Hilbert spectral analysis. The characteristic scales of intrinsic mode functions vary between different stratifications. The second-order Hilbert marginal spectra display clear separation between fine-scale turbulence and large-scale motions. After removing the large-scale motions, the statistical characteristics of the reconstructed signals confirm the distinction of different stratifications in the fine-scale range. The correlation coefficient analyses reveal that the Hilbert spectral analysis method separates turbulence from large-scale motions in the stable boundary layer.     

An Advanced Probabilistic Neural Network for the Design of Breakwater Armor Blocks

In this study,an advanced probabilistic neural network(APNN)method is proposed to reflect the global probability density function(PDF)by summing up the heterogeneous local PDF which is automatically determined in the individual standard deviation of variables.The APNN is applied to predict the stability number of armor blocks of breakwaters using the experimental data of van der Meer,and the estimated results of the APNN are compared with those of an empirical formula and a previous artificial neural network(ANN)model.The APNN shows better results in predicting the stability number of armor blocks of breakwater and it provided the promising probabilistic viewpoints by using the individual standard deviation in a variable.     

Effect of an exotic prey on the feeding pattern of a predatory snail

The mussel Brachidontes pharaonis, which invaded the Mediterranean from the Red Sea about 120 years ago, has recently become abundant in many midlittoral and some infralittoral rocky habitats along the Israeli rocky shore. We investigated the influence of B. pharaonis, as a novel prey, on the foraging patterns of the large whelk Stramonita haemastoma in the field, and examined food preferences in the laboratory. S. haemastoma has shifted from indigenous species to feeding on the novel mussel when abundant. The whelk prefers to prey upon the invasive mussel over all indigenous species offered (e.g. barnacles and mussels), probably due to its larger size. In the midlittoral zone, the foraging activity of S. haemastoma is considerably low even where refuges are readily available (incisioned-rocks) and food density is high (mainly B. pharaonis). Higher proportions of whelks are actively foraging in the infralittoral zone but usually on smaller prey, mostly barnacles. We suggest that this differential foraging activity in the two zones is related to the degree of exposure to wave action. The midlittoral is inherently more exposed to wave action than the infralittoral, where sea conditions are more benign and the whelks may enjoy longer activity periods.     

New Determinations of the Ages of Tide in the North Atlantic Ocean

Ages of tide provide relevant information about the spatial distribution of existing anomalies in the normal modes of the oceans, because a delay may be associated with bottom friction energy dissipation, closely located resonances, bathymetric gradients, or radiational effects. The determination of other parameters, such as the age of diurnal tide or age of parallax, also provide further knowledge about the ocean's hydrodynamical response to acting forces. Following the development of new ocean models and the availability of a greater amount of data, these parameters can be redetermined. We present the spatial distribution of these parameters in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, obtained from 507 stations. The results are discussed in terms of bathymetric models, coastal features, sea surface temperature, wind and other environmental factors.     

Analysis of the ferromagnetic contribution to the susceptibility by low field and high field methods in sedimentary rocks of the Southern Pyrenees and Northern Ebro foreland basin (Spain)

Magnetic susceptibility in rocks is the sum of the contributions of different magnetic particles (paramagnetic, diamagnetic and ferromagnetic s.l.). These contributions can be measured at variable temperatures or at variable fields (hysteresis loops). Both are time‐consuming techniques that cannot be routinely used in magnetic fabrics analysis. In this study, we propose a simplified method to determine the ferro‐ and paramagnetic contributions to the susceptibility, based on the discrete measurement of susceptibility at two different fields (near 0 and 2.5 T). The results obtained in samples from the Southern Pyrenees and Ebro Basin indicate that the ferromagnetic contribution vary considerably within homogeneous susceptibility values and within the expected range of paramagnetic values. Standard bulk susceptibilities higher than 200 10^?6 SI contribute significantly to the ferromagnetic fraction (>50% on average).     

Pleistocene landscapes in central Iberia inferred from pollen analysis of hyena coprolites

New pollen data from hyena coprolites from central Spain are presented. The fossil faecal material has been recovered from two karstic systems in different localities, Villacastín and Los Torrejones, which are both around 1000 m a.s.l. The combined findings of bone remains and coprolites in both locations suggest the following chronology: late Middle Pleistocene for Villacastín and early Upper Pleistocene for Los Torrejones. The environments inferred from pollen are broadly in keeping with evidence from associated vertebrate fossil remains, and include a shifting mosaic of open and wooded habitats with abundant pine and juniper species, steppe‐grassland areas with composites and chenopods, and enclaves with mixed oak forests. However, Los Torrejones appears to have been less forested than Villacastín. The abundance of oaks in Villacastín may imply the presence of refugia within an interconnected network of several enclaves during the glacial stages in the Upper Pleistocene. A possible explanation for the patchiness of the landscape may be in the role of herbivores, although the long distances and variety of habitats that hyenas had to roam through could be another explanation for the heterogeneous pollen contents in their dung. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.