Spatial and temporal variation of biomarkers in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Lagoon of Venice, Italy

A multiple biomarker approach was adopted in a seasonal study carried out in the Lagoon of Venice, with the double aim of evaluating the natural and anthropic stresses influencing the biological responses of mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and of assessing the effects due to spatial rather than temporal variations. Biochemical (aldehyde dehydrogenase and catalase activities), cellular (neutral red retention time) and physiological (survival in air and condition index) biomarkers were determined in mussels collected in four differently impacted lagoon areas. Multivariate analysis showed that samples were distributed mainly according to temperature and four seasonal groups were identified. The combination of spatial and temporal information enabled us to distinguish physiological variations due to natural causes from those due to anthropic stress, and to identify the sampling period when several biomarkers are less influenced by both natural and endogenous factors.     

Do endocrine disrupting chemicals threaten Mediterranean swordfish? Preliminary results of vitellogenin and Zona radiata proteins in Xiphias gladius.

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) have the potential to alter hormone pathways that regulate reproductive processes in wildlife and fishes. In this research the hypothesis that Mediterranean top predator species (such as large pelagic fish) are potentially at risk due to EDCs is investigated. These marine organisms tend to accumulate high concentrations of EDCs such as polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAHs). The potential effects of EDCs on a fish species of commercial interest, the top predator Xiphias gladius (swordfish), were investigated using vitellogenin (Vtg) and Zona radiata proteins (Zrp) as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Dramatic induction of typically female proteins (Vtg and Zrp) was detected by ELISA and Western Blot in adult males of the species. These results are the first warning of the potential risk for reproductive function of Mediterranean top predators, and suggest the need for continuous monitoring of this fragile marine environment.     

Photoacclimation of the invasive alga Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea to depth and daylight patterns and a putative new role for siphonaxanthin

The introduced green alga Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea grows along a broad depth range (from very shallow to 60 m depth) in the Mediterranean basin. In the present work, the photoacclimation capacity of this invasive variety was investigated in summer, the season of its maximum spread. Natural populations from the Gulf of Naples (Italy) were analyzed for photoresponse on two scales of light variability: a spatial scale (at three stations along a depth gradient, from 0.3 to 20 m depth) and a temporal scale (on the shallowest meadow, from sunrise to sunset). These responses were studied through pigment analysis (with HPLC), and in situ measurements of photosynthetic parameters (with a Diving‐PAM fluorometer). Electron transport rate (ETR)–irradiance curve parameters showed acclimation along environmental gradients dominated by variation in irradiance. In the shallowest plants, the lack of a midday depression in both the maximum relative ETRs and the photosynthetic efficiency at sub‐saturating irradiance (α) pointed to a maintenance of energy conversion levels despite the protective lowering of light‐harvesting efficiency revealed by the trend in F_v/F_m. On the other side, variation of photosynthetic efficiency occurred with depth and buffered the effect of decreasing light on maximum photosynthetic rates. A previously undescribed xanthophyll cycle centred on lutein‐siphonaxanthin interconversion appeared to operate in the shallowest populations in addition to the violaxanthin/antheraxanthin/zeaxanthin cycle commonly occurring in Chlorophyta; this would further enhance phototolerance of the alga. A further role of siphonaxanthin is in the acclimation to low light of deep environments as indicated by its stronger increase from the surface to the deepest station with respect to siphonein and chlorophyll b.     

Closure to discussion “A review on the behavior of helical piles as a potential offshore foundation system”

Abstract

A closure on the recent discussion regarding the review on the behavior of helical piles as a potential offshore foundation system by the Authors is presented. Installation torque, uplift capacity, installation effects, model pile, installation speed and results proposed by Discussers are commented.     

Morphology and mineralogy of fly ash from a coal-fueled power plant

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - Morphology, chemical composition and mineralogy of fly ash from a coal-fueled power plant have been investigated. Optical and scanning electron microscopic...     

Estimation of the Lagrangian Velocity Structure Function Constant C0 by Large-Eddy Simulation

The inertial subrange Kolmogorov constant C ₀, which determines the effective turbulent diffusion in velocity space, plays an important role in the Lagrangian modelling of pollutants. A wide range of values of the constant are found in the literature, most of them determined at low Reynolds number and/or under different assumptions. Here we estimate the constant C ₀ by tracking an ensemble of Lagrangian particles in a planetary boundary layer simulated with a large-eddy simulation model and analysing the Lagrangian velocity structure function in the inertial subrange. The advantage of this technique is that it easily allows Reynolds numbers to be achieved typical of convective turbulent flows. Our estimates of C ₀ is C ₀=4.3±0.3 consistent with values found in the literature     

Do hydraulic units define macroinvertebrate assemblages in mountain streams of central Argentina?

Methods to assess the physical habitat provide important tools for many aspects of river management. Hydraulic units (defined as a homogeneous patch of flow type and substrate) were described in mountain streams of Central Argentina and the distribution of macrozoobenthos in these habitat units was analyzed. Four streams from the upper Carcarañá River Basin (Córdoba, Argentina) were sampled in two hydrological periods. Hydraulic units (as substrate and flow type), current velocity, depth, macrophytes and macroalgae were assessed. Three benthic samples were taken in each hydraulic unit. A total of 12 hydraulic units were registered, which varied seasonally in their proportional abundance. The highest values of taxonomic richness, total abundance, diversity and evenness were found in the low-water period. The most heterogeneous hydraulic units (characterized by substrate of diverse grain size) presented the highest richness, diversity and evenness, whereas the highest total abundance was observed in hydraulic units with homogeneous substrate, such as bedrock or gravel sand. Canonical correspondence analysis grouped samples and taxa mainly in relation to the hydraulic units, and temporal variation in macroinvertebrate assemblages was observed. We found that the interaction between hydrological and geomorphological conditions affected benthic assemblages and that their organization is important at a mesoscale. Therefore, hydraulic units may be considered important tools in assessing stream integrity in lotic systems of central Argentina.     

Identifying Wrinkle Ridges from Mars MGS and Viking Mission Data: Using GRASS GIS in Planetary Geology

During the past few decades, numerous missions to Mars have sent information about the red planet. The missions have shown that Mars has ice on its poles and that ice could be present all over the planet subsurface. The presence of ice on the subsurface could drive particular geological structures called ‘wrinkle ridges’. In this work, Viking image data and the latest Mars Global Suveyor (MGS) data have been imported and stored in a common geospatial database using GRASS GIS as a tool for planetary geology. This study has focused on a subregion of Solis Planum where wrinkle ridges have been localised and both Viking images and MGS altimetry and imagery data are available. Raster data at different resolutions and with different projection parameters have been imported into GRASS GIS and projected in a common reference system. Raw, unprojected data have been processed and rectified using the GRASS image modules. Imagery data have been used to detect planimetric features, whereas basic morphometrical analysis has been performed from the gridded elevation data coming from MGS Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter.