New method for estimating reference evapotranspiration and comparison with alternative methods in a fruit-producing hub in the semi-arid region of Brazil

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - Analysing alternative methods for estimating reference evapotranspiration (ET0) is essential for improving the management of water resources, especially where...     

Coastal margin evolution and postulated “basin‐shipyard” area at ancient Locri‐Epizephiri,Calabria, Italy

Environmental settings on the Ionian coastal plain and inner shelf seaward of Locri‐Epizephiri in Calabria, Italy, differed markedly before, during, and following settlement by the Greeks. Sediment core analyses and geophysical surveys in this study support recent archaeological findings and the hypothesis that the margin may once have served as a harbor and/or shipyard. The subsurface Holocene stratigraphy records that (1) the shoreline advanced to a maximum landward position before Greek settlement, then regressed offshore to what is now the inner shelf before once again migrating landward. These marked coastal shifts were triggered primarily by land uplift and probable subsidence offshore along this structurally active Calabrian Arc segment. Associated with this are: (2) a sediment fining‐upward sequence in Greek–Roman time that indicates only partial protection of the coastal area, and (3) possible presence of subsurface structures seaward of the city wall in a sector now positioned ∼200 m offshore. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Environmental Influences on Faecal Indicator Organisms in Coastal Waters and Their Accumulation in Bivalve Shellfish

Shellfish production areas are often located in shallow estuarine and coastal systems impacted by fluxes of faecal indicator organisms (FIOs) that exhibit extreme spatial and temporal variability. FIO abundance and distribution in the marine environment are determined by the combined effects of light intensity, water mixing, sewage content and suspended particulate matter. Favourable conditions for FIO survival are low solar radiation, low temperature, low salinity, low densities of micro-predators and high levels of organic matter. Rainfall is the parameter most commonly associated with peak levels of FIOs. Resuspension of contaminated sediments in the water column dominates FIO distribution in shallow and depositional estuaries during storm conditions. Water/flesh FIO ratios may differ between shellfish growing waters because salinities and water temperatures also influence filter-feeding activity. Data are lacking on the role of biological processes on FIOs uptake and clearance in shellfish, particularly during periods of good water quality. FIO accumulation is usually of higher magnitude in mussels and cockles than in oysters and surf clams. It is proposed that differences in FIO accumulation rates are associated with the biological activity and the position of shellfish in the water column in relation to the location of impacting pollution sources. Accurate information on catchment hydrology, land uses, FIO loads from sewerage-related sources and livestock production areas are required to adequately characterise the microbiological status of shellfisheries.     

Experimental Evaluation of the Response of Coastal Mediterranean Planktonic and Benthic Metabolism to Warming

The Mediterranean Sea has been identified as one of the hotspots for climate change. Intense warming in the Mediterranean Sea may have strong implications for biological activity and ecosystem functioning. To elucidate the effects of warming on planktonic and benthic metabolism, we performed experiments under different increasing temperature regimes, ranging from three to six different temperatures. The lowest range of temperatures assessed was of 2.6 °C and the maximum was 7.5 °C. Our results suggest that a 6 °C warming of the Mediterranean waters may yield a mean increment in planktonic respiration rates of coastal communities of 24 %, higher than the mean increase expected for planktonic gross primary production (9 %). These results confirm earlier theories, and agree with previous experiments, of a higher increase in respiration rates than in primary production with warming, with the subsequent consequences for the carbon cycle, resulting in a negative feedback to climate warming, as ocean communities will capture less CO₂.     

Non-destructive microtomography-based imaging and measuring laboratory-induced degradation of travertine, a random heterogeneous geomaterial used in urban heritage

The aim of this study is to apply X-ray microfocus computed microtomography (μ-XCT), a promising non-destructive 3D microscopy imaging technique, based on measurements of X-ray linear path attenuation coefficient, in order to study a Portuguese travertine, a random heterogeneous geomaterial used in urban heritage constructions. This study evaluates the impact of soluble sulphate salt–induced decay phenomena on texture characteristics at a micrometric scale. This is done to better describing, imaging, measuring and understanding the impact of an artificially induced sulphate-decay process on petrographic/petrophysical properties. A Portuguese travertine was chosen as the object of our study. Its laboratory-induced changes were systematically monitored, using non-destructive techniques, to determine voids (pores + fractures)/matrix fractions and size spectrum evolution based on 3-D images. This investigation demonstrates that the μ-XCT potential constitutes a valid complementary tool when analysing decay processes of complex natural materials in different environmental conditions. It clearly provides suggestive and important qualitative and/or quantitative estimates, at different spatial scales, of environmentally induced stone voids/matrix network spatial structure-texture evolution correlations. Further qualitative/quantitative parameterization assessment and statistical validation will be the next step to be taken on this study.     

Magnetostratigraphy and environmental magnetism in a Pleistocene sedimentary sequence, Marcos Paz, Argentina

The deterioration of groundwater quality, particularly due to salinization, because of the overexploitation of groundwater in the Lower Central Plain of Thailand remains a major concern. With increasing demand for water there is a growing need for sustainable management of the resource, which would benefit from an improved understanding of the sources of chloride contamination. Thus, a hydrochemical and isotopic study was carried out to chemically characterize groundwater and to investigate possible sources of salinization, and in particular of chloride contamination, in the multi-layered Bangkok aquifer system. Groundwater samples were taken from four topmost aquifers (Bangkok, Phra Pradaeng, Nakhon Luang, and Nonthaburi). Additionally, short-term rainwater sampling, as well as river and seawater sampling was performed and later analyzed for ionic composition and stable water isotopes. Ionic and isotopic data indicate at least three different recharge sources for groundwater. The major recharge source is rainwater. The influence of seawater is limited to the coastal region and tidally influenced areas of the two main rivers (Chao Phraya and Tha Chin). Bromide data also suggest the influence of saline water in deeper aquifers due to trapped water. Most importantly, although the influence of seawater on groundwater is recognizable, the surrounding geology contributes a significant number of dissolved ions detected in the groundwater.     

Methodological proposal to assess groundwater contamination danger: study case of Bajo Cauca aquifer (Colombia)

Interaction between vulnerability and contaminating charge was used in order to determine the groundwater contamination danger. The result of danger being adapted to the scale of impact on human or animal health and ecosystems is known as “risk”. Index and overlapping methodologies such as EPNNA, DRASTIC, SINTACS, GOD AVI, and Ekv were used and compared to evaluate vulnerability. Contaminating charge to the subsoil, which is generated from specific human activity, has four characteristics: kind of contaminant, means of disposal, intensity, and duration. Interaction among these characteristics obtains a Contaminating Charge Index. In the Bajo Cauca Antioqueño region, over 150,000 inhabitants require ground water for meeting their basic needs at home, for cattle breeding activities, and for irrigation. For this region, an assessment of the groundwater contamination of the free aquifer, as well as an estimation of its impact and the danger this contamination may pose to ecosystems or communities has been performed. Analysis of the interaction between vulnerability and threat allows for the creation of danger and risk maps.     

A mineralogical and geochemical study of polymict eucrite discovered in Sahara of southwest Algeria

NWA2268 is a polymict eucrite discovered in the Sahara, at southwest Algeria, close to the region of Tindouf. This meteorite weighs 65 g and presents a thin black fusion crust. The rock is fine- to medium-grained breccia and contains mineral fragments of plagioclases, pyroxenes, spinel, olivine and silica. The rock contains some basaltic fragments with sub-ophitic or cumulative textures, constituted by plagioclases and exsolved pigeonite. Pyroxferroite grains are present and locally destabilised in an association of hedenbergite, fayalite and silica. It also presents unequilibrated eucritic clast with heterogeneous pyroxenes and plagioclases compositions. Pyroxenes in the all of the other clasts have equilibrated composition, with exolved pigeonites with augite lamellaes. This polymict eucrite contains also partially devitrified glass that represents impact melts linked to impact event. None recrystallization of this glass confirms a lack of post-brecciation metamorphism. Diogenitic fragments are less abundant than 10 %. The oxygen isotopic composition of NWA2268 is Δ¹⁷O (?0.43). This meteorite is interpreted as belonging to the HED group attributed to the 4-Vesta asteroid.