Benthic primary producers--a neglected environmental problem in Mediterranean maricultures?

Marine fish farming is increasing rapidly in the Mediterranean and in contrast to the Atlantic the coastal zone in the Mediterranean is characterized by clear waters with high transparency. This allows benthic primary producers such as the slow-growing seagrass Posidonia oceanica to grow at large depths at locations suitable for fish farming and generating a conflict between the conservation of these meadows and the growth of aquaculture operations in the Mediterranean. In this paper we review the current knowledge on environmental interactions between fish farming and benthic primary producers with particular focus on P. oceanica, as this seagrass is a key component along Mediterranean coasts. The recovery times of P. oceanica are very long, in the order of centuries, and losses of this species are thus considered to be irreversible at managerial time scales.     

A numerical method for the study of shear band propagation in soft rocks

This paper investigates the possibility of interpreting progressive shear failure in hard soils and soft rocks as the result of shear propagation of a pre‐existing natural defect. This is done through the application of the principles of fracture mechanics, a slip‐weakening model (SWM) being used to simulate the non‐linear zone at the tips of the discontinuity. A numerical implementation of the SWM in a computation method based on the boundary element technique of the displacement discontinuity method (DDM) is presented. The crack and the non‐linear zone at the advancing tip are represented through a set of elements, where the displacement discontinuity (DD) in the tangential direction is determined on the basis of a friction law. A residual friction angle is assumed on the crack elements. Shear resistance decreases on elements in the non‐linear zone from a peak value at the tip, which is characteristic of intact material, to the residual value. The simulation of a uniaxial compressive test in plane strain conditions is carried out to exemplify the numerical methodology. The results emphasize the role played by the critical DD on the mechanical behaviour of the specimen. A validation of the model is shown through the back analysis of some experimental observations. The results of this back analysis show that a non‐linear fracture mechanics approach seems very promising to simulate experimental results, in particular with regards to the shear band evolution pattern. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interannual variability in the biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Decapoda,Majidae)

The spider crab Maja brachydactyla is an important commercial species in Europe and supports intensive fisheries in the NE Atlantic. A field survey was performed to assess long‐term and consecutive interannual (2005–2010) variation of the biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae of M. brachydactyla. Larval biochemical profiles differed significantly among years, with pronounced differences being recorded in 2010. Differences among batches of newly hatched larvae were mainly explained by the contribution of triacylglycerols and, to a lesser degree, by protein and lipid content. The use of different nutrition indices is discussed. The biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae from M. brachydactyla was highly variable, even though surveyed broodstock was obtained from the same local population and was always sampled during the same season. The unpredictable biochemical profiles of newly hatched larvae may condition their survival and recruitment. This largely overlooked aspect of larval variability should be considered in future fisheries management strategies and captive production of marine organisms that still rely on wild seeds.     

Changes in extremes and hydroclimatic regimes in the CREMA ensemble projections

We analyze changes of four extreme hydroclimatic indices in the RCP8.5 projections of the Phase I CREMA experiment, which includes 21st century projections over 5 CORDEX domains (Africa, Central America, South America, South Asia, Mediterranean) with the ICTP regional model RegCM4 driven by three CMIP5 global models. The indices are: Heat Wave Day Index (HWD), Maximum Consecutive Dry Day index (CDD), fraction of precipitation above the 95th intensity percentile (R95) and Hydroclimatic Intensity index (HY-INT). Comparison with coarse (GPCP) and high (TRMM) resolution daily precipitation data for the present day conditions shows that the precipitation intensity distributions from the GCMs are close to the GPCP data, while the RegCM4 ones are closer to TRMM, illustrating the added value of the increased resolution of the regional model. All global and regional model simulations project predominant increases in HWD, CDD, R95 and HY-INT, implying a regime shift towards more intense, less frequent rain events and increasing risk of heat wave, drought and flood with global warming. However, the magnitudes of the changes are generally larger in the global than the regional models, likely because of the relatively low “climate sensitivity” of the RegCM4, especially when using the CLM land surface scheme. In addition, pronounced regional differences in the change signals are found. The data from these simulations are available for use in impact assessment studies.     

Developing country perspectives on ‘mitigation actions’, ‘NAMAs’, and ‘LCDS’

The MAPS programme, which seeks to deepen mitigation ambition in developing countries, is engaged in exploring the concepts of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs) and Low Carbon Development Strategies (LCDS) from a developing country perspective. Here, climate mitigation practitioners in six developing countries were surveyed for their understanding of these concepts (anonymous, personal communications with climate mitigation practitioners in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, and South Africa). It is found that there is much scope for clarity and conceptual elaboration in this policy space. NAMAs are largely interpreted as mitigation activities packaged for submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) registry, but are not held to constitute the full set of mitigation activity in a developing country. New terminology may be needed to describe this broader set. A tighter interpretation of LCDS to distinguish between a strategic or coordinating policy action may be useful. Other themes arising include the way ‘national appropriateness’ is reflected in the concepts, and the role of international policy in deepening mitigation action in developing countries.     

On overestimation of displacements in numerical calculation of zoned dams

Overestimation of displacements in numerical calculations can occur if some requirements are not met by the constitutive relations. Along with consideration for small strain behaviour of soils¹ the stiffening effects of unloading in shear should be taken into account. The latter problem is analysed in the paper using embankment dams as a typical example. Strain and stress paths in their cores and shells were derived from field measurement results and frequent path direction changes during seemingly monotonic loading process were discovered. Proportional loading test results of isotropically and anisotropically consolidated sand allowed interpretation of the in situ paths by the incremental theory of plasticity and distinction between the sections where unloading and reloading in shear develop. Furthermore, the analysis of these tests showed a marked stiffening of the soil due to unloading as well as neutral loading in shear. The strain redistribution due to material inhomogeneity, either inherent or introduced by the loading process, was identified as a common reason for the frequent occurrence of this phenomenon. Consequently, overestimations in displacement calculations can be brought about by neglecting this important effect by the constitutive model used. Accordingly, the unit response envelopes of some typical constitutive laws have been checked from this special point of view, and the models properly describing this phenomenon selected.     

The lyman alpha line in solar prominences

Solar Physics - We present simplified models for the region where Lα is formed, in the boundary between prominences and corona. The models were calculated by solving the radiation transfer in...