Probabilistic risk assessment of common booster biocides in surface waters of the harbours of Gran Canaria (Spain)

The presence of booster biocides in the aquatic environment has been associated with a risk to non-target species due to their proven toxicity. The aim of the present study was to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of common booster biocides in different harbours of the island of Gran Canaria (Spain) and evaluate, by means of a probabilistic risk assessment (PRA), the ecological risk posed by these compounds. With these objectives, a monitoring campaign was conducted between January 2008 and May 2009, collecting a total of 182 seawater samples. Four common booster biocides (TCMTB, diuron, Irgarol 1051 and dichlofluanid) were monitored. Diuron levels ranged between 2.3 and 203 ng/L and Irgarol 1051 between 2.4 and 146.5 ng/L. The ecological risk associated with these levels was always low, however, with probabilities of exceeding the 10th percentile of autotroph toxicity below 3.5%.     

SLA–chlorophyll-a variability and covariability in the Algero-Provençal Basin (1997–2007) through combined use of EOF and wavelet analysis of satellite data

Data reduction and signal decomposition techniques have been applied to a large bio-physical remotely sensed dataset covering the decade 1997–2007. The aim was the estimation of the spatial (basin and sub-basin scales) and temporal (seasonal and interannual) variability of sea level anomalies and chlorophyll-a concentration in the Algero-Provençal Basin, as well as the study of their covariability. Empirical orthogonal functions, wavelet analysis, singular value decomposition and correlation maps have been successfully used to individuate the patterns of (co)variability of the investigated fields. The seasonal variability of the phytoplanktonic biomass is divided in two distinct modes, timewise and spacewise separated. Positive interannual events are related to anomalies in 1999 and 2005, while the main (negative) anomaly is that of summer 2003, associated to the European 2003 heatwave. The analysis of the sea level anomalies shows a minimum in the formation of anticyclonic Algerian eddies during that period. The largest anticorrelation between sea level anomalies and phytoplanktonic biomass is found in the central zone of the basin, suggesting a clear biological response to the shoaling/deepening of the isopycnae and so to the nutrient injection into the euphotic layer. The analysis suggests that the driver of the variability of the nutricline depth in this central area is the displacement (seasonal) of the North Balearic Front and the formation/action of the frontal eddies.     

Polymorphism of As4S3 (tris-(μ2-sulfido)-tetra-arsenic): accurate structure refinement on natural α- and β-dimorphites and inferred room temperature thermodynamic properties

An accurate structure refinement, using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, on natural α- and β-dimorphites collected at Solfatara di Pozzuoli, in the Phlegraean Fields, near Naples and at Vesuvius (Italy) is reported. Theoretical calculations at various levels of sophistication have been used to calculate molecular vibrational frequencies and gas-phase specific heats, to analyze the crystal packing, and to estimate lattice energies of both phases. All computational methods contribute to demonstrate that the β-phase is the thermodynamically stable one at room temperature.     

Conjugate Points in the Gravitational n-Body Problem

In an effort to understand the nature of almost periodic orbits in the n-body problem (for all time t) we look first to the more basic question of the oscillatory nature of solutions of this problem (on a half-line, usually taken as R ⁺). Intimately related to this is the notion of a conjugate point(due to A. Wintner) of a solution. Specifically, by rewriting the mass unrestricted general problem of n-bodies in a symmetric form we prove that in the gravitational Newtonian n-body problem with collisionless motions there exists arbitrarily large conjugate points in the case of arbitrary (positive) masses whenever the cube of the reciprocal of at least one of the mutual distances is not integrable at infinity. The implication of this result is that there are possibly many Wintner oscillatorysolutions in these cases (some of which may or may not be almost periodic). As a consequence, we obtain sufficient conditions for all continuable solutions (to infinity) to be either unbounded or to allow for near misses (at infinity). The results also apply to potentials other than Newtonian ones. Our techniques are drawn from results in systems oscillation theory and are applicable to more general situations. Dedicated to the memory of Robert M. (Bob) Kauffman, formerly Professor of the University of Alabama in Birmingham     

The structure of the Campanian Plain and the activity of the Neapolitan volcanoes (Italy)

The central Campanian Plain is dominated by the structural depression of Acerra whose origin is tectonic, but may have been enlarged and further depressed after the eruption of the Campanian Ignimbrite (42-25 ka). The deposits of the Campanian Ignimbrite are possibly the results of multiple eruptions with huge pyroclastic deposits that covered all the Campanian Plain.The more recent activity of Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei and Procida occurred on the borders of Acerra depression and resulted from a reactivation of regional faults after the Campanian Ignimbrite cycle. The activity of Vesuvius produced the building of a stratovolcano mostly by effusive and plinian explosive eruptions. The Campi Flegrei area, on the contrary, was dominated by the eruption of the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff at 12 ka that produced a caldera collapse of the Gulf of Pozzuoli. The caldera formation controlled the emplacement of the recent activity of Campi Flegrei and the new volcanoes were formed only within the caldera or along its rim.     

New records of cold‐water coral sites and fish fauna characterization of a potential network existing in the Mediterranean Sea

New cold‐water coral (CWC) sites were recorded along the Apulian margin (Central Mediterranean). The species composition and depth distribution of CWCs were updated. A distribution of the CWC sites coincident with the course of the dense‐water masses that flow between the Southern Adriatic and Northern Ionian was confirmed. The faunal assemblages of five of these CWC sites were investigated and compared using experimental longlines during the spring–summer and autumn–winter seasons, between 2010 and 2014. Differences in ecological variables amongst the sites in each season were evaluated by means of a set of univariate and multivariate methods (analysis of variance, permutational multivariate analysis of variance, non‐metric multidimensional scaling). Although some differences were detected in relation to the different depths examined during spring–summer, the CWC sites showed similar features in terms of species richness and diversity as well as in the abundance of the same fish species (Galeus melastomus, Conger conger, Helicolenus dactylopterus, Merluccius merluccius, Phycis blennoides and Pagellus bogaraveo) most probably because of the distribution of adult specimens in structurally complex and heterogeneous habitats, which act as a potential ‘refuge network’ with respect to commercial fishing. The presence of maturing and mature individuals as well as post‐reproductive females indicates that these CWC sites also act as spawning areas, representing a potential ‘renewal network’ for the fish populations. The term ‘network’ used here refers to several similar subsystems (CWC sites) that play the same ecological role in a wider system (Apulian margin). These CWC communities need coherent conservation measures and management strategies according to the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries.     

Dealing with double vagueness in DEM morphometric analysis

A method is presented to explicitly incorporate spatial and scale vagueness – double vagueness – into geomorphometric analyses. Known limitations of usual practices include using a single fixed set of crisp thresholds for morphometric classification and the imposition of a single arbitrary number of scales of analysis to the entire digital elevation model (DEM). Among the advantages of the proposed method are: fuzzification of morphometric classification rules, scale-dependent adaptive fuzzy set parametrization and an objective definition of maximum scale of analysis on a cell-by-cell basis. The method was applied to several DEMs ranging from the ocean floor to surface landscapes of both Earth and Mars. The result was evaluated with respect to modal morphometric features and to characteristic scales, suggesting a more robust method for deriving both morphometric classifications and terrain attributes. We argue that the method would be preferable to any single-scale crisp approach, at least in the context of preliminary hands-off morphometric analyses of DEMs.     

Polymorphic Zooids in Deitaic Species Populations of Conopeum seurati (CANU, 1928) (Bryozoa, Cheilostomata)

Abstract. Deltaic populations of Conopeum seurati from diverse environmental settings have variable phenotypes related to strong competitive regimes and to dissolved oxygen minima. Under extremely stressful conditions, the poorly canalized phenotype of C. seurati displays new additional features such as kleistozooids ( kleistós = closed) and chaotic celleporoid layers. Kleistozooids are clearly distinguishable polymorphs characterized by the presence of a compact, imperforate frontal membrane and by a strongly reduced lumen of the "opesium". They commonly aggregate in clusters of regularly-arranged individuals that store a large quantity of proteic material. The inferred function of these cell-like structures is to supply nutrients for basic colony activities. Celleporoid layers are, possibly, a developmental relaxation of the colony of C. seurati for a more efficient use of space in competitive interactions.
Both celleporoid layers and kleistozooids reveal the magnitude of intracolony variability of a widespread opportunistic bryozoan species.