Present and future climatologies in the phase I CREMA experiment

We provide an overall assessment of the surface air temperature and precipitation present day (1976–2005) and future (2070–2099) ensemble climatologies in the Phase I CREMA experiment. This consists of simulations performed with different configurations (physics schemes) of the ICTP regional model RegCM4 over five CORDEX domains (Africa, Mediterranean, Central America, South America, South Asia), driven by different combinations of three global climate models (GCMs) and two greenhouse gas (GHG) representative concentration pathways (RCP8.5 and RCP4.5). The biases (1976–2005) in the driving and nested model ensembles compared to observations show a high degree of spatial variability and, when comparing GCMs and RegCM4, similar magnitudes and more similarity for precipitation than for temperature. The large scale patterns of change (2070–2099 minus 1976–2005) are broadly consistent across the GCM and RegCM4 ensembles and with previous analyses of GCM projections, indicating that the GCMs selected in the CREMA experiment are representative of the more general behavior of current GCMs. The RegCM4, however, shows a lower climate sensitivity (reduced warming) than the driving GCMs, especially when using the CLM land surface scheme. While the broad patterns of precipitation change are consistent across the GCM and RegCM4 ensembles, greater differences are found at sub-regional scales over the various domains, evidently tied to the representation of local processes. This paper serves to provide a reference view of the behavior of the CREMA ensemble, while more detailed and process-based analysis of individual domains is left to companion papers of this special issue.     

Effects of ambient and boat noise on hearing and communication in three fish species living in a marine protected area (Miramare, Italy)

The WWF-Natural Marine Reserve of Miramare (Trieste, Italy) is located in a major industrial and vacation area in the Adriatic Sea. Consequently, noise emanating from boating and shipping is an inevitable factor for local fishes. This study investigates the effects of ambient and ship noise on representatives of three vocal fish families with different hearing abilities. Ambient and ship noise were recorded, their sound pressure levels measured and played back in the lab. Auditory sensitivity was determined in Chromis chromis, Sciaena umbra and Gobius cruentatus, utilizing the auditory evoked potential recording technique. Compared to lab conditions, hearing thresholds determined during ambient noise playbacks were barely masked. Contrary, the noise emanating from a cabin-cruiser substantially reduced auditory sensitivity relative to thresholds in ambient noise. This masking effect was most pronounced in the frequency range where acoustic communication takes place. Boat noise potentially affects acoustic communication in fishes inhabiting the reserve.     

Holocene evolution of a rock‐bounded barrier‐lagoon system,Cíes Islands,northwest Iberia

Coastal geomorphology results from the combined effects of contemporary dynamics, sea‐level rise and the inherited geological framework, yet the relative importance of these driving mechanisms may change throughout the evolutionary history of coastal deposits. In this contribution, we analyse the depositional history of the Cíes Islands barrier‐lagoon system, based on lithofacies, radiocarbon ages, and pollen analysis. Our results reveal a sedimentary sequence that provides evidence for striking changes in the dynamical functioning of this complex since the mid‐Holocene. The sedimentary sequence commenced about 7700 cal years bp by fresh‐water ponding of an upland depression located about 4 m below present mean sea‐level. Fresh‐water ponds were infilled by aeolian sediments following a gradual lowering of the water‐table 4000 cal years bp . Post‐3600 cal years bp sea‐level rise allowed water oscillations to reach the elevation of the bedrock causing the inundation of fresh‐water ponds and subsequent lagoonal and marine sedimentation. Subsequently, landward and upward migration of a sand‐barrier led to overwash and deposition of sand in the newly formed lagoon. The resultant sedimentary sequence suggests that climatic conditions played an important role controlling the sedimentation regime during the entire history of the basin; changing water‐table levels during early stages of evolution and increasing storminess during more recent times. In addition, background sea‐level rise related to the Holocene transgression was a key factor in controlling the evolution of the system, yet its influence depended to an extent on the relative elevation of the bedrock topography. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Trends in total ozone and the effect of the equatorial zonal wind QBO

Trends in total column ozone have been analyzed in terms of the equatorial zonal wind. We used zonal monthly mean total ozone from Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) and monthly mean zonal wind in the equatorial stratosphere at 30 hPa to define the phases of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO). Total column ozone trends have been assessed during the period 1979–2004, for both Hemispheres, and for each month, under three conditions considering, all the ozone dataset, ozone values during easterly phase and ozone values during westerly phase of the QBO. When the whole dataset is considered, negative trends are observed. From low to midlatitudes a zonal pattern is noticed with increasing negative values toward higher latitudes. When the data is filtered according to the QBO phase, statistically significant positive trends appear in the westerly case during January to May at low latitudes .The trend pattern in the case of the easterly phase presents more negative values.     

Vulnerability study on a large industrial area using satellite remotely sensed images

The aim of this paper is to disseminate knowledge in the seismic science community about a possible tool which is not largely popular, despite its potential usefulness. In this paper it will be shown how satellite remotely sensed images may represent a powerful source of information where traditional sources of information are unable to deliver it, or at least to do so timely. Even when traditional information flow can ensure delivery, an advantage may still be found in terms of sooner availability and smaller amount of labour required. In the case shown here a vulnerability study was made on a vast industrial area in the gulf of Siracusa, Sicily, Italy. A series of concurrent factors made it particularly troublesome to obtain information on the structures found in the site (tanks, pipes, chimneys, roads, ...), required to suitably carry out the study. Satellite images were then acquired to obtain the information needed. Processing of the images was carried out relying on in-house software formerly developed for similar information extraction issues, and integrated with new, specifically developed elements, some pieces of information were obtained useful for seismic risk evaluation. In particular, location, footprint, elevation of significant structures (e.g. tanks, chimneys) could be evaluated, obtaining results in a format compatible with the most widespread GIS (Geographic Information System) standards. Such compatibility allowed a considerable savings on labour time required to lay a GIS of the area, which is a fundamental tool for risk and vulnerability analyses.     

Water flow and solute transport model of potentially toxic elements through unsaturated zone at regional wellfield Kosnica

The objective of this work was to build a prognostic water flow model and potentially toxic elements (lead, cadmium, zinc) transport model in the unsaturated zone. Research was conducted in the catchment area of Kosnica regional wellfield, where the unsaturated zone is characterised by Fluvisol. Lower sorption capacities were determined in the first horizons for all three potentially toxic elements. Correlation coefficient of the measured and simulated values of tracer concentration is 0.58 for the AC horizon and 0.84 for the 2C/C1 horizon. Based on calibrated water flow and transport parameters, a prognostic water flow model and potentially toxic elements (lead, cadmium, zinc) transport model in the unsaturated zone was built. In case of an accidental spill of potentially toxic elements with concentrations of 1000 mg/l, the risk of contamination of the aquifer is present. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sheath fold development in monoclinic shear zones

We use numerical simulations to investigate the evolution of sheath folds around slip surfaces in simple‐shear‐dominated monoclinic shear zones. A variety of sheath fold shapes develops under general shear, including tubular folds with low aspect ratio eye patterns and tongue‐like structures showing bivergent flanking structures in sections normal to the sheath elongation, which may potentially lead to confusing shear sense interpretations. Not all investigated monoclinic flow end‐members lead to the development of sheath folds sensu stricto (folds with apical angle <90°). The aspect ratio of the eye patterns, R_yz, correlates with the ratio between the principal strain in the Y‐direction and the smaller of the principal strains in the X–Z plane, and thus it could be used in strain analysis.     

The usefulness of UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopies to study the chemical nature of humic substances from soils and composts

The aim of this work is to study the suitability of the use of fluorescence and UV–visible spectroscopies to evaluate the humification degree of different organic alkaline extracts obtained from diverse materials (humic substances, composted and non-composted materials). Our results indicate that the complementary utilization of the fluorescence index proposed by Milori et al. [Milori, D., Martin-Neto, L., Bayer, C., Mielniczuk, J., Vagnato, V., 2002. Humification degree of soil humic acids determined by fluorescence spectroscopy. Soil Science, 167, 739–749] (the total area of the emission spectra collected over a range of 460–650 nm using an excitation wavelength of 465 nm), the ratio between the electron-transfer band and benzenoid band of benzene UV light absorption, and the molar absorption coefficients at 600 nm and 280 nm proved capable of discriminating between extracts obtained from non-humified, partially humified and very humified materials.Likewise, our results suggest that humification is related to increments in the aromatic character of the molecules, which may be reflected in the presence of more aromatic rings and/or more condensed polyaromatic structures, and the degree of substitution in aromatic rings with polar functional groups, as well as to the possible increase in the conjugation degree in unsaturated aliphatic chains.