Occurrence and spatial distribution of metals in intertidal sediments of a temperate estuarine system (Bahía Blanca,Argentina)

Intertidal sediments of the inner and middle zone from the Bahía Blanca estuary were sampled for geochemical and environmental assessment of metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cr and Fe). Results indicate that both the organic matter content and the sediment grain size plays an important role in controlling the differential concentrations of the metals found in sediments from both zones. For most of the elements (except Mn), sediment metal concentrations were greater in the middle zone, although the concentrations did not exceed the maximums for quality of marine sediments. In this sense, anthropogenic impact (i.e., sewage drain) appears to be a key factor in the distribution of metals within the estuarine system. Comparing the levels obtained with quality levels (LEL and SEL), except Cu that showed levels slightly above the LEL, the rest of the concentrations of metals were lower to those levels. The low metal concentrations obtained within this highly impacted estuarine system suggest that the great volume of water that flooding the extensive flats in each tidal cycle has much importance. Although the potential risks of metals to the estuarine environment were low, taking into account the toxicity of some of these metals, continuity of monitoring is highly recommended.     

Wave observations from an array of directional buoys over the southern Brazilian coast

It is well known that the majority of buoy measurements are located around the US coast and along some Europeans countries. The lack of long-term and densely spaced in situ measurements in the Southern Hemisphere in general, and the South Atlantic in particular, hinders several investigations due to the lack of detailed metocean information. Here, we present an effort to overcome this limitation, with a dense network of buoys along the Brazilian coast, equipped with several meteorological and oceanographic sensors. Out of ten currently operational buoys, three are employed to present the main characteristics of waves in the Southern part of the network. For the first time, sensor characteristics and settings are described, as well as the methods applied to the raw wave data. Statistics and distributions of wave parameters, swell propagating events, comparison with a numerical model and altimeters and a discussion about the occurrence of freak waves are presented.     

Spatial and temporal distribution of cadmium and copper in water and zooplankton in the Bahía Blanca estuary,Argentina

Cadmium and copper in the dissolved and particulate phase and in zooplankton were determined in the Bahía Blanca estuary during six surveys from March to December 2005. Temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, suspended particulate matter, particulate organic matter and chlorophyll-a were also considered. Dissolved Cd was below the detection limit (0.2 μg L⁻¹) for almost the entire study period whereas Cu concentrations (0.5–2.4 μg L⁻¹) indicated a continuous dissolved Cu input. Particulate Cd concentrations ranged from below the detection limit (<0.01) to 28.6 μg g⁻¹ d.w. while particulate Cu ranged from below the detection limit (<0.04) to 53.5 μg g⁻¹ d.w. Cd in mesozooplankton ranged from below the detection limit (<0.01) to 37.4 μg g⁻¹ d.w. Some of the Cd levels were higher than those reported for other aquatic ecosystems. Cu in the mesozooplankton ranged from 1.3 to 89.3 μg g⁻¹ d.w., values which were within the reported values or higher than other studies. The log of the partition coefficients (log (K_d)) of Cd was 0.04, while log (K_d) for Cu ranged from −0.39 to 2.79. These values were lower than both those calculated for other estuaries and the typical coefficients for marine environments. The log of the bioconcentration factor (log BCF) of Cd was 1.78, indicating that Cd concentration was higher in the zooplankton than in the dissolved phase. Log BCF of Cu ranged from 1.15 to 3. The logs of the biomagnification factors (log BMF) of Cd were low, with a range between −3.45 and 2.21 and those for Cu ranged from −0.1 to 3.35. Positive values indicate biomagnification while negative values indicate biodiminution. In general, no significant dissolved Cd concentration appeared to be present in the Bahía Blanca estuary and Cu values did not indicate a critical environmental status. The particulate phase seemed to be the major carrier for Cd and Cu and TPCu values were within the normal values for an anthropogenically stressed estuary but not for a strongly polluted system. This fraction was the most important metal source for the mesozooplankton. Moreover, the highest metal concentrations were in the mesozooplankton since most of the bioconcentration and biomagnification factors were positive, especially for Cu.     

Palaeoenvironmental analysis of Cenomanian-Turonian dinocyst assemblages from the Castilian Platform (Northern-Central Spain)

The palynological assemblages from three Cenomanian-Turonian sections from the Castilian Platform are described. The 49 levels analysed yielded a well-diversified palynological content including dinoflagellate cysts, acritarchs, prasinophytes and miospores. The comparison of the terrestrial and marine assemblages from these three sections reveals significant differences that are mainly related to their relative palaeogeographical locations. The quantitative study performed on dinocyst assemblages suggests an association interpreted as inner neritic including Xenascus ceratioides, Cribroperidinium exilicristatum, Canningia reticulata and Kallosphaeridium? ringnesiorum. On the contrary, the group inferred to show outer neritic preferences is integrated by Palaeohystrichophora infusorioides, Spiniferites spp., Odontochitina spp., Trichodinium castanea and Impletosphaeridium polytrichum. In the Castilian Platform, the Cenomanian-Turonian Boundary Event (CTBE) may be manifested by a higher proportion of Cyclonephelium spp. in the distal dinocyst assemblages.     

Potential for growing Arabica coffee in the extreme south of Brazil in a warmer world

Agriculture appears to be one of the human activities most vulnerable to climatic changes due to its large dependence on environmental conditions. However, the diversity of Brazilian environmental conditions could be of great advantage to adapting this sector to new climatic conditions, which should be assessed as in this study on shifting Arabica coffee cultivation to the extreme south of the country. The methodology applied is the same the one used to define climatic risks in current productive regions of Brazil and their vulnerability to climatic change predicted by IPCC reports. The basic climatic parameters applied were frost probability and annual average temperature, since annual water deficit did not prove to be a restricting factor for Arabica coffee cultivation in the study area. The climatic conditions suitable for coffee production are: annual average temperature between 18??C and 22??C, annual water deficit less than 100?mm and frost probability (risk of lowest annual temperature less than 1??C) less than 25%. An area is said to have ??low climatic risks?? for coffee production when these three climatic conditions are met. Current climatic conditions were used and simulations of four temperature increases between 1??C and 4??C were also performed. The results indicated a substantial increase in the size of low climatic risks areas for the production of Arabica coffee in the extreme south of Brazil, mainly for mean temperature increases of 3??C in the study area in relation to present conditions. Increases of 2??C and 4??C were also favorable, but not as good as those obtained for 3??C. It should be underscored that areas with low climatic risks will be able to be found mainly in the extreme south of the study region, the border with Uruguay and North of Argentina.     

Occurrence,distribution and partitioning of nonionic surfactants and pharmaceuticals in the urbanized Long Island Sound Estuary (NY)

This work deals with the environmental distribution of nonionic surfactants (nonylphenol and alcohol ethoxylates), their metabolites (NP, nonylphenol; NPEC, nonylphenol ethoxycarboxylates; and PEG, polyethylene glycols) and a selection of 64 pharmaceuticals in the Long Island Sound (LIS) Estuary which receives important sewage discharges from New York City (NYC). Most target compounds were efficiently removed (>95%) in one wastewater treatment plant monitored, with the exception of NPEC and some specific drugs (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide). Concentrations of surfactants (1.4–4.5 μg L⁻¹) and pharmaceuticals (0.1–0.3 μg L⁻¹) in seawater were influenced by tides and sampling depth, consistent with salinity differences. Surfactants levels in suspended solids samples were higher than 1 μg g⁻¹, whereas only most hydrophobic or positively charged pharmaceuticals could be found (e.g., tamoxifen, clarithromycin). Maximum levels of target compounds in LIS sediments (PEG at highest concentrations, 2.8 μg g⁻¹) were measured nearest NYC, sharply decreasing with distance from major sewage inputs.     

Probabilistic site-dependent non-linear spectra

This paper presents a probabilistic approach to the estimation of lateral strengths required to provide an adequate control of inelastic deformations in structures during severe earthquake ground motions. In contrast to a deterministic approach, the approach presented herein accounts explicitly for the variability of the response of non-linear systems due to the inherent uncertainties in the intensity and characteristics of the input excitation by considering the probability distribution of maximum inelastic strength demands. This study is based on the computation of non-linear strength demands of single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) systems experiencing different levels of inelastic deformation when subjected to 124 recorded earthquake ground motions. Using empirical cumulative distribution functions site-dependent probabilistic non-linear spectra were computed for six probabilities of exceedance of different levels of inelastic deformation. It is concluded that the lateral strength required to control displacement ductility demands is significantly affected by the maximum tolerable inelastic deformation, the system's period of vibration, the local site conditions and the level of risk in exceeding the maximum tolerable deformations.     

Natural analogues for the transuranic actinide elements: An investigation in Minas Gerais,Brazil

A highly weathered deposit of thorium and rare earth elements located near the summit of a hill in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, is being studied as an analogue for a radioactive waste repository that sometime in the distant future may be eroded to the surface or intruded by groundwater Thorium serves as an analogue for Pu⁴⁺, and La³⁺ as an analogue for Cm³⁺ and Am³⁺ The mobilization rate constants of the analogue elements by groundwater are so slow (of the order of 10⁻⁹ per year) as to suggest that essentially complete radioactive decay of the transuranic actinides would occur in place even under the relatively unfavorable conditions that exist at a site such as this     

Recent effects of tidal and hydro‐meteorological changes on coastal plains near the mouth of the Amazon River

The goal of this work was to understand the main hydrodynamic processes acting on tidal flats of the coast of Amapá near the mouth of the Amazon River, and how they change over the short term (~ 20 years). The analysis of morphological and geobotanical units was carried out by applying processing and interpretation methods to optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images, combined with data on water salinity, maximum flood height, sedimentary facies data, rainfall and river discharge. The temporal analysis of morphological and geobotanical units suggests the relative stabilization of savannah, ‘várzea’ and mangrove areas during the drier period and increasing tidal amplitude between 1987 to 1997. The wetter period and decreasing tidal amplitude between 1997 to 2008 led to an increase in the area of ‘várzea’ and lakes over savannah, and the expansion of mangroves mainly over the inundated field and tidal mud/mixed flats. Therefore, the decrease in rainfall index during the drier period is well‐correlated with the reduction of the Calçoene River discharge and jointly with increasing tidal amplitude favored the increase of migration rate of the mud bank and erosion profile along the littoral. It was followed by the increase of the Calçoene River discharge and jointly with decreasing tidal amplitude during the wetter period, favoring the development of mangroves on muddy substrates near the coastline. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.