General patterns of circulation, sediment fluxes and ecology of the Palamós (La Fonera) submarine canyon, northwestern Mediterranean

Currents, particle fluxes and ecology were studied in the Palamós submarine canyon (also known as the Fonera canyon), located in the northwestern Mediterranean. Seven mooring arrays equipped with current meters and sediment traps were deployed along the main canyon axis, on the canyon walls and on the adjacent slope. Additionally, local and regional hydrographic cruises were carried out. Current data showed that mean near surface and mid-depth currents were oriented along the mean flow direction (NE–SW), although at 400 and 1200 m depth within the canyon current reversals were significant, indicating a more closed circulation inside the canyon. Mean near-bottom currents were constrained by the local bathymetry, especially at the canyon head. The most significant frequency at all levels was the inertial frequency. A second frequency of about three days, attributed to a topographic wave, was observed at all depths, suggesting that this wave was probably not trapped near the bottom. The current field observed during the most complete survey revealed a meandering pattern with cyclonic vorticity just upstream from and within the canyon. The associated vertical velocity ranged between 10 and 20 m/day and was constrained to the upper 300 m. This latter feature, together with other computations, suggests that during this survey the meander was not induced by the canyon but by some kind of instability of the mean flow.In the canyon, suspended sediment concentration, downward particle fluxes, chlorophyll and particulate C and N were significantly higher up-canyon from about 1200 m depth than offshore, defining, along with the different hydrodynamics, two canyon domains: one from the canyon head to about 1200 m depth more affected by the canyon confinement and the other deeper than 1200 m depth more controlled by the mean flow and the shelf-slope front. The higher near-bottom downward total mass fluxes were recorded in the canyon axis at 1200 m depth along with sharp turbidity increases and are related to sediment gravity flows. During the deployment period, the increase in downward particle fluxes occurred by mid-November, when a severe storm took place. On the canyon walls at 1200 m depth, suspended sediment concentrations, downward particle fluxes, chlorophyll and particulate C and N were higher on the southern wall than on the northern wall inversely to the current’s energy. This could be caused by an upward water supply on the southern canyon wall and/or the mean flow interacting with the canyon bathymetry. In the swimmers collected by the sediment traps, the dominant species was an elasipod holothurian, which has not been recorded in other canyons or elsewhere in the Mediterranean, indicating particular speciation.     

New controversies on Columbus' “cosmographic” ideas

On the basis of modern works of a Spanish paleographer, a North American geographer and, a historian-sailor, also North American, respectively, we have reexamined some controversial aspects of the cosmographic ideas ascribed to the Columbus brothers (Christopher and Bartholomew), regarding the preparation of their first transoceanic voyage. First, we present a discussion of two versions of the translation and explanation of a part or phrase of one of the marginal notes or postils, written supposedly by one of them or both in Latin in their IMAGO MUNDI (d'Ailly, Pierre. Tract of Geography of century XV) copy that seriously questions the credibility of the Columbus brothers' knowledge of the cartography of that time. Secondly, we have analized three hypotheses attempting to explain the methods they could have used, to measure the length of a terrestrial degree either on the equator or on a meridian. We will show that these hypotheses are unacceptable due to the manipulation of the information by its authors and, because there is not enough historical evidence to demonstrate that Christopher Columbus or his brother made such geodesical measurements.     

Large Rock Avalanches: A Kinematic Model

Rock avalanches constitute geodynamic phenomena of great beauty and extraordinary power, but at the same time they usually mean destruction of life found in their way. Therefore, it is of prime importance to acquire information on the dynamics of such debris streams so that their kinematic behavior can be evaluated in regions where they present a potential risk to human life and life in general. The energy loss due to dissipative interaction is greater than previously estimated. Starting with the energy conservation equation, one formula for the overall frictional loss, and another for the movement velocity of the predicted trajectory of a potential rock avalanche body is estimated.     

Application of the Clean Development Mechanism in the Sanitation Sector: “Proof of Concept”

Greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector account for only 4% of the total production, with wastewater management accounting for accurately 8 to 10% of this contribution. Wastewater disposal and treatment activities, mainly contributes to non‐CO₂ gases such as methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Capturing or avoiding these emissions is thus both a concern and an opportunity. The clean development mechanism (CDM) offers an instrument to internalize global climate concerns into the design of wastewater treatment facilities. Properly designed facilities could improve effluent quality and optimize the abatement of greenhouse gas emissions, thus ensuring additional revenues to pay for capital, operation and maintenance costs and possibly justify higher levels of wastewater treatment. This document summarizes the experience of the “Rio Frio CDM project” in Colombia, as an example of what is achievable through the CDM application in wastewater treatment upgrade in developing countries. This document summarizes the scope of the project, the methodology used to establish current greenhouse emissions and future reductions, and the estimated financial results.     

Possibilities of using silicate rock powder:An overview

This study evaluates the on use of crushed rocks(remineralizers)to increase soil fertility levels and which contributed to increase agricultural productivity,recovery of degraded areas,decontamination of water,and carbon sequestration.The use of these geological materials is part of the assumptions of rock technology and,indirectly,facilitates the achievement of sustainable development goals related to soil management,climate change,and the preservation of water resources.Research over the past 50 years on silicate rocks focused on soil fertility management and agricultural productivity.More recently,the combined use with microorganisms and organic correctives have shown positive results to mitigate soil degradation;to expand carbon sequestration and storage;and to contribute to the adsorption of contaminants from water and soil.In this article we show results obtained in several countries and we show that this technology can contribute to the sustainability of agriculture,as well as to reverse global warming.Although mineral nutrients are released more slowly from these types of inputs,they remain in the soil for a longer time,stimulating the soil biota.In addition,they are a technology to soluble synthetic fertilizers replace,since the few nutrients derived from such inputs not consumed by plants are lost by leaching,contaminating groundwater and water resources.In addition,conventional methods rely heavily on chemical pesticides which cause damage to soil’s microfauna(responsible for the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling)and the loss of organic carbon(in the form of dioxide),which is quickly dispersed in the atmosphere.Silicate rock powders are applied in natura,have long-lasting residual effects and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.     

Artisanal ceramic factories using wood combustion:A nanoparticles and human health study

The ceramics industry,resulting from developments of modern compounds,is a segment of great influence in worldwide sustainability.Artisanal ceramic factories based on wood combustion have significant risks for the creation and discharge of atmosphere nanoparticles(NPs)and ultra-fine particles(UFPs).At present,there is insufficient recognition on the influence of engineered-NPs on the atmosphere and health.Real improvements are indispensable to diminish contact with NPs.The present study demonstrates the main NPs and UFPS present in an area of intense artisanal wood-combustion ceramic manufacturing.Particulate matter was sampled for morphological,chemical,and geochemical studies by sophisticated electron microbeam microscopy,X-Ray Diffraction,and Raman spectroscopy.From NPs configuration(<10 nm)we identify nucleation.Several amorphous NPs(>10 nm)were produced around the studied artisanal ceramic factories.This study presents an indication of the recent information on population and work-related contact to NPs in the artisanal ceramic factories and their influence on health.     

A comparative study of aquifer systems occurring at the Paraná sedimentary basin, Brazil: major hydrochemical trends

This investigation was carried out within the Paraná sedimentary basin, Brazil, and involved the sampling of 80 pumped tubular wells for evaluating the hydrochemistry in three aquifer systems (Bauru, Serra Geral and Guarani) occurring in 21 localities of S?o Paulo and Mato do Grosso Sul states. The Guarani aquifer of Triassic?CJurassic age has continental dimensions and extends over some 1.2 million km² within the Paraná basin. A thick (up to 1,500?m) basaltic package of the Serra Geral Formation overlies this aquifer that is covered by Cretaceous sediments of the Bauru Group. Major hydrochemical data were obtained and compared in each aquifer system, allowing the establishment of the principal trends among the parameters analyzed. The redox potential Eh decreased according to the pH increase in the three aquifers. A consistent database has been assured from expected relationships found for typical parameters commonly evaluated in hydrogeochemical surveys. Thus, direct relationships of conductivity with ionic strength (IS) were determined and, despite bicarbonate, assumed an important role in justifying such trends; other direct significant correlations involving IS were also identified with Na⁺, Cl^?, F^? and SO₄ ^2?. Precipitation of carbonates was evidenced by opposite relations among CO₃ ^2?, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ that are strongly linked to the temperature effects on Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ dissolution as often reported from theoretical constraints.     

Soil Permeability Controlled by Particle–Fluid Interaction

In this paper, Atterberg limits and hydraulic conductivity tests are performed in sand samples mixed with different amounts of silt, zeolite and bentonite. The testing liquids consist of kerosene, two paraffin oils with different viscosities, distilled water and 1, 10 and 1,000 mol/m3 calcium chloride solutions. Experimental results show that soils completely lost their plasticity when are in contact with light non-aqueous phase liquids, and that the liquid limit depends on the dynamic viscosity of the fluid surrounding the particles. Also, tested soils show different hydraulic conductivity with water before and after Ca²⁺ ions are introduced in the permeating fluid, in agreement with the change in the formation Gibbs free energy and diffuse double layer theory. Finally, the influence of viscosity ratio, specific surface of particles, soil fabric and PFI on hydraulic conductivity is discussed and related to the effective particle diameter and soil void ratio.     

An easy, non-destructive, probabilistic method to evaluate the imposex response of gastropod populations

Endocrine disruption in marine populations is a growing concern. One of the best documented examples is imposex, the development of male characteristics in female gastropods, including the development of a penis and/or vas deferens, by exposure to organotins, mainly tributyltin. This syndrome has been an effective and widely used biomarker of organic tin contamination for almost 20 years. However, established imposex evaluation protocols sacrifice all the animals and repeated assessments can result in depletion of populations. To preserve animal lives as much as possible and to have a fast screening of areas subjected to organotin impacts, a non-destructive approach was tested. This approach uses reversible narcotization and a statistical criterion to evaluate the extent of imposex in the populations, instead of imposex indexes, which are based on evaluation of sacrificed, fixed animals. The data consist of two categories: males plus masculinized females in one category and normal females in another. The probability is then calculated that this sample could have been drawn from a normal population. This new method was tested in two contrasting areas of Brazil and with two different species, and the results compared to the conventional evaluation. Narcotization was completely reversed with a survival rate of 98%. Impacted sites could be identified with this technique in the same way as with the conventional one. The only limitation was that female sterility could not be verified. This disadvantage could well be compensated by the minimal mortality in the studied populations.