Seismic tomography of Central São Miguel, Azores

We determine the three-dimensional distribution of P- and S-wave velocities for Central São Miguel Island (Azores, Portugal) by tomographic inversion of local earthquake arrival times. We use P- and S-phases from 289 earthquakes recorded by a network of 20 seismometers. The model shows good resolution in the shallowest 5–6 km, as illustrated by different resolution tests. There are several velocity anomalies, interpreted as pyroclastic deposits, intrusive bodies, geothermal fields, and the effects of tectonics. A low Vp zone marks Furnas caldera, probably evidencing volcaniclastic sediments with development of intense geothermal activity. Another low Vp zone extends in correspondence of the highly fractured area between Fogo and the north coast. Conversely, strong positive anomalies are found south of Fogo and northwest of Furnas. They are interpreted in terms of high-density deposits and remnants of a plutonic intrusion. These interpretations are supported by the distribution of Vp/Vs, and are consistent with previous geological, geochemical, and geophysical data.     

Environmental influences on soil CO2 degassing at Furnas and Fogo volcanoes (São Miguel Island,Azores archipelago)

Since October 2001, four soil CO₂ flux stations were installed in the island of São Miguel (Azores archipelago), at Fogo and Furnas quiescent central volcanoes. These stations perform measurements by the accumulation chamber method and, as the gas flux may be influenced by external variables, the stations are equipped with several meteorological sensors. Multivariate regression analysis applied to the large datasets obtained allowed observing that the meteorological variables may influence the soil CO₂ flux oscillations from 18% to 50.5% at the different monitoring sites. Additionally, it was observed that meteorological variables (mainly soil water content, barometric pressure, wind speed and rainfall) play a different role in the control of the gas flux, depending on the selected monitoring site and may cause significant short-term (spike-like) fluctuations. These divergences may be potentially explained by the porosity and hydraulic conductivity of the soils, topographic effects, drainage area and different exposure of the monitoring sites to the weather conditions. Seasonal effects are responsible for long-term oscillations on the gas flux.     

Organochlorine compounds in tissues of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) from Mediterranean Sea and Azores islands

Polychlorobiphenyls (PCB) and organochlorine (OC) pesticides are endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The Italian Ministry of Environment has undertaken a program (1999-2001) to measure levels of contaminants in top marine predators and to develop sensitive biomarkers for the evaluation of toxicological risk in these species. In 1999, 15 swordfishes (Xiphias gladius) taken from the Mediterranean Sea along the Sicilian coast (Strait of Messina, Italy) and in the Atlantic Ocean along the Azores Islands, and analysed for 34 congeners of PCBs and 27 organochlorine (OC) pesticides in gonad, muscle, liver and blubber tissues. In the tissues of Mediterranean swordfishes the sum of the determined PCBs congeners ranged from 4.61 to 4651.17 ng g(-1) on fresh tissue basis. Among organochlorine pesticides DDE, DDT and DDD (TDE) predominated with an overall range of 2.37-4734.56 ng(-1) w.w. In particular p,p'-DDE had concentrations appearing up to 3900 ng(-1), with the highest values found in fatty tissues, such as blubber. In the liver of Azores Island swordfishes lower levels of summation PCBs (8.43-294.17 ng/g w.w.) and summation DDTs (<0.01-217.44 ng/g w.w.) were determined.     

Crustal seismic velocity structure near Faial and Pico Islands (AZORES), from local earthquake tomography

The Azores archipelago (Portugal) is located on an oceanic plateau, in a geodynamic environment prone to intense seismic and volcanic activity. In order to investigate the crustal structure in this region, we have conducted a local earthquake tomography study in the area of the islands of Faial, Pico and S. Jorge using data recorded in July 1998. The July 9th 1998 earthquake, near Faial Island, triggered an aftershock sequence of thousands of events that lasted for several months and were recorded by a total of 14 stations located on the three islands surrounding the epicentral area. In the upper crustal layers, consistency is seen between the tomographic results and the islands' surface volcanic units. Beneath the Faial central volcano a low Vp (< 6.0 km/s) anomaly roughly located at 3–7 km depth, suggests a connection to the plumbing system, possibly the presence of a magma chamber. In NE Faial, a high Vp (> 6.3 km/s) body was found located at mid-lower crust, most likely an intrusion of gabbroic composition, that is bordered by the registered seismic activity; its shape suggesting a tectonic controlled mechanism. The relocated hypocenters, together with the overall analysis of the Tomographic model, suggest a tectonic segmentation of Faial Island. The crustal thickness under the islands volcanic buildings of the Faial–Pico area was estimated at around 14 km.     

The elasmobranch fisheries of the Azores

In the Northeast Atlantic, elasmobranchs are a common bycatch in many fisheries, including demersal trawls, longlines, or gillnets and many countries do not have regulations or any control over the amount taken. In the Mid Atlantic, the Azores EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), small-scale fishing operations, artisanal and hook-and-line fishing methods are responsible for part of local total landed elasmobranch biomass, although some species are specifically focused and severely harvested by international large-scale fleets. This work provides a review and analysis of the commercial elasmobranch fisheries in the Azores EEZ, and its evolution over the last two decades, highlighting management priorities, taking into account the Northeast Atlantic elasmobranch fisheries status. In the Mid-Atlantic, elasmobranch fisheries mainly target 4 species, that are usually landed as bycatch: the tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) and the thornback ray (Raja clavata), captured mainly by local demersal artisanal fisheries, the blue shark (Prionace glauca) and the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) captured by a more industrialised fleet, including those from foreign nations. Considering elasmobranchs life history traits and fishery history, caution is advised in the development of a management strategy focusing on these species, considering the Northeast Atlantic context and regional, local and national interests.