Atmospheric transport patterns and possible consequences for the European North after a nuclear accident

The main purpose of this study is to examine possible impacts and consequences of a hypothetical accident at the Kola nuclear plant in north-west Russia on different geographical regions: Scandinavia, central Europe, European FSU and Taymyr. The period studied is 1991-1996. An isentropic trajectory model has been used to calculate forward trajectories that originated over the nuclear accident region. Atmospheric transport patterns were identified using the isentropic trajectories and a cluster analysis technique. From the trajectory model results, a number of cases were chosen for examination in detail using more complete transport models. For this purpose, the models MATHEW/ADPIC, DERMA and a newly developed FOA Random Displacement Model have been used to simulate the radionuclide transport and contamination in the case of a nuclear accident and their results have been compared with those of the trajectory modelling. Estimation of the long-term consequences for populations after an accident has been performed for several specific dates by empirical models and correlation between fallout and doses to humans on the basis of the Chernobyl accident exposures in Scandinavia.     

Metal-contaminated soil remediation by using sludges of the marble industry: toxicological evaluation

The major risks due to metal pollution of sediments consist of leaching to groundwater and potential toxicity to animals and/or plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate by means of an ecotoxicological approach the effects of the addition of cutting marble sludges on the mobile metal fraction of sediments polluted with heavy metals. The study was carried out on two sediments derived from mining activities in Portman Bay (SE, Spain) polluted by heavy metals. These sediments were mixed with sludges left after the cutting of marble. The results obtained by leaching experiments showed that the addition of marble cutting sludge, consisting mainly of carbonates, to a heavy-metal polluted sediment produces a decrease of available metal forms. The carbonate content seems to play a role in chemical stabilisation of metals and in a decrease of toxicity of sediments. The leached solutions have a non-toxic effect. The mild remediation by addition of sludge has moreover effects to long term.     

Primary and secondary organic winter aerosols in Mediterranean cities under different mixing layer conditions (Barcelona and Granada)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - PM10 was collected during an EMEP winter campaign of 2017–2018 in two urban background sites in Barcelona (BCN) and Granada (GRA), two...     

Restoration of badlands and natural capital: an application in Saldaña (Palencia,northern Spain)

The environment provides many necessary services for a plethora of human activities related to that are being acknowledged as our ecosystems degrade; therefore, ecosystem-based solutions are becoming increasingly more important. Hydrologic restorations (HRs) apply this type of ecosystem approach; there are multiple examples around the Mediterranean area executed since the beginning of the twentieth century. One good example of these restoration-type solutions can be seen in the badlands of Saldaña (Palencia, Spain). This case has been particularly successful in stopping gully erosion from badlands. Despite its importance for the well-being of the inhabitants of Saldaña and surroundings, the economic effects of these services which were put into place by this HR have never been assessed. In the present study, four different and compatible ecosystem restored services have been valued in monetary terms. For their aggregation, an innovative approach has been taken using the analytic hierarchy process methodology, so the weight of each ecosystem service (ES) can be determined. The economic flow of these ESs has been calculated in terms of annual income and updated values, from which natural capital increase in the population of Saldaña can be assessed. After analysing the results, it can be concluded that the village has earned more than seven million euros, which, in turn, generates important benefits to its inhabitants.     

Short- and long-term importance of small sharks in the diet of the rare deep-sea shark Dalatias licha

Knowing the trophic ecology of marine predators is essential to develop an understanding of their ecological role in ecosystems. Research conducted on deep-sea and threatened shark species is limited. Here, by combining analyses of individual stomach contents and stable isotope values, we examined the trophic ecology (dietary composition and trophic position) of the kitefin shark Dalatias licha, a deep-sea shark considered as near threatened globally and as data deficient in the Mediterranean Sea. Results revealed the importance of small sharks in the diet of the kitefin shark at short- and long-term scales, although fin-fish, crustaceans and cephalopods were also found. Predation on sharks reveals the high trophic position of the kitefin shark within the food web of the western Mediterranean Sea. Stable isotope values from liver and muscle tissues confirmed our results from stomach content analysis and the high trophic position.     

Erratum to: Beak colour reflects circulating carotenoid and vitamin A levels in spotless starlings (Sturnus unicolor)

Many colourful sexually selected signals in animals are carotenoid-dependent and, because carotenoids function as antiradicals and immunostimulating molecules, carotenoid-dependent signals may honestly reflect the health state of individuals. Some others nutrients like vitamin A may also enhance health and colouration, but these have rarely been tested alongside carotenoids in colourful birds. Here, we examined whether beak colour of the spotless starling (Sturnus unicolor) reflected circulating levels of carotenoids and/or vitamin A (retinol). Spotless starlings are polygynous, sexually dimorphic birds (i.e. length of chest feathers). The tip of the beaks of male and female spotless starlings is more intensely coloured at the beginning of the breeding season and becomes dull after mating, which may suggest a sexual function. We found that females have a more intensely coloured beak and higher plasma carotenoid concentration than males during mating, and, despite the finding that carotenoid and vitamin A levels were not significantly related; colour intensity was positively correlated with plasma concentration of carotenoids and vitamin A in both sexes. However, adult beak coloration was not associated with carotenoid and vitamin A concentrations after nestlings were hatched. Therefore, beak colouration of spotless starlings provides information about circulating levels of carotenoids and vitamins during the mating season and may potentially function as a reliable signal of physiological status in the context of sexual selection.     

Time-course of digestive-enzyme acclimation in the cockle Cerastoderma edule

We determined the temporal evolution of amylase, cellulase, laminarinase and protease in the digestive gland and crystalline style of cockles Cerastoderma edule held over 9 to 12 d in the presence and absence of food. Cockles were fed a constant diet of 1.5 mm³ l⁻¹ of Tetraselmis suecica for 9 to 12 d and were then starved for 6 to 8 d in late summer (September 1992) and in winter (January 1993). Feeding increased the dry weight and total cellulase, laminarinase and protease activities of the digestive gland irrespective of season, whereas amylase activity remained unchanged. In winter (i.e. when cockles are metabolically weak) the response was faster and stronger, especially for protease. An additional experiment in September starved cockles for 20 d before resuming feeding. In agreement with the seasonal differences, the presence of food after prolonged starvation induced a rapid and marked increase in protease in the digestive gland of the cockles. In winter, the possible effects of the biochemical composition of food on their enzymatic response were tested by feeding two groups of cockles with the same ration of T. suecica but harvested at different growth phases. A compensatory induction of cellulases occurred in cockles fed on T. suecica with a lower carbohydrate content. In the crystalline style, the protein level and carbohydrase fell during the first day of feeding and increased during the first day of subsequent starvation. These results indicate that the release of enzymes from the style prevails over the incorporation of enzymes during the early stages of feeding, whereas the opposite occurs during starvation. Received: 15 February 1998 / Accepted: 22 February 1999