Phosphogypsum weathering and implications for pollutant discharge into an estuary

Approximately 100 million tons of phosphogypsum were stockpiled onto marsh soils of the Tinto River estuary (Huelva, SW Spain). This study focuses on the hydraulic response of the phosphogypsum stack to the different weathering agents, as well as on the hydrochemical behavior of highly acidic and polluted effluents from its leaching during different hydrological conditions. To address these issues, a CTD-Diver was installed in a bore-hole within a phosphogypsum stack profile, which recorded the variations in the water-table of the stack, and edge outflows samples were collected around the perimeter of the stack during four sampling periods in different seasons. During dry periods, the water-table of the stack remains almost static and is controlled only by the tide oscillations. However, during rainy events this water-level rapidly increases up to 20 cm and subsequently decreases, defining peaks that coincide with the rainfalls. Having a hydraulic connection to the sea and groundwater flow in conduits, the phosphogypsum stack behaves as an anthropogenic karstic-coastal aquifer. Regarding the hydrochemical behavior of the edge outflows, the concentrations of most pollutants (e.g., PO4, Al, As, Cd or U) showed a slight decrease from the dry-warm to the rainy period. These leachates releases high concentrations of contaminants to the estuary, e.g., PO4, As and U (average values of 5000, 6.9 and 3.0 t/yr, respectively). The results obtained in this study could contribute to the development of effective treatment systems for leachates from phosphogypsum stack of Huelva and to minimize their impact on the surrounding estuarine environment.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, the European Regional Development Fund and the University of Huelva under the research projects TRAMPA (MINECO; PID2020-119196RB-C21), VALOREY (MINECO; RTI 2018-101276-JI00) and EMFHA-SIST (FEDER; UHU-486 1253533). C.R C´anovas thanks the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the Postdoctoral Fellowship granted under application reference RYC2019- 027949-I. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva/ CBUA. We would also like to thank Dr. Huaming Guo (Editor-in-Chief) and two anonymous re-viewers for the support and comments that significantly improved the quality of the original paper

Flow y rendimiento en corredores de maratón

El flow es un estado subjetivo intensamente positivo y placentero que, por sus dimensiones y características (e.g., equilibrio entre las de- mandas percibidas de la tarea y las habilidades personales para la acción requerida, objetivos claros, máxima concentración, elevado control percibido sobre la ejecución, etc.), se asocia a un rendimiento superior en comparación con las actuaciones normales. La literatura señala que se puede experimentar en diferentes contextos y actividades, incluido el deporte. El objetivo de este estudio fue doble: Por un lado, quisimos comprobar si maratonianos de dis- tinto nivel de rendimiento experimentan flow y las características de este fenómeno en este colectivo de deportistas, así como conocer si las experiencias de flow eran diferentes en tres situaciones deportivas: Entrenamientos y carreras en general, la mejor carrera recordada y la última carrera; por otro lado, quisimos explorar la posible relación entre las experiencias de flow y las marcas esperadas y conseguidas por los corredores en las carreras mejor y última. Colaboraron voluntariamente en este estudio 170 maratonianos que corrieron el Maratón de Sevilla 2010, los cuales completaron la Escala Breve de Flow (Godoy-Izquierdo, Vélez, Rodríguez y Ramírez, 2009) antes y después de participar en dicha carrera. Los participantes refirieron experimentar estados de flow en las tres situaciones deportivas exploradas, aunque se encontraron diferencias interindividuales respecto a la frecuencia y profundidad de este estado, así como en la experimentación de las distintas dimensiones del fenómeno. Los participantes informaron experimentar episodios de flow más profundos, intensos y frecuentes en la mejor competición recordada y en el último maratón en comparación con los entrenamientos y las carreras en general. Además, los corredores con más experiencias de flow esperaron y obtuvieron mejores marcas. Como conclusión, el flow es un estado expe- rimentado con frecuencia, particularmente en las mejores carreras, por atletas de una especialidad tan exigente como el maratón. Saber qué condiciones personales y contextuales llevan al flow ayudaría a diseñar intervenciones psicológicas destinadas al incremento de las habilidades que permiten a los atletas alcanzar estados intensos de flow, lo que a su vez podría mejorar su ejecución y resultados.Flow is an intensely positive and pleasant subjective state that has been linked to superior performance compared to ordinal performance, due to its dimensions and features (e.g., a balance between perceived task challenges and one's own skills for the required action, clear goals, full concentration, elevated perceived control on performance, etc.). Research has shown that it occurs in different contexts and activities, including sports. In a two-fold aim, we sought to explore whether marathon runners with different levels of expertise experienced flow states, and the characteristics of this phenomenon in this athletic population; as well as to find out whether flow experiences were different in three sport conditions: practice sessions and competitions in general, the best race remembered by the athlete, and their last race. We further explored the possible relationship between flow states and the expected and achieved times in the last and the best races. A total of 170 males who were marathon runners participating in the Seville Marathon 2010 voluntarily collaborated in this study. Participants completed the Brief Flow Scale (EBF, Godoy-Izquierdo, Vélez, Rodríguez y Ramírez, 2009) before and after the marathon race. Participants reported experiencing flow states in the three athletic activities explored, but interindividual differences were found regarding the frequency and depth of such experiences. There were also differences between the runners regarding the dimensions of the phenomenon. Participants reported experiencing deeper, more intense and frequent episodes of flow in their best and last marathons in comparison to practice sessions and races in general. In addition, runners reporting deeper or more frequent flow episodes also expected and achieved better times. Concluding, flow is frequently experienced by marathon runners, particularly in their best performances, even when marathon running is a highly demanding sport modality. Establishing personal and contextual conditions leading to flow states will help us in designing psychological interventions aimed at increasing athletes' skills to achieve intense states of flow, which in turn might improve their performance and success.O flow é um estado subjetivo intensamente positivo e agradável, que, devido às suas dimensões e características (por exemplo, equilíbrio entre as demandas percebidas de as tarefas e as competências pessoais necessárias para a ação, objetivos claros, máxima concentração, elevada percepção de controle sobre a execução, etc.), tem sido associado com um desempenho superior em comparação com o desempenho normal. A literatura mostra que pode ser experimentado em diferentes contextos e atividades, incluindo esportes. O objetivo deste estudo foi duplo: Por um lado, queríamos ver se maratonistas com diferentes níveis de desempenho experimentam diferentes níveis de flow e as características desse fenômeno neste grupo de atletas, bem como saber se as experiências de flow foram diferentes em três situações desportivas: Os treinos e competições em geral, a melhor corrida lembrada pelo atleta, e sua última corrida; por outro lado, quisemos explorar a possível relação entre as experiências de flow e as marcas esperadas e obtidas por corredores em as corridas melhor e última. Voluntariamente colaboraram neste estudo 170 maratonistas que correram a Maratona de Sevilha 2010, quem responderam a Escala Breve de Flow (Godoy-Izquierdo, Vélez, Rodríguez e Ramírez, 2009) antes e depois de participar na corrida. Os participantes relataram experimentar estados de flow nas três situações atléticas exploradas, embora diferenças interindividuais foram encontradas em relação à frequência e profundidade de tais experiências, e também em várias dimensões do fenômeno. Os participantes relataram ter episódios de flow mais profundo, intenso e freqüente na melhor competição lembrada e na última maratona em comparação com o treinamento e corridas em geral. Além disso, os corredores com experiências de flow mais profundas ou mais frequentes esperaram e tem melhores marcas. Em conclusão, o flow é freqüentemente experimentado por atletas de uma especialidade tão exigente como maratona, principalmente em suas melhores corridas. Estabelecer as condições pessoais e contextuais que pode levar ao flow nos permite projetar intervenções psicológicas para aumentar as habilidades que ajudam os atletas a alcançar estados intensos de flow, que por sua vez poderiam melhorar o seu desempenho e resultados

Passive remediation of mine waters from Parys Mountain (Wales): Laboratory column experiments

This study evaluates the effectiveness of dispersed alkaline substrate (DAS) technology to treat highly acidic and contaminated leachates from the oxidation of sulfide-rich mining wastes under wet temperate oceanic climate conditions. To address this issue, leachates from the abandoned mine at Parys Mountain (NW Wales) were passed through two sets of multistep columns filled with a mixture of a fine-grained alkaline reagent (i.e., limestone, MgO, or BaCO3) scattered in an inert matrix. The set of columns with the limestone-DAS plus MgO-DAS combination achieved a near total removal of Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, Mn, As, Co, Cd, and Ni. However, the elimination of SO4 was not significant (around 7%). The limestone-DAS plus BaCO3-DAS combination also achieved a high effectiveness for base metal/loids, allowing the removal of Fe, Al, Zn, Cu, As, and Cd with rates of nearly 100%. In addition, the system with the BaCO3-step had a higher effectiveness in eliminating SO4 (around 53%) than the combined treatment with the MgO-step. According to PHREEQC code calculations, the precipitation of oxyhydroxy-sulfates (i.e., schwertmannite and basaluminite) and carbonate (i.e., malachite, hydrozincite and calcite) phases may have controlled the solubility of pollutants during the passive treatment. The chemical compositions of the treated waters complied with the threshold values defined by irrigation standards, except for Mn in the BaCO3-DAS output.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva/CBUA

Evidence of rare earth elements origin in acid mine drainage from the Iberian Pyrite Belt (SW Spain)

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a worldwide pollution problem of watersheds. In addition to toxic metal(oid)s and acidity, many elements of economic interest are released into the environment, which make AMD a potential strategic secondary source of these elements such as rare earth elements (REE). Despite the importance of these metals, their origin in AMD is still uncertain. Recent hypotheses suggest preferential leaching of REE-enriched minerals as a possible source. Leaching tests with H2SO4 have been developed to simulate the interaction under AMD formation conditions with sulfide bodies and host rocks from two representative mining areas in the Iberian Pyrite Belt: the Perrrunal and Poderosa mines (SW of Spain). The REE patterns and Ce and Eu anomalies of the rock leachates have confirmed the geochemical relationship between the AMD and certain country rocks (felsic and mafic volcanics, and shales). A detailed chemical and mineralogical study has confirmed the existence of a diversity of minerals with high concentrations of REE. Thus, the minerals with the highest REE contents are also those with the fast dissolution kinetics under acid conditions: REE phosphates (monazite and xenotime type) and carbonates (parisite type). Finally, petrographic evidence of the selective leaching of these minerals clearly supports these minerals as the main source of REE in the AMD.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through the research project TRAMPA (MINECO; PID2020-119196RB-C21). Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva / CBUA

Wildfire effects on the hydrogeochemistry of a river severely polluted by acid mine drainage

This study evaluates for the first time the impact of a large wildfire on the hydrogeochemistry of a deeply AMDaffected river at the beginning of the wet season. To accomplish this, a high-resolution water monitoring campaign was performed within the basin coinciding with the first rainfalls after summer. Unlike similar events recorded in AMD-affected areas, where dramatic increases in most dissolved element concentrations, and decreases in pH values are observed as a result of evaporitic salts flushing and the transport of sulfide oxidation products from mine sites, a slight increase in pH values (from 2.32 to 2.88) and decrease in element concentrations (e.g.; Fe: 443 to 205 mg/L; Al: 1805 to 1059 mg/L; sulfate: 22.8 to 13.3 g/L) was observed with the first rainfalls after the fire. The washout of wildfire-ash deposited in the riverbanks and the drainage area, constituted by alkaline mineral phases, seems to have counterbalanced the usual behavior and patterns of the river hydrogeochemistry during autumn. Geochemical results indicate that a preferential dissolution occurs during ash washout (K > Ca > Na), with a quick release of K followed by an intense dissolution of Ca and Na. On the other hand, in unburnt zones parameters and concentrations vary to a lesser extent than burnt areas, being the washout of evaporitic salts the dominant process. With subsequent rainfalls ash plays a minor role on the river hydrochemistry. Elemental ratios (Fe/SO4 and Ca/Mg) and geochemical tracers in both ash (K, Ca and Na) and AMD (S) were used to prove the importance of ash washout as the dominant geochemical process during the study period. Geochemical and mineralogical evidences point to intense schwertmannite precipitation as the main driver of reduction in metal pollution. The results of this study shed light on the response of AMD-polluted rivers to certain climate change effects, since climate models predict an increase in the number and intensity of wildfires and torrential rain events, especially in Mediterranean climates.This research was supported by the AIHODIEL project (PYC20 RE 032 UHU) within the 2020 call for grants for the implementation of projects of collaborative interest in the field of innovation ecosystems co-financed by the FEDER program in Andalucía for the period 2014-2020. Jonatan Romero is financed by a FPU program of the Spanish Ministry of Education of Vocational Training (FPU20/04441). C.R Cánovas thanks the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the Postdoctoral Fellowship granted under application reference RYC2019–027949-I. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva / CBUA. The authors gratefully appreciate the constructive comments and suggestions from the editor Mark van Loosdrecht and two anonymous reviewers

Effects of estuarine water mixing on the mobility of trace elements in acid mine drainage leachates

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under the research project TRAMPA (PID2020-119196RB- C21). C.R. C´anovas, A. Parviainen and M.D. Basallote also acknowledge the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation for the Postdoctoral Fellowships granted under application references RYC2019-027949-I, IJCI-2016-27412 and IJC2018-035056-I, respectively. We would also like to thank Dr. Geoff MacFarlane for the editorial handling and two anonymous reviewers for the support and comments that significantly improved the quality of the original paper. Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva/CBUA.This research reports the effects of pH increase on contaminant mobility in acid mine drainage from the Iberian Pyrite Belt by seawater mixing in the laboratory, simulating the processes occurring in the Estuary of Huelva (SW Iberian Peninsula). Concentrations of Al, Fe, As, Cu and REY in mixing solutions significantly decreased with increasing pH. Schwertmannite precipitation at pH 2.5–4.0 led to the total removal of Fe(III) and As. Subsequently, iron-depleted solutions began to be controlled by precipitation of basaluminite at pH 4.5–6.0, which acted as a sink for Al, Cu and REY. Nevertheless, as the pH rises, schwertmannite becomes unstable and releases back to solution the previously retained As. Moreover, other elements (S, Zn, Cd, Ni and Co) behaved conservatively in mixing solutions with no participation in precipitation processes. Some toxic elements finally end up to the Atlantic Ocean contributing to the total pollutant loads and environmentally threatening the coastal areas

Environmental management and potential valorization of wastes generated in passive treatments of fertilizer industry effluents

A phosphogypsum stack located in SW Spain releases highly acidic and contaminated leachates to the surrounding estuarine environment. Column experiments, based on a mixture of an alkaline reagent (i.e., MgO or Ca(OH)2) dispersed in an inert matrix (dispersed alkaline substrate (DAS) technology), have shown high effectiveness for the treatment of phosphogypsum leachates. MgO-DAS and Ca(OH)2-DAS treatment systems achieved near total removal of PO4, F, Fe, Zn, Al, Cr, Cd, U, and As, with initial reactive mass:volume of leachate treated ratios of 3.98 g/L and 6.35 g/L, respectively. The precipitation of phosphate (i.e., brushite, cattiite, fluorapatite, struvite and Mn3Zn(PO4)2·2H2O) and sulfate (i.e., despujolsite and gypsum) minerals could control the solubility of contaminants during the treatments. Therefore, the hazardousness of these wastes must be accurately assessed in order to be properly managed, avoiding potential environmental impacts. For this purpose, two standardized leaching tests (EN-12457-2 from the European Union and TCLP from the United States) were performed. According to European Union (EN-12457-2) regulation, some wastes recovered from DAS treatments should be classified as hazardous wastes because of the high concentrations of SO4 or Sb that are leached. However, according to United States (US EPA-TCLP) legislation, all DAS wastes are designated as non-hazardous wastes. Moreover, the solids generated in the DAS systems could constitute a promising secondary source of calcite and/or P. This research could contribute to worldwide suitable waste management for the fertilizer industry.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, the European Regional Development Fund and the University of Huelva under the research projects CAPOTE (MINECO; CGL 2017-86050-R), VALOREY (MINECO; RTI 2018-101276-J-I00) and EMFHA-SIST (FEDER; UHU-1253533). F. Macías was funded by the R&D FEDER Andalucía 2014–2020 call through the project RENOVAME (FEDER; UHU-1255729). Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Huelva/CBUA

Application of the passive Dispersed Alkaline Substrate (DAS) remediation system to treat highly acidic and polluted phosphogypsum leachates

Este trabajo estudia la viabilidad de la tecnología conocida como Sustrato Alcalino Disperso (DAS) para el tratamiento pasivo de efluentes extremadamente ácidos y contaminantes procedentes de la balsa de fosfoyesos localizada sobre las marismas del río Tinto (Huelva, SO España). El estudio consiste en hacer fluir el agua ácida a través de una columna rellena con una mezcla de un reactivo alcalino (i.e. Ca(OH)2 ) disperso en una matriz inerte (i.e. virutas de madera) capaz de elevar el pH del lixiviado y precipitar los contaminantes disueltos. El sistema de tratamiento DAS-Ca(OH)2 logró la retirada total de PO4 , F, Fe, Zn, Al, Cr, U y As de las soluciones. La precipitación de brushita [CaHPO4 ∙2H2 O] y yeso [CaSO4 ·2H2 O] fue el principal mecanismo responsable de la eliminación de los contaminantes. Los sólidos retenidos en la columna DAS después del tratamiento fueron sometidos al test de lixiviación EN 12457-2 de la EU para su clasificación y gestión de acuerdo a su peligrosidad. Algunos de estos sólidos podrían ser clasificados como residuos peligrosos, debido a la alta concentración de SO4 lixiviado. Este estudio contribuye al diseño de un tratamiento efectivo y sostenible de los lixiviados procedentes de la industria fertilizanteThis work studies the feasibility of the Dispersed Alkaline Substrate (DAS) technology for the passive treatment of highly acidic and polluted effluents from the phosphogypsum stack located on the Tinto river marsh soils (Huelva, SW Spain). The study consists of flowing the acidic water through a column filled with a mixture of an alkaline reagent (i.e. Ca(OH)2 ) scattered on an inert matrix (i.e. wood chips) capable of raising the pH of the leachate and precipitating the dissolved pollutants. The Ca(OH)2 -DAS treatment system achieved the total removal of PO4 , F, Fe, Zn, Al, Cr, U and As from the solutions. The precipitation of brushite [CaHPO4 ∙2H2 O] and gypsum [CaSO4 ∙2H2 O] seems to be the main mechanism responsible for the removal of contaminants. The solids collected from the DAS column were subjected to the EU EN 12457-2 leaching test for their classification and management according to their hazardousness. Some of these solids could be classified as hazardous wastes due to the high release of SO4 . This study may contribute to the design of an effective and sustainable treatment of leachates from the fertilizer industr

Flow and performance in marathon runners

El flow es un estado subjetivo intensamente positivo y placentero que, por sus dimensiones y características (e.g., equilibrio entre las de- mandas percibidas de la tarea y las habilidades personales para la acción requerida, objetivos claros, máxima concentración, elevado control percibido sobre la ejecución, etc.), se asocia a un rendimiento superior en comparación con las actuaciones normales. La literatura señala que se puede experimentar en diferentes contextos y actividades, incluido el deporte. El objetivo de este estudio fue doble: Por un lado, quisimos comprobar si maratonianos de dis- tinto nivel de rendimiento experimentan flow y las características de este fenómeno en este colectivo de deportistas, así como conocer si las experiencias de flow eran diferentes en tres situaciones deportivas: Entrenamientos y carreras en general, la mejor carrera recordada y la última carrera; por otro lado, quisimos explorar la posible relación entre las experiencias de flow y las marcas esperadas y conseguidas por los corredores en las carreras mejor y última. Colaboraron voluntariamente en este estudio 170 maratonianos que corrieron el Maratón de Sevilla 2010, los cuales completaron la Escala Breve de Flow (Godoy-Izquierdo, Vélez, Rodríguez y Ramírez, 2009) antes y después de participar en dicha carrera. Los participantes refirieron experimentar estados de flow en las tres situaciones deportivas exploradas, aunque se encontraron diferencias interindividuales respecto a la frecuencia y profundidad de este estado, así como en la experimentación de las distintas dimensiones del fenómeno. Los participantes informaron experimentar episodios de flow más profundos, intensos y frecuentes en la mejor competición recordada y en el último maratón en comparación con los entrenamientos y las carreras en general. Además, los corredores con más experiencias de flow esperaron y obtuvieron mejores marcas. Como conclusión, el flow es un estado expe- rimentado con frecuencia, particularmente en las mejores carreras, por atletas de una especialidad tan exigente como el maratón. Saber qué condiciones personales y contextuales llevan al flow ayudaría a diseñar intervenciones psicológicas destinadas al incremento de las habilidades que permiten a los atletas alcanzar estados intensos de flow, lo que a su vez podría mejorar su ejecución y resultados.Flow is an intensely positive and pleasant subjective state that has been linked to superior performance compared to ordinal performance, due to its dimensions and features (e.g., a balance between perceived task challenges and one’s own skills for the required action, clear goals, full concentration, elevated perceived control on performance, etc.). Research has shown that it occurs in different contexts and activities, including sports. In a two-fold aim, we sought to explore whether marathon runners with different levels of expertise experienced flow states, and the characteristics of this phenomenon in this athletic population; as well as to find out whether flow experiences were different in three sport conditions: practice sessions and competitions in general, the best race remembered by the athlete, and their last race. We further explored the possible relationship between flow states and the expected and achieved times in the last and the best races. A total of 170 males who were marathon runners participating in the Seville Marathon 2010 voluntarily collaborated in this study. Participants completed the Brief Flow Scale (EBF, Godoy-Izquierdo, Vélez, Rodríguez y Ramírez, 2009) before and after the marathon race. Participants reported experiencing flow states in the three athletic activities explored, but interindividual differences were found regarding the frequency and depth of such experiences. There were also differences between the runners regarding the dimensions of the phenomenon. Participants reported experiencing deeper, more intense and frequent episodes of flow in their best and last marathons in comparison to practice sessions and races in general. In addition, runners reporting deeper or more frequent flow episodes also expected and achieved better times. Concluding, flow is frequently experienced by marathon runners, particularly in their best performances, even when marathon running is a highly demanding sport modality. Establishing personal and contextual conditions leading to flow states will help us in designing psychological interventions aimed at increasing athletes’ skills to achieve intense states of flow, which in turn might improve their performance and success.Esta investigación ha sido parcialmente financiada con la ayuda económica concedida al Grupo de Investigación Psicología de la Salud y Medicina Conductual (CTS-0267) por la Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa de la Junta de Andalucía (España)

Alumnos caracterizales experimentan la utilización de la prensa escrita en la elaboración de una revista escolar dentro de un contexto globalizado

El C.P. San Juan Bautista de Badajoz acoge alumnos con riesgo de exclusión social. El Claustro de profesores pone en marcha una serie de talleres ocupacionales con el objetivo de aumentar el interés y mejorar el rendimiento de los alumnos. Uno de estos talleres consiste en la publicación de una revista escolar en la que participará el 50% del alumnado.The C.P. San Juan Bautista of Badajoz welcomes students at risk of social exclusion. The academic staff sets in motion a series of occupational workshops with the aim of increasing the interest and improve the performance of the students. One of the workshops consists in the publication of a school magazine in the 50% of the students