Comment on 'Tectonic and environmental factors controlling on the evolution of Oligo-Miocene shallow marine carbonate factories along a tropical SE Circum-Caribbean' by Silva-Tamayo et al. (2017)

Silva-Tamayo et al. (2017) study the Chattian to Langhian carbonate succession of the Siamana Formation in the Cocinetas Basin (La Guajira, Colombia). They identify a change in carbonate factory from mixed photozoan-heterozoan and photozoan associations dominated by corals in the Chattian-early Burdigalian to a heterozoan rhodalgal association in the late Burdigalian-Langhian. To validate the regional scale of this shift in carbonate-producing biota along the southeastern Circum-Caribbean realm, Silva-Tamayo et al. compare the Siamana Formation with the San Luis carbonate succession in the Falcón Basin (NE Venezuela) and the Perla carbonates in the Urumaco Trough (Gulf of Venezuela). Referring to Albert-Villanueva (2016) they state that, as in the case of the Siamana Formation, the carbonates of the San Luis Formation also recorded a change in carbonate-producing biota, from a photozoan/heterozoan carbonate factory in the late Oligocene-early Miocene to a heterozoan/rhodalgal carbonate factory in the middle Miocene. Notwithstanding, Albert-Villanueva (2016) interprets the carbonate units cropping out in the Falcón Basin (San Luis and Churuguara formations) as early Miocene in age, and the passage from photozoan to heterozoan carbonate factory as a lateral change of facies within the lower Miocene carbonate platforms of the Falcón Basin

Geodynamical framework and hydrocarbon plays of a salt giant: the North Western Mediterranean Basin

The North Western Mediterranean Basin developed during the Oligocene-Miocene rifting of the Eastern Iberian-European magma-poor continental margin. The margin developed as a result of back-arc extension associated with the roll-back of the retreating Calabrian-Tethys subduction zone. Reinterpretation of 2D regional seismic reflection data suggests that rifting took place by hyperextension of the Iberian-European lithosphere. This process led to the seaward arrangement of distinct crustal domains, namely proximal, necking and distal. The late post-rift Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC) gave place to significant margin erosion and canyon incision whose lowstand sedimentary by-products were largely deposited prior to the Messinian evaporitic sequences. Mesozoic-Cenozoic and Messinian to recent salt tectonics events have been recognized. A regional hydrocarbon play concept is here proposed for shelf to deep waters settings, including pre-salt, Messinian and post-salt plays

Late Chattian platform carbonates with benthic foraminifera and coralline algae from the SE Iberian plate

The carbonate system studied represents an under-investigated sedimentary record formed in the western end of the Tethys during the Chattian relatively warm climate regime. These platform carbonates are examined with respect to rock fabrics, biostratigraphy, biostratinomy, paleoecology, and sequence stratigraphy. Dominant carbonate producers include scleractinian corals and echinoids, but the most prolific were symbiontbearing benthic foraminifera and coralline algae. The presence of Miogypsinoides complanatus and Miogypsinoides formosensis indicates a late Chattian age (Shallow Benthic Zone 23). The depositional profile is consistent with a homoclinal ramp. The absence of a barrier margin and thus, of a lagoon, facilitated the transport and re-working of biogenic components throughout the platform. As a result, facies are rather homogeneous corresponding to a rudstone mainly formed by benthic foraminifera and coralline algae, which passes basinwards to deeper ramp to hemipelagic deposits rich in echinoids and planktonic foraminifera. Within this dominant facies, only subtle and gradual lateral variations on the relative abundance or absence of certain skeletal components or species are recognized, comprising two end members. A proximal biofacies of benthic foraminifera and coralline algae including corals in growth position, fragments of green algae, and seagrass dwellers where Eulepidina, Nummulites, and Operculina are absent, and a distal biofacies where corals, green algae, and seagrass dwellers are not present, but Eulepidina, Nummulites and Operculina are common. Carbonate deposition was controlled by long-term relative sea-level fluctuations including a Rupelian?-late Chattian transgression, a late Chattian regression, which ended in subaerial exposure of proximal ramp carbonates, and a latest Chattian to early Miocene transgression. The Chattian carbonate platform was finally drowned around the Oligocene/Miocene transition

Geology of the Falcón Basin (NW Venezuela)

This paper presents a geological map and cross-section of the Falcón Basin based both on published and unpublished work and on new data collected in the northern and southern basin margins. The geological map covers an area of 4600 km2 at 1:100,000 scale. The cross- section is oriented NNW-SSE, traversing perpendicular to the main structures. In general, the structure of the study area results from the inversion of a graben (Oligocene-early Miocene back-arc basin), that started in the middle Miocene due to the convergence between the Caribbean and South American plates. The map, the cross-section and the observations made in the field have been used to generate a tectonostratigraphic reconstruction of the Falcón Basin. The Oligocene-early Miocene sedimentary succession mapped and described is relevant to the hydrocarbon exploration in the Caribbean and in the Gulf of Venezuela, where new hydrocarbon resources have recently been discovered (i.e. Perla gas field)

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Facies y secuencias deposicionales mixtas carbonático-siliciclásticas del mioceno inferior de la cuenca de Falcón (Noroeste de Venezuela) como modelo exploratorio en el Caribe

[spa] Las sucesiones sedimentarias mixtas carbonático-siliciclásticas del Mioceno Inferior que afloran en los márgenes norte y sur de la Cuenca de Falcón (noroeste de Venezuela) se analizaron mediante un enfoque multidisciplinario y multiescala. El análisis de cuenca presentado en esta tesis proporciona nuevos resultados e interpretaciones que se han sintetizado en un mapa geológico, un mapa paleogeográfico, paneles de correlación secuencial y cronoestratigráfica, y en modelos deposicionales y arquitectónicos de los sistemas mixtos carbonatico-siliciclásticos investigados. La evolución de la acomodación en la cuenca durante el Oligoceno-Mioceno, y datos de isotopía estable (C y O) también han sido evaluados. Por último, los resultados se comparan con el reservorio carbonático de gas Oligo-Mioceno de Perla (Golfo de Venezuela) para establecer analogías y diferencias entre las plataformas carbonatadas de antecosta y terrestres. Los resultados presentados en esta tesis indican que, en la Cuenca de Falcón, el Oligoceno se caracterizó por una sedimentación siliciclástica en ambientes que variaban de continentales a marinos profundos en una cuenca de rift con orientación este-oeste. Los bancos carbonatados se desarrollaron durante el Mioceno Inferior en la parte superior de bloques de falla basculados en los márgenes norte y sur de la cuenca (formaciones San Luis y Churuguara, respectivamente), mientras que en contextos de fosas y surcos, la sedimentación fue hemipelágica y pelágica. Las calizas de las formaciones San Luis y Churuguara aparecen interdigitizadas y alternadas con sistemas siliciclásticos. Los principales componentes esqueléticos que constituyen los carbonatos de rampa investigados corresponden a algas rojas, que frecuentemente forman rodolitos, macroforaminíferos, corales y equínidos. La producción de carbonato se produjo principalmente en la zona meso-oligofótica de rampas distalmente acentuadas. La subsidencia synrift fue el mecanismo más importante en la creación de acomodación pero no se sobreimpuso totalmente a la señal eustática. Seis secuencias transgresivo-regresivas de tercer orden que abarcan el intérvalo Aquitaniense-Burdigaliense fueron reconocidas en los márgenes norte y sur de la cuenca. Estas secuencias se incluyen dentro de un evento transgresivo de rango superior. Los ciclos de alta frecuencia y baja amplitud del nivel del mar relativo dieron lugar a diez tipos distintos de parasecuencias. Al igual que en el caso de los sistemas mixtos carbonático-siliciclásticos de San Luis y Churuguara, el reservorio carbonático de Perla (antecosta de Venezuela) presenta un perfil deposicional de rampa distalmente acentuada, se formó durante en contexto transgresivo y está constituido principalmente por carbonatos de rampa media ricos en algas rojas y macroforaminíferos. Sin embargo, la extensión espacial, el grosor y la arquitectura del reservorio de Perla no son comparables con los de los ejemplos estudiados aquí debido a las diferentes configuraciones geotectónicas y topografías antecedentes. Por otra parte, el paso de la rampa inferior a cuenca en San Luis es por escarpamiento, con la presencia de olistostromas en posición de cuenca, mientras que en Churuguara y Perla esta transición parece ser más gradual con carbonatos de rampa inferior que pasan a depósitos de lutitas de cuenca. La sedimentación de carbonatos en Perla y San Luis se produjo ininterrumpidamente a lo largo de la mayor parte del Mioceno Inferior, mientras que la sucesión de Churuguara exhibe un banco carbonático inferior de edad Aquitaniense y un banco superior de edad Burdigaliense separados por un intérvalo lutítico. El depósito de Perla muestra un patrón general de apilamiento retrogradante. En contraste, los carbonatos de Churuguara y San Luis se apilan en un patrón agradante. Por todo esto, los carbonatos de San Luis y Churuguara no se consideran como análogos adecuados para el depósito Perla, y esto pone de manifiesto que cada sistema deposicional y, por tanto, cada reservorio de hidrocarburo, tiene sus propias singularidades, y es físicamente único.[eng] The mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sedimentary successions of Early Miocene age outcropping in the northern and southern Falcón Basin (northwestern Venezuela) were analyzed by multidisciplinary and multiscale approaches. The basin analysis presented in this thesis provides novel results and interpretations such as a cartography and an Early Miocene palaeogeographic map of the basin, sequence- and chrono-stratigraphic frameworks for the successions studied, depositional and architectural models of the mixed carbonate-siliciclastic systems investigated, an evaluation of the evolution of accommodation (mainly controlled by subsidence, eustasy and tectonic uplift) in the basin during the Oligocene-Miocene, and stable C- and O-isotopic data. Lastly, the results are compared with the knowledge available from the Oligo-Miocene subsurface carbonate gas reservoir of Perla (Gulf of Venezuela) to establish analogies and differences between the onshore and offshore carbonate platforms. The results presented in this thesis indicate that in the Falcón Basin, the Oligocene Epoch was characterized by continental to deep-marine siliciclastic sedimentation into a west-east trending rift basin. Carbonate banks were developed during the Early Miocene on top of tilted fault blocks in the northern and southern margins of the basin (San Luis and Churuguara formations, respectively), while hemipelagic and pelagic sedimentation occurred in half-grabens and troughs. The limestones of the San Luis and Churuguara formations occur interdigitated and alternated with siliciclastic systems. Facies-diagnostic skeletal components constituting the platform carbonates investigated correspond to red algae, frequently forming rhodoliths, larger foraminifera, corals and echinoids. Carbonate production mainly occurred in the meso-oligophotic zone of distally-steepened ramps. Similarly to the San Luis and Churuguara mixed carbonate-siliciclastic systems, the carbonate reservoir of Perla, in the offshore of Venezuela, exhibits a distally-steepened ramp depositional profile, was formed during an overall major transgressive context and is mainly consituted by red algal- and larger foraminifera-rich middle ramp carbonates. However, the spatial extension, thickness and architecture of the Perla reservoir are not comparable to those from the onshore case studies due to differences in the geotectonic settings and the antecedent topographies

Geodynamical framework and hydrocarbon plays of a salt giant: the NW Mediterranean Basin

Thematic set: The Messinian salinity crisis.-- 13 pages, 8 figures, 2 tablesThe NW Mediterranean Basin developed during the Oligocene-Miocene rifting of the Eastern Iberian-European magma-poor continental margin. The margin developed as a result of back-arc extension associated with the rollback of the retreating Calabrian-Tethys subduction zone. Reinterpretation of 2D regional seismic reflection data suggests that rifting took place by hyperextension of the Iberian-European lithosphere. This process led to the seawards arrangement of distinct crustal domains: namely, proximal, necking and distal. The late post-rift Messinian salinity crisis (MSC) gave rise to significant margin erosion and canyon incision, the lowstand sedimentary by-products of which were largely deposited prior to the Messinian evaporitic sequences. Mesozoic-Cenozoic and Messinian-Recent salt tectonics events have been recognized. A regional hydrocarbon play concept is proposed here for shelf-deep-water settings, including pre-salt, Messinian and post-salt playsThis is a contribution of the Institut de Recerca Geomodels and the Geodinàmica i Analisi de Conques research group (2014SGR467SGR) from the Agencia de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (AGAUR) and the Secretaria d’Universitats i Recerca del Departament d’Economia i Coneixement de la Generalitat de Catalunya. P.G. acknowledges the financial support from ENEL Trade SpA (Project FBG307360) and from the ‘Grup de Recerca de Geodinàmica i Anàlisi de Conques’, 2009 SGR 1198 of the Comissionat d’Universitats i Recerca de la Generalitat de Catalunya. This work also benefited from the financial support of the SALCRETES (CGL2014–54118-C2–1-R) and EDINSED3D (CTM2007–64880/MAR) projects. This article is based on work from COST Action MEDSALT (CA15103), supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology)Peer Reviewe

Heterogeneity in the association between prediabetes categories and reduction on glomerular filtration rate in a 5-year follow-up

Prediabetes and not just diabetes can cause kidney damage. This study assess the association of prediabetes with development of impaired renal function (IRF). We used data from PREDAPS prospective study a cohort of 1072 subjects with prediabetes and another cohort of 772 subjects without prediabetes were follow-up from 2012 to 2017. Prediabetes was defined according to American Association of Diabetes criteria. IRF was defined as having a glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Incidence rates of IRF in both cohorts and in different categories of prediabetes, based on impaired glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and/or fasting plasma glucose (FPG), were calculated. Hazard ratios (HR) for the association of the prediabetes with IRF, adjusting for potential confounders, were estimated by Cox regression models. Incidence rates of IRF per 100 person-years were 1.72 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.34-2.21) and 1.79 (95%CI: 1.45-2.20) for those without and with prediabetes, respectively .The HR of IRF in subjects with prediabetes with respect to subjects without prediabetes was 0.76 (95% CI: 0. 54-1.07). Corresponding HRs for type of prediabetes was 0.68 (95%CI: 0.40-1.15) for those with both altered parameters, 0.68 (95%CI: 00.40-1.15) for those with only impaired HbA1c and 1.12 (95%CI: 0.68-1.85) for those with only impaired FPG. The present study reflects an overall trend towards a slightly decreased risk of IRF onset associated to prediabetes except for individuals with only isolated impaired FPG. Further studies are warranted to fully assess the renal progression of each group