Evaluation of spatial and temporal variations in marine sediments quality using multivariate statistical techniques

Spatial and temporal variations of sediment quality in Matanzas Bay (Cuba) were studied by determining a total of 12 variables (Zn, Cu, Pb, As, Ni, Co, Al, Fe, Mn, V, CO3 2−, and total hydrocarbons (THC). Surface sediments were collected, annually, at eight stations during 2005–2008. Multivariate statistical techniques, such as principal component (PCA), cluster (CA), and lineal discriminant (LDA) analyses were applied for identification of the most significant variables influencing the environmental quality of sediments. Heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, V, and As) and THC were the most significant species contributing to sediment quality variations during the sampling period. Concentrations of V and As were determined in sediments of this ecosystem for the first time. The variation of sediment environmental quality with the sampling period and the differentiation of samples in three groups along the bay were obtained. The usefulness of the multivariate statistical techniques employed for the environmental interpretation of a limited dataset was confirmed.The authors thank the Iberoamerican University Association of Postgraduate (AUIP) of the Junta de Andalucia, Spain for the financing granted to implement a part of this investigation. The present work was developed as part of the Project ACUMMAMA, 2011–2013 Convocation supported by the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) of the University of Havana and also as part of the 2813, 6009 and 7019 Projects financed by the Oil Research Center of the Ministry of Energy and Mines of Cuba.Peer Reviewe

Portal hypertensive colopathy is associated with portal hypertension severity in cirrhotic patients

AIM: To assess the prevalence of portal hypertension (PH) related colorectal lesions in liver transplant candidates, and to evaluate its association with the severity of PH