An optimized thermal extraction system for preparation of water from fluid inclusions in speleothems.

The fluid inclusions present in speleothems (secondary mineral deposits formed in caves) are a relict sample of the parent seepage water from which the speleothem was deposited and determination of their composition can solve the palaeotemperature equation for the precipitation of speleothem carbonate. We have extracted fluid inclusions using a newly-designed thermal vacuum extraction method in stalagmites and stalactites from Nerja Cave, Southern Spain. Optimal conditions were found to involve heating samples crushed to 0.8-2mm for 3 hours at 300-400ºC. Waters extracted from modern aragonitic speleothem samples produced results on the Meteoric Water Line defined by modern infiltration and other waters associated with the cave and hence demonstrate an absence of fractionation effects. This successfully demonstrates the utility of the method

Estructura del Complejo Alpujárride y observaciones hidrogeológicas al NO de Sierra Tejeda (provincias de Granada y Málaga, Zona Interna Bética)

In the NW of Sierra Tejeda (Spain) it is possible differentiate only two Alpujarride tectonic units, i.e. the Almijara and, in an upper position, the Robledal unit, simplifying previous divisions. Hydrogeological data support this interpretation since a hydraulic connection exists between the two areas occupied by marbles (Sierra Tejeda and Rodaderos sectors). Both areas has been previously considered as belonging to two different tectonic units not directly connected. In the Robledal unit, gneisses in the lower part of the lithologic sequence correlate with other units of the Guájares-Jubrique/Los Reales group (upper group of Alpujarride units). Extensional deformations are superposed over these tectonic units, but, according to field observations, they have not the enormous importance attributed to them in previous models, as they do not differentiate new tectonic units, at least in this area. New E-W faults are drawn along the northern edge of Sierra Tejeda, contributing to the westward drift of the Betic Internal Zone.Al NO de Sierra Tejeda solo se pueden diferenciar dos unidades tectónicas alpujárrides, la de Almijara y, sobre ella, la de Robledal, simplificando divisiones previas. Datos hidrogeológicos avalan esta interpretación ya que apuntan a la posible conexión hidráulica entre dos áreas ocupadas por mármoles (sectores de Tejeda y Rodaderos) que previamente han sido consideradas como unidades tectónicas diferentes lo que lo hace improbable. En la unidad Robledal la presencia de gneises en la parte inferior de la secuencia litológica permite su correlación con otras unidades del grupo Guájares-Jubrique/ Los Reales (grupo superior de unidades del Complejo Alpujárride). Deformaciones extensionales se superponen al cabalgamiento de unidades, pero a las que no damos la enorme importancia atribuida en previos modelos, pues no permiten, al menos en esta área, la diferenciación de nuevas unidades tectónicas. Se muestran, además, nuevas fallas E-O situadas al N de Sierra Tejeda, que facilitaron el desplazamiento hacia el oeste de la Zona Interna Bética

Structure of the Alpujarride Complex and hydrogeological observations to the NW of Sierra Tejeda (Granada and Malaga provinces, Betic Internal Zone, Spain)

n the NW of Sierra Tejeda (Spain) it is possible differentiate only two Alpujarride tectonic units, i.e. the Almijara and, in an upper position, the Robledal unit, simplifying previous divisions. Hydrogeological data support this interpretation since a hydraulic connection exists between the two areas occupied by marbles (Sierra Tejeda and Rodaderos sectors). Both areas has been previously considered as belonging to two different tectonic units not directly connected. In the Robledal unit, gneisses in the lower part of the lithologic sequence correlate with other units of the Guájares-Jubrique/Los Reales group (upper group of Alpujarride units). Extensional deformations are superposed over these tectonic units, but, according to field observations, they have not the enormous importance attributed to them in previous models, as they do not differentiate new tectonic units, at least in this area. New E-W faults are drawn along the northern edge of Sierra Tejeda, contributing to the westward drift of the Betic Internal Zone.Al NO de Sierra Tejeda solo se pueden diferenciar dos unidades tectónicas alpujárrides, la de Almijara y, sobre ella, la de Robledal, simplificando divisiones previas. Datos hidrogeológicos avalan esta interpretación ya que apuntan a la posible conexión hidráulica entre dos áreas ocupadas por mármoles (sectores de Tejeda y Rodaderos) que previamente han sido consideradas como unidades tectónicas diferentes lo que lo hace improbable. En la unidad Robledal la presencia de gneises en la parte inferior de la secuencia litológica permite su correlación con otras unidades del grupo Guájares-Jubrique/ Los Reales (grupo superior de unidades del Complejo Alpujárride). Deformaciones extensionales se superponen al cabalgamiento de unidades, pero a las que no damos la enorme importancia atribuida en previos modelos, pues no permiten, al menos en esta área, la diferenciación de nuevas unidades tectónicas. Se muestran, además, nuevas fallas E-O situadas al N de Sierra Tejeda, que facilitaron el desplazamiento hacia el oeste de la Zona Interna Bética

Towards a better understanding of time-lags in karst aquifers by combining hydrological analysis tools and dye tracer tests. Application to a binary karst aquifer in southern Spain

The assessment of the response time of a karst aquifer is an important step towards the development of conceptual models from which tools for water resources planning and management could be applied. The aim of this work is to evaluate the applicability of the joint use of statistical time-lag evaluation and dye tracer tests techniques with a double objective: 1) the development of conceptual models on the hydrogeological functioning that include the duality in the aquifer recharge processes, as well as the particularities of the preferential drainage flowpaths respect to the global response of the aquifers; 2) to establish a reference frame to foresee with enough time in anticipation the potential affections derived from the concentrated recharge to the springs, required in the creation of water quality monitoring networks and early warning systems to water pollution. In the Ubrique karst aquifer (southern Spain), the empirical relationships between the intensity (I) of rainfall events (recharge) and the time-lag (T) observed in the springs that draining the aquifer have been quantified. The establishment of the curve (I-T) constitutes a reliable tool for the prediction of potential affections to the springs (intended for urban supply) derived from recharge events. On the other hand, the comparison of the values drawn in the I-T curve, characteristic of each spring, with those derived from three tracer tests, has allowed further advances in the understanding of the aquifer functioning and the influence of concentrated recharge on the global system behavior to be achieved.This research was supported by the European Project “Karst Aquifer Resources availability and quality in the Mediterranean Area (KARMA)” PRIMA, ANR-18-PRIM-0005. The associated project PCI2019-103675 was funded by the Spanish Research Agency through the scientific program “Programación Conjunta Internacional”. Additionally, it contributes to the project PID2019-111759RB-I00 supported by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI/https://doi.org/10.13039/501100 011033) of the Spanish Government. Funding for open access charge: University of Malaga / CBU

Chemical composition of landfill leachate in a karst area with a Mediterranean climate

Abstract Between March 1994 and April 1997, the physical and chemical parameters and chemical composition of the urban solid waste leachate of the Marbella landfill (southern Spain) were determined. The data obtained show an ammonium and sodium chloride and bicarbonate type, a pH 1 7 and high mineralization, effectively described by the following parameters: Na , Cl -and alkalinity. The chemical composition depends on the rainfall: in dry years, the mineralization and component concentrations have values as much as double those found in normal rainfall years. After storm events, a major and rapid dilution (within several hours) is seen in the leachate

How much effort is required to accurately describe the complex ecology of a rodent‐borne viral disease?

We use data collected on 18, 1-ha live trapping grids monitored from 1994 through 2005 and on five of those grids through 2013 in the mesic northwestern United States to illustrate the complexity of the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)/Sin Nombre virus (SNV) host-pathogen system. Important factors necessary to understand zoonotic disease ecology include those associated with distribution and population dynamics of reservoir species as well as infection dynamics. Results are based on more than 851,000 trap nights, 16,608 individual deer mice and 10,572 collected blood samples. Deer mice were distributed throughout every habitat we sampled and were present during every sampling period in all habitats except high altitude habitats over 1900 m. Abundance varied greatly among locations with peak numbers occurring mostly during fall. However, peak rodent abundance occurred during fall, winter and spring during various years on three grids trapped 12 months/yr. Prevalence of antibodies to SNV averaged 3.9% to 22.1% but no grids had mice with antibodies during every month. The maximum period without antibody-positive mice ranged from 1 to 52 months, or even more at high altitude grids where deer mice were not always present. Months without antibody-positive mice were more prevalent during fall than spring. Population fluctuations were not synchronous over broad geographic areas and antibody prevalences were not well spatially consistent, differing greatly over short distances. We observed an apparently negative, but nonstatistically significant relationship between average antibody prevalence and average deer mouse population abundance and a statistically significant positive relationship between the average number of antibody positive mice and average population abundance. We present data from which potential researchers can estimate the effort required to adequately describe the ecology of a rodentborne viral system. We address different factors affecting population dynamics and hantavirus antibody prevalence and discuss the path to understanding a complex rodent-borne disease system as well as the obstacles in that path.Fil: Douglass, Richard J.. University of Montana; Estados UnidosFil: Vadell, María Victoria. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Instituto de Investigaciones e Ingeniería Ambiental. Laboratorio de Ecología de Enfermedades Transmitidas por Vectores; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin