Biosorción de mercurio (Hg2+) usando materiales solidos residuales como adsorbentes

Se estudió el proceso de adsorción de mercurio(Hg2+) sobre 12 tipos de materiales sólidos residuales con la finalidad de seleccionar aquellos materiales que presenten las mejores características para ser usados como adsorbente de este metal. La biomasa de las algas Ulva rigida y Cystoseira nodicaulis son los elementos que mostraron los mejores resultados con un 96.5% y un 94.5% de adsorción de Hg2+, respectivamente. El carbón activo comercial, que se usó como adsorbente de referencia, alcanzó un 97.0% de adsorción de mercurio. Los factores más importantes que afectan al proceso de adsorción son el pH y la relación adsorbente/adsorbato. El estudio demostró que el rango de pH de 3 a 6 es el más favorable para la adsorción de mercurio, requiriendo entre 1 y 2 g de adsorbente/L de disolución de mercurio (para concentraciones de hasta 100 mg/L de Hg2+). La isoterma de Langumir predice el proceso de adsorción de mercurio en carbón activo y biomasa de algas, mientras que la cinética de adsorción corresponde a un modelo de pseudo-segundo orden. El modelo cinético prediceque la capacidad de adsorción de Hg2+ en carbón activo comercial, biomasa de Cystoseira nodicaulis oUlva rigida son 47.7, 40.5 y 37.9 mg Hg2+/g adsorbente, con valores de la constante de adsorción de 0.04, 0.02y 0.04 g mg-1 min-1 respectivamente

Results of the blue whiting otolith exchange

At the Blue Whiting Assessment Working Group, it was agreed to carry out an otolith exchange programme to solve the ageing problems pointed out by ACFM. A sample of 115 otoliths from Division IXa was exchanged, and seven countries are taking part in the exchange, although it has not yet been completed. One otolith from each fish was sectioned and the other preserved in aqueous solution. In the whole otoliths a tendency to lose one or two early rings was observed, and in the sectioned otoliths the presence of false rings was the cause of misreading. A combination of both methods would probably improve the age determinations, but is unfortunately time consuming. The agreement between the readers was in general low, from both sliced and whole otoliths.The ANOVA with a significance level of 5% showed that the mean age of the sample is different for various readers, and the Tukey test showed that there are no significant differences between three readers, at the same significance level. Considering the importance of ageing in the .assessment, new investigations are needed to improve the agreement, and it is suggested that further samples are exchanged, or that an otolith workshop should be convened

Cribriform-morular variant of thyroid carcinoma

It is very rewarding for endocrine pathologists to see, in the new book of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of endocrine organs 1, how the molecular characterization of hyroid tumours has confirmed the types and subtypes of tumours previously recognized by less sophisticated techniques.Supported by Grant PI15/01501-FEDER from the Insti-tuto de Salud Carlos III, Ministry of Science, Innova-tion and Universities, SpainS

Opportunities of electrokinetics for the remediation of mining sites in Biga peninsula, Turkey

This study investigated the geological conditions of Biga Peninsula. There are metamorphic rocks, ophiolitic melange, plutonic rocks, subvolcanics, volcanic rocks and volcanoclastics along with marine and terrestrial sediments in the region. This variety of rocks and the associated minerals resulted in many interesting metallic ores and coal for commercial exploitation. The mining exploitations in Biga Peninsula (Turkey)pose an environmental risk due to the release of contaminants, metals and arsenic, to the soil and waterbodies. This study analyzed the potential release of As and metals (Al, Fe, Mn)from a sediment sampled in a mine pond. The extraction column tests proved that those contaminants can be dissolved from the sediment using deionized water as eluent. The electrokinetic treatment of the sediment was able to remove Al and Mn, but the removal of Fe and As was negligible. The fractionation of As and metals in the sediment confirmed that the electrokinetic treatment was able to mobilize the contaminants. Based on the results of this study, it has been hypothesized that the toxic elements could be removed by electrokinetics using facilitating agents, neutralizing the alkaline environment of the cathode and increasing the treatment time

Ira y emociones positivas en protestas políticas

This study analyses the role played by emotions in protest. In the current explanatory models, anger is the sole emotion associated with these actions. But is anger the only emotion capable of mobilising citizens to defend a cause? We believe not. Hence, we postulate that anger, along with other emotions of positive valence, must act jointly to facilitate protest. To test this hypothesis, a questionnaire was applied to 316 university students in a setting of cut-backs in education. The results highlight several interesting aspects. Firstly, anger correlated significantly and positively with the positive emotions. Secondly, the mediation analysis performed showed: a) the relevance of positive emotions for explaining the intention to participate; and b) the influence of anger on the intention to participate is fundamentally through positive emotions. We will also discuss the role of emotions and the need to extend the motives involved in political actionsEn este estudio se analiza el papel de las emociones en la protesta política. En los modelos actuales, la ira es la única emoción que se asocia a esas acciones. Sin embargo, los autores creen que no es la única emoción que moviliza a la ciudadanía, por ello afirman que junto a ella deben existir otras de valencia positiva. En este estudio participaron 316 estudiantes universitarios a los que se les preguntó por su intención de movilizarse en contra de los recortes en educación. Los resultados muestran que la ira correlaciona de manera significativa con las emociones positivas. Además el análisis de mediación muestra la relevancia de las emociones positivas para explicar las intenciones de protesta y que la influencia de la ira sobre la intención de participar se realiza fundamentalmente a través de las emociones positivas. Se discute el papel de las emociones y la necesidad de ampliar los motivos de participaciónWith financial support from the Galician Department of Culture, Education, and Universities, and the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union (GPC2013-017)S

Mobilization through online social networks : the political protest of the indignados in Spain

The 15M demonstration (the origin of the indignados movement in Spain and the seed of the occupy mobilizations) presents some outstanding characteristics that defy the established principles of the collective action paradigm. This article develops some observable implications of the concept of connective action and tests them against the case of the 15M demonstration. Cases of self-organized connective action networks are expected to be different from traditional collective action cases with regard to the characteristics of the organizations involved, the prevalent mobilization channels and the characteristics of participants. Based on a comparative analysis of data gathered from participants and organizations in nine demonstrations held in Spain between 2010 and 2011, relevant and significant differences were found in the characteristics of the 15M staging organizations (recently created, without formal membership and mainly online presence), the main mobilization channels (personal contact and online social networks rather than co-members or broadcast media), and participants (younger, more educated and less politically involved). These findings help to understand the large turnout figures of this movement and have important implications for the mobilization potential of social networks, particularly as it can affect the political participation of the less-involved citizens

Phytoremediation of mixed contaminated soil enhanced with electric current

Brassica rapa is a plant species that can germinate and grow in mixed contaminated soil with PAH and metals (Cr, Pb and Cd). This plant was selected among 14 plant species for electro-phytoremediation tests because its fast germination and growth in contaminated soil. The influence of type of the electric field (AC, DC) and mode of application (continuous, periodic and polarity inversion) was studied in the electro-phytoremediation tests. The application of 1 ACV/cm potential gradient around B. rapa resulted in the effective elimination of anthracene and phenanthrene, but only minor metal removal. The results of this work suggest that alternating current (AC) may be the most suitable electric field for large scale applications. The spatial configuration of electrodes affects the distribution of the electric field in the soil. Various spatial distribution of electrodes have been tested and it has been identified that parallel anodes and cathodes on the soil surface are the most appropriate configuration for field scale applications. Other configurations can be used to concentrate the contaminant around the growing pant or to transport the contaminants from deep soil layers to the rhizosphere.Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte | Ref. PRX16/0028

Mapping of Sedimentary Bodies by 3D Seismic Reflection Data. Application to the pre-Messinian Ebro Margin

Trabajo final presentado por Alejandra Lago Cameselle para el Master en Geofísica de la Universitat de Barcelona (UB) y la Universitat Ramón Llull (URL), realizado bajo la dirección del Dr. Roger Urgeles Esclasans del Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC).-- 74 pages, 39 figures, 8 tables, 1 appendixThree-dimensional (3D) seismic reflection profiling is one of the most advanced technologies used in offshore and onshore geophysics. It is needed for a wide range of investigations, most often carried out by the hydrocarbon industry, in inshore, coastal, and deep ocean environments. Three-dimensional seismic reflection profiling, provides high-resolution images of the subsurface that allow solving detailed structural and stratigraphic conditions. The implementation of seismic attributes, such as amplitude or coherence, has improved our capacity to visualize and interpret features such as sedimentary patterns (e.g., channel systems) or faults and fractures in any orientation. In this project, we used 2700 km2 of 3D seismic reflection data with the aim of mapping the Miocene sedimentary bodies deposited in front of the Ebro Delta. From these data we try to 1) offer new constrains on the geomorphological evolution of the Ebro Margin, 2) provide evidences of a possible pre-Messinian connexion between the Ebro Basin and the Mediterranean Sea, which is still the subject of intense debate, and, 3) determine whether all prograding clinoforms below the Messinian Erosion Surface (MES) are actually pre-Messinian or some were formed during the Messinian. Five seismic surfaces were mapped between the Top Oligocene and the MES along the 3D seismic volume, including the two boundaries and three intra-Miocene horizons to establish accurate stratigraphic markers for the mapped area as a whole. The 3D seismic data display a major NE-SW oriented horst-and-graben structure developed in an extensional context during the upper Oligocene-early Miocene (Sàbat et al., 1997; Roca et al., 1999). The study of the depocentres shows that the initial sedimentary transport started filling the deepest troughs from north-northwest during the syn-rift stage. The increasing sedimentation, together with the attenuation of the tectonic activity, led to a progressive filling of the grabens, subsequent spreading and final onlapping of the structural highs. This caused the development of sigmoidal clinoforms that evolved in a progradational system. This increase of the sediment rate, together with the change in the transport direction from longitudinal (N-NW) to transversal (E-NE) observed from the study of the depocentres, are presumably indicative of the existence of a pre-Messinian Ebro River. Moreover, the subsequent Messinian Salinity Crisis truncated the evolution of the Ebro Margin, which became dominated by a major fluvial system identified as the Messinian Ebro River. The high-equilibrium conditions reached by this drainage network also support the idea of a capture of the Ebro Basin by a relative small river prior to the Messinian drawdownPeer Reviewe