Diatoms as a paleoproductivity proxy in the NW Iberian coastal upwelling system (NE Atlantic)

The objective of the current work is to improve our understanding of how water column diatom's abundance and assemblage composition is seasonally transferred from the photic zone to seafloor sediments. To address this, we used a dataset derived from water column, sediment trap and surface sediment samples recovered in the NW Iberian coastal upwelling system. Diatom fluxes (2.2 (+/- 5.6) 10(6) valves m(-2) d(-1)) represented the majority of the siliceous microorganisms sinking out from the photic zone during all studied years and showed seasonal variability. Contrasting results between water column and sediment trap diatom abundances were found during downwelling periods, as shown by the unexpectedly high diatom export signals when diatom- derived primary production achieved their minimum levels. They were principally related to surface sediment remobilization and intense Minho and Douro river discharge that constitute an additional source of particulate matter to the inner continental shelf. In fact, contributions of allochthonous particles to the sinking material were confirmed by the significant increase of both benthic and freshwater diatoms in the sediment trap assemblage. In contrast, we found that most of the living diatom species blooming during highly productive upwelling periods were dissolved during sinking, and only those resistant to dissolution and the Chaetoceros and Leptocylindrus spp. resting spores were susceptible to being exported and buried. Fur-thermore, Chaetoceros spp. dominate during spring-early summer, when persistent northerly winds lead to the upwelling of nutrient-rich waters on the shelf, while Leptocylindrus spp. appear associated with late-summer upwelling relaxation, characterized by water column stratification and nutrient depletion. These findings evidence that the contributions of these diatom genera to the sediment's total marine diatom assemblage should allow for the reconstruction of different past upwelling regimes.CAIBEX [CTM2007-66408-C02-01/MAR]; REIMAGE [CTM2011-30155-C03-03]; Spanish Government, EXCAPA project [10MDS402013PR]; Xunta de Galicia; EU FEDER [INTERREG 2009/2011-0313/RAIA/E]; RAIA. co [INTERREG2011/2013-052/RAIA.co/1E]; CALIBERIA project [PTDC/MAR/102045/2008]; Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT-Portugal) [COMPETE/FEDER-FCOMP01-0124-FEDER-010599]; Xunta de Galicia (Spain) [SFRH/BPD/111433/2015]; FCT (Portugal) [SFRH/BPD/111433/2015]; [SFRH/BD/88439/2012

Illness Behavior: Prediction by Symptoms, the Grossarth-Maticek and Eysenck Personality Types, Neuroticism, Life Events, Coping, Health Locus of Control, Social Support, and Attribution Style

A study was carried out with 501 persons to analyze the predictive capacity of various psychosocial variables¿symptom perception, neuroticism, Personality Types 2 and 4 of Grossarth-Maticek and Eysenck, beliefs about health, social support, or certain coping styles¿on two health-related behaviors: the frequency of visits to the doctor and self-medication. The results were analyzed by two structural equation models that revealed that some of the variables have direct effects on the behaviors, whereas other variables, such as attribution style, coping styles, or the impact of the stressors, have indirect effects via the reported symptoms or neuroticism.... (Ver más) In addition, selfmedication and the frequency of health service visits are independent of each other, which shows that their determinants are different. It is concluded that to address these factors in the two health indicators, it is also necessary to take in account the psychosocial variables considered herein.Se ha llevado a cabo un estudio con 501 personas en el que se intenta analizar la capacidad predictiva de algunas variables psicosociales¿la percepción de síntomas, el neuroticismo, los tipos de personalidad 2 y 4 de Grossarth-Maticek y Eysenck, las creencias sobre la salud, el apoyo social y algunos estilos de afrontamiento - sobre dos conductas relacionadas con la salud, la frecuencia de visitas al médico y la automedicación. Los resultados han sido analizados a través de dos modelos de ecuaciones estructurales que ponen de manifiesto que algunas de las variables predictoras tienen efectos directos sobre las conductas consideradas, mientras... (Ver más) que otras lo hacen de manera indirecta a través de los síntomas informados o del neuroticismo. Además, la automedicación y la frecuencia de asistencia a los servicios de salud son independientes entre sí, lo que vendría a poner de manifiesto que los determinantes de ambas son distintas, como se comprueba en este trabajo. Se concluye que al abordar los factores implicados en estos dos indicadores de salud, es preciso también tener en cuenta las variables psicosociales aquí considerada

Plastic Pollution in the Deep Ocean

Key points:● Plastic pollution is everywhere, including the deep ocean. The deep ocean isthe ultimate sink for marine plastic debris, where it remains harmful andunretrievable.● The deep ocean supports immense biodiversity, providing vital ecosystemservices, but is vulnerable to human impact.● Plastic can persist for centuries. Therefore, the impact of plastic pollution onthe deep ocean is long-lasting.● Plastic can fragment into microplastics, which interfere with animal growth,behaviour and reproduction. Ingested plastic can transfer harmful chemicalsup the food chain.● Marine plastic comes from both land- and water-based activities. Bettergovernance and management of these activities is required to prevent thearrival of plastic in the deep ocean.● Political and practical efforts to reduce plastic consumption and betterregulate plastic waste management are effective ways to prevent plasticreaching the deep ocean