Quantification of the effects of ocean acidification on benthic foraminifera

The global ocean has experienced an alteration of its seawater chemistry due to the continuing uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. This ongoing process called Ocean acidification (OA) has reduced seawater pH levels, carbonate ion concentrations (CO₃⁻²) and carbonate saturation state (Ω) with implications for the diversity and functioning of marine life, particularly for marine calcifiers such as foraminifera. The vulnerability of this ubiquitous calcifying group to future high CO₂ /low pH scenarios has been assessed naturally and experimentally in the last decades. However, little is known about how benthic foraminifera from coastal environments such as intertidal environments will respond to the effects of OA projected by the end of the century. This research aimed to quantify the effects of OA on a series of biological parameters measured on the benthic foraminifera and through a laboratory-based experimental approach where future scenarios of a high CO₂ atmosphere and low seawater pH were explored. Experimental evidence revealed that survival rates, test weight and size-normalized weight (SNW) of . were negatively affected by OA. Whereas . was positively affected (i.e. enhanced growth rates) showing a species-specific response to OA at 13°C. However, the combined effect of OA and temperature (15°C) reduced survival and growth rates for and . Test morphology (i.e. test surface and feeding ornamentation) of live . and . were severely affected after 6 weeks by OA, negatively influencing the uptake of 13C-labelled diatoms of ., notably for . . Test dissolution rates were enhanced by OA and negatively affected foraminiferal morphology of recently dead assemblages with implications for net accumulation and preservation. These results imply that the long-term storage of inorganic carbon and cycling of carbon in coastal benthic ecosystems will be considerably altered by future OA."This work was supported by the National Institution of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation of Ecuador (SENESCYT)." -- Acknowledgement

Which Innovative Solutions of Non-Technological and Technological Nature are Needed to Improve Tourism Services? A Case of Tungurahua Province in Ecuador

The present empirical study aims to provide a new conceptual framework for the regional tourism industry of the Province of Tungurahua-Ecuador that emerged from a combined application of stakeholder engagement and research-practice approaches. These preliminary outcomes from in-depth focus group assessments and surveys applied to tourism experts, industry practitioners, government\u27s representatives, and tourists revealed that a synergic/collaborative work across tourism stakeholders have the potentials to create innovative touristic products and services, thus solving progressively the existing issues observed in the regional tourism, travel and hospitality sectors. Resulting tailor-made tourism products, mainly based on advanced technology, may represent the first steps of improvements to be taken into consideration prior to evolving to the development and implementation of smart cities and smart tourism concepts in this region where tourism activities are one of the most important revenue for the national and regional tourism industry

Impacts of ocean acidification on intertidal benthic foraminiferal growth and calcification

Foraminifera are expected to be particularly susceptible to future changes in ocean carbonate chemistry as a function of increased atmospheric CO2. Studies in an experimental recirculating seawater system were performed with a dominant benthic foraminiferal species collected from intertidal mudflats. We investigated the experimental impacts of ocean acidification on survival, growth/calcification, morphology and the biometric features of a calcareous species Elphidium williamsoni. Foraminifera were exposed for 6 weeks to four different pH treatments that replicated future scenarios of a high CO2 atmosphere resulting in lower seawater pH. Results revealed that declining seawater pH caused a decline in foraminiferal survival rate and growth/calcification (mainly through test weight reduction). Scanning electron microscopy image analysis of live specimens at the end of the experimental period show changes in foraminiferal morphology with clear signs of corrosion and cracking on the test surface, septal bridges, sutures and feeding structures of specimens exposed to the lowest pH conditions. These findings suggest that the morphological changes observed in shell feeding structures may serve to alter: (1) foraminiferal feeding efficiency and their long-term ecological competitiveness, (2) the energy transferred within the benthic food web with a subsequent shift in benthic community structures and (3) carbon cycling and total CaCO3 production, both highly significant processes in coastal waters. These experimental results open-up the possibility of modelling future impacts of ocean acidification on both calcification and dissolution in benthic foraminifera within mid-latitude intertidal environments, with potential implications for understanding the changing marine carbon cycle

Reingeniería del sistema de control de una planta secadora de cacao en la hacienda María Delia

En el presente trabajo se desarrolló un panel de control y la infraestructura para la planta secado de granos de cacao con sistema de control automático de temperatura, como punto de partida se procedió a realizar un análisis del proceso de secado de cacao en la Hacienda María Delia ubicada en el recinto Miraflores perteneciente al cantón Montalvo provincia de los Ríos, teniendo en cuenta las condiciones meteorológicas presentadas en el sector se realizó un estudio para determinar si es factible el desarrollo de este proyecto, también se realiza una revisión bibliográfica de los diferentes sistemas de secadores de granos de cacao utilizados comúnmente en la industria del cacao. Se procede con el diseño e implementación del panel de control empleando software de ingeniería, para el diseño se consideran elementos y componentes que son de fácil adquisición en el mercado nacional para efectuar la construcción del panel de control y se procede a secar el cacao durante un tiempo determinado.In this work it developed a control panel and the infrastructure for the drying plant's of cocoa bean with control system automatic of temperature, as start point it proceeded to realize an analysis of cocoa drying process in the Maria Delia Farm's located in the Miraflores enclosure belonging to Montalvo Canton's, Rios Province's, taking into account the meteorological conditions presented in the sector it realized a studio for determinate if is feasible the develop of this project, also it realize a bibliographic review of the differents cacao bean dryer systems used commonly in the cocoa industry. It's proceed with the design and implementation of control panel using engineering software's, for the design it considerate elements and components that are of easy acquisition in the national market's for make the construction of control panel and it proceed to dry the cocoa during a determinate time

Impacts of ocean acidification on intertidal benthic foraminiferal growth and calcification

Foraminifera are expected to be particularly susceptible to future changes in ocean carbonate chemistry as a function of increased atmospheric CO2. Studies in an experimental recirculating seawater system were performed with a dominant benthic foraminiferal species collected from intertidal mudflats. We investigated the experimental impacts of ocean acidification on survival, growth/calcification, morphology and the biometric features of a calcareous species Elphidium williamsoni. Foraminifera were exposed for 6 weeks to four different pH treatments that replicated future scenarios of a high CO2 atmosphere resulting in lower seawater pH. Results revealed that declining seawater pH caused a decline in foraminiferal survival rate and growth/calcification (mainly through test weight reduction). Scanning electron microscopy image analysis of live specimens at the end of the experimental period show changes in foraminiferal morphology with clear signs of corrosion and cracking on the test surface, septal bridges, sutures and feeding structures of specimens exposed to the lowest pH conditions. These findings suggest that the morphological changes observed in shell feeding structures may serve to alter: (1) foraminiferal feeding efficiency and their long-term ecological competitiveness, (2) the energy transferred within the benthic food web with a subsequent shift in benthic community structures and (3) carbon cycling and total CaCO3 production, both highly significant processes in coastal waters. These experimental results open-up the possibility of modelling future impacts of ocean acidification on both calcification and dissolution in benthic foraminifera within mid-latitude intertidal environments, with potential implications for understanding the changing marine carbon cycle

Auto-percepção do padrão de vida entre os membros de guildas agrícolas em Tungurahua, Equador

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other external factors have seriously affected all sectors of the world economy, especially the agriculture sector of developing countries, such as Ecuador. This sector is highly susceptible to various factors unrelated to farmers’ knowledge and skills; therefore, it has the potential to compromise food production, food supply chains, and food security. In addition, these factors could cause the abandonment of agricultural activities, increase unemployment and poverty, and directly affect the level and quality of life of farming communities, particularly those located in the central zone of Ecuador. Given the importance of the agriculture sector in the local and national economy, this study aimed to establish the changes in the standard of living in the last 12 months of those associated with agricultural unions in the cantons of Quero, Mocha, Cevallos, and Tisaleo, belonging to the province of Tungurahua, Ecuador. The research has a quantitative, non-experimental, and transversal approach. A survey was applied to 284 farmers who completed a reliable questionnaire validated by statistical methods. This instrument allowed the collection of demographics, socioeconomic, and health-related information. These three components finally allowed us to determine the perception of farmers’ living standards. The results indicate that the farming communities studied perceive that their physical and mental health, as well as their economic incomes, were affected by external factors such as the loss of their crops, macroeconomic events, and the fall in the prices of their products; ultimately deteriorating their living standard in the last 12 months. This research paves the way to increase interest and knowledge of the real needs of this specific population; thus, the resulting information can be used in the short term to develop intervention programs and policies to protect workers’ physical and mental health, who regularly face adverse factors and conditions.El impacto de la pandemia COVID-19 y de otros factores externos han afectado considerablemente a todos los sectores de la economía mundial, especialmente al sector agrícola de países en desarrollo como el Ecuador. Este sector, altamente sensible a múltiples factores que no tienen relación con los conocimientos y habilidades de los agricultores, podría poner en riesgo la producción de alimentos, las cadenas de suministro de alimentos y, por ende, la seguridad alimentaria. Adicionalmente, estos factores podrían provocar el abandono de las actividades agrícolas, aumentar del desempleo y de la pobreza, e incidir directamente en el nivel y calidad de vida de las comunidades agrícolas, particularmente de aquellas situadas en la zona central del Ecuador. Por tanto, dada la importancia del sector agrícola en la economía local y nacional, el presente estudio tuvo la finalidad de establecer los cambios en el nivel de vida en los últimos 12 meses de los asociados a gremios agrícolas en los cantones de Quero, Mocha, Cevallos y Tisaleo, pertenecientes a la provincia de Tungurahua, Ecuador. La investigación tiene un enfoque cuantitativo, no experimental, y transversal. Se aplicó una encuesta a 284 agricultores, quienes completaron un cuestionario fiable y validado por métodos estadísticos. Este instrumento permitió recolectar información demográfica, socioeconómica, y de salud, componentes que permiten determinar la percepción del nivel de vida de los agricultores con respecto a los factores externos estudiados. Los resultados indican que, las comunidades agrícolas estudiadas poseen la percepción de que su salud física y mental, al igual que sus ingresos económicos fueron afectados considerablemente por factores externos como la pérdida de sus cosechas, eventos macroeconómicos, y la caída de precios de sus productos. Estas afectaciones deterioraron nivel de vida de los agricultores en últimos 12 meses. Esta investigación marca el camino para incrementar el interés y el conocimiento de las necesidades reales de esta población específica, a fin de que a corto plazo se pueda utilizar esta información para desarrollar programas y políticas de intervención para proteger la salud física y mental de los trabajadores agrícolas, quienes constantemente se enfrentan a factores y condiciones adversas.O impacto da pandemia da COVID-19 e outros fatores externos afetaram significativamente todos os setores da economia global, especialmente o setor agrícola nos países em desenvolvimento, como o Equador. Este setor, altamente sensível a múltiplos fatores não relacionados aos conhecimentos e habilidades dos agricultores, poderia colocar em risco a produção de alimentos, as cadeias de fornecimento de alimentos e, portanto, a segurança alimentar. Além disso, esses fatores poderiam levar ao abandono das atividades agrícolas, aumentar o desemprego e a pobreza e afetar diretamente o padrão de vida e a qualidade de vida das comunidades agrícolas, particularmente as localizadas no centro do Equador. Portanto, dada a importância do setor agrícola na economia local e nacional, o presente estudo visou estabelecer as mudanças no padrão de vida nos últimos 12 meses dos membros das guildas agrícolas dos cantões de Quero, Mocha, Cevallos e Tisaleo, pertencentes à província de Tungurahua, Equador. A pesquisa tem uma abordagem quantitativa, não-experimental e transversal. Uma pesquisa foi aplicada a 284 agricultores, que preencheram um questionário confiável validado por métodos estatísticos. Este instrumento permitiu a coleta de informações demográficas, sócio-econômicas e sanitárias, componentes que nos permitem determinar a percepção dos agricultores sobre seu padrão de vida com relação aos fatores externos estudados. Os resultados indicam que as comunidades agrícolas estudadas percebem que sua saúde física e mental, bem como sua renda, foram significativamente afetadas por fatores externos, tais como falhas de safra, eventos macroeconômicos e queda nos preços de seus produtos. Esses efeitos deterioraram o padrão de vida dos agricultores nos últimos 12 meses. Esta pesquisa aponta o caminho para aumentar o interesse e o conhecimento das necessidades reais desta população específica, para que a curto prazo estas informações possam ser utilizadas para desenvolver programas e políticas de intervenção para proteger a saúde física e mental dos trabalhadores agrícolas, que constantemente enfrentam fatores e condições adversas