Observations requirements for marine litter concentration characterization in the Mediterranean Sea.

The main problem of characterizing the spatial distribution and variability of the marine litter (ML) in seas and oceans is the scarcity of observations. ML sampling campaigns are usually concentrated near coastal regions and are carried out during spring – summer months, when the navigation conditions are more favorable. As a result, the spatial and temporal resolution of the observations doesn’t allow a statistically robust description of the ML distribution and time evolution. Considering the limited resources and the high cost of the observation campaigns, developing an optimized sampling strategy is a key step to capitalize resources and obtain a robust ML characterization. This study analyzes the temporal and spatial requirements that a sampling should fulfill to obtain accurate estimates of ML concentration in different areas of the Mediterranean Sea. Provided that there are not enough observations to define the underlying statistics of ML concentration we use the outputs of the realistic numerical model as a synthetic reality. Then, we conduct several Monte Carlo experiments simulating different sampling strategies on the model data to obtain the mean ML concentration in a certain region. The spread of values from the ensemble of Monte Carlo members will be considered as the uncertainty associated to the estimated mean. Our results suggest that for the same number of observations (i.e. the same observational effort), is better to maintain long observational records rather than to intensify the sampling (i.e. reducing the sampling interval). If the spatial distribution of ML is aimed at, the required spatial density of the sampling depends on the characteristic correlation length scale. Therefore, those regions where the ML concentration structures are larger would require less dense observational samplings

HOSPITAL PSIQUIÁTRICO. PLANEAMIENTO AÉREO [Material gráfico]

Copia digital. Madrid : Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, 201

Proyecciones de clima regional marino sobre España

Este trabajo es una contribución al proyecto CLIFISH (CTM2015-66400-C3-2-R) financiado por el Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO)

Predicción de la circulación marina en los puertos españoles

This paper describes the first harbour circulation forecasting system implemented in Spain. The configuration design was based on previous analyses of the morphologic and hydrodynamic behaviour of three harbours: Barcelona, Tarragona and Bilbao. A nested system of oceanic models was implemented, with a scope ranging from the regional scale (with a mean horizontal resolution of 5 km) to the harbour scale (with a mean horizontal resolution of 40 m). A set of sensitivity tests was carried out in order to determine the optimal configurations. The results of the operational system were compared with available observations, revealing that the intermediate models are able to reproduce the averaged hydrodynamic behaviour but not the spatio-temporal variability. With the harbour models the quality of the forecasts improves, reaching a correlation and RMSE of ~0.6 and 6 cm s–1, respectively, for Bilbao harbour. In addition, numerical experiments were carried out to evaluate the sensitivity of the forecasts to error sources. The results suggest that the errors in the information prescribed in the lateral boundary conditions are the most influential in the quality of the predictions. Errors in the wind field also have a smaller but non-negligible influence. Although the system is in the initial implementation phase and should be improved upon in the future, it is now a useful tool for harbour management. The predictions will be very helpful for harbour operations, pollution risk management and fighting oil spills.En este artículo se describe el primer sistema operacional de predicción de la circulación en puertos implementado en España. El diseño del sistema se ha basado en un análisis previo de las características hidrodinámicas y morfológicas de tres puertos de estudio: Barcelona, Tarragona y Bilbao. Se ha establecido un sistema de modelos oceánicos anidados que cubre desde la escala regional (con una resolución media horizontal de 5 km) al dominio portuario (con una resolución de 40 m). Diferentes experimentos de sensibilidad se han llevado a cabo para determinar las configuraciones óptimas. Los resultados del sistema operacional se han comparado con las observaciones disponibles, mostrando que los modelos intermedios son capaces de resolver el comportamiento hidrodinámico promedio, pero no la variabilidad espacio-temporal. En cuanto a los modelos portuarios, la calidad de las predicciones mejora, alcanzando una correlación y un RMSE de ~0.6 y 6 cm s–1, respectivamente, para el puerto de Bilbao. Adicionalmente se han realizado diferentes experimentos para determinar la sensibilidad del sistema a distintas fuentes de error. Los resultados sugieren que los errores en las condiciones de contorno laterales son los más determinantes sobre la calidad de las predicciones portuarias. Los errores en el viento, aun siendo menos importantes, son también considerables. Pese a ser un sistema que está en su fase inicial de implementación y que debe ser mejorado en el futuro, en su estado actual ya representa una herramienta útil para la gestión portuaria. Las predicciones de circulación serán de gran ayuda para la gestión de operaciones portuarias, riesgo de contaminación o control de vertidos

Characterization of odorous compounds and odor load in indoor air of modern complex MBT facilities

Gaseous emissions and chemical compounds responsible for odor nuisance are the most common social concerns arising from modern municipal mechanical-biological waste treatment (MBT) facilities. Regarding to this, an inventory of indoor concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) along with odor analyses were carried out at three different full-scale MBT facilities. 48-h profiles of total volatile organic compounds (tVOCs) and hydrogen sulfide were performed in selected areas (reception warehouse, pretreatment, anaerobic digestion and composting areas) and a complete gases and odor characterization were performed at two selected moments of the day according to maximum and minimum tVOCs concentrations, which corresponded to day/night variations. Terpenoids, aromatic hydrocarbons and aliphatic hydrocarbons were the families of VOCs more often detected. The average percentage of contribution of these three VOCs families was 32, 21 and 24%, respectively, while the average percentage of contribution of other VOCs families ranged from 0.2 to 5.5%. A multiple regression method was developed as a simple tool for odor modeling and prediction, showing that 98.5% (p < 0.001) of the variance in odor concentration could be explained by the concentrations of hydrogen sulfide and tVOCs. Results obtained suggested that optimization of indoor ventilation systems and, concomitantly, operational costs of MBT facilities was possible in certain locations where ventilation could be reduced up to 20-25% during night hours

Analysis of MSW full-scale facilities based on anaerobic digestion and/or composting using respiration indices as performance indicators

The Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) forces European States to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste landfilled to 35% of 1995 levels. Mechanical-Biological Treatment (MBT) plants are the main alternative to waste incineration and landfilling. In this work, the waste treatment efficiency of six full-scale MBT facilities has been analysed using respiration indices (Dynamic Respiration Index and Cumulative Oxygen Consumption) to monitor plant performance. MBTs relying on anaerobic digestion plus composting achieved a high grade of stability on final compost (0.24 ± 0.09 mg O2 g⁻¹ DM h⁻¹ and 20 ± 9 mg O2 g⁻¹ DM for dynamic respiration and cumulative consumption, respectively). On the contrary, MBTs relying only on composting showed a poor performance (1.3 ± 0.2 mg O2 g⁻¹ DM h⁻¹ and 104 ± 18 mg O2 g−1 DM for dynamic respiration and cumulative consumption, respectively). These results highlight the usefulness of respirometric balances to assess the performance of MBT full-scale plants

Regional marine climate scenarios in the NE Atlantic sector close to the Spanish shores

[EN] We present an overview of the changes expected during the 21st century in key marine parameters (sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity, sea level and waves) in the sector of the NE Atlantic Ocean close to the Spanish shores. Under the A1B scenario, open-sea surface temperatures would increase by 1°C to 1.5°C by 2050 as a consequence of global ocean warming. Near the continental margin, however, the global temperature rise would be counteracted by an enhancement of the seasonal upwelling. Sea surface salinity is likely to decrease in the future, mainly due to the advection of high-latitude fresher waters from ice melting. Mean sea level rise has been quantified as 15-20 cm by 2050, but two contributions not accounted for by our models must be added: the mass redistribution derived from changes in the large-scale circulation (which in the NE Atlantic may be as large as 15 cm in 2050 or 35 cm by 2100) and the increase in the ocean mass content due to the melting of continental ice (for which estimates are still uncertain). The meteorological tide shows very small changes, and therefore extreme sea levels would be higher in the 21st century, but mostly due to the increase in mean sea level, not to an increase in the storminess. The wave projections point towards slightly smaller significant wave heights, but the changes projected are of the same order as the natural variability.[ES]En este trabajo se presenta una visión de conjunto de los cambios esperados en el siglo XXI en los principales parámetros marinos (temperatura y salinidad superficiales, nivel del mar y oleaje) en el sector NE del Océano Atlántico más cercano a las costas españolas. Bajo el escenario A1B, se prevé que la temperatura superficial en mar abierto suba del orden de 1-1.5°C para el año 2050, como consecuencia del calentamiento global del océano. Cerca del margen continental, sin embargo, el aumento de la temperatura superficial podría ser contrarrestado por un aumento del afloramiento estacional. La salinidad superficial es probable que disminuya en el futuro, debido principalmente a la advección desde latitudes más altas de aguas provenientes de la fusión de hielos polares. El aumento del nivel del mar obtenido de los modelos se ha cuantificado en 15 a 20 cm para el año 2050, pero esa estima no incluye dos contribuciones adicionales que deben ser añadidas: la redistribución de masa derivada de los cambios en la circulación a gran escala (que en el Atlántico NE se ha estimado en unos 15 cm para 2050 i en 35 cm para 2100) y el aumento de masa debido a la fusión de hielos continentales (para el cual las estimas son todavía inciertas). La marea meteorológica muestra cambios muy pequeños, y por tanto el aumento de los niveles extremos del mar en el siglo XXI serán debidos principalmente al aumento del nivel medio, no a un aumento en la intensidad de las tormentas. Las proyecciones de oleaje apuntan a olas de altura significante ligeramente más pequeñas; de todos modos, los cambios proyectados son del mismo orden que la variabilidad natural.The computational work of this paper was carried out in the framework of two projects: VANIMEDAT-2 (CTM2009-10163-C02-01), funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) and the E-Plan of the Spanish Government; and ESCENARIOS, funded by the Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET). Some of the analysis and summary efforts were carried out in the framework of the subsequent project CLIMPACT (CGL2014-54246-C2-1-R), also funded by MINECO

Understanding the first Neolithic occupation of Cova d’En Pardo (Planes, Alicante): preliminary results of the multidisciplinary analysis of levels VIII and VIIIb

Se presentan los resultados de las excavaciones llevadas a cabo en la Cova d’En Pardo (Planes, Alicante), concretamente los niveles VIII y VIIIb. El desarrollo de un proyecto multidisciplinar ha permitido caracterizar la ocupación de una pequeña cavidad por parte de las primeras comunidades campesinas asociadas al inicio del proceso de neolitización del levante de la península Ibérica.We present the results of excavations carried out in the Cova d’En Pardo (Planes, Alicante), specifically the levels VIII and VIIIb. The development of a multidisciplinary project has allowed characterize the occupation of a small cavity by the first farming communities associated with the Neolithization process of the Levant of Iberian Peninsula.Este trabajo se ha realizado en el marco del proyecto Origins and Spread of Agriculture in the western Mediterranean región (ERC-2008-AdG 230561)

Evaluación de los campos de precipitación generados por el modelo atmosférico regional de clima RCA3.5 sobre un dominio mediterráneo

Ponencia presentada en: VIII Congreso de la Asociación Española de Climatología celebrado en Salamanca entre el 25 y el 28 de septiembre de 2012.[ES]En el contexto del proyecto de escenarios de clima oceánico desarrollado por AEMET-EPPEIMEDEA- MeteoFrance se ha utilizado el modelo atmosférico regional de clima RCA3.5 para forzar diferentes modelos oceánicos de circulación, residuos de nivel del mar y oleaje. Como paso previo a la generación de proyecciones regionalizadas atmosféricas y oceánicas se ha evaluado el modelo. Este trabajo analiza los campos de precipitación generados por RCA forzado por el reanálisis de ERA-interim. Para la comparación se ha utilizado como referencia observacional la base de datos en rejilla de Spain02. Se ha realizado un análisis de significación estadística de los resultados. RCA3.5 muestra una variabilidad temporal y sobre todo espacial más próxima a Spain02 que el resto de datasets, incluyendo el reanálisis de ERA-interim con el que fue forzado. También es el que mejor reproduce las estructuras locales de precipitación observadas. Sin embargo, sobreestima la precipitación sobre todo en las montañas.[EN]In the framework of the generation of ocean climate scenarios developed by AEMET-EPPEIMEDEA- MeteoFrance, a regional climate model, RCA 3.5, has been used to force models which simulate the oceanic circulation, sea level and waves. As a previous step RCA fields have been evaluated. This work analizes the precipitation simulated by RCA forced with ERA-interim reanalysis. As observational reference for the comparisons a new gridded precipitation database (Spain02) was used. A complete statistical analysis of significance was conducted for the results. RCA3.5 compares better than any other dataset to Spain02 observations in temporal and, mainly, spatial variability; beating even the reanalysis of ERA-interim used to force the model. Besides, it is the one who better represents the local precipitation structures observed. However, RCA3.5 overestimates the precipitation amounts, mainly in the mountains

La primera ocupación neolítica de la Cova d’En Pardo (Planes, Alicante). Avance de estudio pluridisciplinar de los niveles VIII y VIIIb

Se presentan los resultados de las excavaciones llevadas a cabo en la Cova d’En Pardo (Planes, Alicante), concretamente los niveles VIII y VIIIb. El desarrollo de un proyecto multidisciplinar ha permitido caracterizar la ocupación de una pequeña cavidad por parte de las primeras comunidades campesinas asociadas al inicio del proceso de neolitización del levante de la Península Ibérica