Evaluating environmental and socio-economic requirements for improving desalination development

The continuous increase in global freshwater demand highlights desalination technology as one of the most feasible options for addressing global water scarcity. This increase has occurred more rapidly in certain countries owing to certain factors that can influence the development of desalination projects. A survey of 34 international desalination experts was carried out to evaluate the main requirements and most limiting factors for the development of desalination projects in different countries based on a semi-quantitative analysis. The obtained results showed high heterogeneity of environmental and socio-economic requirements across different countries. The main barriers identified for desalination development were the cost of produced water, low financial support, and stringent environmental requirements. We observed that social acceptance of desalination projects is normally high and does not represent a limiting factor for their development. However, low levels of environmental requirements and/or public involvement have been identified as issues and these should be improved in some countries. The knowledge obtained in this research may be used to inform scientific advice and advance toward the sustainable development of desalination projects.I.S. and C.S. were financed by project CORFO CAPTA Nro. 9CTIGH-121349

Análisis corológico y novedades florísticas de la Sierra de los Filabres (Andalucía Oriental, España)

El conocimiento básico sobre la diversidad vegetal a escala local o regional es primordial para afrontar la conservación de la diversidad genética a mayor escala. En Andalucía oriental, la sierra de Los Filabres había quedado al margen de estudios intensivos sobre su flora. Abordamos la notificación de los taxones que resultan novedosos para la provincia de Almería y los que son interesantes ampliaciones de área de distribución. Analizamos la corología de los taxa que emanan del catálogo florístico, considerada una forma de medir la gamma diversidad del territorio. La flora de Los Filabres es primordialmente mediterránea, pero destaca un alto porcentaje de especies de área restringida, entre ellos los que también se presentan en el norte de África, y especialmente los endemismos. Por otro lado, en un área tan conspicua del sur ibérico que constituye una interesante encrucijada biogeográfica, resalta destacable el número de especies no citadas hasta el momento. En el caso de muchas especies que se encuentran en listados de protección, esta información corológica debe ser incorporada en los estudios de evaluación de su grado de amenaza. Muchos taxones son raros en esta sierra, por ser límite de área de distribución o por tener pocas poblaciones o por presentar pocos efectivos poblacionales. Por ello, la conservación a escala local resulta esencial para abordar la planificación y las estrategias de preservación de la biodiversidad global.Basic knowledge on plant diversity at local or regional scale is necessary to face the genetic diversity conservation at widest scale. In eastern Andalusia, Los Filabres Mountain had been to margin of intensive studies on its flora. We approached the notification of new taxa records in Almería province and those that are interesting enlargement of their distribution area. We analyzed the taxa chorology that emanates of the floristic catalogue, considered a gamma diversity measure of the territory. The flora from Los Filabres is fundamentally mediterranean, but restricted area distribution species emphasizes with high percentages, among them, those that also inhabit in North Africa, those that are endemics. On the other hand, in a so conspicuous area of the Iberian south that constitutes an interesting biogeography crossroads, the number of species no referenced until the moment stands out remarkable. In the case of many species that are in “red lists”, this chorological information should be incorporated in the studies of threat evaluation. Many taxa are rare in this mountain range, because of being limit of distribution area or because of have few populations or because of display few population individuals. For this reason, the local scale conservation is essential to approach the planning and the strategies of preservation of the global biodiversity

Mapping habitat loss in the deep-sea using current and past presences of Isidella elongata (Cnidaria: Alcyonacea)

The bamboo coral Isidella elongata is an engineering species that forms a characteristic biogenic habitat in the bathyal mud of the Mediterranean Sea. This habitat has been severely reduced in recent decades due to trawling impacts, and there is a growing concern about its conservation status. In this work, the habitat loss of I. elongata was computed using a novel approach that combines the realized niche of the species with the estimation of its past distribution (before trawling) to delineate potential areas of habitat loss with different levels of uncertainty. The realized niche of the species was modelled using only live colonies and including trawling effort as explanatory variable whereas the past distribution was estimated also using the leftovers of dead colonies as presences. Trawling effort had a statistically significant negative effect on the extent of the realized niche of I. elongata, confirming previous results on the impact of this pressure on its distribution. The novel approach used in this work has allowed us to map for the first time several areas of potential habitat loss for I. elongata in the studied area, opening new opportunities to provide this essential information for future management and restoration actions of vulnerable marine ecosystems worldwide.Versión del editor2,27

Desalination brine effects beyond excess salinity: Unravelling specific stress signaling and tolerance responses in the seagrass Posidonia oceanica

Desalination has been proposed as a global strategy for tackling freshwater shortage in the climate change era. However, there is a concern regarding the environmental effects of high salinity brines discharged from desalination plants on benthic communities. In this context, seagrasses such as the Mediterranean endemic and ecologically important Posidonia oceanica have shown high vulnerability to elevated salinities. Most ecotoxicological studies regarding desalination effects are based on salinity increments using artificial sea salts, although it has been postulated that certain additives within the industrial process of desalination may exacerbate a negative impact beyond just the increased salinities of the brine. To assess the potential effect of whole effluent brines on P. oceanica, mesocosm experiments were conducted within 10 days, simulating salinity increment with either artificial sea salts or brines from a desalination plant (at 43 psμ, 6 psμ over the natural 37 psμ). Morphometrical (growth and necrosis), photochemical (PSII chlorophyll a fluorometry), metabolic, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) and ascorbate/dehydroascorbate (ASC/DHA), and molecular (expression of key tolerance genes) responses were analyzed in each different treatment. Although with a still positive leaf growth, associated parameters decreased similarly for both artificial sea salt and brine treatments. Photochemical parameters did not show general patterns, although only P. oceanica under brines demonstrated greater energy release through heat (NPQ). Lipid peroxidation and upregulation of genes related to oxidative stress (GR, MnSOD, and FeSOD) or ion exclusion (SOS3 and AKT2/3) were similarly incremented on both hypersalinity treatments. Conversely, the ASC/DHA ratio was significantly lower, and the expression of SOS1, CAT, and STRK1 was increased under brine influence. This study revealed that although metabolic and photochemical differences occurred under both hypersalinity treatments, growth (the last sign of physiological detriment) was similarly compromised, suggesting that the potential effects of desalination are mainly caused by brine-associated salinities and are not particularly related to other industrial additives.This investigation was funded by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (888415) granted to C.A. Sáez. F. Blanco-Murillo was supported by a grant from Universidad de Alicante (Grant ID: FPUUA98). F. Rodríguez-Rojas was financed by the ANID project FONDECYT 11220425. C.A. Sáez was also financed by project ANID InES I+D 2021 (INID210013)

Precessing collimated outflows in the planetary nebula IC 4846

We present [N II] and H-alpha images and high resolution long-slit spectra of the planetary nebula IC 4846, which reveal, for the first time, its complex structure and the existence of collimated outflows. The object consists of a moderately elongated shell, two (and probably three) pairs of collimated bipolar outflows at different orientations, and an attached circular shell. One of the collimated pairs is constituted by two curved, extended filaments whose properties indicate a high velocity, bipolar precessing jet. A difference of \~10 km/s is found between the systemic velocity of the precessing jets and the centroid velocity of the nebula, as recently report for Hu 2-1. We propose that this difference is due to orbital motion of the ejection source in a binary central star. The orbital separation and period estimates for the binary star are less than or equal to 30 AU and 100 yr, respectively. These are similar to those previously estimated for Hu 2-1, linking the central stars of both planetary nebulae to interacting binaries. Extraordinary similarities also exist between IC 4846 and the bewildering planetary nebula NGC 6543, suggesting a similar formation history for both objects.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, to be published in MNRA

History of the Spanish demersal fishery in the Atlantic and Mediterranean Seas

Long fisheries time series allow the review of baselines and inform our knowledge of past events that have conditioned the recent history of the stocks. In this study, we investigated trends in fisheries landings data for the most representative Atlantic and Mediterranean demersal fisheries off the Spanish Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands (1933–1986). The aim was to analyse the evolution of demersal species exploitation and detect changes in landings and fishing tactics. Ten species were selected, which included teleosts, crustaceans, and cephalopods. Results indicated a decrease in Landings Per Unit of Capacity (LPUC) in six of the species examined. While in the Atlantic the process of substitution or incorporation of new species to the fisheries occurs progressively, in the Mediterranean this incorporation occurs simultaneously for many of the species. Four main fishing tactics (landing pattern obtained from the classification analysis of landings per species) were identified. Geographically nearby and connected regions developed similar fishing tactics to each other, and also changed over time. While the fleets from isolated regions were more specialized, and only carrying out one fishing tactic during the study period. Improvements in LPUC with the implementation of new technology and legislative and management measures were not observed.Postprint2,27

Design and validation of a three-instrument toolkit for the assessment of competence in electrocardiogram rhythm recognition

Background: Rapid and accurate interpretation of cardiac arrhythmias by nurses has been linked with safe practice and positive patient outcomes. Although training in electrocardiogram (ECG) rhythm recognition is part of most undergraduate nursing programmes, research continues to suggest that nurses and nursing students lack competence in recognising cardiac rhythms. In order to promote patient safety, nursing educators must develop valid and reliable assessment tools that allow the rigorous assessment of this competence before nursing students are allowed to practise without supervision. Aim: To develop and psychometrically evaluate a toolkit to holistically assess competence in ECG rhythm recognition. Methods: Following a convenience sampling technique, 293 nursing students from a nursing faculty in a Spanish university were recruited for the study. The following three instruments were developed and psychometrically tested: a knowledge assessment tool (ECG-KAT), a skills assessment tool (ECG-SAT) and a self-efficacy assessment tool (ECG-SES). Reliability and validity (content, criterion and construct) of these tools were meticulously examined. Results: A high Cronbach’s alpha coefficient demonstrated the excellent reliability of the instruments (ECG-KAT=0.89; ECG-SAT=0.93; ECG-SES=0.98). An excellent context validity index (S-CVI/Ave>0.94) and very good criterion validity were evidenced for all the tools. Regarding construct validity, principal component analysis revealed that all items comprising the instruments contributed to measure knowledge, skills or self-efficacy in ECG rhythm recognition. Moreover, known-groups analysis showed the tools’ ability to detect expected differences in competence between groups with different training experiences. Conclusion: The three-instrument toolkit developed showed excellent psychometric properties for measuring competence in ECG rhythm recognition

Desalination effects on macroalgae (part A): Laboratory-controlled experiments with Dictyota spp. from the Pacific Ocean and Mediterranean Sea

Desalination brines from direct seawater intake that get discharged to coastal areas may produce stress responses on benthic marine communities, mostly due to its excess salinity, and especially on sessile organisms; in this context, macroalgae have been understudied in desalination ecotoxicological investigations. In this study, we assessed the short- and long-term cellular tolerance responses in two brown species of the macroalgae genus Dictyota through controlled laboratory conditions. Dictyota kunthii was collected from the eastern Pacific Ocean (average salinity, ~34 psu), whereas Dictyota dichotoma was from the Mediterranean Sea (average salinity, ~37 psu). Each macroalgae species was exposed for up to 7 days to two conditions with increased salinity values: +2 and +7 psu above their natural average salinity. Photosynthetic parameters and oxidative stress measurements were determined. The results showed that, in both Dictyota species, high salinity values induced reduced photoinhibition (Fv/Fm) but increased the primary productivity (ETRmax) and light requirement (EkETR) especially after 7 days. Conversely, the photosynthetic efficiency (αETR) decreased in hypersalinity treatments in D. dichotoma, while there were no changes in D. kunthii. The reactive oxygen species hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was greater at high salinity values at 3 days for D. dichotoma and after 7 days in D. kunthii, while lipid peroxidation decreases under hypersalinity with time in both species. Despite the evident H2O2 accumulation in both species against hypersalinity, it did not produce oxidative damage and important impairment in the photosynthetic apparatus. These results contribute to understanding the tolerance strategies at the cellular level of Dictyota spp., which may be considered as potential candidates for biomonitoring of desalination impacts in the field.We gratefully thank the financial support from ANID FONDECYT Postdoctoral fellowship #3180394, European Commission Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions #888415, and ANID INES I+D # INID210013. Financial support for mobility was granted from SEGIB Scholarship and Fundación Carolina of Spain to PM. We also thank TESPOST 04/19 PhD scholarship granted by Universidad de Playa Ancha to PM. The initiative was also funded by Universidad de Playa Ancha through the Concurso Regular de Investigación 2019 no. CEA 19-20

Contribución al conocimiento de la flora de Andalucía: citas novedosas e interesantes de la provincia de Almería

Contribution to the knowledge about Andalusian flora: new and interesting cites of the Almería province.Palabras clave. Corología, Isla de Alborán, sureste ibérico, xenófitas.Key words. Corology, Alborán Island, South-Eastern Iberian Peninsula, xenophytes

Desalination effects on macroalgae (part b): Transplantation experiments at brine-impacted sites with Dictyota spp. from the Pacific Ocean and Mediterranean Sea

Desalination residual brines are mostly discharged to marine environments, which can produce osmotic stress on sensitive benthic organisms. In this investigation, we performed transplantation experiments nearby desalination plants using two brown macroalgae species from a cosmopolitan genus: Dictyota kunthii (Chile) and Dictyota dichotoma (Spain). Parameters related to photosynthetic activity and oxidative stress were evaluated at 3 and 7 days for D. kunthii, and 3 and 6 days for D. dichotoma; each at 2 different impacted sites and 1 control. We observed that brine exposition at both impacted sites in Chile generated a marked stress response on D. kunthii, reflected in a decrease of primary productivity (ETRmax), light requirement (EkETR), and an excessive thermal dissipation (NPQmax), especially at 7 days. In D. dichotoma, similar impaired photosynthetic activity was recorded but only at the highest brine influence site during day 3. Regarding oxidative stress, both species displayed high levels of H2O2 when exposed to brine-influenced sites. Although in D. kunthii H2O2 content together with lipid peroxidation was higher after 3 days, these returned to baseline values towards day 7; instead, D. dichotoma H2O2 levels increased only at day 6. This easy and practical approach has proven to provide valuable data to address potential impacts of brine discharges at global scale coastal ecosystems.We gratefully thank financial support to ANID FONDECYT Postdoctoral fellowship #3180394, European Commission Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions #888415, and ANID INES I+D # INID210013. Financial support for mobility granted from SEGIB Scholarship and Fundación Carolina of Spain to PM. Also, we thank TESPOST 04/19 PhD scholarship granted by Universidad de Playa Ancha to PM