Patterns and dynamics of coastal waters in multi-temporal satellite images: support to water quality monitoring in the Archipelago Sea, Finland

The Archipelago Sea in the northern Baltic is a coastal region with A highly dynamic water flow regime, where the need for a methodology to monitor water quality accurately is encountered. In order to contribute to the development of an appropriate strategy to meet this need, the dynamics of the surface waters in the region were analysed using data from six Landsat TM/ETM + images from the late 1990s. Single images were enhanced by principal component transformation and multi-temporal image combination was based on unsupervised classification. The visual patterns discernible in the single images as well as the classification result of the multi-temporal data were compared with the reference data from long-term water quality analyses (Secchi disk depth and chlorophyll-a). The satellite images confirmed dynamic surface flow patterns in the region, indicating gradual and abrupt gradients in water quality, flow directions and forms. These patterns suggest short-term variability in the surface water quality within the region, presenting a challenge for water monitoring. The average Secchi depths increased gradually from the mainland coast until ca. 3-5 in near the open sea. The spatial distribution of chlorophyll-a was found to be more homogeneous, ca. 2-4 mug l(-1). The importance of evaluating the location of an in situ sampling site in relation to the surrounding hydrographic realm is pronounced in regions where field sampling and other monitoring methods remain insufficient in their ability to reflect water quality patterns credibly. In such areas, accurate and cost-effective water quality monitoring and forecasting require an integrated monitoring system, consisting of space and airborne surveillance, field surveys and hydrodynamic modelling. </p

Spatial and temporal representativeness of water monitoring efforts in the Baltic Sea coast of SW Finland

Traditional in situ surface water sampling produces accurate information on water chemistry and biology. Such sampling is conducted primarily as part of water quality monitoring programmes. If sufficiently consistent, the once collected water quality data could also provide valuable resources for subsequent use in scientific research and long-term monitoring. We examined the spatial and temporal coherence of the archived data resources stored in the environmental information system of the Finnish Environmental Administration (the Hertta-PIVET register). We used phytoplankton chlorophyll-a and primary productivity data collected during 1971–2006 as sample resources for environmental studies on the highly fragmented SW coast of Finland (Northern Baltic Sea). 733 sampling stations were categorized according to the total number of sampling days, the consistence of sampling, the number of representative years and the continuity of sampling. Considerable spatial and temporal inconsistencies were observed, making the accumulated data resources rather unsuitable for many types of environmental studies. Synchronization of sampling activities could improve the representativeness of spatial and temporal coverage of regional sampling. Strategic planning of sampling is required to achieve more concerted data generation activities and to facilitate long-term spatially representative analyses.</p

Underwater Acoustic Environment of Coastal Sea With Heavy Shipping Traffic: NE Baltic Sea During Wintertime

Shipping is the most pervasive source of anthropogenic underwater continuous noiseand local intermittent noise. This study focused on the separation of anthropogenicintermittent noise from dynamic background noise in the Gulf of Finland using anadaptive threshold level (ATL) technique. The intermittent noise was validated withAutomatic Identification System (AIS) data and the background noise with selectedenvironmental factors. Separated components were characterized and compared witha sound exposure level (SEL) in three 1/3 octave bands. Intermittent noise can beseparated with ATL in the Baltic Sea, and vessel traffic identified as the primary source.Background noise varies spatially and is partially explained by environmental factors.Intermittent noise has strong persisting influence on the acoustic environment nearshipping lanes, elevating the SEL in each of the 1/3 octave bands: by 20–30 dB inthe 63 Hz band, by 13–22 dB in the 125 Hz band and by 5–8 dB in the 2000 Hzband. We conclude that strong intermittent noise is characteristic to the underwateracoustic environment in the study area with heavy shipping traffic. By combining ATLwith data from AIS, intermittent noise peaks in underwater hydrophone recordings canbe associated with passages of individual vessels.Keywords: underwater noise, shipping, AIS, adaptive threshold level, Baltic Sea, intermittent noise, noisethreshold</p

Adaptive Development of a Regional Spatial Data Infrastructure Facing Local Prospects and Socio-Technological Trends

The regional Lounaispaikka-SDI (Spatial Data Infrastructure) in south-west Finland is being developed by a dynamic assembly of the region’s geospatial expertise and its networking, spatial data and geoportal services. Emerging as a data-centric constellation that supported the region’s geographical information professionals, this assembly has developed into a geospatial service with more broadly-focused public information on the region. This development has had five adaptive phases, each as a response to changing local needs and fast-evolving trends in information and communication technologies. Alongside these processes, the Lounaispaikka-SDI has also reinforced the region’s geospatial competencies with benefits offered to academia, public sector institutions, and companies.</p

Phytolith assemblages in the leaves of Guadua bamboo in Amazonia

Abstract: We studied phytoliths (plant stones) from 228 leaf samples of Guadua weberbaueri and Guadua sarcocarpa bamboos from eleven collection locations in Southern Peruvian Amazonia and in the state of Acre in Brazil. Four leaf-blade transverse thin sections were made by grinding and smoothing them into a 30 µm thickness, and over 550 phytolith slides created by using both the dry ashing and wet oxidation methods. Large-sized (up to 50 µm) cuneiform bulliform cells in the intercostal adaxial leaf-blade areas were the most conspicuous phytoliths in Guadua leaves, but their abundance varied even locally. Other recurrent phytolith types included bilobate, saddle, and rondel shaped short cells; long cells in many different sizes and ornamentations; and prickle hairs, spikes, stomatal, and inter-stomatal cells. We found the definite classification of phytoliths into morphotypes difficult because of their variable sizes, forms, and surface characteristics. Conjoined tricellular cell structures with one to three mineral-accumulating cells forming a characteristic mushroom-like constellation were also documented. Fusoid cells forming dense rows attached to the costal zones locally showed mineralization, indicating their role in inorganic mineral mobilization and deposition in Guadua leaves. Foliar phytolith assemblages showed little variation among the different collection locations compared to the variation found among leaves within individual sites.Keywords: Amazonia, bamboo, fusoid cell, Guadua, leaf, phytolith </p

Hydroecology of Amazonian lacustrine Arcellinida (testate amoebae): A case study from Lake Quistococha, Peru

Organic rich sediments were obtained from seven core tops taken in Lake Quistococha, near the city of Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon. Subsamples from 0 to 4 cm depth in each core were analyzed under dissecting light microscopy to carry out the first investigation of Arcellinida (testate lobose amoebae) from a lacustrine environment in this ecologically important region. The fauna was characterized by a low diversity, low abundance community dominated by centropyxids. This fauna is similar to ‘stressed’ assemblages reported from temperate latitudes, except that test concentrations were two orders of magnitude lower than typical in temperate lakes. Principle arcellinidan stressors in Lake Quistococha likely include the low pH 4 conditions in the lake, and a general lack of suitable minerogenic material to construct tests in the organic rich lake substrate. The low pH conditions are the result of runoff and seepage of water high in dissolved organic carbon from the adjacent similarly low pH 4 terrestrial peatland. The dearth of minerogenic material is the result of the lake being isolated from riverine input for the past ∼2000 years, even during flooding events. Other limiting factors contributing to depressed arcellinidan populations may include nutrient supply, predation pressure, competition, and post-mortem taphonomic factors

Manifesto on small airway involvement and management in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:an Interasma (Global Asthma Association - GAA) and World Allergy Organization (WAO) document endorsed by Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) and Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN)

Evidence that enables us to identify, assess, and access the small airways in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has led INTERASMA (Global Asthma Association) and WAO to take a position on the role of the small airways in these diseases. Starting from an extensive literature review, both organizations developed, discussed, and approved the manifesto, which was subsequently approved and endorsed by the chairs of ARIA and GA2LEN. The manifesto describes the evidence gathered to date and defines and proposes issues on small airway involvement and management in asthma and COPD with the aim of challenging assumptions, fostering commitment, and bringing about change. The small airways (defined as those with an internal diameter <2 mm) are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma and COPD and are the major determinant of airflow obstruction in these diseases. Various tests are available for the assessment of the small airways, and their results must be integrated to confirm a diagnosis of small airway dysfunction. In asthma and COPD, the small airways play a key role in attempts to achieve disease control and better outcomes. Small-particle inhaled formulations (defined as those that, owing to their size [usually <2 μm], ensure more extensive deposition in the lung periphery than large molecules) have proved beneficial in patients with asthma and COPD, especially those in whom small airway involvement is predominant. Functional and biological tools capable of accurately assessing the lung periphery and more intensive use of currently available tools are necessary. In patients with suspected COPD or asthma, small airway involvement must be assessed using currently available tools. In patients with subotpimal disease control and/or functional or biological signs of disease activity, the role of small airway involvement should be assessed and treatment tailored. Therefore, the choice between large- and small-particle inhaled formulations must reflect the physician’s considerations of disease features, phenotype, and response to previous therapy. This article is being co-published in Asthma Research and Practice and the World Allergy Organization Journal