Stratigraphic units of the Apulian Tavoliere plain (Southern Italy): Chronology, correlation with marine isotope stages and implications regarding vertical movements

The geologic study of the Apulian Tavoliere plain (Apulia region, southern Italy) is extremely difficult due to the scarcity of outcrops and fauna that could be used for dating. The survey in progress of the 1:50,000 scale geological sheet no. 409 “Zapponeta” (including the coastal zone of the Apulian Tavoliere) has prompted us to tackle this problem by using a large set of borehole data and the AAR dating method applied to ostracod shells, which are capable of colonizing all types of environment as long as there is water. This alternative approach has allowed us to recognise nine stratigraphic units or synthems and, for the first time in this area, to date them, and to find a correlation between them and the cycles of sea level variation. The recognised stratigraphic units are: the Coppa Nevigata sands (NEA; middle Pleistocene: MIS 17–16), argille subappennine unit (ASP; middle Pleistocene: MIS 15–13), the Coppa Nevigata synthem (NVI; middle Pleistocene: MIS 11), the Amendola subsynthem (MLM1; middle Pleistocene: MIS 11), an undifferentiated continental unit (UCI; middle Pleistocene: MIS 8–7), the Foggia synthem (TGF; middle–late Pleistocene: MIS 6), the Carapelle and Cervaro streams synthem (RPL; late Pleistocene: MIS 5–3), and the Inacquata farm synthem (NAQ; Holocene). Within the RPL unit, a buried Cladocora caespitosa bioherm referable to MIS 5.5, lacking in warm fauna, and in which the coral is embedded in clay has been found in some boreholes. This is the first finding of Tyrrhenian deposits with C. caespitosa along the Italian Adriatic coast; the presence of this coral in clayey sediments, a very uncommon occurrence, strengthens the hypothesis that the major fossil reefs grew in coastal waters that were characterised by alluvial inputs of fine sediments, higher turbidity, and higher temperature than today. In addition, on the basis of the current evidence, some consideration about the fauna of the MIS 5.5 layer allows us to hypothesise that the Adriatic Sea underwent a more moderate warming compared to that of the Ionian and Tyrrhenian seas. Instead, the finding in the NVI unit of a tropical lagoonal deposit with stromatolites referred to MIS 11 proves that the warming in this stage was undoubtedly greater than that of MIS 5.5. The MM4 borehole, which goes through the MIS 5 layers of the RPL unit, made it possible to recognise two marine phases during MIS 5: the first is referable to the MIS 5.5–5.3 interval, and the second to MIS 5.1. MIS 5.2 is marked by land emersion, whereas no evidence of land emersion between MIS 5.5 and 5.3 has been found. Also for the first time in this area, uplifting and subsiding areas have been recognised and the vertical movements assessed. In general, the data suggest that the Garganic Apulian foreland and the Amendola highland experienced an uplift, while the central-southern part of the study area, belonging to the Apulian Tavoliere plain, suffered a subsidence with rates increasing from north–northwest to south–southeast. In particular, the finding of the MIS 5.5 buried layer with C. caespitosa has allowed us to fill a gap in the data regarding the recent tectonic movements along the Adriatic coast (Ferranti et al., 2006). This feature proves that there has been a recent subsidence event since MIS 5.5 in the coastal area of the Apulian Tavoliere plain

New objectives and methodologies teaching Geology at the E.T.S.I. Minas de Madrid

El aprendizaje de la Geología requiere, además del conocimiento conceptual y teórico, de una habilidad que fundamentalmente se consigue con la práctica en la Naturaleza para entender las formas y estructuras. Así, la enseñanza de la Geología y disciplinas asociadas, requiere la realización de prácticas en campo. En el Departamento de Ingeniería Geológica de la E.T.S.I. Minas de Madrid, apoyándose en las nuevas tecnologías, se han elaborado fichas de salidas al campo, o “Rutas Geológicas”, acompañadas virtualmente por profesores de la ETSIMM, en las que se señalan los aspectos geológicos más importantes que se pueden observar y, en general, del Medio Físico. Estas fichas están disponibles en la web o se pueden consultar impresas. De esta manera se facilitan herramientas necesarias para definir entornos virtuales de aprendizaje que se adapten tanto a la didáctica de cada profesor, como a las necesidades e inquietudes que les puedan surgir a los alumnos (geología, recursos, geomorfología, estratigrafía, paleontología, biología, etc) mediante “enlaces” (aplicaciones móviles, vídeos, fichas en papel). Cualquier profesor puede, de una manera rápida y sencilla preparar la clase práctica de campo. Asimismo, los alumnos que lo deseen pueden realizar itinerarios de interés geológico sin necesidad de ir acompañados de un docente, profundizando en los temas que más les interesen. En algunos casos también se han rodado vídeos explicativos cortos, realizados por los propios alumnos como actividad docente, que recogen aspectos de estos itinerarios. También con este sistema se favorece la realización de un proyecto interdisciplinar e integrador, ya que estas fichas posibilitan la integración de información por parte de todos los profesores, y la participación en la elaboración por parte de los alumnos. La realización de estas fichas ha sido acogida favorablemente por parte de los alumnos, habiendo incrementado su motivación y mejorado su rendimiento académico.Learning Geology requires, in addition to the conceptual and theoretical knowledge, a skill that is primarily achieved with practice in nature to understand forms and structures. Therefore, the teaching of geology and associated disciplines, requires carrying out internships in field. In the Geological Engineering Department of the Madrid School of Mines, we elaborated "Geological routes," which are virtually accompanied by teachers, indicating the most important geological aspects that can be observed and, in general, of the environment. These Geological Routes are available on the web or you can consult them printed. This provides tools to define virtual learning processes that are suited to each professor and to the needs and concerns that may arise to students (geology, resources, geomorphology, stratigraphy, paleontology, history, biology, etc) through "links" (mobile applications, videos, cards on paper). Thus, the professor can prepare practical classes on field, in a quick and easy way. Also, students can make itineraries of geological interest without having to be accompanied by a professor, deeping into the most interesting topics. In some cases also explanatory short videos, made by the students, covering aspects of these itineraries have been filmed. This system favors the realization of an interdisciplinary project, because these routes enable the integration of information by professors together with the participation of students. The realization of these routes has been very welcomed by students, having increased their motivation accompanied by an improvement in grades

Influence of the substrate bias voltage on the crystallographic structure and surface composition of Ti6A14V thin films deposited by rf magnetron sputtering

In this work, the influence of the substrate bias on the crystalline structure and surface composition of Ti6Al4V thin films prepared by rf magnetron sputtering were studied. Samples were grown onto two different types of substrates: AISI 420 steel and common glass using a Ti6Al4V (99.9 %) target. Substrate bias was varied from -100V to -200 V. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). It was observed that the increase of the substrate voltage improved the crystallinity of the deposited films. The stoichiometry of the deposited thin films was studied by EDX and found to be slightly different from that of the target material. Finally, the passive film spontaneously formed on the deposited films upon exposure to the laboratory atmosphere was studied by XPS. The composition of the passive film is rather complex since it contains several forms of oxidized titanium and vanadium as well as Al2O3.Peer reviewe

Organic geochemistry of the Villaviciosa estuary record since 1400 AD (North of Spain)

We have reconstructed the palaeoenvironmental conditions in the Villaviciosa estuary during the last 600 yrs, from the biomarker content (alkanes and alkanoic acids) of the sediment. The amino acid racemization method in ostracodes allowed determining that the sedimentation in the Selorio bay started in 1400 AD. Organic matter was well preserved, although certain microbial activity was interpreted. Three periods were established from the alkane content: 1.- Between 1400 and 1580 AD terrestrial input was dominant; 2.- Between 1580 and 1720 AD there was a major influence of aquatic macrophytes, coinciding with the Little Ice Age, 3.- Between 1720 and 2015 AD there were alternating periods during which land plants or aquatic macrophytes predominated, probably linked to anthropogenic activitiesSe han reconstruido las condiciones paleoambientales de la zona de la ría de Villaviciosa de los últimos 600 años, a partir de los biomarcadores (alcanos y ácidos alcanoicos) presentes en el sedimento. El método de racemización de aminoácidos en ostrácodos ha permitido determinar el inicio de la sedimentación en la ensenada de Selorio, en la ría de Villaviciosa, que comenzó en 1400. La preservación de la materia orgánica es buena, aunque se observa una actividad microbiana importante. A partir de los alcanos se han establecido tres episodios: 1.- Entre 1400 y 1580 predominó el aporte de vegetación terrestre, 2.- Entre 1580 y 1720 hubo una mayor abundancia de macrofitas acuáticas, coincidiendo con la Pequeña Edad del Hielo, 3.- Entre 1720 y 2015, hubo una alternancia de aportes terrestres y de macrofitas acuáticas, posiblemente ligados a la acción antrópic

Organic pollutants (PAHs) derived from the dump of the Thermal Power Station of Aliaga (Teruel)

The aim of this study was to determine if the soils, waters and plants from the Aliaga dump contained polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their quantification.The results showed that PAHs concentrations in soils are in general higher than the reference levels from the Spanish legislation. Waters and plants contained PAHs but in low concentrations. The possible actions for remediation (photodegradation and bioremediation) seem to be unviable here because of the large volume of materials involved, although its use as an additive for the cement industry and derivatives can be considered. It is proposed that fluorantene in waters, and phenanthrene and benzo[ghi]perilene in soils be considered as pollutants as well as to study the incorporation of PAHs to plantsEl objetivo de este estudio fue determinar y cuantificar los hidrocarburos policíclicos aromáticos (PAHs) en los suelos, plantas y aguas de la Escombrera de Aliaga. La concentración de PAHs en las cenizas supera, en general, los valores establecidos en la legislación española. Las aguas y plantas contienen PAHs, aunque en concentraciones bajas. La remoción de los materiales para someterlos a fotodegradación y biorremediación es inviable debido al gran volumen de la escombrera, aunque se plantea su uso como aditivo en la fabricación de productos derivados del cemento. Se propone incluir el fenantreno y benzo[ghi]perileno en el la normativa de suelos, así como el naftaleno en la de aguas y la elaboración de una legislación sobre la incorporación de estos compuestos a las planta

Origin and distribution of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in the water and sediments of El Hito Lake (Cuenca, Central Spain)

Determination of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in the waters and sediments of El Hito Lake and its drainage basin was carried out. Distribution maps for REEs concentrations show increasing values in the lake sediments from the center to the eastern edge reaching 166.5 mg/kg. In the drainage basin, higher values were observed with a maximum of 350.9 mg/kg in the southern part. Concentrations in the water were considerably lower with a maximum value of 1.3 µg/L. Ce, La and Nd were the most abundant elements. When normalized REE concentrations against NASC (North American Shale Composite), a positive anomaly of Eu in the water and of Nd in the sediments (lake and basin) was observed. The (La/Gd)NASC and (La/Yb)NASC ratios determined the predominance of light REE (LREE) over medium (MREE) and heavy REE (HREE)Se llevó a cabo el estudio de Tierras Raras (REEs) del agua y los sedimentos de la Laguna de El Hito así como de su cuenca de recepción. Los mapas de distribución de las concentraciones de REE en los sedimentos de la laguna mostraron valores crecientes desde el centro hacia el margen este alcanzando 166,5 mg/kg. En la cuenca se midieron valores más elevados llegando hasta 350,9 mg/kg en la mitad sur. Los valores en el agua fueron notablemente inferiores, con un máximo de 1,3 µg/L. El elemento más abundante fue el Ce seguido del Nd. Se normalizaron las concentraciones de REEs frente a las del NASC (North American Shale Composite), observándose una anomalía positiva de Eu en el agua, así como de Nd en los sedimentos (laguna y cuenca). Mediante los índices (La/Gd)NASC y (La/Yb)NASC se determinó el predominio de las REEs ligeras (LREEs) frente a las medias (MREE) y pesadas (HREE

Organic matter accumulation during the Holocene in the Guadalquivir marshlands (SW Spain)

The distribution of biomarker compounds and magnetic susceptibility observed in the sediment from a 20 m core drilled in the marshlands of the estuarine region of the Guadalquivir River (southwest coast of Spain) has allowed us to reconstruct the palaeoenvironmental evolution of this area during the Holocene. Several organic compounds (n-alkanes, ra-ketones, n-alkanols, n-alkanoic acids and organic sulphur), as well as different biomarker ratios, have been used to show changing environmental conditions through time. These geochemical proxies suggest good preservation of the organic matter, although some diagenesis has occurred to particular organic compounds, especially the n-alkanoic acids. Our data indicate a major allochthonous supply of terrestrial plants, with less influence from aquatic plants or algae through the core. There are markedly different palaeoenvironmental conditions between the uppermost 5 m (last 6ka cal. B.P.) and the rest of the core. From 5 m (ca 6ka cal. B.P.) to 19 m (ca 8ka cal. B.P.) depth the palaeoenvironmental conditions were almost constant. Based on organic sulphur content and n-alkane content logs, anoxic conditions prevailed from 8 to 6ka cal. B.P., while oxic conditions with enhanced convection of water (prevalence of fluvial input), and consequently a greater organic matter supply, predominated in the upper 5 m of the core. Similarly, little variation in the magnetic susceptibility profile below 5 m indicates stable environmental conditions, while in the upper 5 m conditions shifted to one with elevated water input and clastic sediment supply. This is linked to palaeofloral alterations in the Guadiamar/Guadalquivir drainage basins and/or anthropogenic effects. We propose that from ca 8 to 6 ka cal. B.P. a stable landscape physiognomy in the surroundings of the estuarine area of the Guadalquivir River, with a predominance of pines and grassland. However, over the last 6ka cal. B.P. a variation in the terrestrial plant biomarker compounds suggests an alternation of relatively dry and humid phases and/or the impact of human populations on altering the vegetation community have occurred

Biometría de Strombus bubonius Lamark 1791 del yacimiento de Cerro Largo (Roquetas de Mar, Almería)

This paper deals with a comparative metrical study of the mesogastropods Strombus bubonius and Strombus latus. The former from the raised marine deposits of Cerro Largo (Roquetas de Mar, Almería) of Middle Pleistocene age, and the second still living in the Gulf of Guinea and Cabo Verde Islands. The high correlation between length and maximum width reveals a positive allometrical relationship in fossil and living species. There is a good metrical coincidence between Cerro Largo S. bubonius representatives and S. latus from Cabo Verde, while S. latus representatives from Guinea and Senegal reach larger sizes. It is postulated that a partially developed sexual dimorphism explains the co-occurrence at the same beds of small and big sized S. bubonius shells