Mediterranean springs: Keystone ecosystems and biodiversity refugia threatened by global change

Mediterranean spring ecosystems are unique habitats at the interface between surface water and groundwater. These ecosystems support a remarkable array of biodiversity and provide important ecological functions and ecosystem services. Spring ecosystems are influenced by abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors such as the lithology of their draining aquifers, their climate, and the land use of their recharge area, all of which affect the water chemistry of the aquifer and the spring discharges. One of the most relevant characteristics of spring ecosystems is the temporal stability of environmental conditions, including physicochemical features of the spring water, across seasons and years. This stability allows a wide range of species to benefit from these ecosystems (particularly during dry periods), fostering an unusually high number of endemic species. However, global change poses important threats to these freshwater ecosystems. Changes in temperature, evapotranspiration, and precipitation patterns can alter the water balance and chemistry of spring water. Eutrophication due to agricultural practices and emergent pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and pesticides, is also a growing concern for the preservation of spring biodiversity. Here, we provide a synthesis of the main characteristics and functioning of Mediterranean spring ecosystems. We then describe their ecological value and biodiversity patterns and highlight the main risks these ecosystems face. Moreover, we identify existing knowledge gaps to guide future research in order to fully uncover the hidden biodiversity within these habitats and understand the main drivers that govern them. Finally, we provide a brief summary of recommended actions that should be taken to effectively manage and preserve Mediterranean spring ecosystems for future generations. Even though studies on Mediterranean spring ecosystems are still scarce, our review shows there are sufficient data to conclude that their future viability as functional ecosystems is under severe threat.Mediterranean spring ecosystems are unique habitats supporting a remarkable array of biodiversity and providing important ecological functions and ecosystem services. However, global change poses important threats to these freshwater ecosystems, such as changes in climate patterns and increasing human pressures like overexploitation and pollution. We provide a synthesis of the main characteristics and functioning of Mediterranean spring ecosystems and their threats due to global change.imag

Coherent psi (2S) photo-production in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=2.76TeV

We have performed the first measurement of the coherent psi(2S) photo-production cross section in ultraperipheral Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC. This charmonium excited state is reconstructed via the psi(2S) -> l(+)l(-) and ->(2S) -> J/psi pi(+)pi(-) decays, where the J/psi decays into two leptons. The analysis is based on an event sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 22 mu b(-1). The cross section for coherent psi(2S) production in the rapidity interval -0.9 <y <0.9is d sigma(coh)(psi(2S))/dy = 0.83 +/- 0.19 (stat+syst) mb. The psi(2S) to J/psi coherent cross section ratio is 0.34(-0.07)(+0.08)(stat+syst). The obtained results are compared to predictions from theoretical models. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Measurement of charged jet production cross sections and nuclear modification in p-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=5.02 TeV

Charged jet production cross sections in p-Pb collisions at root s(NN) = 5.02 TeV measured with the ALICE detector at the LHC are presented. Using the anti-k(T) algorithm, jets have been reconstructed in the central rapidity region from charged particles with resolution parameters R = 0.2 and R = 0.4. The reconstructed jets have been corrected for detector effects and the underlying event background. To calculate the nuclear modification factor, R-pPb, of charged jets in p-Pb collisions, a pp reference was constructed by scaling previously measured charged jet spectra at root s = 7 TeV. In the transverse momentum range 20Peer reviewe

Two-particle differential transverse momentum and number density correlations in p-Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV and Pb-Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV at the CERN Large Hadron Collider

We present measurements of two-particle differential number correlation functions R2 and transverse momentum correlation functions P2, obtained from p-Pb collisions at 5.02 TeV and Pb-Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV. The results are obtained by using charged particles in the pseudorapidity range |\u3b7|<1.0 and transverse momentum range 0.2<2.0 GeV/c as a function of pair separation in pseudorapidity, |\u394\u3b7|, azimuthal angle \u394\u3c6, and for several charged-particle multiplicity classes. Measurements are carried out for like-sign and unlike-sign charged-particle pairs separately and combined to obtain charge-independent and charge-dependent correlation functions. We study the evolution of the width of the near-side peak of these correlation functions with collision centrality. Additionally, we study Fourier decompositions of the correlators in \u394\u3c6 as a function of pair separation |\u394\u3b7|. Significant differences in the dependence of their harmonic coefficients on multiplicity classes are found. These differences can be exploited, in theoretical models, to obtain further insight into charged-particle production and transport in heavy-ion collisions. Moreover, an upper limit of nonflow contributions to flow coefficients vn measured in Pb-Pb collisions based on the relative strength of Fourier coefficients measured in p-Pb interactions is estimated

Systematic studies of correlations between different order flow harmonics in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=2.76 TeV

The correlations between event-by-event fluctuations of anisotropic flow harmonic amplitudes have been measured in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV with the ALICE detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The results are reported in terms of multiparticle correlation observables dubbed symmetric cumulants. These observables are robust against biases originating from nonflow effects. The centrality dependence of correlations between the higher order harmonics (the quadrangular v(4) and pentagonal v(5) flow) and the lower order harmonics (the elliptic v(2) and triangular v(3) flow) is presented. The transverse momentum dependences of correlations between v(3) and v(2) and between v(4) and v(2) are also reported. The results are compared to calculations from viscous hydrodynamics and a multiphase transport (AMPT) model calculations. The comparisons to viscous hydrodynamic models demonstrate that the different order harmonic correlations respond differently to the initial conditions and the temperature dependence of the ratio of shear viscosity to entropy density (eta/s). Asmall average value of eta/s is favored independent of the specific choice of initial conditions in the models. The calculations with the AMPT initial conditions yield results closest to the measurements. Correlations among the magnitudes of v(2), v(3), and v(4) show moderate p(T) dependence in midcentral collisions. This might be an indication of possible viscous corrections to the equilibrium distribution at hadronic freeze-out, which might help to understand the possible contribution of bulk viscosity in the hadronic phase of the system. Together with existing measurements of individual flow harmonics, the presented results provide further constraints on the initial conditions and the transport properties of the system produced in heavy-ion collisions

Measurement of electrons from semileptonic heavy-flavor hadron decays in p

The p(T)-differential production cross section of electrons from semileptonic decays of heavy-flavor hadrons has been measured at midrapidity in proton-proton collisions at root s = 2.76 TeV in the transverse momentum range 0.5 < p(T) < 12 GeV/c with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The analysis was performed using minimum bias events and events triggered by the electromagnetic calorimeter. Predictions from perturbative QCD calculations agree with the data within the theoretical and experimental uncertainties

Production of inclusive gamma(1S) and gamma(2S) in p-Pb collisions at, root S-NN=5.02 TeV

We report on the production of inclusive gamma(1S) and gamma(2S) in p-Pb collisions at root S-NN = 5.02 TeV at the LHC. The measurement is performed with the ALICE detector at backward (-4.46 &lt; ycms &lt; 2.96) and forward (2.03 &lt; ycms &lt;3.53) rapidity down to zero transverse momentum. The production cross sections of the gamma(1S) and gamma(2S) are presented, as well as the nuclear modification factor and the ratio of the forward to backward yields of gamma(1S). A suppression of the inclusive gamma(1S) yield in p-Pb collisions with respect to the yield from pp collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions is observed at forward rapidity but not at backward rapidity. The results are compared to theoretical model calculations including nuclear shadowing or partonic energy loss effects. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V

Measurement of jet quenching with semi-inclusive hadron-jet distributions in central Pb-Pb collisions at s N N = 2.76 sNN=2.76 \sqrt{s_{\mathrm{NN}}}=2.76 TeV

We report the measurement of a new observable of jet quenching in central Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN) = 2.76 TeV, based on the semi-inclusive rate of charged jets recoiling from a high transverse momentum (high-p T) charged hadron trigger. Jets are measured using collinear-safe jet reconstruction with infrared cutoff for jet constituents of 0.15 GeV, for jet resolution parameters R = 0.2, 0.4 and 0.5. Underlying event background is corrected at the event-ensemble level, without imposing bias on the jet population. Recoil jet spectra are reported in the range 20 < p(T,jet)(ch) < 100 GeV. Reference distributions for pp collisions at root s = 2.76TeV are calculated using Monte Carlo and NLO pQCD methods, which are validated by comparing with measurements in pp collisions at root s = 7TeV. The recoil jet yield in central Pb-Pb collisions is found to be suppressed relative to that in pp collisions. No significant medium-induced broadening of the intra-jet energy profile is observed within 0.5 radians relative to the recoil jet axis. The angular distribution of the recoil jet yield relative to the trigger axis is found to be similar in central Pb-Pb and pp collisions, with no significant medium-induced acoplanarity observed. Large-angle jet deflection, which may provide a direct probe of the nature of the quasi-particles in hot QCD matter, is explored

Inclusive J/ψ production in Xe–Xe collisions at sNN=5.44 TeV

Inclusive J/ψ production is studied in Xe–Xe interactions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sNN=5.44 TeV, using the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC. The J/ψ meson is reconstructed via its decay into a muon pair, in the centre-of-mass rapidity interval 2.5&lt;4 and down to zero transverse momentum. In this Letter, the nuclear modification factors RAA for inclusive J/ψ measured in the centrality range 0–90% as well as in the centrality intervals 0–20% and 20–90% are presented. The RAA values are compared to previously published results for Pb–Pb collisions at sNN=5.02 TeV and to the calculation of a transport model. A good agreement is found between Xe–Xe and Pb–Pb results as well as between data and the model