Weathering indices of microplastics along marine and coastal sediments from the harbor of Cartagena (Spain) and its adjoining urban beach

Marine and coastal sediments from the harbor of Cartagena (Spain) and its adjoining beach were investigated regarding their microplastic burden. Fibers accounted for 47.62% and 61.66% in marine and coastal sediments, respectively, followed by films (31.43% and 18.76%) and fragments (20.95% and 18.65%). Polyvinyl (36.07%), polypropylene (21.31%), and polyethylene (18.03%) were isolated for marine sediments, and low-density polyethylene (40.71%), polypropylene (20.16%), and acrylate (11.37%) for coastal sediments. Highest concentrations were found in the deepest marine sediments (24.0 m) and in the furthest zone from the seashore for coastal sediments (18 m). Carbonyl index increased in the intermediate area (12.5 m) for marine sediments (0.51), whilst vinyl index was maximum for the deepest samples (1.94), reporting Norrish type I and II reactions, respectively. Coastal sediments collected close to the high tide line displayed the highest average values for both indices, 1.57 and 1.29, respectively, indicating a higher exposition to weathering variables.We thank Pedro Martínez for technical assistance. This work was financially supported by grant 20268/FPI/17 from Fundación Séneca assigned to Dr. Sonia Olmos and by Project Number 5813/19IQA from Cartagena Port Authority

Disinfection efficiency of secondary effluents with ultraviolet light in a Mediterranean area

This paper deals with the study of physicochemical and microbiological parameters affecting disinfection efficiency of secondary effluents in a municipal wastewater treatment plant, for irrigation purposes. There appears to be an important increase on turbidity values as chlorine values increases, due to the conversion of particulate organic carbon into dissolved organic carbon. The nitrification-denitrificacion processes appeared to be sensitive to changes in pH, with a minimum nitrate value in the wastewater when pH ranged between 7.01-8.00. With a similar behaviour, the phosphate removal was conditioned by pH, showing the highest efficiency in the same pH range. Both anions probed to be strongly correlated. Total coliforms were more UV light resistant than faecal coliforms, after an exposure of 10 min, corresponding to an UV dose of 73 mJ/cm2. The experimental results for both groups of microorganisms followed first order reaction kinetics, with a gradual flattening at higher UV doses. A total elimination of both indicators would be achieved with doses over 95 mJ/cm2. A previous step on the treated wastewater would improve its quality before the disinfection process

Commercial gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) from the Mar Menor coastal lagoon as hotspots of microplastic accumulation in the digestive system

This paper presents the results on the presence and characterization of microplastics (MP) in the gastrointestinal tract of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.), a species of commercial interest from the Mar Menor coastal lagoon in Southeast Spain. This is the first time that microplastic ingestion is recorded in any species from this semi-enclosed bay. Stomach and intestine from a total of 17 specimens captured by local fishermen were processed, and microplastic particles and fibers found in all of them were displayed. Overall, 40.32% (279/692) of total isolated microparticles proved to be microplastics; i.e., <5 mm, as identified by FTIR spectroscopy. The average value by fish was 20.11 _ 2.94 MP kg1, corresponding to average concentrations of 3912.06 _ 791.24 and 1562.17 _ 402.04 MP by kg stomach and intestine, respectively. Four MP forms were isolated: fiber (71.68%), fragment (21.15%), film (6.81%), and microbead (0.36%), with sizes ranging from 91 _m to 5 mm, an average of 0.83 _ 0.04 mm, and no statistically significant differences between mean sizes in stomach and intestine samples (F-test = 0.004; p = 0.936). Nine polymer types were detected, although most of fibers remained unidentified because of their small size, the presence of polymer additives, or closely adhered pollutants despite the oxidizing digestion carried out to eliminate organic matter. No significant correlation was found between main biological parameters and ingested microplastics, and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene polypropylene (PEP), and polyvinyl (PV) were identified as the most abundant polymers. The average microplastic ingestion in this study area was higher than those reported in most studies within the Mediterranean Sea, and closely related to microplastic pollution in the surrounding area, although with a predominance of fiber form mainly due to fishery activities.This work was financed by Project 5345/18IQA (Technical University of Cartagena). Analyses carried out by Sonia Olmos were supported by a grant from Fundación Séneca (20268/FPI/17)

Evaluation of physichochemical parameters influencing bulking episodes in a municipal wastewater treatment plant

A study of physicochemical parameters in a municipal wastewater treatment plant was undertaken to consider the presence of bulking phenomena by means of statistical and logistic regression analyses. There appears to be an important effect on activated sludge settleability that can be related to the temperature of wastewater. Besides, there were significant differences between the percentage of nitrogen removal from the secondary treatment with the season. The SVI increased with conductivity, meanwhile BOD5 removal decreased with this parameter. The development of logistic regression models identified two statistically significant variables that appeared to be important to the contribution of a higher SVI: season and pH

First evidence of microplastics isolated in European citizens’ lower airway

Microplastics (MPs) have been detected in all environmental locations, including the atmosphere. However, few studies have investigated the presence of airborne MPs in the human respiratory system. Our research purpose was to investigate these pollutants in the lower human airways of 44 adult European citizens, using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) collection as a minimally invasive method, that enables the detection of these pollutants in living patients. We studied the relationship between the patients’ life habits and physiological parameters, based on background information and medical and occupational history, and the concentration of MPs isolated from their respiratory systems. Our results indicate that most MPs were in the form of microfibers (MFs) (97.06%), with an average concentration of 9.18 ± 2.45 items/100 mL BALF, and only 5.88% (0.57 ± 0.27 items/100 mL BALF) were particulate MPs, without a significant relationship with environmental, physiological, or clinical factors. The average size was 1.73 ± 0.15 mm, with the longest dimension (9.96 mm) corresponding to a polyacrylic fiber. Taken together, the results demonstrated the occurrence of MPs in the lower human airway, although more studies are necessary to elucidate the negative effects these pollutants could induce in the human respiratory system and its associated diseases.We wish to express our sincere appreciation to José V. Navarro for safe BALF samples transportation form HGUE to UPCT and back, as well as to the HGUE Pneumology Service, particularly to Sandra Ruiz, Lucía Zamora, Maria José Soler, Asunción Guillén, and Carmen María Vidal for their help in BALF samples collection and investigation support. This work was finacially supported by grant 20268/FPI/17 from Fundación Séneca assigned to Dra. Sonia Olmos, as well as by Project Number 6627/21IQA signed between FISABIO and Technical University of Cartagena, with financial help from Sociedad Valenciana de Neumología

Evaluación de la enseñanza a través de la guía docente en la UPCT

[SPA]Este trabajo presenta una propuesta de metodología para la evaluación de guías docentes basada en un conjunto de tres criterios principales (utilidad, coherencia e idoneidad), once subcriterios y una serie de indicadores cuyos valores se obtienen a través de cuestionarios dirigidos a centros, departamentos, estudiantes y profesorado. Los cuestionarios parten del modelo de Guía Docente adoptado por la UPCT y contemplan todos los apartados de la misma. El método propuesto puede aplicarse también para mejorar los programas de evaluación del profesorado, pues aporta las evidencias que se necesitan para valorar la labor de planificación desarrollada por el mismo, la cual se plasma en la guía docente. [ENG]This paper presents a methodological proposal for the evaluation of teaching guides based on three main criteria, i.e. usefulness, consistency, and suitability, and eleven subcriteria. It is also based on different indicators obtained through questionnaires aimed at Educational Centres, Departments, Students and Professors. These questionnnaires have been prepared from the teaching guide model adopted by the Technical University of Cartagena (UPCT), and considering all the sections included in that guide. The proposed methodology can be also used to improve the teaching staff evaluation program, because of the inclusion of planning task carried out by the professor, an aspect considered in the teaching guide.Campus Mare Nostrum, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, Universidad de Murcia, Región de Murcia

Una propuesta de estructura de coordinación docente horizontal y vertical para la Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT)

[ESP] La UPCT no disponía de una estructura generalizada de coordinación docente hasta el presente curso 2012 -2013. Un equipo docente ha trabajado en el diseño de un modelo completo de coordinación, revisando numerosas publicaciones, incorporando actuaciones que ya funcionan de manera puntual en la UPCT y ensayando nuevos mecanismos de coordinación. El modelo establece órganos de coordinación, metodologías concretas y un nuevo listado reducido de competencias genéricas. La propuesta contempla todos los aspectos relevantes de la coordinación docente y puede adaptarse a las características de cada centro. [ENG] During the course 2012-2013, a team of expe1is from the Technical University of Cartagena (UPCT) has designed and developed a model for vertical and horizontal teaching coordination. The work included compiling and analyzing models from other Universities, selecting some already-working methodologies, and developing new ones. The designed model includes a new list of generic skills and coordination structures and too Is that fít the coordination needs of any UPCT Centre

Referencias para la actividad docente en la UPCT y glosario de términos EEES

Continuando con el trabajo de los equipos docentes se ha realizado este libro en el curso 2011/2012 como resultado de la maduración de los dos años anteriores, en los que este equipo ha realizado el libro “Manual de elaboración de guías docentes adaptadas al EEES” en 2010, la participación en el I Congreso Internacional de Innovación Docente, en julio de 2011 y la realización de un capítulo del libro “Equipos docentes: una nueva apuesta en el EEES” en 2011. El reconocimiento de la calidad de las guías docentes realizadas por el profesorado de nuestra universidad, y enviadas a ANECA dentro del programa piloto MONITOR viene expresamente en el informe global de seguimiento recibido en noviembre de 2011 en el que textualmente comenta “Las guías docentes sólo se pueden calificar de excelentes”

Instrucciones para planificar la actividad docente de una asignatura: la guía docente y la programación temporal

La planificación de detalle que realiza el profesorado de una determinada asignatura se recoge en dos documentos distintos: la guía docente y la programación temporal. La información incluida en ellos será de utilidad para los estudiantes que cursen la asignatura pero no solo para ellos, ya que se empleará también como base para la coordinación docente y en los procesos de revisión y seguimiento de los títulos. Este libro está concebido para servir de apoyo al profesorado a la hora de planificar su docencia y cumplimentar los dos documentos citados

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries