Multifunctional experimental assessment in a newly established Mediterranean restored marsh : marsh elevation, carbon accumulation and pollutant concentration reduction

The Delta of the Ebro River (Catalonia, Spain) is among the most important marsh areas in the Western Mediterranean Sea, highly valuable both economically and ecologically. Fluvial sediment reduction by dams in a relative sea-level rise (RSLR) scenario (eustatic sea-level rise + subsidence) has increased the delta plain flooding risk. Traditional and current agricultural practices have transformed large areas of marshes and lagoons into rice fields, now occupying up to 60% of the deltaic plain. Agricultural runoff carries substantial loads of pesticide and fertilizer to natural habitats. To reduce ecological impacts, several marsh restoration efforts have been initiated to improve water quality and increase wildlife habitat. However, previous experimental studies in the Ebro Delta and other Mediterranean marshes have not focused on overall ecological benefits and costs of restored marshes providing simultaneously vertical accretion to deal with flooding risk, carbon (C) sequestration and pollutant removal services. A need for more knowledge is required to optimize factors controlling these ecosystem services seeking to work as natural defence against flooding risk, sequestering C, as well as natural filters of agricultural runoff. The objective of this study was to assess the multifunctional use and factors controlling of vertical accretion, C accumulation and pollutant concentration reduction in Mediterranean oligohaline restored marshes. We conducted a 3-year experimental field study in a newly established restored marsh using two different freshwater input types, riverine irrigation water (IW) and rice field drainage water (DW) and three water levels (10, 20 and 30 cm depth). The results indicate overall benefits of the restored marsh providing marsh elevation, C accumulation and pollutant removal services. This study indicates that Mediterranean oligohaline restored marshes might buffer flooding risk dealing with sediment deficit and RSLR in the Ebro Delta due to high mean rates of vertical accretion (11.5±0.8 and 15.5±0.6 mm yr�¹) and elevation change (9.1±1.4 and 8.8±2.8 mm yr�¹) in both water type treatments (IW and DW respectively), at least during the initial phase of marsh establishment. Rice field drainage waters provided higher sediment concentrations to the restored marsh, which in turn promoted C accumulation. Two years after the establishment of the restored marsh, C accumulation rates in both water type treatments (99.44 and 126.10 g m�² yr�¹) showed similar values to global estimates for freshwater marshes, but only half of salt marshes. The restored marsh was also an efficient N-P and metal filters even when receiving higher nutrient concentrations from rice field drainage waters: nutrient concentration reduction varied for total N (50.66 ± 3.85 %), N-NO₃� (96.10 ± 0.35 %), N-NH₄� (80.76 ± 1.8 %), total P (49.96 ± 3.95 %) and P-PO₄³� (17.99 ± 3.92 %). Significantly higher Mn, Pb and Zn from drainage waters caused higher concentration reductions (47.4 ± 9.2 %, 44.1 ± 4.4 % and 23.7 ± 4.6 % respectively) in the DW treatment than the IW treatment. Higher Cu water concentrations from irrigation water increased significantly Cu concentration reduction (85.4 ± 0.5 %). Net export of As and Hg in both water treatments may be caused by releasing from previously stored metals in the pre-restored rice field soils. Plant growth affected ecosystem services in different ways. Root growth favoured marsh elevation, C accumulation and metal concentration reduction, especially as the weed P. distichum colonized rapidly and densely the restored marsh. However, higher nutrient concentrations from rice field drainage waters may also inhibit root growth. Root growth may also decrease nitrate concentration reduction ability via denitrification inhibition, but increased metal soil content via aerobic adsorption due to the plant ability to oxygenate their rhizosphere. This research supports that the use of rice field drainage waters as a primary source of nutrient and sediment as beneficial for marsh restoration projects focused on marsh elevation, C accumulation and pollutant removal. Higher nutrient and sediments concentrations enhanced these ecosystem services at least during initial stages of the restored marsh. The experimental marsh units receiving higher metal concentrations from rice field drainage water than river irrigation waters reduced metal water concentrations via soil content and accumulation. Organic soils and oxygen conditions enhanced by plant growth may favor soil metal content and higher sediment concentrations from rice field drainage waters also enhanced soil metal accumulation.Ph.D

Capacidad de carga socioambiental de la isla de Eivissa. Estado de la cuestión

[spa]El fuerte crecimiento turístico y la saturación que se percibe en la isla de Eivissa están despertando el cuestionamiento del modelo actual de desarrollo por parte de la sociedad y los responsables políticos. El presente estudio contribuye a documentar este debate público cuantificando un conjunto de indicadores de sostenibilidad que ofrecen información actualizada sobre algunos de los temas más relevantes. Nuestros objetivos son: en primer lugar, apuntar la conveniencia de elaborar de una forma sistemática un conjunto de indicadores que informen de diferentes cuestiones socioambientales como una herramienta clave para caminar hacia la sostenibilidad; en segundo lugar, proponer un proceso de debate para fomentar consensos sobre medidas que garanticen la conservación de la riqueza natural de Eivissa y el bienestar de la sociedad local y futura. Los resultados del estudio muestran que el número de pasajeros se ha duplicado en la última década alcanzando una cifra en 2016 de 4 millones. La creciente turistización viene expresada en la ratio turista/residente, alcanzando en Eivissa y Formentera una de las tasas más elevadas del planeta, aumentando 11 puntos desde 2009 hasta alcanzar 25,56 turistas/habitante en 2016. Este elevado incremento de la afluencia turística ha ido acompañado de un crecimiento del 60,8% de la urbanización de la franja litoral en el período 1990-2012. Además, la capacidad de alojamiento turístico que se había mantenido relativamente estable a lo largo de la primera década de los 2000 se ha visto alterada por la irrupción de la vivienda turística y vacacional que aporta otras 7.027 plazas legales y 18.000 plazas ilegales comercializadas a través de plataformas online (Airbnb y similares). El alza de los precios de alquiler ha provocado que el 82% del salario medio se destine íntegramente al pago del alquiler de la vivienda, cuando la UE establece que un hogar está sobrecargado cuando los costes de la vivienda sobrepasan el 40 % de la renta disponible. Por otro lado, la fuerte dependencia del transporte privado debido al modelo urbanístico territorial disperso de la isla ocasiona una saturación de las principales carreteras de la isla: la tasa de motorización de Eivissa es de 963,8 vehículos/1000 habitantes, duplicando el número de vehículos por habitantes del resto del territorio español. A ello, se debe sumar los coches de alquiler, estimados en 18.000 vehículos, la mayoría de los cuales están matriculados fuera de la isla. Todo ello, representa la principal fuente de emisiones de CO2 en la isla alcanzando un valor del 31% del total. Durante la última década la presión humana en la isla ha recibido algunas respuestas institucionales; por ejemplo, para la protección del territorio y sus recursos naturales a través de la Red Natura 2000, con 9 nuevas áreas marinas protegidas que cubren la casi totalidad del espacio marino de la isla. Sin embargo, la dotación de medios para la protección efectiva de estas áreas es todavía insuficiente, y solo una de ellas tiene un Plan de Gestión (Área Marina de Cap Martinet). En cambio, la superficie terrestre protegida sufrió una disminución del 57,42%, mientras la regulación de los espacios protegidos (ANEI) ha oscilado entre la protección de la biodiversidad y la permisividad constructora. En relación a la gestión de residuos, se ha producido un aumento del 35 % de sólidos urbanos en la última década, con una cantidad de residuos per cápita que duplica la media española y de la UE. Por otro lado, a pesar que la recogida selectiva de residuos sólidos urbanos se ha duplicado desde el año 2005, ésta tan solo representa el 16,7% del total. Otro aspecto a destacar es la contribución al cambio climático a partir de las emisiones de CO2, que en 2015 alcanzaban los 6,26 kg CO2 per cápita, superando la media española y duplicando la media mundial. No obstante, cabe señalar que la introducción del gas natural en la generación eléctrica ha supuesto una reducción del 16% de las emisiones, debiéndose reducir todavía un 6,9% más para alcanzar los objetivos 20/20/20 de la Estrategia Europea de Energía y Cambio Climático 2020. Así mismo, cabe señalar la práctica ausencia de energías renovables y de acuerdo a los objetivos de la estrategia europea antes mencionada, estas tendrían que multiplicarse por 58 en 2020 para alcanzar el 20% de la energía consumida. Por otro lado, los recursos hídricos están sujetos a una fuerte demanda para abastecimiento urbano de la población residente y turística, que suponen casi el 90% del consumo total de agua en la isla. Como consecuencia, los acuíferos de isla de Eivissa sufren un grave estado de sobreexplotación y deterioro de su calidad con la mitad de las 16 masas de agua sobre explotadas y 12 de ellas salinizadas. Los acuciantes problemas de sobreexplotación de los acuíferos de la isla han conllevado una progresiva dependencia de agua desalada, aunque las aguas subterráneas son todavía el principal recurso (20 Hm3/año) doblando los recursos hídricos de desalinizadora (9,8 Hm3/año). El informe adjunto presenta más detalladamente estos y otros indicadores de sostenibilidad; los resultados obtenidos y los escenarios que de ellos se derivan nos llevan a recomendar la adopción de algún sistema de información sobre el rumbo de nuestro modelo socioeconómico y a la necesidad de reflexionar sobre la isla de Eivissa queremos dejar a las próximas generaciones

Environmental controls on carbon sequestration, sediment accretion, and elevation change in the Ebro River Delta: Implications for wetland restoration

Delta wetlands are increasingly recognized as important sinks for ‘blue carbon,’ although this and other ecosystem services that deltas provide are threatened by human activities. We investigated factors that affect sediment accretion using short term (3 years using marker horizons) and longer-term measures (∼50 year using 137Cs soil core distribution and ∼100 year using 210Pb distribution), the associated carbon accumulation rates, and resulting changes in surface elevation in the Ebro River Delta, Catalonia, Spain. Fifteen sites were selected, representing the geomorphological settings and range of salinities typical of the delta's wetlands. Sediment accretion rates as measured by 137Cs distribution in soil cores ranged from 0.13 to 0.93 cm yr−1. Surface elevations increased at all sites, from 0.10 to 2.13 cm yr−1 with the greatest increases in natural impoundments with little connection to other surface waters. Carbon accumulation rates were highly spatially variable, ranging from 32 to 435 g C m−1 yr−1 with significantly higher rates at bay sites (p = 0.02) where hydrologic connectivity is high and sediment resuspension more intense. Sites with high connectivity had significantly higher rates of carbon accumulation (averaging 376 ± 50 g C m−1 yr−1) compared to sites with moderate or low connectivity. We also found high rates of carbon accumulation in brackish sites where connectivity was low and biomass production was characteristically higher than in saline sites. A stepwise regression model explained 81% of variability in carbon accumulation rates across all sites. Our data indicate deltaic wetlands can be important sinks for blue carbon, contributing to climate change mitigation.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Hyperkalemia in Heart Failure Patients in Spain and Its Impact on Guidelines and Recommendations: ESC-EORP-HFA Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

[Abstract] Introduction and objectives: Hyperkalemia is a growing concern in the treatment of patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction because it limits the use of effective drugs. We report estimates of the magnitude of this problem in routine clinical practice in Spain, as well as changes in potassium levels during follow-up and associated factors. Methods: This study included patients with acute (n=881) or chronic (n=3587) heart failure recruited in 28 Spanish hospitals of the European heart failure registry of the European Society of Cardiology and followed up for 1 year. Various outcomes were analyzed, including changes in serum potassium levels and their impact on treatment. Results: Hyperkalemia (K+> 5.4 mEq/L) was identified in 4.3% (95%CI, 3.7%-5.0%) and 8.2% (6.5%-10.2%) of patients with chronic and acute heart failure, respectively, and was responsible for 28.9% of all cases of contraindication to mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist use and for 10.8% of all cases of failure to reach the target dose. Serum potassium levels were not recorded in 291 (10.8%) of the 2693 chronic heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction. During follow-up, potassium levels increased in 179 of 1431 patients (12.5%, 95%CI, 10.8%-14.3%). This increase was directly related to age, diabetes, and history of stroke and was inversely related to history of hyperkalemia. Conclusions: This study highlights the magnitude of the problem of hyperkalemia in patients with heart failure in everyday clinical practice and the need to improve monitoring of this factor in these patients due to its interference with the possibility of receiving optimal treatment.[Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. La hiperpotasemia es una preocupación creciente en el tratamiento de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca y fracción de eyección reducida, pues limita el uso de fármacos eficaces. Este trabajo ofrece estimaciones de la magnitud de este problema en la práctica clínica habitual en España, los cambios en las concentraciones de potasio en el seguimiento y los factores asociados. Métodos. Pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (n = 881) y crónica (n = 3.587) seleccionados en 28 hospitales españoles del registro europeo de insuficiencia cardiaca de la European Society of Cardiology y seguidos 1 año para diferentes desenlaces, incluidos cambios en las cifras de potasio y su impacto en el tratamiento. Resultados. La hiperpotasemia (K+ > 5,4 mEq/l) está presente en el 4,3% (IC95%, 3,7-5,0%) y el 8,2% (6,5-10,2%) de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca crónica y aguda; causa el 28,9% de todos los casos en que se contraindica el uso de antagonistas del receptor de mineralocorticoides y el 10,8% de los que no alcanzan la dosis objetivo. Del total de 2.693 pacientes ambulatorios con fracción de eyección reducida, 291 (10,8%) no tenían registrada medición de potasio. Durante el seguimiento, 179 de 1.431 (12,5%, IC95%, 10,8-14,3%) aumentaron su concentración de potasio, aumento relacionado directamente con la edad, la diabetes mellitus y los antecedentes de ictus e inversamente con los antecedentes de hiperpotasemia. Conclusiones. Este trabajo destaca el problema de la hiperpotasemia en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca de la práctica clínica habitual y la necesidad de continuar y mejorar la vigilancia de este factor en estos pacientes por su interferencia en el tratamiento óptimo

Effectiveness of an intervention for improving drug prescription in primary care patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy:Study protocol of a cluster randomized clinical trial (Multi-PAP project)

This study was funded by the Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias ISCIII (Grant Numbers PI15/00276, PI15/00572, PI15/00996), REDISSEC (Project Numbers RD12/0001/0012, RD16/0001/0005), and the European Regional Development Fund ("A way to build Europe").Background: Multimorbidity is associated with negative effects both on people's health and on healthcare systems. A key problem linked to multimorbidity is polypharmacy, which in turn is associated with increased risk of partly preventable adverse effects, including mortality. The Ariadne principles describe a model of care based on a thorough assessment of diseases, treatments (and potential interactions), clinical status, context and preferences of patients with multimorbidity, with the aim of prioritizing and sharing realistic treatment goals that guide an individualized management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a complex intervention that implements the Ariadne principles in a population of young-old patients with multimorbidity and polypharmacy. The intervention seeks to improve the appropriateness of prescribing in primary care (PC), as measured by the medication appropriateness index (MAI) score at 6 and 12months, as compared with usual care. Methods/Design: Design:pragmatic cluster randomized clinical trial. Unit of randomization: family physician (FP). Unit of analysis: patient. Scope: PC health centres in three autonomous communities: Aragon, Madrid, and Andalusia (Spain). Population: patients aged 65-74years with multimorbidity (≥3 chronic diseases) and polypharmacy (≥5 drugs prescribed in ≥3months). Sample size: n=400 (200 per study arm). Intervention: complex intervention based on the implementation of the Ariadne principles with two components: (1) FP training and (2) FP-patient interview. Outcomes: MAI score, health services use, quality of life (Euroqol 5D-5L), pharmacotherapy and adherence to treatment (Morisky-Green, Haynes-Sackett), and clinical and socio-demographic variables. Statistical analysis: primary outcome is the difference in MAI score between T0 and T1 and corresponding 95% confidence interval. Adjustment for confounding factors will be performed by multilevel analysis. All analyses will be carried out in accordance with the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: It is essential to provide evidence concerning interventions on PC patients with polypharmacy and multimorbidity, conducted in the context of routine clinical practice, and involving young-old patients with significant potential for preventing negative health outcomes. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02866799Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Desarrollo de herramientas metodológicas para incorporar contenidos de ciencia al aula y su valoración económica

La ciencia y la tecnología juegan un papel fundamental en nuestra sociedad. En este sentido, la ciudadanía parece necesitar unos conocimientos básicos que le permitan responder de manera autónoma a multitud de situaciones, tanto a nivel personal como social (Kolstø et al., 2006). Este requisito, conocido en la literatura como alfabetización científica, lleva siendo uno de los objetivos de la educación en las últimas décadas (Hodson, 2003; Feinstein, 2011). Sin embargo, parece que su consecución presenta algunos problemas. Una de las causas de estas dificultades parece ser la falta de conexión entre los contenidos que se trabajan en las clases y el día a día del ciudadano. Respecto a esto, una solución ampliamente citada en la literatura es contextualizar el aprendizaje, relacionando los contenidos trabajados en clase con escenarios cotidianos y familiares para el alumnado (Clegg & Kolodner, 2014). El proyecto pretendía que nuestros estudiantes llevasen a cabo un análisis de los contextos con contenidos científico-económicos y promovieran su utilización en el aula y en su futuro profesional. Es decir, formar a nuestros profesionales para que pudieran detectar e incorporar entre sus competencias la capacidad de conectar lo aprendido en las asignaturas con las necesidades sociales. En concreto, el proyecto tenía, en base a los problemas detectados en la percepción de la ciencia y en la formación de los ciudadanos, dos grandes tipos de objetivos: Objetivos relacionados con la percepción de los conocimientos científico-tecnológicos y su valoración económica (Ezquerra, Fernández-Sánchez, Cabezas, 2013; Ezquerra, Fernandez-Sanchez, 2014; Ezquerra, Fernandez-Sanchez, Magaña, 2015; 2016; Ezquerra, Fernandez-Sanchez, Magaña & Mingo, 2017): • Identificar en qué situaciones los ciudadanos, en su vida cotidiana, están en presencia de contenidos científicos o tecnológicos. • Determinar de qué modo llegan al ciudadano estos contenidos, con qué intensidad, cómo son propuestos, cómo son percibidos... • Analizar el modo en que podemos otorgar a estos contenidos una valoración económica. Objetivos educativos que se integran dentro de las asignaturas: • Analizar las correspondencias entre los currículos oficiales y los contenidos presentes en el entorno del ciudadano (Ezquerra, Fernandez-Sanchez, Magaña Ramos, 2015; Ezquerra y Magaña, 2016). • Introducir a los estudiantes en una propuesta de aprendizaje basada en la indagación (Rivero et al., 2013; Ezquerra, De Juanas, Martín del Pozo, 2015). • Valorar las estrategias y competencias de los futuros docentes para vincular sus conocimientos con la realidad circundante (De Juanas et al., 2012). • Analizar las actividades que los estudiantes propongan para identificar los contenidos de ciencia y estudiar su valoración económica

Early mobilisation in critically ill COVID-19 patients: a subanalysis of the ESICM-initiated UNITE-COVID observational study

Background Early mobilisation (EM) is an intervention that may improve the outcome of critically ill patients. There is limited data on EM in COVID-19 patients and its use during the first pandemic wave. Methods This is a pre-planned subanalysis of the ESICM UNITE-COVID, an international multicenter observational study involving critically ill COVID-19 patients in the ICU between February 15th and May 15th, 2020. We analysed variables associated with the initiation of EM (within 72 h of ICU admission) and explored the impact of EM on mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay, as well as discharge location. Statistical analyses were done using (generalised) linear mixed-effect models and ANOVAs. Results Mobilisation data from 4190 patients from 280 ICUs in 45 countries were analysed. 1114 (26.6%) of these patients received mobilisation within 72 h after ICU admission; 3076 (73.4%) did not. In our analysis of factors associated with EM, mechanical ventilation at admission (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.25, 0.35; p = 0.001), higher age (OR 0.99; 95% CI 0.98, 1.00; p ≤ 0.001), pre-existing asthma (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.73, 0.98; p = 0.028), and pre-existing kidney disease (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.71, 0.99; p = 0.036) were negatively associated with the initiation of EM. EM was associated with a higher chance of being discharged home (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.08, 1.58; p = 0.007) but was not associated with length of stay in ICU (adj. difference 0.91 days; 95% CI − 0.47, 1.37, p = 0.34) and hospital (adj. difference 1.4 days; 95% CI − 0.62, 2.35, p = 0.24) or mortality (OR 0.88; 95% CI 0.7, 1.09, p = 0.24) when adjusted for covariates. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that a quarter of COVID-19 patients received EM. There was no association found between EM in COVID-19 patients' ICU and hospital length of stay or mortality. However, EM in COVID-19 patients was associated with increased odds of being discharged home rather than to a care facility. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04836065 (retrospectively registered April 8th 2021)

Multifunctional experimental assessment in a newly established Mediterranean restored marsh : marsh elevation, carbon accumulation and pollutant concentration reduction

The Delta of the Ebro River (Catalonia, Spain) is among the most important marsh areas in the Western Mediterranean Sea, highly valuable both economically and ecologically. Fluvial sediment reduction by dams in a relative sea-level rise (RSLR) scenario (eustatic sea-level rise + subsidence) has increased the delta plain flooding risk. Traditional and current agricultural practices have transformed large areas of marshes and lagoons into rice fields, now occupying up to 60% of the deltaic plain. Agricultural runoff carries substantial loads of pesticide and fertilizer to natural habitats. To reduce ecological impacts, several marsh restoration efforts have been initiated to improve water quality and increase wildlife habitat. However, previous experimental studies in the Ebro Delta and other Mediterranean marshes have not focused on overall ecological benefits and costs of restored marshes providing simultaneously vertical accretion to deal with flooding risk, carbon (C) sequestration and pollutant removal services. A need for more knowledge is required to optimize factors controlling these ecosystem services seeking to work as natural defence against flooding risk, sequestering C, as well as natural filters of agricultural runoff. The objective of this study was to assess the multifunctional use and factors controlling of vertical accretion, C accumulation and pollutant concentration reduction in Mediterranean oligohaline restored marshes. We conducted a 3-year experimental field study in a newly established restored marsh using two different freshwater input types, riverine irrigation water (IW) and rice field drainage water (DW) and three water levels (10, 20 and 30 cm depth). The results indicate overall benefits of the restored marsh providing marsh elevation, C accumulation and pollutant removal services. This study indicates that Mediterranean oligohaline restored marshes might buffer flooding risk dealing with sediment deficit and RSLR in the Ebro Delta due to high mean rates of vertical accretion (11.5±0.8 and 15.5±0.6 mm yr?¹) and elevation change (9.1±1.4 and 8.8±2.8 mm yr?¹) in both water type treatments (IW and DW respectively), at least during the initial phase of marsh establishment. Rice field drainage waters provided higher sediment concentrations to the restored marsh, which in turn promoted C accumulation. Two years after the establishment of the restored marsh, C accumulation rates in both water type treatments (99.44 and 126.10 g m?² yr?¹) showed similar values to global estimates for freshwater marshes, but only half of salt marshes. The restored marsh was also an efficient N-P and metal filters even when receiving higher nutrient concentrations from rice field drainage waters: nutrient concentration reduction varied for total N (50.66 ± 3.85 %), N-NO3? (96.10 ± 0.35 %), N-NH4? (80.76 ± 1.8 %), total P (49.96 ± 3.95 %) and P-PO4³? (17.99 ± 3.92 %). Significantly higher Mn, Pb and Zn from drainage waters caused higher concentration reductions (47.4 ± 9.2 %, 44.1 ± 4.4 % and 23.7 ± 4.6 % respectively) in the DW treatment than the IW treatment. Higher Cu water concentrations from irrigation water increased significantly Cu concentration reduction (85.4 ± 0.5 %). Net export of As and Hg in both water treatments may be caused by releasing from previously stored metals in the pre-restored rice field soils. Plant growth affected ecosystem services in different ways. Root growth favoured marsh elevation, C accumulation and metal concentration reduction, especially as the weed P. distichum colonized rapidly and densely the restored marsh. However, higher nutrient concentrations from rice field drainage waters may also inhibit root growth. Root growth may also decrease nitrate concentration reduction ability via denitrification inhibition, but increased metal soil content via aerobic adsorption due to the plant ability to oxygenate their rhizosphere. This research supports that the use of rice field drainage waters as a primary source of nutrient and sediment as beneficial for marsh restoration projects focused on marsh elevation, C accumulation and pollutant removal. Higher nutrient and sediments concentrations enhanced these ecosystem services at least during initial stages of the restored marsh. The experimental marsh units receiving higher metal concentrations from rice field drainage water than river irrigation waters reduced metal water concentrations via soil content and accumulation. Organic soils and oxygen conditions enhanced by plant growth may favor soil metal content and higher sediment concentrations from rice field drainage waters also enhanced soil metal accumulation

Assessing the impact of sewage on ecosystem services provided by Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Balearic Islands

Trabajo presentado a: 2nd Meeting of the Iberian Ecological Society (SIBECOL); XXI conference of the Iberian Association of Limnology (AIL) and 21st National Congress of Ecology of the Portuguese Ecological Society (SPECO), celebrados en Aveiro (Portugal) del 3 al 8 de julio de 2022.The Posidonia oceanica meadows in the Mediterranean Sea are ecosystems of vital importance for the health of its waters. Posidonia provides, among other numerous benefits, oxygenation of the water column, capture of carbon dioxide as well as particulate carbon, that can be buried underneath he meadow. Therefore it plays an important role in climate change mitigation. Nevertheless, many stressors of anthropogenic origin endanger the functionality and the ecosystem services provided by Posidonia meadows. Between the most relevant is eutrophication due to the inputs of wastewater rich in nutrients and organic matter through sewage. This can affect the plants negatively, i.e. through enhanced bacterial sulfide production and subsequent intrusion. Here we assess the health of Posidonia meadows in areas with sewage presence and identify drivers behind meadow degradation. We determine the influence of sewage inputs on oxygen production and metabolic rates, at two sites in the Balearic Islands, one station in an area with sewage presence (Son Veri, Mallorca) and a control site in an area without anthropogenic influence, considered pristine (Cabrera Archipelago Maritime- Terrestrial National Park) during two field campaigns, in May 2021, before the maximum growth stage of Posidonia, and in September 2021, at the end of the growth stage. To identify drivers behind meadow degradation we evaluate sedimentation of particulate matter and sulfide concentrations in the sediment. Additional information on meadow status and possible drivers was obtained from monitoring reports provided by the Age¿ncia Balear de l'Aigua i de la Qualitat Ambiental (ABAQUA). The information of 9 wastewater treatment plants with submarine outlets close to Posidonia oceanica meadows was compiled from 2018 to 2020 for Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca. Through a multivariable analysis we establish the relationship between anthropogenic drivers and meadow state and trajectory. The ecological status of the meadows was evaluated taking the distance to the wastewater outlet into account and comparing all the sites with the control station. Finally, this study intends to raise the awareness of the consequences of human activity and choices for the environment, such as the positioning of sewage outlets and the possibility to improve waste water treatments reducing the most harmful agents for Posidonia oceanica meadows. This knowledge can be used to establish a solid basis for new management guidelines

Chloride as a macronutrient increases water-use efficiency by anatomically driven reduced stomatal conductance and increased mesophyll diffusion to CO2

17 págins.- 8 figuras.- 113 referencias.- Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this articlen https://doi.org/10.1111/tpj.14423Chloride (Cl−) has been recently described as a beneficial macronutrient, playing specific roles in promoting plant growth and water-use efficiency (WUE). However, it is still unclear how Cl− could be beneficial, especially in comparison with nitrate (NO3−), an essential source of nitrogen that shares with Cl− similar physical and osmotic properties, as well as common transport mechanisms. In tobacco plants, macronutrient levels of Cl− specifically reduce stomatal conductance (gs) without a concomitant reduction in the net photosynthesis rate (AN). As stomata-mediated water loss through transpiration is inherent in the need of C3 plants to capture CO2, simultaneous increase in photosynthesis and WUE is of great relevance to achieve a sustainable increase in C3 crop productivity. Our results showed that Cl−-mediated stimulation of larger leaf cells leads to a reduction in stomatal density, which in turn reduces gs and water consumption. Conversely, Cl− improves mesophyll diffusion conductance to CO2 (gm) and photosynthetic performance due to a higher surface area of chloroplasts exposed to the intercellular airspace of mesophyll cells, possibly as a consequence of the stimulation of chloroplast biogenesis. A key finding of this study is the simultaneous improvement of AN and WUE due to macronutrient Cl− nutrition. This work identifies relevant and specific functions in which Cl− participates as a beneficial macronutrient for higher plants, uncovering a sustainable approach to improve crop yield. © 2019 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2019 John Wiley & Sons LtdThis work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science Innovation and Universities-FEDER grants AGL2015-71386-R and RTI2018-094460-B-I00 and by the Spanish National Research Council grants CSIC-201540E108 and CSIC-201740E08Peer reviewe