Urban areas, human health and technosols for the green deal

Authors aim to carry out a bibliographic review as an initial approach to state of the art related to the quality of urban soils, as well as its possible link with human health. This concern arises from the need to highlight the consequences that soil could face, derived from the growth and aging of the population, as well as its predicted preference for urban settlement. Urban development may pose a challenge to the health of urban soils, due to degradative processes that it entails, such as land take, sealing, contamination or compaction. A healthy soil is the one which maintains the capacity to support ecosystem services, so it can provide numerous benefits to human health and wellbeing (carbon sequestration, protection against flooding, retention and immobilization of pollutants and a growth media for vegetation and food production). This article addresses threats facing urban soils, the strategies put forward by the European Union to deal with them, as well as the issues that require further attention. Greening cities could be a consensual solution, so authors analyze whether soils of cities are ready for that challenge and what resources need to maintain soil ecosystem functions. This review proposes to use made by waste Technosols for a sustainable green city. Although the use of Technosols as a type of soil is very recent, the interest of the scientific community in this field continues to grow

The dynamics of boron when amending agricultural soil of the Mediterranean basin with biosolids: trials in leaching columns

There is mainly a lack of boron (B) in soils with low amounts of organic matter and in acidic and sandy soils. This is especially true in irrigated land or humid regions, where leaching can occur. The results from studying the amount of available B will reveal the status of B in the soil of a specific plot of land. The experimentation was per-formed as a controlled study using leaching columns. A container was placed at the end of the columns to collect the infiltrated water. Three treatments were performed by applying different amounts of biosol-ids (T40: 40,000  kg  ha−1, T80: 80,000  kg  ha−1, T120: 120,000  kg  ha−1), as well as a blank test or control treatment (T0). We conclude that the mobility of B in soil was generally low despite the addition of organic matter and humidity to the soil. This is an indication that there is no clear risk of aquifers being contaminated with B or plants being impacted by tox-icity due to this micronutrient

Bioavailability, mobility and leaching of phosphorus in a Mediterranean agricultural soil (ne Spain) amended with different doses of biosolids

The precipitation of sparingly soluble calcium phosphate in calcareous soils decreases the bioavailability of macronutrients, which makes their addition by way of fertilisers necessary. Sludge resulting from treating urban wastewater does not only provide significant amounts of phosphorus, but also helps lower the pH, thus increasing its bioavailability. The loss of part of soil nutrients due to irrigation or rain can contaminate groundwater. In order to assess the movement of phosphorus, a experiment was conducted on percolation columns, to which different doses of wastes were applied. The pH decreased by as much as 0.89 units, as well as the assimilable and soluble P, in intervals of 20 cm of depth, obtaining maximum values of 254 mg P kg-1 and 1455 lg P kg-1 respectively, and the P present in the leached water collected, which did not surpass 95 lg PL-1. The intent was to learn which was the majoritarian inorganic formed crystalline phase that immobilised the movement of phosphorus through the percolation column. The results obtained by the diffraction of X-rays are not conclusive, although they point to the formation of octacalcium phosphate. The diffractograms of the studied samples have similar diffraction lines to those of apatites

Measuring the level of environmental performance in insular areas, through key performed indicators, in the framework of waste strategy development

To measure “something that is not there”, is not easy and at the same time not fully understandable and perceived by the citizens. Several elements (such as, waste production, waste management cost, social attitude and behaviour, etc.) interrupt and disturb any strategy in the framework of waste management. Additionally, through the European Green Deal (EGD), Europe is trying to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, taking into account the Circular Economy Strategy (CES) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). A Driving Force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) breakdown was applied, to establish and organize key information's on the environmental performance (E.P) taking into consideration the existing pollution, reviewing the contemporary knowledge and existing implemented waste strategies on the driving forces, pressures, states and impacts. This paper includes several key performed indicators (KPIs), in order to evaluate the E.P of an area, through hybrid approach which cover among others, the waste compositional analysis, SWOT and PESTEL analysis, waste recycling and waste accumulation index, prevention activities, awareness activities etc. The results indicate that, the selected areas implement periodic measures, but they need to put more effort to boost their citizens to participate in any proposed waste strategy. Furthermore, the results are very valuable and helpful to policy makers, consultants, scientists, competent authorities, stakeholders etc., in order to design and promote synergies and activities (mainly in Local Authorities), to reach the proposed figures that EGD, proposed in relation with the CES as well as with the SDGs

Record of a high energy event in the coastal plain of Guardamar de Segura (Alicante, SE España).

Los eventos de alta energía (tempestades/tsunamis/inundaciones) quedan normalmente registrados como niveles de sedimentos más gruesos y mal seleccionados. Este trabajo busca identificar posibles eventos de alta energía en el registro sedimentario litoral del Holoceno de Guardamar del Segura en las proximidades del yacimiento fenicio de Cabezo Pequeño del Estaño del siglo VIII a.C. La granulometría por difracción laser del sondeo de 5,50 m de profundidad, muestra predominio de limo fino. A la profundidad de 3,80 m el sondeo contiene un nivel de sedimentos bimodales (arena fina y limo grueso) muy mal seleccionados. La asimetría positiva de la moda de arenas indica que podrían ser sedimentos dunares transportadas por un desbordamiento costero de olas de tempestad o tsunami hacia el antiguo entrante marino, hoy soterrado. Sin embargo, el resultado del análisis FTIR (Reflectancia total atenuada de Espectroscopía Infrarroja) indica alrededor de 4,00 m de profundidad un predominio de carbonatos, correspondiente a dolomías ricas en hierro, de procedencia continental, el cual puede deberse a un evento de alta energía que llegó desde el interior. Al no ser posible la datación por falta de preservación de material datable, se ha considerado una tasa de sedimentación ya descrita en la bibliografía de 1,9 mm/año, con la cual se deduce que el evento de inundación de alta energía ocurrió alrededor de hace 2000 añosHigh-energy events (storms/tsunamis/floods) are recorded as thicker, poorly sorted sediment levels. This work seeks to identify possible high-energy events in the Holocene sedimentary record of Guardamar del Segura in the vicinity of the Phoenician site of Cabezo Pequeño del Estaño from the 8th century BC. The laser diffraction granulometry of the 5.50 m deep borehole shows a predominance of fine silt. At a depth of 3.80 m, the borehole contains a level of bimodal sediments (fine sand and coarse silt) that are very poorly selected. The positive asymmetry of the sand pattern indicates that they could be dune sediments transported by a coastal overflow by storm waves or tsunamis towards the ancient marine inlet, now buried. However, the result of the FTIR analysis indicates around 4.00 m depth a predominance of iron-rich dolomites, from inland, thus could indicate the high energy event that arrived from the interior. Since dating is not possible due to lack of preservation of datable material, a sedimentation rate already described in the bibliography of 1.9 mm/year has been considered, from which it is deduced that the highenergy event occurred around 2000 years agoEste trabajo es una contribución al proyecto MOLICO/CV con fondos del programa Think in Azul Next Generation EU (PRTR-C17.I1) de la Unión Europea. Proyecto de la Generalitat Valenciana GVATHINKINAZUL/ 2021/03

Waste as a sustainable source of nutrients for plants and humans : a strategy to reduce hidden hunger

Worldwide, over half of all preschool-aged children and two-thirds of non-pregnant women of reproductive age suffer from hidden hunger. This situation may worsen due to the expected increase in the world population and the effects of climate change. The objective of this paper is to conduct a review of the relationship between soil, plants, and humans at the nutritional level, factors that affect the availability of nutrients, and sustainable strategies to reduce hidden hunger from an organic waste utilization point of view. Nutritional deficiency in people begins with nutrient-deficient soil, followed by crops that do not meet humans’ nutritional needs. According to previous studies, most agricultural soils are deficient in nutrients; however, organic residues containing high concentrations of minerals are present in the non-edible parts that are discarded. New opportunities (based on the circular economy strategy) are opening up to take advantage of the nutrient pool of organic residues, such as the preparation of substrates (technosols) or amendments. Their incorporation into the soil may consider various circumstances to ensure the mineralization and bioavailability of nutrients for crops. Several agronomic practices and methods to monitor soil and crop nutrient depletion can be considered among the best strategies to mitigate and reduce hidden hunger through determining which foods and which parts should be ingested, and how to process them to ensure mineral bioavailability

Planetary sustainability science and technology : Integrating Astro-soil, Astro-environmental engineering and Astro-habitat engineering for space exploration

This paper explores the interdisciplinary field of Planetary Sustainability Science and Technology, integrating environmental science, engineering, and sustainability principles to ensure the long-term viability of human settlements in extraterrestrial environments. The study introduces a novel framework combining Astro-Environmental Engineering, Astro-Soil Science, and Astro-Habitat Engineering, with an emphasis on waste recycling, circular resource recovery. Through this cohesive method, the paper proposed innovative approaches to manage waste debris (as there are >35,750 debris objects with over 640 breaks ups and collision which have been recorded and with 900,000 debris objects larger than 1 cm) waste recycling, resource recovery, habitat sustainability, stressing the need for new educational curricula to prepare the next generation of engineers for space exploration and activities. Moreover, the ethical, technological and legal consideration necessary for sustainable human expansion into space have been addressed. Through a systematic literature, review based on PRISMA framework we retrieve 218 references and data from database such as Scopus, European Space Agency, NASA. Bibliometric analysis was performed using VOS-viewer software defining key themes and trends, generating keywords maps for network visualization using 235 keywords related with space debris and 213 keywords related with space trash indicated that engineering education is hyperconnected with space education, planetary science and space research as well as with circular economy principles. The paper proposed a new curriculum framework based on Bloom's taxonomy to defined learning objectives and outcomes considering modules such as plant physiology, mineral nutrition of plants, space waste as source of nutrients, material flow analysis, extraterrestrial environmental risk, debris collection systems, planetary geology and life support systems, artificial intelligence, human needs and ethics, extraterrestrial water and circular waste management. In addition, highlight and proposed innovative technologies such as advanced recycling systems and in situ resource utilization for water and fuel production as well as promote circular models and sustainable practices

Actualización de la batería estándar y batería ampliada de pruebas alérgicas de contacto por el Grupo Español de Investigación en Dermatitis de Contacto y Alergia Cutánea (GEIDAC)

After the meeting held by the Spanish Contact Dermatitis and Skin Allergy Research Group (GEIDAC) back in October 2021, changes were suggested to the Spanish Standard Series patch testing. Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2% pet.), textile dye mixt (6.6% pet.), linalool hydroperoxide (1% pet.), and limonene hydroperoxide (0.3% pet.) were, then, added to the series that agreed upon in 2016. Ethyldiamine and phenoxyethanol were excluded. Methyldibromoglutaronitrile, the mixture of sesquiterpene lactones, and hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene (Lyral) were also added to the extended Spanish series of 2022. (c) 2024 AEDV. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC BY -NC -ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Patch test results to the Spanish baseline patch test series according to age groups : A multicentric prospective study from 2019 to 2023

Patch test results may be influenced by age-related factors. However, there is still discordant evidence between age and patch test results. We aim to evaluate the patch test results reflecting skin sensitisation, their relevance and association with clinical features by age group. Methods: Prospective multicentric study of all patients patch tested with the Spanish baseline series in participating centres. Age groups were pre-defined as children (0- to 11-years), adolescents (12- to 18-years), young adults (19- to 30-years), middle-aged adults (31- to 65-years) and older adults (≥66-years). Occurrence of sensitisation, relevance and clinical features were compared by age group. Factors associated with skin sensitisation were investigated with multivariate logistic regression. A total of 13 368 patients were patch-tested. Differences in positive patch test results and relevance by age were detected with the highest proportion in middle-aged adults. Age-related trend differences were found for nickel, potassium dichromate, caines, colophony, Myroxylon pereirae resin, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and limonene hydroperoxide. The multivariate logistic analysis (adjusted for sex, atopic dermatitis, body location and occupational dermatitis) showed an association between the age group of 31-65 (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.26-1.58) and above 66-years (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01-1.32) with a higher proportion of positive results, compared with young adults. Positive patch test results vary according to age, with the highest occurrence in middle-aged adults. Most haptens did not present age-related differences, reinforcing the use of baseline series regardless of age

re-habitar El Carmen : Un proyecto sobre patrimonio contemporáneo

El proyecto _re-HABITAR suponía para el propio proceder de la institución un avance más allá del reconocimiento, registro, inventario o protección patrimonial de la arquitectura del siglo XX y del Movimiento Moderno para posicionarse en la acción preventiva y conservativa de ese legado contemporáneo. Para ello, la praxis patrimonial se aferraba a un modelo: el de la vivienda social en España en la segunda mitad del siglo XX; a un caso concreto: el de la barriada de Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Recasens Méndez-Queipo de Llano, 1958); y a un requisito fundamental: analizar un objeto vivo y en uso, aún con la presencia de quienes lo vivieron y usaron desde su origen