Use of native mosses as biomonitors of heavy metals and nitrogen deposition in the surroundings of two steel works

A biomonitoring survey using the moss species Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. was conducted in the surroundings of two steel plants located in the North of Spain. Levels of V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Hg, Pb and N were determined. Very high concentrations in the areas of study were detected when compared to nearby unaffected regions. Similar trends were observed for all the elements in the differently orientated transects, showing an appreciable influence of the NW prevailing winds of the region in the dispersion of pollutants, as well as a clear decreasing gradient in the concentrations of metals in mosses within a distance of 1500 meters from the facilities. A differentiation between the elements emitted by the chimney as result of the industrial activity (V, Cr, Ni, Cu and As) and those with a high presence in steel slag deposits (Zn, Cd, Hg and Pb) was observed. The range of contamination was also established by means of the Contamination Factor, indicating a category 4 out of 6 categories, which shows the high levels reported in the areas of study. A different dynamic was registered for nitrogen regarding the rest of the heavy metals analysed except for Hg, probably due to the elevated volatility and mobility of both elements, as well as their high persistence in the atmosphere.     

Application of temperature gradient gel electrophoresis technique to monitor changes in the structure of the eukaryotic leaf-epiphytic community of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Posidonia oceanica</Emphasis>

Seagrass leaves have been recognized as a suitable substratum in shallow sedimentary environments for the establishment of epiphytic communities. Microscope-based identification of species has been traditionally used to monitor changes in the composition of the eukaryotic leaf-epiphytic community of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile. Our main goal was to adapt the temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) barcoding technique largely used in molecular microbial ecology studies to monitor changes in the composition of P. oceanica epiphytic community. This molecular technique has been successful for handling large amounts of samples in a fast and reproducible manner. To that end, we applied the TGGE technique to study the epiphytic community in two different seasons and compare the results with those provided by the classical microscope approach. The results obtained with both approaches were generally consistent. The complexity of the banding pattern produced by TGGE was mirrored by the taxa richness of the community described using the classical approach. The minimum number of P. oceanica shoots necessary to adequately represent the composition of the eukaryotic leaf-epiphytic community was of the same order of magnitude for both techniques. Partial gene sequences of some selected bands affiliated with sequences of zoo and phytoephytic taxa. Some of them were detected using microscopy. Our results showed that TGGE is an excellent approach for comparative macrobenthic community studies that need parallel treatment of many samples at a time. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time in which molecular barcoding techniques have been applied to the comparison of eukaryotic epiphytic communities.     

The development and application of remote sensing to monitor sand dune habitats

Sand dunes are complex systems that contain several habitats, often as mosaics or transitions between types. Several of these habitats are afforded protection under European Legislation and in the UK nationally within Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Natural England has a statutory duty to report to Europe on the conservation status and condition of sand dunes; and is required to report to the UK Government on designated sites. To achieve this we have sought ways of capturing, analysing and interpreting data on the extent and location of sand dune habitats. This requires an ability to be able to obtain data over large areas of coastline in an efficient way. Natural England and Environment Agency Geomatics have worked collaboratively for over 16 years, sharing data and ecological knowledge. In 2012 work started to evaluate the use of remote sensing to map UK BAP and Annex I sand dune habitats. A methodology has now been developed and tested to map sand dune habitats. The key objective was to provide an operational tool that will help to map these habitats and understand change on sites around England. This has been achieved through analysis of LIDAR and Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager (CASI) data using Object Orientated Image Analysis. Quality Control (QC) and accuracy assessments have shown this approach to be successful and 11 sites have been mapped to date. These techniques are providing a new approach to monitoring change in coastal vegetation communities and informing management of protected sites.     

Exploratory analysis of Spanish energetic mining accidents

Using data on work accidents and annual mining statistics, the paper studies work-related accidents in the Spanish energetic mining sector in 1999-2008. The following 3 parameters are considered: age, experience and size of the mine (in number of workers) where the accident took place. The main objective of this paper is to show the relationship between different accident indicators: risk index (as an expression of the incidence), average duration index for the age and size of the mine variables (as a measure of the seriousness of an accident), and the gravity index for the various sizes of mines (which measures the seriousness of an accident, too). The conclusions of this study could be useful to develop suitable prevention policies that would contribute towards a decrease in work-related accidents in the Spanish energetic mining industry.