Microplastics (MPs) and antifouling paint particles (APPs) are important components of marine microdebris (MDs), which constitute a potential environmental risk. This study analyzed baseline ...contamination levels of MDs and mesodebris (MesDs) in intertidal sediments at different depths, exploring the geomorphological influence in three Argentine coastal environments: Bahía Blanca Estuary (BBE), Los Pocitos (LP) and Puerto Madryn (PM). The MDs and MesDs samples were characterized by μ-FTIR, SEM/EDX and XRD. The abundance of MPs and APPs in sediments, range between 19.78 and 1087.19 and between 0 and 172.93 items/kg d.w., respectively. Despite variations in population and industrial developments in these areas, MPs abundance shows no significant differences in low and high intertidal zones. However, mean MPs concentrations were higher in the surface layer (0–5 cm) compared to the deeper sediments (5–10 cm), indicating recent MPs deposition. Chemical characterization evidenced the presence of cellulose (CE) and denser polymers as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polyacrylics (PAN), APPs, metallic and black MDs. Surface degradation and heavy metals (Zn, Cr, and Ba) were also detected in APPs and other MDs, either as additives or adhered to their surfaces. Changes in crystallinity were also observed on the MesDs due to weathering. The calculated polymer hazard index (PHI) and the presence of hazardous polymers such as ABS and PAN indicated an increased risk of MPs pollution on the BBE and PM coasts. The pollution load index (PLI) values (from 4.63 to 5.34) suggested unpolluted to moderately polluted levels. These findings offer insights into potential risks associated with MDs in Argentine intertidal sediments, underscoring the critical need to comprehend the geomorphology and the influence of coastal dynamics. This is crucial for effectively addressing challenges linked to MDs pollution guiding the development of robust management and mitigation strategies.
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•Ti, Fe, Mo, Zn, Cr, and Ba were detected in APPs and microdebris fragments.•PET, ABS, PVA, PTFE, and PAN microplastics, as well as APPs, were identified in sediment.•The abundance of microdebris in coastal environments is influenced by the geomorphology and hydrodynamic conditions.•Based on PHI values, beach sediments of BBE and PM had a high level of chemical risk.•Coastal sediment particle sizes do not tend to enhance the accumulation of MPs.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
We develop a process‐based model to simulate the geomorphodynamic evolution of tidal channels, considering hydrodynamics, flow‐induced bank erosion, gravity‐induced bank collapse, and sediment ...dynamics. A stress‐deformation analysis and the Mohr‐Coulomb criterion, calibrated through previous laboratory experiments, are included in a model simulating bank collapse. Results show that collapsed bank soil plays a primary role in the dynamics of bank retreat. For bank collapse with small bank height, tensile failure in the middle of the bank (Stage I), tensile failure on the bank top (Stage II), and sectional cracking from bank top to the toe (Stage III) are present sequentially before bank collapse occurs. A significant linear relation is observed between bank height and the contribution of bank collapse to bank retreat. Contrary to flow‐induced bank erosion, bank collapse prevents further widening since the collapsed bank soil protects the bank from direct bank erosion. The bank profile is linear or slightly convex, and the planimetric shape of tidal channels (gradually decreasing in width landward) is similar when approaching equilibrium, regardless of the consideration of bank erosion and collapse. Moreover, the simulated width‐to‐depth ratio in all runs is comparable with observations from the Venice Lagoon. This indicates that the equilibrium configuration of tidal channels depends on hydrodynamic conditions and sediment properties, while bank erosion and collapse greatly affect the transient behavior (before equilibrium) of the tidal channels. Overall, this contribution highlights the importance of collapsed bank soil in investigating tidal channel morphodynamics using a combined perspective of geotechnics and soil mechanics.
Key Points
A process‐based model is developed to simulate mechanisms related to bank collapse in tidal channels
A significant linear relation is present between bank height and the contribution of bank collapse to bank retreat for cantilever‐shape bank
Collapsed bank soil prevents further channel widening thus facilitating deepening and development of a convex‐shape bank profile
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
An important aspect – although not the only one – in planning and developing a system for waste management is to optimise environmental benefits and minimise environmental damage. The purpose of this ...contribution is to outline a common approach to evaluating environmental impacts – Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) – and to show how it can be used in structured processes to plan and develop waste management policies and systems. LCA, also sometimes known as ‘Cradle-to-Grave’ Assessment, is a general approach to evaluating the total environmental impacts of providing a product or service 1.
The development of data approximation methods from coarse spatial resolution images is gaining increasing interest in the research community. This letter aims to extend and validate a developed ...methodology for estimating border length of diverse marine coastlines from coarse spatial resolution images like Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) by using fractal attributes and its error behavior. The accuracy of MODIS-based estimates and the reliability of the method to predict coastline length measurements by extrapolation was evaluated using Landsat 8 over different coastline types. It is shown that with our method, 250-m MODIS images are adequate for estimating coastline lengths with a precision equivalent to standard linear measurements performed on 30-m resolution imagery, with average errors between 3% and 18% for straight and complex coasts, respectively. These results indicate that an underestimation error, occurring in rugged and complex coasts, is more frequent and significant than overestimation occurring in smooth and straight coasts.
Here we present a preliminary methodology and unprecedented data for sandy beach surf zones, focused on understanding the effects of the passage of storm events in surf- zooplankton communities. The ...main objectives of the present study were to analyze the variation of surf zone physical parameters during several storm events, which have occurred on Pehuen Co beach (PC), using high-frequency physical data and to explore the influence of these events on surf zooplankton taking into account some ecological community indicators such as taxa richness, abundance and diversity. We observed that the zooplankton community structure was significantly altered after the storms, mainly in terms of abundance, but also in the number of taxa and general diversity. In addition, important differences between storm duration were registered. The short-duration storms (< 6 h) were associated with an increase of zooplankton abundances after the events, whereas the long-duration ones (> 6 h) showed a sharp decrease in the number of organisms. Based on the present results, the coastal biological system could be completely altered during storm events, considering that the observed changes in the zooplankton community probably affect other species that interact with them, altering the trophic relationships in surf waters. Additionally, the high-frequency data provided us valuable information not only to visualize the hydrodynamic consequences of the storms, but also to explain the changes in the zooplankton community. The present contribution provides an initial step toward comprehensive research about the physical-biological interactions in surf zone waters during storms, even more in the actual context of climate change where extreme events are expected to increase in frequency and intensity.
•Surf zooplankton was highly affected by storms, mainly in terms of abundance.•The duration of the storms was the main parameter that affects this community.•Short/long duration was associated to an increase/decrease of the abundances, respectively.•High-frequency data provide useful information to monitor storms.•High-frequency data allows an explanation of zooplankton changes during storm’ passage.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
6.
Energy Management As Production Input Perillo, G
WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment,
01/2016, Volume:
205
Journal Article, Conference Proceeding
Open access
In the past, big companies considered offices and shops the main strategic asset of their portfolio. However, only companies with foresight, that have created and established an online presence, ...jumped ahead of the competition. Today, we are now verifying a similar distortion with regard to industrial energy consumption. Traditionally, energy is seen as a cost, a bill to be paid and an expense to be controlled. Companies ready for the future, however, have gained a new perspective toward energy and are transforming their businesses, particularly those manufacturing, in order to capitalize on the real value of energy as a "raw material" and as a usable resource to grow and sustain their businesses in the future. All companies, big and small, will have to know exactly where to use this valuable resource and how to register it as a voice in the bill of materials (BOM) of production, in Gigajoule or BTUs per ton of product. The management of this information in real time enables you to administer the energy really careful, in order to sustain profitability.
The surf zone is strongly affected by tides, waves, and winds. However, there are still a lack of knowledge about the response of the zooplankton community to these physical factors in the surf area, ...with a particular emphasis on tidal effects. The aim of this study was to conduct a preliminary assessment of two distinct tidal cycles, encompassing fluctuations in on-offshore currents, waves, and wind and their influence on the surf zooplankton community of Pehuen Co (PC) sandy beach, Argentina. The study involved field sampling at a single station in the surf zone on September 4th, 2018, and May 20th, 2019. The sampling covered four tidal phases at 3-hour intervals, when water and zooplankton samples were collected for analysis. Environmental variables, such as current velocities, water level, and wind data, among others, were also registered. The results indicated that the abundance of surf zooplankton was significantly influenced by physical forces, resulting in distinct impacts. During the Sept 2018 tidal cycle (calm conditions), an on-offshore current emerged as the primary driving force, resulting in the highest abundance of zooplankton being observed at low tide. In contrast, during the May 2019 tidal cycle (southern winds), strong winds intensified the offshore current velocities and wave height, affecting the zooplankton abundance. High velocities of on-offshore currents corresponded to lower abundance of zooplankton at low tide. This situation introduced an extra physical force -the wind- playing a significant role in restructuring the dynamic of the zooplankton community. The preliminary analysis suggests that the relationship between environmental and biological data is complex and varies depending on the physical factors involved. Notably, in rough conditions, south winds can restructure zooplankton dynamics, influenced by strong winds. This work emphasizes the importance of the surf zone waters of sandy beaches and are useful for future research or monitoring programmes of similar high-energy ecosystems.
•Weather and physical forces play a crucial role in surf-zooplankton dynamics.•In calm conditions, on-offshore currents act as the primary driving force of the zooplankton dynamic.•In rough conditions, south winds increased currents speed, affecting the dynamic of zooplankton.•Strong winds add an extra physical force that restructures the community’s dynamic.•South winds reshape zooplankton tidal dynamics under rough conditions, influenced by strong winds.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Damage development due to impact needs to be understood to evaluate the consequences of impact on composite structures. This study concentrates on modelling and measuring damage development due to ...low velocity impact on thick industrial composites made from glass fibre epoxy by vacuum-assisted resin infusion. Cross-plied laminates were tested with different impact energy and different number of interfaces (clustering). Results were compared to a 3D finite element analysis. Interfaces and their damage development were modelled with cohesive elements. Intra ply properties were modelled by progressive failure analysis. Many elements and large memory use were needed to obtain sufficient modelling accuracy. However, all input parameters of the model were based on widely available and independently obtained material properties. Impact force and time to initiate damage and maximum force were measured and related to impact energy and clustering. Damage development was monitored optically in the translucent material for all test cases. The results show that the numerical model using only simple and independently measured material data was able to predict the impact behaviour for the different energies and different stacking sequences.
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NUK, OILJ, SAZU, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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