A target question for the scientific study of consciousness is how dimensions of consciousness, such as the ability to feel pain and pleasure or reflect on one’s own experience, vary in different ...states and animal species. Considering the tight link between consciousness and moral status, answers to these questions have implications for law and ethics. Here we point out that given this link, the scientific community studying consciousness may face implicit pressure to carry out certain research programs or interpret results in ways that justify current norms rather than challenge them. We show that because consciousness largely determines moral status, the use of nonhuman animals in the scientific study of consciousness introduces a direct conflict between scientific relevance and ethics—the more scientifically valuable an animal model is for studying consciousness, the more difficult it becomes to ethically justify compromises to its well-being for consciousness research. Finally, in light of these considerations, we call for a discussion of the immediate ethical corollaries of the body of knowledge that has accumulated and for a more explicit consideration of the role of ideology and ethics in the scientific study of consciousness.
Measurements of aggregate size, suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration and current velocity have been carried out in the Belgian coastal zone (southern North Sea). Two stations were ...situated in the coastal turbidity maximum zone; another station was located more offshore at the edge of this turbidity maximum. The data have been collected using a LISST 100, OBS sensors, water samples and a bottom mounted ADCP. Turbulence (Kolmogorov microscale) has been modelled for the same period using a 3D numerical model. The results show that the size of the aggregates is significantly smaller in the coastal turbidity maximum area. The processes responsible for the occurrence of smaller aggregate size in the coastal zone compared with the more offshore location are: the higher turbulence; the smaller time available for the aggregates to grow up to an equilibrium size; the higher deposition of mud, resulting in a break-up of the flocs and the lower availability of organic matter, which may limit the size of the flocs.
► A method is proposed to distinguish natural SPM variability from disposal effects. ► The method uses a representative sample of the measured quantity. ► Statistical characteristics of the sample ...are compared with those during disposal. ► Disposal results in an increase of the SPM concentration in the near bed layer.
The impact of continuous disposal of fine-grained sediments from maintenance dredging works on the suspended particulate matter concentration in a shallow nearshore turbidity maximum was investigated during dredging experiment (port of Zeebrugge, southern North Sea). Before, during and after the experiment monitoring of SPM concentration using OBS and ADV altimetry was carried out at a location 5km west of the disposal site. A statistical analysis, based on the concept of populations and sub-sampling, was applied to evaluate the effect. The data revealed that the SPM concentration near the bed was on average more than two times higher during the dredging experiment. The disposed material was mainly transported in the benthic layer and resulted in a long-term increase of SPM concentration and formation of fluid mud layers. The study shows that SPM concentration can be used as an indicator of environmental changes if representative time series are available.
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