The Luna Valley complex geosite (northwestern Spain) is a region of geoheritage significance located in an area with high environmental value. Geological studies began in the mid-20th century and ...continue to provide scientific data of significant relevance to the knowledge regarding the Palaeozoic stratigraphy of northern Gondwana and the tectonics of the Variscan orogen. This region also has high value for geoeducation, being visited regularly by both students and the general public. Educational use of the area has promoted the creation of several publicly available materials and activities that include trails, guides, displays and brochures, as well as the development of a small museum. However, over time, weathering; the abandonment of rural life; and the intensive, uncontrolled, and careless use of this region as a geosite for scientific and educational purposes has led to significant degradation and the consequent loss of its geoheritage value. This paper describes the geology of five key geosites in the Luna Valley. This is followed by a review of the promotional initiatives carried out in the area. These data, along with our knowledge of the area, allow us to develop a heritage analysis that includes the main geological interests, conservation status and some key management issues for each of these five individual sites. Several recommendations aim to control the physical degradation of the geosites, encourage their regular monitoring and the updating of the outreach materials using virtual tools, and promote the involvement of the local population in the conservation of this unique site.
Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a fungal infection with high mortality and morbidity rates. This disease is caused by several
species and affects patients with an underlying respiratory ...condition. This pilot study aims to recognize CPA among patients with different respiratory diseases. Twenty-one out of 47 patients were classified as CPA based on the examination of clinical signs and symptoms, radiological findings, mycological culture of respiratory samples and analysis of
IgG antibodies. There was a close association between high levels of
IgG antibodies and the presence of cavities. Although
was the predominant species among clinical isolates, the number of isolates was small to reach conclusions on the prevalence of this species as main cause of CPA in Cuba. From the eleven evaluable patients for the treatment with itraconazole (Lozartil
), nine improved their health status while two did not show any recovery. This drug is included in the therapy schemes for aspergillosis in Cuba.
Plant roots are inhabited by a large diversity of microbes, some of which are beneficial for the growth of plants and known as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). In this work, we designed a ...multispecies inoculum of PGPRs containing Rhizobium phaseoli, Sinorhizobium americanum and Azospirillum brasilense nitrogen-fixing strains and other plant-growth promoting bacteria such as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Methylobacterium extorquens. We evaluated the effect of this group of bacteria on the growth of one-month-old maize plants. The multispecies inoculum exerted a beneficial effect on maize plants that was greater than that obtained with single-bacteria. Using the same multispecies inoculant, acetylene reduction was recorded in 5-day-old roots indicating active nitrogen fixation by bacteria in maize. Azospirillum nitrogen fixation was lower than that obtained with the multispecies inoculum. We focused on the analysis of R. phaseoli gene expression in presence of other PGPRs. Many R. phaseoli up- regulated genes in roots in the presence of other bacteria are hypothetical, showing our poor knowledge of bacteria-bacteria interactions. Other genes indicated bacterial nutrient competition and R. phaseoli stress. Differentially expressed transcriptional regulators were identified that may be key in bacteria-bacteria interaction regulation. Additionally, gene expression was analyzed from Azospirillum but not from sinorhizobia and methylobacteria due to the low number of transcripts obtained from maize roots. The metatranscriptomic analysis from maize roots showed expression of Azospirillum nif genes in the presence of PGPR bacteria. Our hypothesis is that other bacteria stimulate Azospirillum capacity to fix nitrogen and this should be further explored.
Although most work on geological heritage focuses on sites, geological objects, usually organized as collections, also belong to this heritage. Among paleontological collections, it is common to find ...sets of fossils gathered in historical times or by amateurs. In many cases, these fossils lack detailed information about their precise provenance, while others have been lost or forgotten for decades and have not been used in modern scientific studies. This paper raises the question of whether or not such collections should be part of geoheritage and proposes an evaluation system designed to determine both the current and the potential value of a collection or an ensemble collection. The evaluation system is based on eleven criteria, of which seven assess a collection’s scientific interest while the other four aim to establish its socio-cultural value. An in-depth study of several historical and amateur collections of Cenozoic fossil vertebrates from the province of León (Spain) was carried out to test the proposed system. This study involved a major bibliographical review, field prospecting, restoration, and taxonomic study of specimens. The work has enabled the updating of the fossil record for the region studied providing information to further our understanding of palaeobiology and geology from the Cenozoic era in the Duero Basin. As a result of testing the proposed evaluation system, we propose some recommendations regarding the assessment of neglected or problematic fossil collections in the heritage context.
Different non-classical crystallization mechanisms have been invoked to explain structural and compositional properties of biocrystals. The identification of precursor amorphous nanoparticle ...aggregation as an onset process in the formation of numerous biominerals (crystallization via particle attachment) constituted a most important breakthrough for understanding biologically mediated mineralization. A comprehensive understanding about how the attached amorphous particles transform into more stable, crystalline grains has yet to be elucidated. Here, we document structural, biogeochemical, and crystallographic aspects of the formation as well as the further phase transformations of the amorphous calcium carbonate particles formed by cultured specimens of earthworm Lumbricus terrestris. In-situ observations evidence the formation of proto-vaterite after dehydration of earthworm-produced ACC, which is subsequently followed by proto-vaterite transformation into calcite through nanoparticle attachment within the organic framework. In culture medium spiked with trace amounts of Mn2+, the cauliflower-like proto-vaterite structures become longer-lived than in the absence of Mn2+. We propose that the formation of calcite crystals takes place through a non-classical recrystallization path that involves migration of proto-vaterite nanoparticles to the crystallization site, and then, their transformation into calcite via a dissolution-recrystallization reaction. The latter is complemented by ion-by-ion crystal growth and associated with impurity release. These observations are integrated into a new model of the biocrystallization of earthworm-produced carbonate granules which highlights the sensibility of this process to environmental chemical changes, its potential impact on the bioavailability of contaminants as well as the threat that chemical pollution poses to the normal development of its early stages.
Understanding the mechanisms of nucleation, stabilization and aggregation of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) and factors controlling its further transformation into crystalline phases is fundamental for elucidation of biogenic mineralization. Some species of earthworms are natural workbench to understand the biogenic ACC, stabilization and the transformation mechanisms, because they create millimeter-sized calcareous granules from amorphous calcium carbonate, which crystallize to a more stable mineral phase (mostly calcite). This study undergoes into the mechanisms of ACC stabilization by the incorporation of trace elements, as manganese, and the ulterior precipitation of calcareous granules by a coupled process of amorphous particle attachment and ion-by-ion growth. The study points to sensibility of this process to environmental chemical changes.
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Mapping is a basic requirement for land use management, as effective protection of nature requires a clear delimitation of the sites involved. Additionally, mapping has other benefits for the ...transfer of information, as long as it is a comprehensible way of information exchange. The knowledge of geoheritage (geological heritage) and how it can be incorporated into the management of natural areas is an emerging topic. In this paper, a methodology that can be used to map geoheritage is proposed through the example of the Regional Park of Picos de Europa (Spain). Cartography is designed to be used as a tool for both prescriptive geoheritage management and land use planning processes in the protected area. The current examples of mapping consist of two groups of maps: (1) basic descriptive maps, where geosites are represented and which offer an overview of the geoheritage in the territory and (2) applied derived maps, which use the previous base cartography but also implement specific queries for management. Information codified in the derived maps may be diverse, ranging from the geosite degradation risk to the most adequate geosite use. The designed maps also achieve an important aim: They are easily interpreted and, therefore, might be used by many different professionals involved in environmental management.
The Cantabrian Zone (N of Spain) is characterized by an occurrence of Palaeozoic age materials, mainly belonging to the Devonian and Carboniferous. Among the different lithologies, certain facies ...contain black chert and radiolarite in a total of 13 geological formations. Textural (
de visu
, stereomicroscope and thin sections), mineralogical (X-ray diffraction) and geochemical (X-ray fluorescence and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry) analyses have been carried out to describe the silicifications. All these data have made it possible to differentiate several varieties of chert and radiolarite that crop out in the Cantabrian Zone. Chert and radiolarite are raw materials that were used by the prehistoric groups that occupied this territory for thousands of years. The data obtained in this study will allow us to define the chert and radiolarite that appear in the archaeological sites in the Cantabrian region. Furthermore, some of these varieties appear in very restricted geographical areas, and therefore, these can be used as territorial mobility markers. With all this information, a precise definition of mobility patterns of prehistoric groups (Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and recent prehistory even to protohistoric times) in the Cantabrian region is achievable.
Caves are one of the most spectacular elements of karst with a high natural value, due to their singularity and high diversity of natural features. The Picos de Europa National Park (Spain) is a high ...mountain protected area that represents the highest density of deep caves of the World (12 deep caves/km
2
). This work analyses geoheritage linked to these caves as a part of broad projects to know and inventory the geological heritage of the Picos de Europa National Park. The methodology of work combines both geomorphological and geoheritage studies. Geomorphological study includes a caves inventory of the National Park, the characterization of the caves geomorphology and the selection of 14 caves with > 1-km depth as geosites, including an ice cave for its uniqueness. The geoheritage study is based on a four-forms system formed by selected indicators following the pressure-state-response (PSR) model. In the short term, management measures proposed for the deep karst caves of the National Park include enhancing the scientific research focused on karst and groundwater flow evolution and the palaeoclimatic variations of the region including ice cave monitoring. In the medium term, it should be adequate to re-design the public use system for the regulation and control of the visits to the caves and to emphasise the outstanding nature of the geoheritage linked to the endokarst of the National Park. Finally, in the long term, it would be necessary to design a visit system for expert speleological groups.
This paper focuses on the conservation of geological heritage sites and specifically on the assessment of the risk of degradation. A review of the relevant literature shows (a) a lack of a ...standardised terminology used by different authors and (b) a lack of a standard methodology that supports the recognition and prevention of threats affecting a geosite. Three criteria (previous studies, the most common meaning of the words used and the use of terms in related disciplines) were used to select four terms with which to assess the risk of degradation: sensitivity, fragility, natural vulnerability and anthropic vulnerability. This paper provides a detailed description and discussion of these terms and their relevance. To test the use of these terms, an analysis of the fragility and natural vulnerability of geosites was performed in La Rioja (Spain), where more than one hundred outcrops bearing exceptional dinosaur footprints are located. The main factors that affect the fragility of these geosites are related to the lithology and to the location and typology of the ichnite. With respect to natural vulnerability, this study reveals several factors and processes that are involved in the degradation of these sites and establishes several field indicators that indicate deterioration. This research was intended to establish a common framework for specialists (both scientists and managers) working on geoconservation issues.
Variations in the geochemical signatures of fossil brachiopod shells may be due to diagenesis and/or biological processes (i.e., 'vital effects'). It is critical to characterise them in order to ...identify reliable shell areas suitable for paleoclimate studies. This investigation contributes to an in-depth understanding of geochemical variations in
sp. shells (SW Spain, Serpukhovian age), throwing light onto the Late Paleozoic Ice Age interpretation. Microstructural, crystallographic, cathodoluminescence and geochemical (minor and trace elements, δ
O, δ
C, and strontium isotopes) characterisations have been performed on the tertiary layer of the ventral valve, to assess the preservation state. Poorly preserved areas exhibit microstructural and geochemical changes such as recrystallisation, fracturing and higher Mn and Fe enrichment. Moreover, these areas have a higher dispersion of ⁸⁶Sr, ⁸⁷Sr, δ
O and δ
C than well-preserved areas. Three structural regions have been identified in well-preserved areas of the ventral valve by differences in valve curvature and thickness, such as the umbonal and thick and thin regions. These regions have different proportions of Mg, S, Na, δ
O, and δ
C, which are interpreted as 'vital effects' and probably related to growth-rate differences during shell growth. The
tertiary layer seems the most suitable for paleoclimate studies, because it retains the original microstructure and geochemical composition.
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