CIM2-Artigos (em revistas ou actas indexadas)
Permanent URI for this collection
Conteúdo: Artigos em revistas ou actas de conferências indexadas
a) incluídas na
a) incluídas na
- » Web of Science
- (v. www.webofknowledge.com)
- » ERIH
- (European Research Index for Humanities: erihplus)
- » Latindex
- (Sistema Regional de Información para Revistas Científicas de América Latina, Caribe, España y Portugal: latindex.org)
- » Scielo
- (Scientific Electronic Library Online: www.scielo.org)
- » Scopus SJR
- (SCImago Journal & Country Rank: www.scimagojr.com)
Browse
Recent Submissions
- Enhancing efficiency in solar non-intrusive desalination: solar still prototype optimization in Southwest EuropePublication . Pacheco, André; Sequeira, Claudia; Gomes Moreira da Silva, Manuela Fernanda; Serrão Sousa, VâniaAccess to freshwater is a pressing global challenge. Despite being irreplaceable freshwater is an increasingly scarce resource, especially in regions as Southern Europe, due to high human pressure and climate change. Solar desalination presents a low impact solution to produce freshwater from seawater, particularly in sun-rich regions. The main goal of this study was to develop a modular solar desalination system based on a non-intrusive approach, with simple assemblage, installation, and maintenance, to produce freshwater for non-potable purposes. The modular design was chosen to allow scalability and adaptability, enabling effective response to variable water demands in small island communities. The case study is a small island from Algarve, Portugal (Southwest Europe). The study evaluates the performance enhancements accomplished by transitioning from an initial prototype solar desalination unit, smaller and with a simple design, to an enhanced pilot-scale system designed to improve efficiency and water output. The research showed that both systems exhibit a high conductivity removal (higher than 99 %), demonstrating the potential of this technology to produce freshwater from seawater, delivering high-quality desalinated water, across different seasons. Prototype 1 demonstrated limited productivity, around 0.45 L/day.m2, while pilot-scale unit presented a productivity of approximately 6 L/day.m2 in summertime. This substantial improvement reflects the design modifications implemented in the pilot-scale unit, positioning it as a valuable option for water desalination in regions with abundant solar resources. These findings confirm the strong potential of solar desalination as a non-intrusive and effective solution and lays the groundwork for future advancements, focusing on maximising efficiency by exploring innovative materials to enhance solar energy absorption and optimizing operational conditions.
- Gender effects of nanoplastics and emerging contaminants mixtures in Mytilus galloprovincialisPublication . Ribeiro Gonçalves, Joanna Melissa; Benedetti, M.; d'Errico, G.; Regoli, F.; Bebianno, MariaThe reproduction of mussels occurs within the water column, and if gametogenesis is successful, gametes are exposed to the surrounding contaminants. Nanoplastics and other emerging contaminants have been gaining vast attention; however, their effects on the reproductive tissues of mussels with sex differentiation are scarce. Here, the effects of polystyrene nanoparticles (50 nm; 10 mu g/L), the cytotoxic drug 5-fluorouracil (10 ng/L), and a mixture of the two were evaluated in the gonads of Mytilus galloprovincialis after a 21-day exposure for a multibiomarker assessment, and after 28 days for the accumulation of nanoplastics. The effects on the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, and lipid peroxidation were evaluated. Moreover, synergistic and antagonistic interactions in the mixture were calculated. A weight of evidence model was also used to elaborate on the hazardous level of biomarker results relative to polystyrene nanoparticles alone and in the mixture. The accumulation of nanoplastics appeared gender and time-specific, with females mostly compromised. According to the data set, a synergistic interaction between the cytotoxic drug and the nano- plastics makes the combination far more dangerous than individual stressors. The Weight Of Evidence model also confirms that females are more compromised at chronic exposure times than males. This study shows that the uptake, fate, and impact of emerging contaminants of concern can be significantly influenced by sex.
- From a marsh that was once sea: the geological evolution of Europe's largest biological reserve as told by its benthic foraminifera-a reviewPublication . González-Regalado, María Luz; Guerra, Liliana; Ruiz, Francisco; Veiga-Pires, Cristina; Abad, Manuel; Izquierdo, Tatiana; Vidal, Joaquín Rodríguez; Cáceres, Luis Miguel; Muñiz, Fernando; Carretero, María Isabel; Tosquella, Josep; Muñoz, Adolfo Francisco; Pozo, Manuel; Muñoz, Juan Manuel; Toscano, Antonio; Gómez, Paula; Romero, Verónica; Gómez, GabrielThis paper presents an updated list of benthic foraminifera found in brackish and marine (paleo-)environments of the Donana National Park (SW Spain) from the Lower Pliocene to the present-day. This list, based on published records, includes ninety-four species whose autoecology and temporal distribution in surface sections and continuous sediment cores allow us to infer the palaeogeographic evolution of this Biosphere Reserve over the last millions of years. During the Lower Pliocene, this area was occupied by a wide shallow bay with Nonion faba and Ammonia beccarii as the most representative species. During the Upper Pliocene, there was a transition to terrestrial environments, later dominated by fluvial dynamics for much of the Pleistocene and devoid of these aquatic microorganisms. During the Upper Pleistocene and part of the Holocene, the park was flooded during the MIS-1 transgression and a large lagoon was formed and progressively silted up. At this stage, benthic foraminiferal assemblages were dominated by the brackish species Ammonia morphogroup tepida and Haynesina germanica, which were occasionally replaced by marine species (mainly miliolids) during high-energy events. Currently, benthic foraminifera are mainly represented by Ammonia morphogroup tepida in the temporary lagoons and distributary channels, while Ammonia beccarii is dominant in their marginal marine areas. In summary, there is a clear correspondence between the palaeogeographic evolution of the park and its benthic foraminiferal associations, a review of which contributes to increase the knowledge of its remarkable present and past faunal diversity.
- The escarpão plateau (South of Portugal)—a study case of nested geosites from the aspiring Algarvensis geoparkPublication . Veiga-Pires, Cristina; Jenkins Oliveira Fernandes, Sónia Alexandra; Moura, Delminda; Pereira, LuísLocated along the southern limit of the Algarvensis aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark (aUGGp), the Escarpão Plateau is a singular geomorphological structure sculpted by fluvial, karst, and tectonic processes. The plateau is deeply scarved by the Quarteira Rivulet, forming a valley that crosses the most complete Upper Jurassic sedimentary sequence of the Eastern Algarve (Southern Portugal). This sequence includes five geological formations representing different depths of carbonate ramp deposition from the Tethys Sea: Peral Formation, Jordana Formation, Cerro da Cabeça Formation, Escarpão Formation, and the upper Limestone Formation with Anchispirocyclina lusitanica (foraminifera), respectively from the oldest formation to the most recent at the top. Throughout the Quaternary Period, the karst processes shaped a landscape of sparse and poor soils, based on which successive generations adapted their subsistence agriculture and way of life. The geomorphology of the plateau and the rivulet valley, the sequence of the carbonated formations, and the diversity of sedimentary and paleontological records can be considered possible sites of diverse geological interest and with different scales that are embedded in each other, forming thus nested sites. To promote and preserve these sites, the Algarvensis aUGGp shaped an 8-km-long interpretative walking path, passing through 11 points of interest, including biosites and geosites. Their interpretative boards highlight not only the different spatial and temporal geological diversity but also its relationship with surrounding cultural and historical heritage. Finally, this work allowed the creation of new products for outreach and public awareness towards an effective geoconservation.
- Digestive and metabolic consequences of on-growing greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) juveniles at different temperatures. In-vivo and ex-vivo assessmentPublication . Navarro-Guillén, C.; Perera, E.; Pérez-Hilario, D.; Martos-Sitcha, J.A.; Molina-Roque, L.; Gregorio, Silvia; Fonseca, Filomena; Fuentes, J.; Yúfera, M.Aiming to elucidate the effects of temperature on different aspects of the fish digestive physiology that may affect the growth, we examined, firstly, variations in growth performance, feed intake, digestive enzyme activities, expression of transport related genes, metabolites in plasma and liver, and oxidative stress response in juveniles of greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) growing during two months at 18, 22 and 26 degrees C of water temperature. Secondly, we analysed the epithelial function of the intestinal mucosa by electrophysiological ex-vivo experiments. As expected, body growth increased with increasing temperature in the tested range. Highest relative feed intake was observed at 26 degrees C, but the food conversion ratio was the same at 22 and 26 degrees C and less favourable at 18 degrees C. Digestive proteases activities were similar at 22 and 26 degrees C, while an evident effect of temperature was observed on lipids digestive capacity, being lipase activity undetectable at 18 degrees C. Electrophysiological assays revealed a relationship between temperature and intestinal mucosa plasticity. Temperature increase promoted epithelial functionality through higher tissue resistance and short-circuit current in mid-intestine at 26 degrees C, as well as better electrogenic amino acids transport. On the other hand, mRNA expression of peptide transporters tended to be higher in fish that grew at 18 degrees C, probably to reinforce the transport capacity. Plasma circulating levels of metabolites demonstrated higher energy and protein mobilization with the increasing temperature, where a hypometabolic state was denoted by lower cortisol levels at 18 degrees C together with an apparent switch from lipids to carbohydrate usage as energy source and increased oxidative stress in the liver at the lowest temperature. Altogether indicates that the tested temperatures are within the tolerance range for the species, although 22 and 26 degrees C appear as optimal temperatures for on-growing greater amberjack juveniles. Changes in nutrient digestion and absorption induced by temperature are related with both hydrolytic activity and remodelling of the intestinal mucosa. Impairing growth capacity and initial evidences of welfare compromise were observed at 18 degrees C.
- Re-organization of Pacific overturning circulation across the Miocene climate optimumPublication . Holbourn, Ann; Kuhnt, Wolfgang; Kulhanek, Denise K.; Mountain, Gregory; Rosenthal, Yair; Sagawa, Takuya; Lübbers, Julia; Andersen, NilsThe response of the ocean overturning circulation to global warming remains controversial. Here, we integrate a multiproxy record from International Ocean Discovery Program Site U1490 in the western equatorial Pacific with published data from the Pacific, Southern and Indian Oceans to investigate the evolution of deep water circulation during the Miocene Climate Optimum (MCO) and Middle Miocene Climate Transition (MMCT). We find that the northward export of southern-sourced deep waters was closely tied to high-latitude climate and Antarctic ice cover variations. Global warming during the MCO drove a progressive decrease in carbonate ion concentration and density stratification, shifting the overturning from intermediate to deeper waters. In the western equatorial Pacific, carbonate dissolution was compensated by increased pelagic productivity, resulting in overall elevated carbonate accumulation rates after ~16 Ma. Stepwise global cooling and Antarctic glacial expansion during the MMCT promoted a gradual improvement in carbonate preservation and the initiation of a near-modern Pacific overturning circulation. We infer that changes in the latitudinal thermal gradient and in Southern Ocean zonal wind stress and upper ocean stratification drove radically different modes of deep water formation and overturning across the MCO and MMCT.
- Growth and grazing mortality of microbial plankton in a shallow temperate Coastal Lagoon (Ria Formosa, SW Iberia)Publication . Santos, Yohann; Mosley, Benjamin A.; Nogueira, Patricia; Galvão, Helena; Domingues, RitaMicrozooplankton grazing is widely recognized as an important process of heterotrophic prokaryote and phytoplankton biomass removal. However, few studies have specifically addressed microbial mortality in the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon. This study aimed to assess the growth and mortality of heterotrophic prokaryotes and phytoplankton in this ecosystem using the dilution technique. The results revealed significant seasonal variations in the growth and grazing rates of both heterotrophic prokaryotes and phytoplankton, with mean grazing rates slightly exceeding the mean potential instantaneous growth rates. This indicates that microzooplankton consume a substantial proportion of both microbial groups in the lagoon. For specific phytoplankton taxa, the wide range of observed grazing rates suggests grazer selectivity, highlighting the need for future research to examine the dynamics of each phytoplankton group more closely.
- Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) move westward with favourable flows along the south coast of PortugalPublication . Garel, Erwan; Winkler, Alexander; Gunasekara, S.S.; Abecasis, David; de Oliveira Júnior, LucianoBased on acoustic detections from a network of five stations along the south coast of Portugal, 25 transits of tagged meagre were identified between 2019 and 2020, mostly in summer. Comparisons with hourly current measurements from a moored Acoustic Doppler current Profiler and an High Frequency Radar system indicate that meagre move westward with favourable alongshore flows at a confidence level > 90% (while eastward transits observations were too few to be significant). Several similar transits of different individuals occurred within two days suggesting a species response to environmental changes. The analysis of surface seawater temperature from ERA5 shows that meagre always swam westward towards colder water, despite their warm water affinities. As such, they reached food-rich upwelling areas when the water temperature was higher than usual (due to the westward advection of warm water), probably optimizing their feeding ability. The demonstrated alongshore meagre movements in response to temperature variations induced by the mesoscale coastal circulation is particularly relevant for the management of this high economic value species in southern Portugal.
- High plant protein diet impairs growth performance and intestinal integrity in greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili): Molecular and physiological insightsPublication . Fuentes, Juan; Fonseca, Filomena; Gregorio, Silvia; Kussaba Miguel, Larissa; Perera, Erick; Alarcón-López, Francisco J.; Martos-Sitcha, Juan A.The Mediterranean aquaculture industry that produces mainly seabream and seabass is exploring alternative plant-based protein sources for fish feeds together with the diversification of fish species. Effective plant-based formulations require diverse sources and additives to maintain fish welfare and growth, which is especially important for carnivorous species. In this scenario, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the impact of a high percentage of fishmeal replacement with protein of plant origin in Seriola dumerili, a fast-growing species with a high protein requirement. Two diets were developed: MAP (marine animal protein) with a protein content of 92 % of animal origin and PPB (plant protein blend) with a 50 % replacement of protein of animal origin with plant protein. We combined electrophysiology measurements with expression analysis of claudins and members of the SLC superfamily of solute carriers to unravel and characterise putative markers of intestinal integrity and absorption. The replacement resulted in shorter and lighter fish with a reduction in growth rate (SGR) from 2.6 to 2. We simultaneously observed lower transepithelial tissue resistance (TER), lower permeability, and decreased cld12 expression in the anterior intestine. In addition, we demonstrated a strong regiondependent electrogenic transport of essential amino acids, with the mid-intestine having the highest transport capacity. The comparative study performed in the mid-intestine with fish fed the MAP or the PPB diets exposed a negative effect of dietary replacement with plant protein. No significant dietary impact on di- and tri-peptide transporters (SLC15) was found at the molecular level. However, a clear region-dependent expression pattern of slc15a1, slc15a2, and slc15a4 was observed, which warrants further investigation. The expression pattern of slc7a5 showed the effect of the diet, but in contrast, the diet and intestinal region affected the expression of its functionally associated slc3a1 and slc3a2 for amino acid antiport, with the strongest effects in the posterior intestine. The integrity and absorption impairments detected in response to protein source replacement will likely underlie the significant growth differences observed between the two dietary regimes.
- Building an integrated analytical framework: a new methodology to analysing social-ecological systemsPublication . Gari, Sirak Robele; Newton, Alice; Icely, John DavidAppropriate adaptive management frameworks are useful for analyzing social-ecological systems. Natural resource managers and concerned stakeholders can co-design locally adapted, appropriate management systems based on the information obtained using frameworks, which leads to a better understanding of the social-ecological system (SES). However, no single framework addresses all environmental and social issues with equal efficiency. Therefore, the Driver-Activity-Pressure-State-Impact (Welfare)-Response (Measure) framework (DAPSI(W)R(M)), Ostrom's SES Framework (SESF), and the Systems Approach Framework (SAF) were combined to create an integrated analytical framework (IAF). Finally, the integrated analytical framework was tested in the Community Council of Alto and Medio Dagua (AMDA), Colombia, to assess a water quality problem emanating from anthropogenic activities. The approach seems to be valid and useful for the assessment of social-ecological systems.