CIM2-Artigos (em revistas ou actas indexadas)
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- Water management practices and antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination in Ethiopian tertiary hospitals: implications for waterborne healthcare-associated infectionsPublication . Hailemichael, Etsub Brhanesilassie; Desta, Adey Feleke; Taye, Girma; Gari, Sirak Robele; Alemu, Amare; Gobena, Waktole; Amogne, WondwossenThe threat of healthcare-associated infections is significantly heightened when caused by drug-resistant pathogens. This study evaluates water management practices and prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in water systems of two tertiary hospitals of Ethiopia. We employed a mixed-methods approach, combining the qualitative data thematic analysis with quantitative microbiological results from 120 potable water samples. P. aeruginosa isolates were identified and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Data collection was conducted between December 2023 and January 2024. The findings indicate that neither hospital had a dedicated water management programme for preventive maintenance. Microbial analysis revealed a 16% prevalence of P. aeruginosa in the water samples, with 26.3% of isolates demonstrating resistant to at least one antibiotic class. Notably, two isolates from the maternity ward of Hospital A exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR) to ciprofloxacin, amikacin, and imipenem. Overall, the structural and operational standard of the water management programmes in both hospitals were found to be non-conformant to international standards. A higher rate of Pseudomonas positivity, including resistant and MDR strains, indicates persistent hospital water contamination and a tangible risk for HAIs. These results underscore the critical need for the formation of multidisciplinary water safety team to optimize water quality management in these hospitals.
- Fate of microbial contamination in a South European Coastal Lagoon (Ria Formosa) under the influence of treated effluents dispersalPublication . Caetano, Sandra; Correia, Cátia; Torres, Ana Flor; Matos, André Filipe; Ferreira, Cristina; Cravo, AlexandraAim: Assessment of the fate of microbial contamination driven from treated wastewater disposal at a highly productive zone on a South European coastal lagoon (Ria Formosa). Methods and results: Microbial indicators of contamination (Total coliforms, Escherichia coli and Enterococci) were evaluated monthly during September 2018-September 2020, at three study areas (Faro, Olhão, Tavira) under different wastewater discharge flows and hydrodynamic conditions. Additional data on E. coli monitoring in bivalves, available from the national institution responsible for their surveillance was also considered. The maximum microbial contamination was found at Faro, the highest-load and less-flushed study area, contrasting the lowest contamination at Olhão, a lower-load and strongly flushed area. The wastewater impact decreased along the spatial dispersal gradients and during high water, particularly at Faro and Tavira study areas, due to a considerable dilution effect. Microbial contamination at Olhão increased during the summer while at the other study areas seasonal evidence was not clear. Data also indicate that E. coli in bivalves from BPZ next to the three study areas reflected the differentiated impact of the wastewater treatment plants effluents on the water quality of those areas. Conclusions: Effluent loads together with local hydrodynamics, water temperature, solar radiation, precipitation and land runoff as well as seabirds populations and environmentally adapted faecal or renaturelized bacterial communities, contributed to microbial contamination of the study areas.
- Fortnightly variability of the lateral structure of residual flows along non-rotating estuariesPublication . Khosravi, Maziar; Fortunato, A. B.; Lopez-Ruiz, A.; Valle-Levinson, A.; Garel, ErwanResidual circulation in estuaries plays a crucial role in controlling salt intrusion, material transport, and ecosystem functioning, making its understanding essential for coastal management worldwide. Despite its importance, the mechanisms driving the transverse structure of residual flows remain insufficiently explored, particularly in relation to the fortnightly tidal variability. This study shows how the main driver of residual flow may switch from baroclinic dominance at neap tide to barotropic dominance at spring tide. Three-dimensional, process-oriented numerical simulations are carried out in an idealized, non-rotating, estuary–shelf system, represented by an 80 km-long semi-closed channel with a 1 km-wide Gaussian-shaped cross-section. This setting is inspired by the Guadiana Estuary (Portugal/Spain), where previous observations have reported a switch of the residual circulation between spring tide and neap tide. To mimic such fortnightly pattern, the model is forced by freshwater inflow at the head and M2 and S2 tidal harmonics at the ocean boundary. Harmonic amplitudes were selected based on a sensitivity analysis. The along channel and temporal variability of the lateral structure of axial residual flows is represented using a non-dimensional parameter derived from the residual inflow that may develop in the deep channel. The simulation results show residual flow transverse structures consistent with theoretical expectations for a baroclinic driver in neap tides and a barotropic driver in spring tides, as confirmed by analyses of the residual momentum equation terms. In these cases, the near-bottom residual flow in the channel is relatively strong and its direction indicates the dominant driver. The study also reveals a previously undocumented transverse structure described by inflows near the channel bed and over the shoals. This structure develops in relation to the Stokes drift when baroclinic and barotropic forcings are relatively balanced across a section.
- The potential of native microalgae consortia to remove pharmaceutical compounds present in treated wastewaterPublication . Lourenço Afonso, Valdemira; Rodrigues, Brígida; Borges, Rodrigo; Jorge de Barros, Raúl José; Bebianno, Maria; Raposo, SaraWastewater treatment plants play a key role in the release of pharmaceuticals and other contaminants into the aquatic environment, causing negative effects on the ecosystems of receiving water bodies. This work aimed to assess the removal efficiency of real loads of these contaminants by wastewater-native microalgae consortia acting on treated wastewater previously subjected to secondary treatment. Wastewater sampling and removal efficiency experiments were conducted over 1 year at three different sampling points. Nineteen pharmaceutical compounds of different drug classes (stimulants, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, antibiotics, β-blockers, lipid regulators, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/analgesics), as well as one herbicide/algicide (Diuron) were detected and quantified. Native blooming microalgae consortia were grown in treated wastewaters, and their potential to remove these compounds was quantified. The removal efficiency of these compounds by native microalgae consortia was variable, ranging from almost no removal for Clofibric acid or Ketoprofen to near complete removal for Fluoxetine, Venlafaxine, Atenolol or Diuron. These variations were influenced not only by the molecular nature of the compounds but also by the microbial composition variability of the microalgae consortia, especially among the prokaryotes present. Overall, microalgae consortia successfully removed between 40 % and 83 % of the total detected compounds, preventing a significant part of these from entering the aquatic environment, contributing to enhance treated wastewater quality. Significant biomass growth was observed, reaching dry-weight concentrations up to 2.6 g.L− 1 , indicative of good capacity of the grown consortia to deal with the toxicity effects of the pollutants. In addition to what is now reported, microalgae treatment also removes other pollutants, such as nutrients, metals or microplastic particles, constituting a versatile tertiary treatment for polishing treated wastewaters. These findings demonstrate the potential of native microalgae consortia-based systems to improve wastewater treatment processes, mitigating the environmental impact of pharmaceutical compounds while producing potentially useful biomass.
- Design of an observing system simulation experiment for the operational model of the southwestern coast of Iberia (SOMA)Publication . Mendonça, Fernando; Martins, Flávio; Bertino, LaurentObserving System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) provide a framework in which to evaluate the impact of prospective ocean-observation networks on model forecasting performance prior to their actual deployment. This study presents the design and validation of an OSSE tailored for the operational coastal model of southern Portugal, SOMA. The system adopts the fraternal twins approach and a univariate data-assimilation scheme based on Ensemble Optimal Interpolation to update the model’s 3D temperature structure with SST. The methodology provides a flexible framework that preserves the statistical structure of real observation errors while remaining independent of SOMA. This allows straightforward transfer to other applications, thereby broadening its applicability and making it useful as a starting point in the design of observation networks beyond that presented in this case study. The OSSE experiments were compared against corresponding Observing System Experiments (OSEs) using real satellite SST products. Results show that the designed OSSE is internally consistent, sensitive to observation density, and capable of reproducing realistic correction patterns that closely match those obtained in the OSEs. These findings provide strong evidence that the SOMA OSSE system is a reliable tool for assessing the potential impact of future surface-observation strategies.
- Fortnightly switching of residual flow drivers produced by seawater intrusion in a long, non-rotating estuaryPublication . Garel, Erwan; Khosravi, Maziar; Valle-Levinson, Arnoldo; Díez-Minguito, ManuelTowed and moored ADCP and salinity measurements were collected in Summer 2023 at two cross-channel transects of the 80-km-long Guadiana Estuary, at 4 km and 20 km from the mouth, during low (< 10 m(3)/s) river discharge conditions. The dataset indicates that the lateral structure of axial residual flows changed from vertically sheared to laterally sheared with tidal forcing. These structures resemble theoretical expectations for a density-driven or eddy viscosity-shear covariance (ESCO) circulation at neap tide and for a tidally driven circulation produced by longitudinal advection (tidal stress) at spring tide. The tidal variability of the residual flow magnitude and of the contributions of unidirectional or two-layer vertical profiles indicate that the primary driver of the residual circulation changes between neap tide and spring tide. Seawater (i.e. with salinity > 35 kg/g) intrusion was several kilometres, equivalent to similar to 1/8 of the estuary's length. As a result, the horizontal density gradient was weakest near the mouth where the residual circulation was barotropic, produced by tidal stress at spring tide and possibly by an ESCO mechanism at neap tide. At 20 km upstream, the dominant driver switched from tidal stress at spring tide to a baroclinic (and potentially ESCO) circulation at neap tide. At this location, scaling analyses of the tidally averaged momentum equation using the densimetric tidal Froude number supported the idea of dominance of tidal stress at spring tide.
- Navigating trade-offs on conservation: the use of participatory mapping in maritime spatial planningPublication . Calado, Helena; Gutierrez, Débora; Bruyn, Albane DeMaritime spatial planning (MSP) has evolved to incorporate features like authoritative, participatory, ecosystem-based, integrated, future-oriented, and adaptive approaches. MSP seeks a balance between maritime activities and sustainable development within ecological limits, an ecosystem-based approach (EBA). A trade-off in the context of MSP refers to the compromise or exchange between different objectives, interests, or uses of marine resources and space. The aim of this paper is to provide methodological guidelines for applying a trade-off methodology for marine protected areas (MPAs) design within the MSP context. The guidelines have developed participatory-based trade-off scenarios to weigh the impacts of the multi-objective spatial and strategic management measures, using participatory mapping, providing a valuable framework for design of MSP and MPAs. The lessons learned and recommendations provided aim to guide future MSP endeavours, emphasising the importance of continuous improvement, innovation, and adaptation in the dynamic field of MSP for sustainable marine management and conservation.
- Neoichnology and sediment distribution in tidal flats of the mud‐dominated mesotidal mira river estuary (Portugal)Publication . Shchepetkina, Alina; Drago, Teresa; Santos, Jacqueline; Alberto, Ana; Fatela, Francisco; Freitas, Maria da ConceiçãoInvertebrate burrow morphologies and distributions are presented for the tidal flats of the middle and lower reaches of the tide-influenced (mesotidal), mud-dominated Mira River estuary (SW Portugal) as an analogue for interpreting the ichnology of palaeoestuarine successions. Burrow distributions are revealed using field observations of biogenic and physical sedimentary structures, trace makers, collected grab samples, push cores and lab measurements of grain size, organic matter and calcium carbonate content and linked to physico-chemical stresses. Estuarine tidal-flat surface open burrow distribution and bioturbation intensity are analysed in plan view using free scientific image analysis software (ImageJ) to obtain burrow density, total burrow area and minimum and maximum burrow diameters. The total tidal flat area occupied by organisms ranges from 0.8% to 4.1% in the middle estuary and is 1.4% in the lower estuary. These equate to a bioturbation index of one to two (BI 1–2). However, computed tomography (CT) of push cores (cross-sectional view) taken on the same tidal flats shows sparse to complete bioturbation intensity (BI 1–6), revealing that tidal flat sediments tend to be more biogenically reworked cumulatively over time with overprinting of subsequent tiers and/or recolonized. CT scanning also allows the identification of more burrow types, demonstrates infaunal tiering and provides insights into trace-fossil preservation potential. This research shows that the trace communities are heterogeneous and change spatially and temporally along the Mira River estuary, reflecting a physico-chemical gradient and seasonality. This trend signals changes in sediment composition, substrate type and consistency (sediment compaction and subaerial exposure), salinity, oxygenation, temperature, pH and interplay of tidal versus hydraulic energy.
- Editorial: integrated marine biosphere research: ocean sustainability, under global change, for the benefit of societyPublication . Robinson, Carol; Hobday, Alistair J.; Murphy, Eugene J.; Nayak, Prateep Kumar; Newton, AliceThe Integrated Marine Biosphere Research (IMBeR) initiative is an interdisciplinary global environmental change research network with the mission to promote integrated marine research and enable capabilities for developing and implementing ocean sustainability options within and across the natural and social sciences, and to communicate relevant information and knowledge needed by society to secure sustainable, productive and healthy oceans. IMBeR began in 2005, and currently includes four regional programmes (Climate Impacts on Oceanic Top Predators (CLIOTOP), Ecosystem Studies of Sub-arctic and Arctic Seas (ESSAS), Integrating Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics in the Southern Ocean (ICED), and Sustained Indian Ocean Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research (SIBER)), five working groups (Human Dimensions (HDWG), Continental Margins (CMWG), SOLAS-IMBeR Ocean Acidification (SIOA), and Integrated Ocean Carbon Research (IOC-R)), and three study groups (Eutrophication, Indo-Pacific Region and Ocean colour), encompassing a community of more than 6000 individual researchers from more than 110 countries.
- Comparative viability of photovoltaic investments across european countries using payback periods and the levelized cost of energyPublication . Carvalho, Jailson Pereira de; Lopes, Eduardo B.; Santos, Joni; Monteiro, Jânio; Cabrita, Cristiano Lourenço; Pacheco, AndréElectrical grids are undergoing a transformation driven by the increasing integration of renewable energy sources on the consumer side. This shift, alongside the electrification of consumption—particularly in areas such as electric mobility—has the potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions. However, it is also contributing to a rise in electricity prices due to growing demand and infrastructure costs. Paradoxically, these higher prices serve as a catalyst for further investment in renewable energy technologies by reducing the payback periods of such systems. Recent European legislation has accelerated this transformation by mandating the liberalization of energy markets. This regulatory shift enables the emergence of prosumers—consumers who are also producers of energy—by granting them the right to generate, store, and trade electricity using the existing distribution grid. In this new landscape, photovoltaic systems represent a viable and increasingly attractive investment option for both households and businesses. This study presents an economic evaluation of photovoltaic system investments across different European countries, focusing on key indicators such as payback periods and the impact of local solar irradiation on the resulting electricity price. The analysis provides insight into the varying economic feasibility of distributed solar energy deployment, offering a comparative perspective that supports both policymakers and potential investors in making informed decisions about renewable energy adoption.