Hydrogeochemistry of surface and spring waters in the surroundings of the CO2 injection site at Hontomín–Huermeces (Burgos, Spain)

In this paper the very first geochemical and isotopic data related to surface and spring waters and dissolved gases in the area of Hontomín–Huermeces (Burgos, Spain) are presented and discussed. Hontomín–Huermeces has been selected as a pilot site for the injection of pure (>99%) CO2. Injection and monitoring wells are planned to be drilled close to 6 oil wells completed in the 1980s for which detailed stratigraphical logs are available, indicating the presence of a confined saline aquifer at the depth of about 1500 m into which less than 100,000 tons of iquid CO2 will be injected, possibly starting in 2013. The chemical and features of the spring waters suggest that they are related to a shallow hydrogeological system as the concentration of the Total Dissolved Solids approaches 800 mg/L with a Ca2+(Mg2+)-HCO3− composition, similar to that of the surface waters. This is also supported by the oxygen and hydrogen isotopic ratios that have values lying between those of the Global and the Mediterranean Meteoric Water Lines. Some spring waters close to the oil wells are haracterized by relatively high concentrations of NO3− (up to 123 mg/L), unequivocally suggesting an anthropogenic source that adds to the main water–rock interaction processes. The latter can be referred to Ca-Mg-carbonate and, at a minor extent, Al-silicate dissolution, being the outcropping sedimentary rocks characterized by Palaeozoic to Quaternary rocks. Anomalous concentrations of Cl−, SO42−, As, B and Ba were measured in two springs discharging a few hundred meters from the oil wells and in the Rio Ubierna. These contents are significantly higher than those of the whole set of the studied waters and are possibly indicative of mixing processes, although at very low extent, between deep and shallow aquifers. No evidence of deep-seated gases interacting with the Hontomín–Huermeces waters was recognized in the chemistry of the disolved gases. This is likely due to the fact that they are mainly characterized by an atmospheric source as highlighted by the high contents of N2, O2 and Ar and by N2/Ar ratios that approach that of ASW (Air Saturated Water) and possibly masking any contribution related to a deep source. Nevertheless, significant concentrations (up to 63% by vol.) of isotopically negative CO2 (<−17.7‰ V-PDB) were found in some water samples, likely related to a biogenic source. The geochemical and isotopic data of this work are of particular importance when a monitoring program will be established to verify whether CO2 leakages, induced by the injection of this greenhouse gas, may be affecting the quality of the waters in the shallow hydrological circuits at Hontomín–Huermeces. In this respect, carbonate chemistry, the isotopic carbon of dissolved CO2 and TDIC (Total Dissolved Inorganic Carbon) and selected trace elements can be considered as useful parameters to trace the migration of the injected CO2 into near-surface environments.

AS INTERFACES DA PROMOÇÃO DA SAÚDE E UM PROGRAMA DE APRENDIZAGEM PROFISSIONAL

O trabalho desenvolvido com adolescentes, pensando na promoção de sua saúde, bem como em seu desenvolvimento saudável por meio de espaços que atendam suas necessidades, tem sido de responsabilidade também de organizações sociais. Em especial, quando se tem o objetivo de prepará- los para o mundo do trabalho, porém com uma proposta mais ampla, ou seja, como uma preparação para suas relações na vida, pela passagem de um processo de aprendizagem, de amadurecimento, por meio da construção de ações significativas para vida. Esta é a proposta do Centro de Orientação ao Adolescente de Campinas COMEC , organização não governamental, que conta com um Progr ama de Aprendizagem Profissional- PAP . Sendo assim, esse estudo tem como objetivo caracterizar, por meio de prontuários, uma amostra de 280 adolescentes, compreender a percepção deles no processo vivido e identificar as expectativas na admissão, demissão e desligamento do programa - PAP. A pesquisa teve como participantes adolescentes de 14 a 17 anos, do gênero feminino e masculino, do ensino fundamental e médio (7ª série E.F até 3ª série E.M). Os formulários foram preenchidos em três momentos: primeiro quando o adolescente participava da seleção para ingressar no programa, segundo, quando ele iniciava o trabalho na empresa e no término do contrato do adolescente com o programa. Os resultados obtidos por meio dos prontuários dos adolescentes mostraram que a percepção que eles têm a respeito do programa é positiva. Perceberam-se sentimentos de medo, insegurança, alegrias e desejos a respeito das atividades que os preparam para a inserção no mercado formal de trabalho, e o quanto o acompanhamento pelo programa permite outro olhar para esta inclusão. Ainda que o trabalho juvenil não seja a solução para as necessidades econômicas de muitas famílias, o trabalho educativo tem sido visto como uma forma de permitir que o adolescente vivencie sua primeira experiência de trabalho, respeitando sua condição de pessoa em desenvolvimento. Porém, em alguns casos, acabam por contribuir de forma significativa no orçamento familiar.(AU)

AS INTERFACES DA PROMOÇÃO DA SAÚDE E UM PROGRAMA DE APRENDIZAGEM PROFISSIONAL

O trabalho desenvolvido com adolescentes, pensando na promoção de sua saúde, bem como em seu desenvolvimento saudável por meio de espaços que atendam suas necessidades, tem sido de responsabilidade também de organizações sociais. Em especial, quando se tem o objetivo de prepará- los para o mundo do trabalho, porém com uma proposta mais ampla, ou seja, como uma preparação para suas relações na vida, pela passagem de um processo de aprendizagem, de amadurecimento, por meio da construção de ações significativas para vida. Esta é a proposta do Centro de Orientação ao Adolescente de Campinas COMEC , organização não governamental, que conta com um Progr ama de Aprendizagem Profissional- PAP . Sendo assim, esse estudo tem como objetivo caracterizar, por meio de prontuários, uma amostra de 280 adolescentes, compreender a percepção deles no processo vivido e identificar as expectativas na admissão, demissão e desligamento do programa - PAP. A pesquisa teve como participantes adolescentes de 14 a 17 anos, do gênero feminino e masculino, do ensino fundamental e médio (7ª série E.F até 3ª série E.M). Os formulários foram preenchidos em três momentos: primeiro quando o adolescente participava da seleção para ingressar no programa, segundo, quando ele iniciava o trabalho na empresa e no término do contrato do adolescente com o programa. Os resultados obtidos por meio dos prontuários dos adolescentes mostraram que a percepção que eles têm a respeito do programa é positiva. Perceberam-se sentimentos de medo, insegurança, alegrias e desejos a respeito das atividades que os preparam para a inserção no mercado formal de trabalho, e o quanto o acompanhamento pelo programa permite outro olhar para esta inclusão. Ainda que o trabalho juvenil não seja a solução para as necessidades econômicas de muitas famílias, o trabalho educativo tem sido visto como uma forma de permitir que o adolescente vivencie sua primeira experiência de trabalho, respeitando sua condição de pessoa em desenvolvimento. Porém, em alguns casos, acabam por contribuir de forma significativa no orçamento familiar.(AU)

Youth Sport Programs: An Avenue to Foster Positive Youth Development

Concern about the growth in adolescent problem behaviours (e.g. delinquency, drug use) has led to increased interest in positive youth development, and a surge in funding for ‘after school programs.’ We evaluate the potential of youth sport programs to foster positive development, while decreasing the risk of problem behaviours. Literature on the positive and negative outcomes of youth sport is presented. We propose that youth sport programs actively work to assure positive outcomes through developmentally appropriate designs and supportive child–adult (parent/coach) relationships. We also highlight the importance of sport programs built on developmental assets (Benson, 1997 ) and appropriate setting features (National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, 2002 ) in bringing about the five ‘C’s of positive development (competence, confidence, character, connections, and compassion/caring: Lerner et al., 2000 ). An applied sport-programming model, which highlights the important roles of policy-makers, sport organizations, coaches and parents in fostering positive youth development is presented as a starting point for further applied and theoretical research.

Spatial distribution of key zooplankton species using continuous plankton recorder (CPR) data from the North Atlantic (2000-2009)

The continuous plankton recorder (CPR) survey is an upper layer plankton monitoring program that has regularly collected samples, at monthly intervals, in the North Atlantic and adjacent seas since 1946. Water from approximately 6 m depth enters the CPR through a small aperture at the front of the sampler and travels down a tunnel where it passes through a silk filtering mesh of 270 µm before exiting at the back of the CPR. The plankton filtered on the silk is analyzed in sections corresponding to 10 nautical miles (approx. 3 m**3 of seawater filtered) and the plankton microscopically identified (Richardson et al., 2006 and reference therein). In the present study we used the CPR data to investigate the current basin scale distribution of C. finmarchicus (C5-C6), C. helgolandicus (C5-C6), C. hyperboreus (C5-C6), Pseudocalanus spp. (C6), Oithona spp. (C1-C6), total Euphausiida, total Thecosomata and the presence/absence of Cnidaria and the Phytoplankton Colour Index (PCI). The PCI, which is a visual assessment of the greenness of the silk, is used as an indicator of the distribution of total phytoplankton biomass across the Atlantic basin (Batten et al., 2003). Monthly data collected between 2000 and 2009 were gridded using the inverse-distance interpolation method, in which the interpolated values were the nodes of a 2 degree by 2 degree grid. The resulting twelve monthly matrices were then averaged within the year and in the case of the zooplankton the data were log-transformed (i.e. log10 (x+1).

Affordable Energy Plan /

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Patrick Quinn responded to rising concerns about unaffordable energy for low-income Illinois residents by convening a meeting of advocates in January 2003, and challenging them to develop a better approach to energy assistance. As a result of that challenge, a working group of low-income advocates, energy policy advisors, researchers, and community leaders met and established the Illinois Affordable Energy Campaign (IAEC) to identify and recommend policy changes to the current Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The Illinois LIHEAP program gives heating assistance to approximately 316,000 families across the state each year. This document the Affordable Energy Plan, is the result of this collaborative process. While the current LIHEAP program provides valuable and essential assistance to low-income families, the Affordable Energy Plan (AEP) improves the program design through a set of common sense reform measures that better address today's volatile energy environment. Reconstructing LIHEAP will make the program more efficient and effective; it will make energy more affordable for more LIHEAP customers; Illinois will see fewer homes disconnected from their utility services, and participants will be able to better understand and plan for their heating expenses.

Guide to eating Illinois sport fish.

Contains sport fish health advisories for Illinois waters, and information on the Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program.

Water watch : the Illinois EPA water resources newsletter.

Caption title.

Atmospheric Poaceae pollen frequencies and associations with meteorological parameters in Brisbane, Australia: a 5-year record, 1994-1999

Grass pollen is an important risk factor for allergic rhinitis and asthma in Australia and is the most prevalent pollen component of the aerospora of Brisbane, accounting for 71.6% of the annual airborne pollen load. A 5-year (June 1994-May 1999) monitoring program shows the grass pollen season to occur during the summer and autumn months (December-April), however the timing of onset and intensity of the season vary from year to year. During the pollen season, Poaceae counts exceeding 30 grains m(-3) were recorded on 244 days and coincided with maximum temperatures of 28.1 +/- 2.0degreesC. In this study, statistical associations between atmospheric grass pollen loads and several weather parameters, including maximum temperature, minimum temperature and precipitation, were investigated. Spearman's correlation analysis demonstrated that daily grass pollen counts were positively associated (P < 0.0001) with maximum and minimum temperature during each sampling year. Precipitation, although considered a less important daily factor (P < 0.05), was observed to remove pollen grains from the atmosphere during significant periods of rainfall. This study provides the first insight into the influence of meteorological variables, in particular temperature, on atmospheric Poaceae pollen counts in Brisbane. An awareness of these associations is critical for the prevention and management of allergy and asthma for atopic individuals within this region.

Optimising care of acute coronary syndromes in three Australian hospitals

Objective. To improve quality of in-hospital care of patients with acute coronary syndromes using a multifaceted quality improvement program. Design. Prospective, before and after study of the effects of quality improvement interventions between October 2000 and August 2002. Quality of care of patients admitted between 1 October 2000 and 16 April 2001 (baseline) was compared with that of those admitted between 15 February 2002 and 31 August 2002 (post-intervention). Setting. Three teaching hospitals in Brisbane, Australia. Study participants. Consecutive patients (n = 1594) admitted to hospital with acute coronary syndrome [mean age 68 years (SD 14 years); 65% males]. Interventions. Clinical guidelines, reminder tools, and educational interventions; 6-monthly performance feedback; pharmacist-mediated patient education program; and facilitation of multidisciplinary review of work practices. Main outcome measures. Changes in key quality indicators relating to timing of electrocardiogram (ECG) and thrombolysis in emergency departments, serum lipid measurement, prescription of adjunctive drugs, and secondary prevention. Results. Comparing post-intervention with baseline patients, increases occurred in the proportions of eligible patients: (i) undergoing timely ECG (70% versus 61%; P = 0.04); (ii) prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (70% versus 60%; P = 0.002) and lipid-lowering agents (77% versus 68%; P = 0.005); (iii) receiving cardiac counselling in hospital (57% versus 48%; P = 0.009); and (iv) referred to cardiac rehabilitation (17% versus 8%; P < 0.001). Conclusions. Multifaceted approaches can improve care processes for patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndromes. Care processes under direct clinician control changed more quickly than those reliant on complex system factors. Identifying and overcoming organizational impediments to quality improvement deserves greater attention.

Using nitrogen stable isotope ratios (delta N-15) of macroalgae to determine the effectiveness of sewage upgrades: changes in the extent of sewage plumes over four years in Moreton Bay, Australia

Nitrogen loading to aquatic ecosystems from sewage is recognised worldwide as a growing problem. The use of nitrogen stable isotopes as a means of discerning sewage nitrogen in the environment has been used annually by the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program in Moreton Bay (Australia) since 1997 when the technique was first developed. This (sewage plume mapping) technique, which measures the delta(15)N isotopic signature of the red macroalga Catenella nipae after incubation in situ, has demonstrated a large reduction in the magnitude and spatial extent of sewage nitrogen within Moreton Bay over the past 5 years. This observed reduction coincides with considerable upgrades to the nitrogen removal efficacy at several sewage treatment plants within the region. This paper describes the observed changes and evaluates whether they can be attributed to the treatment upgrades. (c) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Conservation action in the Galapagos: Feral pig (Sus scrofa) eradication from Santiago Island

Introduced mammals are major drivers of extinction and ecosystem change. As omnivores, feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are responsible for wholesale adverse effects on islands. Here, we report on the eradication of feral pigs from Santiago Island in the Galápagos Archipelago, Ecuador, which is the largest insular pig removal to date. Using a combination of ground hunting and poisoning, over 18,000 pigs were removed during this 30-year eradication campaign. A sustained effort, an effective poisoning campaign concurrent with the hunting program, access to animals by cutting more trails, and an intensive monitoring program all proved critical to the successful eradication. While low and fluctuating control efforts may help protect select native species, current eradication methods, limited conservation funds, and the potential negative non-target impacts of sustained control efforts all favor an intense eradication effort, rather than a sustained control program. The successful removal of pigs from Santiago Island sets a new precedent, nearly doubling the current size of a successful eradication, and is leading to more ambitious projects. However, now we must turn toward increasing eradication efficiency. Given limited conservation funds, we can no longer afford to spend decades removing introduced mammals from islands.

Mapping water quality and substrate cover in optically complex coastal and reef waters: an integrated approach

Sustainable management of coastal and coral reef environments requires regular collection of accurate information on recognized ecosystem health indicators. Satellite image data and derived maps of water column and substrate biophysical properties provide an opportunity to develop baseline mapping and monitoring programs for coastal and coral reef ecosystem health indicators. A significant challenge for satellite image data in coastal and coral reef water bodies is the mixture of both clear and turbid waters. A new approach is presented in this paper to enable production of water quality and substrate cover type maps, linked to a field based coastal ecosystem health indicator monitoring program, for use in turbid to clear coastal and coral reef waters. An optimized optical domain method was applied to map selected water quality (Secchi depth, Kd PAR, tripton, CDOM) and substrate cover type (seagrass, algae, sand) parameters. The approach is demonstrated using commercially available Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper image data over a coastal embayment exhibiting the range of substrate cover types and water quality conditions commonly found in sub-tropical and tropical coastal environments. Spatially extensive and quantitative maps of selected water quality and substrate cover parameters were produced for the study site. These map products were refined by interactions with management agencies to suit the information requirements of their monitoring and management programs. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.