Littérature scientifique sur le sujet « Mincio River »

In the Po plain, northern Italy, rivers within agricultural basins display steep summer increases in nitrate (NO3−) concentrations. Flood irrigation in overfertilized, permeable soils may drive such diffuse pollution, facilitating interactions between NO3−-rich groundwater and surface waters. We discuss multiple, indirect evidence of this mechanism in the Adda, Oglio, and Mincio rivers. These rivers drain agricultural soils with elevated nitrogen (N) surpluses, averaging 139, 193, and 136 kg ha−1 in the Adda, Oglio, and Mincio watersheds, respectively. The three rivers cross a transitional area between highly permeable and impermeable soils, where summer NO3− concentrations may increase by one order of magnitude over short distances (8–20 km). Upstream of this transitional area, a major fraction of the river flow is diverted for flood irrigation, a traditional and widespread irrigation technique for permeable soils. We speculate that diverted water solubilizes soil N excess, recharges the aquifer, and transfers soil N surplus into groundwater, resulting in NO3− pollution. Groundwater–river interactions were estimated experimentally, via water and NO3− budgets in 0.3 to 1 m3 s−1 km−1 and in 1500 to 5400 kg NO3−–N day−1. The data suggest a pronounced east–west gradient of groundwater to river diffuse water inputs among the three adjacent basins, reflecting the soil permeability and the width of the river–groundwater interaction zone. Given the large stock of NO3− in groundwater, management interventions performed at the basin scale and aimed at decreasing N excess will not produce an immediate decrease in river NO3− pollution.

The North American oligochaete Sparganophilus tamesis is widespread in European freshwaters. Its ecological effects on benthic nitrogen (N) biogeochemistry were studied in two contrasting environments: the organic-rich muddy sediments of the eutrophic Mincio River (Italy) and the organic-poor sandy sediments of the oligotrophic Cazaux-Sanguinet Lake (France). Oxygen and inorganic N fluxes and denitrification rates (IPT) were measured by dark incubation of intact cores with different worm biomass. Sediment oxygen demand and denitrification were higher in muddy than in sandy sediments; however, at the two sites, bioturbation by the oligochaetes stimulated differing microbial O2 and NO3− respiration and NH4+ production. In particular, the relative effect of S. tamesis on sediment metabolism was greater in Cazaux-Sanguinet Lake than in the Mincio River. As a result, S. tamesis favored net N loss in the Mincio River, whereas it increased NH4+ recycling and lowered denitrification efficiency in the Cazaux-Sanguinet Lake. Our results suggest that the effects of S. tamesis on N biogeochemistry might differ depending on local trophic settings. These results have implications for the conservation of isoetids in the French Lake, whose persistence can be menaced by oligochaete-induced nutrient mobilization.

The Po Plain (northern Italy) is one of the largest aquifers in Europe, and 67% of the utilized agricultural land in this area is classified as a nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ). However, it hosts intensive agriculture and livestock farming. In a stretch of the Mincio River (a tributary of the Po River), hydraulic heads and physico-chemical parameters of river and groundwater were monitored for a hydrologic year (2020–2021), to evaluate the effects of manure fertilization and flooding irrigation on surface- and groundwater chemistry. From 2020 the Nitrate Directive’s fertilization limit was reintroduced and a comparison has been performed comparing surface- and groundwater data from the 2019 fertilization period (before limit reintroduction) and 2020 (after). Results suggest that in 2021 the phreatic aquifer displayed elevated nitrate (NO3−) concentrations, exceeding 50 mg L−1, although average values were lower than those of 2019. Nitrate loads in the Mincio River reached 6670 kg NO3− d−1 and resulted from the overfertilization in the surrounding area and the quick transfer of nitrogen from groundwater to the river. As compared to 2019, the river loads decreased by 59%, suggesting that the introduction of fertilization limits can produce measurable, short-term responses in alluvial aquifers.

An integrated water resource management programme has been under way since 1999 to reduce agricultural water pollution in the River Mincio fluvial park. The experimental part of the programme consisted of: a) a monitoring phase to evaluate the impact of conventional and environmentally sound techniques (Best Management Practices, BMPs) on water quality; this was done on four representative landscape units, where twelve fields were instrumented to monitor the soil, surface and subsurface water quality; b) a modelling phase to extend the results obtained at field scale to the whole territory of the Mincio watershed. For this purpose a GIS developed in the Arc/Info environment was integrated into the CropSyst model. The model had previously been calibrated to test its ability to describe the complexity of the agricultural systems. The first results showed a variable efficiency of the BMPs depending on the interaction between management and pedo-climatic conditions. In general though, the BMPs had positive effects in improving the surface and subsurface water quality. The CropSyst model was able to describe the agricultural systems monitored and its linking with the GIS represented a valuable tool for identifying the vulnerable areas within the watershed.

The three shallow lakes of Mantua (Upper, Middle and Lower) formed by the Mincio River are today classified by Italian water authorities as sensitive areas, after, in the second half of the 20th century, the hydrologic regime of the lakes was heavily modified, and the influence of industrial activities operating in the 1960s - without much environmental consideration - created a substantial decline in the water quality of the lakes. The City of Mantua is one of the most vital industrial centers of Northern Italy, and development plans are under way, that should approximately double the extension of the urban and industrial area within the next 20 years. This paper deals with estimating the effects of the aforementioned urbanization on the future water quality of the three lakes.

In the northern sector of the Po River Plain (Italy), widespread intensive agriculture and animal farming are supported by large amounts of water from Alpine lakes and their emissaries. Flood irrigation and excess fertilization with manure affect both the hydrology and the chemical quality of surface and groundwater, resulting in diffuse nitrogen pollution. However, studies analyzing the mechanisms linking agricultural practices with vertical and horizontal nitrogen paths are scarce in this area. We investigated groundwater quality and quantity in an unconfined, coarse-grained alluvial aquifer adjacent to the Mincio River (a tributary of the Po River), where steep summer gradients of nitrate (NO3−) concentrations are reported. The effects of manure on solutes’ vertical transport during precipitation events in fertilized and in control soils were simulated under laboratory conditions. The results show high SiO2 and NO3− leaching in fertilized soils. Similarly, field data are characterized by high SiO2 and NO3− concentrations, with a comparable spatial distribution but a different temporal evolution, suggesting their common origin but different processes affecting their concentrations in the study area. Our results show that SiO2 can be used as a conservative tracer of manure spreading, as it does not undergo biogeochemical processes that significantly alter its concentrations. On the contrary, nitrate displays large short-term variations related to aquifer recharge (i.e., flood irrigation and precipitation). In fact, aquifer recharge may promote immediate solubilization and stimulate nitrification, resulting in high NO3− concentrations up to 95.9 mg/L, exceeding the Water Framework Directive (WFD) thresholds. When recharge ends, anoxic conditions likely establish in the saturated zone, favoring denitrification and resulting in a steep decrease in NO3− concentrations.

The article analyzes the optimal ratio of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in food, which plays a significant role in serving the physiological needs of the human body. The ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 groups) is considered the most significant for the human body. Essential polyunsaturated fatty acids are not synthesized in the human body, but are sufficiently found in fish, especially in sea fish leading an active lifestyle. The fatty acid composition of various aquaculture objects, freshwater and sea fish species is analyzed. There has been carried out modeling of minced fish recipes based on the biomedical requirements and the functional and technological properties of the raw materials used. To optimize the fatty acid composition of minced fish in accordance with the physiological needs of humans, it has been proposed to mix different types of fish meat: sea and river fish, aquaculture objects. Pacific herring, Caspian sprat, cod (sea fish species), pike perch, pike, crucian carp (river fish species), silver carp, clari catfish, and Nile tilapia (aquaculture objects) were used as raw materials in developing recipes for the combined minced fish. Fatty acid composition of the finished product was optimized by mathematical modeling of the recipe mixture of minced meat of various fish species and based on the analysis of the ratio of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the meat of the studied fish species. Two recipes, which include Pacific herring, cod, crucian carp, and Nile tilapia (recipe No. 5), as well as Pacific herring, cod, pike, and clari catfish (recipe No. 6), most fully meet the specified requirements.

Results of cherry salmon juveniles rearing at Reidovo fish farm on Iturup Island during two annual cycles of cultivation are analyzed. Different variants of the breeders selection, feeding, preventive treatment, and release were tested. The breeders were caught in the river mouth and near the fish farm. Mass mortality of young fish in the first and second years was avoided by decreasing of their density and other preventive measures. Minced fish was used as a food for them that is less expensive in compare with a combined fodder. The best diet for the second year of rearing was the minced pink salmon with the daily ration of 2 % of the juveniles body weight; it provided a significant decrease of mortality and enhanced their growth. After 2-year rearing, percentage of females, anadromous males, and dwarf males was 42.1, 36.3, and 21.6 %, respectively. Their weights were similar, though a group of fast-growing males was found among the dwarfs. The mass of ovaries varied from 13 to 46 mg in close dependence on females’ body weight (r = 0.81). Before the release, the ovaries of all females contained oocytes of similar size (varied in 2–4 times) at the final stage of previtellogenesis. Number of the oocytes per transverse section varied from 4.7 to 32.3, on average for 5 cuts and their diameter varied from 164.3 to 279.2 mm and did not correlate with the females body weight. The mass of dwarf males’ testes varied from 14 to 488 mg in dependence on their body weight (r = 0.78). The elder oocytes of females would mature in a year, and majority of dwarf males would reach the maturity in autumn of the current year.

Water management is facing a growing number of challenges in many river basins worldwide, as the equal distribution of the available water resources is increasingly influenced by several, uncertain climatic and anthropic pressures. Within the current and projected water scarcity and drought scenario, such issue represents even a greater challenge in those basins that have been massively regulated in the XX century, as water managers are asked to find balanced policies to stay ahead with multiple, interdependent and ever-increasing water-related requirements. In this context, water conflict has become a recurring problem, with the freshwater ecosystems becoming the sole providers of unbearable human water needs and experiencing a severe alteration of their natural renewability and ecological integrity. In fact, the concern of sustaining the freshwater ecosystems has evolved throughout the years, coming to the fore since the 1990s under the concept of "ecosystem services", defined as the multiple benefits that people obtain from ecosystems. With a high number of challenges still ahead for implementing such paradigm in real-world water management practices, few investigations inspect the long-term evolution of highly regulated basins, being vulnerable freshwater systems characterized by a profusion of ecosystem services in a context of complex management policies and changing anthropic and climatic pressures. We focus our attention on the highly interconnected Garda-Mincio system (Northern Italy), further broadening the results to the regulated basins of the European perialpine region. First, to examine the modification of the freshwater systems from their pristine to their regulated conditions, we carried out an extensive collection of daily hydro-meteorological data by consulting public online sources as well as digitizing historical data contained in hand-written documents. The resulting database, which represents a valuable source of long-term daily hydro-meteorological data for the Garda-Mincio system, additionally underscored the complexity of constructing and maintaining a consistent and up-to-date database within an inter-regional context. The collected data were then adopted to investigate the climatic and anthropogenic drivers that have progressively influenced water availability, the provision of the changing water demands and the trade-offs with the existing water ecosystem services over the last two centuries. Statistical analyses were performed to outline the evolution of the annual and seasonal trends of Lake Garda water levels and outflows over the period 1888-2020, discussing the role of the Salionze Dam operational rules (completed in 1951) as well as the influence of the main water needs of the downstream Mincio River basin (i.e. hydropower production, irrigation and fluvial ecosystem sustenance). The role of hydro-meteorological factors was assessed by implementing a water balance model for Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy, over the period 1928-2020, performing uncertainty and sensitivity analyses on specific water balance components (i.e. over-lake evaporation and basin evapotranspiration). We then focus our analyses on the management of the hydraulic infrastructures that regulate the first and highly water-stressed stretch of the Mincio River downstream Lake Garda, i.e. the Salionze Dam and the Pozzolo-Marenghello infrastructures, where both high and low flow conditions reveal the inability of the current operational rules to support the new variety of water abstractions while maintaining appropriate environmental flow conditions and flood protection. These analyses were carried out through in-situ measurements and numerical simulations, updating the aging rating curves of the existing hydraulic infrastructures. Drawing on the Garda-Mincio system, we inspected the evolution of the freshwater regimes within the European perialpine lakes framework, discussing the outcomes to describe which common factors drove management policies in the area. Eventually, we discuss our outcomes recommending future sustainable and adaptive water management policies in the area.

Doutoramento em Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente
The Minho River, situated 30 km south of the Rias Baixas is the most important freshwater source flowing into the Western Galician Coast (NW of the Iberian Peninsula). This discharge is important to determine the hydrological patterns adjacent to its mouth, particularly close to the Galician coastal region. The buoyancy generated by the Minho plume can flood the Rias Baixas for long periods, reversing the normal estuarine density gradients. Thus, it becomes important to analyse its dynamics as well as the thermohaline patterns of the areas affected by the freshwater spreading. Thus, the main aim of this work was to study the propagation of the Minho estuarine plume to the Rias Baixas, establishing the conditions in which this plume affects the circulation and hydrographic features of these coastal systems, through the development and application of the numerical model MOHID. For this purpose, the hydrographic features of the Rias Baixas mouths were studied. It was observed that at the northern mouths, due to their shallowness, the heat fluxes between the atmosphere and ocean are the major forcing, influencing the water temperature, while at the southern mouths the influence of the upwelling events and the Minho River discharge were more frequent. The salinity increases from south to north, revealing that the observed low values may be caused by the Minho River freshwater discharge. An assessment of wind data along the Galician coast was carried out, in order to evaluate the applicability of the study to the dispersal of the Minho estuarine plume. Firstly, a comparative analysis between winds obtained from land meteorological stations and offshore QuikSCAT satellite were performed. This comparison revealed that satellite data constitute a good approach to study wind induced coastal phenomena. However, since the numerical model MOHID requires wind data with high spatial and temporal resolution close to the coast, results of the forecasted model WRF were added to the previous study. The analyses revealed that the WRF model data is a consistent tool to obtain representative wind data near the coast, showing good results when comparing with in situ wind observations from oceanographic buoys. To study the influence of the Minho buoyant discharge influence on the Rias Baixas, a set of three one-way nested models was developed and implemented, using the numerical model MOHID. The first model domain is a barotropic model and includes the whole Iberian Peninsula coast. The second and third domains are baroclinic models, where the second domain is a coarse representation of the Rias Baixas and adjacent coastal area, while the third includes the same area with a higher resolution. A bi-dimensional model was also implemented in the Minho estuary, in order to quantify the flow (and its properties) that the estuary injects into the ocean. The chosen period for the Minho estuarine plume propagation validation was the spring of 1998, since a high Minho River discharge was reported, as well as favourable wind patterns to advect the estuarine plume towards the Rias Baixas, and there was field data available to compare with the model predictions. The obtained results show that the adopted nesting methodology was successful implemented. Model predictions reproduce accurately the hydrodynamics and thermohaline patterns on the Minho estuary and Rias Baixas. The importance of the Minho river discharge and the wind forcing in the event of May 1998 was also studied. The model results showed that a continuous moderate Minho River discharge combined with southerly winds is enough to reverse the Rias Baixas circulation pattern, reducing the importance of the occurrence of specific events of high runoff values. The conditions in which the estuarine plume Minho affects circulation and hydrography of the Rias Baixas were evaluated. The numerical results revealed that the Minho estuarine plume responds rapidly to wind variations and is also influenced by the bathymetry and morphology of the coastline. Without wind forcing, the plume expands offshore, creating a bulge in front of the river mouth. When the wind blows southwards, the main feature is the offshore extension of the plume. Otherwise, northward wind spreads the river plume towards the Rias Baixas. The plume is confined close to the coast, reaching the Rias Baixas after 1.5 days. However, for Minho River discharges higher than 800 m3 s-1, the Minho estuarine plume reverses the circulation patterns in the Rias Baixas. It was also observed that the wind stress and Minho River discharge are the most important factors influencing the size and shape of the Minho estuarine plume. Under the same conditions, the water exchange between Rias Baixas was analysed following the trajectories particles released close to the Minho River mouth. Over 5 days, under Minho River discharges higher than 2100 m3 s-1 combined with southerly winds of 6 m s-1, an intense water exchange between Rias was observed. However, only 20% of the particles found in Ria de Pontevedra come directly from the Minho River. In summary, the model application developed in this study contributed to the characterization and understanding of the influence of the Minho River on the Rias Baixas circulation and hydrography, highlighting that this methodology can be replicated to other coastal systems.
O Rio Minho, situado a 30 km a sul das Rias Baixas, é o rio mais importante que desagua na costa ocidental Galega (NO da Península Ibérica). A descarga da água doce proveniente deste rio é importante para a determinação dos padrões hidrológicos adjacentes à sua foz, particularmente perto das regiões costeiras galegas. Esta água doce pode inundar as Rias Baixas por períodos prolongados, invertendo a distribuição normal de densidade. Deste modo, é fundamental caracterizar a dinâmica da pluma do Rio Minho, assim como os padrões termohalinos das áreas afetadas pela sua dispersão. Assim, os principais objetivos deste trabalho consistiram no estudo da propagação da pluma estuarina do Minho em direção às Rias Baixas, e na deteção das condições nas quais esta afeta a circulação e as características hidrográficas destes sistemas costeiros, através do desenvolvimento e aplicação do modelo numérico MOHID. Com este propósito avaliaram-se inicialmente as características hidrográficas das embocaduras das Rias Baixas. Verificou-se então que, no caso das embocaduras norte, devido à sua reduzida profundidade, os fluxos de calor entre a atmosfera e o oceano são o forçamento principal que determina a temperatura da agua, enquanto que nas embocaduras sul os eventos de afloramento costeiro e a descarga de água doce são os fatores determinantes mais frequentes. Observou-se ainda um aumento de salinidade de sul para norte, o que indica que os menores valores detetados poderão ser explicados pela descarga de água doce proveniente do Rio Minho. Seguidamente efetuou-se uma avaliação de dados de vento na costa Galega, com o objetivo de verificar a sua aplicabilidade no estudo da dispersão da pluma estuarina do Minho. Inicialmente compararam-se ventos medidos ao longo da costa em estações meteorológicas terrestres, com ventos medidos ao largo pelo satélite QuikSCAT. Esta análise permitiu estabelecer que os dados do satélite são uma boa aproximação no estudo de fenómenos costeiros induzidos pelo vento. No entanto, visto que para forçar o modelo numérico MOHID são necessários dados de vento com grande resolução espácio-temporal perto da costa, acrescentou-se ao estudo anterior dados resultantes de simulações de um modelo de previsão (WRF). Da comparação com os dados provenientes de boias oceanográficas, conclui-se que a melhor base de dados para representação do vento perto da costa provém do modelo WRF. Para efetuar o estudo da influência da pluma estuarina do Minho nas Rias Baixas, foi desenvolvido e implementado um sistema de modelação integrado de três níveis encaixados, baseado na utilização do modelo numérico MOHID. O primeiro domínio é um modelo de maré barotrópico, englobando toda a costa da Península Ibérica. O segundo e o terceiro domínios são modelos baroclínicos tridimensionais, sendo o segundo uma representação grosseira das Rias Baixas e da costa adjacente, enquanto que o terceiro domínio inclui a mesma área com maior resolução. Neste âmbito, foi também implementado em modo 2D um modelo para o estuário do Minho, de forma a quantificar o fluxo (e as suas propriedades) que o estuário injeta no oceano. Devido à disponibilidade de dados foi escolhido o período de maio de 1998 para a validação da implementação numérica desenvolvida, efetuando a simulação da propagação da pluma estuarina do Minho para este período. Note-se que durante esta época foi detetada uma descarga elevada do Rio Minho, bem como ventos favoráveis à dispersão da pluma em direção as Rias Baixas. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a metodologia de modelos encaixados foi implementada com sucesso, uma vez que os modelos reproduzem com precisão aceitável os padrões hidrodinâmicos e termohalinos do estuário do Minho e das Rias Baixas. Também foi avaliada a importância da descarga do Rio Minho e do vento no evento de maio de 1998. Os resultados revelaram que uma descarga moderada e contínua combinada com ventos de sul é suficiente para inverter o padrão de circulação das Rias Baixas, reduzindo a importância da existência de eventos específicos de elevado caudal. No âmbito do objetivo princial deste estudo, foram avaliadas as condições nas quais a pluma estuarina do Minho afeta a circulação e hidrografia das Rias Baixas. Os resultados numéricos indicaram que a dispersão da pluma estuarina do Minho responde rapidamente as variações do vento e às variações de batimetria e morfologia da linha de costa. Sem vento, a pluma expande-se para o largo, criando um bojo em frente da embocadura do rio. Sob condições de vento de norte, a pluma estende-se numa maior dimensão para o largo. Por outro lado, sob condições de vento de sul, a pluma fica confinada junto à costa, chegando às Rias Baixas ao fim de um dia e meio. No entanto, para descargas do Rio Minho superiores a 800 m3 s-1, a pluma estuarina do Minho inverte os padrões de circulação das Rias Baixas. Verificou-se também que a variabilidade do vento e da descarga do Rio Minho são os fatores que mais influenciam o tamanho e forma da pluma. Sob as mesmas condições analisou-se a troca de água nas Rias Baixas seguindo a trajetória de partículas lancadas perto da embocadura do estuário do Minho. Para descargas do Rio Minho superiores a 2100 m3 s-1 combinadas com ventos de sul de 6 m s-1 e numa escala superior a cinco dias, observou-se uma intensa troca de água entre as Rias. Cerca de 20% das partículas detetadas na Ria de Pontevedra provêm diretamente do Rio Minho. Em suma, a aplicação do modelo desenvolvido neste trabalho contribuiu para o conhecimento da influencia do Rio Minho na circulação e hidrografia das Rias Baixas, evidenciando que esta metodologia também pode ser replicada para outros sistemas costeiros.

Existe uma pesca profissional importante dirigida a espécies migradoras nos rios Minho e Tejo, nomeadamente a lampreia-marinha (Petromyzon marinus L.), sável (Alosa alosa L.), savelha (Alosa fallax Lac.) e enguia-europeia (Anguilla anguilla L.). O objecto de estudo do presente trabalho é a lampreia-marinha, cuja exploração constitui uma actividade com elevado interesse económico, gastronómico e cultural. Cientes da importância que esta espécie representa nas regiões em estudo pretendeu-se com este trabalho contribuir para a determinação do valor económico da pesca da lampreia-marinha e avaliar a viabilidade da sua exploração comercial nos moldes em que tem sido praticada no nosso país. Para o efeito foram realizados inquéritos sociológicos aos pescadores profissionais na bacia hidrográfica dos rios Minho e Tejo, de modo a aprofundar conhecimentos sobre as comunidades piscatórias existentes ao longo dos troços estudados, bem como a evolução da pesca da lampreia-marinha nos últimos anos. Semanalmente foram também efectuados contactos com os pescadores profissionais, de modo a obter o número de capturas diárias. Estes contactos permitiram obter uma estimativa do número de lampreias-marinhas capturadas, bem como o seu valor monetário e o esforço de pesca despendido na sua captura, durante a época de pesca de 2009. Simultaneamente foi efectuada uma análise do circuito comercial desde o pescador até ao consumidor final e realizado um cálculo do volume de negócios associado a este tipo de pesca. Com a caracterização sócio-económica dos pescadores verificou-se que estamos na presença de uma população bastante envelhecida, e que a pesca praticada por estes é de carácter tradicional e familiar. Através desta caracterização efectuou-se também a distinção em cinco principais tipos de pescadores a operar em ambos os rios. Durante a época de pesca de 2009 foram capturadas 9418 lampreias-marinhas e transaccionados €83.624,00 pelos 26 pescadores dos quais se obteve dados de capturas diárias, observando­ se que o maior número de capturas e de fluxo monetário se registou no Rio Minho. No que se refere ao sector da restauração foram vendidas cerca de 2842lampreias-marinhas, provenientes dos rios Minho, Tejo e Nabão e transaccionados €110.436, pelos 29 restaurantes dos quais foi possível obter informações. Através dos cinco tipos de pescadores apurados, obteve-se o valor acrescentado bruto para as duas bacias hidrográficas em estudo, para o Rio Minho de €209.618 por cerca de 347 pescadores licenciados para a pesca da lampreia-marinha, e para o Rio Tejo de €23.035 por cerca de 62 pescadores licenciados para a pesca profissional. Comparando os valores obtidos com os valores totais para cada região, verificou-se que a pesca da lampreia no Rio Minho representa uma parcela mais significativa do fluxo económico gerado pela pesca total, quando comparado com o Rio Tejo. Estes resultados permitem-nos concluir que, na época em questão, existiu uma elevada captura de exemplares de lampreia-marinha e que estes animais apresentam uma significativa importância económica para as regiões estudadas. É de salientar toda a movimentação económica que o produto inicial motiva, existindo, inclusivamente, diversos restaurantes especializados na confecção desta espécie e certames gastronómicos em que esta 11 iguaria 11 é a principal atracção. ABSTRACT: "Assessment of the feasibility of commercial exploitation of sea lamprey in rivers basin of Minho and Tagus" There is a professional fishery directed at migratory species on the rivers Minho and Tejo, namely the sea-lamprey (Petromyzon marínus L.), alice shad (Alosa alosa L.), twaite shad (Alosa fallax Lac.) and european-eel (Anguílla anguílla L.). The present work focus on the study of the sea-lamprey, whose exploration constitutes an activity with a high degree of economical, gastronomic and cultural interest. Aware of the importance that this species has on the regions studied, this work intended to contribute to determine the economic value of the sea-lamprey fishery and evaluate its commercial exploration viability as it has been conducted in our country. For that purpose, sociological surveys were conducted among professional fishers of the rivers Minho and Tejo basins, to further investigate the fishing communities, present in the studied areas, as well as the evolution of the sea-lamprey fishery along the last few years. Professional fishers were also contacted weakly, to obtain the number of daily captures. These contacts allowed the obtaining of an estimated number of captured sea-lampreys, as well as their economic value and the effort spent on their capture, during the 2009 fishing season. At the same time, an analysis of the commercial circuit was conducted from the fisher to the end consumer and the business volume associated to this kind of fishery was calculated. With fishers' socio-economical characterization, it was concluded that they constitute a considerably aged population and that the fishing conducted by them is typically traditional and familiar. Through this characterization, it was possible to make a distinction between five main types of fishers operating in both rivers. During the 2009 fishing season, 9418 sea-lamprey were captured and €83.624,00 were traded by the 26 fishers from which data on daily captures was obtained, registering a greater number of captures and financial flow on the River Minho. Regarding catering, 2842 sea-lampreys from the Minho, Tejo and Nabão rivers were sold, and €110.436 were traded by the 29 restaurants from which information could be obtained. Through the five types of fisher identified, the GVA for both river basins studied was obtained: €209.618 among 347 certified sea-lamprey fishers on the River Minho, and €23.035 among 62 certified professional fishers on the River Tejo. Comparing the obtained values with total values for each region, it was observed that lamprey fishery on the River Minho represents a more significant part of the total economical flow generated by fishery, when comparing with the River Tejo. These results allow us to conclude that, during the studied season, there was a high number of captured sea-lampreys and that these animals have a high economic importance on the studied regions. It is important to point out all the economical movement that the initial product generates. Several restaurants specialized in the confection of this specie exist, as well as gastronomic fairs, in which this "treat “is the main attraction.

An investigation was undertaken to better understand the hydrogeologic framework of the Rio Cobre and Rio Minho-Milk river basins, Jamaica, West Indies. A quasi three-dimensional finite-difference groundwater flow model was used to conceptualize flow conditions and establish a hydrogeologic budget of the region.

The Rio Cobre and Rio Minho-Milk river basins lie on the Clarendon Block, an area with a complex geologic history. The geologic history includes: 1) the intrusion of calc-alkaline granites, 2) morphotectonic sedimentation, 3) three episodes of deformation by transpressional and transcurrent tectonics, 4) the deposition of a highly permeable, Tertiary carbonate platform, and 5) the development of near surface karst oriented with the major NNW-SSE fault trend in the basins. Since deposition, compression, faulting, and solution have modified the distribution and thickness of carbonate rocks impacting the ground-water flow of the region. The most notable features are the older NNW-SSE trend dip-slip faults and the younger E-W trend strike-slip faults, notably the South Coast Fault (SCF) formed during the Laramide Orogeny. The White Limestone aquifer is the principal aquifer of the Rio Cobre and Rio Minho-Milk river basins in the parishes of St. Catherine, Clarendon, and partly in Manchester. It is characterized by intercalated sequences of permeable rubbly and micritic carbonate rocks. The age of the rocks range from Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) to Recent.

The permeability of the South Coast fault and the high hydraulic conductivity value associated with the Tertiary carbonate platform (480 m/d) in the Lower Rio Minho-Milk River basin control the gradient of the potentiometric surface and ground water flow in that region The agreement between the measured and the simulated hydraulic heads obtained for this steady-state model suggests that the values assigned to the hydraulic properties that characterize the ground-water flow of the White Limestone aquifer are reasonable. Recharge to the area occurs as net recharge in addition to upland subsurface inflow across the general head boundary in the northern part of the study area. Comparisons of calculated and observed values of head indicate that simulated groundwater flow field generally agree with field conditions. /

Several simplifying assumptions were made for the conceptualization and simulation of flow in the basins: 1) during the 1998 water year, ground-water in the basins was considered at steady-state, 2) pumping does not significantly affect the level of hydraulic heads; therefore pumping wells are not simulated, 3) Net recharge from precipitation varies spatially, 4) karstification and aquifer heterogeneity impact on the distribution of hydraulic conductivity, 5) Darcy's law is applicable to flow through the fractures and solutions openings in a karst region, 6) flow in the White Limestone aquifer occurs in the uppermost 650 m and vertical flow is assumed to be controlled by intervening units, 7) evaporation was not explicitly simulated in the model. Recharge rates were considered as "net recharge," and 8) submarine discharge occurs from the aquifer along the coast where aquifers are hydraulically connected to the sea.

Ground-water flow in the basins was conceptualized as a quasi three-dimensional flow system in which two model layers were used. The model boundaries selected to represent natural hydrologic boundaries include (1) a no-flow along the western and eastern boundaries, (2) a constant head boundary along the freshwater/saltwater interface; (3) a general head boundary along the northern boundary; and (4) a horizontal-flow barrier boundary along the South Coast Fault; and (5) river leakage boundaries along major rivers draining the coastal basins. The simulated region is an area of 2,550 square kilometers, two-thirds of which is hilly and the remainder, irrigated plains with small swamps draining the area. The model consists of over 337,500 cells and employed a regular grid spacing of 200m x 160m. The model was designed and calibrated to steady-state conditions from data observed/estimated during water year 1998. The Water Resources Authority of Jamaica (WRAJ) will use the results of the modeling study as a predictive tool for long-term management and monitoring of water resources in the region.

The model was calibrated using a manual trial-and-error adjustment of parameters. Hydraulic conductivity values in both model layers, hydraulic conductivity at the general-head boundary, and streambed conductance were adjusted during successive simulations until computed head values approximated field conditions. The computed potentiometric surface is an adequate or reasonable match on a regional scale, with the general horizontal hydraulic gradient oriented with the main fault trend NNW-SSE in both basins.

Sensitivity tests of the calibrated model were conducted on net recharge, hydraulic conductivity, hydraulic conductivity assigned along the general-head boundary, and streambed vertical conductance to determine if differences between simulated and observed values were similar to the range of uncertainty in the values of input data and boundary conditions. Based on the results obtained from the sensitivity analysis, it is apparent that the model is extremely sensitive to changes in horizontal hydraulic conductivity and recharge in the form of precipitation. The model is least sensitive to streambed vertical hydraulic conductivity.

Master of Science

The study aimed to characterize the tree-shrub community of a riparian forest, one of the last remnatns on the Araguari River, at Uberlândia, Triângulo Mineiro region, Minas Gerais State. The composition, horizontal and vertical structure were investigated by phytosociological survey of 110 plots of 10m x 10m (1,1ha). All trees with CAP ` 15 cm were registered. There were sampled 1.393 trees distributed in 89 species and 36 families. Hirtella gracilipes (Hook.f.) Prance was the most abundant specie, with the highest frequency, density and VI. It is a small tree specie, predominant in the understory of the forest. The Shannon index was H = 3,65 nats.ind-1. The most common soil in the study area was classified as Litholic Neosol dystrophic, with gneiss rock outcrops, and in some parts of the forest there were soils of the Haplic Cambisol Tb dystrophic type. The floristic comparisons indicated the riparian forest of Araguari river is more similar to the Triângulo Mineiro forests, to riparian forest in Três Marias, MG, and to gallery forests of the Central Brazil, than to riparian forests of southsoutheast of Minas Gerais and São Paulo. The analysis of maximum, medium and minimum heights of the species showed the forest has three vertical strata. The stratum 1 (1,5m > h ` 10m) had the highest richness, density and was represented by a group shade-tolerant and light-demanding understory species. There were also individuals juvenile of species belonging to the higher strata, classified as light-demanding canopy species. The stratum 2 (10m > h ` 15m) occupied the largest part of the study area, and was considered mostly a intermediate stratum, including canopy species as well as some understory mature trees. The stratum 3 (h > 15m) had the lowest density and the species which form this part of the forest have far greater number of individuals in inferior strata. This indicates the forest is recovering from anthropic disturbance suffered in the past. The presence of a major quantity of animaldispersed species and individuals emphasizes the important preservation of this riparian forest for the fauna of Araguari River Valley and whole region.
O estudo objetivou caracterizar a comunidade arbóreo-arbustiva de um dos últimos remanescentes de mata ciliar do rio Araguari, situado no município de Uberlândia MG, região do Triângulo Mineiro. A composição, estrutura horizontal e vertical foi investigada pelo levantamento sociológico de 110 parcelas de 10 m x 10 m (1,1 ha). Todos os indivíduos com CAP ` 15 cm foram registrados. Foram amostrados 1.393 indivíduos distribuídos em 89 espécies e 36 famílias. Hirtella gracilipes (Hook.f.) Prance, com pequeno porte e predominante no sub-bosque da mata foi a espécie mais abundante, com os maiores valores de freqüência, densidade e VI. O índice de Shannon foi de H = 3,65 nats/ind. O solo com maior ocorrência na área de estudo foi classificado como Neossolo Litólico distrófico, com afloramentos de rocha do tipo gnaisse, e em alguns trechos da mata ocorreram solos do tipo Cambissolo Háplico Tb distrófico. As comparações florísticas indicam que a mata ciliar do rio Araguari é mais semelhante às florestas do Triângulo Mineiro, juntamente com a mata ciliar de Três Marias, MG e com as matas de galeria do Centro-Oeste do Brasil, do que as florestas ciliares do sul-sudeste de Minas Gerais e do Estado de São Paulo. A análise das alturas máxima, média e mínima das espécies mostrou que a floresta possui três estratos verticais. O estrato 1 (1,5m > h ` 10m) teve a maior riqueza, densidade e foi representado por um conjunto de espécies umbrófilas e heliófilas de sub-bosque, além de indivíduos de espécies que alcançaram os estratos superiores da floresta, classificadas como heliófilas de dossel . O estrato 2 (10m > h ` 15m) ocupa a maior parte da área de estudo e foi considerado, principalmente, um estrato de passagem, composto por espécies que chegam aos estratos superiores como também por alguns indivíduos de espécies do sub-bosque que possuem maior porte. O estrato 3 ( h > 15m) teve a menor densidade e as espécies que compõe esta camada da mata possui um grande número de indivíduos nos estratos inferiores. Isto indica que a floresta está se recuperando de perturbações antrópicas sofridas no passado. A ocorrência de um grande número de espécies e indivíduos com dispersão zoocórica ressalta a importância da preservação desta mata ciliar para a fauna do vale do rio Araguari e região.
Mestre em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais

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CNPq
This dissertation wants to contribute with the knowledge related to the way of life in the Sert?o of Northern Minas Gerais, bathed by the S?o Francisco River. It specifically this place we call Sert?o, their economic and social characteristics, as well as the strategies of its residents to stay at this place despite the difficulties of playing their way of life. Addresses also the question of the relevance of social programs in this process, notably the Family Grant Program. Uses elements of analysis of Jo?o Guimar?es Rosa literature related to this Sert?o of Rio S?o Francisco and the case of the Rural Sagrada Fam?lia Subdivision comes up to exemplify what permanence strategies, economic, cultural ties with the place and as forms of social recognition of the individuals in your group.
Esta disserta??o de mestrado visa contribuir para o conhecimento relacionado ao modo de vida no Sert?o do Norte de Minas Gerais banhado pelo Rio S?o Francisco. Trata especificamente desse lugar a que denominamos Sert?o, suas caracter?sticas econ?micas, sociais e culturais, bem como as estrat?gias de perman?ncia e reprodu??o social de seus moradores nesse lugar-sert?o, apesar das dificuldades de reprodu??o de seu modo de vida. Aborda, igualmente, a quest?o da relev?ncia dos programas sociais nesse processo, notadamente, o Programa Bolsa Fam?lia. Recorre a elementos de an?lise da literatura de Jo?o Guimar?es Rosa relacionado a esse Sert?o do Rio S?o Francisco e o caso do Bairro Rural Sagrada Fam?lia vem ? tona para exemplificar quais as estrat?gias de perman?ncia, as quest?es econ?micas, os v?nculos culturais com o lugar, bem como as formas de reconhecimento social dos indiv?duos em seu grupo.

Dissertação de mestrado em Ecologia
A perca-sol (Lepomis gibbosus) e o achigã (Micropterus salmoides), duas espécies exóticas invasoras, foram introduzidas para promoção da pesca desportiva. Apesar da presença do achigã datar dos anos 50 no Rio Minho, existe pouca informação relativa à ecologia desta espécie acontecendo o mesmo para a perca-sol. Assim, este estudo pretendeu analisar a distribuição e abundância, a condição física, a idade, a alimentação, e a reprodução de ambas as espécies, averiguando o tipo de impactos que possam provocar no ecossistema no Rio Minho. As amostragens realizaram-se Julho de 2014 a Outubro de 2015, em três locais distintos, Marina da Lenta, Lagoa da Lapela e na Lagoa do Cervo. Ambas as espécies estão estabelecidas no Rio Minho, no entanto, a população do achigã já se encontra estabilizada, enquanto a população da perca-sol ainda se encontra em adaptação, com possível desenvolvimento. Os indivíduos surgem com uma boa condição física (b>3), mas com índices de performances de crescimento (Ф) inferiores a estudos anteriores. Em ambos os casos, as fêmeas apresentam um investimento gonadossómico superior ao dos machos. A época reprodutiva dos achigãs situa-se entre Abril/Maio e no caso da perca-sol entre Julho/Agosto. A maturidade sexual é atingida aos 2 e 1 anos, respetivamente. O exemplar mais velho de achigã tinha 5 anos e no caso da perca-sol 3 anos. Quanto à alimentação na Marina da Lenta tem como base principal insetos e crustáceos, e no caso do achigã, a partir dos 2 anos de idade alguns teleósteos como peixe-rei, carpa e verdemã, passam a fazer parte da dieta. Na perca-sol verifica-se o consumo de gastrópodes, a partir do primeiro ano de vida, e registo do consumo de larvas de peixe e ovos foi mínimo. Os principais impactos destas duas espécies são criados pela sobreposição de guildas tróficas com espécies nativas de água doce, como por exemplo o escalo, e pela alimentação direta de espécies nativas como o peixe-rei. Os impactos no ecossistema do Rio Minho são mais evidentes nos habitats característicos dos exóticos, no entanto, deve-se continuar a monitorização e os estudos ecológicos, acompanhando a evolução das populações, em especial da perca-sol.
The pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) and the largmouth black bass (Micropterus salmoides), are two invasive exotic species, which have been introduced to promote sport fishing. Although the presence of largemouth date from the 50’s, there is few information about the ecology of this species, going the same for pumpkinseed. Therefore, it was intended analyze the distribution and abundance, the physical condition, age, feeding regime, and reproduction of both species, finding out how these two species can affect the ecosystem in the Minho River. The samplings were performed from July 2014 to October 2015, in three different locations, Marina da Lenta, Lagoa da Lapela and Lagoa do Cervo. Both species are establish in the river Minho, however, the largemouth black bass population is already stabilized, while the pumpkinseed population still in adaptation, with potential development. The individuals appear with a good physical condition (b>3), but with the growth performance index (Ф) lower than the previous studies. In both cases, females have a higher gonadossomic investment than males. The breeding season of the largemouth black bass is between April/May and in the case of pumpkinseed between July/August. Sexual maturity is reached at age 2 and 1 years, respectively. The oldest largemouth bass was 5 years old and the case of pumpkinseed was 3 years old. The feeding items in Marina da Lenta is mainly based on insects and crustaceans, and for largemouth black bass, since age 2 some teleost as sand smelt, carp and ray-finned, start to get included. In pumpkinseed there is consumption of gastropods from the first year of life, and recording the consumption of fish larvae and eggs was minimal. The main impacts of these two species are created by overlapping of trophic guilds with native freshwater species, such as the ide, and the direct feeding of native species such as sand smelt. The impacts on the Minho River ecosystem are more evident in the characteristic habitats of exotic, however, the monitoring should continue and the ecological studies, following the evolution of the population, especially the pumpkinseed.

O presente Projeto Final de Arquitetura, desenvolvido ao longo do ano letivo 2020/2021, inserido no Estúdio 5 – Design for Sustainability, soluciona as várias problemáticas analisadas na vila de Caminha e estabelece a devida relação com a frente fluvial que foi sendo definida ao longo da evolução da malha urbana do território que, por sua vez, serviu como mote conceptual para a execução do projeto de arquitetura em apresentação. A Interface Municipal de Caminha resulta, então, da intenção de reverter problemáticas existentes na vila de Caminha, como a interrupção de eixos pedonais por parte de vias automóveis, o congestionamento automóvel, a escassez de parque automóvel, a escassez de zonas verdes consolidadas e a inexistência de espaços de trabalho artesanal, uma vez que Caminha se caracteriza também pela abundância de artistas e artesãos. Sendo que o espaço urbano é um elemento crucial à articulação de um território, a intervenção arquitetónica apresentada passa não só pela consolidação dos espaços públicos existentes, mas também pela criação de outros mesmos espaços necessários a uma articulação entre eles que, por sua vez, não só delimitam sensorialmente o centro histórico, mas unem também elementos especificamente especiais como a Torre do Relógio, a Rua Direita, a Torre do Embarque e os Cais (fluvial e rodoviário). É valorizada, acima de tudo, a relação física, sensorial e visual entre cidade e frente de água não só no que diz respeito à conceção de espaço público, mas também à conceção construtiva. A Interface Municipal de Caminha oferece também a intermodalidade do transporte público e promove a sua utilização através do que a própria vila proporciona.
This Final Architectural Project, developed during the 2020/2021 school year, inserted in Studio 5 - Design for Sustainability, solves the various problems analyzed in the village of Caminha and establishes the proper relationship with the river front that was defined throughout the evolution of the urban fabric of the territory which, in turn, served as a conceptual motto for the execution of the architectural project being presented. The Municipal Interface of Caminha is, therefore, the result of the intention to reverse existing problems in the town of Caminha, such as the interruption of pedestrian axes by car lanes, traffic congestion, the scarcity of car parks, the scarcity of consolidated green areas and the inexistence of spaces for artisan work, since Caminha is also characterized by the abundance of artists and artisans. Since the urban space is a crucial element in the articulation of a territory, the architectural intervention presented involves not only the consolidation of existing public spaces, but also the creation of other spaces necessary for an articulation between them, which, in turn, do not only sensorially delimit the historic center, but also unite specifically special elements such as the Clock Tower, Rua Direita, the Embarque Tower and the Quays (river and road). Above all, the physical, sensory and visual relationship between the city and the waterfront is valued, not only with regard to the design of public space, but also the constructive design. The Municipal Interface of Caminha also offers the intermodality of public transport and promotes its use through what the town itself provides.
Este Proyecto Arquitectónico Final, desarrollado durante el curso escolar 2020/2021, insertado en el Estudio 5 - Diseño para la Sostenibilidad, resuelve los diversos problemas analizados en el pueblo de Caminha y establece la relación adecuada con el frente del río que se definió a lo largo de la evolución del tejido urbano del territorio que, a su vez, sirvió de lema conceptual para la ejecución del proyecto arquitectónico que se presenta. La Interfaz Municipal de Caminha es, por tanto, el resultado de la intención de revertir problemas existentes en la localidad de Caminha, como la interrupción de los ejes peatonales por carriles de vehículos, la congestión del tráfico, la escasez de aparcamientos, la escasez de zonas verdes consolidadas. y la inexistencia de espacios para el trabajo artesanal, ya que Caminha también se caracteriza por la abundancia de artistas y artesanos. Dado que el espacio urbano es un elemento crucial en la articulación de un territorio, la intervención arquitectónica presentada implica no solo la consolidación de los espacios públicos existentes, sino también la creación de otros espacios necesarios para una articulación entre ellos, que, a su vez, no Solo delimitan sensorialmente el centro histórico, pero también unen elementos específicamente especiales como la Torre del Reloj, la Rua Direita, la Torre del Embarque y los Muelles (río y carretera). Sobre todo, se valora la relación física, sensorial y visual entre la ciudad y el paseo marítimo, no solo en lo que respecta al diseño del espacio público, sino también al diseño constructivo. La Interfaz Municipal de Caminha también ofrece la intermodalidad del transporte público y promueve su uso a través de lo que la propia ciudad ofrece.

The most significant results of the Miño-Minho project after four years of fieldwork (2016-2019) are presented. The main sites – Pedreiras 2 and Bela, Monção, and Carvalhas (loci 1, 2, 3 and 4), Melgaço –, associated with fluvial deposits of the Minho River or with formations derived from them, provided lithic assemblages that can be connected with the Acheulean techno-complex. Taking into account data obtained in the region, more specifically on the right bank of the Minho River (Galicia), these assemblages may date from different moments within the Middle Pleistocene.

This chapter talks about a marshy area Native Americans called Chigagou, meaning the “wild-garlic place”. It describes Chigagou as an inhospitable place and very few American Indians wanted to live on the area's marshy land. It also points out that the ancestors of the Native Americans who settled in the Chigagou area came from Siberia. This chapter explains that Chigagou was never the site of a major settlement and its geographic location suggests it was a place that American Indians passed through while traveling. The chapter mentions white traders that realized that the Chigagou swamp amounted to a mini-continental divide. East of Chigagou, rivers flowed eastward toward the Atlantic Ocean, and, west of the swamp, rivers flowed westward toward the Mississippi River.

This paper focuses on the representation of horses graved on rocks in the Mouro River basin (NW Portugal), an afluent in the south margin of the Minho River. The objectives are the study of its distribution in space, in relation to physical characteristics; the specificity of types of graved horses; the characteristics of the rocks graved by group of horses; the orientation of horses by type and their disposition in the rock compared to other graved motifs.

While I lived in Kathmandu, I regularly visited the American Mission Association. Members call it Phora, while some Nepalis call it “mini America.” It’s a club, and expatriates with the right kind of visa can apply to become members. It has a pool and tennis courts, a small gym, a field for baseball and soccer, a children’s playground, movie rentals, manicures and massages, a commissary and wifi café, and very polite Nepali staff. It has a certain colonial feel to it, which bothered me at times: yet it was also a haven where on a weekday afternoon I could exercise, read the papers, and eat lunch. Phora refers to phohara durbar, which in Nepali means “fountain palace.” The extensive, welltended grounds where dozens of expats and their children gather for hours on weekends was once the site of a Rana palace, a place for parties and dances, performances and cinema. It got its name because there were fountains throughout the gardens as well as inside the building. The ornate, neoclassical palace is long gone. In serious disrepair by 1960, the palace was demolished and the land sold to the American government. But phohara durbar has other claims to fame. It was also the site of the first piped water in the Kathmandu Valley. To explain how this came about, I’ll tell you a little more about the valley’s history and culture. The Lichchhavis and Mallas kept the city from growing beyond certain limits. They prohibited building outside a ring of shrines to various mother goddesses, like Kali. They knew that disturbing the land beyond that ring would be “killing your own food, your economic base,” says Sudarshan Tiwari, the architect and cultural historian who has reconstructed aspects of ancient life in the valley. There is still some agriculture in the Kathmandu Valley, because a few of the old landowners stubbornly hold on to their fields even as a sea of “wedding cake,” multistory, pastel houses engulfs them. But daily the green plots of rice and vegetables shrink as the valley succumbs, like the ancient water channels, to unplanned urban development.

Minich and Price offer insights into the way the Caddo participated in the Mississippian Culture sphere using both semiotics and symmetry analysis of surface designs on 150 ceramic vessels from three sites in the Ouachita and Red River valleys. Symmetry in surface designs persisted over 900 years of occupation in the Southern Caddo area, but the variety and distribution of dominant symmetry types changed over time and space, suggesting a local preference for, and symbolic association with, particular symmetry types. Variety in symmetry types increases through time and correlates with both changes in sociopolitical organization within individual Caddo communities and changes related to larger regional influences. While differences in design structure choice may reflect individual community identity, the overall continuity in form, style, and technique are factors that made Caddo ceramics symbolic of the cohesive nature of the Mississippian cultural tradition as a whole.

Monte de Góios is a relief on the left bank of the Minho River estuary inner part. Our archaeological work on Monte de Góios, between 2007 and 2009, was framed by a project to minimize the impact, of a new highway (A28/IC1 – Ligação a Caminha), in the landscape and cultural heritage. After thorough archaeological pros‑pecting of the field, eighteen rocks, containing rock art, were detected, of which five were already known of. The almost nine hundred engravings catalogued – schematic anthropomorphs, zoomorphs (horses, snakes, and others) and a significant set of geometric signs – present a large pre and proto-historic diachrony, supported by stratigraphic relations, degrees of erosion and morphologic and stylistic aspects. They form sanctuaries, with different dimensions and iconographic records, in a broad socio-religious space corresponding to Monte de Góios.

Between 1847 and 1852, John built four separate aqueducts for the Delaware and Hudson Canal; moved his home, family, and wire rope factory from western Pennsylvania to Trenton, New Jersey; secured the contract to build a huge railroad bridge over the Kentucky River; and continued to mount substantial campaigns to win contracts to span the Ohio at Wheeling and the Niagara Gorge. The four D&H spans were mini masterpieces of engineering and planning. Each structure was very different; each required new solutions to site-specific problems. One of the spans, the Delaware Aqueduct, exists to this day, the oldest suspension bridge in the United States and one of the oldest “modern” suspension bridges in the world. On the larger projects, John again lost out to his old rival Ellet on both the Wheeling and the Niagara spans.

No X Simpósio Ibérico Sobre a Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Minho, organizado pelo Aquamuseu do Rio Minho/Câmara Municipal de Vila Nova de Cerveira (Portugal) e co-organizado pelo Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental – Universidade do Porto, foram abordados os temas que abrangeram áreas desde a geoquímica de sedimentos e formas erosivas do leito rochoso do rio Minho; as mudanças climáticas numa perspetiva da futura gestão da água e nos efeitos já evidentes ao nível das comunidades biológicas; importância da gestão dos recursos da pesca no rio Mouro pela monitorização e aplicação de regras específicas de exploração; diagnóstico e medidas em curso para a conservação das populações de peixes migradores; a ameaça dos poluentes emergentes; a divulgação de novos registos de invertebrados encontrados no rio Minho (abordagem taxonómica); evidências da colaboração entre pescadores e investigadores para um melhor conhecimento social da comunidade piscatória, da sua atividade e da sua contribuição para o processo de gestão; comunicação de ciência e educação ambiental. No âmbito da mesa-redonda (workshop), em modelo aberto à comunidade, onde participaram pescadores, foram apresentados resultados de trabalhos no âmbito do Conhecimento Ecológico Local (Etnobiologia), em que os próprios tiveram a oportunidade de manifestar as suas opiniões relacionadas com a atividade da pesca. Houve ainda oportunidade de entregar os prémios referentes ao concurso de ilustração científica “Rio Minho, Biodiversidade e Artes de Pesca”, cuja exposição completa esteve patente na Bienal de Cerveira.

<p>The pleasant Minho railway single lane line section from Caminha to Valença crosses the Minho river at Valença, through a very interesting and beautiful steel bridge. At Caminha it crosses the river Coura, by an also attractive steel bridge. Both are more than a century old and were refurbished and upgraded in a recent past and had before severe speed restrictions and load limitations:</p><ol><li> <p>Coura bridge: This 1879 iron bridge is a 3 span 164m lower deck continuous closed lattice girder, for a live load of only 4t/m without dynamic effects allowance. It was totally supported by a new continuous steel arch bridge, so both work together, combining in a very elegant construction.</p></li><li> <p>Valença bridge: This double-deck 1886 bridge is a steel 5 span 333m continuous lattice girder. Pathologies like excessive bending on the columns top sections, changing inappropriate bearing and a lock-up system for the braking action resulted in a demanding but discrete reinforcement.</p></li></ol>

<p>This paper describes the process of designing an architectural and structural design for the contest of a pedestrian bridge across the river Minho. The process of analyzing design conditions and adopting a solution is developed through teamwork between the architects and the structure engineering studio. The solution finally adopted, and its structural interest is described in such a way that it allows to establish a conclusion on the experience of participating in multidisciplinary teams of different companies and their collaboration, considering the adjusted deadlines of a competition</p>

A numerical code (COUPLE) was recently developed for computing 6 Degree-Of-Freedom (DOF) motions of a moored floating structure dynamically interacting with its mooring/riser/tendon system. The computation of hydrodynamic forces on the moored structure can be conducted based on a diffraction wave theory model, e.g. WAMIT, and/or the Morison Equation based upon a slender body assumption. Wave kinematics up to the free surface, used in the Morison Equation, is computed using nonlinear deterministic Hybrid Wave Models, and is accurate up to second order in wave steepness. Experimental data from the model tests of a mini TLP was used as the basis for investigation of the numerical computation. Using COUPLE and its alternatives, coupled as well as quasi-static analyses were conducted for the mini TLP model that incorporates four risers and four tendons. Two different methods for computing hydrodynamic loads, namely, WAMIT and Morison Equation, were used, respectively. Through the comparison between the numerical results and the corresponding measurements, dynamic interactions between the riser/tendon system and the hull were examined. Findings made in this study, though based upon a mini TLP may have valuable applications to the design and simulation of a wide range of compliant deep-water structures.

In this study a system for real-time analysis of some involving factors in the efficiency of gas-liquid separators is developed based on the weighing method. An ultrasonic atomizer generates water drops in a size range of 1–10 μm with the same frequency during the test. A cyclone separator is selected and effect of the developing flow rate and shape of the mini-riser as a part of connecting assembly to the cyclone separator is investigated. Further an efficient electrostatic precipitator (ESP) with outcome of single-phase airflow is employed in the downstream of the cyclone to separate remaining droplets and produce the same pressure loss during the test. Circular, triangular, rectangular and square cross section areas with the same hydraulic diameter of 14 mm were examined. The highest cyclone efficiency was recorded for the triangular and rectangular risers comparing to the circular riser at the same length and hydraulic diameter, so the connecting risers with corner could improve the separation efficiency.

Abstract The trend in miniaturization of power electronic components requires the development of new robust and passive cooling methods to meet increased heat flux demands. Conventional heat sinks encounter inherent shortcomings due to heat spreading resistance of the heat sink baseplate particularly in natural convection heat sinks used to cool small localized heat sources. Heat pipes embedded within the base of heat sinks can be used to improve spreading performance but are limited by the ability to conduct heat into and out of the heat pipes. In the current study, a small, naturally aspirated two-phase thermosyphon heat sink was developed and characterized experimentally. The proposed architecture integrates all thermosyphon components into one compact device, where the evaporator, riser and the downcomer are incorporated at the heat sink base. The downcomer also serves as the condenser within the base of a vertical finned natural convection heat sink. The side-heated evaporator consists of an array mini-channels configuration which can operate in either pool boiling or flow boiling configuration, which allows the thermosyphon heat sink to operate in either reflux mode or looped mode, respectively. Experiments were carried out using HFE 7000 as the working fluid. The effect of the of input power on the thermal performance is examined for both modes for powers ranging from 10 to 80 W. Results demonstrate that this approach significantly reduces the spreading resistance resulting in a net improvement which can be traded-off for a decrease the overall size or weight of the heat sink.

Cruise AL534/2 is part of a multi-disciplinary research initiative as part of the JPI Oceans project HOTMIC and sought to investigate the origin, transport and fate of plastic debris from estuaries to the oceanic garbage patches. The main focus of the cruise was on the horizontal transfer of plastic debris from major European rivers into shelf regions and on the processes that mediate this transport. Stations were originally chosen to target the outflows of major European rivers along the western Europe coast between Malaga (Spain) and Kiel (Germany), although some modifications were made in response to inclement weather. In total, 16 stations were sampled along the cruise track. The sampling scheme was similar for most stations, and included: 1) a CTD cast to collect water column salinity and temperature profiles, and discrete samples between surface and seafloor, 2) sediment sampling with Van Veen grab and mini-multi corer (mini-MUC), 3) suspended particle and plankton sampling using a towed Bongo net and vertical WP3 net, and 4) surface neusten sampling using a catamaran trawl. At a subset of stations with deep water, suspended particles were collected using in situ pumps deployed on a cable. During transit between stations, surface water samples were collected from the ship’s underway seawater supply, and during calm weather, floating litter was counted by visual survey teams. The samples and data collected on cruise AL534/2 will be used to determine the: (1) abundance of plastic debris in surface waters, as well as the composition of polymer types, originating in major European estuaries and transported through coastal waters, (2) abundance and composition of microplastics (MP) in the water column at different depths from the sea surface to the seafloor including the sediment, (3) abundance and composition of plastic debris in pelagic and benthic organisms (invertebrates), (4) abundance and identity of biofoulers (bacteria, protozoans and metazoans) on the surface of plastic debris from different water depths, (5) identification of chemical compounds (“additives”) in the plastic debris and in water samples.