Aurelio Sanz-Arranz

Linking groundwater pollution to the decay of 15th-century sculptures in Burgos Cathedral (northern Spain)

Precipitation of salts—mainly hydrated Mg-Na sulfates—in building materials is rated as one of the most severe threats to the preservation of our architectural and cultural heritage. Nevertheless, the origin of this pathology is still unknown in many cases. Proper identification of the cause of damage is crucial for correct planning of future restoration actions. The goal of this study is to identify the source of the degradation compounds that are affecting the 15th-century limestone sculptures that decorate the retro-choir of Burgos Cathedral (northern Spain). To this end, detailed characterization of minerals by in situ (Raman spectroscopy) and laboratory techniques (XRD, Raman and FTIR) was followed by major elements (ICP and IC) and isotopic analysis (δ34S and δ15N) of both the mineral phases precipitated on the retro-choir and the dissolved salts in groundwater in the vicinity of the cathedral. The results reveal unequivocal connection between the damage observed and capillary rise of salts-bearing water from the subsoil. The multianalytical methodology used is widely applicable to identify the origin of common affections suffered by historical buildings and masterpieces.

ACUTE RETINAL DAMAGE AFTER USING A TOXIC PERFLUORO-OCTANE FOR VITREO-RETINAL SURGERY

Purpose: To describe a series of retinal acute toxicity cases with severe visual loss after intraocular use of a toxic perfluoro-octane (PFO). The clinical presentation is described, and the likely causes are analyzed. New biological methods for testing safety of intraocular medical devices are proposed. Methods: Information regarding a series of eyes suffering acute severe events after intraocular use of a toxic PFO was analyzed. Four types of spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and chromatography were used to identify the potential PFO contaminants. Cultures of human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19) and porcine neuroretina were used to quantify the toxicity of the suspect PFO lots. Results: Of 117 cases of intraocular toxicity, 96 were considered clearly related to the use of PFO. Fifty-three cases had no light perception, and 97 had no measurable visual acuity. Retinal necrosis (n = 38) and vascular occlusion (n = 33) were the most characteristic findings. Two hydroxyl compounds, perfluorooctanoic acid and dodecafluoro-1-heptanol, and benzene derivatives were identified as the suspected toxic agents. While existing toxicity testing failed, we proposed new tests that demonstrated clear toxicity. Conclusion: Protocols to determine cytotoxicity of intraocular medical devices should be revised to assure safety. Acute toxic events should be reported to health authorities and scientific media.

Insights Into Speleothems From Lava Tubes Of The Galapagos Islands (Ecuador): Mineralogy And Biogenicity

7 paginas.-- 3 figuras.-- 21 referencias.-- Comunicacion oral presentada en el 7th International Symposium of Vulcan speleology At Ocean View, Big Island, Hawaii (USA) February 6-12, (2016)

Effect of Different Broad Waveband Lights on Membrane Lipids of a Cyanobacterium, Synechococcus sp., as Determined by UPLC-QToF-MS and Vibrational Spectroscopy

Differential profile of membrane lipids and pigments of a Synechococcus sp. cyanobacterial strain cells exposed to blue, green, red and white light are determined by means of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry or diode array detection. Raman and ATR-IR spectra of intact cells under the diverse light wavebands are also reported. Blue light cells exhibited an increased content of photosynthetic pigments as well as specific species of membrane glycerolipids as compared to cells exposed to other wavebands. The A630/A680 ratio indicated an increased content of phycobilisomes (PBS) in the blue light-exposed cells. Some differences in the protein conformation between the four light waveband-exposed cells were deduced from the variable absorbance at specific wavenumbers in the FT-Raman and ATR-FTIR spectra, in particular bands assigned to amide I and amide II. Bands from 1180 to 950 cm−1 in the ATR-FTIR spectrum suggest degraded outer membrane polysaccharide in the blue light-exposed cells.

Extremely high diversity of sulfate minerals in caves of the Irazú Volcano (Costa Rica) related to crater lake and fumarolic activity

This project was supported by Centro de Investigacion en Ciencias Geologicas of Universidad de Costa Rica (830-B7-A00) and the Costa Rican Department of Science and Technology (MICITT) fund FI-160B-14 to Andres Ulloa Carmiol.

Survival of Moss Reproductive Structures under Simulated Martian Environmental Conditions and Extreme Thermal Stress: Vibrational Spectroscopic Study and Astrobiological Implications

The principal goal of astrobiology is the search for extraterrestrial life forms. A key aspect is the study of the ability of different kinds of terrestrial organisms to support simulated extraterrestrial environmental conditions. Mosses are multicellular green plants, poorly studied from an astrobiological perspective. In this paper, we report experimental results obtained using two species of moss, which demonstrate that both the spores of the moss Funaria hygrometrica as well as the desiccated vegetative gametophyte shoots of the moss Tortella squarrosa (Pleurochaete squarrosa) were capable of resisting Simulated Martian Environmental Conditions (SMEC): Mars simulated atmospheric composition 99.9% CO2, and 0.6% H2O with a pressure of 7 mbars, -73 oC and UV irradiation of 30 mW cm-2 in a wavelength range of 200-400 nm under a limited short time of exposition of 2 hours. After being exposed to SMEC and then transferred to an appropriate growth medium, the F. hygrometrica spores germinated, producing typical gametophyte protonemal cells and leafy shoots. Likewise, detached leaves from SMEC-exposed gametophyte shoots of T. squarrosa retained the ability to produce new protonemata and shoots under suitable growth conditions. Furthermore, we studied the tolerance of these moss structures to a thermal stress of 100 °C for 1 h; in both cases the spores and shoots were capable of resisting this heat treatment. Our study using FT-Raman and FT-IR vibrational spectroscopy demonstrated that neither spores nor shoots apparently suffered significant damage in their biomolecular makeup after being subject to these stress treatments. The implications of these findings for the search of life on Mars are discussed.