Carmen Pérez-Sirvent

Symbolic use of marine shells and mineral pigments by Iberian Neandertals

Two sites of the Neandertal-associated Middle Paleolithic of Iberia, dated to as early as approximately 50,000 years ago, yielded perforated and pigment-stained marine shells. At Cueva de los Aviones, three umbo-perforated valves of Acanthocardia and Glycymeris were found alongside lumps of yellow and red colorants, and residues preserved inside a Spondylus shell consist of a red lepidocrocite base mixed with ground, dark red-to-black fragments of hematite and pyrite. A perforated Pecten shell, painted on its external, white side with an orange mix of goethite and hematite, was abandoned after breakage at Cueva Antón, 60 km inland. Comparable early modern human-associated material from Africa and the Near East is widely accepted as evidence for body ornamentation, implying behavioral modernity. The Iberian finds show that European Neandertals were no different from coeval Africans in this regard, countering genetic/cognitive explanations for the emergence of symbolism and strengthening demographic/social ones.

The role of low-quality irrigation water in the desertification of semi-arid zones in Murcia, SE Spain

Abstract The reuse of poorly purified and industrial waters in semiarid areas may have a harmful effect on the environment and lead to progressive desertification. We have studied the spatial-temporal variability of the chemical characteristics of the soils in an area recopying approximately 138 km 2 , from Southeast Spain (Murcia), which is contaminated using highly saline irrigation water. Soil samples were taken from 18 selected locations and then resampled after an interval of 3 years. The results show that salinisation and, occasionally, alkalinisation increased with increasing salt concentrations of the water used. The study of the water-soluble ions present in the soils allows to determine the main factors influencing these processes. A statistical study proves that changes in the salinity of the waters used for irrigation, agricultural practices, the use of fertilisers, and salts supplied by runoff of the surrounding areas are the essential factors that have led the soils to their actual condition.

Testing of the Region of Murcia soils by near infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and chemometrics

A partial least squares near infrared (PLS-NIR) method has been developed for the determination of several physicochemical parameters in soils from different locations of the Region of Murcia. The method was based on the proper chemometric treatment of diffuse reflectance spectra of soil samples. Reflectance spectra were scanned from samples stored in glass vials in the NIR region between 800 and 2600 nm, averaging 36 scans per spectrum at a resolution of 8 cm(-1). Models were built using reference data of 39 samples selected from a dendrogram obtained after hierarchical cluster analysis of NIR spectra of soils and prediction parameters were established from a validation set of 109 additional samples of the same area not considered to build the model. Organic matter, CaCO(3), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), together with several trace metals as Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd and Tl, were employed as characteristic parameters of the soils under study, and found results evidenced that PLS-NIR provides a valuable tool for screening purposes providing residual predictive deviations which ranged from 0.9 to 1.5 as a function of the considered parameter.

Immunotoxicological effects of inorganic arsenic on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.)

Arsenic (As) has been associated with multitude of animal and human health problems; however, its impact on host immune system has not been extensively investigated. In fish, there are very few works on the potential risks or problems associated to the presence of arsenic. In the present study we have evaluated the effects of exposure (30 days) to sub-lethal concentrations of arsenic (5 μM As₂O₃) in the teleost fish gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), with special emphasis in the innate immune response. The arsenic concentration was determined using atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) in liver and muscle of exposed fish showing As accumulation in the liver after 30 days of exposure. The hepatosomatic index was increased at significant extent after 10 days but returned to control values after 30 days of exposure. Histological alterations in the liver were observed including hypertrophy, vacuolization and cell-death processes. Focusing on the immunological response, the humoral immune parameters (seric IgM, complement and peroxidase activities) were no affected to a statistically significant extent. Regarding the cellular innate parameters, head-kidney leucocyte peroxidase, respiratory burst and phagocytic activities were significantly increased after 10 days of exposition compared to the control fish. Overall, As-exposure in the seabream affects the immune system. How this might interfere with fish biology, aquaculture management or human consumers warrants further investigations. This paper describes, for the first time, the immunotoxicological effects of arsenic exposure in the gilthead seabream, which is a species with the largest production in Mediterranean aquaculture.

Accumulation, histopathology and immunotoxicological effects of waterborne cadmium on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

Studies in fish have demonstrated that Cd-exposure produce skeletal deformities and alterations in tissue morphology, enzyme activities, stress response, ion regulation and immune response. In the present work, gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) specimens were exposed to waterborne Cd (5 μM CdCl2 or 1 mg L(-1)) for 2, 10 or 30 days. Organo-somatic changes, Cd accumulation, liver histology and humoral and cellular immune responses were determined. Results showed that exposure of seabream specimens to Cd induced no alterations on spleen and liver organo-somatic indexes whilst produced progressive deleterious morphological alterations in liver and exocrine pancreas that correlated with the hepatic Cd-accumulation. Regarding the immunotoxicological potential, strikingly, Cd-exposure produced a reduction in the serum complement activity and leucocyte respiratory burst to a significant extent after 10 and 30 days whilst the serum peroxidase activity and leucocyte phagocytosis were increased at different sampling times. On the other hand, serum IgM levels and leucocyte peroxidase activity resulted unaltered. The present results seem to indicate that seabream exposed to Cd in the present conditions suffer toxicity.

ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSFER OF ZINC IN CALCAREOUS SOILS IN ZONES NEAR OLD MINING SITES WITH SEMI-ARIDIC CLIMATE.

SUMMARY A study on the speclation and bioavailability of zinc in calcareous soils near an old mining site in semi-aridic conditions (S.E Spain) is presented. The mobility of both solid particles and soluble compounds of zinc are considered. The processes governing zinc transfer from the element-rich zone to the neighbouring soils are strongly influenced by the semi-aridic climate, while the presence of a high proportion of carbonates is also an important factor in the mobilization of the metal. Reactions which take place in the solid-liquid-gas interfaces are discussed. Data were obtained using both conventional methods for element speciation and a recently reported method especially adapted to highly calcareous soils. The procedure allows to outline the main speciation forms of zinc in these soils. Data obtained by means of X-ray diffraction spectrometry and SEM - EDX analyzer are used to confirm the chemical results.

Ecotoxicological evaluation for the screening of areas polluted by mining activities.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of three bioassays representing multiple trophic levels, for the preliminary ecotoxicological screening of sediments from sites contaminated by mining activities. Of the bioassays used in this study, the ostracod test was the most responsive. Vibrio fischeri luminiscence inhibition assay was less sensitive to the toxicants in the sediments than the phytotoxicity assays. The general trend observed was an increase in toxicity values measured by the bioassays with increasing metal mobilization in sediment samples. Therefore, the test battery can be used as a rapid and sensitive tool to evaluate the heavy metal contamination in sediments.

Geochemical characterisation of surface waters, topsoils and efflorescences in a historic metal-mining area in Spain

PurposeMining activities generate large amounts of wastes that may contain potentially toxic elements (PTE), which, if released into the environment, may cause air, water and soil pollution long after mining operations have ceased. This paper describes the environmental relevance of efflorescences, topsoils and surface waters from the abandoned mine of Sierra Minera of Cartagena-La Unión, SE Spain. The exposure of the population to arsenic and the associated risk were also assessed.Materials and methodsA total of 10 topsoils and surface waters and 11 efflorescences affected at varying degrees by mining activities were studied. The total potentially toxic element content (As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn) was determined in all samples. In addition, the mineralogical composition of solid samples was determined by X-ray diffraction and some efflorescences were also analysed using a scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer. Finally, an arsenic-intake risk assessment was carried out, both as regards carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects and considering the total and the bioaccesible As content.Results and discussionThe study area is heavily polluted as a result of historical mining and processing activities, during which time great amounts of wastes were produced, characterised by a high PTE content, acidic pH and minerals resulting from supergene alteration. The supergene mineralogical assemblages include soluble metal salts, mainly sulphates, iron hydroxysulphates and iron oxyhydroxides, all of which form ochreous precipitates. Topsoil samples showed risk values and hazard quotients higher than the reference levels, particularly for children. In the efflorescences, these values were lower but still unacceptable.ConclusionsThe efflorescences are of significance for monitoring purposes because they are involved in cycles of retention release of hydrogen ions, sulphate and potentially toxic elements. In addition, in a semi-arid climate, such as the study area, these minerals contribute to our understanding of the response of the system to episodic rainfall events. In general, it was observed that the arsenic in collected samples represent a potential risk for human health through ingestion.

Importance of the oral arsenic bioaccessibility factor for characterising the risk associated with soil ingestion in a mining-influenced zone

Arsenic is a carcinogenic metalloid and the risks of accidental ingestion should therefore be borne in mind when assessing areas with high levels of this element. In this work, the concentrations of bioaccessible As in mining-influenced soils, in SE Spain are determined. The risk posed by the accidental ingestion is studied in two soil fractions (<2mm and <250μm), taking into consideration the possible uses of the soils (residential/agricultural) and possible receptors (adults and/or children). The properties and mineralogical composition of 26 soil samples are analysed. The results showed that the use of a conservative approach to calculate the Chemical Daily Intake (CDI) based on the total concentrations of arsenic, may overestimate the risk existing in the zone, leading to problems in the management of contaminated soils. The paper emphasises the importance of considering the amount of bioaccessible As in the <250μm fraction before permitting land near temporary watercourses to be used for residential purposes, as beaches or for agriculture.

Impact of acid mine drainages on surficial waters of an abandoned mining site

Weathering of sulphide minerals produces a great variety of efflorescences of soluble sulphate salts. These minerals play an important role for environmental pollution, since they can be either a sink or a source for acidity and trace elements. This paper aims to characterise surface waters affected by mining activities in the Sierra Minera of Cartagena-La Union (SE, Spain). Water samples were analysed for trace metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, As and Fe), major ions (Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+) and anions (F−, Cl−, NO3−, CO32−, SO42−) concentrations and were submitted to an “evaporation-precipitation” experiment that consisted in identifying the salts resulting from the evaporation of the water aliquots sampled onsite. Mineralogy of the salts was studied using X-ray diffraction and compared with the results of calculations using VISUAL MINTEQ. The study area is heavily polluted as a result of historical mining and processing activities that has produced large amount of wastes characterised by a high trace elements content, acidic pH and containing minerals resulting from the supergene alteration of the raw materials. The mineralogical study of the efflorescences obtained from waters shows that magnesium, zinc, iron and aluminium sulphates predominate in the acid mine drainage precipitates. Minerals of the hexahydrite group have been quantified together with minerals of the rozenite group, alunogen and other phases such as coquimbite and copiapite. Calcium sulphates correspond exclusively to gypsum. In a semiarid climate, such as that of the study area, these minerals contribute to understand the response of the system to episodic rainfall events. MINTEQ model could be used for the analysis of waters affected by mining activities but simulation of evaporation gives more realistic results considering that MINTEQ does not consider soluble hydrated salts.