David Hernández Moreno

Sex- and age-dependent accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Pb and Zn) in liver, kidney and muscle of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from NW Spain

In the present study, bioaccumulation of lead, cadmium and zinc in liver, kidney and muscle of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Galicia (NW Spain) was quantified. Metal analysis was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). In general the quantified concentrations were associated with background environmental levels, except for Pb, where some markedly elevated concentrations were obtained, but with no toxicological relevance. The effect of sex on Cd, Pb and Zn levels was considered, females showing a general trend to accumulate higher concentrations of these metals, with the exception of the hepatic content of Cd (which was significantly higher in males, P < 0.05) and Pb levels, which did not differ according to sex. The effect of age was analysed only in male animals and was clearly observed for Pb levels, with concentrations significantly higher in adult animals (liver: P < 0.01, kidney: P < 0.05 and muscle: P < 0.001) and for Cd levels in kidney samples (P < 0.001). This study provides the first data on heavy metal content in roe deer from the area of study and suggests that this species could be a good bioindicator of metal pollution, even though both factors, sex and age, could represent an important source of variation in the bioaccumulation of these metals in wild populations.In the present study, bioaccumulation of lead, cadmium and zinc in liver, kidney and muscle of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from Galicia (NW Spain) was quantified. Metal analysis was performed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). In general the quantified concentrations were associated with background environmental levels, except for Pb, where some markedly elevated concentrations were obtained, but with no toxicological relevance. The effect of sex on Cd, Pb and Zn levels was considered, females showing a general trend to accumulate higher concentrations of these metals, with the exception of the hepatic content of Cd (which was significantly higher in males, P < 0.05) and Pb levels, which did not differ according to sex. The effect of age was analysed only in male animals and was clearly observed for Pb levels, with concentrations significantly higher in adult animals (liver: P < 0.01, kidney: P < 0.05 and muscle: P < 0.001) and for Cd levels in kidney samples (P < 0.001). This study provides the first data on heavy metal content in roe deer from the area of study and suggests that this species could be a good bioindicator of metal pollution, even though both factors, sex and age, could represent an important source of variation in the bioaccumulation of these metals in wild populations.

Climate-based daylighting analysis for the effects of location, orientation and obstruction

During the first stages of building design, issues such as local climate, surrounding buildings and orientation are determining factors. The impact of these boundary conditions on daylight illuminances in an open-plan office space is studied in terms of daylight factor, daylight autonomy and useful daylight illuminances. Climate conditions in the location determine the characteristics of the daylight source, such as the ratio between diffuse lighting and global lighting. However, surrounding buildings and elements which may block daylight in the space hold more weight than the orientation of glazed façades, but are not always taken into consideration in daylighting studies.

Climate-based daylight analysis of fixed shading devices in an open-plan office

Office buildings consume large amounts of energy and are responsible for large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Among building energy efficiency measures, solar shading plays a significant role in reducing building energy consumption for cooling. This study analysed the influence of solar protection on daylighting of an open-plan office. Climate-based daylight modelling was used to predict such metrics as daylight factor, daylight autonomy and useful daylight illuminances. The results obtained showed that overhangs, and horizontal and vertical louvres have similar behaviours and sidefins have no relevance to indoor daylight conditions. In all cases, it has been proven that excessive obstruction may yield an excessive reduction in a range of illuminances between 500 and 2000 lux, increasing lighting energy consumption.