Mónica López-Alonso

GIS environmental information analysis of the Darro River basin as the key for the management and hydrological forest restoration

This article presents analyses of soil and environmental information for the Darro River basin (Granada-Spain) preliminary to its hydrological and forestry restoration. These analyses were carried out using a geographical information system (GIS) and employing a new procedure that adapts hydrological forest-restoration methods. The complete analysis encompasses morphological conditions, soil and climate characteristics as well as vegetation and land use. The study investigates soil erosion in the basin by using Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and by mapping erosion fragility units. The results are presented in a set of maps and their analysis, providing the starting point for river basin management and the hydrological and forestry-restoration project that was approved at the end of 2015. The presence of soft substrates (e.g. gravel and sand) indicates that the area is susceptible to erosion, particularly the areas that are dominated by human activity and have little soil protection. Finally, land use and vegetation cover were identified as key factors in the soil erosion in the basin. According to the results, river authorities have included several measures in the restoration project aimed at reducing the erosion and helping to recover the environmental value of this river basin and to include it in recreation possibilities for the community of Granada. The presented analytical approach, designed by the authors, would be useful as a tool for environmental restoration in other small Mediterranean river basins.

Nanosafety practices: results from a national survey at research facilities

The exposure to engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) is a new emerging risk at work due to an increase in the number of workers potentially exposed to them and the current lack of data on their health and safety risks. This paper reports the findings of a survey designed to study the safety practices employed by workers in Spanish research facilities performing tasks involving the use of ENMs at research level. A questionnaire pretested and validated by an expert panel was sent by e-mail to the target audience. The 425 surveys completed show that most of the respondents handled up to 5 different ENMs, in suspension, in small amounts during short periods of exposure. The implementation of common hygienic practices, such as the use of protection for hands and the implementation of fume hoods, is widely indicated. The selection of the preventive and protective measures does not depend on the characteristics of ENMs handled. Also, the risks posed by ENMs are widely ignored. Besides the performance of risk assessment, hygienic monitoring and the conducting of a specific health surveillance are practically non-existent although some accidents relating to ENMs were identified. In conclusion, workers’ exposure to ENMs seems to be low. Even though the best practices and preventive and protective measures reported were employed, most of the respondents could not be correctly protected. Moreover, workers do not associate the measures implemented with the nanorisks. Finally, there is a lack of proactive action underway to protect the workers, and concerns about safety are weakly evidenced.

Analysing Worker Exposure to WBV at the Doñana Biological Reserve (Spain). A Case Study

Work-related-musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) cause high costs for employers and governments. In addition, they reduce quality of life for millions of workers throughout Europe, both during their working life and retirement. One of the causes of WMSDs is exposure to Whole Body Vibration (WBV), with WMSDs usually developing over long periods of time. The Donana Biological Reserve (DBR) in Huelva, Spain is one of the most important infrastructures in the country. Due to the ecosystem the staff must use vehicles with four-wheel drive (4 × 4). The European Directive 2002/44/EC lays down minimum requirements to protect workers from health and safety risks arising from exposure to mechanical vibration. This study analysed DBR workers’ exposure to WMSD in relation to WBV when they drove the most frequently-used 4 × 4 model.