Environments In Chile Research Articles

Climatological Aspects of Notable Tornado Events in Chile

Abstract Tornadoes in Chile seem to develop in what are called “high-shear, low-CAPE” (HSLC) environments. An analysis of convective parameters from the ERA5 reanalysis during 16 notable tornadoes in Chile showed that several increased markedly before the time of the reports. The significant tornado parameter (STP) was able to discriminate the timing and location of the tornadoes, even though it was not created with that goal. We established thresholds for the severe hazards in environments with reduced buoyancy (SHERBE) parameter (≥1) and the STP (≤−0.3) to further identify days favorable for tornado activity in Chile. The SHERBE and STP parameters were then used to conduct a climatological analysis from 1959 to 2021 of the seasonal, interannual, and latitudinal variations of the environments that might favor tornadoes. Both parameters were found to have a strong annual cycle. The largest magnitudes of STP were found to be generally confined to south-central Chile, in agreement with the (sparse) tornado record. The probability of a day with both SHERBE and STP values beyond their thresholds was greatest between May and August, which aligns with the months with the most tornado reports. The number of days with both SHERBE and STP beyond their respective thresholds was found to fluctuate interannually. This result warrants further study given the known interannual variability of synoptic and mesoscale weather in Chile. The results of this study extend our understanding of tornado environments in Chile and provide insight into their spatiotemporal variability.

Impact of Total Indoor Smoking Ban on Cardiovascular Disease Hospitalizations and Mortality: The Case of Chile.

The harmful effects of first and secondhand smoking are well-established. Smoke-free laws aim at protecting nonsmokers. This study aimed to assess the impact of the 2013 total ban on indoor smoking in Chile on hospitalizations and deaths of major cardiovascular events. The logarithm of the monthly hospitalization and death rates, standardized by age for every 100 000 inhabitants, were estimated for ischemic heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, strokes, and a composite outcome of ischemic heart diseases (which includes acute myocardial infarction) and strokes. In addition, interrupted time series with synthetic control groups were used to assess changes in levels and trends after the intervention. The total ban on indoor smoking caused significant reductions in death rates for the three diseases studied for age groups above 20 years old. In addition, there were substantial decreases in the post-intervention hospitalization rates for ischemic heart disease: for the 20-44 age group, the decrease was 8.7% compared to the pre-intervention period (p < .01). In comparison, such a reduction was 4% (p < .01) for the ≥65 age group. For acute myocardial infarction, the decrease was 11.5% (p < .01) for the 20-44 age group, while for stroke, it was a 1.2% (p < .01) decrease for the total population. It is estimated that the smoking ban averted 15.6% of the deaths compared with the synthetic control groups. The implementation of total smoke-free environments in Chile contributed to the reduction of mortality for main cardiovascular diseases. This study provides additional evidence of causality linking the policy to health outcomes. The total indoor smoking ban significantly affected age-standardized hospitalization and deaths. The number of deaths averted by this policy is estimated at approximately 4758 and 5256 for IHD and stroke, respectively, during the 2013-2017 period (15.6% fewer deaths than predicted by the synthetic control groups). The study contributes to the body of evidence that supports total indoor smoking bans.

Roles within domestic environments in Chile: the "food gatekeeper"

Introduction: this project studied the roles played in the food cycle within the domestic environment, revisiting the concept of the "food gatekeeper". Methods: information was obtained from 10 ethnographies and 24 in-depth interviews with people responsible for food tasks in low-income households in Santiago, Chile, during the pandemic. A thematic analysis was conducted from the framework of food environments and gender. Results: the results showed that the time allocated to the food cycle is highly unequal between genders and women are held responsible for the nutritional well-being of families. This role entails putting the feeding of others before their own. Conclusions: in conclusion, the need to consider the distribution of roles in nutritional health interventions is emphasized, avoiding reproducing risky practices for health and quality of life of food gatekeepers, by overexerting them under the justification of effectiveness in the transmission of healthy habits to families.

Phenotypic variation in leaf photosynthetic traits, leaf area index, and carbon discrimination of field-grown wheat genotypes and their relationship with yield performance in Mediterranean environments.

Leaf water potential, gas exchange, and chlorophyll fluorescence exhibited significant differences among genotypes, high environmental effects, but low heritability. The highest-yielding and drought-tolerant genotypes presented superior harvest index and grain weight, compared to drought-susceptible ones. Physiological phenotyping can help identify useful traits related to crop performance under water-limited conditions. A set of fourteen bread wheat genotypes with contrasting grain yield (GY) was studied in eight Mediterranean environments in Chile, resulting from the combination of two sites (Cauquenes and Santa Rosa), two water conditions (rainfed-WL and irrigated-WW), and four growing seasons (2015-2018). The objectives were to (i) evaluate the phenotypic variation of leaf photosynthetic traits after heading (anthesis and grain filling) in different environments; (ii) analyze the relationship between GY and leaf photosynthetic traits and carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C); and (iii) identify those traits that could have a greater impact in the determination of tolerant genotypes under field conditions. Agronomic traits exhibited significant genotypic differences and genotype × environment (GxE) interaction. The average GY under the WW condition at Santa Rosa was 9.2Mgha-1 (range 8.2-9.9Mgha-1) and under the WL condition at Cauquenes was 6.2Mgha-1 (range 3.7-8.3Mgha-1). The GY was closely related to the harvest index (HI) in 14 out of 16 environments, a trait exhibiting a relatively high heritability. In general terms, the leaf photosynthetic traits presented low GxE interaction, but high environmental effects and low heritability, except for the chlorophyll content. The relationships between GY and leaf photosynthetic traits were weaker when performed across genotypes in each environment, indicating low genotypic effects, and stronger when performed across environments for each genotype. The leaf area index and Δ13C also presented high environmental effects and low heritability, and their correlations with GY were influenced by environmental effects. The highest-yielding and drought-tolerant genotypes presented superior HI and grain weight, but no clear differences in leaf photosynthetic traits or Δ13C, compared to drought-susceptible ones. It seems that the phenotypic plasticity of agronomic and leaf photosynthetic traits is very important for crop adaptation to Mediterranean environments.

Metal(loid)-resistant bacterial consortia with antimycotic properties increase tolerance of Chenopodium quinoa Wild. to metal(loid) stress

Bacteria associated with plants colonizing extreme environments in Chile (Atacama and Antarctic Desert soils) provide a model to study plant growth-promoting mechanisms that can be useful to improve the growth of crops such as Chenopodium quinoa Wild. (Amaranthaceae) growing under severe environmental conditions. This study aimed to determine the tolerance of extremophile rhizobacteria to multiple metal(loid)s and evaluate the effects of formulated consortia in seed germination and growth-promotion of C. quinoa. In our work, five rhizobacteria were isolated and classified into the bacteria genera Streptomyces, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas. The five bacteria showed optimum growth at 26 °C, pH 6, and 1% NaCl. In addition, the isolated were resistant to arsenic, manganese, zinc, copper, chromium and showed plant growth-promoting traits, including indole acetic acid production, siderophores production, phosphate solubilization, ACC deaminase activity, and ammonia production. According to compatibility tests, three bacterial consortia were formulated: i) consortium A (Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp. (T1B41)); ii) consortium B (Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp. (B2B24)); and iii) consortium C (Streptomyces sp., Bacillus sp. (B2B24) and Bacillus sp. (T3B45)). In vitro antagonism against phytopathogenic fungi showed that Bacillus sp. (B2B24) and Bacillus sp. (T3B45) have a significant level of antagonism (up to 18.7 and 6.8%, respectively) and consortia were the most effective against B. cinerea (up to 100%). Consortia B and C significantly improved the germination rate (%) of C. quinoa seeds (86 ± 3.3 and 77 ± 1.7, respectively) and the number of leaves, wet stem weight, length stem length, wet root weight, and root diameter in the presence of metal(loid)s. Our results showed that rhizobacterial consortia based on extremophile microorganisms can enhance the growth of C. quinoa seedlings under metal(loid) stress, demonstrating beneficial characteristics that may be key in the early stages of development.

Microplastics Pollution in Chile: Current Situation and Future Prospects

Millions of tons of plastics enter wild habitats, especially the oceans, every year. Despite extensive efforts, this amount is predicted to increase over in the near future, leading to a catastrophic damage to the environment. Small plastic fragments, including microplastics, are currently widely distributed in different environments and contribute significantly to pollution of the oceans. This problem is particularly poignant in Chile, a country with more than 4,000 km of coastline along the Pacific Ocean home to diverse environments, industrial activities and unique biodiversity. In this review, we compile information regarding microplastics pollution in Chilean environments in terms of transport, distribution and bioaccumulation along the country, societal actions such as environmental policies and education to tackle the plastic problem, and the Trojan effect associated with it. Finally, we identify critical scientific gaps, such as the transport of harmful chemicals and microbial communities associated, and define potential future research directions.

An Approach Concerning Climate Change and Timber Building Resilience: Araucanía Region, South Chile

This study analysed climate change effects concerning the resilience of timber buildings located in southern Chile, specifically in two cities: Collipulli and Temuco (Araucanía Region). A digital fuzzy logic method was used in a set of timber buildings declared as heritage conservation buildings by Chilean Government standards. The outcomes revealed that climate change impacts did not substantially alter the functional performance of the set of heritage timber buildings examined. This study’s results can assist in developing upcoming strategies or recommendations that can support adaptation policies for administering architectural heritage regarding climate change forecasts. These data will invaluably help stakeholders who support the conservation of timber structures located in the southern environment of Chile and under the changing climatic hazard.

Bibliographic review of socio economic effects of environmental noise for public policies in Chile

The Ministry of Environment of Chile is currently updating the public policies that regulate noise mainly from industrial sources. For this reason, a background record of studies that describe the benefits and socioeconomic effects of noise in the population is needed. Through a bibliographic review it was possible to identify a variety of benefits and effects in the economy, health and social ambit, as well as new investigation lines that take in consideration the mental health and non favorable socioeconomic conditions (economic inequality, racial and ethnic problems). The different works analyzed include the recent systematic reviews for the elaboration of the "Environmental noise guidelines for the European Region" of the World Health Organization, a series of works mainly of European origin and two Latin American economic studies. Finally, due to the low regulation in Latin American countries regarding noise, it is possible that these problems are greater than those reported in developed countries and therefore their study is of interest to create or apply other public policies in the region to a greater extent.

Ontogenetic shape trajectory of Trichomycterus areolatus varies in response to water velocity environment.

Body and head shape among fishes both vary between environments influenced by water velocity and across ontogeny. Although the shape changes associated with variation in average water velocity and ontogeny are well documented, few studies have tested for the interaction between these two variables (i.e., does ontogenetic shape variation differ between velocity environments). We use geometric morphometrics to characterize shape differences in Trichomycterus areolatus, a freshwater catfish found in high and low-velocity environments in Chile. We identify a significant interaction between velocity environment and body size (i.e., ontogeny). Ontogenetic patterns of shape change are consistent with other studies, but velocity environment differentially affects the ontogenetic trajectory of shape development in T. areolatus. Shape change over ontogeny appears more constrained in high-velocity environments compared to low-velocity environments.

Understanding the perceived productivity of office occupants in relation to workspace thermal environment

ABSTRACT This study examines the perceived productivity of office occupants in moderate thermal environments in Chile. Specifically, it analyses environmental parameters and contrasts participants’ self-reported answers to cross-sectional and retrospective questionnaires. To this end, data were collected for one day in winter and one day in summer, in eighteen office buildings in the cities of Concepción and Santiago. The results show that the average operative temperatures are 22.2 °C in winter and 23.5 °C in summer. 80.5% of the occupants declared their productivity to be normal on the cross-sectional survey. However, on the retrospective survey, 82.7% said that their productivity is affected by the thermal environment. To reveal the interrelationships between perceived productivity and the thermal environment, a categorical principal components analysis was carried out. It demonstrated that there is only a relationship between cross-sectional and retrospective productivity in winter. Subsequently, a good-fitting structural equation model was created, which showed that different relationships exist between the variables. These findings could enable organizations and design professionals to better understand occupants’ perceived productivity in relation to thermal conditions in office buildings.

Range extension of the poorly known and Critically Endangered freshwater snail, Heleobia transitoria (Biese, 1947) (Gastropoda, Cochliopidae), in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile

The range distribution of Heleobia transitoria (Biese, 1947) is confined only to its type locality, Quebrada Cachina, a ravine located on the Atacama Desert coast in the Antofagasta Region, northern Chile. The species is classified as “En Peligro Crítico” according to Ministry of the Environment of Chile, a category equivalent to Critically Endangered (CR) of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, in part for its restricted distribution. This paper reports the occurrence of H. transitoria in the Atacama Region, Chile, after the study of morphological characters using light and scanning electron microscopy. This new record highlights considering the limited distribution and current conservation status of the species.

Observación espacial y análisis de la relación entre las emisiones atmosféricas de CO2 y el tamaño de las ciudades en Chile

Las tasas de crecimiento urbano han tenido un desarrollo explosivo impactando fuertemente el sistema de soporte vital de nuestro planeta, por lo que medir y comprender la relación entre el crecimiento urbano y las tasas de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero resulta esencial para asegurar la sustentabilidad de los ambientes donde vivirá el 67% de la población mundial en el año 2050. Este artículo busca, por un lado, establecer la posibilidad de evaluar emisiones a partir de fuentes independientes a la fuente emisora y por otro, describir la relación entre emisiones de CO2 y el tamaño del sistema de ciudades de Chile. Para ello, se caracterizaron las emisiones de CO2 y sus anomalías para Chile continental utilizando sensores remotos (OCO-2). Se evaluó además la relación bivariada entre emisiones de CO2 declaradas en los inventarios locales del RETC e indicadores de desarrollo urbano de 20 ciudades chilenas. Si bien es posible estimar las emisiones de CO2 a partir de sensores remotos a escala regional, la baja de resolución y cobertura espacial de datos válidos capturados por el satélite limita la asociación de emisiones al ambiente urbano en Chile. Sin embargo, los datos declarados en RETC muestran que las emisiones a nivel de ciudad presentan una relación sublineal para las tres variables consideradas: Población (β=0,89; r2=0,73), Área urbana (β=0,99; r2=0,74) y PIB (β=0,68; r2=0,55). Estos resultados coinciden con descripciones en la literatura, y sugieren que las emisiones de CO2 en ciudades de tamaño creciente está asociada a economías de escala en la que los habitantes de una ciudad comparten los costos de emisión, producto de una mayor eficiencia en el uso de la infraestructura y los servicios a medida que la ciudad crece en población, área y producción. Lo que se traduce finalmente en menores tasas de emisión per cápita.

Food/Feed and Environmental Risk Assessment of Insect Resistant Genetically Modified Maize 1507 for Cultivation, Import, Processing, Food and Feed Uses under Directive 2001/18/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (C/ES/01/01, C/NL/00/10, EFSA/GMO/NL/2004/02)

Food/Feed and Environmental Risk Assessment of Insect Resistant Genetically Modified Maize 1507 for Cultivation, Import, Processing, Food and Feed Uses under Directive 2001/18/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (C/ES/01/01, C/NL/00/10, EFSA/GMO/NL/2004/02)

Resistance to pull-out of Chilean riverine species: Evidence from laboratory experiments

Vegetation growing in river bars and banks determines the morphological processes in river channels. The presence and dynamics of riverine vegetation depend on the magnitude and frequency of floods able to change morphology and uproot plants, and on the plant's resistance to pull-out. A series of pull-out experiments were carried out with the objective to determine the resistance of riverine vegetation to be uprooted and its effects on river-bed dynamics. Nine riverine species were used for the experiment: seven of them are native from Chile, and the other two are exotic and invasive in Chilean environments. A total of 200 specimens were transplanted in a substrate simulating a bar of a gravel-bed river, and after 7 months they were individually pulled-out, and the force and time needed to uproot the plant quantified. Data were analysed by means of generalised linear models (GLM) and linear regressions, and force-time curves were interpreted and related to the root morphology of the species. GLM results showed that resistance values were dependent on root and plant physical characteristics, and by the factor species. Among the species studied, the three species showing higher resistance values were native, while the less resistant was an exotic invasive species. The time needed to uproot the individuals did not seem to be influenced by plant parameters nor by the factor species. Root architecture seemed to have an effect on plant pull-out resistance and uprooting rapidity, being heart-shaped roots the ones that registered higher resistance values. Despite this, when incorporating flow strength on the findings, the exotic invasive ones seemed to be some of the more resistant to uprooting. The findings of this paper contribute to the better understanding of river vegetational and sedimentary dynamics, and are useful for parameterising the modelling of fluvial landscapes evolution and for the design of river restoration projects.

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The bryophytes of Madre de Dios Archipelago, Magallanes Region, Chile&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

We present a bryophyte checklist for Madre de Dios Archipelago, located in western Magallanes Region, southern Chile. Madre de Dios is one of the most unique limestone massifs on Earth, and together with Diego de Almagro Island (150 km southward), they are the most extensive of such existing areas in Chile. It is located in the western margins of the southern archipelago region, between Puerto Edén and Puerto Natales. As a result of this first bryophyte collecting effort in calcareous environments in Chile, a total of 152 bryophyte taxa are reported, including two hornworts, 80 liverworts, and 70 moss taxa. From this total, 14 are new records for Magallanes Region and 25 for Última Esperanza Province. Eleven species extend their southern distribution limit, whereas two extend their northern distribution limit. Among the new regional records, we found the rare Vesiculariopsis spirifolium (Dusén) Broth., for which only three previous collections were known, obtaining additional ecological data. Additionally, the only southern South American representative of the tropical family Pleuroziaceae, Pleurozia paradoxa (J.B.Jack) Schiffn. was abundantly found among sandstone tundra. Both sandstone and limestone environments were prospected, the latter alone being inhabited by 100 bryophyte taxa. A liverwort-moss proportion pattern related to a calcareous substrata exposure gradient is discussed, and the most frequent species of the different environments of the islands are characterized. For most bryophytes reported here, these new records fill an important distribution gap in a scarcely explored area.

Una mirada a los criterios de diseño acústico de la infraestructura educacional en Chile

Since verbal communication is used as the primary learning means, acoustics became one of the most important attributes of classroom architectural design. Adverse acoustic conditions in the classroom negatively affect the students’ learning, achievement and cognitive development. In 2015, the Chilean Ministry of Education introduced acoustic design criteria for educational buildings. This paper presents a review of these criteria by comparing them with international standards and considering the database of the urban noise map of Santiago. The results show shortcomings in the current acoustic criteria for learning environments in Chile, in relation to international standards. Furthermore, they indicate that, with the current urban noise levels, the acoustic design criteria for learning environments of the Ministry of Education cannot be applied to more than 70% of the educational institutions in Santiago.

Bioabsorption and Bioaccumulation of Cadmium in the Straw and Grain of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Growing Soils Contaminated with Cadmium in Different Environment.

There is a worldwide increase of heavy metal or potentially toxic element (PTE), contamination in agricultural soils caused mainly by human and industrial action, which leads to food contamination in crops such as in maize. Cadmium (Cd) is a PTE often found in soils and it is ingested through food. It is necessary to determine the bioabsorption, distribution, and accumulation levels in maize to reduce or prevent food chain contamination. Cadmium absorption and accumulation in three maize cultivars were evaluated in three agricultural environments in Chile by increasing CdCl2 rates (0, 1, and 2 mg·kg−1). Evaluation included Cd accumulation and distribution in different plant tissues, bioaccumulation factor (BAF), bioconcentration factor (BCF), translocation factor (TF), and tolerance index (TI). Cadmium whole-plant uptake was only affected by the CdCl2 rate; the highest uptake was obtained with 2 mg·kg−1 CdCl2 (34.4 g·ha−1) (p < 0.05). Cadmium distribution in the maize plant usually exhibited the highest accumulation in the straw (p < 0.05), independently of the environment, Cd rate, and evaluated cultivar. Given the results for TF (TF > 2) and BAF (BAF > 1), the Los Tilos and Chillán environments were classified as having a high capacity to contaminate the food chain for all evaluated cultivars.

Agronomic and Quality Assessment of Linseed Advanced Breeding Lines Varying in Seed Mucilage Content and Their Use for Food and Feed

Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is well known for containing functional compounds with health‐related benefits. Assessed were the agronomic and seed‐quality traits of 13 linseed advanced breeding lines (ABLs) varying in seed mucilage content (SMC) that could be better suited to Chilean environments and food and feed market needs. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant genotype and environment effects for most of the traits assessed. Seed mucilage content ranged from 0.89 to 5.45%, and various ABLs exhibited similar yield and yield‐related traits to the controls, but some outperformed them for harvest index, plant height, and days to 5% flowering. The yellow‐seeded ABLs showed the highest and lowest oil and hull content, respectively, as compared with the brown‐seeded lines. The majority of the ABLs exhibited high linolenic acid content, ∼60%. The four most promising ABLs were further characterized for the content of the cyanogenic glycosides (CGs) linustatin and neolinustatin, where LuCGNA11 and LuCGNA67 had the lowest values for both CGs. We evaluated the effects of two ABLs contrasting in SMC on laying hen weight (control = 1794 g), egg production (control = 117 eggs), and egg weight (control = 62.9 g) over a 4‐wk period. Hens fed the low SMC diet had an increase of 78.6 g, 13 eggs, and 3.86 g, while the high SMC diet had a reduction of 36.8 g, 25 eggs, and 2.8 g for body weight, egg production, and egg weight, respectively. These new high and low SMC ABLs offer opportunities to the food and feed industry for the generation of new value‐added products.

Variation in fine-scale genetic structure and local dispersal patterns between peripheral populations of a South American passerine bird.

The distribution of suitable habitat influences natal and breeding dispersal at small spatial scales, resulting in strong microgeographic genetic structure. Although environmental variation can promote interpopulation differences in dispersal behavior and local spatial patterns, the effects of distinct ecological conditions on within‐species variation in dispersal strategies and in fine‐scale genetic structure remain poorly understood. We studied local dispersal and fine‐scale genetic structure in the thorn‐tailed rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda), a South American bird that breeds along a wide latitudinal gradient. We combine capture‐mark‐recapture data from eight breeding seasons and molecular genetics to compare two peripheral populations with contrasting environments in Chile: Navarino Island, a continuous and low density habitat, and Fray Jorge National Park, a fragmented, densely populated and more stressful environment. Natal dispersal showed no sex bias in Navarino but was female‐biased in the more dense population in Fray Jorge. In the latter, male movements were restricted, and some birds seemed to skip breeding in their first year, suggesting habitat saturation. Breeding dispersal was limited in both populations, with males being more philopatric than females. Spatial genetic autocorrelation analyzes using 13 polymorphic microsatellite loci confirmed the observed dispersal patterns: a fine‐scale genetic structure was only detectable for males in Fray Jorge for distances up to 450 m. Furthermore, two‐dimensional autocorrelation analyzes and estimates of genetic relatedness indicated that related males tended to be spatially clustered in this population. Our study shows evidence for context‐dependent variation in natal dispersal and corresponding local genetic structure in peripheral populations of this bird. It seems likely that the costs of dispersal are higher in the fragmented and higher density environment in Fray Jorge, particularly for males. The observed differences in microgeographic genetic structure for rayaditos might reflect the genetic consequences of population‐specific responses to contrasting environmental pressures near the range limits of its distribution.

Self-generated Literacy Practices in Disadvantaged Environments in Chile

This study explores the role of literacy in disadvantaged environments and the interplay between self-generated literacy practices and their conceptualization of literacy in 7 to 10-year-old Chilean pupils from two different schools located in Santiago, Chile. The study was framed within a participatory approach focused on promoting the children’s agency and voice in the research. A range of second-level data materials were collected through interviews with parents, photographs and existing documents. Although at a resources-associated level the sociocultural context did not inhibit the emergence of literacy practices, the context did contribute to the children’s understanding of literacy. This study raises the need for considering how children’s understanding of literacy influence their involvement and learning about reading and writing as their experiences and perceptions have an important role in their learning process, particularly on how they develop their reading and writing practices. The findings implied that by raising the participants’ awareness of the relevance of everyday practices in relation with reading and writing, they are likelier to feel more comfortable and empowered towards their own literacy practices. Particularly, the empowerment of children coming from a disadvantaged background would give them more opportunities to support their learning. By making the children aware of the relevance of their own perceptions and practices, the pupils could gain in confidence, be agents of their learning processes, and have more resources to succeed on the demanding school environment.