Mediterranean Region Of Spain Research Articles

Spatial Patterns in the Association between the Prevalence of Asthma and Determinants of Health

The World Health Organization endorses the study of diseases from the perspective of the Determinants of Health (DH), that is, the circumstances in which people are born and raised, the environment in which they grow up and age and their lifestyle. The aim of this study is to analyze the spatial behavior of the prevalence of asthma in Aragon, a Mediterranean region in Spain, under the DH approach. The methodological process entailed building a spatial database collating asthma prevalence as dependent variable, and lifestyle, socioeconomic, and climate indicators as explanatory factors, and then evaluating the spatial variability of the relationships by combining the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) models and cartographic design techniques. MGWR evidenced spatially varying relationships operating at different scales. Lifestyles seem closely tied to the prevalence of asthma in most of the study area while urban functionality and local climate patterns seem to boost prevalence rates in some specific enclaves. Consequently, the social and environmental conditions that characterize the study area translate into several DH scenarios modulating the spatial distribution of asthma. This differential DH behavior detected by local regression models is relevant to guiding and refining public health decision‐making.

Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of refurbishment alternatives for façade assemblies typically used in existing buildings in the Mediterranean region in Spain

The building sector is a major contributor to the environmental impact in the European Union due to energy consumed, extraction of resources and greenhouse gas emissions. Particularly, the existing building stock represents a greater challenge than new constructions, since up to 85% of the buildings existing in 2050 have already been built. The extensive lifespan of buildings mean that construction assemblies remain standing for long periods of time, which accounts for most of the embodied environmental impact and affects its energy performance during the use stage. Also, because the façade surfaces generally cover most of the building envelope, they have strong potential to reduce existing buildings’ environmental impacts and energy consumption, when undertaking major refurbishments. This paper aims to compare the environmental performance of different refurbishment alternatives for façade assemblies typically used in existing buildings in the Mediterranean region in Spain. For this purpose, a three-step methodology based on a life cycle approach was applied: (I) Identification of existing façade assemblies and their related refurbishment alternatives, (II) Bill of Materials, and (III) Environmental, cost and energetic impact of each façade and their refurbishment alternatives were analysed with the Life Cycle Assessment and Life Cycle Cost methodologies and U-values calculation, respectively. The results were used to draw conclusions to help construction sector practitioners, such as building designers and contractors, to make decisions during the design and construction stages in major renovation projects. They could also be used to select the optimum façade refurbishment alternatives, aiming at nearly zero-energy buildings.

Physicochemical and Microbiological Changes Associated with Processing in Dry-Cured Tuna

Dry-cured tuna is a traditional product manufactured in the Mediterranean region of Spain, known as mojama. The traditional salting-drying elaboration process attributes new organoleptic characteristics to the final product, changing its flavor, color, and nutritional value. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in physicochemical, biochemical, and microbiological parameters taking place during the process. The physicochemical parameters were affected by the processing steps (salting, salt-washing, and drying), except for total acidity and pH. The water activity value and relative moisture percentage decreased to 0.86 and 33.03%, respectively. Moreover, the addition of salt and the drying step increased the water-holding capacity. The lipid oxidation values increased from raw tuna loins to the final product (1.37 vs. 5.56 mg malondialdehyde/kg). Moreover, the total volatile basic nitrogen values increased in the final product, fundamentally due to the concentration effect caused by the water loss, although may also be due to the degradation of proteins during processing. The microbiological analysis showed that the values obtained in the dry-cured tuna were below the limits established by the reference regulation for dry-cured fish products.

Differential vulnerability to biological invasions: not all protected areas (and not all invaders) are the same

Protected areas (PAs) are fundamental for global biodiversity conservation but many are not delivering their conservation potential. In particular, the European Natura 2000 (N2K)–the largest coordinated network of PAs in the world—has insofar proved insufficient to achieve the EU’s biodiversity conservation targets. Despite the adoption of innovative legislation on the prevention and management of biological invasions, invasive alien species (IAS) remain a main threat to N2K. We explored whether the regulatory status of N2K has been efficient to prevent the establishment of regulated IAS (those under the scope of EU or national regulations) by conducting a case study in a highly biodiverse Mediterranean region of Spain. We: (1) analyzed whether the number of both regulated and unregulated IAS differ across adjacent unprotected areas (belt zones), N2K sites and N2K sites with additional protection as national park or nature reserve (APAs); (2) compared the spread pathways of regulated IAS present in areas with different protection status. While APAs hosted fewer regulated IAS, N2K sites did not perform better than belt zones. Specifically, there were fewer regulated IAS that spread through natural dispersal or intentional human assistance in APAs compared to N2K and belt zones, but those dispersing with unintentional human assistance were similarly distributed in PAs and belt zones. Further, protection level did not reduce the number of unregulated IAS. Thus, observed patterns indicate that the conservation obligations bound to the designation of an area as an N2K site are not sufficient to prevent or slow down biological invasions.

(2822) Proposal to conserve the name Cachrys libanotis (Umbelliferae) with a conserved type

(2822) Proposal to conserve the name <i>Cachrys libanotis</i> (<i>Umbelliferae</i>) with a conserved type

Convective precipitation trends in the Spanish Mediterranean region

This paper aims to analyse the distribution and temporal evolution of convective precipitation in the Mediterranean region of Spain. To accomplish this goal, we used 148 sets of 5-min rainfall rate data from the 1989–2015 period. The selected regions were the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation (CHJ) and the Internal Basins of Catalonia (CIC), which cover most of the autonomous communities of Catalonia and the Valencian Community (east Spain). The average 5-min intensity threshold of 35 mm/h and the β parameter, defined as the ratio between convective precipitation versus total precipitation in any period, were used to characterise convective precipitation. Convective episodes were categorised as “very convective”, “moderately convective”, and “slightly convective” based on the β value. After quality control, the series of 129 stations were clustered into homogeneous precipitation zones that also include β as one of the variables of characterisation. The results show that convective precipitation can contribute to total annual precipitation by up to 16% on average, but it is generated by a very small percentage of convective events (between 3% and 6% across all the stations) in comparison with the total number of rainfall episodes. In this sense, moderately convective events are the most common, with a predominantly unimodal monthly distribution of β, with summer the most convective season. Trends show a significant increase in precipitation, convective precipitation, and convective episodes in the CHJ. On the other hand, a positive trend of convective events is predominant in the CIC region, despite an overall precipitation decrease in the analysed period. These results are relevant given that extreme daily rainfall does not show a positive or significant trend, and they are in line with the impact of climate change on increased atmospheric instability and water vapour in the atmosphere. They highlight the need to work with sub-daily precipitation series in the case of the Mediterranean, which is mainly affected by flash floods.

Temporal changes in extreme precipitation and exposure of tourism in Eastern and South-Eastern Spain

Climate change is modifying the arrival of tourists in the Mediterranean region of Spain, and also the occurrence of extreme torrential rainfall events in the same area, affecting the tourist potentiality of the area. These events show a good relationship with the Western Mediterranean Oscillation (WeMO) on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. From 1950 to 2016, 239 episodes of extreme torrential rainfall (≥200 mm/24 h) were recorded in the Jucar and Segura hydrographic basins. 92.1% of these events took place during a negative WeMO phase. We performed calendar and Fourier analyses to study the WeMO index (WeMOi) intraannual variability. The lowest WeMOi values tally with the highest frequency of extreme torrential rainfall events during the second 10-day period of October. A change in the calendar of the minimum values of the WeMOi was identified between 1950 and 1982 and 1983–2016. Negative WeMOi values persist until November during the second subperiod. This might be associated with a new temporal distribution of extreme torrential events of precipitation. This has given rise to greater exposure of people to torrential events in autumn. Tourism in this area faces new challenges related to the increase in tourist numbers, and also to the exposure risk to rainfall events.

Advanced lipoprotein profile disturbances in type 1 diabetes mellitus: a focus on LDL particles

BackgroundLipoprotein disturbances have been associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). We assessed the advanced lipoprotein profile in T1DM individuals, and analysed differences with non-diabetic counterparts.MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 508 adults with T1DM and 347 controls, recruited from institutions in a Mediterranean region of Spain. Conventional and advanced (assessed by nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR] spectroscopy) lipoprotein profiles were analysed. Crude and adjusted (by age, sex, statin use, body mass index and leukocyte count) comparisons were performed.ResultsThe median (interquartile range) age of the study participants was 45 (38–53) years, 48.2% were men. In the T1DM group, the median diabetes duration was 23 (16–31) years, and 8.1% and 40.2% of individuals had nephropathy and retinopathy, respectively. The proportion of participants with hypertension (29.5 vs. 9.2%), and statin use (45.7% vs. 8.1%) was higher in the T1DM vs. controls (p < 0.001). The T1DM group had a better conventional (all parameters, p < 0.001) and NMR-lipid profile than the control group. Thus, T1DM individuals showed lower concentrations of atherogenic lipoproteins (VLDL-particles and LDL-particles) and higher concentrations of anti-atherogenic lipoproteins (HDL-particles) vs. controls, even after adjusting for several confounders (p < 0.001 for all). While non-diabetic women had a more favourable lipid profile than non-diabetic men, women with T1DM had a similar concentration of LDL-particles compared to men with T1DM (1231 [1125–1383] vs. 1257 [1128–1383] nmol/L, p = 0.849), and a similar concentration of small-LDL-particles to non-diabetic women (672.8 [614.2–733.9] vs. 671.2 [593.5–761.4] nmol/L, respectively; p = 0.790). Finally, T1DM individuals showed higher discrepancies between NMR-LDL-particles and conventional LDL-cholesterol than non-diabetic subjects (prevalence of LDL-cholesterol < 100 mg/dL & LDL-particles > 1000 nmol/L: 38 vs. 21.2%; p < 0.001). All these differences were largely unchanged in participants without lipid-lowering drugs (T1DM, n = 275; controls, n = 317).ConclusionsOverall, T1DM participants showed a more favourable conventional and NMR-lipid profile than controls. However, the NMR-assessment identified several lipoprotein derangements in LDL-particles among the T1DM population (higher discrepancies in NMR-LDL-particles vs. conventional LDL-cholesterol; a worse profile in T1DM women) that were overlooked in the conventional analysis. Further studies are needed to elucidate their role in the development of CVD in this population.

Multiyear Life Cycle Assessment of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) production in the Mediterranean region of Spain: A comparative case study

An LCA of the cultivation of switchgrass in the Mediterranean region of Spain is carried out, based on 2010–2013 inventory data from experimental plots of two sites, Moncofar and Orihuela. Thus, a 4-year cycle is evaluated, considering different sources of variability. The functional unit is 1 t of switchgrass (dry basis) for electricity generation. Besides typical impact categories, blue and green water consumption impacts are also addressed by using watershed-specific characterization factors. In 2010, the production in Orihuela is more input-intensive than it is in Moncofar, while the biomass yield is lower. This causes greater climate change as CO2-eq. (709.1 vs. 65.0 kg t−1) and greater metal depletion as Fe-eq. (8.1 vs. 1.5 kg t−1). In the subsequent years, the yields are higher in Orihuela, and Moncofar performs worse for some specific impact categories, mainly the toxicity-related ones, and also metal depletion as Fe-eq., but only in 2011 (2.0 vs. 1.2 kg t−1). Due to larger irrigation doses, the blue water impact as ecosystem-eq. water is always higher in Orihuela (e.g. in 2010, 2020 vs. 390 m3 t−1). On the contrary, the green water impact, also as ecosystem-eq. water, is greater in Moncofar, except for the first year (86.8 vs. 15.2 m3 t−1). Switchgrass from the two locations could be eligible for bioelectricity production in the European Union in accordance with the sustainability requirements for greenhouse gas savings. Ad hoc decisions on crop management are, however, critical to the environmental impacts, evidencing the importance of taking a multi-year approach.

Risk assessment of airborne pesticides in a Mediterranean region of Spain

A risk assessment strategy based on the quantitative target analysis and semi-quantitative retrospective screening determination of pesticides in PM10 has been developed. The proposed methodology was applied to 345 real samples from nine stations of a Mediterranean area in Spain, and the risk was assessed for adult, children and infants. Forty pesticides were detected with average concentrations ranging from 8 to 30,000pgm−3. Each station showed its specific pesticide profile, which is linked to the different types of crops around each station. For adults, children and infants the estimated chronic inhalation risk, expressed as Hazard Quotient (HQ), was <1 for all pesticides. The cumulative exposure for organophosphates, neonicotinoids, benzimidazoles, carbamates, micro-organism and triazoles pesticides (HI, Hazard Index) were <1 for the three groups of populations assessed. For infants, the cancer risk estimated for the detected pesticides classified as possible and potential carcinogens were lower than 1.0 E-06, except for carbendazim and hexythiazox.

Changes in Olsen P in Relation to P Balance in Contrasting Agricultural Soils

Maintaining soil phosphorus (P) at adequate levels for plant growth requires assessing how the long-term P balance (viz., the difference between P inputs and outputs) results in changes in soil test P. The hypothesis that routinely measured soil properties can help predict the conversion factor of P balance into Olsen P was tested at 39 sites in agricultural areas of the Mediterranean region in Spain. A set of soil samples from each site was analyzed for Olsen P, inorganic P (P extracted using 0.5 mol L−1 H2SO4), pseudototal P (P extracted using 0.5 mol L−1 H2SO4 following ignition at 550 °C), and organic P (the difference between pseudototal P and inorganic P). Organic and Olsen P were uncorrelated in most of the 39 soil sets, which suggests that organic P content changed little with P inputs and outputs. The slopes of the regression lines of Olsen P against pseudototal and inorganic P, which were used as two different measures of the conversion factor, ranged widely (from 0.03 to 0.25 approximately), with their average values (about 0.10) being similar to those found in long-term experiments conducted in temperate areas. Neither conversion factor was significantly correlated with any routinely measured soil property; however, the conversion factor for inorganic P was significantly lower for calcareous soils than for noncalcareous soils. Our negative results suggest the need to isolate the influence of soil properties from that of management systems and environmental factors relating to P dynamics in future studies.

Volatile Composition of Essential Oils from Different Aromatic Herbs Grown in Mediterranean Regions of Spain.

Volatile composition of essential oils from dill, parsley, coriander, and mint were investigated at different harvest dates to determine the most suitable harvest time for each these herbs. Hydrodistillation (HD), using a Deryng system, was used for isolating the essential oils. Isolation and identification of the volatile compounds were performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) instrument. The results of gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) analysis (quantification) showed that the main components in the essential oil of dill shoots were α-phellandrene, dill ether, and β-phellandrene, and the optimal harvest date was D2 (second harvest, fourth week of February 2015). For parsley shoots, the main compounds were 1,3,8-p-menthatriene, β-phellandrene, and P1 (first harvest, third week of November 2014) was the sample with the highest essential oil. For coriander, the main compounds were E-2-dodecenal, dodecanal, and octane and the highest contents were found at C2 (second harvest, 5 February 2015); while, the main two components of mint essential oil were carvone and limonene, and the highest contents were found at M1 (first harvest, second week of December 2014). The present study was the first one reporting data on descriptive sensory analysis of aromatic herbs at this optimal harvest date according to the content of volatile compounds of their essential oils.

Integrating climate change criteria in reforestation projects using a hybrid decision-support system

The selection of appropriate species in a reforestation project has always been a complex decision-making problem in which, due mostly to government policies and other stakeholders, not only economic criteria but also other environmental issues interact. Climate change has not usually been taken into account in traditional reforestation decision-making strategies and management procedures. Moreover, there is a lack of agreement on the percentage of each one of the species in reforestation planning, which is usually calculated in a discretionary way. In this context, an effective multicriteria technique has been developed in order to improve the process of selecting species for reforestation in the Mediterranean region of Spain. A hybrid Delphi-AHP methodology is proposed, which includes a consistency analysis in order to reduce random choices. As a result, this technique provides an optimal percentage distribution of the appropriate species to be used in reforestation planning. The highest values of the weight given for each subcriteria corresponded to FR (fire forest response) and PR (pests and diseases risk), because of the increasing importance of the impact of climate change in the forest. However, CB (conservation of biodiversitiy) was in the third position in line with the aim of reforestation. Therefore, the most suitable species were Quercus faginea (19.75%) and Quercus ilex (19.35%), which offer a good balance between all the factors affecting the success and viability of reforestation.

Interspecific and geographical differences in anticoagulant rodenticide residues of predatory wildlife from the Mediterranean region of Spain

We studied the prevalence of anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) in the liver of 344 individuals representing 11 species of predatory wildlife that were found dead in the Mediterranean region of Spain (Catalonia and Majorca Island). Six different ARs (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, flocoumafen, difethialone, warfarin) were found in the liver of 216 (62.8%) animals and >1 AR co-occurred in 119 individuals (34.6%). The occurrence of ARs was positively correlated with the human population density. Catalonia and Majorca showed similar prevalence of AR detection (64.4 and 60.4%, respectively), but a higher prevalence was found in the resident population of Eurasian scops owl (Otus scops) from Majorca (57.7%) compared to the migratory population from Catalonia (14.3%). Birds of prey had lower levels of bromadiolone than hedgehogs, whereas no difference was found for other ARs. The risk of SGAR poisoning in wild predators in NE Spain is believed to be elevated, because 23.3% of the individuals exhibited hepatic concentration of ARs exceeding 200ng/g.

Description of all the stages of Ixodes inopinatus n. sp. (Acari: Ixodidae)

All of the parasitic stages of Ixodes inopinatus n. sp. are described from specimens collected by flagging and on lizards and foxes. The new species replaces I. ricinus in dry areas of the Mediterranean region in Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. It has also been collected in areas of western Germany in sympatry with I. ricinus, far of its known distribution range and on an unusual host. The females of the new species can be separated from I. ricinus by the relative dimensions and punctations of the scutum, the length of the idiosomal setae, the size of the auriculae, and the aspect of the porose areas. Nymphs of I. inopinatus can be easily separated from I. ricinus by a combination of scutal dimensions, the relative size of scutal and alloscutal setae, and the relative size of the spurs on coxa I. The larvae of the new species have a broader than long scutum and unusually long Md1 to Md3 idiosomal setae. The new species is allopatric with I. ricinus in Spain and Portugal. It is hypothesized that it has been historically overlooked and reported as I. ricinus at least in northern Africa, southern Spain and parts of south-western Portugal. The existence of a new species in the I. ricinus complex makes necessary the critical assessment of its complete distribution, its abiotic preferences and seasonal activity, as well as its hosts and implications for the transmission of pathogens.

Stochastic model for electrical loads in Mediterranean residential buildings: Validation and applications

A major issue in modelling the electrical load of residential building is reproducing the variability between dwellings due to the stochastic use of different electrical equipment. In that sense and with the objective to reproduce this variability, a stochastic model to obtain load profiles of household electricity is developed. The model is based on a probabilistic approach and is developed using data from the Mediterranean region of Spain. A detailed validation of the model has been done, analysing and comparing the results with Spanish and European data. The results of the validation show that the model is able to reproduce the most important features of the residential electrical consumption, especially the particularities of the Mediterranean countries. The final part of the paper is focused on the potential applications of the models, and some examples are proposed. The model is useful to simulate a cluster of buildings or individual households. The model allows obtaining synthetic profiles representing the most important characteristics of the mean dwelling, by means of a stochastic approach. The inputs of the proposed model are adapted to energy labelling information of the electric devices. An example case is presented considering a dwelling with high performance equipment.

SuDS Efficiency during the Start‐Up Period under Mediterranean Climatic Conditions

This paper presents the performance of a number of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in the city of Xàtiva in the Valencia Region of Spain relatively soon after their construction. The systems studied comprise two roadside swales, one detention basin receiving runoff from one of the swales and one green roof to a school. The SuDS were installed under an EU LIFE+ project intended to demonstrate their practicability, application, and behavior under Mediterranean rainfall conditions. Most of the systems installed were in new developments but the green roof was retrofitted to a school within Xàtiva, which is a dense urban area. Full flow monitoring was undertaken and spot samples were taken to give a preliminary assessment of water quality performance. The early results presented in the paper demonstrate the effectiveness of the systems under typical Mediterranean conditions, which comprise intense rainfall from September to December and little or no precipitation at other times of the year. It is concluded that SuDS can be effectively introduced in the Mediterranean region of Spain.

Application of gas chromatography–(triple quadrupole) mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization for the determination of multiclass pesticides in fruits and vegetables

A multi-residue method for the determination of 142 pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables has been developed using a new atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source for coupling gas chromatography (GC) to tandem mass spectrometry (MS). Selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode has been applied, acquiring three transitions for each compound. In contrast to the extensive fragmentation typically obtained in classical electron ionization (EI), the soft APCI ionization allowed the selection of highly abundant protonated molecules ([M+H]+) as precursor ions for most compounds. This was favorable for both sensitivity and selectivity. Validation of the method was performed in which both quantitative and qualitative parameters were assessed using orange, tomato and carrot samples spiked at two levels, 0.01 and 0.1mg/kg. The QuEChERS method was used for sample preparation, followed by a 10-fold dilution of the final acetonitrile extract with a mixture of hexane and acetone. Recovery and precision were satisfactory in the three matrices, at both concentration levels. Very low limits of detection (down 0.01μg/kg for the most sensitive compounds) were achieved. Ion ratios were consistent and identification according to EU criteria was possible in 80% (0.01mg/kg) to 96% (0.1mg/kg) of the pesticide/matrix combinations. The method was applied to the analysis of various fruits and vegetables from the Mediterranean region of Spain.

Furrow-irrigated chufa crops in Valencia (Spain). II: Performance analysis and optimization

Chufa (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck.) is a traditional crop in the Mediterranean region of Spain, where it is only furrow irrigated. This article analyzes the irrigation performance for this crop, conducting field studies over three consecutive seasons in Valencia (Spain). Irrigation schedule was based on the volumetric soil water content, which was measured with capacitance sensors. Infiltrability was measured with blocked-furrow infiltrometers. An area velocity flow module measured the water flow, the cross-sectional geometry of furrows was determined using furrow profilometers, and times for advance and recession were recorded. WinSRFR software was used to analyze every irrigation event, determining the application efficiency (AE) and distribution uniformity of the minimum (DUmin), and to optimize the combination of furrow inflow (q) and cut-off time (Tco). Average values obtained for AE were 30.1%, 25.6%, and 26.7% in 2007, 2008, and 2009, respectively, and the corresponding DUmin values were 0.54, 0.61, and 0.67. Optimized results showed that it is possible to reach AE and DUmin values up to 87% and 0.86, respectively. However, understanding the q-Tco relationship that maximizes both AE and DUmin is more important than knowing the specific values. A function that related q and Tco was obtained for the typical plot dimensions, and this was validated in 2011. Therefore, this function can be used in most of the plots in the cultivation area.

A Methodology for the Characterization of Periodicities in Nonsteady Time Series: Application to Tropospheric Ozone Recharging Cycles in the Western Mediterranean Basin

Abstract Environmental measurements often show unsteady variability and background red noise (stochastic component) superimposed on persistent trivial daily, seasonal, and annual variability. In addition to this, environmental time series often present gaps due to a myriad of possible factors, such as malfunction of the sensors, connection loss, etc. As a result, interpreting and identifying periodicities in this type of time series by means of spectral analysis tools, like the Fourier transform, are difficult and lack precision. To overcome these difficulties, a methodology is proposed in the first part of this paper that integrates statistical tools (iterative Student’s t test), parametric reconstruction, and spectral analysis (Lomb periodogram and wavelets). In the second part of the paper, this methodology is tested (i) in the high-frequency part of the spectrum of two (well known) synthetic time series and (ii) to identify nontrivial (e.g., daily cycles) high-frequency periodicities (linked to some mesometeorological processes) in three tropospheric ozone time series recorded by the Valencia regional air quality monitoring network (on the Mediterranean side of Spain) during a 14-yr period. This methodology can determine statistically significant, seasonally dependent recurrences in the high-frequency variability (&amp;lt;15 days) observed in ozone time series measured in a Mediterranean region of Spain under high noise-to-signal ratios.