Hasil untuk "Environmental protection"

D. Wachs, D. Wachs, A. Spagnesi et al.

<p>Associated with ongoing global warming, prolonged periods of negative mass balance affect even Alpine glaciers in high summit regions, which are also prime candidates for paleoclimate-related ice core studies. This greatly complicates the already challenging task of establishing an age-depth relationship where now both, the age at depth and at the surface is an unknown. Radiometric ice dating methods are an important key to tackle this challenge. This study presents a comprehensive age-depth profile of the summit glacier of Weißseespitze (WSS, 3500 m a.s.l.) in the Austrian Alps, utilizing a combination of radiometric dating methods – <span class="inline-formula">³⁹</span>Ar and <span class="inline-formula">¹⁴</span>C. Ice cores from drilling campaigns conducted in 2019, 2023, and 2024 were analyzed to overcome challenges posed by extensive ice loss and surface melting that limit traditional dating techniques. All <span class="inline-formula">³⁹</span>Ar samples were measured using atom trap trace analysis (ATTA). Surface mass balance (SMB) data since 2019 were used to align core depths across years, and all samples were referenced to height above bedrock to standardize comparisons.</p> <p>Age modeling using least squares fitting and Monte Carlo sampling was performed for three glaciological models: Nye, Raymond, and a two-parameter (2p) model to test their applicability. The 2p model provided the best fit (<span class="inline-formula"><math xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" id="M6" display="inline" overflow="scroll" dspmath="mathml"><mrow><msubsup><mi mathvariant="italic">χ</mi><mi mathvariant="normal">red</mi><mn mathvariant="normal">2</mn></msubsup></mrow></math><span><svg:svg xmlns:svg="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20pt" height="17pt" class="svg-formula" dspmath="mathimg" md5hash="235f7ade72b6c01f06d28a42f6ce4b48"><svg:image xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="cp-22-173-2026-ie00001.svg" width="20pt" height="17pt" src="cp-22-173-2026-ie00001.png"/></svg:svg></span></span> <span class="inline-formula">=</span> 0.4), closely matching the data and providing a continuous age-depth scale. The model yielded a mean accumulation rate of 0.53 m w.e. a<span class="inline-formula">⁻¹</span> (1<span class="inline-formula"><i>σ</i></span> range: 0.38–0.63 m w.e. a<span class="inline-formula">⁻¹</span>) and a thinning parameter <span class="inline-formula"><i>p</i></span> <span class="inline-formula">=</span> 0.92 (1<span class="inline-formula"><i>σ</i></span>: 0.81–0.97), the former agreeing with current accumulation estimates.</p> <p>The results show that the surface ice dates back approximately 400 a, emphasizing the extent of recent ice loss. Apart from this, the continuous age-depth relation shows no sign of prolonged periods of mass loss at WSS within the 6000 a glaciation history prior to today.</p> <p>This work underscores the utility of <span class="inline-formula">³⁹</span>Ar dating in alpine glaciology, enabling precise reconstruction of age-depth relationships even under advanced glacial retreat and enhancing our understanding of Holocene climate history in the Eastern Alps.</p>

YAN Manli, ZHANG Baoqing, HUANG Lei, LI Xiang

Obesity is a chronic and relapsing disease resulting from interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Its global prevalence continues to rise, making it a major public health challenge. Traditional weight management strategies often yield suboptimal outcomes. In recent years, peptide-based therapies targeting the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR), and glucagon receptor (GCGR) have advanced rapidly, with multi-target agonists emerging as a promising new therapeutic trend. This review systematically summarizes the mechanisms and clinical progress of these agents: GLP-1R single-target agonists demonstrate significant efficacy in weight reduction, glycemic control, and multi-organ protection, though interindividual variability and gastrointestinal side effects remain limitations. Dual agonists targeting GLP-1R/GIPR and GLP-1R/GCGR (e.g., Tirzepatide, Mazdutide) further improve metabolic parameters, reduce liver fat, and mitigate cardiovascular risks through synergistic regulation of appetite, energy expenditure, and lipid metabolism. Meanwhile, the triple agonist Retatrutide (targeting GLP-1R/GIPR/GCGR) shows robust potential for weight loss and body composition improvement, while also modulating key lipid metabolic regulators such as ANGPTL3/8, thereby broadening the therapeutic horizon for metabolic diseases. Looking forward, the development of multi-target agents-combined with long-acting formulation technologies, precise subtyping, and individualized treatment strategies-is expected to significantly enhance the efficacy and safety of obesity treatments and alleviate the public health burden.

Chaolong Bi, Minggang Li, Hua Chen et al.

ABSTRACT Tobacco black shank, caused by Phytophthora nicotianae, is characterized by rapid outbreak onset and high control difficulty, posing a persistent threat to tobacco production in China. To assess its potential geographic distribution and management risks under climate change, this study employed 410 verified occurrence records and 32 environmental variables to construct a Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model, with key variable interpretation supported by an XGBoost–SHAP framework. The model simulated a suitable habitat under current conditions and four CMIP6 climate scenarios (SSP1‐2.6, SSP2‐4.5, SSP3‐7.0, and SSP5‐8.5) from 2021 to 2100. The optimized model (AUC = 0.959) identified eight key environmental predictors, including the minimum temperature of the coldest month (bio6), annual precipitation (bio12), temperature seasonality (bio4), precipitation of the wettest month (bio13), precipitation of the driest month (bio14), elevation, slope, and land use type. Response curves and SHAP dependence plots revealed clear ecological thresholds, such as a notable increase in suitability when bio6 exceeds 0°C, elevation ranges from 800 to 1500 m, and both bio13 and bio14 fall within specific precipitation intervals. Future projections showed an overall expansion of suitable areas, with the largest extent (165.54 × 104 km2) under the SSP2‐4.5 scenario and a northeastward shift in habitat centroid. Overlaying predicted suitability with tobacco cultivation data revealed 28.35% spatial overlap, primarily in major growing regions such as Yunnan and Guizhou. These results clarify the critical role of temperature and moisture in shaping the pathogen's ecological niche and offer a quantitative foundation for risk‐based surveillance and region‐specific management of tobacco black shank.

Kousha Khatooni, Farhad Hooshyaripor, Bahram MalekMohammadi et al.

Abstract Assessing urban flood risk is crucial for resilience analysis, particularly in cities like Karaj, which face significant flooding challenges. This study advances the Urban Flood Resilience Index (UFRI) by introducing the Improved UFRI (IUFRI), which incorporates a novel Flood Adaptation Index to evaluate flood preparedness capacity more comprehensively. A key component of the IUFRI is the concept of “Living With Flood” (LWF), which emphasizes the importance of individual attitudes toward flooding, public awareness, education, environmental protection, and social vulnerability. These factors have often been overlooked in traditional flood management strategies, yet they play a critical role in enhancing community resilience. The analysis of flood modeling in Karaj reveals the city’s vulnerability, particularly in older neighborhoods with aging infrastructure. By integrating LWF into flood management strategies, urban planners can foster a more holistic approach to resilience. The findings demonstrate that employing the IUFRI and Flood Adaptation Index significantly enhances the assessment of flood resilience across various districts. The study evaluates and compares IUFRI results from 12 districts in Karaj City, utilizing grey clustering technique for effective spatial analysis. This approach not only identifies areas with similar flood performance but also aids urban managers in prioritizing targeted infrastructure projects and proactive risk management initiatives. Ultimately, this research underscores the necessity of incorporating LWF into urban flood risk assessment frameworks to improve resilience and better prepare communities for future flooding events.

Jiayi Zou, Huaixu Jiang, Tianshun Yang et al.

Human activities at unprecedented levels have exacerbated the greenhouse effect and escalated the frequency of extreme weather. In response, the Chinese government has pledged to reach “carbon peak” by 2030 and achieve “carbon neutrality” by 2060. Leveraging the GOSAT L3 and L4B CO₂ datasets, this study investigated the spatiotemporal and vertical characteristics of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration across China, alongside quantifying the relative importance of key influencing factors. The results show that there is a distinct regional disparity in CO₂ column concentration, with eastern China having a higher concentration level (406.85 × 10⁻⁶) than the western regions (400.92 × 10⁻⁶). Vertically, the concentration of CO₂ (390–420 × 10⁻⁶) reaches its peak at the near-surface layer (975 hPa) and then decreases with increasing altitude. High values of CO₂ levels in the mid-lower layer are concentrated in eastern China, while those in the upper layer are mainly located in southern China. In addition, CO₂ concentration shows seasonal variations, with the highest concentration occurring in spring (406.39 × 10⁻⁶) and the lowest in summer. Biospheric emissions and fossil fuel combustion emerge as the two most significant factors affecting CO₂ variation, with relative importance of 24% and 22%, respectively.

David Echeverry, Melisa de Castro, Samuel Azasu

The adaptive reuse of ecclesiastical heritage buildings is becoming increasingly necessary as religious institutions grapple with declining vocations, financial constraints, and changing societal roles. This study examines the adaptive reuse of a 16th-century convent in Miranda de Ebro, Spain, using a validated evaluative model tailored to religious heritage buildings. The adaptive reuse process involves transforming sacred spaces into venues with new functions while preserving their architectural, historical, and cultural significance. In Spain, where the Catholic Church oversees approximately 80% of protected heritage sites, such interventions are both urgent and complex. The study analyzes the economic, social, cultural, and ecclesiastical factors influencing the feasibility and sustainability of reuse efforts. Key benefits of adaptive reuse include environmental sustainability, economic revitalization, and community engagement, but religious buildings present unique challenges due to their spiritual symbolism, legal protection, and institutional governance. Findings indicate that a hybrid civic-cultural function represents the most viable and respectful reuse option for the convent. The paper concludes with policy recommendations to support culturally sensitive reuse and strengthen cooperation between Church and state authorities. This study contributes to the advancement of adaptive reuse methodologies and offers a replicable framework for scholars and practitioners navigating ecclesiastical heritage redevelopment.

Hayder Zghair, Rushi Ganesh Konathala

This research explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can be leveraged to optimize packaging design, reduce operational costs, and enhance sustainability in e-commerce. As packaging waste and shipping inefficiencies grow alongside global online retail demand, traditional methods for determining box size, material use, and logistics planning have become economically and environmentally inadequate. Using a three-phase framework, this study integrates data-driven diagnostics, AI modeling, and real-world validation. In the first phase, a systematic analysis of current packaging inefficiencies was conducted through secondary data, benchmarking, and cost modeling. Findings revealed significant waste caused by over-packaging, suboptimal box-sizing, and poor alignment between product characteristics and logistics strategy. In the second phase, a random forest (RF) machine learning model was developed to predict optimal packaging configurations using key product features: weight, volume, and fragility. This model was supported by AI simulation tools that enabled virtual testing of material performance, space efficiency, and damage risk. Results demonstrated measurable improvements in packaging optimization, cost reduction, and emission mitigation. The third phase validated the AI framework using practical case studies—ranging from a college textbook to a fragile kitchen dish set and a high-volume children’s bicycle. The model successfully recommended right-sized packaging for each product, resulting in reduced material usage, improved shipping density, and enhanced protection. Simulated cost-saving scenarios further confirmed that smart packaging and AI-generated configurations can drive efficiency. The research concludes that AI-based packaging systems offer substantial strategic value, including cost savings, environmental benefits, and alignment with regulatory and consumer expectations—providing scalable, data-driven solutions for e-commerce enterprises such as Amazon and others.

Julia Radwan-Pragłowska, Paulina Bąk, Łukasz Janus et al.

Excessive blood loss is a leading cause of mortality among soldiers and accident victims. The wound healing process typically ranges from three weeks to several months, with disruptions in healing stages potentially prolonging recovery time. Chronic wounds may persist for years, creating a favorable environment for microbial growth. Chitosan, a derivative of chitin—the second most abundant biopolymer in nature—is obtained through deacetylation and exhibits mucoadhesive, analgesic, antioxidant, biodegradable, non-toxic, and biocompatible properties. Due to its hemostatic and regenerative support capabilities, chitosan is widely applied in the food, cosmetic, and agricultural industries; environmental protection; and as a key component in dressings for chronic wound healing. Notably, its antibacterial properties make it a promising candidate for novel biomaterials to replace traditional antibiotics and prevent the emergence of drug-resistant strains. The primary aim of this study was the chemical cross-linking of chitosan with the amino acids L-aspartic and L-glutamic acid in the presence of periclase (magnesium oxide) under microwave radiation conditions. Subsequent research stages involved the analysis of the samples’ physicochemical properties using SEM, FT-IR, XPS, atomic absorption spectrometry, swelling behavior (in water, SBF, and blood), porosity, and density. Biological assessments included biodegradation, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The obtained results confirmed the high potential of the newly developed hemostatic agents for effective hemorrhage management under non-sterile conditions.

Tanja Blažić, Bojan Stojnić, Svetlana Milanović et al.

In addition to having a negative impact on the health of people and domestic animals, rodents often cause enormous damage to the environment by disrupting natural biodiversity. The negative impacts of rodents in urban and rural areas have required intensive use of rodentcides in spite of the proven risk of secondary poisoning of non-target predators and scavengers. Continuous and intensive use of rodenticides has led to environmental pollution through their retention in the environment. Commensal rodents are predominantly managed with anticoagulant rodenticides, which are very persistent in the environment and move up the food chain and accumulate in the bodies of predators and scavengers. Generally, the use of anticoagulant rodenticides continues, and there is a need to take appropriate measures to reduce their harmful impact. The efficacy of second generation anticoagulants (bromadiolone, difenacoum and brodifacoum), combined either mutually or with chlorophacinone at reduced doses (0.001 % and 0.0008 %), in controlling brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) was tested in a four-day no-choice feeding test. Combinations of second generation anticoagulants were more effective than the combination of chlorophacinone and second generation anticoagulants. The results indicate that combinations of different anticoagulants at multifold lower doses than the standard may provide a successful tool for brown rat control and a more environment-friendly method of rodent control and protection of non-target animals.

Maryam Zare Jeddi, Karen S. Galea, Susana Viegas et al.

The environmental impact on health is an inevitable by-product of human activity. Environmental health sciences is a multidisciplinary field addressing complex issues on how people are exposed to hazardous chemicals that can potentially affect adversely the health of present and future generations. Exposure sciences and environmental epidemiology are becoming increasingly data-driven and their efficiency and effectiveness can significantly improve by implementing the FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) principles for scientific data management and stewardship. This will enable data integration, interoperability and (re)use while also facilitating the use of new and powerful analytical tools such as artificial intelligence and machine learning in the benefit of public health policy, and research, development and innovation (RDI). Early research planning is critical to ensuring data is FAIR at the outset. This entails a well-informed and planned strategy concerning the identification of appropriate data and metadata to be gathered, along with established procedures for their collection, documentation, and management. Furthermore, suitable approaches must be implemented to evaluate and ensure the quality of the data. Therefore, the ‘Europe Regional Chapter of the International Society of Exposure Science’ (ISES Europe) human biomonitoring working group (ISES Europe HBM WG) proposes the development of a FAIR Environment and health registry (FAIREHR) (hereafter FAIREHR). FAIR Environment and health registry offers preregistration of studies on exposure sciences and environmental epidemiology using HBM (as a starting point) across all areas of environmental and occupational health globally. The registry is proposed to receive a dedicated web-based interface, to be electronically searchable and to be available to all relevant data providers, users and stakeholders. Planned Human biomonitoring studies would ideally be registered before formal recruitment of study participants. The resulting FAIREHR would contain public records of metadata such as study design, data management, an audit trail of major changes to planned methods, details of when the study will be completed, and links to resulting publications and data repositories when provided by the authors. The FAIREHR would function as an integrated platform designed to cater to the needs of scientists, companies, publishers, and policymakers by providing user-friendly features. The implementation of FAIREHR is expected to yield significant benefits in terms of enabling more effective utilization of human biomonitoring (HBM) data.

Muhammad Fawad, Muhammad Azim Khan, Fazli Wahid et al.

Broomrape (<i>Orobanche cernua</i> L.) is an obligate root parasitic weed that significantly reduces the qualitative and yield attributes of tomatoes globally. The efficient management of broomrape is challenging because of its complicated parasitic nature. Field trials were conducted to assess the influence of various irrigation scheduling and weed control strategies on broomrape, weed presence, and tomato productivity. The experiment was conducted with a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a split-plot arrangement and was replicated three times. Three irrigation intervals (3, 6, and 9 days) were assigned to the main block, while sub-blocks including treatments and year were taken as the source of variance (year × irrigation timing × treatments). The experiment comprised sixteen treatments, including transparent polythene, black polythene, weedy check (Control), sole weeding of broomrape only, weeding of all weeds, weeding except broomrape, humic acid 25 kg ha⁻¹+ copper oxychloride in single and split doses, copper oxychloride (1.5 kg a.i ha⁻¹ in single and split doses), ammonium sulphate 200 kg ha⁻¹ in single and split doses, copper sulfate (2 kg ha⁻¹ in single/split doses), and glyphosate 48 SL (1.5 kg a.i ha⁻¹) and pendimethalin 33 EC (1.44 kg a.i ha⁻¹). The results revealed that among the various irrigation intervals, the highest broomrape intensity (4.34 plant⁻¹) was observed with a9-day irrigation interval. Similarly, the highest weed density (35 m⁻²) resulted in a3-day irrigation interval. Furthermore, irrigation at a 6-day interval increased the plant height by 11%, fruit yield tons ha⁻¹ by 24.9 %, and produced the highest cost/benefit ratio (CBR) of (1:4). Black polythene, transparent polythene, and pendimethalin reduced the weed density by 92%, 89%, and 84%;weed dry biomass by 97%, 95%, and 91%; and broomrape intensity by 67%, 77%, and 28%. Conversely, the plant height increased by 24%, 23%, and 23.6%; and fruit yield by 286%, 270%, and 191%; and had the highest CBR of 1:5, 1:4, and 1:4, respectively, as compared to the weedy check. Consequently, an increase in irrigation frequency increases other weed densities and decreases the broomrape intensity plant⁻¹ of tomato. Therefore, black polythene could be recommended in a severely broomrape-infested field. Moreover, irrigation at 6-day intervals combined with pendimethalin and ammonium sulfate fertilizers revealed the lowest incidence of broomrape and other weeds and produced an economic yield.

Aleksandra Zgórska, Adam Hamerla, Jan Bondaruk et al.

Abstract This paper presents the assumptions and the preliminary results of the project entitled “Extension of the system for management of post-mining areas in the Silesian province - OPI TPP 2.0”. The overall objective of the project is to develop and implement a new e-service in the form of an open-access information system on post-mining areas in the Silesia Voivodeship. The range of information and tools planned to be made available is dedicated to assessing the possibilities and potential for economic and social reuse of these areas. The basic and extremely important stage of the project was to identify and collect data on post-industrial sites located in the Silesia Province. The information contained in this article illustrates the activities that were carried out in the initial phase of the project in which unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) were used to identify and acquire information on brownfields (including post-mining sites) entered into the developed common database. The article assesses the possibility of using drones in an enterprise of such a large scale and also points out the advantages of using this method. The article describes the methodology and scope of work related to the acquisition of data that can be collected using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) covering surface infrastructure and land use of brownfields, allowing for the identification of negative phenomena on their site as well as monitoring of naturally occurring processes. Based on fieldworks experience and the results of numerous analyses carried out for different types of brownfields (e.g. post-mining areas, former transport bases, settling ponds, etc.), paper presents the advantages and benefits of drones (UAN) over other data sources used to monitor changes in an area. The article is based on the results of an inventory of over 600 brownfields located in Upper Silesia region (Silesia Voivodeship, Poland).

VASILE POPA

Jianzhe Qiao, Youping Shou, Junjie Zhao

In general, transportation of Dangerous Goods in the port and shipping industry is mainly based on the container. This paper summarized the types of container terminal accidents, and put forward a method to select source of pollutants, and showed pollution range of typical accidents, provided the basis for the decision of management department. Taking a domestic container terminal as an example, the calculation results show that, under the premise of taking corresponding measures, the pollution range of accidents is not wide, and the risk is controllable.

Grzegorz Embros

The systemic perspective on environmental action adopted in the paper, allows in this thematic area, issues related to the decision-making process. Due to the current crisis affecting human-environment relationships, these issues call for special attention and specific solutions. Against this backdrop, the paper draws on selected patterns, which constitute a point of reference in the formulation of the decision-making process, namely, the Deming Cycle, and the control system worked out by Marian Mazur. Among the manifold determinants of the decision-making process, special emphasis is put on the anthropological one, with reference to the approach proposed by Michał Gierycz. In turn, the idea of oikophilia, as presented by Roger Scruton, has been used as an exemplification of the discussed issues. More specifically, an attempt has been made to determine the influence of the adopted anthropological perspective on the shape and course of the decision-making process, which is the aim of the study. The paper analyses further how a defined profile of the performer, influences the structure and course of the decision-making process in environmental protection. The conducted analyses enable the formulation of a postulate, in order that the adopted vision of the decision-maker, should be treated as a point of reference in the design and construction of a methodology for environmental protection.

Jun Wang, Ke Song, Lijuan Sun et al.

Nitrogen (N) is one of the essential macronutrients that plays an important role in plant growth and development. Unfortunately, low utilization rate of nitrogen has become one of the main abiotic factors affecting crop growth. Nevertheless, little research has been done on the molecular mechanism of wheat seedlings resisting or adapting to low nitrogen environment. In this paper, the response of wheat seedlings against low nitrogen stress at phenotypic changes and gene expression level were studied. The results showed that plant height, leaf area, shoot and root dry weight, total root length, and number under low nitrogen stress decreased by 26.0, 28.1, 24.3, 38.0, 41.4, and 21.2 percent, respectively compared with plants under normal conditions. 2265 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in roots and 2083 DEGs were detected in leaves under low nitrogen stress (N-) compared with the control (CK). 1688 genes were up-regulated and 577 genes were down-regulated in roots, whilst 505 genes were up-regulated and 1578 were down-regulated in leaves. Among the most addressed Gene Ontology (GO) categories, oxidation reduction process, oxidoreductase activity, and cell component were mostly represented. In addition, genes involved in the signal transduction, carbon and nitrogen metabolism, antioxidant activity, and environmental adaptation were highlighted. Our study provides new information for further understanding the response of wheat to low nitrogen stress.

Minh Hieu Ho, Thien Bui-Thuan Do, Nhi Ngoc-Thao Dang et al.

Green electrospinning has attracted great interest since non-toxic solvents were shown to be applicable in the fabrication of fibrous materials while ensuring health safety and environmental protection. Less harmful reagents such as acetone (AC) and acetic acid (AA) have been employed in this field in recent years. However, research in this area is still rare, yielding only preliminary results. In this study, two different types of solvents (pure AC and an AA/AC mixture) were used to fabricate electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes. Sample morphology, wettability, tensile strength, and chemical composition were compared between two types of membranes. Cell&#8722;scaffold interaction was also examined by cell adhesion and proliferation assays. The results demonstrate that the two types of solvents had significant effects on membrane morphology, physical strength, and cell adherence behaviors, which should be considered for different application purposes.

Kazuki TANI, Chihiro NAKAGAWA, Atsuhiko SHINTANI et al.

From the view point of the environmental protection and convenience for transportation, a bicycle is one of the effective forms of the personal mobility vehicles. It is known that a small wheel bicycle running at low speed has less upright stability. In this study, Steer-by-Wire system is used to steer and stabilize a small wheel bicycle. In a bicycle with Steer-by-wire system, the mechanical connection between handlebar and steer-assembly is replaced by electronic connection with actuators, sensors and a controller. The system can enhance the upright stability of a bicycle by a control system. This study aims to enhance the upright stability of a small wheel bicycle at low speed. Firstly, we conducted the eigenvalue analysis to evaluate the upright stability of a bicycle and examined the difference of the stability between a bicycle with normal wheel and a small wheel one. Secondly, we designed the mechanism of Steer-by-Wire system and examined the effectiveness of Steer-by-Wire system in a small wheel bicycle. Finally, we investigated the behavior of a small wheel bicycle with Steer-by-Wire system when the system is subjected to disturbance torque. As a result, we found that Steer-by-Wire system could enhance the upright stability of a small wheel bicycle at a low speed.

P. D. Jones, D. H. Lister

The atmospheric circulation clearly has an important influence on variations in surface temperature and precipitation. In this study we illustrate the spatial patterns of variation that occur for the principal circulation patterns across Europe in the standard four seasons. We use an existing classification scheme of surface pressure patterns, with the aim of considering whether the patterns of influence of specific weather types have changed over the course of the 20th century. We consider whether the long-term warming across Europe is associated with more favourable weather types or related to warming within some of the weather types. The results indicate that the latter is occurring, but not all circulation types show warming. The study also illustrates that certain circulation types can lead to marked differences in temperature and/or precipitation for relatively closely positioned sites when the sites are located in areas of high relief or near coasts.

Luiz Ricardo Gaelzer, Ilana R. Zalmon

Fish living in coastal waters present behavior patterns ruled by environmental light levels. Diel variations in fish community structure were investigated at Arraial do Cabo surf zone (22º58'S, 42º01'W). From September/2001 to August/2002 monthly sampling consisted of 12 hauls of a beach seine during the day and at night at Praia dos Anjos, Praia Grande and Prainha beaches. Different temporal distribution patterns of the ichthyc community were recorded. At Praia dos Anjos, total richness was higher at night while the average number of species, CPUE, Margalef's richness and Shannon diversity were generally higher during the day. We believe that this pattern was caused by the displacement of some species such as Harengula clupeola,Trachinotus carolinus and Umbrina coroides at night to deeper areas searching for food or for predator avoidance. At Praia Grande and Prainha the average number of species, CPUE, richness and diversity indexes were generally higher at night with the dominant species H. clupeola, Pomatomus saltatrix and Sardinella brasiliensis. It is suggested that the main factor to diel variation is the protection against predators due to darkness, making visualization of the prey difficult, besides the presence of seasonal macroalgae beds at Prainha, which might function as a food area for piscivorous fishes due to the proximity of larger individuals in shallower water especially at night.<br>Peixes que vivem em águas costeiras marinhas exibem modelos de comportamento que são regulados pelos níveis de luz do ambiente. A variação nictemeral na estrutura da comunidade de peixes de zona de arrebentação foi investigada na região de Arraial do Cabo (22º58'S, 42º01'W). Desetembro/2001 a agosto/2002 foram realizadas coletas mensais, sendo efetuadas 12 arrastos utilizando cerco de praia nos períodos diurnos e noturnos na Praia dos Anjos, Praia Grande e Prainha. Diferentes padrões de distribuição da comunidade ictíca foram registrados. Na Praia dos Anjos, o número de espécies foi superior no período noturno. Já o número médio de espécies, CPUE, riqueza de Margalef e diversidade de Shannon foram, em geral, superiores no período diurno. Este padrão de comportamento foi causado pelo deslocamento noturno de algumas espécies, tais como Harengula clupeola,Trachinotus carolinus e Umbrina coroides para áreas mais profundas a procura de alimento ou para evitar predadores. Na Praia Grande e na Prainha, o número médio de espécies, CPUE e os índices de riqueza e diversidade foram, em geral, superiores no período noturno, com a dominância das espécies H. clupeola, Pomatomus saltatrix e Sardinella brasiliensis. Sugere-se que o principal fator para esta variação nictemeral seja a proteção contra predadores devido à escuridão, tornando a visualização da presa mais difícil, além da presença de bancos sazonais de macroalgas na Prainha, que pode funcionar como uma área de alimentação para peixes piscívoros devido ao encontro de uma grande quantidade de indivíduos em águas rasas especialmente à noite.