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X Ruiz

Publications and source records attributed to X Ruiz.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Transient dynamics and directional solidification in space platforms.

The impact of short impulsive forces on the semiconductor segregation patterns inside a generic mug Bridgman growth arrangement is discussed here with the help of a time-dependent 2D numerical scheme. Impulses have been applied parallel to the growth interface, equivalently, orthogonal to the external thermal gradient. The present results indicate that for each one of the three semiconductors considered, the reduced longitudinal and radial solid segregation are practically insensitive to the pulse shape, rectangular or half-sinusoidal. The reduced longitudinal segregation only depends on the growth velocity for constant g-dose impulses. The reduced radial segregation depends on both the interface growth velocity and very weakly on the activity time of the constant g-dose impulse externally applied. The thermal flux across the interface is shape-dependent and does not act synchronically with half-sinusoidal external impulses. Also, as before, this flux depends on the activity time and on the growth velocity for constant g-dose impulses.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Factors affecting the organochlorine pollutant load in biota of a rice field ecosystem (Ebro Delta, NE Spain).

The concentrations of PCBs, DDTs, HCHs, HCB and OCS were determined in sediments and associated biota, both invertebrates (Physella acuta, Hirudo medicinalis, chironomid larvae, Hydrous pistaceus, Helochares lividus) and vertebrates (Rana perezi), in a temporary aquatic system, a rice field in the Ebro Delta (NE Spain). The qualitative and quantitative distribution of organochlorine compounds in sediments and aquatic biota has been explained by two mechanisms: equilibrium partitioning and/or biomagnification through the trophic web. Nevertheless, bioaccumulation processes are by far more complex, since several biotic and abiotic factors contribute to the observed pollutant loads in the organisms. In this respect, the biological characteristics of the organisms considered (e.g. species, age, lipid contents, feeding habits, etc.), as well as ecological factors (e.g. the habitat of the species and vertical distribution), have been shown to account for the organochlorine levels observed.

Agriculture↗
PubMed2003

Persistent organic pollutants in little egret eggs from selected wetlands in Pakistan.

The main goal of the present work has been to study the use of egret eggs to assess environmental pollution by POPs (HCB, HCHs, cyclodienes, DDTs and PCBs) in three Pakistani wetlands that are presumed to be affected by different types of pollution. Taunsa Barrage, affected mainly by agricultural pollutants; Karachi Harbor because of the supposed exposure to industrial activity-related POPs; and Haleji Lake as a relatively pristine area because of its location in a stony desert. Taunsa Barrage and Haleji Lake are wetlands of international importance according to the Ramsar Convention, while the Karachi Harbor is of interest because of the large human population living there. Eggs of the white ( Egretta garzetta garzetta) and dark ( Egretta garzetta gularis) morphs of Little Egrets were used as monitoring tools. Concentrations were also determined in several prey in this species' diet and in the sediments collected in their foraging areas. Differences in egg pollutant content among the three localities were significant for all the compounds. Overall, the eggs from Haleji Lake and Karachi showed, respectively, the lowest and highest percentages of detection and organochlorine concentrations. Biomagnification from sediments to prey and then to eggs has been documented in the three areas studied and is accompanied by higher percentages of detection of different compounds through the compartments. Differences in the biomagnification factor among the areas were small, even when differences in pollutant concentrations were high, suggesting that eggs are reliable indicators of POPs in the environment. The values found were generally lower than those reported for the eggs of large herons from North America or the Mediterranean basin, and are about the same order of magnitude that those of other medium-sized egrets from other parts of the world.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Egrets as monitors of trace-metal contamination in wetlands of Pakistan.

Environments in Pakistan are subject to increasing pollution, but previous studies were very scanty. During 1999 and 2000, we assessed trace element contamination at three wetlands, Karachi Harbour (with presumed industrial-urban pollution), Taunsa Barrage (agricultural pollution), and Haleji Lake (relatively unpolluted), using as indicators the eggs and the feathers of colonial waterbirds, particularly Little Egrets, their prey, and the sediments collected within their foraging areas. The concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Mn, Se, and Zn were generally within the normal background level, and mostly below the threshold that may affect bird survival or reproduction. However, somewhat high concentrations were found in fish from Karachi, for Pb that was at levels that may harm fish reproduction, and for Hg that was at limit concentration for human consumption. Alarming concentrations were found for Cr and Se in sediments from Karachi, that were above the critical levels for contaminated soil, and Se in eggs, that may affect egret reproduction. The differences among the three wetlands were less marked than hypothesized. The egret species within the same area differed in the concentration of certain elements in their eggs, possibly because females may have foraged in different habitats before breeding, whereas no interspecies difference was found in chick feathers, presumably because their food had been collected in similar habitats around the colony. High bioaccumulation from sediments to organic samples occurred for Hg, while Cd, Se, and Zn exhibited low accumulation; for all these elements, feathers of predatory birds such as the egrets are the best indicators of environmental contamination. On the other hand, As and Cr did not bioaccumulate, and the sediments, or the organisms low in the food chain, like fish or crustaceans, are better indicators of their presence in the environment than predatory birds.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Variability of mercury and selenium levels in clutches of Audouin's gulls (Larus audouinii) breeding at the Chafarinas Islands, Southwest Mediterranean.

We determined mercury and selenium in 43 eggs (eggshell, albumen, and yolk) which belong to different clutch sizes of Audouin's gull from the Chafarinas Islands. The results were compared with those obtained previously with the same species at the Ebro Delta. Both, the intra- and the interclutch sources of variability have been examined. There is an effect of the female on mercury and selenium concentrations in a clutch, which supports the use of eggs as monitoring tools. The distribution pattern of mercury among albumen, yolk and eggshell, the dynamics of this element during the laying process, as well as data concerning egg formation strategies suggest that the mercury in the albumen corresponds mainly to the mercury acquired by the female while feeding in the breeding area. The mercury and selenium levels of the eggs from the Chafarinas Islands were lower than those of the Ebro Delta, which can be due to differences in both the marine contamination and the diet in the two colonies.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

Dioxins, furans and AHH-active PCB congeners in eggs of two gull species from the western Mediterranean.

Polychlorinated biphenyls, dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans were analysed in eggs of a protected gull species, the Audouin's Gull (Larus audouinii) and compared to those of the Yellow-legged Gull (Larus cachinnans), both breeding in the Western Mediterranean (Ebro Delta and Medes Islands, respectively). Differences in concentrations as well as in congener profiles reflected differences in both habitat and diet of the two species. Levels of AHH-active PCB congeners were lower in Yellow-legged Gull (0.4-1.6 micrograms/g d.w) than in Audouin's Gull eggs (1.2-33.9 micrograms/g d.w.). These concentrations, expressed in international toxic equivalence factors (i-TEQ/g d.w.), were on average 24 times higher in the Audouin's gull. I-TEQ levels due to dioxins were also higher in this species by a factor of ca. 7. I-TEQ levels related to PCBs resulted 90-230 times higher than those of dioxins and furans. Thus, AHH-inducing PCBs might represent even higher toxicological hazards than dioxins and furans to some populations of seabirds. The necessity of assessing the impact of these compounds in rare and protected species is pointed out.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Residues of organochlorinated pesticides in eggs of water birds from Tai Lake in China.

The levels of organochlorine compounds in eggs of water birds from the colony on Tai Lake in China were studied. The eggs were collected in 2000 and belonged to the following species: 65 samples of black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax), 36 samples of little egret (Egretta garzetta), 26 samples of cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) from 13 clutches and 43 samples of Chinese pond heron (Ardeola bacchus) from 17 clutches. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its derivates (DDE and DDD), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and its isomers (alpha-HCH, beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, delta-HCH), heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, endrin aldehyde, alpha-endosulfan, beta-endosulfan, and endosulfan sulfate were determined in the laboratory by gas chromatography. The data showed that DDE had the highest levels in all the samples, followed by beta-HCH. The mean levels of DDE among the water bird species were in the order as follows: black-crowned night heron (5464.26 ng/g, dry weight) > Chinese pond heron (2791.12 ng/g, dry weight) > little egret (1979.97 ng/g, dry weight) > cattle egret (660.11 ng/g, dry weight). DDT and its metabolites accounted for 90% of the total organochlorines, except that it was only 73% for cattle egret. The differences of the residue among the bird species were statistically significant and could be attributed to their variations in prey and habitat. Although the DDE burdens in Tai Lake were much lower than 8 microg/g (wet weight) which are thought to have significant adverse effects on black-crowned night herons, they would be expected to increase the risk of adverse effects on survival of chicks of herons and egrets, particularly black-crowned night heron, based on the critical value of 1 microg/g (wet weight) DDE. The burdens of HCHs in this study were higher and the cyclodienes were lower than those found elsewhere.

Animals↗