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The scientific study of Neolithic monuments holds fundamental keys to the analysis of early social complexity. This is often impeded by the challenges involved in understanding their temporality and, particularly, their initial construction dates. This problem is most severe in monuments that were not predominantly used for burial and went on to have long biographies in which activity in later periods obliterated the material record of the earliest phases. That was certainly the case of the Menga dolmen, part of the Antequera World Heritage site (Málaga, Spain), and one of the most remarkable megaliths in Europe, for which, after nearly 200 years of explorations and research, no firm chronology existed. The research presented in this paper shows how this problem was tackled through a multimethod, scientific, and geoarchaeological approach. The analysis of 29 fresh numerical ages, including radiocarbon determinations as well as optically stimulated luminescence, thermoluminescence, and uranium-thorium dates, led to the successful establishment of Menga's construction date and the subsequent contextualization of the monument within the social and cultural background it arose in. Placing the dolmen in the context of its time of “birth” introduces entirely new possibilities for its interpretation, both in terms of local and supralocal social and cultural processes.

The multidisciplinary analysis (dating, texture, total mineralogy) of two deep cores collected in the Donana National Park (SW Spain) allows to distinguish the main features of three tsunami deposits found in three different paleoenvironmental scenarios (TSU-1: inner area of an open lagoon; TSU-2: inner area of a restricted lagoon; TSU- 3: outer area of a restricted lagoon). The main textural feature of the inner lagoonal tsunami deposits is the increase in bioclastic sands, while the outer TSU-3 is composed almost entirely of medium and fine sands without bioclasts. The mineralogical analysis of TSU-1 and TSU-2 reveals a decrease in phyllosilicates in the basal layers of these tsunami deposits and a parallel increase of quartz, feldspars, dolomite and sometimes calcite. Silica is the main component of TSU-3, whose mineralogical composition changes progressively due to the action of tidal currents in the inlet lagoon on which it is deposited. This rich- SiO2 outer tsunami deposit is derived from the erosion of the adjacent aeolian systems, while the inner TSU-1 and TSU-2 were generated by the transport of bioclastic sands from the outermost parts through the lagoon (TSU-1), or through a nearby tidal channel (TSU-2).

The Doñana National Park is a Biosphere Reserve located within the estuary of the Guadalquivir River (SW Spain). It is mainly composed of extensive fluvio-tidal marshes partially protected by an elongated sandy spit. Three phases have been distinguished in the late Holocene evolution of this spit based on textural, geochemical, palaeontological and, chronological data recorded in a long core (31 m). Phase 1 (890 BCE-218 BCE) is characterized by the alternation of lagoonal silty sediments and slightly polluted marsh deposits, the latter with contamination from thousand-year-old mining. Phase 2 (218 BCE-90 CE) is characterized by several historical tsunamis, which caused the erosion of previous dune systems and the deposit of these sandy sediments on the adjacent bottom of the lagoon. Phase 3 (90 CE-Present) includes a regressive sequence (lagoonal bottom-marsh-dune system), with the pollution of lagoonal sediments due to Roman mining activities.

Portuguese museums and private collectors gather a variety of Italian glazed terracotta sculptures attributed to the della Robbia workshop, particularly active between the 15th and 16th centuries. Compositional studies of the paste using INAA, PGAA and XRD and enamel using PIXE, and luminescence protocols, were used as a tool to ascertain the attribution of the sculptures to della Robbia workshop. Geochemical and mineralogical patterns were defined enabling to express the production recipe. The luminescence ages were found to be between 1380 and 1640 in some cases with high uncertainties. The compositions of the blue glazes were proved to be similar to other measured on della Robbia sculptures from French and Italian collections based on cobalt pigments. Arsenic behaviour, which is associated to cobalt in most cobalt-minerals, is rather peculiar, as it was already found in other della Robbia sculptures enabling a chronological framework, pointing to a production after 1520. Based on the results, most of the analysed sculptures implies a della Robbia production, and only a few point to a composition and chronology not related with that workshop. Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia support through the UID/Multi/04349/2013 and PTDC/HIS/HEC/116742/2010 projects; H2020 CHARISMA funded (Grant Agreement no. 228330) project at Budapest Neutron Center; FB, MNAA, MNAz, FCG, MJ for sampling and field measurements. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

As atuais orientações em saúde preconizam a responsabilização dos individuos com condição crónica para o autocuidado, destacando o papel fundamental dos profissionais de saúde na sua capacitação e educação para as competências de autogestão. Nos ultimos anos a literatura tem destacado os programas de educação para a autogestão da condição crónica como uma abordagem holistica que envolve não só as necessidades especiais de saúde (tratamentos terapêutica e funcionalidade), como também as necessidades psicoafetivas e sociais. A evidência comprova a efetividade das intervenções psicoeducativas e destaca o programa de educação para a autogestão da condição crónica de Kate Lorig “Expert Patients Programme” que demonstrou ser eficaz em adultos e idosos pelos benefícios para a saúde, redução das hospitalizações e complicações, aumento significativo na adesão ao regime terapêutico e melhoria na qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde e bem-estar, programa que foi adaptado e validado quanto à sua efetividade para adolescentes com Spina Bifida (SB)(Malheiro 2015). Deste modo, com base no programa de educação para adolescentes com SB, propomo-nos adaptar este programa, que utiliza pares peritos como educadores, para adolescentes com Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1 (DM1), implementar e avaliar a sua efetividade nas competencias de autogestão, qualidade de vida, conhecimentos, autoeficácia e HbA1c. O programa distingue-se pela natureza inovadora das metodologias e estratégias utilizadas como o regime de tutoria entre pares (persuasão social), os Lay Led’s (educação por jovens adultos peritos na autogestão DMI) e pelas estratégias psicopedagógicas utilizadas nas sessões (questionamento, brainstorming, técnica de resolução de problemas, roleplaying, a automonitorização, a modelagem e o plano de ação).

The southwestern Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula presents an important Roman heritage that includes numerous fish-salting workshops, with an industrial activity that went on for almost a millennium (1st century BC-7th century AD). Nevertheless, a future broad research is still necessary to determine the geologic substratum on which they are based, their palaeoenvironmental evolution, their main economic objectives and the byproducts derived from their activities. This paper is focused on the geology, dating and the archaeological record of La Cascajera, a new site located in the Tinto-Odiel estuary (SW Spain). This new cetaria occupied the northwestern end of La Cascajera ridge (Saltés Island), constituted by sandy, bioclastic deposits of previous washover fans (1st-2th centuries AD). During the main period of activity (middle of 4th century AD-5th century AD), the existence of a certain typology of amphorae as well as the documentation of a shell deposit formed mostly by Glycymeris suggest that this factory was oriented to the production of mixed fish sauces and the handling of edible bivalves. The main features of this deposit (texture, paleontology, taphonomy) could be used to differentiate middens from natural shelly ridges, La costa suratlántica de la Península Ibérica posee un importante legado romano que incluye numerosos talleres halieúticos, con una actividad que se desarrolló durante casi un milenio (siglo I a.C.-siglo VII d.C.). Sin embargo, se precisan nuevas investigaciones que determinen el contexto geológico en el que se desarrollaron, su evolución paleoambiental, sus principales objetivos económicos y los subproductos derivados de sus actividades. Este trabajo se centra en la geología, datación y registro arqueológico de La Cascajera, un nuevo yacimiento localizado en el estuario de los ríos Tinto y Odiel (S.O. de España). Esta nueva cetaria ocupaba el extremo noroccidental de la cresta de La Cascajera (Isla de Saltés), constituida por depósitos bioclásticos arenosos de abanicos de derrame previos (siglos I-II d.C.). Durante su principal periodo de actividad (mitad del siglo IV d.C.-siglo V d.C.), la existencia de una cierta tipología de ánforas así como la existencia de un conchero formado principalmente por Glycymeris sugieren que esta factoría estaba dedicada a la producción de salsas mixtas de pescado y la extracción de bivalvos comestibles. Las principales características de este conchero (textura, paleontología, tafonomía) podrían ser usadas para diferenciar concheros de acumulaciones naturales de conchas, This work has been carried out through the project ́From the Atlantic to the Tyrrhenian. The hispanic ports and their commercial relations with Ostia Antica. DEATLANTIR II - HAR2017-89154-P - (Plan Nacional de I+D+i). Other funds have come from Andalusian Gouvernement (groups HUM-132, RNM-238 and RNM-293). It is a contribution to the Research Center in Historical, Cultural and Natural Heritage (CIPHCN) of the University of HuelvaThis work has been carried out through the project ´From the Atlantic to the Tyrrhenian. The hispanic ports and their commercial relations with Ostia Antica. DEATLANTIR II - HAR2017-89154-P - (Plan Nacional de I+D+i). Other funds have come from Andalusian Gouvernement (groups HUM-132, RNM-238 and RNM-293). It is a contribution to the Research Center in Historical, Cultural and Natural Heritage (CIPHCN) of the University of Huelva

A multidisciplinar analysis of sediments collected in diferent environments of the Doñana National Park (Guadalquivir estuary, SW Spain) provides an overview of the textural, mineralogical and physico-chemical parameters that control the distribution of benthic foraminiferal tests in this Biosphere Reserve. These microorganisms are absent in the fne quartzitic sands that constitute the substrate of temporary ponds with brief hydroperiods located in the dune systems and spits, as well as in other ponds with low conductivities or hypersaline conditions located in the inner marshlands or near the Guadalquivir river banks. Dead benthic foraminifera are mainly found on phyllosilicate-rich, silty-clayey substrates. The taphonomic analysis of the main species (Ammonia tepida, Haynesina germanica, Trochammina infata, Entzia macrescens) points to its deposit in situ. Cluster analysis permits to delimitate six foraminiferal assemblages. Cluster II (A. tepida+H. germanica) is the dominant assemblage in the central ponds and the margins of the main channels, while cluster IV (T. infata+E. macrescens) is restricted to some ponds located on the high marsh and cluster VI (Ammonia beccarii+Quinqueloculina spp.) is abundant on external beaches. Tidal fuxes cause the transport of these last marine benthic species and some plaktonic forms both to the inner areas of the estuary and to these beaches. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Com o envelhecimento da população e o aumento das respostas sociais, cada vez mais tem crescido a preocupação com a formação dos auxiliares formais, com o intuito de melhoria contínua da qualidade dos serviços que prestam aos idosos. O presente estudo pretende avaliar o impacto de um programa de apoio educativo a cuidadores formais de pessoas idosas com demência, em contexto institucional. Trata-se de um estudo com desenho quase-experimental, no qual participaram 97 auxiliares de ação direta, que foram posteriormente selecionados aleatoriamente para um programa de apoio educativo sobre demência, tendo -se constituído dois grupos: um grupo de controlo e um grupo experimental. Os principais resultados mostraram, de forma relativamente fiável, o impacto do programa de apoio educativo implementado aos cuidadores formais de pessoas idosas com demência. With the aging of the population and the increase of social services tackling their needs, it has been increasing the concern about the qualifications of formal caregivers, with the aim of continuous improvement of the quality of the services they provide to the elderly. The goal of this study is to evaluate the impact of an educational support program on formal caregivers of elderly people with dementia in an institutional context. It follows a quasi-experimental design where the 97 formal caregivers that have participated in the study came from two different institutions. They were randomly selected to participate in an educational support program on dementia, with two groups formed: a control group and an experimental group. Pre and post training tests were used to evaluate knowledge and perceptions about dementia in old age. Findings suggest that the impact of the educational support program has improved knowledge and perceptions about dementia in old age among formal caregivers.

The genesis and development of calcretes are discussed by using nuclear and related methods of analyses. In the studied calcrete, smectite is the main clay mineral associated with palygorskite. Chemical elements proportions, particularly V, U, Mn, Cu, Ba and REE, indicate a change to more oxidizing conditions and the contribution of bio-mediated processes in the oxalate-carbonate pathway, also confirmed by the presence of needle-fibre calcite. The proposed pathways leading to the studied calcrete development comprise both abiotic and biogenic genesis, emphasizing the polygenetic character due to different agents and processes and the paleoenvironmental trend towards aridification, with a transition between lacustrine and palustrine environments.

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Old mine tailings from Northern and Central Portugal were studied in order to perform a radiological and chemical characterization. The evaluation of massic activity of natural radionuclides and concentrations in tailings of polymetallic and Ra/U mines was performed by gamma spectrometry and neutron activation analysis. Iron speciation was carried out by Mossbauer spectroscopy. In polymetallic tailings with physical ore processing (Cumieira and Verdes - exploited for Sn, Nb-Ta) higher contents of Th, 228Ra and 226Ra in the coarser materials occur, probably due to their presence in host rock and ore fragments. In finer tailings, washing may explain the lower 226Ra and 210Pb massic activity. In tailings with physical/chemical ore processing (Covas - exploited for W and Sn) high U contents and a tendency for higher 226Ra and 210Pb massic activity in the fine materials is observed, probably due to their incorporation in nano-sized particles of iron oxides. A high variation of the 210Pb/226Ra ratio occurs in polymetallic tailings; a deficit of 210Pb can be observed particularly in deposits of settling tanks drained from dumps of chemically treated ore. In Ervideira-Mestras tailings (Ra/U exploitation) where no ore process in situ was performed, a near equilibrium between 210Pb and 226Ra occurs. Dose risk assessment was carried out by calculating external outdoor Annual Effective Dose Rate; the dose rates in air due to terrestrial gamma radiation are low for the polymetallic tailings (

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Geochemistry of mudrock units deposited in the sedimentary basin of Algarve (South Portugal) during Mesozoic and Cenozoic depositional cycles were studied, aiming a better knowledge of the evolution of the Basin. Two types of mudrock units were found: (i) silicic and Ca-poor (Cretaceous and Cenozoic), and (ii) calcareous (Middle–Upper Jurassic Ca-rich mudrock units and Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic Mg-rich redbeds). LILE appear to be controlled by a K-bearing phyllosilicate, which is consistent with the abundant illite in the redbeds. Positive trends of: (i) Sc, Cr, Th, LREE with Al2O3 suggests their incorporation in clay minerals, and (ii) HREE with TiO2, Zr and Hf point to their presence in heavy minerals. The source area of the Algarve mudrock units was dominated by felsic rocks; features typical of a mafic source occur in some Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic samples. Carboniferous metasediments of the basement were probably the first order source for the Algarve sedimentary basin. A more severe weathering in the Cenozoic and Cretaceous mudrock units occurred, whereas diagenetic enrichment in potassium is observed in the Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic continental redbeds.

Current health guidelines aim to increase the responsibility of people with chronic conditions to self-care. Literature studies highlight educational programmes for self-management of chronic conditions as a holistic approach, involving special health needs and emotional, psychological and social needs. Lorig and Holman (with adults and the elderly population) and Malheiro (with adolescent’s with spina bifida) have proposed self-management educational programmes, using ‘Lay-leds’, as mentors on programmes. These programmes have proven effective, with positive health outcomes, such as improvement on adherence to therapy, functionality and decrease of use of emergency services and hospitalisations and reducing health costs. Thus, we propose to adapt and implement this education programme for self-management of adolescents with diabetes type 1, using Lay-leds as educators, and evaluate their effectiveness on self-management competences, quality of life, self-efficacy, physical activity motivation, self-concept, HbA1c, variability in heart rate, blood pressure, body mass index and anthropometric profile. Keywords: Self-management programme, adolescents, chronic conditions, Lay-leds.

Extrusive carbonatite ash tuff (Tantum) and spatter (Monte Miranda) deposits, and topsoils (incipient and shallow) from both sites of Brava Island (Cape Verde archipelago) were studied by neutron activation analysis, X-ray diffraction and Mossbauer spectroscopy. The ash tuff deposit near Tantum, here reported for the first time, corresponds to an extrusive calciocarbonatite with high W, Th, U and REE contents and a positive Eu anomaly. Similar REE patterns and W concentrations were also found in the spatter deposit of Monte Miranda. Magnetite is the major iron containing phase in both extrusive carbonatite deposits. High W and REE concentrations associated with the presence of calcite prevail in topsoils with extrusive carbonatite influence. In the topsoil developed on extrusive carbonatite ashes, magnetite is well preserved particularly in the coarser fractions probably due to the recent age of the parent material associated with the semi-arid climate of the island; a significant chemical heterogeneity of the whole samples as well as of the different size fractions of these topsoils was found, with an enrichment of Co, Zn, Ga, As, Br, Rb, Ce, and particularly Sb and W in the clay-size fraction, which may be relevant for the study of environmental health issues in Brava Island.

The elemental content&mdash, mainly trace elements&mdash, of samples from two boreholes (PLN, CM) with evidence of tsunamiites, located in the Do&ntilde, ana National Park (SW Spain), were studied. The geochemical variations of the REE, LILE, HFSE, and other elements (Al, Ti, S, Na, Br, Sc, Co, Cr) were interpreted according to the mineralogy present in the samples. The results obtained show the geochemical complexity of the estuarine paleoenvironments, in this case with the existence of three Holocene-age tsunamigenic deposits (around 4.25, 3.56 and 2.2&ndash, 2 kyr BP). The statistical analysis of the samples&rsquo, geochemistry, by means of linear correlation and factor analysis, made it possible to differentiate two associations. The first is representative of an inherited mineralogy (REE-Y-Rb-Sr-Cs-Th-U-Hf-Al-Ti-Co-Cr-Sc), the second includes elements (Br-Na) linked to mineral formation under evaporite conditions (halite). The trace element geochemistry of sediments thus becomes an excellent tool to identify tsunamiites in the studied zone, especially those elements that are clear proxies for marine incursions (Na, Br, Sr) and high energy events (Hf, Ti). The parent area of the provenance of the materials is mainly of felsic composition.

Objetivo: Evaluar un programa y sus efectos en las competencias de autogestión, conforme la visión de los jóvenes y de sus padres/cuidadores.Método: Entrevistas en grupo focal, con los 51 jóvenes con espina bífida (10-18 años) que realizaron el programa y 30 padres/cuidadores.Resultados: Expresan mejora conductual de la autogestión de los jóvenes, más responsables, proactivos, confiados, competentes para resolver problema, autónomos. Respecto del programa, destacan las estrategias psicoeducativas utilizadas, como la técnica de resolución de problemas, el roleplaying, los vídeos, el régimen de tutoría entre pares y el modelado (Lay led’s).Conclusión: El programa tuvo resultados positivos en la capacitación de los jóvenes para su autonomía. Los cambios verificados en el joven al asumir el rol de tutor permiten destacar la eficacia de esta estrategia y su potencial en el niño con enfermedad crónica. Objetivo: avaliar um programa e os seus efeitos nas competências de autogestão, na perspetiva dos jovens e de seus pais/cuidadores.Método: entrevistas em grupo focal, com os 51 jovens com Spina Bifida (10-18 anos) que realizaram o programa e 30 pais/cuidadores.Resultados: revelam melhoria no comportamento de autogestão dos jovens, mais responsáveis, proactivos, confiantes, competentes na resolução de problemas, e autónomos. Quanto ao programa, destacam as estratégias psicoeducativas utilizadas, como a técnica de resolução de problemas, o roleplaying, os vídeos, o regime de tutoria entre pares e a modelagem (Lay led’s).Conclusão: o programa obteve resultados positivos na capacitação dos jovens para a autonomia. As mudanças verificadas no jovem ao assumir o papel de tutor permitem destacar a eficácia desta estratégia e o seu potencial na criança com condição crónica. Objective: To evaluate an educational program and its effects on self-management skills, from the perspective of youths and their parents/caregivers.Method: The present study conducted interviews in focus groups with 51 youths with spina bifida (10-18 years old) who participated in the program and 30 parents/caregivers.Results: Improvements were observed in the youths’ self-management skills, who displayed greater responsibility, proactivity, confidence, problem-solving skills and autonomy. In terms of the psychoeducational strategies used in the program, emphasis goes to the problem-solving technique, role-playing, videos, peer mentorship, and modeling (lay led model).Conclusion: The results of the program showed that the youths built skills that fostered their autonomy. The changes observed in the youths on taking on the role of mentors point to the effectiveness of this strategy and its potential for children with chronic conditions.

Topsoils of pyroclastic materials collected on two volcanic conduits of the Cha das Caldeiras caldera of the oceanic Fogo Island (Cape Verde) were studied. Significant positive Eu anomalies were found in both pre-historic and historic cones, which together with the presence of jarosite, may be considered hydrothermal signatures that survived in this surficial semi-arid environment.

Topsoils developed on different lithologies of all the geological units of the volcanic Brava Island (Cape Verde archipelago) were studied by neutron activation analysis and Mossbauer spectroscopy. Sampling was performed according to the recommendations of the IGCP 259 (“International Geochemical Mapping”). Significant chemical contents variations were found even within the same volcano-stratigraphic unit, inherited from the parent rock composition under the semi-arid climate of the island. The chemical heterogeneity of topsoils within the same geological unit, particularly in the Upper Unit, was evidenced by a multivariate statistical analysis. Some differences found can be related with the geographical location/underlying basement. High contents of Mn, Co, Ga, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Ta, W, Th and U were observed in soils related to carbonatites and phonolites. REE and W can be used to trace outcrops of extrusive carbonatites. In general iron is strongly oxidized occurring in the silicates structure as well as in hematite, oxidized magnetite and maghemite. The global iron oxidation degree, the fraction of Fe 3+ in silicates and the fraction of nanosized oxides, which are higher in topsoils of the older units, may be an indicator of weathering degree. As, Br and Sb contents were also found to increase with weathering. Topsoils developed on extrusive carbonatites are clearly distinguished due to the absence of Fe 2+ in the silicate phases and the remarkable predominance of low oxidized magnetite.

In 2015 an extraordinary hydrometeorological event occurred in the southern Atacama Desert (northern Chile) that resulted in a catastrophic flood in the city of Copiapo. A large volume of detrital sediments was transported downstream, provoking an economic and environmental disaster in the Copiapo Valley, a region dominated by mining activity. Loads of sediment and residues were moved by the flow and deposited throughout the urban area of Copiapo. The current study explores the geochemical features and associated pollution risks of metal(loid)s in sediments collected in different points of the city after the flood event. Results revealed that, despite the high natural concentration of elements due to geogenic chemical composition of the area, geoaccumulation of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb showed moderate contamination when compared to the background concentrations of the area. Furthermore, Hg, originating from legacy mining practices, constituted the main environmental risk associated with the flood sediments. Finally, data from this study were compared to other flood events and mining spills; some contaminants in the 2015 flood sediments in Copiapo were higher than some historical mining disasters. This work highlights the potential intersection between anthropogenic activities (mining) and extreme hydrometeorological events (floods) in arid environmental degraded areas.

Intrusive carbonatites from a fluvial valley near Monte Almada (Fogo Island, Cape Verde), corresponding to the oldest unit of the island (≈4.5 Ma) occur under alkaline lavas and tuffs of more recent age in two slopes, with a very steep inclination. Its exposure with the water line fitting led to the weathering of the outcrops, and the materials are currently retained in small terraces with shrubs and trees. The motivation that drives this work was the absence of paleoweathering materials studies of these carbonatites in Fogo Island. Mineralogical and chemical analyses of paleoweathered carbonatites samples with different weathering degrees were performed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The results obtained from fresh rock to near paleosurface samples showed that chemical contents could vary significantly in the fresh rock, particularly the trace elements, including the rare earth elements (REE), as well as in the size fractions. Besides calcite, pyroxenes and phyllosilicates, traces of anatase and K-feldspars also occur in the

A first detailed study of phosphogypsum (PG) from a stockpile in Barreiro (Portugal) was performed aiming for a better characterization of this industrial waste deposit, considering its enhanced content in natural radionuclides and toxic metals, making it a potential contamination source to the Tejo estuary. Whole samples and aggregates of these wastes resulting from phosphate industries were analysed by neutron activation, gamma-spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. This work clearly shows that a significant chemical heterogeneity in the PG occurs due to the existence of aggregates with different compositions randomly distributed. Among these aggregates, the dark grey ones have high concentrations of Sc, Cr, Zn, Ga, Ba, REE, Ta, W, Th and U and the highest concentrations of 226Ra and 210Pb. The separation of these dark aggregates prior to any application of the PG would lead to a safer reuse of these wastes. The chemical patterns, including the REE distribution with a significant negative Ce anomaly, found in PG, are certainly related with the geochemical signatures of the phosphate rocks used as raw material. This PG stockpile may play a significant role as a radioactive source in the Tejo estuarine environment.

AMS radiocarbon and OSL dating, and profiling were used to directly delimit periods of variscite production at Pico Centeno Mine 2. These results were integrated with analysis of other well-dated periods of variscite production to establish an Iberian-wide chronological framework. Variscite production at Pico Centeno Mine 2 began at ~ 5200 BC, coincident with alpine jade production or Casa Montero Iberian flint production. Variscite was only used occasionally, together with other greenstones, during the 5th and 6th millennia BC. During the 4th millennium BC, variscite use began to increase to its apogee in the first half of 3rd millennium BC when it appeared in nearly every Iberian burial site. This increase in variscite production and use coincided with decline in the popularity of alpine jade. By the end of the 3rd millennium BC, new resources began to be valued such as Asian and African Ivory, Baltic and Sicilian amber, and copper-based metal products. The variscite cycle thus started with the decline of jade in the 5th–4th millennium BC, and ended with the appearance of copper, ivory and extra-peninsular amber by the end of the 3rd millennium BC.

Portuguese occidental and southern coasts comprise the most important ceramic productions centres in the Lusitania province of Roman epoch. The main purpose of this work is to present an appraisal on the compositional patterns of 14 Lusitanian ceramic workshops, by reconstructing their life cycle from the procurement and processing of the raw materials, to trace provenance, trades and their impact in the Roman world. The chemical composition of ceramics and clays was obtained by instrumental neutron activation analysis and mineralogy by X-ray diffraction. The definition of reference groups relied on the use of chemometric techniques for data structure analysis, coupled with geochemical considerations. Results allowed differentiating between and within workshops by establishing geochemical fingerprints.

Barks from Prosopis juliflora (acacia) were collected in 12 sites of different geological contexts over the volcanic Fogo Island (Cape Verde). Elemental contents of Ba, Br, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Na, Zn and some rare earth elements (REE)-La, Ce, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, and Lu, were obtained for biological samples and topsoils by using k 0-standardized and comparative method of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), aiming the evaluation of chemical elements uptake by acacia bark. This first biomonitoring study of Fogo Island showed that, in general, significant accumulations of trace elements present in high amounts in these soils occur. This can be partially explained by the semi-arid climate with a consequent bioavailability of chemical elements when rain drops fall in this non-polluted environment. REE enrichment factors (EFs) increase with the decrease of ionic radius. Heavy REE (HREE) are significantly enriched in bark, which agrees with their release after the primary minerals breakdown and the formation of more soluble compounds than the other REE, and uptake by plants. Among the potential harmful chemical elements, Cr appears to be partially retained in nanoparticles of iron oxides. The high EFs found in tree barks of Fogo Island are certainly of geogenic origin rather than anthropogenic input since industry and the use of fertilizers is scarce.

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of small flakes from the same flint fragment of archeological artefacts from Palaeolithic sites (''Abrigo de la Quebrada'', ''Cova de les Cendres'' and ''Cova Negra''), and geological sources (Chelva, Valencia, and Alcoi, Alicante) from the eastern Spain, was performed. The chemical contents of 27 elements were obtained. Ga, Ce, Nd, Yb, Zr and Hf were discarded due to high variations within the same fragment. The identification of chemical fingerprints within hetero- geneous flint fragments was able to differentiate flint types and variants (''Domeno'' and ''Serreta''), contributing to provenance and human mobility in ancient times.

© 2015, Springer Science+Business Media New York. The “Great View of Lisbon” is one of the most remarkable blue-and-white Portuguese tile panels, which depicts the city before the tragic earthquake of 1755. This panel presents visible colored alteration in the glaze of tiles both from the exhibition and the depository of the Museu Nacional do Azulejo (Portugal). This work is a contribution to identify the origin of green stains in the glaze by using microbiological techniques, scanning electron microscopy with back-scattered electron imaging (SEM-BSE), Raman spectroscopy, and proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). The microbiological assays showed that the filamentous fungi were detected only at a frequency, JW and CA are thankful for the support by Grant CGL2010-16004 from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.

A set of beads was studied to investigate their nature. They come from a funerary feature used for the secondary deposition of cremated remains of more than a hundred individuals. The pit is located in the centre of Perdigoes (Evora, Portugal) ditched enclosures (Valera et al., 2014a) and is dated from the third quarter of the 3rd millennium BC. The beads were also burned and were part of the funerary votive assemblages, also composed by arrowheads ivory figurines, marble idols and pots, phalanx idols, copper awls, Pecten shells and pottery sherds. These beads have a diameter between 5 and 10.5 mm, with a central perforation up to 5 mm and maximum thickness of 3 mm, they are dark grey or black and were of unknown nature. This study shows that these beads were made from shells and submitted to heating processes. The study demonstrates the ability of neutron and X-ray methods to determine the nature of the material even being very calcium rich. Chemical results show that they have high contents of calcium, and that the surface is more contaminated with soil particles due to high Si, Fe and K contents, and phosphorous was found in higher proportion, certainly originated from the bones. FTIR patterns show that the major part of the beads is calcium carbonate crystallized in calcite form, contaminated with silicates and calcium phosphate, pointing to shells as raw materials. The ToF-ND results also indicate the crystal lattice structure of calcite, and aragonite, a polymorph formed in the biomineralisation process of shells, was not detected, indicating a total phase transformation to calcite probably due to heating processes during funerary practices. The SEM-EDS results confirm the shell nature of beads. The results were of wider significance for the archaeological discussion, especially deciphering the nature of the beads, contributing to the debate of interaction in the Chalcolithic of Southern Iberia.

The analysis of shell deposits eroded by a ebb-tide channel on Saltes Island (Tinto-Odiel estuary, SW Spain) resulted in the identification of a new shell midden, associated with the activity of a nearby Roman factory over the 4th-5th centuries CE. This midden differs from other old shell deposits (sandy tidal flats, cheniers, washover fans) in several features: a) its malacological content, dominated by edible species (mainly the bivalve Glycymeris nummaria) and differentiated by statistical analysis; b) a partial selection and better conservation of Glycymeris nummaria (Linnaeus), its most abundant species; c) the absence of microfauna, which implies a previous washing to its final deposit; and d) an age concordant with the one deduced from the Roman amphoraic remains found in this area and subsequent to the washover fans on whom it was deposited. All these features, together with the absence of both anthropic fractures or cooking, would indicate that this Roman shell midden was the end result of a trawling on subtidal Glycymeris-rich sandy bottoms with adjacent grasslands, where the gastropod Bittium reticulatum (da Costa) was the most abundant mollusc. This gastropod is the dominant species in the remaining shell deposits.

Estuaries are very sensitive ecosystems to human activities and the natural evolution of their drainage basins located upstream. Pollution derived from human activities, such as historical mining or recent industrial wastes, can significantly affect their environmental quality. This paper analyzes the silver and copper contents of four cores extracted in two estuaries of SW Spain. Its chronology and vertical evolution allow to differentiate the effects of several pollution episodes (natural, Roman, 19th-20th centuries) on its different sedimentary environments in the last 6 million years. Possible future applications are included in the fields of environmental management or even education.

In Fogo island (Cape Verde), a buried paleosol with a reddened topsoil developed on mafic lapilli, intercalated between intrusive carbonatites and an alkaline lava flow, was studied. Significant mineralogical, crystalchemistry and chemical variations were found along the profile. Upwards a decrease of the grain size occurs. Increasing weathering of magnetite to maghemite, and ultimately to hematite is also clearly observed. The Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ ratio in silicate phases increases, along with an increase of illite proportion in the mixed-layer I-Sm. Discrete smectite was detected only in the bottom level related with weak drainage conditions. In the upper level there is a significant gain of Na, Cr, P, Si, and particularly As. The colour variations (towards the paleosurface: dark reddish brown – yellowish brown – red – weak red) are mainly due to the fine fraction of the various levels. Hematite is the main iron phase responsible for the colour and may explain the significant retention of Cr, P, As and LREE in the topsoil. Here hematite is more abundant and occurs as larger-sized particles than in the lower levels. This hematite grain growth is probably due to the thermal effect of the overlying hot volcanic unit. Thus the main alteration processes of the lapilli deposits appear to have been (i) weathering mechanisms in arid environment with the formation of an incipient paleosol, and (ii) thermal metamorphism due to the overlying lava contributing for reddening and cementation of the upper levels. Biological remains are absent due to the paleoenvironmental conditions and/or to the effect of heating.

A uranium-rich aplite dyke with spheroidal alteration sited in the Beira uraniferous province, in Fornos de Algodres area (Northern Central Portugal) was studied, focusing on trace element distributions, especially U, in the aplite. A vertical profile, different size fractions, and various concentrically weathered layers of rock, were examined. The main goal of the work is to better understand the geochemical behavior and distribution of natural radionuclides in fine-grained granitic rocks, and changes that occur during weathering. The rock samples obtained from this site were examined using chemical and mineralogical methods: instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and the X-ray diffraction (XRD). Field gamma spectrometry (FGS) and high resolution gamma spectrometry (HRGS) in the laboratory were also performed in order to determine concentrations of the natural radionuclides (K, Th and U) responsible for terrestrial gamma radiation, and for comparison of results with INAA measurements, enabling some information concerning radon losses. The U concentration in the studied samples vary between 4.5 and 83 ppm (always higher than upper continental crust value), with the higher values detected in the clay and sand fractions of weathered aplite (residual clay) and in the rounded boulders of aplite with spheroidal weathering, especially in the core. Strong variations in natural radionuclide contents, especially observed between residual clay and soil, relate to differences in source material. The large difference between pre-Rn and post-Rn values obtained by HRGS suggests high loss of radon (40% minimum), which is in accordance with field measurements. Due to generally high concentration of U, the aplite is a potentially strong source of emission of radon to the atmosphere with consequent radiological hazards.

The spatial distribution and geoaccumulation indices of four heavy metals were investigated in very shallow marine sediments of southwestern Spain. Surface sediments were collected from 43 sites with water depth ranging from 3 to 20 m. High to very high pollution levels (I geo > 4 for zinc, lead and copper) were detected near the end of the Huelva bank, whereas chromium shows a more hazardous distribution in the southwestern Spanish littoral. Low to moderate heavy metal contents (mainly zinc and lead) were also observed in other two areas at different water depths (Isla Cristina-Piedras River: 10–18 m water depth; Mazagon–Matalascanas

Artefacts and regolith (soils, sediments, colluvia, etc.) from passage tombs, pit fills, stone scatter and clay structures, related to the transition to agro-pastoralism in the Alto Ribatejo, were analysed by optically stimulated luminescence, neutron activation analysis, field and high-resolution gamma spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction. Indications of anthropogenic, autogenic, and allogenic site formation and diagenetic processes, including radionuclide exchange, were applied to interpret 28 date estimates from the 9th to 1st millennia BC. Results from regolith samples relate to different phases of landscape activation and stability from the late 6th millennium BC to the Roman conquest. However, simple archaeological questions were best answered using heated materials, where present. Different chronological phases were often represented by different sample types in sites with multi-phase stratigraphies, indicating the importance of parallel analyses. Results from a fire pit coincide with the first indications of clearance in the regional pollen record (late 9th millennium BC): these features appear promising to map early Holocene human presence in the Alto Ribatejo landscape.

During the late Neogene, the Mediterranean Sea was connected with the Atlantic Ocean by two straits: the northern Betic Strait and the southern Rifian Strait. In this paper, we analyze the main palaeoenviromental changes produced in the western sector of the Betic Strait during the late Tortonian–middle Messinian (7.4–6 Ma). The temporal evolution and statistical analysis of benthic foraminiferal assemblages both in cores and surface sections of the western Guadalquivir Basin (SW Spain) allow drawing an initial important deepening from the late Tortonian calcarenite coastal areas to the well oxygenated, upper slope palaeoenvironments of the latest Tortonian to early Messinian, with a latest Tortonian condensed horizon composed by glauconitic silts deposited in the middle-outer shelf. The lower Messinian silts and clays (7.2–6.3 Ma) were deposited in a upper slope scenario, with a small oxygen depletion at 6.48 Ma. The 6.3–6.2 Ma interval was characterized by an important sea level drop and the presence of low oxygenated, outer shelf palaeoenvironments in this area, coinciding with a global glaciation. Prior to the Messinian Salinity Crisis (5.97–5.33 Ma), the upper slope palaeoenvironments were initially re-established (∼6.2–6.1 Ma) and finally a new regressive period (∼6 Ma) preceded Messinian Salinity Crisis.

In the last few decades, the rapid technological evolution has led to a growing generation of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Not rarely, it has been exported from industrialized to developing countries, where it represents a secondary source of valuable materials such as gold, copper, and silver. The recycling of WEEE is often carried out without any environmental and health protection. This paper reviews recent literature dealing with the informal treatment of WEEE in developing regions, gathering and analyzing data on concentration of both inorganic and organic pollutants in the environment. Open burning practices are revealed as most polluting ‘technology’, followed by mechanical treatment and leaching. Significant levels of pollutants have been detected in human bodies, both children and adults, working in or living in areas with informal WEEE treatment.

Iron contents, its compounds and forms in topsoils of the volcanic Fogo island (Cape Verde) were studied by neutron activation analysis, Mossbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The topsoils were collected from all units of the island in diverse geological formations — carbonatite, nephelinites, limburgite, pyroclasts, deposits, pre-historic lavas and historic lavas. Fine materials from Mota Gomes volcanic crater (the most recent eruption which occurred in 1995) were also sampled. The total iron content varies significantly from 1.7% (Fe2O3 weight) in acid sulfate topsoils (pH = 3.9), up to between 9.9% and 20.6% in the other geological contexts (pH = 5.9 to 9.3). The most oxidized topsoils from the pre-caldera formations are the oldest ones, as expected, while the reverse is observed for the post-caldera topsoils. In the latter case fast weathering of the lava outer layers, which have a higher glass component, may explain this observation. After erosion periods of 50–200 years significant amounts of the highly oxidized small particles are removed. The inner part of the lava, less oxidized, is then exposed and more slowly weathered than the former outer layers. Topsoils from pre-caldera formations derived from the more weather-resistant inner layers are also strongly altered since they have been exposed for periods of time several orders of magnitude longer than the post-caldera ones. In topsoils Fe2 + mainly occurs in pyroxenes, phyllosilicates and pure or slightly oxidized magnetite. With increasing age the (Fe2 +)/(total Fe) ratio of the pre-caldera topsoils gradually decreases down to 4% indicating that the iron that is still incorporated in the silicates structures is increasingly oxidized. Maghemite is detected instead of magnetite and hematite appears, becoming the main Fe-containing phase in the oldest materials. These results suggest that in a first weathering step Fe2 + is oxidized within the silicates structure and within magnetite which gradually evolves to maghemite. With the eventual decomposition of silicates Fe3 + is remobilized in hematite. As weathering proceeds maghemite is also replaced by hematite. Goethite was not detected by Mossbauer spectroscopy, which may be explained by the aridity of the island. Iron in jarosite was identified by Mossbauer spectroscopy in topsoils developed on volcanic conduits. The presence of this mineral in alkaline surficial environments may be explained by a hypogene origin and stability over at least a few hundred years in the surficial environments of the semi-arid Fogo island. Contents of Cr and As that are potentially harmful to health increase with the concentration of nanosized Fe oxides. This correlation may be related to their high specific surface area.

A detailed survey of the most clay-rich rock units of the Meso-Cenozoic geological section exposed in the Algarve Basin (South Portugal) was performed and data were analysed for the grain-size distribution and mineralogy (whole rock and clay fraction), aimed at a compositional study of the clay-rich sediments and their depositional environment. Granulometry was obtained using wet sieving and laser diffraction by attenuation of X-rays, and the mineralogical study was carried out by X-ray diffraction.Most clay-rich rock units of the Algarve are classified as silty clays and clayey silts, and only a minority is coarser. The mineralogical study enabled us to define two main types of clays: (1) noncalcareous clays, consisting largely of quartz and clay minerals, with goethite as the typical Fe-rich phase (sediments of Carboniferous, Neogene and Quaternary age and Cretaceous siliciclastic clays); and (2) calcareous clays, which can be calcite-rich clays (Middle and Upper Jurassic) or dolomiterich clays (Triassic and Lower Jurassic), the latter typically containing hematite as an accessory phase. Plagioclase, K-feldspar, and Ti-oxides are often accessory phases, whereas ankerite, anhydrite, gypsum and opal are rare.In the clay fraction illite generally predominates, resulting probably from weathering of preexisting rocks, as well as the less frequent Fe-chlorite, pointing to incipient chemical alteration under semi-arid climatic conditions. Kaolinite occurs in diverse proportions, being especially abundant in Cretaceous and Cenozoic units; it is mainly related to chemical weathering in continental environments under humid conditions. As the Atlantic Ocean opened during Triassic and the continental environment evolved to a shallow-marine environment with evaporitic conditions, smectite became more expressive, being sometimes accompanied by other Mg-rich phases (chlorite, sepiolite, corrensite and palygorskite). Especially during the Cenozoic the proportion of different phases in the clay mineral association of the sediments reflects the control of tectonic movements and fluctuations in sea level during their deposition.

This paper focuses on plain, stylistically unvaried pottery from three Late Neolithic sites from the Mondego Plateau, Portugal, and investigates ceramic production and exchange among small-scale prehistoric societies by means of thin-section petrography and chemical analysis (INAA). The results show that the majority of the pottery was made with widely available, granite-derived sedimentary clays, but petrographic differences between fabrics indicate collection at multiple locations within these deposits. Variation in chemical composition is consistent with site-specific sourcing areas, while comparison with data from earlier sites in the Mondego and surrounding mountains suggests that such sources were geographically restricted within the plateau. In contrast, the small percentage of vessels produced with residual clays of metamorphic and intermediate igneous origin, which outcrop over 10 km and 30 km from the archaeological sites, demonstrates that plain pottery did circulate during the Neolithic beyond the funerary sphere. This is the product of the routines of mobility and social networks of Neolithic groups across the wider landscape, which involved the exchange of ‘mundane’ vessels. Finally, the study demonstrates that micro-regional provenance studies can provide significant insights into prehistoric social landscapes if the data are interrogated beyond simplistic classifications of local and non-local.

Neutron tomography (NT) has been applied to visualize the inner structure of ancient Portuguese glazed tiles undergoing conservation treatments. Neutrons have the advantage of interacting strongly with hydrogen, so NT is able to map hydrogenous compounds with high sensitivity. The present study explores its potential for assessing the distribution of the consolidant Paraloid B-72 inside tiles, to evaluate the efficiency of two different methods of treatment: brushing and immersion in solution. Using a prototype NT setup at the Reactor Portugues de Investigacao (Sacavem, Portugal), each two-dimensional image is obtained from a 90 s exposure, at a thermal neutron flux of 2 × 10 5 n cm −2 s −1 at the irradiation site. The neutron beam has a diameter of 5 cm, so fragments with outer dimensions up to 4.8 cm can be inspected. Samples are automatically rotated by an angle of 0.9° between successive images. Images were obtained before and after the application of the consolidant. The results obtained show that: (i) NT is a useful tool for visualization of the inner structure of ancient glazed tiles, and to assess penetration depth of consolidant and its distribution inside the tile; and (ii) brushing with 10% Paraloid ® B-72 in acetone solution appears to be more efficient than immersion. Neutron tomography showed a greater and more uniform retention of resin inside the tile if the brush is used to apply the consolidant, to increase the cohesion of the object.

É consensual que a incapacidade e a doença crónica têm efeitos negativos na saúde relacionados com a funcionalidade. Nestes últimos anos os campos especializados “Summer Camps” ou “Therapeutic Camps” têm baseado largamente os seus programas na premissa da recreação terapêutica e emergiram como uma forma de intervenção com crianças portadoras de condição crónica de saúde. Apesar destes campos terem vindo a proliferar particularmente na Europa, a avaliação sistemática da sua eficácia tem sido descurada. O objectivo deste estudo é fazer uma revisão sistemática da literatura que procura avaliar os efeitos dos campos na funcionalidade das crianças e jovens com incapacidade e/ou doença crónica. Dez estudos que avaliam o efeito/eficácia em campos terapêuticos constituíram o corpus para a análise. Os resultados demonstram que estes campos são extremamente importantes e têm efeitos significativamente positivos para crianças e jovens com necessidades especiais nos domínios da funcionalidade nas actividades de vida diária, autoestima e autoeficácia. Estes campos podem constituir espaços de excelência para a intervenção de enfermagem na área da reabilitação e promoção da saúde, adesão e gestão ao regime terapêutico e assim contribuir para uma melhoria na qualidade de vida destas crianças.

A calcrete profile developed on the top of a calcareous consolidated dune located in a coastal area of NE Tunisia (semi-arid climate) was studied with the aim to investigate the behavior of the chemical elements (rare earth elements—REE—and other trace and major elements) during the processes associated with calcrete formation, particularly dissolution and precipitation of carbonates in the vadose zone. The profile shows a vertical sequence, with clear zonations from the surface downwards: a reddish soil at the land surface, a nodular horizon, a laminar-structured level, and the consolidated old dune. Chemical and mineralogical analyses of samples from all levels were performed by neutron activation analysis and X-ray diffraction (bulk samples and

The influence of carbonates in the temperature of Br volatilization during firing of clays and its implications in archaeometric studies are investigated. The main goal is to determine the circumstances in which Br content of fired products (“pottery”) can be considered inherited from raw material or added to ceramic pastes after production. Seven samples representing different types of clays (non-calcareous clays, calcite-rich clays and dolomite-rich clays) from Algarve region (South Portugal) were studied before and after firing at temperatures ranging from 300 °C to 1100 °C by steps of 100 °C. Original clays were characterized by major element geochemistry, obtained by X-ray fluorescence, and by mineralogy of bulk rock and

This study explores the potential for using photon-stimulated luminescence of quartz grains to retrospectively evaluate multi-kGy gamma radiation doses. Subsamples from two ceramic tiles were given 60 Co gamma doses of 1, 3, 5, 15 and 30 kGy (nominal), accompanied by PMMA dosimeters and quartz grains from a geological sample known to exhibit thermally-transferred optically-stimulated luminescence (TTOSL). Following gamma irradiation, quartz grains were prepared from each subsample. OSL and TTOSL signals were measured for different preheat temperatures, and following re-irradiation with beta doses designed to equal the nominal gamma doses. OSL responses to 10 Gy beta test doses were measured following each cycle of high dose irradiation. Gamma doses were predicted from the beta responses, to evaluate the effectiveness of retrospective dose evaluation for different signal integrals, preheat combinations, and dose intervals. The use of linear modulation limited maximum OSL signal levels to 1.5 × 10 6 cps without reducing detector sensitivity, for the measurement of smaller TTOSL signals. The dosimetric behaviour of the three samples differed significantly: the best results were obtained from the pre-prepared geological quartz. OSL signals evident at short stimulation times, which are conventionally used for dosimetry and dating, did not in general appear appropriate for dosimetry in the range of doses examined. They exhibited dose response characteristics that were highly preheat dependant and variable in form between samples, which contained rapidly saturating and/or non-monotonic components. Higher preheats, up to 300 °C, preferentially removed OSL and TTOSL signals evident at longer stimulation times: those that remained yielded growth in signal with dose to approximately 10 kGy, but the accuracy of retrospective dose determinations was variable. TTOSL signals evident at short stimulation times increased proportionally with dose when 300 °C preheats were used, up to 30 kGy of beta irradiation for two of the samples, but the given gamma doses were underestimated by 15–23%. Refinement of the present measurement protocol may improve assessment of the gamma doses, and the short term stability of the signal needs to be characterised, but the observed level of accuracy is already sufficient to provide approximate estimates for severity of radiation exposure. The present study has identified certain elements of OSL and TTOSL signals that can be used, in combination with a relatively severe preheating regime, to retrospectively evaluate doses of tens of kGy: beyond the range traditionally possible using quartz.

Topsoils developed in different geological formations/ages, and the top layer of the lava flow from the most recent eruption (2014/2015) of Fogo Island (Cape Verde archipelago), were studied. The specific objectives of this work are: i) to estimate the REE contents and patterns in the whole sample of topsoils developed on different geological formations/ages and their correlation with the iron speciation; and ii) to study the top layer of a lava flow from the most recent eruption after two years of exposure. REE contents are in general higher in the topsoils of the pre-caldera than in those developed on the post-caldera formation, particularly the light REE probably due to their incorporation into hematite. Positive Eu anomalies found in recent topsoils suggest the existence of hydrothermal processes with intrusion of hot fluids with higher concentration of Eu2+. In the top layer of the lava flow of the most recent eruption, Fe is incorporated in pyroxenes and iron oxides (magnetite and/or maghemite). This study can be a benchmark for further knowledge of the chemical evolution and weathering rate in semi-arid climate of Fogo Island., The authors would like to thank the financial support by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) through the projects UID/GEO/04035/2013 and UID/Multi/04349/2013.