Search

The Tampanchi Ultramafic–Mafic Complex (TUMC), located in the central segment of the Cordillera Real (Ecuador), is an oval-shaped intrusive body of approximately 18 km2 emplaced within a Cretaceous metavolcano-sedimentary sequence. Field investigations, zircon geochronology, mineral and whole-rock elemental and isotopic compositions constrain the nature of the parental magma as well as the physical conditions of emplacement, age of crystallization and tectonic setting of formation of the TUMC. The Complex consist of wehrlite and olivine-hornblende clinopyroxenite crosscut by hornblende gabbros and minor dikes/veins of diorite and granite. Hornblendites formed mainly at the contact between the olivine-hornblende clinopyroxenite and the intrusive hornblende gabbros by reaction-replacement processes. Geochemical data for both the wehrlites and pyroxenites define a trend with dominantly olivine and clinopyroxene accumulation, whereas a second trend is formed by hornblende gabbros that differentiated to leucocratic rocks, with amphibole as the dominant fractionating mafic phase. The trace elements show enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements, depletion in high field strength elements (Nb, Zr, Ti) and P, and enrichment in Pb, Sr and Ba relative to primitive mantle, indicating subduction-related parental liquids. The Nd and Sr isotopic composition suggests a uniform mantle source metasomatized by subducted crustal components. Thermobarometric estimations constrain emplacement and crystallization at intermediate to shallow continental crust levels (∼12.5 km depth) of hydrated basaltic melt under oxygen fugacity conditions above the nickel-nickel oxide buffer (ΔNNO = 0 to 2). Zircon SHRIMP U-Th-Pb age data constrain crystallization at 75.1–76.0 Ma, with scarce inherited zircons that record limited recycling of the Cordillera Real basement. These results confirm magmatic arc activity at the continental margin of South America during the late Cretaceous as a result of an E-dipping subduction zone prior to the accretion of the Ecuadorian-Colombian-Caribbean oceanic plateau, and support simultaneous double subduction at the northwest margin of South America during the Cretaceous. This work was funded in the frame of the project “Proyecto Junior PIJ-16-04 (VIPS-EPN)” of the Escuela Politécnica Nacional to F. Villares. J.A.Proenza and A. Garcia-Casco appreciate financial support from Spanish MICINN project PID2019-105625RB-C21. This is the IBERSIMS publication N° 86.

Selección de imágenes de Luis Angel Alonso Matilla

A U-Pb zircon date of ~113 Ma revealed that a variety of jadeitites and related omphacitite, chloritite and albite-rich rocks from the subduction-related Sierra del Convento block-in-serpentinite-matrix mélange (eastern Cuba) formed nearly synchronously with MORB metabasite-derived anatectic trondhjemitic liquids at high-temperature and pressure in a hot subduction environment. Field, petrologic and geochemical data indicate hydrothermal/metasomatic processes triggered by juvenile fluids likely evolved from the crystallizing hydrous trondhjemitic melts. These fluids, variably mixed with sediment-derived fluids and channelized along fractures in the supra-slab mantle, precipitated relatively pure jadeitite with geochemical patterns depleted in REE and HFSE and epidote-rich jadeitite with LILE- (notably Ba) enriched compositions with respect to N-MORB. The crystallization of jadeitite veins was accompanied by formation of chloritite blackwalls at the vein-ultramafic rock contact and omphacititic patches at the outer parts of the veins, denoting wall rock-fluid interactions. Further pervasive flow of external fluid within the rock bodies triggered modal and cryptic (geochemical) metasomatic transformation of earlier jadeitite, producing mica-rich jadeitite and albite-epidote (-chlorite) rocks. Altogether these rocks document a discrete episode of massive flow of fluid in the supra-slab mantle roughly coeval with hydrous melting of subducted MORB metabasite., We are grateful for Alfred Kroner's inspiration and advice. We also wish to thank the reviewers Samuel Angiboust, Tatsuki Tsujimori and Kennet Flores for their thorough and accurate suggestions and comments. This research was funded by Spanish projects CGL2009-12446, CGL2015-65824 and PID2019-105625RB-C21 granted by MICINN and MINECO and a FPI Ph.D. grant to J.C-P. by MICINN. YRA acknowledge support from DFG project RO4174/3-3 and from the SYNTHESYS program (http://www.synthesys.info/), Projects 312253/GB-TAF-4245 and 226506/GB-TAF-2342, funded by European Community Research Infrastructure Action under the FP7 "Capacities" Program. Support for field campaigns from the Cuban Institute of Geology and Paleontology and analyses at CIC from the University of Granada is acknowledged. The authors thank the staff of the University of Granada

El ámbito de la investigación criminal conlleva un estudio exhaustivo de muchos aspectos en los que se requiere de un conjunto de disciplinas, que proporcionan conocimientos específicos, para poder alcanzar un objetivo común: resolver el delito cometido. Gracias a la gran diversidad de métodos y técnicas científicas, los delitos pueden ser resueltos con mayor facilidad al recurrir, por ejemplo, al análisis forense de suelos y sedimentos mediante el análisis textural, mineralógico y geoquímico de éstos. Por ello, en este Trabajo de Fin de Máster se recurre a la geología forense para llevar a cabo el análisis de procedencia a través del estudio de suelos como fuente de prueba en la investigación criminal, de manera que la investigación quedará dividida en dos partes. En la primera parte se lleva a cabo el estudio bibliográfico, donde se incluye la introducción a la disciplina de la geología forense, así como el uso del suelo como prueba, además de los diversos métodos de análisis y la utilidad de las bases de datos de cara al análisis de procedencia en la investigación criminal. En la segunda parte, se resolverá un crimen ficticio ideado para aplicar las técnicas y metodologías estudiadas durante la primera parte, dotando el trabajo de una notoria carga experimental con el fin de ejecutar el análisis de procedencia de suelos en el ámbito forense. Entre los métodos y técnicas utilizados se incluyen: caracterización textural y análisis granulométrico, identificación mineral mediante difracción de rayos X (DRX) y análisis geoquímicos por fluorescencia de rayos X (FRX) y EDX.

The sandstones which constitute the host rock for the prehistoric artwork in the Rock Groups of Tajo de las Figuras and Peñas de Cabrera (southern Spain) show a serious degree of alteration, due both to natural processes and those related to anthropogenic and animal activity. A detailed study was carried out on the petrological and compositional characteristics of the sandstones (fresh and altered rock) in both rock groups, and on the geological and climatological characteristics of the area in which they are located. The sandstones have very similar petrological and compositional characteristics in both areas. This likeness causes the nature of the natural weathering processes to be similar in the rock areas studied. These processes can be divided in terms of the predominant mecha nisms of alteration into three inter-related categories: mechanical weathering, chemical weathering, and bio-induced alteration processes. However, the different climatic conditions of the areas in which the two rock areas are located directly influences the intensity of these processes. The precipitation and the range of temperature variation with heavy winter frosts in the area of El Tajo de las Figuras are significantly higher than in the area of Peñas de Cabrera; this translates into a higher rate of weathering at El Tajo de las Figuras. Regarding the anthropogenic action, two types of influence on the deterioration can be distinguished: a direct one, which consists of scouring and wetting of the walls in order to increase the chromatic contrast; and an indirect one, which is the extraction of blocks of sandstone in the upper part of rock shelters, which in turn encourages the development of the chemical weathering processes., This study forms part of the research agreement “Study and diagnosis of the archaeological groups and deposits of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia in their geomorphological, biological and climatic contexts” financed by the Culture Council, Junta of Andalusia (Spain).

New field observations and petrological data from Early Cretaceous metamorphic rocks in the Central Cordillera of the Colombian Andes allowed the recognition of thermally overprinted high-pressure rocks derived from oceanic crust protoliths. The obtained metamorphic path suggests that the rocks evolved from blueschist to eclogite facies towards upper amphibolite to high-pressure granulite facies transitional conditions. Eclogite facies conditions, better recorded in mafic protoliths, are revealed by relic lawsonite and phengite, bleb- to worm-like diopside-albite symplectites, as well as garnet core composition. Upper amphibolite to high pressure granulite facies overprinting is supported by coarse-grained brown-colored Ti-rich amphibole, augite, and oligoclase recrystallization, as well as the record of partial melting leucosomes. Phase equilibria and pressure-temperature (P-T) path modeling suggest initial high-pressure metamorphic conditions M1 yielding 18.2–24.5 kbar and 465–580 °C, followed by upper amphibolite to high pressure granulite facies overprinting stage M2 yielding 6.5–14.2 kbar and 580–720 °C. Retrograde conditions M3 obtained through chlorite thermometry yield temperatures ranging around 286–400 °C at pressures below 6.5–11 kbar. The obtained clockwise P-T path, the garnet zonation pattern revealing a decrease in Xgrs/Xprp related to Mg# increment from core to rim, the presence of partial melting veins, as well as regional constraints, document the modification of the thermal structure of the active subduction zone in Northern Andes during the Early Cretaceous. Such increment of the metamorphic gradient within the subduction interface is associated with slab roll-back geodynamics where hot mantle inflow was triggered. This scenario is also argued by the reported trench-ward magmatic arc migration and multiple extensional basin formation during this period. The presented example constitutes the first report of Cretaceous roll-back-related metamorphism in the Caribbean and Andean realms, representing an additional piece of evidence for a margin-scale extensional event that modified the northwestern border of South America during the Early Cretaceous. The National University of Colombia is acknowledged for its financial support, providing execution of the Hermes 30362 project and a travel grant to D. S. Avellaneda-Jiménez for analytical data acquisition at the University of Arizona (Tucson, Arizona).

The purpose of this paper is to model numerically the dynamics of CO and Rn in cave atmospheres, particularly in the noteworthy Cave of Altamira (Spain). We aim to get a better understanding of the nature of these dynamics and their couplings with climatic controls, more specifically the soil water content, which role in the said dynamics poses some questions. For the first time, we apply the global modeling technique in the field of cave microclimate and atmospheric composition. The global modeling technique is a methodology based on the theory of nonlinear systems and designed to extract mathematical models directly from observational time series. We were able to extract four global models from our data. These models represent a step forward from the existent conceptual ones. They also show that CO and Rn dynamics can be approximated by low-dimensional, deterministic systems, which can be chaotic or, at least, close to chaos; this has decisive methodological consequences for future research. Moreover, the global modeling technique was used for the first time in a non-autonomous formulation; this enabled the possibility of studying the influence of the external forcing (soil water content) on the gas concentration in different scenarios., This research was supported by the Spanish Government (grant numbers RTI2018-099052-B-I00 and PID2019-110603RB-I00) and the Regional Government of Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (grant number AICO/2020/175). SM received financial support from the French programs Les Enveloppes Fluides et l’Environnement (CNRS-INSU) and Programme National de Télédétection Spatiale (CNRS). A post-doctoral research fellowship was awarded to S. Cuezva by the University of Almería (Hipatia Programme). A research grant for a doctoral stay was awarded to M. Sáez by the University of Alicante.

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited., Understanding the fluctuations in cave air concentrations and their climatic control is substantial not only to preserve the quality of indoor atmospheres but also to avoid the risk related to the presence of hazardous substances. In this study, we investigated the most influential factors affecting 222Rn and CO2 concentrations, the nature of their dynamics, and their coupling with climatic variations. For this purpose, we combined a set of mathematical methods that included a statistical and wavelet analysis of a 6-year time series in Rull Cave (Spain). Generally, the 222Rn and CO2 dynamic in cave air showed similar patterns. However, the obtained results show that these gases have a different frequency response. Thus, the annual component of 222Rn and CO2 is controlled by the relationship between external and internal temperatures. At low frequencies, both gases are affected by the same variables when the cave atmosphere reaches a minimum concentration. However, when the cave atmosphere is isolated from the outdoors, 222Rn and CO2 behave differently and disturbance caused by the visitors is evidenced in terms of the CO2 concentration; the latter observation was confirmed by the wavelet analysis at high frequencies. In contrast, the 222Rn concentration shows important variations following rainfall, which was weakly identified in the CO2 concentration., This research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (projects CGL2016-78318-C2-1-R, CGL2016-78318-C2-2-R, and RTI2018-099052-B-I00) and the University of Alicante (project GRE17-12).

Marble powder is one of carbonate rock amendments that is used to improve soil reaction. We hypothesized that the powdered marble addition can cause favorable changes in hydraulic properties of sandy soils. Six levels of marble powder addition to an aridisol soil (0%; M0; 5%; M5; 10%; M10; 15%; M15; 20%; M20 and 25%, M25; by bulk volume) were analyzed in triplicate. The saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil water retention curves were obtained. Pore space properties were investigated using soil water retention curves, mercury intrusion porosimetry and scanning electron microscopy. The saturated hydraulic conductivity significantly decreased (between 83 and 97% for M5 and M25 respectively) and parameters α and n of the van Genuchten model significantly decreased in marble-amended soils. Both field capacity and permanent wilting point increased with the addition of marble powder. Plant-available water, increased significantly until 10% of marble powder application; higher percentages of application did not provide additional significant changes in the plant-available water. Pore space distributions from soil water retention curves parameters showed an increase in the pore size range and a decrease in the average pore size; pore space distribution from the scanning electron microscopy also showed the presence of a new family of dominant pore sizes which was not detected by the soil water retention curves parameters approach. It was concluded that the addition of marble powder can improve the ability of soil to store water providing an advantage for irrigation water management in water scarce environments. Further research will have to address the impact of marble powder amendment under field semi-arid conditions. This work was partially funded by the project GRE17-12 from the University of Alicante (2018-2019).

Radon is a radioactive gas produced from the natural radioactive decay of uranium and is found in almost all rocks and soils. In confined places (e.g., dwellings, workplaces, caves, and underground mines), radon may accumulate and become a substantial health risk since it is considered the second most important cause of lung cancer in many developed countries. Radon risk assessment commonly considers either field or estimate values of the radon concentration and the gas permeability of soils. However, radon risk assessment from single measurement surveys to radon potential largescale mapping is strongly sensitive to the soil texture variability and climate changes, and particularly, to the soil water content dynamic and its effect on soil gas permeability. In this paper, the gas permeability of soils, and thus, the estimation of radon risk, is studied considering the effect of three different climates following the Köppen classification and four soil textures on soil water content dynamics. This investigation considers the CLIGEN weather simulator to elaborate 100-year length climatic series; Rosseta 3 pedotransfer function to calculate soil hydraulics parameters, and the HYDRUS-1D software to model the dynamics of water content in the soil. Results reveal that climate strongly affects gas permeability of soils and they must be considered as an additional factor during the evaluation of radon exposure risk. The impact of climate and texture defines the soil water content dynamic. Coarse soils show smaller gas permeability variations and then radon risk, in this case, is less affected by the climate type. However, in clay soils, the effect of climate and the differences in soil water content derive in gas permeability variations between 100 and 1,000 times through an annual cycle. As a result, it may cross the boundary between two radon risk categories. Results deeply confirm that both climate and texture should be compulsory considered when calculating the radon exposure risk and in the definition of new strategies for the elaboration of more reliable geogenic radon potential largescale maps. This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities [grant number RTI2018-099052-BI00] and Regional Governments of Comunidad Valenciana (Spain) [grant number AICO/2020/175]. A pre-doctoral research fellowship (PRE2019-088294) was awarded to SG-O for the project RTI2018-099052-BI00.

This paper provides an understanding of the sedimentary-tectonic evolution of the Cenozoic strata of the El Habt and Ouezzane Tectonic Units (Intrarif, External Rif) in Morocco. New data provide information about the depositional architecture and enable a correlation of the evolution of the External Rif in Morocco with that of the Betic Cordillera in Spain and the Tunisian Tell, which provides new insights for hydrocarbon exploration in the region regarding possible source, reservoir, and seal rocks. The reconstructed Cenozoic succession was bio-chronologically defined, and the major unconformities and stratigraphic gaps were identified. The presence of these unconformities allowed three main stratigraphic sequences to be defined by age: Danian p.p., early Ypresian–early Bartonian p.p., and the early Rupelian–early Serravallian p.p. Three secondary stratigraphic sequences in the former upper main sequence were also defined by age: early Rupelian–late Chattian p.p., Burdigalian p.p., and the Langhian–Serravallian p.p. The depositional setting evolved from deep basin during the Late Cretaceous–Paleocene to external platform-slope during the Eocene–Miocene. The Cenozoic sandstones contain metamorphic and sedimentary rock fragments derived from a recycled orogen source area. The clay mineralogy in the Cenozoic strata consists of associations of Ill+(I–S) ± Sme, Ill+(I–S) ± Sme+Kln and Ill+(I–S) ± Sme+- Kln+Chl. These associations indicate an initial unroofing in the Paleogene period, then in the Cretaceous period, and finally in the Late Jurassic period during the Eocene–Oligocene. This detritus was followed by variable amounts of a sedimentary mix of Paleogene to Late Jurassic terrains due to several phases of erosion and deposition partly related to syn-sedimentary tectonics during the Miocene. Equivalent features (similar types of sediments, tectofacies, gaps, and unroofing) were also recognized along the Betic Cordillera in Spain and Maghrebian Chain (Morocco and Tunisia) and interpreted as related to a pre-nappe tectonic activity of soft basement folding, which occurred during the Paleogene after the generalized tectonic inversion (from extension to compression) occurred in the Late Cretaceous. The Upper Cretaceous is considered to be the hydrocarbon source rock, while the fractured Eocene and the porous Oligo-Miocene suites are proposed as possible hydrocarbon reservoirs. The Cenozoic stratigraphic architecture and the nappe structure of the region could provide the necessary trap structures. This research was supported by Urbino University grants DiSPeA Ricerca Scientifica 2020 (to M. Tramontana), CGL2016–75679-P and PID2020–114381GB-I00, by the Spanish Ministry of Education (to M. Martín-Martín) and Science and Research Groups, and by the Generalitat Valenciana of Alicante University (CTMA-IGA).

The Meymand world heritage site (Kerman Province, Iran) is a rock-hewn village carved within a pyroclastic rock mass, Meymand Tuff. This site, having an ancient local population with an age of 2000 years, is hosted by a weak rock exposed to deterioration and weathering processes. However, our understanding of the characteristics of the Meymand Tuff is limited to some previous general studies. Therefore, in the present study, the stratigraphy and intrinsic characteristics of the Meymand tuff are investigated to determine its weathering behavior and durability. For this purpose, comprehensive field and laboratory investigations were carried out. The stratigraphy of the valley and the pyroclastic flows that had deposited the Meymand tuff were identified and outlined based on field investigations and many surveyed sections along the Meymand valley. Next, the mineralogical composition, texture, structure, physical and mechanical properties, water absorption rate, slake durability, wetting–drying durability, shrinkage potential of the fine portion, and collapse potential of the Meymand tuff were assessed through laboratory investigations. The results revealed that two pyroclastic flows had deposited the host tuff rocks of the Meymand site. These rocks have a heterogeneous texture comprising very coarse-grained clasts to the fine-grained matrix. Rock characteristics including heterogeneous texture, high porous and open structure, clay-rich mineralogical composition, high water absorption capacity, and swelling and shrinkage potential of the fine portion of the matrix have resulted in adverse behaviors in Meymand tuff. These behaviors are pertained to the strength softening, weight loss, and deterioration at wetting drying cycles. This study was funded by a grant from Iran National Science Foundation (INSF) (98001268).

Subterranean ecosystems play an active role in the global carbon cycle, yet only a few studies using indirect methods have focused on the role of the cave microbiota in this critical cycle. Here we present pioneering research based on in situ real-time monitoring of CO2 and CH4 diffusive fluxes and concurrent δ13C geochemical tracing in caves, combined with 16S microbiome analysis. Our findings show that cave sediments are promoting continuous CH4 consumption from cave atmosphere, resulting in a significant removal of 65% to 90%. This research reveals the most effective taxa and metabolic pathways in consumption and uptake of greenhouse gases. Methanotrophic bacteria were the most effective group involved in CH4 consumption, namely within the families Methylomonaceae, Methylomirabilaceae and Methylacidiphilaceae. In addition, Crossiella and Nitrosococcaceae wb1-P19 could be one of the main responsible of CO2 uptake, which occurs via the Calvin-Benson-Bassham cycle and reversible hydration of CO2. Thus, syntrophic relationships exist between Crossiella and nitrifying bacteria that capture CO2, consume inorganic N produced by heterotrophic ammonification in the surface of sediments, and induce moonmilk formation. Moonmilk is found as the most evolved phase of the microbial processes in cave sediments that fixes CO2 as calcite and intensifies CH4 oxidation. From an ecological perspective, cave sediments act qualitatively as soils, providing fundamental ecosystem services (e.g. nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration) with direct influence on greenhouse gas emissions., This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation through project PID2019-110603RB-I00, MCIN/AEI/FEDER UE/10.13039/501100011033 and with collaboration of projects RTI2018-099052-B-I00 and PID2020-114978GB-I00. This research has also received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 844535 — MIFLUKE.

This paper combines ultrasonic parameters recorded from P- and S- waves and effective porosity to estimate uniaxial compressive strength, σC, and intrinsic permeability, k - two of the most crucial physical parameters used in stone conservation studies. The ultrasonic parameters have been chosen because they are sensitive to the microstructural properties of stones which influence both σC and k differently. Velocities of compressional or primary, Vp, and shear or secondary, Vs, elastic waves are related to porosity and the mineralogical composition; the waveform attenuation is related to the presence of vuggy macropores and pore and particle size; and the wavelength is related to the pore and particle size. Fifteen types of stones used in the Spanish built heritage were measured including calcarenites, sandstones, dolostones and travertines. Several simple and multiple predictive expressions for σC and k are fitted, which are quantified through the Pearson correlation coefficient, R. Curve fitting improves as the number of petrophysical parameters taken into account in the multiple linear regressions increases. The obtained Pearson's correlations values for σC are slightly higher than for k. The best correlation for σC (R = 0.921) and k (R = 0.903) is found when the predictive equation incorporates all of the elastic wave parameters obtained non-destructively, and the connected porosity. In general, effective porosity is statistically the most significant variable of the fitted regressions. The σC and k estimation from all the ultrasonic parameters, without considering connected porosity, shows a good correlation (R = 0.852 and 0.864, respectively). The addition of Vs to multiple regressions does not significantly improve the goodness of the fit. Consequently, the measurement of Vs is unnecessary as it is difficult and time-consuming. Finally, results also show that vuggy porosity (present in travertines) influences waveform attenuation and σC and k differently, relative to other microstructural properties; limiting the techniques use for stones with this type of porosity. Estimating σC and k using ultrasonic parameters exclusively is advantageous as the estimations can be obtained non-destructively using portable equipment, while also providing an acceptable goodness of fit. This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MCIN) [grant numbers RTI2018-099052-B-I00, PID2020-116896RB-C21 and PID2020-116896RB-C22] and Regional Government of Madrid (Spain) [Top Heritage, grant number S2018/NMT-4372]; a pre-doctoral research fellowship (FPU20/05157) awarded to N. Garcia-Martinez by the MCIN; and Ph.D. scholarship awarded to M. de Jongh by Historic Environment Scotland (Charity Number: SC045925).

The Cross of the Inquisition, sculpted in 1903 and raised on a column with a fluted shaft and ornamented with vegetable garlands, is located in a corner of the Plateresque façade of the Seville City Hall. The Cross was vandalized in September 2019 and the restoration concluded in September 2021. A geological and microbiological study was carried out in a few small fragments. The data are consistent with the exposure of the Cross of the Inquisition to an urban environment for more than 100 years. During that time, a lichen community colonized the Cross and the nearby City Hall façades. The lichens, bryophytes and fungi colonizing the limestone surface composed an urban community, regenerated from the remains of the original communities, after superficial cleaning of the limestone between 2008 and 2010. This biological activity was detrimental to the integrity of the limestone, as showed by the pitting and channels, which evidence the lytic activity of organisms on the stone surface. Stone consolidation was achieved with Estel 1000. Preventol RI80, a biocide able to penetrate the porous limestone and active against bacteria, fungi, lichens, and bryophytes, was applied in the restoration., The research was funded by Atelier Samthiago and the restoration of the Cross of the Inquisition was supported by the Seville City Hall.

RESUMEN: En el singular yacimiento de El Sidrón se han producido una impactante serie de acontecimientos relacionados con las actividades y comportamientos de la especie neandertal, integradas en unos procesos del medio físico peculiares, sazonadas con la proximidad de la mejor materia prima silícea asturiana, y con un peculiar encadenamiento de situaciones expeditivas y rápidas. Todo ello integrado en una investigación interdisciplinar. ABSTRACT: At the unique site of El Sidrón there have been an impressive series of events related to the activities and behaviors of the Neandertal species, integrated into peculiar environmental processes, seasoned with the proximity of the best Asturian siliceous raw material, and with a peculiar chain of expeditious and fast situations. All this integrated into an interdisciplinary investigation.

In the westernmost Tethys, the Early Jurassic involved critical environmental changes affecting marine ecosystems. Brachiopods were particularly affected in the South-Iberian Palaeomargin. A late Sinemurian-early Pliensbachian tectonic event led to the collapse of shallow platforms related to the Atlantic Ocean opening. Subsequently, the early Toarcian Extinction Event occurred during a carbon cycle perturbation and the development of oxygen-depleted conditions, mainly affecting benthic communities. In the Subbetic Domain, brachiopod dynamics concur with these major environmental perturbation events. Geochemical imprint of brachiopod shells from this area has been analyzed revealing a clear synchrony between oscillations of trace elements content, global trends in the C and O cycling, and faunal diversity dynamics around critical bioevents, allowing to validate global and regional models related to the platform collapse and the early Toarcian biotic crisis. In the Sinemurian-Pliensbachian turnover and the Toarcian crisis, the redox-sensitive trace metals, REEs, and Fe content in the brachiopod shells show positive excursions. Nevertheless, their trend together with brachiopod diversity patterns, the lower TOC values, and the sedimentary data, support that oxygen depletion must have played a secondary role as environmental stress factor for the benthic fauna. Instead, an increasing temperature gradient is invoked to have played a decisive role, as demonstrated by the main faunal turnover and replacement events correlating with the palaeotemperatures from the peri-Iberian platforms. Shifts on palaeoproductivity, continental influx, and hydrothermal input are also deduced by the increasing concentrations of several trace elements, interpreted as complementary triggering factors of these Early Jurassic bioevents in the westernmost Tethys Ocean. En el Jurásico Inferior se registran diversos eventos críticos que influyeron significativamente en los ecosistemas marinos del Tethys occidental. Entre las comunidades bentónicas, en el Paleomargen Sudibérico, los braquiópodos se vieron particularmente afectados por dichos eventos. El episodio tectono-sedimentario distensivo asociado a la apertura del proto-Atlántico conllevó el colapso de las amplias plataformas someras imperantes en el Tethys hasta el Sinemuriense superior-Pliensbaquiense basal, con la consiguiente reorganización de los ecoespacios faunísticos. Posteriormente, el evento de extinción registrado en el Toarciense inferior, trajo consigo importantes alteraciones en el ciclo del carbono así como el desarrollo de condiciones anóxicas que afectaron principalmente a las comunidades bentónicas. En el dominio Subbético, la dinámica poblacional de los braquiópodos coincidió con estos importantes eventos de perturbación ambiental. Se ha analizado la impronta geoquímica registrada en conchas de braquiópodos del Subbético oriental, revelando una clara sincronía entre las oscilaciones del contenido en elementos traza, las tendencias globales en el ciclo del C y del O y la diversidad de la braquiofauna en torno a dichos eventos críticos, lo que permite validar modelos globales y regionales relacionados tanto con el evento de rifting incipiente de las plataformas someras en el Sinemuriense-Pliensbachiense, como con la crisis biótica global en torno al Toarciense inferior. En la renovación faunística verificada para el tránsito Sinemuriense-Pliensbachiense y para el evento de extinción del Toarciense, los metales traza sensibles a las condiciones redox, la concentración de REE y el contenido en Fe en las conchas de braquiópodos muestran excursiones positivas. Esta tendencia, junto a los patrones de diversidad de los braquiópodos, los bajos valores de TOC y las evidencias sedimentarias, sugieren que, en esta región, la anoxia debió representar un factor secundario como causa de estrés ambiental para la fauna bentónica. En cambio, se postula que el progresivo aumento de la temperatura jugó un papel determinante en las cuencas marginales del Tethys occidental, como se demuestra al correlacionar los principales eventos de renovación y sustitución faunística con las paleotemperaturas de las plataformas peri-ibéricas. Los cambios en la paleoproductividad, los aportes continentales y posibles contribuciones hidrotermales se relacionan asimismo con las oscilaciones de determinados elementos traza y se interpretan, por tanto, como factores coadyuvantes desencadenantes de estos bioeventos del Jurásico Inferior en el Tethys occidental. This research is a contribution to the IGCP-655 (Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event: Impact on marine carbon cycle and ecosystems), and was supported by projects CGL2015-66604-R, CGL2015-66835-P and PID2019-105537RB-100 (MINECO, Government of Spain) and P20_00111 (Junta de Andalucía), and the Research Groups VIGROB-167 (University of Alicante) and RNM-200 (University of Jaén).

Uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) is the most used parameter to measure rock strength. However, restrictions in sampling large volume of material, the need of very large set of results and onsite characterisation of UCS non-destructively are requirements in many scientific and engineering investigations. The estimation of UCS from a single non-destructive or minimally invasive technique (NDT) may result incomplete because each NDT is sensitive to different compositional and textural factors. This paper combines open porosity, P-wave velocity, Leeb hardness and micro-drilling resistance force to estimate USC for a wide range of carbonate sedimentary rock types with different petrographic characteristics. Results reveal that mineralogical composition significatively affects micro-drilling resistance force profiles and P-wave velocity values, especially for quartz-bearing rocks. In addition, texture controls substantially the reproducibility of tests sensible to rock surface properties, such as Leeb hardness and micro-drilling resistance force. Fifteen simple and multiple expressions for UCS are fitted. Linear expressions have shown better coefficients of determination (R2) than non-linear equations because of the linearity shown by individual parameters. Curve fitting improves as the number of petrophysical parameters increase in the multiple linear regression analysis. The best correlation is found when the equation incorporates all the mechanical parameters obtained non-destructively as well as open porosity (R2 = 0.910). Leeb hardness is always the most significant variable of the fitted regressions and its addition into multiple linear equations causes an increase of R2. Open porosity also improves R2 whereas drilling force and P-wave velocity have a lower statistical weight in the expressions. The UCS estimation from all NDT, without considering open porosity, shows a good correlation (R2 = 0.899), which presents the advantage that they can be obtained non-destructively with portable equipment and can provide a numerous set of results at relatively low cost. This work was supported by the Spanish Government [grant number RTI2018-099052-B-I00] and Regional Government of Madrid (Spain) [Top Heritage, grant number S2018/NMT-4372].

In this study, the physicochemical properties of granitic rocks subjected to quenching cycles were studied experimentally. Four granites of similar mineralogy but with different degrees of initial weathering (porosity between 1 and 6%) were slowly preheated at two peak temperatures (200 and 400 °C) and then quenched 35 times. To study the effect of thermal cycling on the physical properties, non-destructive tests were used such as water porosity, capillary water absorption tests, P- and S- wave propagation velocities, nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry, and X-ray micro-tomography. Chemical analysis of the granites was performed using X-ray fluorescence, which provided information on the major and trace elements. Water-granite interactions were followed using inductive plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The variation of all the measured parameters indicates the creation of cracks with thermal fatigue. The porosity, water uptake, size, and volume of cracks increased while P- and S- wave velocity and Young's modulus decreased. At 200 °C, the changes were progressive up to ten cycles, from which the stress threshold was reached and only small readjustments took place. At 400 °C, the greatest damage was observed during the first five cycles. These changes were a direct consequence of the propagation of the microcracks induced by the strong gradient during the quenching tests. For both temperatures, the changes depended on the initial weathering conditions of the granites. Initially, weathered granites showed crack development or crack closure during quenching, meanwhile the damage on the sound rocks was characterized by the creation of intragranular microcracks. The analysis of the experimental fluids showed enrichment in K, Na and Ca in the solution as consequence of the dissolution of K-feldspar, plagioclase and the degradation of mica and clays, independently of the physical and mechanical modifications. This work was carried out within the framework of the FLUTE Project. We would like to express our deep gratitude to our partners from the University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne (France), La Région Grand Est and Regional Government of Comunidad Valenciana (Spain) [grant number AICO/2020/175], for their kind scientific collaboration and participation in the development of this project.

The Berriasian carbonate successions cropping out in the shallow-water platform of the easternmost Prebetic Domain (SE Spain) involve reef-associated environments including a diverse epibiota with diceratid representatives unreported so far. Interpretation of different sub-environments suggests a proximal-distal shallow platform transect. In the shallowest nearshore environment, high energy conditions are recorded, with fine-grained bioclasts interbedded with episodes with black pebbles. Subsequently, a more restricted intra-platform environment is represented by oncoidal rudstones with benthic foraminifera, photophilic microencrusters, microbial-type coatings, mud mounds and a rich record of epibenthic biota preserved in life position (diceratid patches, stromatoporoids, and a diverse coral assemblage). This association points to relatively stable and restrictive low-energy conditions in a proximal shallow-water subtidal environment below the fair-weather wave base. Distally, a deeper, opener setting is established. Here, phaceloid and thin-laminated corals are preserved in life position in a calpionellid-rich matrix typifying a mesophotic reefal complex with clear open marine influence. Biostratigraphical analysis performed mainly on benthic foraminifera, algae, diceratids, and coral representatives allows to specify a Berriasian age for these facies. New occurrence data are also reported, such as the oldest record of the coral genus Floriastrea worldwide. The highly diverse coral assemblages reveal a species-level taxonomic divergence in relation with taxa from the same biochore and palaeogeographical domain, supporting the endemic condition for this fauna. The first report of diceratids in the Eastern Prebetic around the J/C transition evokes Heterodiceras as possible precursor of the Cretaceous rudist build-ups developed in the Urgonian platforms in the Prebetic Domain. This research is a contribution to the P18-RT-4074 project, and to the Research Group VIGROB-167 (University of Alicante).

A single calcite crystal shows a pronounced anisotropy that can be transferred to the bulk stone, especially in the case of marbles. The aim of this paper is to analyse the effect of the preferential crystallographic orientation of the anisotropic calcite crystals on the surface properties of foliated marbles. Variations of microhardness, roughness, solubility and contact angle in rock surfaces are studied taking into account their relative position with respect the metamorphic foliation. Results show that more than 50% of the crystals have their c-axis oriented close to the normal of the axial foliation plane. This fact has a direct response on its surface properties: i) the microhardness in surface parallel to metamorphic foliation is a 14% higher than it is in the perpendicular surface; ii) contact angle of the water on the parallel faces is slightly lower than it is on the perpendicular one (42.75° and 53.25°, respectively); and iii) a lower chemical reactivity is estimated on parallel faces, which results in a lesser roughness of weathered surfaces. Results from this paper determine the optimal direction in which an ornamental piece should be cut in order to guarantee its maximum durability. This study was financed by the Spanish Government (Consolider-Ingenio Programme CSD2007-0058) and MCI CGL2008-05929/BTE. Predoctoral fellowships were awarded to N. Cueto by the MEC (Project MAT 2003-01823).

espanolLa piedra natural ha sido un elemento importante en la construccion colombiana desde la epoca colonial y hasta la actualidad, especialmente en la ciudad de Bogota. Rocas areniscas y calizas son elementos decorativos y estructurales de edificaciones patrimoniales y recientes y su uso gana notoriedad con la recuperacion de espacios urbanos para el disfrute de la poblacion. En este trabajo se muestran los resultados de algunos ensayos de caracterizacion tecnologica de dos variedades de rocas ampliamente utilizadas en la construccion, conocidas coloquialmente con los nombres de Piedra Muneca o Piedra Bogotana y Marmol Royal Bronce, utilizadas tanto en edificaciones patrimoniales como recientes. Los metodos de ensayo seguidos para evaluar algunas de las propiedades petrofisicas y mecanicas de estas dos rocas fueron: Analisis petrografico, indices fisicos (densidad aparente, porosidad aparente y absorcion de agua), resistencia a la compresion, resistencia a la flexion, resistencia al desgaste y resistencia al impacto, expuestos en la norma brasilena ABNT NBR15845 de 2010. Los resultados obtenidos permiten determinar, de forma preliminar, que la Piedra bogotana en sus dos variedades (amarilla y rosada) puede ser usada como elemento estructural (muros, columnas, vigas y cimentaciones) y como material de revestimiento de edificios o de pisos y plazoletas, con la recomendacion de uso de la variedad amarilla preferiblemente en espacios interiores; el Marmol Royal Bronce puede ser usado en cualquier tipo de revestimiento de paredes, pisos y calles de alto trafico, como elemento estructural y en acabados. EnglishNatural stone has been an important element in Colombian construction since the hispanic period, especially in Bogota city capital from Colombia. Sandstone and limestone rocks are ornamental and structural elements on heritage buildings and new constructions, and their use is important to revitalization of urban spaces for the enjoyment of the population. This paper shows the results of some technological characterization tests of two rock types widely used in construction, commonly known as Piedra Muneca or Piedra Bogotana and Marmol Royal Bronce, used in historical buildings as well as modern ones. Petrophysical and mechanical properties of these rocks identified in a preliminary way were: Petrographic analysis, physical properties (bulk density, bulk porosity and water absorption), compressive strength, flexural strength, weathering resistance and impact resistance, as shown in the Brazilian technical standard ABNT NBR15845. The obtained results allows to determine, in an early way, that the two varieties (yellow and pink) of the Piedra bogotana stone can be used as a structural element (walls, columns, beams and foundations) and also as a dimension stone for buildings, floors and squares. It´s recommended the use of yellow variety specially on interior spaces. Marmol Royal Bronce can be used in finishes and also in any type of facing, floor and as a structural element in highly traffic streets.

This investigation studies the physical and chemical effect of salt weathering on biocalcarenites and biocalcrudites in the Basilica of Our Lady of Succour (Aspe, Spain). Weathering patterns are the result of salty rising capillary water and water lixiviated from pigeon droppings. Surface modifications and features induced by material loss are observable in the monument. Formation of gypsum, hexahydrite, halite, aphthitalite and arcanite is associated with rising capillary water, and niter, hydroxyapatite, brushite, struvite, weddellite, oxammite and halite with pigeon droppings. Humberstonite is related to the interaction of both types of waters. Analysis of crystal shapes reveals different saturation degree conditions. Single salts show non-equilibrium shapes, implying higher crystallisation pressures. Single salts have undergone dissolution and/or dehydration processes enhancing the deterioration process, particularly in the presence of magnesium sulphate. Double salts (humberstonite) have crystals corresponding to near-equilibrium form, implying lower crystallisation pressures. This geochemical study suggests salts precipitate via incongruent reactions rather than congruent precipitation, where hexahydrite is the precursor and limiting reactant of humberstonite. Chemical dissolution of limestone is driven mainly by the presence of acidic water lixiviated from pigeon droppings and is a critical weathering process affecting the most valuable architectural elements present in the fa&ccedil, ades.

En esta investigación hemos estudiado, por primera vez, microclimas kársticos como sistemas dinámicos no lineales. En particular, hemos analizado y modelizado los microclimas de las cuevas españolas de Altamira y El Rull y sus conexiones con el clima exterior. Con este objetivo, hemos utilizado la técnica de modelización global, la cual pretende extraer modelos directamente de datos observacionales. Esta técnica está bien adaptada al estudio de sistemas complejos reales y se apoya en los teoremas de embedding. El embedding permite, en principio, reconstruir sistemas usando las variables disponibles y algunas de sus derivadas; por tanto, abre la posibilidad de modelizar microclimas kársticos incluso si algunas variables de estado no están disponibles o no pueden medirse en la práctica. También ha demostrado ser aplicable a series temporales muy cortas, lo cual constituye también una ventaja en comparación con otros tipos de modelización. Los microclimas de cuevas están dirigidos por el clima exterior. La variedad de climas externos y de configuraciones de las cavidades lleva a una variedad de microclimas kársticos. No obstante, uno de los controles más relevantes es normalmente la diferencia de temperatura entre el interior y el exterior. En general, los microclimas kársticos son muy estables en relación a variables como la temperatura o la humedad (comparadas con las exteriores). Por el contrario, los niveles de CO2 y 222Rn en el aire muestran notables oscilaciones estacionales a lo largo del año, por lo que estos gases son adecuados para caracterizar las dinámicas de las atmósferas de cuevas. Los microclimas de cuevas se suelen entender como la superposición de componentes deterministas y estocásticas. La hipótesis de una componente determinista frecuentemente se considera ineludible porque es una hipótesis habitual en la física clásica y porque las aproximaciones que permiten detectar determinismo a partir de datos observacionales son escasas. El haber encontrado modelos en forma de conjuntos de ecuaciones diferenciales evidencia fuertemente que los microclimas kársticos son, de hecho, deterministas y pueden ser razonablemente aproximados mediante sistemas deterministas de baja dimensión. Además, proponemos que su complejidad en realidad proviene de su sensibilidad a condiciones iniciales y perturbaciones (lo que se conoce indistintamente como comportamiento determinista-caótico o comportamiento caótico). Aunque algunos de nuestros modelos sólo capturan la parte periódica de la dinámica, un ligero afinado de un coeficiente fue suficiente para encontrar modelos que convergen a atractores caóticos y que son más coherentes son el comportamiento no trivial de los retratos de fase observacionales. Esto indica que los microclimas de Altamira y El Rull son caóticos o cercanos al caos. Además, todos lo modelos muestran largos transients, lo que indica que pequeñas perturbaciones pueden lanzar el sistema a un estado de caos transitorio. En todos los casos, la fuente de caos es el clima exterior (un sistema caótico de alta dimensión bien establecido), mientras que el karst reduce la dimensionalidad debido a su efecto aislante, lo cual lleva dinámicas de menor dimensión, capturadas por los modelos. Hasta ahora la evolución temporal de las concentraciones de CO2 y 222Rn en cuevas y su relación con el clima externo se ha abordado predominantemente mediante aproximaciones estadísticas, las cuales no pueden garantizar la existencia de relaciones causales. Se han propuesto algunos modelos matemáticos para el estudio de microclimas, pero son locales (aplicables sólo a fragmentos de las series temporales), estáticos o se centran en algún aspecto particular (por ejemplo, el descenso de CO2 inmediatamente después de una visita turística). Por primera vez, hemos encontrado sistemas de ecuaciones diferenciales representan de forma global estos microclimas kársticos (aunque las oscilaciones diarias y de alta frecuencia no se han considerado en este estudio). Es más, aunque restringidos a ambientes kársticos, estos son los primeros modelos dinámicos climáticos extraídos directamente de datos observacionales, ya que todos los anteriores se basan en consideraciones teóricas. Para Altamira, encontramos modelos basados en variables internas. Para ambas cuevas encontramos modelos que relacionan las variables internas y los forzamientos externos (la humedad del suelo para Altamira, el número de visitantes diarios para el Rull y la temperatura exterior para ambas). Otra innovación introducida en esta investigación es el uso de series temporales observacionales como forzamientos externos (temperatura exterior, humedad del suelo y número de visitantes). Por primera vez en el estudio de un fenómeno real, se han presentado modelos globales formulados de forma no-autónoma. Esto ha permitido reducir la complejidad del proceso de búsqueda y validación de modelos, así como la posterior reinyección de esta complejidad original en los modelos. Es más, ha permitido el estudio de la respuesta de los microclimas kársticos a diferentes escenarios climáticos hipotéticos. En conclusión, el hallazgo de estos modelos es un notable paso adelante en el estudio de las cuevas de Altamira y El Rull, así como una exploración metodológica que ha abierto caminos fructíferos para el futuro de la investigación de microclimas kársticos.

En esta red-I3CE se ha investigado en docencia no presencial asíncrona y en el desarrollo de un material y metodologías que sean paralelas y complementarias a la docencia presencial, principalmente en la asignatura de Cristalografía (2º curso del grado en Geología). La motivación de esta red-I3CE surge por la importancia, y a la vez, la complejidad que presenta la visualización de las estructuras de los minerales, el cálculo de parámetros cristalográficos y su relación con la forma de los cristales (clases cristalinas) y la forma de los diagramas de difracción de rayos X. Para ello se ha investigado en metodologías y estrategias docentes, se ha evaluado la adecuación de los programas informáticos existentes que permitan incluir el mayor numero de contenidos, y finalmente, se ha creado material docente multimedia en la plataforma Moodle UA. El material desarrollado se ha llevado a cabo con el programa VESTA y la hoja de cálculo de EXCEL de Cálculo Cristalográfico vs. 2 (desarrollada en redes-I3CE precedentes y adaptada para esta investigación). El uso del entorno Moodle, los videotutoriales explicativos y las tareas (ejercicios y cuestionarios) han tenido una aceptación unánime muy positiva por parte del alumnado.

This work discusses the results from a set of physical and mechanical test conducted on 46 cubic samples of a granite from the north of Portugal widely used in local granite-built UNESCO World Heritage, heated in a furnace at temperatures ranging from 105 to 700º C and cooled under different conditions. Then, the obtained results are compared with an extensive database of published case studies, showing that porosity, unit weight, ultrasonic waves velocities, elastic modulus and uniaxial compressive stress variations are mostly related to the induced thermal-stress caused by the anisotropic thermal expansion of the mineral grains. Only mineralogy and specific gravity do not exhibit changes for the studied range of temperatures. For specimens heated to above 500ºC, degradation processes predominate due to alpha-beta phase transition in quartz grains, considerably increasing the linear crack density, length and width and reducing the rock properties. Regarding the influence of the cooling method, thermal effects are amplified when cooling is performed by water immersion because of the inhomogeneous shrinkage and the subsequent tension stress between adjacent particles due to temperature decrease that develop at different pace within the samples. Scanning electron microscopy confirms the increase of damage and the negative effect on the granite properties caused by thermal treatment from 500ºC and by water cooling. For temperatures lower than 500ºC a hardening effect slightly improving elastic modulus and uniaxial compressive strength is observed in slowly and quickly cooled samples. The derived conclusions considerably improve the knowledge about the behaviour against temperature of this type of granite, with the purpose of evaluating the integrity level of granite-built UNESCO cultural heritage of the north of Portugal. This work was partially funded by the University of Alicante (vigrob-157 Project, GRE17-011 and UAUSTI18-21, UAUSTI19-25 and UAUSTI20-20 projects), the Regional Governments of Comunidad Valenciana AICO/2020/175, the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) and EU FEDER under Project TEC2017-85244-C2-1-P, the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport under project CAS17/00392 and the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities project RTI2018-099052-BI00.

Heavy-metal sources in urban environments include automobile exhaust, fuel combustion, tires, road asphalt, weathering of building materials, and/or industrial activities. The presence of heavy metals in urban stormwaters constitutes a potential risk for water resources and aquatic life. Results from the present study demonstrated the effectiveness of two different lightweight aggregates (LWAs), Arlita and Filtralite, to remove heavy metals (Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) present in aqueous solutions. These materials were selected because they previously showed great results for water treatment and because of their physicochemical properties. The removal efficiency of the studied materials was evaluated with batch tests containing solutions contaminated with heavy metals (with individual and multiple contaminants) at different concentrations mixed with the LWA particles. Filtralite showed a better performance in heavy metal removal than Arlita: higher adsorption capacity for all metals, and lower release of metals from contaminated particles into washing water. The average removal capacities in tests developed with solutions containing individual contaminants for Arlita and Filtralite were 76% and 90%, respectively, although the values varied across the different contaminants. Metal elimination by LWAs was more effective with individual contaminated solutions than with multielemental ones. The analysis of the adsorption curves, the mineral precipitation on the LWA surface, and the geochemical modeling confirmed that two different mechanisms are responsible for the heavy-metal removal. First, the rough surface of the LWA presents sorbing surface sites of the forming minerals, resulting in the ion-exchange reactions of metal ions. Second, the LWA–water interaction causes an increase in solution pH, which triggers the precipitation and coprecipitation of the metals in the form of oxide and hydroxides. The study confirms that the use of Arlita and especially Filtralite present promising potential to remove heavy metals from urban stormwaters. This research was funded by the University of Alicante under the project GRE17-12, Generalitat Valenciana under the project GV/2020/059 and the Spanish Government under the project RTI2018-099052-B-I00.

The aesthetic properties of ornamental stones, including colour, texture, and the presence or absence of discontinuities, are influential in their use and marketing. This is particularly critical in brecciated rocks such as the Marrón Emperador (ME) ornamental stone, a dark brown breccia dolostone (Upper Cretaceous, southeast Spain). ME shows a high chromatic and textural variability, which is one of its most appreciated commercial features. Through a petrographic, mineralogical, geochemical and colourimetric study of samples obtained from quarries, outcrops and/or drilling cores, several quality categories have been established, as well as the relationship between the aesthetic properties of ME ornamental stone with its compositional and textural factors. Three main types of breccia constitute the ME exploitable lithotect: crackle and mosaic packbreccias, and rubble floatbreccias. Breccia clasts are mainly composed of hypidiotopic-idiotopic medium- to coarsely-crystalline dolosparites, microcrystalline dolosparites and dolomicrites. Results show that diagenetic processes are mainly responsible for the colour of ME dolostones, revealing that the Sr content is a key factor. The darker brown dolomites always show a higher Sr content, where other typical chromophore elements in dolomites, such as Fe and Mn, do not present this correlation. This study provides evidence for the complexity of processes and factors that are responsible for aesthetic quality features in ornamental stones.

We investigate the use of hydrated lime and calcite waste marble powder as remediation treatments of contaminated jarosite-rich sediments from Portman Bay (SE, Spain), one of the most contaminated points in the Mediterranean coast by mining-metallurgical activities. We tested two commercial hydrated limes with different Ca(OH)2 percentages (28 and 60% for Lime-1 and Lime-2 respectively) and two different waste marble powder, WMP, from the marble industry (60 and 96% of calcite for WMP-1 and WMP-2 respectively). Mixture and column experiments and modelling of geochemical reactions using PHREEQC were performed. Lime caused the precipitation of hematite, gypsum and calcite, whereas WMP treatments formed iron carbonates and hematite. The fraction of amorphous phases was mainly composed of iron oxides, hydroxides and oxyhydroxides that was notably higher in the lime treatment in comparison to the WMP treatment. The reactive surface area showed a positive trend with the amorphous phase concentration. Results highlighted the effectiveness of lime treatments, where Lime-2 showed a complete elimination of jarosite. Column experiments revealed a clear reduction of heavy metal concentration in the lixiviate for the treated sediments compared to the original sediments. Particularly, Lime-2 showed the highest reduction in the peak concentration of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cd. The studied treatments limited the stabilisation of Cr and Ni, whereas contrarily As increases in the treated sediment. PHREEQC calculations showed that the most concentrated heavy metals (Zn and Mn) are stabilized mainly by precipitation whereas Cu, Pb and Cd by a combination of precipitation and sorption processes. This chemical environment leads to the precipitation of stable iron phases, which sorb and co-precipitate considerable amounts of potentially toxic elements. Lime is significantly more effective than WMP, although it is recommended that the pH value of the mixture should remain below 9 due to the amphoteric behaviour of heavy metals. This study was funded by the University of Alicante [GRE17-12 from] and the Spanish Government [grant number RTI2018-099052-B-I00]. Additional acknowledge to the Technical Research Services of the University of Alicante (SSTTI-UA) for the analyses performed using the equipment held at this institution, which was financed by the EU, MINECO and Generalitat Valenciana [State Programme for Knowledge Generation and Scientific and Technological Strengthening of the RþDþi System and P.O. FEDER 2007e2013 funds].

La Unidad Metaharzburgítica de Medellín (UMM), emplazada en el margen continental de Pangea durante el Triásico, localizada en la Cordillera Central de Colombia, comprende metaharzburgitas y en menor proporción metadunitas y cuerpos de cromitita (depósitos de Patio Bonito y San Pedro). Estas rocas contienen olivino mantélico, Cr-espinela y en menor proporción ortopiroxeno, además de una asociación metamórfica posterior compuesta por tremolita, clorita, talco, olivino recristalizado de grano fino, minerales del grupo de la serpentina, magnetita y Cr-espinela secundaria, formada durante los procesos de evolución térmica de esta unidad. La Cr-espinela primaria tiene #Cr [Cr/(Cr+Al)] entre 0.58 y 0.62, similar a los valores de las peridotitas de zonas de suprasubducción. La Cr-espinela accesoria se puede clasificar en tres grupos según sus variaciones texturales y composicionales: i) Cr-espinela parcialmente alterada con un núcleo rico en Al, ii) Cr-espinela porosa, enriquecida en Cr-Fe2+ y empobrecida en Al-Mg, y iii) Cr-espinela homogénea rica en Fe3+. Las variaciones texturales y composicionales de las Cr-espinelas accesorias son evidencia de un metamorfismo superpuesto que alcanzó facies anfibolita (ca. 600 ºC). Los cuerpos de cromitita asociados a las metaperidotitas tienen texturas masivas y semi-masivas y comprenden núcleos de Cr-espinela inalterada rodeados por bordes de Cr-espinela férrica y clorita. Las cromititas son ricas en Al (grado refractario: #Cr en la Cr-espinela primaria

The Necropolis of Carmona, which has more than 600 tombs carved in calcarenites, is among the most important Roman burial sites preserved in southern Spain. The tombs in the Necropolis show severe alteration and multiple weathering processes after being excavated at the end of the nineteenth century without a preventive conservation plan. The archaeological site shows strong anthropic modifications related to different excavation stages and in relation to the construction of facilities for the visiting public. In particular, the exposure of the buried tombs to meteoric conditions and anthropic modification of natural drainage have led to an important acceleration of the deterioration of the tombs. The conservation status of the Necropolis was defined through a comprehensive geo-environmental study that combined field observations and laboratory data, modelling and digital mapping and environmental monitoring. Results allow a methodology to be developed providing guidelines to minimize potential risks when excavating new tombs (now buried) in the future. Moreover, the most suitable prospective areas can be defined inside the Necropolis in terms of the environmental, geological and geomorphological conditions which will enhance the preservation of newly exhumed tombs. Geo-environmental preventive conservation methods that we propose can be entirely applied to other large archaeological sites completely exposed to open-air atmospheric conditions., This research was funded by the Consejería de Cultura, Junta de Andalucía (project CSIC-2007X0859).

18 páginas._ 3 figuras.- 1 tabla.- 102 referencias, Of the several critical challenges present in environmental microbiology today, one is the assessment of the contribution of microorganisms in the carbon cycle in the Earth-climate system. Karstic subterranean ecosystems have been overlooked until recently. Covering up to 25% of the land surface and acting as a rapid CH4 sink and alternately as a CO2 source or sink, karstic subterranean ecosystems play a decisive role in the carbon cycle in terms of their contribution to the global balance of greenhouse gases. Recent data indicate that microbiota must play a significant ecological role in the biogeochemical processes that control the composition of the subterranean atmosphere, as well as in the availability of nutrients for the ecosystem. Nevertheless, there are still essential gaps in our knowledge concerning the budgets of greenhouse gases at the ecosystem scale and the possible feedback mechanisms between environmental-microclimatic conditions and the rates and type of activity of microbial communities in subterranean ecosystems. Another challenge is searching for bioactive compounds (antibiotics) used for treating human diseases. At present, there is a global health emergency and a strong need for novel biomolecules. In recent decades, great research efforts have been made to extract antibiotics from marine organisms. More recently, caves have been receiving considerable attention in search of novel antibiotics. Cave methanotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria are producers of bioactive compounds and may be potential sources of metabolites with antibacterial, antifungal or anticancer activities of interest in pharmacological and medical research, as well as enzymes with a further biotechnological use. Here we also show that bacteria isolated from mines, a still unexplored niche for scientists in search of novel compounds, can be a source of novel secondary metabolites, Financial support was obtained through project 0483_PROBIOMA_5_E, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund within the framework of the Interreg V-A Spain-Portugal program (POCTEP) 2014–2020. This work was also supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness through projects CGL2016-75590-P and PID2019-110603RB-I00, AEI/FEDER, UE.

Camarioca Sur es un sector de la asociación ofiolítica Moa-Baracoa compuesto por ultramafitas piroxénicas, espinelas cromíferas, anfibolitas gnéisicas y granofels anfibolíticos, en el cual se ha documentado la presencia de diques de rocas compactas y duras, de color blanco a gris oscuro, con escaso desarrollo de corteza de meteorización. Para caracterizar, petrológica y geoquímicamente, la asociación litológica ultramáfica y los diques leucocráticos asociados se analizaron secciones delgadas de doce muestras. Se encontró que las rocas ultramáficas que predominan son dunitas y harzburgitas, las que se encuentran cortadas por diques leucocráticos. Las peridotitas están compuestas por olivino principalmente, con presencia de cromo-espinelas y en menor medida piroxenos. Las rocas están parcial o totalmente transformadas a minerales del grupo de la serpentina (antigorita, lizardita y venillas de crisotilo). Algunas peridotitas están metamorfizadas, desarrollando talco + tremolita + clorita. Las rocas leucocráticas, que cortan a través de diques a las peridotitas, están constituidas principalmente por plagioclasa (oligoclasa-andesina), cuarzo y actinolita, y como accesorios aparecen moscovita, apatito y rutilo. Estos diques muestran un ligero metamorfismo, desarrollando una foliación y la formación de albita + clinozoicita + caolinita, lo que denota condiciones de un metamorfismo de grado desde bajo hasta medio. Camarioca Sur is a sector in Moa-Baracoa ophiolitic complex composed of pyroxene ultramaphites, gneissic amphiboles, chromium-spinels and amphibolitic granofels, in which the presence of compact and hard rock dykes has been documented, white to dark gray color and poor weathering crust development. The aim of this research is to characterize the associated leucocratic dykes and the ultramafic lithological association of Moa-Baracoa ophiolitic complex in Camarioca Sur sector by using petrological and geochemical techniques. It was found harzburgite dunites are the predominant rocks. Peridotites are mainly composed of olivine, with the presence of chromium-spinels and to lesser extent pyroxenes. The rocks are partial or totally transformed into minerals of serpentine group (antigorite, lizardite and chrysotile). Some peridotites are metamorphosed, developing talcum + tremolite + chlorite. The leucocratic rocks, which cut through the peridotite dikes, consist mainly of plagioclase (oligoclase-andesine), quartz and actinolite, and apatite, Muscovite and rutile as accessories. These dikes show a slight metamorphism, developing a foliation and the formation of albite + clinozoisite + kaolinite, which denotes conditions of metamorphism of degree from low to medium.

The sites of La Viña and Llonin have an important archaeological sequence corresponding to Marine Isotope Stage 3: Mousterian, Aurignacian and Gravettian periods. La Viña is a complex rock shelter with continuous occupations, being some (basically the Mousterian and the Aurignacian in contact levels) altered by post-depositional processes as a consequence of the irregular bedrock morphology and the type of processes involved. The cave of Llonin mainly consists of occasional human/carnivores occupations during the Mousterian and the Gravettian. The current multidisciplinary research has allowed us to obtain and match several preliminary data: site formation processes, fauna and stable isotopes, vegetation, radiocarbon dating, shell ornaments, lithic raw materials and technology, offering an interesting field of study of two relatively distant ecological niches: open river valley (La Viña) and mountainous (Llonin). During the Mousterian, the faunal composition of La Viña is scarce but dominated by red deer and followed by chamois, while large mammals are absent. At the Aurignacian, red deer and chamois are also represented within a larger assemblage, together with a low representation of other taxa such as horse, bovines, Spanish ibex and roe deer. Conversely, in Llonin chamois and Spanish ibex dominate during the Mousterian, followed by red deer. Carnivores are few in La Viña they are represented by bear, fox and wolf; while in Llonin they are larger and other species are included, mainly leopard and hyena with a main role in the formation of the faunal assemblages and alternating their occupation of the cave with the Neandertals. On the other hand, the ungulates from La Viña are anthropogenically modified not only during the Mousterian but also the Aurignacian and Gravettian in contrast to Llonin, were these modifications are lower than those generated by the carnivores. Firewood and micromammals analysis show an open landscape, dominated by heliophilous, pioneering species characteristic of the montane biogeographical belt. Sorbus, birch and Scots pine are especially important as well as a shurbland mainly dominated by leguminous. The environment seems to be more arid and open in Mousterian levels, more forested and humid during the Aurignacian and cold, namely climatic recrudescence, in the Gravettian. Shells are only present in the Aurignacian and the Gravettian of La Viña with other purposes than strictly bromatological. Local quartzite is the main raw material in both sites during MIS3. However, during the Aurignacian and the Gravettian, flint is broadly incorporated for blade and bladelet production. In this regard, local, semilocal and foreign flints are carried to the sites, mainly Piloña and Flysch flints. The preliminary assessment of inter-stratigraphical contamination between the Aurignacian and the Gravettian in the long sequence of La Viña shows no lithic refits, and therefore no interstratigraphic contamination, in agreement with the previous techno-typological studies. The radiocarbon dating fits into the current chronological framework of the Cantabrian region., This work has been funded under Project HAR2014-59183-P by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad.

An interdisciplinary study based on lithostratigraphic, biostratigraphic, petrographic and mineralogical analyses has been performed in order to establish the Cenozoic tectono-sedimentary evolution of the El Habt and Ouezzane Tectonic Units (External Intrarif Subzone, External Rif, Morocco). The reconstructed record allowed identification of the depositional architecture and related sedimentary processes of the considered units. The Cenozoic successions were biochronologically defined allowing, at the same time, identification of unconformities and associated stratigraphic gaps. The presence of five unconformities allowed for the definition of the main stratigraphic units arranged in a regressive trend: (1) lower Paleocene interval (Danian p.p.) assigned to a deep basin, (2) Eocene interval (lower Ypresian-lower Bartonian p.p.) from a deep basin to an external carbonate-siliceous platform, (3) lower Rupelian-upper Chattian p.p. interval deposited on unstable slope with turbidite channels passing upward to an external siliciclastic platform, (4) Burdigalian p.p. interval from a slope, (5) Langhian-Serravallian p.p. interval from slope to external platform realms. The petrography of the arenites and calcarenites allowed for the identification of the supplies derived from erosion of a recycled orogen (transitional and quartzose subtypes). The clay-mineralogy analysis indicates an unroofing (first erosion of Cretaceous terrains followed by upper Jurassic rocks) always accomplished by erosion of Cenozoic terrains. Several tectofacies checked in some stratigraphic intervals seem to indicate the beginning of deformation of the basement generating gentle folds and first activation of blind thrusts, mainly during the Paleogene. A preorogenic tectonic framework is considered as responseto the generalized tectonic inversion (from extension to compression) as frequently registered in the central-western peri-Mediterranean areas. The large volumes of reworked terrigeneous supply during the latest Oligocene-Miocene p.p. indicates the beginningsof the synorogenic sedimentation (foredeep stage of the basins) controlled by active tectonics.

La predicción de las propiedades de transporte de fluidos es una labor de importancia primordial en áreas científicas de gran interés económico. Las dificultades encontradas en describir y predecir cualquier problema ingenieril relacionado con el flujo de fluidos en medios rocosos carbonáticos es un desafío compartido entre los investigadores dedicados a este tema, atribuido principalmente al gran número de variables a ser consideradas. Las texturas de origen primario y secundario, la composición mineralógica, la porosidad y la distribución de tamaño de poro, la proporción clasto/matriz/cemento/tipo de poro, el arreglo espacial de los elementos texturales y estructurales, entre otros, actúan simultáneamente a escala de poro hasta escalas superiores, impactando sobre un único parámetro de conjunto investigado. Como resultado, los modelos de predicción clásicos no describen correctamente las propiedades de transporte de fluidos, debido a la pobre relación encontrada entre los resultados experimentales y las estimaciones teóricas. Esto podría deberse, en parte, a la exclusión de parámetros claves en las teorías existentes, a la simplificación excesiva de las ecuaciones generalizadas y a la aplicación inadecuada de modelos determinísticos para evaluar medios porosos caóticos. Esta investigación tiene como objetivo desarrollar modelos de flujo monofásico en rocas carbonáticas de agua dulce y marinas, con el propósito de describir procesos de flujo reales, tanto en medios no saturados (capilaridad) como saturados (permeabilidad), a partir de un enfoque teórico y experimental. Para ello, primero se cuantifican en profundidad los factores intrínsecos de las rocas y posteriormente se determina su control sinérgico sobre el comportamiento del flujo de fluidos. Con base en la conceptualización adecuada del espacio poroso interconectado, como también en la selección y parametrización de las variables petrológicas y petrofísicas más significativas, se introducen nuevas ecuaciones empíricas de regresión lineal múltiple y soluciones semi-analíticas para estimar la permeabilidad. La atención se centra en modelos de predicción de la permeabilidad a partir de la imbibición capilar, la estructura del poro y la mojabilidad, asumiendo que el frente capilar en el ensayo de imbibición espontánea alcanza un estado de saturación completa como el presentado en la permeabilidad absoluta. En esta investigación se escogieron tres tipos de dolomías fracturadas y dos travertinos de la Cordillera Bética (SE de España), y una caliza lacustre de la Cuenca de Madrid (Centro de España), comercializadas como mármoles y ampliamente utilizadas como material de construcción. A fin de verificar los modelos de permeabilidad e identificar los principales factores de control, también se estudiaron y se compararon algunas rocas sedimentarias adicionales provenientes de España (biocalcarenita, biocalcirrudita, oosparita y arenisca) y dos rocas volcánicas (tobas de lapilli) de la Isla de Madeira, Portugal. En conjunto, estas rocas además de presentar una petrogénesis y composición mineralógica diferenciada, también exhiben una amplia gama de características petrográficas que proporcionan distintos grados de conectividad, porosidades, distribuciones de tamaño de poro, coeficientes de absorción de agua por capilaridad y de permeabilidades al agua. El análisis de componentes principales y los modelos de regresión propuestos para las dolomías fracturadas demostraron claramente, por un lado, que el sistema poroso en medios no saturados debe ser modelado a partir de la combinación de tubos capilares con geometría diferente representando la matriz (cilíndricos) y las fisuras (prismas rectangulares) y, por otro lado, que la cuantificación detallada del tamaño de la fisura permitió una predicción más precisa de la permeabilidad en medios saturados. Los resultados experimentales confirman que las propiedades de transporte y su comportamiento anisotrópico dependen en gran medida de la tipología de las fisuras, de las características texturales, de la mineralogía y de la distribución espacial de todos los elementos constituyentes de la fábrica de la roca. Las fisuras con gran apertura generan una succión capilar débil, por lo que no se hallan activas en el transporte de agua por capilaridad, pero son vitales para controlar la permeabilidad. Las brechas tipo «crackle» con clastos pequeños, alto contenido de cemento dolomítico y alta densidad de fisura de tipo interclasto, muestran una fuerte succión capilar. Sin embargo, el alto contenido de cemento calcítico produce tasas anormalmente bajas del ascenso capilar, causadas por una posible contaminación de la superficie de los poros, indicando un estado de mojabilidad parcial con un ángulo de contacto mayor que cero. La buena correlación entre la permeabilidad y los factores geométricos de la fisura ofreció una base adecuada para identificar direcciones permeables preferentes. Adicionalmente, se encontró un valor de densidad de fisura crítica (umbral de percolación) que definió la permeabilidad isotrópica de la matriz. Finalmente, se presenta un nuevo modelo lineal práctico y simple, aplicable a dolomías brechoides, que relaciona la permeabilidad con la capilaridad, la densidad de fisura y la porosidad efectiva. El análisis de estos resultados reveló que el uso del análisis multivariante en dolomías con porosidad de tipo dual es considerablemente más preciso en comparación con los enfoques convencionales. El espacio poroso de las calizas, travertinos, tobas, rocas bioclásticas y areniscas estudiadas se describe como un medio poroso homogéneo constituido por un grupo de tubos capilares paralelos. El análisis estadístico también mostró fuertes correlaciones entre los parámetros petrofísicos de las variedades petrológicas evaluadas. Diversas propiedades fundamentales se ajustan a diferentes expresiones lineales y múltiples, en las cuales la permeabilidad al agua se expresa como una función generalizada de las propiedades. La relación entre la permeabilidad y la porosidad se discute en el contexto de la influencia de la conectividad de los poros y la mojabilidad. Como consecuencia, se propone un modelo generalizado para estimar la permeabilidad en medios porosos homogéneos que incluye información sobre la tasa de fluidos del agua (coeficiente de absorción capilar), propiedades del agua (densidad y viscosidad), mojabilidad (tensión interfacial y ángulo de contacto) y estructura del poro (radio medio del poro y porosidad). Los resultados indican que el radio de poro umbral, en el que el agua percola a través de la roca, logra la mejor descripción del sistema poroso. La ecuación propuesta se compara con las ecuaciones de Carman-Kozeny y Katz- Thompson y alcanza predicciones muy precisas de la permeabilidad al agua en el rango de 0.01 a 1000 mD. Otro aspecto significativo de esta ecuación consiste en el hecho de que reveló que valores altos de ángulos de contacto permiten obtener resultados confiables en la predicción de la permeabilidad, especialmente en rocas con alto contenido de calcita. Por tanto, se propone una ecuación para estimar la permeabilidad a partir de la sortividad intrínseca en lugar de la capilaridad, eliminando la existencia de cualquier estado de mojabilidad parcial y logrando así una excelente correlación entre los resultados predichos y los experimentales. Una regresión lineal simple que relaciona el coeficiente de absorción capilar con la raíz cuadrada de la permeabilidad, proporcionando por primera vez un alto coeficiente de correlación (R = 0.991) en rocas altamente heterogéneas y anisotrópicas, específicamente en tobas de lapilli, sugiere que en ausencia de calcita no se espera una absorción anormal de agua por capilaridad y, por consiguiente, este tipo de modelo podría aplicarse de manera muy efectiva en estos casos. En resumen, este estudio ha demostrado que a través de la implementación de un enfoque sistemático que incluye la configuración real del sistema poroso de la roca, la identificación correcta de las variables petrológicas y petrofísicas relacionadas directamente entre sí, la determinación de su efecto sinérgico y, finalmente, la elección adecuada del modelo de permeabilidad a ser aplicado, es factible obtener estimaciones precisas de la permeabilidad.

El trabajo realizado en esta red docente se ha centrado en la adaptación, implementación y evaluación de docencia online para modelización geoquímica con el código PHREEQC. La presente red-I3CE ha desarrollado material específico orientado a facilitar el autoaprendizaje y autoevaluación del alumnado en entorno Moodle. Este material se empleará en diferentes asignaturas de la Universidad de Alicante, principalmente en el Grado en Geología, donde se estudian procesos y datos geoquímicos que tienen lugar en el medio natural, principalmente en geoquímica acuosa y ambiental. La modelización geoquímica se realizó dentro de las prácticas de la asignatura Geoquímica y Prospección geoquímica, de forma completamente online debido al confinamiento por la Covid19. Las metodologías y los recursos de aprendizaje desarrollados se han valorado a través de encuestas a los estudiantes, obteniendo una excelente aceptación por parte de los estudiantes, tanto por el formato Moodle como pa la adquisición de los conocimientos de la modelización geoquímica. El formato online (no presencial) de las prácticas ha tenido una aceptación muy positiva, aunque claramente el alumnado prefiere el formato presencial en aulas de informática. Finalmente destacar que gran parte del alumnado encuestado (58%) considera que el confinamiento ha afectado al aprendizaje o desarrollo de las prácticas.

New field and petrographic observations, whole-rock major- and trace-element geochemical data, Nd and Sr isotope systematics and U-Pb SHRIMP zircon ages of the Peltetec metaophiolite and related rocks (Ecuador) allow the characterization of the igneous and sedimentary protoliths and the evaluation of the geodynamic evolution of the active western margin of Gondwana during the Mesozoic. The Peltetec ophiolitic belt, exposed along the western margin of the Cordillera Real (Ecuador) and previously considered of Cretaceous age, comprises slices of metamorphosed (greenschist facies) and variably deformed peridotites, gabbros (locally cumulate), basaltic lavas and dykes, hydrothermal breccias and sedimentary rocks. The geochemical characteristics of the tholeiitic basaltic rocks indicate a Sr-Nd isotope depleted mantle source with variable imprint of subduction zone-derived or continental crust-assimilated components, as indicated by enrichment in Th, negative anomaly of Nb and relative depletion in high field strength elements (HFSE). Geochemical diversity allows defining different groups of noncumulate igneous rocks with oceanic island arc and NMORB-like back-arc affinities. U-Pb zircon ages from a metabasite yielded 228.1 ± 1.7 Ma, interpreted as the crystallization age of the magma. These data allow proposing the generation of the Peltetec ophiolite in a back-arc setting as a consequence of late Triassic extension of the western continental margin of Gondwana. Granites located at the western margin of the Peltetec Unit with S-type affinity and equal Triassic age (U-Pb age of 228.2 ± 0.8 Ma) document coeval anatexis of the continental crust as a consequence of heating associated with the same extensional event that originated the ophiolite. Geologic correlation allows enlarging such tectonic scenario to include ophiolitic units of similar age in Colombia., This work was funded in the frame of the project ‘Proyecto Junior PIJ-16-04 (VIPS-EPN)’ of the Escuela Politécnica Nacional and received support for analyses at CIC from the University of Granada

La Geoyincana Alicante es una actividad que se realiza anualmente desde el año 2012 en la que han participado casi 10.000 estudiantes de 4º de la ESO y 1º de Bachillerato. Se desarrolla en un itinerario de algo más de 2 km en el que se alternan paradas con explicaciones directas y pruebas de destreza e ingenio al aire libre. En este trabajo se analizan las siete actividades en las que el aprendizaje se basa en juegos: la carrera del Tiempo Geológico, superposición estratigráfica humana, pictionary geológico, en busca de fósiles, geoselfi geomorfológico, geomimic e historia geológica: el enigma final. La actividad alcanza cada año su objetivo principal que es acercar la Geología a estudiantes y profesorado de una forma atractiva, utilizando las actividades de campo como recurso principal. La evaluación realizada al alumnado y profesorado muestra la valoración positiva de las pruebas basadas en juegos y su idoneidad para comprender mejor los conceptos de geología. A pesar de su carácter extracurricular, la actividad favorece la consecución de objetivos del currículo oficial, ya que favorece la participación activa, el trabajo en equipo, el conocimiento sobre la geología local, la motivación por la ciencia y, en general, el interés por el estudio de la Geología. The Geogymkhana-Alicante is a game-based learning activity carried out annually since 2012. During these years around 10,000 students of secondary school (fourth year of the Compulsory Secondary Education and the first year of Bachillerato) have attended Geogymkhana-Alicante. It consists of a 2 km-long walking trip that combines direct explanations and outdoor skill and ingenuity games. In this paper, we analyse seven of the game-based learning activities of Geogymkhana-Alicante: the geological time race, the human stratigraphic superposition, geological Pictionary, find fossils, the geomorphological geoselfie, geomimic, and geological history: Final Enigma. Each year, these games achieved their main goal: to bring geology to students and teachers in an attractive way using field activities as main resource. We performed a quantitative survey to students and teachers. This survey showed a positive approval of the game-based learning field activities, and their suitability to better understand geological concepts. Despite its extracurricular nature, the activity helps to achieve several objectives of the official curriculum, as it favours the understanding of geological concepts, the knowledge of local geology, teamwork, active participation, and motivation for Geology and Science in a broad way.

An intra-Vallesian (Upper Miocene) paleokarst developed at the top of the Intermediate Miocene Unit in the continental intracratonic Madrid Basin is recognized. This paleokarst is an early shallow, tabular-shaped karst that shows a marked control by the depositional facies pattern and lithologies. By integrating morphological, petrological, and geochemical data, three hydrogeological zones were established throughout the paleokarstic profiles: (i) a paleo-vadose zone, characterized by vertically elongated caves and vadose cementation, (ii) a 3&ndash, 7 m thick paleo-epiphreatic zone (paleo-water table fringe), with development of stratiform breccia bodies, the superimposition of both vadose and phreatic features, and the lowest Fe and Mn contents in host-rock carbonates, and (iii) a paleo-phreatic zone characterized by an increase in &delta, 13C values and the predominance of phreatic cementation. The paleogeographic reconstruction for the intra-Vallesian paleokarst using profiles revealed relative topographic highs to the north and topographic lows to the south, drawing the paleokarst landscape. Immediately overlaying the paleokarst surface are fluvio-lacustrine facies belonging to the Miocene Upper Unit (Late Vallesian to Late Turolian). Their lowermost deposits consist of fluvial terrigenous facies deposited by approximately N&ndash, S fluvial streams, and pass upward into fluvio-lacustrine fresh-water limestones. This paleokarstic surface represents a major change in the evolution of sedimentary patterns of basin, from endorheic to exorheic conditions, as the result of a change from compressive to extensional conditions in the tectonic regime.

La Geoyincana Alicante es una actividad que se realiza anualmente desde el año 2012 en la que han participado casi 10.000 estudiantes de 4º de la ESO y 1º de Bachillerato. Se desarrolla en un itinerario de algo más de 2 km en el que se alternan paradas con explicaciones directas y pruebas de destreza e ingenio al aire libre. En este trabajo se analizan las siete actividades en las que el aprendizaje se basa en juegos: la carrera del Tiempo Geológico, superposición estratigráfica humana, pictionary geológico, en busca de fósiles, geoselfi geomorfológico, geomimic e historia geológica: el enigma final. La actividad alcanza cada año su objetivo principal que es acercar la Geología a estudiantes y profesorado de una forma atractiva, utilizando las actividades de campo como recurso principal. La evaluación realizada al alumnado y profesorado muestra la valoración positiva de las pruebas basadas en juegos y su idoneidad para comprender mejor los conceptos de geología. A pesar de su carácter extracurricular, la actividad favorece la consecución de objetivos del currículo oficial, ya que favorece la participación activa, el trabajo en equipo, el conocimiento sobre la geología local, la motivación por la ciencia y, en general, el interés por el estudio de la Geología. The Geogymkhana-Alicante is a game-based learning activity carried out annually since 2012. During these years around 10,000 students of secondary school (fourth year of the Compulsory Secondary Education and the first year of Bachillerato) have attended Geogymkhana-Alicante. It consists of a 2 km-long walking trip that combines direct explanations and outdoor skill and ingenuity games. In this paper, we analyse seven of the game-based learning activities of Geogymkhana-Alicante: the geological time race, the human stratigraphic superposition, geological Pictionary, find fossils, the geomorphological geoselfie, geomimic, and geological history: Final Enigma. Each year, these games achieved their main goal: to bring geology to students and teachers in an attractive way using field activities as main resource. We performed a quantitative survey to students and teachers. This survey showed a positive approval of the game-based learning field activities, and their suitability to better understand geological concepts. Despite its extracurricular nature, the activity helps to achieve several objectives of the official curriculum, as it favours the understanding of geological concepts, the knowledge of local geology, teamwork, active participation, and motivation for Geology and Science in a broad way.

Natural stone has long been used as a building material because of its physical-mechanical resistance and its esthetic appeal. However, over the last century increasing industrial activity has produced more acidic environments, such as polluted urban areas, that can cause serious damage to many buildings and historic monuments, and in particular those made with carbonate rocks, which are most prone to decay. In order to mitigate the physicochemical processes that degrade these buildings, a number of phosphate-based consolidants have been developed, which are highly compatible with the carbonated substrate. Research about the role of the surface and its different possible finishes in the transmission of the agents that damage or protect the stone would therefore be very useful, both when choosing the most suitable stone for new constructions and when restoring historic buildings. The main objective of this research was to determine whether the roughness of three types of surface finish (sawcut, honed and bush-hammered) influences the durability of four types of natural stone (two calcarenites, one travertine and one sandstone) widely used in Andalusia (Spain). The efficacy of a calcium phosphate-based consolidant as a mitigator of deterioration in polluted urban environments was also studied and to this end the physical properties of untreated and treated samples were measured and compared. The samples were exposed to artificial atmospheres with SO2 pollution in order to assess the damage caused to each surface finish. The results indicate that all the surface finishes were vulnerable to the decay caused by acidic atmospheres, although the saw-cut finish was less affected, perhaps because it did not require additional industrial processing. The mineral composition and texture of the rocks were critical factors in terms of the amount and type of decay they suffered, and the travertine and sandstone were more resistant to deterioration than the calcarenites. Similarly, the pore system of each rock was decisive in the penetration of the consolidant. Application of the consolidant improved the behavior of the treated samples by making them more resistant to acid attack without significantly altering the water vapor permeability, the color or the roughness of the surface., Junta de Andalucia RNM179, MAT2016-75889-R

La presente red docente se ha centrado en la implementación y evaluación de herramientas y utilidades docentes como recursos tecnológicos complementarios en la enseñanza de la Mineralogía y disciplinas afines, con el objetivo de facilitar el logro de aprendizajes y competencias de los estudiantes, así como de promover su autonomía a través del uso de ambientes virtuales. El recurso final del trabajo en esta red es la website Banco de Imágenes de Mineralogía que ha sido utilizado durante el presente curso académico (2019-20) en el desarrollo docente de la asignatura Mineralogía (2º curso del Grado en Geología de la Universidad de Alicante). Se ha realizado una evaluación de la actividad mediante el análisis de la percepción, por parte de los estudiantes y docentes, de la implementación del citado recurso, de modo que ha permitido valorar la eficiencia y facilidad de manejo de esta herramienta, así como se han puesto de manifiesto posibles mejoras y la corrección de problemas derivados del diseño general y estructuración de los contenidos.

La presente red docente se ha centrado en la creación, implementación y evaluación de un recurso digital complementario en la enseñanza de Estadística y la Econometría, con el objetivo de facilitar el logro de aprendizajes y competencias de los estudiantes, así como el de promover su autonomía a través de entornos audiovisuales. El recurso objeto de trabajo son píldoras educativas publicadas en el canal de YouTube “Estadística e intro Econometría” difundido entre alumnos matriculados en el presente curso académico 2019-20 como recurso complementario de la asignatura Estadística e introducción a la Econometría de 2º curso del grado de Administración y dirección de empresas de la Universidad de Alicante. Además, se ha realizado una evaluación de la experiencia mediante el análisis de percepción por parte de los estudiantes matriculados en los grupos 2 y 4 de la citada asignatura.

This paper analyses the mineralogical composition, texture, and structure of a stalactite sampled from the city-wall storerooms of the Nueva Tabarca fortress (southeast Spain). This speleothem presents an uncommon mineral assemblage: aragonite, brucite, gypsum, silica, and halite. Internally, it shows complex structure: (1) a central soda-straw composed by aragonite, (2) an external puff-pastry cone-crust formed preferentially by aragonite and brucite, and (3) an internal branching of coralloids, showing a subtle layering between brucite and aragonite. Gypsum, halite, and silica locate in the outer coating of the cone-crust. The sequent mineral precipitation sequence has been established: aragonite &gt, brucite &gt, gypsum/silica &gt, halite. Speleothem formation is directly related to the chemical weathering of the rocks and mortars used as building materials of the city-wall. Brucite precipitates has been always linked to the presence of MgO-based geomaterials. However, the lack of these compounds as building materials in Nueva Tabarca fortress makes this investigation a unique example of brucite precipitation. PHREEQC calculations showed that interaction between pore waters and the minerals of mortar aggregates (dolomite, pyroxene, and amphibole) leads to rich-magnesium solutions. Evaporation modelling of lixiviated waters describes the precipitation of the mineral assemblage of the brucite-aragonite speleothems.

Some materials undergo an hygric expansion when they are soaked. In porous rocks, this effect is enhanced by the pore space that allows the water to reach every part of its volume and to hydrate the most of their swelling parts. This enlargement has negative structural consequences in the vicinity since adjacent elements will support some compressions or displacements. Recently image-based methods have arisen in this field due to their advantages versus traditional methods. Among all image processing methods, digital image correlation (DIC) is one of the most used in all areas. In this work, we propose a new methodology based on DIC for the calculation of the hygric expansion of materials. We use porous sandstone, with dimensions 14x14x30 mm to measure its hygric swelling using an industrial digital camera and a telecentric objective. We took one image every 5 minutes to characterize the whole swelling process. Due the large magnification, the whole 14 mm length of one contour was not in the image and therefore we lost the image scale reference. To solve this, a 1951 USAF test was used to calibrate the imagen. The telecentric objective and a narrow deep of field allowed to have the specimen surface exactly on the same plane that the USAF test was during the calibration. The image was pointed to one corner of the specimen, to obtain information not only of its vertical displacement due to its expansión but also of its horizontal movement. Preliminary results show that the proposed methodology provides reliable information of the hygric swelling using a non-contact methodology, with an accuracy of 1 micron. This work has been supported by the Generalitat Valenciana and the European Social Fund (FSE) through the Recruitment of Predoctoral Research Staff ACIF/2018/211 included in the FSE Operational Program 2014-2020 of the Valencian Community.

13 págins.-- 9 figuras.-- 3 tablas.-- 24 referencias, The Roman Necropolis of Carmona (Sevilla, Spain) has experienced a severe deterioration since the accidental discovery in 1868 and subsequent archaeological excavations starting in 1882. To this deterioration contributed the location in a soft calcarenite rock quarry, the adverse environmental conditions and the numerous and extensive wrong archaeological and managing interventions along more than a century. The cultural, artistic and religious importance of this Necropolis converts the protection and conservation of this archaeological site in a major issue. This work present the data obtained in a multidisciplinary research were geology, geomorphology, micro-environmental and climatic monitoring, rock petrophysical characterization, description of weathering forms and biological colonization were considered in order to propose corrective measures to minimize deterioration., This research was funded by the Consejería de Cultura, Junta de Andalucía, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, project CGL2010-17183 and the CSIC project 201230E125

A thorough investigation of the weathering phenomena affecting a Byzantine Wall has been carried out. This Wall is a representative example of historic constructions in Tebessa (northeastern Algeria), in which limestone and carbonate tufa were the main materials used. Field investigations showed several weathering forms, including flaking, alveolisation, efflorescence, discolouration, fracturing, material loss and powdering. These weathering forms were mainly produced by salt action (gypsum and halite) and were related to the textural and petrophysical properties of the limestone and carbonate tufa. The quantification of the degree of deterioration using a Schmidt hammer revealed damage ranging from medium to severe. Petrophysical and durability properties were measured for both stone types extracted from ancient quarries. Pore structure, capillarity imbibition, P wave velocities and uniaxial compressive strength were used to characterise the petrophysical properties of the stones, and salt crystallisation tests were used to estimate their durability. These properties are closely linked to the stone microstructure. Carbonate tufas show excellent durability under salt crystallisation and a lower mechanical strength than limestone. Limestone, on the other hand, despite its low porosity and better mechanical strength, shows lower durability values. While micropores contribute to the relatively lower durability values of limestone, in tufa, macropores reduce the salt crystallisation effectiveness and improve the durability. According to our investigation, the Byzantine Wall requires urgent preservation measures. In the built heritage of Tebessa, limestone is expected be more prone to deterioration than carbonate tufa.