Impacts of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill on Salt Marsh Periwinkles (Littoraria irrorata).

Deepwater Horizon was the largest marine oil spill in U.S. waters, oiling large expanses of coastal wetland shorelines. We compared marsh periwinkle (Littoraria irrorata) density and shell length at salt marsh sites with heavy oiling to reference conditions ∼16 months after oiling. We also compared periwinkle density and size among oiled sites with and without shoreline cleanup treatments. Densities of periwinkles were reduced by 80-90% at the oiled marsh edge and by 50% in the oiled marsh interior (∼9 m inland) compared to reference, with greatest numerical losses of periwinkles in the marsh interior, where densities were naturally higher. Shoreline cleanup further reduced adult snail density as well as snail size. Based on the size of adult periwinkles observed coupled with age and growth information, population recovery is projected to take several years once oiling and habitat conditions in affected areas are suitable to support normal periwinkle life-history functions. Where heavily oiled marshes have experienced accelerated erosion as a result of the spill, these habitat impacts would represent additional losses of periwinkles. Losses of marsh periwinkles would likely affect other ecosystem processes and attributes, including organic matter and nutrient cycling, marsh-estuarine food chains, and multiple species that prey on periwinkles.

Predictive modeling of subsurface shoreline oil encounter probability from the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska.

To better understand the distribution of remaining lingering subsurface oil residues from the Exxon Valdez oil spill (EVOS) along the shorelines of Prince William Sound (PWS), AK, we revised previous modeling efforts to allow spatially explicit predictions of the distribution of subsurface oil. We used a set of pooled field data and predictor variables stored as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data to generate calibrated boosted tree models predicting the encounter probability of different categories of subsurface oil. The models demonstrated excellent predictive performance as evaluated by cross-validated performance statistics. While the average encounter probabilities at most shoreline locations are low across western PWS, clusters of shoreline locations with elevated encounter probabilities remain in the northern parts of the PWS, as well as more isolated locations. These results can be applied to estimate the location and amount of remaining oil, evaluate potential ongoing impacts, and guide remediation. This is the first application of quantitative machine-learning based modeling techniques in estimating the likelihood of ongoing, long-term shoreline oil persistence after a major oil spill.

Accelerated marsh erosion following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill confirmed, ameliorated by planting.

Multiple studies have examined the effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on coastal marsh shoreline erosion. Most studies have concluded that the spill increased shoreline erosion (linear retreat) in oiled marshes by ~ 100-200% for at least 2-3 years. However, two studies have called much of this prior research into question, due to potential study design flaws and confounding factors, primarily tropical cyclone influences and differential wave exposure between oiled (impact) and unoiled (reference) sites. Here we confirm that marsh erosion in our field experiment was substantially increased (112-233%) for 2 years in heavily oiled marsh after the spill, likely due to vegetation impacts and reduced soil shear strength attributed to the spill, rather than the influences of hurricanes or wave exposure variation. We discuss how our findings reinforce prior studies, including a wider-scale remote sensing analysis with similar study approach. We also show differences in the degree of erosion among oil spill cleanup treatments. Most importantly, we show that marsh restoration planting can drastically reduce oiled marsh erosion, and that the positive influences of planting can extend beyond the immediate impact of the spill.

Oil spills and their impacts on sand beach invertebrate communities: A literature review.

Sand beaches are highly dynamic habitats that can experience considerable impacts from oil spills. This review provides a synthesis of the scientific literature on major oil spills and their impacts on sand beaches, with emphasis on studies documenting effects and recoveries of intertidal invertebrate communities. One of the key observations arising from this review is that more attention has generally been given to studying the impacts of oil spills on invertebrates (mostly macrobenthos), and not to documenting their biological recovery. Biological recovery of sand beach invertebrates is highly dynamic, depending on several factors including site-specific physical properties and processes (e.g., sand grain size, beach exposure), the degree of oiling, depth of oil burial, and biological factors (e.g., species-specific life-history traits). Recovery of affected communities ranges from several weeks to several years, with longer recoveries generally associated with physical factors that facilitate oil persistence, or when cleanup activities are absent on heavily oiled beaches. There are considerable challenges in quantifying impacts from spills on sand beach invertebrates because of insufficient baseline information (e.g., distribution, abundance and composition), knowledge gaps in their natural variability (spatial and temporal), and inadequate sampling and replication during and after oil spills. Thus, environment assessments of impacts and recovery require a rigorous experimental design that controls for confounding sources of variability. General recommendations on sampling strategies and toxicity testing, and a preliminary framework for incorporating species-specific life history traits into future assessments are also provided.

Shoreline oiling from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

We build on previous work to construct a comprehensive database of shoreline oiling exposure from the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) spill by compiling field and remotely-sensed datasets to support oil exposure and injury quantification. We compiled a spatial database of shoreline segments with attributes summarizing habitat, oiling category and timeline. We present new simplified oil exposure classes for both beaches and coastal wetland habitats derived from this database integrating both intensity and persistence of oiling on the shoreline over time. We document oiling along 2113km out of 9545km of surveyed shoreline, an increase of 19% from previously published estimates and representing the largest marine oil spill in history by length of shoreline oiled. These data may be used to generate maps and calculate summary statistics to assist in quantifying and understanding the scope, extent, and spatial distribution of shoreline oil exposure as a result of the DWH incident.

Heavily Oiled Salt Marsh following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Ecological Comparisons of Shoreline Cleanup Treatments and Recovery.

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill affected hundreds of kilometers of coastal wetland shorelines, including salt marshes with persistent heavy oiling that required intensive shoreline "cleanup" treatment. Oiled marsh treatment involves a delicate balance among: removing oil, speeding the degradation of remaining oil, protecting wildlife, fostering habitat recovery, and not causing further ecological damage with treatment. To examine the effectiveness and ecological effects of treatment during the emergency response, oiling characteristics and ecological parameters were compared over two years among heavily oiled test plots subject to: manual treatment, mechanical treatment, natural recovery (no treatment, oiled control), as well as adjacent reference conditions. An additional experiment compared areas with and without vegetation planting following treatment. Negative effects of persistent heavy oiling on marsh vegetation, intertidal invertebrates, and shoreline erosion were observed. In areas without treatment, oiling conditions and negative effects for most marsh parameters did not considerably improve over two years. Both manual and mechanical treatment were effective at improving oiling conditions and vegetation characteristics, beginning the recovery process, though recovery was not complete by two years. Mechanical treatment had additional negative effects of mixing oil into the marsh soils and further accelerating erosion. Manual treatment appeared to strike the right balance between improving oiling and habitat conditions while not causing additional detrimental effects. However, even with these improvements, marsh periwinkle snails showed minimal signs of recovery through two years, suggesting that some ecosystem components may lag vegetation recovery. Planting following treatment quickened vegetation recovery and reduced shoreline erosion. Faced with comparable marsh oiling in the future, we would recommend manual treatment followed by planting. We caution against the use of intensive treatment methods with lesser marsh oiling. Oiled controls (no treatment "set-asides") are essential for judging marsh treatment effectiveness and ecological effects; we recommend their use when applying intensive treatment methods.

[Fitness to drive in dementia - theoretical framing and design of a recommendation for German general practice]. / Fahrtauglichkeit bei Demenz - Theoretische Rahmung und Konzept einer Vorgehensempfehlung für die Hausarztpraxis.

BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) are among the first to be contacted by persons with dementia and their relatives. Fitness to drive in dementia is a subject of uncertainty and conflict for GPs. OBJECTIVE: Development of recommendations for German general practice on managing fitness to drive in dementia. METHODS: Specification of problem areas by using relevant parts of a metasynthesis of international qualitative dementia research with GPs; literature review on evidence regarding the pre-defined problem areas; deduction of a preliminary design for a recommendation in a multi-professional team. RESULTS: The difficulties include the assessment of fitness to drive in the office setting, concerns about damaging the patient-physician relationship by raising the issue of driving fitness, and uncertainties about the GP's own legal role. A diagnosis of dementia does not per se preclude driving. The majority of elderly people would accept discussing fitness to drive with their GP. In Germany, GPs are not obliged to assess fitness to drive, or to report unsafe drivers to the Licensing Agency, but under certain conditions they do have the right to report. Addressing the issue of driving and dementia early with the patient seems to be a prerequisite for a resource-oriented and patient-centred management. DISCUSSION: The distinction between medical, ethical-communicative, and legal aspects enabled us to break down this complex problem and thus provide the informative basis to draft tailored recommendations. In an ongoing project, this framework will be further developed and informed by the expertise of patients, family caregivers, and professionals from various fields.

Impacts, recovery rates, and treatment options for spilled oil in marshes.

In a review of the literature on impacts of spilled oil on marshes, 32 oil spills and field experiments were identified with sufficient data to generate recovery curves and identify influencing factors controlling the rate of recovery. For many spills, recovery occurred within 1-2 growing seasons, even in the absence of any treatment. Recovery was longest for spills with the following conditions: Cold climate; sheltered settings; thick oil on the marsh surface; light refined products with heavy loading; oils that formed persistent thick residues; and intensive treatment. Recovery was shortest for spills with the following conditions: Warm climate; light to heavy oiling of the vegetation only; medium crude oils; and less-intensive treatment. Recommendations are made for treatment based on the following oiling conditions: Free-floating oil on the water in the marsh; thicker oil (>0.5 cm) on marsh surface; thinner oil (<0.5 cm) on marsh surface; heavy oil loading on vegetation; and light to moderate oil loading on vegetation.

Extent and degree of shoreline oiling: Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Gulf of Mexico, USA.

The oil from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico was documented by shoreline assessment teams as stranding on 1,773 km of shoreline. Beaches comprised 50.8%, marshes 44.9%, and other shoreline types 4.3% of the oiled shoreline. Shoreline cleanup activities were authorized on 660 km, or 73.3% of oiled beaches and up to 71 km, or 8.9% of oiled marshes and associated habitats. One year after the spill began, oil remained on 847 km; two years later, oil remained on 687 km, though at much lesser degrees of oiling. For example, shorelines characterized as heavily oiled went from a maximum of 360 km, to 22.4 km one year later, and to 6.4 km two years later. Shoreline cleanup has been conducted to meet habitat-specific cleanup endpoints and will continue until all oiled shoreline segments meet endpoints. The entire shoreline cleanup program has been managed under the Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Technique (SCAT) Program, which is a systematic, objective, and inclusive process to collect data on shoreline oiling conditions and support decision making on appropriate cleanup methods and endpoints. It was a particularly valuable and effective process during such a complex spill.

Large-scale risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in shoreline sediments from Saudi Arabia: environmental legacy after twelve years of the Gulf war oil spill.

A large-scale assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the 1991 Gulf War oil spill was performed for 2002-2003 sediment samples (n = 1679) collected from habitats along the shoreline of Saudi Arabia. Benthic sediment toxicity was characterized using the Equilibrium Partitioning Sediment Benchmark Toxic Unit approach for 43 PAHs (ESBTU(FCV,43)). Samples were assigned to risk categories according to ESBTU(FCV,43) values: no-risk (< or = 1), low (>1 - < or = 2), low-medium (>2 - < or = 3), medium (>3 - < or = 5) and high-risk (>5). Sixty seven percent of samples had ESBTU(FCV,43) > 1 indicating potential adverse ecological effects. Sediments from the 0-30 cm layer from tidal flats, and the >30 - <60 cm layer from heavily oiled halophytes and mangroves had high frequency of high-risk samples. No-risk samples were characterized by chrysene enrichment and depletion of lighter molecular weight PAHs, while high-risk samples showed little oil weathering and PAH patterns similar to 1993 samples. North of Safaniya sediments were not likely to pose adverse ecological effects contrary to sediments south of Tanaqib. Landscape and geomorphology has played a role on the distribution and persistence in sediments of oil from the Gulf War.

Recovery of interior brackish marshes seven years after the chalk point oil spill.

Seven years after the April 2000 spill of 140,000 gallons of a mixture of No. 6 and No. 2 fuel oils in the Patuxent River, Maryland, heavily oiled brackish marshes showed continuing effects. Stem density and stem height were significantly lower in oiled versus unoiled sites for Spartina alterniflora but not Spartina cynosuroides habitats. In contrast, belowground biomass was significantly lower in S. cynosuroides habitats but not S. alterniflora habitats. Total PAH concentrations were up to 453 mg/kg in surficial soils (0-10 cm) and 2921 mg/kg with depth (10-20 cm). The oil had lost 22-76% of its initial PAH content after seven years, although the oil in marsh soils has undergone little to no additional weathering since Fall 2000. Based on amphipod acute toxicity tests and sediment quality guidelines, 25% of the soils in the marsh are expected to be toxic (ESB-TU(FCV) values>3.0; P(Max)>0.65).

A interpretação da diferença dos sexos: inferioridade, estranheza, variedade, igualdade / The interpretation of the difference between the sexes: inferiority, strangeness, variety, equality / La interpretación de la diferencia entre los sexos: inferioridad, extranñeza, variedad, igualdad

Até hoje, a constância da subordinação das mulheres, através das épocas e das sociedades, faz da diferença dos sexos um problema específico da relação com o outro. O estatuto social da mulher é efeito de um processo complexo que combina as constituições orgânicas (natureza) e sua transposição metafórica para construções culturais, com ambivalências e denegações dos desejos e das angústias mais profundas, ou seja, com as exigências de ordem social e de reprodução deste. São as transformações do espírito crítico e da emancipação cultural que livram do domínio efetivo original da natureza e restituem a diferença dos sexos às dimensões de uma variação da espécie. Esse processo só pode ser compreendido quando se recorre, entre outras disciplinas, à antropologia, à fisiologia, à sociologia, à psicanálise e à história...

Until today, the constancy of the subordination of women, through the ages and societies, makes the difference between the sexes a more specific problem when referring it to the relationship, one with another. The social status of women is the effect of a complex process that combines the organic constitutions (nature) and its metaphorical transposition to cultural constructions, with ambivalence anddegradation of desires anxieties deepen, in other words, with the demands of social order andreproduction of this demands. Are the transformations of critical spirit and cultural emancipation that which will bring about a domino effect restoring the natural balance of the sexes to the dimensions of a variation of the species.This process can only be understood when one uses, among other disciplines, anthropology, physiology, sociology, psychoanalysis and history....

Hasta ahora, la constancia de la subordinación de las mujeres a través de los siglos y de las sociedades, hace de la diferencia entre los sexos un problema específico de relación con el otro. El estatuto social de la mujer es el efecto de un proceso complejo que combina las constituciones orgánicas (la naturaleza) y su transposición metafórica a las construcciones culturales, con ambivalencias y renuncias de los deseos y angustias más profundos, es decir, con las exigencias de orden social y reproducción. Las transformaciones del espíritu crítico y de la emancipación cultural son las que libertan del dominio efectivo original de la naturaleza y restituyen la diferenciaentre los sexos a las dimensiones de una variación de la especie. Este proceso sólo se puede entender cuando se relaciona, entre otras disciplinas, con la antropología, con la fisiología, con la sociología, con el psicoanálisis y con la historia...

Jusque ici, la constance, à travers époques et sociétés, de la subordination des femmes fait de la différence des sexes un problème spécifique de la relation à l'autre. Le statut social de la femme est l'effet d'un processus complexe qui combine les constitutions organiques (nature), leur transposition métaphorique dans des constructions culturelles, avec les ambivalences et les dénis des désirs et des angoisses les plus profonds, enfin avec les exigences d'ordre social et de reproduction du même. Ce sont les transformations de l'esprit critique et de l'émancipation culturelle qui arrivent à dégager de l'emprise effective originelle de la nature et à restituer la différence des sexes aux dimensions d'une variation de l'espèce. Processus qui ne ‘peut être compris qu'en faisant appel, entre autres, à l'anthropologie, à la physiologie, à la sociologie, à la psychanalyse et à l'histoire…

Excretion of ketoprofen and nalbuphine in human milk during treatment of maternal pain after delivery.

Analgesics are required to prevent and treat postpartum pain, but breast-feeding may be contraindicated, because data on milk transfer are very limited. The present study was undertaken to quantify the transfer of ketoprofen and nalbuphine in milk. Eighteen patients gave their informed consent to participate and completed the study. Following delivery, they received ketoprofen (100 mg/12 hours) and nalbuphine (0.2 mg/kg/4 hours) as an intravenous bolus over 2 to 3 days for postpartum pain. Milk samples were collected during the 12 hours between the third and fourth ketoprofen administrations. Ketoprofen and nalbuphine concentrations were determined with high-performance liquid chromatography. The mean and maximum ketoprofen milk concentrations were 57+/-37 and 91+/-51 ng/mL, respectively. Assuming a milk volume of 150 mL/kg/day, the mean and maximum doses that a breast-fed neonate would ingest during one day are 8.5+/-5.5 and 13.6+/-7.6 microg/kg/day, respectively, and the relative infant dose is 0.31+/-0.17% of the weight-adjusted maternal daily dose. The mean and maximum nalbuphine milk concentrations were 42+/-26 and 61+/-26 ng/mL, respectively. Assuming a milk volume of 150 mL/kg/day, the mean and maximum doses that a breast-fed neonate would ingest during one day is 7.0+/-3.2 and 9.0+/-3.8 microg/kg/day, and the relative infant dose is 0.59+/-0.27% of the weight-adjusted maternal daily dose. Therefore, breast-feeding is permissible when ketoprofen and/or nalbuphine are administered to the mother to treat postpartum pain.

O sujeito e o destino / El sujeto y el destino / The subject and fate

Qual o lugar da noção de destino, em nossos dias. Recusa obstinada do acaso e do acidental, o destino sempre trouxe à tona a questão da liberdade e da responsabilidade. Concebido como causa exterior e determinante de nossa trajetória de vida, tal noção passou por múltiplas mutações. Ela representou a fúria dos deuses, depois foi figura da paixão, hereditariedade, até que Freud, inscrevendo-a no psiquismo, aí descobre a trama obscura do inconsciente, o ressurgimento de traços mnémicos, o movimento irresistível das pulsões, até se chegar às palavras de nossos ancestrais. Isso não impede que outros a busquem no lado do determinismo genético, reencontrando o destino escondido em nossas células. Podemos entrever aqui os eternos embates do sujeito com a culpabilidade e, além desta, com o fato inelutável de sua morte, o que faz com que o destino e o trágico estejam sempre ligados.

What is the role of the notion of fate nowadays. An obstinate refuse of randomness and contingency, fate has always brought to the surface the issue of freedom and responsibility. Conceived as an external and determinant cause of our life course, such notion has undergone multiple mutations. It represented the fury of the gods, a figure of passion, and heredity, until Freud, inscribing it in psychism, unveiled the obscure web of the unconscious, the reappearance of mnemic traces, and the irresistible movement of urges, up to our ancestrals' words. This does not prevent others from searching for it within the scope of genetic determinism, finding it hidden in our cells. We can envisage here the subject's endless conflict with culpability and the unescapable fact of death, which makes fate and tragedy be connected forever.

Que devient la notion de destin aujourd'hui. Refus entêté du hasard et de l'accidentel, le destin a toujours posé la question de la liberté et de la responsabilité. Conçu comme cause extérieure et déterminante de notre trajectoire de vie, il a connu de multiples avatars. Il fut acharnement des dieux, puis figure de la passion, hérédité, jusqu'à ce que Freud, l'inscrivant dans le psychisme, y découvre la trame obscure de l'inconscient, la résurgence des traces mnésiques, l'entraînement irrésistible des pulsions, jusqu'aux dits de nos aïeux. Ce qui n'empêche d'autres de prospecter du côté du déterminisme génétique retrouvant le destin enfoui dans nos cellules. On peut y voir les éternels démêlés du sujet avec la culpabilité et, au delà, avec l'inéluctable de sa mort, ce pourquoi le destin et le tragique sont toujours liés.

Qué lugar tiene la noción de destino en nuestros días. Rechazo obstinado a la casualidad y a lo accidental, el destino siempre puso de relieve la cuestión de la libertad y de la responsabilidad. Concebido como causa exterior y determinante de nuestra trayectoria de vida, esa noción pasó por múltiples mutaciones. Representó la furia de los dioses, después fue la figura de la pasión, herencia, hasta que Freud, inscribiéndola en el psiquismo, descubre, entonces, la trama obscura del inconsciente, el resurgimiento de trazos mnémicos, el movimiento irresistible de las pulsiones, hasta llegar a las palabras de nuestros ancestrales. Eso no impide que otros lo busquen en el lado del determinismo genético, reencontrando el destino escondido en nuestras células. Podemos entrever aquí los eternos embates del sujeto con la culpabilidad y, además, con el hecho ineluctable de su muerte, lo que hace que el destino y lo trágico estén siempre unidos.