Study of the presence and environmental risk of organic contaminants policed by the European Union and other organic compounds in the water resources of a region overlapping protected areas: The Guadiaro River basin (southern Spain).

The study presented here is a first qualitative assessment of the occurrence of organic contaminants contemplated and not yet contemplated in European Union environmental legislation in water resources in the little anthropized Guadiaro River basin (70% of its area is covered by natural vegetation), in southern Spain. Water samples were collected from four carbonate aquifers, two detrital aquifers and four surface water courses and were analyzed for (i) 171 organic contaminants, (ii) major ions and (iii) stable isotopes (δ18OH2O, δ2HH2O, δ13CDIC). An environmental risk assessment was conducted through calculation of risk quotients comparing measured concentrations with ecotoxicological data found in the literature. Twenty-five organic contaminants were detected, at least once, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, drugs of abuse and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Cocaine and its main metabolite were detected in 85% and 95% of water samples, respectively (0.001-0.18 µg/L and 0.004-0.6 µg/L, respectively). Pyrene (PAH) was found in all water samples (0.001-0.015 µg/L) and forest fires were pointed out as a potential diffuse source. Relationship between rivers and aquifers is reflected by the distribution of organic contaminants, essentially the drugs of abuse. Concentration of contaminants were generally higher in groundwater samples, especially from detrital aquifers, potentially due to an accumulation process promoted by irrigation-return flows and by its slow dynamic compared to that of karstic systems. Pyrene concentration was also higher in some springs from karstic aquifers. Hence, calculated risk quotients were in general higher in groundwater, meaning that the threat to surface aquatic systems can grow as aquifers increase their influence on the water courses as the dry season progresses. The relationship between δ13CDIC and most organic contaminants (especially pyrene) reveal the role of the soil as storage media.

An anatomical study and ontogenetic explanation of 23 cases with variations in the main pattern of the human brachio-antebrachial arteries.

Twenty-three cases with variations in the brachio-antebrachial arterial pattern of the human upper limb are reported. According to the artery which showed a variation, 4 groups were recognised: (1) isolated persistence of the median artery; (2) high origin of the ulnar artery; (3) high origin of the radial artery; and (4) duplication of the brachial artery, either with or without anastomosis at the cubital fossa. In addition, in groups 2, 3 and 4 the median artery may have persisted. Based on these arterial variations an anatomical and embryological correlation was established from a morphogenetic pattern which is proposed as being normal. Thus the terminal branches of the superficial brachial artery take part in the development of the radial, ulnar and median arteries, joining with the trunks of deep origin of these arteries in the primitive axial artery. Regression of the superficial arterial segments located proximal to this anastomosis gives rise to the definitive arterial pattern. Either the total or partial persistence of the superficial arterial segments explains those cases of high origin of either the radial or ulnar arteries as well as the duplications of the brachial artery. We postulate that the persistence of the median artery is independent of the presence or absence of any other variation in the arterial pattern.