Search

• The five tested paper mulches were not pierced by Cyperus rotundus. • Above-soil degradation of the biodegradables mulches was variable within years. • In-soil degradation of the paper mulches was faster than for the plastics. • Similar pepper yield was obtained for all mulched treatments. More than half of the plastic used in Spain for mulching in agriculture is black polyethylene (PE) mulch. It has been widely adopted due to its low price and ease of installation. The mass use of this material entails a number of disadvantages: the cost of removing fragments from fields after use, the difficulty of managing the waste, and deficient weed control of some species such as purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.), which is capable of piercing the film. The objective of this work was thus to find alternative materials in horticultural crops in order to reduce these drawbacks. In the present document, we describe the trials carried out in Zaragoza (Spain) from 2012 to 2015 in pepper with various different biodegradable materials in order to find agronomically viable alternatives to PE. Plots were distributed randomly in four blocks and 6–9 different treatments were studied depending on the year, including an unweeded plot. In total, 11 different mulches were tested: 5 biodegradable plastic films, 5 paper mulches and PE. Weed density, mulch degradation and pepper production were evaluated. Biodegradable plastic films and PE were not good options for purple nutsedge control (mean efficacy of 48 %) and only paper mulches controlled this species effectively, as the leaves were unable to pierce the material. The above-soil part of most mulches was intact 15 days after transplant (DAT) and degradation increased in time in all materials excepting PE. In-soil degradation was generally faster for papers than for biodegradable plastics, except in 2015, when the plastic mulching materials suffered early fractures due to a windy spring with exceptionally high solar radiation. Rapid degradation of some paper mulches occurred before the crop covered the soil, which can be a serious problem in windy areas because the material can be lifted by gusts of wind. Earthing up along the edges of the materials 10–15 days after transplanting would solve this problem. Pepper production was similar for all materials in 2012–14 and the differences found in 2015 cannot be attributed to the mulches but to the irregular crop density due to high mortality of pepper seedlings during that year. The biodegradable mulches tested are thus considered to be technically viable alternatives to PE. Paper mulches are recommended for purple nutsedge infestations, while biodegradable films can be used for annual weed infestations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previous research on high-speed rail (HSR) and urban development has underlined the need for a multilevel analysis and has differentiated between HSR’s impact on small cities and on big intermediate cities. This paper focuses on big intermediate cities along HSR lines, develops a multilevel analysis at national, regional and local levels and examines HSR’s selective capacity to transform time distances and accessibility. The paper draws together data which make clear how HSR opens up new opportunities for these big intermediate cities. Specifically, it analyses three particular cases: Córdoba and Zaragoza in Spain and Lille in France. This case-study approach, taking account of specific circumstances and contexts, facilitates the understanding of the similarities and differences in HSR’s impact on urban and territorial development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fluvial geomorphology seeks to study river landform history, understand formative processes, and predict changes using a combination of field observation, experimental studies and numerical models. A resurgence in fluvial geomorphology is taking place, fostered for example by its interaction with river engineering, and the availability of new analytical methods, instrumentation and techniques. These have enabled development of new applications in river management, landscape restoration, hazard studies, river history and geoarchaeology. This paper presents a perspective on recent advances in fluvial geomorphology, and introduces a selection of papers presented during the Fluvial Geomorphology and Palaeohydrology session within the Sixth International Conference on Geomorphology held in Zaragoza (Spain) in September 2005. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This special issue of Geomorphology consists mainly of selected papers from the S15 Session: GIS and SDA applications in Geomorphology at the 6th International Conference on Geomorphology held in Zaragoza (Spain) in September 2005. For this session, 53 abstracts from Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa and Oceania were submitted, and 18 oral communications and 35 posters were presented. The session provided an opportunity to overview, discuss and evaluate new advances of GIS (Geographical Information Systems) and SDA (Spatial Data Analysis) applications in the field of geomorphology. Eight of the manuscripts submitted for the publication call for this special issue survived the review process, and two other invited contributions together form this special issue with 10 papers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents a methodology that allows the identification of optimum geosynthetic mitigation designs and the assessment of their cost-effectiveness taking into account the spatial-temporal probability of occurrence of sinkholes of different diameters and the characteristics and mechanical strength of the road. The procedure is illustrated using a specific case study of a road built in a sinkhole-prone area near Zaragoza city, Spain. The most cost-effective geosynthetic distribution is identified integrating in the cost-benefit analyses a sinkhole hazard model that includes an empirical magnitude and frequency relationship. A sensitivity analysis reveals the parameters whose uncertainty has a higher impact on the profitability of the mitigation measure. The impact of the actual temporal and spatial distribution of damaging sinkholes on the cost-effectiveness of the optimum geosynthetic design has been evaluated by means of Monte Carlo simulations. The proposed approach could be applied, with some modifications, to other mitigation measures (e.g. slabs), different structures (e.g. railways), as well as other processes (e.g. landslides, piping). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The proper estimation of the energy content of the residual fraction from mechanical–biological treatment (MBT) plants is essential for planning and promoting different methods to decrease its environmental impact, to lower the consumption of energy resources, and to reduce economic costs. Currently, in many countries, the residual fraction from these plants is disposed of in a landfill with few recovery actions. This paper proposes a methodology for estimating the energy content of the aforementioned fraction. To validate it, the methodology is applied to a MBT plant in Zaragoza that collects residual household waste from municipal solid waste (MSW) from 62 municipalities in four regions of Aragon – Zaragoza, Ribera Baja del Ebro, Campo de Cariñena, and Campo de Belchite. From the methodology, an energy potential of 17929.24kJ/kg of the residual fraction from this MBT plant is estimated, which is equivalent to 100.18ktoe per year. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper focuses on the validation of a dynamic simulation model used to describe the performance of an existing solar cooling installation located in Zaragoza (Spain). The dynamic model has been developed under the simulation environment TRNSYS. The aim of this simulation model is to dispose of a tool in order to use it to evaluate different energy improvement actions in a real solar cooling installation. This solar cooling installation has been monitored and analyzed since 2007. The COP of this experimental solar cooling system presents a great influence from its heat rejection sink, a dry cooling tower. Once the model was validated with the experimental data obtained from the real installation, it was used to predict the chiller performance with a new geothermal sink, which started to operate in 2009. The present work describes the design and validation model process, as well as the comparison between the model results and the monitoring ones with the geothermal heat rejection system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper investigates the degree of convergence between trained panelists and consumers with regard to overall quality assessment and acceptability, respectively. In particular, the main sensory drivers used by both groups of assessors in their valuations, are investigated: first, a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is applied to identify main dimensions underlying sensory data, and second, the external preference mapping (PREFMAP) technique, that regress consumers’ hedonic valuations on the PCA sensory dimensions, is applied. A total of eight samples of dry-cured ham was analysed by 14 trained panelists and 213 consumers in a northern city of Spain (Zaragoza). The results showed that both, consumers and trained panelists make use of the same sensory attributes to elicit their assessments, which are crumbliness, softness, flavour and sweetness. However, trained assessors are able to discriminate better the quality across ham samples, as we would expect, according to a higher degree of expertise. Interestingly, the PREFMAP technique showed a certain degree of heterogeneity in consumers’ preferences, highlighting clusters with opposite liking trends. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Combined heat, cooling and power (CHCP) systems are interesting for the supply of different energy services in urban districts and in large buildings. CHCP systems utilize a fuel''s energy to a greater extent, because the cogenerated heat can be used for heating in winter as well as for cooling in summer with an absorption refrigerator. The use of thermal energy storage (TES) provides the additional advantage of covering variable thermal demands while the production system operates continuously at nominal conditions. Thus, energy supply systems integrating the technologies of cogeneration, absorption refrigeration and thermal storage can provide substantial benefits from economic, energetic and environmental viewpoints. In this paper an optimization model is developed, using mixed integer linear programming (MILP), to determine the preliminary design of CHCP systems with thermal storage. The objective function to be minimized is the total annual cost. Taking into account the legal constraints imposed on cogeneration systems in Spain, the optimization model is applied to design a system providing energy services for a set of buildings constituted of 5000 apartments located in the city of Zaragoza (Spain). The effect of legal constraints in the design and operation of CHCP systems is highlighted in this study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Trigeneration systems, also known as Combined Heat, Cooling and Power (CHCP) systems, are interesting alternatives to supply different energy services in urban districts and in large buildings, particularly in warm areas such as Mediterranean countries. These systems can provide substantial benefits from economic, energetic, and environmental viewpoints, since the cogenerated heat can be used for heating in winter as well as cooling in summer with an absorption refrigerator. This paper develops an optimization model using Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) to determine the type, number and capacity of equipment in CHCP systems installed in the tertiary sector as well as to establish the optimal operation mode for the different plant components on an hour-by-hour basis throughout the year. The objective function to be minimized is the annual total cost. The optimization model considers the legal constraints imposed to feed the surplus autogenerated electricity into the grid at a regulated feed-in tariff. The optimization model is applied to design a system providing energy services for a hospital located in the city of Zaragoza (Spain). The effects of the financial market conditions and energy prices in the optimal structure of the system are analyzed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Gas/particle partitioning of pollutants is an important mechanism determining atmospheric processing and its impact to environmental and human health. In this paper, the gas–particle partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) has been studied with the aim of determining the main mechanism of PAH partitioning in Zaragoza (Spain) aerosols. To reach this goal, the ambient concentrations of PAH (gas and particle phase) collected in this city for one year period (2003–2004) have been analyzed. The partitioning between the particle and gas phases was studied according to three different models: the Junge adsorption model, the absorption into the organic matter model using the octanol–air (K OA) partition coefficient and the absorption into the organic matter plus the adsorption onto the soot carbon model using the soot–air (K SA) partition coefficients. Experimental gas/particle partition coefficients (K P) correlated well with the subcooled liquid vapour pressures () of PAH but with slopes higher than the expected value of −1. Experimental K p values were well fit to the modelled ones when, in addition to absorption into organic matter, adsorption onto the soot carbon was considered. It could be concluded that the main partition mechanism in Zaragoza aerosols was explained by adsorption onto the soot carbon. However, K p modelled values were affected by the different thermodynamic parameters related to soot types. The influence of the organic matter and elemental carbon fractions on the K p modelling was also studied. The different particle characteristics, local factors, the presence of non-exchangeable fraction and non-equilibrium were considered like main keys to explain deviations of the experimental K p values from predictions according to models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper deals with the application of the hole-drilling technique on the four piers of the crossing under the dome of the Cathedral of Tarazona (Zaragoza – Spain). The hole-drilling technique in architectural heritage is named the Donostia Method by the author in previous works. The monument (XIIIth Century) is an excellent cathedral not well known because 25 years ago it was closed by its alarming structural situation. In the XVIth century the gothic original cupola was replaced by a new more weighted dome (cimborrio) modifying the typical load transmission of such constructions. The new dome and the four piers that transmit their weight have been fixed by means of a metallic structure from the moment the cathedral was closed. Over the past years several works of structural reinforcement have been made on the piers and their foundations. It is expected for the next few months that the metallic structure can be disassembled allowing access inside the cathedral. The stress states of each pier have been obtained by means of the hole-drilling technique. The two piers at the absydial zone present high compression stresses, whereas the other two piers present a much smaller level of compressions. The tests carried out make it possible to deduce several values of the principal stresses in each pier; this fact makes it possible to analyze the quality of the results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Basilica of Pilar, located in the city of Zaragoza, is one of the most famous Spanish temples. Several domes of this church contain frescoes painted by Francisco de Goya, which have suffered damages in the past decades due to various pathologies. The frescoes of the Regina Martirum dome are being restored at the present time. In this paper, we present a set of structural models of the entire temple and local models of the Regina Martirum dome by discussing and comparing the obtained results. The main objective of the research was to identify the current structural state of the church, its safety level and the relationship between the structural behaviour and the damages observed. The behaviour of the main material used in the construction, brick masonry, was simulated first with linear elastic isotropic models and later with several non-linear isotropic models including brittle behaviour in tension and plastic behaviour in compression. In addition, we consider the historical construction and the reinforcement works added to the structure in its history, with the purpose of testing the finite element models by reproducing the pathologies described from the beginning of the current Baroque construction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper describes the 3D digital reconstruction of Sinhaya, a X–XIIth century Muslim suburb in the city of Zaragoza. Accurate models and textures were obtained that capture all the wear and tear of a real suburb populated by real characters. The visualization is based on archaeological evidence from excavations and accurate historical documents. Precise lighting algorithms developed by Grupo de Informa´tica Gra´fica Avanzada (GIGA) provide a photorealistic look, while real actors composited into the synthetic scenes give life to the reconstruction. Images and animations can be viewed in a low-cost CAVE-like system (CLS) designed and developed by GIGA. Following a historically accurate script, the audience is taken through the streets of the suburb and into its houses. This digital reconstruction will help to preserve part of the city’s archaeological and cultural heritage, giving life to a distant past. Visitors can experience what life was like in the suburb from morning to sunset, and it can provide a new perspective for historians. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]