a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Hg and 201 Hg) Hg isotopes in sediment samples from core 252-16 were characterized by positive mass independent fractionation (MIF), while recent sediments from cores 252-32 and 252-35 did not reveal significant MIF, probably reflecting both the proximity to the source of anthropogenic Hg contamination (Tagus Estuary) and the importance of the CSC as a particle carrier. The multi-tracer approach, based on both stable Hg and Pb isotopic signatures, confirms anthropogenic Hg and Pb enrichment in recent marine sediments and also allows us to distinguish between areas dominated by detrital (e.g. CSC) versus hemipelagic (Estremadura Spur) sedimentation.

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Abstract. The Mediterranean region is a climate hot spot, sensitive not only to global warming but also to water availability. In this work we document major temperature and precipitation changes in the Iberian Peninsula and margin during the last 2000 years and propose an interplay of the North Atlantic internal variability with the three atmospheric circulation modes (ACMs), (North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), east atlantic (EA) and Scandinavia (SCAND)) to explain the detected climate variability.We present reconstructions of sea surface temperature (SST derived from alkenones) and on-land precipitation (estimated from higher plant n-alkanes and pollen data) in sedimentary sequences recovered along the Iberian Margin between the south of Portugal (Algarve) and the northwest of Spain (Galiza) (36 to 42 • N).A clear long-term cooling trend, from 0 CE to the

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Surface sediments were collected in August 2009 from 49 sites along the Minho estuary (between Tui and Caminha) and analyzed for grain size, organic carbon (C org ) and total nitrogen (N tot ) contents, and major (silicon [Si],

Forty-nine surface sediment samples from the Minho estuary sector between Tui and Caminha were analyzed for grain-size contents, Al, As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Li, Pb, Sn, and Zn concentrations. Selected heavy metal (Cu, Cr, Hg, and Zn) and metalloid (As and Sn) distributions were normalized against Al and Li with the main goal of compensating for natural grain-size variability and to separate natural from anthropogenic contributions, by using a combination of normalization techniques (definition of regional geochemical baselines (RGB) and determination of enrichment factors (EF)). Lead did not reveal a significant relationship with Al and Li. Aluminum explained more variance than Li for As, Cu, Hg, and Zn. Assuming the general non-impacted metal character of the Minho River estuary sediments, RGBs are defined for differentiating between natural and anthropogenic contributions. Based on RGB defined for each heavy metal/ metalloid, the degree of enrichment is estimated through the determination of EF. Despite the relatively low total heavy metal and metalloid concentrations, the defined RGB identifies a set of samples characterized by presenting As, Cu, Cr, Hg, and Zn enrichments relatively to expected natural levels. Mercury is the element showing the highest level of enrichment relative to the baseline values being spread through all the study area. Tin present enrichments relatively to Al and or Li always lower than 1.5 suggesting natural contributions.

Forest fires involve a wide range of unknown variables, e.g. wind flow over complex terrain, atmospheric stability, vegetation burning characteristics, location and fuel type, etc. The main objective of the present work is to incorporate the Rothermel simplified combustible model into a 3D unsteady flow solver appropriated for convective atmospheric flows over complex terrain. The released combustion energy is taken into account in the enthalpy equation. The unsteady buoyant plume strongly influences the local wind speed direction and magnitude. A special interactive coupling procedure was developed that links the calculated location of fire front and fire energy release to the momentum and energy transport for each time step. The general computer algorithm includes several other features such as the effectdrag of trees on the momentum transport and the consequent modifications in the k and E turbulence model employed. The results include the prediction of fire development in flat terrain and in a valley and over hills covered by vegetation. A parametric study was conducted to detect the influence of wind speed, vegetation and fuel content on burning area, burning speed and wind speed direction.