This work analyzed the extraction of Zn 2+ , Cd 2+ , and Fe 3+ from aqueous hydrochloride solutions using ionic liquids in the absence of chelating agents. For this purpose, ionic liquids based on 1-(n-alkyl)-3-methylimidazolium and tetraalkylammonium cations and several anions (hexafluorophosphate, bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide, tetrafluoroborate, and chloride) were tested. It was found that the ionic liquid methyltrioctylammonium chloride, [MTOA + ][Cl -], allowed almost complete removal (extraction percentage > 94) of Zn 2+ , Cd 2+ , and Fe 3+ from the aqueous solutions. Furthermore, efficient selective separation of Zn 2+ /Fe 3+ and Cd 2+ /Fe 3+ was achieved using 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [omim + ][BF 4 -], since high extraction percentages were reached for Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ (extraction percentage > 90) while this parameter was very low for Fe 3+ . These results indicate that the use of ionic liquids as an alternative to traditional extraction agents in liquid/liquid extraction of heavy metal ions is very promising.

Mediterranean mountain biomes are considered endangered due to climate change that affects directly or indirectly different key features (biodiversity, snow cover, glaciers, run-off processes, and water availability). Here, we provide an assessment of temperature, precipitation, and spring precipitation changes in Mediterranean mountains under different emission scenarios (Special Report on Emission Scenarios) and Atmosphere-Ocean-Coupled General Circulation Models for two periods: 2055 (2040-2069 period) and 2085 (2070-2099). Finally, the future climate trends projected for Mediterranean mountains are compared with those trends projected for non-Mediterranean European mountain ranges. The range of projected warming varies between +1.4 degrees C and 5.1 degrees C for 2055 (+1.6 degrees C and +8.3 degrees C for 2085). Climate models also project a reduction of precipitation, mainly during spring (-17% under Alfi and -4.8% under B1 for 2085). On the contrary, non-Mediterranean European mountains will not experience a reduction of annual and spring precipitation. Implications of predicted climate change for both human and physical features are coupled in an integrated framework to gain a broad perspective on future trends and their consequences.

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A novel ultrasound assisted method for preparing supported liquid membranes is described in this paper. The stability and efficiency of the supported liquid membrane obtained was tested by removing cobalt(II) from aqueous solutions through a facilitated countertransport mechanism using CYANEX 272 as carrier and protons as counterions. The results are compared with those obtained using supported liquid membranes prepared by soaking the polymeric material in the organic solution of the carrier at atmospheric pressure and under vacuum, both for 24h. Higher transport efficiency (>5%), flux (∼18%), permeability (∼20%) and stability (>6% in the second run and ∼10% in the third run) were obtained by the supported liquid membrane prepared using the ultrasound assisted method. These findings can be explained by the effects of cavitation and acoustical streaming - which result from the ultrasound passing through the organic solution of the extractant - on the porous structure of the polymer support and on the pore filling.

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Permafrost is a relevant component of the Pyrenean high mountains, triggering a wide range of geomorphological cryogenic processes. Although in the past decades there has been an increase in frozen ground studies in the Pyrenees, there are no specific studies about rock wall permafrost, its presence, distribution, thermal regime, or historical evolution. This work combines measured rock surface temperatures (RSTs, from August 2013 to April 2016) along an elevation profile (four sites) on the north facing the rock wall of the Vignemale peak (3,298 m a.s.l., 42°46′16″N/0°08′33″W) and temperature modeling (CryoGRID2) to determine the presence of permafrost and to analyze its evolution since the mid‐20th century. Simulations are run with various RST forcings and bedrock properties to account for forcing data uncertainty and varying degrees of rock fracturing. Results reveal that warm permafrost may have existed down to 2,600 m a.s.l. until the early 1980s and that warm permafrost is currently found at ~2,800 m a.s.l. and up to 3,000 m a.s.l. Cold (<−2°C) permafrost may exist above 3,100–3,200 m a.s.l. Systematic investigations on rock wall permafrost must be conducted to refine those results in the Pyrenees. The elevation shift in warm permafrost suggests an imminent disappearance of permafrost in the Vignemale peak.

Resumen: Se estudia el efecto de los embalses en la reducción de la intensidad de avenidas que afectan a los ríos pirenaicos. Se trata de un fenómeno complejo en el que interviene la capacidad de retención de cada embalse, las funciones que desarrollan, el régimen de llenado y vaciado y su ubicación cuando aparecen formando un sistema inúltiple. La combinación de estos factores explica los distintos porcentajes de reducción de los caudales inás elevados observados en la zona de estudio. A pesar de la existencia de una gran variabilidad de reducción de avenidas, en conjunto los caudales más elevados de los ríos pirenaicos disminuyen de una forma notable, siendo los ríos Aragón y Ésera los que menor control de crecidas experimentan.Palabras clave: Embalses, control de avenidas, gestión de embalses, Pirineo Central español. Abstract:The effect of the Pyrenean reservoirs on flood control is studied. It is a coinplex phenomenon related to the impounded ratio index, the aim of the reservoir, the inflow and outflow regime and the location of the dam when tliey belong to a rnultireservoir system. The coinbination of these factors explains the way in which floods are controlled. In spite of the large variability in the inrensity of flood control, a clear decrease of the highest discharges in tlie Pyrenean rivers has been confirmed. The Aragón and Ésera rivers show the lowest flood control capacity.

This paper shows the creation of a map of frozen ground potential for the Tucarroya valley in Ordesa National Park. To create this map, it was necessary to combine the identified landforms associated to the presence of frozen ground by fieldwork, ground temperature data continuously recorded during two years by automatic loggers, a Basal Temperature of Snow (BTS) survey, and predictor variables derived from a high resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Four environments have been differentiated: unfrozen ground, seasonal frozen ground, possible permafrost and probable permafrost. The map confirms a very limited variety and extension of permafrost, above 2700 m a.s.l. on gentle and shadowed slopes. Seasonal frozen ground is the most common thermal regime, as it can be developed above 2500 m a.s.l. Snow-pack duration and thickness tightly control the duration of frozen ground and the freezing-thawing cycles. Frost activity and unfrozen ground is restricted from 2570 to 2750 m a.s.l.