The Monegros Desert contains one of the largest sets inland saline lakes in Europe constituting a threatened landscape great scientific and ecological value with large number reported endemisms. We analyzed bacteria, archaea, microbial eukaryotes from 11 winter spring by rRNA gene fingerprinting sequencing covering salinity (2.7-22.1%) temperature ranges (1.5-35.3 °C). highest diversity (Shannon-Weaver index) was found protists lowest Archaea. Eukaryotes showed higher at intermediate...

Abstract Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) has been applied to detect and measure ground deformation in a stretch of the Ebro River valley (Spain) excavated salt‐bearing evaporites. The capability Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) DInSAR technique displacement is analyzed comparing results with available geomorphological information. map derived from 27 European Remote Sensing (ERS) satellite images covering more than five years provides sub‐centimeter measurements...

Soil scientists have long struggled with an effective method for quantifying gypsum content in soils. Several methods exist, but each is fraught problems. Recent enhancements to portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometers provided better detection limits especially lighter elements such as S, a key component of gypsum. Thus, this research aimed test the effectiveness PXRF means directly A total 102 soil samples containing wide variety (∼2–95%) were subjected both traditional laboratory...

Summary Arid soil is common worldwide and has unique properties that often limit agronomic productivity, specifically, salinity expressed as soluble salts large amounts of calcium carbonate gypsum. Currently, the most methods for evaluating these in are laboratory‐based techniques such titration, gasometry electrical conductivity. In this research, we used two proximal sensors (portable X ‐ray fluorescence ( PXRF ) visible near‐infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy V is– NIR DRS )) to...

Microbial communities inhabiting hypersaline wetlands, well adapted to the environmental fluctuations due flooding and desiccation events, play a key role in biogeochemical cycles, ensuring ecosystem service. To better understand functioning, we studied soil microbial of Salineta wetland (NE Spain) dry wet seasons three different landscape stations representing situations characteristic ephemeral saline lakes: S1 usually submerged, S2 intermittently flooded, S3 with halophytes. community...

Abstract Benthic diatoms play a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems as indicators of environmental conditions and contributors to primary productivity. This study explores the ecology benthic diatom assemblages saline wetlands NE Spain, focusing on relationships between community parameters, species distributions, factors, particularly conductivity. Samples were collected from several representing range conductivity trophic state. A total 25 taxa identified, with dominated by halophilous...

Aim of study: This study had a double objective that consisted of: (i) assessing the effects N fertilisation on soil quality under different cropping systems (monocropping vs. double-annual systems) irrigated maize conditions; and (ii) identifying parameters related to respond quickly short-term management changes in Mediterranean systems. Area Zaragoza province, Spain Material methods: The field experiment involved strip plot design with three growing – monoculture (MM), pea-maize (PM),...

Saline lakes are rare and fragile habitats with a high conservation scientific interest. We have studied the presence of microplastics (MPs) in water four inland saline located Central Ebro Basin (CEB), NE Spain. Quantification characterization MPs were performed by optical microscopy micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (micro-FTIR). analyzed covered 5–5000 μm range. Most collected contained 250–500 500–1000 ranges. The concentration varied from 850 ± 271 to 1556 59 MPs/L, fibers...

Abstract. Subsidence was measured for the first time on railway tracks in central sector of Ebro Valley (NE Spain) using Differential Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (DInSAR) techniques. This area is affected by evaporite karst and analysed corridors traverse active sinkholes that produce deformations these infrastructures. One slight settlements Madrid–Barcelona high-speed line, a form transport infrastructure highly vulnerable to ground deformation processes. Our analysis based...

ABSTRACT Wetlands inventory is one of the goals conservation plans on a national scale and global scale. Inventories are needed for long‐term monitoring or identifying lost wetlands those where restoration feasible. In this article, we present an updated saline Southern Monegros, Spain. We depicted evolution these wetlands, locally named saladas with unique retrospective study based aerial photographs from 1927. Their has been accomplished through map analysis geographical information system...

Inland saline wetlands are complex systems undergoing continuous changes in moisture and salinity especially vulnerable to human pressures. Remote sensing is helpful identify vegetation change semi-arid assess wetland degradation. sensing-based monitoring requires identification of the spectral characteristics soils their correspondence with cover soil conditions. We studied Monegros, NE Spain, through field satellite images. Radiometric complementary measurements two surveys 2007 2008 were...

This article examines the clay mineralogy of twelve representative soils developed from gypsum-rich parent materials on several geomorphic positions. These were classified as Haploxerept, plus one profile Humixerept and another Xerorthent. The mineralogy, determined by X-ray diffraction, showed quite a similar composition in all profiles, with mica, chlorite, smectite, most to less abundant. Mica chlorite are deemed inherited, while smectite—appearing minor proportions—could result both...

Abstract The water retention curve (θ(ψ)), which defines the relationship between soil volumetric content (θ) and matric potential (ψ), is of paramount importance in characterizing hydraulic behaviour soils. However, few methods are so far available for estimating θ(ψ) undisturbed samples. We present a new design TDR‐pressure cell (TDR‐Cell) TDR‐Cell consists 50‐mm‐long 50‐mm internal diameter stainless steel cylinder (which constitutes outer frame coaxial line) attached to porous ceramic...