[en] The aim of this study was to determine whether a cosmetic formulation elaborated with ozonized theobroma oil may exert beneficial effects in the restoring of the antioxidant activity on the skin of rats previously irradiated with ultraviolet light. 0.5 g of the formulation was applied on the skin of rats for five days. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activity were determined in a homogenate of rat skin. Malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes (CD) and total hydroperoxide (THP) content were determined as biomarkers of oxidative stress. Using these parameters, antioxidant and oxidant activity, redox index and oxidative stress grade were determined. The total antioxidant activity was significantly increased while the redox index, total oxidant activity and oxidative stress grade decreased significantly in damaged rats treated with the formulation. These results show the antioxidant properties of the cosmetic formulation due to the stimulation of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and GPx, preventing skin injury induced by ultraviolet irradiation. (Author).

[en] Composite monthly samples of precipitation were collected for the period 2000- 2004 at 16 meteorological stations included in the 'Red Espanola de Vigilancia de Isotopos en la Precipitacion' (REVIP), the Spanish Network for Isotopes in Precipitation. Oxygen-18 and deuterium results were used to review previous maps showing the spatial distribution of isotope contents over the Iberian Peninsula. Long-term mean weighted values of δ¹⁸O over the Iberian Peninsula range from ca. -4.0 per mille in stations from Andalusia to ca. -10.0 per mille in the stations located in the northern plateau. The δ²H-δ¹⁸O relationship of the long-term weighted means is in good agreement with the GMWL, showing d-excess values only slightly above 10 per mille, indicating the relevance of air masses of Atlantic origin, as the main source of water vapour over the Iberian Peninsula. The spatial distribution of δ¹⁸O and δ²H in precipitation over the Iberian Peninsula can be explained by a simple multiple regression model, based on two geographic factors: latitude and elevation. This polynomial model reproduces reasonably well the observed spatial distribution of the stable isotope composition of precipitation over Spain, facilitating the use of stable isotopes as a tool to trace the origin of surface and ground waters. Differences between measured and predicted δ¹⁸O values with both global and local scale models are explained by other regional and local factors that influence the isotopic composition of precipitation. (author)

[en] The Loma de Ubeda aquifer is formed by Jurassic carbonates with a mean thickness of about 80 m. The carbonate sequence is covered in the southern part of the study area by a thick sequence of Miocene sediments, and groundwater becomes confined. Groundwater samples in the phreatic zone contain tritium activities similar to present-day precipitation, as well as high nitrate contents, indicating the relevance of recent recharge. Further down-gradient, in the confined part of the aquifer, tritium contents become null. The δ¹⁸O values in most groundwater samples are similar to those of present-day recharge. The uncorrected ¹⁴C-DIC 'ages' increase from recent up to 20-25 ka in the deepest part of the aquifer. Carbon-13 values in the confined part become progressively depleted (up to -21 per mille) indicating the presence of a source of organic carbon in the aquifer. The δ³⁴S values in dissolved sulphate and the high concentrations of H₂S reflect the importance of sulphate reduction. Geochemical models suggest that the residence time of groundwater in the deepest part is up to 10,000 years younger than the uncorrected ¹⁴C-DIC ages. (author)

[en] Composite monthly samples of precipitation were collected for the period 2000-2004 at 16 meteorological stations included in the 'Red Espanola de Vigilancia de Isotopos en la Precipitation' (REVIP), the Spanish Network for Isotopes in Precipitation, Oxygen-18 and deuterium results were used to review previous maps showing the spatial distribution of isotope contents over the Iberian Peninsula. Long-term mean weighted values of δ¹⁸O over the Iberian Peninsula range from ca. -4.0 per mille in stations from Andalusia to ca. -10.0 per mille in the stations located in the northern plateau. The δ²H-δ¹⁸O relationship of the long-term, weighted means is in good agreement with the GMWL, showing excess values only slightly above 10 per mille indicating the relevance of air masses of Atlantic origin, as the main source of water vapour over the Iberian Peninsula. The spatial distribution of δ¹⁸O and δ²H in precipitation over the Iberian Peninsula can be explained by a simple multiple regression model, based on two geographic factors: latitude and elevation. This polynomial model reproduces reasonably well the observed spatial distribution of the stable isotope composition of precipitation over Spain, facilitating the use of stable isotopes as a tool to trace the origin of surface and ground waters. Differences between measured and predicted δ¹⁸O values with both global and local scale models are explained by other regional and local factors that influence the isotopic composition of precipitation. (author)