http://hdl.handle.net/10366/4055 2026-06-26T20:48:47Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171901 [EN] Background: Loneliness has emerged as a psychosocial issue in oncology, with implications for emotional well- being, social and daily functioning, and adaptation to illness. However, its relationship with perceived social support and functional independence in patients with cancer remains insufficiently characterized. Objective: To analyze loneliness in patients with cancer and its association with sociodemographic, psychosocial, and functional variables. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in 153 adults with cancer recruited from the onco-haematology day hospital at the Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca, Spain. Global loneliness was assessed with the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and emotional and social loneliness with the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Perceived social support was evaluated with the Duke-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire, quality of life with the EORTC QLQ-C30, functional independence with the Barthel Index, and anxiety and depressive symptoms with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Correlation analyses and multivariable linear and logistic regression models were performed. Results: The median UCLA loneliness score was 36 (range 20–79), indicating variability in perceived loneliness. Higher loneliness was associated with lower perceived social support, greater depressive and anxiety symptoms, and lower functional independence. In multivariable analyses, perceived social support and functional independence remained independently associated with lower loneliness, while depressive symptoms were associated with higher loneliness only in the linear model. Conclusions: Loneliness was more closely associated with psychosocial and functional than sociodemographic variables. These findings support loneliness assessment in comprehensive cancer care and suggest that social support and functional status may be key loneliness correlates. [ES] Antecedentes: La soledad ha emergido como un problema psicosocial en oncología, con implicaciones en el bienestar emocional, el funcionamiento social y diario, y la adaptación a la enfermedad. Sin embargo, su relación con el apoyo social percibido y la independencia funcional en pacientes con cáncer sigue sin estar suficientemente caracterizada. Objetivo: Analizar la soledad en pacientes con cáncer y su asociación con variables sociodemográficas, psicosociales y funcionales. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en 153 adultos con cáncer reclutados en el hospital de día de oncohematología del Complejo Asistencial Universitario de Salamanca, España. La soledad global se evaluó con la Escala de Soledad de la UCLA, y la soledad emocional y social con la Escala de Soledad de De Jong Gierveld. El apoyo social percibido se evaluó con el Cuestionario de Apoyo Social Funcional Duke-UNC, la calidad de vida con el EORTC QLQ-C30, la independencia funcional con el Índice de Barthel, y los síntomas de ansiedad y depresión con la Escala de Ansiedad y Depresión Hospitalaria (HADS). Se realizaron análisis de correlación y modelos de regresión lineal y logística multivariante. Resultados: La mediana de la puntuación de soledad de la UCLA fue de 36 (rango 20–79), lo que indica variabilidad en la soledad percibida. Una mayor soledad se asoció con un menor apoyo social percibido, mayores síntomas de depresión y ansiedad, y una menor independencia funcional. En los análisis multivariantes, el apoyo social percibido y la independencia funcional se mantuvieron asociados de forma independiente con una menor soledad, mientras que los síntomas depresivos se asociaron con una mayor soledad solo en el modelo lineal. Conclusiones: La soledad se asoció más estrechamente con las variables psicosociales y funcionales que con las sociodemográficas. Estos hallazgos respaldan la evaluación de la soledad en la atención integral del cáncer y sugieren que el apoyo social y el estado funcional pueden ser correlatos clave de la soledad. 2026-06-13T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171885 [ES] La monitorización de modificaciones epigenéticas en el ARN a través de la cuantificación de nucleósidos y nucleobases metilados en fluidos biológicos representa un área esencial de la investigación biomédica actual. Estos compuestos actúan como biomarcadores endógenos que reflejan el estado fisiopatológico del organismo. Sin embargo, su análisis en orina humana supone un reto analítico considerable debido a la complejidad de la matriz, la baja concentración de los analitos y la presencia de isómeros estructurales. En este trabajo, se presenta el desarrollo y validación de diversas metodologías analíticas basadas en espectrometría de masas en tándem (MS/MS) diseñadas para mejorar la sensibilidad y la capacidad de procesamiento de muestras en el estudio de estos biomarcadores. Para abordar estos retos, inicialmente se implementó una plataforma avanzada que combina la microextracción en fase sólida miniaturizada en formato tip-on-tip (TOT-µSPE) con la cromatografía de interacción hidrofílica (HILIC-MS/MS). Esta estrategia permitió una limpieza exhaustiva de la matriz y la separación eficiente de diez nucleósidos y cinco nucleobases metilados. Complementariamente, con el fin de aumentar el rendimiento analítico para estudios a gran escala, se desarrolló un método de cribado rápido mediante inyección en flujo (FIA-MS/MS). Esta aproximación no separativa logró reducir los tiempos de análisis, permitiendo procesar hasta 24 muestras por hora, lo que supone una mejora de diez veces en la productividad respecto a los métodos cromatográficos convencionales. La utilidad clínica y ambiental de estas herramientas se evaluó mediante un estudio poblacional en 61 voluntarios, donde se exploró la relación entre estos marcadores de metilación endógena y la exposición a contaminantes ambientales, específicamente mediante la cuantificación de metabolitos de hidrocarburos aromáticos policíclicos (PAHs). Los resultados obtenidos tras la validación —con recuperaciones entre el 85% y el 120%— revelaron correlaciones significativas entre la exposición exógena y la alteración de los niveles de nucleósidos metilados. Estos hallazgos sugieren que factores externos como la contaminación pueden influir en la dinámica epigenética a través de mecanismos de estrés oxidativo. En conjunto, esta investigación proporciona una plataforma robusta y versátil para la detección precoz de enfermedades y el avance hacia una medicina personalizada basada en la monitorización mediante toma de muestra no invasiva de biomarcadores. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171841 [EN] In this thesis, field theory models invariant under transformations of the U(1) symmetry group are analysed. In these models, both topological and non-topological solitonic solutions of the field equations arise. The first part of the thesis presents the main mathematical aspects required for the study of these solutions, focusing on topological solitons of the kink type and non-topological solitons of the Q-ball type. Additionally, other solutions of the field equations are examined, such as stationary, oscillatory, and dissipative configurations, which correspond to so-called oscillons. The second part of the thesis presents the original results obtained in the articles that compose it. In particular, a geometric framework is introduced that allows for a unified description of Q-kink and Q-ball type solutions. Furthermore, the complex dynamics of non-topological solitons are analysed, including processes of Noether charge exchange in systems composed of Q-ball/anti-Q-ball pairs, which can be interpreted as excited oscillons. Finally, the dynamics of collisions between Q-ball/anti-Q-ball solutions are investigated, revealing the emergence of chaotic behaviour, especially in models with potentials featuring a false vacuum, where the formation of intermediate bubbles enhances the sensitivity to initial conditions.; [ES] En esta memoria se analizan modelos de teorías de campos invariantes bajo transformaciones del grupo de simetría U(1), en los cuales presentan soluciones solitónicas topológicas y no topológicas de las ecuaciones de campo. En la primera parte de las tesis se introducen los principales aspectos matemátuicos necesarios para el estudio de estas soluciones, centrándose en los solitones topológicos tipo kink y en los solitones no topológicos tipo Q-ball. Asimismo, se estudian otras soluciones de las ecuaciones de campo, tales como configuraciones estacionarias, oscilantes y disipativas, que corresponden a los llamados oscilones. La segunda parte de la tesis recoge los resultados originales obtenidos en los artículos que la componen. En particular, se introduce un marco geométrico que permite unificar la descripción de soluciones tipo Q-kink y Q-ball. Además, se analiza la compleja dinámica de los solitones no topológicos, incluyendo procesos de intercambio de carga de Noether en sistemas formados por pares Q-ball-Anti-Q-ball, los cuales pueden interpretarse como oscilones excitados. Finalmente, se estudia la dinámica de colisiones entre soluciones Q-ball-Anti-Q_ball, mostrando la aparición de comportamientos caóticos, especialmente en modelos con potenciales que presentan falso vacío, donde la formación de burbujas intermedias incrementa la sensibilidad a las condiciones iniciales. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171834 [EN]Este libro es un material didáctico y educativo en formato cómic diseñado específicamente para introducir a los niños en el fascinante mundo de la estadística y la ciencia de datos. A través de divertidas viñetas, personajes entrañables y situaciones cotidianas (como encuestas sobre el clima, el uso de bicicletas o juegos de azar), los estudiantes descubren jugando cómo recolectar, analizar e interpretar datos para tomar decisiones informadas en su día a día. El libro incluye, además de las historias gráficas, una sección de "Escape Room" con retos y desafíos lógicos basados en conceptos estadísticos que fomentan el trabajo en equipo, el pensamiento crítico y la resolución de problemas. Este recurso ha sido desarrollado por el Grupo de Transferencia del Conocimiento (GTC) de Ciencia de Datos, Estadística e Investigación Operativa de la Universidad de Salamanca para ser utilizado en los Campamentos de Verano de Cultura Científica y de la Innovación. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171833 [ES]Este libro es un material didáctico y educativo en formato cómic diseñado específicamente para introducir a los niños en el fascinante mundo de la estadística y la ciencia de datos. A través de divertidas viñetas, personajes entrañables y situaciones cotidianas (como encuestas sobre el clima, el uso de bicicletas o juegos de azar), los estudiantes descubren jugando cómo recolectar, analizar e interpretar datos para tomar decisiones informadas en su día a día. Este recurso ha sido desarrollado por el Grupo de Transferencia del Conocimiento (GTC) de Ciencia de Datos, Estadística e Investigación Operativa de la Universidad de Salamanca para ser utilizado en los Campamentos de Verano de Cultura Científica y de la Innovación. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171744 [EN]Soils are an important storage of water and an efficient filter that enables a certain percentage of precipitation to reach groundwater, contributing to hydrological resources. In this paper, soil water content (SWC) was monitored during 2 years to characterize the hydrological dynamics and quantify water resources. The studied soil is developed over a carbonate bedrock in the Mediterranean region of Croatia. The site has a classical red Mediterranean soil with high clay content and pedogenic carbonates. The hydrological monitoring along the soil profile was conducted using sensors based on frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) technology. However, soil characteristics resulted in factors other than SWC affecting the recorded signal. The measured SWC signals record short-term variability in response to precipitation events, although their absolute values and their long-term variability are unreliable. To better understand local hydrological dynamics, a 1D hydrological model was implemented. Basic corrections were applied to raw SWC signals to use measured data to calibrate the model. In average, the simulation explains 72% of the corrected SWC variability and properly reproduces the short-term variability measured by sensors, improving the original and corrected SWC signals. This research shows that even if FDR sensors provide unreliable data in problematic soils, the measured signals can still be used to calibrate hydrological models and to produce realistic simulated data. The methodology followed in this research can inspire similar observation-simulation studies and be used as a guide to improve the understanding of hydrological dynamics in any type of soil with technical difficulties to acquire quality observational SWC data. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171743 [EN]Chemical weathering of carbonate minerals (CWC) plays an important role in global carbon cycle, as it bridges the atmospheric, lithospheric and hydrospheric carbon pools. However, data limitations have hindered an accurate estimation of the carbon sink flux induced by global CWC (CSFCWC), as well as its response to environmental change. Conventional hydrochemical methods, which infer CSFCWC indirectly from riverine hydrochemistry, provide only catchment-integrated signals, yet cannot resolve the specific contribution of CWC across different climate, pedological, and ecological settings within a catchment. Here, we synthesize 2444 globally-distributed in-situ CWC rates measured by rock tablet tests, and investigate the magnitude, spatiotemporal variation and controlling factors of CSFCWC using a machine learning model. We find that soil physicochemical properties (e.g. pH and moisture) play a more important role in determining global CWC spatial variation than climate, hydrology and vegetation factors. The machine-learning model developed in this study explains 68% of the variance in globally observed CSFCWC values. Global application of our model indicates that CWC generates a carbon sink of 0.27 Pg C yr−1 worldwide, which is comparable to previous catchment-integrated estimates derived using different approaches, accounting for approximately 8% of the total terrestrial carbon sink. Over the past two decades, global greening has significantly accelerated global total carbon sink induced by CWC, with this acceleration particularly pronounced in Asia. Overall, this study provides a benchmark estimate of global CSFCWC and advances the mechanistic understanding of carbonate weathering. Our findings contribute to improving existing weathering models and reducing uncertainties in future projections of the terrestrial carbon sink. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171385 [EN]This study investigates two burial‐related remagnetizations in the Jaca–Pamplona foreland basin (Southern Pyrenees): one with dual polarity and a positive reversals test, and another with only reverse polarity. These components, labeled C3 and C4 based on their mean unblocking temperatures, were identified from a paleomagnetic analysis of 142 sites in Eocene turbidites of the Hecho Group. Component C3 shows unblocking temperatures of 250°C–350°C, systematic reverse polarity, and a predominantly post‐folding timing. Component C4 exhibits unblocking temperatures of 250°C–550°C, dual polarity and a mainly syn‐to postfolding acquisition. The spatial distribution of C4 polarity defines WNW–ESE bands parallel to structures and younging southward. The acquisition of C4 is interpreted as a chemical remagnetization triggered by progressive burial driven by combined sedimentary and tectonic loading that increased temperatures (up to ∼250°C in the deeper northern sectors, according to previous paleotemperature studies). This thermal evolution promoted authigenic, stable single‐domain magnetite growth, beginning during the Lutetian (chron C20) and probably ending in the Rupelian (chrons C11‐C10) as uplift and exhumation progressed. In contrast, the reverse polarity and post‐folding behavior of component C3 suggest a mixed origin involving both chemical remagnetization and a thermoviscous overprint during the long chron C12r (Rupelian), contemporaneous with the youngest reverse C4 band and preceding the final exhumation of the basin. These findings highlight the complex interplay among tectonics, sedimentation, and chemical remagnetization processes in the South Pyrenean foreland, providing new insight into the timing and kinetics of remagnetization in fold‐and‐thrust belts. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171384 [EN]The anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility (AMS) in mudrocks has been widely used to study orogenic belts due to their sensitivity to strain, while paleomagnetism remains the most effective method to quantify vertical axis rotations (VARs) resulting from the accommodation of along-strike variations in shortening. However, AMS can be also eventually used as a passive marker to detect VARs and the integration of both techniques offers a powerful approach to understand the tectonic evolution of fold-and-thrusts-belts. In this work, a combined AMS and paleomagnetic study along a stratigraphic section of continental rocks from the Campodarbe Formation in the Jaca-Pamplona Basin, southern Pyrenees, was carried out. This stratigraphic section (Martes section) records the tectonic evolution of this part of the basin from Priabonian to Rupelian times. The magnetic fabrics show the imprint of early stages of deformation, characterized by dominantly oblate ellipsoids and WNW-ESE horizontal magnetic lineations (axes of maximum magnetic susceptibility kmax), parallel to bedding and the main regional structures. In the lower part of the section, kmax axes trend around 290º, gradually rotating to 270º towards the top. The AMS is interpreted as locked under the imprint of the layer parallel shortening (LPS) associated to the activity of the basement thrusts in the northern Jaca-Pamplona Basin. On the other hand, paleomagnetic data indicate clockwise VARs of 6º to 12º in the lower part of the section, and a counterclockwise rotation of 7º to 14º in the upper part. These differential rotations could result from lateral changes in the Biniés basement thrust or the Jaca thrust system that were active during Oligocene times. Both techniques record a net rotation of ca. 25º between the lower and upper part of the section, which support the interpretation that early-locked AMS behaves as a passive marker and validates its use for detecting and quantifying VARs. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171311 [EN]Roads cause disturbances to wildlife from the beginning of their construction and once the road is in operation, people usually make use of the habitats, reducing their quality. To this are added the effects caused by light and noise from vehicles. These propagate through the land adjacent to the road causing changes in the fauna’s use of the habitat. This led us to ask ourselves what attributes inherent to the road and terrain influence the vertebrate fauna and what factors associated with human activities can be considered as confounding variables for the results interpretation? The study was conducted in proximity of the 40D highway in Mexico. Three paired areas were selected where signs of wildlife presence were recorded during spring and fall from 2018 to 2020 and these data were used as response variable (2108 records of 49 species). We used as explanatory variables the inherent characteristics of the natural terrain and road (e.g., height difference between road and habitat, distance from road), as well as those related to human presence in the habitat (e.g., distance to nearest town). GLM’s were adjusted to determine the influence of these on our response variable. We found that the inherent variables of the road and terrain have a significant influence on the number of faunal of hunting interest traces found (p = 0.018, r2 = 23.09). The method used allowed us to identify and distinguish the influence that human activities exert on the fauna within the road’s influence zone. The differential way in which organisms respond to human presence and activity makes it difficult to isolate this effect from the one we wish to evaluate, such as that of the road. Therefore, it is suggested that the variables used in this study be used as a control measure of this effect in the work carried out in proximity of roads. 2022-07-18T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171310 [EN]Millions of wild animals are killed annually on roads worldwide. During spring 2020, the volume of road traffic was reduced globally as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. We gathered data on wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) from Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Israel, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and for Scotland and England within the United Kingdom. In all studied countries WVC statistics tend to be dominated by large mammals (various deer species and wild boar), while information on smaller mammals as well as birds are less well recorded. The expected number of WVC for 2020 was predicted on the basis of 2015–2019 WVC time series representing expected WVC numbers under normal traffic conditions. Then, the forecasted and reported WVC data were compared. The results indicate varying levels of WVC decrease between countries during the COVID-19 related traffic flow reduction (CRTR). While no significant change was determined in Sweden, where the state-wide response to COVID-19 was the least intensive, a decrease as marked as 37.4% was identified in Estonia. The greatest WVC decrease, more than 40%, was determined during the first weeks of CRTR for Estonia, Spain, Israel, and Czechia. Measures taken during spring 2020 allowed the survival of large numbers of wild animals which would have been killed under normal traffic conditions. The significant effects of even just a few weeks of reduced traffic, help to highlight the negative impacts of roads on wildlife mortality and the need to boost global efforts of wildlife conservation, including systematic gathering of roadkill data. 2021-04-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171309 [EN]It is widely recognised that conservation policies in protected areas must also favour the development and viability of human populations. Although much research has focused on economic consequences, understanding the real impact of conservation on local populations requires a more holistic standpoint. Using quasi-experimental matching methods and a diachronic perspective, the biodemographic and socio-economic effects of Colombia’s National Natural Parks (NNPs) were evaluated (all in a context of internal conflict and post-conflict). The analyses were made for the set of NNPs and then grouped into four natural regions (Andes, Caribbean, Amazon-Orinoquía and Pacific) and two conflict intensities. Differences were found mainly for NNPs with low-intensity conflict, but only for biodemographic variables, not for socio-economic ones. Starting from a situation of disadvantage, a relative improvement in the conditions of the NNP municipalities was observed throughout the 13-year period in relation to the control group. Results should be taken with caution due to the conflict situation, but the lack of correlation between biodemographic and socio-economic aspects highlights the need to include more complex approaches in protected area management policies. 2020-12-25T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171308 [EN]The Batuecan lizard Iberolacerta martinezricai is a critically endangered species due to its significantly reduced distribution, which is restricted to the scree slopes (SS) of a few mountain peaks within the Batuecas-Sierra de Francia Natural Park (western Spain). Given its high specialisation in this type of discontinuous habitat, the long-term conservation of the species requires maintaining the connectivity between populations. This study analyses the contribution of connectivity, as well as other patch-related factors, in the distribution and density patterns of the species. With this aim, 67 SS were sampled by line transects from May to October 2018. Each SS was characterised using variables indicative of the microhabitat conditions for the lizard. Inter-SS connectivity was quantified using graph theory for seven distances. Generalised linear models (GLMs) were performed for both presence and density. Model results showed that while connectivity was a relevant factor in the presence of lizards, density only involved patch-related variables. Discrepancies probably occurred because the factors influencing presence operate on a wider scale than those of abundance. In view of the results, the best-connected SS, but also those where the lizard is most abundant and from which more dispersed individuals are likely to depart, seem to be the essential patches in any conservation strategy. The results may also be relevant to other species with habitat-specific requirements. 2021-03-02T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171232 [EN]Rock weathering is a key component of the rock cycle that transforms rocks in sediments, soils and/or dissolves minerals to ions, and plays an important role in landforms development and landscape evolution. The quantification of weathering is often challenging due to the impact of measuring techniques on the rock itself and/or the assumptions required to perform the calculations. Among different methods used to quantify rock weathering, rock tablet method is one of the most widely used. The rock tablet method consists of cutting rock samples in a shape that allows precise calculation of their volume and surface. These rock pieces, often named tablets when they are flat, are dried, precisely weighed and exposed to the natural environment for certain amount of time. After retrieval, the same laboratory procedure is repeated, and from the weight loss, the weathering rate is calculated. When the density of the rock is known and it is reasonable to assume that the lost material is removed from the ground surface, the weight loss can be used to calculate denudation rates. This is the case in karst regions, where rock tablets are one of the most commonly used methods to calculate denudation. This simple and versatile method requires only a limited amount of laboratory equipment to be implemented which makes it very popular. However, experimental design, preparation of samples and calculations are not homogeneous among researchers, sometimes making the results of this method challenging to be evaluated and compared. In this paper we describe the rock tablet method, include its historical overview, review the most significant studies that have used this technique, highlight its limitations, introduce correction factors to minimize some of those limitations, and provide good practice recommendations to help other researchers to obtain comparable results around the world. 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171231 [EN]The isotope signature of cave waters provides an excellent opportunity to better understand the recharge in karst regions and the complexity of drainage systems in the vadose zone. We have developed a cave isotope hydrological model (ISODRIP) that requires entering basic hydrometeorological information and a precipitation δ18O record to simulate the discharge and δ18O signals of different drip sites. The model includes four different modules to simulate various flow route regimes: continuous and discontinuous drips under diffuse or preferential flows. We use precipitation and cave water δ18O records that were obtained in Eagle Cave (central Spain) during a 5-year period to test our model and to better understand the dynamics of karst aquifers. Eagle Cave waters do not record evaporation. The δ18O signals do not have seasonality, although they record intra-annual and inter-annual variability. Additionally, cave water δ18O signal falls within the range of the annual average weighted isotope composition of precipitation. Well-mixed cave waters, that characterize diffuse flows, record 1‰ δ18O variability, whereas partially-mixed waters, that flow along preferential drainage routes, have up to 3‰ δ18O variability. The results suggest that precipitation takes on average 15 months to reach the cave through the diffuse flow network, whereas under preferential flow the transit time is highly variable depending on the previous condition of the system. ISODRIP includes a soil layer above the vadose zone that controls large recharge events, together with direct recharge components that bypass the soil layer enabling at least some recharge all year round. Thus, the simulations reproduce the observed lack of seasonal bias in the cave water δ18O composition in relation to the average weighted isotope composition of precipitation. This research highlights the importance of understanding recharge dynamics and the configuration of particular drips sites to properly interpret speleothem δ18O records. 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10366/171224 [EN]Although temperature is a nonconservative tracer, it often provides useful information to understand hydrological processes. This study explores the potential of temperature to characterize the hydrological dynamics of a submarine spring and its coastal karst aquifer in Krka Estuary (Croatia). The estuary is well stratified and its water column has a clear thermocline. A network of loggers was designed to monitor the temperature along vertical profiles in the estuary and the coastal aquifer, taking advantage of an anchialine cave that enabled access to the subterranean estuary. The location of the thermocline in the groundwater, which defines the upper boundary of the saline intrusion, depends on (1) the recharge of the aquifer via infiltration of precipitation, (2) the evolution of the thermocline in the estuary, and (3) the tidal oscillations. The sources of water flowing though the anchialine cave were identified: brackish water from the estuary above the thermocline, saline water from the estuary below the thermocline, and freshwater from infiltrated precipitation. A conceptual model is described that characterizes the hydrological dynamics of this coastal aquifer and its interactions with the estuary. Thus, at least for some hydrological settings, temperature is a valid tracer to characterize the main hydrological processes. The measurement of temperature is inexpensive compared to other (conservative) tracers. Therefore, for those hydrological settings that have water masses with distinct temperatures, the use of temperature as a tracer to establish conceptual models of the hydrological dynamics is encouraged. 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z