Dear authors,

We have now received two sets of referee comments. They both agree that the paper provides a potential significant contribution, but both referees have also identified some issues and provided feedback to improve the quality of the contribution. After reading the reviewers comments and my own assessment of the manuscript I believe that the paper will greatly benefit from the careful consideration of all the reviewers’ suggestions, particularly the comments requesting clarifications on the methodology and analysis of results. I therefore recommend major (though they are really moderate) revisions.

Please include with the new submission, the revised manuscript with a clear identification of how it has been revised/modified and new response letters to the reviewers comments.

Regards,
Patricia Saco

The detailed author’s responses indicate that they have carefully considered all comments by the reviewers.

The revised manuscript clearly shows that they have included most of the issues raised by the reviewers in a constructive way which has improved the quality of this contribution. I therefore recommend publication as is.

Regards,
Patricia Saco