Testing the predictive power of seagrass depth limit models

The power of equations predicting seagrass depth limit (Z_c) from light extinction (K _z) was tested on data on seagrass depth limits collected from the literature. The test data set comprised 424 reports of seagrass colonization depth and water transparency, including data for 10 seagrass species. This data set confirmed the strong negative relationship betweenZ _c andK _z. The regression equation in Duarte (1991) overestimated the realized seagrass colonization depths at colonization depths < 5 m, while there was no prediction bias above this threshold. These results indicated that seagrass colonizing turbid waters (K _z 0.27 m^-1) have higher apparent light requirements than those growing in clearer waters. The relationship between seagrass colonization depth and light attenuation shifts at a threshold of light attenuation of 0.27 m^-1, requiring separate equations to predictZ _c for seagrass growing in more turbid waters and clearer waters, and to set targets for seagrass restoration and conservation efforts.     

Suspended Matter,Chl-a,CDOM, Grain Sizes,and Optical Properties in the Arctic Fjord-Type Estuary,Kangerlussuaq, West Greenland During Summer

Optical constituents as suspended particulate matter (SPM), chlorophyll (Chl-a), colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), and grain sizes were obtained on a transect in the arctic fjord-type estuary Kangerlussuaq (66°) in August 2007 along with optical properties. These comprised diffuse attenuation coefficient of downwelling PAR (K _d(PAR)), upwelling PAR (K _u(PAR)), particle beam attenuation coefficient (c _p), and irradiance reflectance R(−0, PAR). PAR is white light between 400 and 700 nm. The estuary receives melt water from the Greenland Inland Ice and stations covered a transect from the very high turbid melt water outlet to clear marine waters. Results showed a strong spatial variation with high values as for suspended matter concentrations, CDOM, diffuse attenuation coefficient K _d(PAR), particle beam attenuation coefficients (c _p), and reflectance R(−0, PAR) at the melt water outlet. Values of optical constituents and properties decreased with distance from the melt water outlet to a more or less constant level in central and outer part of the estuary. There was a strong correlation between inorganic suspended matter (SPMI) and diffuse attenuation coefficient K _d(PAR) (r ² = 0.92) and also for particle beam attenuation coefficient (c _p; r ² = 0.93). The obtained SPMI specific attenuation—K _d^*(PAR) = 0.13 m² g⁻¹ SPMI—and the SPMI specific particle beam attenuation—c _p^* = 0.72 m² g⁻¹—coefficients were about two times higher than average literature values. Irradiance reflectance R(−0, PAR) was comparatively high (0.09−0.20) and showed a high (r ² = 0.80) correlation with K _u(PAR). Scattering dominated relative to absorption—b(PAR)/a(PAR) = 12.3. Results strongly indicated that the high values in the optical properties were related to the very fine particle sizes (mean = 2–6 μm) of the suspended sediment. Data and results are discussed and compared to similar studies from both temperate and tropical estuaries.     

Benthic fluxes and the cycling of biogenic silica and carbon in two southern California borderland basins

Benthic fluxes in two southern California borderland basins have been estimated by modeling water column property gradients, by modeling pore water gradients and by measuring changes in concentration in a benthic chamber. Results have been used to compare the different methods, to establish budgets for biogenic silica and carbon and to estimate rate constants for models of CaCO₃ dissolution. In San Pedro Basin, a low oxygen, high sedimentation rate area, fluxes of radon-222 (86 ± 8 atoms m⁻² s⁻¹), SiO₂ (0.7 ± 0.1 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹), alkalinity (1.7 ± 0.3 meq m⁻² d⁻¹), TCO₂ (1.9 ± 0.3 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹) and nitrate (−0.8 ± 0.1 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹) measured in a benthic chamber agree within the measurement uncertainty with fluxes estimated from modeling profiles of nutrients and radon obtained in the water column. The diffusive fluxes of radon, SiO₂ and TCO₂ determined from modeling the sediment and pore water also agree with the other approaches. Approximately 33 ± 13% of the organic carbon and 37 ± 47% of the CaCO₃ arriving at the sea floor are recycled. In San Nicolas Basin, which has larger oxygen concentrations and lower sedimentation rates than San Pedro, the fluxes of radon (490 ± 16 atoms m⁻² s⁻¹), SiO₂ (0.7 ± 0.1 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹), alkalinity (1.7 ± 0.3 meq m⁻² d⁻¹), TCO₂ (1.7 ± 0.2 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹), oxygen (−0.7 ± 0.1 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹) and nitrate (-0.4 ± 0.1 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹) determined from chamber measurements agree with the water column estimates given the uncertainty of the measurements and model estimates. Diffusion from the sediments matches the lander-measured SiO₂ and PO₄³⁻ (0.017 ± 0.002 mmol m⁻² d⁻¹) fluxes, but is not sufficient to supply the radon or TCO₂ fluxes observed with the lander. In San Nicolas Basin 38 ± 9% of the organic carbon and 43 ± 22% of the CaCO₃ are recycled. Approximately 90% of the biogenic silica arriving at the sea floor in each basin is recycled. The rates of CaCO₃ dissolution determined from chamber flux measurements and material balances for protons and electrons are compared to those predicted by previously published models of CaCO₃ dissolution and this comparison indicates that in situ rates are comparable to those observed in laboratory studies of bulk sediments, but orders of magnitude less than those observed in experiments done with suspended sediments.     

Plutonium and radiocesium in the water column of the Hudson River estuary

Isotopes of plutonium (Pu), cesium (Cs), and cobalt (Co) introduced into the Hudson River Estuary from fallout deposition, the erosion of fallout-contaminated surface soils, and nuclear reactor effluent (isotopes of Cs and Co only) have been measured in water column samples collected from 1975 to 1980 Isotopic measurements conducted independently by two research groups utilizing different sampling and analytical techniques have been summarized. The major conclusions drawn from the work are that for water samples collected by the two laboratories over similar time periods, the mean concentrations of nonfilterable^239,240Pu (<0.45 μm) were identical at 0.13 fCi/l, mean concentrations of both¹³⁷Cs and^239,240Pu in suspended particulates were more divergent at 2,270±920 pCi/kg (±1 SD) and 1,430±430 pCi/kg for¹³⁷Cs, and 19±8 pCi/kg and 12±4 pCi/kg for^239,240Pu The behavior of^239,240Pu and¹³⁷Cs within the water column is shown to diverge within brackish waters Specifically, the magnitude of the¹³⁷Cs distribution coefficient (K _d ) can be expressed as an inverse power function of the chloride ion concentrations for chlorinities between 0.1 and 4 g Cl⁻/l No difference in the^239,240PuK _d has been observed between fresh and brackish waters Based on the expected inventories of^239,240Pu and¹³⁷Cs within watershed soils, the current downstream transport of these radionuclides represents fractional mobilization rates on the order of 1–4 (×10⁻⁴) per year     

A method for determining both diffusion and sorption coefficients of rock medium within a few days by adopting a micro-reactor technique

Migration properties characterized by physico-chemical factors such as distribution coefficient (K_d) and diffusion coefficient (D_e) are of great concern in performance assessment of high-level radioactive waste disposal in a deep geologic environment. These coefficients are normally obtained with different sample geometries using conventional methods, i.e., crushed samples by the batch sorption method for K_d determination and block samples by the through-diffusion method for D_e. A size dependence on both K_d and D_e has been reported and an additional correction due to size difference is required to maintain consistency of the data set. A fast method was developed, hereafter referred to as the micro-channel method, to determine both the sorption coefficient (R_d) and D_e using non-crushed rock sample by adopting the micro-reactor technique. In this method, a radionuclide solution is injected into a micro-channel (20 mm length, 4 mm width, 160 μm depth), which is in contact with a plate-shaped rock sample. A part of the injected radionuclide can diffuse into the rock matrix and/or adsorb on the rock surface and this results in an inlet-outlet concentration difference. A breakthrough curve is easily obtained with a short observation period because the injection amount is extremely small and is comparable to that escaping by diffusion into the matrix. The breakthrough curve is analyzed by a two-dimensional diffusion-advection equation to evaluate R_d and D_e.In the present study, tritiated water (specific activity, 1.2 × 10⁴ Bq/mL; pH, 6) was injected into the micro-channel, and the breakthrough curve of ³H obtained. A series of experiments was carried out by changing the flow rate of the tritiated water (2.6 × 10⁻⁵–7.7 × 10⁻⁴ m/s). Rock samples were biotite granite from the Makabe area, Japan. The diffusion coefficient evaluated by least squares fitting to the numerical solutions (D_e = 1.5 × 10⁻¹¹ m²/s) agreed well with that obtained by the through-diffusion method (1.3 × 10⁻¹¹ m²/s). The breakthrough curve of Cs ([Cs] = 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ mol/L, pH 6) labeled with ¹³⁴Cs (specific activity adjusted to 4.9 × 10¹ Bq/mL) was also obtained. A nearly constant R_d value (5.5 × 10⁻² m³/kg) was found when the flow rate was less than 2.5 × 10⁻⁴ m/s. This implied that the sorption equilibrium is reached and K_d is obtained by the present method. This value was almost identical to K_d obtained by the batch sorption method (5.0 × 10⁻² m³/kg), but the testing period was very different; 1 day and 7 days, respectively. It is concluded that application of the micro-channel method provided advantages when compared with the conventional methods.     

Pressure–volume–temperature equation of state of andradite and grossular, by high-pressure and -temperature powder diffraction

 The thermoelastic parameters of natural andradite and grossular have been investigated by high-pressure and -temperature synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, at ESRF, on the ID30 beamline. The P–V–T data have been fitted by Birch-Murnaghan-like EOSs, using both the approximated and the general form. We have obtained for andradite K ₀=158.0(±1.5) GPa, (dK/dT )₀=−0.020(3) GPa K⁻¹ and α₀=31.6(2) 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹, and for grossular K ₀=168.2(±1.7) GPa, (dK/dT)₀=−0.016(3) GPa K⁻¹ and α₀=27.8(2) 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹. Comparisons between the present issues and thermoelastic properties of garnets earlier determined are carried out. Received: 7 July 2000 / Accepted: 20 October 2000     

Silver in San Francisco Bay estuarine waters

Spatial gradients of silver concentrations in the surface waters of San Francisco Bay reveal substantial anthropogenic perturbations of the biogeochemical cycle of the element throughout the estuarine system. The most pronounced perturbations are in the south bay, where dissolved (<0.45 μm) silver concentrations are as high as 250 pM. This is more than one order-of-magnitude above baseline concentrations in the northern reach of the estuary (6 pM) and approximately two orders-of-magnitude above natural concentrations in adjacent coastal waters (3 pM). The excess silver is primarily attributed to wastewater discharges of industrial silver to the estuary on the order of 20 kg d^?1. The contamination is most evident in the south bay, where wastewater discharges of silver are on the order of 10 kg d^?1 and natural freshwater discharges are relatively insignificant. The limited amount of freshwater flushing in the south bay was exacerbated by persistent drought conditions during the study period. This extended the hydraulic residence time in the south bay (≥160 d), and revealed the apparent seasonal benthic fluxes of silver from anthropogenically contaminated sediments. These were conservatively estimated to average ≈16 nmol m^?2 d^?1 in the south bay, which is sufficient to replace all of the dissolved silver in the south bay within 22 d. Benthic fluxes of silver throughout the estuary were estimated to average ≈11 nmol m^?2 d^?1, with an annual input of approximately 540 kg yr^?1 of silver to the system. This dwarfs the annual fluvial input of silver during the study period (12 kg yr^?1) and is equivalent to approximately 10% of the annual anthropogenic input of silver to the estuary (3,700–7,200 kg yr^?1). It is further speculated that benthic fluxes of silver may be greater than or equal to waste water fluxes of silver during periods of intense diagenic remobilization. However, all inputs of dissolved silver to the estuary are efficiently sorbed by suspended particulates, as evidenced by the relatively constant conditional distribution coefficient for silver throughout the estuary (K_d≈10⁵).     

Subseabed disposal of radioactive waste: effects of consolidational fluid flow

Subseabed disposal of radioactive waste applies a multiple-barrier concept with the sediment being the most important barrier for preventing a release of nuclides into the biosphere. While many investigations have been carried out to analyze the risk potential in this type of disposal, the effects of sediment consolidation and associated fluid flow have not fully been taken into consideration. Here, possible effects of consolidational fluid flow in the penetrator disposal option and possible consequences to the transport of nuclides in the sediment are analyzed. Results of numerical experiments demonstrate that consolidation contributes to the transport of radioactive nuclides released from containers buried in the sediment and to the release of nuclides at the sediment-water interface. Both depend on geological conditions and to a large extent on possible alterations of hydraulic conductivity i of the sediment in the vicinity of the entry path of a penetrator.Symbols c concentration ml m^–3 - c _a concentration of adsorbed solute mg kg^–1 (relative to dry weight of sorbing substance) - c _in solute concentration of source q mg m^–3 - c ₀ initial concentration mg m^–3 - ID dispersion tensorm ²s^–1 - ID ^* diffusion tensor m²s^–1 - D coefficient of dispersion m²s^–1 - d ₀ coefficient of molecular diffusion m²s^–1 - d coefficient of effective diffusion m²s^–1 - g gravity m²s^–1 - h piezometric pressure m - k hydraulic conductivity m²s^–1 - m mass kg - p pressure Pa - q source/sink m³s^–1 - S ₀ specific surface m²m^–3 - t time s - v velocity m s^–1 - x, z cartesian coordinates m - compressibiliy of sediment m²N^–1 - _L longitudinal dispersivity m - effective porosity (decimal fraction) - density kg m^–3 - _s density of sediment kg m^–3 - _w density of water kg m^–3 - decay constant per s - kinematic viscosity m²s^–1     

Low-temperature thermodynamic properties of disordered zeolites of the natrolite group

 The heat capacity of paranatrolite and tetranatrolite with a disordered distribution of Al and Si atoms has been measured in the temperature range of 6–309 K using the adiabatic calorimetry technique. The composition of the samples is represented with the formula (Na_1.90K_0.22Ca_0.06)[Al_2.24Si_2.76O₁₀]·nH₂O, where n=3.10 for paranatrolite and n=2.31 for tetranatrolite. For both zeolites, thermodynamic functions (vibrational entropy, enthalpy, and free energy function) have been calculated. At T=298.15 K, the values of the heat capacity and entropy are 425.1 ± 0.8 and 419.1 ±0.8 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for paranatrolite and 381.0 ± 0.7 and 383.2 ± 0.7 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for tetranatrolite. Thermodynamic functions for tetranatrolite and paranatrolite with compositions corrected for the amount of extraframework cations and water molecules have also been calculated. The calculation for tetranatrolite with two water molecules and two extraframework cations per formula yields: C _p (298.15)=359.1 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, S(298.15) −S(0)=362.8 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹. Comparing these values with the literature data for the (Al,Si)-ordered natrolite, we can conclude that the order in tetrahedral atoms does not affect the heat capacity. The analysis of derivatives dC/dT for natrolite, paranatrolite, and tetranatrolite has indicated that the water- cations subsystem within the highly hydrated zeolite may become unstable at temperatures above 200 K. Received: 30 July 2001 / Accepted: 15 November 2001     

An SF<Subscript>6</Subscript> Tracer Study of the Flow Dynamics in the Stockton Deep Water Ship Channel: Implications for Dissolved Oxygen Dynamics

A sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) tracer release experiment was conducted in the Stockton Deep Water Ship Channel (DWSC) to quantify mixing and transport rates. SF₆ was injected in the San Joaquin River upstream of the DWSC and mapped for 8 days. From the temporal change in SF₆ distributions, the longitudinal dispersion coefficient (K _x ) was determined to be 32.7 ± 3.6 m² s⁻¹ and the net velocity was 1.75 ± 0.03 km day⁻¹. Based on the decrease in SF₆ inventory during the experiment, the pulsed residence time for waters in the DWSC was estimated at ∼17 days. Within the DWSC from Stockton downstream to Turner Cut, dissolved oxygen concentrations maintained a steady state value of 4 mg l⁻¹. These values are below water quality objectives for the time of year. The low flow rates observed in the DWSC and the inability of oxygen-rich waters from downstream to mix into the DWSC upstream of Turner Cut contribute to the low dissolved oxygen concentration.     

Diel dissolved oxygen dynamics and eutrophication in a shallow,well-mixed tropical lagoon (Cancun,Mexico)

Bojorquez Lagoon (BL), located on the Mexican Caribbean, has received sewage and dredging impacts as a result of tourism development. The lagoon supports a high diversity of primary producers compared to sheltered adjacent lagoons dominated byThalassia testudinum communities. The Diurnal Curve Method (Odum and Hoskin 1958) was used to measure community metabolism and assess eutrophication in BL by comparing it to the nonimpacted lagoons and to other systems studied with this method. Dissolved oxygen community input to the water column in BL ranged between 8.3 g O₂ m^?2 d^?1 and 41.5 g O₂ m^?2 d^?1 during 1985 and 1986, and averaged 17.1, whereas dissolved oxygen community consumption ranged from 6.4 g O₂ m^?2 d^?1 during 1985 and 1986, and averaged 17.1, whereas dissolved oxygen community consumption ranged from 6.4 g O₂ m^?2 d^?1 to 37.6 g O₂ m^?2 d^?1 and averaged 15.2. These values are higher than those found for the adjacent lagoons and similar coastal lagoons, and are similar to results from other lagoons with sewage or seafood waste discharge. Net flux of oxygen from the community to the water column averaged 1.9 g O₂ m^?2 d^?1 and ranged from ?9.8 g O₂ m^?2 d^?1 to 8.1 g O₂ m^?2 d^?1. These values are low compared to the adjacent lagoons, and close to zero, as in dystrophic environments. Primary productivity, as estimated by oxygen input, increased in BL during the period of study, indicating that eutrophication is proceeding, but the lagoon has not reached yet a level of “critical eutrophication” as defined by Mee (1988).     

Methane and carbon dioxide flux from a macrotidal salt marsh,Bay of Fundy,New Brunswick

Fluxes of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) to the atmosphere at 52 sites within a salt marsh were measured by a dark static chamber technique from mid July to mid September. Mean CH₄ fluxes ranged from 0.2 mg m^?2 d^?1 to 11.0 mg m^?2 d^?1, with an overall average of 1.6 mg m^?2 d^?1. Flux of CH₄ was inversely correlated (r²=0.23, p = 0.001) with salinity of the upper porewater at the site, suggesting the dominant role of SO₄ ^2? in inhibiting methanogenesis in salt-marsh sediments. The combination of salinity and water table position was able to explain only 29% of the variance in CH₄ emission. Mean soil flux of CO₂ ranged from 0.3 g m^?2 d^?1 to 3.7 g m^?2 d^?1, with an overall average of 2.5 g m^?2 d^?1; it was correlated with aboveground biomass (positive, r²=0.38, p = 0.001) and position of the water table (negative, r² = 0.55, p = 0.001). The combination of biomass and water table position accounted for 63% of the variance in CO₂ flux. There were high variations in gas flux within the six plant communities. The sequences were CH₄: upland edge > panne > pool > middle marsh > low marsh > high marsh, and CO₂: middle marsh > low marsh > upland edge > high marsh > panne > pool. Compared to other salt-marsh systems, this Bay of Fundy marsh emits small amounts of CH₄ and CO₂.     

Pore-water response on seasonal environmental changes in intertidal sediments of the Weser Estuary,Germany

In order to determine time-dependent changes in estuarine pore-water chemistry and flux variations across the sediment-water interface, sediment cores of an intertidal mud flat in the Weser Estuary were taken monthly over a one-year period. Sediment temperature, pH, Eh, Cl^–, O₂, NO ₃ ^– , and SO ₄ ^2– pore-water concentrations were measured and showed variations that relate to the changes of surface temperature and estuarine water composition. Fick's first law was applied to quantify diffusive fluxes from concentration gradients in the diffusive boundary layer and in the pore water. Total nitrate fluxes were calculated from flux chamber experiments. Diffusive oxygen fluxes increased from 5 mmol m^–2 d^–1 in winter to 18 mmol m^–2 d^–1 in early summer, while nitrate fluxes into the sediment increased from 3 mmol m^–2 d^–1 in winter to 60 mmol m^–2 d^–1 in early summer. Oxygen and nitrate fluxes into the sediment correlated linearly to sediment temperature. Sulfate fluxes increased from 0.5 mmol m^–2 d^–1 in winter to 10 mmol m^–2 d^–1 in August and September. Converted into carbon fluxes, the sum of these oxidants ranged from 10 mmol m^–2 d^–1 in winter to 80 mmol m^–2 d^–1 in summer. An estimation of the upper limit of the annual nitrate flux into the sediment showed that about 10% of the 250,000 t of nitrate discharged annually by the river may be decomposed within the inner Weser Estuary.     

山西晋城和阳泉地区石炭系太原组铵伊利石矿物特征及成因

铵伊利石是伊利石层间域的K+被NH+4替代而形成的类质同象.文中运用X射线衍射分析、傅里叶红外光谱分析以及热重—热流—红外光谱同步分析等手段,对山西晋城及阳泉地区的15号煤层夹矸及煤中矿物进行了研究,发现15号煤层夹矸和煤低温灰中黏土矿物以铵伊利石和高岭石为主,铵伊利石含量为21％～74％;X射线衍射图谱上d(001)...     

Amino acid composition of suspended particles,sediment-trap material,and benthic sediment in the Potomac Estuary

Sediment trap deployments in estuaries provide a method for estimating the amount of organic material transported to the sediments from the euphotic zone. The amino acid composition of suspended particles, benthic sediment, and sediment-trap material collected at 2.4 m, 5.8 m, and 7.9 m depths in the Potomac Estuary was determined in stratified summer waters, and in well-mixed oxygenated waters (DO) in late fall. The total vertical flow, or flux, of material into the top traps ranged from 3 g m^?2 d^?1 in August to 4.9 g m^?2 d^?1 in October. The carbon and nitrogen fluxes increased in the deepest traps relative to the surface traps during both sampling periods, along with that of the total material flux (up to 47.3 g m^?2 d^?1 in the deepest trap), although the actual weight percent of organic carbon and organic nitrogen decreased with depth. Amino acid concentrations ranged from 129 mg g^?1 in surface water particulate material to 22 mg g^?1 in particulate material in 9-m-deep waters and in the benthic sediment. Amino acid concentrations from 2.4-mg-depth sediment traps averaged 104±29 mg g^?1 in stratified waters and 164±81 mg g^?1 in well-mixed waters. The deep trap samples averaed, 77.3±4.8 mg g^?1 amino acids in summer waters and 37±16 mg g^?1 in oxygenated fall waters. Amino acids comprised 13% to 39% of the organic carbon and 12% to 89% of the orgnaic nitrogen in these samples. Analysis of the flux results suggest that resuspension combined with lateral advection from adjacent slopes can account for up to 27% of the material in the deep traps when the estuary was well-mixed and unstratified. When the estuary was stratified in late summer, the amino acid carbon produced by primary productivity in the euphotic zone decreased by 85% (86% for total organic carbon) at the pycnocline at 6 m depth, leaving up to 15% of the vertical organic flux available for benthic sediment deposition.     

Methane distribution and cycling in Tomales Bay, California

Cycling of methane (CH₄) in Tomales Bay, a 28-km² temperature estuary in northern California with relatively low inputs of organic carbon, was studied over a 1-yr period. Water column CH₄ concentrations showed spatial and temporal variability (range=8–100 nM), and were supersaturated with respect to the atmosphere by a factor of 2–37. Rates of net water column CH₄ production-oxidation were determined by in situ experiments, and were not found to be significantly different from zero. Fluxes across the sediment-water interface, determined by direct measurement using benthic chambers, varied from ?0.1 μmol m^?2 d^?1 to +16 μmol m^?2 d^?1 (positive fluxes into water). Methane concentrations in the two perennial creeks feeding the bay varied annually (140–950 nM); these creeks were a significant CH₄ source to the bay during winter. In addition, mass-balance calculations indicate a significant additional inter CH₄ source, which is hypothesized to result from storm-related runoff from dairy farms adjacent to the bay. Systemwide CH₄ budgets of the 16-km² inner bay indicate benthic production (110 mol d^?1) and atmospheric evasion (110 mol d^?1) dominated during summer, while atmospheric evasion (160 mol d^?1) and runoff from dairy farms (90 mol d^?1) dominated during winter.     

Inorganic phosphorus uptake in a carbonate-dominated seagrass ecosystem

Seasonal phosphate (Pi) uptake kinetics were determined using chambers encompassing the water column, sediment and the entire system (water column + sediment + seagrass/epiphyte) in Florida Bay (FB) during 2003–2006 and on the Little Bahama Bank (LBB) during a cruise June, 2004. Pi uptake was a linear function of concentration at low Pi levels (< 2 μmo11^-1). Applying the Pi system rate constant (S_p) from western (177 ±50 x 10^-6 m s^-1) and eastern (272 ±66 x 10^-6 m s^-1) bay sites, and using Pi measured during the study (0.02 to 0.177 μmol Pi 1^-1), we calculated a Pi uptake rate of 0.30 to 2.62 mmol Pi m^-2 d^-1 for western and 0.47 to 4.16 mmol Pi m^-2 d^-1 for eastern bay sites which includes phytoplankton uptake (0.455 m height). During non-bloom conditions, phytoplankton dominated Pi uptake in the east (46%) and both phytoplankton and the seagrass-epiphyte consortium in the west (32 and 52%, respectively), with a smaller contribution by the sediment (15–20%). On LBB interior sites, the water column always dominated (≽94%) Pi uptake with a higher S_p (573-881 x 10^-6 m s^-1) than FB. During cyanobacterial blooms in FB (chla 17 μg 1^-1), the water column dominated Pi uptake (100%) and S_p was the highest (>2,800 x 10^-6 m s^-1) measured. Phytoplankton accounted for 88% of this sequestered Pi with only 12% in the acid extractable fraction, likely as calcium bound and/or adsorbed P, and only 1% attributable to small heterotrophs. When chl α levels declined (2 μg I^-1) Pi uptake was still dominated by phytoplankton (77%), the acid extractable pool increased (18%) and the heterotrophic community became more important (22%). In carbonate-dominated seagrass systems, Pi is primarily taken up by the water column biota and is subsequently remineralized/hydrolyzed in the water column or settles to the benthos where it becomes available to benthic primary producers.     

Seasonal variability of physico-chemical characteristics of the Haldia channel of Hooghly estuary, India

Physical and chemical characteristics of the Hooghly estuary during winter (December 1997–January 1998), summer (May 1998) and post-monsoon (November 1998) seasons have been studied. Salinity varied spatially and temporally and seasonally during ebb and flood tide conditions. Water temperature showed a difference of 10‡C in winter to summer. Temperature did not vary much vertically as it is a well-mixed estuary. Strong currents exceeding 100 cm S^-1 were observed during peak ebb and flood tide conditions irrespective of the season. Longitudinal eddy diffusion coefficient (K _x ) was estimated as 757m S^-1 and 811m² S^-1 during summer and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. The vertical eddy diffusion coefficient (ε_v) was estimated as 0.0337 m² S^-1 during post-monsoon season. The salinity and current observations are compared with those obtained from models reported earlier. Values of pH, Dissolved Oxygen and Biological Oxygen Demand are within the threshold limits of the estuarine environment. Nutrients show seasonal variation in the estuarine environment. High values (160-2686 mg l^-1) of total suspended matter were noticed both at surface and bottom in the study region showing the impact of fresh water and sediment transportation.     

渤海西部海域新生代盖层特征及对油气的控制作用

渤海西部海域新生代盖层发育情况与油气富集密切相关。利用渤西地区丰富的钻井资料、测井资料、取心分析化验资料等对研究区新生代盖层发育特征、封闭性及其对油气成藏的控制作用开展了研究。研究结果表明,该区主要发育东二段下部、明下段下部及明下段上部3套区域泥质岩盖层,东二段下部区域泥岩盖层相比于明下段两套区域泥岩盖层具有单层泥岩厚度大、色暗、质纯、高泥地比、横向分布稳定及更高成岩阶段等特点,东二段下部泥岩盖层封闭性好于明下段泥岩盖层;东二段下部区域泥岩盖层控制了油气在凹陷区域深部沙河街组、东营组的聚集成藏并决定了油气朝沙垒田古隆起上倾方向运移,明化镇组下段区域"终极盖层"与断裂共同作用控制了整个渤西地区新近系的油气富集程度;提出了"周边凹陷东二下区域泥岩盖层底面构造脊输导体系"、"凸起斜坡及内部明下段泥岩盖层、断裂‘耦合’油气输导体系"两种区域盖层控制下的油气输导模式。      

汶川M_s 8.0地震破裂带CO_2、CH_4、Rn和Hg脱气强度

地震活动断裂带能够向大气释放大量的温室气体、放射性气体和有毒气体(CO_2、CH_4、Rn和Hg),并对大气环境的影响产生复杂的影响。利用静态暗箱法,对汶川M_s8.0地震破裂带CO_2、Rn和Hg脱气强度进行实地测量,并计算了CO_2和Hg脱气对大气的年贡献量。结果表明:(1)破裂带土壤气中CO_2、CH_4、Rn和Hg异常浓度最大值分别可以达到7.98%、2.38%、524.30k Bq/m~3和161.00ng/m~3;破裂带CO_2、Rn和Hg脱气平均通量是34.95g·m~(-2)d~(-1)、36.11m Bq·m~(-2)s~(-1)和26.56ng·m~(-2)h~(-1),最大值分别达到259.23g·m~(-2)d~(-1)、580.35m Bq·m~(-2)s~(-1)和387.67ng·m~(-2)h~(-1);(2)汶川Ms8.0地震破裂带向大气脱气的CO_2年贡献量是0.95Mt,Hg的年贡献量是15.94kg。汶川Ms8.0地震破裂带破裂CO_2、CH_4、Rn和Hg等的脱气强度,不仅与破裂带渗透率有关,还与断裂带浅部存在的气藏、煤层以及磷矿层等气体源有重要的联系。