Macrofaunal communities in the habitats of intertidal marshes along the salinity gradient of the Schelde estuary

The macrobenthos is important in benthic remineralization processes; it represents a trophic link and is also often used as a bio-indicator in monitoring programs. Variations of the environmental parameters strongly influence the structure of the macrobenthic communities in the marshes and since macrobenthos is the most important food item for marsh-visiting fish species in the Schelde, the variation in food resources can have a strong effect on the higher trophic level. The present study deals with the variation in macrobenthic communities in different habitats of intertidal marshes along the salinity gradient and the differences between the marsh creeks and the intertidal part of the estuary. The study measured density and species richness together with the biomass, and sampled a large intertidal channel and a smaller creek within five marshes along the salinity gradient of the Schelde estuary every six weeks between May and October in 2000.     

A density-dependent multi-species model to assess groundwater flow and nutrient transport in the coastal Keauhou aquifer,Hawai‘i,USA

Hydrogeology Journal - Fresh groundwater is a critical resource supporting coastal ecosystems that rely on low-salinity, nutrient-rich groundwater discharge. This resource, however, is subject to...     

Source partitioning of anthropogenic groundwater nitrogen in a mixed-use landscape,Tutuila, American Samoa

This study presents a modeling framework for quantifying human impacts and for partitioning the sources of contamination related to water quality in the mixed-use landscape of a small tropical volcanic island. On Tutuila, the main island of American Samoa, production wells in the most populated region (the Tafuna-Leone Plain) produce most of the island’s drinking water. However, much of this water has been deemed unsafe to drink since 2009. Tutuila has three predominant anthropogenic non-point-groundwater-pollution sources of concern: on-site disposal systems (OSDS), agricultural chemicals, and pig manure. These sources are broadly distributed throughout the landscape and are located near many drinking-water wells. Water quality analyses show a link between elevated levels of total dissolved groundwater nitrogen (TN) and areas with high non-point-source pollution density, suggesting that TN can be used as a tracer of groundwater contamination from these sources. The modeling framework used in this study integrates land-use information, hydrological data, and water quality analyses with nitrogen loading and transport models. The approach utilizes a numerical groundwater flow model, a nitrogen-loading model, and a multi-species contaminant transport model. Nitrogen from each source is modeled as an independent component in order to trace the impact from individual land-use activities. Model results are calibrated and validated with dissolved groundwater TN concentrations and inorganic δ¹⁵N values, respectively. Results indicate that OSDS contribute significantly more TN to Tutuila’s aquifers than other sources, and thus should be prioritized in future water-quality management efforts.     

Particle geochemistry in the Rainbow hydrothermal plume, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

We report the analysis of 18 large volume (500-1500 L) in situ filtered samples of particulate material from the largest hydrothermal plume on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, overlying the ultramafic-hosted Rainbow hydrothermal field at 36° 14′N. Measured particulate iron concentrations reach 614 nM. High concentrations of particulate Fe oxyhydroxides result from the extremely high Fe concentration (∼24 mM) and Fe/H₂S ratio (∼24) of the vent fluids, and persist to at least 10 km away from the vent site due to the advection of plume material with the ambient along-axis flow. Two of the nine pairs of pump deployments appear to have intercepted the buoyant or otherwise very young portion of the hydrothermal plume. These samples are characterized by anomalously (compared to neutrally buoyant plume samples) high concentrations of Mg, U, and chalcophile elements, and low concentrations of Mn, Ca, V, Y, and the rare earth elements (REE). Within the neutrally buoyant plume, elemental distributions are largely consistent with previously observed behaviors: preferential removal of chalcophile elements, conservative behavior of oxyanions (P, V, and U), and continuous scavenging of Y and the REE. This consistency is particularly significant in light of the underlying differences in fluid chemistry between Rainbow and other studied sites. Chalcophile elements are preferentially removed from the plume in the order Cd>Zn>Co>Cu. Phosphorus/iron and vanadium/iron ratios for the neutrally buoyant plume are consistent with global trends with respect to the concentration of dissolved phosphate in ambient seawater. Comparison of buoyant and neutrally buoyant plume ratios with data from hydrothermal sediments underlying the Rainbow plume (Cave et al., 2002) indicates, however, that while P/Fe ratios are indeed constant V/Fe ratios increase progressively from early stage plume particles to sediments. REE distributions in the buoyant and neutrally buoyant plume appear most consistent with a continuous scavenging process during dispersion through the water column.     

On-line with e-mums: exploring the Internet as a medium for research

This paper contributes to the emerging debate about the value of on-line research. Drawing on the experience of an Internet-based Cyberparents project, it explores the possibilities and limitations of web-based questionnaire surveys and on-line synchronous interviews. It discusses some of the implications of conducting research in the virtual arena, with particular emphasis on sampling, on-line interactions and computer-mediated conversations. Although on-line research holds promise, its potential should not be exaggerated: many of the issues and problems of conventional research still apply in the virtual venue.     

Petrography,Sr-isotope geochemistry and geochronology of the Nxau Nxau kimberlites,north-west Botswana

The Nxau Nxau kimberlites in northwest Botswana belong to the Xaudum kimberlite province that also includes the Sikereti, Kaudom and Gura kimberlite clusters in north-east Namibia. The Nxau Nxau kimberlites lie on the southernmost extension of the Congo Craton, which incorporates part of the Damara Orogenic Belt on its margin. The Xaudum kimberlite province is geographically isolated from other known clusters but occurs within the limits of the NW-SE oriented, Karoo-aged Okavango Dyke Swarm and near NE-SW faults interpreted as the early stages of the East African Rift System. Petrographic, geochronological and isotopic studies were undertaken to characterise the nature of these kimberlites and the timing of their emplacement. The Nxau Nxau kimberlites exhibit groundmass textures, mineral phases and Sr-isotope compositions (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i of 0.7036 ± 0.0002; 2σ) that are characteristic of archetypal (Group I) kimberlites. U-Pb perovskite, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar phlogopite and Rb-Sr phlogopite ages indicate that the kimberlites were emplaced in the Cretaceous, with perovskite from four samples yielding a preferred weighted average U-Pb age of 84 ± 4 Ma (2σ). This age is typical of many kimberlites in southern Africa, indicating that the Xaudum occurrences form part of this widespread Late Cretaceous kimberlite magmatic province. This time marks a significant period of tectonic stress reorganisation that could have provided the trigger for kimberlite magmatism. In this regard, the Nxau Nxau kimberlites may form part of a NE-SW oriented trend such as the Lucapa corridor, with implications for further undiscovered kimberlites along this corridor.

     

Isotopes,Microbes, and Turbidity: A Multi-Tracer Approach to Understanding Recharge Dynamics and Groundwater Contamination in a Basaltic Island Aquifer

Wells designated as groundwater under the direct influence (GUDI) of surface water have caused an ongoing boil-water advisory afflicting the island of Tutuila, American Samoa for almost a decade. Regulatory testing at these wells found turbidity and indicator bacteria spikes correlated with heavy rainfall events. However, the mechanism of this contamination has, until now, remained unknown. Surface water may reach wells through improperly sealed well casings, or through the aquifer matrix itself. In this study, three independent surface water tracers, turbidity, indicator bacteria, and water isotopes were used to assess recharge timing and determine contamination mechanisms. Results from each method were reasonably consistent, revealing average GUDI well breakthrough times of 37 ± 21 h for turbidity, 18 to 63 h for bacteria, and 1 to 5 days for water isotopes. These times match well with estimated subsurface flow rates through highly permeable aquifer materials. In contrast, where one well casing was found to be compromised, turbidity breakthrough was observed at 3 to 4 h. These results support local management decisions and show repairing or replacing wells will likely result in continued GUDI contamination. Additionally, differences in observed rainfall response for each tracer provide insight into the recharge dynamics and subsurface flow characteristics of this and other highly conductive young-basaltic aquifers.     

基于Logistic回归模型的内蒙古多伦县土地沙漠化驱动力分析

以内蒙古多伦县1960、1975、1987、1995、2000、2005年的土地沙漠化矢量数据及2010年2015年的遥感影像、地形图为主要数据来源，运用NEVI5.0和ArcGIS10.2软件提取8个时期土地沙漠化空间信息，划分为轻度沙漠化、中度沙漠化、重度沙漠化、严重沙漠化等不同类型进行时空分异特征分析。结合研究区实际情况，选取海拔高程、年均气温、降水量、平均风速、牲畜数量、第一产业、居民点距离等统计数据，运用Logistic回归模型定量分析了土地沙漠化动力机制，为京津风沙源区防治土地沙漠化，改善生态环境提供科学理论依据。结果表明：1960-2015年间多伦县土地沙漠化面积呈减少趋势，其中1960年到1995年间呈发展趋势，1995-2015年间呈减少趋势；1960-1995年间各类土地沙漠化增长的主导因子是第一产业和居民点距离；而在1995-2015年间影响各类土地沙漠化的主导因子是降水量、牲畜数量、第一产业和居民点距离。今后，继续控制牲畜数量、实施土地沙漠化治理政策来逆转土地沙漠化发展。     

Perceived effects of climate change on profit efficiency among small scale chili pepper marketers in Benue State,Nigeria

GeoJournal - In the determination of the level of efficiency of an enterprise, the role of climate change cannot be overemphasized. However, some scholars are of the view that climate change might...