Nutrient attenuation in a shallow,gravel-bed river. II. Spatial and temporal changes in nitrogen dynamics and community metabolism

ABSTRACT

Instream processes alter the concentration and bioavailability of nutrients as they are transported downstream. By relating primary production and periphyton composition to changes in nutrient concentration in a gravel-bed river this study made inferences about recycling and attenuation. Where dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) was abundant, concentrations decreased linearly with distance but by less than required to meet the nitrogen demand of primary production. Where DIN was barely measurable photosynthesis was reduced but only by 50%. We infer that recycling sustained primary production even when DIN concentrations were negligibly small. One implication is that DIN removal underestimates attenuation. Further experimental research on recycling and improved modelling is required to better quantify the length of streams adversely affected by nutrients.     

Response of Plant Community Carbon and Nitrogen Stoichiometry to Experimental Warming on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Low temperature is an important limiting factor for alpine ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau. This study is based on data from on-site experimental warming platforms (open top chambers, OTC) at three elevations (4300 m, 4500 m, 4700 m) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The carbon and nitrogen stoichiometry characteristics of plant communities, both above-ground and below-ground, were observed in three alpine meadow ecosystems in August and September of 2011 and August of 2012. Experimental warming significantly increased above-ground nitrogen content by 21.4% in September 2011 at 4500 m, and reduced above-ground carbon content by 3.9% in August 2012 at 4300 m. Experimental warming significantly increased below-ground carbon content by 5.5% in August 2011 at 4500 m, and the below-ground ratio of carbon to nitrogen by 28.0% in September 2011 at 4300 m, but reduced below-ground nitrogen content by 15.7% in September 2011 at 4700 m, below-ground carbon content by 34.3% in August 2012 at 4700 m, and the below-ground ratio of carbon to nitrogen by 37.9% in August 2012 at 4700 m. Experimental warming had no significant effect on the characteristics of community carbon and nitrogen stoichiometry under other conditions. Therefore, experimental warming had inconsistent effects on the carbon and nitrogen stoichiometry of plant communities at different elevations and during different months. Soil ammonium nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen content were the main factors affecting plant community carbon and nitrogen stoichiometry.     

Intracrystalline fractionation of Fe in synthetic (Fe, Mg, Zn) - bearing staurolite: a Mössbauer spectroscopic study

⁵⁷Fe-Mössbauer spectra of eleven Fe-Mg-bearing staurolite samples, synthesized at 5, 20 and 25 kbar and 680°C, ranging in composition from x_Fe?=1.00 to x_Fe?=0.15, and of two Zn-Fe-bearing staurolite samples, synthesized at 20 kbar and 700°C with x_Fe?=0.10 and x_Fe?=0.32 were collected at room temperature. The spectra reveal that about 80% of Fe_tot (in case of Fe-Mg-bearing staurolite) and about 70% of Fe_tot (in case of Fe-Zn-bearing staurolite) are located as Fe²⁺ at the three subsites Fe1, Fe2 and Fe3 of the tetrahedral T2-site. The refinement of the spectra results in almost identical values for the isomer shift (IS) (±1.0 mm/s) but significantly different values for the quadropole splitting (QS) for the three subsites which is in accordance with the different distortions of these sites. About 8% of Fe_tot (in case of Fe-Mg-bearing staurolite) and 13% of Fe_tot (in case of Fe-Zn-bearing staurolite) are located as Fe²⁺ at the octahedral M4 site, while the remainder percents of Fe_tot indistinguishably occur as Fe²⁺ at the octahedral M1 and M2 sites of the kyanite-like part of the structure. Within the whole Fe-Mg-staurolite solid solution series the Mössbauer parameters QS of the sites M4 and (M1, M2) vary systematically with composition whereas IS remains constant. There is a high negative correlation of the total Mg-content with Fe-occupation of all the Fe-bearing sites indicating a continuous substitution of Fe²⁺ by Mg on all these sites. Synthetic Fe-staurolites show no increasing occupation of the octahedral sites by two-valent cations with pressure, as was assumed by several authors.     

A mass balance approach to estimate the dilution and removal of the pollutants in stream water polluted by acid mine drainage

 A few simple mass balance equations were developed to simultaneously estimate how much the pollutants from acid mine drainage (AMD) in stream water are diluted and removed during their migration. The application of the equations requires knowledge of the variations in the concentrations of the dissolved pollutants and the stoichiometry of the precipitation reaction of the pollutants when none of the pollutant shows a conservative behavior along the stream path. The calculation should be restricted to the pollutants showing much higher concentrations in the polluted main stream water than in the combining or diluting water of the same target area. The mass balance equations were applied to estimate the dilution factor and precipitation fractions of pollutants in Imgok Creek such as Fe, SO₄ and Al from the AMD of Yeongdong mine. The results show that the estimation, especially for SO₄ and Al, significantly depends on the kinds of the precipitates. When FeOHSO₄ and AlOHSO₄ are assumed to precipitate, the maximum removal fractions of SO₄ and Al by precipitation are respectively 34% and 46% of the original input, which is much higher than the values estimated when SO₄ is considered to be perfectly conservative. It indicates that the stoichiometry of precipitation reaction is very important in the interpretation of the pollutant dilution and migration and assessment of environmental impacts of AMD. The applicability of the mass balance equations may still need to be verified. However, examining the calculated dilution factor and precipitation fractions with the equations can provide invaluable information on not only the behavior but also unexpected input of the pollutants in the stream water polluted by AMD and other point sources. Received: 12 November 1997 · Accepted: 30 March 1998     

Direct physical evidence of dolomite recrystallization

The possibility of recrystallization is a long‐standing barrier to deciphering the genetic origin of dolomites. There is often uncertainty regarding whether or not characteristics of ancient dolomites are primary or the consequence of later recrystallization unrelated to the original dolomitization event. Results from 65 new high‐temperature dolomite synthesis experiments (1 m , 1·0 Mg/Ca ratio solutions at 218°C) demonstrate dolomite recrystallization affecting stoichiometry, cation ordering and nanometre‐scale surface texture. The data support a model of dolomitization that proceeds by a series of four unique phases of replacement and recrystallization, which occur by various dissolution–precipitation reactions. During the first phase (induction period), no dolomite forms despite favourable conditions. The second phase (replacement period) occurs when Ca‐rich dolomite products, with a low degree of cation ordering, rapidly replace calcite reactants. During the replacement period, dolomite stoichiometry and the degree of cation ordering remain constant, and all dolomite crystal surfaces are covered by nanometre‐scale growth mounds. The third phase (primary recrystallization period), which occurs in the experiments between 97% and 100% dolomite, is characterized by a reduced replacement rate but concurrent increases in dolomite stoichiometry and cation ordering. The end of the primary recrystallization period is marked by dolomite crystal growth surfaces that are covered by flat, laterally extensive layers. The fourth phase of the reaction (secondary recrystallization period) occurs when all calcite is consumed and is characterized by stoichiometric dolomite with layers as well as a continued increase in the degree of cation ordering with time. Inferences of recrystallization, in natural dolomite, based on cation order or stoichiometry of dolomite, usually depend on assumptions about the precursor dolomite subjected to recrystallization. If it is assumed that the experimental evidence presented here is applicable to natural, low‐temperature dolomites, then the presence of mounds is direct evidence of a lack of recrystallization and the presence of layers is direct evidence of recrystallization.     

荒漠生态系统C、N、P生态化学计量研究进展

生态化学计量学是通过研究生物有机体主要元素含量及其比值的变化关系,揭示生态系统各组分间元素循环规律的一门学科,生态化学计量也是荒漠生态系统研究的重要内容。因此,综合掌握水分和养分限制环境下C、N、P生态化学计量的关系对揭示荒漠生态系统植物的限制性元素、土壤营养的供给能力、养分的有效性等都具有重要的意义。基于此,回顾和分析了国内外荒漠生态系统C、N、P生态化学计量最新研究和动态,分别从植物、凋落物、土壤、土壤微生物、土壤酶进行较为系统的评述,讨论了植物-土壤-微生物-酶四者的关系,提出了荒漠生态系统C、N、P生态化学计量的未来研究方向,期望为全面理解固沙植被的演变过程、稳定性维持机制及其科学管理提供理论指导。     

黄河北岸兰州段丘陵区土壤生态化学计量与空间变异北大核心CSCD

为探究黄河北岸兰州段丘陵区土壤碳、氮、磷含量及化学计量比的空间变异特征,基于12个样地数据,采集1 m剖面内不同发生层土壤进行土壤含水率(SWC)、pH、有机碳(SOC)、全氮(STN)和全磷(STP)的测定。分析了研究区土壤碳、氮、磷含量及其生态化学计量特征在植被和土层上的差异及空间变异特征。结果表明:(1)研究区SOC、STN、STP均值分别为4.53、0.74、0.13 g·kg^(-1),C∶N、C∶P、N∶P均值分别为7.85、55.17、8.40;(2)研究区SOC、STN、C∶N和N∶P的块基比C_(0)/(C_(0)+C)<0.25,主要受气候、植被、地形等自然因素影响;STP、C∶P则C/(C+C)>0.75,主要受退耕还草等人为因素影响;(3)研究区土壤整体受到氮限制,与此同时有机碳更为匮乏,磷则在短期内不会成为限制因子。在黄河流域兰州段北岸丘陵区北岸的生态治理与恢复中,应重视有机肥和氮肥的配置与施加,同时需减少人为干扰,这对于植被的快速恢复与养分的固定具有重要意义。     

贵州草海湿地不同水位梯度土壤碳、氮、磷含量及其生态化学计量比分布特征

对贵州草海湿地4种水位梯度下(农田区、过渡区、浅水区和深水区)表层土壤(0~10 cm)碳、氮、磷含量及其生态化学计量比进行研究,以期揭示草海湿地不同水位梯度下土壤碳、氮、磷生态化学计量比的分布特征及其影响因素.结果表明:土壤总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)及总磷(TP)含量在不同水位梯度之间均差异显著,由过渡区至深水区,土壤TOC及TN含量均呈递增趋势,而TP含量呈先降低后增加的趋势;农田区土壤TN含量显著高于浅水区,但深水区土壤TP含量显著低于农田区.不同水位梯度土壤碳氮比(C/N)、碳磷比(C/P)和氮磷比(N/P)也存在显著差异,由过渡区至深水区,土壤C/P和N/P均呈递增趋势,而C/N呈先增加后降低的趋势;与过渡区相比,农田区土壤C/N、C/P和N/P总体偏低.相关性分析表明:土壤C/N、C/P和N/P的空间分布与土壤TOC、TN、含水量等理化性质有关.可见,草海湿地水位变化对土壤TOC、TN和TP含量以及C/N、C/P及N/P的空间分布具有显著影响,且水位升高有利于增强土壤碳、氮、磷的固存潜力.     

CO2浓度升高对浮游藻类元素化学计量值的影响

通过梅梁湾和东太湖的四季原位实验,研究CO_2浓度升高对不同营养水平淡水生态系统中浮游藻类C、N、P元素计量值的影响.实验设置了270、380和750 ppm共3个CO_2浓度,分别代表工业革命前、当前和IPCC预测的21世纪末的CO_2浓度.结果表明梅梁湾水体营养盐浓度在四季均高于东太湖水体营养盐浓度,但梅梁湾原位实验中浮游藻类C、N、P含量却普遍低于东太湖原位实验中浮游藻类营养元素含量,并且前者在季节上变化更大.CO_2浓度升高使梅梁湾原位实验中浮游藻类C∶P比明显增加,N∶P比略有增加,这种增加归因于藻细胞内C、N含量的升高,而东太湖浮游藻类化学计量值对CO_2浓度变化的响应不显著.因此浮游藻类元素化学计量值对CO_2浓度变化的响应程度与水体营养盐的绝对浓度无关,而与浮游藻类的生长是否受营养盐限制有关,只有当藻类生长受到水体营养盐浓度限制时,CO_2浓度升高才会显著改变其元素组成.     

贵州草海湿地不同生境周丛生物碳、氮、磷生态化学计量学

为深入了解湿地周丛生物碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)生态化学计量的变化规律及其影响因素,对贵州草海湿地4种不同生境(湖滨带、人工湿地、农田沟渠、污水处理厂)中周丛生物两个生长阶段(生长期和衰老期)的C、N、P生态化学计量学进行了研究.结果表明:水体营养指数依次为污水处理厂(51.55±4.50)>农田沟渠(50.41±4.50)>人工湿地(47.20±6.72)>湖滨带(41.86±6.91),湿地下游水域水质较上游明显改善.总体来看,在不同生境间,周丛生物C、N、P含量随着水体营养浓度的升高而增加,但周丛生物化学计量比呈下降的趋势.同一生境中,生长期周丛生物的C、N、P含量和C∶N都小于衰老期周丛生物,N∶P和C∶P则相反.周丛生物生长期N、P元素为弱稳态型(H_N=2.358,H_P=2.576),衰老期为稳态型(H_N=10.99,H_P=5.78),整体来看两个生长阶段周丛生物的N∶P呈稳态型(H_N∶P=4.504).根据周丛生物最佳生长速率计量比得出湖滨带处于P限制状态,而人工湿地、污水处理厂和农田沟渠则不受养分限制.相关性分析表明水体营养水平显著影响周丛生物的N、P元素含量及化学计量比,尤其是水体TP和TN浓度.非线性曲面拟合分析表明,周丛生物N∶P和C∶N分别受水体TP和TN浓度的主要影响,而水体TN和TP浓度对周丛生物C∶P的影响同等重要.该研究表明,基于水体TP、TN浓度和周丛生物化学计量比的三维模型可用来评估水体营养水平和周丛生物化学计量之间的关系.