Organic Matter Sources Supporting Lower Food Web Production in the Tidal Freshwater Portion of the York River Estuary, Virginia

The Mattaponi River is part of the York River estuary in Chesapeake Bay. Our objective was to identify the organic matter (OM) sources fueling the lower food web in the tidal freshwater and oligohaline portions of the Mattaponi using the stable isotopes of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Over 3 years (2002–2004), we measured zooplankton densities and C and N stable isotope ratios during the spring zooplankton bloom. The river was characterized by a May–June zooplankton bloom numerically dominated by the calanoid copepod Eurytemora affinis and cladocera Bosmina freyi. Cluster analysis of the stable isotope data identified four distinct signatures within the lower food web: freshwater riverine, brackish water, benthic, and terrestrial. The stable isotope signatures of pelagic zooplankton, including E. affinis and B. freyi, were consistent with reliance on a mix of autochthonous and allochthonous OM, including OM derived from vascular plants and humic-rich sediments, whereas macroinvertebrates consistently utilized allochthonous OM. Based on a dual-isotope mixing model, reliance on autochthonous OM by pelagic zooplankton ranged from 20% to 95% of production, declining exponentially with increasing river discharge. The results imply that discharge plays an important role in regulating the energy sources utilized by pelagic zooplankton in the upper estuary. We hypothesize that this is so because during high discharge, particulate organic C loading to the upper estuary increased and phytoplankton biomass decreased, thereby decreasing phytoplankton availability to the food web.     

Sulfur isotope studies in early Archaean sediments from Isua,West Greenland: Implications for the antiquity of bacterial sulfate reduction

The sulfur contents and sulfur isotope ratios (δ³⁴S) have been measured for samples collected from the Isua area of West Greenland in an effort to place narrower limits on the time of the rise of sulfate respirers during the Precambrian.The δ³⁴S values of the Isua sediments (3.7 × 10⁹ yr old) including the various facies of the banded iron-formations have their mean values close to zero %. (CDT) (±0.5%.) with a standard deviation of less than 1%.. This comes extremely close to the respective means yielded by the presumed tuffaceous amphibolites (+ 0.3 ± 0.9%.) and by the somewhat younger, between 3.1 and 3.7 ± 10⁹ yr, basaltic Ameralik dykes of the region (+ 0.6 ± 1.1%.).In view of the regional distribution of the Isua banded iron-formation sediments, the variety of environmental conditions under which the various facies were deposited and the complete absence of isotopic evidence for sulfate reducers, in contrast to the banded iron-formations of the middle Archaean (δ³⁴Svariesfrom ?20 to +20%.), it seems most unlikely that evidence for 'sulfate reducers' existed or will be found in other sediments of Isua age.The very small spread in δ³⁴S values for the Isua sediments is interpreted as due to minor fractionation during the passage of endogenic sulfur phases to their present sites of emplacement within the sedimentary succession.     

Influence of Organic Enrichment and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spisula subtruncata</Emphasis> (da Costa, 1778) on Oxygen and Nutrient Fluxes in Fine Sand Sediments

The role of labile organic material and macrofaunal activity in benthic respiration and nutrient regeneration have been tested in sublittoral fine sand sediments from the Gulf of Valencia (northwestern Mediterranean Sea). Three experimental setups were made using benthic chambers. One experiment was performed in-situ through the annual cycle in a well-sorted fine sand community. The remaining experiments were carried out with mesocosms under laboratory conditions: one with different concentrations of organic enrichment (mussel meat and concentrated diatoms culture), and the other adding two different densities of the endofaunal bivalve Spisula subtruncata. Biochemical variables in surface sediment and changes in oxygen consumption and nutrient fluxes throughout incubation period were studied in each experiment. In the in situ incubations, dissolved oxygen (DO) fluxes showed a strong correlation with sedimentary biopolymeric fraction of organic carbon. Organic enrichment in the laboratory experiments was responsible for increased benthic respiration. However, sediment response (expressed as DO uptake and dissolved inorganic nitrogen—DIN—release) between oligotrophic and eutrophic conditions was more intense than between eutrophic and hypertrophic conditions. S. subtruncata abundances close to 400 and 850 ind m^?2 also intensified benthic metabolism. DO uptake and DIN production in mesocosms with added fauna were between 60 and 75 % and 65–100 % higher than in the control treatment respectively. The results of these three experiments suggest that the macrobenthic community may increase the benthic respiration by roughly a factor of two in these bottoms, where S. subtruncata is one of the dominant species. Both organic enrichment and macrobenthic community in general, and S. subtruncata in particular, did not seem to have a relevant role in P and Si cycles in these sediments.     

Primary productivity and phytoplankton size fraction dominance in a temperate North Atlantic estuary

The composition, productivity, and standing crop of net (>20 μm) and nano-(<20 μm) phytoplankton of Peconic Bay, Long Island, New York was examined from June 1978 through May 1979. Nanoplankton, primarily small solitary flagellates, chlorophytes, and diatoms, dominated from May through September accounting for 88.5% of the productivity and 88.1% of the standing crop (measured as chlorophyll a). An apparent net plankton bloom began in December and continued through March. The dominant organism through most of the winter bloom was the chain-forming diatom Skeletonema costatum (Grev.) Cl. Net plankton at this time represented 66.4% of the standing crop. For both size fractions, productivity/chlorophyll a (g C per g chl a per d, integrated through the euphotic zone) was a function of light energy over the year with the exception of a few sampling dates during the post-winter bloom period. Assimilation numbers (g C per g chl a per h at saturating light intensities) were a function of temperature between 0 and 20°C. Nitrogen deficiency did not appear to be a factor in regulating phytoplankton growth rate through the euphotic zone, as ratios of ¹⁴C assimilation for dark bottles enriched with NH₃ and with no enrichment exhibited no relationship to environmental dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentrations. Zooplankton grazing pressure appeared to have been an important factor in regulating the upper limit of phytoplankton biomass and in influencing size fraction dominance. Dominance of one phytoplankton size fraction over the other on any given date was not based on physiological differences between the two groups since both fractions were composed of the same species. Apparent net phytoplankton blooms (in terms of productivity and chlorophyll a) were artifacts of increased chain lengths of nanoplankton diatoms such as Skeletonema costatum, and to a lesser extent, Thalassiosira nordenskioldii Cl. and Detonula confervacea (Cl.) Gran, rather than to the dominance of large, solitary cells.     

Insights into estuarine benthic dissolved organic carbon (DOC) dynamics using δC-DOC values, phospholipid fatty acids and dissolved organic nutrient fluxes

Benthic dissolved organic carbon (DOC) flux rates and changes in DOC isotope ratios, along with nutrient fluxes, phospholipid fatty acids concentration and carbon isotope ratios were measured in productive estuarine sediments over a diel cycle to determine the mechanisms driving benthic-pelagic coupling of DOC. There was uptake of DOC during the dark and efflux during the light at all sites. DOC uptake rates were related to benthic respiration (dark O₂ uptake) and effluxes were coupled to the trophic status (ratio of production to respiration) of the sediments. Highest uptake and efflux rates were observed at two high nutrient concentration sites. The DOC:DON ratio of water column dissolved organic matter (DOM) decreased during the dark and increased during the light indicating preferential uptake and release of carbon rich dissolved organic matter. The calculated carbon isotope ratio of the DOC taken up by the benthos was significantly more depleted than the bulk water column DOC pool, suggesting preferential uptake of selected components of the water column DOC pool. Generally the isotope ratio of the DOC released during the light was more enriched than that taken up during the dark, which suggests that the benthos has the potential to significantly alter the estuarine DOC pool. Uptake and efflux were coupled to respiration and algal grazing/mineralization, therefore increased nutrient loading may shift the composition of the estuarine DOC pool through changes in the magnitude of benthic DOC fluxes. A combination of biological (diel shifts in DOC production and consumption) and abiotic processes (flocculation) appear to be driving the observed benthic DOC dynamics at the study sites. This study was the first to measure carbon isotopic changes in the water column DOC pool due to benthic processes, and shows that the benthos can alter the estuarine DOC pool through diel differences in DOC uptake and efflux.     

The δ60/58Ni Values of Twenty‐Six Selected Geological Reference Materials

The high‐precision δ^60/58Ni values of twenty‐six geological reference materials, including igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, stream sediments, soils and plants are reported. The δ^60/58Ni values of all samples were determined by double‐spike MC‐ICP‐MS (Nu Plasma III). Isotope standard solution (NIST SRM 986) and geological reference materials (BHVO‐2, BCR‐2, JP‐1, PCC‐1, etc.) were used to evaluate the measurement bias and intermediate precision over a period of six months. Our results show that the intermediate precision of Ni isotope determination was 0.05‰ (2s, n = 69) for spiked NIST SRM 986 and typically 0.06‰ for actual samples, and the δ^60/58Ni _{NIST SRM 986} values were in excellent agreement with previous studies. Eighteen high‐precision Ni isotope ratios of geological reference materials are first reported here, and their δ^60/58Ni values varied from ?0.27‰ to 0.52‰, with a mean of 0.13 ± 0.34‰ (2s, n = 18). Additionally, SGR‐1b (0.56 ± 0.04‰, 2s), GSS‐1 (?0.27 ± 0.06‰, 2s), GSS‐7 (?0.11 ± 0.01‰, 2s), GSD‐10 (0.46 ± 0.06‰, 2s) and GSB‐12 (0.52 ± 0.06‰, 2s) could potentially serve as candidate reference materials for Ni isotope fractionation and comparison of Ni isotopic compositions among different laboratories.     

Using stable isotope analyses to assess carbon dynamics in a shallow subtropical estuary

The sources of carbon, which fuel water column respiration, remain unresolved for most estuaries; our objective was to examine carbon dynamics in a shallow subtropical estuary. We sampled the Sabine-Neches estuary, Texas, during low (November 1999) and high (May 2000) freshwater inflow and measured stable carbon isotope ratios of the dissolved inorganic and orgnaic carbon (δ¹³C-DIC, δ¹³C-DOC), as well as quantifying accessory parameters (salinity, nutrients, total suspended solids, and photosynthetic pigments). Pigment analysis indicated that diatoms were the predominant phytoplankton. Data from the May 2000 sampling event exhibited conservative mixing, indicating that the system was acting as a conduit between the watershed and the Gulf of Mexico. During November, mixing was generally nonconservative indicating extensive recycling of allochthonous and autochthonous carbon sources. Our data imply that both carbon sources had similar isotope, ratios that made it impossible to unambiguously determine the dominant source supporting respiration. The nonconservative DIC concentration data indicating an autotrophic sink as well as the strong relationship between δ¹³C-DOC and chlorophylla, suggest that in situ production was an important component of the DOC pool. We hypothesize that uncharacteristically calm wind conditions during sampling may have promoted phytoplankton settling, removing autotrophs, from the water column, but leaving behind a dissolved biogeochemical signature. Interpretation of carbon dynamics may be confounded by spatial and temporal decoupling of producers and consumers from biogeochemical indicators.     

Dissolved and particulate organic carbon in Chesapeake Bay

We measured dissolved and particulate organic carbon (DOC and POC) in samples collected along 13 transects of the salinity gradient of Chesapeake Bay. Riverine DOC and POC end-members averaged 232±19 μM and 151±53 μM, respectively, and coastal DOC and POC end-members averaged 172±19 μM and 43±6 μM, respectively. Within the chlorophyll maximum, POC accumulated to concentrations 50–150 μM above those expected from conservative mixing and it was significantly correlated with chlorophylla, indicating phytoplankton origin. POC accumulated primarily in bottom waters in spring, and primarily in surface waters in summer. Net DOC accumulation (60–120 μM) was observed within and downstream of the chlorophyll maximum, primarily during spring and summer in both surface and bottom waters, and it also appeared to be derived from phytoplankton. In the turbidity maximum, there were also net decreases in chlorophylla (?3 μg l^?1 to ?22 μg l^?1) and POC concentrations (?2 μM to ?89 μM) and transient DOC increases (9–88 μM), primarily in summer. These occurred as freshwater plankton blooms mixed with turbid, low salinity seawater, and we attribute the observed POC and DOC changes to lysis and sedimentation of freshwater plankton. DOC accumulation in both regions of Chesapeake Bay was estimated to be greater than atmospheric or terrestrial organic carbon inputs and was equivalent to ≈10% of estuarine primary production.     

The brackish Baltic Sea Yoldia Stage – palaeoenvironmental implications from marine benthic fauna and stable oxygen isotopes

Eighteen sites in middle Sweden with sediments deposited during the brackish phase of the Yoldia Sea have been investigated with respect to the marine calcareous benthic fauna (i.e. foraminifera, ostracods and molluscs) and stable oxygen isotopes. At most sites the sediments consist of varved clay sequences which are correlated to the Swedish Time Scale and dated to the Early Preboreal. A marine benthic fauna has been recorded at 11 sites. The fauna occurs during c. 100 clay-varve years and the total length of the brackish phase is estimated to be 110-190 years. Near the inlet of saline water the fauna was dominated by the foraminifera Elphidium excavatum (Terquem) and further to the east the ostracod Cytheropteron montrosiense (Brady, Crosskey and Robertson) dominated. At shallower depths the fauna occurred during a shorter period owing to the formation of a stratified water column with a low-saline surface water. Very low δ 18 O c values were recorded, i.e. between -9.9‰ and -4.7‰ because of the influence of meltwater from the ice sheet. A different isotope fractionation between the foraminifera E. excavatum and the ostracod C. montrosiense was recorded.     

Quantifying Striped Bass (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Morone saxatilis</Emphasis>) Dependence on Saltmarsh-Derived Productivity Using Stable Isotope Analysis

Each winter, populations of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) migrate north from the coastal mid-Atlantic region of the US to the coastal waters of New England. During this migration, striped bass spend significant time in estuaries and saltmarshes, presumably to forage. However, the extent to which saltmarsh productivity supports striped bass remains unresolved. We used a three-isotope Bayesian mixing model to determine the relative contribution of three primary producers [C4 saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina spp.), phytoplankton, and benthic diatoms] to striped bass tissue. Phytoplankton (51 % contribution) and Spartina-derived sources (44 % contribution) are the primary sources of production to striped bass, while benthic diatoms made a relatively small contribution (5 %). Our results highlight the importance of saltmarshes to striped bass by showing that primary producers unique to saltmarsh ecosystems support a large proportion of striped bass production.     

Barium Isotopic Compositions in Thirty‐Four Geological Reference Materials Analysed by MC‐ICP‐MS

Measurement of Ba isotope ratios of widely available reference materials is required for interlaboratory comparison of data. Here, we present new Ba isotope data for thirty‐four geological reference materials, including silicates, carbonates, river/marine sediments and soils. These reference materials (RMs) cover a wide range of compositions, with Ba mass fractions ranging from 6.4 to 1900 µg g^?1, SiO₂ from 0.62% to 90.36% m/m and MgO from 0.08% to 41.03% m/m. Accuracy and precision of our data were assessed by the analyses of duplicate samples and USGS rock RMs. Barium isotopic compositions for all RMs were in agreement with each other within uncertainty. The variation of δ^138/134Ba in these RMs was up to 0.7‰. The shale reference sample, affected by a high degree of chemical weathering, had the highest δ^138/134Ba (0.37 ± 0.03‰), while the stream sediment obtained from a tributary draining carbonate rocks was characterised by the lowest δ^138/134Ba (?0.30 ± 0.05‰). Geochemical RMs play a fundamental role in the high‐precision and accurate determination of Ba isotopic compositions for natural samples with similar matrices. Analyses of these RMs could provide universal comparability for Ba isotope data and enable assessment of accuracy for interlaboratory data.     

Phytoplankton Biomass and Composition in a River-Dominated Estuary During Two Summers of Contrasting River Discharge

Estuaries located in the northern Gulf of Mexico are expected to experience reduced river discharge due to increasing demand for freshwater and predicted periods of declining precipitation. Changes in freshwater and nutrient input might impact estuarine higher trophic level productivity through changes in phytoplankton quantity and quality. Phytoplankton biomass and composition were examined in Apalachicola Bay, Florida during two summers of contrasting river discharge. The <20 μm autotrophs were the main component (92?±?3 %; n?=?14) of phytoplankton biomass in lower (<25 psu) salinity waters. In these lower salinity waters containing higher dissolved inorganic nutrients, phycocyanin containing cyanobacteria made the greatest contribution to phytoplankton biomass (69?±?3 %; n?=?14) followed by <20 μm eukaryotes (19?±?1 %; n?=?14), and phycoerythrin containing cyanobacteria (4?±?1 %; n?=?14). In waters with salinity from 25 to 35 psu that were located within or in close proximity to the estuary, >20 μm diatoms were an increasingly (20 to 70 %) larger component of phytoplankton biomass. Lower summer river discharges that lead to an areal contraction of lower (5–25 psu) salinity waters composed of higher phytoplankton biomass dominated by small (<20 μm) autotrophs will lead to a concomitant areal expansion of higher (>25 psu) salinity waters composed of relatively lower phytoplankton biomass and a higher percent contribution by >20 μm diatoms. A reduction in summer river discharge that leads to such a change in quantity and quality of estuarine phytoplankton available will result in a reduction in estuarine zooplankton productivity and possibly the productivity of higher trophic levels.     

Cell Size-Dependent Effects of Solar UV Radiation on Primary Production in Coastal Waters of the South China Sea

In order to examine the effects of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm) on photosynthesis of differently cell-sized phytoplankton, natural phytoplankton assemblages from the coastal waters of the South China Sea were separated into three groups (>20, 5–20, and <5 μm) and exposed to four different solar UV spectral regimes, i.e., 280–700 nm (PAR?+?UVR), 400–700 nm (PAR), 280–400 nm (UV-A?+?B), and 315–400 nm (UV-A). In situ carbon fixation measurements revealed that microplankton (>20 μm) efficiently utilized UV-A for photosynthetic carbon fixation, with assimilation number of up to 1.01 μg C (μg chl a)^?1?h^?1 under 21.4 W?m^?2 UV-A alone (about half of noontime irradiance at the surface), about 40 % higher than nanoplankton (5–20 μm). UV-B (280–315 nm) of 0.95 W?m^?2 reduced the carbon fixation by approximately 20 and 57 % in microplankton and nanoplankton assemblages, respectively. In contrast, smaller picoplankton (<5 μm) was unable to utilize UV-A for the photosynthetic carbon fixation. In addition, only micro-sized assemblages demonstrated the UV enhancement on their primary productivity in the presence of PAR, by about 8 % under moderate intensities of solar radiation.     

Crustal volatile release at Merapi volcano; the 2006 earthquake and eruption events

High‐temperature gas in volcanic island arcs is widely considered to originate predominantly from the mantle wedge and from subducted sediments of the down‐going slab. Over the decade (1994–2005) prior to the 2006 eruption of Merapi volcano, summit fumarole CO₂ gas δ¹³C ratios are relatively constant at ?4.1 ± 0.3‰. In contrast, CO₂ samples taken during the 2006 eruption and after the May 26th 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake (M6.4) show a dramatic increase in carbon isotope ratios to ?2.4 ± 0.2‰. Directly following the earthquake (hypocentre depth 10–15 km), a 3–5‐fold increase in eruptive intensity was observed. The elevated carbon isotope gas data and the mid‐crustal depth of the earthquake source are consistent with crustal volatile components having been added during the 2006 events, most probably by the thick local limestone basement beneath Merapi. This ‘extra’ crustal gas likely played an important role in modifying the 2006 eruptive behaviour at Merapi and it appears that crustal volatiles are able to intensify and maintain eruptions independently of traditional magmatic recharge and fractionation processes.     

Oxygen and carbon isotopic constraints on the development of eclogites, Holsnøy, Norway

Eclogite formation on the island of Holsnøy required the addition of water to anhydrous granulite-facies protoliths. In order to assess this process, oxygen and carbon isotope ratios of whole rock powders and mineral separates from eclogites and granulites have been measured. Whole rock oxygen isotope ratios range from 7.3 to 6.0%. SMOW in granulites (average = 6.38%.) and 7.2 to 6.1%. in eclogites (average = 6.55%.). Field relations permit identification of the granulite protolith of eclogites. Oxygen isotope measurements show shifts of up to 0.5%. between some eclogites compared to their corresponding granulite protoliths, indicating open system and locally heterogeneous fluid behavior. Mineral pair fractionations in the eclogites show disequilibrium, are incompatible with slow cooling and diffusive exchange between phases, and suggest that open system fluid movement continued after eclogite-facies metamorphism. Carbonate is also present in some of the eclogites as a primary mineral (dolomite) and as part of a retrograde assemblage (calcite). Textural evidence suggests that carbonate formation occurred during and after eclogite formation, however all measured carbonate is out of isotopic equilibrium with eclogite facies minerals, due to the influx of retrograde fluids. Massive calcite marble pods, containing amphibolite facies cale-silicate minerals, have average δ¹⁸O of 9.5 ± 0.6%., while calcite in retrograded eclogites has δ¹⁸O 17.7 ± 2.7%., The δ¹³C (≈ −4 ± 0.8%.) is indistinguishable between these two groups.

Both whole rock and carbonate stable isotope data are interpreted as indicating a continued history of fluid infiltration during and after peak eclogite facies metamorphism. The most probable source of fluids are from dewatered sediments tectonically juxtaposed during the Caledonian orogeny.     

Organic carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) of Arctic Amerasian Continental shelf sediments

Organic matter origins are inferred from carbon isotope ratios ('¹³C) in recent continental shelf sediments and major rivers from 465 locations from the north Bering-Chukchi-East Siberian-Beaufort Sea, Arctic Amerasia. Generally, there is a cross-shelf increase in '¹³C, which is due to progressive increased contribution seaward of marine-derived organic carbon to surface sediments. This conclusion is supported by the correlations between sediment '¹³C, OC/N, and '¹⁵N. The sources of total organic carbon (TOC) to the Amerasian margin sediments are primarily from marine water-column phytoplankton and terrigenous C₃ plants constituted of tundra taiga and angiosperms. In contrast to more temperate regions, the source of TOC from terrigenous C₄ and CAM plants to the study area is probably insignificant because these plants do not exist in the northern high latitudes. The input of carbon to the northern Alaskan shelf sediments from nearshore kelp community (Laminaria solidungula) is generally insignificant as indicated by the absence of high sediment '¹³C values (-16.5 to -13.6‰) which are typical of the macrophytes. Our study suggests that the isotopic composition of sediment TOC has potential application in reconstructing temporal changes in delivery and accumulation of organic matter resulting from glacial-interglacial changes in sea level and environments. Furthermore, recycling and advection of the extensive deposits of terrestrially derived organic matter from land, or the wide Amerasian margin, could be a mechanism for elevating total CO₂ and pCO₂ in the Arctic Basin halocline.     

Concentrations and isotope ratios of carbon,nitrogen and sulfur in ocean-floor basalts

Fresh submarine basalt glasses from Galapagos Ridge, FAMOUS area, Cayman Trough and Kilauea east rift contain 22 to 160 ppm carbon and 0.3 to 2.8 ppm nitrogen, respectively, as the sums of dissolved species and vesicle-filling gases (CO₂ and N₂). The large range of variation in carbon content is due to combined effect of depth-dependency of the solubility of carbon in basalt melt and varying extents of vapour loss during magma emplacement as well as in sample crushing. The isotopic ratios of indigenous carbon and nitrogen are in very narrow ranges,?6.2 ± 0.2% relative to PDB and +0.2 ± 0.6 %. relative to atmospheric nitrogen, respectively. In basalt samples from Juan de Fuca Ridge, however, isotopically light carbon (δ¹³C = around ?24%.) predominates over the indigenous carbon; no indigenous heavy carbon was found. Except for Galapagos Ridge samples, these ocean-floor basalts contain 670 to 1100 ppm sulfur, averaging 810 ppm, in the form of both sulfide and sulfate, whereas basalts from Galapagos Ridge are higher in both sulfur (1490 and 1570 ppm) and iron (11.08% total iron as FeO). The δ³⁴S values average +0.3 ± 0.5%. with average fractionation factor between sulfate and sulfide of +7.4 ± 1.6%.. The sulfate/sulfide ratios tend to increase with increasing water content of basalt, probably because the oxygen fugacity increases with increasing water content in basalt melt.     

Biogeochemistry of the stable hydrogen isotopes

The fractionation of H isotopes between the water in the growth medium and the organically bonded H from microalgae cultured under conditions, where light intensity and wavelength, temperature, nutrient availability, and the H isotope ratio of the water were controlled, is reproducible and light dependant. All studies were based either on the H isotope ratios of the total organic H or on the lipids, where most of the H is firmly bonded to C. H bonded into other macromolecules, proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids, does not exchange with water, when algae are incubated in water enriched with deuterium. Only after the destruction of quaternary H bonds are labile hydrogens in macromolecules free to exchange with water. By growing algae (18 strains), including blue-green algae, green algae and diatoms, in continuous light, the isotope fractionations in photosynthesis were reproducibly ?93 to ?178 %. depending on the organism tested. This fractionation was not temperature dependent. Microalgae grown in total darkness with an organic substrate did not show the isotope fractionation seen in cells grown in light. In both light- and dark-grown algae, however, additional depletion of deuterium (?30 to ?60%.) in cellular organic matter occurs during the metabolism of carbohydrates to form lipids. Plants from several natural populations also fractionated isotopes during photosynthesis by an average of ?90 to ?110%. In addition, the organically bonded H in nonsaponifiable lipids was further fractionated by ?80%. from that in saponifiable lipids, isolated from two geographically distinct populations of marsh plants. This difference between H isotope ratios of these two groups of lipids provides an endogenous isotopic marker.     

Benthic Phosphorus Dynamics in the Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea

Benthic fluxes of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) were measured in situ using autonomous landers in the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea, on four expeditions between 2002 and 2005. These measurements together with model estimates of bottom water oxygen conditions were used to compute the magnitude of the yearly integrated benthic SRP flux (also called internal phosphorus load). The yearly integrated benthic SRP flux was found to be almost 10 times larger than the external (river and land sources) phosphorus load. The average SRP flux was 1.25?±?0.56?mmol?m^?2?d^?1 on anoxic bottoms, and ?0.01?±?0.08?mmol?m^?2?d^?1 on oxic bottoms. The bottom water oxygen conditions determined whether the SRP flux was in a high or low regime, and degradation of organic matter (as estimated from benthic DIC fluxes) correlated positively with SRP fluxes on anoxic bottoms. From this correlation, we estimated a potential increase in phosphorus flux of 0.69?±?0.26?mmol?m^?2?d^?1 from presently oxic bottoms, if they would turn anoxic. An almost full annual data set of in situ bottom water oxygen measurements showed high variability of oxygen concentration. Because of this, an estimate of the time which the sediments were exposed to oxygenated overlying bottom water was computed using a coupled thermohydrodynamic ocean?Csea and ecosystem model. Total phosphorus burial rates were calculated from vertical profiles of total phosphorus in sediment and sediment accumulation rates. Recycling and burial efficiencies for phosphorus of 97 and 3%, respectively, were estimated for anoxic accumulation bottoms from a benthic mass balance, which was based on the measured effluxes and burial rates.     

Carbon and oxygen isotope compositions of the carbonate facies in the Vindhyan Supergroup, central India

The Vindhyan sedimentary succession in central India spans a wide time bracket from the Paleoproterozoic to the Neoproterozoic period. Chronostratigraphic significance of stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of the carbonate phase in Vindhyan sediments has been discussed in some recent studies. However, the subtle controls of facies variation, depositional setting and post-depositional diagenesis on stable isotope compositions are not yet clearly understood. The Vindhyan Supergroup hosts four carbonate units, exhibiting a wide variability in depositional processes and paleogeography. A detailed facies-specific carbon and oxygen isotope study of the carbonate units was undertaken by us to investigate the effect of these processes and to identify the least altered isotope values. It is seen that both carbon and oxygen isotope compositions have been affected by early meteoric water diagenesis. The effect of diagenetic alteration is, however, more pronounced in case of oxygen isotopes than carbon isotopes. Stable isotope compositions remained insensitive to facies only when sediments accumulated in a shallow shelf setting without being exposed. Major alteration of original isotope ratios was observed in case of shallow marine carbonates, which became exposed to meteoric fluids during early diagenetic stage. Duration of exposure possibly determined the magnitude of alteration and shift from the original values. Moreover, dolomitization is found to be accompanied by appreciable alteration of isotope compositions in some of the carbonates. The present study suggests that variations in sediment depositional settings, in particular the possibility of subaerial exposure, need to be considered while extracting chronostratigraphic significance from δ¹³C data.