Refining habitat requirements of submersed aquatic vegetation: Role of optical models

A model of the spectral diffuse attenuation coefficient of downwelling irradiance was constructed for Chincoteague Bay, Maryland, and the Rhode River, Maryland. The model is written in terms of absorption spectra of dissolved yellow substance, the chlorophyll-specific absorption of phytoplankton, and absorption and scattering by particulate matter (expressed as turbidity). Based on published light requirements for submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) in Chesapeake Bay, the model is used to calculate the range of water-quality conditions that permit survival of SAV at various depths. Because the model is spectrally based, it can be used to calculate the attenuation of either photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, equally weighted quanta from 400 nm to 700 nm) or photosyntheticallyusable radiation (PUR, the integral of the quantum spectrum weighted by the pigment absorption spectrum of SAV). PUR is a more accurate measurement of light that can be absorbed by SAV and it is more strongly affected by phytoplankton chlorophyll in the water column than is PAR. For estuaries in which light attenuation is dominated by turbidity and chlorophyll, the model delimits regions in which turbidity alone (chlorophyll <10 μg 1^?1), chlorophyll alone (turbidity <1 NTU) or both factors (chlorophyll >10 μg 1^?1, turbidity >1 NTU) must be reduced to improve survival depths for SAV.     

Habitat requirements for submerged aquatic vegetation in Chesapeake Bay: Water quality, light regime, and physical-chemical factors

We developed an algorithm for calculating habitat suitability for seagrasses and related submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) at coastal sites where monitoring data are available for five water quality variables that govern light availability at the leaf surface. We developed independent estimates of the minimum light required for SAV survival both as a percentage of surface light passing though the water column to the depth of SAV growth (PLW _min) and as a percentage of light reaching reaching leaves through the epiphyte layer (PLL _min). Value were computed by applying, as inputs to this algorithm, statistically dervived values for water quality variables that correspond to thresholds for SAV presence in Chesapeake Bay. These estimates ofPLW _min andPLL _min compared well with the values established from a literature review. Calcultations account for tidal range, and total light attenuation is partitioned into water column and epiphyte contributions. Water column attenuation is further partitioned into effects of chlorophylla (chla), total suspended solids (TSS) and other substances. We used this algorithm to predict potential SAV presence throughout the Bay where calculated light available at plant leaves exceededPLL _min. Predictions closely matched results of aerial photographic monitoring surveys of SAV distribution. Correspondence between predictions and observations was particularly strong in the mesohaline and polythaline regions, which contain 75–80% of all potential SAV sites in this estuary. The method also allows for independent assessment of effects of physical and chemical factors other than light in limiting SAV growth and survival. Although this algorithm was developed with data from Chesapeake Bay, its general structure allows it to be calibrated and used as a quantitative tool for applying water quality data to define suitability of specific sites as habitats for SAV survival in diverse coastal environments worldwide.     

Effects of storm-induced salinity changes on submersed aquatic vegetation in Kings Bay, Florida

Hurricanes and other major storms cause acute changes in salinity within Florida's streams and rivers. Winddriven tidal surges that increase salinities may have long-lasting effects on submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) and the associated fauna. We investigated potential effects of salinity pulses on SAV in Kings Bay, Florida, by subjecting the three most common macrophytes,Vallisneria americana, Myriophyllum spicatum., andHydrilla verticillata, to simulated salinity pulses. In Kings Bay, we documented changes in salinity during three storms in September 2004 and measured biomass and percent cover before and after these storms. During experiments, macrophytes were exposed to salinities of 5‰, 15‰, or 25‰ for 1, 2, or 7 d, with a 28-d recovery period in freshwater. Relative to controls, plants subjected to salinities of 5‰ exhibited few significant decreases in growth and no increase in mortality. All three species exhibited decreased growth in salinities of 15‰ or 25‰.H. verticillata, exhibited 100% mortality at 15‰ and 25‰, irrespective of the duration of exposure.M. spicatum andV. american exhibited increased mortality after 7-d exposures to 15‰ or any exposure to 25‰ Maximum daily salinities in Kings Bay approached or exceeded 15‰ after each of the three storms, with pulses generally lasting less than 2 d. Total aboveground biomass and percent cover of vascular plants, were reduced following the storms.M. spicatum exhibited an 83% decrease in aboveground biomass and an 80% decrease in percent cover.H. verticillata exhibited a 47% and 15% decline in biomass and percent cover, respectively.V. americana, exhibited an 18% increase in aboveground biomass and a 37% increase in percent cover, which suggests greater tolerance of salinity pulses and release from competition with the invasiveH. verticillata andM. spicatum. Our results indicate that rapid, storm-induced pulses of high salinity can have important consequences for submersed aquatic vegetation, restoration efforts, and management of invasive species.     

Distribution of aromatic steroids in geological samples: their evaluation as geochemical parameters

The distribution of ring-C monoaromatic and triaromatic steroid hydrocarbons of about fifty crude oils and sediments of various origins and ages were studied in order to test their validity as geochemical source and maturity parameters. Three ratios appeared to be useful maturity parameters, i.e. A/B cis to trans isomers in non-rearranged monoaromatics, mono/triaromatics and shortvs long-chain homologues. Four other variations may be considered as source parameters depending upon lithology or other palaeo-environmental conditions, i.e. rearranged vs non-rearranged monoaromatics, 5β/5α -methyl rearranged monoaromatics, carbon number distribution and occurrence of a yet unknown series of methylated triaromatic steroids. 5α-Methyl rearranged monoaromatics seem to be particularly important in anhydrites from sabkha environments. Recent identification of most aromatic steroid constituents occurring in geological samples confers on this class of compounds an increasing value as correlation parameters in geochemical studies.     

Investigations of the availability and survival of submersed aquatic vegetation propagules in the tidal Potomac River

The establishment of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) at unvegetated sites in the freshwater tidal Potomac River was limited primarily by factors other than propagule availability. For two years, traps were used to quantify the amount of plant material reaching three unvegetated sites over the growing season. The calculated flux values provided a gross estimate of the flux of propagules that could potentially survive if other site factors were suitable. The mean flux ofHydrilla verticillata and all other species (≥0.01 gdw m^?2 d^?1) appeared sufficient to favor the establishment of vegetation, particularly considering the high viability (70–100%) of whole plants and fragments under controlled conditions. However, median water clarity values (i.e., for light attenuation, Secchi depth, total suspended solids, and chlorophylla) were below SAV restoration goals at all unvegetated sites. Additionally, sediments from unvegetated sites showed a potential for nitrogen limitation of the growth ofH. verticillata. Our findings support the hypothesis that in the tidal Potomac River, water clarity and nutrient (especially nitrogen) levels in sediment are key to plant community establishment.     

Borborema Pegmatitic Province: geological and geochemical characteristics

The geological features of the pegmatites from the Borborerna Pegmatitic Province (BPP) are described, combining data from the literature with new field and laboratory observation. A geochemical study was performed against this geological background to test the crystallization model of mineralized pegmatites against barren pegmatites and to compare the BPP with other provinces, fields or individual pegmatites throughout the world. The field evidence (mode of emplacement, textural relationships, zonation and mineralogy) as well as the geochemical characteristics support the pegmatite crystallization model proposed by London (1990). The geochemical and mineralogical evidence places these pegmatites as “medium Ta-mineralized” compared to other pegmatite provinces.     

含油流体包裹体：地球化学分析与地质应用

利用含油流体包裹体可以获得与原油和源区常规分析同等质量的可靠地球化学数据。细致而又小心谨慎地对待各测试步骤(如样品清洗、背景空白等)是成功进行包裹体油气成分分析的基础。从技术上来说,每一分析步骤都具有挑战性,但如果我们能按步骤循序渐进,就不仅能够分析那些含有大量石油包裹体的样品(如当今或古油藏样品),而且可以测试含极少量石油包裹体的样品(如迁移路径或极古老岩石样品)。包裹体中可被测试的碳氢化合物多种多样,包括低分子量的碳氢化合物、n-链烷、类异戊二烯、生物标志物、芳香族碳氢化合物等。流体包裹体内石油成分分析在地质上有广泛应用,比如可以更好地重建储集区石油重注史、确定盆地中以前未知的活性源岩。在储集区内由生物降解造成的石油再造和(或)水洗作用经常被抹去,流体包襄体分析则可以解释储集区复杂成油阶段,当然更可以去除钻孔泥浆添加剂或其他污染物的影响。此外,也可以获知地球早期生物圈碳氢化合物的组成及多样性,以及在勘探区或盆地进行二次迁移路径填图。     

Calculating optical water quality targets to restore and protect submersed aquatic vegetation: Overcoming problems in partitioning the diffuse attenuation coefficient for photosynthetically active radiation

Submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) is an important component of shallow water estuarine systems that has declined drastically in recent decades. SAV has particularly high light requirements, and losses of SAV have, in many cases, been attributed to increased light attenuation in the water column, frequently due to coastal eutrophication. The desire to restore these valuable habitats to their historical levels has created the need for a simple but accurate management tool for translating light requirements into water quality targets capable of supporting SAV communities. A procedure for calculating water quality targets for concentrations of chlorophyll and total suspended solids (TSS) is derived, based on representing the diffuse attenuation coefficient for photosynthetically active radiation, K_d(PAR), as a linear function of contributions due to water plus colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), chlorophyll, and TSS. It is assumed that K_d(PAR) conforms to the Lambert-Beer law. Target concentrations are determined as the intersection of a line representing intended reduction of TSS and chlorophyll by management actions, with another line describing the dependence of TSS on chlorophyll at a constant value of K_d(PAR). The validity of applying the Lambert-Beer law to K_d(PAR) in estuarine waters was tested by comparing the performance of a linear model of K_d(PAR) with data simulated using a more realistic model of light attenuation. The linear regression model tended to underestimate K_d(PAR) at high light attenuation, resulting in erroneous predictions of target concentrations at shallow restoration depths. The errors result more from the wide spectral bandwidth of PAR, than from irrecoverable nonlinearities in the diffuse attenuation coefficient per se. In spite of the failure of the Lambert-Beer law applied to K_d(PAR), the variation of TSS with chlorophyll at constant K_d(PAR) determined by the more mechanistic attenuation model was, nevertheless, highly linear. Use of the management tool based on intersecting lines is still possible, but coefficients in the line describing the dependence of TSS on chlorophyll at constant K_d(PAR) must be determined empirically by application of an optical model suitably calibrated for the region of interest. An example application of the procedure to data from the Rhode River, Maryland, indicates that approximately 15% reduction in both TSS and chlorophyll concentrations, or 50% reduction in chlorophyll alone, will be needed to restore conditions for growth of SAV to levels that existed in the late 1960s.     

Response of submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) in Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana to the 1997–2001 El Niño Southern Oscillation shifts

Lake Pontchartrain is a large, shallow, low salinity estuary north of New Orleans, Louisiana. It is a water quality impaired system with restoration efforts in progress. One restoration goal is the reestablishment of historic submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV;Vallisneria americana Michx. andRuppia maritima L.), which has been in a state of decline since first studied in 1953. Annual SAV surveys and monthly water quality monitoring were conducted at four to five sites from 1996 through 2003 to evaluate trends and determine the causes of SAV change. We found a rapid increase in the distribution and abundance ofR. maritima in 1999 that persisted through 2002. An El Niño Southern Oscillation shift occurred between 1997 and 2001, which produced a drought in southern Louisiana as an ancillary effect of La Niña. This study was conducted to investigate causal links between the El Niño to La Niña climate phase shift and SAV change. We found that salinity and water clarity increased during La Niña. Increased water clarity produced a rapid increase in the euryhaline speciesR. maritima in deeper water and at historic sites where SAV had not been found since 1953. As salinity increased, the freshwater speciesV. americana andMyriophyllum spicatum L. declined, andNajas guadalupensis (Spreng.) Magnus andPotamogeton perfoliatus L. disappeared. In 2003, after the La Niña phase, salinity and water clarity decreased,R. maritima decreased, and the freshwater species increased, butP. perfoliatus was still absent. We found that salinity controlled SAV species composition, and water clarity controlled SAV colonization depth (Z_col=2.3/K_d). Our study demonstrated that climatic shifts cause cyclic changes in Lake Pontchartrain SAV and that restoration could be accomplished by improving water clarity. Due to the sensitivity of SAV to environmental change, similar responses to short-term and long-term climate changes should occur in other estuarine systems.     

The presence and possible ecological significance of mycorrhizae of the submersed macrophyte,Vallisneria americana

Atypical fungal vesicles and arbuscules were found within the roots of the submersed macrophyteVallisneria americana collected at the tidal fresh headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay (Susquehanna flats) in July 1991 and 1992, suggesting the presence of a myocrrhizal association. In order to determine whether the presence of the fungus facilitates phosphorus uptake and plant growth,V. americana cores were placed in separate pots in an aquatic greenhouse and were given one of the following treatments: control, fungicide (Captan) application, or fungicide plus phosphate enrichment. Fungicide addition resulted in significantly decreased shoot elongation rates and chlorophylla production; phosphate enrichment plus fungicide restored plant growth to control levels. Low nitrogen in plant tissues of fungicide treatment groups suggests nitrogen uptake may also be promoted by the fungal association. A second laboratory experiment withV. americana grown from turions demonstrated the negative effects of the fungicide are only evident on plant growth when fungal infection is present, indicating the fungicide was not directly toxic to the macrophyte, but acted by disrupting a mycorrhizal relationship. This study supports the hypothesis that mycorrhizae are important in nutrient acquisition and growth ofVallisneria in an estuarine environment.     

Resurgence of submersed aquatic macrophytes in the tidal Potomac River,Maryland, Virginia,and the District of Columbia

A 1978–81 survey of submersed aquatic macrophytes in the tidal Potomac River showed that there were virtually no plants in the freshwater tidal river between Chain Bridge and Quantico, Virginia, decades after the disappearance of plants in the late 1930’s. Plant populations were monitored in subsequent years (1983–85) using qualitative shoreline surveys and quantitative resampling of the original 1978–81 transects. In 1983, 12 species of submersed aquatic macrophytes were found in the tidal river. Population increases were dramatic; by fall 1985, plants had colonized all shallow areas between Alexandria and Gunston Cove, Virginia.Hydrilla verticillata dominated in Dyke Marsh-Hunting Creek and Swan Creek. Most other areas contained a variable mixture ofHeteranthera dubia, Myriophyllum spicatum, Ceratophyllum demersum, Vallisneria americana, Najas guadalupensis andHydrilla verticillata. No plants were found along the main river or in tidal embayments in the reach between Gunston Cove and Quantico, Virginia. Total dry weight collected in the upper tidal river in fall 1985 was 14.5 times that of spring 1985, and four times that of fall 1984.     

Relationship between waterfowl and American coot abundance with submersed macrophytic vegetation in Currituck Sound,North Carolina

Waterfowl and American coot data collected from aerial censusing on Currituck Sound were compared during three periods: before Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) colonization (1961–1965); during Eurasian watermilfoil infestation (1968–1977); and following the near absence of submersed macrophytic vegetation after Eurasian watermilfoil decline (1981–1990). Numbers of dabbling ducks (Anas rubripes, Anas platyrhynchos, Anas acuta, Anas americana, Anas crecca), ring-necked ducks (Aythya collaris), and American coot (Fulica americana) were significantly different in Currituck Sound (p<0.05) in at least two of these periods and were highest during Eurasian watermilfoil infestation. These species also constituted higher percentages of the Atlantic Flyway counts during Eurasian watermilfoil infestation. than in periods before or after. Numbers of snow geese (Chen caerulescens), Canada geese (Branta canadensis), and canvasbacks (Aythya valisneria) were significantly different between periods; however, these birds exhibited a consistent decline from the early to the late period. This study suggests that submersed macrophytes, specifically Eurasian watermilfoil, support increased numbers of dabbling ducks, ring-necked ducks, and American coot.     

A Hercynian suture zone in Sardinia : geological and geochemical evidence

Abstract

The Hereynian basement of Northern Sardinia consists of two main teetonometamorphic complexes : the Southern Paleozoic Low to Medium Grade Metamorphic Complex (LMGMC) and the Northern (Precaimbrian ?) High Grade Metamorphic Complex (HGMC). These complexes are separateli bu the “Posada-Asinara Line” which is a several kilometer-wide mylonitie belt consisting of micaschist. parag-neiss and quartzite that cuts across all Northern Sardinia and contains scattered hodies of amphibolites with granulile and eclogite facies relies.

Major element composition of ampbibolites indicates they were derived from metamorphosed basalts of tholciitie affinity. REE and the relative abundances of HKS elements strongly suggest an oceanic basaltie prololith (N- and T-typc MORB). A whole-rock Sm-Nd isochron for the amphibolite protoliths yields an age of ea. 960 Ma.

The Northern Sardinia basement can he interpreted as a continental collisional zone with the “Posada-Asinara Line” representing a suture zone squeezed between a crustal nappe (HGMC), which represents the overthrust continental margin. and (he inner portion of the Varisean orogenie wedge, which represents the underthrust continental margin with its Paleozoic cover (LMGMC).

Geological and geochemical evidence indicate that the “Posada-Asinara Line” may he considered as part of the South European Hereynian Suture Zone.     

Genesis and geological and geochemical characteristics of Qixia gold deposit, Shandong, China

The Qixia gold deposit is one of the important quartz vein-type deposits hosted in metamorphic rocks in the east of Shandong, China. Compositionally the wolframite which is associated with gold mineralization in the deposit is rich in iron, but poor in manganese, showing that this mineral crystallized from hydrothermal solution at low temperature. The temperatures at the main metallogenic stage of the Qixia gold deposit are within the range of 160–270°C. The gaseous phases in fluid inclusions are dominated by H₂O and CO₂, while Na⁺, Ca²⁺ and Cl⁻ are the major species in the fluid phase with K⁺ and F⁻ present in relatively small amounts. The salinities of fluids are 4.2 wt% –8.0 wt% NaCl equiv. Meanwhile, the fluid is characterized by either Ca²⁺ < Na⁺ < K⁺ (in five samples) or Na⁺ < Ca²⁺ < K⁺ (in two samples), quite similar to the composition of ore-forming fluid derived from meteoric water. Primary data on the hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions of the ore-forming fluid fall within a wide range: = − 56‱ − 95‱. and = − 3. 6‱ − 4. 5‱ relative to SMOW. These isotopic values fully reflect the distribution features of meteoric water which has exchanged with the metamorphic rocks of the Jiaodong Group at different temperatures and W/ R ratios, and the metallogenic process is characterized by low W/R ratios. The Rb-Sr isochron age of the Qixia gold deposit is 125.8 ± 1.7 Ma, with (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i being 0.7168, and the time interval between the gold deposit and its country rocks (granite or metamoprhic rocks) is very large. The formation of the Qiaxia gold deposit is directly related to the evolution of geological history in eastern Shandong, and a genetic model in which the deep convective circulating meteoric water reacts with the country rocks can be used to explain the metallogenic mechanism of the deposit. This project was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 49000020).     

河北小寺沟铜钼矿埃达克岩: 年龄、地球化学特征及其地质意义

小寺沟斑岩型铜钼矿产于华北板块北缘,其主体岩体类型为英云闪长岩和二长花岗岩类,矿物组合为斜长石+角闪石+石英+钾长石±黑云母±辉石+不透明矿物,岩性为钙碱性Ⅰ型侵入岩.K-Ar法测得小寺沟岩体花岗斑岩年龄为(122.83±2.46)Ma.岩石主量元素具有高SiO2、Al2O3、Na2O、Mg#,低K2O、TiO2、MgO、CaO、P2O5特征.稀土元素具有负Eu异常不明显,低HREE和Y,轻、重稀土元素强烈分异特征.研究认为,小寺沟岩体与埃达克岩相似,其初始岩浆主要为加厚下地壳的部分熔融产物,即小寺沟埃达克岩为C型埃达克岩,其初始岩浆中可能还有部分地幔物质.小寺沟大型斑岩型铜钼矿的形成与埃达克岩的成矿专属性、华北板块北缘特殊构造环境密切相关.     

Tectonics of the Siberian Craton: Interpretation of geological, geophysical, geochronological, and isotopic geochemical data

The tectonic scheme of the Siberian Craton proposed in this paper is compiled on the basis of a geological map of the craton prepared from numerous magnetometric maps and gravity measurements on various scales, the scheme of axes of magnetic anomalies, and the synthesis of geological information on the exposed territories. The shields and platform territories of the ancient Siberian Craton comprises Archean blocks and Paleoproterozoic foldbelts. The granite-greenstone terranes and granulite-gneiss domains were formed in the Meso- and Neoarchean. The granite-greenstone terranes exposed and overlapped by sedimentary cover are identical, although they generally differ in internal structure and rock compositions both at the infra- and supracrustal levels. The Archean granulite-gneiss domains are recognized either as special tectonic units or as deep sections of granite-greenstone terranes. Two groups of the Paleoproterozoic collisional belts that amalgamated separate Archean blocks of the Siberian Craton into a common stable structural unit evolved 2.1–1.9 and 1.9–1.8 Ga ago. Three types of deep faults arose in the Paleoproterozoic: (1) translithospheric fault zones as boundaries of tectonic blocks and collisional belts, (2) intracrustal fault zones that originated as a result of nonuniform uplift of particular segments of the common plate, and (3) transcrustal zones formed in a plate that overrode another, plunging plate.     

坦桑尼亚基戈马卡万加地区土壤测量异常特征及地质意义

坦桑尼亚基戈马卡万加地区地处热带高原地球化学景观区,地质工作基础薄弱,选择适当范围进行1∶50 000土壤测量,从中筛选较好的异常作为工作靶区,进而开展1∶10 000土壤测量,得到了形态基本完整,不同元素叠加有序的Cu-Pb-Zn组合异常,经过地质检查和槽探工程验证,在产状稳定的泥质页岩中见到孔雀石化,并有NNE向断裂控制异常的产出,金属矿化受地层和断裂的共同控制,具有进一步工作的价值.