Factors promoting persistence of the bloom-forming Gonyostomum semen in temperate lakes

The nuisance large flagellate Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyceae) is typical for brown-water lakes in temperate and boreal regions. This study is focused on two annual cycles of G. semen in shallow temperate lakes (one of which stratifies) with a particular emphasis on the species’ ecology and its potential impact on the alternation of phytoplankton assemblages. Temperature and phosphorus were the main forces driving seasonal growth of the raphidophyte. G. semen occurred at a broad temperature range and prevailed for the extended period from spring to late autumn at maximum biovolume and forming up to 98.7% of total phytoplankton in June–July and/or September. The species exclusively dominated under phosphate-replete conditions and caused heavy blooms in the stratified lake. The species outcompeted other flagellates in the lakes; considerable fluctuations in phytoplankton species composition occurred during the periods at low G. semen biovolume.     

The success of Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyceae) in a boreal lake is due to environmental changes rather than a recent invasion

The freshwater microalgal species, Gonyostomum semen, has increased in abundance and distribution in boreal lakes during the past few decades, concerning ecologists and water managers. Due to its rapid spread, G. semen has often been referred to as an invasive species, although it was first described in the 1800s. We hypothesized that G. semen is not an invasive species in Norwegian lakes, and that the increasing success is due to beneficial changes in environmental conditions for this species during the past century. We tested these hypotheses by performing a paleolimnological study of a Norwegian Lake, Skjeklesjøen, with known mass occurrence of G. semen. A specific G. semen pigment biomarker, heteroxanthin, was used to detect this species in layers of a sediment core with known age determinations. Environmental factors in both lake and catchment were further investigated and the relationships with the amounts of G. semen was tested. Our results suggested that G. semen was in fact not an invasive species in this lake the past decades. Several factors were identified as plausible drivers for G. semen in this boreal lake. Between 1874–2016, the increasing levels of G. semen in Lake Skjeklesjøen was most closely correlated with Carbon (C), lake color (measured as absorbance of sediment extracts), Nitrogen (N) and spring temperature. Our results suggest that the rapid increase in G. semen population in this boreal lake over the past 70 years was probably due to a combination of climate change and local anthropogenic activities in the catchment, causing increased browning and increased inputs of organic matter and nutrients.     

Community structure in boreal lakes with recurring blooms of the nuisance flagellate Gonyostomum semen

Blooms of the nontoxic raphidophyte Gonyostomum semen have shown a recent increase in frequency and distribution in the Fennoscandian region. Due to large cell size and several grazer-avoidance strategies, G. semen is hypothesized to be inedible for most zooplankton species and therefore may constitute a bottleneck for the transfer of energy and nutrients in pelagic food webs. Repression of other phytoplankton through increased competition and induced mortality could further exacerbate this effect. In a field study of four lakes with recurring blooms of G. semen and four lakes without blooms, we found significant differences in community structure between the two lake groups during the bloom period. Bloom-lakes had lower biovolumes of small chrysophytes and chlorophytes and zooplankton assemblages were predominated by small, potentially bacterivorous cladocerans, suggesting a limited availability of edible phytoplankton and an increased importance of microbial pathways during G. semen blooms. Low biovolumes of large cladocerans in bloom-lakes may be due to interference of G. semen with filter feeding. Moreover, high abundances of the phantom midge Chaoborus flavicans in bloom-lakes suggest that the flow of energy and nutrients is directed more towards this invertebrate predator than fish. This could have negative impacts on fish populations, especially if bloom periods are prolonged.     

Air-sea CO2 exchange of beach and near-coastal waters of the Chukchi Sea near Barrow, Alaska

Partial pressure of CO₂ in equilibrium with sample water (pCO₂) for the coastal water in the Chukchi Sea was continuously observed in summer, 2008. Average daily CO₂ flux calculated from the pCO₂ and gas transfer coefficients ranged from −0.144 to −0.0701 g C m⁻² day⁻¹ depending on which gas transfer coefficient was used. The pCO₂ before the landfast ice sheets melted appeared to be highly biologically controlled based on the following information: (1) the diurnal pattern of pCO₂ was strongly correlated with Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD); (2) high chlorophyll density was observed during periods of peak uptake; and (3) the day-to-day variation in the pCO₂ strongly correlated with the presence or absence of near-shore ice sheets. The lowest pCO₂ of 35 ppm together with the highest PPFD of 1362 μmol E m⁻² s⁻¹ were observed in the afternoon on June 28 in the presence of sea ice. The very low pCO₂ observed in late June was likely caused by high photosynthetic rates related to high phytoplankton densities typically observed from spring to early summer near the ice edge, and by water low in salinity and CO₂ released by melting sea ice early in the season.     

The diel vertical migration of the nuisance alga Gonyostomum semen is controlled by temperature and by a circadian clock

Gonyostomum semen is a bloom-forming freshwater raphidophyte that is currently on the increase, which concerns stakeholders and ecologists alike. Much indicates that the success of G. semen is linked to its diel vertical migration (DVM). The DVM was therefore studied in its natural setting using environmental sensors with data logging. DVM happened partly in the absence of light detectable by sensors, suggesting that the DVM involved gravitaxis, although an involvement of phototaxis could not be fully excluded. G. semen migrated downwards the earlier the warmer the water was. The upwards migration showed features of endogenous rhythms, implying that the temporal control of the DVM also has a circadian component that ensures synchronization with the day-night cycle. It is hypothesized that by causing an early descent, exposure to warm water may give G. semen more time to exploit the nutrient-rich lower part of the water column before the circadian control initiates upwards migration. The warming of lakes, caused by global warming or by the more effective conversion of light energy into heat due to the brownification of lakes, may therefore be of advantage to G. semen. In addition, the steep temperature gradient, which is typical for humic lakes during summer stratification, may help avoid the desynchronizing effect that turbulence can have on gravitactic DVMs. Above features of the DVM of G. semen therefore provide putative explanations for why the alga is particularly successful in humic lakes and why it profits from lake brownification and global warming.     

Characteristics of δ13CDIC in lakes on the Tibetan Plateau and its implications for the carbon cycle

Dissolved inorganic carbon isotope (δ¹³C_DIC) is an important tool to reveal the carbon cycle in lake systems. However, there are only few studies focusing on the spatial variation of δ¹³C_DIC of closed lakes. Here we analyze the characteristics of δ¹³C_DIC of 24 sampled lakes (mainly closed lakes) across the Qiangtang Plateau (QTP) and identify the driving factors for its spatial variation. The δ¹³C_DIC value of these observed lakes varies in the range of ? 15·0 to 3·2‰, with an average value of ? 1·2‰. The δ¹³C_DIC value of closed lakes is close to the atmospheric isotopic equilibrium value, much higher than that in rivers and freshwater lakes reported before. The high δ¹³C_DIC value of closed lakes is mainly attributed to the significant contribution of carbonate weathering in the catchment and the evasion of dissolved CO₂ induced by the strong evaporation of lake water. The δ¹³C_DIC value of closed lakes has a logarithmic correlation with water chemistry (TDS, DIC and pCO₂), also suggesting that the evapo‐concentration of lake water can influence the δ¹³C_DIC value. The δ¹³C_DIC value shows two opposite logarithmic correlations with lake size depending on the δ¹³C_DIC range. This study suggests that the δ¹³C in carbonates in lacustrine sediments can be taken as an indicator of lake volume variation in closed lakes on QTP. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

CO2 degassing from Pico Island (Azores,Portugal) volcanic lakes

The CO₂ degassing from lakes on Pico Island (Azores archipelago) were characterized in order to estimate the total diffuse CO₂ output and identify the possible sources of CO₂. Two surveys have been made in each lake (Capitão, Caiado, Rosada, Peixinho, Paúl and Seca), in the winter and summer periods. These water bodies show small surface areas and are rather shallow, with depths ranging from 1.8 to 8.6 m. Water samples are cold, both in winter and summer periods, not presenting variations along the water column, with acid to neutral pH (5.26–7.06). The electrical conductivity values point out to very diluted waters (mean range between 27 and 33.4 μS cm⁻¹), of the Na-Cl type, corresponding to meteoric waters influenced by marine salts.To measure the CO₂ flux at the lakes surface the modified accumulation chamber method was used, and a total of 1632 measurements were accomplished (711 in winter surveys and 921 in summer). Two statistical analysis (GSA and sGs) were applied to the results of diffuse CO₂ flux measurements, showing that the CO₂ flux values measured in theses lakes are relatively low (0.60–20.47 g m⁻² d⁻¹), what seems to indicate a single source for CO₂ (biogenic source), also suggested by the water δ¹³C isotopic signature.CO₂ emissions range between 0.04 t d⁻¹ (Rosada_1) and 0.25 t d⁻¹ (Caiado_1) during the winter surveys, being in general similar to the values recorded during the summer surveys that vary between 0.03 t d⁻¹ (Peixinho_2 and Seca_1) and 0.30 t d⁻¹ (Caiado_2). Taken into account the surface area of the lakes, the highest values were estimated for both surveys made in Seca Lake (˜13 t km⁻² d⁻¹). The occurrence of a dense macrophyte mass in a few of the studied lakes, such as Caiado and Seca, seems to enhance the CO₂ flux from these water bodies.     

Morphological changes in branchial mitochondria-rich cells of the teleost Paralichthys olivaceus as a potential indicator of CO2 impacts

We studied the morphological and biochemical changes of mitochondria-rich cells (MRCs) of a demersal teleost, Paralichthys olivaceus, during exposure to 0.98, 2.97 and 4.95 kPa pCO₂. The apical opening area of MRCs increased 2.2 and 4.1 times by 24 h exposure to 2.97 and 4.95 kPa pCO₂, respectively, while the cross-sectional area or density of MRCs did not change. Gill Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity more than doubled at 72 h and then returned to the pre-exposure level at 168 h in 0.98 kPa pCO₂, while it increased 1.7 times at 24 h at 4.95 kPa. These results indicate that the apical opening area of MRCs and the gill Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity may be used as an indicator of acute (up to 72 h), but not chronic, impacts of high (>1 kPa) seawater CO₂ conditions in P. olivacues. Limitations of those parameters as indices of CO₂ impacts are discussed.     

Seasonal variations in phytoplankton biomass and primary production in the Ethiopian Rift Valley lakes Ziway, Awassa and Chamo – The basis for fish production

Seasonal variations in the biomass (Chl a) and primary production (¹⁴C-method) of phytoplankton were studied during 12 months of 2005 in the three Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes (ERVL) Ziway, Awassa and Chamo. Chl a showed an average value of 40, 20, and 30 mg m⁻³ for the three lakes, respectively. Integrated areal primary production for the total phytoplankton (g C m⁻² d⁻¹) varied 2-fold in the three lakes but on different levels, from 0.67–1.8 in L. Ziway, 1.8–4.6 in L. Awassa, and 1.0–2.6 in L. Chamo. The overall photosynthetic efficiency of utilizing photosynthetically active radiation by the phytoplankton on molar basis (mmol C mol of photons⁻¹) resulted in an average value of 1.4 for L. Ziway, 3.5 for L. Awassa and 1.6 for L. Chamo. Among the different factors regulating phytoplankton primary productivity, light penetration and nutrients were the most important in the three lakes. The seasonal variations of incident radiation (most values between 5 and 7 E m⁻² h⁻¹) and water temperature (most values between 22 and 24 °C) were small and unlikely to result in the marked differences in phytoplankton primary production. Although relative increase in nutrient concentrations occurred following the rainy periods, the major algal nutrients were either consistently low (nitrate and/or silicate) or high (phosphate and/or ammonium) and remained within a narrow range for most of the study period in all the three lakes. Consequently, phytoplankton biomass and primary production seem to be maintained more by nutrient regeneration or turnover (facilitated by high temperature) than by allochthonous nutrient input. This would be coupled with wind-induced mixing that would play an important role in determining hydrographic characteristics (water column structure) and the associated redistribution of nutrients and phytoplankton, the availability of light and subsequently the spatial (vertical) and temporal patterns of phytoplankton production in these three ERVL. Phytoplankton production (PP) is regarded as a good predictor of fish yield in lakes and seasonal measurements of PP is a prerequisite for good such estimates.     

不同水文情景下洪泽湖二氧化碳排放通量特征及影响因素

内陆水域二氧化碳(CO₂)排放是全球碳平衡的重要组成部分,全球CO₂排放通量估算通常有很大不确定性,一方面源于CO₂排放数据观测的时空离散性,另一方面也是缺少水文情景与CO₂排放通量关联性的研究.本文观测了2018年洪泽湖不同水文情景表层水体CO₂排放通量特征,并探讨其影响因素.结果表明,洪泽湖CO₂排放通量为丰水期((106.9±73.4) mmol/(m²·d))>枯水期((18.7±13.6) mmol/(m²·d))>平水期((5.2±15.5) mmol/(m²·d)),且碳通量由丰(310.2~32.0 mmol/(m²·d))、枯(50.8~2.2 mmol/(m²·d))、平(-17.3~39.8 mmol/(m²·d))3种水文情景的交替表现出湖泊碳源到弱碳汇的转变,空间上CO₂排放通量总体呈现北部成子湖区低、南部过水湖区高的分布趋势.洪泽湖CO₂排放对水文情景响应敏感,特别是上游淮河流域来水量的改变,是主导该湖CO₂排放时空分异的重要因子.丰水期湖泊接纳了淮河更多有机和无机碳的输入,外源碳基质的降解和矿化显著促进了水体CO₂的生产与排放,同时氮、磷等营养物质的大量输入,加剧了水体营养化程度,进一步提高CO₂排放量,间接反映出人类活动对洪泽湖CO₂变化的深刻影响.平、枯水期随着上游淮河来水量的减少,驱动水体CO₂排放的因素逐渐由外源输入转变为水体有机质的呼吸降解.此外,上游河口区DOM中陆源类腐殖质的累积与矿化能够促进CO₂的排放,而内源有机质组分似乎并没有直接参与CO₂的排放过程.研究结果揭示了水文情景交替对湖库CO₂排放的重要影响,同时有必要进行高频观测以进一步明晰湖泊的碳通量变化及其控制因素.     

River network travel time is correlated with dissolved organic matter composition in rivers of the contiguous United States

Most terrestrial allochthonous organic matter enters river networks through headwater streams during high flow events. In headwaters, allochthonous inputs are substantial and variable, but become less important in streams and rivers with larger watersheds. As allochthonous dissolved organic matter (DOM) moves downstream, the proportion of less aromatic organic matter with autochthonous characteristics increases. How environmental factors converge to control this transformation of DOM at a continental scale is less certain. We hypothesized that the amount of time water has spent travelling through surface waters of inland systems (streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs) is correlated to DOM composition. To test this hypothesis, we used established river network scaling relationships to predict relative river network flow-weighted travel time (FWTT) of water for 60 stream and river sites across the contiguous United States (3090 discrete samples over 10 water years). We estimated lentic contribution to travel times with upstream in-network lake and reservoir volume. DOM composition was quantified using ultraviolet and visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. A combination of FWTT and lake and reservoir volume was the best overall predictor of DOM composition among models that also incorporated discharge, specific discharge, watershed area, and upstream channel length. DOM spectral slope ratio (R² = 0.77) and Freshness Index (R² = 0.78) increased and specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (R² = 0.68) and Humification Index (R² = 0.44) decreased across sites as a function of FWTT and upstream lake volume. This indicates autochthonous-like DOM becomes continually more dominant in waters with greater FWTT. We assert that river FWTT can be used as a metric of the continuum of DOM composition from headwaters to rivers. The nature of the changes to DOM composition detected suggest this continuum is driven by a combination of photo-oxidation, biological processes, hydrologically varying terrestrial subsidies, and aged groundwater inputs.     

Atmospheric14C changes resulting from fossil fuel CO2 release and cosmic ray flux variability

A high-precision tree-ring record of the atmospheric¹⁴C levels between 1820 and 1954 is presented. Good agreement is obtained between measured and model calculated 19th and 20th century atmospheric Δ¹⁴C levels when both fossil fuel CO₂ release and predicted natural variations in¹⁴C production are taken into account. The best fit is obtained by using a ?-diffusion model with an oceanic eddy diffusion coefficient of 3 cm²/s, a CO₂ atmosphere-ocean gas exchange rate of 21 moles m^?2 yr^?1 and biospheric residence time of 60 years.For trees in the state of Washington the measured 1949–1951 atmospheric Δ¹⁴C level was20.0±1.2%. below the 1855–1864 level. Model calculations indicate that in 1950 industrial CO₂ emissions are responsible for at least 85% of the Δ¹⁴C decline, whereas natural variability accounts for the remaining 15%.     

Partial pressure and air–sea CO2 flux in the Aegean Sea during February 2006

Data on the distribution of fCO₂ were obtained during a cruise in the Aegean Sea during February 2006. The fCO₂ of surface water (fCO₂^sw) was lower than the atmospheric fCO₂ (fCO₂^atm) throughout the area surveyed and ΔfCO₂ values varied from ?34 to ?61 μatm. The observed under-saturation suggests that surface waters in the Aegean represent a sink for atmospheric CO₂ during the winter of 2006. Higher fCO₂^sw values were recorded in the ‘less warm’ and ‘less saline’ shallow northernmost part of the Aegean Sea implying that the lower seawater temperature and salinity in this area play a crucial role in the spatial distribution of fCO₂^sw.A first estimate of the magnitude of the air–sea CO₂ exchange and the potential role of the Aegean Sea in the transfer of atmospheric CO₂ was also obtained. The air–sea CO₂ fluxes calculated using different gas transfer formulations showed that during February 2006, the Aegean Sea absorbs atmospheric CO₂ at a rate ranging from ?6.2 to ?11.8 mmol m^?2 d^?1 with the shipboard recorded wind speeds and at almost half rate (?3.5 to ?5.5 mmol m^?2 d^?1) with the monthly mean model-derived wind speed. Compared to recent observations from other temperate continental shelves during winter period, the Aegean Sea acts as a moderate to rather strong sink for atmospheric CO₂.Further investigations, including intensive spatial and temporal high-resolution observations, are necessary to elucidate the role of the Aegean Sea in the process of transfer of atmospheric CO₂ into the deep horizons of the Eastern Mediterranean.     

典型农业流域不同类型池塘水体CO2排放特征

内陆水体是大气CO₂收支估算的重要组成部分。农业流域分布着大量池塘景观水体,且具备蓄洪抗旱、消纳污染、水产养殖等多种功能。但是,农业流域不同功能的小型池塘CO₂排放特征尚不清楚。本研究以极具农业流域代表性的烔炀河流域为研究对象,选取流域中用于水产养殖(养殖塘)、生活污水承纳(村塘)、农业灌溉(农塘)、蓄水(水塘)的4个功能不同的景观池塘,基于为期1年的野外实地观测,以明确农业流域小型池塘CO₂排放特征。结果表明,不同功能池塘水体CO₂排放差异显著,受养殖活动、生活污水输入和农田灌溉等人类活动影响,养殖塘((80.37±100.39) mmol/(m²·d))、村塘((48.69±65.89) mmol/(m²·d))和农塘((13.50±15.81) mmol/(m²·d))是大气CO₂的热点排放源,其CO₂排放通量分别是自然蓄水塘((4.52±23.26) mmol/(m²·d))的18、11和3倍。统计分析也表明,该流域池塘CO₂排放变化总体上受溶解氧、营养盐等因素驱动。4个不同景观池塘CO₂排放通量全年均值为(37.31±67.47) mmol/(m²·d),是不容忽视的CO₂排放源,其中养殖塘和村塘具有较高的CO₂排放潜力,在未来研究中需要重点关注。     

Variation in the photochemical lability of dissolved organic matter in a large boreal watershed

Boreal watersheds contain a vast quantity of terrestrially derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) originating from wetland and forest soils, yet variation in the potential for photochemical transformation of boreal aquatic DOM sources remains poorly understood. Laboratory solar radiation exposure experiments were conducted on DOM samples collected in three seasons, across nine sites, representing contrasting catchment composition and watershed position to assess variation in the photochemical lability of boreal DOM source and stable carbon isotopic signature (δ¹³C) of photomineralized DOM. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) loss rates during laboratory exposure were lowest in summer, suggesting that DOM may have been more photo-degraded during summer. DOM from upstream portions of forested stream sites and wetland-influenced sites was more photolabile relative to downstream portions and the river DOM, suggesting potential losses in photolabile DOM downstream and in the lower reaches of the watershed. Increased a₂₅₄:a₃₅₀ and spectral slope following sample exposure suggest photoproduction of low molecular weight (LMW) CDOM and/or a higher photoreactivity of high molecular weight versus LMW compounds. Photomineralization of nitrogen was regulated by organic nitrogen concentration and resulted in NH₄ ⁺-photoproduction rates between 0.01 and 0.3?μM N?h^?1 and ecologically significant increases in NH₄ ⁺ for these waters. The δ¹³C of the photomineralized DOM was positively correlated to initial DOC concentration and generally lower when initial DOC concentrations were lower, suggesting variation in photomineralized DOM δ¹³C may be a result of kinetic isotope fractionation. Results from this study demonstrate significant variation in the photochemical lability of boreal watershed sources of DOM. Such variation suggests landscape and environmental change has the potential to alter the biogeochemical role photochemical transformations play in downstream portions of boreal watersheds.     

Effects of soil compaction,rain exposure and their interaction on soil carbon dioxide emission

Soils release more carbon, primarily as carbon dioxide (CO₂), per annum than current global anthropogenic emissions. Soils emit CO₂ through mineralization and decomposition of organic matter and respiration of roots and soil organisms. Given this, the evaluation of the effects of abiotic factors on microbial activity is of major importance when considering the mitigation of greenhouse gases emissions. Previous studies demonstrate that soil CO₂ emission is significantly affected by temperature and soil water content. A limited number of studies have illustrated the importance of bulk density and soil surface characteristics as a result of exposure to rain on CO₂ emission, however, none examine their relative importance. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of soil compaction and exposure of the soil surface to rainfall and their interaction on CO₂ release. We conducted a factorial laboratory experiment with three soil types after sieving (clay, silt and sand soil), three different bulk densities (1·1 g cm^–3, 1·3 g cm^–3, 1·5 g cm^–3) and three different exposures to rainfall (no rain, 30 minutes and 90 minutes of rainfall). The results demonstrated CO₂ release varied significantly with bulk density, exposure to rain and time. The relationship between rain exposure and CO₂ is positive: CO₂ emission was 53% and 42% greater for the 90 minutes and 30 minutes rainfall exposure, respectively, compared to those not exposed to rain. Bulk density exhibited a negative relationship with CO₂ emission: soil compacted to a bulk density of 1·1 g cm^–3 emitted 32% more CO₂ than soil compacted to 1·5 g cm^–3. Furthermore we found that the magnitude of CO₂ effluxes depended on the interaction of these two abiotic factors. Given these results, understanding the influence of soil compaction and raindrop impact on CO₂ emission could lead to modified soil management practices which promote carbon sequestration. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Carbon isotopic compositions of organic matter across continental Cretaceous–Tertiary (K–T) boundary sections: Implications for paleoenvironment after the K–T impact event

To assess the environmental perturbation induced by the impact event that marks the Cretaceous–Tertiary (K–T) boundary, concentrations and isotopic compositions of bulk organic carbon were determined in sedimentary rocks that span the terrestrial K–T boundary at Dogie Creek, Montana, and Brownie Butte, Wyoming in the Western Interior of the United States. The boundary clays at both sites are not bounded by coals. Although coals consist mainly of organic matter derived from plant tissue, siliceous sedimentary rocks, such as shale and clay, may contain organic matter derived from microbiota as well as plants. Coals record δ¹³C values of plant-derived organic matter, reflecting the δ¹³C value of atmospheric CO₂, whereas siliceous sedimentary rocks record the δ¹³C values of organic matter derived from plants and microbiota. The microbiota δ¹³C value reflects not only the δ¹³C value of atmospheric CO₂, but also biological productivity. Therefore, the siliceous rocks from these sites yields information that differs from that obtained previously from coal beds.Across the freshwater K–T boundary at Brownie Butte, the δ¹³C values decrease by 2.6‰ (from − 26.15‰ below the boundary clay to − 28.78‰ above the boundary clay), similar to the trend in carbonate at marine K–T sites. This means that the organic δ¹³C values reflect the variation of δ¹³C of atmospheric CO₂, which is in equilibrium with carbon isotopes at the ocean surface. Although a decrease in δ¹³C values is observed across the K–T boundary at Dogie Creek (from − 25.32‰ below the boundary clay to − 26.11‰ above the boundary clay), the degree of δ¹³C-decrease at Dogie Creek is smaller than that at Brownie Butte and that for marine carbonate.About 2‰ decrease in δ¹³C of atmospheric CO₂ was expected from the δ¹³C variation of marine carbonate at the K–T boundary. This δ¹³C-decrease of atmospheric CO₂ should affect the δ¹³C values of organic matter derived from plant tissue. As such a decrease in δ¹³C value was not observed at Dogie Creek, a process that compensates the δ¹³C-decrease of atmospheric CO₂ should be involved. For example, the enhanced contribution of ¹³C-enriched organic matter derived from algae in a high-productivity environment could be responsible. The δ¹³C values of algal organic matter become higher than, and thus distinguishable from, those of plant organic matter in situations with high productivity, where dissolved HCO₃⁻ becomes an important carbon source, as well as dissolved CO₂. As the δ¹³C-decrease of atmospheric CO₂ reflected a reduction of marine productivity, the compensation of the δ¹³C decrease by the enhanced activity of the terrestrial microbiota means that the microbiota at freshwater environment recovered more rapidly than those in the marine environment.A distinct positive δ¹³C excursion of 2‰ in the K–T boundary clays is superimposed on the overall decreasing trend at Dogie Creek; this coincides with an increase in the content of organic carbon. We conclude that the K–T boundary clays include ¹³C-enriched organic matter derived from highly productive algae. Such a high biological productivity was induced by phenomena resulting from the K–T impact, such as nitrogen fertilization and/or eutrophication induced by enhanced sulfide formation. The high productivity recorded in the K–T boundary clays means that the freshwater environments (in contrast to marine environments) recovered rapidly enough to almost immediately (within 10 yr) respond to the impact-related environmental perturbations.     

Characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> in surface water of the Bering Abyssal Plain and their effects on carbon cycle in the

Characteristics of the pCO₂ distribution in surface water of the Bering Abyssal Plain and their relationships with the ambient hydrological conditions were discussed using variations of the partial pressure of CO₂ in surface water of the Bering Abyssal Plain and the Chukchi Sea. Data in this study are from a field investigation during the First Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition in 1999. Compared to the high productivity in the Bering Continental Shelf, much lower levels of chlorophyll a were observed in the Bering Abyssal Plain. The effect of hydrological factors on the pCO₂ distribution in surface seawater of the Plain in summer has become a major driving force and dominated over biological factors. The Plain also presents a High Nutrient Low Chlorophyll (HNLC). In addition, the pCO₂ distribution in the Bering Abyssal Plain has also been found to be influenced from the Bering Slope Current which would transform to the Anadyr Current when it inflows northwestward over the Plain. The Anadyr Current would bring a high nutrient water to the western Arctic Ocean where local nutrients are almost depleted in the surface water during the summer time. Resupplying nutrients would stimulate the growth of phytoplankton and enhance capacity of absorbing atmospheric CO₂ in the surface water. Otherwise, in the Bering Sea the dissolved inorganic carbon brought from freshwater are not deposited down to the deep sea water but most of them would be transported into the western Arctic Ocean by the Alaska Coastal Current to form a carbon sink there. Therefore, the two carbon sinks in the western Arctic Ocean, one carried by the Anadyr Current and another by the Alaska Costal Current, will implicate the western Arctic Ocean in global change.