Organic carbon release by phytoplankton and bacterial reassimilation

The release of organic carbon by phytoplankton and its reassimilation by bacteria were studied in Lake Geneva during four daily kinetics, using¹⁴C techniques. Gentamycin was used to suppress bacterial activity. Size fractionation was used to measure¹⁴C fixation in 2 particulate fractions (≥1 μm and 0.2 to 1 μm) and in a third fraction: dissolved organic carbon. Measurements of bacterial biomass and¹⁴C glucose uptake as the H¹⁴CO ₃ ⁻ uptake by samples prefractionated before incubation showed that the whole algae were retained on 1 μm pore size Nuclepore filters, but bacteria were retained on 1 μm and 0.2 μm filters. Concentration of 20 μg.ml⁻¹ gentamycin resulted in incomplete bacterial inhibition while phytoplankton was affected. Phytoplankton released less of 20% of its photoassimilated carbon of which a large proportion was utilized by bacterioplankton.     

Bacterial community in deep subseafloor sediments from the western Pacific “warm pool”

The bacterial community in deep subseafloor sediments at a depth of 230 cm from the western Pacific “warm pool” is studied by construction of 16S rDNA clone library and PCR-RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) analysis. The results indicate that the bacterial community in these sediments is mainly composed of five groups: α-Proteobacteria, β-Proteobacteria, CFB group (Cytophaga / Flexibacteria / Bacteroides), Acidobacteria and gram positive bacteria, with a few genera detected in each group. The most abundant bacteria group is α-Proteobacteria, and the next is β-Proteobacteria. The dominant species in α-and β-Proteobacteria are Sphingomonas paucimobilis and Pseudomonas alcaligenes respectively. The CFB group is simply composed of members belonging to Flavobacterium. The gram positive bacteria are rich, and mainly consists of the genus Geobacillus. The analysis of bacterial community indicates that organic matter is still abundant in the subseafloor sediments at the depth of 230 cm in the western Pacific “warm pool”. These bacteria in this deep biosphere may play an important role in the nitrogen cycle of deep sea sediments at “warm pool”. Supported by the National Key Basic Research Support Foundation of China (Grant No. G2000078500) and China Ocean Mineral Resources R&D Association Project (Grant No. DY105-4-2-4)     

Cooling rates in the shock veins of chondrites: constraints on the (Mg, Fe)2SiO4 polymorph transformations

The occurrence of γ-phase, a high-pressure polymorph of olivine (α-phase), in the shock veins of Sixiangkou chondrite was due to a greater cooling rate (> 10 000°C·s^-1) in the veins. Because γ-phase partially reverted to β-phase and no back-transformation from β-phase to α-phase took place, the shock veins of Peace River chondrite with a cooling rate of 1 000–2 000δC·s^-1 contain a great amount of β-phase. In the shock veins of Mbale chondrite with a cooling rate of <500°C·s^-1, the majority of γ-phase reverted to α-phase. The heat dissipation in shock veins took place after a stage of shock compression of chondrite parent body, and the parent body was broken into fragmental pieces. Cooling rate in the shock veins constrained the back-transformations of (Mg, Fe)₂SiO₄ high-pressure polymorphs. Project of Chen and Xie supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 496720981, Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (Grant No. 960500), and the Science Foundation of Academia Sinica for the returned scholars.     

Bacterial decay of the autumnal phytoplankton in Lake Constance (Bodensee)

The breakdown of autumnal phytoplankton was studied in Lake Constance by combining chemical seston analyses, bacterial counts and scanning electron microscopy. High algal biomass was associated with low numbers of free-living bacteria. The degradation of algae occurred in two phases: First, dissolved material was released leading to growth of free-living bacteria. Thereafter, bacteria attached to the decaying particles and decomposed them until highly refractory material was left behind. Attached bacteria always comprised less than 25% of total bacteria. Dead organic seston exceeded microbial biomass by a factor of 4–10. Pheopigments increased in senescent and dying algal cells relative to chlorophyll. Therefore, pheopigment fractions were used as a relative index of algal decay.     

The significance of transparent exopolymeric particles in the vertical distribution of bacteria and heterotrophic nanoflagellates in Lake Pavin

The abundance, size distribution, and bacterial colonization of Transparent Exopolymeric Particles (TEP) were examined in two consecutive years during the spring diatom development throughout the water column of the deep meromictic Lake Pavin, France. TEP concentrations ranged from 1.9 to 13.4 × 10⁵ particles l⁻¹ and their distribution and size spectra indicated that these particles are the main factor in governing the transport of diatoms to the deep hypolimnion of the lake. The majority of TEP was colonized by bacteria that constituted 0.4–8.9% of total DAPI-stained bacteria. The intensity of bacterial colonization was strongly related to temperature and decreased with particle size. A more important colonization of small particles in the hypolimnion during thermal stratification suggested that bacterial colonisation also increased with the age of the particle. The abundance of heterotrophic nanoflagellates (HNF) was more significantly related to the density of particles than to the density of total bacteria and the intensity of bacterial colonization of TEP. Our results therefore suggest that TEP are a more important factor for HNF development than attached and free bacteria. We conclude that TEP are involved not only in sedimentation processes but also in the dynamics of bacteria and protozoa in freshwater pelagic environments.     

Die Berechnung der Angströmschen Trübungskonstanten aus Sonnenstrahlungsmessungen in verschiedenen Filtergebieten

Zusammenfassung Zur Bearbeitung von mehreren hundert Messungen der direkten Sonnenstrahlung mit fünf verschiedenen Farbfiltern werden Neuberechnungen derAngstr?mschen Formel (Gleichung 1) für die einzelnen Wellenl?ngen mit insgesamt 144 verschiedenen Werten für die Luftmassem, den Wellenl?ngenexponenten α der Zerstreuungsfunktion, dem Trübungskoeffizienten β und dem WasserdampfgehaltW der Atmosph?re durchgeführt. Es wurde hierbei festgestellt, da? es m?glich ist, die Filterdifferenzen für die Spektralbereiche Blau, Gelb, Rot und zwei Infrarot durch einfache algebraische Formeln darzustellen (Gleichungen 3 und 5), aus denen α und β errechnet werden k?nnen (Gleichungen 6 und 7). Bezüglich des Wasserdampfgehaltes ergab sich, da? es nicht m?glich ist, die Wasserdampfabsorption durch ein einziges Gliedf(mW) darzustellen, das additiv zu dem Zerstreuungsterm derAngstr?mschen Formel hinzugefügt wird, wie es bisher meist geschah. Es wurde eine neue Fassung des additiven Gliedes für die Wasserdampfabsorptionf(α, β, m, mW) berechnet und durch eine Formel (12) wiedergegeben. Auf die Bedeutung der neuen Absorptionsfunktion des Wasserdampfes für die vom Verfasser kürzlich entwickelte Kalibrierung der Aktinometer aus dem Beobachtungsmaterial wird eingegangen (Gleichung 14). Zum Schlu? werden neue Gleichungen (20) entwickelt, die die Bestimmung von α im langwelligen Spektralgebiet der Sonnenstrahlung erm?glichen, in dem auch der Wasserdampf absorbiert. Dies ist wichtig, weil das α, das bisher nur aus dem kurzwelligen Teil des Sonnenspektrum bestimmt werden konnte, nicht notwendig übereinzustimmen braucht mit dem α im langwelligen Gebiet.

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Summary DeterminingAngstr?m’s turbidity constants from several hundred sets of readings of the solar radiation with five different glass filters,Angstr?m’s formula (equ. 1) was calculated for a total of 144 different values of air massesm, the wavelength exponent α of the scattering function, the turbidity coefficient β and water vapour content W of the atmosphere. It was found that it is possible to express the filter differences belonging to the spectral ranges blue, yellow, red, and two infrared ranges with simple algebraic formulae (equ. 3 and 5) which allow α and β to be calculated (equ. 6 and 7). With respect to the water vapour content it was pointed out that it is impossible to express, in the usual way, the water vapour absorption by a single termf(mW), which is added to the scattering term ofAngstr?m’s formula. A new form of the water vapour absorption was calculated and expressed as a formula (12). The significance of the new water vapour absorption function was discussed with reference to the author’s newly developed actinometer calibration from observational data (equ. 14). In conclusion new equations (20) were derived enabling to be determined in the long wave range of solar radiation, i.e. where the water vapour absorption exists. This is important because so far α could only be determined from the short wave range of solar radiation, which does not necessarily agree with that of the long wave range.

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Dr. Fritz H. W. Albrecht, 10, Belgravia Ave., Box Hill North E 12,Melbourne.     

Microlites and "nanolites" in rhyolitic glass: microstructural and chemical characterization

 We used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to study magmatic crystals in the Ben Lomond rhyolite lava dome, Taupo Volcanic Center, New Zealand. Using TEM and SEM to investigate the size distributions of these crystals, we identified three size populations: microphenocrysts (>1.2 μm wide), microlites (>0.6 μm wide), and smaller crystals (<0.6 μm wide) which we term "nanolites". The predominant mineral phases of the microlites and nanolites are augites, pigeonites, and hypersthenes. The compositions and microstructures within these pyroxenes indicate disequilibrium crystallization at approximately 850–900  °C and undercoolings as high as 300  °C from equilibrium crystallization temperatures. Complex microstructures resulting from subsolidus reactions in augite and pigeonite are consistent with moderate cooling rates within the upper obsidian layer of the Ben Lomond rhyolite dome. This study demonstrates the existence of sub-micron magmatic crystals in a rhyolite and illustrates the potential of TEM to provide unique information about the crystallization and cooling histories of glassy volcanic rocks. Received: May 8, 1995 / Accepted: November 27, 1995     

On the propagation of an in-plane shear fault with super-S-wave velocity

The speedv, especially the problem whether super S-wave velocity in the classical model (linear elasticity fracture mechanics) exists, of spontaneous propagation of a shear fault is investigated theoretically. An in-plane shear crack propagating in the crack plane is taken as the model of the shear fault. The results obtained firstly by Kostrov (1975) is extended from sub-Rayleigh wave velocity to super S-wave velocity, and the analytical expression for the stress intensity factorK ₂ in the case ofα>v>β is derived. It is proved that for Poisson mediumK ₂ is positive and real in the velocity range (β, 1.70β). This demonstrates that (β, 1.70β) is the velocity range which fulfils the conditions for spontaneous crack propagation. The existence, convergence and positiveness or negativeness ofK ₂ forv in individual sections are examined, and it is found that for an in-plane shear crack: 1. There are three sections forv, i.e., [0.v _R], (β, 1.70β), andα, respectively, and 2. There are two physically reasonable sections forv, the first is [v _R, β], and the second is [1.70β, α]. These two forbidden sections behave as barriers to fault propagation. The analytical expressions derived in this paper are not only suitable to classical model, but also to the other derivative models (e. g., the slip-weakening model and the renomalization model etc.). The model considered in this paper is more realistic than the static model employed by previous authors. The Chinese version of this paper appeared in the Chinese edition ofActa Seismologica Sinica, 15, 9–14, 1993.     

Characteristics of aerosol optical depth and Ångström parameters over Mohal in the Kullu Valley of Northwest Himalayan Region,India

The measurements using a ground based multi wavelength radiometer (MWR) at Mohal (31°54′N, 77°07′E, 1154 m AMSL) in the Kullu valley of Northwestern Himalayan region show that the spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD) and turbidity coefficient, β, are high in summer, moderate in monsoon season, low in winter and lowest in autumn, while wavelength exponent, α, has an opposite trend. Average annual value of AOD at 500 nm is 0.24±0.01, 0.43±0.02, and 0.28±0.02; that of β is 0.14±0.01, 0.22±0.02, and 0.17±0.03; and that of α is 1.06±0.09, 1.16±0.10, and 0.86±0.13, respectively, for clear, hazy and partially clear sky days. The considerably greater value of β on hazy days indicates more coarse particles in mountain haze. The fractional asymmetry factor (AF) is more negative in summer and autumn months. The AOD and β have significantly positive correlation with temperature and wind speed, suggesting high AODs and turbidity on hot and windy days.     

Bodenfaunistische Untersuchungen in Aare und Rhein

The results of the investigations of the river benthos, presented in part I [2], have been further analyzed with regard to statistics, saprobity and diversity. The contagious distribution of the organisms is linked with a great variance, which necessitates a big number of samples and causes problems in interpreting the counts. Different biological and diversity indices have been tested for validity; whereas the saprobic evaluation yielded α-β-mesosaprobic conditions for the river Aare and β-α-mesosaprobic conditions for the river Rhine, the diversity seems not suitable for river classification in our case. Problems concerning biological evaluation of water quality in big rivers are discussed.      

On the significance of CO2 inclusions in plagioclase microphenocrysts in tholeiite from Moeraki,New Zealand

Liquid plus vapour inclusions of CO₂ are widespread in plagioclase microphenocrysts in small tholeiitic intrusions and tephra of the Moeraki and adjacent areas of northeast Otago, New Zealand. They imply the presence of immiscible CO₂ droplets in the magma at depths of about 7–14 km. Their presence within 5 μm of the edges of microphenocrysts as little as 35 μm thick and 118 μm long indicates minimal feldspar crystal growth during the final ascent and quenching of the magma. Delicate branching clusters of lath-like microphenocrysts escaped disruption during this ascent. Such CO₂ inclusions are a potential source of ‘excess argon’ perturbing K-Ar age determinations. Received March 24, 1993/Accepted September 10, 1993     

Discovery of Cu-Ni-Zn-Sn-Fe intermetallic compounds and S-bearing alloys in the Zhaishang gold deposit, southern Gansu Province and its geological significance

Examination of ores by optical microscope and EPMA from the Zhaishang gold deposit, southern Gansu Province, has revealed an abundance of rare minerals. These include native metals, Cu-Ni-Zn-Sn-Fe polymetallic compounds and S-bearing alloys of Ni, Fe, Zn, Cu and Sn, occurring as native nickel, Zn-Cu alloy, Ni-Zn-Cu alloy, Sn-Zn-Ni-Cu alloy, Zn-Cu-Ni alloy, Zn-Fe-Cu-Sn-Ni alloy, Fe-Ni-S alloy, Sn-Fe-Ni-S alloy, Fe-Zn-Cu-Ni-S alloy, Zn-Ni-Cu-Fe-S alloy and others. Compared with the Zn-Cu alloy minerals discovered previously, these Zn-Cu minerals fall in the α or α β portion in Zn-Cu alloy phase diagram, and the α portion has higher Cu content. Cu-Ni-Zn-Sn-Fe intermetallic compounds and S-bearing alloy minerals have not been previously reported in the literature. These rare alloys formed in a strongly reducing environment with absent oxygen and low sulfur activities.     

Cyclic organochlorines in North Sea sediments,relation with size and organic matter

Summary The geographical distribution of organic matter and particles <20 m in North Sea sediments as well as the correlation between organic content, <20 m fraction and PCB (as the sum of content of 24 individual components), p, p-DDE, HCB, -HCH and Lindane (-HCH) is reported. High amounts of organic matter and fine particles have been found in Fladen Ground, Kattegat/Skagerrak/Norwegian Channel, and the inner German Bight. Organic matter settling in the Kattegat/Skagerrak/Norwegian Channel is probably degraded by benthic organisms, including mineralization by bacteria. The smelter in south Norway and the rivers Ems and Elbe are point sources for HCB, the mud-area south-east of Helgoland is a point source for HCB and PCBs. No point source, however, was found for p,p-DDE. Sediment content of PCB, p,p-DDE and HCB show a good correlation to the amount of organic matter and to the <20 m fraction. -HCH and Lindane are only poorly adsorbed onto sediments.

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Zyklische organische Chlorverbindungen in Nordseesedimenten: Verteilung von organischer Substanz und feinpartikulärem Material

Zusammenfassung Es wird über die Verteilung von organischer Substanz und feinpartikulärem Material <20 m in Nordseesedimenten sowie über die Korrelation der Sedimentparameter mit den Konzentrationen von polychlorierten Biphenylen (24 Einzelisomere), p,p-DDE, HCB, -HCH und Lindan (-HCH) berichtet. Hohe Gehalte an organischer Substanz und der <20 m Fraktion wurden im Fladengrund, Kattegat/ Skagerrak/Norwegische Rinne sowie in der inneren Deutschen Bucht gefunden. Die Ergebnisse legen den Schluß nahe, daß ein Großteil des sedimentierten organischen Materials vor der norwegischen Küste von Benthosorganismen und Bakterien verstoffwechselt wird. Durch die mit Søderbergelektroden arbeitenden Metallschmelzen Südnorwegens sowie durch die Flüsse Elbe und Ems werden die Sedimente punktuell mit HCB belastet. Das Schlammgebiet südöstlich von Helgoland tritt als Emittent für PCBs in Erscheinung. Für p,p-DDE konnte keine Punktquelle nachgewiesen werden. Im Gegensatz zu -HCH und Lindan korrelieren die Sedimentkonzentrationen an PCBs, HCB und p,p-DDE gut mit den Gehalten an organischer Substanz bzw. feinpartikulärem Material.

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Les Organochlorines cycliques dans les Sédiments de la Mer du Nord, relation avec la taille et les matières organiques

Résumé La distribution géographique de matière organique et des particules de taille inférieure à 20 m dans les sédiments de la Mer du Nord ainsi que la corrélation entre le contenu organique, (la fraction <20 m) et PCB (somme des contenus de 24 composants individuels), p, p-DDE, HCB, -HCH et Lindane (-HCH) est décrite. D'importantes quantités de matières organiques et de particules fines ont été trouvées à Fladen Ground, Kattegat/Skagerrak/Norwegian Channel et dans le baie intérieur allemende. Les composants organiques qui se trouvent dans le Kattegat/ Skagerrak/Norwegian Channel sont probablement soumis à la dégradation par des organismes (benthic), et aussi à une minéralisation par bactéries. Les usines de métallurgie du Sud de la Norvège et la rivière l'Ems et l'Elbe sont des points sources pour HCB, les zones de boue au Sud Est de Helgoland sont des points sources pour HCB et PCB. Aucun point source ne fût trouvé cependant pour p, p-DDE. Le contenu en sédiment de PCB, p, p-DDE et HCB montre une bonne corrélation avec la quantité de matière organique et la fraction <20 m. -HCH et Lindane ne sont que peu absorbés dans les sédiments.

     

Bacterial community in sediment from the Western Pacific "Warm Pool" and its relationship to environment

Total DNAs were extracted from different sections of deep sea sediment core sample collected from the Western Pacific "Warm Pool". The bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) clone libraries were constructed and analyzed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and DNA sequencing. The bacterial communities in these samples and their relationship to environment were analyzed consequently. The results indicated that among eight main bacterial groups found in these sediments, members of the γ-Proteobacteria were most abundant in each section of sediment core sample and the genus Colwellia belonging to γ-Proteobacteria was dominant in this area. Members of the α-Proteobacteria were found commonly existing in these samples, while members belonging to β-Proteobacteria were seldom detected. The diversity of bacterial communities from different sections of sediment core sample was δ- and ε-Proteo-bacteria and the bacterial group including genera Cytopahga, Flexibacteria and Bacteroides (CFB group)