Macroalgal distribution patterns in a shallow, soft-bottom lagoon, with emphasis on the nonnativeGracilaria vermiculophylla andCodium fragile

We determined the distribution of macroalgae in Hog Island Bay, a shallow coastal lagoon in Virginia, USA, seasonally at 12 sites from 1998 to 2000 and at 3 representative sites from 2000 to 2002. We analyzed macroalgal biomass, taxonomic richness, and abundance of two non-native species, the cryptic invaderGracilaria vermiculophylla and the conspicuousCodium fragile, with respect to season, location (mainland, mid lagoon, barrier island sites), and elevation (intertidal, subtidal). Taxonomic richness, total algal biomass, and nonnative biomass peaked in the summer months when temperature and light availability were highest. A few stress tolerant and ephemeral algae dominated the algal assemblage.G. vermiculophylla constituted 74% of the entire algal biomass, was the most abundant alga in all seasons, locations, and elevation levels, and was positively correlated with taxonomic richness and abundance of filamentous species.Ulva curvata, Bryopsis plumosa, andC. fragile accounted for an additional 16% of the algal biomass. There are distinct habitats in Hog Island Bay that can be classified into low diversity-low biomass regions near the mainland and barrier islands and high diversity-high biomass regions in the open mid lagoon, where abundant shells for attachment and intermediate levels of water column nutrients and turbidity likely create better growth conditions. Taxonomic richness and biomass were higher in subtidal than intertidal zones, presumably due to lower desiccation stress. This study provides an example of how a single invasive species can dominate an entire assemblage, both in terms of biomass (being most abundant in all seasons, locations, and tidal levels) and species richness (correlating positively with epiphytic filamentous taxa). By adding hard-substratum structural complexity to a relatively homogenous soft-substratum system,G. vermiculophylla increases substratum availability for attachment and entanglement of other algal species and enhances local diversity. Without widespread and abundantG. vermiculophylla, taxa likePolysiphonia, Ceramium, Bryopsis, Ectocarpus, andChampia would likely be much less common. This study also highlights the importance of using DNA analysis of voucher specimens in monitoring programs to accurately identify cryptic invaders.     

Dissolution of lead- and lead-arsenic-jarosites at pH 2 and 8 and 20 °C: Insights from batch experiments

Lead- and Pb-As-jarosites are minerals common to acidic, sulphate-rich environments, including weathering zones of sulphide ore deposits and acid rock or acid mine drainage (ARD/AMD) sites, and often form on or near galena. The structures of these jarosites are based on linear tetrahedral-octahedral-tetrahedral (T-O-T) sheets, comprised of slightly distorted FeO₆ octahedra and SO₄²⁻ (-AsO₄³⁻ in Pb-As-jarosites) tetrahedra. To better understand the dissolution mechanisms and products of the break down of Pb- and Pb-As-jarosite, preliminary batch dissolution experiments were conducted on synthetic Pb- and Pb-As-jarosite at pH 2 and 20 °C, to mimic environments affected by ARD/AMD, and at pH 8 and 20 °C, to simulate ARD/AMD environments recently remediated with slaked lime (Ca(OH)₂). All four dissolutions are incongruent. Dissolution of Pb-jarosite at pH 2 yields aqueous Pb, Fe and SO₄²⁻. The pH 8 Pb-jarosite dissolution yields aqueous Pb, SO₄²⁻ and poorly crystalline Fe(OH)₃, which does not appear to resorb Pb or SO₄²⁻, possibly due to the low solution pH (3.44-3.54) at the end of the experiment. The pH 2 and 8 dissolutions of Pb-As-jarosite result in the formation of secondary compounds (poorly crystalline PbSO₄ for pH 2 dissolution; poorly crystalline PbSO₄ and Fe(OH)₃ for pH 8 dissolution), which may act as dissolution inhibitors after 250 to 300 h of dissolution. In the pH 2 dissolution, aqueous Fe, SO₄²⁻ and AsO₄³⁻ also form, and in the pH 8 dissolution, Fe(OH)₃ precipitates then subsequently resorbs aqueous AsO₄³⁻. The dissolutions probably proceed by preferred dissolution of the A- and T-sites, which contain Pb, and SO₄²⁻ and AsO₄³⁻, respectively, rather than Fe, which is sterically remote, within the T-O-T Pb- and Pb-As-jarosite structures. These data provide the foundation necessary for further, more detailed investigations into the dissolution of Pb- and Pb-As-jarosites.     

'This is like my comfort zone': Senses of place and belonging within Oruāmo/Beachhaven, New Zealand

Abstract:  This paper examines the culturally specific experiences of belonging within Oruāmo/Beachhaven, a suburb in North Shore City. In-depth interviews with 32 caregivers of young children expose the fact that the ethnic groups represented – Māori, Samoan and Pākehā– vary in their uses and understandings of, as well as feelings for, residential neighbourhood. Examination of the themes of natural environment, social relations, continuity of residence, facilities, organisations and place transformation reveal that, while representatives of all groups had views on these matters, there was a variable degree of engagement with and priority afforded to these concerns.     

Sources of Nutrients and Fecal Indicator Bacteria to Nearshore Waters on the North Shore of Kaua`i (Hawai`i,USA)

Water quality monitoring in Hanalei Bay, Kaua`i (Hawai`i, USA) has documented intermittent high concentrations of nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, silica, and ammonium) and fecal indicator bacteria (FIB, i.e., enterococci and Escherichia coli) in nearshore waters and spurred concern that contaminated groundwater might be discharging into the bay. The present study sought to identify and track sources of nutrients and FIB to four beaches in Hanalei Bay and one beach outside the bay, together representing a wide range of land uses. ²²³Ra and ²²⁴Ra activity, salinity, nutrient and FIB concentrations were measured in samples from the coastal aquifer, the nearshore ocean, springs, the Hanalei River, and smaller streams. In addition, FIB concentrations in beach sands were measured at each site, and the enterococcal surface protein (esp) gene assay was used to investigate whether the observed FIB originated from a human source. Nutrient concentrations in groundwater were significantly higher than in nearshore water, inversely correlated to salinity, and highly site specific, indicating local controls on groundwater quality. Fluxes of groundwater into Hanalei Bay were calculated using a mass-balance approach and represented at least 2–10% of river discharges. However, submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) may provide 2.7 times as much nitrate + nitrite to Hanalei Bay as does the Hanalei River. It may also provide significant fluxes of phosphate and ammonium, comprising 15% and 20% of Hanalei River inputs, respectively. SGD-derived silica inputs to the bay comprised less than 3% of Hanalei River inputs. FIB concentrations in groundwater were typically lower than those in nearshore water, suggesting that significant FIB inputs from SGD are unlikely. Positive esp gene assays suggested that some enterococci in environmental samples were of human fecal origin. Identifying how nutrients and FIB enter nearshore waters will help environmental managers address pressing water quality issues, including exceedances of the state Enterococcus water quality standard and nutrient loading to coral reefs.     

Thermoluminescence and the shock and reheating history of meteorites—II: Annealing studies of the Kernouve meteorite

Samples of the unshocked, equilibrated chondrite, Kernouve (H6), have been annealed for 1–100 hours at 500–1200°C, their thermoluminescence sensitivity measured and Na, K, Mn, Ca and Sc determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. The TL sensitivity decreased with temperature until by 1000°C it had fallen by 40%. The process responsible has an activation energy of ~8 kcal/mole and probably involves diffusion. Samples annealed 1000–1200°C had TL sensitivities 10^?2 times the unannealed values, most of the decrease occurring ~1100°C. This process has an activation energy of ~100 kcal/mole and is probably related to the melting of the TL phosphor, feldspar, with some decomposition and loss of Cs, Na and K. Meteorites whose petrography indicates healing > 1100°C by natural shock heating events (shock facies d-f). have TL sensitivities similar to samples annealed > 1100°C. Our own and literature compositional data indicate that TL is more stable to annealing than Ag, In, Tl, Bi, Zn and Te and less stable than Na, K, Mn, Ca, Se and Co, while the TL decrease resembles very closely the pattern of Cs loss on annealing.     

Trace elements in fines from the Apollo 15 deep drill

No systematic variations in concentrations with depth were found for 1O trace elements in samples from the Apollo 15 deep drill. Presence of a significant amount of KREEP is indicated.     

The influence of morphology in determining the decomposition of two salt marsh macrophytes

Annual decomposition rates of Spartina alterniflora height forms and Juncus roemerianus were determined in situ in three North Carolina salt marshes using the litter bag method. The decomposition of Spartina was significantly influenced by size, i.e., height form, with the taller plants which had greater amounts of stem tissue, being more resistant to decay. Instantaneous decay rates for short and medium Spartina were not significantly different at any site, but they were both significantly greater than that of the tall form at two of the three study sites. Juncus decomposed more slowly than Spartina during the first 8 months, but had decomposed as completely as all three height forms of Spartina at two of the study sites by the end of the 13-month study period. Constant submergence appeared to inhibit decomposition since there was twice as much undecomposed plant material remaining in bags placed in tidal creeks as in those on the marsh surface.     

Shaping and Sharing Responsibility: Social Memory and Social Learning in the Australian Rural Bushfire Landscape

Responding to increased frequency and severity of bushfires, Australian governments called for “shared responsibility” for bushfire preparation and mitigation. This requires engagement between all sectors of community—government agencies, businesses, not-for-profit, and residents. Fire management agencies remain concerned about whether all communities in fire-prone landscapes are equally equipped to participate in sharing responsibility. A related question is how experience of bushfire influences subsequent community fire management practices. This paper addresses social learning and social memory in a landscape that has experienced repeat bushfires between 2006 and 2013. It examines the relationships between memory, learning and practice among a farming community in western Victoria and government agencies with bushfire management responsibility. Findings suggest that social learning and social memory interact and new practices emerge as the participants embrace “shared responsibility.” However, ambiguities remain about “what” is being shared and what being “responsible” means at different points in preparation and response.     

The Santa Filomena meteorite shower: Trajectory,classification, and opaque phases as indicators of metamorphic conditions

On August 19, 2020, at 13:18—UTC, a meteor event ended as a meteorite shower in Santa Filomena, a city in the Pernambuco State, northeast Brazil. The heliocentric orbital parameters resulting from images by cameras of the weather broadcasting system were semimajor axis a = 2.1 ± 0.1 au, eccentricity e = 0.55 ± 0.03, and inclination i = 0.15^o ± 0.05. The data identified the body as an Apollo object, an Earth-crossing object with a pericenter interior to the Earth's orbit. The chemical, mineralogical, and petrological evaluations, as well as the physical analysis, followed several traditional techniques. The meteorite was identified as a H5-6 S4 W0 ordinary chondrite genomict breccia. The large amount of metal in the meteorite made a metallographic evaluation based on the opaque phases possible. The monocrystalline kamacite crystals suggest a higher petrological type and the distorted Neumann lines imply at least two different shock events. The absence of the plessite phase shows that the meteorite did not reach the highest shock levels S5 and S6. The well-defined polycrystalline taenite is indicative of petrologic types 4 and 5 due to the conserved internal tetrataenite rim at the boundaries. The presence of polycrystalline taenites and the characteristics of the Agrell Effect suggest that the Santa Filomena meteorite did not reheat above 700°C. The absence of martensite confirms reheating temperatures <800°C and a slow cooling rate. The Ni contents and sizes of the zoned taenite particles indicate a slow cooling rate ranging from 1 to 10 K Myr⁻¹.