Variations of phytoplankton productivity and biomass over an annual cycle in Saanich Inlet,a British Columbia fjord

Saanich Inlet is a highly productive temperate fjord with the capability to record inter-annual patterns of water-column primary production in undisturbed laminated sediments. We investigated spatial and temporal variations in primary productivity, total and size-fractionated phytoplankton chl a, dissolved nutrients, temperature and salinity at the head and mouth of Saanich Inlet from May 2005 to November 2006. New primary productivity was also measured from May to October 2006. During the growing season (spring, summer and fall), primary productivity was 1.5 times higher at the mouth than at the head of Saanich Inlet and, averaged across stations, total productivity was 460 g C m⁻² y⁻¹. Average new productivity was 53% and 58% of total primary productivity at the head and mouth of the inlet, respectively, and during the growing season micro-phytoplankton (>20 μm; mainly diatoms) was the most abundant size-class of phytoplankton. These rates of primary production are as high as or higher than those measured in other fjords, possibly because of a tidally-driven fortnightly gravity exchange that supplies nutrients to surface waters that enhance biological production when nutrients would otherwise be limiting. This exchange delivers nutrients at least as far inland as the head station, while nutrients associated with an eddy near the mouth may be the cause of even higher productivity there. We discuss the impact of these nutrient sources to Saanich Inlet on the records of paleoproduction generated from two Ocean Drilling Program cores extracted from this fjord, and suggest that the fortnightly exchange buffers variations in nutrient supply occurring on sub-decadal or decadal scales.     

Storage and interaction of compositionally heterogeneous magmas from the 1986 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska

Compositional heterogeneity (56–64 wt% SiO₂ whole-rock) in samples of tephra and lava from the 1986 eruption of Augustine Volcano, Alaska, raises questions about the physical nature of magma storage and interaction beneath this young and frequently active volcano. To determine conditions of magma storage and evolutionary histories of compositionally distinct magmas, we investigate physical and chemical characteristics of andesitic and dacitic magmas feeding the 1986 eruption. We calculate equilibrium temperatures and oxygen fugacities from Fe-Ti oxide compositions and find a continuous range in temperature from 877 to 947°C and high oxygen fugacities (ΔNNO=1–2) for all magmas. Melt inclusions in pyroxene phenocrysts analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and electron probe microanalysis are dacitic to rhyolitic and have water contents ranging from <1 to ∼7 wt%. Matrix glass compositions are rhyolitic and remarkably similar (∼75.9–76.6 wt% SiO₂) in all samples. All samples have ∼25% phenocrysts, but lower-silica samples have much higher microlite contents than higher-silica samples. Continuous ranges in temperature and whole-rock composition, as well as linear trends in Harker diagrams and disequilibrium mineral textures, indicate that the 1986 magmas are the product of mixing between dacitic magma and a hotter, more mafic magma. The dacitic endmember is probably residual magma from the previous (1976) eruption of Augustine, and we interpret the mafic endmember to have been intruded from depth. Mixing appears to have continued as magmas ascended towards the vent. We suggest that the physical structure of the magma storage system beneath Augustine contributed to the sustained compositional heterogeneity of this eruption, which is best explained by magma storage and interaction in a vertically extensive system of interconnected dikes rather than a single coherent magma chamber and/or conduit. The typically short repose period (∼10 years) between Augustine's recent eruptive pulses may also inhibit homogenization, as short repose periods and chemically heterogeneous magmas are observed at several volcanoes in the Cook Inlet region of Alaska.     

Geochemical study of submicron particulate matter(PM1)in a metropolitan area

Air pollution has become a major problem in urban areas due to increasing industrialization and urbanization.In this study ambient concentrations of PM1 and metal concentrations as well as source contributions were identified and quantified by using Positive Matrix Factorization(PMF)in receptor modeling in the Metropolitan Area of Porto Alegre,Brazil.The PM1 samples were collected on PTFE filters from December 2012 to December 2014 in two sampling sites.Major ion and trace element concentrations were assessed.The average concentrations were 12.8 and 15.2μg/m³ for Canoas and Sapucaia do Sul sites,respectively.Major ion contributions of PM1 were secondary pollutants such as sulfate and nitrate.Trace elements,especially Cu,Pb,Zn,Cd,and Ni also made important contributions which are directly associated with anthropogenic contributions.Our results show significantly higher levels in winter than in summer.Most of the PM1 and the analyzed PM species and elements originated from anthropogenic sources,especially road traffic,combustion processes and industrial activities,which are grouped in 7 major contributing sources.A back-trajectory analysis showed that the long-range transport of pollutants was not relevant in relation to the contribution to PM1 and metal concentrations.This work highlights the importance of urban planning to reduce human health exposure to traffic and industrial emissions,combined with awareness-raising actions for citizens concerning the impact of indoor sources.     

Radiation-induced paramagnetic defects in natural kaolinites: Alpha dosimetry with ion beam irradiation

Three types of paramagnetic radiation-induced defects (RID), namely A, A′ (Si-O^?-centers) and B (Al-O^?-Al center), had been identified in natural kaolinites by means of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The A-center, stable at the scale of geological periods, was thought to be of particular relevance to quantify past transits of radionuclides in the geosphere. Alpha radiation being likely the main source of RID in kaolinite, the objective of this paper is to define the role of α-particles on the creation of RID and to test the use of A-centers for an α-dosimetry. Three kaolinites with different crystalline order and containing other clays as impurities were irradiated with He⁺ ion beams. The radiation dose range (0–750 MGy) was consistent with natural radioactivity in environments from the Earth's surface. Irradiation drastically enhanced the original signals due to RID. An important increase of concentration of the unstable B-center, partly due to unrealistic dose rate provided by accelerator ion beam, was observed from the lower doses. The most stable defects remained of the Atype all along experimental irradiations. The contribution of ancillary phyllosilicates to EPR spectra was negligible. The concentration of the three types of RID was related to radiation doses up to 30 MGy. Dosimetry growth curves for the A-centers exhibited variable efficiencies and saturation levels that were related to the structural order and the chemical purity of the kaolinites: the more ordered and purer the kaolinite, the higher the efficiency and the lower the saturation plateau. Moreover, these results are of geochemical significance: dosimetry based on A-centers could be directly used to quantify past migrations of radioelements in the geosphere, by determination of the naturally-cumulated doses (paleodose) of kaolinites.     

Towards sustainable groundwater use: setting long-term goals, backcasting, and managing adaptively

The sustainability of crucial earth resources, such as groundwater, is a critical issue. We consider groundwater sustainability a value-driven process of intra- and intergenerational equity that balances the environment, society, and economy. Synthesizing hydrogeological science and current sustainability concepts, we emphasize three sustainability approaches: setting multigenerational sustainability goals, backcasting, and managing adaptively. As most aquifer problems are long-term problems, we propose that multigenerational goals (50 to 100 years) for water quantity and quality that acknowledge the connections between groundwater, surface water, and ecosystems be set for many aquifers. The goals should be set by a watershed- or aquifer-based community in an inclusive and participatory manner. Policies for shorter time horizons should be developed by backcasting, and measures implemented through adaptive management to achieve the long-term goals. Two case histories illustrate the importance and complexity of a multigenerational perspective and adaptive management. These approaches could transform aquifer depletion and contamination to more sustainable groundwater use, providing groundwater for current and future generations while protecting ecological integrity and resilience.     

Magnetic signature of different vegetation species in polluted environment

Detailed magnetic study on vegetation samples from several strongly polluted and clean sites in Bulgaria is carried out in order to evaluate suitability of different species as passive dust collectors in magnetometry. From each location, available species among lichens, mosses, poplar leaves, dandelion, needles have been sampled. Magnetic susceptibility calculated on mass-specific basis shows wide variability between diamagnetic signal up to 846 × 10⁻⁸ m³/kg. Lichens and mosses are found to be the species, showing magnetic signals with the strongest contrast between clean and polluted environment. The main magnetic phase is magnetite-like according to the results from thermomagnetic analysis of susceptibility on magnetic extracts. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microphotographs reveal the presence of abundant particulate matter on vegetation surface both with anthropogenic (spherules) and lithogenic origin. Magnetic grain size deduced by the ratio of saturation remanent magnetization (SIRM) and mass-specific magnetic susceptibility (χ) and coercivities (B_c and B_cr) suggest that different species accumulate preferentially small SD-like grains from pollution emissions. Contrasting relationship of the ratio of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) and χ for polluted vs clean sites deduced by needles and lichens may be related to transformation of the accumulated dust particles within lichens’ tissue. This finding indicates that the exact species used as biological dust collector is of importance when studying spatial grain size distribution of magnetic dust particles. Pilot study on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) content and its relation to magnetic parameters shows good correspondence between high levels of PAHs and high SIRM values for locations affected by non-ferrous industrial production.     

Stratospheric methane measurements and predictions

A new determination of stratospheric methane from 22 km to 35 km altitude with implications on the abundance of this constituent at greater heights is presented. Previous measurements, some of which showed large discrepancies with currently admitted values, have been reinterpreted and brought into agreement. The results are in contradiction according to present theories with thein situ determined CH₄ abundances at the upper edge of the stratosphere. Implications on the vertical transport coefficient used in one dimensional models are discussed.     

Impact of a Saturation-Dependent Dissipation Source Function on Operational Hindcasts of Wind-Waves in the Australian Region

The impact of a modified parametric form of the dissipation source function S ds on the skill of an operational spectral wind-wave model is investigated. Numerical experiments are made with a version of the WAM model presently used operationally by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology to produce sea-state forecasts within the Australian region. Performances of wave hindcasts obtained using several alternative forms of this newly proposed dissipation source function are compared to those produced with forms of S ds commonly used operationally. A new ad hoc technique to compare modelled and observed wave spectra is introduced to assess the quality of calculated one-dimensional frequency spectra.

Our results indicate that wave model performance in terms of integral spectral parameters, such as the significant wave height H s , may benefit from improved parameterisations of the dissipation source term S ds . On the other hand, we also found that model performance was relatively poor in terms of predictions of the one-dimensional frequency spectrum, regardless of the chosen form of S ds . These results suggest that further refinements of the dissipation source term are strongly dependent on improved parametrisations of the nonlinear interactions source term S nl .     

Validation of the Canadian land surface scheme (class) for a subarctic open woodland

Abstract

This study reports on testing of the peatland version of the Canadian Land Surface Scheme (CLASS) for simulating the energy balance of subarctic open woodland terrain. Model results are compared against several years of measured data from a site near Churchill, Manitoba. In contrast to most forest environments, the floor of the open forest plays a large role in total ecosystem energy exchange. This behaviour presents a significant challenge for land surface models like CLASS and their simplified treatment of vegetation canopies.

Simulations of summer energy balance for seven years encompassing a wide range of meteorological conditions produced consistent results. Root mean square errors for sensible and latent heat fluxes fell between 11 and 28 W m^?2. CLASS consistently underestimated slightly the daily latent heat flux and overestimated the sensible heat flux, average mean bias errors being ‐7.6 and 9.1 W m^?2, respectively. The soil heat flux was less well represented. In general, CLASS was able to capture the diurnal and seasonal behaviour of the measured fluxes under a range of conditions with reasonable accuracy.

In a full year simulation, CLASS reproduced the annual variations in energy balance with some discrepancies associated with snow accumulation and ablation periods. The model performance was sensitive to both snow density and specification of the surface cover. Recommendations for improving the model for subarctic woodlands and terrain types with similar features are discussed.     

Mental preparation for climate adaptation: The role of cognition and culture in enhancing adaptive capacity of water management in Kiribati

In many Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), such as in Kiribati, formal national adaptation programmes are currently being operationalised or are in the pipeline. A key focus is on motivating householders to adapt in anticipation of climate change through pilot community projects. In this paper, we argue that the water sector must pay equal attention to how communities cognitively perceive the process of adaptation if interventions are to be effective. Adopting a cognitive model to gain such insights we conclude that individual's belief in their own abilities to manage water stress play a crucial role in driving intentions to adapt and therefore greater attention needs to be placed on understanding the underling drivers shaping such beliefs.