Observations of the supernova SN1987L with the new Faint Object Spectrograph on the 4.2 m William Herschel Telescope

We present the spectrum of the supernova SN1987L in NGC 2336 over the wavelength range 4000–9700 Å as recorded in one 500 s exposure on 20–21 October, 1987. This spectrum was taken using the new Faint Object Spectrograph on the 4.2 m William Herschel Telescope (WHT) at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos.We conclude that SN1987L was a type Ia supernova, and approximately 100 days post maximum at the time of the observation.     

Summer and winter differences in zooplankton biomass,distribution and size composition in the KwaZulu-Natal Bight,South Africa

Zooplankton biomass and distribution in the KwaZulu-Natal Bight were investigated in relation to environmental parameters during summer (January–February 2010) and winter (July–August 2010). Mean zooplankton biomass was significantly higher in winter (17.1 mg dry weight [DW] m^–3) than in summer (9.5 mg DW m^?3). In summer, total biomass was evenly distributed within the central bight, low off the Thukela River mouth and peaked near Durban. In winter, highest biomass was found offshore between Richards Bay and Cape St Lucia. Zooplankton biomass in each size class was significantly, negatively related to sea surface temperature and integrated nitrate, but positively related to surface chlorophyll a and dissolved oxygen. Zooplankton biomass was significantly related to bottom depth, with greatest total biomass located inshore (<50 m). Distribution across the shelf varied with zooplankton size. Seasonal differences in copepod size composition suggest that a smaller, younger community occupied the cool, chlorophyll-rich waters offshore from the St Lucia upwelling cell in winter, and a larger, older community occurred within the relatively warm and chlorophyll-poor central bight in summer. Nutrient enrichment from quasi-permanent upwelling off Durban and Richards Bay appears to have a greater influence on zooplankton biomass and distribution in the bight than the strongly seasonal nutrient input from the Thukela River.     

Hydrology and related changes after harvesting native forest catchments and establishing pinus radiata plantations. Part 1. Introduction to study

The hydrology of eight small catchments (1.63–8.26 ha) has been monitored in Westland, New Zealand since 1975. Two of these catchments were left in indigenous beech-podocarp-hardwood forest and the rest were subjected to various harvesting and land preparation treatments before being planted with Pinus radiata. This paper introduces a series of papers on the hydrology of the indigenous forest catchments and the changes that occurred after treatment. The catchments, experimental programme, climate of the area and the rainfall regime experienced between 1975 and 1987 are described.     

Hydrology and related changes after harvesting native forest catchments and establishing pinus radiata plantations. Part 2. The native forest water balance and changes in streamflow after harvesting

Six small, steep, south-west facing catchments (1.63–4.62 ha) have been monitored in Westland, New Zealand since 1974. Two catchments were retained in native mixed evergreen forest and the rest were subjected to various harvesting and land preparation techniques before being planted with Pinus radiata between 1977 and 1980. The 11-year water balance for the native forest catchments was: rain = streamflow + interception loss + transpiration + seepage (2370mm = 1290mm + 620mm + 360mm + 100mm). In the year after treatment streamflow generally increased by 200–250 mm, except for one treatment (clearfelling, herbicide application, no riparian reserve) where the increase was 550 mm. The catchments were planted with Pinus radiata, but rapid colonization by bracken (Pteridium esculentum) and Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa) led to a rapid decline in streamflow, which returned to pre-treatment levels after an average of about five years. Streamflow yields then continued to decline for another two to three years before stabilizing at a level about 250mm yr^?1 lower than pre-treatment levels. At this time the catchments had a dense bracken/honeysuckle understorey beneath 5 m tall pine trees.     

The identification of runoff-production mechanisms using environmental isotopes in a tussock grassland catchment,eastern otago,New Zealand

A previous hydrometric study of runoff production in tussock grassland drainage basins in Otago (45°50′S, 169°45′E), New Zealand, revealed a marked change of slope in storm hydrograph recessions. An environmental isotope study was initiated to investigate the runoff mechanisms operating and to test specific hypotheses to explain this break in the hydrograph recession. The results indicated that for quickflow volumes in excess of 10mm, the first part of the storm hydrograph can be attributed to two separate sources, namely, ‘old’ water from a shallow, unconfined groundwater reservoir and ‘new’ water from saturation overland flow on the lower wetlands of concave slopes. Despite the extensive area of wetlands, ‘old’ water runoff from the unconfined groundwater reservoir is delivered more rapidly to the stream than ‘new’ water from saturation overland flow. Substantial surface storage in the wetlands has first to be exceeded before rain becomes a significant part of stream discharge. For quickflow volumes less than 10mm, only ‘old’ water from groundwater contributes to the first part of the hydrograph recession. This means that only the largest 7 per cent of storms (in terms of quickflow volume) generate quickflow containing significant amounts of ‘new water’. The second part of the recession of the storm hydrograph consists of ‘old’ water derived from a remarkably well-mixed shallow unconfined groundwater body.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of atypical reduction spheroids from the Tumblagooda Sandstone,Western Australia

Reduction spheroids are small-scale, biogenic, redox-controlled, metal enrichments that occur within red beds globally. This study provides the first analysis of the compositionally unique reduction spheroids of the Tumblagooda Sandstone. The work aims to account for their composition and consequently improve existing models for reduction spheroids generally, which presently fail to account for the mineralogy of the Tumblagooda Sandstone reduction spheroids. Interstitial areas between detrital grains contained in the cores of these reduction spheroids are dominated by microplaty haematite, in addition to minor amounts of svanbergite, gorceixite, anatase, uraninite, monazite and illite. The haematite-rich composition, along with an absence of base metal phases and the vanadiferous mica roscoelite, makes these reduction spheroids notable in comparison to other global reduction spheroid occurrences. Analyses of illite crystallinity provide values for samples of the Tumblagooda Sandstone host rock corresponding to heating temperatures of ca 200°C. Consequently, while Tumblagooda Sandstone reduction spheroids formed via the typical metabolic processes of dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria, the combination of a unique mineralogy and illite crystallinity analysis provides evidence of more complex late-stage heating and reoxidation. This has not previously been recognised in other reduction spheroids and therefore expands the existing model for reduction spheroid genesis by also considering the potential for late-stage alteration. As such, future reduction spheroid studies should consider the potential impact of post-formation modification, particularly where they are to be used as evidence of ancient microbial processes; such as in the search for early evidence of life in the geological record on Earth or other planets. Additionally, because of their potential for modification, reduction spheroids serve as a record of the redox history of red beds and their study could provide insights into the evolution of redox conditions within a given red bed during its diagenesis. Finally, this paper also provides insights into the relatively understudied diagenetic history of the Tumblagooda Sandstone; supplying the first reliable and narrow constraints on its thermal history. This has important implications for the thermal history of the Carnarvon Basin and its petroleum prospectivity more broadly.     

First identification and characterization of Borrobol‐type tephra in the Greenland ice cores: new deposits and improved age estimates

Contiguous sampling of ice spanning key intervals of the deglaciation from the Greenland ice cores of NGRIP, GRIP and NEEM has revealed three new silicic cryptotephra deposits that are geochemically similar to the well‐known Borrobol Tephra (BT). The BT is complex and confounded by the younger closely timed and compositionally similar Penifiler Tephra (PT). Two of the deposits found in the ice are in Greenland Interstadial 1e (GI‐1e) and an older deposit is found in Greenland Stadial 2.1 (GS‐2.1). Until now, the BT was confined to GI‐1‐equivalent lacustrine sequences in the British Isles, Sweden and Germany, and our discovery in Greenland ice extends its distribution and geochemical composition. However, the two cryptotephras that fall within GI‐1e ice cannot be separated on the basis of geochemistry and are dated to 14358 ± 177 a b2k and 14252 ± 173 a b2k, just 106 ± 3 years apart. The older deposit is consistent with BT age estimates derived from Scottish sites, while the younger deposit overlaps with both BT and PT age estimates. We suggest that either the BT in Northern European terrestrial sequences represents an amalgamation of tephra from both of the GI‐1e events identified in the ice‐cores or that it relates to just one of the ice‐core events. A firm correlation cannot be established at present due to their strong geochemical similarities. The older tephra horizon, found within all three ice‐cores and dated to 17326 ± 319 a b2k, can be correlated to a known layer within marine sediment cores from the North Iceland Shelf (ca. 17179‐16754 cal a BP). Despite showing similarities to the BT, this deposit can be distinguished on the basis of lower CaO and TiO₂ and is a valuable new tie‐point that could eventually be used in high‐resolution marine records to compare the climate signals from the ocean and atmosphere.     

Revisiting the Borrobol Tephra

The Borrobol Tephra has been identified as one of the key tephra horizons for the Lateglacial time period but it also exemplifies many of the promises and problems of tephrochronology. Additional horizons with similar major element composition and approximately the same age have been identified around the North Atlantic region. Here, we revisit the Borrobol Tephra identified at two Swedish sites, Hässeldala port and Skallahult, and also the Borrobol type‐site in Scotland. We present the first set of minor element data (trace and rare earth analyses) along with new analyses of major elements from these three sites. The analysed minor and the trace elements have a similar signature; however, the glass from the Scottish type‐site seems to imply two populations. To answer if this truly represents two populations, or if it reflects magmatic differentiation additional and larger data sets of minor elements are needed. The new major elements are compared to other Borrobol‐type tephras identified in the North Atlantic region. Our results are in line with earlier investigations, which showed no differences in major elements. Further, comparison of minor elements from glass analyses from our sites with those for eruptions associated with Icelandic central volcanoes implies an Icelandic origin for the Borrobol‐type tephras.     

Freshwater inflow and estuarine variability in the Gamtoos Estuary, South Africa

The Gamtoos is a shallow flood-tidal estuary located on the south coast of South Africa. Even though it has an extensive catchment area, dams limit runoff and mean freshwater inflow is estimated at less than 1 m³ s^?1, and the flood tidal deltas constrict and at times even close the mouth. The results presented here derive from an intensive measurement program carried out over a 3-wk period at the end of 1992, immediately after good rains in the Gamtoos catchment region. Freshwater inflow increased to more than 10 m³ s^?1, driving the salt wedge downstream and resulting in intense haloclines in the mid-estuary region. The program monitored the return to more average estuarine structures, and even though tidal exchange was restricted, marked differences occurred in stratification at neap and spring tides; tidal exchanges provided the dominant mixing forces. It is found that the shallower upper reaches of the estuary are flushed with relatively small increases in freshwater inflow, though a balance exists with the tidal exchanges through the constricted mouth. The variation in the position of the salt wedge and in the salinity stratification can have substantial implications for biota.     

Spatial characterisation of the Benguela ecosystem for ecosystem-based management

The three countries of the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME), namely Angola, Namibia and South Africa, have committed to implementing ecosystem-based management (EBM) including an ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) in the region, to put in practice the principles of sustainable development in ocean-related matters. There is also recognition of the need for marine spatial planning (MSP) as a process for informing EBM with regard to the allocation and siting of ocean uses so that ecosystem health is ensured and trade-offs between ecosystem services are appropriately dealt with. Marine spatial planning is both an integrated and an area-based process, and this paper produces a spatial characterisation of the BCLME for achieving a common basis for MSP in the region, focusing on the oceanography, biology and fisheries. Recognising spatial variation in physical driving forces, primary and secondary production, trophic structures and species richness, four different subsystems are characterised: (1) north of the Angola–Benguela Front, (2) from the Angola–Benguela Front to Lüderitz, (3) from Lüderitz to Cape Agulhas, and (4) from Cape Agulhas to Port Alfred on the south-east coast of South Africa. Research and monitoring requirements of relevance for MSP and EBM in the region are identified, focusing on understanding variability and change, including with regard to the boundary areas identified for the system. To this end, 14 cross-shelf monitoring transects are proposed (including seven that are already being monitored) to estimate fluxes of biota, energy and materials within and between the subsystems. The usefulness of models for understanding ecosystem variability and changes is recognised and the need for fine-scale resolution of both sampling and modelling for adequate MSP as input to EBM for the often-conflicting interests of conserving biodiversity, and managing fisheries, recreation, offshore oil and gas exploration and exploitation, offshore mining and shipping routes, is emphasised.