Coordination chemistry and hydrolysis of Fe(III) in a peat humic acid studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

The speciation of iron (Fe) in soils, sediments and surface waters is highly dependent on chemical interactions with natural organic matter (NOM). However, the molecular structure and hydrolysis of the Fe species formed in association with NOM is still poorly described. In this study extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy was used to determine the coordination chemistry and hydrolysis of Fe(III) in solution of a peat humic acid (5010-49,200 μg Fe g⁻¹ dry weight, pH 3.0-7.2). Data were analyzed by both conventional EXAFS data fitting and by wavelet transforms in order to facilitate the identification of the nature of backscattering atoms. Our results show that Fe occurs predominantly in the oxidized form as ferric ions and that the speciation varies with pH and Fe concentration. At low Fe concentrations (5010-9920 μg g⁻¹; pH 3.0-7.2) mononuclear Fe(III)-NOM complexes completely dominates the speciation. The determined bond distances for the Fe(III)-NOM complexes are similar to distances obtained for Fe(III) complexed by desferrioxamine B and oxalate indicating the formation of a five-membered chelate ring structure. At higher Fe concentrations (49,200 μg g⁻¹; pH 4.2-6.9) we detect a mixture of mononuclear Fe(III)-NOM complexes and polymeric Fe(III) (hydr)oxides with an increasing amount of Fe(III) (hydr)oxides at higher pH. However, even at pH 6.9 and a Fe concentration of 49,200 μg g⁻¹ our data indicates that a substantial amount of the total Fe (>50%) is in the form of organic complexes. Thus, in environments with significant amounts of organic matter organic Fe complexes will be of great importance for the geochemistry of Fe. Furthermore, the formation of five-membered chelate ring structures is in line with the strong complexation and limited hydrolytic polymerization of Fe(III) in our samples and also agrees with EXAFS derived structures of Fe(III) in organic soils.     

An Improved 20-Year Arctic Ocean Altimetric Sea Level Data Record

For ocean and climate research, it is essential to get long-term altimetric sea level data that is as accurate as possible. However, the accuracy of the altimetric data is frequently degraded in the interior of the Arctic Ocean due to the presence of seasonal or permanent sea ice. We have reprocessed ERS-1/2/Envisat satellite altimetry to develop an improved 20-year sea level dataset for the Arctic Ocean. We have developed both an along-track dataset and three-day gridded sea level anomaly (SLA) maps from September 1992 to April 2012. A major improvement in data coverage was gained by tailoring the standard altimetric editing criteria to Arctic conditions. The new reprocessed data has significant increased data coverage with between 4 and 10 times the amount of data in regions such as the Beaufort Gyre region compared with AVISO and RADS datasets. This allows for a more accurate estimation of sea level changes from satellite altimetry in the Arctic Ocean. The reprocessed dataset exhibit a mean sea level trend of 2.1 ± 1.3 mm/year (without Glacial Isostatic Adjustment correction) covering the Arctic Ocean between 66°N and 82°N with significant higher spatial coherency in the ice-covered regions than the RADS and DUACS datasets.     

A flare-associated mechanism for solar surges

An ejection mechanism for solar surges is discussed. The mechanism is closely related to an earlier proposed model for solar flares founded on current disruption. Hence, the observed connection between surges and flares may be explained in a simple way. The mechanism can also offer explanations of other questions connected with surges such as why surges tend to grow up from small bright knots emitting moustache spectra, why strong magnetic field concentrations are observed near the base of surges, why surges often exhibit a helical motion, and why homologous surges are produced. Finally it is pointed out that spicules might be generated by a mechanism similar to that discussed for surges.     

Balance Between Autotrophic and Heterotrophic Components and Processes in Microbenthic Communities of Sandy Sediments: A Field Study

The microscopic community of a microtidal sandy sediment on the Swedish west coast was studiedin situat two depths (0·5 and 4 m) on four occasions (January, April, August and October). Biomass of microalgae, bacteria, ciliates and meiofauna, as well as primary and bacterial productivity, were quantified. Meiofaunal grazing on algae and bacteria was measured simultaneously by radiolabelling intact sediment cores. Autotrophic biomass dominated the microbial community at both depths and on all sampling occasions, accounting for 47–87% of the microbial biomass. Meiofauna contributed 10–47%, while bacteria and ciliates together made up less than 6%. The microflora was dominated by attached (epipsammic) diatoms, but occasional ‘ blooms ’ of motile species occurred. Vital cells of planktonic diatoms contributed to benthic algal biomass in spring. Primary productivity exceeded bacterial productivity in April and August at both depths, while the balance was reversed in October and January. Meiofauna grazed between 2 and 12% of the algal biomass per day, and between 0·3 and 37% of the bacterial biomass. Almost an order of magnitude more algal (17–138 mg C m⁻²) than bacterial (0·1–33 mg C m⁻²) carbon was grazed daily. At the shallow site, primary productivity always exceeded grazing rates on algae, whereas at the deeper site, grazing exceeded primary productivity in October and January. Bacterial productivity exceeded grazing at both depths on all four occasions. Thus, meiofaunal grazing seasonally controlled microalgal, but not bacterial, biomass. These results suggest that, during summer, only a minor fraction (<10%) of the daily microbenthic primary production appears to enter the ‘ small food web ’ through meiofauna. During spring and autumn, however, a much larger fraction (≈30–60%) of primary production may pass through meiofauna. During winter, meiofaunal grazing is a less important link in the shallow zone, but at sublittoral depths, algal productivity may be limiting, and meiofauna depend on other food sources, such as bacteria and detritus.     

The discursive nature of environmental conflicts: the case of the Öresund link

This paper analyzes the environmental conflict concerning the construction of a permanent link between Malmo, Sweden and the Danish capital, Copenhagen. The conflict is approached as both a discursive and institutional struggle, in which representations of nature and the environment are used not only to legitimize, but also to question institutional policies and development plans. The analysis focuses primarily on three of the counter-discourses that have emerged in conflict with the hegemonic, institutional discourse, and also indicates how spatial representations have become important constituents of the discourses.     

Vp/Vs ratio along the Vøring Margin, NE Atlantic, derived from OBS data: implications on lithology and stress field

A total of 13 regional Ocean Bottom Seismograph (OBS) profiles with an accumulated length of 2207 km acquired on the Vøring Margin, NE Atlantic have been travel time modelled with regards to S-waves. The V_p/V_s ratios are found to decrease with depth through the Tertiary layers, which is attributed to increased compaction and consolidation of the rocks. The V_p/V_s ratio in the intra-Campanian to mid-Campanian layer (1.75–1.8) in the central Vøring Basin is significantly lower than for the layers above and beneath, suggesting higher sand/shale ratio. This layer was confirmed by drilling to represent a layer of sandstone. This mid-Cretaceous ‘anomaly’ is also present in the northern Vøring Basin, as well as on the southern Lofoten Margin further north. The V_p/V_s ratio in the extrusive rocks on the Vøring Plateau is estimated to be 1.85, conformable with mafic (basaltic) rocks. Landward of the continent/ocean transition (COT), the V_p/V_s ratio in the layer beneath the volcanics is estimated to be 1.67–1.75. These low values suggest that this layer represents sedimentary rocks, and that the sand/shale ratio might be relatively high here. The V_p/V_s ratio in the crystalline basement is estimated to be 1.67–1.75 in the basin and on the landward part of the Vøring Plateau, indicating the presence of granitic/granodioritic continental crust. In the lower crust, the V_p/V_s ratio in the basin decreases uniformly from southwest to northeast, from 1.85–1.9 to 1.68–1.73, suggesting a gradual change from mafic (gabbroic) to felsic (granodioritic) lower crust. Significant (3–5%) azimuthal S-wave anisotropy is observed for several sedimentary layers, as well as in the lower crust. All these observations can be explained by invoking the presence of liquid-filled microcracks aligned vertically along the direction of the present day maximum compressive stress (NW–SE).     

Recurring Jökulhlaups in Sälka, Northern Sweden

An ice‐dammed lake at the margin of the glacier Sälkaglaciären, in the Kebnekaise Mountains in northern Sweden, drained suddenly in July 2003 producing a flood with a measured peak discharge of 9.5±0.25 m³s^‐1. The total lake volume of 4.55×10⁵ million³ drained within two days. The hydrograph of this event is characteristic of a jökulhlaup controlled by a single basal ice tunnel that enlarges due to melting. The jökulhlaup had an exponential rise to a peak discharge, and following the peak, a very steep fall in discharge as the water supply to the drainage system ceased. A similar jökulhlaup was observed in August 1990 with an estimated release of 8.05×10⁵ m³ water. Jökulhlaups at Sälkaglaciären are recurring events and have been indirectly observed since the 1950s.