Future ocean uptake of CO2: interaction between ocean circulation and biology

We discuss the potential variations of the biological pump that can be expected from a change in the oceanic circulation in the ongoing global warming. The biogeochemical model is based on the assumption of a perfect stoichiometric composition (Redfield ratios) of organic material. Upwelling nutrients are transformed into organic particles that sink to the deep ocean according to observed profiles. The physical circulation model is driven by the warming pattern as derived from scenario computations of a fully coupled ocean-atmosphere model. The amplitude of the warming is determined from the varying concentration of atmospheric CO₂. The model predicts a pronounced weakening of the thermohaline overturning. This is connected with a reduction of the transient uptake capacity of the ocean. It yields also a more effective removal of organic material from the surface which partly compensates the physical effects of solubility. Both effects are rather marginal for the evolution of atmospheric pCO₂. Running climate models and carbon cycle models separately seems to be justified. Received: 9 August 1995 / Accepted: 22 April 1996     

Major shoreline retreat and sediment starvation following Snowball Earth

While cap dolostones are integral to the Snowball Earth hypothesis, the current depositional model does not account for multiple geological observations. Here we propose a model that rationalises palaeomagnetic, sequence‐stratigraphic and sedimentological data and supports rapid deglaciation with protracted cap dolostone precipitation. The Snowball Earth hypothesis posits that a runaway ice‐albedo can explain the climate paradox of Neoproterozoic glacial deposits occurring at low palaeolatitudes. This scenario invokes volcanic degassing to increase atmospheric greenhouse gases to a critical threshold that overcomes the albedo effect and brings the planet back from the ice‐covered state. Once this occurs, Earth should shift rapidly from a snowball to an extreme greenhouse. However, cap dolostone units overlying glacial sediments, typically interpreted as transgressive deposits, exhibit multiple magnetic reversals indicating they accumulated in >10⁵ years. By reviewing modern post‐glacial systems, sequence stratigraphic concepts and principles of sedimentology, we suggest that cap dolostones are not restricted to the transgression but rather represent sediment starvation following a major landward shoreline migration associated with the demise of Snowball Earth. Thus, the duration in which cap dolostone accumulated is not directly coupled to the timescale of the Snowball Earth deglaciation.     

Preservation of high‐P rocks coupled to rock composition and the absence of metamorphic fluids

Eclogites, blueschists and greenschists are found in close proximity to one another along a 1‐km coastal section where the Cyclades Blueschist Unit (CBU) is exposed on SE Syros, Greece. Here, we show that the eclogites and blueschists experienced the same metamorphic history: prograde lawsonite blueschist facies metamorphism at 1.2–1.9 GPa and 410–530°C followed, at 43–38 Ma, by peak blueschist/eclogite facies metamorphism at 1.5–2.1 GPa and 520–580°C. We explain co‐existence of eclogites and blueschists by compositional variation probably reflecting original compositional layering. It is also shown that the greenschists record retrogression at 0.34 ± 0.21 GPa and T = 456 ± 68°C. This was spatially associated with a shear zone on a scales of 10–100‐m and veins on a scale of 1–10‐cm. Greenschist facies metamorphism ended at (or shortly after) 27 Ma. We thus infer a period of metamorphic quiescence after eclogite/blueschist facies metamorphism and before greenschist facies retrogression which lasted up to 11–16 million years. We suggest that this reflects an absence of metamorphic fluid flow at that time and conclude that greenschist facies retrogression only occurred when and where metamorphic fluids were present. From a tectonic perspective, our findings are consistent with studies showing that the CBU is (a) a high‐P nappe stack consisting of belts in which high‐P metamorphism and exhumation occurred at different times and (b) affected by greenschist facies metamorphism during the Oligocene, prior to the onset of regional tectonic extension.     

Spectral analyses of [WCL]-type central stars

The optical spectra of the seven late-type Wolf-Rayet central stars NGC-40 (PNG 120.0+09.8, subtype [WC8]), He 2-99 (PNG 309.0–04.2, [WC9]), BD+30°3639 (PN G 064.7+05.0, [WC9]), CPD-56°8032 (PNG 332.9–09.9, [WC11]), He2-113 (PNG 321.0+03.9, [WC11]), M4-18 (PNG 146.7+07.6, [WC11]) and K2-16 (PNG 352.9+11.4, [WC11]) are analyzed by means of spherically expanding model atmospheres. The NLTE simulations account for the elements hydrogen, helium, carbon and oxygen. As main results effective temperature, element abundances and final velocity of the wind are determined for each star. Assuming distances or luminosities for the objects, also the stellar radii and the mass-loss rates can be fixed. The results of these analyses establish empirical constraints for the evolutionary status of WC-type central stars as post-AGB objects and provide input for modeling their planetary nebulae.     

Biogeographical drivers of ragweed pollen concentrations in Europe

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - The drivers of spatial variation in ragweed pollen concentrations, contributing to severe allergic rhinitis and asthma, are poorly quantified. We analysed the...     

Stratigraphy of nutrients and metals in sediment profiles of two dimictic lakes in North-Eastern Germany

A sedimentological study of two dimitic lakes in North-Eastern Germany provided a record of anthropogenic impacts and historical changes of water quality. The upper 50 cm sediment profiles were compared for major nutrients and selected major trace elements. The sediments were dated by ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs measurement. The upper 50 cm sediment profiles represent approximately the last 100 years of history in both lakes. Element analyses show different characteristic stratigraphic patterns in both lakes. Based on the nutrient and metal stratification, three characteristic time periods can be documented for both lakes. In addition to agricultural use of the catchment area, atmospheric pollution greatly influenced the metal concentration in the sediment layers. Variation in the external loading and redox conditions in the hypolimnion explain the variation in the composition and accumulation of metals in the sediment stratigraphy. No increases or changes in the trophic level of either lake could be documented based on the accumulation of the nutrients C, N and P. The ratio of Fe/Mn and Fe/Ca characterized the changing redox conditions. The stratigraphy of Pb and Zn agrees with the historical variation in atmospheric pollution and confirms literature values for Central and North Europe. The drop in Pb and Zn over the last 10–15 years is a regional effect in North-Eastern Germany.     

Soil Carbon: Policy and Economics

Agricultural soils provide a prospective way of mitigating the increasing atmospheric concentration of CO₂. A number of agricultural practices are known to stimulate the accumulation of additional soil carbon and early indications are that some might sequester carbon at relatively modest costs with generally positive environmental effects. We discuss, under 10 themes, policy and economic issues that will determine whether programs for sequestration of carbon in agricultural soils can succeed. The issues involve contexts for implementation, economics, private property rights, agricultural policy, and institutional and social structures. Ultimately, success will depend on the incentive structure developed and the way in which carbon sequestration is integrated into the total fabric of agricultural policy.     

A revised model for the density and thermal expansivity of K2O-Na2O-CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 liquids from 700 to 1900 K: extension to crustal magmatic temperatures

A revised model for the volume and thermal expansivity of K₂O-Na₂O-CaO-MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ liquids, which can be applied at crustal magmatic temperatures, has been derived from new low temperature (701–1092 K) density measurements on sixteen supercooled liquids, for which high temperature (1421–1896 K) liquid density data are available. These data were combined with similar measurements previously performed by the present author on eight sodium aluminosilicate samples, for which high temperature density measurements are also available. Compositions (in mol%) range from 37 to 75% SiO₂, 0 to 27% Al₂O₃, 0 to 38% MgO, 0 to 43% CaO, 0 to 33% Na₂O and 0 to 29% K₂O. The strategy employed for the low temperature density measurements is based on the assumption that the volume of a glass is equal to that of the liquid at the limiting fictive temperature, T _f ^′. The volume of the glass and liquid at T _f ^′ was obtained from the glass density at 298 K and the glass thermal expansion coefficient from 298 K to T _f ^′. The low temperature volume data were combined with the existing high temperature measurements to derive a constant thermal expansivity of each liquid over a wide temperature interval (767–1127 degrees) with a fitted 1 error of 0.5 to 5.7%. Calibration of a linear model equation leads to fitted values of Vˉ _i ±1 (cc/mol) at 1373 K for SiO₂ (26.86 ± 0.03), Al₂O₃ (37.42±0.09), MgO (10.71±0.08), CaO (15.41±0.06), Na₂O (26.57±0.06), K₂O (42.45 ± 0.09), and fitted values of dVˉ _i /dT (10⁻³ cc/mol-K) for MgO (3.27±0.17), CaO (3.74±0.12), Na₂O (7.68±0.10) and K₂O (12.08±0.20). The results indicate that neither SiO₂ nor Al₂O₃ contribute to the thermal expansivity of the liquids, and that dV/dT ^liq is independent of temperature between 701 and 1896 K over a wide range of composition. Between 59 and 78% of the thermal expansivity of the experimental liquids is derived from configurational (vs vibrational) contributions. Measured volumes and thermal expansivities can be recovered with this model with a standard deviation of 0.25% and 5.7%, respectively. Received: 2 August 1996 / Accepted: 12 June 1997     

Biological production off Southern California is linked to climatic change

To obtain clues about how coastal primary production might be affected by interannual and interdecadal changes in climate, we studied marine laminated sediments from the center of the Santa Barbara Basin. We report here a large decrease in the flux of diatoms between the periods 1954–1972 and 1973–1986, by a factor of five, and sustained reductions from 1973 to 1978 by a factor of ten below the pre-1972 period. Planktonic foraminifera flux shows a consistent trend of decrease with lowest values from 1981 to 1984. On the whole, the 1954–1972 period is considerably cooler than the 1973–1986 period, over the entire North Pacific. The decrease in biological production in this coastal system is accompanied by an overall intensification of the Aleutian Low in the North Pacific over the past 14 years, providing for a weakening of the California Current, and an overall reduction of mixing and upwelling. The possibility that the low coastal production could provide positive feedback to global warming through reduction of CO₂-uptake, and its relation to the greenhouse effect is considered. On a shorter time-scale, the effects of El Niño phenomena are clearly seen in the sediments of this basin, as decreases in total diatom flux and increases in the relative abundance of certain warm-water diatoms.