ROBUST: The ROle of BUffering capacities in STabilising coastal lagoon ecosystems

“Buffer capacities” has been defined in ecology as a holistic concept (e.g., Integration of Ecosystem Theories: A Pattern, second ed. Kluwer, Dordrecht, 1997, 388pp), but we show that it can also be worked out in mechanistic studies. Our mechanistic approach highlights that “buffering capacities” can be depleted progressively, and, therefore, we make a distinction between current and potential “buffering capacities”. We have applied this concept to understand the limited “local stability” in seagrass ecosystems and their vulnerability towards structural changes into macro-algal dominated communities. We explored the following processes and studied how they confer buffering capacities to the seagrass ecosystem: (i) net autotrophy is persistent in Zostera noltii meadows where plant assimilation acts as a sink for nutrients, this contrasted with the Ulva system that shifted back and forth between net autotrophy and net heterotrophy; (ii) the Z. noltii ecosystem possesses a certain albeit rather limited capacity to modify the balance between nitrogen fixation and denitrification, i.e., it was found that in situ nitrogen fixation always exceeded denitrification; (iii) the nitrogen demand of organoheterotrophic bacteria in the sediment results in nitrogen retention of N in the sediment and hence a buffer against release of nitrogen compounds from sediments, (iv) habitat diversification in seagrass meadows provides shelter for meiofauna and hence buffering against adverse conditions, (v) sedimentary iron provides a buffer against noxious sulfide (note: bacterial sulfide production is enhanced in anoxic sediment niches by increased organic matter loading). On the other hand, in the coastal system we studied, sedimentary iron appears less important as a redox-coupled buffer system against phosphate loading. This is because most inorganic phosphate is bound to calcium rather than to iron. In addition, our studies have highlighted the importance of plant–microbe interactions in the seagrass meadows.     

The relationship between the hawaiites and basalts of the itcha Volcanic Complex,central British Columbia

Volumetrically subordinate alkaline mafic lava flows form a late capping stage over the earlier felsic lavas that form the shield of the Itcha Volcanic Complex (IVC), of the Anahim Volcanic Belt (AVB) in central British Columbia (B.C.). The mafic capping stage of the IVC is dominated by hawaiites which are the earliest of the mafic lavas, and are succeeded by alkali olivine basalts (AOB) and then by basanites. The alkali olivine basalts can be subdivided into high-, intermediate- and low-MgO AOB groups, all of which share similar HFSE ratios (e.g. Nb/Zr) with the hawaiites. High Al contents and Sr/Zr ratios indicate that hawaiites and Fe-rich evolved AOB were derived from primitive AOB parental magmas by crystal fractionation of a wehrlitic assemblage at pressures on the order of 8 to 10 kbar. High Si and low Fe contents indicate that the majority of the evolved AOB lavas, however, do not represent an intermediate stage in the liquid line of descent to hawaiites, but were most likely produced by gabbroic fractionation from primitive AOB magmas at relatively low pressures. The parental magmas of the majority of these lavas were distinct from those of the observed high-MgO basalts, having higher HFSE contents and being more Si-under-saturated. The high Al, high Sr/Zr signature of high-pressure fractionation of a clinopyroxene-dominated assemblage in the IVC is shared by hawaiites of other alkaline volcanic suites of the Canadian Cordillera, such as the Edziza Volcanic Complex in northern B.C. and appears to be a feature of hawaiites in many localities, including Hawaii and Iceland. Viscosities calculated for both high- and low-pressure crystal fractionation models suggest that aphyric hawaiites are residual liquids escaped from a wehrlitic crystalline network, at elevated pressures, possibly at the base of the crust. Editorial responsibility: T.L. Grove     

Distribution of attached algae in estuaries

Preliminary studies on distributions of attached algae in British estuaries suggest that the estuaries might be classified on the basis of the flora in the upper reaches. This could contribute to biological assessment of water quality in estuaries.     

TheUrquiola oil spill,La Coruña,Spain: Impact and reaction on beaches and rocky coasts

The supertankerUrquiola grounded, exploded, and burned at the entrance to La Coruña harbor (Spain) on May 12, 1976. A total of 100,000 tons of Persian Gulf crude oil was lost, of which about 30,000 tons washed onto shoreline environments. From May 17 to June 10, 1976, the impact and interaction of oil on fine-sand, coarse-sand, and gravel beaches and on sheltered and exposed rocky coasts was monitored in detail. At 32 localities, the beach was profiled, trenched, extensively sampled, and photographed. Another 67 stations were examined for surficial oil coverage and distribution. The surficial distribution of oil on the beaches was influenced primarily by wave activity, tidal stage, and oil quantity. Heaviest accumulations formed along the high-tide swash line. Within beach sediments, oil was present at distinct oiled sediment layers, which were often deeply buried. The depth of burial was related to wave energy and sediment type. Deepest burial (1 m) was on a high-energy, coarse-sand beach (M_z=0.82φ). Burial on fine-sand beaches was less than 30 cm. The thickness of oiled sediment depended on sedimentary characteristics, the quantity of oil present, wave action, and capillary forces. Oil-soaked sediment, as much as 65-cm thick, occurred on coarse-grained beaches. On fine-sand beaches, oiled sediment was limited to thicknesses of 10 cm or less. On rocky shores, oil distribution was determined primarily by wave energy. Along high-energy, cliffed, or steeply dipping rocky areas, wave reflection kept the oil approximately 5 m offshore and contamination was minimal. In low-energy, sheltered areas, oil readily accumulated, causing apparent environmental damage.     

Eddy flux of sensible heat at different levels in the stratosphere

Summary Covariances of temperature and meridional wind component at 18 stations in the Northern Hemisphere were computed at 2km-intervals from the surface to 28 km. These covariances are proportional to the northward flux of sensible heat resulting from transient eddies. Cross sections of covariance of temperature and meridional wind component during January and July were constructed for 80°W. At this longitude during January a minimum of eddy heat flux occurred near an altitude of 20 km at all latitudes, and in the higher latitudes a sharp increase began somewhere between 18 km and 22 km. Eddy heat fluxes were generally quite small, in the part of the stratosphere below 20 km. A similar pattern was found at the French station of Chateauroux. The layer which separates the regions of small and large eddy heat fluxes appears to coincide with a null layer described byFaust. However, this sharp dividing line between a lower stratosphere with small eddy heat fluxes and an upper stratosphere with large eddy heat fluxes does not appear at all longitudes. Over Alaska one finds maximum eddy heat fluxes between 20 km and 22 km, and values in the lower stratosphere are much larger than those near 80° W.

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Zusammenfassung Die Kovarianz zwischen Temperatur und meridionaler Windkomponente wurde für 18 Stationen der nördlichen Hemisphäre für 2km-Intervalle vom Boden bis 28 km berechnet. Diese Kovarianzen sind dem nach Norden gerichteten mittleren Strom der Wärme proportional, verursacht durch wandernde Wirbel. Für 80°W wurden Querschnitte der Kovarianz zwischen Temperatur und meridionaler Windkomponente konstruiert. In diesem Meridianschnitt tritt ein Minimum des turbulenten Wärmeflusses in nahezu 20 km Höhe in allen Breiten im Januar auf; in höheren Breiten beginnt eine plötzliche Zunahme mit der Höhe zwischen 18 und 22 km. Dieser turbulente Wärmefluß ist im allgemeinen in der unteren Stratosphäre unterhalb 20 km ziemlich klein. Ein ähnliches Verhalten wird bei der französischen Station Chateauroux gefunden. Die Schicht, welche die Regionen des kleinen und des großen turbulenten Wärmeflusses trennt, scheint mit einer vonFaust besprochenen Nullschicht zusammenzufallen. Diese scharfe Trennungslinie zwischen unterer Stratosphäre mit kleinem turbulenten Wärmefluß und der oberen Stratosphäre mit größeren Wirbelköpern der Wärme tritt jedoch nicht an allen Längengraden auf. Über Alaska findet man einen maximalen turbulenten Wärmestrom zwischen 20 und 22 km; auch die Werte in der unteren Stratosphäre sind dort viel größer als diejenigen um 80°W.

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Résumé On a calculé la covariance existant entre la température et la composante méridionale du vent. Ces calculs, ont été effectués pour des intervalles de 2 km du sol à 28 km et cela pour 18 stations, de l'hémisphère nord. Ces nord et provoqués par des tourbillons mobiles. On a construit des sections de la covariance entre température et composante méridionale du vent à 80° de longitude W. Sous cette longitude, on constate en janvier un minimum du flux turbulent de chaleur à environ 20 km d'altitude et cela sous toutes les latitudes. Dans les latitudes élevées, on constate en outre une brusque augmentation de ce flux avec l'altitude et cela entre 18 et 22 km. Ce flux turbulent de chaleur est en général assez faible dans les basses couches de la stratosphère, c'est à dire au-dessous de 20 km. On trouve des conditions similaires, à la station française de Chateauroux. La couche qui sépare les régions présentant des flux turbulents de chaleur faible et important semble coïncider avec la couche nulle deFaust. Cette nette ligne de séparation entre la stratosphère inférieure présentant un faible flux turbulent de chaleur et la stratosphère supérieure comportant des corps tourbillonnaires de chaleur importants ne se rencontre cependant pas sous toutes les longitudes. Au-dessus de l'Alaska, on rencontre un courant turbulent de chaleur maximum entre 20 et 22 km. Les valeurs de la stratosphère inférieure y sont aussi beaucoup plus grandes que celles trouvées à 80° de longitude ouest.

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With 4 Figures     

A long-term record of photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) and total solar energy at 38.6°N, 78.2°W

Photosynthetically available radiation (PAR; 400–700 nm, E m⁻² d⁻¹) is the fraction of the total solar energy (Mjoules m⁻² d⁻¹) that is used by organisms for photosynthesis and vision. We present a statistical summary of a 17-yr time series of PAR data (1982–1998) collected near Chesapeake Bay as well as a second set of data on PAR and total solar energy gathered over a shorter time span (1997–1998). The time series data (5,126 daily totals) varied between 1–67 E m⁻² d⁻¹ and were used to estimate the minimum and maximum values of PAR as a function of day of the year. In monthly frequency distributions of the PAR data, three modes were observed corresponding to sunny, partly cloudy, and overcast days. The second set of PAR and total solar energy data were used to examine the ratio of PAR to total solar energy, which was 2.04 E Mjoule⁻¹ for PAR between 10 and 70 E m⁻² d⁻¹. On overcast days, the ratio increased to as high as 3 E Mjoule⁻¹ as PAR increased in importance as a fraction of the total solar energy. These values were consistent with others in the literature, and the relationships reported here can be used to predict the climatology of PAR and total solar energy within the Chesapeake region. The PAR data were also combined with reported minimum values of PAR for net primary production in the surface mixed layer of the water column of aquatic systems to estimate the combinations of mixed layer depth and diffuse attenuation coefficient (number of optical depths) under which light limitation of phytoplankton primary production is expected to occur.     

Freshwater transports in HadCM3

The hydrological cycle can influence climate through a great variety of processes. A good representation of the hydrological cycle in climate models is therefore crucial. Attempts to analyse the global hydrological cycle are hampered by a deficiency of suitable observations, particularly over the oceans. Fully coupled general circulation models are potentially powerful tools in interpreting the limited observational data in the context of large-scale freshwater exchanges. We have looked at large-scale aspects of the global freshwater budget in a simulation, of over 1000 years, by the Hadley Centre coupled climate model (HadCM3). Many aspects of the global hydrological cycle are well represented, but the model hydrological cycle appears to be too strong, with overly large precipitation and evaporation components in comparison with the observational datasets we have used. We show that the ocean basin-scale meridional transports of freshwater come into near balance with the surface freshwater fluxes on a time scale of about 400 years, with the major change being a relative increase of freshwater transport from the Southern Ocean into the Atlantic Ocean. Comparison with observations, supported by sensitivity tests, suggests that the major cause of a drift to more saline condition in the model Atlantic is an overestimate of evaporation, although other freshwater budget components may also play a role. The increase in ocean freshwater transport into the Atlantic during the simulation, primarily coming from the overturning circulation component, which changes from divergent to convergent, acts to balance this freshwater budget deficit. The stability of the thermohaline circulation in HadCM3 may be affected by these freshwater transport changes and this question is examined in the context of an existing conceptual model.     

Taking the uncertainty in climate-change vulnerability assessment seriously

Climate-change vulnerability assessment has become a frequently employed tool, with the purpose of informing policy-makers attempting to adapt to global change conditions. However, we suggest that there are three reasons to suspect that vulnerability assessment often promises more certainty, and more useful results, than it can deliver. First, the complexity of the system it purports to describe is greater than that described by other types of assessment. Second, it is difficult, if not impossible, to obtain data to test proposed interactions between different vulnerability drivers. Third, the time scale of analysis is too long to be able to make robust projections about future adaptive capacity. We analyze the results from a stakeholder workshop in a European vulnerability assessment, and find evidence to support these arguments. To cite this article: A. Patt et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).