Cold seeps in Monterey Bay, California: Geochemistry of pore waters and relationship to benthic foraminiferal calcite

An extensive geochemical and biogeochemical examination of CH₄ seeps in the Clam Flats area of Monterey Bay provides insight into the character of relationships between seep geochemistry and benthic foraminiferal geochemistry. The area is characterized by sulfide-rich fluids. Sulfide increases are associated with large increases in alkalinity, as well as small decreases in dissolved Ca and Mg. In addition, only small increases in NH₄ are observed, but values of δ¹³C of dissolved inorganic C are as low as −60‰ at shallow depths (<3 cm). These observations indicate that all these processes are related to the bacterial oxidation of CH₄, which is transported upward by slow seepage of pore fluids. The geochemistry of the pore fluids should be relevant to the geochemistry of the carbonate tests of living and dead foraminifera. However, a profound disequilibrium of approximately an order of magnitude occurs between the δ¹³C values of stained (cytoplasm-containing) foraminiferal carbonate and the C isotope values of ambient pore water dissolved inorganic C. Reasons are unclear for this isotopic disequilibrium, but have important implications for interpretations of foraminiferal carbonate as a paleoenvironmental proxy. Much fine scale work is needed to fully understand the relationships between the biogeochemistry of benthic foraminifera and the geochemistry of the pore waters where they live.     

Diffusion and solubility of hydrogen and water in periclase

Cylinders of synthetic periclase single crystals were annealed at 0.15–0.5 GPa and 900–1200 °C under water-saturated conditions for 45 min to 72 h. Infrared spectra measured on the quenched products show bands at 3,297 and 3,312 cm^?1 indicating V _OH ^? centers (OH-defect stretching vibrations in a half-compensated cation vacancy) in the MgO structure as a result of proton diffusion into the crystal. For completely equilibrated specimens, the OH-defect concentration, expressed as H₂O equivalent, was calculated to 3.5 wt ppm H₂O at 1,200 °C and 0.5 GPa based on the calibration method of Libowitzky and Rossmann (Am Min 82:1111–1115, 1997). This value was confirmed via Raman spectroscopy, which shows OH-defect-related bands at identical wavenumbers and yields an H₂O equivalent concentration of about 9 wt ppm using the quantification scheme of Thomas et al. (Am Min 93:1550–1557, 2008), revised by Mrosko et al. (Am Mineral 96:1748–1759, 2011). Results of both independent methods give an overall OH-defect concentration range of 3.5–9 (+4.5/?2.6) ppm H₂O. Proton diffusion follows an Arrhenius law with an activation energy E _a = 280 ± 64 kJ mol^?1 and the logarithm of the pre-exponential factor logD_o (m² s^?1) = ?2.4 ± 1.9. IR spectra taken close to the rims of MgO crystals that were exposed to water-saturated conditions at 1,200 °C and 0.5 GPa for 24 h show an additional band at 3,697 cm^?1, which is related to brucite precipitates. This may be explained by diffusion of molecular water into the periclase, and its reaction with the host crystal during quenching. Diffusion of molecular water may be described by logD_H2O (m² s^?1) = ?14.1 ± 0.4 (2σ) at 1,200 °C and 0.5 GPa, which is ~ 2 orders of magnitude slower than proton diffusion at identical P-T conditions.     

U–Pb zircon dating and nature of metavolcanics and metarkoses from the Monte Grighini Unit: new insights on Late Ordovician magmatism in the Variscan belt in Sardinia, Italy

In the external units of the Sardinian Variscides Nappe Zone, volcanic and volcanoclastic successions of Middle Ordovician age follow Lower Paleozoic calc-alkaline magmatism developed at the northern Gondwana margin. We present geochemical and zircon U–Pb isotopic data for the Truzzulla Formation, a low-to-medium-grade metamorphic volcanic–volcanoclastic succession belonging to the Monte Grighini Unit, the deepest unit in the Nappe Zone. Geochemical and radiometric data allow us to define a Late Ordovician (Katian) magmatic (volcanic) event of calc-alkaline affinity. These new data, in conjunction with previously published data, indicate that in the Sardinian Variscides, the age of Lower Paleozoic Andean-type calc-alkaline magmatism spans from Middle to Late Ordovician. Moreover, the age distribution of calc-alkaline volcanics and volcanoclastic rocks in the Nappe Zone is consistent with a diachronous development of Middle–Late Ordovician Andean-type magmatic arc through the portion of the northern Gondwanian margin now represented by the Sardinian Variscides. This reconstruction of the Sardinian Variscides reflects the complex magmatic and tectonic evolution of the northern margin of Gondwana in the Lower Paleozoic.     

What do egg size distributions in marine invertebrates tell us about validity of fecundity‐time models?

An early mathematical model of egg size evolution in marine invertebrates (American Naturalist, 1973a, 107 , 353) traded fecundity against development time and resulted in a U‐shaped optimality curve suggesting that only extremes of egg sizes should be evolutionary stable. It was later suggested that the model predicts a bimodal distribution of egg sizes and therefore can be tested by examining histograms of egg sizes. More recent fecundity‐time models (American Naturalist, 1997, 150 , 48; American Naturalist, 2000, 156 , 175) came up with predictions of intermediate optimal egg sizes; however, comparisons of optimality curves with histograms of egg sizes remained central to model testing. Here the question whether the bimodality assumption has any basis has been addressed theoretically. Simulation modeling and analysis show that egg size distributions generally do not match the optimality curves produced by fecundity‐time models and that the shape of predicted frequency distributions depends on both the optimality curve and other model parameters. Therefore, egg size frequency distributions alone cannot be used for model testing.     

Insights from a Qualitative Study of Rural Communes: Physical and Social Dimensions of Place

Existing research on people–place dynamics often focuses on either physical environment or social dimensions, but many theoretical models posit that both factors are important. I argue that rural communes provide unique settings to explore both social and environmental aspects of place. Based on qualitative interview data with members of two communes, I address emotional connection to the land, changing social relationships over time, and the interplay of physical and social aspects of place. Results demonstrate how the connections to land and social ties are both prevalent. However, social interaction has decreased while commitment to sharing and protecting the physical environment has endured.     

Model averaging versus model selection: estimating design floods with uncertain river flow data

ABSTRACT

This study compares model averaging and model selection methods to estimate design floods, while accounting for the observation error that is typically associated with annual maximum flow data. Model selection refers to methods where a single distribution function is chosen based on prior knowledge or by means of selection criteria. Model averaging refers to methods where the results of multiple distribution functions are combined. Numerical experiments were carried out by generating synthetic data using the Wakeby distribution function as the parent distribution. For this study, comparisons were made in terms of relative error and root mean square error (RMSE) referring to the 1-in-100 year flood. The experiments show that model averaging and model selection methods lead to similar results, especially when short samples are drawn from a highly asymmetric parent. Also, taking an arithmetic average of all design flood estimates gives estimated variances similar to those obtained with more complex weighted model averaging.     

Arsenic Remediation Field Study Using a Sulfate Reduction and Zero‐Valent Iron PRB

Toxic and carcinogenic effects of arsenic in drinking water continue to impact people throughout the world and arsenic remains common in groundwater at cleanup sites and in areas with natural sources. Advances in groundwater remediation are needed to attain the low concentrations that are protective of human health and the environment. In this article, we present the successful use of a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) utilizing sulfate reduction coupled with zero‐valent iron (ZVI) to remediate the leading edge of a dissolved arsenic plume in a wetland area near Tacoma, Washington. A commercially available product (EHC‐M®, Adventus Americas Inc., Freeport, Illinois) that contains ZVI, organic carbon substrate, and sulfate was injected into a reducing, low‐seepage‐velocity aquifer elevated in dissolved arsenic and iron from a nearby, slag‐containing landfill. Removal effectiveness was strongly correlated with sulfate concentration, and was coincident with temporary redox potential (Eh) reductions, consistent with arsenic removal by iron sulfide precipitation. The PRB demonstrates that induced sulfate reduction and ZVI are capable of attaining a regulatory limit of 5 µg/L total arsenic, capturing of 97% of the arsenic entering the PRB, and sustaining decreased arsenic concentrations for approximately 2 years, suggesting that the technology is appropriate for consideration at other sites with similar hydrogeochemical conditions. The results indicate the importance of delivery and longevity of minimum sulfate concentrations and of maintaining sufficient dissolved organic carbon and/or microscale ZVI to precipitate FeS, a precursor phase to arsenic‐bearing pyrite that may provide a stable, long‐term sink for arsenic.     

Forecasting tsunamis in Poverty Bay,New Zealand,with deep-ocean gauges

The response/transfer function of a coastal site to a remote open-ocean point is introduced, with the intent to directly convert open-ocean measurements into the wave time history at the site. We show that the tsunami wave at the site can be predicted as the wave is measured in the open ocean as far as 1,000+ km away from the site, with a straightforward computation which can be performed almost instantaneously. The suggested formalism is demonstrated for the purpose of tsunami forecasting in Poverty Bay, in the Gisborne region of New Zealand. Directional sensitivity of the site response due to different conditions for the excitation of the shelf and the bay’s normal modes is investigated and used to explain tsunami observations. The suggested response function formalism is validated with available records of the 2010 Chilean tsunami at Gisborne tide gauge and at the nearby deep-ocean assessment and reporting of tsunamis (DART) station 54401. The suggested technique is also demonstrated by hindcasting the 2011 Tohoku tsunami and 2012 Haida Gwaii tsunami at Monterey Bay, CA, using an offshore record of each tsunami at DART station 46411.

     

Effects of suspended sediments from reservoir flushing on fish and macroinvertebrates in an alpine stream

The downstream ecological consequences of two controlled “free flow” flushing operations designed to remove sediments accumulated in an alpine reservoir are described. The main objectives of the study were (a) to verify to what extent the suspended solid concentration (SSC) in the receiving water course can be controlled by flushing operations, (b) to determine the biological consequences of flushing operations, and (c) to produce technical guidelines for the future planning and monitoring of these activities. We found that the flushing of large volumes of accumulated sediment had clear effects on the stream ecosystem due to the unpredictability of short duration SSC peaks (70–80 g L⁻¹) and the high average SSC (4–5 g L⁻¹) within flushing periods. The main impacts were decreased fish densities (up to 73%) and biomass (up to 66%). A greater mortality recorded for juveniles will likely result in long-term impairment of the age-structures of future fish populations. The zoobenthic assemblages, despite exhibiting a drastic reduction in abundance following the first floods, showed substantial recovery within 3 months of the beginning of flushing operations. Regular sediment removal by yearly flushing is recommended in order to avoid SSC peaks and to facilitate the control of scouring effects caused by the water used to wash out sediments. We also recommend maximum allowable SSCs of 10 g L⁻¹ (daily average) and 5 g L⁻¹ (overall average) for flushing operations carried out in similar environmental contexts.