The effects of Phaeocystis globosa bloom on the dynamics of the mineralization processes in intertidal permeable sediment in the Eastern English Channel (Wimereux, France)

In the Eastern part of the English Channel, high biomasses of the phytoplankton prymnesiophyceae Phaeocystisglobosa (reaching biomasses over 20 microg Chlal(-1)) are a recurrent spring event (March-June). A significant part of the pelagic Phaeocystis-derived organic matter can be broken down in the sandy permeable sediment that makes up most of the intertidal zone in this part of the Channel. Sediment characteristics, macrofaunal distribution, bacterial biomass, organic carbon content, sediment oxygen demand (SOD), and the sediment-water flux of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and silicates were calculated for an exposed sandy beach (Wimereux, France) over a two-year period (2004-2006). According to the data collected, the SOD remains relatively low throughout the whole survey (64-306 micromol m(-2)h(-1)), indicating limited mineralization. However, the same data reveals a temporal variability in the flux, with a sharp increase in the SOD and ammonium released in spring when Phaeocystis-derived phytodetritus was deposited. The organic carbon content and bacterial biomass values indicate similar patterns of increase in response to the phytodetritus deposit. The nitrogen cycle also appears to be modified during the Phaeocystis bloom, with a clear stimulation of nitrification. The influence of various factors (e.g., temperature, nutrient concentrations, and bacterial activity) on the temporal fluctuations of the exchanges is discussed, as are the direct effects of spring bloom. A synthesis of the annual cycle of the mineralization dynamics in this permeable sediment type is also presented.     

应用地理学

地理学是关于人和人所居住的土地的科学,是关于我们的自然环境的科学,是关于人与其环境关系的科学。地球和地球上的人是地理学研究的主题。地理学特别研究自然界和我们人类之间的相互作用。然而,在我们介绍有关应用地理学的知识之前,有必要介绍一些有关地理学本身的知识。在研究人和土地的几乎各个方面,研究主题都包括了以下五个特征:     

An assessment of the potential use of the nematode to copepod ratio in the monitoring of metals pollution. The Chañaral case

We discuss the use of the nematode to copepod ratio in relation to determining the extent of metals impact using the Cha?aral area of northern Chile, where the dumping of copper mine tailings has taken place for many years, as an example. Data were collected from 12 beaches in the area on eight occasions between January 1997 and October 1998. We find that the ratio is not a good predictor of pollution due to the generally low densities of meiofauna on impacted beaches and the absence of harpacticoid copepods from those beaches. We suggest that in the case of metal pollution the mean number of Harpacticoida per site may be a better indicator of impact stress. We rule out the use of the nematode to copepod ratio as an indicator in biomonitoring studies where metal enrichment is thought to occur.     

Temporal variation in the diversity and cover of sessile species in rocky intertidal communities affected by copper mine tailings in northern Chile

Several coastal rocky shores in the northern Chile have been affected by the discharges of copper mine tailings. In spite of this, the temporal and spatial variation on the diversity and composition of their intertidal benthic communities has scarcely been studied. The objectives of the present study were to analyse and to compare quantitatively the temporal variation on the diversity, cover and composition of sessile species in rocky intertidal benthic communities of the northern Chilean coast, in relation to the presence of copper mine tailings. The results show that the drastic reduction on the sessile species diversity and the monopolization of the substrate exerted by the green algae Enteromorpha compressa, are common and permanent features of the intertidal rocky shores affected by copper mine tailings. Such spatial (between sites) and temporal (seasonal) variation of these changes has been associated with the relative concentrations of trace metals and inorganic particles of the mining wastes. Our results suggest that the mechanical effects of resuspended and settling tailings are a more likely cause.     

Contaminants in molting long-tailed ducks and nesting common eiders in the Beaufort Sea

In 2000, we collected blood from long-tailed ducks (Clangula hyemalis) and blood and eggs from common eiders (Somateria mollissima) at near-shore islands in the vicinity of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and at a reference area east of Prudhoe Bay. Blood was analyzed for trace elements and egg contents were analyzed for trace elements, organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Except for Se (mean=36.1 microg/g dry weight (dw) in common eiders and 48.8 microg/g dw in long-tailed ducks), concentrations of trace elements in blood were low and, although several trace elements differed between areas, they were not consistently higher at one location. In long-tailed ducks, Se in blood was positively correlated with activities of two serum enzymes, suggestive of an adverse effect of increasing Se levels on the liver. Although common eiders had high Se concentrations in their blood, Se residues in eggs were low (mean=2.28 microg/g dw). Strontium and Ni were higher in eggs near Prudhoe Bay than at the reference area, but none of the other trace elements or organic contaminants in eggs differed between locations. Concentrations of Ca, Sr, Mg, and Ni differed among eggs having no visible development, early-stage embryos, or late-stage embryos. Residues of 4,4'-DDE, cis-nonachlor, dieldrin, hexachlorobenzene, oxychlordane, and trans-nonachlor were found in 100% of the common eider eggs, but at low concentrations (means of 2.35-7.45 microg/kg wet weight (ww)). The mean total PCB concentration in eggs was 15.12 microg/kg ww. Of PAHs tested for, residues of 1- and 2-methylnaphthalene and naphthalene were found in 100% of the eggs, at mean concentrations of 0.36-0.89 microg/kg ww.     

论皖南地区前寒武纪浅变质岩系地层层序

安徽南部(皖南)前寒武纪浅变质岩地层发育,分布广泛,厚达数千米,称为沥口群和溪口群,传统上当做青白口纪和中元古代地层。可是,这套浅变质岩地层的时代归属、层序叠置关系等,长期以来一直存在争议。在分析现有地层划分方案的基础上,通过地层接触关系、沉积序列、物质组分特征和沉积体系演化研究,结合砂岩碎屑锆石LA-ICP-MS U-Pb同位素定年,重新厘定了皖南地区浅变质岩系的地层格架。这套浅变质岩系主要为海底扇沉积体系和盆地平原沉积体系,分为上溪群和溪口群,分别代表北部盆地边缘相带和南部盆地中部相带,两者为同期异相沉积。300颗碎屑锆石的测试结果表明,68颗碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄为727±12Ma~835 Ma,最年青的碎屑锆石年龄(727±12Ma)限制了沉积物的最大沉积年龄,浅变质岩系地层时代为早—中南华世。上溪群分为两个组,下部湘东组,包括3个段,代表从滨岸—陆棚经海底扇到盆地平原的海侵沉积序列;上部羊栈岭组,包括4个段,代表从盆地平原经海底扇—陆棚—滨岸的海退沉积序列。溪口群包括漳前组、板桥组和木坑组,代表盆地中部外扇—盆地平原沉积。碎屑锆石的U-Pb年龄,Tu、U含量以及Tu/U比值,证实井潭组火山岩为浅变质岩提供了大量物源,上溪群和溪口群浅变质岩地层应该覆于火山岩之上。上溪群和溪口群假整合覆于铺岭组/井潭组火山岩系之上,其上为休宁组不整合覆盖,代表皖南地区早南华世—中南华世一次比较完整的海侵-海退旋回沉积。