Integrated transfers of terrigenous organic matter to lakes at their watershed level: A combined biomarker and GIS analysis

Terrigenous organic matter (TOM) transfer from a watershed to a lake plays a key role in contaminants fate and greenhouse gazes emission in these aquatic ecosystems. In this study, we linked physiographic and vegetation characteristics of a watershed with TOM nature deposited in lake sediments. TOM was characterized using lignin biomarkers as indicators of TOM sources and state of degradation. Geographical information system (GIS) also allowed us to integrate and describe the landscape morpho-edaphic characteristics of a defined drainage basin. Combining these tools we found a significant and positive relationship (R² = 0.65, p < 0.002) between mean slope of the watershed and the terrigenous fraction estimated by Λ8 in recent sediments. The mean slope also correlated with the composition of TOM in recent sediments as P/(V + S) and 3,5Bd/V ratios significantly decreased with the steepness of the watersheds (R² = 0.57, p < 0.021 and R² = 0.71, p < 0.004, respectively). More precisely, areas with slopes comprised between 4° and 10° have a major influence on TOM inputs to lakes. The vegetation composition of each watershed influenced the composition of recent sediments of the sampled lakes. The increasing presence of angiosperm trees in the watershed influenced the export of TOM to the lake as Λ8 increased significantly with the presence of this type of vegetation (R² = 0.44, p < 0.019). A similar relationship was also observed with S/V ratios, an indicator of angiosperm sources for TOM. The type of vegetation also greatly influenced the degradation state of OM. In this study, we were able to determine that low-sloped areas (0-2°) act as buffer zones for lignin inputs and by extension for TOM loading to sediments. The relative contribution of TOM from the soil organic horizons also increased in steeper watersheds. This study has significant implications in our understanding of the fate of TOM in lacustrine ecosystems.     

Synthetic stellar and SSP libraries as templates for Gaia simulations

ESA’s Gaia mission will collect low resolution spectroscopy in the optical range for ～10⁹ objects. Complete and up-to-date libraries of synthetic stellar spectra are needed to built algorithms aimed to automatically derive the classification and the parametrization of this huge amount of data. In addition, libraries of stellar spectra are one of the main ingredients of stellar population synthesis models, aiming to derive the properties of unresolved stellar populations from their integrated light. We present (a) the newly computed libraries of synthetic spectra built by the Gaia community, covering the whole optical range (300–1100 nm) at medium-high resolution of (0.3 nm) for stars spanning the most different types, from M to O, from A-peculiar to Emission lines to White Dwarfs, and (b) the implementation of those libraries in our SSP code (Tantalo in The Initial Mass Function 50 Years Later, 327:235 2005), exploring different stellar evolution models.     

Modeling the formation of bright slope deposits associated with gullies in Hale Crater, Mars: Implications for recent liquid water

Our study investigates possible formation mechanisms of the very recent bright gully deposits (BGDs) observed on Mars in order to assess if liquid water was required. We use two models in our assessment: a one-dimensional (1D) kinematic model to model dry granular flows and a two-dimensional (2D) fluid-dynamic model, FLO-2D (O’Brien et al., 1993, FLO Engineering), to model water-rich and wet sediment-rich flows. Our modeling utilizes a high-resolution topographic model generated from a pair of images acquired by the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. For the 1D kinematic modeling of dry granular flows, we examine a range of particle sizes, flow thicknesses, initial velocities, flow densities, and upslope initiation points to examine how these parameters affect the flow run-out distances of the center of mass of a flow. Our 1D modeling results show that multiple combinations of realistic parameters could produce dry granular flows that travel to within the observed deposits’ boundaries. We run the 2D fluid-dynamic model, FLO-2D, to model both water-rich and wet sediment-rich flows. We vary the inflow volume, inflow location, discharge rate, water-loss rate (water-rich models only), and simulation time and examine the resulting maximum flow depths and velocities. Our 2D modeling results suggest that both wet sediment-rich and water-rich flows could produce the observed bright deposits. Our modeling shows that the BGDs are not definitive evidence of recent liquid water on the surface of Mars.     

Investigating gully flow emplacement mechanisms using apex slopes

The origin of the martian gullies has been much debated since their discovery by the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC, Malin, M.C., Edgett, K.S. [2000]. Science 288, 2330-2335). Several previous studies have looked at slope gradients in and around gullies, but none have used Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) from the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE, McEwen, A.S., and 14 colleagues [2007]. J. Geophys. Res. 112 (E05), E0505S02), which has a pixel scale down to 25 cm/pixel. We use five 1 m/post HiRISE DEMs to measure gully apex slopes, the local channel gradient at the upslope extent of the gully debris apron, which marks a shift from erosion to deposition. The apex slope provides information about whether a flow was likely a typical dry granular flow (begins depositing on slopes ∼21°) or fluidized by some extra mechanism (depositing on shallower slopes). We find that 72% of the 75 gully fans studied were likely emplaced by fluidized flows. Relatively old gullies appear more likely to have hosted fluidized flows than relatively fresh gullies. This suggests a time and location dependent fluidizing agent, possibly liquid water produced in a different climate as previously proposed. Our results do not provide evidence for water-rich flows in gullies today.     

Interaction between tectonic and erosion processes on the morphogenesis of an Alpine valley: geological and geophysical investigations in the lower Romanche valley (Belledonne massif, western Alps)

In the Belledonne massif, the steep Paleozoic Belledonne Middle Fault (BMF) separates micaschists, displaying numerous landslides, from amphibolites. The massif is incised by the lower Romanche river valley. When crossing the BMF, the valley widens into a lozenge-shaped basin recently interpreted as an active pull-apart type structure associated with a major N110 striking Quaternary fault. Multidisciplinary investigations were carried out in the basin to check if this model has implications on the seismic and landslide hazard assessment. This study demonstrated the existence of a N80 sinistral strike slip Séchilienne Fault Zone (SFZ). This fault zone is suspected to offset the BMF by 375 m across the basin. Geophysical experiments revealed that the bedrock depth increases strongly in the basin, up to 350 m. Our study invalidates the active pull-apart origin of the basin and suggests it results from Quaternary glacial and fluvial erosion processes, magnified by the intersection of two inherited structures, the BMF and the SFZ.     

Spline models of contemporary, 2030, 2060 and 2090 climates for Mexico and their use in understanding climate-change impacts on the vegetation

Spatial climate models were developed for México and its periphery (southern USA, Cuba, Belize and Guatemala) for monthly normals (1961–1990) of average, maximum and minimum temperature and precipitation using thin plate smoothing splines of ANUSPLIN software on ca. 3,800 observations. The fit of the model was generally good: the signal was considerably less than one-half of the number of observations, and reasonable standard errors for the surfaces would be less than 1°C for temperature and 10–15% for precipitation. Monthly normals were updated for three time periods according to three General Circulation Models and three emission scenarios. On average, mean annual temperature would increase 1.5°C by year 2030, 2.3°C by year 2060 and 3.7°C by year 2090; annual precipitation would decrease ?6.7% by year 2030, ?9.0% by year 2060 and ?18.2% by year 2090. By converting monthly means into a series of variables relevant to biology (e. g., degree-days > 5°C, aridity index), the models are directly suited for inferring plant–climate relationships and, therefore, in assessing impact of and developing programs for accommodating global warming. Programs are outlined for (a) assisting migration of four commercially important species of pine distributed in altitudinal sequence in Michoacán State (b) developing conservation programs in the floristically diverse Tehuacán Valley, and (c) perpetuating Pinus chiapensis, a threatened endemic. Climate surfaces, point or gridded climatic estimates and maps are available at http://forest.moscowfsl.wsu.edu/climate/.     

Modern Sphagnumδ13C signatures follow a surface moisture gradient in two boreal peat bogs,James Bay lowlands,Québec

Carbon isotopic composition of Sphagnum macrofossils can potentially be used as a palaeohydrological tool for peat‐based climatic studies since a relationship between Sphagnum δ¹³C values and peatland surface moisture has been presented in previous studies. In order to verify this hypothesis, modern Sphagnum δ¹³C values were measured along a moisture (microtopographic) gradient in two boreal peat bogs. Isotopic measurements were performed on bulk material of S. fuscum, S. magellanicum, S. capillifolium and S. pulchrum. Isotopic variations found within and between Sphagnum species along the microtopographic gradient were compared using analysis of variance. A significant positive correlation (P < 0.0001) was found between Sphagnum δ¹³C values and their position along the surface moisture gradient. Results show that ¹³C‐depleted values are related to low water table depths (WTD), while ¹³C‐enriched values correspond to a water table that is close to the peat surface. Although the mechanisms underlying carbon fractionation processes in mosses are not well understood, we demonstrate that water resistance to CO₂ diffusion is an important fractionation process that is observed in bulk Sphagnum δ¹³C measurements, since drier and wetter samples exhibit consistent and very different isotopic signatures. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The impact and rotational light curves of Comet 9P/Tempel 1

UVES and HIRES high-resolution spectra of Comet 9P/Tempel 1 are used to investigate the impact and rotational light curves of various species with a view toward building a simple model of the distribution and activity of the sources. The emission by OH, NH, CN, C₃, CH, C₂, NH₂, and OI, are analyzed, as well as the light scattered by the dust. It is found that a simple model reproduces fairly well the impact light curves of all species combining the production of the observed molecules and the expansion of the material throughout the slit. The impact light curves are consistent with velocities of 400-600 m/s. Their modeling requires a three-step dissociation sequence “Grand-Parent → Parent → Daughter” to produce the observed molecules. The rotational light curve for each species is explained in terms of a single model with three sources. The dust component can however not easily be explained that way.     

Changing hillslope and fluvial Holocene sediment dynamics in a Belgian loess catchment

Floodplain deposition is an essential part of the Holocene sediment dynamics of many catchments and a thorough dating control of these floodplain deposits is therefore essential to understand the driving forces of these sediment dynamics. In this paper we date floodplain and colluvial deposition in the Belgian Dijle catchment using accelerator mass spectrometric radiocarbon and optical stimulated luminescence dating. Relative mass accumulation curves for the Holocene were constructed for three colluvial sites and 12 alluvial sites. A database was constructed of all available radiocarbon ages of the catchment and this database was analysed using relative sediment mass accumulation rates and cumulative probability functions of ages and site‐specific sedimentation curves. Cumulative probability functions of ages were split into different depositional environments representing stable phases and phases of accelerated clastic deposition. The results indicate that there is an important variation between the different dated sites. After an initial stable early and middle Holocene phase with mainly peat growth in the floodplains, clastic sedimentation rates increased from 4000 BC on. This first phase was more pronounced and started somewhat earlier for colluvial deposits then for alluvial deposits. The main part of the Holocene deposits, both in colluvial and alluvial valleys, was deposited during the last 1 ka. The sedimentation pattern of the individual dated sites and the catchment‐wide pattern indicate that land use changes are responsible for the main variations in the Holocene sediment dynamics of this catchment, while the field data do not provide indications for a climatological influence on the sediment dynamics. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.