Response of single benthic metrics and multi-metric methods to anthropogenic pressure gradients, in five distinct European coastal and transitional ecosystems

In recent times many benthic indices have been proposed to assess the ecological quality of marine waters worldwide. In this study we compared single metrics and multi-metric methods to assess coastal and transitional benthic status along human pressure gradients in five distinct environments across Europe: Varna bay and lake (Bulgaria), Lesina lagoon (Italy), Mondego estuary (Portugal), Basque coast (Spain) and Oslofjord (Norway). Hence, 13 single metrics (abundance, number of taxa, and several diversity and sensitivity indices) and eight of the most common indices used within the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) for benthic assessment were selected: index of size spectra (ISS), Benthic assessment tool (BAT), Norwegian quality index (NQI), Multivariate AMBI (M-AMBI), Benthic quality index (BQI), (Benthic ecosystem quality index (BEQI), Benthic index based on taxonomic sufficiency (BITS), and infaunal quality index (IQI). Within each system, sampling sites were ordered in an increasing pressure gradient according to a preliminary classification based on professional judgement. The different indices are largely consistent in their response to pressure gradient, except in some particular cases (i.e. BITS, in all cases, or ISS when a low number of individuals is present). Inconsistencies between indicator responses were most pronounced in transitional waters (i.e. IQI, BEQI), highlighting the difficulties of the generic application of indicators to all marine, estuarine and lagoonal environments. However, some of the single (i.e. ecological groups approach, diversity, richness) and multi-metric methods (i.e. BAT, M-AMBI, NQI) were able to detect such gradients both in transitional and coastal environments, being these multi-metric methods more consistent in the detection than single indices. This study highlights the importance of survey design and good reference conditions for some indicators. The agreement observed between different methodologies and their ability to detect quality trends across distinct environments constitutes a promising result for the implementation of the WFD’s monitoring plans. Moreover, these results have management implications, regarding the dangers of misclassification, uncertainty in the assessment, use of conflicting indices, and testing and validation of indices.     

Rapid macrofaunal colonization of water-based drill cuttings on different sediments

A field experiment was conducted to investigate how water-based drill cuttings and sediment type influence colonization of soft bottom communities. Bottom frames with trays containing defaunated sediments were placed at the seabed for 6 months to study colonization of macrofauna. Two different sediments (coarse and fine) were used, and 6 or 24 mm layer of water-based drill cuttings were added on top of these sediments. Some of the sediments were controls with no additions. In the end of the experiment, the oxygen availability in sediment porewater and macrofaunal abundance were reduced in treatments with 24 mm drill cuttings compared to controls. Tube-building annelids were particularly sensitive to drill cuttings. However, these responses were only minor, and notably, the drill cuttings initiated a weaker faunal response than sediment type and site of the bottom frame. Sediments capped with water-based drill cuttings thus showed a rapid colonization of macrofaunal communities.     

Rezente und fossile Flachmeer-absätze petrologisch betrachtet und gedeutet

Zusammenfassung Bei der Sedimentbildung im Flachmeer wird zwischen Kurzschweb (KS) im oberen durchbewegten Teil des Meeres und Langschweb (LS) des ruhigen Wassers unterschieden. Deren Grenze liegt je nach der Windwirkung zwischen 2,5 und 250 m Tiefe. Wechsel in der Größe klastischer Körner weist auf Änderung der Wasserbewegung, solcher des Kalkgehalts auf Klimaänderung hin.Bei sinkendem Meeresboden gibt es im KS-Bereich stets eine Zone, in der kontinuierlich so viel Sediment angehäuft wird, wie die Senkung beträgt. Da ohne Senkung der Absatz weiter verfrachtet würde, verdankt dies Sediment seine Entstehung der Senkung. Solch desidiertes Sediment wächst, bei gleichbleibender Tiefe des Wassers, nach unten, im Gegensatz zum ascendenten Sediment.Wo im KS-Bereich das Ausmaß von Senkung und Anhäufung gleich ist, entstehen erdgeschichtlich volldokumentäre Sedimente. Je schneller die Senkung, desto reicher und lesbarer der Inhalt. Im übrigen Teil des KS-Bereichs bedingen zahlreiche Unterbrechungen des Absatzes ein teildokumentäres Sediment. Im LS-Niederschlag fallen jene erdgeschichtlichen Ereignisse aus, die durch Wasserbewegung erkennbar werden. Da Bodenbewohner und Verdichtung die primäre Schichtung zerstören, bleibt ein erdgeschichtlich grobdokumentäres Sediment.Cyklische Sedimente entsprechen den volldokumentären.Aus den Sedimentations-Bedingungen in Ostsee, Nordsee, Mittelmeer und Golf de Gascogne werden zunächst Gesetzmäßigkeiten der Sediment-Bildung in der Flachsee abgeleitet. Daran anschließend soll versucht werden, fossile Flachsee-Ablagerungen zu deuten.Das Schrifttum, soweit nicht im Geologischen Institut Kiel vorhanden, durfte ich dankenswerterweise einsehen in den Büchereien des Instituts für Meereskunde Kiel und des Deutschen Hydrographischen Instituts Hamburg. Herrn Dr.Jarke vom letztgenannten Institut bin ich für Gedanken-Austausch und Hinweise zu besonderem Dank verpflichtet.     

Die Wittlicher Rotliegend-Senke und ihre tektonische Stellung im Rheinischen Schiefergebirge

Zusammenfassung Die Wittlicher Rotliegendsenke ist synsedimentär während des Oberrotliegenden und Zechsteins abgesunken. Der SE-Rand lagert dem flach nach NW eintauchenden Hunsrückschiefer auf; der NW-Rand wird durch eine Verwerfung gebildet, die innerhalb der Wissenbacher Schiefer liegt und der Schieferung dieser Gesteine parallel läuft.Feintektonische Untersuchungen des devonischen Rahmens der Senke lassen auch schon während der varistischen Faltung Bewegungsvorgänge erkennen, die das Einsinken der Rotliegend-Senke vorbereiten.     

Tektonische Probleme in Süd-China

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Betrachtungen über die Grundschicht

Zusammenfassung 1. Es werden die einzelnen Vorgänge besprochen, die das eigentümliche Verhalten der Veränderlichkeit von Druck und Temperatur in ihrer vertikalen Verteilung erklären sollen. Wenn ein unteres an der Erdoberfläche vorhandenes Druckausgleichsniveau vorhanden ist und ein weiteres in grösserer Höhe, so müssen Temperaturänderungen in dem einen Niveau durch solche eines anderen ausgeglichen, kompensiert werden. Es wird gezeigt, dass dem kompensierenden Einfluss der mittleren und oberen Troposphäre ein kompensierender Einfluss der Kälte- und Wärmewellen aus dem Bereiche der Grundschicht entgegenwirkt, sodass letzten Endes das Druckausgleichsniveau nicht mehr am Erdboden liegt, sondern in eine Höhe verschoben wird, die der ungefähren Höhe der Grundschicht entspricht. — 2. Der Einfluss von Reibung und Konvektion auf die Bildung der Grundschicht wird besprochen. Die Reibung wirkt langsam und immer schichtweise. Die Konvektion wirkt rascher, aber zunächst immer nur lokal. Im Verlaufe längerer Zeit kann aber auch die Konvektion eine Homogenisierung der unteren Luftschichten bewirken, also eine Luftschicht von einem einheitlichen Charakter schaffen. Dieser Prozess wird noch verstärkt, wenn die Konvektion mit Kondensation verbunden ist. Jetzt ist eine weitere Ueberhöhung der Grundschicht möglich. Da dieser Prozess aber über weite Räume nicht von gleicher Grösse ist, wird diese Ueberhöhung vielfach gebietsweise verschieden sein. Die Grundschicht vom Böenwettertyp hat daher gewöhnlich keine einheitliche Oberfläche über weite Gebiete hinweg. — 3. Ein weiterer Faktor, der für die Bildung der Grundschicht von Bedeutung ist, ist die Strahlung. Da der Beitrag, den jeder der drei Faktoren (Reibung, Konvektion, Strahlung) zur Bildung der Grundschicht beisteuert, nicht errechnet werden kann, muss man sich zunächst mit einer qualititativen Abschätzung der Einflüsse der einzelnen an der Bildung der Grundschicht beteiligten Faktoren begnügen. Ein entsprechendes Schema wird vorgelegt und besprochen.

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Summary 1. There are discussed individual proceedings which shall explain the characteristic behaviour of pressure, and temperature instability in their vertical distribution. When there exists equalization of pressure on a lower level near the ground, and again on a higher level, changes of temperature on one level will be compensated by such on another level. It is shown that the compensating influence of middle and upper troposphere is opposed by the compensating influence of cold, and heat waves from the ground layer, ultimately resulting in the removal of the level of pressure equalization from the ground to an altitude roughly corresponding to the height of ground layer. — 2. The influence of friction and convection on the formation of ground layer is discussed. While friction is acting slowly and by layers, convection is acting more rapidly, but only locally at first. In the long run however, also convection can produce homogeneity of the lower layers of the atmosphere, i. e. an atmospheric layer of uniform character. This process is being intensified when convection is associated with condensation. Then, another increase in height of the ground layer will be possible. However, as this process will not be of similar intensity over wide stages, the increase in height will vary locally. Therefore, generally the ground layer of the squally weather type will not possess a uniform surface extending over wide areas. — 3. Another important factor in the formation of ground layer is radiation. Since the share taken by each of the three factors (friction, convection, radiation) cannot be computed, one must be satisfied with qualitative valuation of the influence of the factors participating in the formation of ground layer. An appropriate scheme is submitted and discussed.

     

Storage-discharge characteristics of an active rock glacier catchment in the Innere Ölgrube,Austrian Alps

The active rock glacier “Innere Ölgrube” and its catchment area (Ötztal Alps, Austria) are assessed using various hydro(geo)logical tools to provide a thorough catchment characterization and to quantify temporal variations in recharge and discharge components. During the period from June 2014 to July 2018, an average contribution derived from snowmelt, ice melt and rainfall of 35.8%, 27.6% and 36.6%, respectively, is modelled for the catchment using a rainfall-runoff model. Discharge components of the rock glacier springs are distinguished using isotopic data as well as other natural and artificial tracer data, when considering the potential sources rainfall, snowmelt, ice melt and longer stored groundwater. Seasonal as well as diurnal variations in runoff are quantified and the importance of shallow groundwater within this rock glacier-influenced catchment is emphasized. Water derived from ice melt is suggested to be provided mainly by melting of two small cirque glaciers within the catchment and subordinately by melting of permafrost ice of the rock glacier. The active rock glacier is characterized by a layered internal structure with an unfrozen base layer responsible for groundwater storage and retarded runoff, a main permafrost body contributing little to the discharge (at the moment) by permafrost thaw and an active layer responsible for fast lateral flow on top of the permafrost body. Snowmelt contributes at least 1/3rd of the annual recharge. During droughts, meltwater derived from two cirque glaciers provides runoff with diurnal runoff variations; however, this discharge pattern will change as these cirque glaciers will ultimately disappear in the future. The storage-discharge characteristics of the investigated active rock glacier catchment are an example of a shallow groundwater aquifer in alpine catchments that ought to be considered when analysing (future) river runoff characteristics in alpine catchments as these provide retarded runoff during periods with little or no recharge.     

Devonian of the isle of Rügen

Summary In the Rügen area of northern Germany, Old Red Sandstones, ranging from Late Emsian to Givetian in age, unconformably overlie deformed Ordovician strata. The Middle Devonian Old Red passes conformably up into a Late Devonian carbonate facies and then into the Lower Carboniferous, apparently without a break.     

The record of impact cratering on the great volcanic shields of the Tharsis region of Mars

Mariner 9 images of the four great volcanic shields of the Tharsis region of Mars show many circular craters ranging in diameter from 100mm to 20 km. Previous attempts to date the volcanoes from their apparent impact crater densities yielded a range of results. The principal difficulty is sorting volcanic from impact craters for diameters $\text{?1}\text{km}$. Many of the observed craters are aligned in prominent linear and concentric patterns suggestive of volcanic origin. In this paper an attempt is made to date areas of shield surface, covered with high resolution images using only scattered small (?1 km) craters of probable impact origin. Craters of apparent volcanic origin are systematically excluded from the dating counts.The common measure of age, deduced for all surfaces studied, is a calculated “crater age” F′ defined as the number of craters equal to or larger than 1 km in diameter per 10⁶km². The conclusions reached from comparing surface ages and their geological settings are: (1) Lava flow terrain surfaces with ages, F′, from 180 to 490 are seen on the four great volcanoes. Summit surfaces of similar ages, F′ = 360 to 420, occur on the rims of calderas of Arsia Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Olympus Mons. The summit of Ascraeus Mons is possibly younger; F′ is calculated to be 180 for the single area which could be dated. (2) One considerably younger surface, F′ < 110, is seen on the floor of Arsia Mon's summit caldera. (3) Nearly crater free lava flow terrain surfaces seen on Olympus Mons are estimated to be less than half the age of a summit surface. The summit caldera floor is similarly young. (4) The pattern of surface ages on the volcanoes suggests that their eruption patterns are similar to those of Hawaiian basaltic shields. The youngest surfaces seem concentrated on the mid-to-lower flanks and within the summit calderas. (5) The presently imaged sample of shield surface, though incomplete, clearly shows a broad range of ages on three volcanoes—Olympus, Arsia, and Pavonis Mons.Estimated absolute ages of impact dated surfaces are obtained from two previously published estimates of the history of flux of impacting bodies on Mars. The estimated ranges of age for the observed crater populations are 0.5 to 1.2b.y. and 0.07 to 0.2b.y. Areas which are almost certainly younger, less than 0.5 or 0.07b.y., are also seen. The spans of surface age derived for the great shields are minimum estimates of their active lifetimes, apparently very long compared to those of terrestrial volcanoes.