Photosynthesis versus irradiance relationships in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean

Eleven incubation experiments were conducted in the South Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean to investigate the relationship between new production (ρNO^–₃), regenerated production (ρNH⁺₄), and total carbon production (ρC) as a function of varying light. The results show substantial variability in the photosynthesis–irradiance (P vs E) parameters, with phytoplankton communities at stations that were considered iron (Fe)-limited showing low maximum photosynthetic capacity (P^B_max) and low quantum efficiency of photosynthesis (α^B) for ρNO₃, but high P^B_max and α^B for ρNH₄, with consequently low export efficiency. Results at stations likely relieved of Fe stress (associated with shallow bathymetry and the marginal ice zone) showed the highest rates of P^B_max and α^B for ρNO₃ and ρC. To establish the key factors influencing the variability of the photosynthetic parameters, a principal components analysis was performed on P vs E parameters, using surface temperature, chlorophyll-a concentration, ambient nutrients, and an index for community size structure. Strong covariance between ambient nitrate (NO₃) and α^B for ρNO₃ suggests that Fe and possibly light co-limitation affects the ability of phytoplankton in the region to access the surplus NO₃ reservoir. However, the observed relationships between community structure and the P vs E parameters suggest superior performance by smaller-sized cells, in terms of resource acquisition and Fe limitation, as the probable driver of smaller-celled phytoplankton communities that have reduced photosynthetic efficiency and which require higher light intensities to saturate uptake. A noticeable absence in covariances between chlorophyll-a and α^B, between P^B_max and α^B, and between temperature and α^B may have important implications for primary-production models, although the absence of some expected relationships may be a consequence of the small dataset and low range of variability. However, significant relationships were observed between ambient NO₃ and α^B for ρNO₃, and between the light-saturation parameter E_k for ρNO₃ and the phytoplankton community’s size structure, which imply that Fe and light co-limitation drives access to the surplus NO₃ reservoir and that larger-celled communities are more efficient at fixing NO₃ in low light conditions. Although the mean P^B_max results for ρC were consistent with estimates of global production from satellite chlorophyll measurements, the range of variability was large. These results highlight the need for more-advanced primary-production models that take into account a diverse range of environmental and seasonal drivers of photosynthetic responses.     

Concentrations of contaminants in surface water samples collected in west-central Indiana impacted by acidic mine drainage

The results of analyses of surface waters collected from a variety of locations in west-central Indiana indicate extensive contamination by acidic mine drainage. These samples had pH values as low as 2.1 and total iron concentrations as high as 1200 mg1^–1. The speciation of iron, expressed as the ratio [Fe(II)]/[Fe(III)] ranged from 0.08 to 8.27. Measured lead concentrations were as high as 811 mgl^–1. In addition, the concentrations of nitrate and sulfate ions were as high as 359 and 624 mgl^–1, respectively.     

Data for coastal GIS: issues and implications for management

Geographic information systems can provide easy access to large quantities of geographically-referenced data for monitoring, planning and environmental decision support for coastal applications. The dynamic and variable nature of the coastal ocean environment gives rise to data issues different than those associated with land-based GIS. This paper investigates, in particular, the use of different data, including those produced by numerical simulations or ocean models, for coastal management and is illustrated with examples from a Baltic Sea GIS implementation. Implications for the use of these data in environmental management are discussed.     

Trace element incorporation into pyrope–grossular solid solutions: an atomistic simulation study

 We have performed atomistic computer simulations on trace element incorporation into the divalent dodecahedral X-sites of pyrope (Py — Mg₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂) – grossular (Gr — Ca₃Al₂Si₃O₁₂) solid solutions. An ionic model and the Mott–Littleton two-region approach to defect energies were used to calculate the energetics of substitution by a range of divalent trace-elements and of charge-balanced substitution by trivalent ions in the static limit. Results are compared with experimental high-temperature, high-pressure garnet-melt trace element partitioning data obtained for the same garnet solid solution to refine our understanding of the factors controlling element partitioning into solid solutions. Defect energies (U _def,f), relaxation (lattice strain) energies (U _rel), and solution energies (U _sol) were derived using two different approaches. One approach assumes the presence of one type of hybrid X-site with properties intermediate between pure Mg and Ca sites, and the other assumes discrete Mg and Ca X-sites, and thus two distinct cation sublattices. The hybrid model is shown to be inadequate, since it averages out local distortions in the garnet structure. The discrete model results suggest trace elements are more soluble in Py₅₀Gy₅₀ than in either end-member compound. Physically this is due to small changes in size of the X-sites and the removal of unfavourable interactions between third nearest neighbours of the same size. Surprisingly, depending on the local order, large trace element cations may substitute for Mg²⁺ and small trace elements for Ca²⁺ in Py₅₀Gr₅₀. These solubilities provide an explanation for the anomalous trace-element partitioning behaviour along the pyrope–grossular join observed experimentally. Received: 27 January 2000 / Accepted: 14 February 2003     

Summer Floods in Central Europe – Climate Change Track?

In Central Europe, river flooding has been recently recognized as a major hazard, in particular after the 1997 Odra /Oder flood, the 2001 Vistula flood, and the most destructive 2002 deluge on the Labe/Elbe. Major recent floods in central Europe are put in perspective and their common elements are identified. Having observed that flood risk and vulnerability are likely to have grown in many areas, one is curious to understand the reasons for growth. These can be sought in socio-economic domain (humans encroaching into floodplain areas), terrestrial systems (land-cover changes – urbanization, deforestation, reduction of wetlands, river regulation), and climate system. The atmospheric capacity to absorb moisture, its potential water content, and thus potential for intense precipitation, are likely to increase in a warmer climate. The changes in intense precipitation and high flows are examined, based on observations and projections. Study of projected changes in intense precipitation, using climate models, for several areas of central Europe, and in particular, for drainage basins of the upper Labe/Elbe, Odra/Oder, and Vistula is reported. Significant changes have been identified between future projections and the reference period, of relevance to flood hazard in areas, which have experienced severe recent floodings.