Reconstruction of ice flow directions south of the Baltic Sea during the Saalian and Weichselian glaciations

Till stratigraphical investigations in Berlin have been evaluated using the gravel counting method (4–12.5 mm). The results are compared with studies of several authors from the coastal area north of Berlin (Rügen and Stoltera Cliff near Warnemünde); the gravel counting results from Stoltera Cliff (Cepek 1973) are re-evaluated by means of cluster analysis, and a new stratigraphical interpretation of the sequence in the cliff is given. These results, together with a discussion of correlation problems of Weichselian and especially Saalian tills south of the Baltic Sea, lead to the following hypothesis: it is proposed that the ice margin of each glaciation has been nourished by several ice flows coming from different directions, for the most part turning from north-northeast at onset to east-northeast in later phases. Consequently, differences of composition are found in tills of the same age.     

Biotransformation enzyme activities and PCDD/PCDF levels in pike caught in a Swedish Lake

Recently, analysis of organochlorines in sediment and in pike from Lake Vänern, Sweden, showed a north-south gradient of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs). In the present study, good correlations were found between muscle 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) equivalents and liver ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activities (and P4501A levels) in pike caught at three sampling sites along the north-south gradient in the lake. This comparison between tissue levels of PCDD/PCDF and EROD activity (and P4501A) may indicate that TCDD or structural analogs could be responsible for the observed induction of the pike P450 system. It must, however, be taken into account that the analysed contaminants often do not appear alone but are, rather, accompanied by a range of other substances which may be inducers or antagonists.     

Dark times for dageraad Chrysoblephus cristiceps: evidence for stock collapse

The declaration of a state of emergency in the South African linefishery in 2000 has had a positive impact on a few overexploited endemic seabreams (Family Sparidae). However, the population of the reef-dwelling dageraad Chrysoblephus cristiceps has been unresponsive to progressively stricter management regulations. After decades of unsustainable fishing mortality the species is in a critical state. In this paper, a method based on standardised probability of capture is used to develop an index of relative abundance for rare species, such as dageraad, which is more robust to changes in output control regulations than conventional methods. The results show a severe decline in dageraad capture probability in the south-west region of South Africa, from 8% in 1985 to <0.1% in 2011. The east region experienced a more rapid decline, from 24% in 1999 to <0.1% in 2011. A spatial comparison of the distribution of historical and recent dageraad probability of capture along the South African coastline indicates a range contraction commonly associated with the collapse of a population. The once-widespread species is now largely limited to a few locations in the Eastern Cape province and dageraad is mostly absent across its former western distribution. Although the historical decline has commonly been attributed to commercial overexploitation, the recreational sector had an estimated 3–5 times greater impact on the dageraad population than the commercial sector in recent years. Given that previous management regulations have been unsuccessful in arresting the decline of dageraad populations, assertive management is necessary to ensure the species’ sustainability. Rehabilitation of dageraad stocks will require a further decrease in fishing mortality, in conjunction with maintaining an appropriate marine protected area (MPA) network.     

Structure of the crust and uppermost mantle beneath southern Finland revealed by analysis of local events registered by the SVEKALAPKO seismic array

In 1998–1999, a large-scale seismic array was deployed in Finland as a part of the EUROPROBE/SVEKALAPKO subproject, involving 14 European universities and research institutes. The objective of the project was to map the deep lithosphere structure and thickness beneath the Fennoscandian Shield by means of teleseismic events. In addition, about 580 local seismic events were registered during the data acquisition period. Among them, only eight local earthquakes were recorded, the rest being quarry blasts from mining sites in Russia, Finland, Estonia and Sweden. In this study, we present the analysis of the seismic wave field from the strongest local events registered by the majority of the stations of the SVEcofennian–KArelian–LAPland–KOla Transect (SVEKALAPKO) array with the aim of mapping the structure of the upper mantle beneath the array. For this purpose, we selected the events corresponding to a single source type and compared these recordings with those from wide-angle reflection and refraction experiments in the area to identify the regional phases. The record sections of selected events demonstrate strong reflections (PmP) from the Moho boundary. The refracted Pn phases can be seen as first arrivals at distances of about 200–400 km from the source. At offsets of about 400–800 km, phases reflected from inhomogeneities in the uppermost mantle (P1) and double reflections from the Moho boundary (PmPPmP) were recorded.Results from 2D forward ray trace modeling of reflected and refracted P-waves along four profile swathes from SVEKALAPKO stations demonstrate that the mantle reflections originate from two different groups of boundaries beneath the array: one group of phases arrive from subhorizontal and gently dipping reflectors below the Moho boundary at a depth of 70–90 km, while the other group are phases originating from a depth of 100 to 130 km. Based on the irregular character of the first group of reflections, their different spatial orientation and correlation with the Moho offsets, we interpret the boundaries of this group as relicts of ancient subduction and collision processes. The second group of reflections can be explained by a transition from mechanically strong to mechanically weak lithosphere.     

A preliminary geoelectrical model of the Karelian megablock of the Baltic shield

Three groups of electromagnetic data have been considered in order to construct a preliminary geoelectrical depth model of the old basement of the Baltic shield: (i) audiomagnetotelluric data in the period range $\text{1}\text{3700}\text{?}\text{1}\text{8}\text{s;}$ (ii) magnetotelluric data in the period range 25–1000 s; and (iii) global magnetovariation-sounding data in the period range >6 h.These data sets fit together on a common apparent-resistivity curve, indicating the existence of a unified geoelectrical model. This model does not support the existence of conducting crustal or asthenospheric layers.     

Magnetotelluric and audiomagnetotelluric measurements in Finland

Joint Finnish—Hungarian MT (magnetotelluric) and AMT (audiomagnetotelluric) measurements were carried out in Finland in the framework of the international ELAS project. The conditions for MT measurements are favorable at these latitudes. Five MT and 150 AMT stations gave information on the electrical conductivity distribution in the area: AMT results guided the choice of MT sites with minimal near-surface distortion effects and helped the interpretation of the MT soundings; the MT measurements indicate the presence of large conductivity anomalies and can be best interpreted as lateral induction effects of near-surface dyke structures. This result is confirmed by a certain correspondence between the directions of the maximum impedances and of the tectonic zones of the area.Any information about the upper mantle would require the use of S_q harmonics because of the crustal conductivity anomalies detected by the MT measurements.     

Modelling Last Glacial Maximum ice cap with the Parallel Ice Sheet Model to infer palaeoclimate in south-west Turkey

Modelling palaeoglaciers in mountainous terrain is challenging due to the need for detailed ice flow computations in relatively narrow and steep valleys, high-resolution climate estimations, knowledge of pre-ice topography, and proxy-based palaeoclimate forcing. The Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM), a numerical model that approximates glacier sliding and deformation to simulate large ice sheets such as Greenland and Antarctica, was recently adapted to alpine environments. In an attempt to reconstruct the climate conditions during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) on Mount Dedegöl in SW Turkey, we used PISM and explored palaeoglacier dynamics at high spatial resolution (100 m) in a relatively small domain (225 km²). Palaeoice-flow fields were modelled as a function of present temperature and precipitation. Nine different palaeoclimate simulations were run to reach the steady-state glacier extents and the modelled glacial areas were compared with the field-based and chronologically well-established ice extents. Although our results provide a non-unique solution, best-fit scenarios indicate that the LGM climate on Mount Dedegöl was between 9.2 and 10.6 °C colder than today, while precipitation levels were the same as today. More humid (20% wetter) or arid (20% drier) conditions than today bring the palaeotemperature estimates to 7.7–8.8 or 11.5–13.2 °C lower than present, respectively.     

When plenty is not enough: an assessment of the white stumpnose (Rhabdosargus globiceps) fishery of Saldanha Bay,South Africa

White stumpnose Rhabdosargus globiceps is the main target of the linefishery in Saldanha Bay. Increased fishing pressure over the last three decades, particularly by the recreational sector, has led to concerns regarding sustainability of the local white stumpnose stock. The fishery was exceptionally productive between 2006 and 2008, with an estimated annual catch of 141.2 tonnes (t). Only 3% of boat outings surveyed were commercial boats targeting white stumpnose, yet this sector accounted for 39.3 t (31%) of the average annual catch. The recreational boat sector accounted for most of the catch (70.0 t), and the recreational shore sector the least (31.9 t). Commercial boat catch per unit effort (CPUE; 3.7 fish angler^–1 h^–1) was more than 10 times that of recreational boats (0.3 fish angler^–1 h^–1). White stumpnose catch length-frequency differed significantly (p < 0.01) between the fishing sectors, with the commercial sector retaining larger fish (34.7 cm [SD 5.9]) than the recreational boat (33.9 cm [SD 5.9]) and shore (30.4 cm [SD 5.8]) sectors. A decline in commercial CPUE (2000–2015) of approximately 40% and a concomitant severe decline (>95%) in survey data for juvenile white stumpnose CPUE (2007–2016) indicate that the current rate of exploitation is not sustainable. Recovery of the white stumpnose stock will require a decrease in fishing mortality. Possible management regulations include sector-specific effort limitations, extending the ‘no take’ marine protected area, reducing the recreational-sector bag limit to 5 fish person^–1 day^–1, implementing a commercial-sector bag limit, and increasing the minimum size limit to 30 cm TL.