Collection of intact sediment cores with overlying water to study nitrogen- and oxygen-dynamics in regions with seasonal hypoxia

Settled particles of fresh, labile organic matter may be a significant source of oxygen demand and nutrient regeneration in seasonally-hypoxic regions caused by nutrient inputs into stratified coastal zones. Studying the dynamics of this material requires sediment sampling methods that include flocculent organic materials and overlying water (OLW) at or above the sediment–water interface (SWI). A new coring device (“HYPOX” corer) was evaluated for examining nitrogen- (N) and oxygen-dynamics at the SWI and OLW in the northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOMEX). The HYPOX corer consists of a “Coring Head” with a check-valve, a weighted “Drive Unit,” and a “Lander,” constructed from inexpensive components. The corer collected undisturbed sediment cores and OLW from sediments at NGOMEX sampling sites with underlying substrates ranging from sand to dense clay. The HYPOX corer could be deployed in weather conditions similar to those needed for a multi-bottle rosette water-sampling system with 20 L bottles. As an example of corer applicability to NGOMEX issues, NH₄⁺ cycling rates were examined at hypoxic and control sites by isotope dilution experiments. The objective was to determine if N-dynamics in OLW were different from those in the water column. “Ammonium demand,” as reflected by potential NH₄⁺ uptake rates, was higher in OLW than in waters collected from a meter or more above the bottom at both sites, but the pattern was more pronounced at the hypoxia site. By contrast, NH₄⁺ regeneration rates were low in all samples. These preliminary results suggest that heterotrophic activity and oxygen consumption in OLW in the hypoxic region may be regulated by the availability of NH₄⁺, or other reduced N compounds, rather than by the lack of sufficient labile organic carbon.     

Geochemical investigation of groundwater in a Granitic Island: a case study from Kinmen Island,Taiwan

Kinmen Island is principally composed of low permeable granitoid and covered by a very thin sedimentary layer. Both surface and groundwater resources are limited and water demand is increasing with time. The groundwater in the granitoid has been surveyed as an alternative water source for daily use. Two to five highly fractured zones in the granitoid aquifer for each site were first determined by geochemical well logging. Accordingly, ten samples were collected from three sites. Using environmental isotopes and geochemical modeling, geochemical processes occurring due to water–rock interaction in the granitoid aquifer can be quantitatively interpreted. The stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen in groundwaters cluster along Taiwan’s local meteoric waterline, indicating evaporation does not have considerable effect on groundwaters. Given such a high evaporation rate for Kinmen Island, this result implies that infiltration rate of groundwater is high enough to reduce retention time through a well-developed fracture zone. NetpathXL is employed for inverse geochemical modeling. Results determine gypsum as being the major source of sulfate for deep groundwaters. The contribution from pyrite is minor. In addition, the weathering of albite to kaolinite is the dominant water–rock interaction characterizing geochemical compositions of deep groundwater in Kinmen Island.     

Chemical processes affecting alkalis and alkaline earths during continental weathering

The alkali and alkaline earth concentrations in the Toorongo Granodiorite weathering profile are controlled by two competing processes; leaching of cations from primary minerals during their degradation to clays; fixation, by exchange and adsorption, of the same cations onto the secondary clay minerals. Degradation and leaching dominate the early weathering stages whereas during the advanced stages, exchange and adsorption onto clays are of most influence.The alkali and alkaline earth compositional changes in the Toorongo Granodiorite weathering profile are typical of changes occurring during weathering of the continents, consequently the following generalizations apply to continental weathering. Ca, Sr and Na are most rapidly and most strongly removed (as dissolved species) during weathering of fresh continental rocks. Although large quantities of Mg are transported to the marine environment as dissolved species, appreciable amounts remain (fixed in secondary clay minerals) at the weathering site to be removed during mass wasting of continental weathering profiles. Large quantities of Rb, Cs and Ba, fixed in continental weathering profiles by exchange and adsorption onto secondary clays, are transported from the continents only during mass wasting of the continents.     

长江口潮滩有机质来源的C、N稳定同位素示踪

依据长江河口潮滩自然环境特征和受人文活动影响的差异性,沿长江河口南岸潮滩选取了12个典型的监测站位,并分别于洪水季节 (7月份) 和枯水季节 (2月份) 在各监测站位进行了表层 (0~2 cm) 沉积物样品的采集。对表层沉积物有机质中稳定碳、氮同位素进行分析与测试发现,7月份稳定碳同位素值普遍低于2月份的稳定碳同位素值,其变化范围分别为 -29.8‰ ~ -23.7‰和-27.3‰ ~ -25.6‰;7月份和2月份稳定氮同位素分别为1.0‰ ~ 5.5‰和1.7‰~ 7.8‰。研究区域内,稳定碳、氮同位素的地区分布和季节变化特征揭示,有机质中的稳定碳、氮同位素组成不仅受陆源和海源有机质输入量之间消长变化的影响,同时一系列的生物地球化学过程、人为有机质的输入和沉积物粒度与叶绿素对碳、氮同位素组成均存在不同程度的改造作用。此外,利用稳定碳同位素质量平衡混合模型,还对陆源有机质输入量的贡献率进行了初步定量估算。     

Rockfish in Puget Sound: An ecological history of exploitation

In Puget Sound, WA (USA), rockfish (Sebastes spp.) have significantly declined in abundance, with multiple petitions to list individual species under the Endangered Species Act. In order to better understand the ecological legacy of rockfish fishing to the Puget Sound ecosystem, the local history of rockfish exploitation was reviewed, focusing on the socioeconomic forces and management decisions which influenced the trajectory of landings. Rockfish have always been harvested for human consumption in the region, but over time exploitation patterns have changed from an opportunistic subsistence activity by indigenous peoples, to a year-round target of commercial and recreational interests. Annual commercial and recreational harvests together peaked (almost 400 mt) in the early 1980s as anglers’ attitudes changed, gear technology improved, rockfish became more familiar to the market, human population increased, and agency programs promoted fisheries to sustain employment. Rockfishes were generally not managed intensely or with conservation goals in mind until the late 1980s, in part due to scientific shortcomings and a lack of resources. By the time management actions were deemed necessary, the greatest harvest had already occurred. However, the low intrinsic productivity of most rockfish species suggests that the legacy of fishing will remain for years to come. As managers strive to restore the integrity and resilience of Puget Sound, they must realize the significance of historical fishery removals to the ecosystem and use the proper social and economic incentives to drive individual behavior toward these ecosystem goals.