Deep-sea suprabenthos assemblages (Crustacea) off the Balearic Islands (western Mediterranean): Mesoscale variability in diversity and production

The composition of suprabenthic crustacean assemblages, their diversity, production (P) and production/biomass (P/B) ratios, were analyzed at species level along two transects situated to the north (N) and south (S) of Mallorca (Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean) at depths between 134 m and 760 m, based on a ca. bi-monthly sampling performed between August 2003 and June 2004. Differences with depth and season in assemblage composition and diversity were analyzed as a function of the contrasting environmental features (e.g. water mass dynamics) of the two areas. We identified 187 species (18 decapods, 5 euphausiids, 16 mysids, 76 gammaridean amphipods, 13 hyperiids, 1 caprellid, 21 isopods and 37 cumaceans). Substantial mesoscale variability in the deep-sea suprabenthic assemblages coupled with diversity trends between the N and S transects were found. Seasonality was the most important gradient influencing the dynamics of suprabenthos over the upper (350 m) and middle (650–750 m) slope in the N area. Conversely, the S area appeared to be more stable temporally with depth as the main gradient inducing assemblage differences. Different depth-related patterns were observed both for diversity and P/B. To the north diversity was very low at the shelf-break, increasing on the upper-slope (H′ > 3.00) and then decreasing again on the middle-slope. To the south diversity increased smoothly downward, reaching the highest values on the middle-slope. Regarding productivity, P/B was highest at intermediate depths to the north (over ca. 450–500 m), while to the south highest P/Bs were found deeper (over ca. 600–650 m). The higher P/B at intermediate depths found along N are likely due to higher % of organic matter (OM) in sediments, a product of oceanographic frontal systems. In particular, P/B was higher along N among omnivores and detritus feeders (e.g. Andaniexis mimonectes, Lepechinella manco and combined cumaceans), coupled to enriched OM in sediments, while along S mesoplanktonic carnivores (Rhachotropis spp.) had higher P/Bs. We conclude that on the north slope the influence of frontal systems and more active flow dynamics of different water masses (WIW and LIW) increases natural disturbance in the area, increasing productivity and diversity of suprabenthic peracarids in the Benthic Boundary Layer. Also, species showed a displacement of their average distributions (their Centres of Gravity, CoG) to shallower depths along N, which is another indicator of more favorable habitat conditions for suprabenthos in the 400–500 m range at N.     

Calciocarbonatite and magnesiocarbonatite rocks and magmas represented in the system CaO-MgO-CO2-H2O at 0.2 GPa

Summary ?The low-pressure eutectic for the coprecipitation of calcite, portlandite, and periclase/brucite (with H₂O-rich vapor) has served as a model for the existence and crystallization of carbonatite magmas. Attempts to determine conditions for the appearance of dolomite at this eutectic have been unsuccessful. We have discovered a second low-temperature eutectic for more magnesian liquids which excludes portlandite and includes dolomite (all results are vapor-saturated). Addition of Ca(OH)₂-Mg(OH)₂ to CaCO₃-MgCO₃ at 0.2 GPa depresses the liquidus to temperatures below the crest of the calcite-dolomite solvus; the vapor-saturated liquidus surface falls steeply, and the field boundary for liquids coexisting with calcite and periclase reaches a peritectic at 880 °C, where a narrow field for liquidus dolomite begins, extending down to the eutectic at 659 °C for the coprecipitation of calcite, dolomite and periclase (brucite should replace periclase at slightly higher pressures). The calcite liquidus is very large. The field boundary for coexistence of calcite and dolomite extends approximately in the direction from CaMg(CO₃)₂ towards Mg(OH)₂. The results illustrate conditions for the formation of mineral-specific cumulates from variable magma compositions. Hydrous (or sodic) carbonate-rich liquids with compositions from CaCO₃ to CaMg(CO₃)₂ will precipitate calcite-carbonatites first, followed by calcite-dolomite-carbonatites, with the prospect of precipitating dolomite-carbonatite alone through a limited temperature interval, and with periclase joining the assemblage in the closing stages. Periclase in the Fe-free system may represent the ubiquitous occurrence of magnetite in natural carbonatites. The restricted range for the precipitation of dolomite-carbonatites adds credibility to the evidence for primary magnesiocarbonatite (near-dolomite composition) magmas. Magnesiocarbonatite magmas can precipitate much calcite-carbonatite rock.

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Zusammenfassung ?Calciokarbonatitische und magnesiokarbonatitische Gesteine und Magmen im System CaO-MgO-CO ₂ -H ₂ O bei 0.2 GPa Das Niedrigdruck-Eutektikum der gemeinsamen Ausscheidung von Calcit, Portlandit und Periklas/Brucit (mit H₂O-reicher Fluidphase) diente als Modell um die Existenz und Kristallisation karbonatitischer Magmen zu erkl?ren. Versuche die Bedingungen des Auftretens von Dolomit an diesem Eutektikum zu bestimmen blieben bisher ergebnislos. Wir entdeckten ein zweites Niedrigtemperatur-Eutektikum für magnesiumreichere Schmelzen, das Portlandit ausschlie?t, aber Dolomit inkludiert (alle Ergebnisse bei Fluids?ttigung). Die Zugabe von Ca(OH)₂-Mg(OH)₂ zu CaCO₃-MgCO₃ bei 0.2 GPa senkt den Liquidus auf Temperaturen unter die Solvus-Schwelle von Calcit-Dolomit. Die fluidges?ttigte Liquidusfl?che verl?uft steil und die Grenzfl?che von Schmelze, die mit Calcit und Periklas koexistiert erreicht ein Peritektikum bei 880 °C. Dort ?ffnet sich ein schmales Feld für Liquidus-Dolomit, das bis zum Eutektikum bei 659 °C reicht, an dem Calcit, Dolomit und Periklas (Brucit sollte Periklas bei geringfügig h?heren Drucken ersetzen) gemeinsam ausgeschieden werden. Der Calcit- Liquidus ist sehr gro?. Die Linie an der Calcit und Dolomit koexistieren erstreckt sich ungef?hr von CaMg(CO₃)₂ zu Mg(OH)₂. Die Ergebnisse zeigen die Bildungsbedingungen für die Bildung mineralspezifischer Kumulate aus unterschiedlichen Magmenzusammensetzungen. Aus w?ssrigen (oder Na-reichen) karbonatreichen Schmelzen mit Zusammensetzungen zwischen CaCO₃ und CaMg(CO₃)₂ werden sich zuerst Calcitkarbonatite und dann Calcit-Dolomitkarbonatite ausscheiden, mit der M?glichkeit Dolomitkarbonatite über ein sehr eingeschr?nktes Temperaturintervall zu bilden und mit Periklas, der zu dieser Vergesellschaftung im Endstadium hinzukommt. Periklas im Fe-freien System k?nnte das weitverbreitete Analog zu Magnetit in natürlichen Karbonatiten sein. Der enge Bereich für die Ausscheidung von Dolomitkarbonatiten untermauert die Existenz prim?rer magnesiokarbonatitischer Magmen (nahe der Zusammensetzung von Dolomit). Magnesiokarbonatitische Magmen k?nnen daher entsprechende Mengen an calcitkarbonatitischen Gesteinen ausscheiden.

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Received July 20, 1998;/revised version accepted August 18, 1999     

Impact of ocean acidification on the carbonate sediment budget of a temperate mixed beach

The production of sediments by carbonate-producing ecosystems is an important input for beach sediment budgets in coastal areas where no terrigenous input occurs. Calcifying organisms are a major source of bioclastic carbonate sediment for coastal systems. Increased levels of CO₂ in the atmosphere are leading to an increase in the partial pressure of CO₂ on ocean seawater, causing ocean acidification (OA), with direct consequences for the pH of ocean waters. Most studies of OA focus on its impact on marine ecosystems. The impact of OA on carbonate-producing ecosystems could be to reduce the amount of sediments supplied to temperate coastal systems. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of the predicted OA on the long-term sediment budget of a temperate Mediterranean mixed carbonate beach and dune system. Based on projections of OA we estimated a fall of about 31% in the present bioclastic carbonate sediment deposition rate, with the biggest decreases seen in the dunes (? 46%). OA is also expected to affect the carbonate sediment reservoirs, increasing the dissolution of CaCO₃and causing net sediment loss from the system (~ 50,000 t century^?1). In the long-term, OA could also play a primary role in the response of these systems to sea-level rise. Indeed, the reduction in the quantity of carbonate sediments provided to the system may affect the speed with which the system is able to adapt to sea-level rise, by increasing wave run-up, and may promote erosion of dunes and subaerial beaches.     

Red micas from basal ignimbrites of Mt. Vulture (Italy): interlayer content appraisal by a multi-methodic approach

The crystal chemistry of red phlogopites from Mt. Vulture (Italy) ignimbrites has been studied by electron microprobe, secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), single crystal structural investigation and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The analysed phlogopite has Fe/(Fe + Mg) ∼ 0.35, TiO₂ (wt%): 2.8–5.0 and H₂O (wt%): 1.24–3.37. Infrared spectra revealed the presence of bands due to the NH₄⁺ and H₂O stretching and bending vibrations. The samples belong to the 1M polytype. The bimodal behaviour of several structural parameters allows red micas to be clustered into two distinct groups: K⁺ ↔ NH₄⁺, H₂O and M³⁺-vacancy substitutions dominate in the first group; M^3+,4+-oxy, in the second group. It has to be pointed out that quantitative analysis of hydrogen (via SIMS) together with the characterization of the local environment of the anionic site (via FTIR) are fundamental in assessing the correct structural formula and the substitution mechanisms in micas. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Hypothesis testing methods to detect spoofing attacks: a test against the TEXBAT datasets

GPS Solutions - The hazardous effects of spoofing attacks on the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver are well known. Technologies and algorithms to increase the awareness of GNSS...     

Food-web structure and trophodynamics of mesopelagic–suprabenthic bathyal macrofauna of the Algerian Basin based on stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen

The trophodynamics of mesopelagic (macrozooplankton/micronekton) and benthic boundary layer (suprabenthos=hyperbenthos) faunas from the Algerian Basin were characterized on a seasonal scale through stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic analyses of a total of 34 species and two broad taxa (Copepoda and Cumacea). This is the first study simultaneously focused on trophodynamics of deep-sea zooplankton and suprabenthos. Samples were collected southeast of Mallorca (Algerian Basin, Western Mediterranean), on the continental slope close to Cabrera Archipelago, at 650–780 m depths, ca. bi-monthly between August 2003 and June 2004. Mean δ¹³C values of suprabenthos ranged from ?21.1‰ (Munnopsurus atlanticus) to ?16.7‰ (Cyclaspis longicaudata). Values of δ¹⁵N ranged from 2.8‰ (Lepechinella manco) to 9.9‰ (larvae of Gnathia sp.). The stable isotope ratios of suprabenthic fauna displayed a continuum of values, confirming a wide spectrum of feeding guilds (from filter feeders/surface deposit feeders to predators). According to the available information on diets for suprabenthic species, the highest annual mean δ¹⁵N values were found for the hematophagous isopod Gnathia sp. parasite on fish (represented by Praniza larvae) and carnivorous amphipods (e.g. Rhachotropis spp., Nicippe tumida) consuming copepods, and the lowest δ¹⁵N values were found for two cumaceans (Cyclaspis longicaudata and Platysympus typicus) feeding on detritus. Assuming a ¹⁵N-enrichment factor of 2.5‰ and deposit feeders as baseline, we found three trophic levels in suprabenthic food webs. δ¹³C ranges were particularly wide among deposit feeders (ranging from ?21.8% to ?17.3‰) and omnivores (from ?20.5% to ?18.8‰), suggesting exploitation of particulate organic matter (POM) of different characteristics. Our isotopic analyses revealed lower ranges of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N for macrozooplankton/micronekton, compared with suprabenthos. δ¹³C values of zooplankton taxa ranged from ?21.1‰ (the hyperiid Phrosina semilunata) to ?19.9‰ (the decapod Pasiphaea multidentata), while δ¹⁵N values ranged from 3.9‰ (P. semilunata) to 7.5‰ (P. multidentata). Among zooplankton, more enriched δ¹⁵N values were found among carnivores (e.g. the fish Cyclothone spp. and Pasiphaea multidentata) preying on copepods, hyperiids, euphausiids and small fish. The lowest δ¹⁵N values were found for hyperiids that feed on the mucus nets of salps (e.g. Vibilia armata). After contrasting isotope analysis with dietary data, we conclude there were two trophic levels among zooplankton/micronekton. Strong correlation between the mean annual δ¹⁵N and δ¹³C values was found for zooplankton (R²=0.7), but not for suprabenthos, which suggests a single source of carbon for plankton. We found a general seasonal trend for δ¹³C enrichment from late autumn (November) to late winter–spring (February–April) for both suprabenthos and zooplankton. The δ¹³C enrichment in February–April was correlated in zooplankton with higher surface chlorophyll a concentration 1 month before sampling. As evidenced by δ¹³C–δ¹⁵N correlations, the response of zooplankton to the peak of surface primary production was almost immediate (an increase of δ¹³C–δ¹⁵N correlations in February), and stronger than for suprabenthos. The response among suprabenthos was weak, with slight increase in δ¹³C–δ¹⁵N relationships in April–June.     

Dramatic decrease of pelagic carbonate production by nannoplankton across the Early Toarcian anoxic event (T-OAE)

In this account we present estimates of nannofossil fluxes in four sections and one borehole all belonging to the Early Jurassic western Tethys. This study aims to map the distribution of pelagic carbonate production across the Early Toarcian anoxic event (T-OAE), and to understand which environmental parameters did control such production. Our results indicate important changes in carbonate production by nannoplankton occurring within the western Tethys and its variations through time. Nannofossil fluxes (specimens per m² per year) are extremely low during the T-OAE in all the studied settings. Higher fluxes are encountered in the westernmost part of the Tethys Ocean before the T-OAE, whilst pelagic carbonate production shifted towards the northern margin of the Tethys after the recovery from anoxic conditions. The dramatic decrease in nannoplankton production during the T-OAE has been interpreted in previous works as a biocalcification crisis related to high pCO₂ in the atmosphere/hydrosphere system. Although a high pCO₂ may have lowered the carbonate saturation state of Early Jurassic oceans and finally hampered biocalcification, we speculate that the most important effects of CO₂ increase were indirect, and affected pelagic producers via changes on climate and sea-level. Namely, it seems that precipitation/evaporation budgets and continental runoff that controlled nutrient levels and salinity in surface oceanic waters were important factors for pelagic biocalcifiers.     

Influence of surface/groundwater interaction on pollution by pesticides in farmlands of the Fucino Plain,central Italy

This paper analyses flow and transport of pesticides from the unsaturated zone to groundwater so as to predict concentration of those contaminants in the Fucino Plain’s groundwater, by site investigations and numerical simulations. Pesticides were detected in surface water (peaks of 13 μg L⁻¹) and groundwater (peaks of 0.37 μg L⁻¹). Modelling tools made it possible to identify that pattern of precipitation, organic matter content, and root thickness are the key factors involved in vertical seepage of pesticides. Numerical simulations indicated that a significant fraction of contaminants is leached from the most surficial soil layers through runoff, while only a secondary fraction is mobilised towards groundwater. Likelihood of contaminating deep groundwater is fairly low, whereas surface waters show higher susceptibility. Results of the proposed conceptual hydrogeological model show that pesticides are more likely to be entrained by mixing of stream water with shallow groundwater in periods of high water exploitation from shallow wells.     

Stream-scanning laser system, electric sensing counter and settling grain size analysis: a comparison using reference materials and marine sediments

Surface and deep-sea core sediments and two sets of standards were measured by three different techniques — Galai Cis-1 laser system, Coulter Counter TA II, and Micromeritics SediGraph 5000D — in order to compare the Galai results with the other two. The differences between the three types of measuring device turned out to be greater in sediments than in standards, and were attributed to the physical properties, shape, density and composition of the particles (complexity of the matrix). Comparison of moment statistics showed that the Galai determines coarser grain sizes than the Coulter and finer than the SediGraph, particularly as regards analysis of surface sediments. The relationships between Galai and SediGraph were estimated using analysis of variation/residuals within individual intervals. The analysis showed a higher variability of residuals for the coarser fractions (8–16 μm and 16–32 μm) with respect to the finer (2–4 μm and 4–8 μm) fractions. The <2 μm SediGraph fraction, with a cut-off at 0.49 μm, showed good correspondence with the <2.5 μm Galai analysis.