Factors shaping submerged bryophyte communities: A conceptual model for small mountain streams in Germany

Several models explaining species composition of aquatic bryophytes are available for specific regions. However, a more general, conceptual model applicable to a broader range of regions is lacking.We present a conceptual model ranking environmental factors determining submerged bryophyte communities in small mountain streams. It was tested on a dataset of 54 stream sections after removing the effect of stream size and altitude. Species responses were modeled with pH as predictor variable based on 97 stream sites covering six mountain regions all over Germany. Multiple regressions revealed the importance of primary growth factors (light, Ep(CO₂)) and substrate for the total submerged bryophyte coverage.The known distinction of hard- and softwater bryoflora was clearly supported. The floristic composition of headwaters was predominantly determined by the bicarbonate/ionic strength complex. Species response to pH values supported this result and thus our conceptual model. The primary growth resources light, Ep(CO₂) and availability of coarse streambed material explained one third (R_adjusted² = 0.34) of total submerged bryophyte cover. Disturbances, predominantly spates, reduce biomass but do not affect the basic floristic structure.In conclusion, conceptual models and monitoring methods focusing on aquatic bryophytes need to clearly distinguish “aquatic” from “submersed by chance”. All “aquatic bryophytes” found in Germany can also occur at least temporarily at non-submerged sites. Therefore, a distinction between primary growth factors and additional resources is recommended to disentangle factors determining aquatic bryophyte communities.     

Methods for biological assessment of salt-loaded running waters - fundamentals, current positions and perspectives

Salinisation of running waters is a severe problem in many parts of the world. Monitoring and management of such waters require ecological methods which consider the hydrochemical effects of salinisation on the aquatic communities in order to set targets to protect habitats and biodiversity. Several bioassays have been developed for this purpose and are surveyed here. They are based on the salt sensitivity of the following groups of organisms: diatoms, ciliates and macroinvertebrates. In this paper experiences gained so far are also considered as well as practical applications originating from this research.     

NIZUSE: a deep seismic reflection line in north-eastern Germany

Out of a dense network of seismic reflection lines for hydrocarbon exploration in the North-east German Basin, several lines were recorded to 12 s TWT to obtain information about the structure of the crust and the crust-mantle transition. One of these profiles is presented here. This stretches for 110 km in a NNE direction between Neustrelitz and the island of Usedom. It reaches from the External Variscides in the south across the North German Massif into the Rügen-Pomorze Terrane in the Baltic Sea. Below Cenozoic-Mesozoic-Paleozoic cover with clear reflections down to base Zechstein, the reflectivity varies considerably with depth and also laterally. The Paleozoic and Precambrian sediments and basement are generally void of reflections, but the lower crust and the Moho show strong reflections. To the north the reflectivity decreases, and the Moho depth increases to beyond the bottom of the record section at 12 s. There are no direct indications for deep-reaching faults such as the Trans-European Fault in the north. The North German Massif acted as a ramp towards the Variscan Orogeny, similar to the London-Brabant Massif further west.     

A Pan-African alkaline pluton intruding the Saramuj Conglomerate,south-west Jordan

The geological setting, petrography and bulk mineral chemistry of a monzodiorite and a presumably consanguineous megaporphyry with large (up to 25 cm) labradorite megacrysts, both intruding the upper Proterozoic Saramuj Conglomerate in south-west Jordan (south eastern shore of the Dead Sea), were examined. The crystallization temperatures of the monzodiorite and the megaporphyry as determined from pyroxene thermometry and supported by contact metamorphic mineralogy are about 700 and 900°C, respectively. The intrusion depth of the monzodiorite is about 3–4 km. The monzodiorite was emplaced in the Saramuj Conglomerate at about 595 + 2 Ma ago according to Rb/Sr and U/Pb age determinations.The stratigraphic positions of the monzodiorite, megaporphyry and their host rock (the Saramuj Conglomerate) were compared with time-equivalent lithologies in the Arabian-Nubian Shield. Correspondence to: H. Wachendorf     

Zum Problem der Schichtlücken im Devon der Sierra Morena (Spanien)

Zusammenfassung Im Devon der nördlichen Sierra Morena und der Sierra de San Pedro treten Schichtlücken auf, die in den untersuchten Mulden ein unterschiedliches Ausmaß erreichen. Das Mitteldevon konnte nirgends nachgewiesen werden. Das Oberdevon folgt unmittelbar über unterdevonischen oder auch silurischen Schichten. Im südlichen Arbeitsgebiet kann sogar das Oberdevon fehlen, so daß unterkarbonische Sedimente über silurischen und älteren Schichten liegen.Für das Fehlen von Oberdevon kann Schwellenbildung und damit verbundene Abtragung vermutet werden. Die Schichtlücken im Unter- und Mitteldevon der übrigen Gebiete scheinen dagegen durch Unterbrechung der Sedimentzufuhr erklärbar zu sein.

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In the Devonian of northern Sierra Morena and Sierra de San Pedro there exist stratigraphical breaks of different amount in the investigated troughs. No Middle Devonian could be found. Upper Devonian rests directly upon Lower Devonian or Silurian rocks. Due to the occasional lack of Upper Devonian in the southern area under discussion even sediments of Lower Carboniferous age may superpose Silurian and older deposits.The absence of Upper Devonian is supposed to be caused by development of ridges and their erosion. However, stratigraphical breaks during Lower and Middle Devonian in the other areas seem to be explicable by non-deposition.

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Résumé Dans les synclinals étudiés du Dévonien de la Sierra Morena septentrionale et de la Sierra de San Pedro il y a des lacunes stratigraphiques atteignant de différentes ampleurs. Dévonien moyen ne fut nulle part observé. Dévonien supérieur suit immédiatement les couches du Dévonien inférieur ou bien du Silurien. Dans le secteur méridional il y a même des lacunes stratigraphiques du Dévonien supérieur, et les sédiments du Carbonifère inférieur reposent sur le Silurien ou sur des couches plus anciennes.Il est possible qu'un soulèvement d'un paléorelief accompagné de l'érosion soit responsable de la lacune du Dévonien supérieur. Quant aux lacunes du Dévonien inférieur et moyen des autres régions elles sont plutôt à expliquer par non-déposition.

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Evaluation of the recharge processes and impacts of irrigation on groundwater using CFCs and radiogenic isotopes in the Silao-Romita basin, Mexico

The recharge processes in the overexploited aquifer of the Silao Romita basin, central Mexico, were investigated by means of gaseous tracers (chlorofluorocarbons, CFCs) and radioactive isotopes (C-14, tritium). CFC concentrations varied between 0.06 and 12 pmol/l (CFC-11), 0.03 and 1.7 pmol/l (CFC-12), and <0.01 and 0.23 pmol/l (CFC-113). CFC concentrations are controlled by irrigation return flow which became apparent by the comparison with tritium. Tritium activities ranged from 0 to 3.5 TU. The calculated mean residence times of 70 to more than 300 years are considerably lower than the ages estimated based on the CFCs data. These data showed that CFCs were not appropriate for groundwater dating in this particular area but the CFCs were suitable as a qualitative measure of the magnitude of irrigation return flow which proved to be a significant source of recharge in the irrigated areas. Radiocarbon activities were in the range of 6–109 pmC. Carbon-13 values varied between –11.9 and –7.2‰ VPDB. Modelling of carbon isotopes with NETPATH along a plausible flow path reveals considerable influences of exchange with soil CO₂ and carbonate dissolution. Radiocarbon data indicate, at least in one case, the existence of groundwaters with residence times of more than 10,000 years.