Surface circulation downstream of the Point Arena upwelling center

Measurements from recently installed 5 MHz high-frequency radar (CODAR) stations south of Point Arena, California, are used to describe surface current patterns during the upwelling season (June-August 2007). The systems provide hourly current maps on a 5-km grid, covering a region from approximately 10 to 150 km offshore (the continental shelf into the deep ocean). These HF-radar observations provide an unprecedented view of circulation in this “coastal transition zone”, between the wind-driven circulation over the shelf and the California Current circulation offshore. Circulation patterns include: (1) bifurcation of the coastal upwelling jet downstream of Point Arena into an along-shelf (down-coast) branch and an offshore branch, and (2) a large-scale anticyclonic meander that often develops into an eddy-like recirculation south of the bifurcation. The “recirculation” feature extends well offshore, with surface currents 50-100 km from the coast consistently opposing the wind stress. The spatial and temporal evolution of the surface current features during upwelling events affects surface transport from Point Arena to areas in the south, increasing the travel time of a substantial fraction of newly upwelled water from a few days to roughly two weeks. Thus, surface currents even far offshore influence coastal transport of nutrients, phytoplankton and larvae on ecologically relevant timescales, with resultant connectivity patterns very different than implied by a simple examination of the mean flow.     

Environmental distribution of calcareous algae in Upper Devonian reef complexes

Calcareous algae are important constituents in reef complexes of Frasnian and Famennian ages in the Canning Basin of Western Australia and in reef and bank developments of Frasnian age in western Canada. At least 17 genera of skeletal calcareous algae occur in Upper Devonian carbonate facies in these two regions. Many algae are quantitatively significant constituents in various facies and some forms functioned as framebuilders in reef facies.Algae in back-reef facies includeGirvanella nodules and crusts, dasycladacean (Vermiporella) segments, radiosphaerid calcispheres, and solenoporacean red algae (Parachaetetes andSolenopora). Reef facies are characterized by encrusting forms, such asRenalcis (a problematic alga),Sphaerocodium (=Rothpletzella) (a green or blue-green alga), andKeega (an ancestral coralline red alga).Renalcis andSphaerocodium are principal framebuilders in Western Australia reef complexes, but are subordinate to stromatoporoids in most western Canada occurrences. Fore-reef facies contain deeperwater species ofSphaerocodium andParachaetetes.A similar distribution of Upper Devonian skeletal calcareous algae has been reported from the USSR; this same pattern probably occurs in carbonate complexes of this age in other regions of the world where diagenetic processes have not destroyed the fossil evidence.

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Zusammenfassung Kalkalgen sind wichtige Bestandteile in Riffkomplexen der Frasnestufe und Famennestufe im Canning Bassin in West-Australien, und auch in Riffentwicklungen und Bankentwicklungen der Frasnestufe in West-Kanada. Mindestens 17 Gattungen von Kalkalgenskeletten treten in den oberdevonischen Karbonatfazies dieser beiden Regionen auf. Viele Algen sind quantitativ bedeutsame Bestandteile in verschiedenen Fazies, und einige Formen waren Gerüstbildner in Riffen.Die Algen in Riff-Fazies-Rückseiten umfassenGirvanella-Knötchen und -Krusten, Dasycladaceen-(Vermiporella-)Segmente, radiosphaeritische Calcisphaeren und Rotalgen (Parachaetetes undSolenopora). Riff-Fazies sind durch inkrustierende Formen, wieRenalcis (eine problematische Alge),Sphaerocodium (=Rothpletzella) (eine grüne oder blaugrüne Alge) undKeega (eine altertümliche coralline Rotalge) charakterisiert.Renalcis undSphaerocodium sind wichtige Gerüstbildner in Riffkomplexen in West-Australien, aber in den meisten Riffkomplexen West-Kanadas den Stromatoporen untergeordnet. Vorriff-Fazies enthalten Spezies vonSphaerocodium undParachaetetes aus größerer Wassertiefe.Eine ähnliche Verteilung der oberdevonischen Kalkalgenskelette ist aus der Sowjetunion berichtet worden. Wahrscheinlich ist die gleiche Verteilung in Karbonatkomplexen dieses Alters in anderen Regionen der Welt, wo diagenetische Prozesse die Fossilreste nicht zerstört haben, zu finden.

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Résumé Les algues calcaires sont des éléments importants pour les complexes de récifs datant des époques Frasnienne et Famennienne dans le Bassin Canning de l'Australie Occidentale, et pour les développements de récifs et de batteries de l'époque Frasnienne dans le Canada de l'ouest. Il y a dans ces deux régions au moins 17 espèces d'algues calcaires squelettiques dans des faciès carbonates de l'époque du haut Dévonien. Dans divers faciès, beaucoup d'algues sont des constituants d'une importance quantitative et certaines formes ont servi de cadre à des faciès de récif.Dans des faciès de récif posterieurs nous trouvons parmi les algues des nodules et des croûtesGirvanella, des cerces dasycladacéan (Vermiporella), des calcisphères radiosphaerids, et des algues rouges solénoporacéans (Parachaetetes etSolenopora). Les faciès de récif sont caracterisés par des formes encroûtées, tels queRenalcis (une algue problemmatique),Sphaerocodium (=Rothpletzella) (une algue verte ou bleu-vert), etKeega (une algue rouge « coralligène ancestrale »).Renalcis etSphaerocodium sont des cadres principaux des complexes de récif de l'Australie Occidentale, mais sont subordonnés aux stromatoporoids dans la plupart des endroits du Canada de l'ouest ou se produit le même phénomène. Les faciès de récif frontaux contiennent des espèces deSphaerocodium et deParachaetetes dans des eaux plus profondes.Un rapport de l'URSS indique qu'il y a une distribution semblable des algues calcaires squelettiques de l'époque du haut Dévonien; cette même structure se retrouve probablement dans des complexes carbonates de cette époque pour d'autres régions du monde où des procédés diagénétiques n'ont pas détruit des fossiles.

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Frasne Famenne Canning, , Frasne . , no- , 17 - . , . - Girvanella, Dasycladaceae (Vermiporella), Calcisphaere, Rhodophyta (Parachaetetes Solenopora). Renalcis — , Sphaerocodium, Rothpletzella, , , Keega, rllin. Renalcis Sphaerocodium , a. - Sphaerocodium Parachaetetes, . - . , .

     

Experimental study of a jotunite (hypersthene monzodiorite): constraints on the parent magma composition and crystallization conditions (P,T, f O 2) of the Bjerkreim-Sokndal layered intrusion (Norway)

The Bjerkreim-Sokndal layered intrusion is part of the Rogaland anorthosite Province of southern Norway and is made of cumulates of the anorthositemangerite-charnockite suite. This study presents experimental phase equilibrium data for one of the finegrained jotunite (Tjörn locality) occurring along its northwestern lobe. These experimental data show that a jotunitic liquid similar in composition to the Tjörn jotunite, but slightly more magnesian and with a higher plagioclase component is the likely parent of macrocyclic units (MCU)III and IV of the intrusion. The limit of the olivine stability field in the experimentally determined phase diagram as well as comparison of the Al₂O₃ content of low-Ca pyroxenes from experiments and cumulates (1.5%) yields a pressure of emplacement 5 kbar. Experimentally determined Fe-Ti oxide equilibria compared to the order of cumulus arrival in the intrusion show that the oxygen fugacity was close to FMQ (fayalite-magnetite-quartz) during the early crystallization. It subsequently decreased relative to this buffer when magnetite disappeared from the cumulus assemblage and then increased until the reentry of this mineral. Calculated densities of experimental liquids show a density increase with fractionation at 7, 10 and 13 kbar due to the predominance of plagioclase in the crystallizing assemblage. At 5 kbar and 1 atm (FMQ-1), where plagioclase is the liquidus phase, density first increases and then drops when olivine (5 kbar) or olivine+ilmenite (1 atm: FMQ-1) precipitate. At 1 atm and NNO (nickel-nickel oxide), the presence of both magnetite and ilmenite as near liquidus phases induces a density decrease. In the Bjerkreim magma chamber, oxides are early cumulus phases and liquid density is then supposed to have decreased during fractionation. This density path implies that new influxes of magma emplaced in the chamber were both hotter and denser than the resident magma. The density contrast inferred between plagioclase and the parent magma shows that this mineral was not able to sink in the magma, suggesting anin situ crystallization process.     

Middle Campanian–lowermost Maastrichtian nannofossil and foraminiferal biostratigraphy of the northwestern Australian margin

The middle–late Campanian was marked by an increase in the bioprovinciality of calcareous microfossil assemblages into distinct Tethyan, Transitional, and Austral Provinces that persisted to the end of the Maastrichtian. The northwestern Australian margin belonged to the Transitional Province and the absence of key Tethyan marker species such as Radotruncana calcarata and Gansserina gansseri has led petroleum companies operating in the area to use the locally developed KCCM integrated calcareous microfossil zonation scheme. The KCCM zonation is a composite scheme comprising calcareous nannofossil (KCN), planktonic foraminiferal (KPF) and benthonic foraminiferal (KBF) zones. This paper presents the definitions and revisions of Zones KCCM8–19, from the highest occurrence (HO) of Aspidolithus parcus constrictus to the lowest occurrence (LO) of Ceratolithoides aculeus, and builds on our previous early–late Maastrichtian study. The presence of a middle–upper Campanian disconformity is confirmed by microfossil evidence from the Vulcan Sub-basin, Exmouth and Wombat plateaus, and the Southern Carnarvon Platform. In the Vulcan Sub-basin and on the Exmouth Plateau (ODP Hole 762C) the hiatus extends from slightly above the LO of common Rugoglobigerina rugosa to above the LO of Quadrum gothicum. On the Wombat Plateau (ODP Hole 761B) it spans from above the LO of Heterohelix semicostata to above the LO of Quadrum gothicum; and in the Southern Carnarvon Platform the disconformity has its longest duration from above the HO of Heterohelix semicostata to above the LO of Quadrum sissinghii. A significant revision of the events which define Zones KCCM18 and 19 was necessary owing to the observation that the LO of Ceratolithoides aculeus occurs below the HOs of Archaeoglobigerina cretacea and Stensioeina granulata incondita and the LO of common Rugoglobigerina rugosa. In the original zonation these events were considered to be coincident.     

Amino acids of the Murchison meteorite: II. Five carbon acyclic primary β-, γ-, and δ-amino alkanoic acids

All ten of the possible five-carbon acyclic primary β-, γ-, and δ-amino alkanoic acids (amino position isomers of the valines) have been positively identified in hot-water extracts of the Murchison meteorite using combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ion exchange chromatography. With the exception of δ-aminovaleric acid, none of these amino acids has been previously reported to occur in meteorites or in any other natural material. The γ-amino acids (4-aminopentanoic acid, 4-aminc-2-meth-ylbutanoic acid, and 4-amino-3-methylbutanoic acid) are present at higher concentrations (about 5 nmol g^?1) than are the β-amino isomers (3-aminopentanoic acid, 3-amino-2-methylbutanoic acid, allo-3-amino-2-methylbutanoic acid, 3-amino-3-methylbutanoic acid, 3-amino-2-ethylpropanoic acid, and 3-amino-2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid) which are present at concentrations of 1–2 nmol g^?1. These amino acids are less abundant in the meteorite than either the corresponding α-amino acids or the four-carbon homologues. Thirty-six amino acids have now been positively identified in the Murchison meteorite, 17 of which are apparently unique to carbonaceous chondrites. The fact that the meteorite contains all possible five-carbon acyclic primary α-, β-, γ-, and δ-amino alkanoic acids is consistent with a synthetic process involving random combination of single-carbon precursors.     

Relationship between turbidity and fish diets in Lakes Waahi and Whangape,New Zealand

Abstract

Stomach contents of Gobiomorphus cotidianus,Retropinna retropinna, Gambusia affinis, and Anguilla australis were compared between two shallow lakes in the lower Waikato River basin, to examine the relationship between turbidity and diet. Lake Waahi and the south arm of Lake Whangape had been turbid (20–40 g suspended solids (SS) m^?3) and devoid of submerged macrophytes since the late 1970s and early 1980s, respectively. The main basin of Lake Whangape had been generally clearer (5 g SS m^?3) with dense beds of submerged macrophytes, but at the time of sampling (1987) water clarity had deteriorated (> c. 10 g SS m³) and submerged macrophytes had declined. The mysid Tenagomysis chiltoni was an important prey for all species of fish from turbid water bodies but was less important in stomachs of fish in the main basin of Lake Whangape. Apparently, mysids were not an important prey in Lake Waahi before it became turbid. Chironomid larvae and pupae dominated the diets of small fish in the main basin of Lake Whangape. Fish and mysids were the most important prey of shortfinned eels in both lakes, with mysids most important in Lake Waahi. High mysid densities in the turbid water bodies provide an alternative food resource apparently compensating for those lost by fish when water clarity declined and submerged macrophytes collapsed.     

Reconstruction of contaminant trends in a salt wedge estuary with sediment cores dated using a multiple proxy approach

The Taunton River is a partially mixed tidal estuary in southeastern Massachusetts (USA) which has received significant contaminant inputs, yet little information exists on the history of discharge and the subsequent fate of these contaminants. Three sediment cores taken along a transect were analyzed, reconstructing the spatial and temporal trends of pollution in the estuary. A combination of radiometric dating, contaminant markers, and storm layers from major hurricanes were used to establish age models and sedimentation rates. Age estimates obtained from the different dating methods compared well, establishing an accurate history of contaminant release to the estuary. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were present in one core at depths corresponding to the early 1860s, earlier than previously established dates of introduction. Temporal and spatial trends of Cr, Cu, Hg and Pb indicated multiple sources of varying input to the river. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were present in each of the cores from the 1930s onward, with elevated levels still present in surficial sediments at several sites. A unique organic compound, Topanol, which was produced locally was used as a tracer to track contaminant transport in the river. Tracer data indicates that contaminants are still being transported and deposited to surficial sediments at high concentrations well after their discharge. This reconstruction demonstrates the utility of using multiple dating proxies where often the sole use of radiometric dating techniques is not an option and provides insights into the fate of contaminants discharged decades ago but continue to represent environmental risks.     

Aquifer Storage Recovery (ASR) of chlorinated municipal drinking water in a confined aquifer

About 1.02 × 10⁶ m³ of chlorinated municipal drinking water was injected into a confined aquifer, 94–137 m below Roseville, California, between December 2005 and April 2006. The water was stored in the aquifer for 438 days, and 2.64 × 10⁶ m³ of water were extracted between July 2007 and February 2008. On the basis of Cl⁻ data, 35% of the injected water was recovered and 65% of the injected water and associated disinfection by-products (DBPs) remained in the aquifer at the end of extraction. About 46.3 kg of total trihalomethanes (TTHM) entered the aquifer with the injected water and 37.6 kg of TTHM were extracted. As much as 44 kg of TTHMs remained in the aquifer at the end of extraction because of incomplete recovery of injected water and formation of THMs within the aquifer by reactions with free-chlorine in the injected water. Well-bore velocity log data collected from the Aquifer Storage Recovery (ASR) well show as much as 60% of the injected water entered the aquifer through a 9 m thick, high-permeability layer within the confined aquifer near the top of the screened interval. Model simulations of ground-water flow near the ASR well indicate that (1) aquifer heterogeneity allowed injected water to move rapidly through the aquifer to nearby monitoring wells, (2) aquifer heterogeneity caused injected water to move further than expected assuming uniform aquifer properties, and (3) physical clogging of high-permeability layers is the probable cause for the observed change in the distribution of borehole flow. Aquifer heterogeneity also enhanced mixing of native anoxic ground water with oxic injected water, promoting removal of THMs primarily through sorption. A 3 to 4-fold reduction in TTHM concentrations was observed in the furthest monitoring well 427 m downgradient from the ASR well, and similar magnitude reductions were observed in depth-dependent water samples collected from the upper part of the screened interval in the ASR well near the end of the extraction phase. Haloacetic acids (HAAs) were completely sorbed or degraded within 10 months of injection.