Geochemical heterogeneity in a small, stratigraphically complex moraine aquifer system (Ontario, Canada): interpretation of flow and recharge using multiple geochemical parameters

The Waterloo Moraine is a stratigraphically complex system and is the major water supply to the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. Despite over 30?years of investigation, no attempt has been made to unify existing geochemical data into a single database. A composite view of the moraine geochemistry has been created using the available geochemical information, and a framework created for geochemical data synthesis of other similar flow systems. Regionally, fluid chemistry is highly heterogeneous, with large variations in both water type and total dissolved solids content. Locally, upper aquifer units are affected by nitrate and chloride from fertilizer and road salt. Typical upper-aquifer fluid chemistry is dominated by calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate, a result of calcite and dolomite dissolution. Evidence also suggests that ion exchange and diffusion from tills and bedrock units accounts for some elevated sodium concentrations. Locally, hydraulic “windows??cross connect upper and lower aquifer units, which are typically separated by a clay till. Lower aquifer units are also affected by dedolomitization, mixing with bedrock water, and locally, upward diffusion of solutes from the bedrock aquifers. A map of areas where aquifer units are geochemically similar was constructed to highlight areas with potential hydraulic windows.     

Profile morphology and polarization of young pulsars

We present polarization profiles at 1.4 and 3.1 GHz for 14 young pulsars with characteristic ages less than 75 kyr. Careful calibration ensures that the absolute position angle of the linearly polarized radiation at the pulsar is obtained. In combination with previously published data, we draw three main conclusions about the pulse profiles of young pulsars. (i) Pulse profiles are simple and consist of either one or two prominent components. (ii) The linearly polarized fraction is nearly always in excess of 70 per cent. (iii) In profiles with two components, the trailing component nearly always dominates, only the trailing component shows circular polarization and the position angle swing is generally flat across the leading component and steep across the trailing component.
Based on these results, we can make the following generalizations about the emission beams of young pulsars. (i) There is a single, relatively wide cone of emission from near the last open field lines. (ii) Core emission is absent or rather weak. (iii) The height of the emission is between 1 and 10 per cent of the light cylinder radius.     

Bearing the burden of boat harbours: heavy contaminant and fouling loads in a native habitat-forming alga

Boat harbours are an increasingly common form of artificial habitat. This paper presents a comparative study of contaminants and foulers of a habitat-forming native kelp (Saccharina latissima) in four marinas and four reference locations along the south-west coast of the UK. Fouling of algal laminae was light (<2% cover) in reference locations, while epibiota cover ranged from 25% to 80% of laminae in marinas. Metals associated with antifouling paints were up to six times more concentrated in algal tissues from marinas than from the reference locations. Marinas also carried the greatest cover and diversity of non-indigenous epibiota on the kelp laminae. This indicates not only a potential stress to kelps in these environments, but also the possibility that detached laminae will act as vectors for the dispersal of non-indigenous species. The development of boat harbours creates habitats that are high risk source localities for pollution-tolerant fouling organisms.     

Iron geochemical zonation in a tidally inundated acid sulfate soil wetland

Tidal inundation is a new technique for remediating coastal acid sulfate soils (CASS). Here, we examine the effects of this technique on the geochemical zonation and cycling of Fe across a tidally inundated CASS toposequence, by investigating toposequence hydrology, in situ porewater geochemistry, solid-phase Fe fractions and Fe mineralogy. Interactions between topography and tides exerted a fundamental hydrological control on the geochemical zonation, redistribution and subsequent mineralogical transformations of Fe within the landscape. Reductive dissolution of Fe(III) minerals, including jarosite (KFe₃(SO₄)₂(OH)₆), resulted in elevated concentrations of porewater Fe²⁺ (> 30 mmol L^?1) in former sulfuric horizons in the upper-intertidal zone. Tidal forcing generated oscillating hydraulic gradients, driving upward advection of this Fe²⁺-enriched porewater along the intertidal slope. Subsequent oxidation of Fe²⁺ led to substantial accumulation of reactive Fe(III) fractions (up to 8000 μmol g^?1) in redox-interfacial, tidal zone sediments. These Fe(III)-precipitates were poorly crystalline and displayed a distinct mineralisation sequence related to tidal zonation. Schwertmannite (Fe₈O₈(OH)₆SO₄) was the dominant Fe mineral phase in the upper-intertidal zone at mainly low pH (3–4). This was followed by increasing lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) and goethite (α-FeOOH) at circumneutral pH within lower-intertidal and subtidal zones. Relationships were evident between Fe fractions and topography. There was increasing precipitation of Fe-sulfide minerals and non-sulfidic solid-phase Fe(II) in the lower intertidal and subtidal zones. Precipitation of Fe-sulfide minerals was spatially co-incident with decreases in porewater Fe²⁺. A conceptual model is presented to explain the observed landscape-scale patterns of Fe mineralisation and hydro-geochemical zonation. This study provides valuable insights into the hydro-geochemical processes caused by saline tidal inundation of low lying CASS landscapes, regardless of whether inundation is an intentional strategy or due to sea-level rise.     

Antifouling strategies: history and regulation, ecological impacts and mitigation

Biofouling increases drag on marine vessels resulting in higher fuel consumption and can also facilitate the transport of harmful non-indigenous species (NIS). Antifouling technologies incorporating biocides (e.g., copper and tributyltin) have been developed to prevent settlement of organisms on vessels, but their widespread use has introduced high levels of contamination into the environment and raised concerns about their toxic effects on marine communities. The recent global ban on tributyltin (1 January 2008) and increasing regulation of copper have prompted research and development of non-toxic paints. This review synthesises existing information regarding the ecological impact of biocides in a wide range of organisms and highlights directions for the management of antifouling paints. We focus particularly on representatives of the recent past (copper and tributyltin) and present (copper and ‘booster’) biocides. We identify knowledge gaps in antifouling research and provide recommendations relating to the regulation and phasing-out of copper.     

Spatial analysis of the invasion of lionfish in the western Atlantic and Caribbean

Pterois volitans and Pterois miles, two sub-species of lionfish, have become the first non-native, invasive marine fish established along the United States Atlantic coast and Caribbean. The route and timing of the invasion is poorly understood, however historical sightings and captures have been robustly documented since their introduction. Herein we analyze these records based on spatial location, dates of arrival, and prevailing physical factors at the capture sights. Using a cellular automata model, we examine the relationship between depth, salinity, temperature, and current, finding the latter as the most influential parameter for transport of lionfish to new areas. The model output is a synthetic validated reproduction of the lionfish invasion, upon which predictive simulations in other locations can be based. This predictive model is simple, highly adaptable, relies entirely on publicly available data, and is applicable to other species.