Aspects of Proterozoic stromatolite biostratigraphy in Western Australia

Stromatolites are abundant at many horizons in the Proterozoic of Western Australia. Recent advances in knowledge of Proterozoic stratigraphy of the state have provided a more detailed framework for interpreting the stromatolite data than has been available previously. In the 1.7 Ga Earaheedy Group of the Nabberu Basin a characteristic stromatolite assemblage occurs, and within the basin a biostratigraphic succession can be recognized. The assemblage contains several new forms which belong to new groups. The need to erect new groups for these early Proterozoic stromatolites is in agreement with recent studies in Canada, northern Europe and South Africa, and suggests that the problem of ‘younger’ or late Proterozoic stromatolite groups in early Proterozoic rocks mentioned by previous workers is a result of a lack of rigour in defining taxa. Examination of type material is necessary to determine how closely the Earaheedy forms resemble those described from these other regions.In Western Australia some stromatolite forms have a restricted vertical range and similar taxa occur in beds of approximately the same age in widely-separated areas: e.g. Kimberley Group and Earaheedy Group; Scorpion Group and Limbunya, Birrindudu, McArthur, Mt. Rigg and Mt. Albert Groups and Bungle Bungle Dolomite; Tolmer and Bullita Groups; Moora and Bangemall Groups; Kai Ki Beds, Louisa Downs, Mount House and Albert Edward Groups.Stromatolite diversity shows a decline in the number of taxa at about 1.1. Ga in the Bangemall Group. More data are required to determine whether this decline is universal or specific to the Bangemall Group. This study indicates that a stromatolite biostratigraphy for Western Australia is feasible and is consistent with data from other parts of Australia. Thus emphasis on correlation should be placed on the stromatolite form rather than the group, and intercontinental correlations should be attempted only when local biostratigraphic schemes have been firmly established.     

Oxyanion Concentrations in Eastern Sierra Nevada Rivers – 3. Boron, Molybdenum, Vanadium, and Tungsten

Water samples were collected from 10 locations along the Truckee River system, 14 locations along the Walker River system, and 12 locations along the Carson River, and analyzed for B, Mo, V, W, Na, Cl, and pH. Boron concentrations ranged from approximately 2 mol/kg in the upper reaches of the Truckee River to almost 1,200 mol/kg in Pyramid Lake. Molybdenum, V, and W had concentrations in the nanomolal range; Mo varied from a low of about 12 nmol/kg to a high of 3,200 nmol/kg (Walker Lake); V ranged from 9 nmol/kg to approximately 470 nmol/kg; and W varied from a low value around 0.8 nmol/kg (West Walker River) to 1,030 nmol/kg. The high concentrations of these oxyanion-forming trace elements in the rivers reflects (1) the relative stability of these oxyanions (e.g., MoO₄ ^2-, HVO₄ ^2-, WO₄ ^2-, B(OH)₃, and/or B(OH)₄ ^-) in the alkaline, well oxygenated river and lake waters, (2) contributions of hydrothermal waters (especially for B), and (3) weathering of rocks/regolith with high concentrations of these elements. In the case of Mo, V, and W, each exhibited relatively conservative behavior in the upper, oxygenated reaches of all three rivers. During the study period the region experienced a prolonged drought such that the lower reaches of each river were typified by no flow or stagnant waters and probably low oxygen and/or anoxic conditions (although not measured). Reductive processes occurring in the low flow to stagnant reaches of each river could have led to removal of Mo, V, and W from solution as coprecipitates with Fe monosulfides, or via sorption to Fe oxides/oxyhydroxides and/or organic matter. Boron, however, exhibited essentially no or minor removal from these rivers, and instead was added to each river via B-rich hydrothermal waters (e.g., Steamboat Creek from Steamboat Hot Springs), or by B-rich groundwaters via base-flow during the extensive drought.     

A combined paleolimnological/genetic analysis of diatoms reveals divergent evolutionary lineages of Staurosira and Staurosirella (Bacillariophyta) in Siberian lake sediments along a latitudinal transect

Diatom diversity in lakes of northwest Yakutia (Siberia) was investigated by microscopic and genetic analysis of surface and cored lake sediments, to evaluate the use of sedimentary DNA for paleolimnological diatom studies and to identify obscure genetic diversity that cannot be detected by microscopic methods. Two short (76 and 73 bp) and one longer (577 bp) fragments of the ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rbcL) gene, encoding the large subunit of the rbcL, were used as genetic markers. Diverse morphological assemblages of diatoms, dominated by small benthic fragilarioid taxa, were retrieved from the sediments of each lake. These minute fragilarioid taxa were examined by scanning electron microscopy, revealing diverse morphotypes in Staurosira and Staurosirella from the different lakes. Genetic analyses indicated a dominance of haplotypes that were assigned to fragilarioid taxa and less genetic diversity in other diatom taxa. The long rbcL_577 amplicon identified considerable diversification among haplotypes clustering within the Staurosira/Staurosirella genera, revealing 19 different haplotypes whose spatial distribution appears to be primarily related to the latitude of the lakes, which corresponds to a vegetation and climate gradient. Our rbcL markers are valuable tools for tracking differences between diatom lineages that are not visible in their morphologies. These markers revealed putatively high genetic diversity within the Staurosira/Staurosirella species complex, at a finer scale than is possible to resolve by microscopic determination. The rbcL markers may provide additional reliable information on the diversity of barely distinguishable minute benthic fragilarioids. Environmental sequencing may thus allow the tracking of spatial and temporal diversification in Siberian lakes, especially in the context of diatom responses to recent environmental changes, which remains a matter of controversy.     

Effects of the pharmaceuticals gemfibrozil and diclofenac on the marine mussel (Mytilus spp.) and their comparison with standardized toxicity tests

Human pharmaceuticals, like the lipid lowering agent gemfibrozil and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac are causing environmental concern. In this study, the marine mussel (Mytilus spp.) was exposed by injection to environmentally relevant and elevated (1 μg/L and 1000 μg/L) concentrations of both compounds and biomarker expression was observed. Gemfibrozil exposure induced biomarkers of stress (glutathione S-transferase and metallothionein) at both concentrations 24 h and 96 h after exposure, respectively. Biomarkers of damage (lipid peroxidation (LPO) and DNA damage) were significantly affected, as well as the biomarker for reproduction, alkali-labile phosphate assay, indicating the potential oxidative stress and endocrine disrupting effect of gemfibrozil. Diclofenac significantly induced LPO after 96 h indicating tissue damage. Additionally standard toxicity tests using the marine species Vibrio fischeri, Skeletonema costatum and Tisbe battagliai showed differences in sensitivity to both drugs in the mg/L range. Results indicate a suite of tests should be used to give accurate information for regulation.     

Australian blocking impacts on ocean surface waves

Climate Dynamics - We assess the impact of split-flow blocking in the Australian region on global ocean wind waves using 30 years of high-resolution wave data from the CAWCR wave model...     

The Kuroshio Extension and its recirculation gyres

This paper reports on the strength and structure of the Kuroshio Extension and its recirculation gyres. In the time average, quasi-permanent recirculation gyres are found to the north and south of the Kuroshio Extension jet. The characteristics of these recirculations gyres are determined from the combined observations from the Kuroshio Extension System Study (KESS) field program (June 2004–June 2006) and include current meters, pressure and current recording inverted echo sounders, and subsurface floats. The position and strength of the recirculation gyres simulated by a high-resolution numerical model are found to be consistent with the observations. The circulation pattern that is revealed is of a complex system of multiple recirculation gyres that are embedded in the crests and troughs of the quasi-permanent meanders of the Kuroshio Extension. At the location of the KESS array, the Kuroshio Extension jet and its recirculation gyres transport of about 114 Sv. This represents a 2.7-fold increase in the transport of the current compared to the Kuroshio's transport at Cape Ashizuri before it separates from the coast and flows eastward into the open ocean. This enhancement in the current's transport comes from the development of the flanking recirculation gyres. Estimates from an array of inverted echo sounders and a high-resolution ocean general circulation model are of similar magnitude.     

Vertical distribution of first stage larvae of the blue crab,Callinectes sapidus,at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay

The vertical distribution of stage I blue crab larvae, near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, was examined over four diurnal cycles. Each of two stations was occupied for 30 hours twice during the summer of 1979.On each of the four cruises, peak larval abundance occurred after a night time high slack tide, suggesting a synchronized hatch of blue crab larvae. 90–99% of all larvae collected were taken in the neuston layer. The apparent timing of the hatches to coincide with the beginning of an ebb tide and the concentration of larvae in the neuston layer strongly suggests seaward transport of these early stage larvae and the probability of offshore development.     

Human Influence at the Coast: Upland and Shoreline Stressors Affect Coastal Macrofauna and Are Mediated by Salinity

Observations and predictions regarding oceanic intrusions at the entrance to Puget Sound, WA (USA), are presented. Four years of seabed observations at Admiralty Inlet show episodic periods high salinity, coincident with landward residual currents near the seabed. The observed residual currents are consistent with an estuarine exchange flow during minimal tidal mixing, coincident with neap currents and maximum diurnal inequalities. These subtidal intrusions can carry dense water into Puget Sound and, thereby, renew the bottom water that is trapped landward of the sill. The oxygen concentration levels of these intrusions are often low, though not hypoxic, and may influence the oxygen levels in Puget Sound. The water mass properties of these intrusions are influenced strongly by regional dynamics, because the entrance to Puget Sound is connected to the open ocean via the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Coastal upwelling and discharge from the Fraser River discharge control the exchange flow in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and thus control the availability of dense water at the entrance to Puget Sound. The net effect of the tidal and regional dynamics is for intrusions with low oxygen levels to prevail in the late summer months. To predict intrusions in future years, an empirical method is developed and validated for daily application. The prediction method is based on publicly available operational data products and does not require in situ observations. In verification, 98% of intrusion events with dissolved oxygen less than 4.0 mg/L are successfully identified in a hindcast prediction for the 4-year observational record.     

Strontium Isotopic Signatures of Streams from Taylor Valley, Antarctica, Revisited: The Role of Carbonate Mineral Dissolution

We have collected and analyzed a larger set of stream waters for major ions and strontium isotopes in Taylor Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. These new data substantiate the concept that the dissolution of carbonate minerals is a significant source of strontium, even in polar desert environments where liquid water is primarily limited to stream channels. In Taylor Valley, most of the carbonate minerals present are the result of secondary processes, such as mineral precipitation and/or eolian deposition, and not through primary geologic sources, such as bedrock or till sources. In Von Guerard Stream (Lake Fryxell basin) and Andersen Creek (Lake Hoare basin), water samples were collected during the austral summer to determine short-term ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr patterns. The observed variability in both time and space may be dependent on the relative amounts of primary and secondary carbonates present in the streambeds and hyporheic zone as well as contingent on the relative proportions of carbonate and aluminosilicate weathering.     

Using DNA‐Stable Isotope Probing to Identify MTBE‐ and TBA‐Degrading Microorganisms in Contaminated Groundwater

Although the anaerobic biodegradation of methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE) and tert‐butyl alcohol (TBA) has been documented in the laboratory and the field, knowledge of the microorganisms and mechanisms involved is still lacking. In this study, DNA‐stable isotope probing (SIP) was used to identify microorganisms involved in anaerobic fuel oxygenate biodegradation in a sulfate‐reducing MTBE and TBA plume. Microorganisms were collected in the field using Bio‐Sep® beads amended with ¹³C₅‐MTBE, ¹³C₁‐MTBE (only methoxy carbon labeled), or ¹³C₄‐TBA. ¹³C‐DNA and ¹²C‐DNA extracted from the Bio‐Sep beads were cloned and 16S rRNA gene sequences were used to identify the indigenous microorganisms involved in degrading the methoxy group of MTBE and the tert‐butyl group of MTBE and TBA. Results indicated that microorganisms were actively degrading ¹³C‐labeled MTBE and TBA in situ and the ¹³C was incorporated into their DNA. Several sequences related to known MTBE‐ and TBA‐degraders in the Burkholderiales and the Sphingomonadales orders were detected in all three ¹³C clone libraries and were likely to be primary degraders at the site. Sequences related to sulfate‐reducing bacteria and iron‐reducers, such as Geobacter and Geothrix, were only detected in the clone libraries where MTBE and TBA were fully labeled with ¹³C, suggesting that they were involved in processing carbon from the tert‐butyl group. Sequences similar to the Pseudomonas genus predominated in the clone library where only the methoxy carbon of MTBE was labeled with ¹³C. It is likely that members of this genus were secondary degraders cross‐feeding on ¹³C‐labeled metabolites such as acetate.