Silicon isotope fractionation between plant parts in banana: In situ vs. in vitro

We recently showed that silicon isotopic fractionation in banana (Musa acuminata Colla, cv Grande Naine) was related to phytolith production, and therefore to silica content in plant. The present study focuses on isotopic fractionation between the different plant parts. Silicon isotopic compositions were measured using a Nu plasma multicollector plasma source mass spectrometer (MC–ICP–MS) operating in dry plasma mode. The results are expressed as δ²⁹Si relatively to the NBS28 standard, with an average precision and accuracy of ± 0.08‰ (± 2σ). On mature banana (Musa acuminata Colla, cv Grande Naine) from Cameroon, δ²⁹Si ranged from + 0.13‰ in the petiole to + 0.49‰ in the lamina, yielding to a 0.36‰ change towards heavier isotopic composition in the upper parts of the plant. This strongly accords with results obtained on in vitro banana plantlets cultivated in hydroponics, where the δ²⁹Si increase from pseudostems to lamina is 0.26‰. These preliminary results on in situ banana show a trend of intra-plant fractionation comparable with that of in vitro hydroponics banana plantlets and with previous data obtained on bamboo.     

Institutional dimensions of the developing REDD+ process in Cameroon

The reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) initiative has emerged in recent years as a mechanism to simultaneously address climate change, biodiversity, and poverty reduction challenges at the margins of tropical forests. Congo Basin countries, including Cameroon, have embraced the opportunities that REDD+ provides, with great expectations. Yet, it needs to be investigated whether the enabling institutional environment, which is required for implementing REDD+, is present. Understanding is still limited on how to build adequate and strong institutional relations that could shape the reforms towards the establishment of efficient emissions reductions schemes. Furthermore, uncertainty remains on the operational mechanisms of REDD+, suggesting that, to catalyse effectiveness, there is a need to come up with a governance model nested in relevant policy frameworks. This study builds on a modified ‘4Is’ framework – Institutions, Interests, Ideas and Information – to analyse REDD+ and explore stakeholders' perceptions on the local forest governance potential. A structural implementation model to optimize the effectiveness of REDD+ is developed. Findings suggest that governments need to review existing policies to take into account participation, local people rights, and information access as a way to stimulate actors' willingness to contribute to emissions reductions and carbon stock increases under REDD+ regimes.     

中非造山带：喀麦隆北部地质构造与河流沉积物重矿物分析

简要叙述冈瓦纳超大陆聚合过程和中非造山带泛非期地质构造过程,剖析了西冈瓦纳喀麦隆北部和乍得西南地区岩石构造单元及其形成的构造背景并对喀麦隆北部河流冲积物进行了重矿物分析。分析结果表明重矿物可能来自近源基岩,为西喀麦隆地体(Western Cameroon Domain)内的雷博巴(Rey Bouba)绿岩带和马约科比(Mayo Kebbi)弧岩浆岩带;重矿物中的自然金可能主要来自雷博巴绿岩带。分析结果为该地区砂金矿开采提供了一定的指示。     

Was the lethal eruption of Lake Nyos related to a double CO2/H2O density inversion?

The 1986 lethal eruption of Lake Nyos (Cameroon) was caused by a sudden inversion between deep, CO₂-loaded bottom lake waters and denser, gas-free surface waters. A deep CO₂ source has been found in fluid inclusions which occur predominantly in clinopyroxenes from lherzolitic mantle xenoliths, brought to the surface by the last erupted alkali basalts. P–T conditions of CO₂ trapping correspond to a gas density equal (or higher) than that of liquid water. It is suggested that this dense CO₂, found in many ultrabasic mantle xenoliths worldwide, has accumulated at km depth, below a column of descending lake water. It may remain in a stable state for a long period, as long as the temperature is above the density inversion temperature for pure H₂O/CO₂ systems. At an estimated depth of about 3 km, cooling by descending waters (to about 30 °C) induces a density inversion for the upper part of the CO₂ reservoir. This causes a constant, regular upstream of low-density CO₂ which, in its turn, feeds the shallower lake density inversion.