Characterisation of water masses and phytoplankton nutrient limitation in the East Australian Current separation zone during spring 2008

This study focuses on the comparison of oceanic and coastal cold-core eddies with inner-shelf and East Australian Current (EAC) waters at the time of the spring bloom (October 2008). The surface water was biologically characterised by the phytoplankton biomass, composition, photo-physiology, carbon fixation and by nutrient-enrichment experiments. Marked differences in phytoplankton biomass and composition were observed. Contrasted biomarker composition suggests that biomarkers could be used to track water masses in this area. Divinyl chlorophyll a, a biomarker for tropical Prochlorophytes, was found only in the EAC. Zeaxanthin a biomarker for Cyanophytes, was found only within the oceanic eddy and in the EAC, whereas chlorophyll b (Chlorophytes) was only present in the coastal eddy and at the front between the inner-shelf and EAC waters.This study showed that cold-core eddies can affect phytoplankton, biomass, biodiversity and productivity. Inside the oceanic eddy, greater phytoplankton biomass and a more complex phytoplankton community were observed relative to adjacent water masses (including the EAC). In fact, phytoplankton communities inside the oceanic eddy more closely resembled the community observed in the inner-shelf waters. At a light level close to half-saturation, phytoplankton carbon fixation (gC d⁻¹) in the oceanic eddy was 13-times greater than at the frontal zone between the eddy and the EAC and 3-times greater than in the inner-shelf water. Nutrient-enrichment experiments demonstrated that nitrogen was the major macronutrient limiting phytoplankton growth in water masses associated with the oceanic eddy. Although the effective quantum yield values demonstrate healthy phytoplankton communities, the phytoplankton community bloomed and shifted in response to nitrogen enrichments inside the oceanic eddy and in the frontal zone between this eddy and the EAC. An effect of Si enrichment was only observed at the frontal zone between the eddy and the EAC. No response to nutrient enrichment was observed in the inner-shelf water where ambient NO_x, Si and PO₄ concentrations were up to 14, 4 and 3-times greater than in the EAC and oceanic eddy. Although results from the nutrient-enrichment experiments suggest that nutrients can affect biomass and the composition of the phytoplankton community, the comparison of all sites sampled showed no direct relationship between phytoplankton biomass, nutrients and the depth of the mixed layer. This is probably due to the different timeframe between the rapidly changing physical and chemical oceanography in the separation zone of the EAC.     

Phytoplankton life cycle transformations lead to species-specific effects on sediment processes in the Baltic Sea

In order to study the sediment response to different addition of organic matter, we added cultures of the dinoflagellates Scrippsiella hangoei and Woloszynskia halophila and the diatom Pauliella taeniata to aquaria containing natural sediment. The biomass added was 1550–3260 mg C m⁻², and in the control, no biomass was added (n=3). Oxygen profiles at the sediment–water interface and inorganic nutrients in the near bottom water were determined once a week. In the additions of P. taeniata and W. halophila the sediment quickly became anoxic, and subsequently there was a flux of >1 mmol PO₄³⁻ m⁻² d⁻¹ out of the sediment in these treatments. The majority of the released P came from P stored in the sediment and not from the organic phosphorus added. The result was very different for the S. hangoei addition. This species underwent a life cycle change to form temporary cysts. During this process there was a net uptake of nutrients. After the formation of cysts the concentration of inorganic nutrient was similar to that of the control. Cysts generally survive for long periods in the sediment (months to years) before germinating, but can also be permanently buried in the sediment. The novel idea presented here is that the phytoplankton composition may directly affect sediment processes such as oxygen consumption and phosphorus release, through species-specific life cycle changes and yields of resting stages produced prior to sedimentation. This can be an important aspect of nutrient cycling in eutrophic waters, like the Baltic Sea, where there is large year-to-year difference in the amount of resting stages settling at the sea floor, mainly due to differences in abundance of diatoms and dinoflagellates during the spring bloom. If yields of resting stages change, e.g. due to changes in the phytoplankton community, it may lead to alterations in the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients.     

Spatial patterns of sub-tidal seagrasses and their tissue nutrients in the Torres Strait,northern Australia: Implications for management

The distribution and nutritional profiles of sub-tidal seagrasses from the Torres Strait were surveyed and mapped across an area of 31,000 km². Benthic sediment composition, water depth, seagrass species type and nutrients were sampled at 168 points selected in a stratified representative pattern. Eleven species of seagrass were present at 56 (33.3%) of the sample points. Halophila spinulosa, Halophila ovalis, Cymodocea serrulata and Syringodium isoetifolium were the most common species and these were nutrient profiled. Sub-tidal seagrass distribution (and associated seagrass nutrient concentrations) was generally confined to northern-central and south-western regions of the survey area (<longitude 142.60), where mean water depth was relatively shallow (approximately 13 m below MSL) and where sediments were comprised primarily muddy sand to gravelly sand. Seagrass nitrogen and starch content, the most important nutrients for marine herbivores, were significantly correlated with species and with the plant component (above or below ground). For all seagrass species, the above-ground component (shoots and leaves) possessed greater nitrogen concentrations than the below-ground component (roots and rhizomes), which possessed greater starch concentrations. S. isoetifolium had the highest total nitrogen concentrations (1.40±0.05% DW). However, it also had higher fibre concentrations (38.2±0.68% DW) relative to the other four species. H. ovalis possessed the highest starch concentrations (2.76±0.12% DW) and highest digestibility (83.24±0.66% DW) as well as the lowest fibre (27.2±0.66% DW). The high relative abundance (found at 55% of the sites that had seagrass) and nutrient quality characteristics of H. ovalis make it an important source of energy to marine herbivores that forage sub-tidally in the Torres Strait. There were two regions in Torres Strait (north-central and south-western) where sub-tidal seagrass meadows were prevalent and of relatively higher nutritional value. This spatial and nutritional information can be used by local agencies to manage and to protect the ecological, economic and cultural values of the sub-tidal seagrass ecosystems and associated fisheries of the Torres Strait.     

The role of iron and sulfur in the visual appearance of lake sediment varves

Easily discernible sediment varves (annual laminations) may be formed in temperate zone lakes, and reflect seasonal changes in the composition of the accumulating material derived from the lake and its catchment (minerogenic and organic material). The appearance of varves may also be influenced by chemical processes. We assessed the role of iron (Fe) and sulfur (S) in the appearance of varves in sediments from Lake Nylandssjön in northern Sweden. We surveyed Fe in the lake water and established whether there is internal transport of Fe within the sediment. We used a unique collection of seven stored freeze cores of varved sediment from the lake, collected from 1979 to 2004. This suite of cores made it possible to follow long-term changes in Fe and S in the sediment caused by processes that occur in the lake bottom when the sediment is ageing. We compared Fe and S concentrations using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) in specific years in the different cores. No diagenetic front was found in the sediment and the data do not suggest that there is substantial vertical transport of Fe and S in the sediment. We also modeled Fe and S based on thermodynamic, limnological, and sediment data from the lake. The model was limited to the five components H⁺, e^?, Fe³⁺, SO₄ ^2?, H₂CO₃ and included the formation of solid phases such as Fe(OH)₃ (amorphous), FeOOH (aged, microcrystalline), FeS and FeCO₃. Modeling showed that there are pe (redox) ranges within which either FeS or Fe(OH)₃/FeOOH is the only solid phase present and there are pe ranges within which the two solid phases co-exist, which supports the hypothesis that blackish and grey-brownish layers that occur in the varves were formed at the time of deposition. This creates new possibilities for deciphering high-temporal-resolution environmental information from varves.     

Recent water quality trends and a comparison to sediment-core records for two riverine lakes of the Upper Mississippi River basin: Lake St. Croix and Lake Pepin

Long-term water quality monitoring data from two riverine lakes in the Upper Mississippi River basin, Lakes St. Croix and Pepin, were analyzed to compare the long-term average water quality conditions and land use distributions, water quality trends and loads at lake inlets and outlets, trends from long-term versus short-term monitoring records, and the ability of paleolimnological cores to accurately infer lake water quality conditions. During the 1976–2004 period, the long-term average concentrations of nutrients, suspended solids, and chlorophyll-a were consistently lower at the Lake St. Croix inlet versus the Lake Pepin inlet, which drains a greater proportion of urban and agricultural runoff. Despite these differences, nutrient trends were similar at the inlets to both lakes; reductions in total phosphorus and ammonium concentrations were attributed to improvements in point source technologies, whereas increasing nitrate concentrations were attributed to both point source changes and nonpoint source increases. Despite improvements in several water quality variables, nitrate concentrations are increasing in both lakes, sediment trends indicate persistent nonpoint source inputs to Lake Pepin, and current total phosphorus concentrations remain well above pre-1950s levels in both lakes. Since urban development and agriculture are increasing in the Lake St. Croix and Lake Pepin Watersheds, continued point source regulation and additional nonpoint source control efforts will be needed to further improve water quality in these lakes. The 1976–2004 trends for most water quality variables were similar at inlet versus outlet sites on Lake St. Croix. Trends at Lake Pepin inlet versus outlet sites were less similar, but data availability limited the comparison to the 1993–2003 period. While the truncated data record highlighted short-term trends in both lakes, the full data record was most useful for exploring general patterns in water quality. Length of monitoring record affected our ability to detect trends at the inlets to both lakes, and altered the magnitude of detected trends. During the two decades of the 1980s and 1990s, paleolimnological estimates of retained phosphorus loads were similar to those estimated from recent water quality monitoring. These similarities support the use of paleolimnological approaches to infer past water quality conditions in Lakes St. Croix and Pepin. This is one of eight papers dedicated to the “Recent Environmental History of the Upper Mississippi River” published in this special issue of the Journal of Paleolimnology. D. R. Engstrom served as guest editor of the special issue.     

典型喀斯特地区马尾松纯林及马尾松-阔叶树混交林营养元素生物循环研究——以贵州龙里为例

以龙里典型喀斯特地区马尾松纯林及马尾松-阔叶树混交林为研究对象,研究了两个群落的生物量、营养元素贮量、分布及循环特征.结果表明:马尾松纯林、马尾松-阔叶树混交林的生物量分别为40.62t/hm2、48.32t/hm2,混交林的乔木层总生物量比马尾松纯林高18.97%,根系生物量较纯林高65.12%.混交林乔木层各器官营养元素的含量整体大于马尾松纯林,两群落乔木层N、P、K、S的含量表现出一致的趋势,叶>根>枝>干.混交林乔木层各元素的积累量分别比纯林高47.97%~197.67%,凋落物层各元素贮量比纯林高85.40%~318.301%.混交林的年归还量、年存留量和年吸收量均大于马尾松纯林,且各元素循环系数大于马尾松纯林.马尾松林与阔叶树混交可以有效地提高群落生物量和营养元素循环的能力.     

锂的圈层循环与资源富集过程: 从高原盐湖到造山带伟晶岩

盐湖卤水型锂矿与富锂伟晶岩是目前最为主要的可利用锂资源, 前者是经地表风化/高温水岩淋滤形成的水体通过蒸发作用浓缩而成的卤水, 而后者被认为是陆表风化沉积物熔融产物经高演化形成的富锂硬岩。大陆地壳是此类表生物质循环最根本的物源, 因而探究富锂地壳的形成及其表生风化剥蚀对于理解盐湖与伟晶岩锂成矿至关重要。本文将从元素循环视角切入, 结合内生高温-外生低温过程中锂的元素地球化学行为, 梳理锂在俯冲带各圈层的循环过程, 探讨富锂地壳的形成机制及其对高原盐湖与造山带伟晶岩锂资源发育的影响。研究发现: (1)俯冲板片对弧岩浆锂的物质贡献有限; (2)厚地壳环境下的弧岩浆具有更高的锂含量; (3)造山带富锂弧岩石的循环应是盐湖与伟晶岩锂成矿的重要控制因素。

     

中国地下热水的基本类型和成因特征

循环型地下热水的δD和δ18O具有类似于现代大气降水的线性关系和环境效应,其δD低于当地大气降水,据80年代末检测其氛比值一般小于1,14C年龄逾20000aB.P.（华北）,这说明循环型地下热水起源于区域古大气降水,且补给期为冷湿的雨期。封存型地下热水中贫氘富钙的Cl-Ca型烃矿床卤水,其δD和δ18O接近初生水值域,40Ar/36Ar值接近海岭型值域,反映水的一级起源──上地幔的脱水排气作用。     

Factors controlling the solubility of aerosol trace metals in the atmosphere and on mixing into seawater

Previous work has shown that the type and pH history of an aerosol governs trace metal solubility in rainwater. This study concentrates on the crustal elements Al, Fe and Mn and identifies additional processes which affect dissolution not only in the atmosphere but also on mixing into seawater. Aerosol dissolution experiments (at aerosol concentrations of about 30 mg 1^–1) show manganese exhibiting high solubility at the low pH values typical of clouds (54±2.5% at pH 2, with results expressed in mole percent units) with 85% of this increase occurring within 6 hours of acidification. The percentage dissolution decreases to 50% at pH values representative of rainwater (pH 5.5) and to 26±4% at pH 8, typical of seawater. No such dramatic solution phase removal occurs at pH 8 in the presence of inorganic anions (to a final solubility of 44±2%). Thus the extent of manganese dissolution depends strongly on whether aerosols are cycled through acidic environments and on subsequent inorganic complexation once rainwater mixes into sea. Aluminium shows highest dissolution (7.1±0.6%) at low pH with 78% of this increase occurring within 6 hours of acidification. Rapid solution phase removal occurs on increasing the pH to that representative of rainwater (to 0.9±0.4% with 87% of this decrease occurring within 15 min). As a consequence of acid cycling and aluminium's amphoteric nature, solubility is enhanced at seawater pH (2.3±0.3%) over that in rain. Iron shows a strong pH-solubility relationship with highest solubility at low pH (4.7±0.2%), 70% of this value being reached within 6 hours of acidification, and decreasing rapidly to 0.17% as pH is raised to 8. Addition of inorganic anions at pH 8 to simulate mixing into seawater causes a further decrease in solubility, perhaps due to anion induced colloid destabilisation. Photochemical reduction also effects solubility under low pH conditions with Fe(II) comprising 1% of the total iron in the Saharan Aerosol used and 8.4% in an Urban material at a pH of 2. This element shows rapid solution phase removal with increasing particulate load which is tentatively rationalised in terms of a simple Kd approach.     

The Effect of Organic Carbon-Iron Oxide Association on the Preservation of Sedimentary Organic Carbon in Marine Environments

Understanding the mechanisms responsible for long-term storage of organic carbon (OC) in marine environment is important for studying the marine carbon cycling and predicting how the global carbon cycle will respond to climate change. It is estimated that more than 20% of the OC in marine sediments is associated with iron oxides and thus these complexes are one of the most important factors in the long-term storage of OC. The OC-iron oxide (OC-Fe) association can be formed through either adsorption or co-precipitation, but the dominant mechanism of OC-Fe association in marine environments is co-precipitation. The combination of OC from different sources with iron oxides is selective. Iron oxides preferentially combine with marine OC in most marine environments, but in estuarine delta regions they prefer terrestrial OC. Due to large inputs of terrestrial materials, high primary production and frequent re-suspension, estuarine and marginal seas are suitable sites for OC-Fe association studies, which should be emphasized in the future.