Change of Organic δ13C in Ornithogenic Sediments of the Xisha Archipelago, South China Sea and its Implication for Ecological Development

Organic carbon isotopes in sediments have been frequently used to identify the source of organic matter.Here we present a study of organic δ~(13)C on two sediment profiles influenced by guano from Guangjin and Jinqing islands in the Xisha Archipelago,South China Sea.Organic matter from ornithogenic coral sand sediments has two main sources,guano pellets and plant residues,and their organic δ~(13)C(δ~(13)C_(OM)) are significantly different.Organic carbon δ~(13)C_(guano) is much higher thanδ~(13)C_(plants),and δ~(13)C_(OM)of bulk samples is intermediate.Based on a two-end-member mixing model,the proportions of guano-and plant-derived organic matter in the bulk samples were reconstructed quantitatively.The results showed that seabirds began to inhabit the islands around approximately1200-1400 AD,and that guano pellets have been an important source of soil organic matter since then.With the accumulation of guano-derived nutrients,plants began to develop prosperously on the islands in the last 200 years,which is reflected by the significant increase of plant-derived organic matter in the upper sediment layer.However,guano-derived organic matter decreased greatly in recent decades,indicating a rapid decrease in seabird population.Our results show that organic δ~(13)C can be effectively used to quantitatively determine different source contributions of OM to bulk ornithogenic coral sand sediments.     

Assessment of trace metals in droppings of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) from different locations of the Antarctic Peninsula area

In recent decades, polar regions of the planet have witnessed an increase in human presence. Antarctica is considered one of the most pristine regions of the world, but it could be affected by pollutio...     

Distribution of trace metals in anchialine caves of Adriatic Sea,Croatia

This study presents results of the first comprehensive research on ecotoxic trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn) in aquatic anchialine ecosystems. Data show the influence of hydrological and geological characteristics on trace metals in highly stratified anchialine water columns.     

Comparison of 14C and 210Pb - 137Cs - 241Am dating methods of a recent bat guano deposit (Lot,SW France)

Bat guano deposits are increasingly used as records of past environmental changes, an approach that requires a precise chronology of the guano layers. This paper presents a comparison between the well-established ¹⁴C dating method and methods based on natural ²¹⁰Pb excesses, (²¹⁰Pb)_ex, and artificial radionuclides ¹³⁷Cs and ²⁴¹Am. The studied example is a bat guano deposit from a cave in SW France (the Brantites III cave), which is currently investigated for paleo-environmental reconstructions using stable isotopes. ¹⁴C data show that the upper part of the guano deposit accumulated during the last 150 years with a marked increase in accumulation rates after around 1960 AD. While the incorporation of atmospheric ¹⁴C in guano is a well-understood process, the origin of ²¹⁰Pb excesses is more complex. Based on consideration of ¹³⁷Cs and (²¹⁰Pb)_ex inventories recorded in undisturbed soils in France, and the measured inventories in the guano deposit, we suggest that most of the ²¹⁰Pb excess is produced by ²²²Rn decay in the cave air and then adsorbed onto the guano. As Radon concentrations in caves can vary significantly on both short and long-term timescales, one needs to be cautious before applying the often-used CRS (constant rate of supply of ²¹⁰Pb excess) model to guano dating. Our (²¹⁰Pb)_ex data are best interpreted by two successive periods of roughly constant, but widely different accumulation rates (0.3 cm/y and 2.6 cm/y before and after 1960, respectively) and (²¹⁰Pb)_ex fluxes. We suggest that these relatively abrupt variations result from a change in cave ventilation leading to a more favourable shelter for bats after 1960. The upper 40 cm of the deposit shows evidence of ²¹⁰Pb mobility, adding a further complexity to the interpretation of (²¹⁰Pb)_ex profiles in guano deposits. However, the existence of well-defined ¹³⁷Cs and ²⁴¹Am peaks allows a precise identification of the year of maximum atmospheric fallouts (∼1963–1964). When the ages provided by artificial radionuclides are combined with the ²¹⁰Pb-derived accumulation rates, an age model can be built, which is in good agreement with the ¹⁴C age model. This example shows that the (²¹⁰Pb)_ex method, when associated with ¹³⁷Cs (²⁴¹Am) data, can be used to date recent guano deposit, although its application is not as straightforward as the ¹⁴C method.     

From sea to land: assessment of the bio-transport of phosphorus by penguins in Antarctica

In Antarctica, the marine ecosystem is dynamically interrelated with the terrestrial ecosystem. An example of the link between these two ecosystems is the biogeochemical cycle of phosphorus. Biovectors, such as penguins, transport phosphorus from sea to land, play a key role in this cycle. In this paper, we selected three colonies of penguins, the most important seabirds in Antarctica, and computed the annual quantity of phosphorus transferred from sea to land by these birds. Our results show that adult penguins from colonies at Ardley Island, the Vestfold Hills, and Ross Island could transfer phosphorus in the form of guano at up to 12 349, 167 036, and 97 841 kg/a, respectively, over their breeding period. These quantities are equivalent to an annual input of 3.96×109–1.63×1010 kg of seawater to the land of Antarctica. Finally, we discuss the impact of phosphorus on the ice-free areas of the Antarctica.     

南海东岛湖泊沉积物中的生态环境记录

东岛牛塘为目前在西沙群岛少见的淡水湖泊,发育保存完好的沉积物。文章通过对一根长126cm的沉积柱开展多方面的沉积学分析,包括沉积物的岩性特征,反映碳酸盐含量的白度、CaO和LOI950℃以及反映有机质含量的TOC,TN,TS和LOI550℃等地球化学指标随深度的变化特征,沉积物和环境介质的碳、氮同位素的对比分析,沉积物的稀土元素和Sr,F,P,Se等元素地球化学特征。结果认为:该湖泊沉积剖面自上而下可分成3个具有明显不同沉积学特征的沉积单元,其中25～96cm的沉积层明显地受到了海鸟粪的影响。识别出的海鸟粪土沉积层,为进一步研究历史时期岛屿鸟类生态系统和气候演化提供了良好的信息载体。     

东南极阿曼达湾湖泊沉积物物源的元素分析

2008年在东南极阿曼达湾帝企鹅聚集区附近岛屿开展了野外工作,于岛屿湖泊集水区采集到两个短沉积剖面,分别命名为EPI和PI。根据野外实地考察情况和室内分割样品发现EPI剖面主要为泥炭沉积,含有大量水生藻类;PI剖面为黑色泥质沉积,散发出浓烈的粪臭味,沉积物中含有大量的幼年帝企鹅绒毛和少量的残骨。对EPI和PI剖面沉积物、当地风化母岩及水生湖藻进行了部分生源元素和重金属元素浓度分析与对比,结果显示EPI剖面元素含量主要来源于背景母岩和湖藻沉积。PI剖面为帝企鹅粪土沉积序列,沉积物中的TC、TN、TP、Cu、Zn、Hg和Se的含量远远高于风化母岩中的浓度,其主要来源于帝企鹅粪的输入,而Pb元素主要来源于当地风化母岩的贡献。本研究首次显示帝企鹅活动同样可以为南极贫瘠的陆地湖泊系统带来大量的营养物质,但同时也输入了大量的重金属污染元素。     

南极典型海洋动物粪氨气挥发过程的实验模拟研究

南极海洋动物粪氨(NH3)的挥发与沉降过程是无冰区苔原生态系统氮素重要来源,对维持苔原生态系统的稳定起着重要作用;但目前对于南极典型海洋动物粪氨的挥发过程仍然很少有研究报道。本文通过室内模拟,研究了低温(4℃左右)与冻融条件下南极帝企鹅粪、阿德利企鹅粪和海豹粪土氨气产生与排放过程及其影响因素,结果表明:帝企鹅粪氨气排放通量最大,变化范围为0.765-17.4mg·kg-1·h-1,平均通量约为6.26mg·kg-1·h-1;阿德利企鹅粪氨气排放通量变化范围为0.652-3.707mg·kg-1·h-1,平均通量约为1.27mg·kg-1·h-1;而海豹粪土氨气排放通量很小,平均通量约0.141mg·kg-1·h-1。冻融过程对帝企鹅粪氨气排放通量影响很大,而对阿德利企鹅粪影响较小。另外,帝企鹅粪和阿德利企鹅粪氨气排放量在通气条件下明显大于封闭条件,表明南极野外大风条件下可能加速海洋动物粪氨的挥发过程。本文模拟的结果对于进一步研究南极生物圈氨的挥发过程及其对南极苔原生态系统氮循环的影响具有重要意义。