Night biomass of dominant mesozooplankton groups within the Bismark Polygon (Northeast Atlantic) in June 2001 and June-August 2002

Vertical zooplankton distribution at the northeastern periphery of the North Atlantic subtropical gyre was studied with the use of 113/140 BR nets and Mir manned submersibles. Vertical distribution of selected dominant taxonomic, ecological, and trophic groups was considered. Results were compared with data obtained at the same location in 2001 that allowed to estimate interannual variability of the planktonic community.

Nanoflagellates (mixotrophs, heterotrophs and autotrophs) in the oligotrophic eastern Mediterranean

The vertical distribution (0 to 100 m) and abundance of nanoflagellates were examined in the oligotrophic Aegean Sea (east Mediterranean) in early spring (south basin) and late summer (north and south basins) of 1997 in the framework of the MATER project (Mass Transfer and Ecosystem Response). Different trophic types of nanoflagellates (mixotrophic, heterotrophic, and phototrophic) were identified based on the possession of chloroplasts and the consumption of Fluorescently Labelled Minicells (FLM). Bacterial production (leucine method) was compared with bacterivory estimated from FLM consumption. We found that mixotrophic nanoflagellates played a small role as bacterivores relative to heterotrophic nanoflagellates and total bacterivory roughly balanced bacterial production. In early spring with cool (14.2°C) well-mixed water columns, flagellate concentrations were lowest, phototrophic flagellates were the dominant group and concentrations varied little with depth. Average concentrations of mixotrophs, heterotrophs and autotrophs were 0.07, 0.34, and 0.64 x 103 cells/ml, respectively. Bacterial production in the 0 to 100 m layer averaged about 0.74 µg C/l/d. Estimated nanoflagellate bacterivory from FLM ingestion accounted for 40% of bacterial production with mixotrophic nanoflagellates consuming 5% of bacterial production. In late summer, total nanoflagellate concentrations were higher. Average concentrations of mixotrophs, heterotrophs and autotrophs were 0.09, 1.14, and 0.66 x 103 cells/ml, respectively, in the southern basin and 0.09, 1.1, and 0.98 x 103 cells/ml, respectively, in the northern basin. In September, bacterial production for both basins roughly balanced estimated nanoflagellate consumption. Similar to the March estimates, mixotrophic nanoflagellates accounted for about 5% of nanoflagellate bacterivory. In a nutrient enrichment experiment in March, treatments including phosphorus resulted in increased bacterial production and reductions in identifiable mixotrophs.

Abundance of microzooplankton in surface waters of the East Atlantic and Mediterranean in August-September 1970

Abundance of microzooplankton was studied from August to October 1970 in a ship laboratory using the method of concentration of water samples by filtration and then counting living organisms under a microscope. The main groups (in order of decreasing abundance) were as follows: infusorians, nauplii, copepodids, radiolarians, appendicularians, and some others (rotifers, worm and mollusk larvae). Concentration of infusorians rarely exceeded 100 #/l, possibly an underestimate. Nauplii often numbered 20 to 30 #/l. Study of vertical distribution of microzooplankton showed that peak concentrations in the Mediterranean Sea were at depth of 20-30 m regardless of day time. There were 2 peaks in the Atlantic Ocean, one in the 10- to 20-m layer, the other in the 50- to 75-m layer.

Contents of radioactive elements, main chemical composition, and sedimentation rates of bottom sediments from some stations in the Southeast Pacific

Gamma-spectrometric analysis was used for six sediment cores from the area occupied by metalliferous sediments in the Southeast Pacific. In five of these cores vertical distribution curves of 230Th enabled positions of equilibrium points to be determined and sediments to be dated. The ionium curve was normalized for one core. Vertical distribution of 230Th in metalliferous sediments resembles its distribution in normal ocean-floor sediments beyond the area of influence of active ridges. Sedimentation rates lay within the range 0.7-12.3 mm/ky.

Pore water (SO4, CH4, alkalinity, HS-, Ca, Sr, Mg, Ba) and solid phase (Ca, Sr, Mg, Ba) data measured in pockmark sediments of the Northern Congo Fan

This study focuses on the vertical distribution of authigenic carbonates (aragonite and high Mg-calcite) in the form of finely disseminated precipitates as well as massive carbonate concretions present in and above gas hydrate bearing sediments of the Northern Congo Fan. Analyses of Ca, Mg, Sr and Ba in pore water, bulk sediments and authigenic carbonates were carried out on gravity cores taken from three pockmark structures (Hydrate Hole, Black Hole and Worm Hole). In addition, a background core was retrieved from an area not influenced by fluid seepage. Pore water Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios are used to reveal the current depths of carbonate formation as well as the mineralogy of the authigenic precipitates. The Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios of bulk sediments and massive carbonate concretions were applied to infer the presence and depth distribution of authigenic aragonite and high Mg-calcite, based on the approach presented by Bayon et al. [Bayon et al. (2007). Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios in Niger Delta sediments: Implications for authigenic carbonate genesis in cold seep environments. Marine Geology 241(1-4), 93-109, doi:10.1016/j.margeo.2007.03.007]. We show that the approach developed by Bayon et al. (2007) for sediments of cold seeps of the Niger Delta is also suitable to identify the mineralogy of authigenic carbonates in pockmark sediments of the Congo Deep-Sea Fan. We expand this approach by combining interstitial with solid phase Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios, which demonstrate that high Mg-calcite is the predominant authigenic carbonate that currently forms at the sulfate/methane reaction zone (SMRZ). This is the first study which investigates both solid phase and pore water signatures typical for either aragonite or high Mg-calcite precipitation for the same sediment cores and thus is able to identify active and fossil carbonate precipitation events. At all investigated pockmark sites fossil horizons of the SMRZ were deduced from high Mg-calcite located above and below the current depths of the SMRZ. Additionally, aragonite enrichments typical for high seepage rates were detected close to the sediment surface at these sites. However, active precipitation of aragonite as indicated by pore water characteristics only occurs at the Black Hole site. Dissolved and solid phase Ba concentrations were used to estimate the time the SMRZ was fixed at the current depths of the diagenetic barite fronts. The combined pore water and solid phase elemental ratios (Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca) and Ba concentrations allow the reconstruction of past changes in methane seepage at the investigated pockmark sites. At the Hydrate Hole and Worm Hole sites the time of high methane seepage was estimated to have ceased at least 600 yr BP. In contrast, a more recent change from a high flux to a more dormant stage must have occurred at the Black Hole site as evidenced by active aragonite precipitation at the sediment surface and a lack of diagenetic Ba enrichments.

Light hydrocarbons in sediments of ODP Site 124-768

Geochemical investigations on gases and interstitial waters from ODP Site 768 (Sulu Trench/Philippines) demonstrate the application of molecular gas composition in combination with stable isotope analyses to the genetic classification of light hydrocarbons. 13C/12C and D/H ratios of methane from gas pockets in cores and gases desorbed from frozen sediments by a vacuum/acid treatment suggest a microbial generation of methane by a CO2 reducing process in sediments with low sulfate concentrations. Isotope data and molecular composition of sediment gases liberated by the vacuum/acid treatment seem to be affected by a secondary desorption process during sampling. A comparison between the D/H ratios of methane from gas pockets and interstitial H2O points to an in-situ generation of methane down to a sub-bottom depth of approx. 720 m. Below this depth hydrogen isotope data indicate a migration of light hydrocarbons into pyroclastic sediments at this site. The occurrence of higher hydrocarbons (propane to pentane) in gases from gas pockets coincides with the vertical distribution of mature organic matter. Gases within the zone of mature organic matter are gases of a mixed microbial and thermal origin.

Geochemistry on sediment profile PS69/335

During RV Polarstern cruise ANT-XXIII/4 in 2006, a gravity core (PS69/335-2) and a giant box core (PS69/335-1) were retrieved from Maxwell Bay off King George Island (KGI). Comprehensive geochemical (bulk parameters, quantitative XRF, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) and radiometric dating analyses (14C, 210Pb) were performed on both cores. A comparison with geochemical data from local bedrock demonstrates a mostly detrital origin for the sediments, but also points to an overprint from changing bioproductivity in the overlying water column in addition to early diagenetic processes. Furthermore, ten tephra layers that were most probably derived from volcanic activity on Deception Island were identified. Variations in the vertical distribution of selected elements in Maxwell Bay sediments further indicate a shift in source rock provenance as a result of changing glacier extents during the past c. 1750 years that may be linked to the Little Ice Age and the Medieval Warm Period. Whereas no evidence for a significant increase in chemical weathering rates was found, 210Pb data revealed that mass accumulation rates in Maxwell Bay have almost tripled since the 1940s (0.66 g cm-2 yr-1 in AD 2006), which is probably linked to rapid glacier retreat in this region due to recent warming.