Berry production, shoot growth and biomass of E. hermaphroditum, V. vitis-idaea and V. myrtillis at Abisco ANS

Extreme weather events can have strong negative impacts on species survival and community structure when surpassing lethal thresholds. Extreme, short-lived, winter warming events in the Arctic rapidly melt snow and expose ecosystems to unseasonably warm air (for instance, 2-10 °C for 2-14 days) but upon return to normal winter climate exposes the ecosystem to much colder temperatures due to the loss of insulating snow. Single events have been shown to reduce plant reproduction and increase shoot mortality, but impacts of multiple events are little understood as are the broader impacts on community structure, growth, carbon balance, and nutrient cycling. To address these issues, we simulated week-long extreme winter warming events - using infrared heating lamps and soil warming cables - for 3 consecutive years in a sub-Arctic heathland dominated by the dwarf shrubs Empetrum hermaphroditum, Vaccinium vitis-idaea (both evergreen) and Vaccinium myrtillus (deciduous). During the growing seasons after the second and third winter event, spring bud burst was delayed by up to a week for E. hermaphroditum and V. myrtillus, and berry production reduced by 11-75% and 52-95% for E. hermaphroditum and V. myrtillus, respectively. Greater shoot mortality occurred in E. hermaphroditum (up to 52%), V. vitis-idaea (51%), and V. myrtillus (80%). Root growth was reduced by more than 25% but soil nutrient availability remained unaffected. Gross primary productivity was reduced by more than 50% in the summer following the third simulation. Overall, the extent of damage was considerable, and critically plant responses were opposite in direction to the increased growth seen in long-term summer warming simulations and the 'greening' seen for some arctic regions. Given the Arctic is warming more in winter than summer, and extreme events are predicted to become more frequent, this generates large uncertainty in our current understanding of arctic ecosystem responses to climate change.

Biometric measurements of Fragilariopsis kerguelensis

The valve area of Fragilariopsis kerguelensis, the most abundant diatom species in the Southern Ocean, strongly changes in size in response to varying conditions in the surface ocean. We examined the link, both in two iron fertilization experiments and in sediment samples covering several glacial Terminations, between size variability in this species and environmental conditions across the Antarctic Polar Front, including sea ice extent, sea surface temperature, and the input of eolian dust. The iron fertilization experiments show valve area to be positively correlated with iron concentrations in ambient waters, which suggests the possibility of a causal relation between valve size of Fragilariopsis kerguelensis and ambient surface water iron concentration. Larger valves are usually found during glacial times and thus seem to be related to lower sea surface temperature and wider sea ice coverage. Moreover, our results indicate that there usually is a strong correlation between larger valve size and increased input of eolian dust to the Southern Ocean. However, this correlation, obvious for the fertilization experiments and for glacial Terminations I, II, III, and V, does not seem to be valid for Termination VI, where size appears to be inversely correlated to dust input.

Rare earth and other element contents in surface layer bottom sediments and ferromanganese nodules along the Transatlantic profile

Behavior of rare earth elements (REE) and Th is studied along the Transatlantic transect at 22°N. It is shown that both REE and Th contents relative to Al (the most lithogenic element) increase toward the pelagic region. The increasing trend becomes more complicated due to variations in content of biogenic calcium carbonate that acts as a diluting component in sediments. REE composition varies symmetrically relative to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) emphasizing weak hydrothermal influence on sediments of the ridge axis, although the well-known criteria for hydrothermal contribution, such as Al/(Al+Mn+Fe) and (Fe+Mn)/Ti, do not reach critical values. Variations in REE content and composition allowed to distinguish the following five sediment zones in the transect: (I) terrigenous sediments of the Nares abyssal plain; (II) pelagic sediments of the North American Basin; (III) carbonate ooze of the MAR axis; (IV) pelagic sediments of the Canary Basin; and (V) terrigenous clay and calcareous mud of the African continental slope and slope base. Ferromanganese nodules of the hydrogenous type with extremely high Ce (up to 1801 ppm) and Th (up to 138 ppm) contents occur in pelagic sediments. It is ascertained that P, REE, and Th contents depend on Fe content in Atlantic sediments. Therefore, one can suggest that only minor amount of phosphorus is bound with bone debris. Low concentration of bone debris phosphorus is a result of relatively high sedimentation rates in the Atlantic Ocean, as compared with those in pelagic regions of the Pacific Ocean.

Composition of rocks and minerals from the Cape Verde Fault Zone

Results of comprehensive geological, geophysical and geochemical studies carried out in the Cape Verde Fracture Zone (Central Atlantic) during Cruise 9 of R/V ''Antares'' (1990-1991) are published in the book. Detailed characterization of various bedrock complexes (ultrabasites, gabbroids, dolerites, basalts, metamorphic rocks) is given. Geological conditions of newly found hydrothermal mineralization in the area are described. Problems of ore melts are under consideration. New data on hydrochemical anomalies and heat flow are given. The book contains original materials on sedimentary formations of the area.

(Supplement) Groundwater quality in Lahore Pakistan: emphasis on Arsenic and Fluoride levels

The dataset provides detailed information on the study that was conducted in Lahore's 7 major towns. The sample was taken from 472 tubewells and analyzed for major cations and anions using APHA 2012 techniques as explained herein. Besides, E.coli determination was done to check for microbial contamination. The data includes results from PHREEQC modeling of As(III)/ As(V) species and saturation indices as well as Aquachem's computed hydrochemical water facies. The WHO (2011) and EPA standards included in Aquachem identified the parameters that where in violation. Bicarbonates dominated the groundwater types with 50.21% of the samples exceeding the EPA maximum permissible limit of 250 mg/L in drinking water. Similarly, 30.51% of the samples had TDS values greater than 500 mg/L while 85.38 % of the samples exceed 10 µg/L threshold limit value of arsenic. Also, instances of high magnesium hazard values were observed which requires constant assessment if the groundwater is used for irrigation. Higher than 50% MH values are detrimental to crops which may reduce the expected yields. The membrane filtration technique using m-Endo Agar indicated that 3.59% samples had TNC (too numerous to count) values for E.coli while 5.06% showed values higher than 0 cfu/ 100 ml acceptable value in drinking water. Any traces of E-coli in a groundwater sample indicate recent fecal contamination. Such outcomes signify presence of enteric pathogens. If the groundwater is not properly dosed with disinfectants it may cause harm to human health. It is concluded that more studies are needed and proper groundwater management implement to safeguard the lives of communities that depend solely on groundwater in the city.

(Table 1) Sr, Nd and Os isotopic composition from marine sediments of the Bengal Fan

Sr, Nd, and Os isotopic data are presented for sediments from diverse locations in the Bay of Bengal. These data allow the samples to be divided into three groups, related to their sedimentary contexts. The first group, mainly composed of sediments from the shelf off Bangladesh and the currently active fan, has Sr and Nd characteristics consistent with a dominantly Himalayan source. Their 187Os/188Os ratios (~1.2-1.5) show that the average detrital material delivered by the Ganga-Brahmaputra (G-B) river system is not unusually radiogenic. A large difference in 187Os/188Os ratio exists between these Bengal Fan sediments and Ganga bedloads (187Os/188Os ~2.5, Pierson-Wickmann et al. (2000, doi:10.1016/S0012-821X(00)00003-0)). This difference mainly reflects addition of a less radiogenic Brahmaputra component, though mineralogical sorting and loss of radiogenic Os during transport may also play some role. The second sample group contains sediments from elsewhere in the Bay, particularly those located on the continental slope. They display Os isotopic compositions (0.99-1.11) similar to that of present seawater and higher Os and Re concentrations. These characteristics suggest the presence of a large hydrogenous contribution, consistent with the lower sedimentation rate of these samples. Sr and Nd ratios indicate that a significant fraction of these sediments is derived from erosion of non-Himalayan sources, such as the Indo-Burman range. These observations could be explained by the deflection of sediments from the G-B river system by westward currents in the head of the Bay. The third group contains only one sample, but shows that in addition to a Himalayan source, sediment discharge from Sri Lanka may influence the detrital component in the distal part of the fan. The similarity between the isotopic compositions of the group I R/V Sonne samples and those of Ocean Drilling Program Leg 116 (France-Lanord et al., 1993; Reisberg et al., 1997, doi:10.1016/S0012-821X(00)00003-0) suggests that the material eroding in the Himalayas has been roughly constant since the Miocene. The high Os isotopic ratios of leachates of both Sonne group I and Miocene Leg 116 sediments imply that much of the leachable highly radiogenic Os component was conserved during transport through the estuary or interaction with seawater. In constrast, samples with lower, but still relatively high, sedimentation rates (Sonne groups II and III and Pliocene Leg 116) seem to have significantly adsorbed or exchanged Os and Re with seawater. This suggests that in some cases the Os isotopic ratios of leachates of detrital sediments can be used to constrain the ancient marine Os record, or conversely, to date unfossiliferous sediments.

(Table 2) Major and trace elements in black smoker particulates

We present geochemical data of black smoker particulates filtered from hydrothermal fluids with seawater-dilutions ranging from 0-99%. Results indicate the dominance of sulphide minerals (Fe, Cu, and Zn sulphides) in all samples taken at different hydrothermal sites on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Pronounced differences in the geochemistry of the particles between Logatchev I and 5°S hydrothermal fields could be attributed to differences in fluid chemistry. Lower metal/sulphur ratios (Me/H2S < 1) compared to Logatchev I result in a larger amount of particles precipitated per liter fluid and the occurrence of elemental sulphur at 5°S, while at Logatchev I Fe oxides occur in larger amounts. Systematic trends with dilution degree of the fluid include the precipitation of large amounts of Cu sulphides at a low dilution and a pronounced drop with increasing dilution. Moreover, Fe (sulphides or oxides) precipitation increases with dilution of the vent fluid by seawater. Geochemical reaction path modeling of hydrothermal fluid-seawater mixing and conductive cooling indicates that Cu sulphide formation at Logatchev I and 5°S mainly occurs at high temperatures and low dilution of the hydrothermal fluid by seawater. Iron precipitation is enhanced at higher fluid dilution, and the different amounts of minerals forming at 5°S and Logatchev I are thermodynamically controlled. Larger total amounts of minerals and larger amounts of sulphide precipitate during the mixing path when compared to the cooling path. Differences between model and field observations do occur and are attributable to closed system modeling, to kinetic influences and possibly to organic constituents of the hydrothermal fluids not accounted for by the model.

(Table 1) Peak intensities and stable carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of various diagenetic carbonates of ODP Site 128-799

Abundant and various diagenetic carbonates were recovered from a 1084-m-thick, Quaternary to lower Miocene section at ODP Site 799 in the Japan Sea. Petrographic, XRD, SEM, EDS-chemical, and isotopic analyses revealed wide variations in occurrence and textural relations and complex mineralogy and chemistry. Diagenetic carbonates include calcite, calcium-rich rhodochrosite, iron- and manganese-rich magnesite, iron- and manganese-rich dolomite and ankerite, and iron- and manganeserich lansfordite (hydrous Mg-carbonate). Rhodochrosite commonly occurs as small, solid nodules and semi-indurated, thin layers in bioturbated, mottled sediments of Units I and II (late Miocene to Quaternary). Lansfordite occurs as unindurated nodules and layers in Unit II (late Miocene and Pliocene), whereas magnesite forms indurated beds a few centimeters thick in slightly bioturbated-to-faintly laminated sediments of Unit III (middle and late Miocene). Some rhodochrosite nodules have dark-colored, pyritic cores, and some pyrite-rhodochrosite nodules are overgrown by and included within magnesite beds. Dolomite and ankerite tend to form thick beds (>10 cm) in bedded to laminated sediments of Units III, IV, and V (early to late Miocene). Calcite occurs sporadically throughout the Site 799 sediments. The d18O values of carbonates and the interstitial waters, and the measured geothermal gradient indicate that almost all of the Site 799 carbonates are not in isotopic equilibrium with the ambient waters, but were precipitated in the past when the sediments were at shallower depths. Depths of precipitation obtained from the d18O of carbonates span from 310 to 510 mbsf for magnesite and from 60 to 580 mbsf for dolomite-ankerite. Rhodochrosite and calcite are estimated to have formed within sediments at depths shallower than 80 mbsf. Diagenetic history in the Site 799 sediments have been determined primarily by the environment of deposition; in particular, by the oxidation-reduction state of the bottom waters and the alkalinity level of the interstitial waters. Under the well-oxygenated bottom-water conditions in the late Miocene and Pliocene, manganese initially accumulated on the seafloor as hydrogenous oxides and subsequently was mobilized and reprecipitated as rhodochrosite within the shallow sulfate-reduction, sub-oxic zone. Precipitation of lansfordite occurred in the near-surface sediments with abundant organic carbon and an extremely high alkalinity during the latest Miocene and Pliocene. The lansfordite was transformed to magnesite upon burial in the depth interval 310 to 510 mbsf. Dolomite first precipitated at shallow depths in Mn-poor, anoxic, moderately biocalcareous sediments of early to late Miocene. With increasing temperature and depth, the dolomite recrystallized and reequilibrated with ambient waters at depths below about 400 mbsf.

(Table 1) Downcore age and bulk geochemistry of sediment core GS7202-35

The distribution of redox-sensitive metals in sediments is potentially a proxy for past ocean ventilation and productivity, but deconvolving these two major controls has proved difficult to date. Here we present a 740 kyr long record of trace element concentrations from an archived sediment core collected at ~15°S on the western flank of the East Pacific Rise (EPR) on 1.1 Myr old crust and underlying the largest known hydrothermal plume in the world ocean. The downcore trace element distribution is controlled by a variable diagenetic overprint of the inferred primary hydrothermal plume input. Two main diagenetic processes are operating at this site: redox cycling of transition metals and ferrihydrite to goethite transition during aging. The depth of oxidation in these sediments is controlled by fluctuations in the relative balance of bottom water oxygen and electron donor input (organic matter and hydrothermal sulfides). These fluctuations induce apparent variations in the accumulation of redox-sensitive species with time. Subsurface U and P peaks in glacial age sediments, in this and other published data sets along the southern EPR, indicate that basin-wide changes in deep ocean ventilation, in particular at glacial-interglacial terminations II, III, IV, and V, alter the depth of the oxidation front in the sediments. These basin-wide changes in the deep Pacific have significant implications for carbon partitioning in the ocean-atmosphere system, and the distribution of redox-sensitive metals in ridge crest sediment can be used to reconstruct past ocean conditions at abyssal depths in the absence of alternative proxy records.