Geochemieal records of phosphorus in Jiaozhou Bay sediments - Implications for environmental changes in recent hundred years

Phosphorus is a key element and plays an important role in global biogeochemical cycles. The evolution of sedimentary environment is also influenced by phosphorus concentrations and fractions as well as phosphate sorption characteristics of the marine sediments. The geochemical characteristics of phosphorus and their environmental records were presented in Jiaozhou Bay sediments. Profiles of different forms of phosphorus were measured as well as the roles and vertical distributions of phosphorus forms in response to sedimentary environment changes were investigated. The results showed that inorganic phosphorus ( IP) was the major fraction of total phosphorus ( TP); phosphorus which is bound to calcium, iron and occluded phosphorus, as well as the exchangeable phosphorus were the main forms of IP, especially calcium-phosphorus, including detrital carbonate-bound phosphorus ( Det - P) and authigenic apatite-bound phosphorus ( ACa - P), are the uppermost constituent of IP in Jiaozhou Bay sediments. Moreover, the lead-210 chronology technology was employed to estimate how much phosphorus was buried ultimately in sediments. And the research showed that the impacts of human activities have increased remarkably in recent years especially between the 1980s and 2000. According to research, the development of Jiaozhou Bay environment in the past hundred years can be divided into three stages; (I) before the 1980s characterized by the relatively low sedimentation rate, weak land-derived phosphorus inputs and low anthropogenic impacts; (2) from the 1980s to around 2000, accelerating in the 1990s, during which high sedimentation rates, high phosphorus abundance and burial fluxes due to the severe: human activities impacted on the whole environmental system; (3) after 2000, the period of the improvement of environment, the whole system has been improved including the decreasing sedimentation rates, concentration and the burial fluxes of phosphonas.

(Table T1) Coral taxa and their ecological significance in ODP Site 194-1196 and Hole 194-1199A sediments

The Southern Marion Plateau (SMP) represents a vertical stacking of Miocene carbonate platform deposits. Two sites (1196 and 1199) were drilled on top of this plateau, penetrating a 663-m carbonate succession of bioclastic and reefal sedimentary bodies. The study focuses on the least dolomitized 410-m-thick upper part of the succession, which is middle to late Miocene in age. Sedimentological and paleontological studies were conducted at both sites in order to propose a paleoenvironmental model and its evolution through the Miocene age. Six main microfacies of possible environmental significance were defined using statistical multivariate analyses, based on the recognition and point counting of 24 biogenic components. Depositional environment reconstructions are proposed as well as the biosedimentary and the environmental evolution regarding seismic architectures, stratigraphy, biosedimentology, and microfacies analysis. The SMP platform mainly results from a vertical stacking of lens-shaped bodies in homoclinal to distally steepened ramp settings.

Raman spectroscopic study of the hydroxy-arsenate mineral pharmacolite Ca(HAsO4)•2H2O : implications for aquifer and sediment remediation

The removal of arsenate anions from aqueous media, sediments and wasted soils is of environmental significance. The reaction of gypsum with the arsenate anion results in pharmacolite mineral formation, together with related minerals. Raman and infrared spectroscopy have been used to study the mineral pharmacolite Ca(HAsO4)•2H2O. The mineral is characterised by an intense Raman band at 865 cm-1 assigned to the (AsO4)3- symmetric stretching mode. The equivalent infrared band is found at 864 cm-1. The low intensity Raman band at 886 cm-1 provides evidence for (AsO3OH)2-. A series of overlapping bands in the 300 to 450 cm-1 are attributed to ν2 and ν4 bending modes. Prominent Raman bands at around 3187 cm-1 are assigned to water OH stretching vibrations and the two sharp bands at 3425 and 3526 cm-1 to the OH stretching vibrations of (HOAsO3) units.

A Raman spectroscopic study of M2+M3+ sulfate minerals, römerite Fe2+Fe23+ (SO4)4· 14H2O and botryogen Mg2+Fe3+ (SO4)2(OH)·7H2O

The mixed valency (M2+M3+) sulphate minerals, römerite Fe2+Fe23+(SO4)4•14H2O and botryogen Mg2+Fe3+(SO4)2(OH).7H2O have been studied by Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectra of the two types of crystals proved very similar but not identical. The observation of two symmetric stretching modes confirmed the presence of the two non-equivalent sulphate units in the römerite structure. The observation of multiple bands in the antisymmetric stretching region and in the bending regions proves the symmetry of the sulphate anion is significantly reduced in the römerite structure. The number of Raman bands related to the (SO4)2- symmetric and antisymmetric vibrations support the X-ray single crystal structure conclusion that two symmetrically distinct S6+ are present in the structure of botryogen. Römerite is a mineral of environmental significance as it is commonly found in tailings and dumps.

Occurrence of iron and associated bacterial populations in soils of a forested subtropical coastal catchment

Iron (Fe) biogeochemistry is potentially of environmental significance in plantation-forested, subtropical coastal ecosystems where soil disturbance and seasonal water logging may lead to elevation of Fe mobilization and associated water quality deterioration. Using wet-chemical extraction and laboratory cultivation, we examined the occurrence of Fe forms and associated bacterial populations in diverse soils of a representative subtropical Australian coastal catchment (Poona Creek). Total reactive Fe was abundant throughout 0e30 cm soil cores, consisting primarily of crystalline forms in well-drained sand soils and water-logged loam soils, whereas in water-logged, low clay soils, over half of total reactive Fe was present in poorly-crystalline forms due to organic and inorganic complexation, respectively. Forestry practices such as plantation clear-felling and replanting, seasonal water logging and mineral soil properties significantly impacted soil organic carbon (C), potentially-bioavailable Fe pools and densities of S-, but not Fe-, bacterial populations. Bacterial Fe(III) reduction and abiotic Fe(II) oxidation, as well as chemolithotrophic S oxidation and aerobic, heterotrophic respiration were integral to catchment terrestrial FeeC cycling. This work demonstrates bacterial involvement in terrestrial Fe cycling in a subtropical coastal circumneutral-pH ecosystem.

Neutrophilic, microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria are ubiquitous in aquatic habitats of a subtropical Australian coastal catchment (ubiquitous FeOB in catchment aquatic habitats)

We examined the abundance and distribution of neutrophilic, microaerophilic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) in aquatic habitats of a highly weathered, subtropical coastal catchment where Fe biogeochemistry is of environmental significance. Laboratory cultivation and microscopy indicated that stalked Gallionella and sheathed Leptothrix-like FeOB were present in microbial mats associated with a circumneutral-pH, groundwater seep and streambank surface sediment,whereas unicellular FeOB werewidespread in surface and subsurface waters, including a seep, shallow stream and estuary-adjacent groundwater. Direct Gallionella-specificPCR detected dominant bacterial members related to Sideroxydans paludicola (95% sequence identity, SI) and Gallionella capsiferriformans (96% SI) in the seep microbialmat. TGGE analysis indicated that themost common FeOB in water enrichment cultures were related to S. lithotrophicus (96% SI). The ubiquity of FeOB in Poona catchment aquatic habitats suggests bacterial Fe(II) oxidation is integral to catchment Fe biogeochemistry.

Raman spectroscopic study of the hydroxy-phosphate mineral plumbogummite PbAl3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)6

Plumbogummite PbAl3(PO4)2(OH,H2O)6 is a mineral of environmental significance and is a member of the alunite-jarosite supergroup. The molecular structure of the mineral has been investigated by Raman spectroscopy. The spectra of different plumbogummite specimens differ although there are many common features. The Raman spectra prove the spectral profile consisting of overlapping bands and shoulders. Raman bands and shoulders observed at 971, 980, 1002 and 1023 cm−1 (China sample) and 913, 981, 996 and 1026 cm−1 (Czech sample) are assigned to the ν1 symmetric stretching modes of the (PO4)3−, at 1002 and 1023 cm−1 (China) and 996 and 1026 cm−1 to the ν1 symmetric stretching vibrations of the (O3POH)2− units, and those at 1057, 1106 and 1182 (China) and at 1102, 1104 and 1179 cm−1 (Czech) to the ν3 (PO4)3− and ν3 (PO3) antisymmetric stretching vibrations. Raman bands and shoulders at 634, 613 and 579 cm−1 (China) and 611 and 596 cm−1 (Czech) are attributed to the ν4 (δ) (PO4)3− bending vibrations and those at 507, 494 and 464 cm−1 (China) and 505 and 464 cm−1 (Czech) to the ν2 (δ) (PO4)3− bending vibrations. The Raman spectrum of the OH stretching region is complex. Raman bands and shoulders are identified at 2824, 3121, 3249, 3372, 3479 and 3602 cm−1 for plumbogummite from China, and at 3077, 3227, 3362, 3480, 3518 and 3601 cm−1 for the Czech Republic sample. These bands are assigned to the ν OH stretching modes of water molecules and hydrogen ions. Approximate O–H⋯O hydrogen bond lengths inferred from the Raman spectra vary in the range >3.2–2.62 Å (China) and >3.2–2.67 Å (Czech). The minority presence of some carbonate ions in the plumbogummite (China sample) is connected with distinctive intensity increasing of the Raman band at 1106 cm−1, in which may participate the ν1 (CO3)2− symmetric stretching vibration overlapped with phosphate stretching vibrations.

Biodiversity of Australian smut fungi.

There are about 250 species of smut fungi known from Australia of which 95 are endemic. Fourteen of these endemic species were first collected in the period culminating with the publication of Daniel McAlpine's revision of Australian smut fungi in 1910. Of the 68 species treated by McAlpine, 10 were considered to be endemic to Australia at that time. Only 23 of the species treated by McAlpine have names that are currently accepted . During the following eighty years until 1990, a further 31 endemic species were collected and just 11 of these were named and described in that period. Since 1990, 50 further species of endemic smut fungi have been collected and named in Australia . There are 115 species that are restricted to either Australia or to Australia and the neighbouring countries of Indonesia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines . These 115 endemic species occur in 24 genera, namely Anthracoidea (1 species), Bauerago (1), Cintractia (3), Dermatosorus (1), Entyloma (3), Farysporium (1), Fulvisporium (1), Heterotolyposporium (1), Lundquistia (1), Macalpinomyces (4), Microbotryum (2), Moreaua (20), Pseudotracya (1), Restiosporium (5), Sporisorium (26), Thecaphora (2), Tilletia (12), Tolyposporella (1), Tranzscheliella (1), Urocystis (2), Ustanciosporium (1), Ustilago (22), Websdanea (1) and Yelsemia (2). About a half of these local and regional endemic species occur on grasses and a quarter on sedges . The northern tropical savannah region of Australia offers most promise for the discovery of new endemic species . The agricultural, quarantine and environmental significance to Australia of some introduced species is discussed.

Spatial and temporal patterns of feral pig diggings in rainforests of north Queensland

Feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are believed to have a severe negative impact on the ecological values of tropical rainforests in north Queensland, Australia. Most perceptions of the environmental impacts of feral pigs focus on their disturbance of the soil or surface material (diggings). Spatial and temporal patterns of feral pig diggings were identified in this study: most diggings occurred in the early dry season and predominantly in moist soil (swamp and creek) microhabitats, with only minimal pig diggings found elsewhere through the general forest floor. The overall mean daily pig diggings were 0.09% of the rainforest floor. Most diggings occurred 3-4 months after the month of maximum rainfall. Most pig diggings were recorded in highland swamps, with over 80% of the swamp areas dug by pigs at some time during the 18-month study period. These results suggest that management of feral pig impacts should focus on protecting swamp and creek microhabitats in the rainforest, which are preferred by pigs for digging and which have a high environmental significance.

Los glacis de la cuenca de Miranda de Ebro (Burgos): significado climático y evolución geomorfológica

[ES] En este trabajo se analizan los glacis de la Cuenca de Miranda, en la que constituyen una de las morfologías de mayor relevancia paisajística. Se han establecido dos niveles de glacis cuyas características topográficas, morfológicas y sedimentológicas se integran plenamente dentro de los rasgos propios de estas morfologías. El significado ambiental de estas formaciones y su correlación con los depósitos aluviales del Ebro, han permitido establecer un marco cronológico para ambos niveles, asociando su génesis a los estadios isotópicos 2 y 4, y todo ello dentro de un marco regional coherente.

Corrosion of carbon steel influenced by anaerobic biofilm in natural seawater

The bacteria in the anaerobic biofilm on rusted carbon steel immersed in natural seawater were characterized by culturing and molecular biology techniques. Two types of anaerobic bacterium, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) Desulfovibrio caledoniensis and iron-reducing bacteria Clostridium sp. uncultured were found. The compositions of the rust layer were also analyzed and we found that iron oxide and sulfate green rust were the major components. To investigate the corrosion mechanisms, electrochemical impedance spectra was obtained based on the isolated sulfate-reducing bacteria and mixed bacteria cultured from rust layer in laboratory culture conditions. We found that single species produced iron sulfide and accelerated corrosion, but mixed species produced sulfate green rust and inhibited corrosion. The anaerobic corrosion mechanism of steel was proposed and its environmental significance was discussed. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Volcanic eruptions dry fogs and the european palaeoenvironmental record: Localised phenomena or Hemispheric impacts?

Grattan, John and Pyatt, J.P 'Volcanic eruptions dry fogs and the european palaeoenvironmental record: Localised phenomena or Hemispheric impacts?' Global and Planetary Change, 21(1999) 173-179

Levantamento ambiental de uma indústria conserveira nos Açores

Dissertação de Mestrado em Ambiente, Saúde e Segurança.

Soil mobility of sewage sludge-derived dissolved organic matter, copper, nickel and zinc

A soil (sandy loam) column leaching study aimed to determine the extent of mobility and co-mobility of Cu, Ni, Zn and dissolved organic matter (DOM) released from a surface-application (equivalent to 50 t ds ha(-1)) of anaerobically-digested sewage sludge. Leaching of DOM through It the soil column was found to be almost un-retarded. Decidedly similar behaviour was exhibited by Ni suggesting that it migrated as organic complexes. Whilst Cu was also found to be leached, significant retardation was evident. However, the importance of DOM in promoting the mobility of both Cu and Ni was evidenced by their lack of mobility when added to the soil column as inorganic forms. The presence of DOM did not prevent Zn from becoming completely adsorbed by the soil solid phase. In relation to WHO drinking water guidelines, only Ni concentrations showed potential environmental significance. due to the relatively poor retention of Ni by the sludge solid phase. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.