scholarly journals Dissolved CH<sub>4</sub> coupled to photosynthetic picoeukaryotes in oxic waters and to cumulative chlorophyll <i>a</i> in anoxic waters of reservoirs

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 3223-3245
Author(s):  
Elizabeth León-Palmero ◽  
Alba Contreras-Ruiz ◽  
Ana Sierra ◽  
Rafael Morales-Baquero ◽  
Isabel Reche

Abstract. Methane (CH4) emissions from reservoirs are responsible for most of the atmospheric climatic forcing of these aquatic ecosystems, comparable to emissions from paddies or biomass burning. Primarily, CH4 is produced during the anaerobic mineralization of organic carbon in anoxic sediments by methanogenic archaea. However, the origin of the recurrent and ubiquitous CH4 supersaturation in oxic waters (i.e., the methane paradox) is still controversial. Here, we determined the dissolved CH4 concentration in the water column of 12 reservoirs during summer stratification and winter mixing to explore CH4 sources in oxic waters. Reservoir sizes ranged from 1.18 to 26.13 km2. We found that dissolved CH4 in the water column varied by up to 4 orders of magnitude (0.02–213.64 µmol L−1), and all oxic depths were consistently supersaturated in both periods. Phytoplanktonic sources appear to determine the concentration of CH4 in these reservoirs primarily. In anoxic waters, the depth-cumulative chlorophyll a concentration, a proxy for the phytoplanktonic biomass exported to sediments, was correlated to CH4 concentration. In oxic waters, the photosynthetic picoeukaryotes' abundance was significantly correlated to the dissolved CH4 concentration during both the stratification and the mixing. The mean depth of the reservoirs, as a surrogate of the vertical CH4 transport from sediment to the oxic waters, also contributed notably to the CH4 concentration in oxic waters. Our findings suggest that photosynthetic picoeukaryotes can play a significant role in determining CH4 concentration in oxic waters, although their role as CH4 sources to explain the methane paradox has been poorly explored.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth León-Palmero ◽  
Alba Contreras-Ruiz ◽  
Ana Sierra ◽  
Rafael Morales-Baquero ◽  
Isabel Reche

Abstract. CH4 emissions from reservoirs are responsible for the majority of the atmospheric climatic forcing of these aquatic ecosystems, comparable to emissions from paddies or biomass burning. Primarily, CH4 is produced during the anaerobic mineralization of organic carbon in the anoxic sediments by methanogenic archaea. However, the origin of the recurrent and ubiquitous CH4 supersaturation in oxic waters (i.e., methane paradox) is still controversial. Here, we determined the dissolved CH4 concentration in the water column of twelve reservoirs during the summer stratification and the winter mixing. We obtained that the dissolved CH4 concentration varied up to four orders of magnitude (0.02–213.64 μM), and all depths were consistently supersaturated (710–7082234 %) in both periods. Phytoplanktonic sources of carbon appear to determine the concentration of CH4 in the reservoirs. In the anoxic waters, the depth-cumulative chlorophyll-a concentration, a proxy for the total phytoplanktonic biomass exported to sediments, determined the CH4 concentration. In the oxic waters, the photosynthetic picoeukaryotes abundance significantly determined the dissolved CH4 concentration both during the stratification and the mixing. The mean depth of the reservoirs, as a surrogate of the CH4 transport from sediment to the oxic waters, also contributed in shallow systems. Our findings suggest that photosynthetic picoeukaryotes can have a significant role in determining the CH4 concentration in oxic waters and, in comparison to cyanobacteria, have been poorly explored as CH4 sources.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 2269-2274
Author(s):  
IOAN PĂCEŞILĂ ◽  
EMILIA RADU

Phosphorus is one of the most important inorganic nutrients in aquatic ecosystems, the development and functioning of the phytoplankton communities being often correlated with the degree of availability in assimilable forms of this element. Alkaline phosphatase (AP) is an extracellular enzyme with nonspecific activity that catalyses the hydrolysis of a large variety of organic phosphate esters and release orthophosphates. During 2011-2013, AP Activity (APA) was assessed in the water column and sediments of several aquatic ecosystems from Danube Delta: Roșu Lake, Mândra Lake and their adjacent channels – Roșu-Împuțita and Roșu-Puiu. The intensity of APA widely fluctuated, ranging between 230-2578 nmol p-nitrophenol L-1h-1 in the water column and 2104-15631 nmol p-nitrophenol g-1h-1 in sediment. Along the entire period of the study, APA was the most intense in Roșu-Împuțita channel, for both water and sediment samples. Temporal dynamics revealed its highest values in summer for the water column and in autumn for sediment. Statistical analysis showed significant seasonal diferences of the APA dynamics in spring vs. summer and autumn for the water column, and any relevant diferences for sediment.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Stukel ◽  
Thomas Kelly

Thorium-234 (234Th) is a powerful tracer of particle dynamics and the biological pump in the surface ocean; however, variability in carbon:thorium ratios of sinking particles adds substantial uncertainty to estimates of organic carbon export. We coupled a mechanistic thorium sorption and desorption model to a one-dimensional particle sinking model that uses realistic particle settling velocity spectra. The model generates estimates of 238U-234Th disequilibrium, particulate organic carbon concentration, and the C:234Th ratio of sinking particles, which are then compared to in situ measurements from quasi-Lagrangian studies conducted on six cruises in the California Current Ecosystem. Broad patterns observed in in situ measurements, including decreasing C:234Th ratios with depth and a strong correlation between sinking C:234Th and the ratio of vertically-integrated particulate organic carbon (POC) to vertically-integrated total water column 234Th, were accurately recovered by models assuming either a power law distribution of sinking speeds or a double log normal distribution of sinking speeds. Simulations suggested that the observed decrease in C:234Th with depth may be driven by preferential remineralization of carbon by particle-attached microbes. However, an alternate model structure featuring complete consumption and/or disaggregation of particles by mesozooplankton (e.g. no preferential remineralization of carbon) was also able to simulate decreasing C:234Th with depth (although the decrease was weaker), driven by 234Th adsorption onto slowly sinking particles. Model results also suggest that during bloom decays C:234Th ratios of sinking particles should be higher than expected (based on contemporaneous water column POC), because high settling velocities minimize carbon remineralization during sinking.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Saintilan ◽  
Jeffrey J. Kelleway ◽  
Debashish Mazumder ◽  
Tsuyoshi Kobayashi ◽  
Li Wen

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 4934
Author(s):  
Viola Rossano ◽  
Giuliano De Stefano

Computational fluid dynamics was employed to predict the early stages of the aerodynamic breakup of a cylindrical water column, due to the impact of a traveling plane shock wave. The unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes approach was used to simulate the mean turbulent flow in a virtual shock tube device. The compressible flow governing equations were solved by means of a finite volume-based numerical method, where the volume of fluid technique was employed to track the air–water interface on the fixed numerical mesh. The present computational modeling approach for industrial gas dynamics applications was verified by making a comparison with reference experimental and numerical results for the same flow configuration. The engineering analysis of the shock–column interaction was performed in the shear-stripping regime, where an acceptably accurate prediction of the interface deformation was achieved. Both column flattening and sheet shearing at the column equator were correctly reproduced, along with the water body drift.


As emphasized by Dr Seilacher in his introduction to this symposium, and illustrated in the contribution by Mr Martill, some of the most important examples of fossil Lagersätten occur in marine shales of Mesozoic age. Many of the factors that control the types and preservation of fossils are the same as those that affect the authigenic mineralogy and geochemistry of the shales, notably the degree of aeration or stagnation of the water column and the quantity and quality of the organic matter supplied to the sediment. Perhaps the most important diagenetic reaction in marine shales is sulphate reduction by bacteria that are obligate anaerobes. They can operate in anoxic waters or in ‘reducing microenvironments’ (such as concentrations of organic matter, or enclosed voids within shells) in sediments whose pore waters are kept generally oxic by the effects of burrowing organisms. Sulphate is reduced to sulphide and in the presence of reduced iron this can be precipitated as iron sulphides, normally found in ancient sediments in the form of pyrite. Pyrite is thus a key mineral in studying shale diagenesis, for its geochemistry as well as for its direct importance in preserving fossils by replacement of soft-parts (see, for example, Stürmer 1984), of aragonitic shells (see, for example, Fisher 1985) and by forming internal moulds of chambered shells (see, for example, Hudson & Palframan 1969; Hudson 1982).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Gogou ◽  
Constantine Parinos ◽  
Spyros Stavrakakis ◽  
Emmanouil Proestakis ◽  
Maria Kanakidou ◽  
...  

&lt;p&gt;Biotic and abiotic processes that form, alter, transport, and remineralize particulate organic carbon, silicon, calcium carbonate, and other minor and trace chemical species in the water column are central to the ocean&amp;#8217;s ecological and biogeochemical functioning and of fundamental importance to the ocean carbon cycle. Sinking particulate matter is the major vehicle for exporting carbon from the sea surface to the deep sea. During its transit towards the sea floor, most particulate organic carbon (POC) is returned to inorganic form and redistributed in the water column. This redistribution determines the surface concentration of dissolved CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;, and hence the rate at which the ocean can absorb CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; from the atmosphere. The ability to predict quantitatively the depth profile of remineralization is therefore critical to deciphering the response of the global carbon cycle to natural and human-induced changes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Aiming to investigate the significant biogeochemical and ecological features and provide new insights on the sources and cycles of sinking particulate matter, a mooring line of five sediment traps was deployed from 2006 to 2015 (with some gap periods) at 5 successive water column depths (700, 1200, 2000, 3200 and 4300 m) in the SE Ionian Sea, northeastern Mediterranean (&amp;#8216;NESTOR&amp;#8217; site). We have examined the long-term records of downward fluxes for Corg, N&lt;sub&gt;tot&lt;/sub&gt;, &amp;#948;&lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt;Corg and &amp;#948;&lt;sup&gt;15&lt;/sup&gt;N&lt;sub&gt;tot&lt;/sub&gt;, along with the associated ballast minerals (opal, lithogenics and CaCO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;), lipid biomarkers, Chl-a and PP rates, phytoplankton composition, nutrient dynamics and atmospheric deposition. &amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The satellite-derived seasonal and interannual variability of phytoplankton metrics (biomass and phenology) and atmospheric deposition (meteorology and air masses origin) was examined for the period of the sediment trap experiment. Regarding the atmospheric deposition, synergistic opportunities using Earth Observation satellite lidar and radiometer systems are proposed (e.g. Cloud&amp;#8208;Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization - CALIOP, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer - MODIS), aiming towards a four&amp;#8208;dimensional exploitation of atmospheric aerosol loading (e.g. Dust Optical Depth) in the study area.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Our main goals are to: i) develop a comprehensive knowledge of carbon fluxes and associated mineral ballast fluxes from the epipelagic to the mesopelagic and bathypelagic layers, ii) elucidate the mechanisms governing marine productivity and carbon export and sequestration to depth and iii) shed light on the impact of atmospheric forcing and deposition in respect to regional and large scale circulation patterns and climate variability and the prevailing oceanographic processes (internal variability).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Acknowledgments&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We acknowledge support of this work by the Action &amp;#8216;National Network on Climate Change and its Impacts &amp;#8211; &lt;strong&gt;CLIMPACT&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;#8217;, funded by the Public Investment Program of Greece (GSRT, Ministry of Development and Investments).&lt;/p&gt;


Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1562
Author(s):  
Iveta Varnagirytė-Kabašinskienė ◽  
Povilas Žemaitis ◽  
Kęstutis Armolaitis ◽  
Vidas Stakėnas ◽  
Gintautas Urbaitis

In the context of the specificity of soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in afforested land, nutrient-poor Arenosols and nutrient-rich Luvisols after afforestation with coniferous and deciduous tree species were studied in comparison to the same soils of croplands and grasslands. This study analysed the changes in SOC stock up to 30 years after afforestation of agricultural land in Lithuania, representing the cool temperate moist climate region of Europe. The SOC stocks were evaluated by applying the paired-site design. The mean mass and SOC stocks of the forest floor in afforested Arenosols increased more than in Luvisols. Almost twice as much forest floor mass was observed in coniferous than in deciduous stands 2–3 decades after afforestation. The mean bulk density of fine (<2 mm) soil in the 0–30 cm mineral topsoil layer of croplands was higher than in afforested sites and grasslands. The clear decreasing trend in mean bulk density due to forest stand age with the lowest values in the 21–30-year-old stands was found in afforested Luvisols. In contrast, the SOC concentrations in the 0–30 cm mineral topsoil layer, especially in Luvisols afforested with coniferous species, showed an increasing trend due to the influence of stand age. The mean SOC values in the 0–30 cm mineral topsoil layer of Arenosols and Luvisols during the 30 years after afforestation did not significantly differ from the adjacent croplands or grasslands. The mean SOC stock slightly increased with the forest stand age in Luvisols; however, the highest mean SOC stock was detected in the grasslands. In the Arenosols, there was higher SOC accumulation in the forest floor with increasing stand age than in the Luvisols, while the proportion of SOC stocks in mineral topsoil layers was similar and more comparable to grasslands. These findings suggest encouragement of afforestation of former agricultural land under the current climate and soil characteristics in the region, but the conversion of perennial grasslands to forest land should be done with caution.


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