Use of Stress Signals of Their Attached Bacteria to Monitor Sympagic Algae Preservation in Canadian Arctic Sediments

Based on the strong aggregation of sympagic (ice-associated) algae and the high mortality or inactivity of bacteria attached to them, it was previously hypothesized that sympagic algae should be significant contributors to the export of carbon to Arctic sediments. In the present work, the lipid content of 30 sediment samples collected in the Canadian Arctic was investigated to test this hypothesis. The detection of high proportions of trans vaccenic fatty acid (resulting from cis-trans isomerase (CTI) activity of bacteria under hypersaline conditions) and 10S-hydroxyhexadec-8(trans)-enoic acid (resulting from 10S-DOX bacterial detoxification activity in the presence of deleterious free palmitoleic acid) confirmed: (i) the strong contribution of sympagic material to some Arctic sediments, and (ii) the impaired physiological status of its associated bacterial communities. Unlike terrestrial material, sympagic algae that had escaped zooplanktonic grazing appeared relatively preserved from biotic degradation in Arctic sediments. The expected reduction in sea ice cover resulting from global warming should cause a shift in the relative contributions of ice-associated vs. pelagic algae to the seafloor, and thus to a strong modification of the carbon cycle.

An Intertropical Convergence Zone shift controlled the terrestrial material supply on the Ninetyeast Ridge

Among various climate drivers, direct evidence for the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) control of sediment supply on the millennium scale is lacking, and the changes in ITCZ migration demonstrated in paleoclimate records need to be better investigated. Here, we use clay minerals and Sr-Nd isotopes obtained from a gravity core on the Ninetyeast Ridge to track the corresponding source variations and analyze the relationship between terrestrial material supplementation and climatic changes. On the glacial-interglacial scale, chemical weathering weakened during the North Atlantic cold climate periods, and falling sea level hindered the transport of smectite into the study area due to the exposure of islands. However, the influence of the South Asian monsoon on the sediment supply was not obvious on the millennium scale. We suggest that the north-south migration of the ITCZ controlled the rainfall in Myanmar and further directly determined the supply of clay minerals on the millennium scale because the transport of smectite was highly connected with ITCZ location. Furthermore, the regional shift of the ITCZ induced an abnormal increase in the smectite percentage during the late Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in our records. The smectite percentage in the studied core is similar to distinct ITCZ records in different time periods, revealing that regional changes in the ITCZ were significantly obvious, and that the ITCZ is not a simple N-S displacement and closer connections occurred between the Northern-Southern Hemispheres in the eastern Indian Ocean during the late Last Glacial Maximum (LGM).

Climate Change in the Southern Ocean During the Middle Eocene to Early Oligocene: A Palynological Perspective

<p>The Antarctic and Southern Ocean is an area that was greatly affected by climatic changes during the Middle Eocene to Early Oligocene (E/O). This study aims to document climate-induced changes of the marine palynomorphs (mostly dinoflagellate cysts) by developing a Circum-Antarctic biozonation, and establishing the distribution and effects of cooling on the palynomorph assemblages and the palaeoenvironment. Samples were obtained from four sites by the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) and Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) and the palynological content was analyzed. These sites were selected as they may record effects of circulation changes and cooling trends, reflecting climate changes. ODP site 696B, was inner neritic and located in the South Orkney microcontinent, Weddell Sea. The other three sites were pelagic with ODP 699A located on the Northeast Georgia Rise, Falklands, ODP 748B located in the Western part of the Raggart Basin, Kerguelen Plateau and DSDP 277 located in Cathedral Depression on the Southern Campbell Plateau. From this analysis a comprehensive record of the local climatic transitions was ascertained, utilising assemblages of fossil organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts), acritarchs, prasinophyte algae, microforaminiferal linings, scoledonts and terrestrial material. The establishment of a standard nannofossil biostratigraphy provided a temporal framework of the marine palynomorphs in each site. Key dinocyst datums recognised as first or last occurrences that correlated reliably between sites, were compared with the nannofossil zones of each site. The purpose was to provide a Middle Eocene/Early Oligocene dinocyst biostratigraphy that temporally constrains the assemblages. Six primary datums and two secondary datums resulted, which lead to the recognition of four biozones and established a new biozonation in the Southern Ocean. The zones identified various dinocyst events, giving an indication of their probable palaeoenvironments. The Circum-Antarctic distribution pattern of palynomorph assemblages was documented in each site as a total abundance of grains per gram. The ranges and composition of palynomorph assemblages of each site were displayed as a percentage of total abundance. To document any cooling effects the dinocysts were separated into Gonyaulacoid or Peridinioid assemblages to best illustrate their preferred palaeoenvironment. Key findings showed that the pelagic and inner neritic sites differed greatly. Site 696B was the most climatically stable site and dominated by Peridinioid dinocysts which are predominantly heterotrophic. They are most common in an inner neritic palaeoenvironment, but are also present in nutrient upwellings and eutrophic surface waters with lower sea surface temperatures. Terrestrial material dominates all marine palynomorphs in this site which was shallow and warm with few changes up to the E/O boundary ~33.7 Ma, but became more variable in the Early Oligocene. In comparison, the pelagic sites (699, 748B, 277) were unstable, with missing or condensed sediments and no palynomorphs present at differing times. They were mostly dominated by Gonyaulacoid dinocysts, which are autotrophs and generally located in outer neritic to open ocean palaeoenvironments. The non dinocysts of Prasinophyte algae and Leiosphaeridia palynomorphs appeared in higher abundances in the pelagic sites than in the inner neritic sites. Specific dinocyst markers identified temperature changes within the pelagic sites, subsequently highlighting the climatic changes that occurred during the Middle Eocene/Early Oligocene. From ~46 Ma the pelagic sites recorded conditions that were oceanic and cooler. Between ~44 - ~41.5 Ma, a warming in site 748B indicated enhanced stratification and elevated nutrient availability. This was not the case in site 696B and may be due to warm temperatures already present. From ~41.4 Ma the pelagic sites showed that the palaeoenvironment continued to cool, indicated by the presence of Leiosphaeridia and Prasinophyte algae. The palaeoenvironment was oceanic with upwelling and offshore sea surface productivity, illustrated by the Gonyaulacoid and Peridinioid dinocysts present. During the Late Eocene from ~37 Ma a transitional and changeable palaeoenvironment was shown by the high numbers of Operculodinium spp present in sites 696B and 277. From ~33.7 Ma (E/O boundary) in the pelagic sites, most Peridinioid dinocysts had disappeared and very few Gonyaulacoid dinocysts were present. In contrast the inner neritic site (696B) Peridinioid dinocysts were still dominant, and a more gradual disappearance of all the marine palynomorphs was evident.</p>

Climate Change in the Southern Ocean During the Middle Eocene to Early Oligocene: A Palynological Perspective

<p>The Antarctic and Southern Ocean is an area that was greatly affected by climatic changes during the Middle Eocene to Early Oligocene (E/O). This study aims to document climate-induced changes of the marine palynomorphs (mostly dinoflagellate cysts) by developing a Circum-Antarctic biozonation, and establishing the distribution and effects of cooling on the palynomorph assemblages and the palaeoenvironment. Samples were obtained from four sites by the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) and Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) and the palynological content was analyzed. These sites were selected as they may record effects of circulation changes and cooling trends, reflecting climate changes. ODP site 696B, was inner neritic and located in the South Orkney microcontinent, Weddell Sea. The other three sites were pelagic with ODP 699A located on the Northeast Georgia Rise, Falklands, ODP 748B located in the Western part of the Raggart Basin, Kerguelen Plateau and DSDP 277 located in Cathedral Depression on the Southern Campbell Plateau. From this analysis a comprehensive record of the local climatic transitions was ascertained, utilising assemblages of fossil organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts), acritarchs, prasinophyte algae, microforaminiferal linings, scoledonts and terrestrial material. The establishment of a standard nannofossil biostratigraphy provided a temporal framework of the marine palynomorphs in each site. Key dinocyst datums recognised as first or last occurrences that correlated reliably between sites, were compared with the nannofossil zones of each site. The purpose was to provide a Middle Eocene/Early Oligocene dinocyst biostratigraphy that temporally constrains the assemblages. Six primary datums and two secondary datums resulted, which lead to the recognition of four biozones and established a new biozonation in the Southern Ocean. The zones identified various dinocyst events, giving an indication of their probable palaeoenvironments. The Circum-Antarctic distribution pattern of palynomorph assemblages was documented in each site as a total abundance of grains per gram. The ranges and composition of palynomorph assemblages of each site were displayed as a percentage of total abundance. To document any cooling effects the dinocysts were separated into Gonyaulacoid or Peridinioid assemblages to best illustrate their preferred palaeoenvironment. Key findings showed that the pelagic and inner neritic sites differed greatly. Site 696B was the most climatically stable site and dominated by Peridinioid dinocysts which are predominantly heterotrophic. They are most common in an inner neritic palaeoenvironment, but are also present in nutrient upwellings and eutrophic surface waters with lower sea surface temperatures. Terrestrial material dominates all marine palynomorphs in this site which was shallow and warm with few changes up to the E/O boundary ~33.7 Ma, but became more variable in the Early Oligocene. In comparison, the pelagic sites (699, 748B, 277) were unstable, with missing or condensed sediments and no palynomorphs present at differing times. They were mostly dominated by Gonyaulacoid dinocysts, which are autotrophs and generally located in outer neritic to open ocean palaeoenvironments. The non dinocysts of Prasinophyte algae and Leiosphaeridia palynomorphs appeared in higher abundances in the pelagic sites than in the inner neritic sites. Specific dinocyst markers identified temperature changes within the pelagic sites, subsequently highlighting the climatic changes that occurred during the Middle Eocene/Early Oligocene. From ~46 Ma the pelagic sites recorded conditions that were oceanic and cooler. Between ~44 - ~41.5 Ma, a warming in site 748B indicated enhanced stratification and elevated nutrient availability. This was not the case in site 696B and may be due to warm temperatures already present. From ~41.4 Ma the pelagic sites showed that the palaeoenvironment continued to cool, indicated by the presence of Leiosphaeridia and Prasinophyte algae. The palaeoenvironment was oceanic with upwelling and offshore sea surface productivity, illustrated by the Gonyaulacoid and Peridinioid dinocysts present. During the Late Eocene from ~37 Ma a transitional and changeable palaeoenvironment was shown by the high numbers of Operculodinium spp present in sites 696B and 277. From ~33.7 Ma (E/O boundary) in the pelagic sites, most Peridinioid dinocysts had disappeared and very few Gonyaulacoid dinocysts were present. In contrast the inner neritic site (696B) Peridinioid dinocysts were still dominant, and a more gradual disappearance of all the marine palynomorphs was evident.</p>

New System for Measuring Cosmogenic Ne in Terrestrial and Extra-Terrestrial Rocks

Cosmogenic Ne isotopes are used for constraining the timing and rate of cosmological and Earth surface processes. We combined an automated gas extraction (laser) and purification system with a Thermo Fisher ARGUS VI mass spectrometer for high through-put, high precision Ne isotope analysis. For extra-terrestrial material with high cosmogenic Ne concentrations, we used multi-collection on Faraday detectors. Multiple measurements (n = 26) of 1.67 × 10−8 cm3 air-derived 20Ne yielded an uncertainty of 0.32%, and 21Ne/20Ne = 0.17% and 22Ne/20Ne = 0.09%. We reproduced the isotope composition of cosmogenic Ne in the Bruderheim chondrite and Imilac pallasite in a sub-ten mg sample. For lower Ne amounts that are typical of terrestrial samples, an electron multiplier detector was used in peak jumping mode. Repeated analysis of 3.2 × 10−11 cm3 STP 20Ne from air reproduced 21Ne/20Ne and 22Ne/20Ne with 1.1% and 0.58%, respectively, and 20Ne intensity with 1.7% (n = 103) over a 4-month period. Multiple (n = 8) analysis of cosmogenic Ne in CREU-1 quartz yielded 3.25 ± 0.24 × 108 atoms/g (2 s), which overlaps with the global mean value. The repeatability is comparable to the best data reported in the international experiments performed so far on samples that are 2–5× smaller. The ability to make precise Ne isotope determinations in terrestrial and extra-terrestrial samples that are significantly smaller than previously analysed suggests that the new system holds great promise for studies with limited material.

Suitable geochemical markers to determine tsunami impact - an approach on coastal areas in Northern Japan

&lt;p&gt;The 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami had a destructive effect and impact on the coast of Japan. Coinciding with the inundation of vast coastal areas, the catastrophic event released many pollutants from damaged facilities but also remobilized sediment-bound residues. These environmental and depositional variations left a distinct signature in the sediment, both sedimentologically and geochemically.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A wide variety of organic geochemical substances were detected in the sampled sediment profiles in Northern Japan (Misawa harbor, Futakawame and Oirase). Some compounds reflect the 2011 tsunami&amp;#8217;s impact and may serve as possible indicators for further investigation of the inundation and backwash, sediment and pollutant distribution, and the preservation. For comparability, the tsunami samples and the respective over- and underlying layers (topsoil &amp; soil) were analyzed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The selected compound groups differentiated the tsunami layer from the non-affected layers. Natural compounds, relocated by the tsunami, revealed an enrichment of short-chained &lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt;-alkanes as expressed by the terrigenous/aquatic ratio (TAR) and locally accumulated &lt;em&gt;n&lt;/em&gt;-aldehydes pointing to an intensive mixing of marine and terrestrial material. Petrogenic pollutants, for instance hopanes, steranes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), illustrate a higher load in tsunami sediments as the result of damage of harbor facilities. Sewage-related compounds, such as linear alkylbenzene (LABs) and diisopropylnaphthalene (DIPN), were also enriched in the tsunami samples in contrast to the surrounding sites. Another compound group enriched in the tsunami deposits, are chlorinated pollution burdens by the backwash, such as DDX and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), remobilized by erosion dominantly.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The different environmental- and pollution-related compounds illustrate the suitability of geochemical markers as indicators to assess tsunami impact in 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami affected sediments of Misawa harbor, Futakawame and Oirase in Northern Japan.&lt;/p&gt;

About this title - Applications of Non-Pollen Palynomorphs: from Palaeoenvironmental Reconstructions to Biostratigraphy

This long-awaited book about non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs) aims to cover gaps in our knowledge of these abundant but understudied palynological remains. NPPs, such as fungal spores, testate amoebae, dinoflagellate cysts, acritarchs and animal remains, are routinely recovered from palynological preparations of marine or terrestrial material, from Proterozoic to recent geological times. This book gives the reader a comprehensive overview of the different types of NPPs, with examples from diverse time periods and environments. It provides guidance on sample preparation to maximize the recovery of these NPPs, detailed information on their diversity and ecological affinity, clarification on the nomenclature and demonstrates their value as environmental indicators. This volume will become the reference guide for any student, academic or practitioner interested in everything else in their palynological preparations.