ALBERT

Description: The increasing demand for renewable energy is projected to result in a 40-fold increase in offshore wind electricity in the European Union by 2030. Despite a great number of local impact studies for selected marine populations, the regional ecosystem impacts of offshore wind farm structures are not yet well assessed nor understood. The study resulting from this dataset investigates whether the accumulation of epifauna, dominated by the filter feeder Mytilus edulis (blue mussel), on turbine structures affects pelagic primary production in the southern North Sea.

Description: Colluvial deposits consisting of silts and loams were detected in several climatologically different areas of NE Tibet (3200-3700 m a.s.l.). Layering, distinct organic content and low content of coarse matter as well as location in the relief revealed an origin from low-energy slope erosion (hillwash). Underlying and intercalated paleosols were classified as Chernozems, Phaeozems, Regosols and Fluvisols. Fifteen radiocarbon datings predominant on charcoal from both colluvial layers and paleosols yielded ages between 8988 ± 66 and 3512 ± 56 uncal BP. Natural or anthropogenic factors could have been the triggers of the erosional processes derived. It remains unclear which reason was mainly responsible, due to controversial paleoclimatic and geomorphic records as well as insufficient archaeological knowledge from this region. Determinations of charcoal and fossil wood revealed the Holocene occurrence of tree species (spruce, juniper) for areas which nowadays have no trees or only few forest islands. Thus large areas of NE Tibet which are at present steppes and alpine pastures were forested in the past.

Description: Vast areas on the Tibetan Plateau are covered by alpine sedge mats consisting of different species of the genus Kobresia. These mats have topsoil horizons rich in rhizogenic organic matter which creates turfs. As the turfs have recently been affected by a complex destruction process, knowledge concerning their soil properties, age and pedogenesis are needed. In the core area of Kobresia pygmaea mats around Nagqu (central Tibetan Plateau, ca. 4500 m a.s.l.), four profiles were subjected to pedological, paleobotanical and geochronological analyses concentrating on soil properties, phytogenic composition and dating of the turf. The turf of both dry K. pygmaea sites and wet Kobresia schoenoides sites is characterised by an enrichment of living (dominant portion) and dead root biomass. In terms of humus forms, K. pygmaea turfs can be classified as Rhizomulls mainly developed from Cambisols. Wet-site K. schoenoides turfs, however, can be classified as Rhizo-Hydromors developed from Histic Gleysols. At the dry sites studied, the turnover of soil organic matter is controlled by a non-permafrost cold thermal regime. Below-ground remains from sedges are the most frequent macroremains in the turf. Only a few pollen types of vascular plants occur, predominantly originating from sedges and grasses. Large amounts of microscopic charcoal (indeterminate) are present. Macroremains and pollen extracted from the turfs predominantly have negative AMS 14C ages, giving evidence of a modern turf genesis. Bulk-soil datings from the lowermost part of the turfs have a Late Holocene age comprising the last ca. 2000 years. The development of K. pygmaea turfs was most probably caused by an anthropo(zoo)-genetically initiated growth of sedge mats replacing former grass-dominated vegetation ('steppe'). Thus the turfs result from the transformation of pre-existing topsoils comprising a secondary penetration and accumulation of roots. K. schoenoides turfs, however, are characterised by a combined process of peat formation and penetration/accumulation of roots probably representing a (quasi) natural wetland vegetation.

Description: These data reports the adult returns of data experimental field trials with releases of salmon smolts. The objective of the studies is to study the effect of sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis Krøyer, 1837 and Caligus spp.) on the survival, growth and life history of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). To achieve this control groups and groups treated with an antiparasitic agent are released as smolts at different locations in the estuary and fjord outside the Vosso river, and comparisons are made between the subsequent recaptures of adults in the two groups. The Vosso smolt production was from eggs from the living gene bank in Eidfjord. The fish were reared through the smolt stage (1 year) in standard hatchery tanks at the Voss hatchery from 2001 to 2010 (except 2004). In 2010, smolts were also reared in a net-pen facility in Lake Evanger. Fish were randomly assigned to groups 10–14 days before release. The groups received either normal fish feed (untreated) or pellets containing emamectin benzoate (SLICE) (treated) at 50 mg per kg body weight day for 8 days. In 2005, Substance EX (Pharmaq, Norway) was applied (0.5 h bath at a concentration of 2 ppm) instead of SLICE. The smolts were towed to various locations along the fjord migration route in the inner and outer fjord systems before release. Because the Vosso salmon were protected against fishing during the study period, they were primarily recaptured by operating large bag nets at two to three locations in the fjord and estuary outside the river mouth.