ALBERT

Description: We have produced a global dataset of ~4000 GPS vertical velocities that can be used as observational estimates of glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) uplift rates. GIA is the response of the solid Earth to past ice loading, primarily, since the Last Glacial Maximum, about 20 K yrs BP. Modelling GIA is challenging because of large uncertainties in ice loading history and also the viscosity of the upper and lower mantle. GPS data contain the signature of GIA in their uplift rates but these also contain other sources of vertical land motion (VLM) such as tectonics, human and natural influences on water storage that can mask the underlying GIA signal. A novel fully-automatic strategy was developed to post-process the GPS time series and to correct for non-GIA artefacts. Before estimating vertical velocities and uncertainties, we detected outliers and jumps and corrected for atmospheric mass loading displacements. We corrected the resulting velocities for the elastic response of the solid Earth to global changes in ice sheets, glaciers, and ocean loading, as well as for changes in the Earth's rotational pole relative to the 20th century average. We then applied a spatial median filter to remove sites where local effects were dominant to leave approximately 4000 GPS sites. The resulting novel global GPS dataset shows a clean GIA signal at all post-processed stations and is suitable to investigate the behaviour of global GIA forward models. The results are transformed from a frame with its origin in the centre of mass of the total Earth's system (CM) into a frame with its origin in the centre of mass of the solid Earth (CE) before comparison with 13 global GIA forward model solutions, with best fits with Pur-6-VM5 and ICE-6G predictions. The largest discrepancies for all models were identified for Antarctica and Greenland, which may be due to either uncertain mantle rheology, ice loading history/magnitude and/or GPS errors.

Description: Raman spectra, IR spectra and 2D-XRD patterns, processed and raw in original format and as text files from study of mouse bones with hypophosphatemia (HYP) and genotype, normal mice (WT). See metadata files for further details of the files included. File names for Raman data follow the format (specimen)_(age)_(condition)(lactation duration) File names for FTIR follow sample number listed in the metadata file without the ST prefix. Please note: no pregnant mouse specimen samples were analysed with the FTIR.

Description: Data collected as part of a research study examining the growth of lithium carbonate (mineral name: zabuyelite, chemical formula: Li2CO3) from aqueous solution in the presence of inorganic additives. Ion-pair interactions within the solutions were examined using Raman spectroscopy, whereas the interactions between precipitated crystals and aqueous solution was tested using attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy. In addition, computational simulations were used to study ion pairing in solution (PHREEQC) and adsorption to crystal surfaces (VASP). Precipitates from the experiments were characterised using Raman spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Images of the precipitates were obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For details of the set up for each instrument and specific parameters for the computational simulations, please see the linked publication.

Description: The experience from CO2 injection at pilot projects (Frio, Ketzin, Nagaoka, US Regional Partnerships) and existing commercial operations (Sleipner, Snøhvit, In Salah, acid-gas injection) demonstrates that CO2 geological storage in saline aquifers is technologically feasible. Monitoring and verification technologies have been tested and demonstrated to detect and track the CO2 plume in different subsurface geological environments. By the end of 2008, approximately 20 Mt of CO2 had been successfully injected into saline aquifers by existing operations. Currently, the highest injection rate and total storage volume for a single storage operation are approximately 1 Mt CO2/year and 25 Mt, respectively. If carbon capture and storage (CCS) is to be an effective option for decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, commercial-scale storage operations will require orders of magnitude larger storage capacity than accessed by the existing sites. As a result, new demonstration projects will need to develop and test injection strategies that consider multiple injection wells and the optimisation of the usage of storage space. To accelerate large-scale CCS deployment, demonstration projects should be selected that can be readily employed for commercial use; i.e. projects that fully integrate the capture, transport and storage processes at an industrial emissions source.

Description: A dominant Antarctic ecological paradigm suggests that winter sea ice is the feeding ground for krill larvae. However, several recent observations conflict with this hypothesis. Our study presents the first direct evidence that winter sea ice is actually a food-poor environment when compared to neighbouring open water regions. We found that complex under ice habitats are vital for larval krill, providing shelter from currents. During the day the larvae feed on the sparse ice-associated food but after sunset, they migrate into the water below the ice. This behaviour allows access to more food and promotes the dispersal of larvae to spring feeding grounds. Current larval krill overwintering and nursery habitats in the SW Atlantic are predicted to become ice-free in the future. This will lead to an enhanced food supply and faster larval development and growth but might increase the dispersal of larvae out of the SW Atlantic ecosystem.