ALBERT

Description: This study presents a new interpretation of the evidence for Holocene lake-level changes from Hawes Water in NW England constrained by detailed stratigraphic data, radiocarbon chronology and palaeo-environmental evidence. Lake levels are seen to decline gradually from the start of the Holocene through to 9960 cal. yr BP, in response to lake infilling and the prevailing dry climatic conditions. Low lake levels then persist until 6000 cal. yr BP, punctuated by two transgressive phases. Rising sea levels during the Holocene high-level sea stand are thought to be responsible for a major rise in lake level at 6000 cal. yr BP driven by changes in the local water-table. The rise in lake level is coincident with a rise in anthropogenic activity across the site, possibly reflecting the migration of coastal Mesolithic communities inland in response to rising sea levels.

Description: Investigation of core and outcrop samples of the Cenomanian Natih-B Member (North Oman) indicates that the different lithofacies present experienced rather different early diagenesis shortly after deposition. Transmitted-light, cathodoluminescence and backscattered scanning-electron microscopy, as well as stable-isotopic, X-ray diffraction and total organic carbon (TOC) analyses were employed to delineate the major controls on the cyclic pattern of early diagenesis and hydrocarbon source potential.The Natih-B intrashelf basinal carbonates are composed of pelagic sediments that exhibit high-frequency cyclicity marked by decimetre-thick lithofacies alternations, mainly between: Lithofacies A compacted, partially bioturbated, skeletal, organic carbon-rich mudstone to wackestone; and Lithofacies B uncompacted, extensively bioturbated, skeletal, sparry-calcite rich wackestone to packstone. Individual units are composed variously of authigenic and biogenic calcite (58.1–97.6%, average 78.5%) and organic carbon (0.3–13.7% TOC, average 3.6%), together with minor quartz, clay, pyrite, dolomite and phosphatic material (fish debris). Lithofacies A contains relatively more organic carbon, clay, pyrite and dolomite than Lithofacies B and constitutes an excellent source rock. Diagenetic textures of Lithofacies A are dominated by compactional deformation of burrow fabrics, faecal pellets and solution seams, in addition to zoned/bright luminescent, non-ferroan sparry and isopachous calcite cement in and around uncompacted foraminifer tests, in an uncemented matrix. In contrast, Lithofacies B does not show any signs of compaction other than microstylolites and is dominated by zoned/dull luminescent, non-ferroan calcite microspar replacement, in addition to pore-filling, predominantly dull-luminescent, non-ferroan, sparry calcite cement. Moreover, Lithofacies B shows evidence of isopachous and meniscus-style cementation, together with geopetal structures and mictritic peloids. Stable-isotopic compositions of both lithofacies were determined from whole-rock samples (δ13C = −0.9 to +0.9‰, average +0.3‰; δ18O = −5.6 to −3.7‰, average −4.8‰) and sparry calcite (both cement and matrix) subsamples (δ13C = −0.6 to +1.2‰, average +0.6‰; δ18O = −5.7 to −3.7‰, average −4.3‰); all results being relative to Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite.These petrographic and isotopic characteristics suggest that the Natih-B abundant calcite cements and replacements were precipitated early, prior to compaction, mainly from ‘normal’ (open, oxic) seawater at slightly elevated depositional temperatures. Some of the slightly negative δ13C values, however, indicate an addition of isotopically light carbon, probably derived from organic-matter oxidation by organisms living in marine pore waters. Based on evidence of extensive seafloor bioturbation and cementation, and their position within the depositional succession, the tops of Lithofacies B (wackestones to packstones) are interpreted as ‘discontinuity surfaces’ that cap shallowing-upward, fifth-order cycles, formed as a function of sediment starvation and increased bottom-current activity during relative sea-level stillstand/turnaround. In contrast, Lithofacies A (mudstones to wackestones) is believed to reflect high organic production coupled with high sedimentation rate and rapid burial. These conditions limited total infaunal colonization and extensive calcite precipitation, and preserved organic matter together with some escape burrows and in-place fauna, suggesting episodic sediment influx when more accommodation was available and seafloor diagenesis was minimized during relative sea-level rises. The relatively higher amounts of pyrite and dolomite in Lithofacies A likely indicate organic-matter degradation by bacterial sulphate reduction in anoxic pore waters during shallow burial.

Description: Commonly considered strategies for reducing the environmental impact of light-duty transportation include using alternative fuels and improving vehicle fuel economy. We evaluate the air quality-related human health impacts of 10 such options, including the use of liquid biofuels, diesel, and compressed natural gas (CNG) in internal combustion engines; the use...

Description: The effects of the past century's increase in atmospheric CO 2 concentration ([CO 2 ]) have been recorded in the stable carbon isotope composition ( 13 C) of the annual growth rings of trees. The isotope record frequently shows increases in photosynthetic CO 2 uptake relative to stomatal conductance, which estimates the CO 2 concentration gradient across the stomata ( c a – c i ). This variable, which is one control over the net photosynthetic rate, has been suggested as a homeostatic gas-exchange set point that is easy to estimate from 13 C and [CO 2 ]. However, in high-latitude conifer forests, the literature is mixed; some studies show increases in ( c a – c i ) and others show homeostasis. Here we present leaf and tree-ring 13 C data from a controlled experiment that tested factorial combinations of elevated [CO 2 ] (365 and 700 mol mol –1 ) and fertilization on mature Norway spruce ( Picea abies (L.) Karst.) trees in northern Sweden. We found first that the leaf carbon pool was contaminated by the current photosynthate in the older leaf cohorts. This is the reverse of the common observation that older photosynthate reserves can be used to produce new tissue; here the older tissue contains recent photosynthate. We found that the tree-ring data lack such contamination and in any case they better integrate over the canopy and the growing season than do leaves. In the second and third years of treatment, elevated [CO 2 ] alone increased ( c a – c i ) by 38%; when combined with fertilization, it increased ( c a – c i ) by 60%. The results of this study support the idea that annual rings provide a clearer isotopic signal than do foliage age-classes. The tree-ring data show that inferred ( c a – c i ) depends not only on [CO 2 ], but also on mineral-nutrient status. The differences in ( c a – c i ) are sufficiently large to account for the treatment-induced increase in wood-volume production in these stands.

Description: Microbial respiration depends on microclimatic variables and carbon (C) substrate availability, all of which are altered when ecosystems experience major disturbance. Widespread tree mortality, currently affecting piñon-juniper ecosystems in Southwestern North America, may affect C substrate availability in several ways; for example, via litterfall pulses and loss of root exudation. To determine piñon mortality effects on C and water limitation of microbial respiration, we applied field amendments (sucrose and water) to two piñon-juniper sites in central New Mexico, USA: one with a recent (〈 1 yr), experimentally-induced mortality event and a nearby site with live canopy. We monitored the respiration response to water and sucrose applications to the litter surface and to the underlying mineral soil surface, testing the following hypotheses: (1) soil respiration in a piñon-juniper woodland is water- and labile C-limited in both the litter layer and mineral soil; (2) water and sucrose applications increase temperature sensitivity of respiration; (3) the mortality-affected site will show a reduction in C limitation in the litter; (4) the mortality-affected site will show an enhancement of C limitation in the mineral soil. Litter respiration at both sites responded to increased water availability, yet surprisingly, mineral soil respiration was not limited by water. Temperature sensitivity was enhanced by some of the sucrose and water treatments. Consistent with hypothesis 3, C limitation of litter respiration was lower at the recent mortality site compared to the intact canopy site. Results following applications to the mineral soil suggest the presence of abiotic effects of increasing water availability, precluding our ability to measure labile C limitation in soil. Widespread piñon mortality may decrease labile C limitation of litter respiration, at least during the first growing season following mortality.

Description: Microbial respiration depends on microclimatic variables and carbon (C) substrate availability, all of which are altered when ecosystems experience major disturbance. Widespread tree mortality, currently affecting piñon–juniper ecosystems in southwestern North America, may affect C substrate availability in several ways, for example, via litterfall pulses and loss of root exudation. To determine piñon mortality effects on C and water limitation of microbial respiration, we applied field amendments (sucrose and water) to two piñon–juniper sites in central New Mexico, USA: one with a recent (〈 1 yr), experimentally induced mortality event and a nearby site with live canopy. We monitored the respiration response to water and sucrose applications to the litter surface and to the underlying mineral soil surface, testing the following hypotheses: (1) soil respiration in a piñon–juniper woodland is water- and labile C-limited in both the litter layer and mineral soil; (2) piñon mortality reduces the C limitation of litter respiration; and (3) piñon mortality enhances the C limitation of mineral soil respiration. Litter respiration at both sites responded to increased water availability, yet surprisingly, mineral soil respiration was not limited by water. Consistent with hypothesis 2, C limitation of litter respiration was lower at the recent mortality site compared to the intact canopy site. Applications to the mineral soil showed evidence of reduction in CO2 flux on the girdled site and a non-significant increase on the control. We speculate that the reduction may have been driven by water-induced carbonate dissolution, which serves as a sink for CO2 and would reduce the net flux. Widespread piñon mortality may decrease labile C limitation of litter respiration, at least during the first growing season following mortality.