ALBERT

Description: To improve diagnosis of Amazonia's carbon cycle, we present a 2 year data (2019 to 2020), complementary to our previosly 9 years (2010 to 2018) observations of lower troposphere CO2 concentrations performed regularly at four aircraft vertical profiling sites spread over the Brazilian Amazonia (Gatti et al., 2021). The four sites from the CARBAM project at Amazonia: SAN (2.86S 54.95W); ALF (8.80S 56.75W); RBA (9.38S 67.62W) and TEF (3.39S 65.6W), started in 2013. The sampling period was typically twice per month (Gatti et al., 2021; Gatti et al., 2014; Basso et al., 2016; Miller et al., 2007; d'Amelio et al., 2009; Domingues et al., 2020). From 2019 to 2020, a total of 141 vertical profiles from 4420 m to 300 m asl. was performed at the 4 sites. The vertical profiles were usually taken between 12:00 and 13:00 local time. Air is sampled by semi-automatic filling of 0.7 L boro-silicate flasks inside purpose-built suitcases (PFP - Programmable Flask Package) (Tans et al., 1996); there are two versions, one with 17 flasks at SAN, and another with 12 flasks at TEF, ALF and RBA. This suitcase is connected to a compressor package (PCP –Portable Compressor Package), containing batteries and 2 compressors, which is connected to an air inlet on the outside of the aircraft at wing or window, depending on the aircraft model. Once a PFP (i.e. one vertical profile) has been filled with air the PFP is transported to the INPE/ LaGEE(Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais/Greenhouse Gases Laboratory), in Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. This laboratory is a replica of the NOAA/ESRL/GMD trace gas analysis system at Boulder, Colorado, USA, and was constructed in 2003 and sent to IPEN where started the analysis in 2004.Air samples were analysed with a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) analyser for CO2. To ensure the accuracy, we construct a calibration curve every 2 samples. The calibration curve constructed with 3-standards concentrations, produced by NOAA/ESRL/GMD. The "High" (10 ppm higher than medium), "medium" (similar to mean CO2 concentration founded in Amazonia), and "Low" (10 ppm lower than medium). We have an intercomparison program with NOAA at Natal site (5S, 35W, located at Brazilian northeast coast) where the comparison IPEN/INPE-NOAA was -0.05 ± 0.38ppm. The precision is analysed based on CO2mole fraction from "target tanks" (calibrated CO2 in air in high pressure cylinders treated as unknowns by NOAA) and demonstrated long-term repeatability of 0.03ppm and a difference between measured and calibrated values of 0.03 ppm. Additional information can be shared from the LaGEE/INPE group as temperature, precipitation, and others parameters used by the group for the Nature paper entitled "Decrease in Amazonia carbon uptake linked to trends in deforestation and climate" (Gatti et al, 2021).

Description: To improve diagnosis of Amazonia's carbon cycle, starting in 2010, we initiated regular observation of lower troposphere CO2 concentrations at four aircraft vertical profiling sites spread over the Brazilian Amazonia. The four sites from the CARBAM project at Amazonia: SAN (2.86S 54.95W); ALF (8.80S 56.75W); RBA (9.38S 67.62W); TAB (5.96S 70.06W) was from 2010 to 2012 and TEF (3.39S 65.6W), started in 2013. The sampling period was typically twice per month (Gatti et al., 2014; Basso et al., 2016; Miller et al., 2007; d'Amelio et al., 2009; Domingues et al., 2020). Over nine-years, 590 vertical profiles were performed in a descending spiral profile from 4420 m to 300 m a.s.l. A mean of 75 vertical profiles was performed per year from 2010 to 2018 at the 4 sites, except for 2015 and 2016. In 2015 the flight collection was stopped in April at all sites, returning only in November at RBA. In 2016 only RBA and ALF were measured. The vertical profiles were usually taken between 12:0 and 13:00 local time. Air is sampled by semi-automatic filling of 0.7 L boro-silicate flasks inside purpose-built suitcases (PFP -Programmable Flask Package) (Tans et al., 1996); there are two versions, one with 17flasks at SAN, and another with 12 flasks at TAB_TEF, ALF and RBA. This suitcase is connected to a compressor package (PCP –Portable Compressor Package), containing batteries and 2 compressors, which is connected to an air inlet on the outside of the aircraft at wing or window, depending on the aircraft model. Once a PFP (i.e. one vertical profile) has been filled with air the PFP is transported (from 2010 to 2014) to the IPEN (Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares) Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory in Sao Paulo, Brazil and since 2015 to the INPE/ LaGEE(Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais/Greenhouse Gases Laboratory), in Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. This laboratory is a replica of the NOAA/ESRL/GMD trace gas analysis system at Boulder, Colorado, USA, and was constructed in 2003 and sent to IPEN where started the analysis in 2004.Air samples were analysed with a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) analyser for CO2. To ensure the accuracy, we construct a calibration curve every 2 samples. The calibration curve constructed with 3-standards concentrations, produced by NOAA/ESRL/GMD. The “High” (10 ppm higher than medium), “medium” (similar to mean CO2 concentration founded in Amazonia), and “Low” (10 ppm lower than medium). We have an intercomparison program with NOAA at Natal site (5S, 35W, located at Brazilian northeast coast) where the comparison IPEN/INPE-NOAA was -0.05 ± 0.38ppm. The precision is analysed based on CO2mole fraction from “target tanks” (calibrated CO2in air in high pressure cylinders treated as unknowns by NOAA) and demonstrated long-term repeatability of 0.03ppm and a difference between measured and calibrated values of 0.03 ppm. Additional information can be shared from the LaGEE/INPE group as temperature, precipitation, and others parameters used by the group for the Nature paper entitled “Decrease in Amazonia carbon uptake linked to trends in deforestation and climate” (Gatti et al, 2021).

Description: To improve diagnosis of Amazonia's carbon cycle, starting in 2010, we initiated regular observation of lower troposphere CH4 concentrations at four aircraft vertical profiling sites spread over the Brazilian Amazonia. The four sites from the CARBAM project at Amazonia: SAN (2.86S 54.95W); ALF (8.80S 56.75W); RBA (9.38S 67.62W); TAB (5.96S 70.06W) was from 2010 to 2012 and TEF (3.39S 65.6W), started in 2013. The sampling period was typically twice per month (Gatti et al., 2014; Basso et al., 2016; Miller et al., 2007; d'Amelio et al., 2009; Domingues et al., 2020). Over nine-years, 590 vertical profiles were performed in a descending spiral profile from 4420 m to 300 m a.s.l. A mean of 75 vertical profiles was performed per year from 2010 to 2018 at the 4 sites, except for 2015 and 2016. In 2015 the flight collection was stopped in April at all sites, returning only in November at RBA. In 2016 only RBA and ALF were measured. The vertical profiles were usually taken between 12:0 and 13:00 local time. Air is sampled by semi-automatic filling of 0.7 L boro-silicate flasks inside purpose-built suitcases (PFP -Programmable Flask Package) (Tans et al., 1996); there are two versions, one with 17 flasks at SAN, and another with 12 flasks at TAB_TEF, ALF and RBA. This suitcase is connected to a compressor package (PCP –Portable Compressor Package), containing batteries and 2 compressors, which is connected to an air inlet on the outside of the aircraft at wing or window, depending on the aircraft model. Once a PFP (i.e. one vertical profile) has been filled with air the PFP is transported (from 2010 to 2014) to the IPEN (Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares) Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory in Sao Paulo, Brazil and since 2015 to the INPE/ LaGEE(Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais/Greenhouse Gases Laboratory), in Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. This laboratory is a replica of the NOAA/ESRL/GMD trace gas analysis system at Boulder, Colorado, USA, and was constructed in 2003 and sent to IPEN where started the analysis in 2004. The CH 4 analysis system is an FID (Flame Ionization Detector) chromatography (HP6890 Plus+ model) with pre-column of 198 cm of length and 3/16” o.d. (Silica Gel 80/100 mesh), a column of 106 cm of length and 3/16” o.d. (Molecular Sieve 5A 80/100 mesh), and a 12 mL volume sample loop (see Basso et al. 2016 for a detailed description). In order to assess the accuracy and long-term repeatability of the CH4 measurements, a previously calibrated sample is measured as an unknown in the system regularly. These results indicate long-term repeatability (one sigma) of 1.0 ppb. An inter-comparison between INPE and NOAA of weekly measurements at NAT (Brazilian northeast coast site) had a mean difference of 0.24±2.67 ppb (r = 0.98).

Description: Widely used sequence stratigraphic models predict that specific facies assemblages alternate in the stratigraphy of deep-sea fans, depending on the cyclic nature of sea-level variations. Our work tests this assumption through facies reconstruction of submarine fans that are growing in a small basin along the tectonically active Sicilian margin. Connected canyons have heads close to the coastline; they can be river connected or littoral cell–connected, the first receiving sediment from hyperpycnal flows, the latter intercepting shelf sediment dispersal pathways. Hyperpycnal flows directly discharge river-born sediment into the head of the river-connected canyon and originate a large turbidite fan. A drift formed by the longshore redistribution of sediment of a nearby delta introduces sediment to the head of the littoral cell–connected canyon, forming turbidity currents that flow within the canyon to reach the basin plain. However, since sediment failure and landslide processes are common in the slope part of the system, a mixed fan, consisting of both turbidites and mass-transport deposits, is formed. Disconnected canyons, with heads at the shelf edge far from the coastline, are fed by canyon head and levee-wedge failures, resulting in mass-transport or mixed fan deposition, the latter developing when the seafloor gradient or the lithology of the failed sediment allows turbidity current formation. Connected canyons form in areas with high uplift rates, where the shelf is narrow and steep and the shelf edge is at a relatively shallow depth. Disconnected canyons develop where there are lower uplift rates or subsidence, where the shelf is large and relatively gentle with a deeper shelf edge. It is deduced that the relative vertical movements of fault-bound blocks control whether canyons are connected to the coast at the present day. The role of tectonics in controlling the canyon feeding processes and the facies of submarine fan growth during highstand periods is therefore highlighted. A further view that arises from our paper is that in active margins, the slope portion of fan systems, through seafloor instability and variations in channel gradient, is a key factor in determining the final deep-sea fan facies, regardless of the distance between the coast and the canyon. The concomitant growth of turbidites, mass-transport deposits, and mixed fans demonstrates that models that predict changes in submarine fan facies on the basis of sea-level cycles do not necessarily apply to systems developed along tectonically active margins.