ALBERT

Description: In this study we look beyond the previously studied effects of oceanic CO2 injections on atmospheric and oceanic reservoirs and also account for carbon cycle and climate feedbacks between the atmosphere and the terrestrial biosphere. Considering these additional feedbacks is important since backfluxes from the terrestrial biosphere to the atmosphere in response to reducing atmospheric CO2 can further offset the targeted reduction. To quantify these dynamics we use an Earth system model of intermediate complexity to simulate direct injection of CO2 into the deep ocean as a means of emissions mitigation during a high CO2 emission scenario. In three sets of experiments with different injection depths, we simulate a 100-year injection period of a total of 70 GtC and follow global carbon cycle dynamics over another 900 years. In additional parameter perturbation runs, we varied the default terrestrial photosynthesis CO2 fertilization parameterization by ±50 % in order to test the sensitivity of this uncertain carbon cycle feedback to the targeted atmospheric carbon reduction through direct CO2 injections. Simulated seawater chemistry changes and marine carbon storage effectiveness are similar to previous studies. As expected, by the end of the injection period avoided emissions fall short of the targeted 70 GtC by 16–30 % as a result of carbon cycle feedbacks and backfluxes in both land and ocean reservoirs. The target emissions reduction in the parameter perturbation simulations is about 0.2 and 2 % more at the end of the injection period and about 9 % less to 1 % more at the end of the simulations when compared to the unperturbed injection runs. An unexpected feature is the effect of the model's internal variability of deep-water formation in the Southern Ocean, which, in some model runs, causes additional oceanic carbon uptake after injection termination relative to a control run without injection and therefore with slightly different atmospheric CO2 and climate. These results of a model that has very low internal climate variability illustrate that the attribution of carbon fluxes and accounting for injected CO2 may be very challenging in the real climate system with its much larger internal variability.

Description: In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird - basierend auf externmorphologischen Kriterien von Brachiopodengehäusen aus dem spongiolithischen süddeutschen Oberjura - eine ökologische Interpretation von Brachiopodenassoziationen vorgestellt und diese mit nicht verschwammten Vorkommen unter Verwendung verschiedener methodischer Ansätze verglichen. Aus insgesamt elf brachiopodenführenden Lokalitäten unterschiedlicher stratigraphischer und fazieller Niveaus wurden die generell bevorzugt auftretenden Wuchsformen ermittelt, zu Standardmorphotypen zusammengefaßt und mit digitalisierten Abbildungen aus vorhergehenden Bearbeitungen ökologisch verglichen. [ …] [ … Tabelle 1. Stratigraphie, Fazies und dominierende Externmorphologie der Brachiopodengehäuse (Standardmorphotyp) in den untersuchten Lokalitäten.] Die Analysen ergaben, daß mit Hilfe des Verlaufs der dorsalen Umrißlinie, dem Verlauf der Frontalkommissur und untergeordnet der Foramengröße eine hinreichende Interpretation des Environments hinsichtlich Substratbeschaffenheit, Hydrodynamik und Bathymetrie erfolgen kann. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse sind: a) Die Brachiopoden der süddeutschen Spongiolithfazies zeigen im Vergleich mit je einer Fauna aus einer schwach verschwammten Schichtfazies, einer Korallenfazies und einer oolithischen Mergelkalkfazies grundlegende Unterschiede in der äußeren Morphologie ihrer Gehäuse, b) In mergeldominierten Lokalitäten sind die Sphärizitätsindizes der Gehäuse deutlich höher als in der Korallenfazies, c) Reduzierte Werte des Dicken / Breiten - Verhältnisses scheinen ein Indiz für weichere Substrate zu sein, d) Im zeitlichen Verlauf (Oxfordium bis Unter-Tithonium) nehmen die Werte der Sphärizitätsindizes der Brachiopodengehäuse ab. e) Die Amplituden der Frontalkommissuren von Brachiopoden aus dem Moundbereich sind höher als diejenigen aus der Korallenfazies, f) Das Mengenverhältnis von terebratuliden zu rhynchonelliden Brachiopoden läßt Rückschlüsse auf das dominierende Substrat in den Moundbereichen zu. Ein quantitatives Übergewicht rhynchonellider Brachiopoden geht mit einem mergelreichen, stillen Tieferwasserenvironment einher, während die kalkdominierten Flachwasserbereiche mit erhöhter Hydrodynamik bevorzugt von Terebratuliden besiedelt werden, g) Untergeordnet wird ein Substratwechsel durch die Foramengröße und -position angezeigt. Große mesothyridide Foramina kennzeichnen meist Festsubstrate. Kleine hypothyridide Foramina sind eher für allomikritische Bereiche charakteristisch, h) Brachiopoden der koralligenen Fauna zeichnen sich durch Asymmetrien der Frontalkommissur (Rhynchonellida) und Asymmetrien in der dorsalen Umrißlinie aus (Terebratulida). Die artikulaten Brachiopoden aus den untersuchten „Riff-Ablagerungen scheinen hinsichtlich ihrer Morphologie und faunistischen Komposition von den kontrollierenden Bildungsfaktoren (besonders Sedimentationsrate, Substratbeschaffenheit und Hydrodynamik) der Schwamm- und Korallenassoziationen, beeinflußt worden zu sein. Die in den jeweiligen Aufschlüssen dominierenden Brachiopoden-Morphotypen reflektieren wenigstens statistisch die Bildungsbedingungen.

Description: Data on brachiopods in spongolites from the Upper Jurassic of southern Germany were collected in order to establish associations based on paleoenvironmental parameters and compare these results to similar fauna across a range of depositional paleoenvironments. Fossils were sampled and their dominant growth morphotypes identified from 11 localities representing different ages and facies of the Upper Jurassic in the Franconian and Swabian Alb. These growth morphotypes were compared to standard morphotypes and to biometric data of modern brachiopods gleaned from the literature. Through statistical analysis, it was found that the mode of commissure line and in part the diameter of the foraminae correlate well with substrate types and hydrodynamic to bathymetric paleoconditions. General results include: a) the external morphology of brachiopods from spongolites is significantly different from that of brachiopods from well-bedded limestone containing few to no sponges but corals and oolites, b) within a mostly marl substrate, the sphericity index of brachiopod shells is much larger than for shells in coral-bearing rocks, c) width to length ratios of shells are less for softer substrates indicating possible use as an index for substrate consistency, d) from the Lower Oxfordian to the Tithonian, the sphericity index of shells in general decreases, e) amplitudes of the frontal commissure line of brachiopods found within spongolite build-ups are much larger than those from coral-bearing rocks, f) Terebratulidae to Rhynchonellida biometric relations may be used as an index for judging the “quality” of the paleoenvironment; rhynchonellid brachiopods were dominantly found in marly, deeper paleoenvironments, whereas carbonate sediments deposited under shallow, high energy, water paleoconditions were colonized by terebratulid brachiopods, g) the size and position of foraminae are linked to the substrate type; brachiopods with larger mesothyrid foraminae are found associated with hard substrates while smaller hypothyrid foraminae in soft carbonate sediment areas, h) brachiopods from coral rocks are characterized by their asymmetric growth in form (Terebratulida) and of their frontal commissure (Rhychonellida). In general, brachiopods from reefal deposits appeared to have been directly influenced morphologically by paleoecologic factors, such as sedimentation rate, substrate type, and water energy levels. The dominant standard morphotype of brachiopods appears to correlate in a statistically significant way with the interpreted depositional circumstances at each locality. Due to here presented morphological data of brachiopodes from the Upper Jurassic of Southern Germany, associations of brachiopodes in spongiolites are interpreted palecologically and compared to similar faunae from other depositional environments. From 11 localities of different stratigraphical age and facies in the Franconian and Swabian Alb the dominant growth morphotypes are presented and abstracted to so-called „standard morphotypes“. The latter are compared to biometrical data of modern brachiopodes, mainly extracted from literature data. Interpreting the mathematical analyses it can be concluded that the dorsal outline, the mode of commissur line and partially the diameter of the foraminae can be used as indicator of substrates, hydrodynamical and paleobathymetrical conditions. The main results are: a) External morphology of brachiopodes from spongiolites exhibits strong differences in contrast to brachiopodes from well-bedded limestones with few or no sponges, to coral-bearing strata and to oolithic limestones, b) In localities, where marls have been predominantly deposited, the sphericity index is much larger than in the coral-bearing rocks, c) Reduced relations of width and length can be tentatively used as index for soft substrates, d) From the Lower Oxfordian to the Tithonian the sphericity index becomes smaller, e) Amplitudes of the frontal commissur line from brachiopodes of spongiolitic buildups are much higher than from brachiopodes in coral-bearing rocks, f) Quantitative relations from Terebratulidae to Rhynchonellida can be used as index for quality of substrates. Rhynchonellid brachiopodes are dominating marly, deeper environments, whereas carbona-tic sediments deposited under shallow water conditions with higher water energy are dominated by terebratulid brachiopodes. g) Changes of substrates are indicated by the size and position of foraminae. Larger mesothyrid foraminae characterize hard substrates, smaller hypothyrid foraminae are typically developed in allomicritic areas, h) Brachiopodes from coralligene rocks are characterized by their asymmetrical growth of form (Terebratulida) and of their frontal commissure (Rhynchonellida). Generally, brachiopodes from reefal deposits have been influenced morphologically by ecologically controlling factors such as the sedimentation rate, the substrate, and the water energy levels. The dominating standard morphotypes of brachiopodes in each locality reflect at least statistically the former depositional environments. (Translation: Dr. Elizabeth H. Gierlowski-Kordesch, Department of Geological Sciences, Ohio University)

Description: thesis

Description: DFG, SUB Göttingen

Description: Samples of dust from the Greenland Ice Sheet Project 2 (GISP2) ice core, Summit, Greenland, dated within marine isotope stage 2 (between 23,340 and 26,180 calendar years B.P.) around the time of the coldest, local, last glacial temperatures, have been analyzed to determine their provenance. To accomplish this, we have compared them with approximately Coeval aeolian sediments (mostly loesses) sampled in possible source areas (PSAs) from around the northern hemisphere. The 〈5-µm grain-size fraction of these samples was analyzed on the basis that it corresponds to the atmospheric dust component of that time and locale, which was sufficiently fine grained to be transported over long distances. On the basis of comparison of the clay mineralogy and Sr, Nd and Pb isotope composition with ice dust and PSAs and assuming that we have sampled the most important PSAs, we have determined that the probable source area of these GISP2 dusts was in eastern Asia. The dust was not derived from either the midcontinental United States or the Sahara, two more proximal areas that have been suggested as potential sources based on atmospheric circulation modeling. Except for a brief period during an interstadial, when dust transport was exceptionally low (for glacial times) and had a mineralogical composition indicative of a slightly more southern provenance, the source area of the dust did not change significantly during times of variably higher fluxes of dust with larger mean grain size or lower fluxes of dust with smaller mean grain size. This includes the high-dust period that correlates with the Heinrich 2 period of major iceberg discharge into the North Atlantic. Variable wind strengths must therefore be invoked to account for these abrupt and significant changes in dust flux and grain size.

Description: To project the future development of the soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in permafrost environments, the spatial and vertical distribution of key soil properties and their landscape controls needs to be understood. This article reports findings from the Arctic Lena River Delta where we sampled 50 soil pedons. These were classified according to the U.S.D.A. Soil Taxonomy and fall mostly into the Gelisol soil order used for permafrost-affected soils. Soil profiles have been sampled for the active layer (mean depth 58 ± 10 cm) and the upper permafrost to one meter depth. We analyze SOC stocks and key soil properties, i.e. C%, N%, C/N, bulk density, visible ice and water content. These are compared for different landscape groupings of pedons according to geomorphology, soil and land cover and for different vertical depth increments. High vertical resolution plots are used to understand soil development. These show that SOC storage can be highly variable with depth. We recommend the treatment of permafrost-affected soils according to subdivisions into: the surface organic layer, mineral subsoil in the active layer, organic enriched cryoturbated or buried horizons and the mineral subsoil in the permafrost. The major geomorphological units of a subregion of the Lena River Delta were mapped with a land form classification using a data-fusion approach of optical satellite imagery and digital elevation data to upscale SOC storage. Landscape mean SOC storage is estimated to 19.2 ± 2.0 kg C/m**2. Our results show that the geomorphological setting explains more soil variability than soil taxonomy classes or vegetation cover. The soils from the oldest, Pleistocene aged, unit of the delta store the highest amount of SOC per m2 followed by the Holocene river terrace. The Pleistocene terrace affected by thermal-degradation, the recent floodplain and bare alluvial sediments store considerably less SOC in descending order.

Description: This data set describes the soil core and sample characteristics from the Ikpikpuk and Fish Creek river delta on the Arctic Coastal Plain in northern Alaska. The collection of the permafrost soil cores and the analysis of the samples are described in Fuchs et al. (2018). Sedimentary and geochemical characteristics of two small permafrost-dominated Arctic river deltas in northern Alaska. This data compilation consists of two data set. The first data set describes the properties of the collected permafrost soil cores from the Ikpikpuk river (IKP) and Fish Creek river (FCR) delta. This includes the coordinates of the nine coring locations, the field measurements of the active- and organic layer thickness at the coring locations, and the length of the collected permafrost core. In addition, soil organic carbon and soil nitrogen stocks and densities derived from the laboratory analyses for the reference depths 0-30 cm, 0-100 cm, 0-150 cm and 0-200 cm are presented in kg C m-2 and in kg C m-3. The second data set provides the raw laboratory data for all the samples of the nine collected permafrost cores in the Ikpikpuk and Fish Creek River Delta. All laboratory analyzes were carried out at the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Potsdam. The third data set presents the results from the radiocarbon dating of chosen samples from five different permafrost cores. This includes the AMS radiocarbon date and the calibrated age of a sample. In addition, the sediment and organic carbon accumulation rates for the dated samples are included. This data set allows to calculate the total carbon and nitrogen storage in two small Arctic river deltas (IKP and FCR) for the first two meter of soil and enlarges the available permafrost cores for Arctic river delta deposits.

Description: Ice rich Yedoma-dominated landscapes store considerable amounts of organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) and are vulnerable to degradation under climate warming. We investigate the C and N pools in two thermokarst-affected Yedoma landscapes - on Sobo-Sise Island and on Bykovsky Peninsula in the North of East Siberia. Soil cores up to three meters depth were collected along geomorphic gradients and analysed for organic C and N contents. A high vertical sampling density in the profiles allowed the calculation of C and N stocks for short soil column intervals and enhanced understanding of within-core parameter variability. Profile-level C and N stocks were scaled to the landscape level based on landform classifications from five-meter resolution, multispectral RapidEye satellite imagery. Mean landscape C and N storage in the first meter of soil for Sobo-Sise Island is estimated to be 20.2 kg C/m**-2 and 1.8 kg N/m**-2 and for Bykovsky Peninsula 25.9 kg C/m**-2 and 2.2 kg N/m**-2. Radiocarbon dating demonstrates the Holocene age of thermokarst basin deposits but also suggests the presence of thick Holocene aged cover layers which can reach up to two meters on top of intact Yedoma landforms. Reconstructed sedimentation rates of 0.10 mm/yr - 0.57 mm/yr suggest sustained mineral soil accumulation across all investigated landforms. Both Yedoma and thermokarst landforms are characterized by limited accumulation of organic soil layers (peat). We further estimate that an active layer deepening by about 100 cm will increase organic C availability in a seasonally thawed state in the two study areas by ~5.8 Tg (13.2 kg C/m**-2). Our study demonstrates the importance of increasing the number of C and N storage inventories in ice-rich Yedoma and thermokarst environments in order to account for high variability of permafrost and thermokarst environments in pan-permafrost soil C and N pool estimates.

Description: Most of the world's permafrost is located in the Arctic, where its frozen organic carbon con-tent makes it a potentially important influence on the global climate system. The Arctic climate appears to be changing more rapidly than the lower latitudes, but observational data density in the region is low. Permafrost thaw and carbon release into the atmosphere is a positive feed-back mechanism that has the potential for climate warming. It is therefore particularly im-portant to understand the links between the energy balance, which can vary rapidly over hour-ly to annual time scales, and permafrost condition, which changes slowly on decadal to cen-tennial timescales. This requires long-term observational data such as that available from the Samoylov research site in northern Siberia, where meteorological parameters, energy balance, and subsurface observations have been recorded since 1998. This paper presents the temporal data set produced between 2002 and 2017, explaining the instrumentation, calibration, pro-cessing and data quality control. Additional data include a high-resolution digital terrain mod-el (DTM) obtained from terrestrial LiDAR laser scanning. Since the data provide observations of temporally variable parameters that influence energy fluxes between permafrost, active lay-er soils, and the atmosphere (such as snow depth and soil moisture content), they are suitable for calibrating and quantifying the dynamics of permafrost as a component in earth system models. The data also include soil properties beneath different microtopographic features (a polygon center, a rim, a slope, and a trough), yielding much-needed information on landscape heterogeneity for use in land surface modeling. For the record from 1998 to 2017, the average mean annual air temperature was -12.3°C, with mean monthly temperature of the warmest month (July) recorded as 9.5°C and for the coldest month (February) -32.7°C. The average annual rainfall was 169mm. The depth of zero annual amplitude niveau is at 20.8m, and has warmed from -9.1°C in 2006 to -7.7°C in 2017.