Environmental Biogeochemistry Research Articles

A brief history of the International Symposia on Environmental Biogeochemistry (ISEB)

Extract The International Symposia on Environmental Biogeochemistry, Inc., also known as ISEB, is a nonmembership organization, incorporated in the State of Delaware, USA. It holds biennial meetings at which various topics dealing with environmental biogeochemistry, geomicrobiology, and geobiology are discussed.

Molybdenum Stable Isotopes: Observations, Interpretations and Directions

The unusual chemistry of molybdenum (Mo) makes this trace element interesting to both geochemists and biochemists. Geochemically, Mo is relatively unreactive in oxygenated, aqueous solutions, and hence is a nominally conservative element in the oceans. In fact, Mo is removed so slowly from seawater that it is the most abundant transition metal in the oceans despite being a ppm-level constituent of the crust. In contrast, Mo is readily removed from solution in anoxic-sulfidic (“euxinic”) settings, so that Mo enrichments in sediments are considered diagnostic of reducing depositional conditions. Few elements possess such bimodal redox behavior at the Earth’s surface. Biochemically, Mo draws attention because it is an essential enzyme cofactor in nearly all organisms, with particular importance for nitrogen fixation, nitrate reduction and sulfite oxidation. Such biochemical ubiquity is surprising in view of the general scarcity of Mo at the Earth’s surface. Isotopically, Mo initially catches the eye because it has seven stable isotopes of 10–25% abundance, covering a mass range of ~8% (Fig. 1⇓). Thus, from an analyst’s perspective, Mo offers both an unusually large mass spread and a number of options for isotope ratio determination. Combined with rich redox chemistry and covalent-type bonding, both of which tend to drive isotope fractionation, these factors make the Mo isotope system a particularly promising target for stable isotope investigation. Figure 1. The average natural abundances of the stable isotopes of Mo as recommended by IUPAC, based on (Moore et al. 1974). In the environment, Mo isotope research began in earnest with the application of multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. While much work remains to be done, this early research points to promising applications in paleoceanography, and beyond. This review is intended to provide an overview of this emerging stable isotope system in the context of Mo environmental biogeochemistry. Special attention …

Iron stable isotopes: beyond biosignatures

The stable isotope geochemistry of Fe has attracted intense interest in the past five years. This interest was originally motivated by the possible use of Fe isotopes in biosignature applications, particularly in sediments from the ancient Earth or Mars. This application is still being developed, with particular attention to fractionation mechanisms. Understanding such mechanisms should also provide new insights into the environmental biogeochemistry of Fe. At the same time, the Fe isotope system holds promise for other exciting frontiers, including applications in oceanography, solid Earth geochemistry and biomedicine. Such applications will be increasingly attractive as Fe isotope analysis becomes routine.

Evaluating annual nitrous oxide fluxes at the ecosystem scale

Evaluation of N2O flux has been one of the most problematic topics in environmental biogeochemistry over the last 10–15 years. Early ideas that we should be able to use the large body of existing research on terrestrial N cycling to predict patterns of N2O flux at the ecosystem scale have been hard to prove due to extreme temporal and spatial variability in flux. The vast majority of the N2O flux measurement and modeling activity that has taken place has been process level and field scale, i.e., measurement, analysis and modeling of hourly and daily fluxes with chambers deployed in field plots. It has been very difficult to establish strong predictive relationships between these hourly and daily fluxes and field‐scale parameters such as temperature, soil moisture, and soil inorganic N concentrations. In this study, we addressed the question of whether we can increase our predictive understanding of N2O fluxes by examining relationships between flux and environmental parameters at larger spatial and temporal scales, i.e., to explore relationships between annual rather than hourly or daily fluxes and ecosystem‐scale variables such as plant community and soil type and annual climate rather than field‐scale variables such as soil moisture and temperature. We addressed this question by examining existing data on annual fluxes from temperate forest, cropland, and rangeland ecosystems, analyzing both multiyear data sets from individual sites as well as cross‐site comparison of single annual flux values from multiple sites. Results suggest that there are indeed coherent patterns in annual N2O flux at the ecosystem scale in forest, cropland, and rangeland ecosystems but that these patterns vary by region and only emerge with continuous (at least daily) flux measurements over multiple years. An ecosystem approach to evaluating N2O fluxes will be useful for regional and global modeling and for computation of national N2O flux inventories for regulatory purposes but only if measurement programs are comprehensive and continuous.

Elemental composition of the lichen Umbilicaria decussata

Total concentrations of major and trace elements were determined in thalli of the epilithic lichen Umbilicaria decussata from 37 habitats in Victoria Land (continental Antarctica). Average concentrations of Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, Mn and Fe were among the lowest ever reported for lichens of genus Umbilicaria. On the contrary, Cd and Hg concentrations fell within the same range or were higher than those usually measured in samples from remote areas of the southern and northern hemispheres. No impact of local or remote human activities was detected. Comparison between average metal concentrations in U. decussata samples collected in 1989 and 1999 did not show significant variations, and this result was assumed to be indicative of negligible changes in the environmental biogeochemistry of Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems. The ad/absorption of soil and rock dust particles, atmospheric depositions, marine aerosols, guano of seabirds, and the uptake of soluble elements from widespread salt encrustations and/or rock minerals are the main sources of major and trace elements for epilithic lichens in continental Antarctica. Although the present results can be taken as baseline levels, further research is necessary in view of the expected effects of climatic changes on element bioavailability in ice‐free areas of Antarctica.

Solution geochemistry and behaviour of major and trace elements during summer in a moss community at Edmonson Point, Victoria Land, Antarctica

Physical and chemical characteristics and solution geochemistry of major and trace elements were investigated in an area of volcanic soil colonized by mosses at Edmonson Point (central Victoria Land) during the international BIOTAS (Biological Investigations of Terrestrial Antarctic Systems) expedition (BIOTEX) in the 1995–96 summer. The broad objective was to study the environmental factors involved in plant colonisation and survival in terrestrial continental Antarctic ecosystems. The results showed that moss distribution and survival throughout the summer was closely dependent on water supply. In Antarctic coastal ecosystems the environmental biogeochemistry is largely dominated by ions of marine origin. At the drier end of a hydrological gradient the dry cushions of Hennediella heimii were encrusted with salts and showed much higher concentrations of soluble ions (Na+, Cl−, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42−, NO3−) than those in adhering soil particles or in other moss species from wetter parts of the transect. Although salt encrustations may partly derive from sublimation of surface snow, comparisons between concentrations of soluble ions in the dry moss and those in the < 2 mm fraction of surface and deep soil showed an upward migration along the soil profile of soluble ions as the substratum dried out, between December and January, and their accumulation mostly on mosses. At the wet end of the transect messes were less affected by salt encrustations and there was evidence of Ca2+ uptake and an active cycling of nutrients.

XIII International Syposium on Environmental Biogeochemistry: Matter and Energy Fluxes in the Anthropocentric Environment September 21–27,1997, Monopoli (Bari), Italy

XIII International Syposium on Environmental Biogeochemistry: Matter and Energy Fluxes in the Anthropocentric Environment September 21–27,1997, Monopoli (Bari), Italy

Clair C. Patterson (1922–1995)

Clair C. (Pat) Patterson, 73, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Sea Ranch, Calif., on December, 5, 1995. Pat left behind one of the most prolific and influential legacies, not only in geochemistry, but in environmental biogeochemistry as well. In geochemistry, he is best known for first establishing the true age of the Earth and solar system at 4.6 billion years, a date the accuracy of which has survived four decades. This inherently accurate geochronology arose from Pat's development of stable lead isotope techniques clean enough to overcome contaminated and erroneous results of earlier workers. This allowed him to further develop lead isotope systematics for divulging the evolution of the crust and mantle.

Diversity of Environmental Biogeochemistry

Journal of Environmental QualityVolume 21, Issue 3 p. 513-513 Book Review Diversity of Environmental Biogeochemistry Edited by J. Berthelin, Elsevier Science Publishers B. V., Sara Burgerhartstraat 25, P.O. Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 1991. 537 p. $143.00. ISBN 0-444-88900-0 William P. Inskeep, William P. Inskeep Department of Plant and Soil Science, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717Search for more papers by this author William P. Inskeep, William P. Inskeep Department of Plant and Soil Science, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, 59717Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 July 1992 https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1992.00472425002100030038xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume21, Issue3July‐September 1992Pages 513-513 RelatedInformation

Report on the 9th International Symposium on Environmental Biogeochemistry (4–8 September, 1989, Moscow, USSR)

Report on the 9th International Symposium on Environmental Biogeochemistry (4–8 September, 1989, Moscow, USSR)

The Practical Applications of Trace Elements and Isotopes to Environmental Biogeochemistry and Mineral Resources Evaluation

The Practical Applications of Trace Elements and Isotopes to Environmental Biogeochemistry and Mineral Resources Evaluation

Environmental Biogeochemistry. Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Environmental Biogeochemistry (ISEB) Arranged in Stockholm 1-5 June, 1981.R. Hallberg , Thomas Rosswall

<i>Environmental Biogeochemistry. Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium on Environmental Biogeochemistry (ISEB) Arranged in Stockholm 1-5 June, 1981.</i>R. Hallberg , Thomas Rosswall

Environmental Biogeochemistry.

Environmental Biogeochemistry.

Environmental Biogeochemistry.

Environmental Biogeochemistry.

R. Hallberg, editor. Environmental biogeochemistry. Ecological Bulletins (Stockholm), 35, 576 pp. 1983. Price SwCr 260.

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Biogeochemistry of Ancient and Modern Environments. Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Environmental Biogeochemistry (ISEB) and Conference on Biogeochemistry in Relation to the Mining Industry and Environmental Pollution (Leaching Conference), Held in Canberra, Australia, 26 August-4 September 1979.P. A. Trudinger , M. R. Walter , B. J. Ralph

Previous articleNext article No AccessNew Biological BooksBiogeochemistry of Ancient and Modern Environments. Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Environmental Biogeochemistry (ISEB) and Conference on Biogeochemistry in Relation to the Mining Industry and Environmental Pollution (Leaching Conference), Held in Canberra, Australia, 26 August-4 September 1979. P. A. Trudinger , M. R. Walter , B. J. Ralph PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Quarterly Review of Biology Volume 57, Number 3Sep., 1982 Published in association with Stony Brook University Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/412897 Copyright 1982 Stony Brook Foundation, Inc.PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

The environmental biogeochemistry of chelating agents and recommendations for the disposal of chelated radioactive wastes

Chelating agents are used in nuclear decontamination operations because they form very selective and strong complexes with numerous radionuclides. However, if environmentally-persistent chelated wastes are disposed of without pretreatment to eliminate the chelating agents, increased radionuclide migration rates from the disposal sites may occur. The environmental chemistry of the three most common aminopolycarboxylic acid chelating agents, NTA (nitrilotriacetic acid), EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid), and DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) is reviewed. This review includes information on their persistence in the environment, as well as their tendency to form complexes with actinides. Data on the sorption of chelated actinides by geologic substrates and on the uptake of chelated actinides by plants are also presented. Increased solubility and/or migration of radionuclides by chelating agents used in decontamination operations have been observed at two different radioactive waste burial grounds. EDTA was found to be promoting the migration of 6OCo and possibly other radionuclides from liquid waste disposal sites at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (1). Recently EDTA has again been identified in radioactive wastes-this time in trench waters containing from 600–16,100 pCi 238Pu per liter from solid waste burial grounds in Maxey Flats, Kentucky (2). These observations at Oak Ridge and Maxey Flats suggest that the practice of disposing chelated radioactive wastes should be reevaluated. Three different technical options for disposing chelated low-level radioactive wastes are proposed: 1. [1] Bind the solidified chelated waste in some kind of solid matrix that has a slow leach rate and bury the waste in a “dry” disposal site. 2. [2] Substitute biodegradable chelating agents in the decontamination reagent for the chelating agents that are persistent in the environment. 3. [3] Chemically or thermally degrade the chelating agents in the waste prior to disposal. The relative advantages and disadvantages of each of these options are discussed. We feel that surprisingly little attention has been given to an obvious procedure for the disposal of chelated radioactive wastes: chemically or thermally degrading the chelating agent prior to disposal. Any of the above three options might in fact be a satisfactory approach to the disposal of chelated wastes. However, we suggest that the burial of chelating agents such as EDTA be avoided and that option [3] be given more consideration.

Environmental Biogeochemistry and Geomicrobiology

Journal of Environmental QualityVolume 7, Issue 4 p. 606-606 Book Review Environmental Biogeochemistry and Geomicrobiology Edited by W. E. Krumbein, Ann Arbor Science Publishers, P. O. Box 1425, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. 1978. 1055 pages. $37.50. In 3 volumes M. Alexander, M. Alexander Department of Agronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853Search for more papers by this author M. Alexander, M. Alexander Department of Agronomy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 October 1978 https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1978.00472425000700040036xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume7, Issue4October‐December 1978Pages 606-606 RelatedInformation

Environmental Biogeochemistry. Volume 1: Carbon, Nitrogen Phosphorus, Sulfur and Selenium Cycles. Volume 2: Metals Transfer and Ecological Mass Balances.

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Environmental Biogechemistry, Volume 2: Metals Transfer and Ecological Mass Balances. Second International Symposium on Environmental Biogeochemistry.

Environmental Biogechemistry, Volume 2: Metals Transfer and Ecological Mass Balances. Second International Symposium on Environmental Biogeochemistry.