Hydrographic Changes Research Articles

Copepod community structure during upwelling and non-upwelling seasons in coastal waters off Cochin, southwest coast of India

Vypeen, an island of Cochin estuarine system, acts as the spawning site of several marine and estuarine fishes. We assumed that, physical process (upwelling) make changes in hydrography and the production of chlorophyll a in coastal waters off Vypeen. These alterations can influence the zooplankton abundance and copepod community structure in that area. For justifying this hypothesis, samples were collected from Vypeen at 10 m and 30 m locations during January (pre-southwest monsoon), August (late-southwest monsoon) and November (post-southwest monsoon) 2014. During August, subsurface water column was cool, nutrient rich and less oxygenated (signatures of upwelling) than in November and January. Maximum concentrations of nitrate and chlorophyll a were recorded during August. In the present study, 15 zooplankton groups were recorded; of which copepods were the most predominant group (73%–90%). Copepod density in the present study ranged between 527.2 ind./m2 and 5 139.2 ind./m2. Totally, 37 copepods species were reported in present study and copepod species richness was higher during January. The abundance of zooplankton and copepods was high in August during late-southwest monsoon. These variations were closely associated with the coastal upwelling in August and weakening of moderate upwelling in November. In SIMPER analysis, it was found that the copepods species distribution was similar within season and dissimilar between the three seasons. Moreover, the higher abundance of upwelling indicator species Temora turbinata was recorded in August, which confirms the signs of seasonal upwelling in Vypeen. The present study emphasized on the influence of hydrographical parameters associated with physical process, in governing the copepod community organization of the Vypeen Island.

Rapid environmental responses to climate-induced hydrographic changes in the Baltic Sea entrance

Abstract. The Öresund (the Sound), which is a part of the Danish straits, is linking the marine North Sea and the brackish Baltic Sea. It is a transition zone where ecosystems are subjected to large gradients in terms of salinity, temperature, carbonate chemistry, and dissolved oxygen concentration. In addition to the highly variable environmental conditions, the area is responding to anthropogenic disturbances in, e.g., nutrient loading, temperature, and pH. We have reconstructed environmental changes in the Öresund during the last ca. 200 years, and especially dissolved oxygen concentration, salinity, organic matter content, and pollution levels, using benthic foraminifera and sediment geochemistry. Five zones with characteristic foraminiferal assemblages were identified, each reflecting the environmental conditions for the respective period. The largest changes occurred around 1950, when the foraminiferal assemblage shifted from a low diversity fauna dominated by the species Stainforthia fusiformis to higher diversity and abundance and dominance of the Elphidium species. Concurrently, the grain-size distribution shifted from clayey to sandier sediment. To explore the causes of the environmental changes, we used time series of reconstructed wind conditions coupled with large-scale climate variations as recorded by the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index as well as the ECOSMO II model of currents in the Öresund area. The results indicate increased changes in the water circulation towards stronger currents in the area after the 1950s. The foraminiferal fauna responded quickly (<10 years) to the environmental changes. Notably, when the wind conditions, and thereby the current system, returned in the 1980s to the previous pattern, the foraminiferal assemblage did not rebound. Instead, the foraminiferal faunas displayed a new equilibrium state.

Rola wód powierzchniowych w rozwoju Lublina

<p>Artykuł ma na celu przedstawienie transformacji sieci rzecznej na obszarze Lublina i jej roli w rozwoju miasta od średniowiecza do współczesności. Analizie poddano naturalne i antropogeniczne przekształcenia sieci hydrograficznej, a także zmiany stosunków wodnych w dnach dolin rzek lubelskich w aspekcie ich wpływu na rozwój przestrzenny i społeczno-gospodarczy Lublina. Analizy szczegółowe prowadzono dla pięciu głównych okresów rozwoju miasta, tj. 1) przedlokacyjnego, 2) rozkwitu, 3) upadku, 4) umiarkowanego oraz 5) dynamicznego rozwoju. W pracy zrekonstruowano zmiany sieci hydrograficznej i stosunków wodnych oraz przeanalizowano zmiany funkcji dolin rzecznych. Ponadto wykazano okresy, w których wody powierzchniowe miały pozytywny oraz negatywny wpływ na rozwój miasta.</p>

Summer hydrographic changes in the Baltic Sea, Kattegat and Skagerrak projected in an ensemble of climate scenarios downscaled with a coupled regional ocean\u2013sea ice\u2013atmosphere model

This model study investigates summer hydrographic changes in response to climate projections following the CMIP5 RCP8.5 scenario. We use the high resolution regional coupled ocean–sea ice–atmosphere model RCA4–NEMO to downscale an ensemble of five global climate projections with a main focus on the Baltic Sea and neighboring shelf basins to the west. We find consistently across the ensemble a northward shift in the mean summer position of the westerlies at the end of the twenty-first century compared to the twentieth century. Associated with this is an anomalous precipitation pattern marked by increased rainfall over northern Europe and dryer conditions over the continental central part. In response to these large-scale atmospheric changes, a strong freshening mainly resulting from a higher net precipitation over the year combined with higher annual mean runoff is registered for the Baltic Sea and adjacent seas. The strongest freshening takes place in the southern Skagerrak region where stronger winds enhance the cyclonic circulation and by this, recirculation of fresher waters from the Baltic Sea strengthens. In the Baltic Sea freshening leads to a reduction in basin averaged salinities between 0.6 and 2.3 g kg−1 throughout the ensemble. Likewise, the sea surface temperature response in the Baltic Sea varies between + 2.5 and + 4.7 K depending on the applied global model scenario. The climate induced changes in atmospheric forcing have further consequences for the large-scale circulation in the Baltic Sea. All ensemble members indicate a strengthening of the zonal, wind driven near surface overturning circulation in the southwestern Baltic Sea towards the end of the twenty-first century whereas the more thermohaline driven overturning at depth is reduced by ~ 25%. In the Baltic Proper, the meridional overturning shows no clear climate change signal. However, three out of five ensemble members indicate at least a northward expansion of the main overturning cell. In the Bothnian Sea, all ensemble members show a significant weakening of the meridional overturning. The entire ensemble consistently indicates a basin-wide intensification of the pycnocline (9–35%) for the Baltic Sea and a shallowing of the pycnocline depth in most regions as well. In the Baltic Sea, which is dominated by mesohaline conditions under the historical period, the changes in salinity at the end of the twenty-first century have turned wide areas to be dominated by oligohaline conditions as a result of climate change. Potential consequences for biogeochemical conditions and implications for biodiversity are discussed.

Effect of Agricultural and Urban Infrastructure on River Basin Delineation and Surface Water Availability: Case of the Culiacan River Basin

River basin delineation can be inappropriate to determine surface water availability in a country, even if it is established by its water authority. This is because the effect of agricultural and urban infrastructure in runoff direction is ignored, and the anthropogenic changes in hydrography and topography features distort the runoff. This situation is really important because water rights are granted based on volumes that are not physically accessible. The existence of this problem is demonstrated through a case of study: the Culiacan River Basin in Mexico. To overcome such a situation, this study poses criteria to revise official river basin configurations and to delineate new river basins based on digital elevation models, vector files of agricultural infrastructure, and extensive field verification. Significant differences were noticed in surface water availability calculated under distinct river basin delineations.

Characteristic evolution of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation from 1990 to 2015: An eddy-resolving ocean model study

A 1/12° North Atlantic model is used to investigate the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) variability from 1990 to 2015. The seasonality of the AMOC in depth and density spaces is dominated by the Ekman transport from low to high latitudes. At interannual timescales, the AMOC in depth and density spaces has different characteristics, mostly in high latitudes, which is attributed to strong doming of isopycnals. An Empirical Orthogonal Function analysis of the AMOC in depth space demonstrates that the AMOC can be decomposed into two portions – one associated with Labrador Sea winter convection and one related to Ekman transport. The Ekman transport portion of the depth-space AMOC has a general out-of-phase relationship between high and low latitudes and the AMOC becomes more meridionally coherent after the Ekman transport portion is removed. Our study suggests that the AMOC in depth space appears to have two regimes, a strong one before 2001, and a weak one after 2001, which is seen to be associated with the westward movement of the winter North Atlantic Oscillation centers of action starting from 2001. The two-regime behavior is best reflected in the variability of the western part of the Labrador Current, while the general decline over this period is also seen in the Labrador Sea convection depth, the strength of the eastern part of the Labrador Current, and the downward movement of isopycals in the deep layers of the Labrador Sea The latter suggests that hydrographic changes in Labrador Sea deep layers could be potentially used as a proxy for AMOC variability.

Long‐term variability in overwintering copepod populations in the Lofoten Basin: The role of the North Atlantic oscillation and trophic effects

AbstractCritical gaps in knowledge hinder our ability to infer spatiotemporal dynamics in pelagic ecosystems. In particular, environmental changes affecting key copepod species while overwintering in deep waters are still not well understood. Here, we analyzed an 11 yr time series (2000–2010) of winter (January/February) samplings in the Lofoten Basin to characterize the spatial distribution of Calanus finmarchicus overwintering abundances and to infer their long‐term temporal trends. The spatial structure of populations at depths between 700 and 900 m corresponded to mesoscale aggregations consistent with eddies in the region. Over time, increased abundances of copepods and of one of its main predators, the herring (Clupea harengus), matched a negative trend in the 7 yr lagged winter NAO index. However, this progressive climatic shift did not affect surface conditions in the region or southward but corresponded to an increase in salinity and a deepening of the vertical extension of the Atlantic Water layer. We hypothesized that this change in salinity structure across the water column increased the density contrast between copepods and ambient water masses and facilitates the ascent rates during seasonal vertical migration. We suggest a step‐wise mechanism from NAO large‐scale forcing to copepod and herring populations mediated by hydrographical changes in intermediate water masses to explain the observed trends in abundances. Thus, large‐scale, lagged climatic patterns affecting overwintering copepods might scale up to succesive trophic levels in the pelagic ecosystem.

Paired bulk organic and individual amino acid δ15N analyses of bivalve shell periostracum: A paleoceanographic proxy for water source variability and nitrogen cycling processes

Abstract Developing high-resolution, well-dated, marine proxies of environmental, climatic, and oceanographic conditions is critical in order to advance our understanding of the ocean’s role in the global climate system. While some work has investigated bulk and compound specific stable nitrogen isotope (δ15N) values in bivalve shells as proxies for environmental variability, the small concentrations of nitrogen found in the organic matrix of the shell calcium carbonate (hereafter carbonate) makes developing high resolution records challenging. This study investigates the potential of using the bulk and amino acid δ15N values of bivalve periostracum, the protein layer on the outside of the shell, as a proxy archive of nitrogen cycling processes and water source variability. Bulk δ15N values were measured on the periostracum, carbonate, and adductor muscle of Arctica islandica shells collected in the Gulf of Maine. Increased variability of isotopic values across growth lines compared to along growth lines support mechanistic reasoning based on growth processes that periostracum is recording changes in δ15N values over the course of the clam’s lifetime (up to 500 years). In addition, the statistically significant relationship between periostracum δ15N values and contemporaneous carbonate δ15N values of the same shell (r = 0.82, p Compound specific δ15N analyses of the periostracum of A. islandica shells were used to determine that the calculated trophic position of the clams in this study (1.4 ± 0.4) did not change significantly between 1783 and 1997. Phenylalanine δ15N values over the last 70 years show similar trends to that of the bulk record, suggesting that changes in bulk δ15N values over that time period are related to changes in baseline δ15N values. Periostracum δ15N values from shells collected in the western Gulf of Maine have decreased by ∼1‰ since the mid-1920s. This trend (−0.008‰/year) is not statistically different from the trend of previously published δ15N values of deep-sea corals from the entrance to the Gulf of Maine over the same time period. This coral record has been shown to indicate a shift in water source in the region and therefore the similarity between the two records suggest that changes in periostracum δ15N values are reflecting broader North Atlantic hydrographic changes. Our study introduces a new, high-resolution, and absolutely dated paleoceanographic proxy of baseline δ15N values, presenting the opportunity for future reconstructions of aspects of nitrogen cycling and water source changes in the global oceans.

Monsoon-induced changes in surface hydrography of the eastern Arabian Sea during the early Pleistocene

AbstractUpper water column dynamics in the eastern Arabian Sea were reconstructed in order to investigate changes in the activity of the South Asian / Indian monsoon during the early Pleistocene (c. 1.5–2.7 Ma). We used planktic foraminiferal assemblage records combined with isotopic (δ18O and δ13C) data, Mg/Ca-based sea surface temperatures and seawater δ18O records to estimate changes in surface water conditions at International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Site U1457. Our records indicate two distinct regimes of monsoon-induced changes in upper water structure during the periodsc. 1.55–1.65 Ma andc. 1.85–2.7 Ma. We infer that a more stratified upper water column and oligotrophic mixed layer conditions prevailed during the period 1.85–2.7 Ma, which may be due to overall weaker South Asian / Indian winter (NE) and summer (SW) monsoon circulations. The period 1.55–1.65 Ma was characterized by enhanced eutrophication of the mixed layer, which was probably triggered by intensified winter (NE) monsoonal winds. The long-term trend in hydrographic changes during 1.55–1.65 Ma appears to be superimposed by short-term variations, probably reflecting glacial/interglacial changes. We suggest that an intensification of the South Asian / Indian winter monsoon circulation occurred between ∼1.65 Ma and 1.85 Ma, which is most likely due to the development of strong meridional and zonal atmospheric circulations (i.e. Walker Circulation and Hadley Circulation) because of strong equatorial East–West Pacific temperature gradients.

The response of microzooplankton (tintinnid) community to salinity related environmental changes in a hypersaline marine system in the northwestern Arabian Gulf

Construction of large dams often wreaks havoc on coastal marine systems through hydro-biological alterations. In this study, we have investigated how salinity changes in the northwestern Arabian Gulf (NWAG) due to water regulation activities upstream of the Shatt Al-Arab River system (SAR) has influenced the hydrography and microzooplankton (tintinnid ciliates) community in the semi-arid shallow marine environment off Kuwait. Microzooplankton and water samples for environmental variables were obtained between 2004 and 2008 across several coastal and offshore locations (n = 436). Microzooplankton samples showed the presence of sixty-two species of tintinnids belonging to sixteen genera and ten families. Hydrography data revealed a continuous decrease in salinity in the NWAG from 2004 until 2006 (mean salinity: 37.3; CV: 0.09), and an increase thereafter (mean salinity in 2007–2008: 39.9, CV: 0.08). The minimum increase was reported in the offshore waters (0.50), and maximum in the northern areas upstream of Boubiyan Island (~6). These changes associated with shifts in freshwater discharge from the SAR have adversely affected the hydrographical properties and phytoplankton stock post-2006. The seasonality (and heterogeneity) in hydrography were more pronounced in the low saline period of 2004–2006 than 2007–2008. As evident from multivariate statistical analyses, these changes have generated undesirable effects on the structural property indicators (abundance, biomass, and diversity), and distribution patterns of tintinnids in 2007–2008. Although agglutinated loricates constituted the most dominant group in the 2004–2008 period, the hydrographical changes post-2006 increased the relative abundance of hyalinated loricates. The biotic-abiotic interactions and distance-based linear models (DistLM) revealed that among the measured environmental variables, the cumulative effect of salinity, water temperature, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, silicic acid, and Chl a played a key role regulating microzooplankton community in 2004–2006 (ρ = 0.633, P: 0.1%), while a combination of factors silicic acid, salinity, water temperature, and Chl a (ρ= 0.422, P: 0.1%) were more important in 2007–2008. All together, species distribution patterns and co mplementary evidence from biotic-abiotic interactions suggest that the salinity increase post-2006 caused a significant shift in tintinnid community properties with possible repercussions on the functioning of pelagic food-web in the coastal and offshore waters of the NWAG. The present study thus offers prima facie evidence of changes in microbial grazer communities caused by anthropogenic alterations of river discharge into the Arabian Gulf in general and NWAG in particular.

Characterization of changes in Western Intermediate Water properties enabled by an innovative geometry-based detection approach

Abstract Hydrographic changes in the western Mediterranean Sea (WMED), which is connected to the North Atlantic through the Strait of Gibraltar, may affect the global ocean thermohaline circulation. The Western Intermediate Water (WIW) is a regional water mass which is formed through winter convection processes in the north WMED. The variations of WIW characteristics are hardly detectable by the conventional criterion as defined in the literature and have been poorly addressed. This study introduces an innovative geometry-based method to properly detect WIW. New insights into changes in WIW properties are obtained by applying this method to glider data in the Ibiza Channel and numerical simulation in the whole WMED. Seasonal and interannual variations as well as positive trends in temperature and salinity leading to negative trend in density are highlighted in the Balearic Sea and Gulf of Lion. The basin-scale simulation also shows the spatio-temporal variability of WIW characteristics in the WMED under the influence of the location of formation site, local and regional atmospheric fluctuations, vertical mixing, horizontal advection and mixing with surrounding waters.

Transient hydrodynamic effects influence organic carbon signatures in marine sediments

Ocean dynamics served an important role during past dramatic climate changes via impacts on deep-ocean carbon storage. Such changes are recorded in sedimentary proxies of hydrographic change on continental margins, which lie at the ocean–atmosphere–earth interface. However, interpretations of these records are challenging, given complex interplays among processes delivering particulate material to and from ocean margins. Here we report radiocarbon (14C) signatures measured for organic carbon in differing grain-size sediment fractions and foraminifera in a sediment core retrieved from the southwest Iberian margin, spanning the last ~25,000 yr. Variable differences of 0–5000 yr in radiocarbon age are apparent between organic carbon in differing grain-sizes and foraminifera of the same sediment layer. The magnitude of 14C differences co-varies with key paleoceanographic indices (e.g., proximal bottom-current density gradients), which we interpret as evidence of Atlantic–Mediterranean seawater exchange influencing grain-size specific carbon accumulation and translocation. These findings underscore an important link between regional hydrodynamics and interpretations of down-core sedimentary proxies.

Recent evolution and associated hydrological dynamics of a vanishing tropical Andean glacier: Glaciar de Conejeras, Colombia

Abstract. Glaciers in the inner tropics are rapidly retreating due to atmospheric warming. In Colombia, this retreat is accelerated by volcanic activity, and most glaciers are in their last stages of existence. There is general concern about the hydrological implications of receding glaciers, as they constitute important freshwater reservoirs and, after an initial increase in melting flows due to glacier retreat, a decrease in water resources is expected in the long term as glaciers become smaller. In this paper, we perform a comprehensive study of the evolution of a small Colombian glacier, Conejeras (Parque Nacional Natural de los Nevados) that has been monitored since 2006, with a special focus on the hydrological response of the glacierized catchment. The glacier shows great sensitivity to changes in temperature and especially to the evolution of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, with great loss of mass and area during El Niño warm events. Since 2006, it has suffered a 37 % reduction, from 22.45 ha in 2006 to 12 ha in 2017, with an especially abrupt reduction since 2014. During the period of hydrological monitoring (June 2013 to December 2017), streamflow at the outlet of the catchment experienced a noticeable cycle of increasing flows up to mid-2016 and decreasing flows afterwards. The same cycle was observed for other hydrological indicators, including the slope of the rising flow limb and the monthly variability of flows. We observed an evident change in the daily hydrograph, from a predominance of days with a purely melt-driven hydrograph up to mid-2016, to an increase in the frequency of days with flows less influenced by melt after 2016. Such a hydrological cycle is not directly related to fluctuations of temperature or precipitation; therefore, it is reasonable to consider that it is the response of the glacierized catchment to retreat of the glacier. Results confirm the necessity for small-scale studies at a high temporal resolution, in order to understand the hydrological response of glacier-covered catchments to glacier retreat and imminent glacier extinction.

Zooplankton community structure, abundance and biovolume in Jiaozhou Bay and the adjacent coastal Yellow Sea during summers of 2005–2012: relationships with increasing water temperature

Zooplankton abundance, biovolume and taxonomic composition in Jiaozhou Bay and the adjacent coastal Yellow Sea were evaluated using ZooScan measurement of samples collected by net towing every August from 2005 to 2012. Zooplankton abundance and biovolume ranged from 1 938.5 to 24 800 ind./ m3 and 70.8 to 1 480.1 mm3 /m3 in Jiaozhou Bay and 73.1 to 16 814.3 ind./m3 and 19.6 to 640.7 mm3 /m3 in the coastal Yellow Sea. Copepods were the most abundant group in both regions, followed by Noctiluca scintillans and appendicularians in Jiaohzou Bay, and chaetognaths and Noctiluca scintillans in adjacent coastal Yellow Sea. Over the study period, the most conspicuous hydrographic change was an increase in water temperature. Meanwhile, a general decrease in zooplankton abundance was observed, particularly in copepod populations. Based on redundancy analysis (RDA), the warming trend was the key environmental factor influencing to decrease of copepod abundance. The proportion of small-sized copepods increased while the mean size of all copepods decreased, in significant correlation with water temperature. Our results indicate that zooplankton, particularly copepods, are highly sensitive to change in water temperature, which is consistent with predicted impacts of warming on aquatic ectotherms. Due to their dominance in the zooplankton, the decline in copepod size and abundance could lead to an unfavourable decrease in energy availability for predators, particularly planktivorous fish.

Assessment of trophic state and water quality of coastal-inland lakes based on Fuzzy Inference System

Accurate assessment and monitoring of coastal and inland water quality by satellite optical remote sensing is challenging due to improper atmospheric correction algorithm, inaccurate quantification of in-water constituents' concentration and a lack of efficient models to predict the water quality status. The present study aims to address the latter two parts in conjugation with an appropriate atmospheric correction algorithm to assess trophic status and water quality conditions of two coastal lagoons using Landsat-8 OLI data. Three vital underwater light attenuating factors, directly related to water quality, are considered namely, turbidity, chlorophyll and colored dissolved organic matter (aCDOM). These water quality parameters are quantified based on certain sensitive normalised water-leaving radiance band ratios and threshold values. To assess the accuracy of the derived products, these algorithms were applied to independent in-situ data and statistical evaluation of the results showed good agreement between the estimated and measured values with the errors within desirable limits. Being a primary nutrient indicator, the chlorophyll concentration was used to evaluate Trophic State Index. The Water Quality Index was derived from three parameters namely, chlorophyll concentration, turbidity and aCDOM(443) which were expressed in terms of Trophic State Index, Turbidity Index and Humic-Fulvic Index, respectively. The Water Quality Index maps, derived using a Fuzzy Inference System based on the Centre of Gravity method, provided insights into spatial structures and temporal variability of water quality conditions of the coastal lagoons which are influenced by anthropogenic factors, hydrographic changes and land-ocean-atmospheric interaction processes.

Spawning aggregations act as a bottleneck influencing climate change impacts on a critically endangered reef fish

AbstractAimMost projections of how climate change will affect species distributions and phenology are based on a species’ most conspicuous life stage. However, not all life stages are equally sensitive to temperature. Among fishes, spawning adults often have narrower thermal tolerances than other life stages and may constrain population responses to climate change. We tested this hypothesis using data on Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus striatus), an endangered coral reef fish.LocationGreater Caribbean.MethodsSpecies distribution models of spawning and nonspawning adults were compared to determine which environmental variables exerted the greatest influence on grouper distribution. We calculated the thermal niche and ecological niche breadth of both life stages. An earth system model was applied to project how species distribution and phenology shift under two climate change scenarios.ResultsSea surface temperature and seasonal temperature gradients affected the distribution of both spawning and nonspawning adults, but these life stages differed in their preferred temperatures and reaction to oceanic currents. While the two life stages exhibited similar ecological niche breadth, the thermal niche of spawners was narrower. By 2081–2100, potential spawning habitat was projected to decline under a business‐as‐usual scenario by 82% relative to 1981–2000, whereas suitable habitat for nonspawners decreased by 46%. Poleward shifts in latitude occurred 3.8–4.2 times faster for spawners than nonspawners. These changes were attributed to rising temperatures, whereas hydrographical changes did not have a substantial impact. Spawning phenology changed little, with a slight contraction in spawning season but a large reduction in spawning probability across all months.Main ConclusionsA narrow thermal tolerance range among spawning fishes indicates that this life stage may be a bottleneck constraining responses to climate change. Future research should consider the reaction of each life stage to changing conditions. Conservation of E. striatus should take shifting distribution and phenology into account, as climate effects may exacerbate population declines due to fishing and reduce the efficacy of conservation measures.

Wind‐Driven Cross‐Shelf Exchange—West Spitsbergen Current as a Source of Heat and Salt for the Adjacent Shelf in Arctic Winters

AbstractCross‐shelf exchange can drive substantial hydrographic changes on shelves and along slopes. In this study, time series from moorings, profiles collected by a tagged seal, atmospheric reanalysis data, and weather regimes classification were used to investigate cross‐shelf exchange at the slope‐shelf interface south‐west of Spitsbergen during the four winters 2011–2014. Assessment of Ekman transport (ET) as a driving force and linking cross‐shelf exchange to large‐scale weather patterns were in focus. Strong positive correlations were found between zonal ET and hydrographic observations on the shelf, indicating its strong impact on cross‐shelf exchange. Strong negative correlations were found between the meridional ET and temperature and salinity measured on the shelf in winter 2012, indicating a suppressing role of westerly winds on fresher and colder outflows from the Barents Sea. The ETs in a wider area near the Svalbard Archipelago show substantial variations on short‐term, interannual and long‐term time scales due to changes in large‐scale atmospheric patterns. The regional wind speed shows a significant negative trend in winters between 1992 and 2016. At the same time, cumulative winter zonal ET increased on the north‐western Spitsbergen shelf, indicating a higher overall cross‐shelf exchange along the western Spitsbergen shelf break, while meridional ET south‐west of Spitsbergen decreased, indicating a reduced outflow of fresher and colder water from the Barents Sea. For the time period between 1980 and 2016, the winter air and sea surface temperatures (sea‐ice fraction) exhibit significant positive (negative) trends which even multiplied by factor of 2–3 in winters 2004–2016.

The distribution of lead concentrations and isotope compositions in the eastern Tropical Atlantic Ocean

Anthropogenic emissions have dominated marine Pb sources during the past century. Here we present Pb concentrations and isotope compositions for ocean depth profiles collected in the eastern Tropical Atlantic Ocean (GEOTRACES section GA06), to trace the transfer of anthropogenic Pb into the ocean interior. Variations in Pb concentration and isotope composition were associated with changes in hydrography. Water masses ventilated in the southern hemisphere generally featured lower 206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/207Pb ratios than those ventilated in the northern hemisphere, in accordance with Pb isotope data of historic anthropogenic Pb emissions. The distributions of Pb concentrations and isotope compositions in northern sourced waters were consistent with differences in their ventilation timescales. For example, a Pb concentration maximum at intermediate depth (600–900 m, 35 pmol kg−1) in waters sourced from the Irminger/Labrador Seas, is associated with Pb isotope compositions (206Pb/207Pb = 1.1818–1.1824, 208Pb/207Pb = 2.4472–2.4483) indicative of northern hemispheric emissions during the 1950s and 1960s close to peak leaded petrol usage, and a transit time of ∼50–60 years. In contrast, North Atlantic Deep Water (2000–4000 m water depth) featured lower Pb concentrations and isotope compositions (206Pb/207Pb = 1.1762–1.184, 208Pb/207Pb = 2.4482–2.4545) indicative of northern hemispheric emissions during the 1910s and 1930s and a transit time of ∼80–100 years. This supports the notion that transient anthropogenic Pb inputs are predominantly transferred into the ocean interior by water mass transport. However, the interpretation of Pb concentration and isotope composition distributions in terms of ventilation timescales and pathways is complicated by (1) the chemical reactivity of Pb in the ocean, and (2) mixing of waters ventilated during different time periods. The complex effects of water mass mixing on Pb distributions is particularly apparent in seawater in the Tropical Atlantic Ocean which is ventilated from the southern hemisphere. In particular, South Atlantic Central Water and Antarctic Intermediate Water were dominated by anthropogenic Pb emitted during the last 50–100 years, despite estimates of much older average ventilation ages in this region.

Reconstruction of Paleoclimate and Environmental Fluctuations Since the Early Holocene Period Using Organic Matter and C:N Proxy Records: A Review

ABSTRACT In this review, the shifts in organic matter (OM) accumulation and C:N ratios in lake sediments to reconstruct paleoclimate and paleo-environmental changes since the early Holocene period are presented. The C:N proxy data of total OM reflect wet climatic conditions during early Holocene (10 to 8.2 kyrs BP) due to enhanced southwest monsoon. This was followed by intermittent arid conditions during the mid and late Holocene period (8.2 to 2.8 kyr BP). Enhanced values of C:N ratio during middle to late Holocene (7.8-2.3 kyrs B.P) indicate periods with lower lake levels and minimum precipitation, while decreased C:N ratio point to stronger SW monsoon and expansion of the lakes. Further, C:N and δ13C results from the lake sediments reveal a detailed and continuous paleo-environmental changes in the relative sources of OM (allochthonous vs autochthonous). Proxy records using such natural archives have also been utilized to reconstruct past extreme events and environmental changes around the lake systems, such as causes for lake desiccation, hydrographic changes, alternations between C3 and C4 vegetation and historical disturbances in the catchment area since the early-late Holocene period coupled with the Indian summer monsoon.

Coiling direction in Middle Miocene globorotaliids (Foraminiferida) – a case study in the Paratethys (Upper Silesia Basin, Poland)

The paper deals with sub-evaporite Badenian deposits (Middle Miocene, Paratethys) that display a sudden appearance of globorotaliid taxa showing preferences in the taxonomic set and coiling direction. An interval of sinistrally coiled Jenkinsella mayeri with proportionally coiled Globoconella bykovae is at the bottom of the studied sequence. It is followed by an interval of proportionally coiled Jenkinsella transsylvanica . Proportionally coiled Globoconella bykovae with a small number of proportionally coiled Jenkinsella transsylvanica are at the top of the Moravian (CPN 7) substage ( Orbulina suturalis alias Lagenidae Zone). The sub-evaporite part of the Wielician (CPN 8) substage ( Uvigerina costai alias Spiroplectammina Zone) began with a globorotaliid-barren interval (IIC biozone). It is followed by biozone IID displaying three globorotallid peaks amongst globorotallid-barren deposits. Only globoconellas are present in all these three events. Proportionally coiled Globoconella bykovae appeared first. It is followed by proportionally coiled Globoconella minoritesta and sinistrally coiled Globoconella bykovae at the end of the biozone IID. Coiling preferences of globorotaliids have been compared to changes in the hydrographic regime unfolding during the CPN 7 and CPN 8 in the studied area of the Paratethys. The study discovers that the coiling of globorotaliids responded selectively to the hydrographic changes. Globoconella bykovae is highly opportunistic and can tolerate considerable temperature changes. Specimens of this taxon persist to coil proportionally during the sub-evaporite Badenian, except for the shift to sinistral coiling just prior to the Wielician evaporites. Sinistrally coiled Jenkinsella mayeri is the most sensitive to hydrographic changes. This taxon retreated at the onset of the temperature drop during the mid-Moravian cryptic cooling. This cooling is marked by the new jenkinsellid occurrence – proportionally coiled Jenkinsella transsylvanica . Proportionally coiled Globoconella minoritesta is present in the middle of the IID globorotaliid peaks. The globorotaliid coiling data, presented in this paper, has been calibrated to the global stratigraphy. The integrated data (foraminifera, nannofossils, oxygen and carbon stable isotopes, radiometric measurements) supports the view that the CPN 7/CPN 8 boundary is coeval to the Langhian/Serravalian one. In the Polish part of the Carpathian Foredeep, the boundary runs within the Skawina Formation.