Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfide budgets in the Black Sea: A biogeochemical model of the whole water column coupling the oxic and anoxic parts

Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfide budgets are derived for the Black Sea water column from a coupled physical-biogeochemical model. The model is applied in the deep part of the sea and simulates processes over the whole water column including the anoxic layer that extends from ?115 m to the bottom (?2000 m). The biogeochemical model involves a refined representation of the Black Sea foodweb from bacteria to gelatinous carnivores. It includes notably a series of biogeochemical processes typical for oxygen deficient conditions with, for instance, bacterial respiration using different types of oxidants (i.e denitrification, sulfate reduction), the lower efficiency of detritus degradation, the ANAMMOX (ANaerobic AMMonium OXidation) process and the occurrence of particular redox reactions. The model has been calibrated and validated against all available data gathered in the Black Sea TU Ocean Base and this exercise is described in Gregoire et al. (2008). In the present paper, we focus on the biogeochemical flows produced by the model and we compare model estimations with the measurements performed during the R.V. KNORR expedition conducted in the Black Sea from April to July 1988 (Murray and the Black Sea Knorr Expedition, 1991). Model estimations of hydrogen sulfide oxidation, metal sulfide precipitation, hydrogen sulfide formation in the sediments and water column, export flux to the anoxic layer and to the sediments, denitrification, primary and bacterial production are in the range of field observations.With a simulated Gross Primary Production (GPP) of 7.9 mol C m⁻² year⁻¹ and a Community Respiration (CR) of 6.3 mol C m⁻² year⁻¹, the system is net autotrophic with a Net Community Production (NCP) of 1.6 mol C m⁻² year⁻¹. This NCP corresponds to 20% of the GPP and is exported to the anoxic layer. In order to model Particulate Organic Matter (POM) fluxes to the bottom and hydrogen sulfide profiles in agreement with in situ observations, we have to consider that the degradation of POM in anoxic conditions is less efficient that in oxygenated waters as it has often been observed (see discussion in Hedges et al., 1999). The vertical POM profile produced by the model can be fitted to the classic power function describing the oceanic carbon rate (C_R=Z^−α) using an attenuation coefficient α of 0.36 which is the value proposed for another anoxic environment (i.e. the Mexico Margin) by Devol and Hartnett (2001). Due to the lower efficiency of detritus degradation in anoxic conditions and to the aggregation of particles that enhanced the sinking, an important part of the export to the anoxic layer (i.e. 33%, 0.52 mol C m⁻² year⁻¹) escapes remineralization in the water column and reaches the sediments. Therefore, sediments are active sites of sulfide production contributing to 26% of the total sulfide production.In the upper layer, the oxygen dynamics is mainly governed by photosynthesis and respiration processes as well as by air-sea exchanges. ?71% of the oxygen produced by phytoplankton (photosynthesis+nitrate reduction) is lost through respiration, ?21% by outgasing to the atmosphere, ?5% through nitrification and only ?2% in the oxidation of reduced components (e.g. Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, H₂S).The model estimates the amount of nitrogen lost through denitrification at 307 mmol N m⁻² year⁻¹ that can be partitioned into a loss of ?55% through the use of nitrate for the oxidation of detritus in low oxygen conditions, ?40% in the ANAMMOX process and the remaining ?5% in the oxidation of reduced substances by nitrate.In agreement with data analysis performed on long time series collected since the 1960s (Konovalov and Murray, 2001), the sulfide and nitrogen budgets established for the anoxic layer are not balanced in response to the enhanced particle fluxes induced by eutrophication: the NH₄ and H₂S concentrations increase.     

Uncertainty analyses for calibrating a soil carbon balance model to agricultural field trial data in Sweden and Kenya

How do additional data of the same and/or different type contribute to reducing model parameter and predictive uncertainties? Most modeling applications of soil organic carbon (SOC) time series in agricultural field trial datasets have been conducted without accounting for model parameter uncertainty. There have been recent advances with Monte Carlo-based uncertainty analyses in the field of hydrological modeling that are applicable, relevant and potentially valuable in modeling the dynamics of SOC. Here we employed a Monte Carlo method with threshold screening known as Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) to calibrate the Introductory Carbon Balance Model (ICBM) to long-term field trail data from Ultuna, Sweden and Machang’a, Kenya. Calibration results are presented in terms of parameter distributions and credibility bands on time series simulations for a number of case studies. Using these methods, we demonstrate that widely uncertain model parameters, as well as strong covariance between inert pool size and rate constant parameters, exist when root mean square simulation errors were within uncertainties in input estimations and data observations. We show that even rough estimates of the inert pool (perhaps from chemical analysis) can be quite valuable to reduce uncertainties in model parameters. In fact, such estimates were more effective at reducing parameter and predictive uncertainty than an additional 16 years time series data at Ultuna. We also demonstrate an effective method to jointly, simultaneously and in principle more robustly calibrate model parameters to multiple datasets across different climatic regions within an uncertainty framework. These methods and approaches should have benefits for use with other SOC models and datasets as well.     

Government environmental control measures on CO2 emission during the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing: Perspectives from a top-down approach

Strict air pollution control measures were conducted during the Youth Olympic Games（YOG） period at Nanjing city and surrounding areas in August 2014.This event provides a unique chance to evaluate the effect of government control measures on regional atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.Many previous studies have observed significant reductions of atmospheric pollution species and improvement in air quality,while no study has quantified its synergism on anthropogenic CO₂...     

Preliminary Caesium Data From A Cooperative Us/Ussr Monitoring Survey for Chernobyl Radioactivity in the Black Sea

In June 1990, scientists from the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Radiation Programs (ORP), and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), travelled to Sevastopol in the Soviet Union to work with radioecologists and marine scientists from the USSR Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas (IBSS). the purpose of this cooperative programme was to conduct a monitoring survey for radioactivity in the northwestern Black Sea. Samples of sediment, surface and in-situ water, and biota were collected from fourteen stations for post-survey radionuclide analyses to determine levels of radioactivity in the Black Sea environment resulting from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant explosion and subsequent transport of radioactivity via the Dnepr and Danube rivers. This paper presents the preliminary data for caesium-137 and caesium-134 in sediment samples analyzed by the EPA/ORP. Caesium-137 was measured at four shallow (20-114 m) stations on the shelf near the mouth of the Dnepr and Danube Rivers, but was not detected in sediments from comparable depths at stations further off shore or in slope sediments at depths of 510-1288 meters. Caesium-134 was detected only in sediments from the shallow-water station nearest to the Danube River.     

Lignin-based Carbon Fibers: Effect of Synthetic Polymer Blending on Fiber Properties

Carbon fibers have been produced from hardwood lignin/synthetic polymer blend fibers. Hardwood kraft lignin was thermally blended with two recyclable polymers, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and polypropylene (PP). Both systems were easily spun into fibers. A thermostabilization step was utilized prior to carbonization to prevent fusion of individual fibers. For the lignin-based carbon fibers, careful control of heating rate was required. However, PET–lignin blend fibers can be thermostabilized under higher heating rates than the corresponding homofibers. Carbon fiber yield decreased with increasing incorporation of synthetic plastic. However, carbon fiber yield obtained for a 25% plastic blend fiber was still higher than that generally reported for petroleum pitch. Blend composition also affected surface morphology of the carbon fibers. Immiscible lignin–PP fibers resulted in a hollow and/or porous carbon fiber; whereas carbon fiber produced from miscible lignin–PET fibers have a smooth surface. Synthetic polymer blending also affected the mechanical properties of the fibers, especially MOE; lignin-based carbon fiber properties improved upon blending with PET.     

An Application and Evaluation of the CAL3QHC Model for Predicting Carbon Monoxide Concentrations from Motor Vehicles Near a Roadway Intersection in Muscat,Oman

The CAL3QHC model was used to predict carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations from motor vehicles at an existing urban intersection (Star Cinema in Muscat area, Oman). The CO concentrations predicted from the model were compared with those measured in the field. Predicted average CO concentrations were found to compare favorably with measured values obtained at all eight receptors considered within the modeled intersection. In general, the comparison indicates good agreement with some underprediction for CO. For receptor 6, the model overpredicts the average CO concentration. This overprediction is associated with the presence of trees and green area in the location of receptor 6. In general, the measurements and the model results indicated that the highest CO concentrations were found to occur close to the intersection and, hence, a decrease in the concentration levels was seen as the distance from the road increased. The results indicated that the levels of CO were well below the ambient air quality standard and that probably no health risk was present in areas adjacent to the star cinema intersection. However, the predicted worst-case 1-h CO concentrations assuming inversion atmospheric stability conditions (class F) and wind speed of 1 m/s indicated that the levels of CO were close to or higher than the Omans National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) value of 35 ppm at all receptors considered. The results of this study are useful in transport development and traffic management planning.Published online.     

Effects of Soil Conditions on Survival and Growth of Black Willow Cuttings

Current streambank restoration efforts focus on providing bank stability, enhancing water quality, and improving woody habitat using native vegetation rather than traditional engineering techniques. However, in most cases harsh site conditions limit restoration success. A two-year field study was conducted at Twentymile Creek, in northern Mississippi, investigating edaphic factors governing the survival of black willow (Salix nigra) cuttings used for streambank restoration. Low height growth, above-ground biomass production, and average leaf area were observed in willow cuttings grown in plots subjected to moisture deficits. However, sediment texture emerged as the dominant factor determining willow post growth, health, and survival. Shoot biomass, leaf biomass, and total above-ground biomass were 15-, 10-, and 14-fold greater for large willow cuttings (posts) grown in plots with sandy sediments relative to those grown in plots with similar moisture and soil redox potential but with silt and clay sediments. Average leaf size, average leaf mass and specific leaf area were all lower in fine textured plots. Under moisture conditions present at our sites, coarse-grained sediment (sand) was more conducive to willow growth, biomass production, and survival than were fine-grained sediments (silt/clay). Our results strongly suggest that soil texture and moisture conditions can determine restoration success. Therefore, it is critical that site conditions are factored into the selection of project locations prior to the initiation of willow planting restoration projects.     

Additivity of State Inventories of Greenhouse-Gas Emissions

In addition to national inventories of emissions of greenhouse gases, there are inventories for most, but not all, states constituting the United States. This paper analyzes the state inventories to see if reported emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are additive. Considerable reanalysis of the state inventories is required before they can be added to yield a larger-scale inventory. Some specific sources were considered by some states but not by others. Estimation techniques evolved over time as inventories were produced, and there are instances of both double-counting (two states reporting the same emission) and omission (neither state reporting the same emission), where interstate transfers of energy or materials occurred. Nevertheless, the inventories, when adjusted for obvious double-counting or omissions, are probably approximately additive, although it is difficult to quantify the extent to which this is true.     

Evaluation of Air Quality over the Black Sea: Major Ionic Composition of Rainwater

This article attempts to put the light on the air quality of the Black Sea region of Turkey. In addition to that, it endeavors to locate the possible sources of the different pollutants at local, regional and long range transported scales. About 196 rainwater samples were collected over the Black Sea region of Amasra between 1995 and 1999, and analyzed for major ions and trace elements using spectrophotometric techniques. Andersen wet only rain samples were used to collect rain events, where the rain sample was filtered inline using 0.45 m cellulose acetate filters. Major anions (SO₄ ^2-, NO₃ ^- and Cl^-) were determined using ion chromatography, whereas metals (Ca, Mg, Al, Fe, Na, K), werequantified using ICP-AES. This study shows that, the Black Sea region receives different amounts and types of anthropogenic pollutants via long-range transport according to trajectory models. Although the pH of rain water is not considered acidic (pH = 5.21) yet the neutralizing species are lower than other sites around Europe.     

Predicting mosaics and wildlife diversity resulting from fire disturbance to a forest ecosystem

A model for predicting community mosaics and wildlife diversity resulting from fire disturbance to a forest ecosystem is presented. It applies an algorithm that delineates the size and shape of each patch from grid-based input data and calculates standard diversity measures for the entire mosaic of community patches and their included animal species. The user can print these diversity calculations, maps of the current community-type-age-class mosaic, and maps of habitat utilization by each animal species. Furthermore, the user can print estimates of changes in each resulting from natural disturbance. Although data and resolution level independent, the model is demonstrated and tested with data from the Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana.