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Monsoonal rainfall initiates autochthonous alteration of dissolved organic matter composition in Indian groundwaters
Full text linkGroundwater contamination is a considerable threat to public health in many regions of the world. Strong seasonal variation in monsoon-affected regions can have significant effects on groundwater quality, yet these variations are not fully understood. Using excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescent spectroscopy, we explore the seasonal dynamics of dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition along a transect in West Bengal, India. Groundwater, river water and ponds were sampled (n=59) on a weekly/fortnightly basis, from the onset of monsoon to late-July, to gain an understanding of DOM temporal dynamics in aquifers at a critical point in seasonal hydrological conditions. Several fluorescent DOM (fDOM) components and indices were used to infer the source and nature of DOM. Although dissolved organic carbon (DOC) remained consistent throughout the sample timeframe, precipitation-associated spikes in fluorescence index (FI), specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA254) and redox potential (Eh) likely point towards rainfall-induced increase of autochthonous DOM and the increase of microbial metabolic activity in response to oxygenated recharge. We suggest that observed fluctuations in organics were associated with concomitant changes in redox- and solubility-controlled elements (e.g. Fe and Mg), thus having wider implications on groundwater geochemistry and particularly the mobility of redox- and organic-sensitive solutes
Quantifying microplastics concentration of invertebrates from three Antarctic fjords
No full textMicroplastics, small pieces of plastic measuring less than five millimeters, have spread to all ecosystems, even those in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. In particular, microplastics have been found contaminating water in emerging fjords, or inlets created by deglaciation, along the Antarctic Peninsula. Microplastics contamination puts fjord communities, which are unique and dominated by benthic species, at high risk for microplastic exposure leading to issues with feeding, endocrine disruption, and exposure to adsorbed toxins, all of which lower fecundity and survivability. The objective of this study was to quantify microplastics in in vertebrates grouped according to feeding type. Invertebrates were collected from the Western Antarctic Peninsula fjords during 2017 and 2020 from three fjords via a mini-Agassiz trawl to quantify microplastic concentrations and identify polymer composition using Micro-ATR-FTIR. In 2017, 2.39 microplastics individual− 1 were identified, while 5.01 microplastics individual− 1 were identified in 2020. Out of the 24 polymers and polymer associates identified, the most common polymers were polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyamide, and polystyrene. Overall, the most common microplastic color category was black/brown/gblay, and fragments were the most common shape identified. Microplastics presence was significantly higher in the invertebrate organisms compared to procedural blanks (p < 0.001), but feeding mechanism was not found to be a predictor of microplastic bioaccumulation. Microplastics concentrations in invertebrates differed between fjords in 2017 (p =
0.010) but not in 2020. Complementing previous research on microplastics in Southern Ocean fjordic water, this study reveals new evidence of microplastics in Antarctic fjordic inhabitants
Assessing the impact of sewage and wastewater on antimicrobial resistance in nearshore Antarctic biofilms and sediments
Full text linkDespite being recognised as a global problem, our understanding of human-mediated antimicrobial resistance (AMR) spread to remote regions of the world is limited. Antarctica, often referred to as “the last great wilderness”, is experiencing increasing levels of human visitation through tourism and expansion of national scientific operations. Therefore, it is critical to assess the impact that these itinerant visitors have on the natural environment. This includes monitoring human-mediated AMR, particularly around population concentrations such as visitor sites and Antarctic research stations. This study takes a sequencing discovery-led approach to investigate levels and extent of AMR around the Rothera Research Station (operated by the UK) on the Antarctic Peninsula
Stakeholder engagement for inclusive climate impact attribution studies
Full text linkSince its emergence in the 1990s, the science of attributing observed phenomena to human-induced and natural climate drivers has made remarkable progress. To ensure the relevance and uptake of climate impact attribution studies, scientists must effectively engage with stakeholders. This engagement allows stakeholders to pose key questions, which scientists can then substantiate with evidence evaluating the existence of causal links. Although significant advancements have been made in climate impact attribution science, much work remains to understand the varied requirements of different stakeholders for impact attribution findings. This perspective explores the usefulness of stakeholder engagement in climate impact attribution, the challenges it presents, and how it can be made more relevant for addressing societal questions. It advocates for prioritizing stakeholder involvement to achieve greater transparency, legitimacy, and practical application of findings. Such involvement can enhance the societal impact of attribution studies and support informed decision-making in the face of climate change
Instance maps as an organising concept for complex experimental workflows as demonstrated for (nano)material safety research
Full text linkNanosafety assessment, which seeks to evaluate the risks from exposure to nanoscale materials, spans materials synthesis and characterisation, exposure science, toxicology, and computational approaches, resulting in complex experimental workflows and diverse data types. Managing the data flows, with a focus on provenance (who generated the data and for what purpose) and quality (how was the data generated, using which protocol with which controls), as part of good research output management, is necessary to maximise the reuse potential and value of the data. Instance maps have been developed and evolved to visualise experimental nanosafety workflows and to bridge the gap between the theoretical principles of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable) data and the everyday practice of experimental researchers. Instance maps are most effective when applied at the study design stage to associate the workflow with the nanomaterials, environmental conditions, method descriptions, protocols, biological and computational models to be used, and the data flows arising from study execution. Application of the InstanceMaps tool (described herein) to research workflows of increasing complexity is presented to demonstrate its utility, starting from (i) documentation of a nanomaterial’s synthesis, functionalisation, and characterisation, over (ii) assessment of a nanomaterial’s transformations in complex media, (iii) description of the culturing of ecotoxicity model organisms Daphnia magna and their use in standardised tests for nanomaterials ecotoxicity assessment, and (iv) visualisation of complex workflows in human immunotoxicity assessment using cell lines and primary cellular models, to (v) the use of the instance map approach for the coordination of materials and data flows in complex multipartner collaborative projects and for the demonstration of case studies. Finally, areas for future development of the instance map approach and the tool are highlighted
Identifying hotspots and risk factors for tick-borne encephalitis virus emergence at its range margins to guide interventions, Great Britain
Full text link•Background: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is expanding its range in Europe, with increasing human cases reported. Since the first detection of TBEV in ticks in the United Kingdom in 2019, one possible, two probable and two confirmed autochthonous cases in humans have been reported.
•Aim: We aimed to understand the environmental and ecological factors limiting TBEV foci at their range edge and predict suitable areas for TBEV establishment across Great Britain (GB) by modelling patterns of exposure to TBEV in deer.
•Methods: We developed spatial risk models for TBEV by integrating data between 2018 and 2021 on antibodies against tick-borne flavivirus in fallow, muntjac, red and roe deer with data on potential risk factors, including climate, land use, forest connectivity and distributions of bank voles and yellow-necked mice. We overlayed modelled suitability for TBEV exposure across GB with estimations on number of visitors to predict areas of high human exposure risk.
•Results: Models for fallow, muntjac and roe deer performed well in independent validation (Boyce index > 0.92). Probable exposure to TBEV was more likely to occur in sites with a greater percentage cover of coniferous woodland, with multiple deer species, higher winter temperatures and rates of spring warming.
•Conclusion: The resulting TBEV suitability maps can be used by public health bodies in GB to tailor surveillance and identify probable high-risk areas for human exposure to guide awareness raising and vaccination policy. Combining animal surveillance and iterative spatial risk modelling can enhance preparedness in areas of tick-borne disease emergence
The UK Storm Surges of 2024
Full text linkThis report contains summary plots for the 2024 storm surges from the NTSLF surgeQC data and NEMO surge model. Observational data is from the UK “Class A” Tide Gauge network, operated by the Environment Agency. The data is at 15 min intervals. It also includes highest total water levels of 2024 at each site in the context of the 2018 Coastal Flood Boundary report
Chapter 4: Southern Ocean Circulation
Full text linkOne-third of the world’s ocean surface is located in the Southern Ocean, south of 30°S, encircling the Antarctic continent south of 30°S. The ocean circulation in this vast region has a profound influence on the entire ocean and Earth’s climate. The Southern Ocean provides a unique connection between the major ocean basins, its three-dimensional circulation connects the deep and upper layers of the global overturning circulation, thereby regulating the capacity of the ocean to store and transport heat, carbon and other properties that influence climate and global biogeochemical cycles. Rapid changes are currently ongoing in the Southern Ocean in response to global climate change, which raises questions about whether the global services provided by its circulation will continue in the future. The deep Southern Ocean is warming faster than in any other region; important changes in its salinity, acidity, and oxygen content are observed; its circulation is changing in response to changing atmospheric forcing, as well as changing sea-ice distributions, and Antarctic ice-shelf melt. Despite the acknowledged global importance of the Southern Ocean and its rapid observed changes, many uncertainties remain on how local processes drive the three-dimensional Southern Ocean circulation, on how the region will change in the future, and on the assessment of how these changes will impact the global ocean circulation and the climate. In this chapter, we review some important recent advances in our understanding of the Southern Ocean circulation. The three-dimensional circulation of the Southern Ocean is treated from its northern boundary in the subtropics, to its southern boundary on the Antarctic continental shelf including interactions with the Antarctic Ice Sheet, and from the surface to the abyss. We discuss our current understanding of key processes, as well as the observed changes, and provide an outlook on the possible future evolution of the region
Spatial distribution of seabird biomass removal and overlap with fisheries in a large marine ecosystem
Full text linkGlobally, seabirds remove a prey biomass equivalent to commercial fishery landings, suggesting likely competition for resources that will vary spatially and seasonally. Using extensive aerial surveys combined with species-specific energetic requirements, we calculated and mapped at-sea removal of prey biomass by seabirds during the breeding and non-breeding seasons and compared this to the seasonal distribution of fishing effort. The distribution of prey biomass removal by seabirds was concentrated in coastal areas, with up to 6.39 kg/km2/day of biomass consumed in the breeding season and up to 4.3 kg/km2/day in the non-breeding season. Offshore, average biomass consumption ranged from 0.28–1.53 to 0.75–1.84 kg/km2/day in the breeding and non-breeding seasons, respectively. Total prey biomass removal by seabirds across the study area (the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone covering an area of 341 183 km2) was estimated at around 441.2 tonnes/day in the breeding season and 478 tonnes/day in the non-breeding season, highlighting the significant role that seabirds play in marine ecosystems. The fine-scale spatial distribution of prey biomass removal by seabirds was significantly correlated with the distribution of fishing effort in both inshore and offshore areas, highlighting potential competition for resources and/or attraction of seabirds to vessels for discards
Proximate measurements of a giant iceberg reveal the effects of meltwater on upper ocean properties [Research briefing]
No full textMeasurements from a robotic underwater vehicle reveal the impacts of meltwater from the giant iceberg A-68A on the properties of the surrounding Southern Ocean. In addition to increasing surface stratification and mid-depth vertical mixing, the meltwater impacts primary productivity, with direct and indirect effects on ecosystems and carbon cycling
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