格陵兰西部海域表层沉积硅藻分布与海冰覆盖率关系探讨

格陵兰西部海域35个站点的表层沉积硅藻与月平均海冰覆盖率的典型对应分析(CCA)结果表明:4月、10月和12月平均海冰覆盖率是该海域硅藻分布的主要环境影响因子。根据分析结果得到的属种与站点得分情况,将格陵兰西部海域划分为4个区域:拉布拉多海海冰覆盖率最低,主要分布暖水种;戴维斯海峡多为冷水或极地硅藻分布;北部的巴芬湾海冰种开始大量出现,与该海域12月平均海冰覆盖率较高相关;Disko湾内10月平均海冰覆盖率最高,对应于海冰种、部分极地种和冷水种的高百分含量。     

中全新世以来大兴安岭中段红水泡泥炭地硅藻组合记录的古环境演化

本文提取大兴安岭中段红水泡泥炭地中晚全新世以来泥炭沉积中所含的硅藻化石,在82个样品中共发现32属94种硅藻。结合硅藻化石中优势种类生态特征,通过主成分分析发现,水位为控制该区域硅藻组合变化的最主要因素。其中,Meridion circulare,Meridion criculare var.constrictum等硅藻百分含量的升高指示水位的上升,Hantzschia amphioxys,Pinnularia spp.等硅藻百分含量的升高伴随水位的下降。根据主成分得分建立的红水泡泥炭地古水位曲线发现,中晚全新世以来当地气候经历了数次干湿交替变化,在总体上趋于干旱。其中5 000-3 300 cal a BP为相对湿润期,优势种类为M.circulare,M.criculare var.constrictum;3 300-1 900 cal a BP为气候转干期,H.amphioxys,C.meneghiniana,Pinnularia spp.成为该带中的优势种类;1 900-600 cal a BP,该段内红水泡泥炭地水位较上一阶段进一步下降,气候继续转干;600-200 cal a BP为气候转湿期,红水泡泥炭地水位迅速上升,Achnanthes lanceolata含量迅速增加成为该段优势种;200 cal a BP至今,红水泡泥炭地水位迅速下降,Pinnularia spp.成为该带中的绝对优势种。通过与季风区边缘其他研究区的古气候变化特征对比发现,红水泡泥炭地气候变化与多数研究区气候变化特征具有良好的一致性,因而推断其主要受东亚季风活动控制,泥炭沉积中硅藻化石组合记录可作为反映东亚季风变迁历史的良好指标。     

南海西沙海槽111PC孔的硅藻与古环境记录

对南海西沙海槽111PC孔沉积物中的硅藻化石研究表明,硅藻以热带、亚热带浮游性种类和近岸性种类为主,可划分出6个硅藻组合带,大体对应于浮游有孔虫氧同位素6个期次。结合有地层对比意义的属种及组合,建立了里斯冰期以来本孔的硅藻生物地层框架。硅藻丰度、属种组合变化指示海区气候经历了冰期-间冰期气候旋回及不稳定性波动。晚玉木冰期硅藻丰度高,冰后期、中玉木冰期次之,里斯冰期至早玉木冰期丰度较低,这与南海西南部不同,与南海东北相似但也不尽相同。里斯冰期至里斯玉木间冰期转换阶段,硅藻属种对气候变暖的反应较快。硅藻属种特征显示中玉木冰期气候为弱暖期,且有早晚两个暖湿阶段。硅藻属种的不连续分布也表明沉积环境在部分时段极不稳定。     

西菲律宾海盆表层沉积硅藻分布特征

本文对西菲律宾海盆186个表层沉积硅藻样品进行分析,共鉴定出硅藻68个种和变种,隶属于26个属。西菲律宾海盆硅藻总平均丰度为1 111.5粒/g。硅藻属种主要以外洋暖水种和广温种为主,其中Azpeitia nodulifera的百分含量最高,其次是Hemidiscus cuneiformis,Coscinodiscus africanus,Thalasiosira excentrica和Nitzschia marina,以上5种硅藻占所有硅藻百分含量的88%以上。西菲律宾海盆大部分站位热带远洋种含量均高于20%,这与现今黑潮暖流流经该区相吻合。通过主成分分析,该海域表层沉积硅藻可分划为3个区域。此外,整个菲律宾海盆大部分海域都分布有Ethmodiscus rex,但西菲律宾海盆的分布范围更广。     

洞头海域网采浮游植物的月际变化

通过2010年8月至2011年7月对洞头海域网采浮游植物的逐月调查,共鉴定出浮游植物5门187种,主要由硅藻(143种)和甲藻(40种)组成,金藻、绿藻和蓝藻偶有检出。全年共发现20种优势种,其中硅藻16种,甲藻3种,蓝藻1种。浮游植物丰度、种类数、Shannon-Wiener指数(H’)和Pielou均匀度指数(J)月变化均较大。典范对应分析(CCA)显示,影响浮游植物群落的主要因子为溶解硅(DSi)、溶解无机氮(DIN)、氮磷比(N∶P)、溶解无机磷(DIP)、硅磷比(Si∶P)、盐度和温度。台湾暖流、闽浙沿岸流和瓯江径流也是影响本海域浮游植物变化的重要因素:6—9月,台湾暖流影响较大,调查海域外海暖水性种类增多;其他各月闽浙沿岸流和瓯江径流影响较大,调查海域既有近岸低盐种类,也有半咸水、淡水种类。结合历史数据分析表明,近30年来洞头海域营养盐结构已经发生较大变化,表现为硝酸盐浓度急剧升高,由1981—1982年的12.89μmol/L升至2010—2011年的52.63μmol/L,N∶P由19.1∶1升至51.8∶1。同时浮游植物群落也有较大改变,表现为浮游植物细胞丰度的增加(由5.8×105个/m3上升至39.2×106个/m3)和优势种的更替(由圆筛藻Coscinodiscus spp.向骨条藻Skeletonema spp.演替)。     

福建沿岸晚第四纪孢粉,硅藻组合及其古环境意义

通过对福建沿岸８个钻孔的孢粉、硅藻的综合分析,发现晚第四纪地层中有８个综合孢粉组合带与７个硅藻阶段。结合古地磁和１４Ｃ测年资料认为,该地区晚第四纪地层划分为晚更新世中、晚期（早大理冰期、大理亚间冰期、晚大理冰期）和全新世（早期、早中期、晚中期、晚期）。气候变迁序列为冷而干燥→暖而湿→冷而干燥→温暖稍干→暖而湿→热暖潮湿→温暖略干→温暖湿润。据古环境分析认为有七次海侵（或海进）,且各次海侵（或海进）的影响范围差异较大     

西门错地区2000年来的花粉组合与古气候

通过花粉分析,划分出４个花粉组合带,讨论了２０００年来西门错地区古气候变迁特点。研究表明,２０００年来,该区总体上处于偏冷湿的气候背景,但仍存在４次相对冷暖波动旋回。中世纪暖期,增温幅度较小;距今５００年来,该区进入小冰期,气候有逐渐变干的趋势。孢粉结果与敦德冰心氧同位素曲线比较对应,但变化不如其明显,一方面与高寒地区植被生长状况有关,另一方面与湖盆位置选择有关。     

北极楚科奇海ARC5-C01岩心硅藻主要种类组成和分带

对楚科奇海ARC5-C01孔中的48个样品中的硅藻进行鉴定,共发现27个属的47个硅藻种,优势种主要有Actinoptychus undulates(Bail.)Ralfs,Biddulphia aurita(Lyngbye)Brebisson et Godey,Coscinodiscus argus Ehrenberg,Coscinodiscus curvatulus Grunow,Coscinodiscus oculus Ehrenberg,Fragilariopsis oceanica(Cleve)Hasle,Fragilariopsis sp.,Paralia sulcata (Ehrenb.)Cleve,Thalassiosira antarctica Comber,Thalassiosira leptopus(Grun)Halse et G.Fryxell,Thalassiosirasp.等11种。运用聚类分析方法可将该孔分为3个硅藻带和2个硅藻亚带。分带结果显示硅藻带I1带时期气候相对较暖,以Actinoptychus undulates暖水种和Paralia sulcata沿岸种组合为代表;硅藻带I2时期Thalassiosira antarctica冷水种和Azpeitia nodulifera暖水种都相对增多,显示此时极地的冷水团和白令海沿岸暖流同时影响该区域;硅藻带Ⅱ时期以水体交换程度的指示种Fragilariopsis oceanica含量大幅减少为特征,显示该时期表层与底层水体交换减弱,水体分层明显;硅藻带Ⅲ以暖水种数量减少和极地种增加为特征,在~550cal.a BP时期Bacteriosira bathyomphala极地种出现高值,该现象可能与全球小冰期有关,由于该时期研究区被海冰覆盖,因此受白令海沿岸暖流影响降低。     

扎龙湿地硅藻植物群落季节变化及其对环境的响应

扎龙湿地位于黑龙江省西部、松嫩平原乌裕尔河下游,是我国北方同纬度地区最完整的湿地。于2012年春、夏、秋3季,对扎龙湿地6个代表性区域进行硅藻标本采集,经观察鉴定,发现硅藻植物140个分类单位,包括121种19变种,隶属于2纲6目9科30属。羽纹纲物种较丰富,占总种类数的95%。硅藻植物群落呈现明显的季节演替,秋季硅藻种类丰富度及相对丰度明显高于春、夏两季,优势种多以淡水、半咸水、喜弱碱的种类为主,优势种与水体的盐度和酸碱度存在一定的响应关系。应用典范对应分析(Canonical Correspondence Analysis,CCA)探讨硅藻植物群落变化与环境因子之间的关系。CCA结果显示在扎龙湿地中,水温、电导率、pH、溶解氧是影响硅藻群落结构变化的主要因素,此外总氮、总磷也是硅藻群落季节演替的重要驱动因子。结合硅藻植物多样性指数和硅藻商对扎龙湿地水质进行综合评价,结果显示扎龙湿地整体为中-寡污带水体,部分水域水质较清洁,少数样点受人为因素影响,呈轻污染。     

苏北盆地晚更新世以来的孢粉记录与气候地层学的初步研究

苏北盆地是我国西部高原至东部海洋之间的过渡地区,该地区的气候演变史对揭示东亚季风的时空变化有着重要的意义。根据气候地层学的原理,用孢粉分析的方法,结合^14C测年数据,再造了兴化地区自倒数第二次冰期以来的古植被与古环境,其演变史能与深海氧同位素记录进行良好的对比,孢粉带Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ、Ⅶ分别对应深海氧同位素阶段5、4、3、2、1,且孢粉带Ⅲ细分的5个亚带与MIS 5a-5e也有良好的对应。此外,从该地区末次冰期孢粉记录中检索出6次冷事件,通过与格陵兰冰芯及会宁黄土记录对比,推测这些冷事件可能对应于末次冰期气候变化中的Heinrich事件。     

Description of diatoms from the Southwest to West Greenland coastal and open marine waters

Detailed studies on sub-Arctic and Arctic marine diatom assemblages contribute to the understanding of spatial distribution patterns and their physical drivers. In this study, diatom species were analyzed from water samples collected with a Niskin bottle rosette combined with a CTD along the West Greenland coast (63°58′N–71°08′N and 50°49′W–59°06′W) during summer 2007. Diatom community was represented mainly by three genera Thalassiosira, Fragilariopsis, and Chaetoceros and linked to observed hydrographic and environmental conditions. Thalassiosira spp. were common in coastal waters (particularly Godthåbsfjord) and linked to increased surface water temperature, typical of summer water stratification in West Greenland. Fragilariopsis spp., along with other dominant species associated with higher geographic latitudes, dominated in Arctic fjords (Uummannaq Fjord-Qaumarujuk Fjord). These species generally characterized coastal waters influenced by melting sea ice and/or glacial ice. Chaetoceros spp. were linked to more saline open marine waters, particularly in the Davis Strait south of 70°N, probably corresponding to weaker water stratification and the influence of the West Greenland Current. The present paper provides new knowledge on diatom assemblages along a south–north climate gradient in West Greenland, which is necessary in order to understand how observed ocean-climate changes influence Arctic marine ecosystems. This study provides a reference for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions using diatom microfossils deposited in the West Greenland marine sediments.     

Diatom response to the Holocene climatic optimum on the North Icelandic shelf

A diatom record from core MD992275 on the North Icelandic shelf reveals palaeoclimatic and palaeoceanographic changes during the time interval 9000 to 5600 cal. year BP. The study period includes the Holocene Climate Optimum (HCO), as widely known in the North Atlantic region. A comparison with data for the last 2000 years and with the present-day surface sediment diatom assemblages shows that there was considerably stronger influence of Atlantic water masses in the area during the HCO than in the late Holocene and today. The results of cluster analysis and principal component analysis divide the studied period into three intervals, each characterised by a specific diatom assemblage. The assemblages indicate changes in the interaction of the relatively warm Irminger Current (IC) and the cold East Greenland Current (EGC) and East Icelandic Current (EIC). The North Icelandic shelf was strongly affected by the IC during the interval 8000–6800 cal. year BP, which may be the warmest period of the Holocene. During the intervals 9000–8000 and 6800–5600 cal. year BP, the influence of the IC was relatively weak and that of the EGC and EIC increased correspondingly. The well-known 8200 cal. year BP cooling event, shown in many records from the North Atlantic, is reflected by a relatively strong influence of the EGC and EIC between about 8300 and 8100 cal. year BP in our record. However, the diatom assemblages show that the inferred circulation change did not bring the strength of the IC down to the levels seen at present and during the last two millennia.     

A diatom-based reconstruction of Early Holocene hydrographic and climatic change in a southwest Greenland fjord

A diatom-based reconstruction of surface-water paleoclimatic and paleoceanographic changes in Ameralik Fjord, southwest Greenland, is presented for the Holocene interval 8800 to 3600 cal yrs B.P. A minor episode of cold surface-water conditions is found at ca. 8000–7800 cal yrs B.P. This may be due to the local conditions in the fjord and linked to the culmination of a strong melt-water outflow rather than reflecting the widespread North Atlantic (8.2 ka) cooling event. Warming of surface-water condition from 7800 to 7100 cal yrs B.P., probably corresponding to the early and warmest part of the Holocene Thermal Maximum (HTM) in this region, is reflected in the diatom assemblages and supported by other proxies. The West Greenland Current (WGC) influences the fjord strongly during this interval, indicating enhanced advection of Atlantic water-masses derived from the Irminger Current (IC). A major sedimentary change with a hiatus between 6800 and 4400 cal yrs B.P. prevents a reconstruction of mid-Holocene paleoceanograpy. The final and less prominent part of the HTM is found after 4400 cal yrs B.P. Previous studies from the same site have shown this final stage of the HTM to end at 3200 cal yrs B.P. with the onset of the ‘Neoglaciation’. Our study provides further evidence that the marine sedimentary record from West Greenland fjords yields paleoenvironmental information reflecting a significant link between local and large scale North Atlantic oceanographic and climatic changes.     

A review of the genetic relationships of Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) east and west of Greenland

Studies of the genetic variation involving allozymes, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA (microsatellites) in walruses (Odobenus rosmarus) were reviewed. In addition, the genetic relationships of a total of 211 Atlantic walruses, O. r. rosmarus, from 5 sampling areas west and east of Greenland were studied using 12 nuclear DNA-microsatellite loci and restriction fragment length polymorphism obtained from the ND1, ND2 and ND3/4 segments of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). At the mtDNA level, no divergence was observed among the three sampling areas east of Greenland (i.e. East Greenland, Svalbard and Franz Josef Land), whereas areas west of Greenland (i.e. Northwest and West Greenland) showed some differentiation. The genetic variation at the microsatellite loci grouped the individuals into four sub-populations: Northwest Greenland, West Greenland, East Greenland and a common Svalbard-Franz Josef Land sub-population. A significant correlation between genetic distance and geographic distance between the sampling areas (isolation-by-distance effect) was detected, especially at the mtDNA level. At a small-scale phylo-geographical level, the mtDNA data indicated that Atlantic walruses have diverged into two major groups: one northwest (i.e. in the North Water) and one east of Greenland (i.e. an East Greenland-Svalbard-Franz Josef Land group), whereas the haplotype distribution in the West Greenland sample reflected a mixture of both these groups. The microsatellite data supported a general grouping of walruses to the west and east of Greenland.     

Deglacial ocean and climate seasonality in laminated diatom sediments, Mac.Robertson Shelf, Antarctica

The palaeoceanography and climate history of the East Antarctic Margin (EAM) are less well understood than those of West Antarctica. Yet, the EAM plays an important role in deep ocean circulation and the global ocean system and has likely done so in the past. Deglacial-age marine sediments from the EAM provide clues about its past role during this critical period of rapid climate change. Several deep basins across the EAM such as Iceberg Alley (∼67°S, 63°E) on the Mac.Robertson Shelf (MRS) accommodate thick marine sequences that archive the deglaciation in the form of diatom-rich, continuously laminated (varved) sediments. These laminated sediments are pristinely preserved and contain seasonal and long-term information on the cryospheric and palaeoceanographic changes associated with the rapid retreat of the glacial ice sheet across the MRS. We present results of microfabric analysis of the lower ∼2 m of deglacial varves from jumbo piston core JPC43B (Iceberg Alley). Backscattered electron imagery (BSEI) of polished thin sections and scanning electron microscope secondary electron imagery (SEI) of lamina-parallel fracture surfaces are used to analyze the varves. One hundred and ninety-two laminations are investigated and their nature and temporal significance are discussed in terms of seasonal deposition and cyclicity of diatom species. Our high-resolution palaeodata record exceptionally high diatom production and silica flux associated with the retreat of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, and seasonal sea-ice changes along the EAM. This information is invaluable for assessing cryospheric-oceanographic variation and, therefore, the local and regional response to this period of rapid climate change. Varves are made up of lamina couplets comprising (i) thickly laminated to thinly bedded orange/orange-brown very pure diatom ooze dominated by Hyalochaete Chaetoceros spp. vegetative cells and resting spores, and (ii) brown/blue-grey terrigenous angular quartz sand, silt and clay with an abundant mixed diatom flora. The colour variation between these two types of lamination is striking. Using floristic and textural information we interpret the diatom oozes as spring flux and the terrigenous laminae as summer flux. Each couplet pair represents one annual cycle and reflects seasonal changes in nutrient availability and stratification associated with the cyclical advance and retreat of seasonal sea-ice. The diatom oozes can reach up to ∼7.5 cm in thickness indicating enormous silica flux to the sea floor associated with ice sheet retreat.     

The planktonic diatom flora of a high arctic lake in East Greenland

The physico-chemical characteristics and the planktonic diatom flora were studied in high arctic Loon Lake (Geographical Society Ø, East Greenland). Loon Lake is a cold, monomictic, alkaline, low conductive and likely oligotrophic lake with a maximum water depth of 11.70 m and a low diversity of planktonic diatoms. In summer 2003, the lake-water diatom community consisted of three taxa: frustules belonging to the morphologically highly variable Cyclotella ocellata-polymorpharossii-tripartita-complex were most abundant, and both Discostella pseudostelligera and Fragilaria tenera were of minor importance. The morphological variability of the three diatom taxa is documented by light micrographs.     

Harbour porpoises respond to climate change

The effects of climate change on marine ecosystems and in particular on marine top predators are difficult to assess due to, among other things, spatial variability, and lack of clear delineation of marine habitats. The banks of West Greenland are located in a climate sensitive area and are likely to elicit pronounced responses to oceanographic changes in the North Atlantic. The recent increase in sea temperatures on the banks of West Greenland has had cascading effects on sea ice coverage, residency of top predators, and abundance of important prey species like Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). Here, we report on the response of one of the top predators in West Greenland; the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). The porpoises depend on locating high densities of prey species with high nutritive value and they have apparently responded to the general warming on the banks of West Greenland by longer residence times, increased consumption of Atlantic cod resulting in improved body condition in the form of larger fat deposits in blubber, compared to the situation during a cold period in the 1990s. This is one of the few examples of a measurable effect of climate change on a marine mammal population.     

Comparison of contemporary and fossil diatom assemblages from the western Antarctic Peninsula shelf

During the past ten years, the Antarctic Peninsula has been identified as the most rapidly warming region of the Southern Hemisphere and it is important to place this warming in the context of the natural climate and oceanographic variability of the recent geological past. Many biological proxies, such as marine diatom assemblages, have been used to determine Southern Ocean palaeoceanographic conditions during the Late Quaternary, however, few investigations have attempted to link observations of modern floras with the fossil record. In this study we examine a suite of modern austral spring (December 2003) and summer (February 2002) surface water samples from along the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) continental shelf and compare these to core-top, surface sediment samples. Using detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) of diatom abundance data we investigate the relationship of contemporary diatom floras with the fossil record. This multivariate analysis reveals that our modern assemblages can be divided into three groups: summer southern WAP sites, summer northern WAP sites, and spring WAP sites. Sea surface temperature (SST) is an important environmental variable for explaining seasonal differences in diatom assemblages between spring and summer, but sea surface salinity (SSS) is more important for understanding temporally-equivalent regional variations in assemblage. Our summer diatom samples are more reminiscent of early season assemblages, reflecting the unusually late sea ice retreat from the region that year. When the modern assemblages are compared to the fossil record, it is clear that most of the important diatoms from the summer assemblage are not preserved into the sediments, and that the fossil record more closely reflects spring assemblages. This observation is important for any future attempts to quantitatively reconstruct palaeoceanographic conditions along the WAP during the Late Quaternary and highlights the need for many more such studies in order to address longer timescales, such as interannual variability, in the context of the fossil record.     

Diatom surface sediment assemblages around Iceland and their relationships to oceanic environmental variables

Canonical correspondence analysis of diatoms from surface sediment samples and oceanographic environmental variables shows that summer and winter sea-surface temperatures, water depth and winter sea-surface salinity are the main environmental factors affecting diatom distribution around Iceland. Of these, summer sea-surface temperature is the most important. Five diatom assemblages are distinguished and the distribution of these assemblages is clearly correlated with oceanic current patterns in the region. The sea-ice diatom assemblage is limited to the area where the East Greenland Current (Polar Water) has its strongest influence, and the cold diatom assemblage is basically controlled by the less cold East Icelandic Current (Modified Polar Water). The mixing diatom assemblage results from the interaction between the cold East Greenland and East Icelandic Currents and the warm Irminger Current. The warm diatom assemblage is located in the area dominated by the Irminger Current and may be used as an indicator of warm-water masses (Atlantic Water). The coastal diatom assemblage is the only one strongly influenced by both water depth and summer water temperatures.     

An estimate of the fraction of belugas (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Delphinapterus leucas</Emphasis>) in the Canadian high Arctic that winter in West Greenland

Five belugas, or white whales (Delphinapterus leucas), were tracked by satellite from Creswell Bay, Somerset Island, in the Canadian high Arctic towards West Greenland in autumn 2001. After 1 October, three of the whales stayed in the North Water polynya and the other two whales moved to West Greenland. One of the whales that moved to Greenland migrated south along the west coast, following a route and timing similar to another beluga tracked in 1996. The belugas that moved towards West Greenland from Canada did so before or near 1 October. The movements of both these whales followed a similar timing and assumed migratory route of belugas hunted in autumn in West Greenland. In Greenland, the hunt begins in September, where the first whales are taken in the northernmost community of Qaanaaq. Hunting takes place farther south in Upernavik in October, and finally in November and December, belugas are taken even farther south in Uummannaq and Disko Bay. The whales that remain in the North Water after 1 October most likely do not contribute to the harvest in West Greenland. Based on the total number of belugas satellite-tracked in Canada between 1995 and 2001 with tags that lasted beyond 1 October, approximately 0.15 (95% CI 0.06-0.35; n=26) of the summering stock of belugas in the Canadian high Arctic move to West Greenland for the winter. Genetic studies have indicated that belugas moving east through Lancaster Sound are significantly differentiated from belugas taken in the autumn hunt in West Greenland. These conflicting results suggest molecular genetics cannot be solely relied on to reveal the stock identity of these belugas.