Comment on : 'multi-element signatures of stream sediments and sources under moderate to low flow conditions' by M.I. Stutter, S.J. Langan, D.G. Lumsdon, L.M. Clark

In a recent paper on ‘Multi-element signatures of stream sediments and sources under moderate to low flow conditions’, Stutter et al., 2009 M.I. Stutter, S.J. Langan, D.G. Lumsdon and L.M. Clark, Multi-element signatures of stream sediments and sources under moderate to low flow conditions, Appl. Geochem. 24 (2009), pp. 800–809. Article | PDF (392 K) | View Record in Scopus | Cited By in Scopus (2)Stutter et al. (2009) presented results of a simple sediment source tracing method based on major and trace elements for a small agricultural catchment in NE Scotland. The authors reported statistically significant, larger concentrations of four trace elements (Ce, Nd, Th and Y) in bank subsoils (n = 5) and stream bed sediments (n = 3) compared to topsoils from both pasture (n = 5) and arable (n = 5) land. They used these differences to aid discrimination between topsoil and subsoil (stream bank erosion) contributions to bed sediment. These elements may be more depleted in topsoil compared to subsoil because the former have been subject to more intense weathering over a longer period. If these naturally occurring trace elements could be used to understand the relative proportions of topsoil and subsoil contributions to headwater bed sediments this approach might be applied more widely to elucidate transport pathways for the transfer of agricultural contaminants such as particulate phosphorus to streams (Walling et al., 2008). This approach warrants further investigation across a range of catchments at different scales with contrasting land use and bedrock types. This can be undertaken using data from regional-scale geochemical surveys (Johnson et al., 2005) which include analyses of both stream bed sediments and subsoil samples. Previous studies have shown that much of lowland central England is at risk of topsoil transfer to watercourses via land drains (Chapman et al., 2003). A geochemical survey across part of central England covering 15 400 km2 was recently undertaken and these data are well-suited to testing whether three of the four trace elements identified by Stutter et al. (2009) might be used to discriminate between topsoil and subsoil in sediments more widely. Specifically, if the concentrations of these elements are significantly smaller in stream bed sediments than in the subsoil, this may be due to mixing with topsoils which have lower concentrations of these elements. Below the regional-scale survey, the methods the author used to compare the geochemical data in subsoil and bed sediments described, and the findings and their implications discussed

Pleistocene Geology - Southeastern New Hampshire

New England Intercollegiate Geological Conference: Southeastern New Hampshire, October 13, and 14, 1956: B - - Pleistocene Tri

Pleistocene Geology, North and South of Portsmouth, NH

New England Intercollegiate Geological Conference: Southeastern New Hampshire, October 13, and 14, 1956: F - - Pleistocene Geology, North and South of Portsmouth, N.H

Ice Formation in the Arctic Ocean: Observed Processes and Climate Feedbacks

The Arctic seasonal ice zone undergoes dramatic changes throughout the year. In the summer, ice cover melts off, leaving the ocean surface exposed to the atmosphere. Incident solar radiation warms the surface mixed layer. At the end of the summer season, the mixed layer must then cool to the freezing point in order for ice to form at the surface. This thesis explores the impact of that heat throughout the annual cycle, but especially on first-year ice growth. Through analysis of CTD profiles and buoy data, it is found that summer heat gets into the summer halocline, where it is trapped through the fall season cooling process. The mixed layer heat (estimated from an empirical relationship derived from direct measurements and atmospheric and geographic parameters along with sea surface temperatures) is well correlated with freeze-up date. The results presented herein suggest that delayed freeze-up does result in thinner ice cover at the end of the winter season, in part because the maximum ice growth rate is consistent (approximately 12 cm/day) between observations from Antarctic polynyas with exceptionally high ice production and the few observations that exist in the Arctic. Finally, from analysis of end-of-season first year ice thickness distributions, it is clear that the summer heat trapped in the summer halocline is released over the course of the winter, limiting ice growth in addition to that caused by the delay in freeze-up. In all, it is likely that as the Arctic becomes increasingly dominated by first-year ice, the thinning trend will continue though at a slower rate than in the current transition from multi- to first-year ice cover

Adaptive responses to very low protein diets: The first comparison of ketoacids to essential amino acids

Adaptive responses to very low protein diets: The first comparison of ketoacids to essential amino acids. Eight patients with chronic renal failure (GFR 18.8 ± 2.7 ml/min) were randomized to a crossover comparison of a very low protein diet (VLPD) containing 0.28g protein and 35kcal per kg per day, plus an isomolar mixture of either ketoacids (KA) or essential amino acids (EAA). Subjects initiated the diets 14 days before hospital admission and following a four-day equilibration, a five-day nitrogen balance (BN) was performed. Whole-body protein turnover (WBPT) was measured during fasting and feeding using intravenous [1-13C]leucine and intragastric [5,5,5-2H3]leucine. Even though the VLPD/KA regimen contained 15% less nitrogen, BN was neutral and did not differ between the regimens. Nitrogen conservation with KA was due to a reduction in urea nitrogen appearance. Rates of WBPT measured during fasting and feeding did not differ between the KA or EAA regimens. During both regimens, feeding decreased protein degradation, whereas protein synthesis was unchanged. Although feeding stimulated leucine oxidation, rates were 50 to 100% lower than reported in CRF patients consuming 0.6 or 1.0g protein/kg/day. Thus, neutral BN with the VLPD regimen is achieved by a marked reduction in amino acid oxidation and a postprandial inhibition of protein degradation

Kansas Speaks Spring 2015 Statewide Public Opinion Survey

The Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University surveyed a random sample of adult residents of Kansas age 18 and older to assess attitudes and opinions regarding various issues of interest to Kansas citizens. The survey sample consists of random Kansas landline telephone numbers and cellphone numbers. From March 23 to April 1st, a total of 1,308 Kansas residents were contacted through either landline telephone or cellphone, and 519 of them completed the survey, resulting in a 40% response rate (519/1,308). At a 95% confidence level, the margin of error for the full sample of 519 is 4.4%. A margin of error of 4.4% means that there is a 95% probability that findings among the sample vary no more than +/- 4.4% from the value that would be found if the entire population of interest (adult Kansas residents) were surveyed, assuming no response bias. The percentage of males and females in the sample were similar to the Kansas population

Kansas Speaks 2016 Statewide Public Opinion Survey

To assess attitudes and opinions of Kansans, the Docking Institute has surveyed a random sample of Kansas residents age 18 and older every year since 2009. For this year’s survey, the Docking Institute purchased from Scientific Telephone Samples a random sample consisting of Kansas landline telephone numbers and cell phone numbers. Interviewers are highly trained student researchers pursuing degrees at Fort Hays State University. From September 1st to October 13th, a total of 2,914 Kansas residents were contacted by telephone, with 1,043 of them completed the survey, resulting in a 36% response rate. The margin of error was 3% at the 95% confidence level. A margin of error of 3% means that there is a 95% probability that findings among the sample vary no more than +/- 3 % from the value that would be found if all adult Kansas residents were surveyed, assuming no response bias. Out of these 1,043 respondents, 892 respondents were identified as likely voters, which resulted in a margin of error of +/- 3.2%

Kansas Speaks 2015 Statewide Public Opinion Survey

The Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University conducted the 2015 Kansas Speaks survey from September 14 to October 5, 2015. A random sample of adult residents of Kansas age 18 and older was surveyed by telephone to assess their attitudes and opinions regarding various issues of interest to Kansas citizens