Soils Drowned in Water Impoundments: A New Frontier

Water impoundments have major impacts on biogeochemical cycles at the local and global scales. However, although reservoirs flood soils, their biogeochemical evolution below water and its ecological consequences are very poorly documented. We took advantage of the complete emptying of the Guerlédan Reservoir (Brittany, France) to compare the composition of soils flooded for 84 years with that of adjacent non-flooded soils used as reference, in 3 situations contrasted by their soil type (Cambisol and Podzol) and initial land-use (forest or grassland). In the annual drawdown zone, upper horizons of submerged soils are eroded, especially near the upper shore and on slopes. In the permanently drowned area, silty sediments cover drowned soils. Compared to reference soils, forest soils drowned for 84 years maintain their original morphological differentiation, but colors are dull, and the humus (O horizons) have virtually disappeared. Spodic horizons are depleted in poorly crystallized iron minerals while the accumulation of amorphous aluminum compounds remains unchanged. Soil bulk density increases as well as pH while total phosphorus content is almost unchanged. On the other hand, the pH of drowned grassland soils is lower by almost one unit, and the total phosphorus content was halved compared to reference soils. In this context, in addition to the effects of flooding, differences are attributed to post-1950 changes in agricultural practices i.e., liming and fertilization. Organic matter stocks decrease by almost 40%. This rate is similar in Cambisols and Podzols. Assuming that carbon was lost as CO2 and CH4, the corresponding flux averaged over the reservoir's life is close to global areal estimates of CO2 emissions in temperate reservoirs and offsets a significant proportion of the carbon burial in reservoir sediments. Hence, flooded soils contribute significantly to the GHG budget of reservoirs, provide original long-term experimental sites to measure the effects of anoxia on soils and contain archives of past soil properties

Hydrological regime and plant functional traits jointly mediate the influence of Salix spp. on soil organic carbon stocks in a High Arctic tundra

Evidence points out that increasing plant productivity associated with greater erect shrub abundance alters soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in the Arctic. However, the underlying plant economic traits remain poorly examined, which limits our understanding of plant–environment interactions driving tundra carbon cycling. We explored how erect shrub abundance leads to SOC variation in a High Arctic tundra (Bylot Island, Nunavut, Canada), where the only erect shrub, Salix richardsonii, has settled along currently active and abandoned channel zones of alluvial fans. The effects of vegetation and local environmental changes on SOC were evaluated through a paired sampling of soil materials and plant aboveground functional traits associated with plant carbon supply and nutrient demand processes. The occurrence of S. richardsonii, characterized by a tenfold increase in aboveground biomass, induced a 28% increase in SOC compared to adjacent plots dominated by prostrate shrubs and graminoids. Yet, this vegetation effect was solely observed along active channels, where higher SOC was associated with greater leaf and stem biomass. A path analysis showed that shrub leaf area index and total leaf nutrient content best represented plant carbon supply and nutrient demand dynamics, respectively, and jointly regulated SOC variation. This study underscores that vegetation structural changes associated with increasing erect shrub abundance in the Arctic can promote soil organic carbon storage, but that this pattern may be mediated by strong plant–environment interactions. Accounting for changes in functional traits driving plant carbon supply and nitrogen demand proves important for a better mechanistic understanding of how shrubification impacts tundra carbon cycling

Towards sustainable agricultural landscapes: Lessons from an interdisciplinary research-based framework applied to the Saint Lawrence floodplain

Abstract Floodplains are unique environments that provide a dynamic link between terrestrial and aquatic systems. Intensification of human activity – particularly agriculture and urbanisation – has resulted in the degradation of floodplains worldwide. Restoration and sustainable management of floodplains requires holistic assessment and compromise between stakeholders to successfully balance environmental, economic, and social benefits. Yet, understanding these complex systems sufficiently to provide evidence-based recommendations is a challenge. We present the lessons learned from establishing an interdisciplinary research-based framework on the agricultural floodplain of Lake Saint Pierre, Québec, Canada, whose mandate was to a) understand and define key environmental, agricultural, and socioeconomic attributes of the landscape, b) quantify the trade-offs and synergies between these attributes across different agricultural practices, regions, and land uses, and c) explore novel agri-environmental management practices to assess their role in sustainable floodplain management. Within this manuscript, we explore the benefits that such an approach offers in evaluating sustainable floodplain land use. We found that an interdisciplinary research-based approach demonstrated important benefits such as knowledge transfer, more efficient use of resources (e.g., personnel, funding), and a flexible yet robust research framework. A framework of individual research projects connected to broader interdisciplinary themes allowed a more holistic synthesis of the floodplain systems and assessment of agri-environmental practices. By implicitly considering spatial and social scales, we conceptualised not just how redistribution of the land use types can meet sustainable management objectives, but also explored how compromises within existing uses can optimise socio-economic, agricultural and environmental dimensions and move towards a sustainable multifunctional landscape

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

Effects of hydropower management on the sediment composition and metabolism of a small Alpine lake Effets de la gestion hydroélectrique sur la composition des sédiments et le métabolisme d'un petit lac alpin

International audienceThe ecological equilibrium of water reservoirs may differ from that of natural lakes. We questioned this difference by analysing the sediments of a small oligotrophic Alpine lake, whose management was modified for hydroelectric production since 1976. Corne Lake is formed by a shallow depression connected to a deep depression. The hydropower management induced water level fluctuations (þ2 m in summer; À8 m in winter) that emptied the shallow depression during the winter months and promoted the erosion of littoral soils and tributary channel sediment and the sedimentation in the deep depression. The sediment of the original lake was a low-density organic mud. The sediment composition varied according to 3 phases, which chronology is debated. During a first phase we measured an increase in the ratio of Diatom/Chrysophycea and bioavailable P, as well as a decrease in the C/N ratio and bulk radiocarbon age of the sediment, suggesting a trophic surge. A second phase was characterised by a high rate of mineral sedimentation, an increase of benthic diatom genera in the deep depression of the lake and acidophilic diatoms in the shallow depression. In the third phase covering the last upper cm of the cores, the sediment tended to return to its initial composition, but the algae community differed from its initial state. We suggest that the management of Alpine lakes as reservoirs induce long-term ecological changes in relation to water level fluctuations and littoral habitats degradation

Evolution des sols ennoyés sous les retenues de barrage : Influence sur l’écologie des plans d’eau et la dynamique des gaz à effet de serre

Reservoir establishment results in the submersion of soils and vegetation. Their ecological evolution follows 3 main phases. - Initial: carbon and nutrients stored in living and dead vegetation biomass supply for a rise of the trophic level and productivity of the lake. During this phase, named « trophic upsurge », which duration and intensity are variable, water anoxia, CO2 and CH4 emissions also rise especially when temperature is high. - Mean Term: Water level fluctuates according to seasonal energy needs. Waves erode submerged soils along the shoreline. If the slope is steeper than 5%, soils are redistributed downslope and this flux contributes to the trophic upsurge and to sediment accumulation. These phenomena have been poorly studied and quantified. Our measurements at Sarrans reservoir suggest that soil redistribution is a major contributor to sediment accumulation. The ecological influence of carbon and nutrient inputs to the lake may be significant in oligotrophic environments. The evolution of permanently submerged soils is poorly known. Preliminary measurements at Sarrans reservoirs show that grassland cambisols (almost) permanently submerged have lost 30% of their original carbon store since impoundment. - On the long term, both catchment soils, through erosion and nutrient supply, and soils of the littoral zone, which support vegetation communities, influence reservoir ecology. The accumulation of sedimentary carbon in reservoirs appears much higher than in natural lakes, even eutrophic, and reasons for this are many. Greenhouse gas emission is also higher, because of higher sedimentation rate and increased water level fluctuations that favour methane bubbling and water degassing at the turbine outlet.Los embalses que resultan de la construcción de presas hunden vegetación y suelos. Su evolución sigue tres fases. - Dinámica inicial: los nuevos nichos ecológicos abiertos así que los stocks de carbono y de nutrientes contenidos en la vegetación viva y muerta contribuyen a un aumento brutal del nivel trófico y de la productividad de los embalses. Este fenómeno llamado “trophic upsurge”, es de importancia y de duración variables. Se acompaña de una desoxigenación y de una emisión de CO2 y de CH4, tanto más fuerte que la temperatura es elevada. -Dinámica a mediano plazo: la variación del nivel de las aguas inducida por el operador hace emerger temporalmente los suelos sumergidos, que luego son sometidos a la erosión por el choque del oleaje. Desde que la pendiente excede 5%, los materiales erosionados se redistribuyen en la zona siempre en agua, al contribuir al “trophic upsurge” y a la sedimentación. Estos fenómenos son muy poco cuantificados. Resultados recientes obtenidos en el embalse de Sarrans (Aveyron) sugieren que este fenómeno es al origen de una importante proporción de la acumulación sedimentaria. La influencia ecológica del aporte de nutrientes asociado a la redistribución de los suelos podría ser significativa en los ambientes oligotróficos.Les réservoirs résultant de la construction de barrages noient de la végétation et des sols. Leur évolution suit trois phases. - Dynamique initiale : les nouvelles niches écologiques ouvertes ainsi que les stocks de carbone et de nutriments contenus dans la végétation vivante et morte contribuent à une hausse brutale du niveau trophique et de la productivité des réservoirs. Ce phénomène, appelé « trophic upsurge », est d’importance et de durée variables. Il s’accompagne d’une désoxygénation et d’émissions de CO2 et de CH4, d’autant plus fortes que la température est élevée. - Dynamique à moyen terme : le marnage induit par l’exploitant exonde temporairement les sols noyés, qui sont alors soumis à l’érosion par le batillage des vagues. Dès que la pente dépasse 5 %, les matériaux érodés sont redistribués dans la zone toujours en eau, contribuant au « trophic upsurge » et à la sédimentation. Ces phénomènes ont été très peu quantifiés. Des résultats récents obtenus sur la retenue de Sarrans (Aveyron) suggèrent que ce phénomène est à l’origine d’une proportion importante de l’accumulation sédimentaire. L’influence écologique de l’apport de nutriments associé à la redistribution des sols pourrait être significative dans les environnements oligotrophes. On connaît très mal l’évolution des sols ennoyés au fond des retenues. Des observations préliminaires effectuées sur la retenue de Sarrans montrent que les sols conservent leur structure d’origine. Elles suggèrent aussi que des sols bruns de prairie, ennoyés en permanence depuis 80 ans, ou exondés occasionnellement, ont perdu 30 % de leur carbone, par minéralisation. - Dynamique à long terme : A long terme, ce sont les sols du bassin versant et de la zone de marnage en pente faible qui influencent l’écologie des retenues. Les sols du bassin versant dans la mesure où le contexte écologique influence l’érosion et l’apport de nutriments. Les sols de la zone littorale dans la mesure où ils soutiennent une production végétale, qui peut contribuer à filtrer l’eau, mais aussi à l’alimenter en carbone organique minéralisable. Il semble que l’émission de gaz à effet de serre par les réservoirs est, toutes choses égales par ailleurs, plus importante que celle des lacs naturels, probablement en raison de la forte sédimentation, et des variations de pression qui favorisent l’émission de CH4, en particulier lors du passage en turbine