Magma genesis by rifting of oceanic lithosphere above anomalous mantle: Terceira Rift, Azores

[1] The Terceira Rift formed relatively recently (∼1 Ma ago) by rifting of the old oceanic lithosphere of the Azores Plateau and is currently spreading at a rate of 2–4mm/a. Together with the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the Terceira Rift forms a triple junction that separates the Eurasian, African, and American Plates. Four volcanic systems (São Miguel, João de Castro, Terceira, Graciosa), three of which are islands, are distinguished along the axis and are separated by deep avolcanic basins similar to other ultraslow spreading centers. The major element, trace element and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope geochemistry of submarine and subaerial lavas display large along-axis variations. Major and trace element modeling suggests melting in the garnet stability field at smaller degrees of partial melting at the easternmost volcanic system (São Miguel) compared to the central and western volcanoes, which appear to be characterized by slightly higher melting degrees in the spinel/garnet transition zone. The degrees of partial melting at the Terceira Rift are slightly lower than at other ultraslow mid-ocean ridge spreading axes (Southwest Indian Ridge, Gakkel Ridge) and occur at greater depths as a result of the melting anomaly beneath the Azores. The combined interaction of a high obliquity, very slow spreading rates, and a thick preexisting lithosphere along the axis probably prevents the formation and eruption of larger amounts of melt along the Terceira Rift. However, the presence of ocean islands requires a relatively stable melting anomaly over relatively long periods of time. The trace element and Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes display individual binary mixing arrays for each volcanic system and thus provide additional evidence for focused magmatism with no (or very limited) melt or source interaction between the volcanic systems. The westernmost mantle sources beneath Graciosa and the most radiogenic lavas from the neighboring Mid-Atlantic Ridge suggest a mantle flow from Graciosa toward the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and hence a flux of mantle material from one spreading axis into the other. The Terceira Rift represents a unique oceanic rift system situated within the thickened, relatively old oceanic lithosphere and thus exhibits both oceanic and continental features

Spatial and temporal pattern of development and decline of the spring diatom populations in Lake Stechlin in 1999

Integrated samples from the euphotic layer (mostly 0-25 m) were taken between January 1994 and December 2000 in the open water of Lake Stechlin. Monthly sampling was carried out in January-April 1999 and bi-weekly in May-June 1999 at depths of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 m. Phytoplankton, with special attention to diatoms, was qualitatively and quantitatively investigated. These data, together with water chemistry and zooplankton monitoring information, were used to describe spring development and decline of the phytoplankton. Results were compared to predictions of the PEG-model. i) The large variety in timing and species composition of early-season diatom growth allows one to conclude that in lakes, which can be either mono- or dimictic, it is primaliry not the trophic state that determines spring growth/composition, rather it is the presence, absence or duration of ice-cover and weather conditions during the onset of the thermocline. ii) Physical stresses (low temperatures, low light, complete turbulent mixing) upon phytoplankton in such lakes has been less severe than growth limitation set by scarcity of nutrients. Diatom growth starts soon after the complete autumnal overturn. Thermocline development, instead if initation of the spring bloom as stated in the PEG model, terminates growth since diatoms, cells sink rapidly into the hypolimnion. iii) „Life time” of unicellular planktonic centric diatoms was the longest int he stage when they turn to decaying or dormant cells. Empty frustules dissolve rather quickly. Frustules of planktonic pennatae diatoms were apparently more persistent than that if centrics. iv) Because of their low abundance, metazooplankton cannot play a significant role in the elimination of spring the phytoplankton crop. v) After the onset of thermocline, rejuvenating diatoms can be found in small numbers throughout the hypolimnion. This study demonstrates that one should be careful with using the term „vegetation period” since the bulk of growth of planktonic primary producers might occur during the isothermal period prior to onset of the thermocline. Moreover, driving forces during this period are largely determined by climatic factors or actual weather, such as the duration of the ice-cover or the onset time of the thermocline

Sinking properties of some phytoplankton shapes and the relation of form resistance to morphological diversity of plankton – an experimental study

Form resistance (Phi) is a dimensionless number expressing how much slower or faster a particle of any form sinks in a fluid medium than the sphere of equivalent volume. Form resistance factors of PVC models of phytoplankton sinking in glycerin were measured in a large aquarium (0.6 x 0.6 x 0.95 m). For cylindrical forms, a positive relationship was found between Phi and length/ width ratio. Coiling decreased Phi in filamentous forms. Form resistance of Asterionella colonies increased from single cells up to 6-celled colonies than remained nearly constant. For Fragilaria crotonensis chains, no such upper limit to Phi was observed in chains of up to 20 cells ( longer ones were not measured). The effect of symmetry on Phi was tested in 1 - 6-celled Asterionella colonies, having variable angles between the cells, and in Tetrastrum staurogeniaeforme coenobia, having different spine arrangements. In all cases, symmetric forms had considerably higher form resistance than asymmetric ones. However, for Pediastrum coenobia with symmetric/asymmetric fenestration, no difference was observed with respect to symmetry. Increasing number and length of spines on Tetrastrum coenobia substantially increased Phi. For a series of Staurastrum forms, a significant positive correlation was found between arm-length/cell-width ratio and Phi: protuberances increased form resistance. Flagellates (Rhodomonas, Gymnodinium) had a Phi 1. The highest value ( Phi = 8.1) was established for a 20-celled Fragilaria crotonensis chain. Possible origin of the so-called 'vital component' ( a factor that shows how much slower viable populations sink than morphologically similar senescent or dead ones) is discussed, as is the role of form resistance in evolution of high diversity of plankton morphologies

Cyanobacterial lipopolysaccharides and human health – a review

Cyanobacterial lipopolysaccharide/s (LPS) are frequently cited in the cyanobacteria literature as toxins responsible for a variety of heath effects in humans, from skin rashes to gastrointestinal, respiratory and allergic reactions. The attribution of toxic properties to cyanobacterial LPS dates from the 1970s, when it was thought that lipid A, the toxic moiety of LPS, was structurally and functionally conserved across all Gram-negative bacteria. However, more recent research has shown that this is not the case, and lipid A structures are now known to be very different, expressing properties ranging from LPS agonists, through weak endotoxicity to LPS antagonists. Although cyanobacterial LPS is widely cited as a putative toxin, most of the small number of formal research reports describe cyanobacterial LPS as weakly toxic compared to LPS from the Enterobacteriaceae. We systematically reviewed the literature on cyanobacterial LPS, and also examined the much lager body of literature relating to heterotrophic bacterial LPS and the atypical lipid A structures of some photosynthetic bacteria. While the literature on the biological activity of heterotrophic bacterial LPS is overwhelmingly large and therefore difficult to review for the purposes of exclusion, we were unable to find a convincing body of evidence to suggest that heterotrophic bacterial LPS, in the absence of other virulence factors, is responsible for acute gastrointestinal, dermatological or allergic reactions via natural exposure routes in humans. There is a danger that initial speculation about cyanobacterial LPS may evolve into orthodoxy without basis in research findings. No cyanobacterial lipid A structures have been described and published to date, so a recommendation is made that cyanobacteriologists should not continue to attribute such a diverse range of clinical symptoms to cyanobacterial LPS without research confirmation

Microbial diversity and biogeochemical cycling in soda lakes

Soda lakes contain high concentrations of sodium carbonates resulting in a stable elevated pH, which provide a unique habitat to a rich diversity of haloalkaliphilic bacteria and archaea. Both cultivation-dependent and -independent methods have aided the identification of key processes and genes in the microbially mediated carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur biogeochemical cycles in soda lakes. In order to survive in this extreme environment, haloalkaliphiles have developed various bioenergetic and structural adaptations to maintain pH homeostasis and intracellular osmotic pressure. The cultivation of a handful of strains has led to the isolation of a number of extremozymes, which allow the cell to perform enzymatic reactions at these extreme conditions. These enzymes potentially contribute to biotechnological applications. In addition, microbial species active in the sulfur cycle can be used for sulfur remediation purposes. Future research should combine both innovative culture methods and state-of-the-art ‘meta-omic’ techniques to gain a comprehensive understanding of the microbes that flourish in these extreme environments and the processes they mediate. Coupling the biogeochemical C, N, and S cycles and identifying where each process takes place on a spatial and temporal scale could unravel the interspecies relationships and thereby reveal more about the ecosystem dynamics of these enigmatic extreme environments