Bullied, hawked, and scrutinized: Adult literacy practitioners’ affective reactions to state and institutional power

This study explores adult literacy practitioners’ affective responses to contemporary policy regimes, in order to inform efforts to improve working conditions for practitioners and, by extension, the educational experiences of learners

The Short Shrift? Policy Implications for Low-Scoring African American

This paper presents findings from a critical analysis of Pennsylvania adult literacy policy and program participation rates by race and educational functioning level to address the question of the provision of equitable educational services to African American participants assessed as reading at a 5th grade level equivalent and below

Framing Adult Learners: From Heroic Victim to Capable Comrade

This qualitative research synthesis of portrayals of adult literacy learners identified five types of “characters” that can have a powerful impact on how the “action” of practice, policy, and research are shaped

Assessing the photoreactivity of peatland derived carbon in aquatic systems

Northern peatlands are a globally important soil carbon (C) store, and aquatic systems draining peatland catchments receive a high loading of dissolved and particulate forms of C from the surrounding terrestrial environment. Once incorporated into the aquatic environment, internal processes occur to modify the C pool. Of these, photo-processing preferentially targets terrestrially derived C and therefore might have a significant effect on the C budget of peatland draining aquatic systems. The overarching aim of this study was to investigate photochemical processing of C in Scottish peatland draining aquatic systems in order to determine the importance of this pathway in aquatic biogeochemical cycles. For initial laboratory experiments, water samples from a peatland headwater stream (Auchencorth Moss, SE Scotland) were collected. Laboratory based irradiation experiments were conducted at a range of temperatures, and different filtration treatments, including unfiltered samples, were employed to understand the fraction of C most susceptible to photo-processing. UV irradiation and temperature had a significant effect on DOC and gas headspace concentrations, with Q10 values of ~1.42 and ~1.65 derived for CO2 and CO photoproduction in unfiltered samples, respectively. However, filtration treatment did not induce significant changes in gaseous C production between light and dark samples, indicating that the experimental conditions favoured breakdown of DOC rather than POC to CO2 and CO. In all light treatments a small but significant increase in CH4 concentration was detected. These data were compared to results from experiments conducted in ambient light and temperature conditions. DOC normalised CO2 photoproduction was an order of magnitude lower than in laboratory conditions, although relative abundances of C species within overall budgets were similar and these experiments demonstrated that ambient exposure is sufficient to generate photo-processing of aquatic peatland C. Overall these data show that peatland C, particularly the < 0.2 μm fraction, is highly photoreactive and that this process is temperature sensitive. Further laboratory irradiation experiments were conducted on filtered water samples collected over a 13-month period from two contrasting aquatic systems. The first was the headwater stream draining Auchencorth Moss peatland with high DOC concentrations. The second was a low DOC reservoir (Loch Katrine, C Scotland) situated in a catchment with a high percentage peat cover. Samples were collected monthly from May 2014 to May 2015 and from the stream system during two rainfall events. Significant variation was seen in the photochemical reactivity of DOC between the two systems, with total irradiation induced change typically two orders of magnitude greater and DOC normalised CO2 production a factor of two higher in the headwater stream samples. This is attributed to longer water residence times in the reservoir rendering a higher proportion of the DOC recalcitrant to photo-processing. Overall the magnitude of photo-induced C losses was significantly positively correlated with DOC concentration in the headwater stream, which varied seasonally with highest concentrations detected in late autumn and winter. Rainfall events were identified as important in replenishing the stream system with photoreactive material, with lignin phenol data indicating mobilisation of fresh DOC from woody vegetation in the upper catchment during a winter rainfall event. Whilst these data clearly demonstrate that peatland catchments generate significant volumes of photoreactive DOC, the degree to which it is processed in the aquatic environment is unclear. Field investigations were undertaken to address this uncertainty. In-situ experiments with unfiltered water samples in light and dark conditions were conducted in two contrasting open water peatland pool systems. At the high DOC site (Red Moss of Balerno, SE Scotland), DOC concentrations in surface light exposed samples decreased by 18% compared to dark controls over 9 days and light treatments were enriched in CO2 and CH4. Photochemical processing was evident in δ13C-DOC and δ13C-DIC signatures of light exposed samples, which were enriched and depleted, respectively, relative to dark controls (+0.23 ‰ and -0.38 ‰) after 9 days of surface exposure. At the low DOC site (Cross Lochs, Forsinard, N Scotland) net production of DOC occurred in both light and dark samples over the experiment duration, in part due to POC breakdown. δ13C-DIC signatures indicated photolysis had occurred in light exposed samples (-1.98 ‰), whilst δ13C-DOC data suggest an absence of photo-processing, as the signatures in both treatments were similar. Accounting for light attenuation through the water column, 46 ± 4.9 and 8.7 ± 0.5 g C-CO2 eq m−2 yr−1 was processed by photochemical and microbial activity in peatland pools within the catchments at the high and low DOC sites, respectively. At both sites, light driven processing was responsible for a considerable percentage (34 and 51%) of gaseous C production when compared to equivalent estimates of microbial C processing and thus should be considered a key driver of peatland pool biogeochemical cycles. It is clear from this study that temperature, seasonal cycles, rainfall events and water residence time provide strong controls on the photoreactivity of aquatic C in Scottish peatland systems. The photo-processing pathway has the potential to alter the C balance of peatland catchments with a high percentage coverage of aquatic systems. Under climate change scenarios where light, temperature and rainfall conditions are expected to change, this process may become increasingly important in aquatic C cycling, particularly if the upward trend in DOC concentrations in northern aquatic systems continues

The Adaptation Challenges and Strategies of Adolescent Aboriginal Athletes Competing Off Reserve

Within the motivation literature, it has been indicated that athletes respond more effectively to sport’s contextual challenges through effective adaptation skills. Fiske identified five core motives as facilitators of the adaptation process across cultures: belonging, understanding, controlling, self-enhancement, and trusting. Through a cultural sport psychology approach, the adaptation challenges and strategies of Canadian Aboriginal adolescent athletes from one community (Wikwemikong) are described as they traveled off reserve to compete in mainstream sporting events. Concurrently, Fiske’s core motives are considered in relation to youth sport participants from the aforementioned Aboriginal community. Culture sensitive research methods among the Wikwemikong, including community meetings, talking circles (TCs), indigenous coding, and coauthoring, were employed in this article. Data are reflected in three themes: (a) challenges pursuing sport outside of the Aboriginal community in advance of bicultural encounters, (b) challenging bicultural encounters in Canadian mainstream sport contexts, and (c) specific responses to racism and discrimination

Temporal changes in photoreactivity of dissolved organic carbon and implications for aquatic carbon fluxes from peatlands

Aquatic systems draining peatland catchments receive a high loading of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from the surrounding terrestrial environment. Whilst photo-processing is known to be an important process in the transformation of aquatic DOC, the drivers of temporal variability in this pathway are less well understood. In this study, 8 h laboratory irradiation experiments were conducted on water samples collected from two contrasting peatland aquatic systems in Scotland: a peatland stream and a reservoir in a catchment with high percentage peat cover. Samples were collected monthly at both sites from May 2014 to May 2015 and from the stream system during two rainfall events. DOC concentrations, absorbance properties and fluorescence characteristics were measured to investigate characteristics of the photochemically labile fraction of DOC. CO2 and CO produced by irradiation were also measured to determine gaseous photoproduction and intrinsic sample photoreactivity. Significant variation was seen in the photoreactivity of DOC between the two systems, with total irradiation-induced changes typically 2 orders of magnitude greater at the high-DOC stream site. This is attributed to longer water residence times in the reservoir rendering a higher proportion of the DOC recalcitrant to photo-processing. During the experimental irradiation, 7 % of DOC in the stream water samples was photochemically reactive and direct conversion to CO2 accounted for 46 % of the measured DOC loss. Rainfall events were identified as important in replenishing photoreactive material in the stream, with lignin phenol data indicating mobilisation of fresh DOC derived from woody vegetation in the upper catchment. This study shows that peatland catchments produce significant volumes of aromatic DOC and that photoreactivity of this DOC is greatest in headwater streams; however, an improved understanding of water residence times and DOC input–output along the source to sea aquatic pathway is required to determine the fate of peatland carbon

Anthropogenic-estuarine interactions cause disproportionate greenhouse gas production: a review of the evidence base

Biologically productive regions such as estuaries and coastal areas, even though they only cover a small percentage of the world's oceans, contribute significantly to methane and nitrous oxide emissions. This paper synthesises greenhouse gas data measured in UK estuary studies, highlighting that urban wastewater loading is significantly correlated with both methane (PÂ <Â 0.001) and nitrous oxide (PÂ <Â 0.005) concentrations. It demonstrates that specific estuary typologies render them more sensitive to anthropogenic influences on greenhouse gas production, particularly estuaries that experience low oxygen levels due to reduced mixing and stratification or high sediment oxygen demand. Significantly, we find that estuaries with high urban wastewater loading may be hidden sources of greenhouse gases globally. Synthesising available information, a conceptual model for greenhouse gas concentrations in estuaries with different morphologies and mixing regimes is presented. Applications of this model should help identification of estuaries susceptible to anthropogenic impacts and potential hotspots for greenhouse gas emissions

Identification and analysis of low-molecular-weight dissolved organic carbon in subglacial basal ice ecosystems by ion chromatography

Determining the concentration and composition of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in glacial ecosystems is important for assessments of in situ microbial activity and contributions to wider biogeochemical cycles. Nonetheless, there is limited knowledge of the abundance and character of DOC in basal ice and the subglacial environment and a lack of quantitative data on low-molecular-weight (LMW) DOC components, which are believed to be highly bioavailable to microorganisms. We investigated the abundance and composition of DOC in basal ice via a molecular-level DOC analysis. Spectrofluorometry and a novel ion chromatographic method, which has been little utilized in glacial science for LMW-DOC determinations, were employed to identify and quantify the major LMW fractions (free amino acids, carbohydrates, and carboxylic acids) in basal ice from four glaciers, each with a different type of overridden material (i.e. the pre-entrainment sedimentary type such as lacustrine material or palaeosols). Basal ice from Joyce Glacier (Antarctica) was unique in that 98% of the LMW-DOC was derived from the extremely diverse free amino acid (FAA) pool, comprising 14 FAAs. LMW-DOC concentrations in basal ice were dependent on the bioavailability of the overridden organic carbon (OC), which in turn was influenced by the type of overridden material. Mean LMW-DOC concentrations in basal ice from Russell Glacier (Greenland), Finsterwalderbreen (Svalbard), and Engabreen (Norway) were low (0–417nMC), attributed to the relatively refractory nature of the OC in the overridden palaeosols and bedrock. In contrast, mean LMW-DOC concentrations were an order of magnitude higher (4430nMC) in basal ice from Joyce Glacier, a reflection of the high bioavailability of the overridden lacustrine material (> 17% of the sediment OC comprised extractable carbohydrates, a proxy for bioavailable OC). We find that the overridden material may act as a direct (via abiotic leaching) and indirect (via microbial cycling) source of DOC to the subglacial environment and provides a range of LMW-DOC compounds that may stimulate microbial activity in wet subglacial sediments

Designing data collection for decision-making: shaping the coastal First Nations regional monitoring system to meet the needs of the Nations

The Coastal First Nations (CFN) Regional Monitoring System (RMS) was redeveloped to support decisions related to threats to ecological and cultural values, resulting from changes to existing and impending resource use on the North and Central Coast of British Columbia. As First Nations reassert their governance authority, participate in shared decision-making with other governments, undertake land and marine use planning, and manage their territories and resources, the need for coordinated regional monitoring efforts are increasingly important. We used a systematic and inclusive strategy to determine a suitable monitoring approach to meet the needs of a diverse group of Nations across a broad geographic region. Linking data collection to decision-making and planning processes was central to our strategy. We began with engaging individuals at each Nation’s resource management office to gain a comprehensive understanding of the monitoring activities undertaken, the data being collected, the data desired, and the way data are used to support decision-making and planning processes. Concurrently, we worked with the member Nations to develop a decision-making framework to identify the monitoring activities best suited for the RMS based on the goals of the system. Applying the framework to the suite of monitoring activities being undertaken or desired resulted in a suite of monitoring activities that was further refined in a workshop with the Nations. We produced monitoring cards for each monitoring activity, which detail the monitoring research question(s), the data to collect, the sampling design and data collection protocols, and the decision-making and planning processes the data support. The RMS is designed to be adaptable as new priorities emerge. It is the only system of its kind on the coast of British Columbia, and it is increasingly looked to as a model for how First Nations-led monitoring programs can inform planning and decision-making processes