Provenance and fate of organic carbon in three submarine canyons from the Portuguese Margin: Implications for transport processes of material in continental margins

Submarine canyons are key environments on the continental margin that are affected by unique and dynamic but often episodic and complex processes, and are difficult to study. Canyons are considered hotspots of biodiversity and enhancement of primary productivity at canyon heads has often been postulated to support this, although the evidence is sparse. Additionally canyons are considered to be fast-track corridors for material transported from the land to the deep sea and they are considered major pathways for the transportation and burial of organic carbon, acting as buffers for sediment and carbon storage. Organic geochemical and isotopic markers are often used as reliable indicators for the supply, quality and fate of organic matter in marine systems. In this study they have been used to test the above hypotheses in three contrasting submarine canyons (Nazaré, Setubal/Lisbon and Cascais) of the Portuguese Margin. The elemental and lipid biomarker composition of suspended particulate organic matter of surface waters close to the studied canyon heads had a fresh phytoplankton signal, however there was no clear evidence for enhanced primary productivity by comparison to the neighbouring open slope. By contrast, mid-depth waters (700-1600 m), that are dominated by the northward flowing Mediterranean Outflow Water, had high lipid content and abundant mesozooplankton biomarkers, perhaps reflecting zooplankton activity focused at the boundaries of distinct water masses. In the waters close to the floor of the Nazaré Canyon the presence of elemental sulphur (a product of sediment diagenesis) and high molecular weight hydrocarbons (recalcitrant, terrestrial markers) indicated high levels of resuspended material, particularly at the Upper section (<2000m depth) of the canyon. Resuspension was less evident in other locations suggesting that Nazaré Canyon is the most “active” channel. Nazaré Canyon sediments (0-10 cm) had significantly higher total organic carbon concentrations than the other canyons and the neighbouring open slope, whereas the opposite was observed for carbonate contents. Increased organic terrestrial contributions in Nazaré are also supported by the high molar C/N ratios and low carbon stable isotopic values of the surface (0-1cm) sediment sections. This suggests that the Nazaré Canyon receives more terrestrial, organic-rich material than the other locations, despite the luck of riverine output at the canyon head. By contrast sedimentary organic matter from Setubal/Lisbon and Cascais Canyons had lower C/N ratios suggesting that they received less terrestrial material, despite their proximity to major river systems (Duro, Sado). There is an apparent increasing trend of terrestrial contributions with depth within Nazaré Canyon. This is attributed to the preferential removal of labile, marine OM from the surficial sediments, leaving them “enriched” in more recalcitrant terrestrial material with increasing depth and distance from the shore. However, OM in the Nazaré Canyon surficial sediments is the least altered as a whole. This is supported by the nitrogen stable isotopes and the Oxygen Index (OI; a proxy of OM oxidation state) of surficial sediments. In Nazaré Canyon these are low compared to the other canyons and the open slope. The presence of elemental sulphur in the surficial sediments of Nazaré canyon (absent in all other sediments), is consistent with a shallow (few mm) boundary of bacterial sulphate reduction/sulphide oxidation. This is probably related to the high sedimentation rates that have been measured in Nazaré canyon (but not in any other locations in this study) that limit oxygen exposure time (and hence extensive oxidation) of the sediments. The above observations suggest that Nazaré Canyon is both an important depocentre of organic carbon and the main channel for transporting material from the Portuguese Margin to the deep ocean. However the absence of major river systems close to the canyon head implies that there are important and as yet unclear redistribution processes, that are probably related to the complex oceanographic regime of the region

Temporal and spatial variation in the Nazaré Canyon (Western Iberian margin): Inter-annual and canyon heterogeneity effects on meiofauna biomass and diversity

The Nazaré Canyon on the Portuguese Margin (NE Atlantic) was sampled during spring-summer for three consecutive years (2005–2007), permitting the first inter-annual study of the meiofaunal communities at the Iberian Margin at two abyssal depths (~3500 m and ~4400 m). Using new and already published data, the meiofauna standing stocks (abundance and biomass) and nematode structural and functional diversity were investigated in relation to the sediment biogeochemistry (e.g. organic carbon, nitrogen, chlorophyll a, phaeopigments) and grain size. A conspicuous increase in sand content from 2005 to 2006 and decrease of phytodetritus at both sites, suggested the occurrence of one or more physical disturbance events. Nematode standing stocks and trophic diversity decreased after these events, seemingly followed by a recovery/recolonisation period in 2007, which was strongly correlated with an increase in the quantity and bioavailability of phytodetrital organic matter supplied. Changes in meiofauna assemblages, however, also differed between stations, likely because of the contrasting hydrodynamic and food supply conditions. Higher meiofauna and nematode abundances, biomass and trophic complexity were found at the shallowest canyon station, where the quantity, quality and bioavailability of food material were higher than at the deeper site. The present results suggest that even though inter-annual variations in the sedimentary environment can regulate the meiofauna in the abyssal Nazaré Canyon, heterogeneity between sampling locations in the canyon were more pronounced

Seasonal organic matter dynamics in a temperate shelf sea

Organic matter (OM) plays an important role in productive shelf seas and their contribution to global carbon (C) and nutrient cycles. We investigated dissolved and particulate OM (DOM and POM, respectively) dynamics over a seasonal cycle in the Celtic Sea. The quantity of OC was largest during the spring bloom and lowest in autumn. DOM was always C rich relative to the POM pool and the Redfield ratio (106C:16N:P). There was clear decoupling between C, N and P and the response of OM composition to different seasons and nutrient statuses of the microbial community. The C:P stoichiometry was much more variable than the C:N stoichiometry, which was near constant. Downward OC fluxes were dominated by POM during bloom events and DOM during the stratified summer. In terms of partitioning, 92–96% of OC was in the DOM pool throughout sampling, which given its high C:N (12.4–17) suggests it was an efficient vehicle for potential off-shelf export of C during winter mixing

Biosynthesis of ambrein in ambergris: evidence from isotopic data and identification of possible intermediates

Ambrein is found in ambergris, a coprolith occurring in the rectum of the sperm whale. In vitro, ambrein is produced by enzymatic cyclisation of squalene, via a monocyclic intermediate. However, little is known of the in vivo process. In order to find evidence for the reaction in vivo, a comparison was made of the δ13C relative isotopic ratios of ambrein in ambergris with those of co-occurring sterols. A statistically significant difference was noted. This suggests that ambrein originates via a different biosynthetic mechanism from that of the sterols. Examination of the minor constituents of a hydrogenolysed extract of ambergris revealed compounds with a bicyclic polypodane nucleus, rather than those with monocyclic structures. It is hypothesised that in vivo biosynthesis of ambrein proceeds, at least in some cases, via bacterial production of bicyclic polypodenols. The latter are known products of non-concerted squalene (or squalene oxide) cyclisations in other organisms

Principles of Stakes Fairness in Sport

Fairness in sport is not just about assigning the top prizes to the worthiest competitors. It is also about the way the prize structure itself is organised. For many sporting competitions, although it may be acceptable for winners to receive more than losers, it can seem unfair for winners to take everything and for losers to get nothing. Yet this insight leaves unanswered some difficult questions about what stakes fairness requires and which principles of stakes fairness are appropriate for particular competitions. In this article I specify a range of different principles of stakes fairness (ten in total) that could regulate sporting competitions. I also put forward a theoretical method for pairing up appropriate principles of stakes fairness with given sporting competitions. Specifically, I argue that the underlying rationales for holding sporting competitions can provide useful guides for identifying appropriate principles of stakes fairness. I then seek to clarify and work through some of the implications of this method for a sample of real world controversies over sporting prize structures. I also attempt to refine the method in response to two possible objections from indeterminacy and relativism. Finally, I compare and contrast my conclusions with more general philosophical debates about justice

Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Poverty Measurement, Epistemic Injustices and Social Activism

As we enter the 2020s, global poverty is still a grave and persistent problem. Alleviating and eradicating poverty within and across the world’s societies requires a thorough understanding of its nature and extent. Although economists still standardly measure absolute and relative poverty in monetary terms, a consensus is emerging that poverty is a socially relational problem involving deprivations in multiple dimensions, including health, standard of living, education and political participation. The anthology Dimensions of Poverty advances the interdisciplinary debate on multidimensional poverty, and features contributions from leading international experts and early career researchers (including from the Global South). This introductory chapter gives an overview of formative debates, central concepts and key findings. While monetary poverty measures are still dominant in public and academic debate, their explanatory power has been drawn into question. We discuss relevant criticisms before outlining the normative concepts that can inform both multidimensional poverty and monetary measures, including basic capabilities, basic needs and social primary goods. Next, we introduce several influential multidimensional poverty indices, including the Human Development Index and the Multidimensional Poverty Index. The anthology shows in detail how such measures can be improved, from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. It shows that there are different methods of poverty research that require further investigation, including participatory studies, (value) surveys, public consensus building, the constitutional approach, and financial diaries. Finally, we show that there is an ongoing problem of epistemic asymmetries in global poverty research, and discuss responsibility for addressing poverty, including the responsibilities of academics. The remainder of the chapter is dedicated to a more detailed preview of the volume’s 20 contributions, which are assembled along the following five themes: (I) poverty as a social relation; (II) epistemic injustices in poverty research; (III) the social context of poverty; (IV) measuring multidimensional poverty; and (V) country cases

Isotopic signature in isolated south-western populations of European brown bear (Ursus arctos)

Stable isotope analysis of animal tissue samples is increasingly used to study the trophic ecology of target species. The isotopic signatures respond to the type of diet, but also to the environmental conditions of their habitat. In the case of omnivorous, seasonal or opportunistic feeding species, the interpretation of isotopic values is more complex, as it is largely determined by food selection, either due to individual choice or because of availability. We analysed C and N isotopes in brown bear (Ursus arctos) hair from four isolated populations of south-western Europe (Cantabrian, Pyrenees, Central Apennines and Alpine) accounting for the geographical and climatic differences among the four areas. We found inter-population differences in isotopic signatures that cannot be attributed to climatic differences alone, indicating that at least some bears from relatively higher altitude populations experiencing higher precipitation (Pyrenees) show a greater consumption of animal foods than those from lower altitudes (Cantabrian and Apennines). The quantification of isotopic niche space using Layman's metrics identified significant similarities between the Cantabrian and Central Apennine samples that markedly differ from the Pyrenean and Alpine. Our study provides a baseline to allow further comparisons in isotopic niche spaces in a broad ranged omnivorous mammal, whose European distribution requires further conservation attention especially for southern isolated populations

Carbon budgets of Scotia Sea mesopelagic zooplankton and micronekton communities during austral spring

This is the final version. Available on open access from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordData availability: Macrozooplankton and nekton vertical distribution and abundance at the sustained observation location P3 in the northern Scotia Sea (Southern Ocean) during November and December 2017 https://doi.org/10.5285/e184e81a-e43c-424e-abec-122036ee2cfd. Micronekton and zooplankton respiration rates on COMICS Cruises DY086 and DY090 https://doi.org/10.5285/b9f5c5ec-100a-7ff0-e053-6c86abc0f494. All other data is available on request.Zooplankton form an integral component of epi- and mesopelagic ecosystems, and there is a need to better understand their role in ocean biogeochemistry. The export and remineralisation of particulate organic matter at depth plays an important role in controlling atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Pelagic mesozooplankton and micronekton communities may influence the fate of organic matter in a number of ways, including: the consumption of primary producers and export of this material as fast-sinking faecal pellets, and the active flux of carbon by animals undertaking diel vertical migration (DVM) into the mesopelagic. We present day and night vertical biomass profiles of mesozooplankton and micronekton communities in the upper 500 m during three visits to an ocean observatory station (P3) to the NW of South Georgia (Scotia Sea, South Atlantic) in austral spring, alongside estimates of their daily rates of ingestion and respiration throughout the water column. Day and night community biomass estimates were dominated by copepods >330 μm, including the lipid-rich species, Calanoides acutus and Rhincalanus gigas. We found little evidence of synchronised DVM, with only Metridia spp. and Salpa thompsoni showing patterns consistent with migratory behaviour. At depths below 250 m, estimated community carbon ingestion rates exceeded those of metabolic costs, supporting the understanding that food quality in the mesopelagic is relatively poor, and organisms have to consume a large amount of food in order to fulfil their nutritional requirements. By contrast, estimated community rates of ingestion and metabolic costs at shallower depths were approximately balanced, but only when we assumed that the animals were predominantly catabolising lipids (i.e. respiratory quotient = 0.7) and had relatively high absorption efficiencies. Our work demonstrates that it is possible to balance the metabolic budgets of mesopelagic animals to within observational uncertainties, but highlights the need for a better understanding of the physiology of lipid-storing animals and how it influences carbon budgeting in the pelagic.Natural Environment Research Council (NERC