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Wang P, D'Imperio L, Biersma EM, Ranniku R, Xu W, Tian Q, Ambus P, Elberling B. Combined effects of glacial retreat and penguin activity on soil greenhouse gas fluxes on South Georgia, sub-Antarctica. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 718:135255. [PMID: 31859058 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The effects of soil succession after glacial retreat and fertilisation by marine animals are known to have major impacts on soil greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes in polar terrestrial ecosystems. While in many polar coastal areas retreating glaciers open up new ground for marine animals to colonise, little is known about the combination of both factors on the local GHG budget. We studied the magnitude of GHG fluxes (CO2, CH4 and N2O) on the combined effect of glacial retreat and penguin-induced fertilisation along a transect protruding into the world's largest King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) colony at Saint Andrews Bay on sub-Antarctic South Georgia. GHG production and consumption rates were assessed based on laboratory incubations of intact soil cores and nutrients and water additional experimental incubations. The oldest soils along the transect show significant higher contents of soil carbon, nutrients and moisture and were strongly influenced by penguin activity. We found a net CH4 consumption along the entire transect with a marked decrease within the penguin colony. CO2 production strongly increased along the transect, while N2O production rates were low near the glacier front and increased markedly within the penguin colony. Controlled applications of guano resulted in a significant increase in CO2 and N2O production, and decrease in CH4 consumption, except for sites already strongly influenced by penguin activity. The results show that soil microbial activity promptly catalyses a turnover of soil C and atmospheric methane oxidation in de-glaciated forelands. The methane oxidizers, however, may increase relatively slowly in their capacity to oxidise atmospheric CH4. Results show also that the increase of nutrients by penguins reduces CH4 oxidation whereas N2O production is greatly increased. A future expansion of penguins into newly available ice-free polar coastal areas may therefore markedly increase the local GHG budget.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyan Wang
- International Institute for Earth System Sciences, Nanjing University, 210023 Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science and Technology, Nanjing University, 210023 Nanjing, China; Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ludovica D'Imperio
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elisabeth M Biersma
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom; Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, DK-1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Reti Ranniku
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Wenyi Xu
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Qingjiu Tian
- International Institute for Earth System Sciences, Nanjing University, 210023 Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Geographic Information Science and Technology, Nanjing University, 210023 Nanjing, China
| | - Per Ambus
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bo Elberling
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, DK-1350 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Handley JM, Pearmain EJ, Oppel S, Carneiro APB, Hazin C, Phillips RA, Ratcliffe N, Staniland IJ, Clay TA, Hall J, Scheffer A, Fedak M, Boehme L, Pütz K, Belchier M, Boyd IL, Trathan PN, Dias MP. Evaluating the effectiveness of a large multi‐use MPA in protecting Key Biodiversity Areas for marine predators. DIVERS DISTRIB 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Steffen Oppel
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Sandy UK
| | | | | | | | - Norman Ratcliffe
- British Antarctic Survey Natural Environment Research Council Cambridge UK
| | - Iain J. Staniland
- British Antarctic Survey Natural Environment Research Council Cambridge UK
| | - Thomas A. Clay
- School of Environmental Sciences University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
| | - Jonathan Hall
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Sandy UK
| | - Annette Scheffer
- AS, Marine Stewardship Council London UK
- Okeanos Centre University of the Azores 9901‐862 Horta Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Mark Belchier
- British Antarctic Survey Natural Environment Research Council Cambridge UK
| | | | - Phil N. Trathan
- School of Environmental Sciences University of Liverpool Liverpool UK
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3
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Rogers AD, Frinault BAV, Barnes DKA, Bindoff NL, Downie R, Ducklow HW, Friedlaender AS, Hart T, Hill SL, Hofmann EE, Linse K, McMahon CR, Murphy EJ, Pakhomov EA, Reygondeau G, Staniland IJ, Wolf-Gladrow DA, Wright RM. Antarctic Futures: An Assessment of Climate-Driven Changes in Ecosystem Structure, Function, and Service Provisioning in the Southern Ocean. ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE 2020; 12:87-120. [PMID: 31337252 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-010419-011028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this article, we analyze the impacts of climate change on Antarctic marine ecosystems. Observations demonstrate large-scale changes in the physical variables and circulation of the Southern Ocean driven by warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, and a positive Southern Annular Mode. Alterations in the physical environment are driving change through all levels of Antarctic marine food webs, which differ regionally. The distributions of key species, such as Antarctic krill, are also changing. Differential responses among predators reflect differences in species ecology. The impacts of climate change on Antarctic biodiversity will likely vary for different communities and depend on species range. Coastal communities and those of sub-Antarctic islands, especially range-restricted endemic communities, will likely suffer the greatest negative consequences of climate change. Simultaneously, ecosystem services in the Southern Ocean will likely increase. Such decoupling of ecosystem services and endemic species will require consideration in the management of human activities such as fishing in Antarctic marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Rogers
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, United Kingdom;
- REV Ocean, 1366 Lysaker, Norway
| | - B A V Frinault
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, United Kingdom
| | - D K A Barnes
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - N L Bindoff
- Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre and CSIRO Oceans and Atmospheres, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
| | - R Downie
- WWF, Living Planet Centre, Surrey GU21 4LL, United Kingdom
| | - H W Ducklow
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964-8000, USA
| | - A S Friedlaender
- Institute for Marine Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95060, USA
| | - T Hart
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, United Kingdom;
| | - S L Hill
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - E E Hofmann
- Center for Coastal Physical Oceanography, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia 23508, USA
| | - K Linse
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - C R McMahon
- Integrated Marine Observing System Animal Tracking Facility, Sydney Institute of Marine Science, Sydney, New South Wales 2088, Australia
| | - E J Murphy
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - E A Pakhomov
- Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Aquatic Ecosystems Research Lab, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - G Reygondeau
- Aquatic Ecosystems Research Lab, Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - I J Staniland
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - D A Wolf-Gladrow
- Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung (AWI), 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - R M Wright
- Tyndall Centre, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom
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Matias RS, Gregory S, Ceia FR, Baeta A, Seco J, Rocha MS, Fernandes EM, Reis RL, Silva TH, Pereira E, Piatkowski U, Ramos JA, Xavier JC. Show your beaks and we tell you what you eat: Different ecology in sympatric Antarctic benthic octopods under a climate change context. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 150:104757. [PMID: 31306868 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2019.104757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Sympatry can lead to higher competition under climate change and other environmental pressures, including in South Georgia, Antarctica, where the two most common octopod species, Adelieledone polymorpha and Pareledone turqueti, occur side by side. Since cephalopods are typically elusive animals, the ecology of both species is poorly known. As beaks of cephalopods are recurrently found in top predator's stomachs, we studied the feeding ecology of both octopods through the evaluation of niche overlapping and specific beak adaptations that both species present. A multidisciplinary approach combining carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope signatures, mercury (Hg) analysis and biomaterials' engineering techniques was applied to investigate the beaks. An isotopic niche overlap of 95.6% was recorded for the juvenile stages of both octopod species, dropping to 19.2% for the adult stages. Both A. polymorpha and P. turqueti inhabit benthic ecosystems around South Georgia throughout their lifecycles (δ13C: -19.21 ± 1.87‰, mean ± SD for both species) but explore trophic niches partially different during adult life stages (δ15N: 7.01 ± 0.40‰, in A. polymorpha, and 7.84 ± 0.65‰, in P. turqueti). The beaks of A. polymorpha are less dense and significantly less stiff than in P. turqueti. Beaks showed lower mercury concentration relative to muscle (A. polymorpha - beaks: 0.052 ± 0.009 μg g-1, muscle: 0.322 ± 0.088 μg g-1; P. turqueti - beaks: 0.038 ± 0.009 μg g-1; muscle: 0.434 ± 0.128 μg g-1). Overall, both octopods exhibit similar habitats but different trophic niches, related to morphology/function of beaks. The high Hg concentrations in both octopods can have negative consequences on their top predators and may increase under the present climate change context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo S Matias
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Susan Gregory
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom; Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Stanley, Falkland Islands
| | - Filipe R Ceia
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alexandra Baeta
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Seco
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal; School of Biology, University of St Andrews KY16 9ST, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel S Rocha
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Group on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Emanuel M Fernandes
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Group on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rui L Reis
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Group on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal; The Discoveries Centre for Regenerative and Precision Medicine, Headquarters at University of Minho, Avepark, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Tiago H Silva
- 3B's Research Group, I3Bs - Research Group on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark, Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017, Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Eduarda Pereira
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Uwe Piatkowski
- GEOMAR, Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, 24105, Kiel, Germany
| | - Jaime A Ramos
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José C Xavier
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE), Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal; British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
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Seco J, Xavier JC, Coelho JP, Pereira B, Tarling G, Pardal MA, Bustamante P, Stowasser G, Brierley AS, Pereira ME. Spatial variability in total and organic mercury levels in Antarctic krill Euphausia superba across the Scotia Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 247:332-339. [PMID: 30685674 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Total and organic mercury concentrations were determined for males, females and juveniles of Euphausia superba collected at three discrete locations in the Scotia Sea (South Orkney Islands, South Georgia and Antarctic Polar Front) to assess spatial mercury variability in Antarctic krill. There was clear geographic differentiation in mercury concentrations, with specimens from the South Orkney Islands having total mercury concentrations 5 to 7 times higher than Antarctic krill from South Georgia and the Antarctic Polar Front. Mercury did not appear to accumulate with life-stage since juveniles had higher concentrations of total mercury (0.071 μg g-1 from South Orkney Islands; 0.014 μg g-1 from South Georgia) than adults (0.054 μg g-1 in females and 0.048 μg g-1 in males from South Orkney Islands; 0.006 μg g-1 in females and 0.007 μg g-1 in males from South Georgia). Results suggest that females may use egg laying as a mechanism to excrete mercury, with eggs having higher concentrations than the corresponding somatic tissue. Organic mercury makes up a minor percentage of total mercury (15-37%) with the percentage being greater in adults than in juveniles. When compared to euphausiids from other parts of the world, the concentration of mercury in Antarctic krill is within the same range, or higher, highlighting the global distribution of this contaminant. Given the high potential for biomagnification of mercury through food webs, concentrations in Antarctic krill may have deleterious effects on long-lived Antarctic krill predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Seco
- Department of Chemistry and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal; Pelagic Ecology Research Group, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK.
| | - José C Xavier
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, CB30ET, Cambridge, UK; MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João P Coelho
- Department of Biology and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Pereira
- Department of Chemistry and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Geraint Tarling
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, CB30ET, Cambridge, UK
| | - Miguel A Pardal
- CFE - Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paco Bustamante
- Littoral Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS-Université de La Rochelle, 2 Rue Olympe de Gouges, 17000, La Rochelle, France
| | - Gabriele Stowasser
- British Antarctic Survey, NERC, High Cross, Madingley Road, CB30ET, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew S Brierley
- Pelagic Ecology Research Group, Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, KY16 8LB, UK
| | - Maria E Pereira
- Department of Chemistry and CESAM, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Hogg OT, Huvenne VAI, Griffiths HJ, Linse K. On the ecological relevance of landscape mapping and its application in the spatial planning of very large marine protected areas. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 626:384-398. [PMID: 29353784 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 01/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In recent years very large marine protected areas (VLMPAs) have become the dominant form of spatial protection in the marine environment. Whilst seen as a holistic and geopolitically achievable approach to conservation, there is currently a mismatch between the size of VLMPAs, and the data available to underpin their establishment and inform on their management. Habitat mapping has increasingly been adopted as a means of addressing paucity in biological data, through use of environmental proxies to estimate species and community distribution. Small-scale studies have demonstrated environmental-biological links in marine systems. Such links, however, are rarely demonstrated across larger spatial scales in the benthic environment. As such, the utility of habitat mapping as an effective approach to the ecosystem-based management of VLMPAs remains, thus far, largely undetermined. The aim of this study was to assess the ecological relevance of broadscale landscape mapping. Specifically we test the relationship between broad-scale marine landscapes and the structure of their benthic faunal communities. We focussed our work at the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, site of one of the largest MPAs in the world. We demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between environmentally derived landscape mapping clusters, and the composition of presence-only species data from the region. To demonstrate this relationship required specific re-sampling of historical species occurrence data to balance biological rarity, biological cosmopolitism, range-restricted sampling and fine-scale heterogeneity between sampling stations. The relationship reveals a distinct biological signature in the faunal composition of individual landscapes, attributing ecological relevance to South Georgia's environmentally derived marine landscape map. We argue therefore, that landscape mapping represents an effective framework for ensuring representative protection of habitats in management plans. Such scientific underpinning of marine spatial planning is critical in balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders whilst maximising conservation payoff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver T Hogg
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 OET, UK; National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, Southampton, UK; University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK.
| | - Veerle A I Huvenne
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, Southampton, UK
| | - Huw J Griffiths
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 OET, UK
| | - Katrin Linse
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 OET, UK
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