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Schmitz D, Michel RFM, Ferrari FR, Villa PM, Francelino MR, Putzke J, López-Martínez J, Schaefer CEGR. Soil-landform-vegetation interplays at Stinker Point, Elephant Island, Antarctica. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2022; 94:e20210676. [PMID: 35648994 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202220210676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The geomorphic dynamics on ice-free areas are crucial for understanding soil formation, vegetation and landscape stability in maritime Antarctic. We aimed to describe the soil formation on different landforms, following the Holocene glacial retreat at Stinker Point. Twenty profiles were sampled and classified, grouped into three landforms units: middle platforms and scarps, till/glacial deposits and present/Holocene raised beaches. Soil chemical and physical attributes were determined, and the vegetation type identified and quantified. Soils from till and glacial deposits can be separated by the age of exposure: older soils are stony, skeletic; and recently exposed till has soils with moderate depth, alkaline reaction and very high base saturation. Soils at the middle platforms are shallow, coarse-grained, skeletic, with abundant vegetation. Soils from the present-day beaches are alkaline, very coarse with no horizon differentiation, whereas soils on Holocene beaches are acid and nutrient-rich due to past or present-day influence of fauna. Soils from Stinker Point are generally shallow, skeletic and strongly related to the landforms and biogenic influences. Compared with other islands of the South Shetlands, in Elephant Island soil development is less pronounced, being this mainly attributed to the metamorphic nature of parent material, with greater resistance to weathering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Schmitz
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Solos, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Roberto F M Michel
- Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Rodovia Jorge Amado, Km 16, Salobrinho, 45662-900 Ilhéus, BA, Brazil
| | - Flávia R Ferrari
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Pedro M Villa
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil.,Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Engenharia Florestal, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Marcio R Francelino
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Solos, Av. PH Rolfs, s/n, 36570-900 Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Jair Putzke
- Universidade Federal do Pampa, Rua Aluízio Barros Macedo, s/n, BR 290, Km 423, 97307-020 São Gabriel, RS, Brazil
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Potapowicz J, Szopińska M, Szumińska D, Bialik RJ, Polkowska Ż. Sources and composition of chemical pollution in Maritime Antarctica (King George Island), part 1: Sediment and water analysis for PAH sources evaluation in the vicinity of Arctowski station. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 288:132637. [PMID: 34715110 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The paper presents a study regarding the identification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fresh waters and surface sediments on the western shore of Admiralty Bay over four sampling seasons from 2017 to 2018. The results were compared to literature data from 2016 to provide a more comprehensive image of the environmental fate of PAHs over the years. The highest value of Σ PAHs was 82.9 ng/L and 445 ng/g dw in water and sediment samples, respectively. The analysis of PAH indicator ratio values showed that pyrogenic or mixed sources contribute to the PAH pollution in Antarctic sediments and water more than does petroleum. The main source is the combustion of biomass (e.g. as a result of fires) and coal, and PAHs are mostly associated with the activity of stations or are transported to a lesser extent by long-range atmospheric transport (LRAT) from South America. The values of the ΣLMW/ΣHMW ratio in sediments indicate that petrogenic sources contribute to PAH contamination, but among the six PAH ratios tested, petrogenic sources were identified as dominant in approximately 17-19% of cases. Lack of coherence in the obtained results confirms the mixed origin of PAHs in the studied samples. Although the differentiation of PAHs sources is still ambiguous, caution is recommended in light of the Antarctic system's evident and rapid response to global and local PAH emissions, and the dependency of accumulation and release cycle processes on weather conditions. A reduction in petrol usage in favour of renewable energy sources, and restriction of tourism are strongly recommended for better preservation of the pristine Antarctic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Potapowicz
- Gdansk University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, 11/12 Narutowicza St., Gdansk, 80-233, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Szopińska
- Gdansk University of Technology, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of Water and Wastewater Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza St., Gdansk, 80-233, Poland
| | - Danuta Szumińska
- Kazimierz Wielki University, Institute of Geography, Kościelecki Sq 8, 85-033, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Robert Józef Bialik
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Science, Pawińskiego 5a, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Żaneta Polkowska
- Gdansk University of Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, 11/12 Narutowicza St., Gdansk, 80-233, Poland.
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Szufa KM, Mietelski JW, Olech MA. Assessment of internal radiation exposure to Antarctic biota due to selected natural radionuclides in terrestrial and marine environment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2021; 237:106713. [PMID: 34388521 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2021.106713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The present article introduces data on natural radioactivity (40K, 230,232Th, 234,238U) in the Antarctic marine and terrestrial environment. Various biota samples were analysed due to internal exposure to 40K, 230,232Th, 234,238U. Activity concentration of 40K was the highest in both marine and terrestrial samples. Mean values of 40K activity concentration are 1340 Bq/kg and 370 Bq/kg for the marine and terrestrial samples respectively. 234U/238U ratios analysis revealed that sea waters and sea spray are the main source of the uranium in the terrestrial samples. Average 230,232Th, 234,238U activity concentrations in the Antarctic biota do not exceed 6 Bq/kg. Weighted internal dose rates are relatively low; they range from approximately 0.1 to 0.6 μGy/h. Statistically significant differences in radionuclide accumulation were discovered between the mosses and lichens. It may point to various mechanisms of the nutrient absorption from the environment by these organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Szufa
- Department of Experimental and Applied Physics, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, Armii Krajowej 13/15, 42-200, Czestochowa, Poland; Institute of Nuclear Physics,Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342, Kraków, Poland.
| | - J W Mietelski
- Institute of Nuclear Physics,Polish Academy of Sciences, Radzikowskiego 152, 31-342, Kraków, Poland
| | - M A Olech
- Institute of Botany, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 3, 30-387, Kraków, Poland; Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Department of Antarctic Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5a, 02-109, Warszawa, Poland
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Szopińska M, Szumińska D, Bialik RJ, Dymerski T, Rosenberg E, Polkowska Ż. Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other organic pollutants in freshwaters on the western shore of Admiralty Bay (King George Island, Maritime Antarctica). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:18143-18161. [PMID: 31037533 PMCID: PMC6570687 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05045-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Organic contamination in freshwater samples has never been investigated at the western shore of Admiralty Bay. Therefore, the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in five different sites distributed along a shore running from the Arctowski Station to the Baranowski Glacier was studied. Moreover, organic compounds such as n-alkanes, toluene and ethylbenzene were also noted. Increased ΣPAHs in late Austral summer 2016 are the result of long-range atmospheric transport of air masses from South America, confirmed by 10-day backward air mass trajectories analysis. The presence of n-alkanes and other hydrocarbons, as well as the evaluation of PAH indices (e.g. ΣLMW/ΣHMW* > 1), shows the use of fuel and indicate local human activity. As a final conclusion, our analysis indicates a mixed origin of PAHs (global and local). The presence of PAHs and other hydrocarbons in the water environment may constitute a potentially negative effect on the Antarctic ecosystem and it should be investigated in detail during further research (//*ΣLMW-sum of low molecular weight PAHs (two- and three-ring PAHs); ΣHMW-sum of high molecular weight PAHs (four- and five-ring PAHs)//). Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Szopińska
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of Water and Waste Water Technology, Gdansk University of Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza St., 80-233, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Danuta Szumińska
- Institute of Geography, Kazimierz Wielki University, 8 Kościelecki Sq., 85-033, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Robert Józef Bialik
- Polish Academy of Science, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Pawińskiego 5a, 02-106, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Dymerski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza St., 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Erwin Rosenberg
- Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna University of Technology, Getreidemarkt 9/164 AC, A-1060, Vienna, Austria
| | - Żaneta Polkowska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Gdansk University of Technology, 11/12 Narutowicza St., 80-233, Gdańsk, Poland.
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Lizaga I, Gaspar L, Quijano L, Dercon G, Navas A. NDVI, 137Cs and nutrients for tracking soil and vegetation development on glacial landforms in the Lake Parón Catchment (Cordillera Blanca, Perú). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 651:250-260. [PMID: 30236842 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The present dominant trend of retreating and shrinking glaciers is leading to the formation of new soil in proglacial zones. The Cordillera Blanca located in the Peruvian Andes includes the Lake Parón catchment known for the Artesonraju Glacier and its rapid retreat, forming the largest proglacial lake in the region. This work aims to gain knowledge of soil and vegetation development on the most representative proglacial landforms existing in the Parón catchment. Previous research in proglacial environments suggests that soil properties might indicate different ages of ice retreat besides the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), which is known to be a powerful tool for assessing vegetation development. In the area surrounding Lake Parón up to the glacier tongue, an altitudinal transect (4200-4700 m a.s.l.) was established for sampling topsoils. A total of 40 surface soil samples (0-3 cm) were collected from the main glacial landforms, moraines, colluvium, glacio-fluvial terraces and alluvial fans, developed after different stages of glacier retreat. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and SOC fractions (active and stable), total nitrogen (TN) and 137Cs were analysed. A multitemporal analysis of NDVI was performed to assess the vegetation dynamics in the Parón catchment and over the different glacial landforms over time (1987-2018). The NDVI increase in recent decades indicates an expansion of vegetation cover and density. We compared NDVI values with the SOC and TN content to assess the relationships with vegetation growth in mountain soils. NDVI and the distribution of SOC and TN content show a positive correlation between vegetation evolution and the enrichment in soil nutrients that are more abundant in older moraines in coincidence with highest NDVI. These results outline the effect of shrinking mountain glaciers on generating new soils in parallel with the growth of vegetation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Lizaga
- Estación Experimental de Aula Dei, Spanish National Research Council (EEAD-CSIC), Avenida Montañana, 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Leticia Gaspar
- Estación Experimental de Aula Dei, Spanish National Research Council (EEAD-CSIC), Avenida Montañana, 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Laura Quijano
- Georges Lemaître Centre for Earth and Climate Research-Earth and Life Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium
| | - Gerd Dercon
- Soil and Water Management & Crop Nutrition Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, Seibersdorf, Austria
| | - Ana Navas
- Estación Experimental de Aula Dei, Spanish National Research Council (EEAD-CSIC), Avenida Montañana, 1005, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain.
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Oliva M, Pereira P, Antoniades D. The environmental consequences of permafrost degradation in a changing climate. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 616-617:435-437. [PMID: 29127797 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.10.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M Oliva
- Department of Geography, University of Barcelona, Spain.
| | - P Pereira
- Environmental Management Center, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - D Antoniades
- Department of Géographie, Centre d'Études Nordiques, Université Laval, Canada
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