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  • Nature Research  (2)
  • Springer  (2)
  • International Conference of Paleocenaography 13
  • 1
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    Alpha radiation from polymetallic nodules and potential health risks from deep-sea mining (2023)
    Nature Research
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-02-07
    Description: In search for critical elements, polymetallic nodules at the deep abyssal seafloor are targeted for mining operations. Nodules efficiently scavenge and retain several naturally occurring uranium-series radioisotopes, which predominantly emit alpha radiation during decay. Here, we present new data on the activity concentrations of thorium-230, radium-226, and protactinium-231, as well as on the release of radon-222 in and from nodules from the NE Pacific Ocean. In line with abundantly published data from historic studies, we demonstrate that the activity concentrations for several alpha emitters are often higher than 5 Bq g −1 at the surface of the nodules. These observed values can exceed current exemption levels by up to a factor of 1000, and even entire nodules commonly exceed these limits. Exemption levels are in place for naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) such as ores and slags, to protect the public and to ensure occupational health and radiation safety. In this context, we discuss three ways of radiation exposure from nodules, including the inhalation or ingestion of nodule fines, the inhalation of radon gas in enclosed spaces and the potential concentration of some radioisotopes during nodule processing. Seen in this light, inappropriate handling of polymetallic nodules poses serious health risks.
    Type: Article , PeerReviewed , info:eu-repo/semantics/article
    Format: text
    Format: text
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    OceanRep: Article in a Scientific Journal - peer-reviewed
  • 2
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    Fossil organic carbon utilization in marine Arctic fjord sediments by subsurface micro-organisms (2023)
    Nature Research
    Details
    Publication Date: 2024-02-07
    Description: Rock-derived or petrogenic organic carbon has traditionally been regarded as being non-bioavailable and bypassing the active carbon cycle when eroded. However, it has become apparent that this organic carbon might not be so inert, especially in fjord systems where petrogenic organic carbon influxes can be high, making its degradation another potential source of greenhouse gas emissions. The extent to which subsurface micro-organisms use this organic carbon is not well constrained, despite its potential impacts on global carbon cycling. Here, we performed compound-specific radiocarbon analyses on intact polar lipid–fatty acids of live micro-organisms from marine sediments in Hornsund Fjord, Svalbard. By this means, we estimate that local bacterial communities utilize between 5 ± 2% and 55 ± 6% (average of 25 ± 16%) of petrogenic organic carbon for their biosynthesis, providing evidence for the important role of petrogenic organic carbon as a substrate after sediment redeposition. We hypothesize that the lack of sufficient recently synthesized organic carbon from primary production forces micro-organisms into utilization of petrogenic organic carbon as an alternative energy source. The input of petrogenic organic carbon to marine sediments and subsequent utilization by subsurface micro-organisms represents a natural source of fossil greenhouse gas emissions over geological timescales.
    Type: Article , PeerReviewed
    Format: text
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    OceanRep: Article in a Scientific Journal - peer-reviewed
  • 3
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    A 220 year record of Antarctic Peninsula climate: the multi-proxy perspective (2019)
    International Conference of Paleocenaography 13
    In:  EPIC3International Conference of Paleocenaography 13, Sydney, 2019-09-02-2019-09-06International Conference of Paleocenaography 13
    Details
    Publication Date: 2020-06-09
    Description: The Western Antarctic Peninsula is an exceptionally climate-sensitive area and investigations into its environmental response to recent and past climate changes may support our understanding of the complex interactions in the ice-ocean-atmosphere system. Organic geochemical and micropaleontological analyses of a 210Pb-dated sediment core from the Bransfield Strait (located between the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands) reveal highly variable sea ice conditions over the past 200 years and increased phytoplankton productivity since the 1930s. Concentrations of biomarker lipids (highly branched isoprenoids (IPSO25), phytosterols) and diatom-based sea ice estimates are compared to satellite data and further environmental information derived from Antarctic Peninsula ice cores extending back in time beyond instrumental records. Fluctuations in the sedimentary abundance of the sea ice biomarker IPSO25 (Belt et al., 2016) and sea ice-associated diatom assemblages seem to be linked to changes in atmospheric (ENSO, SAM) and oceanic circulation patterns. Interestingly, both IPSO25- and diatom-based sea ice reconstructions for the spring and winter season, respectively, do not reflect the overall warming trend and sea ice decline observed in the study area over past decades (e.g., Stammerjohn et al., 2008). This observation may highlight the need for an improved understanding and more reasoned interpretations of proxy archives.
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Conference , notRev
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    PAPER (OA)
  • 4
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    Deglacial to Holocene variability in surface water characteristics and major floods in the Beaufort Sea (2020)
    Springer
    In:  EPIC3Communications Earth & Environment, Springer, 1(25), pp. 1-12
    Details
    Publication Date: 2020-10-15
    Description: Surface water characteristics of the Beaufort Sea have global climate implications during the last deglaciation and the Holocene, as (1) sea ice is a critical component of the climate system and (2) Laurentide Ice Sheet meltwater discharges via the Mackenzie River to the Arctic Ocean and further, to its outflow near the deep-water source area of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Here we present high-resolution biomarker records from the southern Beaufort Sea. Multi-proxy biomarker reconstruction suggests that the southern Beaufort Sea was nearly ice-free during the deglacial to Holocene transition, and a seasonal sea-ice cover developed during the mid-late Holocene. Superimposed on the long-term change, two events of high sediment flux were documented at ca. 13 and 11 kyr BP, respectively. The first event can be attributed to the Younger Dryas flood and the second event is likely related to a second flood and/or coastal erosion.
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , isiRev
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    PAPER (OA)
  • 5
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    Deglacial patterns of South Pacific overturning inferred from 231Pa and 230Th (2021)
    Springer
    In:  EPIC3Nature Scientific Reports, Springer, 11, pp. 20473
    Details
    Publication Date: 2021-10-28
    Description: The millennial‐scale variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is well documented for the last glacial termination and beyond. Despite its importance for the climate system, the evolution of the South Pacific overturning circulation (SPOC) is by far less well understood. A recently published study highlights the potential applicability of the 231Pa/230Th‐proxy in the Pacific. Here, we present five sedimentary down‐core profiles of 231Pa/230Th‐ratios measured on a depth transect from the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean to test this hypothesis using downcore records. Our data are consistent with an increase in SPOC as early as 20 ka that peaked during Heinrich Stadial 1. The timing indicates that the SPOC did not simply react to AMOC changes via the bipolar seesaw but were triggered via Southern Hemisphere processes.
    Repository Name: EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
    Type: Article , isiRev
    Format: application/pdf
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    PAPER (OA)
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