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At least 271 records · Page 15

Effect of fluctuating redox conditions on trace metal release from wetland soils from South Carolina and stream sediments from Tennessee

Natural aquatic systems undergo fluctuating redox conditions due to microbial activity, varying water saturation levels, and nutrients dynamics. With fluctuating oxic and anoxic conditions, trace metals can be mobilized or sequestered in response to changes in iron and sulfur speciation and the concentrations and lability of organic carbon. We conducted a systematic laboratory-based microcosm study to examine the effect of redox fluctuations on trace metal mobility in samples collected from two different natural aquatic systems: riparian wetlands and a stream. We incubated water-saturated soils under three cycles of anoxic-oxic conditions (τanoxic:τoxic = 3) spanning 24 days and monitored the change in dissolved and bioavailable metal (copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn)) concentrations. The dataset includes the results of the variation in metal concentrations due to redox fluctuations in wetland soils and stream sediments. Additionally, the variation in the bioavailable concentration of metals obtained using passive samplers based on diffuse gradient in thin-films technique is included in the dataset. We have also reported the change in the pH values and dissolved oxygen concentrations in the microcosms during the entire study of 24 days. The dataset also contains the dissolved organic carbon and sulfate concentrations, and the data on fractions of metals bound to reducible and oxidizable phases. For materials from both the wetlands and the stream, anoxic conditions favored Co and Zn release, which corresponded with the reductive dissolution of iron oxides. In contrast, dissolved Cu concentrations increased under oxic conditions for both sites and correlated positively with the release of sulfate. In wetland soils, dissolution of Fe (hydr)oxides increased Ni solubility; however, in stream sediments, Ni release occurred when sulfides or organic matter were oxidized. For stream sediments, each subsequent redox cycle increased the bioavailability of trace metals. Upon redox fluctuations in wetland soils, the bioavailability of Zn and Cu increased, whereas bioavailable Ni and Co decreased. This study illustrates that different trace metals display distinct bioavailability patterns during oxic-anoxic fluctuations in natural environments. The biogeochemical cycling of carbon and nitrogen in systems with redox fluctuations may be influenced by these patterns in trace metal availability in addition to the availability of electron donors and acceptors.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Metagenome-assembled genomes from East River floodplain sediments near Crested Butte, CO, USA (June to September 2019)

Microorganisms play a key role in cycling nutrients and contaminants in the terrestrial environment depending on their genetic potential. Here, we present metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) for the bacterial and archaeal community in floodplain sediment samples taken in 2019 in June (flooded conditions) and September (drained conditions) at two locations (MCB1 and MCB3) near the Meander C/Pumphouse floodplain sites of the East River. Sediment cores were collected from 2 depths, a near-surface, generally unsaturated depth (30-40 centimeter (cm) depth below surface) and a deeper depth influenced by flooding with redoximorphic features (70-80 cm depth below surface). Sediments were homogenized from the 10 cm core for microbial analyses. A total of 24 metagenomes were sequenced through the Joint genome institute (JGI) corresponding to 8 samples sequenced in triplicate. These metagenomes can be found under Genomes Online Database (GOLD) sequencing project: Gs0141020. Metagenomes were assembled, binned, and refined using metawrap to generate MAGs (>50% complete and < 10% contamination based on checkM scores). This dataset includes a zip file of 436 MAG fasta files and a csv file with quality, taxonomic classification (Genome Taxonomy Database Release RS220), and metagenome accessions for MAGs. This dataset also includes a file-level metadata (flmd.csv) file that lists each file contained in the dataset with associated metadata and a data dictionary (dd.csv) file that contains column/row headers used throughout the files along with a definition, units, and data type.This work was supported by the Watershed Function Science Focus Area at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory funded by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231. Part of this work was performed at SLAC Accelerator Laboratory funded by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research under Contract No. DE-AC02-76SF00515.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Metagenome-assembled genomes from East River floodplain sediments near Crested Butte, CO, USA (June to September 2017)

Microorganisms play a key role in cycling nutrients and contaminants in the terrestrial environment depending on their genetic potential. Here, we present metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) for the bacterial and archaeal community in floodplain sediment samples taken in 2017 in June (flooded conditions) and September (drained conditions) at two locations (MCB1 and MCB3) in an active meander (Meander C) of the East River. Sediment cores were collected from 2 depths, a near-surface, generally unsaturated depth (15-40 centimeter (cm) depth below surface) and a deeper depth influenced by flooding with redoximorphic features (50-88 cm depth below surface). Sediments were homogenized from the ~10 cm cores for microbial analyses. A total of 24 metagenomes were sequenced through the Joint genome institute (JGI) corresponding to 8 samples sequenced in triplicate. These metagenomes can be found under Genomes Online Database (GOLD) sequencing project: Gs0151851. Metagenomes were assembled, binned, and refined using metawrap to generate MAGs (>50% complete and < 10% contamination based on checkM scores). This dataset includes a zip file of 405 MAG fasta files and a csv file with quality, taxonomic classification (Genome Taxonomy Database Release RS220), and metagenome accessions for MAGs. This dataset also includes a file-level metadata (flmd.csv) file that lists each file contained in the dataset with associated metadata and a data dictionary (dd.csv) file that contains column/row headers used throughout the files along with a definition, units, and data type.This work was supported by the Watershed Function Science Focus Area at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory funded by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231. Part of this work was performed at SLAC Accelerator Laboratory funded by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research under Contract No. DE-AC02-76SF00515.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Metagenome-assembled genomes from East River floodplain sediments near Crested Butte, CO, USA (May to September 2018)

Microorganisms play a key role in cycling nutrients and contaminants in the terrestrial environment depending on their genetic potential. Here, we present metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) for the bacterial and archaeal community in floodplain sediment samples taken in 2018 in May (flooded conditions) and September (drained conditions) at two locations (MCB1 and MCB3) near the Meander C/Pumphouse floodplain sites of the East River. Sediment cores were collected from 2 depths, a near-surface, generally unsaturated depth (30-40 centimeter (cm) depth below surface) and a deeper depth influenced by flooding with redoximorphic features (70-80 cm depth below surface). Sediments were homogenized from the 10 cm core for microbial analyses. A total of 24 metagenomes were sequenced through the Joint genome institute (JGI) corresponding to 8 samples sequenced in triplicate. These metagenomes can be found under Genomes Online Database (GOLD) sequencing project: Gs0141020. Metagenomes were assembled, binned, and refined using metawrap to generate MAGs (>50% complete and < 10% contamination based on checkM scores). This dataset includes a zip file of 478 MAG fasta files and a csv file with quality, taxonomic classification (Genome Taxonomy Database Release RS220), and metagenome accessions for MAGs. This dataset also includes a file-level metadata (flmd.csv) file that lists each file contained in the dataset with associated metadata and a data dictionary (dd.csv) file that contains column/row headers used throughout the files along with a definition, units, and data type.This work was supported by the Watershed Function Science Focus Area at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory funded by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231. Part of this work was performed at SLAC Accelerator Laboratory funded by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, Biological and Environmental Research under Contract No. DE-AC02-76SF00515.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Zero Resistance Ammetry (ZRA) Measurements of Sediment Electrochemical Gradients, Old Woman Creek, Ohio, USA, June–November 2022

This dataset contains raw and processed zero resistance ammetry (ZRA) measurements collected from wetland sediments at Old Woman Creek, a freshwater estuary on Lake Erie, Ohio, USA, between June and November 2022. Measurements were obtained using a vertically deployed electrode array positioned at multiple depths within the sediment profile to capture electrochemical gradients associated with microbial activity and sediment geochemistry. The raw dataset consists of parsed instrument log files containing timestamps, electrode pair identifiers, and measured electrical potential (mV). The processed dataset includes standardized and quality-controlled values with instrument saturation limits removed and timestamps converted to ISO 8601 format. Electrode line identifiers were mapped to physical depths, enabling interpretation of depth-resolved electrochemical gradients. Instrument saturation values (−2048, −2047, 2047, and 2048 mV) were identified as measurement limits and excluded from quantitative analyses. All data parsing, processing, and quality control steps are documented in an accompanying R Markdown script, ensuring full reproducibility from raw instrument logs to final datasets.

EARTH SCIENCE > AGRICULTURE > SOILS > ELECTRICAL C↗

Sediment Mineralogy Data Review for the Hanford Central Plateau

The compendium of Hanford site sediment mineralogy data provided in this report was initiated in 2012 to support flux mitigation technologies and real-time monitoring that could limit contaminant fluxes to the groundwater in the Central Plateau. Recent efforts in advancing spectral induced polarization as a method for monitoring contaminant transformations for active biogeochemical remedies have underscored the need for a published compendium of sediment characterization data. Although the data are primarily focused on the mineralogical composition of Hanford sediments, other soil measurements such as particle size distribution such as particle size distribution and carbon content are provided. The data have been reproduced from the original reports and are provided here for information only (FIO).

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Rare Earth Elements (REE) and Critical Minerals (CM) in Middle Pennsylvanian-Age Coals and Associated Sediments in the Central Appalachian Basin, Eastern U.S.A.

The Central Appalachian Basin (CAB) of Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Virginia has a long history of coal mining and oil and gas extraction that has empowered the regional and national economies, the development of infrastructure, and a highly trained energy resources work force. As our societal demands for advanced technologies have rapidly increased in recent years, coal-related materials are viewed as an important new unconventional domestic source of critical minerals (CM) that are required for telecommunications, aerospace and transportation industries, electronics, the transition to low-carbon emissions energy production, and many consumer products. Coal-related materials encompass coal, associated sediments, coal mining waste materials, produced waters, and ash residues from coal-fired power plants. An important objective of the Evolve Central Appalachia Project (Evolve CAPP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is to assess the quantity and distribution of CM resources in the CAB region. The rare earth elements (REE) are considered highest priority, although other important CM such as niobium, gallium, and zirconium are known to occur in the Middle Pennsylvanian-age coals and sediments. Working with coal industry partners who provided access to drill cores, coal-related sediments and waste materials, over 600 samples have been collected for laboratory analysis, and over 730 materials have been scanned using portable x-ray fluorescence (pXRF) equipment. The application of pXRF provides the means for real-time semiquantitative analysis of CM content at very close spacings (typically 2-3 inch intervals) along drill core and in-situ channel samples that span the roof, coal seam, and floor rock. The comparison of pXRF geochemical data with laboratory results, geologic data, and downhole spectral gamma logs can provide high resolution input to lithologic and depositional models for future CM resource evaluations. The preliminary findings show that pXRF is capable of accurately measuring low concentrations of many of the CM with a high level of confidence (Ba, Cr, Ga, K, Nb, Rb, Sr, Th, Y), whereas for others (La, Ce, Co, Mn, Nd, Ni, Sc, Ti, V) the detection limits are very high or spectral interferences increase the uncertainty. Notably, the mean abundances of Y (34 ppm), La (86 ppm), Ga (40 ppm), and V (146 ppm) in coal underclays in the CAB region are up to 7X enriched compared with the overlying coal. These values also exceed the reported concentrations in published reference materials for upper continental crustal rocks (Rudnick and Gao, 2003), North American Shale Composite (Gromet et al., 1984), and North American coal (Finkelman, 1993). The pXRF data are in part verified by laboratory results that indicate the mean Y abundance (36 ppm) is highly correlated (R2 = 0.807) with total REE (ΣREE). The correlation is even higher (R2 = 0.957) with heavy REE (ΣHREE). Applying these correlations to the pXRF data for the coal underclays, the mean estimated values for ΣREE+Y and ΣHREE+Y are 270 ppm and 58 ppm, respectively. Although these average values are not considered high, the range of Y measured by pXRF in the coal underclays extended as high as 114 ppm, which would suggest ΣREE+Y equal to 847 ppm. The mean abundances of Zr (192 ppm) and Th (21 ppm) in coal underclays are also enriched compared with the overlying coal and these results likely reflect the presence of resistant detrital heavy minerals such as monazite, xenotime, and zircon in the underclay matrix. Several of the profiled coal seams and associated wall rocks contained thin volcanic ash layers up to 4-5 inches in thickness. The extent to which these ash fall layers provided a source for CM under the paleoenvironmental conditions that resulted in coal deposits in the CAB remains to be fully studied. Continuing investigations in the Evolve CAPP study area will include laboratory determinations of mineralogic and clay compositions, and evaluations of CM geochemical mobility in the coal and coal underclays.

Lassetter, Billy↗

Hydrological dataset for reservoir sedimentation in Texas

This dataset provides comprehensive hydrological information about reservoir sedimentation in Texas, including observed and remotely sensed sediment concentration, river discharge, watershed boundary, lake geometry, reservoir capacity, land use and land cover (LULC), and population data. In-depth interpretation of the dataset is elaborated in in a journal article, entitled " Sedimentation and nonlinear trapping in Texas reservoirs identified using remote sensing and bathymetric survey records (will be accepted soon at Water Resources Research)."

Lee, Jiyong [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL),↗

Baltic Sea coastal sediment-bound eukaryotes have increased year-round activities under predicted climate change related warming

Climate change related warming is a serious environmental problem attributed to anthropogenic activities, causing ocean water temperatures to rise in the coastal marine ecosystem since the last century. This particularly affects benthic microbial communities, which are crucial for biogeochemical cycles. While bacterial communities have received considerable scientific attention, the benthic eukaryotic community response to climate change remains relatively overlooked. In this study, sediments were sampled from a heated (average 5°C increase over the whole year for over 50 years) and a control (contemporary conditions) Baltic Sea bay during four different seasons across a year. RNA transcript counts were then used to investigate eukaryotic community changes under long-term warming. The composition of active species in the heated and control bay sediment eukaryotic communities differed, which was mainly attributed to salinity and temperature. The family level RNA transcript alpha diversity in the heated bay was higher during May but lower in November, compared with the control bay, suggesting altered seasonal activity patterns and dynamics. In addition, structures of the active eukaryotic communities varied between the two bays during the same season. Hence, this study revealed that long-term warming can change seasonality in eukaryotic diversity patterns. Relative abundances and transcript expression comparisons between bays suggested that some taxa that now have lower mRNA transcripts numbers could be favored by future warming. Furthermore, long-term warming can lead to a more active metabolism in these communities throughout the year, such as higher transcript numbers associated with diatom energy production and protein synthesis in the heated bay during winter. In all, these data can help predict how future global warming will affect the ecology and metabolism of eukaryotic community in coastal sediments.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Environmental DNA Detection in Marine Macrophyte Ecosystems as a Potential Blue Carbon Source in Sediments

“Blue carbon” refers to the carbon sequestered by the world’s oceanic and coastal ecosystems, particularly through coastal vegetation such as mangroves, salt marshes, seagrasses, and marine macroalgae. These ecosystems play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle by serving as significant carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in biomass and sediments over long periods. This study explores the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect marine macrophytes and microalgae assemblages contributing to blue carbon in sediments across various coastal ecosystems. The research addresses the challenges of traditional monitoring methods by utilizing high-throughput sequencing of the 18S-V9 region amplified using eDNA from sediment samples collected at eight locations in the United States and South Korea. The results reveal a diverse array of taxa, underscoring the variability in community composition across different conditions. Notably, sites with seagrass beds and Ulva blooms showed distinct patterns in microalgal community structure. This study underscores the potential of eDNA analysis in providing comprehensive insights into the biodiversity of marine macrophyte ecosystems, thus informing conservation efforts and enhancing the understanding of marine ecological dynamics.

Xing, Qikun (ORCID:0000000206179027)↗

Evidence of cryptic methane cycling and non-methanogenic methylamine consumption in the sulfate-reducing zone of sediment in the Santa Barbara Basin, California

The recently discovered cryptic methane cycle in the sulfate-reducing zone of marine and wetland sediment couples methylotrophic methanogenesis to anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM). Here we present evidence of cryptic methane cycling activity within the upper regions of the sulfate-reducing zone, along a depth transect within the Santa Barbara Basin, off the coast of California, USA. The top 0–20 cm of sediment from each station was subjected to geochemical analyses and radiotracer incubations using 35 S–SO$^{2-}_{4}$, 14 C–mono-methylamine, and 14 C–CH 4 to find evidence of cryptic methane cycling. Methane concentrations were consistently low (3 to 16 µM) across the depth transect, despite AOM rates increasing with decreasing water depth (from max 0.05 nmol cm -3 d -1 at the deepest station to max 1.8 nmol cm -3 d -1 at the shallowest station). Porewater sulfate concentrations remained high (23 to 29 mM), despite the detection of sulfate reduction activity from 35 S–SO$^{2-}_{4}$ incubations with rates up to 134 nmol cm -3 d -1 . Metabolomic analysis showed that substrates for methanogenesis (i.e., acetate, methanol and methylamines) were mostly below the detection limit in the porewater, but some samples from the 1–2 cm depth section showed non-quantifiable evidence of these substrates, indicating their rapid turnover. Estimated methanogenesis from mono-methylamine ranged from 0.2 to 0.5 nmol cm -3 d -1 . Discrepancies between the rate constants (k) of methanogenesis (from 14 C–mono-methylamine) and AOM (from either 14 C–mono-methylamine-derived 14 C–CH 4 or from directly injected 14 C–CH 4 ) suggest the activity of a separate, concurrent metabolic process directly metabolizing mono-methylamine to inorganic carbon. We conclude that the results presented in this work show strong evidence of cryptic methane cycling occurring within the top 20 cm of sediment in the Santa Barbara Basin. The rapid cycling of carbon between methanogenesis and methanotropy likely prevents major build-up of methane in the sulfate-reducing zone. Furthermore, our data suggest that methylamine is utilized by both methanogenic archaea capable of methylotrophic methanogenesis and non-methanogenic microbial groups. We hypothesize that sulfate reduction is responsible for the additional methylamine turnover, but further investigation is needed to elucidate this metabolic activity.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Evaluation of submarine strain-gage systems for monitoring coastal sediment migration

Single and multiple strain-gage systems were respectively evaluated as in situ point and areal sensors for monitoring sand-height variations in coastal environments. Static loading tests indicate that gage response pressure is linear for sand heights up to 24 inches. Response pressures are a function of both sand height and aggregate density, with density being influenced by both sediment texture and degree of compaction. Poorer sediment sorting and greater compaction result in higher response pressures. Field tests in a beach foreshore environment indicate that the gage systems are effective qualitative instruments for monitoring long-period migration trends of beach sediments; whereas, short-period responses are not sufficiently reliable. The durability and compactness of the gage systems must be substantially increased for effective field operations. It is recommended that the systems' qualitative potentials be further developed, whereas their development as quantitative instruments be terminated. Further development should emphasize the construction of remote recording systems designed for semipermanent installation.

Shideler, G. L.↗

A study of sediment transport and erosion in the Fourchon area of south Louisiana

Aerial photography in the form of color infrared and color positive transparencies were used as aids in evaluating the rate and effect of erosion and sediment transport in Bay Champagne, a coastal marshland of Louisiana. Problems were found in the aerial photography method used. Vegetational differences do not always reflect sediment differences. Only areas containing different soils and sediments are easily defined with aerial photography. The shoreline erosion rate is 75 to 100 ft/yr. Areas which are undergoing erosion shift due to changes in wave refraction. In canals and channels with strong currents, erosion also occurs at a rapid rate. It is recommended that drainage patterns be studied carefully before breaches are made as man-made breaches could reverse drainage.

Self, R. P.↗

Thermal alteration of organic matter in recent marine sediments. 1: Pigments

Sediment from Tanner Basin, the outer continental shelf off Southern California, was analyzed for photosynthetic pigments and their derivatives, namely carotenes and chlorins. Samples of the sediment were also exposed to raised temperatures (65, 100, 150 C) for various periods of time (1 week, 1 month, 2 months). Analysis of the heat-treated sediment revealed the presence of alpha-ionene and 2,6-dimethylnapthalene, thermal degradation products of Betacarotente. Chlorins were converted to nickel porphyrins of both DPEP and etio series. Possible mechanisms of these transformations are presented.

Ikan, R.↗

Radionuclides in Chesapeake Bay sediments

Natural and manmade gamma-ray emitting radionuclides were measured in Chesapeake Bay sediments taken near the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant site. Samples represented several water depths, at six locations, for five dates encompassing a complete seasonal cycle. Radionuclide contents of dry sediments ranged as follows: Tl-208, 40 to 400 pCi/kg; Bi-214, 200 to 800 pCi/kg; K, 0.04 to 2.1 percent; Cs-137 5 to 1900 pCi/kg; Ru106, 40 to 1000 pCikg Co60, 1 to 27 pCi/kg. In general, radionuclide contents were positively correlated with each other and negatively correlated with sediment grain size.

Cressy, P. J., Jr.↗

An estimate of the influence of sediment concentration and type on remote sensing penetration depth for various coastal waters

Under the assumptions of collimated light, a homogenous water column, zero molecular scattering, and constant ratio of volume scattering function to scattering coefficient, estimates of the remote sensing depth parameter, Z90, are made for various coastal waters at 540 nm. Calculations indicate that sediment concentration and type have a strong influence on remote sensing depth when concentrations are below 5 mg/theta. Above 5 mg/theta, the absorption coefficient of the sediments becomes large in comparison to that of water, causing Z90 values to be less than 2 m with only small differences between various sediment types.

Whitlock, C. H.↗

Organic constituents in eolian dust and surface sediments from northwest Africa

Samples of eolian dust and comparably sized desert surface sediment samples collected over widely scattered regions of northwest Africa were analyzed for carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen content and total carbohydrate. Infrared analysis and gas chromatographic analysis were also performed on organic components extracted from several of these samples. Although the total carbon content of the eolian dust samples varies from 2.8 to 7.0% by weight, the organic carbon component is relatively uniform at 2.9 + or - 0.5%. By comparison, the average organic carbon content of the African surface sediments is 0.7 + or - 0.5%. Total carbohydrate content averages 0.128% for the dust and 0.022% for the desert sediments. It is shown that these desert regions are not presently the principal sources of eolian material transported over the North Atlantic Ocean.

Lepple, F. K.↗

Carotenoid diagenesis in a marine sediment

The major carotenoids at three levels (3, 40, and 175 m below the sediment-water interface) in a core from a marine sediment (Cariaco Trench, off Venezuela) have been examined. Mass and electronic spectral data have provided evidence for the onset of a progressive reduction of carotenoids in the geological column. The time scale of the process appears to depend on the particular carotenoid. Reduction of up to two double bonds is observed for the diol, zeaxanthin, in the oldest sediment (about 340,000 years old) but no reduction is observed in the younger samples (about 5000 and 56,000 years old). The diketone, canthaxanthin, shows evidence of reduction of up to two double bonds in the 56,000-yr sample and up to five double bonds in the oldest sample. No reduction of beta-carotene was observed in any of the samples.

Watts, C. D.↗