During a 2019 Chilean Antarctic Scientific Expedition (ECA 55) studying crustose coralline algae (CCA) diversity on the Antarctic Peninsula, bleaching of these algae was observed for the first time in this region. Here, we present initial findings on the physiological state of bleached and normally pigmented CCA (Clathromorphum sp.) assessed using chlorophyll-a fluorescence induction pulse amplitude modulation. The study site experienced high light exposure and salinity in the water column. Our analyses found that bleached CCA have relatively healthy photophysiology responses but lower photosynthetic efficiency, which could be associated with the low salinities recorded in the study area. However, seasonal monitoring and mesocosm experiments across the southern polar latitudes are urgently required to confirm this hypothesis.

Among the most widely distributed species globally, common reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.) has generated extensive interest in invasive plant science and management because its introduced strains are highly invasive and often form monocultures that alter ecosystem properties. In desert wetlands in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, where management goals included reducing hazardous P. australis fuels and increasing native plant diversity, we assessed variation in P. australis cover, the degree of native plant colonization, and soil seed banks after P. australis management treatments (cutting, glyphosate-imazapyr herbicide) and wildfires across gradients in soil properties. Based on change in P. australis cover during six measurement events over 24 months, 24 study sites formed three groups: 1) decreasing cover, where initially high P. australis cover (60-85%) decreased to < 5% following multiple cutting or herbicide treatments; 2) sustaining low cover, where wildfire or clearing was associated with initially low P. australis cover which remained low (< 30%) after multiple herbicide applications; and 3) sustaining high cover (45-100% initially and remaining 30-100%), including sites unmanaged or treated/burned only once. High soil salinity correlated with low post-management P. australis cover. No native plants were detected in the sustaining high P. australis cover group, despite natives occurring in the seed bank. Where management reduced P. australis cover, minimal native plant colonization did occur. Secondary invasion by other non-native plants was nearly absent. Our results suggest that if P. australis can be initially cleared, multiple herbicide applications can persistently keep cover low, especially on drier, saline soils. Slow native plant colonization suggests that a phased approach may be useful to initially reduce P. australis cover, keep it low via repeated treatments, and actively revegetate sites with native species tailored to the moisture-salinity gradient across P. australis-invaded habitats.

Tropical ageratum (Ageratum conyzoides L.) is a problematic weed frequently observed in association with commercially important crops in Australian agroecosystems. Knowledge of the germination response of A. conyzoides is crucial for proactively managing this weed species, especially when herbicide resistance is involved. Herbicide screening and metsulfuron dose–response experiments were conducted on two separate populations of A. conyzoides (referred to as Sugarcane and Roadside) in an open environment to identify a metsulfuron-resistant population. Based on the survival percentage in the metsulfuron dose–response experiment, the Sugarcane population was found to be 54 times more resistant compared with the metsulfuron-susceptible population (Roadside). Subsequent laboratory experiments were performed to investigate the differential germination response of the two populations. No germination or emergence difference was observed between the Sugarcane and Roadside populations under various thermal regimes (15/5 to 35/25 C with a 12/12-h photoperiod), salinity levels (0 to 320 mM), osmotic potentials (0 to −1.6 MPa), and burial depths (1 to 4 cm). However, different environmental conditions significantly impacted the germination and emergence of A. conyzoides. Ageratum conyzoides germinated over a wide range of temperatures, with the highest germination rate (>90%) occurring at 30/20 C. With increasing levels of salinity, osmotic potential, and burial depth, the germination/emergence of A. conyzoides declined and was completely inhibited at 300 mM salinity, −0.8 MPa osmotic potential, and a 1-cm burial depth. The data generated from this study will be useful in developing a model-based approach to predict the occurrence of this weed species and thus aid in designing ecologically sustainable integrated weed management protocols.

The pH of Na-saturated, carbonate-containing and carbonate-free Leda clay, at salinities of 2 and 10 g/liter, was decreased from pH 8 to 4 by the addition of HCl. The Bingham yield stress, as determined with a coaxial viscometer, increased in all materials as the pH decreased. Above about pH 7 the 2-g/liter materials had a lower yield stress at any water content than the 10-g/liter materials, whereas, below about pH 6.8 the yield stress of the carbonate-containing soil at a salinity of 10 g/liter was lower. For the carbonate-free material, the change occurred at about pH 6.2. The influence of salinity on the remolded shear strength of these materials was pH-dependent. A yield stress increase with decreasing pH was likely due to a change in ion saturation. The carbonate-free material exhibited a maximum yield stress at about pH 5.5–6.2, depending on salinity. The isoelectric points for oxides and clay mineral edges most probably account for the existence of the maximum.

Changes in hydraulic conductivity (HC) and clay dispersion of smectite-sand mixtures as a function of exchangeable Na in Na-Ca and Na-Mg systems were measured. The charge density on the smectites had no effect on Na-Ca and Na-Mg equilibrium, and the affinity of the clays for Na was similar in both systems. A decrease in HC at 0.01 M concentration was found to be due to clay swelling. Mg was found to be less effective than Ca in preventing the breakdown of the packets by low concentrations of exchangeable Na, and Na-Mg-smectite swelled more than Na-Ca-smectites.

Na-Mg-clay particles dispersed more readily than Na-Ca-clay particles when the mixtures were leached with distilled water; however, if the electrolyte concentration in the clay-sand mixture was controlled by the leaching solutions, no difference between the Na-Mg- and Na-Ca-clays was noted. Thus, the effect of Mg on clay mixtures leached with distilled water was apparently due to the effect of Mg on the hydrolysis of the clays. Increase in charge density increased the stability of the R2+ clay packets, and higher concentrations of Na were needed to break the packets. Mg was less effective than Ca in stabilizing the packets, and lower concentrations of Na were needed to break the Mg-packets.

Changes in hydraulic conductivity of smectite-sand mixtures (using four reference smectites) as a function of the concentration (0.01, 0.003, 0.002, 0.001 M Cl- and distilled water) and potassium adsorption ratio (of 2, 4, and 6) of the percolating solution were measured. Swelling and dispersion of the clays were evaluated from the changes in hydraulic conductivity of the mixture and from the clay concentration in the effluent.

The effect of exchangeable potassium percentage (EPP) on the hydraulic conductivity of the smectites depended on the charge density of the clays. The effect of potassium at EPPs <20 on the hydraulic conductivity of smectites having high charge density was negligible. Conversely, the hydraulic conductivity of smectites having low charge density (smectites from Wyoming and Belle Fourche, South Dakota), changed markedly when leached with dilute solutions as the EPP of the clay increased. The dispersive effect of exchangeable potassium on low-charge smectites was similar to that of exchangeable sodium. The low hydration energy of the K+ cations, coupled with the strong electrostatic attraction forces between platelets of smectites with high charge density account for the “inefficiency” of K+ in dispersing these smectites.

Changes in hydraulic conductivity and clay dispersivity of clay-sand mixtures (four reference smectites and Fithian illite) as a function of concentration (0.01 M Cl− and distilled water) and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR ≤ 30) of the percolating solution were measured. In addition, the effect of sand percentage, sand particle size, and addition of AlCl3 and FeCl3 on the hydraulic conductivity of the mixtures were measured.

Clay dispersion and migration out of the 3% clay columns was substantial. The clay dispersed only in the distilled water system; dispersion increased with an increase in the percentage of exchangeable Na and was about the same for the Wyoming montmorillonite and Fithian illite. Conversely, the clay swelled in the 0.01 M Cl− solution. The swelling of the montmorillonites increased in the order: Upton, Wyoming = Belle Fourche, South Dakota > Polkville, Mississippi > Otay, California, and was higher than that of the Fithian illite. The swelling and dispersion of the clay accounted for the changes in hydraulic conductivity.

Mixtures treated with FeCl3 and AlCl3 were leached with NaCl-CaCl2 solutions until the pH of the effluent exceeded 6.5. The composition of the exchangeable phase was then determined by the SAR of the leach solutions. At pH > 6.5, the polycations hydrolyzed and were present as the hydroxy-polymer species. The hydraulic conductivity of the mixtures decreased as exchangeable Na increased, but the decrease was less than in untreated mixtures, AlCl3 was more effective in maintaining hydraulic conductivity than FeCl3. In montmorillonite clay with an ESP of 20, less than 5% of a complete Al-interlayer was enough to prevent a reduction in hydraulic conductivity. Packets in the day systems tested explain the high efficiency of the Fe and Al polycations.

Climate variability is expected to increase due to climate change, with projected increases in temperature and erratic rainfall patterns. These changes will alter the environmental cues sensed by seeds, and therefore will impact plant recruitment. This study investigated the effects of seed functional traits (germinability, germination time, synchrony and seed mass) on germination responses of several sub-tropical native Australian plant species under different environmental factors (water stress, salinity and pH). The effect of a hot water pre-treatment was also tested on Fabaceae seeds with known physical dormancy. Seed traits, environmental factors and seed pre-treatments had significant effects on final germination percentage and germination time. Seed mass and time to 50% germination (t50) were also positively correlated. In contrast, pH did not affect germination and there was no interaction between pH and any of the measured seed functional traits. Some species showed a high thermal tolerance to germination and germination was indifferent to light conditions for all species. Results showed that certain seed functional traits interact with environmental factors to influence germination percentage and time. These findings highlight the importance of considering seed functional traits when determining a species germination response under a changing climate. In addition, the findings provide important knowledge to better guide seed-based land restoration programmes.

The layer charge characteristics of expanding phyllosilicates in four salt-affected soils in Alberta, Canada were investigated using X-ray diffraction analysis of alkylammonium saturated samples. The layer charge was found to be lower and more heterogeneous than previously reported for non-saline Alberta soils, with the mean layer charge ranging between 0.261 to 0.339 tool (—)/O10(OH)2. Layer charge characteristics varied inconsistently with location, depth and particle size, likely the result of both different origins and weathering processes. Different degrees of K depletion from the micaceous component after equilibration with alkylammonium compounds may also account for some variability between samples. Extreme broadening and essential disappearance of smectite diffraction maxima was noted for some samples after intercalation with alkylammonium cations of all carbon chain lengths, indicating unusual alteration of the layer charge characteristics in some salt-affected soils.

Particle–particle interactions in natural clays can be evaluated by their rheological behavior, but the results are often affected by the physicochemical properties of the clays. The behaviors of two fundamentally different types of clays (low-activity and high-activity) differ with respect to salinity and a time factor (duration of shearing at a given shear rate): illite-rich Jonquiere clay (low-activity clay, Canada) and montmorillonite-rich Wyoming bentonite (high-activity clay, USA). The purpose of the present study was to investigate these different behaviors. Most natural clays exhibit shear-thinning and thixotropic behavior with respect to salinity and the volumetric concentration of the solids. Natural clays also exhibit time-dependent non-Newtonian behavior. In terms of index value and shear strength, lowactivity and high-activity clays are known to exhibit contrasting responses to salinity. The geotechnical and rheological characteristics as a function of salinity and the shearing time for the given materials are compared here. The clay minerals were compared to estimate the inherent shear strengths, such as remolded shear strength (which is similar to the yield strength). Low-activity clay exhibits thixotropic behavior in a time-dependent manner. High-activity clay is also thixotropic for a short period of shearing, although rare cases of rheopectic behavior have been measured for long periods of shearing at high shear rates. The change from thixotropic to rheopectic behavior by bentonite clay has little effect at low shearing speeds, but appears to have a significant effect at higher speeds.

Salinity is one of the major environmental stresses limiting growth and yield of rice. The objective of the present study was to analyze the impact of NaCl on yield-related parameters of Oryza glaberrima. Two contrasted cultivars of Oryza glaberrima previously tested for salt resistance at the vegetative stage [salt-resistant (TOG5307) and salt-sensitive (TOG5949)] were irrigated with a saline solution containing 30 mM NaCl (EC: 3 dS.m−1 NaCl). After 6 months of treatments, mineral nutrient and yield-related parameters were assessed. Proline was quantified in the panicle leaf at the start of the grain filling stage. NaCl treatment affected most yield-related parameters: panicle length, panicle leaf dry weight, number of branches per panicle, panicle leaf length, days to 50% heading, straw fresh weight per plant, grain yield per plant, number of spikelets per panicle, and number of filled grains per panicle. The weight of 1,000 grains decreased in the salt-sensitive cultivar only, suggesting that grain filling processes were compromised. The salt-resistant cultivar TOG5307 was less affected than the salt-sensitive TOG5949 and accumulated lower amounts of Na+ in the grains. For both cultivars, hulls contained higher concentration of Na+ and K+ than grains. TOG5307 also contained more proline in the panicle leaf than TOG5949, suggesting that TOG5307 can cope with the osmotic component of salt stress. The cultivar exhibiting the highest salt resistance at the vegetative stage also exhibited the highest resistance at the reproductive one.

Molluscs are a diverse phylum in coastal lagoons because the numerous taxa collectively display broad ranges of optima and tolerance with respect to ambient conditions. We report on the taxonomic composition, habitat preferences and feeding guilds of molluscs from Río Lagartos coastal lagoon, Mexico. Molluscs were collected in the rainy season (September/October 2017), during the winter (Nortes) season (February 2018) and at the end of the warm, dry season (May 2018). Samples were taken using a Ponar dredge, a cylindrical PVC core barrel, or a beach seine. We studied the abiotic characteristics (sediment grain-size distributions, submersed aquatic vegetation abundance and salinity) to explore assemblage differences across the broad salinity gradient that characterizes the system (~30–78 PSU). Molluscs were represented by 39 species, 34 genera, 23 families and two classes. Stenohaline species were more numerous overall than euryhaline species, but their occurrence in samples was low (<20% of the samples). Stenohaline taxa lived primarily in environments characterized by marine salinity, and few were found under hypersaline conditions. We collected a smaller number of species than did studies carried out in the lagoon >35 years ago. Species accumulation curves revealed that the full species richness was not captured in our study. Euhaline environments displayed greater mollusc species richness and had a larger proportion of amount (mass) of submersed aquatic vegetation. In the hypersaline environments, species richness may be favoured by the lower dominance of sands. Suspension feeders were the most diverse group in both the euhaline and hyperhaline environments.

This 62-d research aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary lysine levels (DLL) and salinity on growth performance and nutrition metabolism of genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT) juveniles (Oreochromis niloticus). Six diets with lysine supplementation (1·34, 1·70, 2·03, 2·41, 2·72 and 3·04 % of DM) were formulated under different cultured salinities in a two-factorial design. The results indicated that supplemental lysine improved the specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain (WG) and decreased the feed conversion ratio (FCR). Meanwhile, the fish had higher SGR and WG and lower FCR at 8 ‰ salinity. Except for moisture, the whole-body protein, lipid and ash content of GIFT were increased by 8 ‰ salinity, which showed that DLL (1·34 %) increased the whole-body fat content and DLL (2·41 %) increased whole-body protein content. Appropriate DLL up-regulated mRNA levels of protein metabolism-related genes such as target of rapamycin, 4EBP-1 and S6 kinase 1. However, 0 ‰ salinity reduced these protein metabolism-related genes mRNA levels, while proper DLL could improve glycolysis and gluconeogenesis mRNA levels but decrease lipogenesis-related genes mRNA levels in liver. 0 ‰ salinity improved GLUT2, glucokinase and G6 Pase mRNA levels; however, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 and fatty acid synthase mRNA levels were higher at 8 ‰ salinity. Moreover, 8 ‰ salinity also increased plasma total protein and cholesterol levels and decreased glucose levels. These results indicated that the recommended range of lysine requirement under different salinity was 2·03–2·20 % (0 ‰) and 2·20–2·41 % (8 ‰) and 8 ‰ salinity resulted in higher lysine requirements due to changes in the related nutrient metabolism, which might provide useful information for designing more effective feed formulations for GIFT cultured in different salinity environment.

Mosquitoes are vectors of several diseases of medical concern such as malaria or dengue and can also negatively affect tourism and the life-quality of the neighbourhood. The species Aedes mariae (Sergent and Sergent, 1903) is a poorly studied mosquito that breeds in rock-pools of the Mediterranean coast. General Linear Mixed Models (GLMM) were used to determine drivers affecting the presence and abundance of this species. Abiotic and biotic factors were recorded in rock-pools with the presence of Ae. mariae sub-adults across a supralittoral area of Majorca Island (Balearic Islands, Spain) from July 2018 to June 2019. We tested how abiotic factors affected the presence of larvae, while the biotic factors were used to check their effect on larvae abundance. human landing collection was also conducted to assess the adult activity of this species. Valuable data were recorded to improve our knowledge about the bioecology of Ae. mariae in a touristic area of the island of Majorca. Salinity and pH were the most explanatory variables for the presence of Ae. mariae larvae. The presence of Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile 1813 leaves negatively affected the abundance of Ae. mariae larvae while the presence of other fauna enhanced it. Adult females of Ae. mariae were active for 26 min after sunset in June and its host-seeking activity decreased during autumn months. Control methods against this species should be focussed on rock-pools and planning treatments according to tides, waves and precipitation.

Liquid water can exist at temperatures well below freezing beneath glaciers and ice sheets, where subglacial water systems, fresh and saline, have been shown to host unique microbial ecosystems. Geophysical techniques sensitive to fluid-content contrasts, e.g. electromagnetics, can characterize subglacial water and its salinity. Here, we assess the ground-based transient electromagnetic (TEM) method for deriving the resistivity and salinity of subglacial water. We adapt an existing open-source Bayesian inversion algorithm, which uses independent depth constraints, to output posterior distributions of resistivity and pore fluid salinity with depth. A variety of synthetic models, including a thin (5 m), conductive (0.16 Ωm), hypersaline (147 psu) subglacial lake, are used to evaluate the TEM method for imaging under 800 m-thick ice. The study demonstrates that TEM methods can resolve conductive, saline bodies accurately using external depth constraints, for example, from radar or seismic data. The depth resolution of TEM can be limited beneath deep (>800 m), thick (>50 m) conductive, water bodies and additional constraints from passive electromagnetic (EM) methods could be used to reduce ambiguities in the TEM results. Subsequently, non-invasive active and passive EM methods could provide profound insights into remote aqueous systems under glaciers and ice sheets.

The research of James Croll on the nature of Ice Ages led him into a detailed investigation of ocean currents. By the early 1870s he had calculated from first principles the quantities of heat delivered by ocean currents to high latitude areas and he understood how this heat supply may have altered drastically during ice ages. The publication of his many papers on ocean currents as well as his book, Climate and Time, coincided with Challenger expedition that, in 1872, embarked on a 4-year voyage of scientific exploration of the world's oceans. The expedition was crucially important for Croll since it enabled him to test his theories of ocean circulation using real data. His novel theories of ocean circulation based on this information conflicted with the established views popularly advocated by William Carpenter but they ultimately prevailed. In the many writings of Croll on ocean currents, we encounter, as with other areas of his research, numerous remarkable ideas many decades ahead their time.