Stratospheric winds, transport barriers and the 2011 Arctic ozone hole Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics DOI 10.5194/npg-19-687-2012 12 December 2012 We consider the issue of what constitutes suitable environmental conditions for the formation and maintenance of a polar ozone hole. Our discussion focuses on the importance of the stratospheric wind field and, in particular, the importance of a high latitude zonal jet, which serves as a meridional transport barrier both prior to ozone hole formation and during the ozone hole maintenance phase. Read more
The stability of grounding lines on retrograde slopes The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-6-1497-2012 12 December 2012 The stability of marine ice sheets grounded on beds that slope upwards in the overall direction of flow is investigated numerically in two horizontal dimensions. We give examples of stable grounding lines on such retrograde slopes illustrating that marine ice sheets are not unconditionally unstable in two horizontal dimensions. Read more
Internal respiration of Amazon tree stems greatly exceeds external CO2 efflux Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-9-4979-2012 6 December 2012 Here, we studied gas exchange from stems of tropical forest trees using a new approach to better understand respiration in an ecosystem that plays a key role in the global carbon cycle. Read more
The link between great earthquakes and the subduction of oceanic fracture zones Solid Earth DOI 10.5194/se-3-447-2012 5 December 2012 We construct a model for the geometry of subduction coupling zones and combine it with global geophysical data sets to demonstrate that the occurrence of great (magnitude ≥ 8) subduction earthquakes is strongly biased towards regions associated with intersections of oceanic fracture zones and subduction zones. Read more
No statistically significant effect of a short-term decrease in the nucleation rate on atmospheric aerosols Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics DOI 10.5194/acp-12-11573-2012 4 December 2012 We use a global aerosol microphysics model to determine whether a 10 day reduction of 15% in the nucleation rate could generate a statistically significant response in aerosol concentrations and optical properties. Read more
Ocean acidification limits temperature-induced poleward expansion of coral habitats around Japan Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-9-4955-2012 4 December 2012 Using results from four coupled global carbon cycle-climate models combined with in situ observations, we estimate the effects of future global warming and ocean acidification on potential habitats for tropical/subtropical and temperate coral communities in the seas around Japan. Read more
Effects of land cover change on temperature and rainfall extremes in multi-model ensemble simulations Earth System Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esd-3-213-2012 26 November 2012 The impact of historical land use induced land cover change on regional-scale climate extremes is examined using four climate models within the Land Use and Climate, IDentification of robust impacts project. Read more
Activity and abundance of denitrifying bacteria in the subsurface biosphere of diffuse hydrothermal vents of the Juan de Fuca Ridge Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-9-4661-2012 22 November 2012 Based on our rate measurements, and on published data on hydrothermal fluid fluxes and residence times, we estimated that up to ~10 Tg N yr−1could globally be removed in the subsurface biosphere of hydrothermal vents systems, thus, representing a small fraction of the total marine N loss (~275 to > 400 Tg N yr−1). Read more
Potential of semi-structural and non-structural adaptation strategies to reduce future flood risk: case study for the Meuse Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/nhess-12-3455-2012 21 November 2012 Our research suggests that annual flood risk may increase by up to 185% by 2030 compared with 2000, as a result of combined land-use and climate changes. The independent contributions of climate change and land-use change to the simulated increase are 108% and 37%, respectively. Read more
Bioerosion by microbial euendoliths in benthic foraminifera from heavy metal-polluted coastal environments of Portovesme (south-western Sardinia, Italy) Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-9-4607-2012 20 November 2012 We found that carbonate dissolution induced by euendoliths is selective, depending on the Mg content and morpho-structural types of foraminiferal taxa. This study provides evidences for a connection between heavy metal dispersion, decrease in pH of the sea-water and bioerosional processes on foraminifera. Read more
