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- Vachon, Dominic, et al.
(author)
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Paired O2-€“CO2 measurements provide emergent insights into aquatic ecosystem function
- 2020
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In: Limnology and Oceanography Letters. - : Wiley. - 2378-2242. ; 5:4, s. 287-294
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Metabolic stoichiometry predicts that dissolved oxygen (O 2) and carbon dioxide (CO 2) in aquatic ecosystems should covary inversely; however, field observations often diverge from theoretical expectations. Here, we propose a suite of metrics describing this O 2 and CO 2 decoupling and introduce a conceptual framework for interpreting these metrics within aquatic ecosystems. Within this framework, we interpret cross-system patterns of high-frequency O 2 and CO 2 measurements in 11 northern lakes and extract emergent insights into the metabolic behavior and the simultaneous roles of chemical and physical forcing in shaping ecosystem processes. This approach leverages the power of high-frequency paired O 2-CO 2 measurements, and yields a novel, integrative aquatic system typology which can also be applicable more broadly to streams and rivers, wetlands and marine systems. Dissolved oxygen (O 2) remains one of the most studied attributes of aquatic ecosystems since the beginning of modern ecology. In 1957, G. E. Hutchinson famously wrote "A skillful limnologist can probably learn more about the nature of a lake from a series of oxygen determinations than from any other kind of chemical data" (Hutchinson 1957). The value of oxygen as an indicator of ecosystem function stems from its role in biogeochemical reactions, where it regulates
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| 2. |
- Sharma, Sapna, et al.
(author)
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Increased winter drownings in ice-covered regions with warmer winters
- 2020
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 15:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Winter activities on ice are culturally important for many countries, yet they constitute a high safety risk depending upon the stability of the ice. Because consistently cold periods are required to form stable and thick ice, warmer winters could degrade ice conditions and increase the likelihood of falling through the ice. This study provides the first large-scale assessment of winter drowning from 10 Northern Hemisphere countries. We documented over 4000 winter drowning events. Winter drownings increased exponentially in regions with warmer winters when air temperatures neared 0 degrees C. The largest number of drownings occurred when winter air temperatures were between -5 degrees C and 0 degrees C, when ice is less stable, and also in regions where indigenous traditions and livelihood require extended time on ice. Rates of drowning were greatest late in the winter season when ice stability declines. Children and adults up to the age of 39 were at the highest risk of winter drownings. Beyond temperature, differences in cultures, regulations, and human behaviours can be important additional risk factors. Our findings indicate the potential for increased human mortality with warmer winter air temperatures. Incorporating drowning prevention plans would improve adaptation strategies to a changing climate.
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