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Dr. Peter Swarzenski
UN IAEA

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0 Climate Change Impacts
0 Isotopes
0 Radiochemistry
0 Marine chemistry
0 biogeochemical cycles

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Journal article
Published: 11 August 2021 in Toxins
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Ciguatera poisoning is a food intoxication associated with the consumption of fish or shellfish contaminated, through trophic transfer, with ciguatoxins (CTXs). In this study, we developed an experimental model to assess the trophic transfer of CTXs from herbivorous parrotfish, Chlorurus microrhinos, to carnivorous lionfish, Pterois volitans. During a 6-week period, juvenile lionfish were fed naturally contaminated parrotfish fillets at a daily dose of 0.11 or 0.035 ng CTX3C equiv. g−1, as measured by the radioligand-receptor binding assay (r-RBA) or neuroblastoma cell-based assay (CBA-N2a), respectively. During an additional 6-week depuration period, the remaining fish were fed a CTX-free diet. Using r-RBA, no CTXs were detectable in muscular tissues, whereas CTXs were measured in the livers of two out of nine fish sampled during exposure, and in four out of eight fish sampled during depuration. Timepoint pooled liver samples, as analyzed by CBA-N2a, confirmed the accumulation of CTXs in liver tissues, reaching 0.89 ng CTX3C equiv. g−1 after 41 days of exposure, followed by slow toxin elimination, with 0.37 ng CTX3C equiv. g−1 measured after the 6-week depuration. These preliminary results, which need to be pursued in adult lionfish, strengthen our knowledge on CTX transfer and kinetics along the food web.

ACS Style

Isabel Do Prado Leite; Khalil Sdiri; Angus Taylor; Jérôme Viallon; Hela Ben Gharbia; Luiz Laureno Mafra Júnior; Peter Swarzenski; François Oberhaensli; Hélène Taiana Darius; Mireille Chinain; Marie-Yasmine Dechraoui Bottein. Experimental Evidence of Ciguatoxin Accumulation and Depuration in Carnivorous Lionfish. Toxins 2021, 13, 564 .

AMA Style

Isabel Do Prado Leite, Khalil Sdiri, Angus Taylor, Jérôme Viallon, Hela Ben Gharbia, Luiz Laureno Mafra Júnior, Peter Swarzenski, François Oberhaensli, Hélène Taiana Darius, Mireille Chinain, Marie-Yasmine Dechraoui Bottein. Experimental Evidence of Ciguatoxin Accumulation and Depuration in Carnivorous Lionfish. Toxins. 2021; 13 (8):564.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Isabel Do Prado Leite; Khalil Sdiri; Angus Taylor; Jérôme Viallon; Hela Ben Gharbia; Luiz Laureno Mafra Júnior; Peter Swarzenski; François Oberhaensli; Hélène Taiana Darius; Mireille Chinain; Marie-Yasmine Dechraoui Bottein. 2021. "Experimental Evidence of Ciguatoxin Accumulation and Depuration in Carnivorous Lionfish." Toxins 13, no. 8: 564.

Report
Published: 27 August 2020 in Coral Reefs
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Net calcification rates for coral reef and other calcifiers have been shown to decline as ocean acidification (OA) occurs. However, the role of calcium carbonate dissolution in lowering net calcification rates is unclear. The objective of this study was to distinguish OA effects on calcification and dissolution rates in dominant calcifying macroalgae of the Florida Reef Tract, including two rhodophytes (Neogoniolithon strictum, Jania adhaerens) and two chlorophytes (Halimeda scabra, Udotea luna). Two experiments were conducted: (1) to assess the difference in gross (45Ca uptake) versus net (total alkalinity anomaly) calcification rates in the light/dark and (2) to determine dark dissolution (45CaCO3), using pH levels predicted for the year 2100 and ambient pH. At low pH in the light, all species maintained gross calcification rates and most sustained net calcification rates relative to controls. Net calcification rates in the dark were ~84% lower than in the light. In contrast to the light, all species had lower net calcification rates in the dark at low pH with chlorophytes exhibiting net dissolution. These data are supported by the relationship (R2 = 0.82) between increasing total alkalinity and loss of 45Ca from pre-labelled 45CaCO3 thalli at low pH in the dark. Dark dissolution of 45CaCO3-labelled thalli was ~18% higher in chlorophytes than rhodophytes at ambient pH, and ~ twofold higher at low pH. Only Udotea, which exhibited dissolution in the light, also had lower daily calcification rates integrated over 24 h. Thus, if tropical macroalgae can maintain high calcification rates in the light, lower net calcification rates in the dark from dissolution may not compromise daily calcification rates. However, if organismal dissolution in the dark is additive to sedimentary carbonate losses, reef dissolution may be amplified under OA and contribute to erosion of the Florida Reef Tract and other reefs that exhibit net dissolution.

ACS Style

C. McNicholl; M. S. Koch; P. W. Swarzenski; F. R. Oberhaensli; A. Taylor; M. Gómez Batista; M. Metian. Ocean acidification effects on calcification and dissolution in tropical reef macroalgae. Coral Reefs 2020, 39, 1635 -1647.

AMA Style

C. McNicholl, M. S. Koch, P. W. Swarzenski, F. R. Oberhaensli, A. Taylor, M. Gómez Batista, M. Metian. Ocean acidification effects on calcification and dissolution in tropical reef macroalgae. Coral Reefs. 2020; 39 (6):1635-1647.

Chicago/Turabian Style

C. McNicholl; M. S. Koch; P. W. Swarzenski; F. R. Oberhaensli; A. Taylor; M. Gómez Batista; M. Metian. 2020. "Ocean acidification effects on calcification and dissolution in tropical reef macroalgae." Coral Reefs 39, no. 6: 1635-1647.

Article commentary
Published: 09 July 2020 in Environmental Science & Technology
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ACS Style

Michael S. Bank; Marc Metian; Peter W. Swarzenski. Defining Seafood Safety in the Anthropocene. Environmental Science & Technology 2020, 54, 8506 -8508.

AMA Style

Michael S. Bank, Marc Metian, Peter W. Swarzenski. Defining Seafood Safety in the Anthropocene. Environmental Science & Technology. 2020; 54 (14):8506-8508.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Michael S. Bank; Marc Metian; Peter W. Swarzenski. 2020. "Defining Seafood Safety in the Anthropocene." Environmental Science & Technology 54, no. 14: 8506-8508.

Review
Published: 06 July 2020 in Oceans
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Capacity building efforts in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are indispensable for the achievement of both individual and collective ocean-related 2030 agenda priorities for sustainable development. Knowledge of the individual capacity building and research infrastructure requirements in SIDS is necessary for national and international efforts to be effective in supporting SIDS to address nationally-identified sustainable development priorities. Here, we present an assessment of human resources and institutional capacities in SIDS United Nations (UN) Member States to help formulate and implement durable, relevant, and effective capacity development responses to the most urgent marine issues of concern for SIDS. The assessment highlights that there is only limited, if any, up-to-date information publicly available on human resources and research capacities in SIDS. A reasonable course of action in the future should, therefore, be the collection and compilation of data on educational, institutional, and human resources, as well as research capacities and infrastructures in SIDS into a publicly available database. This database, supported by continued, long-term international, national, and regional collaborations, will lay the foundation to provide accurate and up-to-date information on research capacities and requirements in SIDS, thereby informing strategic science and policy targets towards achieving the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) within the next decade.

ACS Style

Rebecca Zitoun; Sylvia Sander; Pere Masque; Saul Perez Pijuan; Peter Swarzenski. Review of the Scientific and Institutional Capacity of Small Island Developing States in Support of a Bottom-up Approach to Achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14 Targets. Oceans 2020, 1, 109 -132.

AMA Style

Rebecca Zitoun, Sylvia Sander, Pere Masque, Saul Perez Pijuan, Peter Swarzenski. Review of the Scientific and Institutional Capacity of Small Island Developing States in Support of a Bottom-up Approach to Achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14 Targets. Oceans. 2020; 1 (3):109-132.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rebecca Zitoun; Sylvia Sander; Pere Masque; Saul Perez Pijuan; Peter Swarzenski. 2020. "Review of the Scientific and Institutional Capacity of Small Island Developing States in Support of a Bottom-up Approach to Achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14 Targets." Oceans 1, no. 3: 109-132.

Review article
Published: 03 June 2020 in Frontiers in Marine Science
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Radioisotopes have been used in earth and environmental sciences for over 150 years and provide unique tools to study environmental processes in great detail from a cellular level through to an oceanic basin scale. These nuclear techniques have been employed to understand coastal and marine ecosystems via laboratory and field studies in terms of how aquatic organisms respond to environmental stressors, including temperature, pH, nutrients, metals, organic anthropogenic contaminants, and biological toxins. Global marine issues, such as ocean warming, deoxygenation, plastic pollution, ocean acidification, increased duration, and intensity of toxic harmful algal blooms (HABs), and coastal contamination are all impacting marine environments, thereby imposing various environmental and economic risks. Being able to reliably assess the condition of coastal and marine ecosystems, and how they may respond to future disturbances, can provide vital information for society in the sustainable management of their marine environments. This paper summarizes the historical use of radiotracers in these systems, describes how existing techniques of radioecological tracing can be developed for specific current environmental issues and provides information on emerging issues that would benefit from current and new radiotracer methods. Current challenges with using radioecological tracers and opportunities are highlighted, as well as opportunities to maximize the application of these methods to greatly increase the ability of environmental managers to conduct evidence-based management of coastal and marine ecosystems.

ACS Style

Tom Cresswell; Marc Metian; Nicholas S. Fisher; Sabine Charmasson; Roberta Hansman; Wokil Bam; Christian Bock; Peter Wolfgang Swarzenski. Exploring New Frontiers in Marine Radioisotope Tracing – Adapting to New Opportunities and Challenges. Frontiers in Marine Science 2020, 7, 1 .

AMA Style

Tom Cresswell, Marc Metian, Nicholas S. Fisher, Sabine Charmasson, Roberta Hansman, Wokil Bam, Christian Bock, Peter Wolfgang Swarzenski. Exploring New Frontiers in Marine Radioisotope Tracing – Adapting to New Opportunities and Challenges. Frontiers in Marine Science. 2020; 7 ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tom Cresswell; Marc Metian; Nicholas S. Fisher; Sabine Charmasson; Roberta Hansman; Wokil Bam; Christian Bock; Peter Wolfgang Swarzenski. 2020. "Exploring New Frontiers in Marine Radioisotope Tracing – Adapting to New Opportunities and Challenges." Frontiers in Marine Science 7, no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 12 April 2020 in Environmental Pollution
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We investigated physiological responses including calcification, photosynthesis and alterations to polar metabolites, in the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata exposed to different concentrations of polyethylene microplastics. Results showed that at high plastic concentrations (50 particles/mL nominal concentration) the photosynthetic efficiency of photosystem II in the coral symbiont was affected after 4 weeks of exposure. Both moderate and high (5 and 50 particles/mL nominal) concentrations of microplastics caused subtle but significant alterations to metabolite profiles of coral, as determined by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Specifically, exposed corals were found to have increased levels of phosphorylated sugars and pyrimidine nucleobases that make up nucleotides, scyllo-inositol and a region containing overlapping proline and glutamate signals, compared to control animals. Together with the photo-physiological stress response observed and previously published literature, these findings support the hypothesis that microplastics disrupt host-symbiont signalling, and that corals respond to this interference by increasing signalling and chemical support to the symbiotic zooxanthellae algae. These findings are also consistent with increased mucus production in corals exposed to microplastics described in previous studies. Considering the importance of coral reefs to marine ecosystems and their sensitivity to anthropogenic stressors, more research is needed to elucidate coral response mechanisms to microplastics under realistic exposure conditions.

ACS Style

Chantal M. Lanctôt; Vanessa N. Bednarz; Steven Melvin; Hugo Jacob; François Oberhaensli; Peter W. Swarzenski; Christine Ferrier-Pagès; Anthony R. Carroll; Marc Metian. Physiological stress response of the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata exposed to polyethylene microplastics. Environmental Pollution 2020, 263, 114559 .

AMA Style

Chantal M. Lanctôt, Vanessa N. Bednarz, Steven Melvin, Hugo Jacob, François Oberhaensli, Peter W. Swarzenski, Christine Ferrier-Pagès, Anthony R. Carroll, Marc Metian. Physiological stress response of the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata exposed to polyethylene microplastics. Environmental Pollution. 2020; 263 ():114559.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chantal M. Lanctôt; Vanessa N. Bednarz; Steven Melvin; Hugo Jacob; François Oberhaensli; Peter W. Swarzenski; Christine Ferrier-Pagès; Anthony R. Carroll; Marc Metian. 2020. "Physiological stress response of the scleractinian coral Stylophora pistillata exposed to polyethylene microplastics." Environmental Pollution 263, no. : 114559.

Review article
Published: 09 March 2019 in Regional Studies in Marine Science
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In the vast tropical Pacific Basin islands, corals reef ecosystems are one of the defining marine habitats, critical for maintaining biodiversity and supporting highly productive fisheries. These reefs are also vital for tourism and armoring exposed shorelines against erosion and other storm-related effects. Since the 1980’s, there has been growing evidence that these Pacific Basin coral reef ecosystems are highly vulnerable to the combined effects of both climatic and non-climatic stressors. Observations of widespread bleaching in the region has been linked to acute temperature stress, and the heightened recurrence intervals and intensity of storms has been correlated to recent climate-change induced impacts. Ocean acidification is another ubiquitous stressor with dramatic consequences to biological systems. In this paper we describe what sets this region apart from other coral reef regions around the world, and highlight some examples of the diverse response to ocean acidification threats and associated socio-economic impacts.

ACS Style

Marine Lebrec; Stephanie Stefanski; Ruth Gates; Sevil Acar; Yimmang Golbuu; Astrid Claudel-Rusin; Haruko Kurihara; Katrin Rehdanz; Delphine Paugam-Baudoin; Tomohiko Tsunoda; Peter W. Swarzenski. Ocean acidification impacts in select Pacific Basin coral reef ecosystems. Regional Studies in Marine Science 2019, 28, 100584 .

AMA Style

Marine Lebrec, Stephanie Stefanski, Ruth Gates, Sevil Acar, Yimmang Golbuu, Astrid Claudel-Rusin, Haruko Kurihara, Katrin Rehdanz, Delphine Paugam-Baudoin, Tomohiko Tsunoda, Peter W. Swarzenski. Ocean acidification impacts in select Pacific Basin coral reef ecosystems. Regional Studies in Marine Science. 2019; 28 ():100584.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Marine Lebrec; Stephanie Stefanski; Ruth Gates; Sevil Acar; Yimmang Golbuu; Astrid Claudel-Rusin; Haruko Kurihara; Katrin Rehdanz; Delphine Paugam-Baudoin; Tomohiko Tsunoda; Peter W. Swarzenski. 2019. "Ocean acidification impacts in select Pacific Basin coral reef ecosystems." Regional Studies in Marine Science 28, no. : 100584.

Journal article
Published: 01 October 2018 in Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
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To better understand bioaccumulation of radiocaesium in the commercially important Japanese flatfish, Paralichthys olivaceus, the uptake and depuration kinetics of caesium via both seawater and food were assessed simultaneously using controlled aquaria. The pre-conditioned fish were exposed to radionuclides via the two different pathways (aqueous versus dietary) concurrently using two isotopes of caesium, 137Cs and 134Cs, respectively. Dissolved caesium uptake was linear and did not reach a steady state over the course of the 8-day exposure period. Consumption of 134Cs-labelled food led to higher bioaccumulation rates of radioactive Cs than via seawater exposure of 137Cs during uptake and following depuration, though the model-derived long-lived biological half-lives of both pathways was approximately 66 d. Further development of this method for assessing multiple radiocaesium bioaccumulation pathways simultaneously could lead to a promising new approach for studying Cs contamination in marine organisms.

ACS Style

Roberta L. Hansman; Marc Metian; Simon Pouil; François Oberhänsli; Jean-Louis Teyssié; Peter W. Swarzenski. A double-tracer radioisotope approach to assess simultaneous bioaccumulation of caesium in the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 2018, 190-191, 141 -148.

AMA Style

Roberta L. Hansman, Marc Metian, Simon Pouil, François Oberhänsli, Jean-Louis Teyssié, Peter W. Swarzenski. A double-tracer radioisotope approach to assess simultaneous bioaccumulation of caesium in the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 2018; 190-191 ():141-148.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Roberta L. Hansman; Marc Metian; Simon Pouil; François Oberhänsli; Jean-Louis Teyssié; Peter W. Swarzenski. 2018. "A double-tracer radioisotope approach to assess simultaneous bioaccumulation of caesium in the olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus." Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 190-191, no. : 141-148.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2018 in Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
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In order to better understand the influence of changing salinity conditions on the trophic transfer of Cs in marine fish that live in dynamic coastal environments, its depuration kinetics was investigated in controlled aquaria. The juvenile turbot Scophthalmus maximus was acclimated to three distinct salinity conditions (10, 25 and 38) and then single-fed with compounded pellets that were radiolabelled with Cs. At the end of a 21-d depuration period, assimilation efficiencies (i.e. AEs = proportion of Cs ingested that is actually assimilated by turbots) were determined from observational data acquired over the three weeks. Our results showed that AEs of Cs in the turbots acclimated to the highest salinity condition were significantly lower than for the other conditions (p < 0.05). Osmoregulation likely explains the decreasing AE observed at the highest salinity condition. Indeed, observations indicate that fish depurate ingested Cs at a higher rate when they increase ion excretion, needed to counterbalance the elevated salinity. Such data confirm that ambient salinity plays an important role in trophic transfer of Cs in some fish species. Implications for such findings extend to seafood safety and climate change impact studies, where the salinity of coastal waters may shift in future years in response to changing weather patterns.

ACS Style

Simon Pouil; François Oberhänsli; Peter W. Swarzenski; Paco Bustamante; Marc Metian. The role of salinity in the trophic transfer of 137Cs in euryhaline fish. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 2018, 189, 255 -260.

AMA Style

Simon Pouil, François Oberhänsli, Peter W. Swarzenski, Paco Bustamante, Marc Metian. The role of salinity in the trophic transfer of 137Cs in euryhaline fish. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 2018; 189 ():255-260.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Simon Pouil; François Oberhänsli; Peter W. Swarzenski; Paco Bustamante; Marc Metian. 2018. "The role of salinity in the trophic transfer of 137Cs in euryhaline fish." Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 189, no. : 255-260.

Review article
Published: 22 July 2018 in Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
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Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in aquatic environments and its potential impacts to wildlife and humans present a growing global concern. Despite recent efforts in understanding environmental impacts associated with plastic pollution, considerable uncertainties still exist regarding the true risks of nano- and micro-sized plastics (<5 mm). The challenges faced in this field largely relate to the methodological and analytical limitations associated with studying plastic debris at low (environmentally relevant) concentrations. The present paper highlights how radiotracing techniques that are commonly applied to trace the fate and behaviour of chemicals and particles in various systems, can contribute towards addressing several important and outstanding questions in environmental plastic pollution research. Specifically, we discuss the use of radiolabeled microplastics and/or chemicals for 1) determining sorption/desorption kinetics of a range of contaminants to different types of plastics under varying conditions, 2) understanding the influence of microplastics on contaminant and nutrient bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms, and 3) assessing biokinetics, biodistribution, trophic transfer and potential biological impacts of microplastic at realistic concentrations. Radiotracer techniques are uniquely suited for this research because of their sensitivity, accuracy and capacity to measure relevant parameters over time. Obtaining precise and timely information on the fate of plastic particles and co-contaminants in wildlife has widespread applications towards effective monitoring programmes and environmental management strategies.

ACS Style

Chantal M. Lanctôt; Maya Al-Sid-Cheikh; Ana I. Catarino; Tom Cresswell; Bruno Danis; Hrissi K. Karapanagioti; Tracy Mincer; François Oberhänsli; Peter Swarzenski; Imma Tolosa; Marc Metian. Application of nuclear techniques to environmental plastics research. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 2018, 192, 368 -375.

AMA Style

Chantal M. Lanctôt, Maya Al-Sid-Cheikh, Ana I. Catarino, Tom Cresswell, Bruno Danis, Hrissi K. Karapanagioti, Tracy Mincer, François Oberhänsli, Peter Swarzenski, Imma Tolosa, Marc Metian. Application of nuclear techniques to environmental plastics research. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 2018; 192 ():368-375.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Chantal M. Lanctôt; Maya Al-Sid-Cheikh; Ana I. Catarino; Tom Cresswell; Bruno Danis; Hrissi K. Karapanagioti; Tracy Mincer; François Oberhänsli; Peter Swarzenski; Imma Tolosa; Marc Metian. 2018. "Application of nuclear techniques to environmental plastics research." Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 192, no. : 368-375.

Research article
Published: 13 April 2018 in Science Advances
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Sea levels are rising, with the highest rates in the tropics, where thousands of low-lying coral atoll islands are located. Most studies on the resilience of these islands to sea-level rise have projected that they will experience minimal inundation impacts until at least the end of the 21st century. However, these have not taken into account the additional hazard of wave-driven overwash or its impact on freshwater availability. We project the impact of sea-level rise and wave-driven flooding on atoll infrastructure and freshwater availability under a variety of climate change scenarios. We show that, on the basis of current greenhouse gas emission rates, the nonlinear interactions between sea-level rise and wave dynamics over reefs will lead to the annual wave-driven overwash of most atoll islands by the mid-21st century. This annual flooding will result in the islands becoming uninhabitable because of frequent damage to infrastructure and the inability of their freshwater aquifers to recover between overwash events. This study provides critical information for understanding the timing and magnitude of climate change impacts on atoll islands that will result in significant, unavoidable geopolitical issues if it becomes necessary to abandon and relocate low-lying island states.

ACS Style

Curt D. Storlazzi; Stephen B. Gingerich; Ap van Dongeren; Olivia M. Cheriton; Peter W. Swarzenski; Ellen Quataert; Clifford I. Voss; Donald W. Field; Hariharasubramanian Annamalai; Greg A. Piniak; Robert McCall. Most atolls will be uninhabitable by the mid-21st century because of sea-level rise exacerbating wave-driven flooding. Science Advances 2018, 4, eaap9741 .

AMA Style

Curt D. Storlazzi, Stephen B. Gingerich, Ap van Dongeren, Olivia M. Cheriton, Peter W. Swarzenski, Ellen Quataert, Clifford I. Voss, Donald W. Field, Hariharasubramanian Annamalai, Greg A. Piniak, Robert McCall. Most atolls will be uninhabitable by the mid-21st century because of sea-level rise exacerbating wave-driven flooding. Science Advances. 2018; 4 (4):eaap9741.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Curt D. Storlazzi; Stephen B. Gingerich; Ap van Dongeren; Olivia M. Cheriton; Peter W. Swarzenski; Ellen Quataert; Clifford I. Voss; Donald W. Field; Hariharasubramanian Annamalai; Greg A. Piniak; Robert McCall. 2018. "Most atolls will be uninhabitable by the mid-21st century because of sea-level rise exacerbating wave-driven flooding." Science Advances 4, no. 4: eaap9741.

Journal article
Published: 30 August 2017 in Water
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Groundwater resources of low-lying atoll islands are threatened due to short-term and long-term changes in rainfall, wave climate, and sea level. A better understanding of how these forcings affect the limited groundwater resources was explored on Roi-Namur in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. As part of a 16-month study, a rarely recorded island-overwash event occurred and the island’s aquifer’s response was measured. The findings suggest that small-scale overwash events cause an increase in salinity of the freshwater lens that returns to pre-overwash conditions within one month. The overwash event is addressed in the context of climate-related local sea-level change, which suggests that overwash events and associated degradations in freshwater resources are likely to increase in severity in the future due to projected rises in sea level. Other forcings, such as severe rainfall events, were shown to have caused a sudden freshening of the aquifer, with salinity levels retuning to pre-rainfall levels within three months. Tidal forcing of the freshwater lens was observed in electrical resistivity profiles, high-resolution conductivity, groundwater-level well measurements and through submarine groundwater discharge calculations. Depth-specific geochemical pore water measurements further assessed and confirmed the distinct boundaries between fresh and saline water masses in the aquifer. The identification of the freshwater lens’ saline boundaries is essential for a quantitative evaluation of the aquifers freshwater resources and help understand how these resources may be impacted by climate change and anthropogenic activities.

ACS Style

Ferdinand K. J. Oberle; Peter W. Swarzenski; Curt D. Storlazzi. Atoll Groundwater Movement and Its Response to Climatic and Sea-Level Fluctuations. Water 2017, 9, 650 .

AMA Style

Ferdinand K. J. Oberle, Peter W. Swarzenski, Curt D. Storlazzi. Atoll Groundwater Movement and Its Response to Climatic and Sea-Level Fluctuations. Water. 2017; 9 (9):650.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ferdinand K. J. Oberle; Peter W. Swarzenski; Curt D. Storlazzi. 2017. "Atoll Groundwater Movement and Its Response to Climatic and Sea-Level Fluctuations." Water 9, no. 9: 650.