title: Beach response to a sequence of extreme storms

authors: Coco, Giovanni

subjects: nearshore

abstract: A sequence of daily beach surveys acquired over one month covering an area larger than 100,000 m2, was analyzed to study morphological changes resulting from a cluster of storms. The beach response was highly variable in both the cross- and alongshore. A cumulative storm effect was not observed, despite one storm being characterized by a 10-year return period that had significant wave height (Hs) of 8.1 m and a peak wave period (Tp) of 17 s. Instead, storms that can potentially cause significant erosion in terms of Hs had a limited effect on the morphology because the large wave height was coupled to either neap tides, normally-incident short-waves (f > 0.04 Hz), or low levels of infragravity (0.004 < f < 0.04 Hz) energy. Multiple linear regression analysis shows that volumetric changes in the upper part of the beachface are explained by offshore wave characteristics (period, height and direction), tidal range or by infragravity energy in the inner surf zone (assessed using pressure and velocity measurements). The results indicate that it is not possible to scale-up single-storm erosion studies into predictions of cluster-storm erosion.

text: Beach response to a sequence of extreme storms A sequence of daily beach surveys acquired over one month covering an area larger than 100,000 m2, was analyzed to study morphological changes resulting from a cluster of storms. The beach response was highly variable in both the cross- and alongshore. A cumulative storm effect was not observed, despite one storm being characterized by a 10-year return period that had significant wave height (Hs) of 8.1 m and a peak wave period (Tp) of 17 s. Instead, storms that can potentially cause significant erosion in terms of Hs had a limited effect on the morphology because the large wave height was coupled to either neap tides, normally-incident short-waves (f > 0.04 Hz), or low levels of infragravity (0.004 < f < 0.04 Hz) energy. Multiple linear regression analysis shows that volumetric changes in the upper part of the beachface are explained by offshore wave characteristics (period, height and direction), tidal range or by infragravity energy in the inner surf zone (assessed using pressure and velocity measurements). The results indicate that it is not possible to scale-up single-storm erosion studies into predictions of cluster-storm erosion.

year: 2013

title: An investigation of microbial communities across two extreme geothermal gradients on Mt. Erebus, Victoria Land, Antarctica

authors: Smith, Emily

abstract: The geothermal fumaroles present on Mt. Erebus, Antarctica, are home to numerous unique and possibly endemic bacteria. The isolated nature of Mt. Erebus provides an opportunity to closely examine how geothermal physico-chemistry drives microbial community composition and structure. This study aimed at determining the effect of physico-chemical drivers on microbial community composition and structure along extreme thermal and geochemical gradients at two sites on Mt. Erebus: Tramway Ridge and Western Crater. Microbial community structure and physico-chemical soil characteristics were assessed via metabarcoding (16S rRNA) and geochemistry (temperature, pH, total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN) and ICP-MS elemental analysis along a thermal gradient 10 °C–64 °C), which also defined a geochemical gradient. Diversity increased in alkaline soils suggesting pH to be the primary driver of microbial community structure across the gradients. Archaea dominated the microbial communities at Tramway Ridge compared to Western Crater, which was dominated by Bacteria. Western Crater has been sampled for the first time, widening the understanding of geothermal sites on Mt. Erebus. Organisms that were once considered cosmopolitan may not be as cosmopolitan as expected in Antarctica. These organisms may require specific niches that allow them to colonise new habitats. This study also showed that gathering more samples from Tramway Ridge has widened understanding of the changing environments that microbial communities on Mt. Erebus live in. The study provides a foundation on which to compare microbial and geochemical interactions across all geothermal sites within Victoria Land. This supports the effect of specific geothermal characteristics of the fumaroles in manipulating the microbial communities present.

text: An investigation of microbial communities across two extreme geothermal gradients on Mt. Erebus, Victoria Land, Antarctica The geothermal fumaroles present on Mt. Erebus, Antarctica, are home to numerous unique and possibly endemic bacteria. The isolated nature of Mt. Erebus provides an opportunity to closely examine how geothermal physico-chemistry drives microbial community composition and structure. This study aimed at determining the effect of physico-chemical drivers on microbial community composition and structure along extreme thermal and geochemical gradients at two sites on Mt. Erebus: Tramway Ridge and Western Crater. Microbial community structure and physico-chemical soil characteristics were assessed via metabarcoding (16S rRNA) and geochemistry (temperature, pH, total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN) and ICP-MS elemental analysis along a thermal gradient 10 °C–64 °C), which also defined a geochemical gradient. Diversity increased in alkaline soils suggesting pH to be the primary driver of microbial community structure across the gradients. Archaea dominated the microbial communities at Tramway Ridge compared to Western Crater, which was dominated by Bacteria. Western Crater has been sampled for the first time, widening the understanding of geothermal sites on Mt. Erebus. Organisms that were once considered cosmopolitan may not be as cosmopolitan as expected in Antarctica. These organisms may require specific niches that allow them to colonise new habitats. This study also showed that gathering more samples from Tramway Ridge has widened understanding of the changing environments that microbial communities on Mt. Erebus live in. The study provides a foundation on which to compare microbial and geochemical interactions across all geothermal sites within Victoria Land. This supports the effect of specific geothermal characteristics of the fumaroles in manipulating the microbial communities present.

year: 2021

title: Research support in New Zealand University Libraries

authors: Howie, Jess

abstract: Researcher-facing librarians in New Zealand are providing guidance across more of the research lifecycle than ever before in response to an increasingly complex scholarly ecosystem. This research explored the development of research support through survey responses from all eight New Zealand University Libraries. From the responses it was possible to ascertain the level of services offered or planned in the four key areas of research impact, Research Data Management, scholarly communication and Kaupapa Māori research. Skills gaps and barriers to service development were also identified. Comparison with an earlier study revealed that research impact and Research Data Management services have developed well over the last 6 years. A good level of maturity was identified in scholarly communication services but support for Kaupapa Māori research was identified as an area for development. Barriers to service development included lack of resourcing and low recognition of library value from the wider institution.

text: Research support in New Zealand University Libraries Researcher-facing librarians in New Zealand are providing guidance across more of the research lifecycle than ever before in response to an increasingly complex scholarly ecosystem. This research explored the development of research support through survey responses from all eight New Zealand University Libraries. From the responses it was possible to ascertain the level of services offered or planned in the four key areas of research impact, Research Data Management, scholarly communication and Kaupapa Māori research. Skills gaps and barriers to service development were also identified. Comparison with an earlier study revealed that research impact and Research Data Management services have developed well over the last 6 years. A good level of maturity was identified in scholarly communication services but support for Kaupapa Māori research was identified as an area for development. Barriers to service development included lack of resourcing and low recognition of library value from the wider institution.

year: 2019-01-01