GCTE/LUCC Open Science Conference:
...on the effects of global change on the terrestrial biosphere and thefeedbacks to climate. We would like to invite you to attend this conference andgive you, in what follows, some background information on the content and goalsof this conference. The Conference This is the first conference of this kind, in wh...... fundamental to our understanding of whatmakes the biosphere function."...Nearby supernova may have caused mini-extinction, scientists say
...dcosmic-ray bombardment could have affectedEarth's biosphere by enhancing the penetration of harmful solar ultr...c oxide that could depletethe ozone and expose the biosphere to the harmful effects of ultravioletradiation. "There is fossil evidence for a couple of mini-extin...Global warming: lessons taught by snails and crabs
...ich the climate is shifting,`` he concludes. ``Our biosphere could be in for some serious problems."...Scientists track phosphate to better understand global warming
...between the atmosphere (air), hydrosphere (water), biosphere (life) and lithosphere (rock). It also attempts to evaluate human impact on the system. Phosphorus is crucial to life as a building block of nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. It is a component of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nicotinamid adeno...Microbial activity key component of global environmental change
...pulations and activities be managed to sustain the biosphere and its diverse life forms while promoting human welfare?...E.O. Wilson to speak on 'future of biodiversity'
...the past several decades, scientists have foundthe biosphere to be far richer in biodiversity than ever before conceived, says Wilson. But the evidence is also compelling, he believes, that species and ecosystems are being extinguished atan accelerating rate by human activity, "a loss that will inflict a heav...International scientists probe unsolved puzzles of the Earth and beyond at "Earth System Processes"
...ading. He predicts the extension of Earths current biosphere until catastrophic warming terminates complex life in approximately 1 Gyr. David W. Schwartzman, Department of Biology, Howard University, addresses the question, Does life drive disequilibrium in the biosphere? Study of the carbonate-silicate geoche...Scientists share multidisciplinary discoveries at 'Earth System Processes'
... discuss the exploration for a deep, hot microbial biosphere in deep gold mines in South Africa. Malcolm Walter, Australian Centre for Astrobiology at Macquariue University, will talk about a variety of fossil biosignatures in billion-year-old-plus deep-sea vent deposits in Australia. Beda Hofmann, from the N...UNC, Penn State scientists find gene that controls water retention in plants
... unique challenges faced by that large part of the biosphere that must deal with its daily environmental challenges without running away," they wrote. Drs. Jeff C. Young and Michael R. Sussman of Western Washington University and the University of Wisconsin, respectively, also helped with the investigation. Th...July media highlights: GEOLOGY and GSA TODAY
...sitory condition of the mantle. Hypersulfidic deep biosphere indicates extreme sulfur isotope fractionation during single-step microbial sulfate reduction. Ulrich G. Wortmann, GEOMAR Research Center for Marine Geosciences, Kiel, Germany; et al. Pages 647-650Bacteria living in oxygen-free environments use organ...Ecosystems slowed 1990s greenhouse gas buildup
...billion tons more carbon endedup in the land-based biosphere than in the atmosphere, despitecontinuing deforestation. Land-use changes in the Northern Hemisphere have been partlyresponsible for carbon uptake during the 1990s. In the United States,trees and other growth expanded on abandoned agricultural land, ...Paradox of groundwater age has implications for hydrology
... ground for disposal, as the waste could enter the biosphere much faster than anticipated. Incorrect age/flow determinations also could allow landfill leachate to contaminate water supply wells. Because the rate of mixing doesnt matter, the contribution of aquitards to the age of groundwater in aquifers depen...December Media Mighlights: GEOLOGY and GSA TODAY
... postextinction community. Profound changes in the biosphere at this time, such as increased soil formation accompanying the spread of deep-rooting seed plants, may have resulted in a disturbance of the ecological balance in inland seas. Analogous to modern tropical environments, enhanced nutrient mobilization......iminish biodiversity on Earth, we can't expect the biosphere to just bounce back. It doesn't do that. The process of diversification is too slow," Kirchner said. "The planet would be biologically depleted for millions of years, with consequences extending not only beyond the lives of our children's children, b...Evolutionary 'speed limit' governs how quickly life bounces back after extinction
...diminish biodiversity on Earth, wecan't expect the biosphere to just bounce back. It doesn't dothat. The process of diversification is too slow," Kirchnersaid. "The planet would be biologically depleted for millions ofyears, with consequences extending not only beyond the lives ofour children's children, bu...Rock-eating microbes survive in deep ocean off Peru
...percent of the Earth's biota. That means that the biosphere is larger than previously thought - it doesn't jus...ally strangest ecosystems on Earth - the microbial biosphere of deep marine sediments and the oceanic crust," Baldauf said. "The growing international interest ...Orgin of mysterious subterranean gases identified, says University of Toronto researcher
...hydrogen gases could be a food source. "These deep biosphere bacteria could 'digest' the gases through a form of chemosynthesis - similar to that known to support life at the deep sea vents - using the chemicals in the gases in order to get energy for life." Funding for this study was provided by the Natural S...The greening of the North: real, and caused by climate change
...plications beyond academia. We have shown that the biosphere is indeed changing, due to a climate change that most likely is a direct consequence of human activities (principally in the industrialized countries). The warming and "greening" of high latitudes, if they continue, will have mixed effects from the p...Preserving options: Short-term action required to avoid long-term climate damage
...makes a big difference," said Oppenheimer. "If the biosphere is taking up carbon fast, it gives us more time. If we delay and the biosphere takes up carbon slowly, we could be out of luck." The uncertainties associated with this effect play...