Anthropogenic aerosols as a source of ancient dissolved organic matter in glaciers
Aron Stubbins, Eran Hood, Peter A. Raymond, George R. Aiken, Rachel L. Sleighter, Peter J. Hernes, David Butman, Patrick G. Hatcher, Robert G. Striegl, Paul F. Schuster, Hussain A.N. Abdulla, Andrew W. Vermilyea, Durelle T. Scott, Robert G.M. Spencer
2012, Nature Geoscience (5) 198-201
Glacier-derived dissolved organic matter represents a quantitatively significant source of ancient, yet highly bioavailable carbon to downstream ecosystems. This finding runs counter to logical perceptions of age–reactivity relationships, in which the least reactive material withstands degradation the longest and is therefore the oldest. The remnants of ancient peatlands and forests...
Numerical simulations examining the possible role of anthropogenic and volcanic emissions during the 1997 Indonesian fires
Melissa A. Pfeffer, Barbel Langmann, Angelika Heil, Hans-F. Graf
2012, Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health (5) 277-292
The regional atmospheric chemistry and climate model REMOTE has been used to conduct numerical simulations of the atmosphere during the catastrophic Indonesian fires of 1997. These simulations represent one possible scenario of the event, utilizing the RETRO wildland fire emission database. Emissions from the fires dominate the atmospheric concentrations of...
Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey in Alaska, 2010
Julie A. Dumoulin, Cynthia Dusel-Bacon, editor(s)
2011, Professional Paper 1784
The collection of papers that follows continues the series of U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) investigative reports in Alaska under the broad umbrella of the geologic sciences. This series represents new and sometimes-preliminary findings that are of interest to Earth scientists in academia, government, and industry; to land and resource managers;...
Multilocus phylogeography and population structure of common eiders breeding in North America and Scandinavia
Sarah A. Sonsthagen, Sandra L. Talbot, Kim T. Scribner, Kevin G. McCracken
2011, Journal of Biogeography (38) 1368-1380
Aim Glacial refugia during the Pleistocene had major impacts on the levels and spatial apportionment of genetic diversity of species in northern latitude ecosystems. We characterized patterns of population subdivision, and tested hypotheses associated with locations of potential Pleistocene refugia and the relative contribution of these refugia to the post-glacial colonization...
Peat
L.E. Apodaca
2011, Mining Engineering (63) 86-87
In 2010, domestic production of peat, excluding Alaska, was estimated to be 612 kt (674,600 st), compared with 609 kt (671,300 st) in 2009. In 2010, imports increased to 947 kt (1.04 million st), compared with 906 kt (998,600 st) in 2009. Exports were estimated to have decreased to 69...
Carryover effects associated with winter location affect fitness, social status, and population dynamics in a long-distance migrant
James S. Sedinger, Jason L. Schamber, David H. Ward, Christopher A. Nicolai, Bruce Conant
2011, American Naturalist (178) E110-E123
We used observations of individually marked female black brant geese (Branta bernicla nigricans; brant) at three wintering lagoons on the Pacific coast of Baja California—Laguna San Ignacio (LSI), Laguna Ojo de Liebre (LOL), and Bahía San Quintín (BSQ)—and the Tutakoke River breeding colony in Alaska to assess hypotheses about carryover...
Variation in spring migration routes and breeding distribution of northern pintails Anas acuta that winter in Japan
Jerry W. Hupp, Noriyuki Yamaguchi, Paul L. Flint, John M. Pearce, Ken-ichi Tokita, Tetsuo Shimada, Andrew M. Ramey, Sergei Kharitonov, Hiroyoshi Higuchi
2011, Journal of Avian Biology (42) 289-300
In North America, spring migration routes and breeding distribution of northern pintails Anas acuta vary because some individuals opportunistically nest at mid-latitudes in years when ephemeral prairie wetlands are available, whereas others regularly nest in arctic and sub-arctic regions where wetland abundance is more constant. Less was known about migration...
Variations in eruption style during the 1931 A.D. eruption of Aniakchak volcano, Alaska
Robert S. Nicholson, James E. Gardner, Christina A. Neal
2011, Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research (207) 69-82
The 1931 A.D. eruption of Aniakchak volcano, Alaska, progressed from subplinian to effusive eruptive style and from trachydacite to basaltic andesite composition from multiple vent locations. Eyewitness accounts and new studies of deposit stratigraphy provide a combined narrative of eruptive events. Additional field, compositional, grain size, componentry, density, and grain...
Experimental challenge and pathology of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 in dunlin (Calidris alpina), an intercontinental migrant shorebird species
Jeffrey S. Hall, J. Christian Franson, Robert E. Gill Jr., Carol U. Meteyer, Joshua L. TeSlaa, Sean W. Nashold, Robert J. Dusek, S. Ip
2011, Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses (5) 365-372
Background Shorebirds (Charadriiformes) are considered one of the primary reservoirs of avian influenza. Because these species are highly migratory, there is concern that infected shorebirds may be a mechanism by which highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 could be introduced into North America from Asia. Large numbers of dunlin...
Evidence and implications of recent and projected climate change in Alaska's forest ecosystems
Jane M. Wolken, Teresa N. Hollingsworth, T. Scott Rupp, Stuart Chapin, Sarah F. Trainor, Tara M. Barrett, Patrick F. Sullivan, A. David McGuire, Eugénie S. Euskirchen, Paul E. Hennon, Erik A. Beever, Jeff S. Conn, Lisa K. Crone, David V. D’Amore, Nancy Fresco, Thomas A. Hanley, Knut Kielland, James J. Kruse, Trista Patterson, Edward A.G. Schuur, David L. Verbyla, John Yarie
2011, Ecosphere (2) 1-35
The structure and function of Alaska's forests have changed significantly in response to a changing climate, including alterations in species composition and climate feedbacks (e.g., carbon, radiation budgets) that have important regional societal consequences and human feedbacks to forest ecosystems. In this paper we present the first comprehensive synthesis of...
Concentrations and bioaccessibility of metals in vegetation and dust near a mining haul road, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Alaska
William G. Brumbaugh, Suzette A. Morman, Thomas W. May
2011, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (182) 325-340
Vegetation, sub-surface peat, and road dust were sampled near the Delong Mountain Transportation System (DMTS) haul road in northwest Alaska in 2005-2006 to document aluminum, barium, cadmium, lead, and zinc concentrations, and to evaluate bioaccessibility of these metals. The DMTS haul road is the transport corridor between Red Dog Mine...
Developing Gyrfalcon surveys and monitoring for Alaska
Mark R. Fuller, Philip F. Schempf, Travis L. Booms
2011, Conference Paper, Gyrfalcons and Ptarmigan in a Changing World
We developed methods to monitor the status of Gyrfalcons in Alaska. Results of surveys and monitoring will be informative for resource managers and will be useful for studying potential changes in ecological communities of the high latitudes. We estimated that the probability of detecting a Gyrfalcon at an occupied nest...
Mercury export from the Yukon River Basin and potential response to a changing climate
Paul F. Schuster, Robert G. Striegl, George R. Aiken, David P. Krabbenhoft, John F. DeWild, Kenna D. Butler, Ben Kamark, Mark Dornblaser
2011, Environmental Science & Technology (45) 9262-9267
We measured mercury (Hg) concentrations and calculated export and yield from the Yukon River Basin (YRB) to quantify Hg flux from a large, permafrost-dominated, high-latitude watershed. Exports of Hg averaged 4400 kg Hg yr-1. The average annual yield for the YRB during the study period was 5.17 μg m-2 yr-1,...
Surficial geologic map of the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, Alaska
Thomas D. Hamilton, Keith A. Labay
2011, Scientific Investigations Map 3125
The Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (GAAR) is centered over the central Brooks Range of northern Alaska. To the west, it abuts the Noatak National Preserve; its eastern boundary is the transportation corridor occupied by the Dalton Highway and the Alyeska Pipeline. The GAAR extends northward beyond...
Wild bird migration across the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: A transmission route for highly pathogenic H5N1
Diann J. Prosser, Peng Cui, John Y. Takekawa, Mingjie Tang, Yuansheng Hou, Bridget M. Collins, Baoping Yan, Nichola J. Hill, Tianxian Li, Yongdong Li, Fumin Lei, Shan Guo, Zhi Xing, Yubang He, Yuanchun Zhou, David C. Douglas, William M. Perry, Scott H. Newman
2011, PLoS ONE (6)
Background Qinghai Lake in central China has been at the center of debate on whether wild birds play a role in circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1. In 2005, an unprecedented epizootic at Qinghai Lake killed more than 6000 migratory birds including over 3000 bar-headed geese (Anser indicus). H5N1...
Gas hydrate prospecting using well cuttings and mud-gas geochemistry from 35 wells, North Slope, Alaska
T.D. Lorenson, Timothy S. Collett
2011, Scientific Investigations Report 2011-5195
Gas hydrate deposits are common on the North Slope of Alaska around Prudhoe Bay; however, the extent of these deposits is unknown outside of this area. As part of a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and Bureau of Land Management gas hydrate research collaboration, well-cutting and mud-gas samples have been collected...
Velocity-based movement modeling for individual and population level inference
Ephraim M. Hanks, Mevin Hooten, Devin S. Johnson, Jeremy T. Sterling
2011, PLoS ONE (6) e22795
Understanding animal movement and resource selection provides important information about the ecology of the animal, but an animal's movement and behavior are not typically constant in time. We present a velocity-based approach for modeling animal movement in space and time that allows for temporal heterogeneity in an animal's response to...
Using body mass dynamics to examine long-term habitat shifts of arctic-molting geese: Evidence for ecological change
Tyler L. Lewis, Paul L. Flint, Dirk V. Derksen, Joel A. Schmutz, Eric J. Taylor, Karen S. Bollinger
2011, Polar Biology (34) 1751-1762
From 1976 onward, molting brant geese (Branta bernicla) within the Teshekpuk Lake Special Area, Alaska, shifted from inland, freshwater lakes toward coastal wetlands. Two hypotheses explained this redistribution: (1) ecological change: redistribution of molting brant reflects improvements in coastal foraging habitats, which have undergone a succession toward salt-tolerant plants due...
The story of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory -- A remarkable first 100 years of tracking eruptions and earthquakes
Janet L. Babb, James P. Kauahikaua, Robert I. Tilling
2011, General Information Product 135
The year 2012 marks the centennial of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO). With the support and cooperation of visionaries, financiers, scientists, and other individuals and organizations, HVO has successfully achieved 100 years of continuous monitoring of Hawaiian volcanoes. As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we express our sincere mahalo—thanks—to the...
Airborne electromagnetic and magnetic geophysical survey data of the Yukon Flats and Fort Wainwright areas, central Alaska, June 2010
Lyndsay B. Ball, Bruce D. Smith, Burke J. Minsley, Jared D. Abraham, Clifford I. Voss, Beth N. Astley, Maria Deszcz-Pan, James C. Cannia
2011, Open-File Report 2011-1304
In June 2010, the U.S. Geological Survey conducted airborne electromagnetic and magnetic surveys of the Yukon Flats and Fort Wainwright study areas in central Alaska. These data were collected to estimate the three-dimensional distribution of permafrost at the time of the survey. These data were also collected to evaluate the...
Trends in sea otter population abundance in western Prince William Sound, Alaska: Progress toward recovery following the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill
James L. Bodkin, Brenda E. Ballachey, George G. Esslinger
2011, Scientific Investigations Report 2011-5213
Sea otters in western Prince William Sound (WPWS) and elsewhere in the Gulf of Alaska suffered widespread mortality as a result of oiling following the 1989 T/V Exxon Valdez oil spill. Following the spill, extensive efforts have been directed toward identifying and understanding long-term consequences of the spill and the...
Quantifying the influence of sea ice on ocean microseism using observations from the Bering Sea, Alaska
Victor C. Tsai, Daniel E. McNamara
2011, Geophysical Research Letters (38)
Microseism is potentially affected by all processes that alter ocean wave heights. Because strong sea ice prevents large ocean waves from forming, sea ice can therefore significantly affect microseism amplitudes. Here we show that this link between sea ice and microseism is not only a robust one but can be...
Geomagnetic referencing in the arctic environment
Benny Podjono, Nathan Beck, Andrew Buchanan, Jason Brink, Joseph Longo, Carol A. Finn, E. William Worthington
2011, Conference Paper
Geomagnetic referencing is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to north-seeking gyroscopic surveys to achieve the precise wellbore positioning essential for success in today's complex drilling programs. However, the greater magnitude of variations in the geomagnetic environment at higher latitudes makes the application of geomagnetic referencing in those areas more challenging....
Field guide to the accretionary complex and neotectonics of south-central Alaska, Anchorage to Seward
Susan M. Karl, Dwight C. Bradley, Rodney Combellick, Marti L. Miller
2011, Report
No abstract available....
Development of a pan-Arctic monitoring plan for polar bears: Background paper
Dag Vongraven, Elizabeth L. Peacock
2011, Report
Polar bears (Ursus maritimus), by their very nature, and the extreme, remote environment in which they live, are inherently difficult to study and monitor. Monitoring polar bear populations is both arduous and costly and, to be effective, must be a long-term commitment. There are few jurisdictional governments and management...
