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Although it was assumed for decades that the Earth’s mantle could not be magnetic, recent evidence suggests that parts of the upper mantle have magnetic remanence. This Review critically revisits mantle magnetism, discusses recent magnetic data and identifies unresolved questions about the sources of this magnetism.
Large changes in Greenland and North Atlantic temperature — termed Dansgaard–Oeschger cycles — have been linked to variations in the strength of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. However, the mechanisms are debated. This Review proposes an oscillatory framework to explain Dansgaard–Oeschger cyclicity, involving atmosphere–ocean–ice interactions.
The 2011 nuclear accident in Fukushima, Japan, released large amounts of radionuclides, including 10 PBq of relatively long-lived radiocaesium, into the atmosphere. This Review details the distribution, migration and impact of fallout radionuclides in the terrestrial environment in the subsequent years.
Wind energy production has increased in recent years to mitigate climate change. However, climate change may itself modify wind energy resources. This Review discusses the climatic mechanisms influencing current and future wind energy production, finding spatial variability in projected responses and a dominance of internal variability.
Internal wave-driven mixing influences the physico-chemical properties of the ocean. This Review outlines the generation, propagation and dissipation of internal waves arising from tides, winds and geostrophic currents, and explores their climatic impacts.
The morphology of erosional landscapes is often considered to be set by climate and/or tectonics; however, similar topographic features can arise through internal processes and feedbacks. This Review considers how the internal and external processes drive landscapes evolution, and how such processes can be differentiated in topographic and stratigraphic records.
Subduction erosion transports crustal material from the upper plate at subduction zones into the mantle and, thus, likely contributes to the composition of arc magmas. This Review discusses the evidence for subduction erosion globally and outlines how a contribution of tectonically eroded crust can be identified in arc magmas.
Concrete is one of the most widely used man-made materials and is critical for the ongoing urbanization of the global population. However, owing to its widespread use, concrete can have a negative impact on the environment. This Review provides medium-term and long-term solutions to address the environmental concerns surrounding concrete production.
Deforestation and reforestation cause dramatic changes to tropical ecosystems, including underlying soil properties and their corresponding ecosystem services. In this Review, the impacts of this land-use change on soils and their functions are discussed.
