scholarly journals On the Variability of the Circulation and Water Mass Properties in the Eastern Levantine Sea between September 2016–August 2017

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauri ◽  
Sitz ◽  
Gerin ◽  
Poulain ◽  
Hayes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Salinity ◽  
Autonomous Systems ◽  
Vertical Mixing ◽  
The North ◽  
Levantine Sea ◽  
Surface Circulation ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
Geographical Position ◽  
Surface Drifters

The surface circulation and the thermohaline properties of the water masses of the eastern Levantine Sea (Mediterranean Sea) were monitored with mobile autonomous systems (surface drifters and gliders) during the period September 2016–August 2017. The drifters provided data for more than a year and revealed complex circulation features at scales ranging from the basin scale to the sub-mesoscale. Three drifters were captured in a semi-permanent gyre (Cyprus Eddy) allowing a quantitative study of its kinematics. During the experiment, three gliders were operated, in two different periods: September to December 2016 and February to March 2017. The autonomous instruments crossed the prevailing sub-basin structures several times. The collected in-situ observations were analyzed and interpreted in concert with remote sensing products (sea surface temperature and altimetry). The evolution of some of the prevailing features confirmed the complexity of the circulation of the basin. The Cyprus Eddy is the most persistent anticyclone, moving its geographical position and sometimes merging with the North Shikmona Eddy in a bigger structure. The gliders sampled this wide anticyclonic feature revealing its vertical structure in the two different periods. In fall, in stratified conditions, a high salinity core is evident below the thermocline. The isopycnals are characterized by an upward bending over the high salinity lens and a downward bending below it, typical of an anticyclonic modewater eddy. In winter, the core disappears following the vertical mixing that, homogenizes the upper Cyprus Eddy water down to 300 m.

scholarly journals Development of CarbonTracker Europe-CH<sub>4</sub> – Part 2: global methane emission estimates and their evaluation for 2000–2012

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aki Tsuruta ◽  
Tuula Aalto ◽  
Leif Backman ◽  
Janne Hakkarainen ◽  
Ingrid T. van der Laan-Luijkx ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Vertical Mixing ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
In Situ Observation ◽  
Convection Scheme ◽  
Temperate Region ◽  
Northern Latitude ◽  
The North

Abstract. Gobal methane emissions were estimated for 2000–2012 using the CarbonTracker Europe-CH4 (CTE-CH4) data assimilation system. In CTE-CH4, the anthropogenic and biosphere emissions of CH4 are simultaneously constrained by global atmospheric in-situ methane mole fraction observations. We use three configurations developed in Tsuruta et al. (2016) to assess the sensitivity of the CH4 flux estimates to (a) the number of unknown flux scaling factors to be optimized which in turn depends on the choice of underlying land-ecosystem map, and (b) on the parametrization of vertical mixing in the 30 atmospheric transport model TM5. The posterior emission estimates were evaluated by comparing simulations to surface in-situ observation sites, to profile observations made by aircraft, to dry air total column-averaged mole fractions (XCH4) observations from the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON), and to XCH4 retrievals from the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT). Our estimated posterior mean global total emissions during 2000–2012 are 516 ± 51 Tg CH4 yr−1, and emission estimates during 2007–2012 are 18 Tg CH4 yr−1 greater than those from 2001–2006, mainly driven by an 35 increase in emissions from the south America temperate region, the Asia temperate region and Asia tropics. The sensitivity of the flux estimates to the underlying ecosystem map was large for the Asia temperate region and Australia, but not significant in the northern latitude regions, i.e. the north American boreal region, the north American temperate region and Europe. Instead, the posterior estimates for the northern latitude regions show larger sensitivity to the choice of convection scheme in TM5. The Gregory et al. (2000) mixing scheme with faster interhemispheric exchange leads to higher estimated CH4 emissions at northern latitudes, and lower emissions in southern latitudes, compared to the estimates using Tiedtke (1989) convection scheme. Our evaluation with non-assimilated observations showed that posterior mole fractions were better matched with the 5 observations when Gregory et al. (2000) convection scheme was used.

scholarly journals Turbulence and hypoxia contribute to dense zooplankton scattering layers in Patagonian Fjord System

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iván Pérez-Santos ◽  
Leonardo Castro ◽  
Nicolás Mayorga ◽  
Lauren Ross ◽  
Luis Cubillos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Vertical Mixing ◽  
Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler ◽  
Eddy Diffusivity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dense Layer ◽  
The North ◽  
Diel Vertical Migrations ◽  
And Migration

Abstract. The Puyuhuapi Fjord is an atypical fjord, with two mouths, located in northern Patagonia (44.7° S). One mouth lies to the south, close to the Pacific Ocean, whilst the second connects with the Jacaf Channel to the north where a shallow sill inhibits deep water ventilation contributing to the hypoxic conditions below ~ 100 m depth. Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler moorings, scientific echo sounder transects, and in-situ abundance measurements were used to study zooplankton assemblages and migration patterns along Puyuhuapi Fjord and Jacaf Channel. The acoustic records and in-situ zooplankton data revealed diel vertical migrations of siphonophores, euphausiids and copepods. A dense layer of zooplankton was observed along Puyuhuapi Fjord between the surface and the top of the hypoxic layer (~ 100 m), which acted as a physic-chemical barrier to the distribution and migration of the zooplankton. Aggregations of zooplankton and fishes were generally more abundant around the sill in Jacaf Channel than anywhere within Puyuhuapi Fjord. In particular, zooplanktons were distributed throughout the entire water column to ~ 200 m depth, with no evidence of a hypoxic boundary. Turbulence measurements taken near the sill in the Jacaf Channel indicated high turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rates (ε ~ 10−4 W kg−1) and vertical diapycnal eddy diffusivity (Kρ ~ 10−2 m2 s−1) values. These elevated vertical mixing ensures that the water column well oxygenated and promotes zooplanktons aggregation. The sill region represents a major topographic contrast between the two fjords, and we suggest that this is an feature for future research on carbon export and fluxes in these fjords.

scholarly journals Large to submesoscale surface circulation and its implications on biogeochemical/biological horizontal distributions during the OUTPACE cruise (SouthWest Pacific)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Rousselet ◽  
Alain de Verneil ◽  
Andrea M. Doglioli ◽  
Anne A. Petrenko ◽  
Solange Duhamel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Water Mass ◽  
Finite Size ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
General Direction ◽  
The North ◽  
Mesoscale Structures ◽  
Surface Circulation ◽  
Biogeochemical Parameters

Abstract. The patterns of the large-scale, meso- and submesoscale surface circulation on biogeochemical and biological distributions are examined in the Western Tropical South Pacific (WTSP) in the context of the OUTPACE cruise (Feb–April 2015). Multi-disciplinary original in situ observations were achieved along a zonal transect through the WTSP and their analysis was coupled with satellite data. The use of Lagrangian diagnostics allows for the identification of water mass pathways, mesoscale structures, and submesoscale features such as fronts. In particular, we confirmed the existence of a global wind-driven southward circulation of surface waters in the entire WTSP, using a new high-resolution altimetry-derived product, validated by in situ drifters, that includes cyclogeostrophy and Ekman components with geostrophy. Two subregions show counter-intuitive water mass trajectories due to mesoscale circulation: i) the Coral Sea with surface exchanges between the North Vanuatu Jet and the North Caledonian Jet; and ii) the zonal band between 180° W and 170° W with an eastward propagation whereas a westward general direction dominates. Fronts and small-scale features, detected with Finite-Size Lyapunov Exponents (FSLE), are correlated with 25 % of surface tracer gradients which reveals the significance of such structures in the generation of submesoscale surface gradients. Additionally, two high-frequency sampling transects of biogeochemical parameters and micro-organism abundances demonstrate the influence of fronts in controlling the spatial distribution of bacteria and phytoplankton, and as a consequence the microbial community structure. All circulation scales play an important role that has to be taken into account when analysing the data from OUTPACE but also, more generally, to understand the global distribution of biogeochemical components.

scholarly journals Contrasting Response of the Eastern and Western North Atlantic Circulation to an Episodic Climate Event*

2011 ◽  
Vol 41 (9) ◽  
pp. 1630-1638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayan H. Chaudhuri ◽  
Avijit Gangopadhyay ◽  
James J. Bisagni
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
High Salinity ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
High Salinity Water ◽  
Low Salinity ◽  
The North ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
Salinity Water ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
The North Atlantic Oscillation

Abstract Regional observational studies in the North Atlantic have noted significant hydrographical shifts in 1997–98 because of the episodic drop in the North Atlantic oscillation (NAO) during 1996. Investigation using a basin-scale model finds that, although the western North Atlantic (WNA) witnessed unusually low-salinity water by 1997, the eastern North Atlantic (ENA) simultaneously evidenced intrusions of high-salinity water at intermediate depths. This study shows that a major source of high salinity in the ENA is from the northward penetration of Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) that occurred concurrently with a westward shift of the subpolar front. The authors confirm that the low-salinity intrusion in the WNA is from enhanced Labrador Current flow. Results from climatological high- and low-NAO simulations suggest that the NAO-induced circulation changes that occurred in 1997–98 are a characteristic North Atlantic basin response to different forcing conditions during characteristic high- and low-NAO periods.

scholarly journals Large- to submesoscale surface circulation and its implications on biogeochemical/biological horizontal distributions during the OUTPACE cruise (southwest Pacific)

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 2411-2431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Rousselet ◽  
Alain de Verneil ◽  
Andrea M. Doglioli ◽  
Anne A. Petrenko ◽  
Solange Duhamel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Water Mass ◽  
Finite Size ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
General Direction ◽  
The North ◽  
Mesoscale Structures ◽  
Surface Circulation ◽  
Biogeochemical Parameters

Abstract. The patterns of the large-scale, meso- and submesoscale surface circulation on biogeochemical and biological distributions are examined in the western tropical South Pacific (WTSP) in the context of the OUTPACE cruise (February–April 2015). Multi-disciplinary original in situ observations were achieved along a zonal transect through the WTSP and their analysis was coupled with satellite data. The use of Lagrangian diagnostics allows for the identification of water mass pathways, mesoscale structures, and submesoscale features such as fronts. In particular, we confirmed the existence of a global wind-driven southward circulation of surface waters in the entire WTSP, using a new high-resolution altimetry-derived product, validated by in situ drifters, that includes cyclogeostrophy and Ekman components with geostrophy. The mesoscale activity is shown to be responsible for counter-intuitive water mass trajectories in two subregions: (i) the Coral Sea, with surface exchanges between the North Vanuatu Jet and the North Caledonian Jet, and (ii) around 170∘ W, with an eastward pathway, whereas a westward general direction dominates. Fronts and small-scale features, detected with finite-size Lyapunov exponents (FSLEs), are correlated with 25 % of surface tracer gradients, which reveals the significance of such structures in the generation of submesoscale surface gradients. Additionally, two high-frequency sampling transects of biogeochemical parameters and microorganism abundances demonstrate the influence of fronts in controlling the spatial distribution of bacteria and phytoplankton, and as a consequence the microbial community structure. All circulation scales play an important role that has to be taken into account not only when analysing the data from OUTPACE but also, more generally, for understanding the global distribution of biogeochemical components.

scholarly journals Sensitivity of asymmetric Oxygen Minimum Zones to remineralization rate and mixing intensity in the tropical Pacific using a basin-scale model (OGCM-DMEC V1.2)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Wang ◽  
Xiujun Wang ◽  
Raghu Murtugudde ◽  
Dongxiao Zhang ◽  
Rong-Hua Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Mixing ◽  
Tropical Pacific ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Oxygen Minimum Zones ◽  
The North ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
Dominant Process ◽  
Fully Coupled ◽  
Oxygen Minimum ◽  
The Tropical Pacific

Abstract. The tropical Pacific Ocean holds the world’s two largest Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZs), showing a prominent hemispheric asymmetry, with a much stronger and broader OMZ north of the equator. However, many models have difficulties in reproducing the observed asymmetric OMZs in the tropical Pacific. Here, we apply a fully coupled basin-scale model (OGCM-DMEC V1.2) to evaluate the impacts of remineralization rate and the intensity of vertical mixing on the dynamics of OMZs in the tropical Pacific. We first utilize observational data of dissolved oxygen (DO), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and oxygen consumption to calibrate and validate the basin-scale model. Our model experiments demonstrate that enhanced vertical mixing combined with reduced remineralization rate can significantly improve our model capability of reproducing the asymmetric OMZs. Our study shows that DO is more sensitive to biological processes over 200–400 m but to physical processes over 400–1000 m. Enhanced vertical mixing not only causes an increase in DO supply at mid-depth, but also results in lower rates of biological consumption in the OMZs, which is associated with redistribution of DON. Our analyses demonstrate that weaker physical supply in the ETNP is the dominant process responsible for the asymmetry of the lower OMZs whereas greater biological consumption to the north plays a larger role in regulating the upper OMZs. This study highlights the complex roles of physical supply and biological consumption in shaping the asymmetric OMZs in the tropical Pacific.

scholarly journals SST-Induced Surface Wind Variations over the Brazil–Malvinas Confluence: Satellite and In Situ Observations*

2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 3470-3482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroki Tokinaga ◽  
Youichi Tanimoto ◽  
Shang-Ping Xie
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Vertical Mixing ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Surface Stability ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
The North ◽  
Weak Surface ◽  
Divergence Pattern

Abstract The confluence of the Brazil–Malvinas Currents maintains strong sea surface temperature (SST) fronts in the midlatitude southwestern Atlantic year-round. SST effects on near-surface stability and surface wind variations are examined in this region using satellite and in situ datasets. Satellite observations show strong (weak) surface wind speeds over the warm Brazil (cold Malvinas) Current. A novel feature of this study is the construction of a high-resolution surface meteorological dataset that is based on historical ship observations. Analysis of this new in situ dataset reveals an increased (reduced) sea–air temperature difference over the Brazil (Malvinas) Current, indicating destabilization (stabilization) in the atmospheric boundary layer. These results are consistent with the SST-induced vertical mixing mechanism for wind adjustment. The SST effect on the near-surface atmosphere is observed both in the climatology and on interannual time scales in the Brazil–Malvinas confluence. Along a zonal SST front at 49°S northeast of the Malvinas/Falkland Islands, there is a collocated line of surface wind divergence, with moderate convergence to the north. Vertical mixing does not explain this divergence pattern because the prevailing surface winds are westerly, blowing in parallel with the front. An additional mechanism is proposed for boundary layer wind adjustment.

Observed seasonal regimes of North-South Atlantic Ocean interbasin exchange

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed D. Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
South Atlantic ◽  
Meridional Overturning Circulation ◽  
Volume Flux ◽  
The South ◽  
The North ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
Interbasin Exchange ◽  
North And South

North and South Atlantic lateral volume exchange is a key component of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) embedded in Earth’s climate. Northward AMOC heat transport within this exchange mitigates the large heat loss to the atmosphere in the northern North Atlantic. Because of inadequate climate data, observational basin-scale studies of net interbasin exchange between the North and South Atlantic have been limited. Here ten independent climate datasets, five satellite-derived and five analyses, are synthesized to show that North and South Atlantic climatological net lateral volume exchange is partitioned into two seasonal regimes. From late-May to late-November, net lateral volume flux is from the North to the South Atlantic; whereas from late-November to late-May, net lateral volume flux is from the South to the North Atlantic. This climatological characterization offers a framework for assessing seasonal variations in these basins and provides a constraint for climate models that simulate AMOC dynamics.

The Marine Environment

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Penny Holliday ◽  
Stephanie Henson
Keyword(s):  
Primary Production ◽  
North Atlantic ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Seasonal Cycle ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
The North ◽  
Basin Scale ◽  
The North Atlantic ◽  
Physical Features ◽  
Growth Distribution

The growth, distribution, and variability of phytoplankton populations in the North Atlantic are primarily controlled by the physical environment. This chapter provides an overview of the regional circulation of the North Atlantic, and an introduction to the key physical features and processes that affect ecosystems, and especially plankton, via the availability of light and nutrients. There is a natural seasonal cycle in primary production driven by physical processes that determine the light and nutrient levels, but the pattern has strong regional variations. The variations are determined by persistent features on the basin scale (e.g. the main currents and mixed layer regimes of the subtropical and subpolar gyres), as well as transient mesoscale features such as eddies and meanders of fronts.

New determinations of tides on the north-western Ross Ice Shelf

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Richard D. Ray ◽  
Kristine M. Larson ◽  
Bruce J. Haines
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Tide Gauge ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Ice Shelf ◽  
Ross Ice Shelf ◽  
The North ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
North Western

Abstract New determinations of ocean tides are extracted from high-rate Global Positioning System (GPS) solutions at nine stations sitting on the Ross Ice Shelf. Five are multi-year time series. Three older time series are only 2–3 weeks long. These are not ideal, but they are still useful because they provide the only in situ tide observations in that sector of the ice shelf. The long tide-gauge observations from Scott Base and Cape Roberts are also reanalysed. They allow determination of some previously neglected tidal phenomena in this region, such as third-degree tides, and they provide context for analysis of the shorter datasets. The semidiurnal tides are small at all sites, yet M2 undergoes a clear seasonal cycle, which was first noted by Sir George Darwin while studying measurements from the Discovery expedition. Darwin saw a much larger modulation than we observe, and we consider possible explanations - instrumental or climatic - for this difference.

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