Matrilineal evidence for genetic structure and Late Pleistocene demographic expansion of the Ornate goby Istigobius ornatus (Teleostei: Gobiidae) in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea

The Persian Gulf and Oman Sea are characterized by an interesting paleoclimatic history and different ecological settings, and offer a unique study area to investigate the genetic structure of marine organisms including fishes. The Ornate goby Istigobius ornatus is widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo‐West Pacific including the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea. Here, we present the population structure, genetic diversity, and demographic history of four populations of I. ornatus from the latter two regions using the D‐loop marker of mitochondrial DNA. The results reveal a shallow genealogy, a star‐like haplotype network, significance of neutrality tests, and unimodal mismatch distribution. This is concordant with a recent demographic expansion of I. ornatus in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea at about 63,000–14,000 years ago, which appears to be related to Late Pleistocene sea level fall and rise. The results of the pairwise Fst estimates imply high gene flow along the coast of the Persian Gulf, which is probably due to larval dispersion, whereas the Oman Sea population clearly differs from all Persian Gulf populations. The AMOVA result indicates that 7.74% of the variation is related to differences among ecoregions, while inter‐ and intra‐population differences explained ?3.20% and 95.47% of the variation, respectively. The haplotype network depicts two groups of haplotypes, most of them were specific to the Persian Gulf. No further evidence for geographic lineage substructuring was evident. The Mantel test result indicates that isolation by distance is not the main mechanism that promoted the genetic differentiation among the studied populations of I. ornatus. We suggest that cumulative effects of ecological and geographic barriers such as salinity, oceanographic conditions, and the presence of the Strait of Hormuz have shaped the genetic structure of I. ornatus in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea.     

Evaluation of the submarine discharge of karst waters in the region of Cape Aiya

For the submarine springs of underground water located in the karst cavities of Cape Aiya, we suggest a solution based on the modification of the model of flow rate of water and application of the formulas of mixing. We also give methodical recommendations helpful for the reliable determination of empirical parameters under thein situ conditions. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Diffusion in the ocean with diffusion coefficient depending on the scale and concentration of impurities

We solve a nonlinear problem of diffusion from a concentrated source in a moving medium with diffusion coefficient depending on the scale of the phenomenon, time, and the concentration of impurities. We obtain a family of exact solutions of this problem, which can be regarded as a generalization of the class of linear problems of diffusion considered earlier for the conditions of the ocean and atmosphere by Roberts, Ozmidov, Obukhov,et al. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev.     

On the measurement error of the sound velocity in marine media

We consider specific errors of measuring the velocity of sound in water caused by the effect of heating of the analyzed volume of the medium by acoustic irradiation and the influence of the velocity of the incident flow. We deduce expressions for the optimal values of the intensity of sounding acoustic radiation and the velocity of the incident flow guaranteeing the minimum possible value of the resulting error and give recommendations concerning thein situ measurements of the sound velocity. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Vertical structure of geostrophic currents in the fields of density of water and hydrostatic pressure

We analyze geostrophic currents with nonmonotonic vertical profiles, of velocity and present the distributions of the density of water and hydrostatic pressure corresponding to possible types of the vertical kinematic structure. To prove the existence of the indicated complex layered structures, we use, the data of instrumentalin situ measurements of currents in the Black Sea and in the west part of the Tropical Atlantic. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Distinctive features of data processing for the side-looking radar of theSich-1 satellite

We show that the parameters of primary radar images obtained from theSich-1 satellite depend on the mode of survey and that the time dependence of the coefficient of correction of amplification in the channel of formation of radar signals is nonlinear. We propose to process radar images of the sea surface by using the so-called Bragg normalization of signals, which enables one to get a physically correct dependence of specific effective scattering surface on the elevation angle. We also consider a procedure of determination of the dependence of specific effective scattering surface of the sea on the wind velocity on the basis of the data accumulated by the side-looking radar of theSich-1 satellite. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Analysis of the surface circulation in the Black Sea performed by using drifting buoys with satellite communications

We present the results of drift experiments with 14LOBAN-TM buoys carried out for the first time in the Black Sea in 1987–1997. We analyze the specific features of application of buoys in summer and winter. We present the main results of investigation of the Main Black Sea Current by drift methods and joint processing of drift contact and remote infrared observations. We demonstrate the possibility of enhancement of the quality of observations due to the application of SVPB drifters of new generation equipped with underwater sails and meters of atmospheric pressure in the near-surface atmospheric layer. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

North Brazil Current: Variability, stability and transport of waters

On the basis of the data of thein situ measurements of current velocities and other basic hydrophysical parameters (temperature and salinity) performed in the course of Cruise 41 of the R/VAkademik Vernadsky, we analyze the variability and stability of the North Brazil Current in winter. We also study the possibility of the influence of the baroclinic component of the horizontal drop of hydrostatic pressure on the vertical profile of the current velocity and estimate the intensity of the transport of waters. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Evaluation of the influence of surface films on short wind waves and the characteristics of the boundary layer of the atmosphere

With the help of a combined model of wind and waves, we study the influence of films of surfactants on the spectrum of short wind waves and the parameters of the lowest layer of the atmosphere. It is shown that the films of surfactants decrease the roughness of the sea surface as a result of suppression of short wind waves, which decreases the coefficient of resistance of the sea surface and the coefficient of turbulent heat exchange. The maximum influence of films on the exchange coefficients is attained forU∼10 m/s. In this case, the relative decrements of the coefficients of resistance and turbulent heat exchange are equal to 15 and 9%, respectively. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev UDC 551.46     

North Brazil current: vertical structure

On the basis of the data ofin situ measurements of the velocities of currents and basic hydrophysical parameters (such as temperature and salinity) carried out during Cruise 41 of the R/VAkademik Vernadsky, we analyze the structure of the North Brazil Current near the continental slope and in the equatorial abyssal part of the ocean in winter, establish the regularities of changes in the current velocity with depth, and compare the structures of the North Brazil and Guiana Currents. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

A numerical model for the evaluation of the depth of penetration of two-dimensional turbulent convection

For a one type of temperature turbulent convection observed in the ocean, i.e., for the two-dimensional roller-type convection, we propose a model intended for the evaluation of the intensity and depth of penetration of convective motions as functions of a given heat flow from the sea surface and the temperature gradient in the thermocline. This model is based on the methods of the theory of turbulent jets and experimental data on the vertical distribution of temperature in the course of convection. The comparison of the calculated dimensionless values of the depth of penetration of the thermocline in autumn and winter shows a good qualitative agreement with the data ofin situ measurements. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

A model of the evolution of vertical thermohaline inhomogeneities of an oceanic thermocline taking into account the effects of double diffusion

We construct a numerical model of the evolution of the structure of an oceanic thermocline in the presence of “salt-finger” convection. The model explains the formation of a piecewise homogeneous vertical structure of the temperature and salinity fields in the ocean. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Interannual and seasonal variability of hydrometeorological fields in some regions of the Atlantic-European sector as a manifestation of the abnormal behaviour of the North-Atlantic Oscillation

We study the interannual and seasonal variability of hydrometeorological fields in some regions of the Atlantic-European sector. These low-frequency processes are analyzed depending on the index ΔP (an analog of the index of the North-Atlantic Oscillation). It is shown that the average value of the index ΔP over the winter natural synoptic season can be used for the determination of stable locations of the centre of the Azorean maximum in 1971–1980 and 1981–1990, the typical state of cloudiness in the Atlantic-European sector, and the fields of precipitations and atmospheric temperature in some regions of the Crimea. Typical anomalies of the fields of precipitations and atmospheric temperature over the west and south coasts of the Crimea are described. The signs of the anomalies of precipitations in the winter natural synoptic season are in good agreement with the signs of the corresponding anomalies of the field of cloudiness in the Black-Sea region. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Hardware correction of dynamic errors in measuring salinity by usingCTD-systems

We study the procedures aimed at decreasing the dynamic errors of the evaluation of salinity with the help ofCTD-probes by reducing the difference between the amplitude-phase characteristics of temperature and conductivity sensors. This is attained by introducing a delay between the times of scanning the sensors. To make the amplitude characteristics as close as possible, we propose to use temperature sensors distributed in the direction of probing. We present the procedures used to determine the optimal parameters of temperature sensors and the length of time delay. The advantages of the proposed method are demonstrated by analyzing a numerical example. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Relationship between the depth of visibility of Secchi disk and biooptical characteristics of the Black-Sea waters

We present the parameters of empirical relationships between the depth of visibility of Secchi disk and optical and biological characteristics of the Black-Sea surface waters. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Albedo of clouds and radiation conditions in the oceans

On the basis of the satellite and ship data of many-year observations, we parametrize the albedo of the ocean-atmosphere system both for the conditions of “fair weather” and for the maximum and climatic optical thicknesses of oceanic clouds. These results are used to develop a procedure of practically exact reconstruction of the monthly average fluxes of integral solar radiation and the radiation budget over the ice-free surface of the oceans according to the data of satellite measurements of albedo (Nimbus NOAA satellite, 1974–1983) for arbitrary conditions of transparency of the atmosphere and cloudiness. We determine the current and climatic monthly average values and the characteristics of interannual variability of all components of the radiation mode of the ocean-atmosphere system with a spatial resolution of 500×500 km. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Coastal management in the Persian Gulf region within the framework of the ROPME programme of action

Persian Gulf is a semi-enclosed sea located in the Middle East and is connected to oceans through the narrow 55-km Strait of Hormuz. The Persian Gulf holds an estimated 57–66% of the world's known reserves of oil. The occurrence of three major battles in the Gulf region during the past three decades has created an atmosphere of commotion and uncertainty. Because of its marine geology, geographical location, and geopolitical sensitivity, coastal management in the Gulf region cannot be considered independently of its vast oil and natural gas reserves and environmentally related matters. The Regional Organization for Protection of Marine Environment (ROPME) forum was established in Kuwait in 1979 and quickly ratified by seven new member states (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates). Rapid growth of ROPME and shared coastal and marine environmental issues among littoral States have resulted in numerous successful plans laying the basis for future coastal management and development in the Persian Gulf region.Different plans were investigated to reach sustainable coastal management and environmental pollution prevention programmes in the Persian Gulf region and it was concluded that such plans could only be implemented when littoral states prioritize the management schemes in the Persian Gulf region and incorporate them into their own national legislation.Similar to many Regional Sea Programmes, ROPME has faced many drawbacks since its inception. Military conflicts, poor enforcement of protocols, lack of adequate coordination, disharmony among littoral states and lack of sufficient funding have put many coastal management programmes on hold.Demilitarization, enforcement of ROPME resolutions, and implementation of long-term economical growth planning are all part of an integrated coastal management programme that can bring about significant changes in the Persian Gulf area. Despite all existing differences and difficulties, many important tasks have been accomplished in the past two decades. Coastal management issues have been analyzed and well documented by ROPME. With the existing situation in the Gulf region, ROPME can effectively coordinate and implement the following tasks: monitor water quality and coastal habitat, develop and implement a comprehensive pollution prevention scheme, educate the public in terms of coastal preservation, train technical staff, put in place an effective pollution prevention and waste management programme, and establish the basis for an integrated regional coastal zone management plan.     

Vertical transport in a stratified oceanic medium

On the basis of the analysis of the data of hydrological observations, we construct an empirical dependence of the vertical heat fluxQ on the temperature gradientT _z . The integral advective-diffusive transfer is taken into account by the method of Kolesnikov. We obtain a generalized dependence of the coefficient of vertical thermal diffusivityK _z onT _z and note that the well-known Rossby-Montgomery relation and Kolesnikov formula are its special cases. We analyze the possibility of application of this dependence to linear and nonlinear problems of thermal conductivity and diffusion in the ocean. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

On the influence of a diurnal baroclinic tide on the diffusion of an impurity

We investigate the influence of baroclinic tidal waves on the diffusion of an impurity spot in a continuously stratified liquid. The equation of turbulent diffusion is solved numerically by taking into account the wave currents. We establish the dependences of the characteristics of the diffusion process on the parameters of the baroclinic wave and the location of the impurity spot. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev