Long-period acoustic and seismic measurements and ocean floorcurrents

Pressure fluctuations caused by a strong ocean floor current are evident during most of an eighty-day-long record of very-low-frequency acoustic ambient noise measured by an instrument on the seafloor in the western Atlantic in the framework of the HEBBLE (High Energy Benthic Boundary Layer Experiment). The differential pressure gauges on the instrument produce useful measurements over a wide frequency band extending from 0.0005 to 16 Hz. The spectrum of current-induced pressure fluctuations is red with a power-law dependence on frequency with an exponent of -1.5. Turbulence in the ocean floor boundary layer is the source of these pressure fluctuations rather than the effects of flow around the transducers. This record of boundary-layer pressure fluctuations is used to predict the effect of seafloor currents on long-period seismograph measurements from the seafloor and from under the seafloor in boreholes     

The diffusive component of particulate organic carbon export in the North Atlantic estimated from SeaWiFS ocean color

The diffusive component of the particulate organic carbon (POC) export from the ocean's surface layer has been estimated using a combination of the mixed layer model and SeaWiFS ocean color data. The calculations were carried out for several example sites located in the North Atlantic over a 10-year time period (1998–2007). Satellite estimates of surface POC derived from ocean color were applied as an input to the model driven by local surface heat and momentum fluxes. For each year of the examined period, the diffusive POC flux was estimated at a 200 m depth. The highest flux is generally observed in the spring and fall seasons, when surface waters are weakly stratified. In addition, the model results demonstrate significant interannual and geographical variability of the flux. The highest diffusive POC flux occurs in the northern North Atlantic and the lowest in the subtropical region. The interannual variability of the diffusive POC flux is associated with mixed layer dynamics and underscores the importance of atmospheric forcing for POC export from the surface layer to the ocean's interior.     

Field measurements of coastal waves and currents in Portugal and Greece

The MAST II WAVEMOD Project aimed at improving stochastic modelling of ocean waves and currents in coastal waters. In order to supplement existing data, two measurement campaigns were carried out, one on the Atlantic coast of Portugal, and, secondly, on the northern coast of Crete in the Mediterranean. The Portuguese measurements covered 7 months during winter 1993–1994, while off Crete, measurements started early in February 1994 and continued for 10 months. In both sites, two directional Waveriders and one non-directional Waverider were deployed along a transect out from the coast in water depths between 10 and 100 m. In addition, the Mediterranean site also incorporated measurements of mean current velocities. Available satellite data were analysed to supplement the buoy data. In this paper, both measurement campaigns are described together with a presentation of some of the data collected.     

North Atlantic Oscillation: Description,Mechanisms, and Influence on the Eurasian Climate

The present work is devoted to the characteristic of the North-Atlantic Oscillation and the analysis of the state-of-the-art of this problem. In the survey section of the work, we deal with the following issues: the definition of the North Atlantic and Arctic Oscillations, their interaction with oceanic processes, and their influence on the variations of climate in Eurasia. In addition, by using the COADS (Comprehensive Ocean Atmosphere Data Set) data and the data on the discharge of European and Asian rivers, we establish some new original results. It is confirmed that the anomalies of the sea-surface temperature are consequences of the integral response of the ocean to the preceding atmospheric actions and that the spectra of these anomalies are characterized by the presence of significant peaks within the band of periods of 10–20 yr. These periods correspond to inherent oceanic variability. The atmospheric response manifests itself in the form of abnormal conditions over the catchment areas of European and Asian rivers, which leads to oscillations of their discharges. As a result of the intensification of the North Atlantic Oscillation and the displacement of the centers of action of the atmosphere in the 60–90s of the previous century, the influence of this oscillation on the climatic conditions in the European-Asian region became more intense.     

Rapid swing and spin of [deep] taut-wire-moored instruments

Rapid ‘swing’, compass variations O(10°) in O(10 s), and ‘spin’, complete rotations around the vertical axis within a few minutes, are a concern of acoustic current meters moored in-line. Observations are used from fast sampling, at once per 1 and 30 s, instrumentation on deep-ocean moorings mainly outside surface wave and bottom boundary influences. Such instruments do not require a vane common to some historic mechanical current meters and they are often moored in a much easier to handle sub-surface buoy or mounting rack, without vanes. In their mountings they are nearly symmetric, so that they can spin freely in (turbulent; shear) flows. A comparison is made between noise levels of such free spinning instrumentation with those of instruments mounted in a fixed bottom-frame and with those of instruments equipped with a vane to one side. Typical spinning has a single rotation varying between 40 and 200 s. Spinning is shown to be highly binary: on or off. Its effects are found negligible on estimates of ocean currents, provided compass updates are adequate as in existing instrumentation. Acoustic noise is O(10) times larger than noise due to spinning. Some effects of spinning are noticed in the acoustic echo amplitude showing higher noise at frequencies >100 cpd, cycles per day. The character of this noise changes dramatically due to spinning. However, it is mainly in the ocean turbulence range and does not affect measurements of internal waves or periodic zooplankton motions.     

Measurements of ambient noise spectra in the south Norwegian Sea

Measurements have been made of ambient sea noise north of the Shetland Islands in the southern part of the Norwegian Sea. Shore-terminated, omnidirectional hydrophones, bottomed in 240 and 350 fathoms, were used. Twenty minute samples of single hydrophone outputs were recorded during daylight hours about every 3 days over a 4-year period from the summer of 1957 to 1961. Amplitude levels were measured at selected frequencies in the band 30 cps to 1 kc. Matching observations of wind and weather were coordinated with the noise data. The noise spectrum was found to be relatively flat compared with the spectrum measured in deep ocean areas of the western North Atlantic. Also, the pressure levels at frequencies above 100 cps are considerably higher. Seasonal changes were observed in the spectrum below 400 cps. The annual excursion in level from winter high to midsummer low was about 5 db at 50 cps and 3.5 db at 100 cps. Although no seasonal changes occurred in the upper spectrum, day-to-day variations in level at the higher frequencies generally followed patterns of change in local weather. There was good correlation between wind velocity and ambient noise at 800 and at 1000 cps. The character of sea-noise in the area seems to be shaped to two factors. First, a combination of thermal structure and a very gradual bottom slope result in high propagation losses. This in turn restricts the acoustic access at a bottomed hydrophone to a localized field. Second, except for a few summer calms, weather in the islands is severe, and strong winds and high sea states are sustained throughout the year.     

21世纪格陵兰冰川融化速率对海平面变化的影响

本文利用大洋环流模式POP研究RCP4.5情景下21世纪格陵兰冰川不同的融化速率对全球及区域海平面变化的影响。结果显示:当格陵兰冰川的融化速率以每年1%增加时,全球大部分海域的动力和比容海平面变化基本不变,主要是由于格陵兰冰川在低速融化时并不会导致大西洋经向翻转流减弱。当格陵兰冰川的融化速率以每年3%和每年7%增加时,动力海平面在北大西洋副极地、大西洋热带、南大西洋副热带和北冰洋海域呈现出显著的上升趋势,这是因为格陵兰冰川快速融化导致大量的淡水输入附近海域,造成该上层海洋层化加强和深对流减弱,导致大西洋经向翻转流显著减弱;与此同时,热比容海平面在北冰洋、格陵兰岛南部海域和大西洋副热带海域显著下降,而在热带大西洋和湾流海域明显上升;此时盐比容海平面的变化与热比容海平面是反相的,这是由于大量的低温低盐水的输入,造成北大西洋副极地海域变冷变淡、大西洋经向翻转流和热盐环流显著减弱,引起了太平洋向北冰洋的热通量和淡水通量减少,导致了北冰洋海水变冷变淡,同时热带大西洋滞留了更多的高温高盐水,随着湾流被带到北大西洋,北大西洋副极地海域低温低盐的海水,被风生环流输运到副热带海域。     

Assimilation of hydrological observation data for calculating currents in seas and oceans

This paper considers the main steps in improving the methods for calculating the ocean (sea) dynamics on the basis of observational data on sea-water temperature and salinity. The results of diagnostic and adaptation calculations for the near-equatorial area of the West Atlantic in the area of the Lomonosov countercurrent formation are presented. We consider the problem of the complex use of measurements of temperature, salinity, and current velocity in the POLYMODE polygons with their assimilation into the model using a Kalman filter. The results of calculations of the coordinated fields with the mechanism of geostrophic adaptation and using asynchronous measurements obtained by the Razrezy program are given. We discuss further modifications of the assimilation algorithms for hydrological observation data in models of sea dynamics and the principles of adaptation of hydrophysical fields that made it possible to reconstruct the climate fields of the Black Sea and to reproduce the basin dynamics for 23 years.     

Altimeter Signal-to-Noise for Deep Ocean Processes in Operational Systems

The ocean signal for this study is the sea surface height due to the slowly varying (greater than 5-day) ocean processes, which are predominantly the deep ocean mesoscale. These processes are the focus of present assimilation systems for monitoring and predicting ocean circulation due to ocean fronts and eddies and the associated environmental changes that impact real time activities in areas with depths greater than about 200 m. By this definition, signal-to-noise may be estimated directly from altimeter data sets through a crossover point analysis. The RMS variability in crossover differences is due to instrument noise, errors in environmental corrections to the satellite observation, and short time period oceanic variations. The signal-to-noise ratio indicates that shallow areas are typically not well observed due to the high frequency fluctuations. Many deep ocean areas also contain significant high frequency variability such as the subpolar latitudes, which have large atmospheric pressure systems moving through, and these in turn generate large errors in the inverse barometer correction. Understanding the spatial variations of signal to noise is a necessary prerequisite for correct assimilation of the data into operational systems.     

Altimeter Signal-to-Noise for Deep Ocean Processes in Operational Systems

The ocean signal for this study is the sea surface height due to the slowly varying (greater than 5-day) ocean processes, which are predominantly the deep ocean mesoscale. These processes are the focus of present assimilation systems for monitoring and predicting ocean circulation due to ocean fronts and eddies and the associated environmental changes that impact real time activities in areas with depths greater than about 200 m. By this definition, signal-to-noise may be estimated directly from altimeter data sets through a crossover point analysis. The RMS variability in crossover differences is due to instrument noise, errors in environmental corrections to the satellite observation, and short time period oceanic variations. The signal-to-noise ratio indicates that shallow areas are typically not well observed due to the high frequency fluctuations. Many deep ocean areas also contain significant high frequency variability such as the subpolar latitudes, which have large atmospheric pressure systems moving through, and these in turn generate large errors in the inverse barometer correction. Understanding the spatial variations of signal to noise is a necessary prerequisite for correct assimilation of the data into operational systems.     

Acoustic reflectors in the surface layers of deep sea sediments

Using ultrasonic scanning it is possible to display the position of an acoustic discontinuity within a sediment core and the amplitude of the reflected signal which results from it. From these results it has been possible to examine the effect of variations in the geotechnical properties on the reflection of compressional waves at normal incidence within the core at a frequency of 100 kHz. The occurrence of acoustic reflectors in the surface layers of North Atlantic sediments has also been examined.Two ultrasonic scanning systems for the non-destructive testing of marine sediment cores have been developed. The performance of the two systems has been evaluated using the results from measurements made on a suite of marine sediment cores from the North Atlantic in conjunction with X-ray scanning and geological analysis of the same cores.     

Monitoring the integrated deep meridional flow in the tropical North Atlantic: Long-term performance of a geostrophic array

As a component of the meridional overturning variability experiment in the tropical North Atlantic, a four-year-long time series of meridional transport of North Atlantic deep water has been obtained from moored end point measurements of density and bottom pressure. This study presents a quality assessment of the measurement elements. Rigorous pre- and post- deployment in situ calibration of the density sensors and subsequent data processing establish an accuracy of O(1.5 Sv) in internal transport in the 1200–5000 dbar range at subinertial time scales. A similar accuracy is reached in the bottom pressure-derived external transport fluctuations. However, for pressure, variability with periods longer than a deployment's duration (presently about one year) is not measurable. This effect is demonstrated using numerical simulations and a possible solution for detecting long-term external transport changes is presented.     

On the history of meridional overturning circulation schematic diagrams

Recent global warming caused by humans and the prediction of a reduced Atlantic Ocean meridional overturning circulation in the future has increased interest in the role of the overturning circulation in climate change. A schematic diagram of the overturning circulation called the “Great Ocean Conveyor Belt,” published by Wallace Broecker in 1987, has become a popular image that emphasizes the inter-connected ocean circulation and the northward flux of heat in the Atlantic. This seems a good time to review the development of the conveyor belt concept and summarize the history of overturning circulation schematics.In the 19th century it was thought that symmetric overturning circulation cells were located on either side of the equator in the Atlantic. As new hydrographic measurements were obtained, circulation schematics in the early 20th century began to show the inter-hemispheric overturning circulation in the Atlantic. In the second half of the 20th century schematics showed the global ocean overturning circulation including connections between the Atlantic and the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Some recent schematics of the overturning circulation show its complexities, but as more information is included these schematics have also become complex and not as easy to understand as the simple Broecker 1987 version. However, these complex schematics, especially the quantitative ones, represent valuable syntheses of our developing knowledge of the overturning circulation.     

Arctic sea ice cover in connection with climate change

Recently published studies on key issues in the evolution of Arctic sea ice cover are reviewed and attempts to answer disputable questions are made in the research part of the work. It is shown that climate warming, manifested in an increase in the surface air temperature, and reduction in the ice cover develop with a high degree of agreement in summer. Based on this fact, anomalies of the September ice-cover area have been retrieved from 1900. They show a significant decrease in the 1930–1940s, which is almost twice as low as in 2007–2012. The influence of fluctuations in the flow of warm and salty Atlantic water is noted in variations in the winter maximum of the ice-cover area in the Barents Sea. An accelerated positive trend has been ascertained for the air temperature in late autumn–early winter in 1993–2012 due to an increase in the open water area in late summer. Inherent regularities of the ice-cover-area variability made it possible to develop a prediction of the monthly values of sea-ice extent with a head time from 6 months to 2 years. Their strong correlation with summer air temperature is used to estimate the onset of summer ice clearance in the Arctic.     

Physical properties of the formation of water exchange between Atlantic and Arctic Ocean

Physical regularities of water exchange between the North Atlantic (NA) and Arctic Ocean (AO) in 1958–2009 are analyzed on the basis of numerical experiments with an eddy-permitting model of ocean circulation. Variations in the heat and salt fluxes in the Greenland Sea near the Fram Strait caused by atmospheric forcing generate baroclinic modes of ocean currents in the 0–300 m layer, which stabilize the response of the ocean to atmospheric forcing. This facilitates the conservation of water exchange between the NA and AO at a specific climatic level. A quick response of dense water outflow into the deep layers of the NA through the Denmark Strait to the variations in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index was revealed on the monthly scale. A response on a time scale of 39 months was also revealed. The quick response on the NAO index variation was interrupted in 1969–1978, which was related to the Great Salinity Anomaly. It was shown that transverse oscillations of the Norwegian Atlantic Current significantly influence the formation of intermediate dense waters in the Greenland and Norwegian seas (GNS). The dense water outflow by bottom current (BC) to the deep layers of the NA through the Faroe Channels with a time lag of 1 year correlates with the transversal oscillations of the Norwegian Current front. The mass transport of the BC outflow from the Faroe Channels to the NA can serve as an integral indicator of the formation and sink of new portions of dense waters formed as a result of mixing of warm saline Atlantic waters and cold freshened Arctic waters in the GNS.     

印度洋大西洋上升流的长期变化及其与爱尔尼诺南方涛动的关系

用Ｘｉｅ和Ｈｓｉｅｈ从三十九年（１９５０－１９８８）Ｃｏａｄｓ月平均风应力资料算出的全球海洋Ｅｋｍａｎ层底垂直速度资料，分别对印度洋和大西洋的垂直速度场作ＥＯＦ分析。在３８４个模中集中讨论了前四个模，印度洋的四个模被发现均与Ｅｌｎｉｎｏ事件有关，模一与模二表现为Ｅｌｎｉｎｏ前后的剧降与剧升，（只是模二的位相较模一滞后半年）而模三与模四的位相与模一、二反相、时间振幅的曲线在Ｅｌｎｉｎｏ前达到正峰值，     

On the correlation between oscillations of the Caspian Sea level and the North Atlantic climate

Correlations between the changes in the climate of the Caspian Sea region and in its level and the variations in the North Atlantic climate are studied. The indices of North Atlantic oscillation (NAO), Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO), the intensity of Atlantic thermohaline circulation (ATHC), and the air humidity above the North Atlantic are used as basic indicators of climatic variations that influence the Caspian Sea. Results of an experiment for reproducing the World Ocean circulation and the parameterization of cyclic climate peculiarities made it possible to reveal their impact on the formation of Eurasian climatic variability and on the level regime of the Caspian Sea. This impact is studied through the variability of ATHC, the NAO index, and a composite index of moisture transport (CIMT) that is proposed as a result of the studies.     

Oceanic Velocity Microstructure Measurements in the 20th Century

The science of ocean turbulence was started more than 50 years ago by a small research group using a surplus mine-sweeping paravane to measure the velocity and temperature fluctuations in the ocean. The field has grown considerably and measurements are now conducted by researchers in many countries. A wide variety of sophisticated instrument systems are used to profile horizontally and vertically through the marine environment. Here we review the historical development of velocity micro-structure profiles over the past four decades and summarize the basic requirements for successful measurements. We highlight critical technological developments and glance briefly at some of the scientific discoveries made with these instruments. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

基于CCSM3气候模式的同化模拟试验

基于美国NCAR及其他科学家合作发展的共同气候系统模式CCSM3,利用nudging方法开展了把15 m到465 m的次表层海温同化到该模式的研究。1980—2000年的同化试验结果表明,经过同化得到的模拟结果与实际较为一致,较好的再现了中低纬太平洋海洋和大气的平均特征和随时间演变的规律,但仍存在如海表温度偏高、降水偏强等问题。尤其是在大洋的东边界,陆地地形比较陡峭的地区,通常出现较大的偏差。     

Comparisons of high-frequency acoustic fluctuations with ocean-temperature and sea-surface fluctuations in shallow water

Dynamic ocean processes produce small thermal variations that induce spatial and temporal variability in the ocean's index of refraction and in the spatial scale along an acoustic propagation path. This paper reports measurements and analysis of thermal microstructure effects on ping-to-ping amplitude and phase variability of shallow-water direct-path acoustic propagation in the 20-200 kHz frequency range. These measurements were conducted during a joint experiment conducted by the Naval Research Laboratory and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT) Undersea Research Centre, La Spezia, Italy, in 8 m of water off American Beach, located between Pisa and Livorno, Italy. Experimental observations are compared with predictions for isotropic and anisotropic turbulence, as well as for sea-surface swell. Measured phase and log-amplitude variances coincide with predictions and are relatively insensitive to weak water-column stability. The sea-surface swell dominates phase variances for this data and turbulence dominates log-amplitude variances. These results provide a reasonable lower limit on high-frequency ping-to-ping amplitude and on phase variability produced by benign shallow-water thermal fluctuations.