Ferromanganoan sediments in the equatorial East Pacific

Ferromanganoan sediments containing little or no CaCO₃ have been found to occur extensively throughout the region between the East Pacific Rise and the Galapagos Rise. Concentrations of Fe and Mn of up to 18 and 6.5%, respectively, accompany low concentrations of Al and Ti. The concentrations of Cu, Ni, and Zn are also high relative to more typical pelagic sediments.While chemically similar to the non-carbonate fraction of metalliferous sediments previously described from the East Pacific Rise, the mineralogy is markedly different. A non-detrital smectite makes up the bulk of sediment (70 to 90%) and is the most important iron bearing phase. Fe and Mn oxides, occurring primarily as micro-nodules, comprise 10 to 20% of the sediment. Detrital material is relatively rare, amounting to less than 10% in all samples.     

Early diagenesis in sediments from the eastern equatorial Pacific,I. Pore water nutrient and carbonate results

Interstitial waters were extracted from cores at three locations in the eastern equatorial Pacific and analyzed for nutrients, dissolved carbonate species, Mn and Fe. From the depth variation in pore water chemistry, we infer that organic matter oxidation reactions occur with depth in the following sequence: O₂ reduction, NO₃^? and MnO₂ reduction, and then ferric iron reduction. From NO₃^? results we infer that O₂ is largely or totally consumed within the top few centimeters of sediment. NO₃^? is completely reduced at a sediment depth of 20 cm at a site near the crest of the East Pacific Rise, but is preserved at levels of 20–30 μmol/kg at 40 cm depth at a Guatemala Basin site.We have calculated the alkalinity for pore water samples assuming ions diffuse according to relative ionic diffusion coefficients, that the stoichiometry of organic matter oxidation reactions is that of “Redfield” organic matter, and that the pore waters are saturated throughout with respect to CaCO₃. The measured alkalinity increase is only about half of the predicted value. The difference is probably a result of either enhanced mixing of the pore water in the top few centimeters of sediments by biological or physical processes, or the occurrence of an inorganic reaction which consumes alkalinity.At depths of oxygen and nitrate reduction in the sediments, the ion concentration product of CaCO₃ is the same, within the analytical error, as the solubility product of Ingle et al. [34] at 1 atm and 4°C. This result indicates CaCO₃ resaturation on pressure change during coring. Where pore water Mn concentrations become measurable, the ion concentration product increases, indicating either supersaturation with respect to calcite or that another phase is controlling the carbonate solubility.     

Amino acids in equatorial Pacific Ocean water

Seawater samples from the Eastern Equatorial Pacific Ocean were analyzed for amino acids by a ligand-exchange chromatography technique. The results showed that dissolved free amino acids make up only 0.3% of DOC, much less than has been previously reported for open ocean waters. Substantially larger amounts of combined amino acids are present, however. Concentration variations of the combined amino acid fraction in the water column suggest their potential use as a water mass indicator.     

Reflection of equatorial Kelvin waves at eastern ocean boundaries Part II: Pacific and Atlantic Oceans

The effect of viscosity, non linearities, incident wave period and realistic eastern coastline geometry on energy fluxes are investigated using a shallow water model with a spatial resolution of 1/4 degree in both meridional and zonal directions. Equatorial and mid-latitude responses are considered. It is found that (1) the influence of the coastline geometry and the incident wave period is more important for the westward energy flux than for the poleward flux, and (2) the effect of the inclination of the eastern ocean boundary on the poleward energy flux, for the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, decline as the period of the incident wave increases. Furthermore, the model simulations suggest that the poleward energy fluxes from meridional boundaries give plausible results for motions of seasonal and annual periods. For comparatively shorter periods, a realistic coastline geometry has to be included for more accurate results. It is recommended that any numerical model involving the reflection of baroclinic Rossby waves (of intraseasonal, seasonal or annual periods) on the eastern Pacific or Atlantic Oceans, should consider the effect of the coastline geometry in order to improve the accuracy of the results.     

Response of the equatorial Pacific thermocline to climate warming

Climate models project a significant shoaling of the thermocline over the western equatorial Pacific Ocean under global warming, which has been generally regarded as a direct response to surface wind change. This study investigates the formation processes for the equatorial Pacific thermocline response to CO₂ quadrupling using the Community Earth System Model version 1 (CESM1). In particular, an overriding method is applied to isolate and quantify the wind stress effect and the direct radiative effect of CO₂ emissions. Results show that both effects of the wind stress and direct radiative forcing are equally important for shoaling the equatorial thermocline, with the former responsible for its upper portion change and the latter for its lower portion change. Further passive tracer experiments with the ocean component of the CESM1 verify the role of ocean surface warming in shoaling the equatorial thermocline and identify the ocean circulation change in response to the surface warming as its dynamic cause of formation.     

Non-steady state diagenetic record in eastern equatorial Atlantic sediments

The radiocarbon age profile of a sediment core from the eastern equatorial Atlantic shows a marked decrease in both clay and carbonate accumulation rates at the end of the last glacial period, with overall rates of 3.2 and 8.1 cm/kyr for the Holocene and late glacial respectively. The transition from glacial to postglacial conditions recorded in the sediments at 39 cm is above the visual Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox boundary at 48 cm which has been used in the past to identify the glacial section, and even further above the increase in preserved organic carbon content at 55 cm. It is concluded from the present organic carbon profile, and recent observations in this area and elsewhere, that organic diagenesis in these sediments is not steady state. Instead it is suggested that the uppermost glacial sediments lost carbon through oxic remineralisation at the change to postglacial conditions, and that this process is now continued with nitrate as the electron acceptor. These observations suggest that the double MnO_x solid phase peak which occurs in these and similar sediments is a direct consequence of an adjustment of the oxic layer depth following the decrease in carbon flux at the onset of the Holocene.     

A multitracer approach to the study of erosion in the northeast equatorial Pacific

Erosion of sediment at two sites within the siliceous-clay province of the northeast equatorial Pacific is investigated by examining radionuclide, radiolarian and percent smectite profiles of three ? cores. A numerical ? model of the sediment is presented that examines the effect of various particle rain rates, erosion rates and biological mixing parameters on these profiles.²³⁰Th, because of its longer half-life, is a more sensitive tracer of erosion than²³¹Pa. Because the input of these radionuclides into the sediment is not well defined however, conservative tracers, such as the percent smectite of the clay fraction and fossil radiolarians are used to constrain the rate of sediment recycling. Dissolution of radiolarians though can greatly affect the interpretation of the observed biostratigraphy.     

Estimating thermohaline variability of the equatorial Pacific Ocean from satellite altimetry

The vertical thermohaline structure in the western equatorial Pacific is examined with a Gravest Empirical Mode (GEM) diagnosis of in-situ mooring measurements. The poor GEM performance in estimating deep thermohaline variability from satellite altimetry confirms a lack of vertical coherence in the equatorial ocean. Mooring observation reveals layered equatorial water with phase difference up to 6 months between thermocline and sub-thermocline variations. The disjointed layers reflect weak geostrophy and resemble pancake structures in non-rotating stratified turbulence. A coherency theorem is then proved, stating that traditional stationary GEM represents in-phase coherent structure and can not describe vertically out-of-phase variability. The fact that stationary GEM holds both spatial and temporal coherence makes it a unique tool to diagnose vertical coherent structure in geophysical flows. The study also develops a non-stationary GEM projection that captures more than 40% of the thermohaline variance in the equatorial deep water.     

Post-depositional metal enrichment processes inside manganese nodules from the north equatorial Pacific

Interiors of manganese nodules from siliceous ooze beneath the Pacific equatorial high-productivity region, when examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron microprobe, display post-depositional recrystallization textures and metalliferous oxide bands (diameter 1–10 μm, 30–40 wt.% Mn, 4–5% Ni, 3–4% Cu). SEM has revealed biogenic siliceous matter in all stages of degradation and dissolution within nodule interiors, creating cavities and voids. Often these miniature vugs contain authigenic phillipsite crystallites which are coated with delicate clusters of crystalline Mn-Fe oxides (todorokite) containing significant amounts of Ni and Cu. We postulate the following diagenetic processes and mechanism of uptake of transition metals inside manganese nodules: (1) palagonite + biogenic silica + pelagic clay → phillipsite + montmorillonite; (2) biogenic matter + amorphous FeOOH or δ-MnO₂ → Fe_aq²⁺ and/or Mn^IIMn^IV oxide (todorokite); (3) aerated seawater or δ-MnO₂ + Fe_aq²⁺ → FeOOH and/or todorokite (deposited on phillipsite); (4) (Ni^II and Cu^II) organic chelates (adsorbed on clays, etc.) + amorphous FeOOH or δ-MnO₂ → Ni-Cu-todorokite + phillipsite, etc.This mechanism explains the well-known positive Mn-Ni-Cu and negative Fe-Ni, Fe-Cu correlations in nodules. By analogy with terrestrial todorokites, which require about 8 wt.% Mn to be in the divalent state to stabilize the crystal structure, as much as 8 wt.% (Ni + Cu) could be accommodated in todorokite-bearing deep-sea manganese nodules. However, although such nodules beneficiate Ni and Cu with respect to marine sediments and seawater, they remain undersaturated in these divalent cations.     

Stratospheric wave activity and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation

Using the monthly mean NCEP/NCAR reanalysis and NOAA Extended Reconstructed sea surface temperature (SST) datasets, strong correlations between the SST anomalies in the North Pacific and calculated three-dimensional Eliassen–Palm vertical fluxes are indicated in December 1958–1976 and 1992–2006. These correlations between the interannual variations of the SST anomalies and the penetration of planetary waves into the stratosphere are much less during the decadal sub-period 1976–1992 in the positive phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and the decadal cold SST anomalies in the North Pacific. Interannual variations of the polar jet in the lower stratosphere in January are strongly associated with SST anomalies in the Aleutian Low region in December for the years with positive PDO index. This sub-period corresponds well with that of the violation of the Holton–Tan relationship between the equatorial Quasi-Beinnial Oscillation (QBO) and the stratospheric circulation in the extra-tropics. It is shown that interannual and interdecadal variations of stratospheric dynamics, including stratospheric warming occurrences in January, depend strongly on changes of the upward propagation of planetary waves from the troposphere to the stratosphere over North Eurasia in preceding December. These findings give evidences of a large impact of the decadal SST variations in the North Pacific on wave activity in early winter due to changes of thermal excitation of planetary waves during distinct decadal periods. Possible causes of the decadal violation of the Holton–Tan relationship, its relation to the PDO and an influence of the 11-year solar cycle on the stratosphere are discussed.     

Regional variation of Rayleigh wave attenuation coefficients in the Eastern Pacific

Seismograms recorded for five earthquakes on the east Pacific rise have been analyzed to obtain the attenuation coefficients of the fundamental Rayleigh mode for the eastern Pacific in the 15–110 second period range. The attenuation coefficients have been obtained using two new methods, a reference-station method, and an iterative method by which the seismic moment and regionalized attenuation coefficient values are obtained simultaneously after considering the effect of the source directivity and time-function. The reference-station method was applied to the entire eastern Pacific, excluding paths along the east Pacific rise. When using the iterative method we divided the eastern Pacific into three sub-regions, designated as the north-eastern Pacific, the Nazca plate and the east Pacific rise. Although much scatter is present, the data suggest that attenuation coefficients for the Nazca plate are higher than those for the northeastern Pacific, and both are substantially higher than average values obtained for the entire Pacific Ocean. Two paths that lie along or near the east Pacific rise are characterized by especially high attenuation coefficients. These values suggest that a low-Q zone exists beneath that narrow feature.     

青藏高原东部的Pn波层析成像研究

利用INDEPTH/ASCENT台阵和其它布设在青藏高原的流动宽频带地震仪数据,反演了青藏高原东部和周边区域的上地幔顶层Pn波速度以及台站延迟.研究区域的平均Pn波速度是8.1 km/s,略高于中国大陆的平均Pn波速度.低速区主要分布在羌塘地块的西部和松潘-甘孜地块,高温异常的岩石圈上地幔很可能是导致这一低速区的原因.班公-怒江缝合带东端区域的Pn波速度达到8.35 km/s,这一高速区可能与向北俯冲的印度板块(东端)有关.另一Pn波高速区分布在祁连山和昆仑山之间,主要由柴达木盆地和共和盆地及其周边地区,两个并不完全连续的高速异常区组成,它可能对应于特提斯洋闭合时北部增生的克拉通地体;在后来的欧亚板块与印度板块的碰撞中,这一地体有可能阻挡了青藏高原向北的生长.相对密集的台站提供了高分辨率的速度结构横向分布和地壳厚度变化.台站延迟显示青藏高原北部和东部的地壳存在显著的减薄--松潘-甘孜地块东北缘的地壳厚度仅为约50 km,而羌塘地块东部唐古拉山地壳最厚,达到75 km,这可能是由于印度-欧亚板块碰撞引起的羌塘地块内部变形增厚所致.     

Oceanic crust and Moho of the Pacific Plate in the eastern Ogasawara Plateau region

Abstract   To show the structure of oceanic crust and Moho around the eastern Ogasawara Plateau, we have analyzed industry-standard two-dimensional multichannel seismic reflection data. To obtain improved velocity models, phase information of seismic signals was used for velocity analysis and velocity models for oceanic crust above Moho were determined. We apply this velocity analysis technique to seismic reflection data around the eastern Ogasawara Plateau, with the result of clear images of structures within oceanic crust and Moho. South of the Ogasawara Plateau, Moho deepens proximal to the Plateau. Moho distal to the Plateau is ca 7 km below sea floor (bsf), whereas it is ca 10 km bsf near the Plateau. The characters of oceanic crust and Moho differ significantly north and south of the Plateau. To the north, the structure of oceanic crust is ambiguous, the sea floor is shallower and less smooth, and Moho is discontinuous. To the south, structures within oceanic crust and Moho are imaged clearly, and the sea floor is deeper. A strong Moho reflection south of the Plateau might represent a sharp boundary between layered gabbro and peridotite. However, discontinuous Moho reflections north of the Plateau might represent rough topography because of intensive magmatism or a gradual downward increase in velocity within a thick Moho transition zone. A fracture zone north of the Plateau also appears to separate oceanic crust and Moho of different characters, suggesting vigorous magmatism between the Plateau and the fracture zone, and that the Ogasawara Plateau and the fracture zone influenced the genesis of oceanic crust and upper mantle. Differences in acoustic characteristics to the north and south of the Plateau are apparent in profiles illuminated by seismic attributes.     

Impact of winter thermal condition of the Tibetan Plateau on the zonal wind anomaly over equatorial Pacific

Using the improved CCM1 dynamic climate model, the impact of abnormal heat source and sink over the Tibetan Plateau in winter on the abnormal zonal wind over the Pacific Ocean is studied in this paper. The following new-findings are obtained: (1) When the at mospheric cold source during January—March on the Tibetan Plateau gets intensified, an abnormal anticyclone around the Tibetan Plateau will appear in lower troposphere. Abnormal northerly wind at the coastal area of the mainland of China and an abnormal cyclone will appear on the West Pacific in the following months. Then, abnormal west wind will appear over the equator of the West Pacific and extends to the East Pacific. (2) When the atmospheric cold source during January—March over the Tibetan Plateau is unusually weak, an abnormal cyclone around the Tibetan Plateau will appear at lower levels first, then abnormal anticyclone will appear on the West Pacific and move to the south and result in abnormal easterly wind over the equator of the West Pacific, which will extend to the east. Furthermore, abnormal changes of zonal wind on equatorial Indian Ocean can be caused by the intensity change of atmospheric cold source in winter and early spring over the Tibetan Plateau.

     

The relationship between significant wave height and Indian Ocean Dipole in the equatorial North Indian Ocean

Based on reanalysis data, we find that the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) plays an important role in the variability of wave climate in the equatorial Northern Indian Ocean (NIO). Significant wave height (SWH) in the equatorial NIO, especially over the waters southeast to Sri Lanka, exhibits strong interannual variations. SWH anomalies in the waters southeast to Sri Lanka correlate well with dipole mode index (DMI) during both summer and autumn. Negative SWH anomalies occur over the oceanic area southeast to Sri Lanka during positive IOD events and vary with different types of IOD. During positive prolonged (unseasonable) IOD, the SWH anomalies are the strongest in autumn (summer); while during positive normal IOD, the SWH anomalies are weak in both summer and autumn. Strong easterly wind anomalies over the southeast oceanic area of Sri Lanka during positive IOD events weaken the original equatorial westerly wind stress, which leads to the decrease in wind-sea waves. The longer wave period during positive IOD events further confirms less wind-sea waves. The SWH anomaly pattern during negative IOD events is nearly opposite to that during positive IOD events.     

Reflection of equatorial Kelvin waves at eastern ocean boundaries Part I: hypothetical boundaries

A baroclinic shallow-water model is developed to investigate the effect of the orientation of the eastern ocean boundary on the behavior of equatorial Kelvin waves. The model is formulated in a spherical polar coordinate system and includes dissipation and non-linear terms, effects which have not been previously included in analytical approaches to the problem. Both equatorial and middle latitude response are considered given the large latitudinal extent used in the model. Baroclinic equatorial Kelvin waves of intraseasonal, seasonal and annual periods are introduced into the domain as pulses of finite width. Their subsequent reflection, transmission and dissipation are investigated. It is found that dissipation is very important for the transmission of wave energy along the boundary and for reflections from the boundary. The dissipation was found to be dependent not only on the presence of the coastal Kelvin waves in the domain, but also on the period of these coastal waves. In particular the dissipation increases with wave period. It is also shown that the equatorial β-plane approximation can allow an anomalous generation of Rossby waves at higher latitudes. Nonlinearities generally have a small effect on the solutions, within the confines of this model.     

线性粘弹介质中地震波场数值模拟

本文将以往两种粘弹介质中地震波模拟方法的优点结合起来，以模型理论和积分本构方程为基础，从理论上分析了模型对地震波场的影响；采用交错网格有限差分法对粘弹介质中的地震波进行数值模拟.数值计算结果表明该方法不仅便于计算，同时也便于从力学的角度来分析地震波的传播.数值计算结果与理论分析一致，说明这种方法可以更为有效地模拟粘弹介质中地震波的传播.