Directed drifter launch strategies for Lagrangian data assimilation using hyperbolic trajectories

The dependence of the fidelity of a Lagrangian data assimilation scheme on the initial launch locations of the observed drifters is studied in the context of a reduced gravity, primitive equation model of mid-latitude circulations. A directed launch strategy, based on tracking the Lagrangian manifolds emanating from strongly hyperbolic regions in the flow field, is developed. In a series of twin assimilation experiments, the rate of convergence of the data assimilating scheme is shown to be consistently higher in such directed launches compared to those produced from randomly selected initial drifter positions. By directing initial drifter positions along the out-flowing branch of identifiable Lagrangian boundaries, the relative dispersion of the drifters, the overall data coverage and the sampling of high kinetic energy features in the flow are optimized. In general, the performance of the assimilation procedure is shown to depend strongly on the independence of the observed drifter trajectories and the temporal persistence of the corrections provided by the data.     

Lagrangian validation of numerical drifter trajectories using drifting buoys: Application to the Agulhas system

The skill of numerical Lagrangian drifter trajectories in three numerical models is assessed by comparing these numerically obtained paths to the trajectories of drifting buoys in the real ocean. The skill assessment is performed using the two-sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov statistical test. To demonstrate the assessment procedure, it is applied to three different models of the Agulhas region. The test can either be performed using crossing positions of one-dimensional sections in order to test model performance in specific locations, or using the total two-dimensional data set of trajectories. The test yields four quantities: a binary decision of model skill, a confidence level which can be used as a measure of goodness-of-fit of the model, a test statistic which can be used to determine the sensitivity of the confidence level, and cumulative distribution functions that aid in the qualitative analysis. The ordering of models by their confidence levels is the same as the ordering based on the qualitative analysis, which suggests that the method is suited for model validation. Only one of the three models, a 1/10° two-way nested regional ocean model, might have skill in the Agulhas region. The other two models, a 1/2° global model and a 1/8° assimilative model, might have skill only on some sections in the region.     

基于卫星漂流浮标轨迹的东海边界交换估算方法研究

东海陆架斜坡和台湾海峡是我国东部近海从大洋和南海获取热量、盐量和营养盐的两个主要边界。本文建立了一个不规则分布漂流浮标轨迹的网格化处理方法和跨边界交换估算方法。该方法得到的漂流浮标轨迹累计次数再现了黑潮主轴位置并表明主轴两侧浮标存在显著的跨陆坡交换现象。浮标轨迹的统计结果揭示了东海陆坡上水体交换具有显著的区域性,即陆坡上存在7个主要交换区,3个交换区以入流为主,另4个交换区以出流为主。研究也表明跨东海陆坡交换具有明显的季节变化特征,秋季交换最剧烈且入流最显著,春季最弱。穿越台湾海峡的交换主要以北向入流为主,海峡东侧的交换更加明显,一年之中夏季最显著,春、冬季最弱。     

Evaluation of the coefficients of horizontal exchange in the Black Sea according to the data of drifter experiments

We generalize the method used for the evaluation of the coefficients of horizontal diffusion of Brownian particles to the nonstationary case, as applied to the drifter experiments. The limits of applicability of the proposed procedure are determined. The coefficients of horizontal exchange are computed with an aim to compare them with the estimates obtained earlier by using the generalized Taylor theory. The mutual agreement of these estimates is demonstrated. It is shown that the difference between the values of the zonal (0.19⋅10⁴ m²/sec) and meridional (0.11⋅10⁴ m²/sec) coefficients of exchange in the Black Sea cannot be explained by the effect of increase in the longitudinal component of pulsations of the velocity as a result of its transverse shear relative to the mean current. A conclusion is made that the processes of horizontal exchange in the Black Sea are geographically anisotropic.     

台湾大地震活动的模糊时间分维特征

本文用模糊时间分维方法探讨了台湾地区地震活动的时间分布规律。结果发现,“大地震”活动的时间序列与分维持征间有良好对应关系。台湾东,西地震带自本纪纪以来划分的４个“大地震”活动高潮时段前,都有一段时显维过程。可以认为,分维特征较好地反映了台湾地区的中长期地震活动趋势。     

漠阳江入海口海岸线分维及其机制分析

分维数是反映海岸线复杂程度的客观依据。结合国内外海岸线分形研究进展,本文以漠阳江入海口附近海域为研究区,基于Landsat 8 OLI遥感影像对研究区域提取瞬时水边线,并利用潮汐数据进行校正得到海岸线;利用Fractal Fox2.0计算获得该海岸线的分维数为1.071;通过对研究区的分形机制分析,认为漠阳江附近的断裂构造对海岸起宏观控制作用,从而对海岸线的分维值也起了决定作用。根据断裂体系模型计算得到西侧海岸线的理论分维值为1.089,而对数螺线模型计算得到东侧海岸线的分维值为1.171;实际分维值相对理论值偏小,说明海岸带的沉积与侵蚀影响了分维值。此外,根据本区海岸侵蚀原因的分析,对分维机制进行了探究,初步论证的分维值大小可为海岸的冲淤变化研究提供参考。     

浙江海岛岸线分维数与其人工岸线比例的关系

分形理论指出,曲线的分维数某种程度上反映了曲线形状的复杂程度.由于不同类型岸线的曲折程度相去甚远,其分维数必然存在明显差异,因此岸线的分维数中也包含了岸线类型的信息.本文以此入手,利用“908”专项“浙江省海岛调查”的海岛岸线成果,研究浙江省海岛岸线分维数与其人工岸线比例的关系.首先使用SMS 9.0软件以25,50,...     

Simultaneous assimilation of surface drifter data, satellite and in situ observations for improved estimates of meso-scale variability in the Kuroshio Extension Region

In order to better estimate meso-scale variabilities in the energetic Kuroshio Extension (KE) region, simultaneous assimilation of drifter-derived velocity data, together with satellite and in situ hydrographic data, is attempted by using a high-resolution 4-dimensional variational data assimilation (4D-VAR) system. Our experimental results, both with and without assimilation of drifter data (Exp. Drf and Exp. Ref, respectively) for the period during Aug–Oct 2005, show that the reproduced fields in Exp. Drf better reflect the observed meso-scale features such as the KE meandering jet and associated eddies. The adjoint sensitivity analysis indicates that our 4D-VAR system has the ability to provide a more realistic timeseries of the meandering jet structures that play a key role in the intergyre exchange between the subtropical and subarctic gyres in the North Pacific. In addition, the observed information from the surface drifters works to improve the subsurface structure. These results illustrate the advantage of our 4D-VAR simultaneous assimilation with the addition of drifter-derived surface velocity information.     

基于分形维数的环渤海地区海岸线变迁及成因分析

利用遥感和GIS技术提取了环渤海地区1980年、1990年、2000年和2010年4期海岸线信息,采用网格法计算每期海岸线的分形维数;分析了海岸线及其分形维数的时空变化特征、并探讨了其与海岸开发活动之间的关系。研究表明:在1980—2010年间,研究区海岸线长度持续增加,变化强度逐渐增大,海岸线共增加了1 074.35 km;从时间过程看,2000年以后海岸线长度进入快速增长时期;从区域范围看,以天津市和河北省所在的渤海湾地区海岸线的变迁最显著。研究期间,环渤海地区海岸线整体向海推进,海岸线分形维数逐渐增大,岸线形状趋于复杂。人为的海岸开发活动是海岸线变迁的主导因素,2000年之前海岸开发以围垦养殖、盐田为主;之后,港口码头建设和城镇建设型的海岸工程逐渐增多。海岸线的分形维数与海岸带的物质组成与演变过程有直接关系,大量规模不等的海岸工程的建设是海岸线分形维数变化的主导因素。     

闽台地区地震活动的广义时空分维特征

本文根据广义分维方法,分析计算了１９７２年以来福及其周边地区ＭＬ≥５．０级地震,台湾地区Ｍｓ≥７．０级地震前后小震活动广义时间分维和广义空间分维的变化特征。结果表明,闽台两地中强震前普遍存在着Ｄｔ,Ｄｓ的低值异常,福建地区中强震前２ａ左右完成降维过程,而台湾地区则有强震前１ａ左右结束异常。     

A model of ocean current flow and drifter motion

A minor generalization of the theory of random walk is used as a basis for a model of ocean current flow. The model is then applied in a computer simulation of drifter motion. The results of simulation indicate that the geometry of a coastline can have significant impact on the distribution of drifter landings.     

The north equatorial countercurrent in the Atlantic Ocean derived from drifter observations

The characteristics of the spatial structure of the Atlantic north equatorial countercurrent (NECC) have been determined from the analysis of observations of the subsatellite buoy tracers (surface drifters LOBAN-TM) launched during cruises of the research vessels operated by the Marine Hydrophysical Institute of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences. A comparison with the data obtained by other methods of current measurement has been carried out. The region of and the time of discontinuity of the NECC and of the reconstruction of its continuous zonal structure have also been determined.Translated by Mikhail M. Trufanov.     

Jellyfish patch formation investigated by aerial photography and drifter experiment

Jellyfish patch formation is investigated by conducting a drifter experiment combined with aerial photography of a sustained patch of the moon jellyfish in Hokezu Bay, Japan. Jellyfish patches are aggregations of individuals that are caused by a combination of swimming (active influence) and advection by currents (passive influence). The drifter experiment involved the injection of 49 drifters around a distinct surface patch of jellyfish within an area of approximately 300 m × 300 m. The drifters’ motion, caused only by the passive influence, was recorded in a series of 38 aerial photographs taken over approximately 1 h. The ambient uniform current field larger than the patch scale was estimated from the movement of the centroid position of drifters, while the distribution of horizontal divergence and relative vorticity around the patch was estimated from the time-derivative in areas of triangles formed by the drifters. The centroid positions of both drifters and patches moved stably toward the bay head at different speeds. The difference vector between the patch and drifter centroids was directed to the sun, and was opposite to the ambient current. The distributions of vorticity and divergence around patches exhibited inhomogeneity within the patch scale, and the drifters in this nonuniform current field aggregated near the convergence area within 1 h. The results suggest that horizontal patch formation is predominantly influenced by passive factors at the surface of Hokezu Bay. Furthermore, the upward swimming against downwelling may make sustained patch in surface layer.     

The geopolitical dimension of maritime security

This article discusses the geopolitical dimension of maritime security, which has been neglected by scholars despite the growing number of studies devoted to a variety of aspects related to maritime security. The first step consists in clarifying the definitions of the two concepts; ‘geopolitics’ and ‘maritime security’. Then the article introduces the geopolitical dimension of maritime security from a conceptual perspective, and then analyses three practical examples of maritime security geo-strategies released in 2014. The results demonstrate that states’ and international institutions’ maritime security objectives and interests are indirectly and directly influenced by geographical and geopolitical considerations, although this link is only tacitly acknowledged in official documents. Scholars and practitioners interested in maritime security are encouraged to further engage with this dimension.     

多金属结核粒径分形特征初步研究

通过对东太平洋中国开辟区东、西两区的多金属结核进行粒径分析,发现其粒径分布有分形特征。无缆取样结核粒径分形有着上、下限,虽然在小粒径上没有分形关系,但却存在着另一种确定的线性关系。说明东、西区结核在粒径、重量等分布上有着客观的一致性。通过分形分析得到了结核空间分布、粒径和重量分布的线性方程,对多金属结核矿藏储量和集矿机设计具有一定的意义。