Tidal influence on the hydrodynamics of the French Guiana continental shelf

This study investigates the circulation on the French Guiana continental shelf under tidal influence. Indeed, hydrodynamics are characterised by a weak salinity tongue located in the middle of the shelf and induced by the Amazon River, a coastal current flowing from the southeast, and a tidal standing wave whose co-range lines are parallel to the coast.     

Changes in the dynamics/energetics of surface and internal tides in the White Sea on the coexistence of shore-fast and drifting ice covers

The results of modeling for _M2${\mathrm{M}}_2$ surface and internal tides in the White Sea are discussed. These results are obtained for the case when shore-fast and drifting ice covers are present concurrently. It is assumed that the interface between ice covers is of non-tidal origin (i.e., it is pre-assigned) and that ice rheology is viscous-elastic, representative of the low temperatures typical of winter conditions. Emphasis is placed on tidal energetics and, in particular, on the averaged (over a tidal cycle) values of the density and the dissipation rate of barotropic/baroclinic tidal energy. It is shown that in the White Sea, unlike in other marginal seas, the averaged (over a tidal cycle) and depth-integrated density of baroclinic tidal energy for the combined ice cover is much less than the same defined density of barotropic tidal energy. Similarly, the averaged and integrated (over the volume of the White Sea) rate of baroclinic tidal energy dissipation is much less than the same defined rate of barotropic tidal energy dissipation. The latter, in turn, is greater than for the shore-fast ice cover, but is smaller than for the drifting ice cover.     

Interactions between freshwater input, light, and phytoplankton dynamics on the Louisiana continental shelf

We examined the effects of freshwater flow and light availability on phytoplankton biomass and production along the Louisiana continental shelf in the region characterized by persistent spring–summer stratification and widespread summer hypoxia. Data were collected on 7 cruises from 2005 to 2007, and spatially-averaged estimates of phytoplankton and light variables were calculated for the study area using Voronoi polygon normalization. Shelf-wide phytoplankton production ranged from 0.47 to 1.75 mg C m⁻² d⁻¹ across the 7 cruises. Shelf-wide average light attenuation (k_d) ranged from 0.19–1.01 m⁻¹ and strongly covaried with freshwater discharge from the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers (R²=0.67). Interestingly, we observed that the euphotic zone (as defined by the 1% light depth) extended well below the pycnocline and to the bottom across much of the shelf. Shelf-wide average chlorophyll a (chl a) concentrations ranged from 1.4 to 5.9 mg m⁻³ and, similar to k_d, covaried with river discharge (R²=0.83). Also, chl a concentrations were significantly higher in plume versus non-plume regions of the shelf. When integrated through the water-column, shelf-wide average chl a ranged from 26.3 to 47.6 mg m⁻², but did not covary with river discharge, nor were plume versus non-plume averages statistically different. The high integrated chl a in the non-plume waters resulted from frequent sub-pycnocline chl a maxima. Phytoplankton production rates were highest in the vicinity of the Mississippi River bird's foot delta, but as with integrated chl a were not statistically different in plume versus non-plume waters across the rest of the shelf. Based on the vertical distribution of light and chl a, a substantial fraction of phytoplankton production occurred below the pycnocline, averaging from 25% to 50% among cruises. These results suggest that freshwater and nutrient inputs regulate shelf-wide k_d and, consequently, the vertical distribution of primary production. The substantial below-pycnocline primary production we observed has not been previously quantified for this region, but has important implications about the formation and persistence of hypoxia on the Louisiana continental shelf.     

海啸在冲绳海槽和东海浅水大陆架地形上产生和传播的数值模拟

运用数值模拟的方法对在冲绳海槽产生9.0级地震,并引发海啸的过程和海啸波在东海浅水大陆架地形上的传播过程进行研究.模拟的结果表明,数值模拟产生的波浪符合海啸波的特点,东海浅水大陆架适合海啸波的传播.     

The influence of changes in tidal asymmetry on residual sediment transport in the Western Scheldt

This study fits into a wider research program from RWS RIKZ concerning the exchange of sediment between the coast and the tidal basins, Western Scheldt and Wadden Sea, which are the largest basins along the Dutch Coast, over different time-scales. For both basins, questions about the evolution of the import/export at the mouth recently arose. In case of the Western Scheldt, which is the subject of this study, mainly the uncertainty about the future developments after the change from import to export at the mouth was noticed in the 1990s, which necessitated a more detailed study of this area.     

Changes in material fluxes from the Changjiang River and their implications on the adjoining continental shelf ecosystem

This study aims to examine the changing patterns of Changjiang material fluxes, which are influenced by anthropogenic activities, and the resultant modifications to the coastal and shelf oceanographic conditions, and to propose future research about the effect of these changes on the estuarine and shelf ecosystem. Within the catchment basin of the Changjiang River, the construction of more than 48,000 dams has caused significant sediment discharge reduction, together with modifications to the timing of seasonal freshwater discharge. In the future, the mean freshwater discharge will decrease following the completion of the water-diverting project for water supply to northern China. At the same time, the riverine nutrient loadings (N and P) have increased due to the extensive use of chemical fertilizers and the large discharge of industrial wastewater and domestic sewage. These changes are modifying the oceanographic conditions of the estuarine and shelf waters. The flushing time for the river water becomes longer in wet seasons but shorter in dry seasons. An increase in salinity can be expected after the completion of the water-diverting project. Nutrient concentrations will be enhanced in the shelf waters. In contrast to the decrease in the suspended sediment concentration of the river water, field measurements have not shown well-defined patterns of changes within the estuary; nevertheless, net sediment accumulation and carbon burial rates would be reduced in the deltaic areas because of the reduced sediment discharge. Finally, increase in the nutrient input appears to enhance the primary production in the East China Sea region, which, in turn, may enhance the fishery catch.     

Tidal effects on estuarine circulation and outflow plume in the Chesapeake Bay

The response of the Chesapeake Bay to river discharge under the influence and absence of tide is simulated with a numerical model. Four numerical experiments are examined: (1) response to river discharge only; (2) response to river discharge plus an ambient coastal current along the shelf outside the bay; (3) response to river discharge and tidal forcing; and (4) response to river discharge, tidal forcing, and ambient coastal current. The general salinity distribution in the four cases is similar to observations inside the bay. Observed features, such as low salinity in the western side of the bay, are consistent in model results. Also, a typical estuarine circulation with seaward current in the upper layer and landward current in the lower layer is obtained in the four cases. The two cases without tide produce stronger subtidal currents than the cases with tide owing to greater frictional effects in the cases with tide. Differences in salinity distributions among the four cases appear mostly outside the bay in terms of the outflow plume structure. The two cases without tide produce an upstream (as in a Kelvin wave sense) or northward branch of the outflow plume, while the cases with tide produce an expected downstream or southward plume. Increased friction in the cases with tide changes the vertical structure of outflow at the entrance to the bay and induces large horizontal variations in the exchange flow. Consequently, the outflow from the bay is more influenced by the bottom than in the cases without tide. Therefore, a tendency for a bottom-advected plume appears in the cases with tide, rather than a surface-advected plume, which develops in the cases without tide. Further analysis shows that the tidal current favors a salt balance between the horizontal and vertical advection of salinity around the plume and hinders the upstream expansion of the plume outside the bay.     

A review on the lithospheric structures in the Tibetan Plateau and constraints for dynamics

In the last decade, several international joint projects were conducted in the Tibetan Plateau by Chinese, American and French geophysicists and geologists. In the present review, the results from vertical reflections, wide-angle reflections and broadband digital seismic recordings are reviewed and compared. Constraints for the dynamics of continent-continent collision from the lithospheric structures, seismicity, focal mechanism and anisotropy are discussed.The velocities ofPn,Sn, , were accurately determined by using their travel times from local events. They evidenced that the uppermost mantle underneath the Tibetan Plateau was similar to that of the ordinary continental mantle.The reflection profile from INDEPTH-I furnishes convincing evidence that the Indian crust penetrates into the Tibetan lower crust. The results from teleseismic waveform inversion reveal that the Moho discontinuity dips northwards, and an offset of Moho occurs near Bangong suture.The fact that materials within the Tibetan Plateau escape laterally has been proposed by several authors. Recent data and studies provide further convincing evidence that eastward mass transfer does occur, and their paths and natures are investigated.Some authors suggested that the large strike slip faults (Kun Lun, Xianshuihe) in the eastern plateau may be related to the lateral extrusion. However, most of the strike slips are left-lateral, and extrusion could not occur without right-lateral strike slips. Recent observations of the focal mechanisms and geological structure indicate that the earthquakes in the Yanshiping-Changdu belt are left-lateral strike slip. It is the southeast zone of the left-lateral slip faults in the eastern Tibetan plateau. Geological and seismological evidence show that the Bencuo-Jiali belt is the only large right-lateral fault in the eastern plateau. It was proposed that the present eastward extrusion occurs between the Yangshiping-Changdu left-lateral strike slip and the Bencuo-Jiali right-lateral strike slip. The other left-lateral strike slips north of the Yangshiping-Changdu belt are considered to be the fossils of the ancient flow paths.     

中国大陆动力学研究导向和思考

大陆动力学是研究和探索地球内部物质大尺度运动和深化认识地球本体与其在整体运动中深部圈层耦合、介质与结构变异的物理－力学属性、物质与能量的交换、深层动力过程和机制的一门边缘科学.地球动力学集成了当代众多高、新学科技领域和学科交叉的研究成果,它涉及到成山、成盆、成岩、成矿、成灾和深化对地球本体的认识,它在地球科学研究中占有极为重要的地位.本文通过深入研究、综合集成与剖析讨论了该领域五个重要的基本科学问题,即：(1)地球动力学在地球科学研究中的地位和作用;(2)国际上地球动力学研究的进展和发展动向;(3)中国地球动力学的研究状况;(4)当今地球动力学研究的导向和战略思考;(5)地球动力学研究在我国的实现和开拓.     

Hydrodynamics and sediment dynamics in the German Bight. A focus on observations and numerical modelling in the East Frisian Wadden Sea

This work deals with analysis of hydrographic observations and results of numerical simulations. The data base includes acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) observations, continuous measurements on data stations and satellite data originating from the medium resolution imaging spectrometer (MERIS) onboard the European Space Agency (ESA) satellite ENVISAT with a spatial resolution of 300 m. Numerical simulations use nested models with horizontal resolutions ranging from 1 km in the German Bight to 200 m in the East Frisian Wadden Sea coupled with a suspended matter transport model. Modern satellite observations have now a comparable horizontal resolution with high-resolution numerical model of the entire area of the East Frisian Wadden Sea allowing to describe and validate new and so far unknown patterns of sediment distribution. The two data sets are consistent and reveal an oscillatory behaviour of sediment pools to the north of the back-barrier basins and clear propagation patterns of tidally driven suspended particulate matter outflow into the North Sea. The good agreement between observations and simulations is convincing evidence that the model simulates the basic dynamics and sediment transport processes, which motivates its further use in hindcasting, as well as in the initial steps towards forecasting circulation and sediment dynamics in the coastal zone.     

A comparative study of winds and tidal variability in the mesosphere/lower-thermosphere region over Bulgaria and the UK

Meteor radars located in Bulgaria and the UK have been used to simultaneously measure winds in the mesosphere/lower-thermosphere region near 42.5°N, 26.6°E and 54.5°N, 3.9°W, respectively, over the period January 1991 to June 1992. The data have been used to investigate planetary waves and diurnal and semidiurnal tidal variability over the two sites. The tidal amplitudes at each site exhibit fluctuations as large as 300% on time scales from a few days to the intra-seasonal, with most of the variability being at intra-seasonal scales. Spectral and cross-wavelet analysis reveals closely related tidal variability over the two sites, indicating that the variability occurs on spatial scales large compared to the spacing between the two radars. In some, but not all, cases, periodic variability of tidal amplitudes is associated with simultaneously present planetary waves of similar period, suggesting the variability is a consequence of non-linear interaction. Calculation of the zonal wave number of a number of large amplitude planetary waves suggests that during summer 1991 the 2-day wave had a zonal wave number of 3, but that during January/February 1991 it had a zonal wave number of 4.     

中国大陆动力学研究内涵与轨迹的思考

大陆动力学已成为21世纪地球科学研究中的热点和中坚,在它面对当今资源、能源、灾害和环境等社会与经济快速发展需求日益增长的同时,是机遇,却也是挑战.因此厘定其研究的内涵和导向是十分重要的.基于多年的研究实践和探索,本文将对以下五个方面进行讨论:1)大陆动力学研究的内涵与界定;2)大陆动力学研究的导向和轨迹;3)大陆动力学研究中地球物理反演结果和解释中的矛盾;4)强化发展学科交叉以构成交叉科学;5)对2011年大陆动力学委员会学术活动的思考.     

雪冰中黑碳的测试分析方法综述

储存在雪冰介质中的黑碳是了解古气候、古环境的变化以及人类活动历史的重要工具．然而，雪冰中黑碳信息的准确提取却不同于一般的常规离子，在测试分析的每个环节（样品采集，预处理，精确测定）都需要特别处理．本文就上个世纪80年代雪冰黑碳开始研究以来已有的测试分析方法进行了综述．     

Upwelling and surface cold patches in the Yellow Sea in summer: Effects of tidal mixing on the vertical circulation

A three-dimensional, prognostic, wave–tide–circulation coupled numerical model is developed to study the effects of tidal mixing on the summertime vertical circulation in the Yellow Sea (YS). The distribution and mechanisms of upwelling are investigated by numerical means. Validated by historical tide gauge data, satellite sea surface temperature (SST) data, and cruise observation data, the model shows satisfactory performances in reproducing the dominant tidal system and three-dimensional sea temperature structure. Model results suggest that strong tidal mixing plays an important role in the formation of the vertical circulation in the YS. The Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM) is fringed by typical tidal mixing fronts (TMFs), which separate the cold, stratified water at the offshore side from the warm, well-mixed, shallow water at the other side. Considerable baroclinic gradient across the TMF makes the frontal zone the spot where the most active vertical circulation occurs; a secondary circulation is triggered with a distinct upwelling branch occurring mainly on the mixed side of the front. The numerical model produces systematic upwelling belts surrounding the YSCWM, and the upwelling is essentially induced by the TMF over sloping topography. The relative importance of tidal mixing and wind forcing for upwelling is further examined in numerical experiments. The southerly wind enhances the upwelling off the western coasts, but its overall influences in the whole YS are less important than tidal mixing. As shown by both satellite data and numerical modeling, the summertime SST field in the YS is featured by the stable existence of several site-selective surface cold patches (SCPs), most of which scatter in the waters off convex coastlines. One of the SCPs is found off Subei Bank, and the others are located off the eastern tip of Shandong Peninsula and off the three tips of Korean Peninsula. Two processes give rise to the SCP: on the one hand, TMF-induced upwelling supplies cold water from the deep layer; on the other hand, tidal mixing itself can stir the bottom water upward and homogenize the water column vertically. In the waters around the tips of peninsula in the YS, the tidal currents are extraordinarily strong, which provides a possible explanation for the site-selectivity of the SCPs.     

福建闽江水口水库凤眼莲空间分布特征及其动态

为研究闽江水口水库凤眼莲空间分布特征及动态变化,根据2001-2009年水口库区无云覆盖的24幅卫星遥感影像,构建研究区域凤眼莲干流-支流分布的空间结构,并通过建立端元的混合象元线性分解模型,对福建省水口水库不同时间、不同区域的凤眼莲分布特征进行系统分析,结果表明,随着时间的推移,凤眼莲的暴发区逐渐向下游迁移,同时,支流对研究区域凤眼莲的面积有重要影响,特别是河流较长、周边有人口居住的支流是凤眼莲源头治理的重点;各种人为或自然原因造成的水体富营养化、河流流速变缓等是凤眼莲泛滥的重要原因.建议针对研究区域上游及其周边进行养殖污染、工业污染整治,强化对污染源的监督管理,推进生态环境建设与保护,建设生态功能保护区等.本研究可为了解水口水库的凤眼莲时空分布规律,进而制定相应的预防与控制管理措施提供必不可少的数据基础和理论依据.