Morphological variations in the polymetallic nodules from selected stations in the central Indian Ocean

Polymetallic nodules from the Central Indian Ocean largely range in size from 2 to 6 cm. The smaller nodules (<4 cm) are subspheroidal to spheroidal in shape and with the increase in size, nodules become more discoidal and elongated. The size and relief of mammillae vary with the size of nodules. Polynucleate nodules are more abundant in larger size classes (>6 cm) and in stations closer to the oceanic ridge. Density varies significantly with shape; less rounded nodules are denser than well-rounded ones.     

Peculiarities of the deep structure of the lithosphere in the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean

The seismicity of the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean in connection with the general structural peculiarities of the main tectonic structures of the bottom is presented. The three main ranges of higher seismic activity at the depths of 0–17, 20–27, and 32–35 km divided by aseismic layers are revealed. The seismic activity at depths of more than 35 km is almost not detected both for the ocean and for the Indian peninsula. The nature of the distribution of the seismicity as such in the lithosphere is discussed. Using the results of anomalous au]gravitational field transformations, the prolongation of the East Indian Ridge structure is revealed to 19 degrees north, while the relationship of the Afanasy Nikitin Rise and the 85th Degree Ridge is not reflected at the tranforms. In the Cocos Basin, the mutually perpendicular disturbance zones of northeastern and northwestern strike, as well as the point of their crossing, where the maximal number of earthquake foci are concentrated, are distinguished. A conclusion concerning the substantial disturbance of the strength properties of the lithosphere in this zone as a consequence of the geodynamical processes, which are accompanied by fracture tectonics, is reached.     

Toward institutions for community-based management of inshore marine resources in the Western Indian Ocean

This paper examines the frameworks being developed to co-manage coral reefs in Kenya and Madagascar. The historical and social context, flexibility of rule-making, monitoring and enforcement, and how community-based organizations are nested within other organizations is described. A comparison of the degree to which these two frameworks contain 10 key design principles thought to be important for successful commons institutions is presented. Finally, recommendations are made for improving co-management in these countries. A principal finding is that both co-management frameworks were developed for other systems (terrestrial and lakes), which creates misfits for how marine systems can be managed.     

Western Indian Ocean SST signal and anomalous Antarctic sea-ice concentration variation

Teleconnection between El Nino/La Nina-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon and anomalous Antarctic sea-ice variation has been studied extensively.In this study,impacts of sea surface temperature in the Indian Ocean on Antarctic sea-ice change were investigated during Janaury 1979 and October 2009.Based on previous research results,sea areas in the western Indian Ocean (WIO;50°–70°E,10 °–20 °S) are selected for the resreach.All variables showed 1-10 year interannual timescales by Fast Founer Tranaform (FFT) transformation.Results show that i) strong WIO signals emerged in the anomalous changes of Antarctic sea-ice concentration;ii) significant positive correlations occurred around the Antarctic Peninsula,Ross Sea and its northwest peripheral sea region iii) negative correlation occurred in the Indian Ocean section of the Southern Ocean,Amundsen Seas,and the sea area over northern Ross Sea;and iv) the atmospheric anomalies associated with the WIO including wind,meridional heat flux,and surface air temperature over southern high latitudes were the possible factors for the teleconnection.     

北太平洋西部和印度洋东部及其邻近海域表层水体中137Cs的分布

对北太平洋西部海域、苏禄海及印尼海、中国南海、印度洋东部海域、孟加拉湾及安达曼海等表层水体中放射性核素137Cs的活度进行了测定。结果表明,上述海域表层水体中137Cs活度显示了较大的变化范围,最低值出现在南极附近的南大洋(1.1Bqm-3),较高的活度值则出现在北太平洋西部海域及中国南海(3Bqm-3)。在所研究水域范围内,137Cs活度的纬度分布特征并没有完全有效地反映出137Cs的全球理论大气沉降趋势及其纬度效应。综合本研究及Miyake等人(1988)的测定结果,我们计算出137Cs自表层海水中的析出速率在苏禄海及印尼海约为0.016/a,在孟加拉湾及安达曼海约为0.033/a,在中国南海约为0.029/a,这一结果明显低于西北太平洋日本沿海表层水体中137Cs的析出速率。这可能是因为在这些海域,横向及纵向的水体混合过程相对都较慢,而且颗粒物对137Cs的吸附析出过程也比较弱所致。     

The role of small-scale fisheries management in the poverty reduction strategies in the Western Indian Ocean region

Combating poverty is high on the agenda of the international community and the governments of the Western Indian Ocean region. The region has very rich marine resources and the fisheries sector makes an important contribution both to national economies and to the livelihoods of the poorest sectors of society. This paper considers the linkages between fisheries management, livelihoods and poverty reduction and the way these have been incorporated in the poverty reduction strategy (PRS) approach being implemented in the region. It concludes that the sector has not always been adequately addressed in the poverty reduction strategy plans. Promotion of the importance of the sector for poverty reduction is important in order that the sector receives the appropriate recognition and budgetary support and is subject to appropriate interventions focused on alleviating poverty. Suggestions are made about how the profile of fisheries can be raised within the PRS process.     

The Indian Ocean HydroBase: A high-quality climatological dataset for the Indian Ocean

The present study developed a high-quality climatological dataset for the Indian Ocean - the Indian Ocean HydroBase (IOHB) - from a combined dataset including the World Ocean Database 1998 version 2 (WOD98v2). Methods are similar to those used by previous studies for other oceans. Japanese data for the IOHB originated from the Japanese datasets MIRC (Marine Information Research Center) Ocean Dataset 2001 and Far Seas Collection; these datasets contain more Japanese observations than WOD98v2. Water mass properties in the IOHB climatology are consistent with previous studies. Seasonal patterns of properties near the sea surface are well reproduced, and deep-layer properties are consistent with the Reid-Mantyla climatology that is derived from high-quality observations. The isopycnal climatology of the IOHB differs from the World Ocean Atlas 2001 (WOA01) along the fronts associated with the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC). The WOA01 shows a warm and saline intermediate water intrusion from South Africa to the east along the northern edge of the front. Such an intrusion is absent in IOHB where less saline intermediate water extends continuously northward from the southern ocean. The WOA01 shows a continuous belt of low potential vorticity along the ACC. This feature is less distinct in the IOHB climatology and in the Reid-Mantyla climatology. The IOHB consists of a 1° × 1° gridded climatology and the datasets of raw and quality-controlled hydrographic stations. The latter is valuable for quality control of the Argo float salinity data as climatological reference. These datasets are available freely via the Internet.     

Monsoonal impact on circulation pathways in the Indian Ocean

Monsoon driven water mass exchange between the Bay of Bengal(Bo B) and Arabian Sea(AS) is the common experience. However, it is not yet firmly confirmed that the exchange pathway is either passing through southern tip of Sri Lanka or Palk Strait. Local circulation patterns impact the pathways followed by the East Indian Coastal Currents(EICC) that drive exchange, thereby modulating mixing and water mass transformation in the Bay of Bengal around Sri Lanka. In this study, observations from surface drifters were incorporated with the satellite derived data to understand the monsoonal impact on circulation patterns in the Indian Ocean. This was the first multi-national scientific effort which was conducted in the Bo B and AS during 2013 to 2015 to understand the monsoonal impact on circulation patterns in the complex region. The results indicated that seasonally reversing monsoonal currents of southern Sri Lanka, traced by the wintertime freshwater export pathways of the EICC. The deflection of monsoon currents running along the east coast of Sri Lanka by forming cyclonic and anti-cyclonic eddies, which influence the mixing and stirring associated with these flows. Results further indicate the low salinity cold water flows from the Bo B to AS along the western boundary of the Bo B during northeast monsoon. In the same way, reverses the phenomena during southwest monsoon, transporting high salinity warm water from AS to the Bo B. This maintain the bay status which occurred due to freshwater influx from large rivers and high saline water from AS. However, no evidences were observed for the exchange through Palk Strait during the study.Also, there are some mis-matches in in-situ and remotely sensed measurements which imply the necessity of systematic observation system for the complex region as an alternative approach.     

西太平洋、东印度洋、南大洋和中山站海域气溶胶的化学组成及其来源判别

1999年11月至2000年4月，在中国第16次南极科学考察往返航线上的海域，采集了22个海洋气溶胶样品，用原子吸收分光法测定了样品中的Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Fe、A1、Mn、Cr、V、K、Na、Ca、Mg等13种元素的含量．研究表明气溶胶重金属微量元素的分布具有明显的地理区域性．应用元素富集因子、相关分析和因子分析等方法研究了西太平洋、东印度洋、南大洋、中国南极中山站邻近海域气溶胶中各元素的来源．     

A Record of Palaeo-Tsunami in the Indian Ocean

The history of catastrophic events on the Indian coast helps us to understand the frequency and magnitude of the tsunamis that occurred in the Indian Ocean. These catastrophic events have changed the coastal landscape and have left significant records for further studies. These rare events have occurred in the Indian Ocean. There have been megatsunamigenic events in the past due to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Those events due to earthquakes have proved more catastrophic than the volcanic activities. There has been limited official records of the causality and magnitude of palaeo-tsunamigenic events. These have been studied using the various proxies. The rate of sedimentation is a proportional tool to study the magnitude of a tsunami and this has proved to be a successful tool along with foraminiferal assemblages. Causes for a tsunami to occur are by and large, the subduction zone earthquakes of the Indian plate has been the most common source for tsunami in the Indian Ocean. More often the Andaman and Nicobar and the Indonesian islands have been vulnerable to tsunami than the mainland of India and Sri Lanka.

In summary, in the last 200 years at least three basin-wide tsunamis have occurred, with several smaller tsunami affecting one or more coastlines in the region. The December 2004 M-9 tsunami seems to have been the largest and most destructive in the last two centuries, suggesting most tsunami are likely to be smaller but still allowing the possibility that even larger tsunami could be generated in propitious circumstances.     

热带印度洋Rossby波的基本特征

Long wavelength baroclinic oceanic Rossby waves are of interest because they are the main mechanism of energy transfer among the oceanic basins as the rotating fluid adjusts under the forcing of gravity and buoyancy,They play an important role in dynamics and thermodynamics in the ocean.The signature of them is evident from the altimeter measurements.Sea surface beight derived from the multiple ocean satellite altimeter missions over 1993～2008 is analyzed to systematically investigate the characteristics of the Rossby waves in the tropical Indian Ocean,by jointly adopting 2D-FFT,2D-Radon Transform,Complex Empirical Orthogonal Function and the classic linear theory methods.Results are as follows.The energy of Rossby wave is mainly concentrated between 5°S～18°S.Annual Rossby wave can be observed all over the whole badin,whereas semi-annual Rossby wave can bw only detected in the equatorial area, and inter-annual Rossby wave in the off-equatorial region.The phase speeds of Rossby waves detected from altimeter satellites are basically in agreement with the calculation based on the classic linear theory, but the former are some slower(faster) north(south)of 15°S than the later,Furthemore,it is indicated from the CEOF analysis that the annual Rossby waves is apparent in the Bay of Bengal,Arabian Sea ,and the open south Indian Ocean,whereas inter-annual Rossby wave mainly presents in the south Indian Ocean ,and eastward Kelvin wave is dominant along equator.     

热带印度洋Rossby波的基本特征

<正>海洋斜压长Rossby波在海洋动力学中占据重要地位,是物理海洋学研究的一个重要任务。它维持并影响大洋西边界流,是海盆内能量传播的主要机制,是海洋对大气驱动的主要响应现象(Pedlosky,1979;Gill,1982)。20世纪70年代以来,XBT资料的积累使人们能够从水文资料中,特别是次表层海温的变化中发现大尺度Rossby波的存在依据(White,1977;Kessler,1990),且集中在     

Influence of ridges on hydrographic parameters in the Southwest Indian Ocean

The objective of the paper is to use the data collected along two meridional sections (45° E and 57°30′ E) during the austral summer (January–March) 2004 to understand the influence of seabed topography across the Madagascar and Southwest Indian Ridges on hydrographic parameters. The study was supplemented by World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) Conductivity-Temperature-Depth data collected during February–March 1996 along 30° E, as well as Levitus climatology. A southward shift of 2° latitude (between 45° E and 57°30′ E) was recorded for the two predominant frontal structures, i.e., the Agulhas Return Front and Southern Subtropical Front, which is attributed to the influence of seabed topography on hydrographic parameters. No significant spatial variation of these fronts was noted between the 30° E and 45° E meridional sections. Between latitudes 31° S and 42° S, the temperature and salinity structures show deepening over the ridges. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current core was detected between 40°15′ S and 43° S.     

Ocean Model Simulation of Southern Indian Ocean Surface Currents

The dynamic importance of the Southern Indian Ocean (SIO) lies in the fact that it connects the three major world oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Modeling study has been used to understand the circulation pattern of this very important region. Simulation of SIO (10°N–60°S and 30°E–120°E) is performed with z-coordinate Ocean General Circulation Model (OGCM) viz; MOM3.0 and the results have been compared with observed ship drift data. It is found that except near coastal boundaries and in equatorial region, the simulated current reproduce most well known current pattern such as Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), South Equatorial Current (SEC) etc. and bears a resemblance to that of the observed data; however the magnitude of the surface current is weaker in model than the observed data, which may be due to deficiency in the forcing field and boundary condition and problem with observed data. The annual mean wind stress curl computed over the oceanic domain reveals about ACC and its similar importance. The way in which the ocean responds to the windstress and vertically integrated transport using model output is fascinating and rather good.     

Ambient noise measurements in the northwest Indian Ocean

Ambient noise measurements were made at seven different locations during the first four months of 1977. The measurement systems included: two types of towed arrays, a bottomed array, and systems with sensors distributed throughout the water column. The noise in the frequency regime dominated by shipping was found to be extremely high with a spectrum level of 92 dB//1 /spl mu/Pa at 50 Hz. These high levels were attributed to the high-density shipping. Horizontal directionality of the noise varied from site to site, ranging from highly directional to nearly nondirectional. The character of the directionality was highly dependent on the site position relative to shipping lanes. The noise showed very little dependence on depth.     

Ocean Model Simulation of Southern Indian Ocean Surface Currents

The dynamic importance of the Southern Indian Ocean (SIO) lies in the fact that it connects the three major world oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. Modeling study has been used to understand the circulation pattern of this very important region. Simulation of SIO (10°N-60°S and 30°E-120°E) is performed with z-coordinate Ocean General Circulation Model (OGCM) viz; MOM3.0 and the results have been compared with observed ship drift data. It is found that except near coastal boundaries and in equatorial region, the simulated current reproduce most well known current pattern such as Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), South Equatorial Current (SEC) etc. and bears a resemblance to that of the observed data; however the magnitude of the surface current is weaker in model than the observed data, which may be due to deficiency in the forcing field and boundary condition and problem with observed data. The annual mean wind stress curl computed over the oceanic domain reveals about ACC and its similar importance. The way in which the ocean responds to the windstress and vertically integrated transport using model output is fascinating and rather good.     

Ocean control of the breeding regime of the sooty tern in the southwest Indian Ocean

Food availability, which is often seasonal, is regarded as a key factor in the breeding success of seabirds. In oceanic tropical areas, the resources are mostly patchy and ephemeral at the surface, and the seasonality is less marked than at higher latitudes. Such a situation influences greatly the breeding strategies of the oceanic seabird species. We conducted a comparative study of the breeding phenology of the sooty tern (Sterna fuscata) in relation to the local and regional oceanographic conditions around the four major colonies (Europa, Juan de Nova, Lys and Bird Islands) of the southwest Indian Ocean. Over the 1997–2003 period, around all the studied locations, the sea-surface temperature (SST) and the chlorophyll concentration in the Mozambique Channel and the Seychelles area showed clear seasonal differences related to the southern climate and the monsoon phenomena. The breeding activity is synchronized at each studied colony, but the timings are very different. Seasonal reproduction occurs in austral winter at Europa and Bird Island and in austral summer at Juan de Nova; at Lys Island the reproduction is non-seasonal. For the seasonal colonies, there is a large monthly change in SST just before the beginning of reproduction, which is a proxy indicating the annual phytoplankton bloom. This variation is accompanied by the development of oceanic features such as fronts that favour aggregation of prey, and may also play an important role in the presence of schools of surface tuna, which are very important for the foraging success of sooty terns. Conversely, around Lys Island the seasonal variations of the marine environment do not lead to pronounced development of oceanic structures, and consequently, the longer-lasting phytoplankton bloom could explain the non-seasonal breeding regime there. Further studies will help discern the advantages and disadvantages of seasonal and non-seasonal reproduction regime in response to unpredictable fluctuations of the marine environment.     

Peculiarities of water circulation in the south-western Indian Ocean

In this paper observational data are used to compute drift and geostrophic current components and to evaluate water transport in the upper 0–800 m ocean layer. Water circulation in the south-western Indian Ocean has been shown to differ from the circulation in similar areas of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The West Australian current, closing the anticyclonic gyre, is an intervening flow. On the other hand, within the upper 200 m layer, the current flows southward along the West Australian coast, thereby producing specific hydrological conditions in that region. Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.     

Effect of nonlinear advection on the Indian Ocean diploe asymmetry

The asymmetry of sea surface temperature anomaly(SSTA)amplitudes between the positive and negative phases of the Indian Ocean dipole(IOD)are studied.The dynamic effects on it are analyzed using a hybrid coordinate ocean model(HYCOM).It suggests that the IOD is still asymmetric even when forced by a symmetric wind stress,and the asymmetry of the SSTA in the eastern pole is strong while that in the western pole is almost insignificant during the mature phase(September–November(SON)).Thus,the IOD asymmetry is primarily caused by the asymmetry in the IODE.A heat budget analysis is also conducted for the mixedlayer temperature in the eastern Indian Ocean(IODE),which indicates that a nonlinear ocean advection cools both the positive and negative IOD events.Therefore,the nonlinear ocean advection is responsible for the asymmetry of the IOD.