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.     

Microbial plankton abundance and heterotrophic activity across the Central Atlantic Ocean

The role of microorganisms in the transfer of carbon of marine systems is very important in open oligotrophic oceans. Here, we analyze the picoplankton structure, the heterotrophic bacterioplankton activity, and the predator-prey relationships between heterotrophic bacteria and nanoflagellates during two large scale cruises in the Central Atlantic Ocean (∼29°N to ∼40°S). Latitud cruises were performed in 1995 between March-April and October-November. During both cruises we crossed the regions of different trophic statuses; where we measured different biological variables both at the surface and at the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM). The concentration of chlorophyll a varied between 0.1 and 0.8 mg m⁻³, the abundance of heterotrophic bacteria varied between <1.0 × 10⁵ and >1.0 × 10⁶ cells ml⁻¹, and that of heterotrophic nanoflagellates between <100 and >1.0 × 10⁴ cells ml⁻¹. The production of heterotrophic bacteria varied more than three orders of magnitude between <0.01 and 24 μgC L⁻¹ d⁻¹; and the growth rates were in the range <0.01-2.1 d⁻¹. In the Latitud-II cruise, Prochlorococcus ranged between <10³ and >3 × 10⁵ cells ml⁻¹, Synechococcus between <100 and >1.0 × 10⁴ cells ml⁻¹, and picoeukaryotes between <100 and >10⁴ cells ml⁻¹.Two empirical models were used to learn more about the relationship between heterotrophic bacteria and nanoflagellates. Most bacterial production was ingested when this production was low, the heterotrophic nanoflagellates could be controlled by preys during Latitud-I cruise at the DCM, and by predators in the surface and in the Latitud-II cruise. Our results were placed in context with others about the structure and function of auto- and heterotrophic picoplankton and heterotrophic nanoplankton in the Central Atlantic Ocean.     

南海北部微微型光合浮游生物的丰度及环境调控

1999年夏季首次在南海北部海域进行了微微型光合浮游生物(photosynthetic picoplankton)的观测研究,发现了聚球藻(Synechococcus,Syn)、原绿球藻(Prochlorococcus,Pro)和真核球藻(Eukaryotes,Euk)3类微微型光合浮游生物存在,并对其丰度与分布及其环境调控机制进行了研究.结果表明,研究海区Syn,Pro和Euk丰度的总平均值分别为(5.0±7.6)×104,(4.6±4.2)×104和(1.8±1.1)×103个/cm3,Syn种群丰度的高值大多出现在营养盐丰富的雷州半岛及海南岛东部海域的河口、沿岸带与陆架,北部湾次之,是陆坡和开阔海的数十分之一;其水层分布主要在跃层以上,跃层以下其值迅速降低,发现Pro存在两个不同种群:表层种群和深层种群,前者分布型式与Syn相似,后者的分布型式迥然不同,其丰度向营养盐贫瘠的外海、陆坡和开阔海显著增高;同时发现Pro水层分布的高值主要出现在真光层的底部,并往往出现在硝酸盐跃层之上,Euk在不同海域的分布差异不如Syn和Pro来得大,但仍以沿岸带与陆架为高,陆坡与开阔海较低,水层分布的高值大多出现在真光层的底部,而且它是对次表层叶绿素a极大值的主要贡献者,这些分布型式的差异,取决于环境的调控和3类生物生态生理适应的差异.研究海区Syn,Pro和Euk 3类微微型光合浮游生物对微微型光合浮游生物生态生理适应的差异.研究海区Syn,Pro和Euk3类微微型光合浮游生物对微微型光合浮游生物群落总丰度的贡献分别为50.996,47.3%和1.8%.     

Ocean basins near the Scotia–Antarctic plate boundary: Influence of tectonics and paleoceanography on the Cenozoic deposits

The distribution of seismic units in deposits of the basins near the Antarctic–Scotia plate boundary is described based on the analysis of multichannel seismic reflection profiles. Five main seismic units are identified. The units are bounded by high-amplitude continuous reflectors, named a to d from top to bottom. The two older units are of different age and seismic facies in each basin and were generally deposited during active rifting and seafloor spreading. The three youngest units (3 to 1) exhibit, in contrast, rather similar seismic facies and can be correlated at a regional scale. The deposits are types of contourite drift that resulted from the interplay between the northeastward flow of Weddell Sea Bottom Water (WSBW) and the complex bathymetry in the northern Weddell Sea, and from the influence of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and the WSBW in the Scotia Sea. A major paleoceanographic event was recorded by Reflector c, during the Middle Miocene, which represents the connection between the Scotia Sea and the Weddell Sea after the opening of Jane Basin. Unit 3 (tentatively dated ∼Middle to Late Miocene) shows the initial incursions of the WSBW into the Scotia Sea, which influenced a northward progradational pattern, in contrast to the underlying deposits. The age attributed to Reflector b is coincident with the end of spreading at the West Scotia Ridge (∼6.4 Ma). Unit 2 (dated ∼Late Miocene to Early Pliocene) includes abundant high-energy, sheeted deposits in the northern Weddell Sea, which may reflect a higher production of WSBW as a result of the advance of the West Antarctic ice-sheet onto the continental shelf. Reflector a represents the last major regional paleoceanographic change. The timing of this event (∼3.5–3.8 Ma) coincides with the end of spreading at the Phoenix–Antarctic Ridge, but may be also correlated with global events such as initiation of the permanent Northern Hemisphere ice-sheet and a major sea level drop. Unit 1 (dated ∼Late Pliocene to Recent) is characterized by abundant chaotic, high-energy sheeted deposits, in addition to a variety of contourites, which suggest intensified deep-water production. Units 1 and 2 show, in addition, a cyclic pattern, more abundant wavy deposits and the development of internal unconformities, all of which attest to alternating periods of increased bottom current energy.     

南大洋和南极考察航线海表超微型浮游生物分布及影响因子

南极考察航线跨越全球多个大洋,对认识超微型浮游生物在全球尺度分布及变化具有重要意义。依托中国第33次南极考察,利用流式细胞仪对航线海表水样中的超微型浮游生物进行了现场测定。结果表明,在热带与温带海域,超微型浮游生物量可占总叶绿素a浓度的60%以上,在南大洋则集中在15%～40%;原绿球藻主要分布在40°S以北海域,聚球藻主要分布在50°S以北海域,而超微型真核藻类和异养细菌则在沿线各海域均有明显分布。在纬向上,原绿球藻、聚球藻、超微型真核藻类和异养细菌的平均丰度分别为（5.50±9.09）×10³ cells/mL、（13.56±20.33）×10³ cells/mL、（3.87±3.08）×10³ cells/mL和（6.39±4.78）×10⁵ cells/mL;南大洋海域,超微型真核藻类和异养细菌的平均丰度分别为（3.31±1.46）×10³ cells/mL和（4.68±4.39）×10⁵ cells/mL,在少数站位检测到较低丰度的聚球藻,平均值为（0.38±0.39）×10³ cells/mL。纬向上,超微型真核藻类与温度呈显著负相关,原绿球藻与温度呈正相关,盐度与营养盐对其影响较弱;南大洋海域,超微型浮游生物与营养盐显著相关,在南极半岛海域大量消耗硝酸盐、磷酸盐和硅酸盐,而在罗斯海则主要利用硝酸盐与磷酸盐。     

Predictive habitat modelling of humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae) and Antarctic minke (Balaenoptera bonaerensis) whales in the Southern Ocean as a planning tool for seismic surveys

Seismic surveys are frequently a matter of concern regarding their potentially negative impacts on marine mammals. In the Southern Ocean, which provides a critical habitat for several endangered cetacean species, seismic research activities are undertaken at a circumpolar scale. In order to minimize impacts of these surveys, pre-cruise planning requires detailed, spatio-temporally resolved knowledge on the likelihood of encountering these species in the survey area. In this publication we present predictive habitat modelling as a potential tool to support decisions for survey planning. We associated opportunistic sightings (2005–2011) of humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae, N=93) and Antarctic minke whales (Balaenoptera bonaerensis, N=139) with a range of static and dynamic environmental variables. A maximum entropy algorithm (Maxent) was used to develop habitat models and to calculate daily basinwide/circumpolar prediction maps to evaluate how species-specific habitat conditions evolved throughout the spring and summer months. For both species, prediction maps revealed considerable changes in habitat suitability throughout the season. Suitable humpback whale habitat occurred predominantly in ice-free areas, expanding southwards with the retreating sea ice edge, whereas suitable Antarctic minke whale habitat was consistently predicted within sea ice covered areas. Daily, large-scale prediction maps provide a valuable tool to design layout and timing of seismic surveys as they allow the identification and consideration of potential spatio-temporal hotspots to minimize potential impacts of seismic surveys on Antarctic cetacean species.     

中国南极考察航线上气旋大风过程统计分析

综合使用"雪龙"号走航气象观测数据、SeaSpace极轨卫星云图、ERA-Interim再分析数据,研究了中国第19～34次南极考察航线上由南大洋气旋导致的气旋大风过程,分析了其发生数量及时间间隔、强度和空间分布等特征,探讨了气旋大风发生间隔与南极涛动的关系。南大洋气旋对中国南极考察航线影响频繁且强烈,气旋大风过程数量与航次时长呈显著正相关,平均而言每个航次出现约18(4)次气旋大风过程(强过程),平均每间隔6.5(30)天就出现一次;气旋大风过程中,过程风速平均达8级,最大可达12级。但气旋大风过程的数量、发生时间间隔、最大风速都存在较为明显的航次差异。气旋大风过程时间间隔与南半球夏季南极涛动指数呈负相关,且对于发生在55°S以南的过程负相关更为显著;南极涛动通过调整中高纬度风压带强弱,并影响气旋活动数量和活动区域,进而影响考察航线上气旋大风过程发生数量和频率。气旋大风过程可以发生在南大洋和极区内的任意航段,其中以45°～60°S绕极西风带内发生最为频繁,尤其易出现在气旋中心及其北侧与副热带高压配合产生的强梯度风区内。在4个重点考察海域中,由于阿蒙森低压的存在,阿蒙森海气旋大风过程和...     

Interannual variations of the Antarctic Ocean CO2 uptake from 1986 to 1994

The interannual variations of CO₂ sources and sinks in the surface waters of the Antarctic Ocean (south of 50°S) were studied between 1986 and 1994. An existing, slightly modified one-dimensional model describing the mixed-layer carbon cycle was used for this study and forced by available satellite-derived and climatological data. Between 1986 and 1994, the mean Antarctic Ocean CO₂ uptake was 0.53 Pg C year⁻¹ with an interannual variability of 0.15 Pg C year⁻¹.Interannual variation of the Antarctic Ocean CO₂ uptake is related to the Antarctic Circumpolar Wave (ACW), which affects sea surface temperature (SST), wind-speed and sea-ice extent. The CO₂ uptake in the Antarctic Ocean has increased from 1986 to 1994 by 0.32 Pg C. It was found that over the 9 years, the surface ocean carbon dioxide fugacity (fCO₂) increase was half that of the atmospheric CO₂ increase inducing an increase of the air–sea fCO₂ gradient. This effect is responsible for 60% of the Antarctic Ocean CO₂ uptake increase between 1986 and 1994, as the ACW effect cancels out over the 9 years investigated.     

东太平洋多金属结核的叠层石包壳及其沉积环境意义

对东太平洋C-C区深海多金属结核的叠层石包壳、多金属结核的表面类型及其分布规律进行了详细研究和合理解释,认为叠层石的形态学特征既是建造叠层石的微生物种类差异的表现,也是环境水动力条件和溶解氧含量不同的反映,这些因素共同决定了多金属结核的表面类型,而南极底流是造成海底水体能量环境、氧化还原电位和微生物种类变化的根本原因.为多金属结核的分布规律和成矿预测提供科学依据.     

Interannual Variability of Antarctic Hydrographic Structure and Frontal Zones along Meridional Sections between Syowa Station and Southern Africa

Six years of quasi-meridional crossings of the Antarctic Ocean from Antarctica to southern Africa between 4°W and 16°E longitude are analyzed, with emphasis on temperature and salinity distributions. Data are sparse, but (particularly in the southern part of the sections) adequate to show significant variations in the latitude/depth distributions and T-S characteristics of the principal water masses. In particular, the cross-sectional area occupied by Warm Deep Water (Weddell Deep Water) dropped by about one third in 1968. Positions of major features associated with the Antarctic Divergence varied by up to 5 degrees of latitude. The surface temperature gradient often observed at the Antarctic Divergence appears to be the surface expression of a shallow (possibly seasonal) thermocline which sometimes slopes upward to intersect the sea surface. There is a clear need for more closely spaced and consistently planned data from Antarctic cruises, particularly those on which physical oceanography is an ancillary activity. As a bare minimum, much more closely spaced surface temperature (and if possible also salinity) measurements would be useful.     

Community structure of picoplankton abundance and biomass in the southern Huanghai Sea during the spring and autumn of 2006

During spring and autumn of 2006,the investigations on abundance,carbon biomass and distribution of picoplankton were carried out in the southern Huanghai Sea(Yellow Sea,sHS) . Three groups of picoplankton-Synechococcus(Syn) ,Picoeukaryotes(PEuk) and heterotrophic bacteria(BAC) were identified,but Prochlorococcus(Pro) was undetected. The average abundance of Syn and PEuk was lower in spring(5.0 and 1.3 × 10 3 cells/cm 3,respectively) than in autumn(92.4 and 2.7 × 10 3 cells/cm 3,respectively) ,but it was opposite for BAC(1.3 and 0.7 × 10 6 cells/cm 3 in spring and autumn,respectively) . And the total carbon biomass of picoplankton was higher in spring(37.23 ± 11.67) mg/m 3 than in autumn(21.29 ± 13.75) mg/m 3 . The ratios of the three cell abundance were 5:1:1 341 and 30:1:124 in spring and autumn,respectively. And the ratios of carbon biomass of them were 5:7:362 and 9:4:4 in spring and autumn,respectively. Seasonal distribution characteristics of Syn,PEuk,BAC were quite different from each other. In spring,Syn abundance decreased in turn in the central waters(where phytoplankton bloom in spring occurred) ,the southern waters and inshore waters of the Shandong Peninsula(where even Syn was undetected) ;the high values of PEuk abundance appeared in the central and southern waters and the inshore of the Shandong Peninsula;the abundance of BAC was nearly three order of magnitude higher than that of photosynthetic picoplankton,and high values appeared in the central waters. In autumn,Syn abundance in central waters was higher than that in surrounding waters,while for PEuk abundance,it decreased in turn in the inshore waters of the Shandong Peninsula,the southern waters and the central waters;BAC presented a complicated blocky type distribution. Sub-surface maximum of each group of picopalnkton appeared in both spring and autumn. Compared with the available literatures concerning the studied area,the range of Syn abundance was larger,and the abundance of BAC was higher. In addition,the conversion factors for calculating picoplanktonic carbon biomass were discussed,with the conversion factors which are different from previous studies in the same surveyed waters. The result of regression analysis showed that there was distinct positive correlation between BAC and photosynthetic picoplankton in spring(r=0.61,P 0.001) ,but no correlation was found in autumn.     

桑沟湾微微型浮游生物丰度和生物量分布的季节变化

于2013年4月、7月、10~月和2014年1月,分四个季节在桑沟湾利用流式细胞技术对桑沟湾微微型浮游生物丰度和生物量的时空分布特征进行了研究,并统计分析了其与环境因子之间的关系。结果表明,四个季节中桑沟湾聚球藻丰度和生物量分别为0.04×10~3～408.59×10~3个/mL、0.01～10~2.15 mg/m3,微微型真核浮游生物的丰度和生物量分别为0.21×10~3～99.64×10~3个/mL、0.31～149.46 mg/m3,异养细菌的丰度和生物量分别为3.34×10~5～50.16×10~5个/mL、6.68～10~0.32 mg/m3。四个季节中,夏季桑沟湾微微型浮游生物的丰度和生物量高于其他季节。异养细菌对微微型浮游生物总生物量的四季平均贡献为62.11%,高于自养微微型浮游生物;微微型真核浮游生物占自养微微型浮游生物总生物量比例最高,平均可达86.85%。统计分析显示温度、叶绿素a和营养盐浓度是影响桑沟湾微微型浮游生物丰度和生物量分布的主要因素。上述结果为桑沟湾生态环境的检测和评估提供了基础数据。     

大尺度环流异常对南极印度洋扇区海表面高盐异常的影响

南极印度洋扇区分布了许多南极底层水的生成区,此海域海水盐度变化对全球的气候变化有着深远影响。本文采用EN4再分析数据、实测海豹资料和WOD18数据,结合大气再分析和海冰密集度数据,对南极印度洋扇区表面盐度长期变化及其对大尺度环流异常的响应进行探究。2008年以来,南极沿岸出现显著的海表面持续性高盐异常,其中印度洋扇区变化最为显著,表层高盐水主要集中在达恩利冰间湖附近与沙克尔顿冰架以北的海域。沿岸海域的高盐陆架水向北扩张且影响深度不断加深,高盐的绕极深层水上涌也更加明显。此高盐异常与南极涛动(Antarctic Oscillation,AAO)、印度洋偶极子(Indian Ocean Dipole,IOD)两种大尺度环流密切相关。AAO与IOD正位相下,西风显著增强,促进海冰大量生成,为海表面提供了大量的盐通量。同时,海表面出现更显著的风场旋度负异常与低压异常,促进高盐深层水上涌,对高盐异常有重要维持作用。此外,纬向风剪切与蒸发增强也是影响该高盐异常的重要局地过程。     

Stakeholder perspectives on ecosystem-based management of the Antarctic krill fishery

Information about stakeholder aspirations is a fundamental requirement for ecosystem-based management, but the detail is often elusive, and debates may focus on simplistic opposing positions. This is exemplified by the Antarctic krill fishery, which, despite a current operational catch limit equivalent to just 1% of the estimated biomass and actual annual catches much lower than this, is the subject of a high-profile debate framed around ambiguous concepts such as sustainability. Q methodology was applied to explore the detailed views of representatives of three stakeholder sectors (the fishing industry, conservation-focused non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and scientists from seven countries involved in research on the krill-based ecosystem). The analysis distinguished two clear groupings, one of which included the views of all NGO participants while the other included the views of fishing industry participants and a subset of the scientists. Key differences between the groups included the priority given to different management measures, and to continued commercial fishing. However, the results also revealed considerable overlap between viewpoints. Both groups prioritised the maintenance of ecosystem health and recognised the importance of defining management objectives. Also, neither group prioritised a decrease in catch limits. This suggests that most participants in the study agree that management should improve but do not perceive a major problem in the ecosystem's ability to support current catch levels. Cooperation to identify shared management objectives based on stakeholder aspirations for the ecosystem might enhance progress, whereas polarised discussions about preferred management measures or ambiguous concepts are likely to impede progress.     

Role of environment and hydrography in determining the picoplankton community structure of Sagami Bay,Japan

Seasonal variations in the picoplankton community were investigated from June 2002 to March 2004 within the photic zone of Sagami Bay, Japan. The study area was mostly dominated by coastal waters during the warm period (mixed layer water temperature ≥ 18°C). During the cold period (mixed layer water temperature ≤ 18°C), the water mass was characterized by low temperature and high saline waters indicative of the North Pacific Subtropical Mode Water (NPSTMW). Occasionally, a third type of water mass characterized by high temperature and low saline properties was observed, which could be evidence of the intrusion of warm Kuroshio waters. Synechococcus was the dominant picophytoplankton (5−28 × 10¹¹ cells m⁻²) followed by Prochlorococcus (1−5 × 10¹¹ cells m⁻²) and picoeukaryotes during the warm period. Heterotrophic bacteria dominated the picoplankton community throughout the year, especially in the warm period. During the Kuroshio Current advection, cyanobacterial abundance was high whereas that of picoeukaryotes and heterotrophic bacteria was low. During the cold period, homogeneously distributed, lower picophytoplankton cell densities were observed. The dominance of Synechococcus in the warm period reflects the importance of high temperature, low salinity and high Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) on its distribution. Cyanobacterial and heterotrophic bacterial abundance showed a positive correlation with temperature. Prochlorococcus and picoeukaryotes showed a positive correlation with nutrients. Picoeukaryotes were the major contributors to the picophytoplankton carbon biomass. The annual picophytoplankton contribution to the photosynthetic biomass was 32 ± 4%. These observations suggest that the environmental conditions, combined with the seasonal variability in the source of the water mass, determines the community structure of picoplankton, which contributes substantially to the phytoplankton biomass and can play a very important role in the food web dynamics of Sagami Bay.     

Phytoplankton composition and biomass across the southern Indian Ocean

Phytoplankton composition and biomass was investigated across the southern Indian Ocean. Phytoplankton composition was determined from pigment analysis with subsequent calculations of group contributions to total chlorophyll a (Chl a) using CHEMTAX and, in addition, by examination in the microscope. The different plankton communities detected reflected the different water masses along a transect from Cape Town, South Africa, to Broome, Australia. The first station was influenced by the Agulhas Current with a very deep mixed surface layer. Based on pigment analysis this station was dominated by haptophytes, pelagophytes, cyanobacteria, and prasinophytes. Sub-Antarctic waters of the Southern Ocean were encountered at the next station, where new nutrients were intruded to the surface layer and the total Chl a concentration reached high concentrations of 1.7 ??g Chl a L⁻¹ with increased proportions of diatoms and dinoflagellates. The third station was also influenced by Southern Ocean waters, but located in a transition area on the boundary to subtropical water. Prochlorophytes appeared in the samples and Chl a was low, i.e., 0.3 ??g L⁻¹ in the surface with prevalence of haptophytes, pelagophytes, and cyanobacteria. The next two stations were located in the subtropical gyre with little mixing and general oligotrophic conditions where prochlorophytes, haptophytes and pelagophytes dominated. The last two stations were located in tropical waters influenced by down-welling of the Leeuwin Current and particularly prochlorophytes dominated at these two stations, but also pelagophytes, haptophytes and cyanobacteria were abundant. Haptophytes Type 6 (sensuZapata et al., 2004), most likely Emiliania huxleyi, and pelagophytes were the dominating eucaryotes in the southern Indian Ocean. Prochlorophytes dominated in the subtrophic and oligotrophic eastern Indian Ocean where Chl a was low, i.e., 0.043-0.086 ??g total Chl a L⁻¹ in the surface, and up to 0.4 ??g Chl a L⁻¹ at deep Chl a maximum. From the pigment analyses it was found that the dinoflagellates of unknown trophy enumerated in the microscope at the oligotrophic stations were possibly heterotrophic or mixotrophic. Presence of zeaxanthin containing heterotrophic bacteria may have increased the abundance of cyanobacteria determined by CHEMTAX.     

Particle flux characterisation and sedimentation patterns of protistan plankton during the iron fertilisation experiment LOHAFEX in the Southern Ocean

The taxonomic composition and types of particles comprising the downward particle flux were examined during the mesoscale artificial iron fertilisation experiment LOHAFEX. The experiment was conducted in low-silicate waters of the Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean during austral summer (January–March 2009), and induced a bloom dominated by small flagellates. Downward particle flux was low throughout the experiment, and not enhanced by addition of iron; neutrally buoyant sediment traps contained mostly faecal pellets and faecal material apparently reprocessed by mesozooplankton. TEP fluxes were low, ≤5 mg GX eq. m⁻² d⁻¹, and a few phytodetrital aggregates were found in the sediment traps. Only a few per cent of the POC flux was found in the traps consisting of intact protist plankton, although remains of taxa with hard body parts (diatoms, tintinnids, thecate dinoflagellates and foraminifera) were numerous, far more so than intact specimens of these taxa. Nevertheless, many small flagellates and coccoid cells, belonging to the pico- and nanoplankton, were found in the traps, and these small, soft-bodied cells probably contributed the majority of downward POC flux via mesozooplankton grazing and faecal pellet export. TEP likely played an important role by aggregating these small cells, and making them more readily available to mesozooplankton grazers.     

Fronts, baroclinic transport, and mesoscale variability of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current in the southeast Indian Ocean

Fronts,baroclinic transport,and mesoscale variability of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current(ACC) along 115°E are examined on the basis of CTD data from two hydrographic cruises occupied in 1995 as a part of the World Ocean Circulation Experiment(WOCE cruise I9S) and in 2004 as a part of CLIVAR/CO2 repeat hydrography program.The integrated baroclinic transport across I9S section is(97.2×106±2.2×106) m3/s relative to the deepest common level(DCL).The net transport at the north end of I9S,determined by the south Australian circulation system,is about 16.5×106m3/s westward.Relying on a consistent set of water mass criteria and transport maxima,the ACC baroclinic transport,(117×106 ±6.7×10 6)m3/s to the east,is carried along three fronts:the Subantarctic Front(SAF) at a mean latitude of 44°-49°S carries(50.6×10 6 ±13.4×106)m3/s;the Polar Front(PF),with the northern branch(PF-N) at 50.5°S and the southern branch(PFS) at 58°S,carries(51.3×106 ±8.7×106)m3/s;finally,the southern ACC front(SACCF) and the southern boundary of the ACC(SB) consist of three cores between 59°S and 65°S that combined carry(15.2×106 ±1.8×106)m3/s.Mesoscale eddy features are identifiable in the CTD sections and tracked in concurrent maps of altimetric sea level anomalies(SLA) between 44°-48°S and 53°-57°S.Because of the remarkable mesoscale eddy features within the SAF observed in both the tracks of the cruises,the eastward transport of the SAF occurs at two latitude bands separating by 1°.Both the CTD and the altimetric data suggest that the mesoscale variability is concentrated around the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone(APFZ) and causes the ACC fronts to merge,diverge,and to fluctuate in intensity and position along their paths.     

Distribution of radium-224 in the western Arctic Ocean

1Introduction ThephysicalcharacteristicsintheArcticOcean includewidecontinentalshelves,accountingfor36% oftheocean’ssurfacearea(MooreandSmith,1986) withseasonalicecover.Theprincipalwatersentering theArcticOceanarefromtheNorthAtlanticviathe FramStraitandtheBarentsSea,andtheNorthPacific viatheBeringStrait.Withinthearcticinterior,thewa- tersjoininthelarge-scalecirculationandaresubse- quentlymodifiedbyprocessesofair/sea/iceinterac- tion,riverinflow,andexchangewithsurrounding shelves.Howeve…     

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.