The impact of northern Indian Ocean rivers on the Bay of Bengal using NEMO global ocean model

The effect of river runoff over the northern Indian Ocean(NIO) especially over the Bay of Bengal(Bo B) has been studied using global Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean(NEMO). Two sensitivity experiments, with and without river runoff are conducted and the influence of river runoff on the Indian Ocean hydrography,stratification and circulation features are studied. It is found that due to river runoff surface salinity over the northern Bo B decreases by more than 5 and the East India Coastal Current strengthens by 2 cm/s during post monsoon season. The fresh river water reaches up to 15°N in the Bo B and is the main cause for low salinity there.Sea surface temperature in the northwestern Bo B increases by more than 0.2℃ due to the river runoff in summer monsoon while surface cooling upto 0.2℃ is seen in north-west part of Bo B in winter season. The seasonal mixed layer depth in the region is found to be dependent on river runoff. The effect of vertical shear and Brunt Vaisala frequency on stratification is also examined. The ocean water becomes highly stratified up to 3 035 m due to the river runoff. It is found that the energy required for mixing is high in the northern and coastal Bo B.     

南海东北部亚中尺度过程时空分布特征

基于高分辨率模型2009-2012年的模拟结果,本文对南海东北部亚中尺度过程的时空分布特征进行了研究。模拟结果表明,南海东北部上层广泛存在着相对涡度接近于局地行星涡度的亚中尺度过程。统计结果发现,亚中尺度过程的相对涡度的分布具有着明显的非对称性,即正涡度明显强于负涡度。这意味着相比于负涡度,具有正涡度的亚中尺度过程要更为活跃,而这主要是由离心不稳定导致。同时,亚中尺度过程在时间分布上表现出明显的冬强夏弱的季节变化特征。通过对该海区亚中尺度过程可能生成机制的分析发现,该季节变化与流场拉伸和混合层的厚度有着密切关系,冬季更强的流场拉伸和更深的混合层有利于通过锋生过程和混合层不稳定为亚中尺度过程生成提供更多的能量。     

孟加拉湾北部逆温现象的观测特征及机制分析

在冬季,孟加拉湾北部存在显著的季节性逆温现象。利用Argo浮标和锚碇浮标资料,分析了冬季孟加拉湾逆温现象的观测特征和维持机制。结果表明,系统性的逆温现象主要局限于15°N以北的区域,它最早于11月份出现在恒河、伊洛瓦底江和戈达瓦里河的河口区域。逆温的强度及分布区域在1月份达到最大,随后从西南部逐步退化,3月逆温现象基本消失。冬季的逆温层位于障碍层之中,厚度在35 m左右,最大海温位于40~60 m深度,整层满足静力稳定条件。对混合层温度和盐度的诊断表明,逆温的出现主要与冬季风导致的强烈海表热量损失有关,低盐水的平流过程也对逆温现象有一定的维持作用。     

孟加拉湾海洋热浪季节变化特征与可能成因

本文基于1982−2021年的NOAA最优插值海表温度等资料,分析了孟加拉湾海洋热浪季节分布特征与可能成因。结果表明：大致以斯里兰卡岛与缅甸伊洛瓦底江河口连线为界,孟加拉湾西北部与东南部海域海洋热浪频率和天数呈现出不同的季节变化特征。在湾西北部海域,海洋热浪频率和天数季节变化较显著,均在夏季达到最大,春、秋季次之,冬季最少。而在湾东南部海域,二者的季节变化相对较弱。依据海洋热浪累积强度将海洋热浪从弱至强分为I～IV4种等级。分析显示,I类和II类较弱海洋热浪主要发生于夏、秋季的湾西部或西北部海域;III类以上严重海洋热浪则多发于春季的安达曼海和湾东南部海域以及夏季的缅甸西南部海域。进一步分析表明,在春、夏和秋季大部分海洋热浪活跃区,较浅的混合层及海表净热通量的变化对这些海区海洋热浪活动可能起主要作用,而冬季湾东南部海域海洋热浪形成与维持可能主要与赤道远地强迫有关。     

Magnetic studies in the northern Bay of Bengal

Total magnetic intensity and bathymetric surveys were carried out in the northern Bay of Bengal between 6° to 11° 45 N latitudes and east of 84° to 93° 30 E longitudes. The hitherto known 85° E Ridge is characterised as a subsurface feature by a large amplitude, positive magnetic anomaly surrounded by Mesozoic crust. A newly identified NE to NNESSW trending magnetic anomaly between 7° N, 87° 30 E and 10° 30 N, 89–90° E may be one of the unidentified Mesozoic lineations in the northern Bay of Bengal. The Ninetyeast Ridge is not associated with any recognizable magnetic anomaly. The Sunda Trough to the east of the Ninetyeast Ridge is characterised by a positive magnetic anomaly. A combined interpretation, using Werner deconvolution and analytical signal methods, yields basement depths ~ 10 km below sea level. These depths are in agreement with the seismic results of Curray (1991).Deceased 24 December 1991     

Effect of River Discharge on Bay of Bengal Circulation

The seasonal circulation and mixed layer depths in Bay of Bengal is modeled using the three-dimensional Princeton Ocean Model (POM). Along the coastal boundaries a higher resolution is accomplished using the curvilinear orthogonal grid. Model uses a free-surface and terrain following sigma coordinates. The initial climatological salinity and temperature fields for the model are derived from the World Ocean Atlas-2001(WOA01). The Model is forced with wind stress derived from COADS wind climatology. Bilinear interpolation is used to obtain the initial fields and wind stress to the required model specification. Using the seasonal fields and wind stress the model is integrated for simulating Bay of Bengal circulation. The numerical simulations on climatological scale for monsoon months were conducted to study the evolution of dynamics. The simulations bring out not only the typical characteristic features of fresh water plume along the coast but also intensification of the flow over the monsoon period. The increase in the fresh water flow found to affect only the western parts of the BoB. The opposing currents due to monsoon winds and southward flowing fresh water discharge (FWD) were also delineated. The model results show that the wind stress induced turbulence process is subdued in the presence of strong vertical salinity stratification due to the influence of FWD. The simulated mixed layer depths are in agreement with the reported analytical energy required for mixing values.     

Contributions of shortwave radiation to the formation of temperature inversions in the Bay of Bengal and eastern equatorial Indian Ocean: A modeling approach

Variations in incoming shortwave radiation influence the net surface heat flux, contributing to the formation of a temperature inversion. The effects of shortwave radiation on the temperature inversions in the Bay of Bengal and eastern equatorial Indian Ocean have never been investigated. Thus, a high-resolution (horizontal resolution of 0.07°×0.07° with 50 vertical layers) Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) model is utilized to quantify the contributions of shortwave radiation to the temperature inversions in the study domain. Analyses of the mixed layer heat and salt budgets are performed, and different model simulations are compared. The model results suggest that a 30% change in shortwave radiation can change approximately 3% of the temperature inversion area in the Bay of Bengal. Low shortwave radiation reduces the net surface heat flux and cools the mixed layer substantially; it also reduces the evaporation rate, causing less evaporative water vapor losses from the ocean than the typical situation, and ultimately enhances haline stratification. Thus, the rudimentary outcome of this research is that a decrease in shortwave radiation produces more temperature inversion in the study region, which is primarily driven by the net surface cooling and supported by the intensive haline stratification. Moreover, low shortwave radiation eventually intensifies the temperature inversion layer by thickening the barrier layer. This study could be an important reference for predicting how the Indian Ocean climate will respond to future changes in shortwave radiation.     

Upper ocean high resolution regional modeling of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal

In this paper, effort is made to demonstrate the quality of high-resolution regional ocean circulation model in realistically simulating the circulation and variability properties of the northern Indian Ocean(10°S–25°N,45°–100°E) covering the Arabian Sea(AS) and Bay of Bengal(BoB). The model run using the open boundary conditions is carried out at 10 km horizontal resolution and highest vertical resolution of 2 m in the upper ocean.The surface and sub-surface structure of hydrographic variables(temperature and salinity) and currents is compared against the observations during 1998–2014(17 years). In particular, the seasonal variability of the sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity, and surface currents over the model domain is studied. The highresolution model's ability in correct estimation of the spatio-temporal mixed layer depth(MLD) variability of the AS and BoB is also shown. The lowest MLD values are observed during spring(March-April-May) and highest during winter(December-January-February) seasons. The maximum MLD in the AS(BoB) during December to February reaches 150 m (67 m). On the other hand, the minimum MLD in these regions during March-April-May becomes as low as 11–12 m. The influence of wind stress, net heat flux and freshwater flux on the seasonal variability of the MLD is discussed. The physical processes controlling the seasonal cycle of sea surface temperature are investigated by carrying out mixed layer heat budget analysis. It is found that air-sea fluxes play a dominant role in the seasonal evolution of sea surface temperature of the northern Indian Ocean and the contribution of horizontal advection, vertical entrainment and diffusion processes is small. The upper ocean zonal and meridional volume transport across different sections in the AS and BoB is also computed. The seasonal variability of the transports is studied in the context of monsoonal currents.     

2008年孟加拉湾春季暖池生消过程的热收支诊断分析

在夏季风爆发前孟加拉湾会出现季节性暖池,在季风爆发后它则快速消失。本文利用RAMA浮标阵列中孟加拉湾中部浮标的观测资料,通过进行混合层热收支诊断,对2008年孟加拉湾春季暖池的生消过程进行了分析。结果表明:热通量项主导了暖池的生成和消亡过程,它在暖池生成期表现为强加热效应,而在暖池消亡期变为强冷却效应;垂向卷夹的冷却作用在暖池生成阶段比较突出;温度平流项的冷却作用在冬季较强。对热通量项的进一步分析表明:短波辐射平均热效应在暖池生成期高达0.32℃/d,而在暖池消亡期降低一半,这是使热通量项在两个时期有不同表现的根本原因;潜热通量在各阶段的平均冷却效应基本保持不变,都在-0.14℃/d左右;长波辐射的冷却效应在暖池生成期比较显著,一定程度上减缓了海温的上升速度;感热通量的热效应相对较小。     

孟加拉湾南部冷池的极端事件及其机理初析

本研究利用多源卫星遥感数据对比分析了2018年和2015年孟加拉湾南部冷池的极端异常事件。孟加拉湾南部冷池早期出现在5月,8月和 9月强度达到最大,10月开始减弱,随后逐渐消失。数据显示2018年和2015年冷池海表温度距平值分别为-0.55 ℃和0.43 ℃,是1993—2018年26 年中冷池降温最强和最弱的年份。2018年孟加拉湾南部冷池风应力距平值为0.02 N/m2,而2015年距平值为-0.01 N/m2。2018年Ekman抽吸速度距平在冷池区域为正,2015年为负。经混合层热收支计算得到,造成冷池产生的主要原因是平流效应,且2018年与2015年的夏季（6—8月）降温平流项分别占49.2%和80.7%。冷池极端事件主要发生在6月,2018年6月冷池降温是2015年的2.76倍,并且海表净热通量项和平流项的异常对冷池极端事件的产生起了重要作用。     

Intercomparison of High-Resolution Bay of Bengal Circulation Models Forced with Different Winds

The high-resolution Bay of Bengal circulation modeling in the region [80E–95E; 5N–22N] is performed with a horizontal resolution of 10 km and the highest vertical resolution of 5 m near the surface. The intercomparison experiments, with ocean model forced with the near-surface (1) National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis winds and (2) blended seawinds data (a combination of remotely sensed scatterometer and in situ observations) are carried out for a period of 17 years during 1998–2014. The seasonal variability of the realistically simulated surface hydrographic (temperature and salinity) and circulation (currents) variables from both the experiments is compared and contrasted with the observational data. The mixed layer depth seasonal variability of the region is also studied. The mesoscale features of currents at 50 and 100 m are also studied. The volume transport across different sections in the Bay of Bengal is computed and its relation with summer monsoon rainfall is investigated. The results suggest that there is no real advantage of using high-resolution blended seawinds over the much coarser NCEP reanalysis winds.     

南海北部海洋雾状层特征及影响因素初步研究

在粤东上升流区和南海北部陆架陆坡区共选取7条断面,通过分析水体的温度、盐度、密度、浊度、叶绿素浓度特征和悬浮体现场粒度平均粒径、体积浓度特征等,初步研究了南海北部海洋雾状层的特征及其受控机制。研究发现粤东上升流区底部雾状层普遍发育,在个别站位存在表层雾状层,高能的近岸浪流作用和来自港湾、河流的泥沙为表层雾状层和底部雾状层提供物源;南海北部陆架陆坡区底部雾状层也普遍发育,在珠江口外的内陆架和外陆架陆坡区表层雾状层比较常见,陆坡区中层雾状层比较发育,本区雾状层的物源主要来自珠江和台湾岛西南部河流的入海泥沙、海底沉积物以及生源颗粒物。南海北部底部雾状层的强度和扩散范围主要受水动力条件、河流入海物质的扩散和底质再悬浮等控制。     

Sub-surface temperature oscillations and associated flow in the western Bay of Bengal

Unusual temperature variations at subsurface depths were noticed while making continuous observations (for 13 h) on temperature, salinity and currents at a point in the vicinity of river Krishna in the western Bay of Bengal. Sharp temperature oscillations recorded at four different levels between 14 and 20·1 m had an average periodicity of about 1·6 h. Similar periodicities were also observed in the case of flow components. Computed Brunt-Vaisälä frequency, vertical shear and Richardson number showed remote possibilities of vertical mixing occurring in this area. These oscillations showed features of internal waves propagating with a speed of about 13·3 cm s⁻¹ and wavelengths between 0·8 and 1·3 km and apparently generated as a result of flood current passing over a submarine obstacle in the presence of stratification.     

孟加拉湾海域背景流–中尺度涡–高频扰动之间的相互作用

基于一套涡分辨模式数据,本文利用一种新的泛函工具—多尺度子空间变换—将孟加拉湾（BOB）海域的环流系统分解到背景流（>96 d）、中尺度（24～96 d）和高频尺度（<24 d）3个子空间,并用正则传输理论探讨了3个尺度子空间之间内在的非线性相互作用。结果表明,BOB西北部边界和斯里兰卡岛东部是BOB海域多尺度相互作用最显著的区域,中部则较弱。前两个区域的背景流大多正压、斜压不稳定,动能和有效位能正则传输主要表现为正向级串;后者则以逆尺度动能级串为主。具体来说,在BOB西北部与斯里兰卡东部,中尺度涡动能（EKE）主要来源于正压能量路径（即背景流动能向EKE传输）,其次来源于斜压能量路径（即背景流有效位能向中尺度有效位能传输,并进一步转换为EKE）。通过这两个能量路径得到的EKE向更高频的扰动传输能量,起到了耗散中尺度涡的作用。不同于此二者,BOB中部海域的EKE和高频尺度动能主要通过斜压路径获得,随后通过逆尺度级串将动能返还给背景流。苏门答腊岛的西北部也是中尺度和高频尺度扰动较强的海域,正压能量路径和斜压能量路径均是该海域扰动能的来源,但以斜压能量路径为主。     

Upper Ocean Four-Dimensional Variational Data Assimilation in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal

A regional ocean circulation model with four-dimensional variational data assimilation scheme is configured to study the ocean state of the Indian Ocean region (65°E–95°E; 5°N–20°N) covering the Arabian Sea (AS) and Bay of Bengal (BoB). The state estimation setup uses 10 km horizontal resolution and 5 m vertical resolution in the upper ocean. The in-situ temperature and salinity, satellite-derived observations of sea surface height, and blended (in-situ and satellite-derived) observations of sea surface temperature alongwith their associated uncertainties are used for data assimilation with the regionally configured ocean model. The ocean state estimation is carried out for 61 days (1 June to 31 July 2013). The assimilated fields are closer to observations compared to other global state estimates. The mixed layer depth (MLD) of the region shows deepening during the period of assimilation with AS showing higher MLD compared to the BoB. An empirical forecast equation is derived for the prediction of MLD using the air–sea forcing variables as predictors. The surface and sub-surface (50 m) heat and salt budget tendencies of the region are also investigated. It is found that at the sub-surface, only the advection and diffusion temperature and salt tendencies are important.     

Cyclone induced storm surge and flood forecasting in the northern Bay of Bengal

A cyclone induced storm surge and flood forecasting system that has been developed for the northern Bay of Bengal is presented. The developed system includes a cyclone forecasting model that uses statistical models for forecasting of the cyclone track and maximum wind speed, and an analytical cyclone model for generation of cyclone wind and pressure fields. A data assimilation system has been developed that allows updating of the cyclone parameters based on air pressure and wind speed observations from surface meteorological stations. The forecasted air pressure and wind fields are used as input in a 2D hydrodynamic model for forecasting storm surge levels and associated flooding. An efficient uncertainty prediction procedure based on Harr's point estimation method has been implemented as part of the forecasting system for prediction of the uncertainties of the forecasted storm surge levels and inundation areas caused by the uncertainties in the cyclone track and wind speed forecasts. The developed system is applied on a severe cyclone that hit Bangladesh in April 1991. The simulated storm surge and associated flooding are highly sensitive to the cyclone data. The cyclone data assimilation system provides a more accurate cyclone track when the cyclone approaches the coastline, which results in a significant improvement of the storm surge and flood predictions. Application of the uncertainty prediction procedure shows that the large uncertainties of the cyclone track and intensity forecasts result in large uncertainties of the forecasted storm surge levels and flood extend. The forecasting system shows very good forecasting capabilities up to 24 h before the actual landfall.     

南海北部陆架区两个台风过境时近惯性运动的若干特征

Features of near-inertial motions on the shelf(60 m deep) of the northern South China Sea were observed under the passage of two typhoons during the summer of 2009. There are two peaks in spectra at both sub-inertial and super-inertial frequencies. The super-inertial energy maximizes near the surface, while the sub-inertial energy maximizes at a deeper layer of 15 m. The sub-inertial shift of frequency is induced by the negative background vorticity. The super-inertial shift is probably attributed to the near-inertial wave propagating from higher latitudes. The near-inertial currents exhibit a two-layer pattern being separated at mid-depth(25–30 m), with the phase in the upper layer being nearly opposite to that in the lower layer. The vertical propagation of phase implies that the near-inertial energy is not dominantly downward. The upward flux of the near-inertial energy is more evident at the surface layer(17 m). There exist two boundaries at 17 and 40 m, where the near-inertial energy is reflected upward and downward. The near-inertial motion is intermittent and can reach a peak of as much as 30 cm/s. The passage of Typhoon Nangka generates an intensive near-inertial event, but Typhoon Linfa does not. This difference is attributed to the relative mooring locations, which is on the right hand side of Nangka's path(leading to a wind pattern rotating clockwise with time) and is on the left hand side of Linfa's path(leading to a wind pattern rotating anti-clockwise with time).     

Spatiotemporal variation and mechanisms of temperature inversion in the Bay of Bengal and the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean

In the northern Bay of Bengal, the existence of intense temperature inversion during winter is a widely accepted phenomenon. However, occurrences of temperature inversion during other seasons and the spatial distribution within and adjacent to the Bay of Bengal are not well understood. In this study, a higher resolution spatiotemporal variation of temperature inversion and its mechanisms are examined with mixed layer heat and salt budget analysis utilizing long-term Argo（2004 to 2020） and RAMA（2...     

Global estimates of wind energy input to subinertial motions in the Ekman-Stokes layer

By incorporating the wave-induced Coriolis-Stokes forcing into the classical Ekman model, the wind energy input to the Ekman-Stokes layer is investigated, with an emphasis on the surface wave effects when the direction of Stokes drift deviates from that of wind stress. Theoretical analysis of the kinetic energy balance of the Ekman-Stokes layer shows that the total wind energy input consists of the direct wind energy input and the wave-induced energy input. Details of the direct wind and wave-induced energy input are discussed. Based on the ECMWF ERA-40 Re-Analysis wind stress and surface wave data, the global total wind energy input to subinertial motions in the Ekman-Stokes layer is estimated at 2.19 TW, including 0.26 TW (12%) wave-induced energy input and 1.93 TW (88%) direct wind energy input. The effect of sea-ice coverage on the energy input to the Ekman-Stokes layer is also considered. It is shown that the global total energy input could be overestimated by 0.08 TW (about 4%) without taking the sea-ice coverage into account.     

Characterizing the influence of tide on the physico-chemical parameters and nutrient variability in the coastal surface water of the northern Bay of Bengal during the winter season

The spatial distribution of physico-chemical parameters(sea surface temperature(SST), p H, sea surface salinity(SSS), dissolved oxygen(DO) and Secchi depth) along with filterable nutrients(dissolved inorganic nitrate(DIN),dissolved inorganic phosphate(DIP) and reactive silicate(DSi)) are measured in the winter months of November,December, January and February for four consecutive years from 2009–2010 to 2012–2013 on the shallow continental shelf(20 m bathymetry) of the coastal waters(up to 18 km away from shoreline) of the northern Bay of Bengal(n Bo B) during the highest high tide(HHT) and lowest low tide(LLT) hours for the first time. The variability of the coastal biogeochemical environment is assessed during the HHT and LLT hours and for this purpose, seawater samples are collected from seven different locations of a transect in the coastal region. Physicochemical parameters(except SST) show significant difference in magnitude during the HHT and LLT hours respectively. p H, SSS and DO are found to increase in the HHT hours and vice-versa. The data reveal that during the LLT hours, a relative increase of freshwater input in the n Bo B can have elevated the nutrient concentration compared with that observed during the HHT hours. The ratio of nutrient concentration is found to deviate significantly from the Redfield ratio. The abundance of DIP is much higher compared with that of DIN and DSi.The anthropogenic sources of DIP from the upstream flow(especially the domestic effluent of several metropolises) can be mainly attributed behind such an observation. In order to characterize and establish the trend of such variation in such an important bio-climatic region, long-term and systematic ecosystem monitoring in the coastal water of the n Bo B northern Bay of Bengal should be carried out throughout the year.