Study of long-term variability of Black Sea dynamics on the basis of circulation model assimilation of remote measurements

The Black Sea dynamics for two decades (1993–2012) is analyzed. The study is carried out in numerical simulation with the use of a circulation model and assimilation of satellite measurements of free surface elevations and sea-surface temperatures (SSTs). The Black Sea circulation model has a spatial resolution of 4.8 km and 35 vertical levels, which thicken toward the surface. Arrays of ERA-Interim data are used for simulating the atmospheric forcing. A set of 3D arrays of the Black Sea hydrophysical fields is calculated on a regular grid with a time resolution of 24 h. The results are analyzed and compared with available contact measurements of temperature and salinity. This comparison shows a quite good quality of the resulted hydrophysical fields of the Black Sea.     

Subsatellite polygon for studying hydrophysical processes in the Black Sea shelf-slope zone

The first data on the creation of the subsatellite polygon on the Black Sea shelf and continental slope in the Gelendzhik area (designed in order to permanently monitor the state of the aquatic environment and biota) and the plans for maintaining and developing this polygon are presented. The autonomous measuring systems of the polygon in the composition of bottom stations with acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP), Aqualog robotic profilers, and thermo-chains on moored buoy stations should make it possible to regularly obtain hydrophysical, hydrochemical, and bio-optical data with a high spatial-time resolution and transmit these data to the coastal center on a real-time basis. These field data should be used to study the characteristics and formation mechanisms of the marine environment and biota variability, as well as the water-exchange processes in the shelf-deep basin system, ocean-atmosphere coupling, and many other processes. These data are used to calibrate the satellite measurements and verify the water circulation numerical simulation. It is assumed to use these data in order to warn about the hazardous natural phenomena and control the marine environment state and its variation under the action of anthropogenic and natural factors, including climatic trends. It is planned to use the polygon subsatellite monitoring methods and equipment in other coastal areas, including other Black Sea sectors, in order to create a unified system for monitoring the Black Sea shelf-slope zone.     

Data-computing technologies: A new stage in the development of operational oceanography

An analysis is given of the methods of operational oceanography based on measurements derived from satellite data, observations acquired by drifters and passing vessels, and modern simulations of marine and oceanic circulations. In addition, a historical review is conducted of the previous and current research in this field carried out in the Soviet Union, Ukraine, and Russia. A discussion is given of the principles underlying the design of an effective data-computing system (DCS) for solving the problems of operational oceanography and the implementation of the prototype system for the Black Sea within the joint research project of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU) “The Black Sea as an Ocean Simulation Model.” The effectiveness of applying the multicomponent splitting method in the construction of sea circulation models and specialized DCSs with integrated algorithms of variational assimilation of observational data is estimated. The concept of using the Black Sea as a testing site for innovations is developed. The underlying idea of the concept is the similarity of the Black Sea dynamics with processes in the oceans. The numerical Black Sea circulation models used in the project are described, their development areas are discussed, and the requirements to a Black Sea observing system are defined.     

Peculiarities of the currents field in the north-western part of the Black Sea

On the basis of the results derived by theoretical analysis [1] and laboratory physical modelling [2] of the circulation seawater and stratification, induced by buoyancy fluxes, the suggestion has been made that, possibly, the Black Sea currents system is three-layered. It has been supposed that an anticyclonic current flows in the basin. To verify this deduction, the data from MHI's archived dataset have been treated, and results from twoad hoc expeditions are submitted here. Analysis of the vertical structure of currents, based on thein situ velocity measurements, using various means and calculations of the geostrophic circulation, has confirmed that a flow with the theoretically predicted parameters may exist in the Black Sea. Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.     

Assimilation of the Data of Satellite Altimetry in an Eddy-Resolving Model of Circulation of the Black Sea

The data of satellite altimetry are used to simulate the Black-Sea circulation. The altimetry data of the TOPEX/Poseidon and ERS satellites are prepared within the framework of the NASA Ocean Altimeter Pathfinder project. The additional data processing is performed to compute the dynamic level reflecting the circulation of the Black Sea. The altimetry sea-level is assimilated in an eddy-resolving model of circulation of the Black Sea based on primitive equations. The accuracy of the obtained fields of temperature and salinity is estimated by comparing with the data of large-scale hydrographic surveys according to the ComSBlack program. The prognostic capabilities of the proposed model are estimated by comparing the obtained results with the fields computed with the help of assimilation of the altimetry data.     

Estimating the quality of the retrieval of the surface geostrophic circulation of the Black Sea by satellite altimetry data based on validation with drifting buoy measurements

Combined measurements of satellite altimeters make it possible to determine anomalies of the sea level of the Black Sea on a regular grid with a high spatial resolution 1/8°. In this work arrays of total geostrophic velocities of currents in the Black Sea basin are retrieved and compared with drifter measurements of current velocities for 1999–2007. The comparison is performed both for the whole array of drifter measurements (～110000 measurements) and individually for each drifter. To retrieve the velocities, two different arrays of mean dynamic topography (MDT) are used: synthetic and climatic mean dynamic topography. The comparison results demonstrate that using synthetic MDT is preferable for calculating geostrophic velocities. Velocities calculated by from satellite altimetry data agree with velocities obtained by in-situ data.     

Features of the hydrological structure and circulation in the north-western Black Sea: shipboard and satellite observations in 1989–1990

The results of shipboard and satellite observations of the synoptic variability in the region of the continental slope south of the Tarkhankut Cape are considered. Ship observations revealed a two-layer circulation system of currents. An anticyclonic meander is localized within the upper mixed layer. A cyclonic disturbance, related to the main Black Sea current, occupies the water column below the seasonal thermocline. The interaction between the thermohaline fields is presumably induced by the anticyclonic atmospheric circulation. The satellite-derived images revealed a complex pattern of the large-scale dynamics of seawater over the entire north-western Black Sea.Translated by Mikhail M. Trufanov.     

Reconstruction of mean dynamic topography of the Black Sea for altimetry measurements

In this study a new approach for reconstructing the Mean Dynamic Topography of the Black Sea is applied. Constant observations (SVP measurements), drifters, and data of vertical sounding of the temperature and salt content together with measurements of sea level anomalies received from Topex/Poseidon mission satellite data were used. The absolute sea level received by altimetry data using the mean dynamic topography received during work was compared to the dynamic level received according to independent marine surveys. The comparison showed that the method represented in the study permits one to define more exactly the dynamic topography of the Black Sea when compared with the studies of previous authors. The results of this study will be useful to reconstruct the areas of the geostrophic currents according to satellite altimetry.     

Development of means and methods of drifter technology applied to the problem of the Black Sea research

During the last ten years, autonomous drifting platforms for data collection (drifters) equipped with Argos satellite communication devices have become one of the main components for the observation system in the upper layer of the ocean and surface atmosphere. This article presents the results of the Black Sea drifter monitoring in 2002–2006 within a number of international programs and projects. During this period, about 70 drifters manufactured by NPF Marlin-Yug Ltd. (Sevastopol, Ukraine) were deployed in the western part of the Black Sea. The drifters were mainly standard barometric Lagrangian tracers and a part of them were principally new temperature profiling buoys. Unique long-term data were obtained about the circulation of the surface currents and the dynamics of the temperature stratification within the seasonal thermocline and the cold intermediate layer.     

Lagrangian Transport by Currents Variable in Time in the Model of Wind-Induced Circulation of the Black Sea

We construct a simple model of seasonal variability of circulation in the Black Sea, which satisfactorily explains the data of altimetric satellite observations. The model is used to describe the nonstationary wind-induced currents in a round basin and study the trajectories of water particles in the surface layer of the sea. It is shown that, for nonstationary currents, these trajectories can be quite complicated. It is also assumed that Lagrangian mixing can be caused by the complex trajectories of water particles.     

Seasonal variations of the Arabian Sea level anomaly fields and circulation

The changes in the field of the Arabian Sea level anomaly and the geostrophic currents are analyzed based on the data of satellite altimetry measurements in 1993–2008 within the framework of the AVISO project. On the intra-annual scale, the current field generally agrees with the circulation schemes published in a number earlier works. Their differences are due to the occurrence of the mesoscale eddies and jet currents revealed by the authors.     

2015年6月南海北部陆坡气旋-反气旋涡对陆坡水文和环流影响的观测

利用2015年6月南海北部现场观测的水文数据,结合卫星高度计资料,分析了2015年6月13日—28日南海北部陆坡在气旋涡-反气旋涡的双涡结构影响下的水文和环流特征。结果表明,2015年6月南海北部陆坡调查海区表层50 m以浅盐度存在NE—SW向低盐区,表层盐度最小值低于32,这表明南海北部陆坡存在跨陆架海水输送。在观测期间,南海北部陆坡调查海区受气旋涡和反气旋涡双涡结构影响,使得南海北部陆坡表层100 m以浅存在跨陆坡流,流速最大值出现在两涡交汇区域。此外,通过潜标连续海流资料,发现南海北部陆坡环流呈现了“深入浅出”(100 m以深层为向岸的入侵、以浅层为离岸的出流)的“两层结构”。     

多代同任务测高卫星数据的系统误差分析

利用T/P卫星、Jason-1卫星以及Jason-2卫星同步段的Corssh数据,研究了黄海海域同步段不同测高卫星的测高系统差,得到了T/P卫星与Jason-1卫星间升轨与降轨系统差为0.074m与0.075m,Jason-1卫星与Jason-2卫星间升轨与降轨系统差为0.066m与0.076m。通过计算多代卫星数据的系统误差,提高了融合数据成果的可靠性。     

Variations of the seasonal behavior of geostrophic circulation in the Black Sea

On the basis of the results of processing of the archival hydrological data, we analyze the seasonal behavior of geostrophic circulation in the Black Sea and its long-term variations. It is shown that the variations of currents on the decadal time scales with different manifestations in different seasons lead to changes in the characteristics of the seasonal course of geostrophic circulation in the second half of the last century. The intensification of winter circulation and weakening of summer circulation observed since the mid-1970s result in the increase in the amplitude of the annual course of current velocity on the sea surface. We also discuss possible causes of variations in the intensities of geostrophic currents in the Black Sea.     

Measurement and evaluation of the hydrodynamics and secondary currents in and near a strait connecting large water bodies—A field study

The straits connect two large water bodies show highly strong and stratified currents related to meteorological, morphological and hydrodynamic conditions. In some cases, spatial and temporal changes of the stratified currents and their thickness, direction and magnitude are so complex. This complexity directly affects the circulation pattern in the region, water exchange between both ends of the straits and migration of fish species. In order to understand general characteristics of this kind of straits and identifying the complexity of the hydrodynamics of the region and evaluate the secondary currents and recirculation need long term, intensive, field work and measurement studies. As an example of this kind of hydrodynamically complex straits, Bosphorus strait is selected for a field study. The Bosphorus strait has a strongly stratified two-layer system and a unique case of the maximal exchange regime typical of strait flows, which is largely determined by conditions at the Black Sea. Although the Bosphorus strait has distinct two-layer stratification with an associated two-layer system exchange, no continuous current measurements have been made so far, previous measurements all having been random sampling.In this paper, a detailed measurement program has been applied to Bosphorus strait. In the measurement program, a short-term current profile measurement at selected locations at southern part of the strait has been conveyed. Additionally a long-term measurement of current profile has been performed at a selected critical location (in front of the Dolmabahçe Palace) where a recirculation flow exists in the strait. The scope of this paper is to present the techniques and the results of analysis of measurement data. In the measurements the current profile (magnitude and direction) has been determined at every 1 m depth intervals from the surface to the sea bottom at 3 min duration at every hour. Measurements provide that lower-layer flows in northward direction from the Sea of Marmara towards the Black Sea, whereas the upper-layer flow comes from the Black Sea and flows towards the Sea of Marmara in the opposite direction of lower layer. The Bosphorus strait exhibits distinctive features associated with variations in its width and depth. The meandering features of Bosphorus also cause recirculation flows. These results of measurements are presented, discussed and compared with previous studies.     

Modeling Black Sea circulation with high resolution in the coastal zone

We present a numerical model of Black Sea circulation based on primitive equations with improved spatial resolution in the coastal zone. The model equations are formulated in a two-pole orthogonal coordinate system with arbitrary locations of the poles and a vertical σ coordinate. Increased horizontal resolution is gained by displacing the pole into the vicinity of the separated subdomain. The problem is solved over a grid with a variable step. The northern coordinate pole is displaced to the vicinity of Gelendzhik; the grid step varies from 150 m in the coastal zone to 4.6 km in the main basin. We simulated the fields of currents, sea level, temperature, and salinity under the given atmospheric forcing in 2007. The model is capable of reproducing the large-scale Black Sea circulation and submesoscale variations in the coastal currents.     

Numerical analysis of hydrophysical fields on the northwestern shelf of the Black Sea

A numerical experiment with assimilation of hydrological observational data from a survey in October 2007 on the northwestern shelf of the Black Sea was carried out using the hydrodynamic model with nonlinear equations of motion, equations of heat and salt advection, and data assimilation. The results of this calculation are compared with thermohydrodynamic fields obtained without taking into account temperature and salinity measurements. It is shown that allowance for the observation data leads to qualitative and quantitative differences in the structure of the hydrophysical fields. Mesoscale eddies and intense jet streams that agree with satellite observations were found in the field of currents and were investigated. These eddies are not resolved in low-resolution field experiments.     

Study of long-term variations in the Black Sea fields using an interdisciplinary physical and biogeochemical model

Using an interdisciplinary three-dimensional physical and biogeochemical model developed for the Black Sea, the long-term evolution of marine dynamics and ecosystem is investigated. The hydrophysical fields were calculated from a model of Black Sea circulation with assimilation of hydrographic survey and satellite measurement data from 1971 to 2001. The circulation model reproduces well processes of various scales in both space and time (particularly the seasonal course and interannual variability of main hydrophysical fields). The resulting flow fields are then used to calculate the long-term evolution of the components of the lower level of the food chain in the Black Sea ecosystem. The biogeochemical model used in the calculations is based on the nitrogen cycle and includes a parameterization of the main biological and chemical interactions and processes in the upper layer of the Black Sea. The numerical experiments indicated that the biogeochemical component of the model rather successfully reproduces the main features and evolution trends in the Black Sea ecosystem for the period under consideration: the growth in the phytoplankton biomass during eutrophication and changes in seasonal cycles of the main ecosystem components. Also, the hydrophysical processes were shown to be important for a reliable reproduction of long-term changes in the ecosystem.     

Sequential forecasting of the surface and subsurface conditions in the Japan Sea

This study estimates a realistic change of the Japan Sea by assimilating satellite measurements into an eddy-resolving circulation model. Suboptimal but feasible assimilation schemes of approximate filtering and nudging play essential roles in the system. The sequential update of error covariance significantly outperforms the asymptotic covariance in the sequential assimilation due to the irregular sampling patterns from multiple altimeter satellites. The best estimates show an average rms difference of only 1.2°C from the radiometer data, and also explain about half of the sea level variance measured by the altimeter observation. The subsurface conditions associated with the mesoscale variabilities are also improved, especially in the Tsushima Warm Current region. It is demonstrated that the forecast limit strongly depends on variable, depth, and location.