Energetics and growth kinetics of a deep Prochlorococcus spp. population in the Arabian Sea

During the US JGOFS process studies in the Arabian Sea (1995), secondary fluorescence maxima (SFM) were observed frequently at the oxic–anoxic interface at the extreme base of the euphotic zone. These secondary peaks were most prominent during the early NE monsoon in the central oligotrophic portion of the Arabian Sea, although they were spatially and temporally variable. Based on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and flow cytometry analyses, SFM were determined to be populated almost exclusively by the marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus spp. While SFM were about half the magnitude of primary fluorescence peaks, chlorophyll a biomass was typically an order of magnitude less than at the primary maxima (although total chlorophyll (a+b) differed only by a factor of two). Photosynthesis versus irradiance response curves revealed an efficient population adapted to extremely low light (∼0.02–0.05% surface irradiance) largely through increased light absorption capabilities. A theoretical spectral irradiance absorption efficiency model based on available spectral irradiance, individual cell properties, and bulk particulate spectral absorption also supports a well-adapted low-light population. Deck-incubated C-14 uptake as well as dilution growth experiments revealed instantaneous growth rates on the order of μ=0.01 d⁻¹. However, additional in situ observations suggest SFM populations may be more dynamic than the growth rates estimates from shipboard bottle incubations predict. We advance four hypotheses for the regulation of SFM populations including: (1) reduced loss rates, (2) discontinuous environmental conditions, (3) enhanced sub-oxic growth, and (4) physical mechanisms.     

Spreading and salinity change of North Pacific Tropical Water in the Philippine Sea

Newly formed North Pacific Tropical Water (NPTW) is carried to the Philippine Sea (PS) by the North Equatorial Current (NEC) as a subsurface salinity maximum. In this study its spreading and salinity change processes are explored using existing hydrographic data of the World Ocean Database 2009 and Argo floats. Spreading of NPTW is closely associated with the transports of the NEC, Mindanao Current (MC), and Kuroshio. Estimated for subsurface water with salinity S greater than 34.8?psu, the southward (northward) geostrophic transport of NPTW by the MC (Kuroshio) at 8°N (18°N) is about 4.4 (5.7)?Sv (1?Sv?=?10⁶?m³?s^?1), which is not sensitive to reference level choice. Fields of salinity maximum, geostrophic current, sea level variation, and potential vorticity suggest that the equatorward spreading of NPTW to the tropics is primarily afforded by the MC, whereas its poleward spreading is achieved by both the Kuroshio transport along the coast and open-ocean mesoscale eddy fluxes in the northern PS. The NPTW also undergoes a prominent freshening in the PS. Lying beneath fresh surface water, salinity decreases quicker in the upper part of the NPTW, which gradually lowers the salinity maximum of NPTW to denser isopycnals. Salinity decrease is especially fast in the MC, with along-path decreasing rate reaching O (10^?7?psu?s^?1). Both diapycnal and isopycnal mixing effects are shown to be elevated in the MC owing to enhanced salinity gradient near the Mindanao Eddy. These results suggest intensive dispersion of thermal anomalies along the subtropical-to-tropical thermocline water pathway near the western boundary.     

Nitrogen isotope patterns in the oxygen-deficient waters of the Eastern Tropical North Pacific Ocean

We analyzed the stable nitrogen isotope composition of an extensive set of samples of particulate matter (PM) and seawater nitrate collected during October/November 1997 along the Mexican coastline from 24° to 11.5°N. At the northern and southern end of our study area, the δ¹⁵N of PM ranged between 5 and 7‰ in the upper 200 m of the water column with higher values at intermediate depths. These data are very similar to those reported from other parts of the open ocean. In the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ), we found significantly higher δ¹⁵N values for suspended particles. Furthermore, the δ¹⁵N of nitrate (NO₃) was elevated within the OMZ and we found a strong relationship between the oxygen concentration, nitrate deficit and the ¹⁵N content of the nitrate. The core of the OMZ between 22°N, 105°W and 15°N, 110°W coincided with higher nitrate deficits and δ¹⁵N values relative to the stations near the boundaries. The δ¹⁵N of nitrate was highest, with values up to 18.7‰, where oxygen concentrations were below 1–2 μmol/l. This pattern is consistent with an overall nitrogen isotopic enrichment factor of 22.5‰ for denitrification in the core of the OMZ using the Rayleigh equation (closed-system approach). Results from a diffusion model (open-system approach), however, gave a fractionation factor of 30±7.5‰, implying that the Rayleigh formula only gives a lower estimate of the fractionation factor ε. The vertical flux of particles collected in short-term deployments (ca. 35 h) of a drifting sediment trap was not significantly correlated with the water column nitrate deficit. The isotopic signature of the nitrate within the gradient is very similar to the δ¹⁵N value of sedimenting particles, suggesting that there might be a strong link between the production and sedimentation of particles. Upward flux of nitrate across the thermocline can account for less than half of the particle flux leaving the mixed layer. Mixing and transport of nitrate across the lower boundary of the OMZ can lead to significant enrichment in the ¹⁵N content of deep waters, and our isotopic data imply that at least 14% of the nitrate in the waters below the OMZ originates from this source.     

Crustal structure in the North Arabian Sea from magnetic surveys

The spectral study of the aero-magnetic map of the North Arabian Sea (above 20°N) has delineated three horizons at average depths of 45 km, 21 km, and 8 km. Spectral estimates from smaller blocks of data drawn from the original map suggest that the 21 km horizon varies in depth from 14 km on the abyssal plain (oceanic crust) to 24 km towards the north and 28 km towards the east onto the continental shelf. This appears to correspond to the crust-mantle interface (Moho). The 8 km horizon corresponds to the top of the igneous basement. The significance of the deepest layer (45 km) is discussed as the maximum depth of the Curie point geotherm in this region. The spectral estimate of the block of data on the continental shelf off the west coast of India (above 20°N) has brought out some magnetic inhomogeneity at a shallower depth of 4 km. This appears to be connected with the sea-floor spreading phenomenon from the Carlsberg ridge. The presence of such a magnetic inhomogeneity at a depth of 4 km is further confirmed by the spectral estimate of a marine magnetic map off the west coast of India around Bombay. The depth of the basement inferred from this study is in close agreement with that obtained from other studies in this region, such as seismics.     

南海夏季风爆发与西北太平洋热带气旋活动

利用1965—2007年美国台风预警中心(JTWC)的热带气旋(TC)及NCEP/NCAR再分析资料,初步研究南海夏季风爆发与西北太平洋(包括南海)热带气旋活动之间的关系。结果表明,南海夏季风的爆发伴随着西北太平洋(尤其南海区域)TC生成个数和活动频数比爆发前有显著增加,而超过1/2的年份南海夏季风爆发前2候和爆发候西北太平洋(150°E以西)有TC活动,表明TC活动可能是南海夏季风爆发的触发机制之一。在大多数(77%)南海夏季风爆发偏早年,爆发前2候和爆发候西北太平洋TC活动偏多,且TC生成位置偏西;而大多数(77%)爆发偏晚年份,爆发前2候和爆发候没有TC活动。季风的偏早爆发受季节内振荡、西北太平洋TC活动、中纬度冷空气活动等复杂因素影响,而季风的偏晚爆发则主要受季节内振荡影响。     

Isotopic analyses of nitrate and nitrite from reference mixtures and application to Eastern Tropical North Pacific waters

Isotopic analyses of nitrate by the denitrifier method, and indeed by many other analytical methods, do not discriminate between nitrate and nitrite. For samples containing both chemical species, accurate isotopic analysis of nitrate requires either removal of nitrite or independent isotopic analysis of nitrite and subtraction of its contribution to the mixed isotopic signal. This study evaluates the application of a variety of available analytical approaches to the isotopic analysis of mixed nitrate and nitrite solutions, with the goal of producing accurate coupled isotopic analyses of both nitrate and nitrite. These methods are tested on mixtures of standard solutions of nitrate and nitrite, and then applied to the coupled δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O analyses of nitrate and nitrite in waters of the Eastern Tropical North Pacific (ETNP). Results from standard mixtures show that even for extreme values of nitrate and nitrite δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O, both nitrite removal by ascorbate and nitrite isotopic analysis and subtraction from the mixed isotopic signal yield nitrate δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O values that are close to the expected values. Application of these analyses to samples from the ETNP yielded δ¹⁵N_NO3 and δ¹⁸O_NO3 values as high as 21‰ vs. AIR and 19‰ vs. VSMOW, respectively. Conversely, very low δ¹⁵N values were observed in nitrite, with values ranging from − 7.2 to − 18.5‰ vs. AIR. Removal of nitrite from ETNP samples thus revealed differences of up to 5‰ between NO₃^- and NO₂^- + NO₃^- for both δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O. Moreover, the δ¹⁵N offset between co-occurring nitrate and nitrite is greater than expected from the action of denitrification alone and may provide a unique constraint on the processes involved in the cycling of nitrite in and around oxygen deficient zones. Finally, subtraction of the nitrite δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O from ETNP samples allows the extension of the Δ(15,18) tracer into suboxic regions containing nitrite. The magnitude and distribution of Δ(15,18) in these samples suggests an important role for nitrite reoxidation in nitrate isotope variations.     

Air-Sea Interaction, Coastal Circulation and Primary Production in the Eastern Arabian Sea: A Review

Air-sea interaction, coastal circulation and primary production exhibit an annual cycle in the eastern Arabian Sea (AS). During June to September, strong southwesterly winds (4∼9 m s⁻¹) promote sea surface cooling through surface heat loss and vertical mixing in the central AS and force the West India Coastal Current equatorward. Positive wind stress curl induced by the Findlater jet facilitates Ekman pumping in the northern AS, and equatorward-directed alongshore wind stress induces upwelling which lowers sea surface temperature by about 2.5°C (compared to the offshore value) along the southwestern shelf of India and enhances phytoplankton concentration by more than 70% as compared to that in the central AS. During winter monsoon, from November to March, dry and weak northeasterly winds (2–6 m s⁻¹) from the Indo-China continent enhance convective cooling of the upper ocean and deepen the mixed layer by more than 80 m, thereby increasing the vertical flux of nutrients in the photic layer which promotes wintertime phytoplankton blooms in the northern AS. The primary production rate integrated for photic layer and surface chlorophyll-a estimated from the Coastal Zone Color Scanner, both averaged for the entire western India shelf, increases from winter to summer monsoon from 24 to 70 g C m⁻²month and from 9 to 24 mg m⁻², respectively. Remotely-forced coastal Kelvin waves from the Bay of Bengal propagate into the coastal AS, which modulate circulation pattern along the western India shelf; these Kelvin waves in turn radiate Rossby waves which reverse the circulation in the Lakshadweep Sea semiannually. This review leads us to the conclusion that seasonal monsoon forcing and remotely forced waves modulate the circulation and primary production in the eastern AS. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Lipid and 13C signatures of submicron and suspended particulate organic matter in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific: Implications for the contribution of Bacteria

The contribution of bacterial biomass to total particulate organic matter (POM) in the ocean, including exported material, is poorly constrained. To examine potential signatures for the presence and export of bacterioplankton and their detrital remains, here we provide a detailed compound-specific ¹³C characterization of fatty acids from membrane polar lipids obtained from a water column profile in the Eastern Tropical North Pacific. POM of submicron size (0.2–0.7 μm; “X-POM”) was sampled and analyzed separately from the size class typically collected as “suspended” POM (0.7–53 μm; “L-POM”). The distributions of polar head group classes, specific fatty acid side chains, and natural ¹³C contents all vary, both between particle size classes and with depth in the water column. In general, the polar lipids in submicron material – and by inference, lipids of bacterial origin – have higher ¹³C content than polar lipids from larger POM and are equally abundant. Lipid signatures from the photic zone appear to be partially conserved in the suspended pool during transit down the water column. However, bacterial heterotrophy and possibly chemoautotrophy partially overprint these surface signatures. In addition, active metabolisms in the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ) appear to mediate the disaggregation of POM transported from the surface, thus adding complexity to the pathways of mid-water carbon flux and providing additional organic substrates to the OMZ and below. This “substrate injection” may provide important fuel for the denitrification and anammox reactions. Finally, examination of ¹³C content in polar lipids provides a basis for new interpretation of depth-related variations in δ¹³C values of bulk suspended POM.     

Nitrogen and oxygen isotopic composition of N2O from suboxic waters of the eastern tropical North Pacific and the Arabian Sea—measurement by continuous-flow isotope-ratio monitoring

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a trace gas that is increasing in the atmosphere. It contributes to the greenhouse effect and influences the global ozone distribution. Recent reports suggest that regions such as the Arabian Sea may be significant sources of atmospheric N₂O.In the ocean, N₂O is formed as a by-product of nitrification and as an intermediary of denitrification. In the latter process, N₂O can be further reduced to N₂. These processes, which operate on different source pools and have different magnitudes of isotopic fractionation, make separate contributions to the ¹⁵N and¹⁸O isotopic composition of N₂O. In the case of nitrification in oxic waters, the isotopic composition of N₂O appears to depend mainly on the ¹⁵N/¹⁴N ratio of NH⁺₄ and the ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratio of O₂ and H₂O. In suboxic waters, denitrification causes progressive ¹⁵N and ¹⁸O enrichment of N₂O as a function of degree of depletion of nitrate and dissolved oxygen. Thus the isotopic signature of N₂O should be a useful tool for studying the sources and sinks for N₂O in the ocean and its impact on the atmosphere.We have made observations of N₂O concentrations and of the dual stable isotopic composition of N₂O in the eastern tropical North Pacific (ETNP) and the Arabian Sea. The stable isotopic composition of N₂O was determined by a new method that required only 80–100 nmol of N₂O per sample analysis. Our observations include determinations across the oxic/suboxic boundaries that occur in the water columns of the ETNP and Arabian Sea. In these suboxic waters, the values of δ¹⁵N and δ¹⁸O increased linearly with one another and with decreasing N₂O concentrations, presumably reflecting the effects of denitrification. Our results suggest that the ocean could be an important source of isotopically enriched N₂O to the atmosphere.     

Physiological response to high temperature in the Tropical Eastern Pacific coral Pocillopora verrucosa

The ecological and economic values of coral reef communities have encouraged efforts to implement periodic visual survey programs to secure their conservation. To date, visual monitoring‐based approaches have detected bleaching events weeks or months after the initial onset. An evaluation of the stress response of coral colonies, as well as their ability to resist and recover from the stress events, may increase our understanding of the physiological processes underling the stress and/or acclimation responses. Coral bleaching events, caused primarily by abnormally high temperatures, are continuously affecting coral communities worldwide. To evaluate the stress and recovery responses of the reef‐building coral Pocillopora verrucosa, a laboratory study was conducted herein. Coral nubbins were exposed to high temperatures to induce bleaching, and their ability to resist and recover from bleaching was subsequently monitored after returning the corals to ambient temperature. Lipid and chlorophyll concentrations, as well as Symbiodinium spp. density, decreased in samples exposed to nearly 31°C, slowly recovering to near‐control levels upon return to non‐stressful conditions. The present data set allows for an assessment of the vulnerability and ability of this common species to resist sub‐optimal environmental conditions, particularly the thermal stress events that will occur more commonly in their habitats as global seawater temperatures continue to rise.     

Structural patterns and tectonic history of the Bauer microplate, Eastern Tropical Pacific

The Bauer microplate was an independent slab of oceanic lithosphere that from 17 Ma to 6 Ma grew from 1.4 × 10⁵ km² to 1.2 × 10⁶ km² between the rapidly diverging Pacific and Nazca plates. Growth was by accretion at the lengthening and overlapping axes of the (Bauer-Nazca) Galapagos Rise (GR) and the (Pacific-Bauer) East Pacific Rise (EPR). EPR and GR axial propagation to create and rapidly grow the counter-clockwise spinning microplate occurred in two phases: (1) 17–15Ma, when the EPR axis propagated north and the GR axis propagated south around a narrow (100- to 200-km-wide) core of older lithosphere; and (2) 8–6 Ma, when rapid northward propagation of the EPR axis resumed, overlapping ∼400 km of the fast-spreading Pacific-Nazca rise-crest and appending a large (200- to 400-km-wide) area of the west flank of that rise as a ‘northern annex’ to the microplate. Between 15 and 8 Ma the microplate grew principally by crustal accretion at the crest of its rises. The microplate was captured by the Nazca plate and the Galapagos Rise axis became extinct soon after 6 Ma, when the south end of the Pacific-Bauer EPR axis became aligned with the southern Pacific-Nazca EPR axis and its north end was linked by the Quebrada Transform to the northern Pacific-Nazca EPR axis. Incomplete multibeam bathymetry of the microplate margins, and of both flanks of the Pacific-Bauer and Bauer-Nazca Rises, together with archival magnetic and satellite altimetry data, clarifies the growth and (counter-clockwise) rotation of the microplate, and tests tectonic models derived from studies of the still active, much smaller, Easter and Juan Fernandez microplates. Our interpretations differ from model predictions in that Euler poles were not located on the microplate boundary, propagation in the 15–8 Ma phase of growth was not toward these poles, and microplate rotation rates were small (5°/m.y.) for much of its history, when long, bounding transform faults reduced coupling to Nazca plate motion. Some structures of the Bauer microplate boundary, such as deep rift valleys and a broad zone of thrust-faulted lithosphere, are, however, similar to those observed around the smaller, active microplates. Analysis of how the Bauer microplate was captured when coupling to the Pacific plate was reduced invites speculation on why risecrest microplates eventually lose their independence.     

Role of Meso-Scale Eddies on Circulation in the South Eastern Arabian Sea in 2009

Spatial current data were collected from South eastern Arabian Sea during July 2009 (summer monsoon) and December 2009 (winter monsoon) using the vessel mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). During July 2009, observed ADCP currents were flowing southward along 75°E longitude with a complex pattern near the coast. During winter (December 2009), an anti-clockwise rotation of currents was observed in the study region, with its eastern arm along the southwest coast of India. The circulation pattern observed during the two seasons from ADCP measured data does not seem to follow any pattern described in climatology. To investigate this aspect, the geostrophic currents were computed utilizing the multi-mission altimeter sea surface height anomaly data for the corresponding months. The analysis of geostrophic currents indicates the presence of multiple eddies embedded in the Laccadive Low (LL) /Laccadive High (LH). Our present study shows that the meso-scale eddies embedded in the LL and LH play a significant role in deviating the observed circulation from climatology in this region. In addition, generating mechanisms of these eddies are addressed to substantiate our findings. The formation of these eddies is attributed to the local wind force during July 2009 and the enhanced baroclinic instability during December 2009.     

热带太平洋海平面高度季节内振荡的空间分布特征

根据三年卫星高度计（ＴＯＰＥＸ／ＰＯＳＥＩＤＯＮ）资料和涡分辨率的海洋环流（ＰＯＰ）模式模拟计算的海平面高度资料,利用功率谱和最大熵谱的方法,揭示了热带太平洋海平面高度季节内振荡的空间分布特征。研究表明：准３０ｄ 周期的振荡集中出现在东太平洋（１６０°Ｗ 以东）赤道两侧,分别以５°Ｓ和５°Ｎ 为中心的纬向带状域中;准９０ｄ 振荡出现在分别以２０°Ｓ和２０°Ｎ为中心的南北二个纬向带状域中,北太平洋西部振荡最明显;准６０ｄ 振荡集中出现在分别以１０°Ｎ和１０°Ｓ为中心的带状海域中,北太平洋比南太平洋更明显,但比准９０ｄ 振荡信号弱;从ＴＯＰＥＸ资料分析还发现在赤道中太平洋（５°Ｎ～５°Ｓ,１７０°Ｗ～１２０°Ｗ）,准６０ｄ 振荡也较明显     

HYCOM模式对赤道及北太平洋海表温度的模拟

本文使用HYCOM数值模式,根据两种海气通量数据集(COADS、ECMWF)和两种海气通量块体参数化方案(常数块体参数化方案和非常数块体参数化方案)的不同结合,构成4组数值实验,分别模拟了赤道及北太平洋的气候态海表温度.实验结果表明:1)在本文的实验中,非常数块体参数化方案优于常数块体参数化方案;在太平洋40°N-20°S区域内,采用前者得到的年平均海表温度比Pathfinder卫星资料高约0.21 °C,而采用后者得到的年平均海表温度比Pathfinder卫星资料高约0.63 °C.2)HYCOM数值模式很好的模拟了赤道及北太平洋的气候态海表温度变化及西太平洋暖池空间分布的月变化.特别是实验2(采用COADS数据集和非常数块体参数化方案),在太平洋40°N - 20°S区域内,冬春两季平均SST仅比Pathfinder卫星数据集高0.02 °C.3)不同的海气通量数据会对模式结果产生明显的影响.对比采用COADS数据集的实验2结果与采用ECMWF数据集的实验4结果可以发现,在模拟区域的西北部,实验2比实验4的年平均SST高约1 °C;在模拟区域的东南部,实验4比实验2的年平均SST高约1 °C.两者差的最大值出现在58°N、140°E附近及中国渤海,约为4 °C(实验2比实验4的年平均SST高约4 °C).     

热带太平洋海面高度年代际变化的研究

采用SODA海面高度(SSH)数据研究热带太平洋海域的年代际变化.结果表明,热带太平洋海面高度场存在与太平洋年代际涛动(PDO)时间过程基本一致的年代际变化,但是SSH异常的空间分布与SST异常的是不同的.热带海域年代际变化的典型空间分布:海面高度异常在热带海域存在东西方向的反向变化,在西太平洋只有1个变化中心,而在东太平洋形成2个对称于赤道的变化中心.热带太平洋海面高度的年代际变化有2个基本周期:13 a左右的周期和30 a以上时间尺度的气候转型周期.其中13 a周期的年代际变化与ENSO年际过程无关,是热带太平洋年代际变化的重要组成部分.由于数据时间长度的限制,气候转型的时间尺度还不明确,也不清楚其是否有明显的周期性.比较热带东西太平洋年代际变化的特征,可以发现以气候转型期的年代际信号在东西太平洋几乎是同时发生的,而13 a左右周期的年代际信号在赤道附近却存在自西向东方向的传播.     

Functional diversity of fish and invertebrates in coral and rocky reefs of the Eastern Tropical Pacific

To define the functional groups of fish and macroinvertebrates in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP), visual censuses were performed in 18 areas of four biogeographic provinces: Cortés, Mexican, Panamic and Oceanic Islands. A total of 257 fish and macroinvertebrate species were recorded, and from them, 27 morpho‐functional groups (MFGs) were constructed on the basis of trophic level, maximum size, taxonomy and morphology. Biomass, richness, diversity and evenness of MFGs were calculated for each province and compared statistically; a regression analysis between taxonomic and functional diversity was conducted to observe the relationship between these two indicators. There were significant differences in all ecological indices (p < .002), highlighting the high biomass and richness of MFGs in the Cortés and Oceanic Islands provinces (>400 g/m²), associated with the influence of cold currents in the northernmost region and less fishing pressure in protected areas. A decreasing pattern of MFG richness towards the tropics was observed, which demonstrates that in the ETP, the relationship between habitat heterogeneity and species diversity has been translated into functional complexity. The Mexican province was the most functionally diverse (biomass well distributed in the MFG; H′ = 0.46 ± 0.009). Related to this, it is predicted that biomass is biased towards certain functional groups (i.e., large carnivores), which shows that the H′ index of the MFG is not a good indicator of the conservation status of ETP reefs. Finally, regression analysis suggests that functional diversity increases at low species diversity but eventually reaches an asymptote (almost all possible functions are represented).     

Arsenic in sediments of the North Atlantic Ocean and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Chemical extraction techniques show that the majority of the arsenic in North Atlantic deep-sea sediments is associated with an iron phase compositionally similar to that found in deep-sea ferromanganese nodules (As/Fe ～ 11 · 10^?4) and is probably of seawater origin. Some sediments also contain As associated with Fe oxides produced by continental weathering. A minority (～8%) of the arsenic is of detrital origin but is not associated with Fe or Mn oxides; it has a content (1.7 ppm) similar to the average crustal abundance. In the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, near-shore sediments contain As associated with land-derived Fe oxides (As/Fe ～ 2 · 10^?4), but As/Fe ratios increase to ～ 13 · 10^?4 in deep-sea sediments as the contribution of seawater derived arsenic becomes dominant. Arsenic is enriched in metalliferous sediments (As/Fe ～ 20?50 · 10^?4) but As/P ratios of metalliferous sediments, deep-sea ferromanganese nodules and deep-ocean water are all similar. Although a hydrothermal contribution cannot be discounted, it is likely that the arsenic is also of seawater origin, suggesting that hydrothermal iron oxyhydroxides remove As more efficiently from seawater than do iron phases (goethite) in deep-sea sediments and nodules. Arsenic accumulates in deep-sea sediments (～ 6 μg cm^?2 10^?3 yr^?1) at sediments (～ 120 μg cm^?2 10^?3 yr^?1) at rate sufficient to balance river input input (～3 · 10¹⁰ g yr^?1). These estimates give an oceanic residence time for arsenic of 1–2 · 10⁵ yr.     

Calculation of Interannual Variations of Sea Level in the Subtropical North Pacific

The interannual variations of sea level at Chichi-jima and five other islands in the subtropical North Pacific are calculated for 1961–95 with a model of Rossby waves excited by wind. The Rossby-wave forcing is significant east of 140°E. Strong forcing of upwelling (downwelling) Rossby wave occurs during El Niño (La Niña) and warm (cold) water anomaly in the eastern equatorial Pacific. The first and second baroclinic modes of Rossby wave are more strongly generated than the barotropic mode in the study area. A higher vertical mode of Rossby wave propagates more slowly and is more decayed by eddy dissipation. The best coefficient of vertical eddy dissipation is determined by comparing the calculated sea level with observation. The variation in sea level at Chichi-jima is successfully calculated, in particular for the long-term change of the mean level between before and after 1986 with a rise in 1986 as well as the variations with periods of two to four years after 1980. It is concluded that variations of sea level at Chichi-jima are produced by wind-forced Rossby waves, the first baroclinic wave primarily and the barotropic wave secondly. The calculation for other islands is less successful. Degree of the success in calculation almost corresponds to a spatial difference in quantity of wind data, and seems to be determined by quality of wind data.