Basin-scale distribution of NH<Subscript>4</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript> and NO<Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript> in the Pacific Ocean

We used more than 25,000 nutrient samples to elucidate for the first time basin-scale distributions and seasonal changes of surface ammonium (NH₄ ⁺) and nitrite (NO₂ ^?) concentrations in the Pacific Ocean. The highest NH₄ ⁺, NO₂ ^?, and nitrate (NO₃ ^?) concentrations were observed north of 40°N, in the coastal upwelling region off the coast of Mexico, and in the Tasman Sea. NH₄ ⁺ concentrations were elevated during May–October in the western subarctic North Pacific, May–December in the eastern subarctic North Pacific, and June–September in the subtropical South Pacific. NO₂ ^? concentrations were highest in winter in both hemispheres. The seasonal cycle of NH₄ ⁺ was synchronous with NO₂ ^?, NO₃ ^?, and satellite chlorophyll a concentrations in the western subtropical South Pacific, whereas it was synchronous with chlorophyll-a but out of phase with NO₂ ^? and NO₃ ^? in the subarctic regions.     

Isotope parameters (δD, δ<Superscript>18</Superscript>O) and sources of freshwater input to Kara Sea

The isotope characteristics (δD, δ¹⁸О) of Kara Sea water were studied for quantitative estimation of freshwater runoff at stations located along transect from Yamal Peninsula to Blagopoluchiya Bay (Novaya Zemlya). Freshwater samples were studied for glaciers (Rose, Serp i Molot) and for Yenisei and Ob estuaries. As a whole, δD and δ¹⁸O are higher in glaciers than in river waters. isotope composition of estuarial water from Ob River is δD =–131.4 and δ18O =–17.6‰. Estuarial waters of Yenisei River are characterized by compositions close to those of Ob River (–134.4 and–17.7‰), as well as by isotopically “heavier” compositions (–120.7 and–15.8‰). Waters from studied section of Kara Sea can be product of mixing of freshwater (δD =–119.4, δ¹⁸O =–15.5) and seawater (S = 34.9, δD = +1.56, δ¹⁸O = +0.25) with a composition close to that of Barents Sea water. isotope parameters of water vary significantly with salinity in surface layer, and Kara Sea waters are desalinated along entire studied transect due to river runoff. concentration of freshwater is 5–10% in main part of water column, and <5% at a depth of >100 m. maximum contribution of freshwater (>65%) was recorded in surface layer of central part of sea.     

Signatures of different water masses in δ<Superscript>18</Superscript>O values,relative abundance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">G. Bulloides</Emphasis> and total planktonic foraminiferal assemblage across the Indian Ocean sector of the southern ocean: Initial results

Nineteen surface sediment samples, collected onboard ORV Sagar Kanya during the 199C and 200th (the pilot expedition to Southern Ocean) cruises along a north-south transect between 1.92° S to 55.01° S latitude and 67.88° E and 44.89° E longitude, were studied for total planktonic foraminiferal assemblage, relative abundance and the oxygen isotopic values of the indicator planktic species Globigerina bulloides. These profiles were compared with the latitudinal variations in the average salinity and nutrient (phosphate) contents of the top 100 meters water column. The initial results have traced the signatures of salinity linked variations of different water masses in the study region. The influence of Australian Mediterranean Water (AAMW) has been noticed in the present dataset.     

Ultimate Lateral Capacity of Rigid Pile in <Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">φ</Emphasis> Soil

To date no analytical solution of the pile ultimate lateral capacity for the general c–φ soil has been obtained. In the present study, a new dimensionless embedded ratio was proposed and the analytical solutions of ultimate lateral capacity and rotation center of rigid pile in c–φ soils were obtained. The results showed that both the dimensionless ultimate lateral capacity and dimensionless rotation center were the univariate functions of the embedded ratio. Also, the ultimate lateral capacity in the c–φ soil was the combination of the ultimate lateral capacity (f _c ) in the clay, and the ultimate lateral capacity (f _φ ) in the sand. Therefore, the Broms chart for clay, solution for clay (φ=0) put forward by Poulos and Davis, solution for sand (c=0) obtained by Petrasovits and Awad, and Kondner’s ultimate bending moment were all proven to be the special cases of the general solution in the present study. A comparison of the field and laboratory tests in 93 cases showed that the average ratios of the theoretical values to the experimental value ranged from 0.85 to 1.15. Also, the theoretical values displayed a good agreement with the test values.     

Algorithm of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">k</Emphasis>–ω Turbulence Equations Solution for the Ocean General Circulation Model

The algorithm for splitting k–ω turbulence equations is used to parameterize viscosity and diffusion coefficients in the ocean general circulation model. The k–ω equations are split into stages describing the transport-diffusion and generation-dissipation of the turbulent kinetic energy and frequency function ω. At the generation-dissipation stage, the equations are solved analytically. Calculations of circulation in the North Atlantic–Arctic Ocean for 1948–2009 have been carried out. The experiments demonstrate an adequate reproduction of hydrophysical characteristics and high efficiency of the algorithm. It is shown that considering the climatic annual mean buoyancy frequency in the turbulence equations at the generation-dissipation stage is an important factor in improving the accuracy of simulated fields.     

Winter–spring anomalies in stratospheric O<Subscript>3</Subscript> and NO<Subscript>2</Subscript> contents over the Moscow region in 2010 and 2011

Using results of ground-based spectrometric measurements, we analyze the anomalies in the stratospheric contents of O₃ and NO₂ in the Moscow region related to the sudden stratospheric warming and associated distortion of the stratospheric circumpolar vortex in early February 2010 and to the latitudinal displacement of the vortex towards the European sector in late March 2011 before the final spring warming. In the former case, the O₃ concentration increased up to 85% and the stratospheric column NO₂ content increased twice; in the latter case, the O₃ concentration decreased by a quarter and the NO₂ content decreased twice in comparison with average values for the time periods preceding the onsets of the anomalies. Estimates of the statistical correlationship of the stratospheric O₃ and NO₂ contents with potential vorticity and geopotential have been obtained.     

Copepods <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oithona similis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oithona davisae</Emphasis>: Two strategies of ecological–physiological adaptation in the Black Sea

Salinity tolerance, energy metabolism, buoyancy, and passive sinking and swimming speeds have been studied for comparative assessment of the adaptive potential of two species of cyclopoid copepods in the Black Sea, the native Oithona similis and new invader Oithona davisae. Both species were considered marine euryhaline copepods, but the range of salinity tolerance of O. davisae was much broader (5–55‰). The energy metabolism, locomotor activity, mean body mass density, and speed of passive sinking at the same temperature were significantly higher in O. davisae than in O. similis. The relationship between the physiological and behavioral parameters and ecological characteristics of the species are discussed.     

Influence of the Bottom Sediment Characteristics on the Bivalve Mollusk <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anadara kagoshimensis</Emphasis> Histopathology’s Variability in the Northeastern Coast of the Black Sea

With increasing anthropogenic impact on the environment, investigations of organism’s response to the contamination of natural habitats, are especially relevant. In the present study, we sought to identify the correlation between the bottom sediments and local variability in histopathology of Anadara kagoshimensis (Bivalvia) in four sites of the north-eastern coast of the Black Sea. Bottom sediment grain size, redox potential of pore water, heavy metals, benzo-α-pyrene and DDT concentrations have been used as characteristics of bottom sediments. Analysis of the data revealed differences in the geochemical background of the studied sites and the histopathological state of the molluscs from these areas. Among the 10 studied elements as well as benzo-α-pyrene and DDT, only Ni has shown an exceedance of statutory limits of concentration in bottom sediments. The study reveals a relationship between Ni concentration in the bottom sediments and frequency of heavy histopathologies in the molluscs. In addition to causes directly related to pollution, mild pathology may be influenced by “natural” causes; in particular, the high content of brown cells in the connective tissue of the digestive gland may be due to the age of molluscs.     

Structure of plankton phytocoenoses in the shelf waters of the northeastern Black Sea during the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Emiliania huxleyi</Emphasis> bloom in 2002–2005

It is shown that, in 2002–2005, the mass development of the coccolithofore Emiliania huxleyi on the Gelendzhik shelf occurred annually and in May–June its abundance reached 1.5 × 10⁶ cells/l. In 2004–2005, the bloom of E. huxleyi was accompanied by a mass development of the diatom alga Chaetoceros subtilis var. abnormis f. simplex (0.6–0.9 × 10⁶ cells/l); for the first time, it was registered as a dominating form of the Black Sea phytoplankton. Small flagellates and picoplankton algae played a noticeable role in the phytoplankton throughout the entire period of the studies. Meanwhile, in the early summer period, the bulk of the biomass consisted of coccolithophores (50–60%), while, in the late summer period, diatomaceous algae dominated (50–70%). Among the ecological factors that favor the coccolithophore development one may note the microstratification of the upper mixed layer at a high illumination level and high temperature in the surface waters (18–21°C). The terrigenous runoff during the rainy period had a negative effect on the E. huxleyi development, while storms dispersed the population over the upper mixed layer. The wind-induced near-shore upwelling stimulated the development of diatoms.     

Characteristics of the Japanese sea cucumber <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apostichopus japonicus’s</Emphasis> population in the Sea of Japan (Kievka Bay)

In Kievka Bay of the Sea of Japan, the population of the Japanese sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus inhabits the areas of coarse sediments and complex bottom topography. These distributional patterns are closely related to the species’ ecology, i.e., to the demand for protection against the wave turbulence. The aggregationing coverage of the sea cucumber population is about 80 hectares, where ∼200 thousand animals were accounted for in the last years. The aggregation’s area varies during the year, which is closely related to the species’ biological peculiarities, such as their behavioral patterns and the redistribution of their food resources. A significant increase of the juvenile population occurred after the farm-reared sea cucumber spat were released in 2003.     

Spatiotemporal variability of chlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis> in the Altantic and Indian sectors of the Southern Ocean during February–April of 2000 according to satellite and expeditionary data

In February and April 2000, in the Southern Ocean between Africa and Antarctica, the concentration of chlorophyll (C _chs) in the surface layer was not high (0.1–0.3 mg/m³). The zones of increased C _chs values (0.6–2.0 and over 2.0 mg/m³) were located between the Southern Subtropical and Subantarctic fronts, near the Polar front, and to the south of the Antarctic Divergence. From February to April, in the open areas of the Southern Ocean, a general C _chs decrease was observed. A similar trend was also noted in the near-shore seas of the East Antarctic. At the shelf of the Sea of Cosmonauts, within the upper mixed layer, the content of chlorophyll amounted to 0.34–0.37 mg/m³. In the area of the continental slope, we registered the formation of a subsurface chlorophyll maximum (0.52–0.56 mg/m³) at a 20-m depth, which deepened to 70 m when passing to the deep-water area. The positive correlation with a high coefficient (r = 0.939) between the field and satellite data (C _chs and C _sat, respectively) allows one to conclude about the applicability of the SeaWiFS algorithm for the estimation of the chlorophyll content within the surface layer in the Antarctic areas studied. In the course of the ice formation in Prydz Bay, during five days, the content of chlorophyll in different phases of the new ice increased by a factor of 2.9, whereas the values of this parameter in the surrounding waters remained quite invariable. The C _sat values were 6.3 times as high as those obtained experimentally for the sludge ice. Because of the large areas occupied by floating ice, the sole usage of satellite data may cause great errors in the productivity estimation of the East Antarctic seas.     

Comparison of carbonate parameters and air–sea CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> flux in the southern Yellow Sea and East China Sea during spring and summer of 2011

In this work, we examined the carbonate parameters, i.e. total alkalinity (TA), pH, and partial pressure of CO₂ (pCO₂), and the air–sea CO₂ flux (FCO₂) in the continental shelves of the southern Yellow Sea (SYS) and East China Sea (ECS), based on two field surveys conducted in April and August of 2011. Surface pCO₂ showed significant spatial variations, ranging from 246 to 686 µatm in spring (average ± standard deviation = 379 ± 95 µatm) and from 178 to 680 µatm in summer (384 ± 114 µatm). During the spring cruise, the central SYS (pCO₂ < 240 µatm) and the Changjiang estuary (pCO₂ < 300 µatm) were under-saturated with CO₂, while the southern SYS and the southwestern ECS were supersaturated (pCO₂ = 420–680 µatm). In summer, however, the CO₂-supersaturated waters (pCO₂ = 380–680 µatm) occupied a relatively wide area, including the nearshore of the SYS and the Changjiang estuary, whereas pCO₂-deficient water (pCO₂ = 220–380 µatm) was observed only at the offshore ECS. In general, the entire SYS and ECS area behaved as a sustained CO₂ sink, with average FCO₂ of ?3.9 and ?2.1 mmol m^?2 d^?1 in spring and summer, respectively. Phytoplankton production was the driving force for CO₂ absorption, especially during the spring cruise. In addition, we found that typical water mixing processes and decomposition of terrestrial material were responsible for the release of CO₂ in three turbidity maximum regions.     

Age and growth of filefish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thamnaconus modestus</Emphasis> (Günther, 1877) off the Jeju Island of Korea

The age and growth of filefish, Thamnaconus modestus (Günther 1877) in the southern waters of Korea were investigated. Samples were collected with commercial trawl catches during the period from May 2009 to December 2011. Of the 2,626 specimens collected, the sex ratio was not significantly different from 1:1 (P > 0.05). The total length ranged from 11.3 to 42.1 cm. The gonadosomatic index for both sexes was the highest in May to June, indicating that May to June is the main spawning period. The length of females at sexual maturity was 25.92 cm. The length-weight relationship of the filefish was TW = 0.0121TL^3.0536 (n = 1,692, r² = 0.9034, P < 0.001). The age of the sampled individuals was estimated by counting growth rings recorded on the 5^th vertebrae; ages ranged from 0 to 9 years. The filefish of the same age displayed a high individual variation in total length. Length-at-age data were fitted by using the Von Bertalanffy growth model. The estimated Von Bertalanffy growth parameters were L_∞ = 42.04 cm, k = 0.21 year^?1 and t₀ = ?1.56 for females, L_∞ = 41.20 cm, k = 0.18 year^?1 and t₀ = ?2.36 for males, and L_∞ = 43.16 cm, k = 0.17 year^?1 and t₀ = ?2.18 for the combination of both male and female. These data can be used as useful biological information for the future fishery management of filefish resources in Korean waters.     

Do river discharge rates drive the overall functioning of the pelagic ecosystem over the continental shelf of the Bay of Biscay (NE Atlantic)? A comparison of two contrasting years with special reference to anchovy (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Engraulis encrasicolus</Emphasis> L.) nutritional state

In the 2000 and 2001 springtime periods, mesozooplankton samples were systematically taken during research cruises devoted to the study of the distribution and abundance of small pelagic fishes in the French part of the Bay of Biscay, NE Atlantic, continental shelf. Simultaneous activities of three enzymes were measured in these mesozooplankton samples, to characterize the main features of ecosystem function at a regional scale. The aim was to assess assimilation rates of carbohydrates, through pyruvate kinase activity, and protein, through trypsin activity, by the mesozooplankton community and the resulting overall productivity, through aspartate transcarbamylase activity. The highest influence on the pelagic environment was the strong difference in the freshwater outflow rates from the two main large rivers, the Loire and the Gironde, which was principally responsible for the inter-annual fluctuations of the nutrients in the Bay. This overall influence of river flow results in a characteristic pattern of sea-surface salinity, which was reflected by the phytoplankton biomass distribution. Mesozooplankton enzyme activities showed high variations between the two years. The contrast in the dynamics of the pelagic food web processes between the two consecutive years, with higher activity in 2001, affected the nutritional condition of the zooplanktivorous breeding anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus.     

Reproduction of the giant jellyfish, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nemopilema nomurai</Emphasis> (Scyphozoa: Rhizostomeae), in 2006–2008 as peripherally-transported populations

This study investigated the sexual maturation process, release of spermatozoa or eggs and oocyte diameter of the rhizostomid medusae Nemopilema nomurai using samples collected from August 2006 to June 2008 from the waters around Korea and Japan, including peripheral areas outside the species’ usual habitat. Immature medusae were observed from June to October only in the western sector of the study area. The onset of spermatozoa and egg release occurred in September and October, respectively, and peaked in December and January. Medusae migrated eastward from source areas with the Tsushima Warm Current, where they formed gametes and spawned. Peak position and maximum oocyte diameter increased as the gonads developed according to the size-frequency distribution of oocytes. No fertilized eggs or embryos were found in the gonads. The correlation was analyzed with bell diameter, maximum oocyte diameter, sampling date, surface water temperature and gonad color to estimate which environmental factors and maturation indices were related to the maturation stage of females. Maturation stage correlated well with maximum oocyte diameter, which correlated negatively with surface water temperature. There was no significant correlation between bell diameter and maturation stage. Therefore, bell diameter was inappropriate for determining maturation index. Sex could not be distinguished clearly by gonad color. However, light pink gonads were more prevalent in males and various deep colors such as orange and brown were more frequent in female medusae.     

Latitudinal trends in morphological characteristics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neogloboquadrina pachyderma</Emphasis> (Ehrenberg) along a north–south transect in the south-western Indian Ocean

A total of 25 surficial sediment samples (Peterson grab, gravity and piston cores), collected during the Pilot Expedition to Southern Ocean (PESO) 2004 cruises 199C and 200 onboard the ORV Sagar Kanya along a N–S transect between 9.69°N and 55.01°S, and 80 and 40°E in the Indian Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean (SW Indian Ocean), have been investigated for various morphological features—test size, mean proloculus size and coiling direction (dextral/sinistral forms)—of the planktic indicator species Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (Ehrenberg). The results show that the coiling directions co-vary with temperature and salinity, the abundances of sinistrally coiled forms increasing towards higher latitudes (south of 40°S), whereas dextrally coiled forms show a reverse trend. Similarly, overall test and proloculus sizes depend largely on the physicochemical properties (salinity, temperature, nutrients, calcium saturation) of the ambient water masses. These observations suggest that, particularly at the boundaries between different water masses, variations in morphological features of N. pachyderma can meaningfully be used to reconstruct paleoceanographic conditions from Indian Ocean sediments.