Efficient sensor placement for ocean measurements using low-dimensional concepts

Using simulation results from three different regional ocean models (HOPS, ROMS and FVCOM) we show that only a few spatio-temporal POD (proper orthogonal decomposition) modes are sufficient to describe the most energetic ocean dynamics. In particular, we demonstrate that the simulated ocean dynamics in New Jersey coast, Massachusetts Bay and Gulf of Maine is energetically equivalent to the wake dynamics behind a cylinder at low Reynolds number. Moreover, the extrema of the POD spatial modes are very good locations for sensor placement and accurate field reconstruction. We employ a modified POD theory to incorporate a limited number of measurements in reconstructing the velocity and temperature fields, and we study systematically the corresponding reconstruction errors as a function of the sensor location, number of sensors, and number of POD modes. This new approach is quite accurate in short-term simulation, and hence it has the potential of accelerating the use of real-time adaptive sampling in data assimilation for ocean forecasting.     

利用志愿观测船提升表层海洋观测能力

对表层海洋动力学及其调控机制的认识对准确认识海洋自然变化过程及其未来对气候变化的响应具有重要意义。志愿观测船作为自动观测系统的载体和样品采集平台的优势使其在提升人类对于表层海洋的观测能力方面具有极大优势。本文系统性地回顾了志愿观测船的概念、发展历史、现状和未来发展趋势。基于志愿观测船的诸多海洋观测项目的成功显示了,随着快速发展的传感器技术,志愿观测船能够以经济有效的方式显著地提升表层海洋现场观测的时间和空间分辨率。未来的海洋观测系统应该综合利用包括志愿观测船在内的多种海洋观测平台的优势。     

A temporally second-order accurate Godunov-type scheme for solving the extended Boussinesq equations

A numerical scheme for solving the class of extended Boussinesq equations is presented. Unlike previous schemes, where the governing equations are integrated through time using a fourth-order method, a second-order Godunov-type scheme is used thus saving storage and computational resources. The spatial derivatives are discretised using a combination of finite-volume and finite-difference methods. A fourth-order MUSCL reconstruction technique is used to compute the values at the cell interfaces for use in the local Riemann problems, whilst the bed source and dispersion terms are discretised using centred finite-differences of up to fourth-order accuracy. Numerical results show that the class of extended Boussinesq equations can be accurately solved without the need for a fourth-order time discretisation, thus improving the computational speed of Boussinesq-type numerical models. The numerical scheme has been applied to model a number of standard test cases for the extended Boussinesq equations and comparisons made to physical wave flume experiments.     

墨西哥湾海洋环境对蓝蟹(Callinectes sapidus)幼体分布和扩散的影响

本文以蓝蟹为例,研究海洋环境对甲壳动物幼体迁移规律和机制的影响。利用不规则三角形网格和有限体积模型(finite-volume coastal ocean model, FVCOM)耦合kinesis模型的方法,分析研究了墨西哥湾物理环境对蓝蟹(Callinectessapidus)幼体的分布和扩散途径的影响。蓝蟹在每年的四、五月份海水落潮期间产卵,通过跟踪算法从产卵区域沿着墨西哥湾海域进行模拟,获得了80天内蓝蟹幼体的粒子移动轨迹,记录并分析了幼体经过海域的盐度值。研究结果证明了该方法可有效模拟蓝蟹幼体在特定海域的迁移规律和扩散机制,进一步研究可为了解海洋物理环境对蓝蟹和其他渔业资源的影响提供借鉴。     

A spectral barotropic model of the wind-driven world ocean

A global spectral barotropic ocean model is introduced to describe the depth-averaged flow. The equations are based on vorticity and divergence (instead of horizontal momentum); continents exert a nearly infinite drag on the fluid. The coding follows that of spectral atmospheric general circulation models using triangular truncation and implicit time integration to provide a first step for seamless coupling to spectral atmospheric global circulation models and an efficient method for filtering of ocean wave dynamics. Five experiments demonstrate the model performance: (i) Bounded by an idealized basin geometry and driven by a zonally uniform wind stress, the ocean circulation shows close similarity with Munk’s analytical solution. (ii) With a real land–sea mask the model is capable of reproducing the spin-up, location and magnitudes of depth-averaged barotropic ocean currents. (iii) The ocean wave-dynamics of equatorial waves, excited by a height perturbation at the equator, shows wave dispersion and reflection at eastern and western coastal boundaries. (iv) The model reproduces propagation times of observed surface gravity waves in the Pacific with real bathymetry. (v) Advection of tracers can be simulated reasonably by the spectral method or a semi-Langrangian transport scheme. This spectral barotropic model may serve as a first step towards an intermediate complexity spectral atmosphere–ocean model for studying atmosphere–ocean interactions in idealized setups and long term climate variability beyond millennia.     

高盐水排放扩散的三维高分辨率数值模拟

利用非结构化网格有限体积方法的FVCOM模型,建立了1个高分辨率的三维盐度扩散模型,综合考虑了潮汐、季风和波浪对高盐水扩散的影响,模拟了海阳海水淡化厂夏季高盐废水排放的扩散情况。通过模拟发现,高盐水主要集中在底层,表层、中层含量很少。在波浪的作用下,垂向混合加强,高盐水在底部的扩散有所收缩,而在中层和表层相应的增大。结果表明,对高盐水扩散的数值模拟研究,必须使用高分辨率的三维模型,并应当考虑波浪的影响。     

Improved representation of topographic effects by a vertical adaptive grid in vector-ocean-model (VOM). Part I: Generation of adaptive grids

This is the first part of a publication that describes the generation of adaptive grids (this part), and simulations with vector-ocean-model (VOM) in unstructured grids resulting from the adaptation (part II). A static vertical adaptive grid in z-coordinates allows improving the approximation of topography and vertical resolution at slopes. Adaptive grids use elements from a set of grid sizes by multiplying a basic smallest cell size with powers of two, as in cell division. Grids with locally isotropic vertical resolution at surface, seabed, and slopes can be generated whereby resolution decreases towards the ocean interior. The adaptation to topography yields unstructured grids that are organised in a one-dimensional vector by column-wise storage of cells, discarding land cells. The vector storage suggested the model’s name. Grids are generated by an iterative procedure that relies on rules, i.e. criteria and directives to control the grid structure in favour of a good representation of physics and smooth numerical operations. The directives govern vertical resolution at sea surface and seabed, and at slopes. For the latter vertical resolution is extended in the horizontal. In the ocean interior horizontal distances between changes in grid size can be controlled for the sake of smooth numerics. The use of a z-grid that avoids transformation errors, the depth-independence of vertical resolution, and the lateral extension of vertical resolution at slopes towards the ocean interior are the most significant differences of adaptive grids in comparison to vertical coordinate transformations. Unstructured grids do not rely on a smoothing of topography and can be used within any of the horizontal Arakawa-grids. For the same topography directives allow creating various grids as demonstrated for a shelf-ocean topography. The number of cells per column in two unstructured grids generated for the North Atlantic may locally well exceed typical layer numbers in conventional model matrices. But the domain average is similar to layer numbers of today’s ocean models. Thus, with the same investment of cells per domain a higher resolution in slope regions can be achieved by unstructured grids as compared to conventional z-grids.     

SELFE: A semi-implicit Eulerian–Lagrangian finite-element model for cross-scale ocean circulation

Unstructured-grid models grounded on semi-implicit, finite-volume, Eulerian–Lagrangian algorithms, such as UnTRIM and ELCIRC, have enjoyed considerable success recently in simulating 3D estuarine and coastal circulation. However, opportunities for improving the accuracy of this type of models were identified during extensive simulations of a tightly coupled estuary–plume–shelf system in the Columbia River system. Efforts to improve numerical accuracy resulted in SELFE, a new finite-element model for cross-scale ocean modeling. SELFE retains key benefits, including computational efficiency of existing semi-implicit Eulerian–Lagrangian finite-volume models, but relaxes restrictions on grids, uses higher-order shape functions for elevation, and enables superior flexibility in representing the bathymetry. Better representation of the bathymetry is enabled by a novel, “localized” vertical grid that resembles unstructured grids. At a particular horizontal location, SELFE uses either S coordinates or SZ coordinates, but the equations are consistently solved in Z space. SELFE also performs well relative to volume conservation and spurious oscillations, two problems that plague some finite-element models. This paper introduces SELFE as an open-source code available for community use and enhancement. The main focus here is on describing the formulation of the model and on showing results for a range of progressively demanding benchmark tests. While leaving details to separate publications, we also briefly illustrate the superior performance of SELFE over ELCIRC in a field application to the Columbia River estuary and plume.     

A baroclinic discontinuous Galerkin finite element model for coastal flows

Numerical modelling of coastal flows is a challenging topic due to complex topography of the coastal zone, rapid flow dynamics and large density variations. Such phenomena are best simulated with unstructured grid models due to their highly flexible spatial discretisation. This article presents a three-dimensional discontinuous Galerkin finite element marine model. Discontinuous Galerkin spatial discretisation is combined with an explicit mode splitting time integration scheme. Slope limiters are introduced to guarantee high quality of the tracer fields in the presence of strong gradients. Free surface movement is accounted for by means of an Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) moving mesh method. Water volume and tracers are conserved. The conservation properties and baroclinic adjustment under gravity are tested with numerical benchmarks. Finally, the model is applied to the Rhine river plume in an idealised setting.     

A spectral barotropic model of the wind-driven world ocean

A global spectral barotropic ocean model is introduced to describe the depth-averaged flow. The equations are based on vorticity and divergence (instead of horizontal momentum); continents exert a nearly infinite drag on the fluid. The coding follows that of spectral atmospheric general circulation models using triangular truncation and implicit time integration to provide a first step for seamless coupling to spectral atmospheric global circulation models and an efficient method for filtering of ocean wave dynamics. Five experiments demonstrate the model performance: (i) Bounded by an idealized basin geometry and driven by a zonally uniform wind stress, the ocean circulation shows close similarity with Munk’s analytical solution. (ii) With a real land–sea mask the model is capable of reproducing the spin-up, location and magnitudes of depth-averaged barotropic ocean currents. (iii) The ocean wave-dynamics of equatorial waves, excited by a height perturbation at the equator, shows wave dispersion and reflection at eastern and western coastal boundaries. (iv) The model reproduces propagation times of observed surface gravity waves in the Pacific with real bathymetry. (v) Advection of tracers can be simulated reasonably by the spectral method or a semi-Langrangian transport scheme. This spectral barotropic model may serve as a first step towards an intermediate complexity spectral atmosphere–ocean model for studying atmosphere–ocean interactions in idealized setups and long term climate variability beyond millennia.     

胶州湾潮汐潮流高分辨率数值模拟研究

基于采用无结构网格和有限体积方法的FVCOM陆架模式,考虑8个主要的天文分潮,建立胶州湾三维高分辨率数值模型来重现和研究其潮汐潮流变化状况。与实测资料对比验证表明,模拟结果与实测值吻合较好。在此基础上,根据模拟结果计算得到了较以往更为精细的同潮图和潮汐、潮流、余流分布特征。研究结果揭示,最大可能潮流和最大余流都发生在团岛附近,流速分别可达2.14和0.43 m/s;除了湾口附近前人报道过的4个余流系统外,还在中部首次揭示了2个相对较弱的余流系统;潮流能通量在内外湾口呈"左进右出"的结构;胶州湾的平均纳潮量为8.31亿m3;染色试验表明,胶州湾30 d的水交换率为36.8%。     

Uncertainty estimation of a CFD-methodology for the performance analysis of a collective and cyclic pitch propeller

Estimation and analysis of the uncertainty introduced by using a numerical model for the investigation and study of any type of flow problem have become common industry practice. Through understanding and evaluation of the uncertainty introduced by a numerical model, the accuracy and applicability of the model itself are evaluated. In this paper, the numerical uncertainty of a CFD-methodology developed to analyse the hydrodynamic performance of a collective and cyclic pitch propeller (CCPP) is estimated and analysed. The CCPP is a novel propulsion and manoeuvring concept for autonomous underwater vehicles, aimed to generate both propulsion and manoeuvring forces through advanced control of the propeller's blade pitch. The numerical uncertainty is established for three performance parameters, the generated propulsive force, the side-force magnitude, and the side-force orientation, by conducting a grid and time-step refinement study over three operational conditions. Additionally, the influence of the oscillatory uncertainty, introduced by the periodic nature of the problem, is investigated although shown to have a minimal effect when properly monitored. Based on a least-squares regression analysis of the refined simulation results, the numerical uncertainty is proven to be dominated by the introduced discretisation errors. In the case of the propulsive and side-force magnitude, the total uncertainty is dictated by the time discretisation uncertainty under bollard pull conditions, while the total uncertainty of the captive cases is mainly a result of the spatial discretisation uncertainty. The total uncertainty in the side-force orientation is observed to be primarily a consequence of the time discretisation uncertainty for all simulated cases. Overall, the total uncertainty for captive cases can be considered satisfactory for all three performance parameters, while further work is needed to reduce the observed uncertainty of the simulations under bollard pull conditions.     

南海西北部英罗湾红树林保护区光滩近期冲淤变化分析

红树林岸外光滩高程变化是红树林可持续性发展的重要环境因素。本文以南海西北部英罗湾为研究区,利用多时相多源遥感影像提取水边线,并结合迭代的FVCOM水动力模型模拟方法,建立了2008年和2015年两个时期红树林岸外光滩数字高程模型(Digital Elevation Model, DEM)。利用两个时期的反演结果进行空间叠置分析,结果表明:2008年至2015年,湾顶光滩大部分呈现稳定-淤积状态;位于海湾中部至口门的光滩,从上部到下部整体呈现从淤积-稳定-侵蚀的趋势,其中光滩中部局部出现沟壑状侵蚀,与大型潮沟的发育和摆动有关;而光滩上部冲淤的空间差异性,主要由于红树林林区扩张形态以及人类活动的干预。     

Application of leeway drift data to predict the drift of panga skiffs: Case study of maritime search and rescue in the tropical pacific

The use of Search and Rescue (SAR) drift forecasting in an operational capacity is demonstrated through two SAR case studies, each predicting the drift of a panga skiff for 120 h (Case 1) and 72 h (Case 2). The leeway characteristics of panga skiffs were previously unknown, until a leeway field study was undertaken in mid-2012 to empirically determine the influence of wind and waves on their drift. As part of the two case studies described herein, four ocean models were used as environmental forcing for a stochastic particle trajectory model, to forecast the drift and resulting search areas for the panga skiffs. Each of the four ocean models were tested individually, and then combined into a consensus forecast to ascertain which ocean model was the most accurate in terms of distance error of modelled positions compared to actual panga skiff locations. Additionally, a hit analysis was undertaken to determine whether the panga skiff was located within the forecast search areas for each ocean model, and for consensus search areas. Finally, an assessment of the search area sizes was carried out to assess the single ocean model forecast search area sizes, and how they compared with the consensus search area size. In both of the case studies, all four ocean model forecast search areas contained the panga skiff at the time intervals tested, indicating a 100% hit rate and general consensus between the ocean models. The consensus search area, where all four ocean models overlapped, was approximately one third the size of the average single model search area. This demonstrates that the consensus search areas provide a more efficient search area compared to individual ocean model search area forecasts.     

基于光流法的X波段雷达浪向反演研究

浪向代表着海浪传播方向,它是海上交通安全以及海岸资源管理的重要海洋环境参数之一。本文针对X波段测波雷达对海杂波的连续成像,提出了一种基于光流法的海浪传播方向反演新方法。该方法利用X波段测波雷达接收的海面回波图像序列直接进行光流运动估计,将得到的每个像素点的运动矢量进行加权平均,最后得到实际的海浪传播方向。与传统基于频域的X波段测波雷达浪向反演方法相比,本文提出的方法直接从时域来进行回波信号处理,无需提前得到调制传递函数以及精确的海流,减少了由于海流估算的不准确以及调制传递函数选取的误差而给雷达浪向反演带来的影响。同时,该方法简单高效,占用资源少,将其应用至仿真雷达回波以及现场实测数据来进行浪向反演,反演得到的浪向与仿真设定浪向值以及浮标实时观测浪向结果都有很好的吻合度,变化趋势也完全一致,进而验证了该方法的有效性以及准确性。     

A three-dimensional semi-implicit unstructured grid finite volume ocean model

A new three-dimensional semi-implicit finite-volume ocean model has been developed for simulating the coastal ocean circulation, which is based on the staggered C -unstructured non-orthogonal grid in the horizontal direction and z -level grid in the vertical direction. The three-dimensional model is discretized by the semi-implicit finite-volume method, in that the free-surface and the vertical diffusion are semi-implicit, thereby removing stability limitations associated with the surface gravity wave and vertical diffusion terms. The remaining terms in the momentum equations are discretized explicitly by an integral method. The partial cell method is used for resolving topography, which enables the model to better represent irregular topography. The model has been tested against analytical cases for wind and tidal oscillation circulation, and is applied to simulating the tidal flow in the Bohai Sea. The results are in good agreement both with the analytical solutions and measurement results.     

半封闭海湾的水交换数值模拟研究

基于采用不规则三角网格和有限体积方法的FVCOM模式,建立半封闭海湾-湛江湾附近海域的三维潮汐潮流数值模型,通过验证,结果与观测数据符合良好,并在此模型基础上对湛江湾的水交换状况进行了数值模拟,将湛江湾划分成3个区域,针对各区域进行了水交换能力研究,研究结果表明:由于湛江湾内不同区域的地形和地理位置变化较大,使得湛江湾内不同区域交换能力相差较大,其中,靠近湛江湾出口处交换能力最强,特呈岛以北海域交换能力最弱,交换时间与物质的初始浓度无关,与投放时刻和外源强迫密切相关,在治理湛江湾环境时,应分区进行,注意选择污染物排放时间和位置。     

Simulations of an adaptive equalizer applied to high-speed oceanacoustic data transmission'

Computer simulations are carried out to study the feasibility of an adaptive equalizer applied to an hydroacoustic data-transmission channel. The channel is examined with a comprehensive acoustical model to acquire worst-case examples of the ocean acoustic transmission channel. The equalizer performance is investigated by simulations with a computer-generated channel response. Equalizer behavior in a mobile time-variant environment is also studied by use of a simplified, time-discrete multipath channel model. A stochastic gradient lattice equalizer is simulated for a channel which varies due to movement of the transmitter platform. The equalizer was able to track a velocity of up to 0.4 m/s for a favorable transmission geometry, using a transmitter beamwidth of 10°. The results demonstrate the feasibility of coherent modulation schemes for medium-distance ocean acoustic telemetry. It was found that small beamwidths are imperative in maintaining signal coherence and in facilitating adaptive equalization. In particular, narrow-beam transducers will reduce equalizer complexity as well as the frequency spread     

An adaptive-hybrid algorithm for geoacoustic inversion

This paper presents an adaptive hybrid algorithm to invert ocean acoustic field measurements for seabed geoacoustic parameters. The inversion combines a global search (simulated annealing) and a local method (downhill simplex), employing an adaptive approach to control the trade off between random variation and gradient-based information in the inversion. The result is an efficient and effective algorithm that successfully navigates challenging parameter spaces including large numbers of local minima, strongly correlated parameters, and a wide range of parameter sensitivities. The algorithm is applied to a set of benchmark test cases, which includes inversion of simulated measurements with and without noise, and cases where the model parameterization is known and where the parameterization most be determined as part of the inversion. For accurate data, the adaptive inversion often produces a model with a Bartlett mismatch lower than the numerical error of the propagation model used to compute the replica fields. For noisy synthetic data, the inversion produces a model with a mismatch that is lower than that for the true parameters. Comparison with previous inversions indicates that the adaptive hybrid method provides the best results to date for the benchmark cases     

湛江湾三维潮汐潮流数值模拟

基于采用不规则三角网格和有限体积方法的FVCOM模式,建立湛江湾附近海域的三维潮汐潮流数值模型,通过验证,结果与观测数据符合良好,重现了湛江湾的潮位和潮流变化状况.根据模拟结果计算得湛江湾的潮汐有明显不规则半日潮特征,主要分潮波M2、S2、K1、O1主要从外海传入,不构成独立的潮汐系统,其中M2分潮的最大振幅为109c...