Prognostic numerical analysis of currents in the black sea with high horizontal resolution

We present the results of numerical prognostic experiments performed with a resolution of 1.64 km in the horizontal coordinates. Unlike the calculations performed with coarser resolution, we reveal the following dynamic specific features: The Rim Current is traced down to 400 m as a continuous jet directed along the continental slope. Mesoscale anticyclonic eddies are regularly formed along the east part of the Anatolian coast and affect the formation of the Batumi anticyclone. The Sevastopol, Sinop, Kizilirmak, and Caucasian anticyclonic eddies are quasiperiodic. A region of cyclonic rotation of waters is formed between the newly formed Sevastopol anticyclone and the previous eddy.     

Extreme deviations of the sea level and the velocities of currents induced by constant winds in the Azov Sea

By the method of numerical modeling, we study the influence of the velocity of constant wind on the currents and oscillations of level in the Azov Sea. A three-dimensional nonlinear numerical model is applied to determine the regions characterized by the maximum and minimum values of the velocities of surface stationary currents and the highest deviations of level in the open part of the Azov Sea. In the presented maps, we indicate the points of the water area, where the extreme values of deviations of the sea level and the highest current velocities are attained. We analyze the influence of the velocity of constant wind on the time of attainment of the extreme values of elevations and lowerings of the sea level and current velocities.     

日本列岛东部海域发现未知海流

日本海洋科学技术中心最近发表观测报告宣布,在日本列岛东部海域发现见了过去未曾观测到的强大海流。 报告说,这股海流的位置在流经日本列岛南部的暖流以北250公里处,由东向西,与暖流呈相反方向,流速达3.5节(1.852公里)每小时。据悉,这股暖流是科学家们于本月初通过观测浮标的位移而发现的。该中心认为这一发现颇有意义,并表示将进一步研究这股海流对渔业资源及二氧化碳吸收量等的影响。     

Inertial currents in the northern North sea

Current profiles were measured in the northern North Sea during the autumnal breakdown of stratification (September and October) in 1998. The site was in 110 m of water and the depth-averaged M₂ tidal current amplitudes were about 0.15 m s⁻¹. The surface and bed mixed layers were initially well separated. The measurements were made principally with Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) which gave good coverage of the majority of the water column.During a two-month period several episodes of inertial currents were observed, exhibiting a range of responses some of which corresponded very closely to that predicted by theory. The structure of the inertial currents was primarily first mode baroclinic, with no inertial energy in the depth-averaged current. This implies that the currents in the lower layer are strongly linked to those in the surface layer and also that dissipation could be generated by bed friction, but the nature of the link is unclear. The level of least motion coincided with the thermocline. Since the currents in the upper and lower layers are 180° out of phase, large shears can occur across the thermocline; occasionally the bulk Richardson number determined with a four-metre vertical resolution was less than one.Turbulence measurements suggest that when large inertial current shears are present across the thermocline, which exceed the buoyancy frequencies, then mixing within and across the thermocline is significant. Future experiments should concentrate on enhanced dissipation measurements around the thermocline and higher spatial resolution time series measurements of current and density.     

High-frequency ocean radar derived characteristics of sea surface currents in the Ariake Sea,Japan

Composite analysis was conducted using high-frequency radar data obtained during 2006–2015 in order to gain a better understanding of the current field in the Ariake Sea. The seasonally averaged surface current in the Ariake Sea was directed southward in all seasons, except around river mouths during summer. Heavy rainfall enhanced the outflow along the eastern coast of the Shimabara Peninsula from Isahaya Bay to the southern area 2–5 days after heavy rainfall. Spring–neap differences were clearly seen in the southward current along the Shimabara Peninsula. Interannual variation in the M₂ tidal current amplitude was synchronized with the lunar nodal cycle.     

舟山海域高频地波雷达表层流探测试验

2015年4月7-30日,在浙江省舟山近海海域开展了“嵊山-朱家尖”小型阵列变频高频地波雷达系统的海上比测试验,通过雷达观测数据与定点ADCP海流资料的比对检验了地波雷达表层流探测性能。径向流比对结果显示,测点与雷达法向夹角越小,距离雷达距离越近,径向流比测结果越好,雷达探测的结果越可靠。嵊山站径向流与ADCP观测结果的各站总体平均误差为7.98 cm/s,平均均方根误差为15.34 cm/s,平均相关系数为0.89,朱家尖站径向流与ADCP观测结果的各站总体平均误差为6.24 cm/s,平均均方根误差为12.36 cm/s,平均相关系数为0.81。根据矢量流比对结果显示,矢量流速与ADCP观测结果的各站总体平均误差为4.82 cm/s,平均均方根误差为15.03 cm/s,平均相关系数为0.44。设置在嵊山、朱家尖两个雷达站双站探测的核心区域（两个雷达站连线的中垂线上,并且与两个雷达站构成一个近似直角三角形）的站点比测结果更加理想,当流速大于0.25 m/s时,对于核心区域平均后的流向均方根误差为24.9°。     

The observation of tidal patterns, currents, and bathymetry with SLAR imagery of the sea

Work done until 1978 on the visualization of currents, bathymetry, internal waves, etc., in SLAR imagery of the sea is reported. It did not receive much attention until the SEASAT SAR imagery showed these effects on a global scale. Although we know, qualitatively, how these images come about we are yet far from knowing how to extract more quantitative data from them on depth, current speed, etc. Much research effort is still needed here and for this work a simple real-aperture SLAR can be a very useful tool.     

Study of nonlinear currents induced by coincident surface waves in liquid

This is an experimental study of the mixing induced by coincident surface waves in a liquid. The main mechanism leading to the emergence of mixing was shown to be the middle currents generated by coincident waves. The regime of these currents strongly depends on the amplitude of surface waves. For waves of near-critical amplitudes, an intense turbulization of middle currents is observed. Patterns of the velocity field were obtained using the Particle Imaging Velocimetry (PIV) technique for different amplitudes of surface waves. The results obtained can be used to estimate mixing in the near-surface oceanic layer.     

Investigation of the electromagnetic fields induced by sea wave motion

This paper discusses a theoretical model of the electromagnetic field induced by internal waves of baric origin. Comparison of thein situ data on the differences between the horizontal electrical field potentials conditioned by internal waves in some Black Sea and tropical Atlantic areas and of the results of calculations of the model electrical field's intensity in those areas shows their good agreement. The dependences of the electromagnetic field component amplitudes on the internal waves parameters and sea-bed rock conductivity are considered. Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.     

弱流场调制下的海面微波散射模拟研究

根据海面微波散射的多尺度模型以及波流相互作用理论,对一维弱流场调制下的海面微波散射截面进行了数值模拟。结果表明,利用数值方法直接求解波作用量方程获得的海浪调制谱并结合多尺度模型可以较好地模拟弱流场引起的雷达散射截面的变化。内波等海洋现象调制了海浪谱,使得雷达散射截面反映出这些海洋特征,整个调制过程的模拟对于分析这些海洋现象并更好地利用其雷达数据具有重要意义。     

Nonlinearity of the horizontal velocity field under wind-waves

Using the data from a wind-tunnel experiment, bispectra of orbital-motions of wind-waves and of turbulence are calculated, and nonlinear interaction of wind-waves with turbulence in water are discussed. The wind-waves or the orbital motions of them, at first, produce the turbulence coherent with themselves, and then this coherent turbulence changes to the turbulence noncoherent with wind-waves. Nonlinearity of the velocity fluctuations in the surface layer in water under wind-waves is almost due to the nonlinear energy transfer from the orbital motions of wind-waves to the coherent turbulence. The vertical variations of the power spectra and of the normalized bispectra suggest that the wind driven currents near the surface play an important role in the process from orbital motion of wind-waves to noncoherent turbulence.     

Some peculiarities of the sea surface temperature in the vicinity of western boundary currents

The sea surface temperature Laplacian and related parameters have been applied to identify the basic elements of water circulation and wave and vortical features. Sources of quasistationary meander generation and areas, where cyclonic and anticyclonic vorticities dominate are determined.Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.     

Patterns of summer vertical and horizontal currents in coastal waters of the northern Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea

This study was focused on analysis of the horizontal and vertical current components with correspondence to tide variation, heat flux, seiches and relative backscatter intensity in coastal waters of the northern Gulf of Aqaba during the summers of 2001–2004. Spectrum analysis has shown eight distinguishable peaks of the tide measurements. In addition to semidiurnal and diurnal barotropic tides, signal periods of 8.13, 5.89–6.32 and 4.06 h were related to shallow water compound and overtides of the principal solar and lunar constituent and to seiches (second and third mode) generated in the Red Sea, whereas seiches of the first mode might enhance the semidiurnal tide signal. The shortest periods of 1.02–1.05, 0.50 and 0.36 h were related to seiches (first, second and third mode, respectively) generated in the Gulf of Aqaba. The spectrum analysis and cross-correlation tests of the horizontal and vertical current components and relative backscatter intensity suggested that the vertical motion at the diurnal period was either due to migration of zooplankton or to water convection. Both of which were of the same order as vertical motion induced by horizontal motions of water particles projected parallel on the bottom gradient line. On the other hand, semidiurnal and diurnal periods detected in the vertical currents were caused by the strong signal in the cross-shore current component, first mode seiches generated from the Red Sea and tide. This could be considered as an indicator of the dominant force influencing the currents, such as winds, thermocline depth, seiches and tidal forcing. A permanent convection during summer is likely to occur in the shallow coastal waters due to relatively high inclined bottom, high evaporation and blowing of dry air, as well as the observed dominance of the downward vertical currents in coastal waters.     

Information-and-measuring drifter system for the monitoring of currents in the coastal zone of the sea

The autonomous drifting buoys equipped with satellite link turn into one of the most important components of the global system of operative observations of the ocean and the surface layer of the atmosphere. However, on the regional level, the problem of analysis of the surface circulation of waters in the coastal zone and sea straits remains quite urgent because the available drifters cannot be used in this case due to their sizes and long intervals between measurements. We present the results of development and testing of a new drifter system aimed at measuring currents. The system is based on the use of buoys operating at depths less than 1 m. To improve the space-and-time resolution of measurements, the buoys are equipped with receivers of the global positioning system (GPS) and GSM modems for the data transfer via cellular communication networks. The drifter system guarantees the possibility of determination of the coordinates of buoys with a resolution of 3 min in time and 14 m in space. We describe the specific features of the design of the proposed information-and-measuring drifter system and present the first results of application of new buoys called “minidrifters” for the pilot monitoring of currents in the Kerch Strait.     

Analysis of the geomagnetic field of the White Sea: The Gorlo Strait

The objective of our research is the interpretation of the results of the geomagnetic survey of the geologic structure in the Gorlo Strait of the White Sea. We used the maps of the anomalous magnetic field (AMF) available and processed them with original interpretation software. As a result of this processing, we compiled a structural-tectonic chart of this region. We distinguished the boundaries of the major first-order tectonic structures such as the underwater extension of the Leshukon graben and a number of minor structures related to the Proterozoic and Paleozoic stages of the magmatic activity in the region. Modeling was performed for the most important objects, which allowed us to refine the geological structure of these objects and their genesis.     

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.     

The electromagnetic method and horizontal sections in the velocity field

In this paper a modified electromagnetic current meter (ECM) is presented which, in contrast to the old model, permits us to perform continuous measurements of the velocity field and to acquire the data immediately in a vector form at one direction of towing of the device. To prove that the new current meter can be produced, the relationship between the recorded electric signal and the velocity field, with two transducers being towed across the areas of variable currents, is examined. Analysis of the errors allows a deduction regarding possible utilization of the modified ECM to study the horizontal variability of the current velocity field practically without any restrictions in the deep sea and with some restrictions in the continental shelf zone.Translated by V. Puchkin.     

台风引起南海海表面降温的位置变化特征

台风过后通常会在上层海洋引起冷迹,即路径附近的海表而温度(sea surface temperature,SST)降低.本文利用多种卫星数据分析了12年(1998-2009)内经过中国南海的92个台风所引起的海表降温位置的分布特征.通过分析逐日微波遥感SST数据发现,64个台风(69.6%)引起了明显降温(降温≥2℃).其中,43个台风(46.7%)引起的最大降温位于台风路径右侧;13个台风(14.1%)引起的降温出现在路径附近;同时还有8个台风(8.7%)引起的最大降温明显位于路径左侧.台风引起的最大降温出现的位置主要集中在路径左右两侧100km范围内.统计分析表明台风之前存在于上层海洋环境的冷涡,特别是强冷涡,在台风引起的海表面降温和位置分布中可能起着重要的作用.