Instantaneous global ozone balance including observed nitrogen dioxide

The catalytic destruction of stratospheric ozone by the oxides of nitrogen is believed to be an important part of the global ozone balance. The lack of sufficient measurements of NO _x concentrations has impeded efforts to quantify this process. Recent measurements of stratospheric nitrogen dioxide from ground-based stations as well as aircraft and balloons have provided a first approximation to a global distribution of NO₂ vertical columns at sunset. These observed vertical columns have been translated into time-dependent vertical NO₂ profiles by means of a one-dimensional atmospheric photochemical model. Using recent observations of air temperature and ozone along with this information, the independent instantaneous (one second) rates of ozone production from oxygen photolysis P(O₃), of ozone destruction from pure oxygen species (Chapman reactions) L(O _x ), and of ozone destruction by nitrogen oxides L(NO _x ) were estimated over the three-dimensional atmosphere. These quantities are displayed as zonal average contour maps, summed over various latitude zones, summed over various altitude bands, and integrated globally between 15 and 45 km. Although the global summation between 15 and 45 km by no means tells the complete story, these numbers are of some interest, and the relative values are: P(O₃), 100; L(O _x ), 15; L(NO _x ), 45±15. It is to be emphasized that this relative NO _x contribution to the integrated ozone balance is not a measure of the sensitivity of ozone to possible perturbations of stratospheric NO _x ; recent model results must be examined for current estimates of this sensitivity.     

The structure of the natural stratosphere and the impact of chlorofluoromethanes on the ozone layer investigated in a 2-D time dependent model

two-dimensional time dependent model of the stratosphere incorporating the major interactions between radiative-photochemical and dynamical processes is described. The main prognostic equations considered are the thermodynamic equation and the general conservation equation for the minor chemical constituents representing the odd oxygen (O _x =O+('D)+O₃), odd hydrogen (HO _x =HO+HO₂), N₂O, odd nitrogen (NO _x =NO+NO₂+HNO₃), CF₂Cl₂, CFCl₃ and odd chlorine (Cl _x =Cl+ClO+HCl). The zonal wind and mean meridional circulations are determined diagnostically by the integration of the thermal wind equation and the stream function equation in the meridional plane espectively. The large scale eddy processes are parameterized in terms of zonal mean quantities using the generalized diffusion formulation on a sloping surface. The radiative heating and cooling and the hotochemical sources and sinks are incorporated in a form which allows for the major interactions among the minor trace constituents, temperature and mean circulation.Two integrations consisting of natural stratosphere and a stratosphere contaminated by the chlorofluoromethanes through lower boundary fluxes are carried out for 23 model years by changing the declination of the sun every day and using 6-hour time step. The model simulations of temperature, mean circulation, ozone, HO _x , N₂O and NO _x in the meridional plane for the normal stratosphere, show satisfactory agreement with the available observations. Based on the results of second integration it is found that the injection of chlorofluoromethanes in the atmosphere at the estimated current production rates can lead to significant changes in the meridional distribution of ozone, temperature and NO _x in the middle and upper stratosphere. The results also indicate that the percentage total ozone depletion increases from tropics to high latitudes and from summer to winter high latitudes. Also discussed are the results of additional experiments incorporating the reaction of HO₂ with NO and the reactions involving ClNO₃.     

Diffusive equilibrium in thin films provides evidence of suppression of hyporheic exchange and large‐scale nitrate transformation in a groundwater‐fed river

The hyporheic zone of riverbed sediments has the potential to attenuate nitrate from upwelling, polluted groundwater. However, the coarse‐scale (5–10 cm) measurement of nitrogen biogeochemistry in the hyporheic zone can often mask fine‐scale (<1 cm) biogeochemical patterns, especially in near‐surface sediments, leading to incomplete or inaccurate representation of the capacity of the hyporheic zone to transform upwelling NO₃^?. In this study, we utilised diffusive equilibrium in thin‐films samplers to capture high resolution (cm‐scale) vertical concentration profiles of NO₃^?, SO₄^2?, Fe and Mn in the upper 15 cm of armoured and permeable riverbed sediments. The goal was to test whether nitrate attenuation was occurring in a sub‐reach characterised by strong vertical (upwelling) water fluxes. The vertical concentration profiles obtained from diffusive equilibrium in thin‐films samplers indicate considerable cm‐scale variability in NO₃^? (4.4 ± 2.9 mg N/L), SO₄^2? (9.9 ± 3.1 mg/l) and dissolved Fe (1.6 ± 2.1 mg/l) and Mn (0.2 ± 0.2 mg/l). However, the overall trend suggests the absence of substantial net chemical transformations and surface‐subsurface water mixing in the shallow sediments of our sub‐reach under baseflow conditions. The significance of this is that upwelling NO₃^?‐rich groundwater does not appear to be attenuated in the riverbed sediments at <15 cm depth as might occur where hyporheic exchange flows deliver organic matter to the sediments for metabolic processes. It would appear that the chemical patterns observed in the shallow sediments of our sub‐reach are not controlled exclusively by redox processes and/or hyporheic exchange flows. Deeper‐seated groundwater fluxes and hydro‐stratigraphy may be additional important drivers of chemical patterns in the shallow sediments of our study sub‐reach. © 2015 The Authors. Hydrological Processes Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

On the vertical distribution of carbon monoxide and methane in the stratosphere

The vertical distribution of the methane concentration in the stratosphere is related to its dissociation by two simultaneous daytime reactions with excited oxygen atoms O(¹D) and with OH radicals and depends on the stratospheric eddy diffusion coefficient.Dissociation of CH₄ in the lower stratosphere leads to the production of CO molecules while in the upper stratosphere thepphotodissociation of CO₂ molecules is an additional process to the CO production.In the upper stratosphere (40±10 km) there is an equilibrium between the formation and destruction processes of carbon monoxide which leads to a minimum of its mixing ratio. There is an increase of the CO mixing ratio in the troposphere and mesosphere compared with that of the stratosphere.The vertical distribution of the CO mixing ratio is closely related to the eddy diffusion coefficient in the whole stratosphere but the absolute values of the hydroxyl radical concentration also determine the values of the CO mixing ratio.     

On the NOx production by laboratory electrical discharges and lightning

Different approaches are used in estimating the global production of NO_x by lightning flashes, including field measurements carried out during thunderstorm conditions, theoretical studies combining the physics and chemistry of the electrical discharges, and measurements of NO_x yield in laboratory sparks with subsequent extrapolation to lightning. In the latter procedure, laboratory data are extrapolated to lightning using the energy as the scaling quantity. Further, in these studies only the return strokes are considered assuming that contributions from other processes such as leaders, continuing currents, M components, and K processes are negligible. In this paper, we argue that the use of energy as the scaling quantity and omission of all lightning processes other than return strokes are not justified. First, a theory which can be used to evaluate the NO_x production by electrical discharges, if the current flowing in the discharge is known, is presented. The results obtained from theory are compared with the available experimental data and a reasonable agreement is found. Numerical experiments suggest that the NO_x production efficiency of electrical discharges depends not only on the energy dissipated in the discharge, but also on the shape of current waveform. Thus, the current signature, can influence extrapolation of laboratory data to lightning flashes. Second, an estimation of the NO_x yield per lightning flash is made by treating the lightning flash as a composite event consisting of several discharge processes. We show that the NO_x production takes place mainly in slow discharge processes such as leaders, M components, and continuing currents, with return strokes contributing only a small fraction of the total NO_x. The results also show that cloud flashes are as efficient as ground flashes in NO_x generation. In estimating the global NO_x production by lightning flashes the most influencing parameter is the length of the lightning discharge channel inside the cloud. For the total length of channels inside the cloud of a typical ground flash of about 45 km, we estimate that the global annual production of NO_x is about 4 Tg(N).     

盐度对湖冰冻结过程中氮磷营养盐排出效应的影响

伴随结冰过程的盐分排出是驱动冰封浅湖营养盐动态变化的关键过程,影响湖泊水质、环境与生态演变.为探究湖冰冻融过程如何改变寒区浅湖营养盐条件,采用自制定向冻结装置开展了无机氮磷营养盐溶液(NH₃-N、NO^-₂-N、NO^-₃-N、PO^3-₄-P)的室内冻结试验,结合现场采样分析评估了冻结排出效应对典型浅湖氮磷营养盐的影响.结果表明:营养盐浓度、盐度(以NaCl表征)是影响冻结排出效率的关键因素;随营养盐浓度的升高,冰内营养盐浓度升高,但冻结分离系数减小;若盐度升高,冰内营养盐浓度和分离系数均增大,主要与未冻卤水泡的形成有关;3种形态的无机氮、磷酸根的分离系数均存在明显差异.将试验结果应用于内蒙古乌梁素海结冰期氮磷营养分析,计算表明湖冰冻结排盐过程不仅造成湖水各类营养盐浓度升高,同时改变无机氮素构成、氮磷比等营养结构状态;特别是若湖泊盐度发生变化,氮磷营养盐的冻结排出效率及其差异性均会显著改变,增加冰封期湖泊营养条件的时空变异性.本文结果可广泛应用于定量评价冰层冻融过程对冬季湖泊营养条件的影响,有助于理解冰封期浮游植物群落演变的内在驱动力.     

Tracing groundwater nitrate sources in the Dakar suburban area: an isotopic multi‐tracer approach

The Dakar region is a mega city with multiple contaminant sources from urban expansion as well as industrial and agricultural activities. The major part of the region is underlain by unconfined sandy aquifer, which is vulnerable to contaminants derived from human land use. At present, the contaminated groundwater which extends over a large area in the suburban zone of Thiaroye poses a threat to the future of this valuable resource, and more specifically, a health threat. This study focuses on nitrate pollution occurrences and associated processes using nitrate isotope data (¹⁵N_NO3, ¹⁸O_NO3) combined with environmental isotopic tracers (¹⁸O, ²H, and ³H). Samples from 36 wells were collected to determine the level, distribution, and sources of contamination in relation to land use. Results indicate that shallow groundwater in the urbanized area of Thiaroye shows distinct evidence of surface contamination with nitrate as much as 300 mg/l NO₃^?. In rural area not serviced by water supply distribution network, much higher NO₃^? contents were found in few wells due to household and livestock feedlots. In most groundwater samples δ¹⁵N values ranged from + 10 to + 22‰, indicative of predominantly human and animal wastes. This was confirmed by environmental isotope data which suggest a mixture of polluted recharge waters. By using the dual δ¹⁵N vs δ¹⁸O as well as δ¹⁵N vs NO₃^? approach, denitrification may occur to some extent but it is blurred by mixing with new infiltrated nitrates and cycling derived from continuous leaky septic system. Results suggest that nitrate contamination of the aquifer is a consequence of unregulated urbanisation (homemade latrines), continuing contaminant transfer in shallow water depth where aerobic conditions prevail. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

太湖梅梁湾沉积物中氮铁硫转化细菌的毫米级垂向分布及对氮磷迁移转化的潜在影响

本研究在太湖梅梁湾采集沉积柱,采用一种自制的毫米级柱状沉积物自动垂向分层切割装置对表层50 mm沉积物进行垂向切割(间隔2 mm),结合高通量测序技术分析沉积物中细菌群落的毫米级垂向分布;同时采用毫米级高分辨透析技术和薄膜扩散梯度技术(DGT)分析溶解态和DGT可获取态铵态氮(NH₄⁺-N)、硝态氮(NO₃^--N)、Fe、P的垂向分布特征。结果显示,沉积物中细菌群落与溶解态和DGT可获取态氮铁磷浓度在垂向上呈现显著的异质性。细菌硝酸盐还原主要发生在-16～0 mm沉积物深度,这可能导致了溶解态和DGT可获取态NO₃^--N含量在该沉积物深度的明显减少。细菌铁还原主要分布在-32～-18 mm沉积物深度,细菌硫酸盐还原主要分布在-50～-34 mm的沉积物深度;细菌硫酸盐还原是导致沉积物溶解态和DGT可获取态铁磷浓度从-32 mm随沉积物的深度增加而显著增加的主要原因。本研究加深了对富营养化湖泊沉积物中细菌影响氮磷在垂向上迁移转化的认识。     

Residence time control on hot moments of net nitrate production and uptake in the hyporheic zone

The retention capacity for biologically available nitrogen within streams can be influenced by dynamic hyporheic zone exchange, a process that may act as either a net source or net sink of dissolved nitrogen. Over 5 weeks, nine vertical profiles of streambed chemistry (NO₃^? and NH₄⁺) were collected above two beaver dams along with continuous high‐resolution vertical hyporheic flux data. The results indicate a non‐linear relation of net NO₃^? production followed by net uptake in the hyporheic zone as a function of residence time. This Lagrangian‐based relation is consistent through time and across varied morphology (bars, pools, glides) above the dams, even though biogeochemical and environmental factors varied. The empirical continuum between net NO₃^? production and uptake and residence time is useful for identifying two crucial residence time thresholds: the transition to anaerobic respiration, which corresponds to the time of peak net nitrate production, and the net sink threshold, which is defined by a net uptake in NO₃^? relative to streamwater. Short‐term hyporheic residence time variability at specific locations creates hot moments of net production and uptake, enhancing NO₃^? production as residence times approach the anaerobic threshold, and changing zones of net NO₃^? production to uptake as residence times increase past the net sink threshold. The anaerobic and net sink thresholds for beaver‐influenced streambed morphology occur at much shorter residence times (1.3 h and 2.3 h, respectively) compared to other documented hyporheic systems, and the net sink threshold compares favorably to the lower boundary of the anaerobic threshold determined for this system with the new oxygen Damkohler number. The consistency of the residence time threshold values of NO₃^? cycling in this study, despite environmental variability and disparate morphology, indicates that NO₃^? hot moment dynamics are primarily driven by changes in physical hydrology and associated residence times. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of variable‐density groundwater flow on nitrate flux to coastal waters

A two‐dimensional variable‐density groundwater flow and transport model was developed to provide a conceptual understanding of past and future conditions of nitrate (NO₃) transport and estimate groundwater nitrate flux to the Gulf of Mexico. Simulation results show that contaminant discharge to the coast decreases as the extent of saltwater intrusion increases. Other natural and/or artificial surface waters such as navigation channels may serve as major sinks for contaminant loading and act to alter expected transport pathways discharging contaminants to other areas. Concentrations of NO₃ in the saturated zone were estimated to range between 30 and 160 mg?L^?1 as NO₃. Relatively high hydraulic vertical gradients and mixing likely play a significant role in the transport processes, enhancing dilution and contaminant migration to depth. Residence times of NO₃ in the deeper aquifers vary from 100 (locally) to about 300 years through the investigated aquifer system. NO₃ mass fluxes from the shallow aquifers (0 to 5.7 × 10⁴ mg?m^?2?day^?1) were primarily directed towards the navigation channel, which intersects and captures a portion of the shallow groundwater flow/discharge. Direct NO₃ discharge to the sea (i.e. Gulf of Mexico) from the shallow aquifer was very low (0 to 9.0 × 10¹ mg · m^?2?day^?1) compared with discharge from the deeper aquifer system (0 to 8.2 × 10³ mg?m^?2?day^?1). Both model‐calibrated and radiocarbon tracer‐determined contaminant flux estimates reveal similar discharge trends, validating the use of the model for density‐dependent flow conditions. The modelling approach shows promise to evaluate contaminant and nutrient loading for similar coastal regions worldwide. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

非传统湖泊水色遥感的现状与发展

外界环境条件以及自身因素的驱动,改变了传统湖泊水色遥感垂向均一的理论假设前提,基于垂向非均匀条件的湖泊水体水色参数的遥感称之为非传统湖泊水色遥感.本文分析了传统水色遥感面临的挑战,且非传统湖泊水色遥感中藻类叶绿素a浓度的垂向分布类型及其定量表达、水下光场分布的定量表达模型与数值模拟方法,给出垂向异质水体遥感反射比的定量表达式,分析了藻类垂向异质对水色参数遥感反演模型的影响,最后提出下一步需要重点关注的问题.     

The trend,seasonal cycle,and sources of tropospheric NO<Subscript>2</Subscript> over China during 1997–2006 based on satellite measurement

The characteristics of spatial and temporal distribution of tropospheric NO2 column density concentration over China are presented, on the basis of measurements from the satellite instruments GOME and SCIAMACHY. From these observations, monthly averaged tropospheric NO2 variations are determined for the period of 1997 to 2006. The trend and seasonal cycle are also investigated. The possible source of tropospheric NO2 over megacity area is discussed in this paper. The results show a large growth of tropospheric NO2 over eastern China, especially above the industrial areas with a fast economical growth, such as, Yangtze Rive Delta region and Pearl River Delta region because of the prominent anthropogenic activity. There is a rapid increase of tropospheric NO2 over megacities in China. For instance, Shanghai had a linear significant increase in NO2 columns of ～20% per year (reference year 1997) in the period of 1997-2006, which is the rapidest increase among all the selected cities. The seasonal pattern of the NO2 concentration shows a difference between the east and west in China. In the eastern part of China, an expected winter maximum in seasonal cycle is found because of the prominent anthropogenic activity and meteorological conditions. In the western part this cycle shows a NO2 maximum in summer time, which is attributed to natural emissions, especially soil emissions and lightning. A quickly increasing vehicle population may contribute to the increase of tropospheric NO2 over megacities in China for the remarkable correlation for vehicle population with tropospheric NO2.     

Dynamic evolution of nutrient discharge under stormflow and baseflow conditions in a coastal agricultural watershed in Ishigaki Island,Okinawa, Japan

Excessive terrestrial nutrient loadings adversely impact coral reefs by primarily enhancing growth of macroalgae, potentially leading to a phase‐shift phenomenon. Hydrological processes and other spatial and temporal factors affecting nutrient discharge must be examined to be able to formulate effective measures for reducing nutrient export to adjacent reefs. During storm events and baseflow periods, water samples were obtained from the tropical Todoroki River, which drains an intensively agricultural watershed into Shiraho coral reef. In situ nutrient analyzers were deployed for 6 months to hourly measure dissolved nutrient (NO₃⁻‐N and PO₄³⁻‐P) concentrations. Total phosphorus (TP) and suspended solid concentration (TSS) were increased by higher rainfall intensity (r = 0·94, p < 0·01) and river discharge Q (r = 0·88, p < 0·01). In contrast, NO₃⁻‐N concentration tends to decrease drastically (e.g. from 3 to 1 mg l⁻¹) during flood events. When base flow starts to dominate afterwards, NO₃⁻‐N manifested an increasing trend, but decreases when baseflow discharge becomes low. This counter‐clockwise hysteresis for NO₃⁻‐N highlights the significant influence of groundwater discharge. N delivery can therefore be considered a persistent process compared to sediment and P discharge, which are highly episodic in nature. Based on GIS analysis, nutrient concentration along the Todoroki River was largely affected by the percentage of sugarcane/bare areas and bedrock type. The spatial distribution of N concentration in the river reflects the considerable influence of subsurface geology—higher N levels in limestone‐dominated areas. P concentrations were directly related to the total length of artificial drainage, which enhances sediment transport. The use of high‐resolution monitoring data coupled with GIS‐based spatial analysis therefore enabled the clarification of control factors and the difference in the spatio‐temporal discharge characteristics between N and P. Thus, although erosion‐reduction schemes would reduce P discharge, other approaches (e.g. minimize fertilizer) are needed to reduce N discharge. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spatial and temporal variations in surface water nitrate concentrations in a mixed land use catchment under humid temperate climatic conditions

Streamwater nitrate (NO^―₃) concentrations along the main stream and at the outlet of several subcatchments within the 114\3 km² Zwalm watershed in Flanders, Belgium, have been monitored regularly since 1991. Land use within the Zwalm catchment is predominantly agricultural, with forested regions in the south and urban concentrations in the north‐east of the catchment. Streamwater NO^―₃ concentrations increased with increases in stream discharge rates, but in general, discharge rate explained only about 30% of the variation in NO^―₃ concentrations. The low R² values were attributed to the observed anticlockwise hysteresis in the NO^―₃ concentration – discharge relationship and to differences in NO^―₃ concentrations between both seasonal flow and various flow regimes, with winter flow explaining 51% of the variation in NO^―₃ concentrations, whereas summer flow explained only 28% of the variation. A hypothesis was formulated in which flow regime accounts for the seasonal variation in NO^―₃ export, postulating that the catchment seasonally alternates between two hydrological stages. The first stage occurs during wet winter periods, when the catchment drains as a single source area, whereas the second stage occurs during dry summer periods, when the groundwater store disconnects into separate subcatchments. This causes NO^―₃ concentration peaks to be more delayed during summer storm events compared with winter storm events. Regarding flow regimes, differences between high and low flow conditions and between increasing and stable/decreasing flow were not as pronounced a differences between seasons. In contrast to the estimation of NO^―₃ concentrations, discharge was a strong predictor (R²= 0\71) of the NO^―₃ flux within the tributaries of the Zwalm catchment. The NO^―₃ concentrations in the main stream increased with decreasing elevation, whereas the seasonal concentration patterns along the main channel were similar to those observed at the outlet. NO^―₃ concentrations varied considerably among catchments and showed a high variability over time, although in general, the variation in NO^―₃ concentration was higher between catchments than within catchments. The impact of land use is clearly reflected in the streamwater NO^―₃ concentrations, although NO^―₃ concentration patterns were also affected by topography and, to a lesser extent, by soil type. A gradual increase in NO^―₃ concentrations at the outlet of the Zwalm catchment could be observed throughout the 1991 – 1998 study period, providing evidence for the general trends of increase in Flanders, which are attributed to the intensification of agricultural activities. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Total nitrogen inflow and outflow from a large river swamp basin to the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

River corridor wetland restoration and freshwater diversion from the lower Mississippi River are being considered as two major options to reduce nitrogen input to the Gulf of Mexico. However, it is largely uncertain how much nitrogen can actually be retained from the overflowing waters by these wetland systems. This study quantified the nitrogen inflow and outflow for the largest distributary basin of the Mississippi River, the Atchafalaya River Swamp basin. The goal of the study was to seek answers to three critical questions: (a) Does the Atchafalaya River Swamp remove a significant amount of nitrogen from the overflowing water, or is it releasing more nitrogen into the Gulf? (b) How do the nitrogen removal or release rates fluctuate seasonally and annually? (c) What are the relationships between the nitrogen removal capacity and the hydrological conditions in the basin such as river stage and discharge? By utilizing the long-term (1978–2002) river discharge and water quality data, monthly and annual nitrogen fluxes were quantified, and their relationships with the basin hydrological conditions investigated. A total nitrogen—sum of the total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and nitrate plus nitrite nitrogen (NO₃+NO₂)—mass input—output balance between the upstream (Simmesport) and downstream (Morgan City and Wax Lake Outlet) locations was established to examine the nitrogen removal potential for this, the largest freshwater swamp basin in North America. The results from this study showed that, over the past 25 years, the Atchafalaya River Swamp basin acted as a source for NO₃+NO₂ nitrogen, although the average annual output of NO₃+NO₂ nitrogen (174 584 Mg) was only slightly higher (2.3%) than the average annual input of NO₃+NO₂ nitrogen (170 721 Mg). The higher NO₃+NO₂ mass outflow occurred throughout summer and autumn, indicating an active role of biological processes on nitrogen in the overflowing waters of the Atchafalaya. However, this swamp basin has served as a major sink for organic nitrogen: the annual averages of TKN mass input and output were 200 323 and 145 917 Mg year^?1, respectively, presenting a 27.2% removal rate by the basin. This large TKN reduction appeared high during springs and low during late summers, corresponding with the fluctuation of the hydrological conditions of the river.     

A numerical study of ionospheric profiles for mid-latitudes

This paper presents a numerical model and results for the mid-latitude ionospheric profile below the peak of the F₂-layer. The basis of the model is the solving of equations for four ionic species O⁺, NO⁺, O⁺₂ and N⁺₂, as well as the meta-stable O⁺(²D) and O⁺(²P). Diffusion and wind-induced drifts and 21 photo-chemical reactions are also taken into account. Neutral atmospheric density and temperature are derived from the MSIS86 model and solar extreme ultraviolate irradiance from the EUV91 model. In an effort to obtain a more realistic ionospheric profile, the key point at foF₂ and hmF₂ is fitted from the simulation to observations. The model also utilizes the vertical drifts derived from ionosonde data with the help of the Servo model. It is shown that the ionospheric height of peak can be reproduced more accurately under the derived vertical drifts from the Servo theory than with the HWM90 model. Results from the simulation are given for Wuchang (30.5°N, 114.4°E) and Wakkanai (45.6°N, 141.7°E), showing the profile changes with season and solar activity, and the E-F valley structure (the depth and the width). This simulation also reveals the importance of meta-stable ions and dynamical transport processes on the formation of the F₁-ledge and F₁-F₂ valley.     

Consequences of coastal upwelling events on physical and chemical patterns in the central Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea)

The consequences of a coastal upwelling event on physical and chemical patterns were studied in the central Gulf of Finland. Weekly mapping of hydrographical and -chemical fields were carried out across the Gulf between Tallinn and Helsinki in July–August 2006. In each survey, vertical profiles of temperature and salinity were recorded at 27 stations and water samples for chemical analyses (PO₄³⁻, NO₂⁻+NO₃⁻) were collected at 14 stations along the transect. An ordinary distribution of hydrophysical and -chemical variables with the seasonal thermocline at the depths of 10–20 m was observed in the beginning of the measurements in July. Nutrient concentrations in the upper mixed layer were below the detection limit and nutriclines were located just below or in the lower part of the thermocline. In the first half of August, a very intense upwelling event occurred near the southern coast of the Gulf when waters with low temperature and high salinity from the intermediate layer surfaced. High nutrient concentrations were measured in the upwelled water – 0.4 μmol l⁻¹ of phosphates and 0.6 μmol l⁻¹ of nitrates+nitrites. We estimated the amount of nutrients transported into the surface layer as 238–290 tons of phosphorus (P)-PO₄³⁻ and 175–255 tons of N-NO_x for a 12 m thick, 20 km wide and 100 km long coastal stretch. Taking into account a characteristic along-shore extension of the upwelling of 200 km, the phosphate-phosphorus amount is approximately equal to the average total monthly riverine load of phosphorus to the Gulf of Finland. It is shown that TS-characteristics of water masses and vertical distribution of nutrients along the study transect experienced drastic changes caused by the upwelling event in the entire studied water column. TS-analysis of profiles obtained before and during the upwelling event suggests that while welled up, the cold intermediate layer water was mixed with the water from the upper mixed layer with a share of 85% and 15%. We suggest that the coastal upwelling events contribute remarkably to the vertical mixing of waters in the Gulf of Finland. Intrusions of nutrient-rich waters along the inclined isopycnal surfaces in the vicinity of upwelling front were revealed. The upwelling event widened the separation of phosphocline and nitracline which in turn prevented surfacing of nitrate+nitrite-nitrogen during the next upwelling event observed a week after the upwelling relaxation. A suggestion is made that such widening of nutricline separation caused by similar upwelling events in early summer could create favourable conditions for late summer cyanobacterial blooms.     

Effect of water depth and the bottom boundary layer upon internal wave generation over abrupt topography

The role of water depth and bottom boundary layer turbulence upon lee-wave generation in sill regions is examined. Their effect upon vertical mixing is also considered. Calculations are performed using a non-hydrostatic model in cross-section form with a specified tidal forcing. Initial calculations in deeper water and a sill height such that the sill top is well removed from the surrounding bed region showed that downstream lee-wave generation and associated mixing increased as bottom friction coefficient k increased. This was associated with an increase in current shear across the sill. However, for a given k, increasing vertical eddy viscosity A _v reduced vertical shear in the across sill velocity, leading to a reduction in lee-wave amplitude and associated mixing. Subsequent calculations using shallower water showed that for a given k and A _v, lee-wave generation was reduced due to the shallower water depth and changes in the bottom boundary layer. However, in this case (unlike in the deepwater case), there is an appreciable bottom current. This gives rise to bottom mixing which in shallow water extends to mid-depth and enhances the mid-water mixing that is found on the lee side of the sill. Final calculations with deeper water but small sill height showed that lee waves could propagate over the sill, thereby reducing their contribution to mixing. In this case, bottom mixing was the major source of mixing which was mainly confined to the near bed region, with little mid-water mixing.