Asymptotic performance of a pulse-to-pulse incoherent Doppler sonar in an oceanic environment

Active Doppler sonar systems are gaining popularity as a method to profile remotely the oceanic velocity field. Estimation of the variance with which an ideal single.beam sonar system measures relative Doppler motion is the subject of this paper. Theoretical formulations, simulated reverberation data, and sea data are considered to determine this variance. The sea data considered in this paper were selected carefully to avoid performance degrading physical/instrumental phenomena and bias corrected to remove further instrumental effects. Asymptotic performance, determined in this research, is realized when instrumental and physical phenomena do not measurably affect experimental performance. Oceanic and simulated data sets are processed with several velocity-estimation algorithms that are implemented in existing sonar systems. These algorithms are compared against each other and the velocity-estimation standard-deviation results tabulated. The algorithms are shown to possess similar performance characteristics when simulated, and sea data are processed in spite of the fact that some of these algorithms are suboptimal from a theoretical viewpoint. The results of this study show that the asymptotic performance of the Doppler system examined is approximately 25 percent above a theoretical lower bound.     

Experimental formation of massive hydrate deposits from accumulation of CH4 gas bubbles within synthetic and natural sediments

In order for methane to be economically produced from the seafloor, prediction and detection of massive hydrate deposits will be necessary. In many cases, hydrate samples recovered from seafloor sediments appear as veins or nodules, suggesting that there are strong geologic controls on where hydrate is likely to accumulate. Experiments have been conducted examining massive hydrate accumulation from methane gas bubbles within natural and synthetic sediments in a large volume pressure vessel through temperature and pressure data, as well as visual observations. Observations of hydrate growth suggest that accumulation of gas bubbles within void spaces and at sediment interfaces likely results in the formation of massive hydrate deposits. Methane hydrate was first observed as a thin film forming at the gas/water interface of methane bubbles trapped within sediment void spaces. As bubbles accumulated, massive hydrate growth occurred. These experiments suggest that in systems containing free methane gas, bubble pathways and accumulation points likely control the location and habit of massive hydrate deposits.     

Temporal variations of surface oceanic and atmospheric CO2 fugacity and total dissolved inorganic carbon in the northwestern North Pacific

In order to examine temporal variations of the surface oceanic and atmospheric fCO₂ and the DIC concentration, we analyzed air and seawater samples collected during the period May 1992–June 1996 in the northwestern North Pacific, about 30 km off the coast of the main island of Japan. The atmospheric CO₂ concentration has increased secularly at a rate of 1.9 ppmv yr⁻¹, and it showed a clear seasonal cycle with a maximum in spring and a minimum late in summer, produced mainly by seasonally-dependent terrestrial biospheric activities. DIC also showed a prominent seasonal cycle in the surface ocean; the minimum and maximum values of the cycle appeared in early fall and in early spring, respectively, due primarily to the seasonally-dependent activities of marine biota and partly to the vertical mixing of seawater and the coastal upwelling. The oceanic fCO₂ values were almost always lower than those of the atmospheric fCO₂, suggesting that this area of the ocean acts as a sink for atmospheric CO₂. Values varied seasonally, mainly reflecting seasonal changes of SST and DIC, with a secular increase at a rate of 3.7 μatm yr⁻¹. The average values of the annual net CO₂ flux between the ocean and the atmosphere calculated by using the different bulk equations ranged between −0.8 and −1.7 mol m⁻²yr⁻¹, and its magnitude was enhanced and reduced late in spring and mid-summer, respectively, due mainly to the seasonally varying oceanic fCO₂.     

Effects of oil exposure on pink salmon,Oncorhynchus gorbuscha,alevins in a simulated intertidal environment

Pink salmon, Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, alevins (5 and 60 days after hatching) were continuously or intermittently exposed for 30 days to the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of Cook Inlet crude oil in fresh water or in a simulated freshwater-seawater cycle. Alevins exposed to 0·7−2·4 mg/liter WSF in the simulated tidal cycle were more sensitive to oil, had reduced yolk reserves, and accumulated more hydrocarbons than did alevins exposed to the same concentrations in fresh water. Alevins in fresh water were more sensitive to continuous than to intermittent exposures. In all exposures, 60-day alevins were more severely affected than were 5-day alevins.     

Localisation and phase transition of acoustic waves in a soft medium containing air bubbles

We study via numerical experiments the localisation property of an acoustic wave in a viscoelastic soft medium containing randomly-distributed air bubbles. The behaviours of the oscillation phases of bubbles are particularly investigated in various cases for distinguishing efficiently the acoustic localisation from the effects of acoustic absorption caused by the viscosity of medium. The numerical results reveal the phenomenon of `phase transition' characterized by an unusual collective oscillation of bubbles, which is an effective criterion to unambiguously identify the acoustic localisation in the presence of viscosity. Within the localisation region, the phenomenon of phase transition persists, and a remarkable decrease in the fluctuation of the oscillation phases of bubbles is observed. The localisation phenomenon will be impaired by the enhancement of the viscosity factors, and the extent to which the acoustic wave is localised may be determined by appropriately analyzing the values of the oscillation phases or the amount of reduction of the phase fluctuation. The results are particularly significant for the practical experiments in an attempt to observe the acoustic localisation in such a medium, which is in general subjected to the interference of the great ambiguity resulting from the effect of acoustic absorption.     

Laboratory study of wave and turbulence velocities in a broad-banded irregular wave surf zone

The characteristics of wave and turbulence velocities created by a broad-banded irregular wave train breaking on a 1:35 slope were studied in a laboratory wave flume. Water particle velocities were measured simultaneously with wave elevations at three cross-shore locations inside the surf zone. The measured data were separated into low-frequency and high-frequency time series using a Fourier filter. The measured velocities were further separated into organized wave-induced velocities and turbulent velocity fluctuations by ensemble averaging. The broad-banded irregular waves created a wide surf zone that was dominated by spilling type breakers. A wave-by-wave analysis was carried out to obtain the probability distributions of individual wave heights, wave periods, peak wave velocities, and wave-averaged turbulent kinetic energies and Reynolds stresses. The results showed that there was a consistent increase in the kurtosis of the vertical velocity distribution from the surface to the bottom. The abnormally large downward velocities were produced by plunging breakers that occurred from time to time. It was found that the mean of the highest one-third wave-averaged turbulent kinetic energy values in the irregular waves was about the same as the time-averaged turbulent kinetic energy in a regular wave with similar deep-water wave height to wavelength ratio. It was also found that the correlation coefficient of the Reynolds stress varied strongly with turbulence intensity. Good correlation between u′ and w′ was obtained when the turbulence intensity was high; the correlation coefficient was about 0.3–0.5. The Reynolds stress correlation coefficient decreased over a wave cycle, and with distance from the water surface. Under the irregular breaking waves, turbulent kinetic energy was transported downward and landward by turbulent velocity fluctuations and wave velocities, and upward and seaward by the undertow. The undertow in the irregular waves was similar in vertical structure but lower in magnitude than in regular waves, and the horizontal velocity profiles under the low-frequency waves were approximately uniform.     

Extended time series measurements of submarine groundwater discharge tracers (222Rn and CH4) at a coastal site in Florida

We report the results of an experiment in which we measured ²²²Rn (15,000 observations), CH₄ (40,000 observations), and associated variables in seawater nearly continuously at a coastal site in the Gulf of Mexico for almost two years. Significant correlations between ²²²Rn and CH₄ imply that they are derived from a common source, most likely groundwater. However, we were unable to explain the overall tracer variability as a single function of groundwater table height, temperature, tidal range, and wind speed, indicating multiple, overlapping controls on SGD dynamics at this site. Methane and radon concentrations may vary 2-fold in a given well in the subterranean estuary over tidal time scales, demonstrating the complexity of determining SGD endmember concentrations and suggesting that unaccounted for temporal changes in groundwater may explain some of the patterns observed in seawater. Surprisingly, the variability of ²²²Rn and CH₄ in seawater over short (e.g., hourly) time scales was generally comparable to or even more pronounced than fluctuations over much longer (e.g., monthly) scales. While high tracer concentrations usually occurred during low tide and low tracer concentrations during high tide, this pattern was occasionally inverted or absent indicating that no single model can be used to describe the entire data set. We also describe a sequence of events in which SGD tracers were depleted in coastal waters during storms and regenerated afterwards. We found no increase in radon activities immediately after the largest storm (75 mm rainfall) perhaps because of the short residence times of groundwater in contrast to the ingrowth time of radon. Marine controls appeared to be the most important SGD drivers with only minor influence relating to the shallow and deep aquifers. This implies that seasonal investigations of SGD tracers in the coastal ocean may be masked by short-term variability.     

Analysis of submerged bar nourishment strategies in a wave-dominated environment using a 2DV process-based model

The present study aims to analyze the effects of different submerged bars nourishment strategies using a 2DV process-based morphodynamical model. A two-barred beach profile typical of the French Mediterranean micro-tidal storm-dominated coastline is chosen as a reference profile. Two different kinds of modified beach profiles are considered. (i) Only the outer bar is nourished, the inner bar being unchanged (ii) both bars are nourished. Three typical wave forcing regimes are considered. The behavior of the natural profile is first investigated under the 3 wave forcing regimes. Then the behavior of the various nourished profiles is analyzed in terms of wave dynamics and bars behavior. On the basis of the model results, the outer bar only nourishment strategy appears to be preferable.     

海洋-大气二氧化碳通量的观测技术

大范围稳定地获取海洋-大气系统中二氧化碳的精确数据,是海洋科学、大气科学以及全球变化科学和可持续发展科学计划中的重要任务.准确评估海-气CO2通量需要对海洋和大气中相关参数的同步精确连续观测,需要发展和建立海-气CO2通量的立体观测平台.该观测平台包括岸基、船基、航空、卫星和浮标等系统,主要技术包括走航大气和海水观测技术、浮标海-气CO2通量观测技术、极区海洋-大气CO2通量的观测技术和遥感海洋-大气CO2通量观测和评估技术.     

Distribution and alteration of amino acids in bulk DOM along a transect from bay to oceanic waters

A systematic survey of the concentrations and composition of total hydrolyzable amino acids (THAA) in bulk dissolved organic matter (DOM) was conducted at 11 stations along the 137°E transect from bay to oceanic areas in the northwestern Pacific. Concentrations of THAA and their contributions to dissolved organic carbon were high in the bay and coastal areas, declined toward the oceanic area and decreased with depth in the water columns. From the distribution patterns of the relative abundances of amino acids along the transect, individual amino acids were divided into four groups. One group included tyrosine, valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, leucine and tryptophan, and was considered to represent easily degradable THAA, while glycine and alanine belonged to a more biorefractory group of THAA. Principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted to quantitatively differentiate patterns of amino acid composition. Amino acid groups based on PCA agreed with the groups classified by distribution patterns, indicating that first principal component scores reflected the degree of degradation of THAA in DOM, and were defined as a degradation index (DI). Two amino acids, glycine and alanine, increased in relative abundance with increasing DI, while valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine and leucine decreased with decreasing DI. The agreement indicated that the degradation process was the key factor controlling the quantity and quality of THAA in bulk DOM.     

Sensitivity of CFCs and Anthropogenic CO2 Uptake in a North Pacific GCM to Mixing Parameterization and Surface Forcing

Distributions and characteristics of water mass and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in the North Pacific are investigated by using a General Circulation Model (GCM). The anthropogenic CO₂ uptake by the ocean is estimated with velocity fields derived from the GCM experiments. The sensitivity of the uptake to different diffusion parameterizations and different surface forcing used in the GCM is investigated by conducting the three GCM experiments; the diffusive processes are parameterized by horizontal and vertical eddy diffusion which is used in many previous models (RUN1), parameterized by isopycnal diffusion (RUN2), and isopycnal diffusion and perpetual winter forcing for surface temperature and salinity (RUN3). Realistic features for water masses and CFCs can be simulated by the isopycnal diffusion models. The horizontal and vertical diffusion model fails to simulate the salinity minimum and realistic penetration of CFCs into the ocean. The depth of the salinity minimum layer is better simulated under the winter forcing. The results suggest that both isopycnal parameterization and winter forcing are crucial for the model water masses and CFCs simulations. The oceanic uptake of anthropogenic CO₂ in RUN3 is about 19.8 GtC in 1990, which is larger by about 10% than that in RUN1 with horizontal and vertical diffusive parameterization. RUN3 well simulates the realistic water mass structure of the intermediate layer considered as a candidate of oceanic sink for anthropogenic CO₂. The results suggest that the previous models with horizontal and vertical diffusive parameterization may give the oceanic uptake of anthropogenic CO₂ underestimated. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

渤海湾西岸CH114 孔全新世沉积 环境演化与海陆作用

对渤海湾西岸CH114 孔岩心全新世沉积硅藻进行了系统研究,发现硅藻17 属28 种。与沉积岩石学、年代学（AMS 14C）研究相结合,将该孔自下而上划分为6 个硅藻组合带,显示研究区全新世以来经历了从陆到海的演化过程：全新世初期 为陆相（组合1带下部） 至受海水影响的盐沼低地环境（组合1带上部）;6 646~4 280 cal BP 年间为受风暴强力事件影响的 浅海环境（组合2带）;4 280 年以来为水深不断变浅的浅海环境（组合3-6 带）。CH114 孔沉积速率的阶段性变化与河流供 给有较好的对应关系：3.6~2.6 ka cal BP和0.4ka cal BP 以来两个时段相对较高的沉积速率,分别与黄河三角洲超级叶瓣5 的 形成和海河独立入海相对应。由硅藻记录的海洋影响的波动变化与全新世气候变化对比显示：研究区海洋影响的增强与气候 变暖具有一定的正相关性。CH114孔全新世以来陆海环境的演化,总体上是对气候与海面变化的响应。     

堆内构件检测ROV设计与实现

根据核堆内构件检测的需求,设计研发了一款超小型无人遥控潜水器(ROV)。从总体、结构、电控等方面,论述了该潜水器面临的问题和设计特点。着重论述了核环境下系统器件材料的耐辐照要求,并对关键器件进行了耐辐照性试验,结果表明所选器件能够满足辐照环境下的应用要求。最后给出了系统的水池实验结果,证明该系统具有良好的操纵性和稳定性。     

Chromium(VI) distributions in the Arctic and the Atlantic Oceans and a reassessment of the oceanic Cr cycle

Chromium(VI) concentrations ranging between 3.0 and 6.1 nmol l⁻¹ and 3.1 and 7.3 nmol l⁻¹ were found in the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, respectively. The vertical profiles show modest depletion of chromium(VI) in surface waters, but poor overall correlations between Cr(VI) and nutrient profiles. Given that Cr(VI) is the dominant oxidation state of chromium in open-ocean waters, these data are combined with literature data to reassess the distribution of Cr in oceanic waters. It is concluded that while Cr shows some characteristics of both “recycled” and “accumulated” vertical profiles, it does not fall clearly within either group.     

Puerto Rico: reconnaissance study of the maturation and source rock potential of an oceanic arc involved in a collision

Amount and type of organic matter present in Cretaceous and lower Tertiary rocks deposited on Puerto Rico were determined by total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, visual kerogen identification and Rock-Eval pyrolysis. These tests show that the samples commonly contain greater than 1% TOC, and a mixed population of kerogen, with gas-prone kerogen predominating.Based on organic maturity data (vitrinite reflectance, thermal alteration index and Rock-Eval pyrolysis), the maturation history of Puerto Rico is consistent with a two stage thermal model. Before the Oligocene, the island was part of an active magmatic arc. High geothermal gradients and rapid burial left Cretaceous rocks overmature and mature with respect to generated liquid hydrocarbons. After the Eocene, volcanism ceased following collision with the Bahama platform, and lower geothermal gradients combined with slower burial resulted in little maturation.     

The budget and geochemistry of arsenic in a continental shelf environment

The concentrations of arsenic species in continental-shelf waters of the southeastern U.S. are controlled mainly by simple physical mixing of shelf waters and Gulf Stream intrusions. The biota mediate redox reactions which result in a disequilibrium of arsenic species; up to 20% of the total arsenic (averaging 1.1 μg/l) occurs as unstable arsenite [As (III)] and dimethylarsenic, the remainder consists of thermodynamically favored arsenate [As (V)]. Uptake of arsenic by the biota has a minor effect on arsenic distribution in offshore waters, producing a deep-water arsenate maximum, and minima for arsenite and dimethylarsenic. Riverine and atmospheric arsenic inputs to the shelf waters are relatively insignificant. Southeastern rivers contain only about 0.3 μg/l dissolved arsenic, and the atmosphere adjacent to continental shelf waters contains about 1.7 ng/m³ of As (V), exclusively associated with the particulate fraction.     

氧化还原敏感性元素在沉积环境判别中的应用研究进展

部分元素对氧化还原环境非常敏感,氧化还原条件往往决定着这些元素的迁移或富集,这些元素被称为氧化还原敏感性元素(redox sensitive elements,RSE).除Fe、Mn外大部分RSE在氧化环境条件下以溶解态离子形式存在于海洋水体而发生迁移,在还原环境条件下则容易从海洋水体中析出向沉积物中迁移并发生富集.R...     

Handling and launching of heavy concrete caissons in a marine environment

Handling of heavy structures demand unusual crane capacity. Availability of such cranes may be limited in developing countries. An innovative way to construct and launch heavy concrete structures in a developing country, where crane availability is rare, to lift, transport and handle heavy structures, is discussed in this paper. Heavy caissons are used in the marine environment as breakwaters, as berthing facilities for vessels, as gravity structures to absorb energy from waves, etc. The methodology for constructing multi-caissons on-board a barge and then on-board a floating dock is the subject of this paper. The respective feasibilities are discussed.The free floating condition of the caisson and its righting arm stability are described. At first the caisson was considered as its lip wall opened to the sea. The case of lip wall closed for more buoyancy is also considered. The stability of the barge and floating docks is shown for various stages of completion of construction. After investigating many factors, a safe procedure for construction and launching thereafter is described in this paper. The problem of handling a heavy concrete structure from the view point of a naval architect is highlighted.