亚洲季风区气候对北大西洋年代际振荡冷暖位相的对称和非对称响应

利用NCEP大气环流模式,模拟了亚洲季风区气候对北大西洋正、负海温异常的响应。研究表明:亚洲季风区气候对北大西洋年代际振荡(AMO)的影响存在线性和非线性响应;AMO的暖位相造成欧亚大陆增温以及印度地区北暖南冷的偶极子型分布,主要是线性因素的作用;夏季、秋季印度半岛降雨增多,是线性因素和非线性因素共同作用的结果,且非线性因素带给印度半岛的降水多集中在西部。     

Thermohaline Structure of Waters in the North Atlantic in Different Phases of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - The meridional structure of climatic trends and anomalies of potential temperature and salinity in the North Atlantic waters in different periods of the...     

Variability of the North Atlantic Thermohaline Circulation in Different Phases of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation from Ocean Objective Analyses and Reanalyses

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - Zonally averaged characteristics of the North Atlantic (NA) thermohaline circulation are investigated in different phases of the Atlantic Multidecadal...     

Remotely sensed sea-surface chlorophyll and POC flux at Deep Gulf of Mexico Benthos sampling stations

Biweekly composite averages of the standing stock of sea-surface chlorophyll (SSC) were derived from SeaWiFS satellite ocean-color data at 44 benthic sampling stations occupied along the continental slope and rise by the Deep Gulf of Mexico Benthos (DGoMB) program. At the 22 DGoMB sites north of 26°N and west of 91°W in the NW Gulf of Mexico, annual average SSC was 0.19 mg m⁻³, ranging at most locations from annual highs of about 0.3 mg m⁻³ in November–February to lows of about 0.1 mg m⁻³ in May–August. Comparison of three years of SeaWiFS data (January 1998–December 2000) showed little inter-annual variation at these NW Gulf stations. In contrast, at the 22 NE Gulf sites north of 26°N and east of 91°W, SSC averaged 2.8 times higher than in the NW Gulf, showing also strong inter-annual variation. Maxima in the NE region occurred in November–February and also during summers. The summer maxima were associated with Mississippi River water transported offshore to the east and southward by anticyclonic eddies in the NE Gulf. The apparent increases in SSC in June–August at NE Gulf stations reached average monthly concentrations >50% greater than in November–February. Based on a primary productivity model and a vertical flux model, the calculated export of particulate organic carbon (POC flux reaching the seafloor) was estimated as 18 mg C m⁻² day⁻¹ at the 22 NE Gulf stations, and 9 mg C m⁻² day⁻¹ at the 22 NW Gulf stations. These estimates are comparable to fluxes measured by benthic lander by others in the DGoMB program, which may drive the differences in west versus east bathymetric zonation and community structure of macrobenthos that were sampled with large box corers by others in the DGoMB program.     

长江流域夏季极端高温的年代际变化特征及其与大西洋多年代际振荡的关系

本文基于地面观测资料和NCEP/NCAR再分析数据,利用经验正交函数分析、线性回归分析等方法对1960—2016年夏季(6—8月)长江流域的极端高温(Extreme High Temperature,EHT)事件的强度、暖昼、暖夜发生日数的年代际特征及其对应大气环流进行分析,并探讨了EHT事件与大西洋多年代际振荡(Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation,AMO)的关系。结果表明,中国夏季长江流域的极端高温事件存在明显的年代际变化特征,其中1960—1970年和2002—2016年为暖时期,1971—2001年为冷时期。相较于冷时期,暖时期在高温强度、暖昼和暖夜的发生日数方面均明显偏暖。针对于该极端高温年代际特征的成因,研究结果表明,暖时期位于长江流域北部的对流层中高层异常反气旋和偏北偏西的西太平洋副高有利于该地区下沉运动的增强,进而有利于极端高温的出现。同时,在对流层低层,位于中国东部的异常反气旋将低纬地区的暖湿气流携带至长江流域,这也有利于长江流域EHT事件的发生。此外,进一步分析表明,AMO与长江流域夏季EHT事件在年代际尺度上存在明显的关系,AMO超前中国夏季长江流域的EHT事件6~8 a,这对预测中国长江流域极端高温事件具有一定的指示作用。     

Multidecadal climate variability in the subtropics/mid‐latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere oceans

Observations of multidecadal variability in sea surface temperature (SST), surface air temperature and winds over the Southern Hemisphere are presented and an ocean general circulation model applied towards investigating links between the SST variability and that of the overlying atmosphere. The results suggest that the dynamical effect of the wind stress anomalies is significant mainly in the neighbourhood of the western boundary currents and their outflows across the mid‐latitudes of each Southern Hemisphere basin (more so in the South Indian and South Atlantic than in the South Pacific Ocean) and in the equatorial upwelling zones. Over most of the subtropics to mid‐latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere oceans, changes in net surface heat flux (particularly in latent heat) appear to be more important for the SST variability than dynamical effects. Implications of these results for modelling and understanding low frequency climate variability in the Southern Hemisphere as well as possible links with mechanisms of decadal/interdecadal variability in the Northern Hemisphere are discussed.     

墨西哥湾波候统计特性分析

简要介绍了波候的概念,简述Ｗｅｉｂｕｌｌ分布及对数一正态分布的拟合方法,提出最大熵分布拟合有效波高、峰周期分布的新方法;选取半封闭海湾墨西哥湾内水深不同、地理位置不同的六个观测站一年的连续资料,以上述三种拟合方法对其有效波高,峰周期概率分布进行拟合,并与观测直方图进行比较检验,结果表明,在墨西哥海湾内,最大熵分布优于对数－正态分布,对数－正态分布优于Ｗｅｉｂｕｌｌ分布。     

Response of the Gulf Stream transport to characteristic high and low phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation

We investigate an ambiguity in the current understanding of the Gulf Stream (GS) transport in response to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). While some investigations (discussed herein) suggest enhanced transport during low NAO phases, other studies suggest enhanced transport in high NAO phases. NAO-induced variability in the western North Atlantic is studied by using a 1/6°-resolution basin-scale Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) model. Results indicate that the western boundary current limb of the GS, upstream of Cape Hatteras, exhibit enhanced transport during low-NAO phases. However, further downstream of Cape Hatteras, after the GS separates from the coast, diminished GS transport is seen during low-NAO phases. The converse is true for high NAO phases for both segments of the GS system. Model results show the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC), the northern recirculation gyre and the southern recirculation gyre intensify (weaken) during the high (low) NAO periods.     

Seasonality and interannual variability of freshwater inflow to a large oligohaline estuary in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Quantity, timing, duration, and fluctuation of freshwater inflow are important factors affecting the development and health of aquatic and adjacent wetland ecosystems in coastal estuaries. This study assessed six decades of freshwater inflow from the Amite River, Tickfaw River, and Tangipahoa River watersheds to Lake Pontchartrain, a large oligohaline estuary in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, whose flood waters caused recent damage to the city of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. By utilizing the long-term (1940–2002) river discharge and climatic data from the three major tributary watersheds, monthly and annual freshwater inflows have been quantified and their spatial and temporal variations have been analyzed. On average, the three rivers discharged (±standard error) 0.27 ± 0.04 km³ freshwater monthly and 3.29 ± 0.15 km³ freshwater annually into the lake estuarine system, with the highest inflow from the Amite River (0.16 ± 0.03 m³ mon⁻¹, and 1.91 ± 0.09 km³ yr⁻¹) and the lowest inflow from the Tickfaw River (0.03 ± 0.00 km³ mon⁻¹, and 0.34 ± 0.02 km³ yr⁻¹). A distinct seasonality was evident with over 69% of the total annual inflow occurring during December and May (wet months) and with a low flow period from August to November (dry months). The monthly inflow during the wet months was positively correlated with the monthly precipitation (r² = 0.64), while the monthly inflow during the dry months was subject to evapotranspiration. Furthermore, the study found a 20-year low flow period from 1954–1973 (2.76 ± 0.24 km³ yr⁻¹) and a 24-year high flow period from 1975–1998 (3.84 ± 0.24 km³ yr⁻¹), coinciding with both the climate variation and population growth in the watersheds.     

Spatial and temporal variability of a coarse-sand anomaly on a sandy inner shelf,northeastern Gulf of Mexico

A 10-km² area of anomalously uniform coarse sand and low relief, in 30 m water depth off Panama City, Florida, USA, exists as a palimpsest hardbottom within the prevailing sand-wave system. Side-scan sonar observations over a ten-year period document the morphologic response of the anomaly to the bottom—wave—current interaction regime. The anomaly and surrounding sand waves remained fixed during this period. Ripples form within the anomaly in response to seasonal storms and decay during quiescent periods. Hurricane response includes minor realignment of sand waves, formation of megaripples, and deposition of a thin mud layer.     

Wave climate variability in the North-East Atlantic Ocean over the last six decades

Ocean surface gravity waves play a major role in many engineering and environmental problems, both in the open ocean and in coastal zones. Therefore, it is essential to improve our knowledge on spatial and temporal variability of wave climate. This study aims at investigating this variability in the North-East Atlantic Ocean (25°W–0°W and 30°N–60° N), using a 57-year hindcast (1953–2009) obtained with a spectral wave model forced with reanalysis wind fields. The hindcast analysis reveals firstly strong seasonal fluctuations of wave climate, with winters characterized by large and long-period waves of mean direction spreading from south-west to north-west, and summers characterized by smaller and shorter-period waves originating from norther directions. From northern (55°N) to southern (35°N) latitudes, the significant wave height (Hs) decreases by roughly 40%, the mean wave direction (Mwd) rotates clockwise by about 25% while the peak period (Tp) only grows by 5%. These three parameters also exhibit a strong inter-annual variability, particularly when winter-means (from 1st of December to 1st of April) are considered. Linear trend analysis over the studied period shows spatially variable long-term trends, with a significant increase of Hs (up to 0.02 m yr^?1) and a counterclockwise shift of Mwd (up to ?0.1° yr^?1) at northern latitude, contrasting with a fairly constant trend for Hs and a clockwise shift of Mwd (up to +0.15° yr^?1) at southern latitudes. Long-term trends of Tp are less significant, with still a slight increase in the north-eastern part of the study area (up to +0.01 s yr^?1). Eventually, a comparison between the inter-annual variability of the winter-means of the three selected wave parameters and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) reveals: (1) a strong positive correlation between Hs and the NAO index at northern latitudes (correlation coefficient up to R = 0.91) and a significant negative correlation at southern latitudes (up to R = ?0.6); (2) no significant correlation for Mwd north of 40°N and a clear positive correlation southward of 40°N (up to R = 0.8) and (3) a northward increasing correlation for Tp (up to R = 0.8). Long-term trends for Hs, Mwd and Tp are finally explained by a significant increase in the NAO index over the studied period.     

The Continuous Plankton Recorder survey and the North Atlantic Oscillation: Interannual- to Multidecadal-scale patterns of phytoplankton variability in the North Atlantic Ocean

At interannual to multidecadal time scales, much of the oceanographic and climatic variability in the North Atlantic Ocean can be associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). While evidence suggests that there is a relationship between the NAO and zooplankton dynamics in the North Atlantic Ocean, the phytoplankton response to NAO-induced changes in the environment is less clear. Time series of monthly mean phytoplankton colour values, as compiled by the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) survey, are analysed to infer relationships between the NAO and phytoplankton dynamics throughout the North Atlantic Ocean. While a few areas display highly significant (p < 0.05) trends in the CPR colour time series during the period 1948–2000, nominally significant (p < 0.20) positive trends are widespread across the basin, particularly on the continental shelves and in a transition zone stretching across the Central North Atlantic. When long-term trends are removed from both the NAO index and CPR colour time series, the correlation between them ceases to be significant. Several hypotheses are proposed to explain the observed variability in the CPR colour and its relationship with climate in the North Atlantic.     

Short-term environmental variability in cold-water coral habitat at Viosca Knoll,Gulf of Mexico

The Lophelia pertusa community at Viosca Knoll (VK826) is the most extensive found to date in the Gulf of Mexico. As part of a multi-disciplinary study, the physical setting of this area was described using benthic landers, CTD transects and remotely operated vehicle observations. The site was broadly characterised into three main habitats: (1) dense coral cover that resembles biogenic reef complexes, (2) areas of sediment, and (3) authigenic carbonate blocks with sparse coral and chemosynthetic communities. The coral communities were dominated by L. pertusa but also contained numerous solitary coral species. Over areas that contained L. pertusa, the environmental conditions recorded were similar to those associated with communities in the north-eastern Atlantic, with temperature (8.5–10.6 °C) and salinity (～35) falling within the known species niche for L. pertusa. However, dissolved oxygen concentrations (2.7–2.8 ml l^?1) and density (σ_Θ, 27.1–27.2 kg m^?3) were lower and mass fluxes from sediment trap data appeared much higher (4002–4192 mg m^?2 d^?1). Yet, this species still appears to thrive in this region, suggesting that L. pertusa may not be as limited by lower dissolved oxygen concentrations as previously thought. The VK826 site experienced sustained eastward water flow of 10–30 cm s^?1 over the 5-day measurement period but was also subjected to significant short-term variability in current velocity and direction. In addition, two processes were observed that caused variability in salinity and temperature; the first was consistent with internal waves that caused temperature variations of 0.8 °C over 5–11 h periods. The second was high-frequency variability (20–30 min periods) in temperature recorded only at the ALBEX site. A further pattern observed over the coral habitat was the presence of a 24 h diel vertical migration of zooplankton that may form part of a food chain that eventually reaches the corals. The majority of detailed studies concerning local environmental conditions in L. pertusa habitats have been conducted within the north-eastern Atlantic, limiting most knowledge of the niche of this species to a single part of an ocean basin. Data presented here show that the corals at VK826 are subjected to similar conditions in temperature, salinity, and flow velocity as their counterparts in the north-east Atlantic, although values for dissolved oxygen and density (sigma-theta: σ_Θ) are different. Our data also highlight novel observations of short-term environmental variability in cold-water coral habitat.     

墨西哥湾陆坡区冷泉碳酸盐岩的烷烃分布特征

对墨西哥湾北部水深2200m的Alaminos Canyon645区块（AC645区）和水深540m的Green Canyon185区块（GC185区）冷泉碳酸盐岩的有机质进行了研究,结果显示深水和浅水区冷泉碳酸盐岩的有机质丰度和烷烃组成差别较大,下陆坡深水AC区样品有机质含量低,正构烷烃、萜烷、甾烷各组分的含量相对较高,正构烷烃以低碳数占绝对优势,并含有种类丰富的三环萜烷和五环三萜烷,且以17a（H）,21B（H）-藿烷为主峰碳,反映了深水区冷泉碳酸盐岩的有机质来源于细菌和低等藻类,有少量的深部油气藏有机质的渗漏输入,并受微弱的微生物作用改造。上陆坡浅水GC区样品有机质含量较高,其中正构烷烃含量较低,并且以难以分开的复杂混合物（UCM）为主,同样含有种类丰富的以17α（H）,21β（H）-降藿烷为主峰碳的三环萜烷和五环三萜烷,表明有机质主要来源于深部油气藏渗漏的有机质,并遭受了强烈的微生物降解。本文系统地研究了冷泉碳酸盐岩中正构烷烃、萜烷、甾烷的组成和分布特征,并探讨了有机质来源和冷泉渗漏的关系。