Evolution of the Cold Intermediate Layer in the Black Sea According to the Results of Assimilation of Climatic Data in the Model

We present the results of analysis of the seasonal variability of the climatic cold intermediate layer based on a complex approach with the use of series of successive changes in the hydrophysical parameters computed according to the model with assimilation of the climatic fields of temperature and salinity. We analyze some mechanisms of formation of the cold intermediate layer. It is discovered that the layer of cold waters, which is continuous after regeneration and transformation in the entire deep-water area of the sea, becomes discontinuous at the end of the year (October–November). One of the possible mechanisms responsible for the appearance of discontinuities is discussed.     

Long-Term Variations of the Thermohaline and Dynamic Characteristics of the Black Sea According to the Climatic Data on Temperature and Salinity and Their Assimilation in the Model

We compare the thermohaline and dynamic characteristics of the Black Sea reconstructed by using two versions of climatic temperature and salinity fields:old (1903–1982)and new (1903–2003). The fields are reconstructed with the help of continuous assimilation of the climatic temperature and salinity in the model. It is shown that the climatic thermohaline fields constructed with regard for the data of observations for the last 20 yr are characterized by an insignificant elevation of the halocline (pycnocline)in the winter-spring period and the elevation of the upper boundary of the cold intermediate layer in the spring-summer period. The intensity of surface geostrophic currents is greater than the same quantity computed on the basis of the old climatic data for the whole year. The horizontal currents in the sea computed according to the new climatic data are more intense. __________ Translated from Morskoi Gidrofizicheskii Zhurnal, No. 3, pp. 11–30, May–June, 2005.     

Lunar fortnightly modulation of tidal mixing near Kashevarov Bank, Sea of Okhotsk, and its impacts on biota and sea ice

Here we examine the consequences of strong tidal mixing on spatial and temporal distributions of biota and sea ice above Kashevarov Bank, Sea of Okhotsk, using data from field surveys (hydrography, pressure gauge and current meter moorings, and bio-acoustic soundings) and remote sensing (NOAA AVHRR). Fortnightly variations in the amplitude of diurnal tidal currents, primarily resulting from the K₁–O₁ interaction, are shown to dominate water motion over the bank. These currents (with maximum velocities 2 m s⁻¹) create a sharp tidally-mixed front that separates well-mixed water above the bank from stratified water along its flanks. Such mixing draws water upward from the cold dichothermal layer (100–150 m) into the surface layer, and thus serves to ventilate the intermediate layers of the Sea of Okhotsk. In summer, fortnightly modulation of the tidal mixing creates temporal variations in water column stratification, a critical factor in the joint supply of nutrients and light required to sustain phytoplankton growth. As such, chlorophyll-a and oxygen values vary in response to the fortnightly cycle, and zooplankton likewise form dense aggregations within the tidally-mixed front in response to the phytoplankton production. It is further noted that the brood cycle of dominant zooplankton species on the bank matches the fortnightly modulation of the tidal currents. In winter, tidal mixing draws relatively warm water upward from mid-depth to maintain a polynya that cyclically opens and closes in response to fortnightly variation in vertical heat flux.     

Fine vertical structure of currents and hydrological elements in the Black Sea

Data on the fine vertical structure of currents and hydrological elements in the Black Sea, obtained through the use of a hydrophysical OLT profiler, are examined. Vertical exchange coefficients are evaluated, whose distribution is characterized by the occurrence of minima in the seasonal pycnocline and main halocline, a maximum in the core of the cold intermediate layer (CIL), and relatively steady values within the 300–500 m layer. The vertical exchange coefficient values, are consistent with the data acquired through other techniques, and the profiles of this parameter vertically are more detailed.Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.     

Coupling winds to ocean surface currents over the global ocean

A Wind stress–Current Coupled System (WCCS) consisting of the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) and an improved wind stress algorithm based on Donelan et al. [Donelan, W.M., Drennan, Katsaros, K.B., 1997. The air–sea momentum flux in mixed wind sea and swell conditions. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 27, 2087–2099] is developed by using the Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF). The WCCS is applied to the global ocean to study the interactions between the wind stress and the ocean surface currents. In this study, the ocean surface current velocity is taken into consideration in the wind stress calculation and air–sea heat flux calculation. The wind stress that contains the effect of ocean surface current velocity will be used to force the HYCOM. The results indicate that the ocean surface velocity exerts an important influence on the wind stress, which, in turn, significantly affects the global ocean surface currents, air–sea heat fluxes, and the thickness of ocean surface boundary layer. Comparison with the TOGA TAO buoy data, the sea surface temperature from the wind–current coupled simulation showed noticeable improvement over the stand-alone HYCOM simulation.     

Estimation of the long-term variability of hydrophysical characteristics of the Black Sea based on the assimilation of the climatic hydrological fields L and altimetry data

To study the long-term variability of the thermohaline and dynamic characteristics of the Black Sea, we use three versions of climatic fields, namely, the fields reconstructed in the model according to the old (1903–1982) and new (1903–2003) hydrological climatic data arrays of temperature and salinity and according to the data of satellite altimetry. The analysis of the altimetry-based climatic fields confirms the distinctions (established earlier according to the old and new data arrays) in the seasonal variability of the integral characteristics of temperature and salinity and in the structures of hydrophysical fields in the sea. It is shown that, in the winter-spring season, the thermohaline fields reconstructed according to the new and altimetry data arrays are characterized by a small elevation of the halocline (pycnocline) and the upper boundary of the cold intermediate layer. In all seasons, the altimetry-based surface geostrophic currents contain numerous mesoscale eddies with different signs of rotation. Moreover, in all seasons, the Rim Current reconstructed according to the altimetry data is characterized by a narrower jet almost along the entire its length. This jet is especially intense near the coasts of West Anatolia. __________ Translated from Morskoi Gidrofizicheskii Zhurnal, No. 4, pp. 3–17, July–August, 2006.     

Influence of the dynamics of currents on the hydrophysical structure of the waters and the vertical exchange in the active layer of the Black Sea

An analysis of the data of measurements of the fine structure and microstructure fluctuations of hydrophysical fields in the upper 200-m layer of the Black Sea carried out using CTD profilers and a Baklan free falling microstructure and turbulence profiler revealed the existence of a positive correlation between the intensity of the fine structure and microstructure fluctuations and the dynamics of the currents. On the other hand, the level of the fine structure and microstructure fluctuations reflects the rate of the vertical turbulent exchange. It was shown that, in the case of the absence of the Black Sea Rim Current (BSRC) jet or clearly manifested mesoscale eddy structures, the vertical turbulent exchange in the pycnocline is weak, while, in the opposite case, it is stronger. The results obtained support the supposition that the interbasin dynamics play an important role in the maintenance of the rate of small-scale mixing in the pycnocline and halocline and provide the vertical transport of dissolved oxygen from the cold intermediate layer into the deeper layers of the sea.     

Reconstruction of the three-dimensional salinity and temperature fields of the Black Sea on the basis of satellite altimetry measurements

The methodology of joint processing of the satellite altimetry and occasional hydrological observations in the Black Sea for 1993–2012 is developed. The original technique for reconstruction of the 3D temperature and salinity fields in the deep-sea part is proposed and implemented. This technique makes it possible to identify the depths at which a contribution of adiabatic processes to the deformation of the temperature and salinity profiles of the sea is predominant. Daily-averaged 3D fields of the seawater temperature and salinity in a baroclinic layer on a regular grid are reconstructed. The evaluation of accuracy of the reconstructed temperature and salinity arrays is performed by comparing them with the data of hydrological exploration. Structures of the temperature and salinity fields are correlated naturally with topography of the altimetric level and clearly indicate the synoptic variability. Seasonal and interannual variabilities of the kinetic energy (averaged over horizons of the 63–400 m layer) of the geostrophic currents calculated using the dynamic method makes it possible to reveal a sharp increase in the kinetic energy of the currents in the winter season of 2002. A high correlation is found between the interannual variability of the ERA-Interim wind stress curl averaged over the surface of the deep sea part and the kinetic energy of the geostrophic currents in the 63–400 m layer.     

A synthesis of the circulation and hydrography of the South Aegean Sea and the Straits of the Cretan Arc (March 1994–January 1995)

Four seasonal oceanographic cruises were carried out in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, within the framework of the CEC/MAST-MTP Project PELAGOS, during 1994–1995. The surveys covered the South Aegean Sea and the adjacent open sea regions (southeastern Ionian, northwestern Levantine). Analysis of CTD data revealed that a multiscaled circulation pattern prevails in the area. It differs from the circulations detected during the 1986–87, thus indicating interannual variability. Cyclonic and anticyclonic gyres and eddies are interconnected by currents and jets variable in space and time. Most of the features are persistent, others seem transitional or recurrent. The hydrological structure is also complex and apart from the upper layer does not present basinwide any significant seasonality. Dynamical and hydrological regimes are variable in the upper and intermediate layers at the Straits of the Cretan Arc, while the deep regime seems rather constant. Topographic control is evident on the flows through the straits. The new very dense deep water mass, namely the Cretan Deep Water (CDW) and a well-defined intermediate layer of minimum temperature and salinity, the so-called Transition Mediterranean Water (TMW), consists the new important structural elements of the South Aegean Sea. The CDW outflows towards the deep and bottom layers of the Eastern Mediterranean, thus considerably contributing to the formation of the new, denser Deep and Bottom Water of the Eastern Mediterranean, which sinks and displaces the Eastern Mediterranean Deep Water of Adriatic origin in the adjacent sea regions outside the Aegean Sea.     

Study of formation process of cold intermediate layer based on reanalysis of Black Sea hydrophysical fields for 1971–1993

A reanalysis of hydrophysical fields for 1971–1993 is used to study the formation mechanisms of the cold intermediate layer (CIL): the advective mechanism (associated with the advection of cold waters formed in the northwestern shelf (NWS)) and the convective mechanism (caused by wintertime convection inside cyclonic gyres in the central part of the sea). We consider the periods of alternating atmospheric conditions: the mild winter of 1980–1981, normal winter of 1987–1988, and cold winter of 1992–1993. Interannual features of replenishment and renewal of “old” CIL waters caused by these mechanisms are identified. In particular, cooled shelf waters sink along the continental slope and merge with “old” CIL waters during the mild winter of 1980–1981 more than 1 month later than during the cold winter 1992–1993 and more than 3 weeks later than during the normal winter of 1987–1988. The Sevastopol anticyclonic gyre and the northwest branch of the Black Sea Rim Current markedly influence the transformation of entrained cold NWS waters transported to the southwest and the central part of the water area. The local formation process of cold intermediate waters is found to be caused by the wintertime penetrating convection over domelike isosurfaces of temperature and salinity arising due to rising constant halocline (pycnocline) at the centers of cyclonic gyres because of the intensification of the wintertime circulation. Anomalously cold surface water, characterized by increased density, gradually sinks. An analysis of TS indices indicates that the transformed cold water spreads out over isopycnic surfaces with time, being entrained in cyclonic circulation and spreading throughout the sea, thus renewing “old” CIL waters.     

Seasonal and interannual variability of Black Sea hydrophysical fields reconstructed from 1971–1993 reanalysis data

We pioneered a retrospective analysis of Black Sea hydrophysical fields for the period from 1971 to 1993. We describe a reanalysis algorithm based on the assimilation (in a σ-coordinate circulation model) of observed temperature and salinity data obtained on hydrophysical test areas. The thickness of the cold intermediate layer (CIL) and its freezing capacity for 1985 to 1993 were found to be increasing. At the levels of 0, 50, 75, and 100 m, the tendency of variations in annual values of level-averaged temperature is negative. At the level of 200 m and deeper, the linear trends of the interannual course of temperature are positive. We found that the linear trends of interannual variations in salinity are negative in the upper layer of 0 to 50 m and positive at 75 m and deeper. The sea-water circulation in the layer from 0 to 300 m was observed to be maximum in February–March and minimum in September–October. The characteristic of the linear trend of interannual variations in the kinetic energy of currents averaged over the sea surface is negative, while its value is positive in the layer from 50 to 100 m. Some factors responsible for the formation of hydrophysical fields in the sea and their seasonal and interannual variations were indicated. We revealed that there is a qualitative resemblance between seasonal and interannual variations [4, 26] in temperature, salinity, and kinetic energy.     

A numerical study of sea level and current responses to Hurricane Frederic using a coastal ocean model for the Gulf of Mexico

A three-dimensional, nonlinear, primitive equation ocean general circulation model is used to study the response of the Gulf of Mexico to Hurricane Frederic. The model has free surface dynamics and a second order turbulence closure scheme for the mixed layer. Realistic coastlines, bottom topography and open boundary conditions are used in the study. The model has a vertical sigma coordinate with 18 levels, and a horizontal resolution of 0.2°×0.2° for the entire Gulf. The study focuses on hurricane generated sea level, current, and coastally trapped wave (CTW) responses of the Gulf. Time series of sea levels from U.S. coastal tide gauge stations and the numerical model simulation of sea levels and currents on the shelf are used to study sea level, current and CTW responses. Both model sea levels and observations from tide gauge stations show a westward progression of the surge as a CTW response. The results of the study of sea levels and currents indicate that CTW propagate to the west with phase speeds of 7–10 m s^–1. There is also a strong nonlinear interaction between the Loop Current and hurricane induced currents. The surface current attains a maximum of 200 cm s^–1 in the eastern Gulf. The model surface elevation at several locations is compared with tide gauge data. The current meter data at three moorings are also compared with the model currents. The model simulations show good agreement with observed data for the hurricane induced coastally trapped wave, storm surge, and current distribution in the Gulf.     

Altimeter-derived surface circulation in the large-scale NE Pacific Gyres. : Part 2: 1997–1998 El Niño anomalies

Changes in the sea surface heights (SSH) and geostrophic transports in the NE Pacific are examined during the 1997–1998 El Niño using altimeter data, sea level pressure (SLP) fields, proxy winds and satellite sea surface temperature (SST). Most of the signal occurs along the boundaries of the basin from Panama to the Alaska Peninsula. Changes in the SSH and alongshore transports along the boundaries are caused both by propagation of signals from the south (stronger between the equator and the Gulf of California) and by local and basin-scale winds (stronger between the Pacific Northwest and the Alaska Peninsula). Two periods of high SSH occur at the equator, May–July 1997 and October 1997–January 1998. The first coastal SSH signal moved quickly polewards to approximately 24°N in early June, then stalled and moved farther north during transient events in July–September. Large-scale wind forcing combined with the equatorial signals during the second period of high equatorial SSH (Fall 1997) to move the high SSH and poleward transports quickly around the Alaska Gyre. A connection between the boundary currents and the interior North Pacific developed as part of the large-scale response to the basin-scale winds, after changes in the boundaries. Decreases in anomalies of SSH and poleward transports began in January 1998 south of 40°N and in February 1998 farther north.     

Peculiarities of the formation of the cold intermediate layer in Black Sea regions with various dynamic conditions

Hydrological surveys made in 1984–1985 are analysed. In most of the water area the core of the cold intermediate layer (CIL) lies below the critical depth of convection. This reveals the advective nature of the CIL in these regions. Non-linear one-dimensional models provided values of the depth and temperature of the CIL which are close to the real values only in regions of maximum cooling. The hydrodynamic model of the temperature anomaly evolution which can arise in the cyclonic circulation zone confirms the local nature of the anomaly effect. During the last decades, the CIL depth was shallower, but this effect exists only in the outlying areas of the sea.UDK 551.465.41(262.5).Translated by Mikhail M. Trufanov.     

Water mass formation variability in the intermediate layer of the east sea

Long-term variability in the intermediate layer of the eastern Japan Basin has been investigated to understand the variability of water mass formation in the East Sea. The simultaneous decrease of temperature at shallower depths and oxygen increasing at deeper depths in the intermediate layer took place in the late 1960’s and the mid-1980’s. Records of winter sea surface temperatures and air temperatures showed that there were cold winters that persisted for several years during those periods. Therefore, it was assumed that a large amount of newly-formed water was supplied to the intermediate layer during those cold winters. Close analysis suggests that the formation of the Upper Portion of Proper Water occurred in the late 1960’s and the Central Water in the mid-1980’s.     

Coastal upwelling and downwelling events in the Seto Inland Sea

Prominent coastal upwelling and downwelling events due to Ekman transport were observed during the period from 14 to 18 August 1983 along the Misaki Peninsula in the Seto Inland Sea, Japan. The coastline of the Misaki Peninsula is aligned approximately in an ENE-WSW direction. When an ENE wind continued blowing for about two days, the warm water in the upper layer was pushed offshore and cold water in the lower layer upwelled along the peninsula. The estimated upwelling speed 3 m below the sea surface was 0.032 cm sec^–1. On the other hand, when a WSW wind continued blowing for about two days the warm water in the upper layer sank into the lower layer along the peninsula. The estimated downwelling speed 3 m below the sea surface was 0.080 cm sec^–1. The time lag between the variations of the alongshore wind and offshore current was about 0.5 days.     

The 1997–1998 oceanic El Niño signal along the southeast and northeast Pacific boundaries—an altimetric view

Changes in the sea surface heights (SSH) and geostrophic currents along the eastern boundaries of the Pacific (North, Central and South America) are examined during the 1997–1998 El Niño using altimeter data and proxy winds. These show that ‘symmetric’ SSH signals left the equator and propagated into both Hemispheres in two episodes, with primary periods of high equatorial SSH during May–July and October–December 1997. These are the ‘distant signals’ from the mid-latitude perspective. As the signals spread poleward in each Hemisphere, their loss of symmetry demonstrates the degree to which they were altered by topographic features, local winds, and/or local currents. The first four EOFs are calculated for 2-D SSH fields in 10° wide strips along the eastern margins (60°N–60°S) and extending out along the equator from the coast to 110°W. These account for approximately 40% of the overall variability and represent the main features of the seasonal cycles and El Niño interannual variability. Snapshots of the 2-D SSH fields depict the structure of the El Niño signal at different phases of its evolution.     

东海西北部中层冷水垂直热结构数值预报方法研究 Ⅱ.三维数值预报模式

根据含中层冷水海洋垂直热结构的特征,将其分为4层,并考虑来自海面的热力和动力强迫因子、水层界面剪切应力和卷挟热交换、热平流、混合及地形影响等条件下,从原始动量、连续方程组及热传导方程出发,对整个海洋和各水层分别进行垂向积分,导出相应的描述风生界面起伏、各水层平均流场和温度场的闭合方程组.当解得各水层的平均温度场T_k(k=1,2,3,4)后,根据Tk与对应水层界面特征温度间的关系获得后者,最后通过水温剖面表达式获得含中层冷水海洋的三维热结构.为了检验本模式的功能,以时效为5d试报了5月15日研究海域的三维热结构,并将试报结果与实测值进行了比较.结果表明,试报水温的均绝误差为025℃,效果令人满意.     

Generation of internal waves in the sea by local perturbations of wind and density flows on the surface

On the basis of a nonlinear model taking into account viscosity, density diffusion, and currents, we perform the numerical analysis of propagation of perturbations formed in the abyssal part of the Black Sea as a result of the action of tangential wind stresses or density flows in the form of a strip on the sea surface. It is shown that, in the course of time, in the region of the bottom slope, these perturbations generate a train of waves in the sea, which causes oscillations of the fields of density and currents. There are some differences between the generation of internal waves by the flows of density and the wind. Unlike the wind action, in the presence of flows of density in the upper layer in the region of the strip, the initial period of generation is characterized by the formation of intense perturbations without train structure. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev