Analysis of the possibilities of aGALS-3 hydrophysical towed complex

We describe the characteristics of a towed complex used for measurements in the upper layer of the ocean under the conditions of periodic deepening and lifting (scanning) of a carrier with sensors connected with the ship by a weight-carrying cable of constant lengt. For a maximum scanning range of 0–200 m and a towing speed of up to 12 knots, the measurements were performed every 1.5–2.0 km. The minimum vertical scale of recorded temperature and conductivity inhomogeneities is 0.05–0.08 m. We present the results of measurements carried out by the towed complex in a section of the frontal zone in the north-east part of the Tropical Atlantic. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Time variability of technogenic radioactivity in the Black and Mediterranean Seas

We analyse the time variability of the fields of Cs-137 concentration in the surface waters of the Black and Mediterranean Seas in 1986–1998. It is shown that more contaminated Black-Sea waters affect the levels of concentration of this radionuclide in the east part of the Mediterranean Sea. We also study the influence of atmospheric processes and water exchange through Bosporus on the radioecological situation in the east part of the Mediterranean Sea and its coastal area. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Formation of a circulation in the quasiisopycnic model of the Black Sea taking into account the stochastic nature of the wind stress

We discuss the results of numerical experiments carried out within the framework of a new version of the quasiisopycnic model of the Black Sea [1, 2]. We take into account the stochasticity of the wind stress, vertical shift of the flow velocity in the upper quasihomogeneous layer, and diapycnic mixing. We generalize the procedure of “convective adjustment,” which enables us to consider the propagation and transformation of waters of the Sea of Marmara. It is shown that the consideration of these factors enables one to determine the structure and seasonal variability of hydrothermodynamic fields in the sea more correctly. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Thermohaline characteristics of large-scale irregularities and frontal zones of the Tropical Atlantic

We determine the zones of maximum horizontal gradients of thermohaline characteristics and climatic frontal zones in the Tropical Atlantic and their behavior as functions of time and spatial variables on the basis of the climatic array of data on temperature and salinity. It is shown that the zones, where the maximum horizontal temperature, salinity, and density gradients coincide, are located in the northern and southern tropical frontal zones. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Manifestations of water dynamics in the coastal zone in the field of breaking of wind waves

In the coastal zone, as a result of mixing of waters, it is difficult to identify turbulent phenomena with a spatial scale of 0.1–1 km accompanied by strong vertical flows according to the data of measuring temperature. On the basis of the data of direct measurements, it is shown that turbulent structures are well pronounced in the field of breaking of wind waves. We deduce empirical estimates of the response of the intensity of wave breaking to the magnitude of divergence of the current and develop a theoretical model of the influence of inhomogeneities of currents on wave breaking capable of describing the experimental data. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Turbulence in the ocean: Development of investigations, evolution of ideas, and prospects

We present an analytic survey of a series of works devoted to the direct methods for the investigation of turbulence in natural basins originated under the guidance of A. G. Kolesnikov in the 50s. We describe the principal results of the early stage which formed the basis for future investigations. The main scientific directions of the latest period are also considered from the viewpoint of the development of Kolesnikov's ideas: investigation of the processes of generation and energy supply of small-scale turbulence, relationship between turbulence and the fine vertical structure and internal waves, and the mechanisms of vertical turbulent exchange in the ocean. A model of vertical exchange under the conditions of intermittent “source” turbulence is distinguished. We also discuss the directions of development and prospects of the investigation of turbulence. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Interannual and seasonal variability of hydrometeorological fields in some regions of the Atlantic-European sector as a manifestation of the abnormal behaviour of the North-Atlantic Oscillation

We study the interannual and seasonal variability of hydrometeorological fields in some regions of the Atlantic-European sector. These low-frequency processes are analyzed depending on the index ΔP (an analog of the index of the North-Atlantic Oscillation). It is shown that the average value of the index ΔP over the winter natural synoptic season can be used for the determination of stable locations of the centre of the Azorean maximum in 1971–1980 and 1981–1990, the typical state of cloudiness in the Atlantic-European sector, and the fields of precipitations and atmospheric temperature in some regions of the Crimea. Typical anomalies of the fields of precipitations and atmospheric temperature over the west and south coasts of the Crimea are described. The signs of the anomalies of precipitations in the winter natural synoptic season are in good agreement with the signs of the corresponding anomalies of the field of cloudiness in the Black-Sea region. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Boundary layers and turbulence

We analyze the results of investigation of turbulent boundary layers typical of geophysical objects. It is shown that boundary layers of various nature are self-regulating sustems characterized by relatively slow evolutionary processes of formation accompanied by the growth of instabilities of different types and then replaced by the rapid development of instabilities and destruction of the boundary layers. This cycle is repeated with a certain quasiregular frequency. The destruction of the boundary layer is accompanied by the ejection of turbulent structures whose parameters are characterized by stable experimentally reproducible mean values. This mechanism is responsible for the process of exchange in the boundary layers. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Long-term variations of the location of the upper boundary of the hydrogen-sulphide zone in the Black Sea

We analyze the dependence of climatic variations of the location of the upper boundary of the hydrogen-sulphide zone in the Black Sea on the variations of the sea level and various types of atmospheric circulation (according to A.A. Girs). It is discovered that the level of correlation between the indicated parameters is high and that the corresponding plots are in good qualitative agreement. The accumulated results enable us to make an assumption that there exists an 80–100-yr cycle of variation of all analyzed parameters and that the long-term variations of the location of the upper boundary of the hydrogen-sulphide zone can be regarded as a manifestation of global climatic variations. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Evaluation of the influence of surface films on short wind waves and the characteristics of the boundary layer of the atmosphere

With the help of a combined model of wind and waves, we study the influence of films of surfactants on the spectrum of short wind waves and the parameters of the lowest layer of the atmosphere. It is shown that the films of surfactants decrease the roughness of the sea surface as a result of suppression of short wind waves, which decreases the coefficient of resistance of the sea surface and the coefficient of turbulent heat exchange. The maximum influence of films on the exchange coefficients is attained forU∼10 m/s. In this case, the relative decrements of the coefficients of resistance and turbulent heat exchange are equal to 15 and 9%, respectively. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev UDC 551.46     

Space structure of the climatic discharge frontal zone of the Amazon

On the basis of the data array of many-year average seasonal values of temperature and salinity represented for a one-degree scale of averaging, by using a quantitative criterion, we select the climatic discharge frontal zone of the Amazon, determine its physical and hydrological characteristics: length, width, thickness of the frontal layer, temperature, salinity, and density gradients, and specify its geographical coordinates. We also describe the many-year average interseasonal variability of these characteristics. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Submarine springs of fresh water in the region from Cape Feolent to Cape Sarych

We performed a search for local coastal submarine springs of fresh water in the region from Cape Feolent to Cape Sarych (down to an isobath of 40m). Stable submarine springs of brackish water with the minimum salinity of 5.5‰ and the minimum total output of 30,000 m³/day were discovered only near the west wall of Cape Aiya. It is shown that brackish waters discharging from these springs spread over the sea surface in the form of a thin layer (up to 1 m in thickness) characterized by lower salinity, higher transparency, and an elevated content of silicic acid. We make a conjecture that the appearance of 2–3-m-thick layers of water with higher transparency and lower salinity at depths of 5–8 m is explained by the discharge of unknown bottom springs of underground fresh water. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Evaluation of the submarine discharge of karst waters in the region of Cape Aiya

For the submarine springs of underground water located in the karst cavities of Cape Aiya, we suggest a solution based on the modification of the model of flow rate of water and application of the formulas of mixing. We also give methodical recommendations helpful for the reliable determination of empirical parameters under thein situ conditions. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Seasonal and spatial variability of the content of suspended organic substances in the active layer of the Black Sea

On the basis of the generalized data of multiannual observations (1985–1994), we analyze the seasonal variability of the vertical and spatial distributions and composition (C_sos, N_sos, C_sos/cha, and C/N) of suspended organic substances (SOS) in the shelf zone and in the upper active layer of the abyssal part of the Black Sea. The results of our analysis enable us to conclude that only a narrow coastal band of the shelf in the northwest and west parts of the sea suffers to an extremely pronounced anthropogenic impact, which manifests itself in a significant increase in the mass of suspended organic substances. The formation of new organic substances and, hence, the mass of suspended organic substances in these regions attain the level of eutrophic waters in the late-spring and summer periods. In the open-sea region, the anthropogenic impact is less pronounced and the spatial distribution of suspended organic substances is determined by the general dynamics of waters and the intensity of phytoplankton production. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

A model of the evolution of vertical thermohaline inhomogeneities of an oceanic thermocline taking into account the effects of double diffusion

We construct a numerical model of the evolution of the structure of an oceanic thermocline in the presence of “salt-finger” convection. The model explains the formation of a piecewise homogeneous vertical structure of the temperature and salinity fields in the ocean. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Spatial structure of the southern polar frontal zone of the Atlantic Ocean

On the basis of the many-year-average seasonal data array of temperature and salinity presented on a scale of one-degree averaging, by using a special quantitative criterion, we reveal a climatic frontal zone and determine both its physical and hydrological characteristics (such as the length width, and thickness of the frontal layer and the temperature, salinity, and density gradients) and its geographic coordinates. The many-year average seasonal variability of these characteristics is analyzed. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Adaptive numerical analysis of current velocities in the shelf zone within the framework of a quasiisopycnic model

We propose a method for the adaptive numerical analysis of current velocities in a basin including a shelf zone and having a lengthy open boundary with the sea, at which the current velocity is not given. This method is based on a multilayer quasiisopycnic model. We use an approach according to which one introduces additional terms of the source type into the equations of heat and salt transfer and the equation of evolution of the thicknesses of layers. We describe the results of calculations of the current velocities in the northwest part of the Black Sea in June on the basis of climatic data. We also analyse specific features of thermohaline and dynamic structure of waters. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Analysis of the surface circulation in the Black Sea performed by using drifting buoys with satellite communications

We present the results of drift experiments with 14LOBAN-TM buoys carried out for the first time in the Black Sea in 1987–1997. We analyze the specific features of application of buoys in summer and winter. We present the main results of investigation of the Main Black Sea Current by drift methods and joint processing of drift contact and remote infrared observations. We demonstrate the possibility of enhancement of the quality of observations due to the application of SVPB drifters of new generation equipped with underwater sails and meters of atmospheric pressure in the near-surface atmospheric layer. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

Spectrophotometric and iodometric methods for the detection of hydrogen sulfide in the Black Sea: Comparison of the results of analysis

We discuss the results of analysis of published data and field and laboratory investigations aimed at the solution of the problem of comparabilityof the results of detection of hydrogen sulfide in the Black Sea by spectrophotometric and iodometric methods. We show that the reproducibility of the results of spectrophotometric analysis is higher than hat of the iodometric method only in the case where the content of sulfide in a sample is less than 10–30 μMl⁻¹. When larger concentrations are involved, the traditional iodometric analysis proves to be the most precise and reliable method for the detection of hydrogen sulfide in the Black-Sea waters. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev