Sources and transformations of nitrogen in the South China Sea: insights from nitrogen isotopes

To elucidate the sources and transformations of nitrogen in the South China Sea (SCS), the nitrogen isotopic composition of nitrate (\({\updelta }^{ 1 5} {\text{N}}_{{{\text{NO}}_{ 3} }}\)) was measured in seawater samples from the water column of this marginal sea and the adjacent western North Pacific Ocean (WNP). Comparison of the isotopic signatures from these two locations suggests that the main source of nitrogen into the SCS was nitrate that entered from the WNP through the Luzon Strait. Values of \({\updelta }^{ 1 5} {\text{N}}_{{{\text{NO}}_{ 3} }}\) were generally lower in the SCS than in the WNP, and the \({\updelta }^{ 1 5} {\text{N}}_{{{\text{NO}}_{ 3} }}\) maximum observed in the SCS intermediate water was lower than the corresponding WNP maximum. This pattern is attributed to mixing within the SCS in combination with the outflow of SCS intermediate water to the WNP. A mass balance model indicates that atmospherically derived N (a combined input of new nitrogen from marine N₂ fixation and atmospheric deposition) supplied approximately 6% of the particulate nitrogen exported from the euphotic zone to the deep SCS. This supply of isotopically light nitrogen cannot, however, explain the low and downward-decreasing δ¹⁵N that has been previously observed in sinking particles of the deep SCS. We propose that an alternative explanation might be a downward-increasing ratio of isotopically light NH₄ ⁺-N to organic N due to the degradation of organic N within the sinking particles (i.e., relative enrichment of the NH₄ ⁺) and also particle incorporation of excreted ammonium from zooplankton.     

Wave friction factor rediscovered

The wave friction factor is commonly expressed as a function of the horizontal water particle semi-excursion (A _wb) at the top of the boundary layer. A _wb, in turn, is normally derived from linear wave theory by \fracU_\textwbT_\textw2p \frac{{{U_{\text{wb}}}{T_{\text{w}}}}}{{2\pi }} , where U _wb is the maximum water particle velocity measured at the top of the boundary layer and T _w is the wave period. However, it is shown here that A _wb determined in this way deviates drastically from its real value under both linear and non-linear waves. Three equations for smooth, transitional and rough boundary conditions, respectively, are proposed to solve this problem, all three being a function of U _wb, T _w, and δ, the thickness of the boundary layer. Because these variables can be determined theoretically for any bottom slope and water depth using the deepwater wave conditions, there is no need to physically measure them. Although differing substantially from many modern attempts to define the wave friction factor, the results coincide with equations proposed in the 1960s for either smooth or rough boundary conditions. The findings also confirm that the long-held notion of circular water particle motion down to the bottom in deepwater conditions is erroneous, the motion in fact being circular at the surface and elliptical at depth in both deep and shallow water conditions, with only horizontal motion at the top of the boundary layer. The new equations are incorporated in an updated version (WAVECALC II) of the Excel program published earlier in this journal by Le Roux et al. Geo-Mar Lett 30(5): 549–560, (2010).     

Characterizing air–sea CO2 exchange dynamics during winter in the coastal water off the Hugli-Matla estuarine system in the northern Bay of Bengal, India

The distribution of the fugacity of CO₂ ( $ f_{{{\text{CO}}_{ 2} }} $ ) and air–sea CO₂ exchange were comprehensively investigated in the outer estuary to offshore shallow water region (lying adjacent to the Sundarban mangrove forest) covering an area of ~2,000 km² in the northern Bay of Bengal during the winter. A total of ten sampling surveys were conducted between 1 December, 2011 and 21 February, 2012. Physico-chemical variables like sea surface temperature (SST), salinity, pH, total alkalinity (TAlk), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and in vivo chlorophyll-a along with atmospheric variables were measured in order to study their role in controlling the CO₂ flux. Surface water $ f_{{{\text{CO}}_{ 2} }} $ ranged between 111 and 459 μatm which correlated significantly with the SST (r = 0.71, p < 0.001, n = 62). Neither DIC nor TAlk showed any linear relationship with varying salinity in the estuarine mixing zone, demonstrating the significant presence of non-carbonate alkalinity. An overall net biological control on the surface $ f_{{{\text{CO}}_{ 2} }} $ distribution was established during the study, although no significant correlation was found between chlorophyll-a and $ f_{{{\text{CO}}_{ 2} }} $ (water). The shallow water region studied was mostly under-saturated with CO₂ and acted as a sink for atmospheric CO₂. The difference between surface water and atmospheric $ f_{{{\text{CO}}_{ 2} }} $ ( $ \Updelta f_{{{\text{CO}}_{ 2} }} $ ) ranged from ?274 to 69 μatm, with an average seaward flux of ?10.5 ± 12.6 μmol m^?2 h^?1. The $ \Updelta f_{{{\text{CO}}_{ 2} }} $ and hence the air–sea CO₂ exchange was primarily regulated by the variation in sea surface $ f_{{{\text{CO}}_{ 2} }} $ , since atmospheric $ f_{{{\text{CO}}_{ 2} }} $ varied over a comparatively narrow range of 361.23–399.05 μatm.     

Nutricline shoaling in the eastern Pacific warm pool during the last two glacial maxima

Isoprenoid glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) and alkenones were analyzed in sediment samples retrieved from Ocean Drilling Program Site 1241 covering the last 150000 years to understand the hydrological evolution of the eastern Pacific warm pool (EPWP). GDGT and alkenone concentrations showed higher values in marine isotope stage (MIS)-2 and MIS-6, which suggests the enhancement of primary production at glacial maxima. $ {\text{TEX}}_{86}^{\text{H}} $ - and $ U_{ 3 7^\prime }^{\text{K}} $ -derived temperature depicted different temperature evolutions. $ U_{ 3 7^\prime }^{\text{K}} $ -derived temperature was marked by small variation during the glacial–interglacial cycles, whereas $ {\text{TEX}}_{86}^{\text{H}} $ -derived temperature showed pronounced glacial–interglacial variation that was similar to Mg/Ca-derived temperature records from nearby cores in the EPWP. Given that enhanced primary production during glacial maxima suggests nutricline shoaling, unchanged $ U_{ 3 7^\prime }^{\text{K}} $ over glacial–interglacial cycles can be interpreted as the shift of alkenone production depth. $ {\text{TEX}}_{86}^{\text{H}} $ seems not to be influenced by glacial–interglacial changes in nutricline depths, recording an integrated temperature in surface and thermocline water. The shallow nutricline in the EPWP during glacial maxima most likely reflected the intense formation of Antarctic intermediate water.     

Distribution of glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers, alkenones and polyunsaturated fatty acids in suspended particulate organic matter in the East China Sea

We investigated the spatial distribution of glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs), alkenones, and polyunsaturated fatty acids in particulate organic matter collected at four sites along a depth transect from the continental shelf to the Okinawa Trough in the East China Sea during the spring bloom in 2008. The maximum alkenone concentration appeared in the top 25?m at all sites and the $ U_{37}^{{{\text{K}}'}} $ values were consistent with in situ water temperatures in the depth interval, suggesting that the alkenones were produced mainly in surface water. At the slope and shelf sites, GDGTs in the water column showed a concentration maximum at 74?C99?m depth, and the $ {\text{TEX}}_{86}^{\text{H}} $ agreed with in situ water temperatures, suggesting the in situ production of GDGTs in the depth interval. The low-salinity surface water above 20?m depth was characterized by low GDGT concentrations and low $ {\text{TEX}}_{86}^{\text{L}} $ -based temperatures, suggesting either the production of GDGTs in winter season or the lateral advection of GDGTs by an eastward current. At the slope and Okinawa Trough sites, TEX₈₆-based temperatures were nearly constant in the water column deeper than 300?m and corresponded to temperatures at the surface and near-surface waters rather than in situ temperatures. This observation is consistent with a hypothesis that Thaumarchaeota cells produced in surface waters are delivered to deeper water and also indicates that the residence time of suspended GDGTs in the deep-water column is large enough to mix the GDGTs produced in different seasons.     

In-water algorithms for ADEOS/OCTS

In-water algorithms for OCTS standard products were developed using in situ data and installed for operationally processing at NASDA/EOC. This paper describes the in-water algorithms Version 1.0 for chlorophylla concentration, pigment concentration, and attenuation coefficient at a wavelength of 490 nm. The selected OCTS standard algorithms (Ver. 1.0) are as follows:      

The self-thinning exponent in overcrowded stands of the mangrove, Kandelia obovata, on Okinawa Island, Japan

Weller??s allometric model assumes that the allometric relationships of mean area occupied by a tree $ \bar{s} $ , i.e., the reciprocal of population density $ \rho $ , $ \bar{s}\left( { = {1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 {\rho = g_{\varphi } \cdot \bar{w}^{\varphi } }}} \right. \kern-0em} {\rho = g_{\varphi } \cdot \bar{w}^{\varphi } }}} \right) $ , mean tree height $ \bar{H}\left( { = g_{\theta } \cdot \bar{w}^{\theta } } \right) $ , and mean aboveground mass density $ \bar{d}\left( { = g_{\delta } \cdot \bar{w}^{\delta } } \right) $ to mean aboveground mass $ \bar{w} $ hold. Using the model, the self-thinning line $ \left( {\bar{w} = K \cdot \rho^{ - \alpha } } \right) $ of overcrowded Kandelia obovata stands in Okinawa, Japan, was studied over 8?years. Mean tree height increased with increasing $ \bar{w} $ . The values of the allometric constant $ \theta $ and the multiplying factor $ g_{\theta } $ are 0.3857 and 2.157?m?kg^???, respectively. The allometric constant $ \delta $ and the multiplying factor $ g_{\delta } $ are ?0.01673 and 2.685?m^?3?kg^1???, respectively. The $ \delta $ value was not significantly different from zero, showing that $ \bar{d} $ remains constant regardless of any increase in $ \bar{w} $ . The average of $ \bar{d} $ , i.e., biomass density $ \left( {{{\bar{w} \cdot \rho } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\bar{w} \cdot \rho } {\bar{H}}}} \right. \kern-0em} {\bar{H}}}} \right) $ , was 2.641?±?0.022?kg?m^?3, which was considerably higher than 1.3?C1.5?kg?m^?3 of most terrestrial forests. The self-thinning exponent $ \alpha \left( { = {1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 {\varphi = }}} \right. \kern-0em} {\varphi = }}{1 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {1 {\left\{ {1 - \left( {\theta + \delta } \right)} \right\}}}} \right. \kern-0em} {\left\{ {1 - \left( {\theta + \delta } \right)} \right\}}}} \right) $ and the multiplying factor $ K\left( { = \left( {g_{\theta } \cdot g_{\delta } } \right)^{\alpha } } \right) $ were estimated to be 1.585 and 16.18?kg?m^?2??, respectively. The estimators $ \theta $ and $ \delta $ are dependent on each other. Therefore, the observed value of $ \theta + \delta $ cannot be used for the test of the hypothesis that the expectation of the estimator $ \theta + \delta $ equals 1/3, i.e., $ \alpha = {3 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {3 2}} \right. \kern-0em} 2} $ , or 1/4, i.e., $ \alpha = {4 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {4 3}} \right. \kern-0em} 3} $ . The $ \varphi $ value was 0.6310, which is the same as the reciprocal of the self-thinning exponent of 1.585, and was not significantly different from 2/3 (t?=?1.860, df?=?191, p?=?0.06429), i.e., $ \alpha = {3 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {3 2}} \right. \kern-0em} 2} $ . Thus the self-thinning exponent is not significantly different from 3/2 based on the simple geometric model. On the other hand, the self-thinning exponent was significantly different from 3/4 (t?=?6.213, df?=?191, p?=?3.182?×?10^?9), i.e., $ \alpha = {4 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {4 3}} \right. \kern-0em} 3} $ . Therefore, the self-thinning exponent is significantly different from 4/3 based on the metabolic model.     

Improvement of sand activation depth prediction under conditions of oblique wave breaking

This study presents sand activation depth (SAD) measurements recently obtained on two contrasting beaches located along the Atlantic coast of France: the gently sloping, high-energy St Trojan beach where wave incidence is usually weak, and the steep, low-energy Arçay Sandspit beach where waves break at highly oblique angles. Comparisons between field measurements and predictions from existing formulae show good agreement for St Trojan beach but underestimate the SAD on the Arçay Sandspit beach by 40–60%. Such differences suggest a strong influence of wave obliquity on SAD. To verify this hypothesis, the relative influence of wave parameters was investigated by means of numerical modelling. A quasi-linear increase of SAD with wave height was confirmed for shore-normal and slightly oblique wave conditions, and a quasi-linear increase in SAD with wave obliquity was also revealed. Combining the numerical results with previously published relations, both a new semi-empirical and an empirical formula for the prediction of SAD were developed which showed good SAD predictions under conditions of oblique wave breaking. The new empirical formula for the prediction of SAD (Z ₀) takes into account the significant wave height (H _s), the beach face slope (β) and the wave angle at breaking (α), and is of the form $ Z_{0} = 1.6\tan {\left( \beta \right)}H^{{0.5}}_{{\text{s}}} {\sqrt {1 + \sin {\left( {2\alpha } \right)}} } This study presents sand activation depth (SAD) measurements recently obtained on two contrasting beaches located along the Atlantic coast of France: the gently sloping, high-energy St Trojan beach where wave incidence is usually weak, and the steep, low-energy Ar?ay Sandspit beach where waves break at highly oblique angles. Comparisons between field measurements and predictions from existing formulae show good agreement for St Trojan beach but underestimate the SAD on the Ar?ay Sandspit beach by 40–60%. Such differences suggest a strong influence of wave obliquity on SAD. To verify this hypothesis, the relative influence of wave parameters was investigated by means of numerical modelling. A quasi-linear increase of SAD with wave height was confirmed for shore-normal and slightly oblique wave conditions, and a quasi-linear increase in SAD with wave obliquity was also revealed. Combining the numerical results with previously published relations, both a new semi-empirical and an empirical formula for the prediction of SAD were developed which showed good SAD predictions under conditions of oblique wave breaking. The new empirical formula for the prediction of SAD (Z ₀) takes into account the significant wave height (H _s), the beach face slope (β) and the wave angle at breaking (α), and is of the form . The use of a dataset from the literature demonstrates the predictive skill of these new formulae for a wide range of wave heights, wave incidence and beach gradients.     

Application of chemical tracers to an estimate of benthic denitrification in the Okhotsk Sea

To estimate benthic denitrification in a marginal sea, we assessed the usefulness of \({\text{N}}_{2}^{*}\) , a new tracer to measure the excess nitrogen gas (N₂) using dissolved N₂ and argon (Ar) with N* in the intermediate layer (26.6–27.4σ _θ ) of the Okhotsk Sea. The examined parameters capable of affecting \({\text{N}}_{2}^{*}\) are denitrification, air injection and rapid cooling. We investigated the relative proportions of these effects on \({\text{N}}_{2}^{*}\) using multiple linear regression analysis. The best model included two examined parameters of denitrification and air injection based on the Akaike information criterion as a measure of the model fit to data. More than 80 % of \({\text{N}}_{2}^{*}\) was derived from the denitrification, followed by air injection. Denitrification over the Okhotsk Sea shelf region was estimated to be 5.6 ± 2.4 μmol kg^?1. The distribution of \({\text{N}}_{2}^{*}\) was correlated with potential temperature (θ) between 26.6 and 27.4σ _θ (r = ?0.55). Therefore, we concluded that \({\text{N}}_{2}^{*}\) and N* can act complementarily as a quasi-conservative tracer of benthic denitrification in the Okhotsk Sea. Our findings suggest that \({\text{N}}_{2}^{*}\) in combination with N* is a useful chemical tracer to estimate benthic denitrification in a marginal sea.     

Mixed layer depth front and subduction of low potential vorticity water under seasonal forcings in an idealized OGCM

The mixed layer depth (MLD) front and subduction under seasonal variability are investigated using an idealized ocean general circulation model (OGCM) with simple seasonal forcings. A sharp MLD front develops and subduction occurs at the front from late winter to early spring. The position of the MLD front agrees with the curve where \({\rm D}T_{\rm s}/{\rm D}t = \partial T_{\rm s} /\partial t + {\user2{u}}_{\rm g} \cdot \nabla T_{\rm s} = 0\) is satisfied (t is time, \({\user2{u}}_{\rm g}\) is the upper-ocean geostrophic velocity, \(T_{\rm s}\) is the sea surface temperature (SST), and \(\nabla\) is the horizontal gradient operator), indicating that thick mixed-layer water is subducted there parallel to the SST contour. This is a generalization of the past result that the MLD front coincides with the curve \({\user2{u}}_{\rm g} \cdot \nabla T_{\rm s} = 0\) when the forcing is steady. Irreversible subduction at the MLD front is limited to about 1 month, where the beginning of the irreversible subduction period agrees with the first coincidence of the MLD front and \({\rm D}T_{\rm s}/{\rm D}t =0\) in late winter, and the end of the period roughly corresponds to the disappearance of the MLD front in early spring. Subduction volume at the MLD front during this period is similar to that during 1 year in the steady-forcing model. Since the cooling of the deep mixed-layer water occurs only in winter and SST can not fully catch up with the seasonally varying reference temperature of restoring, the cooling rate of SST is reduced and the zonal gradient of the SST in the northwestern subtropical gyre is a little altered in the seasonal-forcing case. These effects result in slightly lower densities of subducted water and the eastward shift of the MLD front.     

Problems concerning the Directivity of Tsunami

If knowledge of our theories on the directivity of tsunamis had received worldwide attention, the following operations could have been carried out internationally just after the large earthquake of 19 September 1985 which occurred near Acapulco, Mexico. Having found the great circle, “line S” which is perpendicular to the coast around Acapulco, we could have calculated the angles between line S and line A and between line S and line D, where line A and line D are the great circle connecting Acapulco and Auckland, New Zealand and that connecting Acapulco and Duke of York Island (Chile), respectively. The resultant angles are 30?43′ and 41?49′(>68?48′/2), we could thereafter neglect the eastern half of the offshore energy flux. When we assume that the speed of trans-Pacific tsunami is 400 knots, the probability that the actual tsunami will come earlier than the calculated arrival time proves to be $$\frac{1}{{\sqrt {2\pi } }}\int_{ - {\text{ }}\infty }^{ - {\text{ }}0.689} {e^{ - t^{{2 \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {2 2}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} 2}} } dt = 0.2454} $$ Contact with New Zealand prior to the forecasted arrival time was essential, but the tsunami attention for the Japanese coast was unnecessary. Without such application of our directivity theories, frequent fruitless warnings will be issued for future trans-Pacific tsunamis. Quick improvements in warning procedures are required.     

应用长链不饱和烯酮重建末次间冰期以来冲绳海槽中部SST变化

为了解自末次间冰期以来这一地区的古海水表层温度变化,应用气相色谱技术对取自冲绳海槽东侧的Z14?6孔的长链(C37)不饱和烯酮进行了分析。结果发现,该孔Uk37在0.83—0.95之间,其变化趋势与两种浮游有孔虫N.dutertrei和G.sacculifer的氧同位素组成一致。根据Uk37重建的SST在24.0—27.5℃之间变化,最高值27.5℃出现在MIS-5,最低值24℃出现在MIS-2(LGM)。从LGM到全新世SST增加约2℃。这与早期在附近地区根据Uk37重建的SST变化趋势一致。根据重建的SST自LGM以来的变化,作者认为现代黑潮洋流系统最晚在约10kaB.P.后已在冲绳海槽重新建立。许多早期研究揭示的黑潮在7.5—7kaB.P.的加强可能与全新世大暖期有关。     

The roughness height and drag law over the water surface based on the hypothesis of local equilibrium

A series of measurements of winds and wind-waves were carried out in wind-wave flumes. A data analysis based on the hypothesis of local equilibrium yielded a new empirical formula on the controversial quantity of roughness heightz ₀ over the water surface: , where the nondimensional roughness height is defined bygz ₀/u _* ² and the wave-wind parameterũ byω _p u _*/g, g being the gravitational acceleration,u _* the friction velocity of air,ω _p the peak frequency of wind-wave spectra. The obtained formula is compared with Charnock's (1955) and Toba's (1979) proposals; is constant in the former and inversely proportional toũ in the latter. As in Toba's, this formula immediately leads to a practically important conclusion that the drag coefficientC _d depends not merely on the usual variableU ₁₀ (wind velocity at 10m height over the water surface), but also on the surface state represented by wind-waves. An explicit expression is provided for the drag coefficient incorporating the wave-wind parameter; it covers the range ofC _d calculated from most of the previous drag formulas, by varying the wave-wind parameter.     

Role of the beta-effect in the decay of the alongshore baroclinic jet associated with transient coastal upwelling and downwelling: Numerical experiments

A numerical study of the decay of an alongshore baroclinic jet (ABJ) formed by transient wind stress favorable for upwelling and downwelling is carried out. The study is based on the Princeton Ocean Model (POM) applied to a circular stratified basin with a constant depth. In the case of a fully developed upwelling (downwelling), the alongshore jet is subjected to baroclinic instability, and its decay is predominantly accompanied by selective formation of cyclonic (anticyclonic) mesoscale eddies. If the upwelling or downwelling is not fully developed, the necessary condition for the baroclinic instability of the ABJ in a basin with a constant depth is the presence of the β-effect. The β-effect causes separation of the ABJ from the shoreline in the eastern part of the basin and thereby stimulates baroclinic instability. As a result, mesoscale meanders and eddies can be generated in the eastern part of the basin only if the diameter of the basin D is large enough to satisfy the inequality D > $\sqrt {{{R_I f} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{R_I f} \beta }} \right. \kern-0em} \beta }} $ , where R _I is the baroclinic Rossby radius, f is the Coriolis parameter, and β = df/dy.     

A quasi-similarity between wind waves and solid surfaces in their roughness characteristics

A formulation for the aerodynamic roughness length of air flow over wind waves $$z_0 = \gamma {\text{ }}u_* /\sigma p$$ which was proposed by Toba (1979) and Toba and Koga (1986) from dimensional considerations with some data analysis, is shown to correspond with a formulation for irregular solid surfaces $$(z_0 /h) = a(h/l)^{1 + \beta } $$ which resulted from work by Woodinget al. (1973) and Kustas and Brutsaert (1986);u _* is the friction velocity,σ _p the spectral peak frequency of wind waves,h the mean height of the solid obstacles,l the mean distance between their crests, andα,Β, andγ are constants. This correspondence is reached by the existence of a statistical 3/2-power law and an effective dispersion relationship for wind waves. Because both approaches of parameterizingz ₀ were arrived at independently, they provide each other mutual reinforcement.     

Seasonal variations of alkenones and U37 in the Chesapeake Bay water column

Alkenone unsaturation indices (U^K₃₇ and U^K′₃₇) have long been used as proxies for surface water temperature in the open ocean. Recent studies have suggested that in other marine environments, variables other than temperature may affect both the production of alkenones and the values of the indices. Here, we present the results of a reconnaissance field study in which alkenones were extracted from particulate matter filtered from the water column in Chesapeake Bay during 2000 and 2001. A multivariate analysis shows a strong positive correlation between U^K₃₇ (and U^K′₃₇) values and temperature, and a significant negative correlation between U^K₃₇ (and U^K′₃₇) values and nitrate concentrations. However, temperature and nitrate concentrations also co-vary significantly. The temperature vs. U^K₃₇ relationships (U^K₃₇=0.018 (T)−0.162, R²=0.84, U^K′₃₇=0.013 (T)−0.04, R²=0.80) have lower slopes than the open-ocean equations of Prahl et al. [1988. Further evaluation of long-chain alkenones as indicators of paleoceanographic conditions. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 52, 2303–2310] and Müller et al. [1998. Calibration of the alkenone paleotemperature index U^K′₃₇ based on core-tops from the eastern South Atlantic and the global ocean (60°N–60°S). Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 62, 1757–1772], but are similar to the relationships found in controlled studies with elevated nutrient levels and higher nitrate:phosphate (N:P) ratios. This implies that high nutrient levels in Chesapeake Bay have either lowered the U^K₃₇ vs. temperature slope, or nutrient levels are the main controller of the U^K₃₇ index. In addition, particularly high abundances (>5% of total C₃₇ alkenones) of the tetra-unsaturated ketone, C_37:4, were found when water temperatures reached 25 °C or higher, thus posing further questions about the controls on alkenone production as well as the biochemical roles of alkenones.     

Phytoplankton pigment change as a photoadaptive response to light variation caused by tidal cycle in Ariake Bay,Japan

Underwater light environment and photosynthetic accessory pigments were investigated in Ariake Bay in order to understand how change of the pigments occurs in response to the tidal-induced changes in underwater light conditions. We hypothesize that phytoplankton increases photo-protective pigments and decreases light-harvesting pigments under higher light condition in the mixed layer caused by tidal cycle. Contribution rates of non-phytoplankton particles (a _nph (400–700)) for light attenuation coefficient (K _d ) was highest (32–85%), and those of phytoplankton particles (a _ph (400–700)), dissolved organic matter (a _g (400–700)) and water were 6–32, 6–21 and 5–23%, respectively. Mean K _d was higher during the spring tide (0.55 ± 0.23 m⁻¹) than the neap tide (0.44 ± 0.16 m⁻¹), and the K _d difference was caused by the substances resuspension due to the tidal current. In contrast, ratios of photo-protective pigments (diadinoxanthin and diatoxanthin) per chlorophyll a ((DD+DT)/Chl a) were higher during the neap tide (0.10 ± 0.03 mg mg-Chl a ⁻¹) than the spring tide (0.08 ± 0.03 mg mg-Chl a ⁻¹). And there was significant positive correlation between (DD+DT)/Chl a and mean relative PAR in the mixed layer ($ \overline {I_{mix} } $ \overline {I_{mix} } ). Moreover, there was significant negative correlation between ratios of light-harvesting pigments (fucoxanthin) per Chl a (Fuco/Chl a) and $ \overline {I_{mix} } $ \overline {I_{mix} } . These results suggested that phytoplankton in Ariake Bay increase photo-protective pigments and decrease light-harvesting pigments in the higher light condition of less turbid, shallower mixed layer during neap tide than spring tide.     

Evaluation of the Diurnal Warming of Sea Surface Temperature Using Satellite-Derived Marine Meteorological Data

In order to produce a high-quality sea surface temperature (SST) data set, the daily amplitude of SST (ΔSST) should be accurately known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diurnal variation of sea surface temperature in a simple manner. The authors first simulated ΔSST with a one-dimensional numerical model using buoy-observed meteorological data and satellite-derived solar radiation data. When insolation is strong, the model-simulated 1-m-depth ΔSST becomes much smaller than the in situ value as wind speed decreases. By forcibly mixing the sea surface layer, the model ΔSST becomes closer to the in situ value. It can be considered that part of this difference is due to the turbulence induced by the buoy hull. Then, on the assumption that the model results were reliable, the authors derived a regression equation to evaluate ΔSST at the skin and 1-m depth from daily mean wind speed (U) and daily peak solar radiation (PS). ΔSST is approximately proportional to In(U) and (PS)², and the skin ΔSST estimated by the equation is not inconsistent with in situ observation results reported in past studies. The authors prepared maps of PS and U using only satellite data, and demonstrated the ΔSST evaluation over a wide area. The result showed that some wide patchy areas where the skin ΔSST exceeds 3.0 K can appear in the tropics and the mid-latitudes in summer. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Anomalously low alkenone temperatures caused by lateral particle and sediment transport in the Malvinas Current region, western Argentine Basin

We analysed the alkenone unsaturation ratio (U^K′₃₇) in 87 surface sediment samples from the western South Atlantic (5°N–50°S) in order to evaluate its applicability as a paleotemperature tool for this part of the ocean. The measured U^K′₃₇ ratios were converted into temperature using the global core-top calibration of Müller et al. (1998) and compared with annual mean atlas sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) of overlying surface waters. The results reveal a close correspondence (<1.5°C) between atlas and alkenone temperatures for the Western Tropical Atlantic and the Brazil Current region north of 32°S, but deviating low alkenone temperatures by −2° to −6°C are found in the regions of the Brazil–Malvinas Confluence (35–39°S) and the Malvinas Current (41–48°S). From the oceanographic evidence these low U^K′₃₇ values cannot be explained by preferential alkenone production below the mixed layer or during the cold season. Higher nutrient availability and algal growth rates are also unlikely causes. Instead, our results imply that lateral displacement of suspended particles and sediments, caused by strong surface and bottom currents, benthic storms, and downslope processes is responsible for the deviating U^K′₃₇ temperatures. In this way, particles and sediments carrying a cold water U^K′₃₇ signal of coastal or southern origin are transported northward and offshore into areas with warmer surface waters. In the northern Argentine Basin the depth between displaced and unaffected sediments appears to coincide with the boundary between the northward flowing Lower Circumpolar Deep Water (LCDW) and the southward flowing North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) at about 4000 m.