The Role of Multi-Mission ERS Altimetry in the Determination of the Marine Geoid in the Azores

This study concerns the determination of a regional geoid model in the North Atlantic area surrounding the Azores islands by combining multi-mission altimetry from the ERS (European Remote Sensing) satellites and surface gravity data. A high resolution mean sea surface, named AZOMSS99, has been derived using altimeter data from ERS-1 and ERS-2 35-day cycles, spanning a period of about four years, and from ERS-1 geodetic mission. Special attention has been paid to data processing of points around the islands due to land contamination on some of the geophysical corrections. A gravimetric geoid has been computed from all available surface gravity, including land and sea observations acquired during an observation campaign that took place in the Azores in October 1997 in the scope of a European and a Portuguese project. Free air gravity anomalies were derived by altimetric inversion of the mean sea surface heights. These were used to fill the large gaps in the surface gravity and combined solutions were computed using both types of data. The gravimetric and combined solutions have been compared with the mean sea surface and GPS (Global Positioning System)-levelling derived geoid undulations in five islands. It is shown that the inclusion of altimeter data improves geoid accuracy by about one order of magnitude. Combined geoid solutions have been obtained with an accuracy of better than one decimetre.     

Improvement in the Determination of the Marine Geoid by Estimating the Bathymetry from Altimetry and Depth Soundings

The contribution of bathymetry to the estimation of gravity field related quantities is investigated in an extended test area in the Mediterranean Sea. The region is located southwest of the island of Crete, Greece, bounded between 33^ˆ ≤ ϕ ≤ 35^ˆ and 15^ˆ ≤ λ ≤ 25^ˆ. Gravity anomalies from the KMS99 gravity field and shipborne depth soundings are used with a priori statistical characteristics of depths in a least-squares collocation procedure to estimate a new bathymetry model. Two different global bathymetry models, namely JGP95E and Sandwell and Smith V8, are used to derive the depth a priori statistical information, while the estimated model is compared against both the global ones and the shipborne depth soundings to assess whether there is an improvement. Various marine geoid models are estimated using ERS1 and GEOSAT Geodetic Mission altimetry and shipborne gravity data. In that process, the effect of the bathymetry is computed using both the estimated and the original depths through a residual terrain modeling reduction. The TOPEX/Poseidon Sea Surface Heights, known for their high accuracy and precision, and the GEOMED solution for the geoid in the Mediterranean are used as control for the validation of the new geoid models and to assess the improvement that the estimated depths offer to geoid modeling. The results show that the newly estimated bathymetry agrees better (by about 30 to 300 m) with the shipborne depth soundings and provides smoother residual geoid heights and gravity anomalies (by about 8-20%) than those from global models. Finally, the achieved accuracy in geoid modeling ranges between 6 and 10 cm (1σ).     

Improvement in the Determination of the Marine Geoid by Estimating the Bathymetry from Altimetry and Depth Soundings

Abstract

The contribution of bathymetry to the estimation of gravity field related quantities is investigated in an extended test area in the Mediterranean Sea. The region is located southwest of the island of Crete, Greece, bounded between 33^? ≤ ? ≤ 35^? and 15^? ≤ λ ≤ 25^?. Gravity anomalies from the KMS99 gravity field and shipborne depth soundings are used with a priori statistical characteristics of depths in a least-squares collocation procedure to estimate a new bathymetry model. Two different global bathymetry models, namely JGP95E and Sandwell and Smith V8, are used to derive the depth a priori statistical information, while the estimated model is compared against both the global ones and the shipborne depth soundings to assess whether there is an improvement. Various marine geoid models are estimated using ERS1 and GEOSAT Geodetic Mission altimetry and shipborne gravity data. In that process, the effect of the bathymetry is computed using both the estimated and the original depths through a residual terrain modeling reduction. The TOPEX/Poseidon Sea Surface Heights, known for their high accuracy and precision, and the GEOMED solution for the geoid in the Mediterranean are used as control for the validation of the new geoid models and to assess the improvement that the estimated depths offer to geoid modeling. The results show that the newly estimated bathymetry agrees better (by about 30 to 300 m) with the shipborne depth soundings and provides smoother residual geoid heights and gravity anomalies (by about 8–20%) than those from global models. Finally, the achieved accuracy in geoid modeling ranges between 6 and 10 cm (1σ).     

The elasmobranch fisheries of the Azores

In the Northeast Atlantic, elasmobranchs are a common bycatch in many fisheries, including demersal trawls, longlines, or gillnets and many countries do not have regulations or any control over the amount taken. In the Mid Atlantic, the Azores EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), small-scale fishing operations, artisanal and hook-and-line fishing methods are responsible for part of local total landed elasmobranch biomass, although some species are specifically focused and severely harvested by international large-scale fleets. This work provides a review and analysis of the commercial elasmobranch fisheries in the Azores EEZ, and its evolution over the last two decades, highlighting management priorities, taking into account the Northeast Atlantic elasmobranch fisheries status. In the Mid-Atlantic, elasmobranch fisheries mainly target 4 species, that are usually landed as bycatch: the tope shark (Galeorhinus galeus) and the thornback ray (Raja clavata), captured mainly by local demersal artisanal fisheries, the blue shark (Prionace glauca) and the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) captured by a more industrialised fleet, including those from foreign nations. Considering elasmobranchs life history traits and fishery history, caution is advised in the development of a management strategy focusing on these species, considering the Northeast Atlantic context and regional, local and national interests.     

Morpho-tectonic analysis of the Azores Volcanic Plateau from a new bathymetric compilation of the area

The existing studies of the Azores triple junction, although based on specific geological or geophysical data, largely rely upon morphological considerations. However, there is no systematic bathymetric coverage of this area, and the quality of the available bathymetric charts does not allow consistent morpho-structural analysis.In this work we present a new bathymetric grid elaborated with all the available data sources in an area comprised between 24° W to 32° W and 36° N to 41° N. The basic data set corresponds to the merge of NGDC data with new swath profiles. This new map, included as an Appendix, combined with other results from seismology and neotectonics, is the basis for the study of the morpho-structural pattern of the Azores area, the present day stress field and its implications on the current view of the Azores geodynamics.As a major result, we conclude that the Azores region is controlled by two sets of conjugated faults with 120° and 150° strikes that establish the framework for the onset of volcanism, expressing as linear volcanic ridges or as point source volcanism. This interaction develops what can be considered as the morphological signature of the Azores Spreading axis segmentation. We argue that the Azores domain, presently in a broad transtensional regime, is acting simultaneously as a ultra slow spreading centre and as a transfer zone between the MAR and the dextral Gloria Fault, as it accommodates the differential shear movement between the Eurasian and African plates.     

Constraints on the structure of the Azores spreading center from gravity data

The Azores Archipelago is believed to be the site of the third arm of a Triple Junction between the Eurasia/Africa/North America plates. However, to the present no study has been able to identify its segmentation pattern, the spreading mechanism and its relationship with the well-known topographic features of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). Here we present a new gravity compilation obtained with the existing National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) data, merged with new gravity profiles collected during the ESCAPE cruise in 1995. This compilation is used to calculate a Free Air Anomaly (FAA) map, which is used to test two different models, the Mantle Bouguer Anomaly model and the elastic plate model, for the study of the thermal regime of the Terceira Axis. The analysis of the results from both models demonstrates that the elastic plate model successfully models the gravity data from the Azores Plateau and that there is no gravity evidence for the existence of a spreading axis. The elastic plate thickness T_e, with a value of 7–8 km, suggests a very young lithosphere (about 10 Ma) at the time of the load of the Azores Plateau.     

Tectonic setting of the Azores Plateau deduced from a OBS survey

The studies of Azores seismicity generally show shocks with either normal faulting or right-lateral strike-slip along the ESE direction, compatible with a eastward relative motion of the Eurasian (EU) relative to the African (AF) plate. However, the 1 January 1980 earthquake was interpreted as a clear left-lateral strike-slip shock along the N150E direction. This pattern is difficult to explain in terms of the relative motion between the EU, AF and North American (NA) plates: all available models for the present day movement of this triple junction fail to explain the regional variability in the stress conditions of the area. Here we present data from a 34-day long Ocean Bottom Seismograph array deployment. We show that the seismicity is distributed along a band aligned with the island chain itself, and is concentrated along several faults with an approximate N150E strike, cutting the Azores plateau in all the area covered by the OBS network. The combination of these new results with other geophysical data permits us to conclude that the tectonic setting of the Azores plateau is characterised by the existence of two sets of faults, in the N120E and N150E directions, defining several crustal blocks, whose relative motion accommodates the interaction of the three megaplates. The deformation of these tectonic blocks is probably driven by the shear between the EU and AF plates. This model explains well the spatial variability of the stress conditions in the Azores domain, the combination of dextral and sinistral strike slip mechanisms and the observed seismotectonics of the Azores islands.     

Consistency of Geoid Models,Radar Altimetry,and Hydrodynamic Modelling in the North Sea

Radar altimetry, when corrected for tides, atmospheric forcing of the sea surface, and the effects of density variations and mean and time-variable currents, provides an along-track realization of the marine geoid. In this study we investigate whether and how such an ‘altimetric-hydrodynamic’ geoid over the North Sea can serve for validating satellite-gravimetric geoids. Our results indicate that, using ERS-2 and ENVISAT along-track altimetry and water levels from the high-resolution operational circulation model BSHcmod, we do find distinct differences in RMS fits for various state-of-the art satellite-only models (beyond degree 145 for GRACE-only, and beyond degree 185 for GOCE models) and for combined geoid models, very similar as seen in GPS-levelling validations over land areas. We find that, at spectral resolution of up to about 200, an RMS fit as low as about 7 cm can be obtained for the most recent GOCE-derived models such as GOCO05S. This is slightly above what we expect from budgeting individual errors. Key to the validation is a proper treatment of the spectral mismatch between satellite-gravimetric and altimetric-hydrodynamic geoids. Comparison of data fits and error budget suggests that geoid truncation errors residual to EGM2008 (i.e. EGM2008 commission and omission error) may amount up to few cm.     

异养细菌在海洋生态系统中的作用

概述异养细菌的分布、生物学特点、对物质矿化分解的作用以及在海洋生态系统物质循环和能量流动中的作用 ;海洋细菌生物量和生产力的研究方法 ;异养细菌在铁限制大洋生态系中的作用 ;国内外对底栖异养细菌生态功能研究的现状 ;最后提出该领域今后应加强研究的内容     

On the Compensation of Systematic Errors in Marine Gravity Measurements

Based on an analysis of the source of errors in marine gravity measurements, an error model, firstly, is constructed mathematically which can characterize the change of systematic errors and with which a new crossover adjustment model is presented in this paper. Then, two methods of compensating the systematic errors are proposed, i.e., the self-calibrating adjustment and the a-posteriori compensation. Some questions involved in solving the adjustment problem, such as the rank deficiency, the choice of error model, the weighting of model parameters and the significance test of compensation efficiency, etc., are discussed in detail. Finally, a practical survey network is used as a case study to test the efficiency and reliability of the two compensation methods.     

On the Compensation of Systematic Errors in Marine Gravity Measurements

Based on an analysis of the source of errors in marine gravity measurements, an error model, firstly, is constructed mathematically which can characterize the change of systematic errors and with which a new crossover adjustment model is presented in this paper. Then, two methods of compensating the systematic errors are proposed, i.e., the self-calibrating adjustment and the a-posteriori compensation. Some questions involved in solving the adjustment problem, such as the rank deficiency, the choice of error model, the weighting of model parameters and the significance test of compensation efficiency, etc., are discussed in detail. Finally, a practical survey network is used as a case study to test the efficiency and reliability of the two compensation methods.     

Marine conservation in remote small island settings: Factors influencing marine protected area establishment in the Azores

This paper examines the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) in remote small island settings with specific reference to the Portuguese island of Corvo in the Azores. This case study represents different approaches to marine conservation, ranging from an informal community-based no-take MPA to a government-driven multi-purpose natural park, involving diverse local and external actors interacting over an extended period of time. In-depth interviews were used to explore the perceptions of local and expert stakeholders about positive and negative aspects of MPA establishment. This demonstrated how differing approaches have led to varying degrees of MPA effectiveness. From the community-based MPA, several key ingredients for effective MPA establishment were identified, including engaging and empowering local communities, clear definition of goals, visible MPA outputs and community enforcement based on high levels of support and peer group pressure. However, in a context of complex marine resource use, the limitations of community-based initiatives prevent them from achieving broad ecosystem conservation goals. These might be better achieved through government-driven MPAs, provided that they are integrated in a wider regional marine strategy and that there is political will to effectively implement conservation measures and to allocate resources for management, enforcement and monitoring.     

海洋细菌在生态恢复中的作用

针对海洋生态环境日益恶化、需要积极治理、恢复的现象，本文论述了海洋细菌在海洋生态系统中占据的重要地位，并由此论述了海洋细菌在生态恢复过程中的重要作用。海洋细菌作为海洋生态系统的分解者和生产者，对海洋生态系统的稳定起到非常重要的作用；对于已经遭到破坏的海洋生态系统，充分认识和利用海洋细菌是获得稳定、可持续生态系统的根本途径。     

海洋生态调查在海域使用论证中的作用探究

党的十八大明确了推进生态文明建设、建设海洋强国的战略部署,对现阶段海域管理工作提出了新要求。海域使用论证作为海域管理的重要技术支撑,是贯彻落实生态文明建设,合理配置海域资源,实现科学用海、科学管海的重要抓手。海洋生态调查是海域使用论证的重要环节,高质量的海洋生态环境资料提升海域使用论证的科学性和权威性。新形势下,海洋生态调查也面临着新挑战,文章在分析海洋生态调查在海域使用论证中的地位和作用的基础上,结合新职责和新政策,提出今后海域使用论证中海洋生态调查的优化调整思路,即紧跟职责要求、聚焦生态系统调查、强化岸线资源调查、服务生态保护修复。     

卫星测高技术在监测海啸现象中的研究及应用

利用卫星测高技术,通过共线平差和沿轨、垂直轨迹测高大地水准面梯度的计算,得到了海啸发生2个小时后的海面波高和海面梯度异常现象,为利用卫星测高技术监测海啸、模拟海啸现象提供了依据。     

水下图像在海洋生态监测中的作用

海洋生态监测包括自然环境和生物群落的监测两部分。海洋生态系统中绝大多数生物群落生活在水中。因此,能真实反映水下自然环境和生物群落状况及其变化的水下图像,对海洋生态监测显得尤为重要。水下照相和水下摄像作为获取水下图像的主要手段已被广泛利用。     

顾及垂线偏差的重力大地水准面差距内插法

指出传统距离加权内插法的不足,推导了垂线偏差同大地水准面差距偏导数的转换公式,在此基础上利用间接平差模型得到了顾及垂线偏差的重力大地水准面差距内插法,改进了传统距离加权平均法。