Ocean mixed layer processes in the Pacific Decadal Oscillation in coupled general circulation models

It is investigated how the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) is simulated differently among various coupled general circulation models (CGCMs), and how it is related to the heat budget of the simulated ocean mixed layer, which includes the surface heat flux and ocean heat transport. For this purpose the dataset of the climate of the 20th Century experiment (20C3M) from nine CGCMs reported to IPCC’s AR4 are used, while the MRI and MIROC models are examined in detail. Detailed analyses of these two CGCMs reveal that the PDO is mainly affected by ocean heat transport rather than surface heat flux, in particular in the MRI model which has a larger contribution of ocean heat transport to the heat budget. It is found that the ocean heat transport due to Ekman advection versus geostrophic advection contributes differently to the PDO in the western and central North Pacific. Specifically, the strength of PDO tends to be larger for CGCMs with a larger ocean heat transport in the region.     

Correlation between magnetic susceptibility and distribution of heavy metals in contaminated sea-floor sediments of Hong Kong Harbour

 Magnetic susceptibility measurements were conducted on 24 vibrocores obtained from an area located off the northeastern coast of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. High intensities of magnetic susceptibility were detected in the uppermost sections of the majority of the cores. Several magnetic parameters measured for one of the cores suggest that the variations in the magnetic characteristics over depth are mainly due to varying concentrations of the magnetic minerals. Since a strong correlation has been found between magnetic susceptibility and the heavy metals Pb, Cu, Zn and Cr, an anthropogenic contamination origin is thought to be the cause. The present study shows that magnetic susceptibility is a fast, inexpensive and non-destructive method for the detection and mapping of contaminated sediments. Received: 12 August 1997 · Accepted: 18 November 1997     

Magnetic properties and heavy-metal contents of contaminated seabed sediments of Penny's Bay, Hong Kong

Magnetic properties and heavy-metal concentrations of vibrocore samples were found to be potential indicators of shipping contamination in seabed sediments in Hong Kong Harbour. Geochemical results of 74 vibrocores located off Penny's Bay on Lantau Island revealed an enrichment of heavy metals in the upper 1-2 m of the cores within the eastern part of the study site. Whole-core magnetic susceptibility measurements also showed a greater concentration of magnetic particles in the surficial layer of these cores. A significant correlation exists between the magnetic susceptibility and the concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cu, as well as the Tomlinson pollution load index (PLI). The proximity of these cores to a major navigation fairway and an anchorage site suggests probable contamination of the surficial seabed sediments by shipping-related wastes. A study of the magnetic properties of one of the cores, VT60, revealed a difference in the magnetic properties between the contaminated and the uncontaminated sediments. Samples from the contaminated zone exhibited relatively stronger magnetic remanence and susceptibility. The two groups of samples also formed distinct trends on the hysteresis ratios plot. A level of unusually high magnetic susceptibility within the contaminated zone was attributable to the presence of strongly magnetized granules, which were probably refuse from shipping-related activities. Geochemical and magnetic results were also conducted on samples of different size-fractions from this core. The < 63 microns fraction was found to contain a relatively higher magnetic susceptibility and greater heavy-metal content.     

Simple models for estimating period‐shift and damping in soil

This study describes the development of a simple, heuristic manual calculation procedure for estimating the site period‐shift factor and soil damping ratio, with appropriate considerations for the level of shaking, impedance contrast between soil and bedrock interface and the plasticity of the soil layers. Essentially, the analogy of a building shear‐frame has been used to represent the seismic response behaviour of a soil column. The proposed procedure has been verified by comparing the predictions with results obtained directly from non‐linear shear wave analyses of soil column models. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

沪杭高速公路GPS线路控制网的测设

采用ＧＰＳ定位技术先建立高精度线路控制网，然后再分段加密线路导线，不仅精度高、施测方便，而且充分保证了线路导线点的可靠性，与以往按支导线布设的线路导线相比，具有诸多优点。文中介绍了在沪杭高速公路上应用ＧＰＳ定位技术的经验。     

The long-term variability of Changma in the East Asian summer monsoon system: A review and revisit

Changma, which is a vital part of East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) system, plays a critical role in modulating water and energy cycles in Korea. Better understanding of its long-term variability and change is therefore a matter of scientific and societal importance. It has been indicated that characteristics of Changma have undergone significant interdecadal changes in association with the mid-1970s global-scale climate shift and the mid-1990s EASM shift. This paper reviews and revisits the characteristics on the long-term changes of Changma focusing on the underlying mechanisms for the changes. The four important features are manifested mainly during the last few decades: 1) mean and extreme rainfalls during Changma period from June to September have been increased with the amplification of diurnal cycle of rainfall, 2) the dry spell between the first and second rainy periods has become shorter, 3) the rainfall amount as well as the number of rainy days during August have significantly increased, probably due to the increase in typhoon landfalls, and 4) the relationship between the Changma rainfall and Western Pacific Subtropical High on interannual time scale has been enhanced. The typhoon contribution to the increase in heavy rainfall is attributable to enhanced interaction between typhoons and midlatitude baroclinic environment. It is noted that the change in the relationship between Changma and the tropical sea surface temperature (SST) over the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans is a key factor in the long-term changes of Changma and EASM. Possible sources for the recent mid-1990s change include 1) the tropical dipole-like SST pattern between the central Pacific and Indo-Pacific region (the global warming hiatus pattern), 2) the recent intensification of tropical SST gradients among the Indian Ocean, the western Pacific, and the eastern Pacific, and 3) the tropical Atlantic SST warming.     

Practical methods of extreme value estimation based on measured time series for ocean systems

Three practical methods for computing the expected maxima of Gaussian time series for ocean system analysis are developed. These methods utilize Pierce's sample scaling concept to overcome the maxima counting and correlation difficulties, but minimize the associated complexity and uncertainties. The first (Direct) method removes the dependence on the envelope for maxima estimation of the time series by directly operating on the time series itself. The second (Poisson clumping) employs the notion of sample scaling factor, but requires neither computing the envelope nor segmenting. The third (Log-fit) is a simple logarithm curve fitting, using the slowly varying, logarithmic growth property of the expected maximum. The accuracy and computational efficiency of these methods are examined. The Direct method and the Poisson clumping method are found to have comparable accuracy. Employment of the envelope does not improve the accuracy of the estimate in practice. Hence, the Direct method and the Poisson clumping method should be preferred. The Poisson clumping method is more efficient than both the Direct method and Pierce's method because of its straightforwardness in implementation. The Log-fit method is the simplest to implement, and computationally the most efficient. Its accuracy is acceptable for many engineering preliminary designs.     

A review of the effects of particle types on oil-suspended particulate matter aggregate formation

Oil-suspended particulate matter aggregate (OSA) can form naturally when oil and particles interact. The interaction between oil and suspended particulate matter makes oil less sticky, and facilitates its dispersion in the water column. The high oil-water surface contact enhances the biodegradation of oil and thus increases the efficiency of remediation processes. There are many factors that affect OSA formation, but, particle type is one of the most important. Because different particle types have different physical, chemical, and biological properties, their interactions with oil differ greatly. Particle properties such as interlayer spaces, hydrophobicity, surface charges, polarity, organic content, and size affect the interactions between materials and oil. These different interactions determine the type, buoyancy, size, and stability of OSA that forms, thus determining its fate in the environment. This review provides a current understanding of (1) OSA formation mechanisms, (2) sources and classes of marine materials, (3) oil-particle interactions, (4) material properties and their effects on oil interaction, and (5) future research needs.