Acoustic imaging,visualization, and quantification of buoyant hydrothermal plumes in the Ocean

We develop and apply visualization and quantification methods to reconstruct hydrothermal plumes in 3D from acoustic images and to make the first direct measurements from the reconstructions of scalar properties that describe the behavior of two buoyant plumes discharging from adjacent black smoker chimneys. The actual behavior is then compared to that predicted by a classic simple buoyant plume model. The images are reconstructed as isointensity surfaces of backscatter from particulate matter suspended in the plumes. The measurements pertinent to the role of the plumes as agents of dispersal of heat and mass into the ocean include change with height of diameter, particle distribution, dilution, centerline attitude, surface protrusions, and connectivity. The protrusions are the surface expression of eddies and appear to follow a bifurcating helical flow pattern that resemble simulation of the naturally forced flow of coherent vortex rings as the eddies rise with the buoyant plume. These direct measurements and the derived entrainment coefficient are generally consistent with behavior predicted by the simple buoyant plume model and support engulfment by vortex shedding as a primary mechanism for entrainment of surrounding seawater. Deviations from predicted buoyant plume behavior are diagnostic of particle dynamics.     

Propagation of the Southwest Indian Ridge at the Rodrigues Triple Junction

The analysis of multibeam bathymetric data of the Southwest Indian Ridge(SWIR) domain between the triple junction traces from 68° E to theRodrigues Triple Junction (RTJ; 70° E) reveals the evolution of thisridge since magnetic anomaly 4 (8 Ma). Image processing has been used toshow that the horizontal component of strain due to a network of normal stepfaults increases dramatically between 69°30 E and the RTJ. Thisarea close to the RTJ is characterized by a deep graben at the foot of thetriple junction trace on the African plate and by a narrow fault-boundedridge that joins an offset of the trace on the Antarctic plate. In thatarea, spreading is primarily amagmatic and dominated by tectonic extensionprocesses. To the west of 69°30 E, some lobate bathymetricfeatures atop of a large topographic high suggest volcanic constructions.Between 68°10 E and 69°25 E the southern flank of theSWIR domain is wider than the northern one and is characterized by a series of 7 en echelon bathymetric highs similar in size,shape and orientation to the one centred at 69°30E near the present-day triple junction. Their en echelon organization along the triple junction trace on the Antarctic plate and the typical lack of conjugated parts on the northern flank show that these bathymetric highs have been shifted to the south by successive northward relocalisations of the SWIR rifting zone. This evolution results in the asymmetric spreading of the SWIR in the survey area. The off-axis bathymetric highs connect to the offsets of the triple junction trace on the Antarctic plate when the Southeast Indian Ridges lightly lengthenstoward the northwest and the triple junction is relocated to the north. We propose that the SWIR lengthens toward the northeast with two propagation modes: 1) a continuous and progressive propagation with distributed deformation in preexisting crust of the Central Indian Ridge, 2) a discontinuous propagation with focusing of the deformation in a rift zone when the triple junction migrates rapidly to the north. The modes of propagation of the SWIR are related to different localisation and distribution of strain which are in turn controlled by changes of the triple junction configurations due to propagation, recession or a symmetric spreading on the Central and Southeast Indian Ridges.     

An Experi mental Study on Wave-Induced Dynamic Stresses in Seabed

1 .IntroductionEvery year ,Taiwanis subjectedtotwo or three typhoonintrusions in average which always causedisasters . Most of the disasters which occur around the coastal zone are due to seabed instability andcoastal structure destruction caused bytyphoo…     

Factors affecting spatial and temporal variability in material exchange between the Southern Everglades wetlands and Florida Bay (USA)

Physical and biological processes controlling spatial and temporal variations in material concentration and exchange between the Southern Everglades wetlands and Florida Bay were studied for 2.5 years in three of the five major creek systems draining the watershed. Daily total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) fluxes were measured for 2 years in Taylor River, and ten 10-day intensive studies were conducted in this creek to estimate the seasonal flux of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), total organic carbon (TOC), and suspended matter. Four 10-day studies were conducted simultaneously in Taylor, McCormick, and Trout Creeks to study the spatial variation in concentration and flux. The annual fluxes of TOC, TN, and TP from the Southern Everglades were estimated from regression equations. The Southern Everglades watershed, a 460-km² area that includes Taylor Slough and the area south of the C-111 canal, exported 7.1 g C m⁻², 0.46 g N m⁻², and 0.007 g P m⁻², annually. Everglades P flux is three to four orders of magnitude lower than published flux estimates from wetlands influenced by terrigenous sedimentary inputs. These low P flux values reflect both the inherently low P content of Everglades surface water and the efficiency of Everglades carbonate sediments and biota in conserving and recycling this limiting nutrient. The seasonal variation of freshwater input to the watershed was responsible for major temporal variations in N, P, and C export to Florida Bay; approximately 99% of the export occurred during the rainy season. Wind-driven forcing was most important during the later stages of the dry season when low freshwater head coincided with southerly winds, resulting in a net import of water and materials into the wetlands. We also observed an east to west decrease in TN:TP ratio from 212:1 to 127:1. Major spatial gradients in N:P ratios and nutrient concentration and flux among the creek were consistent with the westward decrease in surface water runoff from the P-limited Everglades and increased advection of relatively P-rich Gulf of Mexico (GOM) waters into Florida Bay. Comparison of measured nutrient flux from Everglades surface water inputs from this study with published estimates of other sources of nutrients to Florida Bay (i.e. atmospheric deposition, anthropogenic inputs from the Florida Keys, advection from the GOM) show that Everglades runoff represents only 2% of N inputs and 0.5% of P input to Florida Bay.     

钝顶螺旋藻C-藻蓝蛋白和多管藻R-藻红蛋白的分离纯化及摩尔消光系数的测定

１９９３年１１月～１９９４年１月用简单的羟基磷灰石柱层析法从多管藻中分 离纯化了Ｒ－藻红蛋白和从钝顶螺旋藻中纯化了Ｃ－藻蓝蛋白，它们的纯度（指可见 光部分的最大吸收与 ２８０ｎｍ处吸收值之比）可分别达到 ６（Ｒ－藻红蛋白）和 ５． ５（Ｃ－ 藻蓝蛋白）。由于不同藻种的同种藻胆蛋白的摩尔消光系数不同，所以应用凯氏定 氮法并结合可见光的吸收值测定了上述两种藻胆蛋白的摩尔消光系数，钝顶螺旋 藻Ｃ－藻蓝蛋白为１．８５３ × １０６ｍｏｌ－１ｃｍ－１（６２０ｎｍ），多管藻Ｒ－藻红蛋白为１．７９６ × １０６ｍｏｌ－１ｃｍ－１（４９８ｎｍ），为藻胆蛋白的浓度测定提供了方便。     

胶州湾底栖生物动态的研究

胶州湾底栖生物组成复杂,数量丰富,其中有些种为捕捞对象,如菲律宾蛤仔等开发潜力很大,有些种为鱼、虾类天然饵料,如多毛类的长吻沙蚕、索沙蚕,软体动物的金星碟铰蛤等。底栖生物对渔业资源的补充和开发利用以及增、养殖和海洋生态学的研究都具有重要意义。早在30年代,张玺教授等(1936)就对胶州湾的底栖生物进行了系统的研究。解放后,中国科学院海洋研究所在胶州湾进行了大量的调査研究(E.Φ.古丽娅诺娃、吴宝铃,1963),特别是刘瑞玉教授领导的底栖生物组在1980-1990年对胶州湾进行了长期的、连续的调査,积累了许多宝贵的资料,发表了很多文章(刘瑞玉等,1992a;刘瑞玉等,1992b;孙滨等,1992;孙道元,1990;吴耀泉等,1992),基本掌握了胶州湾底栖生物的全貌。作者自1991年5月至1994年2月在原来调查的基础上,在胶州湾6个不同底栖生物群落的分布区范围内设立了10个底栖生物监测取样站(图5),进行了3年调査。每年分春(5月)、夏(8月)、秋(11月)、冬(2月)四季在各站以取样面积为0.1㎡的表层采泥器取样2次,对胶州湾底梄生物的种类组成、数量变化及群落结构进行了研究。     

The concentration and distribution of dimethyl sulfide in the marine atmospheric boundary layer near the equator

Ｔｈｅｃｏｎｃｅｎｔｒａｔｉｏｎａｎｄｄｉｓｔｒｉｂｕｔｉｏｎｏｆｄｉｍｅｔｈｙｌｓｕｌｆｉｄｅｉｎｔｈｅｍａｒｉｎｅａｔｍｏｓｐｈｅｒｉｃｂｏｕｎｄａｒｙｌａｙｅｒｎｅａｒｔｈｅｅｑｕａｔｏｒ￥ＬｉＸｉｎｇｓｈｅｎｇ；ＬｉＺｈｅ；Ｆ．Ｐａｒｕｎｇｏ...     

Response of the blue mussel Mytilus edulis L. following exposure to PAHs or contaminated sediment

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene significantly reduced the feeding rate of mussels. For both compounds the tissue concentration resulting in a 50% reduction of the clearance rate (TEC₅₀) was calculated. At high tissue concentrations both aromatic compounds reduced the tolerance of mussels to aerial exposure, whereas at low tissue concentrations an improved response was noticed. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were elevated only at low tissue concentrations of fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene. At the highest measured tissue concentrations the activity of both enzymes was reduced, possibly due to a narcotic effect. The reproductive success rate of mussels appeared to be affected negatively by the investigated hydrocarbons. The results of a pilot experiment indicate that mussels can be used also for the testing of contaminated sediments.     

灵山岛浅海岩礁区底栖生物的群落特点

浅海岩礁环境系高生产力区,在中、高纬度海域中,由大型海藻和大叶藻(Zosteramarina)所构成的初级生产力常为浮游植物初级生产力的数倍(Miller et al.,1971)。同时,此种环境又是以大型藻类或有机碎屑为食物的珍贵海产品鲍鱼(Haliotis)、刺参(Stichopus)、海胆(Strongylocentrotus)等的栖息场所和采捕作业区;还是一些优质鱼类星鳗( Astroconger myriaster)、鲈(Lateolobrax japonicus)等的藏匿场所和游钓渔业的渔场;重要经济藻类石花菜(Gelidium)等也在此环境中定着、生长。所以,浅海岩礁的资源开发前景很好。为了促进上述珍贵海产品的增、养殖生产和发展游钓渔业,有必要对浅海岩礁底栖生物群落的结构、功能进行系统研究,以便为岩礁区的资源开发和海岸带环境保护提供科学依据。为此,中科院海洋研究所在1987年初步调查的基础上,1992年以灵山岛为点,对水下岩礁环境和生物群落进行了系统的调查。本文主要分析浅海岩礁底栖生物的群落特点。