Size-Fractionated Primary Production Estimated by a Two-Phytoplankton Community Model Applicable to Ocean Color Remote Sensing

In order to estimate primary production from ocean color satellite data using the Vertical Generalized Production Model (VGPM; Behrenfeld and Falkowski, 1997), we propose a two-phytoplankton community model. This model is based on the two assumptions that changes in chlorophyll concentration result from changes of large-sized phytoplankton abundance, and chlorophyll specific productivity of phytoplankton tends to be inversely proportional to phytoplankton size. Based on the analysis of primary production data, P _opt ^B , which was one parameter in the VGPM, was modeled as a function of sea surface temperature and sea surface chlorophyll concentration. The two-phytoplankton community model incorporated into the VGPM gave good estimates in a relatively high productive area. Size-fractionated primary production was estimated by the two-phytoplankton community model, and P _opt ^B of small-sized phytoplankton was 4.5 times that of large-sized phytoplankton. This result fell into the ranges observed during field studies.     

Long-term Sensor Drift Found in Recovered Argo Profiling Floats

We recovered three Argo profiling floats after 2 to 2.5 years of operation, and recalibrated their temperature, conductivity, and pressure sensors. The results demonstrate that these floats exhibited a significant drift in salinity of −0.0074 to −0.0125, primarily due to the conductivity sensor drift. Combined with the recalibration result for another previously recovered float, the indication is that the negative salinity drift increases nearly in proportion to the operating period of floats. The increasing rate is −0.0041 (±0.0015) year⁻¹, which yields a salinity drift of −0.016 (±0.006) for the expected float lifetime of four years. The present result suggests that reducing the float surfacing time would improve the accuracy of the salinity measurements.     

Experimental survey of the hydrodynamic performance of a small spar buoy

The objective in this experimental work is to evaluate the capability of several cylindrical buoys to follow and measure waves. Eleven configurations have been studied, eight among which were furnished with disks of different diameters at the waterline. The experiments took place in the test basin at ISITV. On the one hand, we have obtained a set of transfer coefficients for each frequency and each configuration in regular waves. On the other hand, we have determined the corresponding transfer functions, then we have used the latter to measure irregular waves. The time signals as measured by the buoys with and without corrections have been compared with wave gage measurements and subjected to a wave-by-wave analysis. The results allow the conclusion that the buoy with a medium size disk constitutes the best compromise. In fact, it permits the buoy to follow the free surface while minimizing parasitic motions.     

Retention of arsenic and phosphorus in iron-rich concretions of Tagus salt marshes

Iron-rich concretions are frequently found around plant roots in Tagus estuary (Portugal) where radial delivery of O₂ takes place. Salt marsh sediments exhibit cracks that are an additional feature to introduce O₂ and other solutes in the upper sediments. Metal concentrations in salt marsh sediments are clearly above the background levels reflecting the anthropogenic sources from a large city with 2.5 million inhabitants, and several industrial centres. In order to evaluate how both oxidised structures influences the redistribution of redox sensitive elements in salt marsh sediments, concretions were collected from roots of Halimione portucaloides below the oxygenated zone. These tubular cylindrical structures were analysed for Fe, Al, Mn, As, and P along 1-cm radial transect in a millimetre scale from the inner part to the adjacent anoxic sediment. In addition, oxidised cracks were analysed for the same spatial resolution, from the sediment–water interface to anoxic layers (2-cm transept). The parallelism between Fe, As, and P concentrations at this microscale is the most noticeable aspect. Iron and As presented very high concentrations in the 4-mm concretions (3.4 mmol g⁻¹ and 3.1 μmol g⁻¹, respectively) and decreased sharply to the host sediment. Oxygen released from roots oxidise the solid sulphides, and the reduced Fe and As are transported towards the root by both diffusion and pore water flow associated with the root water uptake. Subsequently, Fe(III) precipitates and As is retained by sorption and/or coprecipitation. These elements are also enriched in the first 2-mm of oxidised cracks, but in lower concentrations (50% and 30%, respectively). Manganese concentrations in concretions were low (11.8 μmol g⁻¹), indicating that Fe dominates the sediment chemistry. Phosphorus and iron concentrations in the ascorbate fraction were higher in the oxidising surfaces of concretions (10.7 μmol g⁻¹ and 1.6 mmol g⁻¹, respectively) and of cracks (5.1 μmol g⁻¹ and 0.47 mmol g⁻¹). The parallelism of Fe and As distributions includes not only their similar redox chemistries, but also that to phosphate, including control by coprecipitation of the host iron phases. The mechanisms involved in the mobilisation of As and P are however different, whereas As comes from the oxidation of iron sulphides; dissolved P derives from reduction of ferri-hydroxide phases.     

Simple determination of dimethylsulfide (DMS) and dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) using solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) is a simple, sensitive and less destructive method for the determination of dimethylsulfide (DMS) in seawater. Combined with detection by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the method had sufficient sensitivity (minimum detectable concentration of DMS was 0.05 nM), and practical levels of reproducibility (relative standard deviation ≤7%) and linearity (r ² > 0.995) over a wide concentration range (0.5 to 910 nM). The protocol developed was applied to a Sagami Bay water sample to determine concentrations of DMS and DMSP, and in situ DMSP-lyase activity.     

Eddy Shedding from the Kuroshio Bend at Luzon Strait

TOPEX/POSEDIENT-ERS satellite altimeter data along with the mean state from the Parallel Ocean Climate Model result have been used to investigate the variation of Kuroshio intrusion and eddy shedding at Luzon Strait during 1992–2001. The Kuroshio penetrates into the South China Sea and forms a bend. The Kuroshio bend varies with time, periodically shedding anticyclonic eddies. Criteria of eddy shedding are identified: 1) When the shedding event occurs, there are usually two centers of high Sea Surface Height (SSH) together with negative geostrophic vorticity in the Kuroshio Bend (KB) area. 2) Between the two centers of high SSH there usually exists positive geostrophic vorticity. These criteria have been used to determine the eddy shedding times and locations. The most frequent eddy shedding intervals are 70, 80 and 90 days. In both the winter and summer monsoon period, the most frequent locations are 119.5°E and 120°E, which means that the seasonal variation of eddy shedding location is unclear.     

Geodynamics of the deep sedimentary basin of the Caspian Sea region: paragenetic correlation of seismicity and mud volcanism

In this paper we analyze seismic regime and earthquake depth distribution and correlation of seismicity and mud volcanism in the Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea region. For the present region we have calculated accurate source locations, seismic activity, earthquake repetition and released earthquake energy parameters. It is shown that the active tectonic processes in the region are concentrated within the thick sedimentary cover that we consider as a general source of contemporary stress and a main structural element responsible for the origin of regional earthquakes. The correlation of seismicity and mud volcanism is of paragenetic character.     

The Effect of Human Exclusion on the Population Structure of Key-Hole Limpets Fissurella crassa and F. limbata on the Coast of Central Chile

Abstract. We describe the basic ecology of two key-hole limpets, Fissurella crassa and Fissurella limbata , which are heavily harvested by coastal shellfishermen (mariscadores) at the rocky intertidal of central Chile. The ecological role of human predation on these species was assessed. Anthropic exclusion from a stretch of the rocky intertidal at Las Cruces (non-harvested area) for about two and a half years resulted in changes of the densities and size distributions of these fissurelid species as compared to populations in control zones (harvested area). Differential human predation generates, on key-hole limpets, responses of different intensities related to the accessibility of man to the mesohabitats (sheltered platforms, exposed platforms and vertical walls) and fringes of the intertidal (mid-low intertidal and Lessonia nigrescens fringe). Thus, size distributions and mean densities of both fissurelids differ widely between the harvested and non-harvested areas on both platform habitats but not on vertical walls. In the mid-low intertidal fringe, differences are greater than in the less accessible L. nigrescens intertidal fringe. Moreover, we discuss the way in which other species, directly harvested by mariscadores (i. e., the mollusc Concholepas concholepas) can affect the keyhole limpet populations of central Chile rocky shores. Finally, we highlight the ecological role of these limpets on the dynamics of intertidal ecosystems and how they can modify community landscape.