Analysis of the response of a non-linear data assimilation algorithm in a one-dimensional model of the upper ocean

A one-dimensional (1D) integral dynamico-stochastic model of the upper ocean with a non-linear assimilation algorithm is considered. The accuracy of computing the characteristics of the upper layer depends essentially on the values of the empirical coefficients. A numerical experiment was carried out which verified the efficiency of the model's adaptive mechanism operation when different values of the empirical coefficients and their variances were preset. Recommendations on assigment of the model's initial parameters are derived.Translated by Mikhail M. Trufanov.     

Environmental monitoring in a gas production area on the northwestern Black-Sea shelf

The results of long-term seasonal oceanographic observations conducted by YugNIRO from 1955 to 1991 in standard cross-sections on the northwestern shelf of the Black Sea and data obtained by monitoring oil and chemical pollution of the marine environment from 1987 to 1993 in the area of gas deposit development are systematized and statistically treated. The oceanographic conditions of pollution field formation in this region are studied. The dynamics and distribution of total concentrations of oil products and microelements (Hg, Cu, Pb, Cd, and Cr) in water and bottom sediments are examined in the areas in Karkinitskii Bay where permanent offshore platforms are operated. The obtained results are compared with data on the background environmental pollution of the Black Sea and World Ocean. A hypothesis is offered to elucidate the possible causes and mechanisms through which offshore gas production affects the hydrochemical conditions on the shelf. The monitoring data are said to be a necessary information basis for the prediction of pollution dynamics in Karkinitskii Bay with the use of a box-type hydroecological model of petroleum hydrocarbon biotransformations in water, and approaches for the use of these data for this purpose are outlined.     

The Effect of Environmental Factors on the Cognitive Functions of Cadets at a Military Institute

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - The relevance of studying the influence of environmental factors on the psychophysiological characteristics of cognitive functions of cadets at a naval...     

Geochemistry of zircons from basic rocks of the Korosten anorthosite-mangerite-charnockite-granite complex,north-western region of the Ukrainian Shield

Mineralogy and Petrology - The concentrations of 26 trace elements have been determined by laser ablation ICP-MS in zircons from four samples of basic rocks of the Korosten...     

Some Environmental Consequences of Soil Dumping in the Black Sea as a Result of Dredging Operations in Kerch Strait

The results of monitoring performed by Southern Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography (YugNIRO) in 1990–1998 in the course of dredging operations with dumping in the Black Sea of soils dredged in Kerch Strait are analyzed. The study covered the soil physical properties and particle size distribution; the extent of the soil pollution by heavy metals, oil products, and organochlorine compounds; the amounts of such pollutants delivered into the sea with these soils; the extent of pollution of water and bottom sediment in the zone of soil dumping offshore Kerch Strait. The amounts of pollutants entering the Black Sea as a result of soil dumping are compared with those entering the sea from other pollutant sources, and the extent of environmental pollution in the dumping zone is compared with the background level of the sea pollution. The admissible rates of soil dumping are estimated, and potential consequences of this process are predicted.     

Currents and turbulent diffusion in the bottom boundary layer of the Barents Sea

The numerical analysis of the stationary field of current velocity on the upper boundary of the bottom boundary layer in the Barents Sea is performed on the basis of a simplified model taking into account the fields of wind velocity and density of water for the principal periods of the seasonal cycle and the bottom topography. The analysis is based on the climatic BarKode database and the data on the wind velocity over the Barents Sea for the last 50 yr. The numerical results demonstrate that the field of bottom currents is fairly nonuniform and the current velocities vary from several fractions of 1 cm/sec to 5 cm/sec in the zones with noticeable slopes of the bottom. The estimates of the thickness of the bottom boundary layer are obtained for the constant coefficient of bottom friction C _f = 0.04. In the major part of the water area of the Barents Sea, the thickness of the bottom boundary layer is close to 1 m. In the regions with significant slopes of the bottom, it increases to 2–2.5 m and, in the two zones of intensification of the bottom currents, becomes as large as 5 m. The maximum estimate of the coefficient of turbulent viscosity is close to 5 cm²/sec. The mean value of the coefficient of vertical density diffusion K _S is equal to 2.34 cm²/sec and its standard deviation is equal to 1.52 cm²/sec. __________ Translated from Morskoi Gidrofizicheskii Zhurnal, No. 4, pp. 31–49, September–October, 2007.     

Numerical simulations of eddies in the Gulf of Lion

We present realistic simulations of mesoscale anticyclonic eddies, present in the western side of the Gulf of Lion and generally observed in satellite imagery during July and August. A nested model of 1-km resolution covering the Gulf of Lion is implemented from a coarse model of 3-km resolution. The models use an upwind-type advection–diffusion scheme, in which the numerical diffusion term is adjusted by an attenuation coefficient. Sensitivity tests have been carried out, varying the model spatial resolution and the attenuation coefficient to reproduce the (sub)mesoscale structures. A wavelet technique is applied to analyze the modelled horizontal relative vorticity in order to define the area, position and tracking duration of the eddy structures. Comparisons between the modelled eddies and those observed by satellite have allowed us to choose the best model setup. With this setup, the studied anticyclonic eddy lasted for 60 days.     

Strong intrusions of the Northern Mediterranean Current on the eastern Gulf of Lion: insights from in-situ observations and high resolution numerical modelling

The Northern Mediterranean Current is the return branch of the cyclonic circulation of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea. Because of geostrophic constraints, this warm and oligotrophic current is forced to flow westward along the continental slope of the Gulf of Lion. But, occasionally, it penetrates on the shelf and strongly impacts the local biogeochemistry and in turn the primary production. By combining in situ observations and high-resolution modelling, it is shown that intrusions on the eastern part of the gulf are mainly forced by easterly or northwesterly wind events, through physical mechanisms that are very different in nature. Easterlies induce a piling of water along the Gulf of Lion coast that drives, through geostrophy, an alongshore shelf-intruding current. This intrusive current occurs independently of the stratification and is concomitant with the wind forcing. On the other hand, intrusions due to northwesterlies only occur during stratified conditions and are related to the development of upwellings along the Gulf of Lion coasts. When the upwelling develops, a northwestward alongshore pressure force balances the Coriolis force associated with the onshore flow at depth. When the winds drop, the upwelling relaxes and the onshore flow weakens. Consequently, the Coriolis force no longer counterbalances the pressure force that ultimately dominates the momentum balance, causing the displacement of the Northern Current on the Gulf of Lion shelf approximately 1 day after the wind relaxation. This time lag between the northwesterlies decrease and the intrusions permits to anticipate possible changes in the biogeochemistry of the Gulf of Lion.     

On age of Nazimovskaya and Khasan formations in the Paleogene succession of southwestern Primor’e

Materials of previous studies and new original geological and paleobotanic data are used to substantiate synchronism (late Eocene) of the Khasan and Nazimovskaya formations, the key stratigraphic units of the Paleogene in Primor’e. Coal-bearing sediments of the units rest upon early-middle Eocene volcanics (Kraskino rhyolite tuffs, Zaisanovka basaltic andesites) being overlain by the lower Fatash Subformation of the lower Oligocene with flora of the Kraskino type. The Ust’-Davydovskaya Formation of the Rechnoi Peninsula (outskirts of Vladivostok) is the most probable analogue of the Khasan (=Nazimovskaya) Formation.     

Ecogeographical assessment of the possible impact of mariculture on coastal waters in the Eastern Black Sea

Trends in mariculture development in Russia are studied. Global experience in controlling the after-effects of fish farm operation for the marine environment are analyzed. Statistical procesing of the data of field oceanographic surveys, carried out in 1957–1989 in a one-mile coastal zone in the Eastern Black Sea, was implemented. Results of studying natural factors determining the input of organic pollutants and the rate of their biogeochemical transformation, as well as the conditions of sediment accumulation and water aeration in the Russian part of the Black Sea coast were systematized. It was found that powerful natural self-purification mechanisms of aquatic environment act along the North Caucasian coast of the Black Sea. The conclusion on almost complete environmental safety of a marine underwater fish farm, which is under construction in the Sochi Region (Khosta Settl.) was made. Attention is attracted to the need to take into account the high hydrodynamic activity in the investigated region in the process of fixing keepnets on anchors while anchoring the fish farm.