A comparison of biological trends from four marine ecosystems: Synchronies, differences, and commonalities

Major features of four marine ecosystems were analyzed based on a broad range of fisheries-associated datasets and a suite of oceanographic surveys. The ecosystems analyzed included the Gulf of Maine/Georges Bank in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, the Norwegian/Barents Seas in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean, and the eastern Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. We examined survey trends in major fish abundances, total system fish biomass, and zooplankton biomasses. We standardized each time series and examined trends and anomalies over time, using both time series and cross-correlational statistical methods. We compared dynamics of functionally analogous species from each of these four ecosystems. Major commonalities among ecosystems included a relatively stable amount of total fish biomass and the importance of large calanoid copepods, small pelagic fishes and gadids. Some of the changes in these components were synchronous across ecosystems. Major differences between ecosystems included gradients in the magnitude of total fish biomass, commercial fish biomass, and the timing of major detected events. This work demonstrates the value of comparative analysis across a wide range of marine ecosystems, suggestive of very few but none-the-less detectable common features across all northern hemisphere ocean systems.     

Comparison of overflow simulations on different vertical grids using the Finite Element Ocean circulation Model

The Finite Element Ocean circulation Model (FEOM) is applied to study the sensitivity of density driven overflows to the vertical discretization and bottom topography representation using the dynamics of overflow mixing and entrainment (DOME) setup. FEOM allows for hybrid grids combining σ, z + σ, full cell, partly shaved cell and fully shaved cell grids within the same numerical kernel thus isolating as far as possible effects of mesh geometry from those of model numerics. The sensitivity of diapycnal mixing, entrainment, plume thickness and plume meridional distribution to vertical discretization and partly to the subgrid process parameterization is explored. It is shown that simulations on pure σ grids or the combination of z + σ resolve the overflow processes best in terms of downslope plume propagation, plume thickness and dilution, and also have the least resolution dependence. Grids using z-levels generate excessive spurious mixing when resolution is insufficient. Applying partial cells improves the plume representation, but still requires higher horizontal and vertical resolution to converge to the σ grid results. It is demonstrated that increasing lateral viscosity causes the plume thickness to reduce whereas increasing lateral diffusivity has opposite effect. When keeping the Prandtl number constant, the increase in diffusivity and viscosity leads to an increase in mixing and plume thickness on z-level grids and also on σ-grids when lateral dissipation is oriented along geopotential surfaces. Using the along σ- diffusion helped to obtain correct plume thickness and entrainment on σ grids. Increasing the vertical mixing coefficients leads to an increase in diapycnal mixing and in downslope penetration as well.     

Crustal structure in the Carpatho-Pannonian region: insights from three-dimensional gravity modelling and their geodynamic significance

A three-dimensional gravity modelling of the Carpatho-Pannonian region was carried out to get a better image of the Moho boundary and the most prominent intra-crustal density heterogeneities. At first, only the major density boundaries were considered: the bottom of the Tertiary basin fill, the Moho discontinuity and the lithosphere to asthenosphere boundary. Density contrasts were represented by relative densities. The improved density model shows a transitional unit of high density at the base of the crust along the Teisseyre-Tornquist Zone. In the Western Carpathians, an extensive, relatively low-density unit was inferred in mid-crustal levels. The border zone between the Southern Carpathians and the Transylvanian basin is characterized by a sharp, step-like contact of the two crustal units. The Moho configuration reveals important information on the tectonic evolution of the region. Zones of continental collision are represented by thick Moho roots (Eastern Alps, Eastern Carpathians). Transpressional orogenic segments, however, are different: in the Western Carpathians, the Moho is a flat surface; in the Dinarides, a medium Moho root is observed; the Southern Carpathians are characterized by a thick crustal root. The differences are explained with the presence or absence of “subductible” oceanic crust along the Carpathians during the extrusion of Pannonian blocks.     

On diurnal variations of the solar rotation rate as derived from sunspot tracings

The heliographic positions of more than 100 sunspots were accurately measured several times a day from 1974 until 1979 by means of the computer-controlled tracing method described by Schröter and Wöhl (1975). A striking degree of constancy of the solar rotation rate (about 0.15% or 3 m s^–1) is found, when east-west proper motion components of each individual stable sunspot is considered. However, large differences of the rotation rate are observed (up to 7% or 130 m s^–1) when comparing different sunspots. We found no significant correlation of these fluctuations with characteristics of the sunspots (age, evolution, etc.).Mitteilungen aus dem Kiepenheuer-Institut Nr. 191.     

The intensity,velocity and magnetic structure of a sunspot region

High resolution sunspot photographs in the blue, red and infrared continuum exposed on various days were used to derive the center-to-limb variation of the intensity ratio = I _sp / I _ph. Special care was taken to correct for image blurring, scattered light and the influence of line absorption.The observed increase of specific umbral intensities _u towards the limb leads to an extremely small temperature gradient in the umbra. From geometrical changes of the profiles (Wilson effect), we derived an umbral depression of about 650 km and a density scale height of about 450 km when H ^- is assumed to be the predominant source of absorption. The penumbral depression was found to be 50 km or less. The density scale height of the umbra as computed from the observed temperature distribution is 80 km in the case of hydrostatic equilibrium. We conclude that either magnetic pressure components produce deviations from hydrostatic equilibrium or that another source of absorption, dominating in the outer layers, has to be taken into account.     

A statistical analysis of large-scale brightness and velocity fluctuations in the solar atmosphere

Simultaneous photoelectric recordings of the intensities and the Doppler shifts in 5 Fraunhofer lines (H, Na D₁, Mg b₂, Fe5123, Fe5223) were used to study the structure of local large-scale fluctuations of the intensity and velocity in different layers of the solar atmosphere. We derived the autocorrelation and cross-correlation functions and the powerspectra of the fluctuations. Fluctuation patterns with a characteristic size of 3–4 × 10⁴ km were found in all observed lines. The intensity of the fluctuations decreases sharply from the chromospheric H-core to the weak iron lines. The results are discussed in terms of the solar supergranulation pattern.     

Ugandan geosites

Geosites are important and/or unique geological or geographical features of significance. Typically they comprise geological, palaeontological, as well as archaeological sites. Geosites should be regarded as deserving to be preserved and protected, either from the elements or from destructive human activities, both for the community and future generations. A good knowledge of geological heritage, and a healthy respect for it, is an important factor in the holistic approach for sustainable development. Very often, these sites bear a multi‐faceted ‘story’, which may date back from very recent times to billions of years ago. As such, geosites are of great educational and scientific value. In Africa, such sites have not been receiving the attention they deserve. Only a few countries on the continent acknowledge their importance. Within the framework of a Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project (SMMRP), geological mapping, geochemical surveys and mineral resources assessment in selected areas of Uganda have been completed under the umbrella of the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), and the Department of Geological Survey and Mines (DGSM, Uganda). Apart from recording ‘hard‐tough’ geology, 62 geosites were documented in 2010 and 2011. For the first time, such sites have been incorporated in the new geological maps of the country (at a scale of 1: 250 000). It is possible that this is the first time that such places have been shown on geological maps of Africa. Currently, the extreme north‐east of the country is being geologically mapped by DGSM, with the eventuality of more possible geosites being discovered.     

Assimilation of Earth rotation parameters into a global ocean model: length of day excitation

Changes in the oceanic current system and in the oceanic mass distribution alter, together with other processes, the state of the Earth’s rotation. This state is characterized by the length of day (LOD) and the tilt of the pole-to-pole axis. The aim of our study was to derive the respective governing physical mechanisms in the ocean. Therefore, Earth rotation observations were assimilated into a global circulation model of the ocean. Although assimilation is a well-established tool in climate science, the assimilation of Earth rotation observations into a global ocean model was done here for the first time. Prior to the assimilation, the Earth rotation observations were projected onto the angular momentum of the ocean. Non-oceanic contributions were removed. The result of the subsequent assimilation procedure is a time varying ocean model state that reproduces the projected Earth rotation observations well. This solution was studied to understand the oceanic generation of Earth rotation deviations and to identify governing physical mechanisms. This paper focuses on LOD anomalies although polar motion was assimilated simultaneously. Our results indicate that changes in the oceanic LOD excitation are mostly attributed to changes in total ocean mass. Changes in the spatial distribution of ocean mass turned out to have a minor contribution to the LOD deviations. The same applies to changes in the current system.