On the long-term joint distribution of characteristic wave height and period and its application

By analysing the scatter diagrams of characteristic the wave height H and the period T on the basis of instrumental data from various ocean wave stations, we found that the conditional expectation and standard deviation of wave period for a given wave height can be better predicted by using the equations of normal linear regression rather than by those based on the log- normal law. The latter was implied in Ochi' s bivariate log-normal model(Ochi. 1978) for the long-term joint distribution of H and T. With the expectation and standard deviation predicted by the normal linear regression equations and applying proper types of distribution, we have obtained the conditional distribution of T for given H. Then combining this conditional P(T / H) with long-term marginal distribution of the wave height P(H) we establish a new parameterized model for the long-term joint distribution P(H,T). As an example of the application of the new model we give a method for estimating wave period associated with an extreme w     

THE VERTICAL MIGRATION OF DIATOM IN LITTORAL OF XIBIAN AND XIAO''AO

The vertical migration of diatoms in mud-flats was studied in littoral of Xibian, Longhai County and Xiao'ao, Lianjiang County, the dominant species being Gyrosigma spencerii and Hantzschia virgata respectively. Both light and tide are important factors affecting the vertical migration of diatoms. With the advent of tide, the diatom community disappears from the surface. It reappears gradually when exposed to light. In the dark, the diatoms never appear in great quantity on the surface in laboratory or in littoral. Whether in the light or in the dark, the diatoms aggregate in maximum numbers in the upper 2 mm of the sediment. But when the tide has covered the sediments for 4 hr, Hantz. virgata penetrates the mud down to a depth of 14 mm, Gy. spencerii, 12 mm. We have found that Gy. spencerii posseses phototaxis, but no tide rhythm and no day-night rhythm in our laboratory.     

EFFECT OF THE KUROSHIO VARIATION ON THE SUBTROPICAL HIGH PRESSURE

By using occanographic data (luring 1955-1978, we have analysed aspects of volume transport variation of the Kuroshio tor PN-linc in the East China Sea, and relationships between volume transport variation of the Kuroshio and the subtropical high pressure (SHP) of the Pacific. We have found that volume transport of the Kuroshio is closely related to the long-period oscillations of the subtropical high pressure for 8-9 years and 2-3 years, respectively. The subtropical high pressure has a phase lag behind compared with volume transport of the Kuroshio. In addition, the seasonal volume transport of the Kuroshio is closely related to the subtropical high pressure, too. The results show that volume transport variation of the Kuroshio has certain influence on future variation of the subtropical high pressure. Therefore, the volume transport of the Kuroshio may be an important parameter lor long-period forecasting of the subtropical high pressure.     

The role of marine spatial planning in sea use management: The Belgian case

The expansion of offshore activities and the increasing need to meet international and national commitments to biodiversity conservation have led to an enhanced interest in marine spatial planning (MSP) as a tool for sea use management. Several European countries, on their own initiative or driven by European legislation and policy, have taken global leadership in implementing MSP. This article will discuss the Belgian experiences with MSP. It will give a short historical overview based on legal developments and review the implementation process of a ‘Master Plan’ as a spatial management policy for the Belgian Part of the North Sea. Additionally, this article will reflect on the research that has been done in Belgium to apply a land-use planning approach to the marine environment. The MSP process in Belgium shows that a spatial approach to sea use management is possible despite the lack of a legal zoning framework. However, it concludes that a legal basis for MSP, in addition to the current permit system, would provide a more strategic and integrated framework for ecosystem-based, sea use management.     

Field observations of waves generated by passing ships: A note

This short contribution reports the results of a field study on the nearshore characteristics of waves generated by both conventional and high speed passenger ferries. The field observations took place in the late summer of 2005, at a beach close to the port of Mytilene (Island of Lesbos, Greece), and involved the visual observation of ship waves, using digital video recordings and image processing techniques. The results showed that passage of the fast ferry was associated with a longer, more complex and energetic nearshore event; this event not only did include higher nearshore waves (up to 0.74 m) and was organised in different wave packets, but it was also an order of magnitude longer (∼ 680 s) than the conventional ferry event. Regarding the effects on beach sediment dynamics, the fast ferry waves were estimated to be very efficient in mobilising the nearshore sediments in contrast to those of the conventional ferry. The fast ferry service appears to generate daily prolonged nearshore events, which contain waves with higher energy than those expected from the normal summer wind wave regime of the area; these events also include some high and very steep waves, which can be particularly erosive. Therefore, fast ferry wakes may have considerable impacts on the seasonal beach sediment dynamics/morphodynamics and the nearshore benthic ecology, as well as they may pose significant risks to bathers, affecting the recreational use of the beaches exposed to fast ferry traffic. Finally, the study has shown that satisfactory field observations of the nearshore characteristics of ship-generated (and wind) waves can be obtained using inshore deployments of calibrated poles, digital video cameras and appropriate image processing algorithms.     

Spatial and temporal variability of the ratios between the nitrate and phosphate concentrations in the Sea of Okhotsk

The relation between the nitrate and phosphate concentrations in the Sea of Okhotsk and the bordering waters of the Pacific Ocean were studied. The surveys were carried out in the autumn, spring, and summer of 2001–2002. For the deepwater part of the sea, the relation [NO^? ₃] = ((14.88 ± 0.07) × [PO^3? ₄] ? 5.46 ± 0.17) was found. The coefficients in the equation given are statistically different from those in the similar equation for the Pacific waters: [NO^? ₃] = (16.05 ± 0.15) × [PO^3? ₄]-(7.23 ± 0.36). In the northern part of the sea; on the shelf; in the slope area; and, especially, in the deep waters of the TINRO Depression, the linear dependence between the phosphate and nitrate concentrations was distorted. This feature was described in terms of nitrate deficiency. The maximum values of this deficiency were found in the near-bottom waters. The principal processes that might cause the nitrate deficiency were considered: the difference in the oxidation rates of the nitrogen and phosphorus organic compounds, the matter transfer between the continent and the sea, the different efficiency of the biogenic burial of nitrogen and phosphorus in the bottom sediments, and the denitrification in the upper layer of the bottom sediments. It was shown that the most probable cause of the nitrate deficiency was the denitrification. The loss of inorganic nitrogen owing to the supply of the waters of the Sea of Okhotsk to the Pacific Ocean was estimated as ～2.5 × 10¹¹ mol N/year.     

Photochemical models of the atmosphere and their application in ozonosphere and climate studies: A review

This review is devoted to problems in the photochemical modeling of atmospheric processes. The physicochemical and mathematical foundations underlying the construction of photochemical models are described, a classification of the atmospheric reactions is presented, and the features of photochemical modeling are considered under various irradiance conditions for various atmospheric layers and geographical regions. Atmospheric processes that are important to photochemical models are discussed. Applications involving photochemical models are outlined. Some results are presented to illustrate the capabilities of photochemical models. Special attention is given to relatively recent directions in photochemical modeling, such as data assimilation and inverse problems. The review can be used by experts in areas related to atmospheric chemistry as a basic source of knowledge on the subject and for the development of photochemical modules for atmospheric models.     

An optimized method for automated analysis of algal pigments by HPLC

A recent development in algal pigment analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is the application of automation. An optimization of a complete sampling and analysis protocol applied specifically in automation has not yet been performed. In this paper we show that automation can only be successful if the various methodological aspects of the sampling and analysis protocol are considered in coherence. We introduce an optimized protocol that involves freeze-drying of the sample, subsequent extraction in 90% acetone and the application of water-packing during analysis. The method was evaluated on both natural plankton populations and a broad spectrum of microalgal cultures: Thalassiosira weisflogii (Bacillariophyceae), Emiliania huxleyi (Prymnesiophyceae), Phaeocystis globosa and Phaeocystis antarctica (Prymnesiophyceae) and Pyramimonas sp. (Prasinophyceae). Whereas pigment extracts were unstable in methanol, with recorded chlorophyll a losses from 10% to 60% per day, pigment degradation rates in acetone were generally less than 1% over 18 h storage in the autosampler (4 °C). In addition, it was found that the extraction efficiency of acetone significantly increased upon freeze-drying prior to extraction. Increases as high as 50–60% were measured in P. antarctica. The application of water-packing of the sample during injection resulted in improved peak shape and peak separation, without diluting the pigment concentrations. Automation is especially beneficial for application in the field, when mixed algal assemblages and low biomass put a high demand on the sensitivity as well as reproducibility of the method.     

Seasonal evolution of the transverse thermohaline asymmetry in the Ria de Pontevedra (northwestern Spain)

A quasi-permanent transverse asymmetry in the thermohaline properties of the Ria de Pontevedra (northwestern Spain) was measured from October 1997 to October 1998 during 23 cruises. On average, the density increased form north to south. This asymmetry was maintained by salinity during the wet season, and by salinity and temperature during the dry season. The density difference between coasts (Δσ_t = σ_tsouth − σ_tnorth) and the river discharge were positively correlated (correlation coefficient, approximately 0.6) throughout the year. The density difference was negatively correlated with the upwelling index during the wet season (correlation coefficient, approximately −0.45) and positively correlated during the dry season (correlation coefficient, approximately 0.55).     

山东近海牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)自然和养殖群体10个微卫星基因座位的遗传多态性分析

采用微卫星遗传标记技术对山东近海牙鲆自然群体和养殖群体的遗传多样性进行了研究。实验所用牙鲆于2003年5月分别采自山东近海和青岛胶南养鱼场，各20尾，取全血或肌肉组织，以酚-仿抽提方法提取基因组DNA，利用筛选获得的10对微卫星引物进行PCR扩增，反应产物经8％非变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳分离、EB显色，用ImageMasterl D Elite(Version 3．01)软件分析电泳结果，并计算了相应的遗传学参数。结果表明，在自然和养殖群体中，10个基因座位的等位基因平均数(α)分别为6．7和6．1，每个基因座位有效等位基因数(αe)分别为1．8—6．8和2．5—6．7，群体平均杂合度(H)分别为0．8120和0．7310；两个群体间的遗传相似性系数、遗传距离和基因分化系数为0．8558、0．1557和0．0558；自然群体内每个座位上的多态信息含量(PIC)为0．59—0．84、个体识别率(DP)为0．54—0．86、非父排除率(PPE)为0．41—0．72，其累积个体识别率和非父排除率均达到0．9999，表明所选座位属中高识别力的遗传标记，可以将它们应用于今后牙鲆雌核发育群体的遗传变异分析以及进一步的遗传育种的研究中。