Deterministic decomposition of pitch-and-roll buoy measurements

Wave-gauge arrays, current meters and pitch-and-roll buoys are widely used for the recording of directional properties of ocean waves. For the determination of directional spectra the traditional stochastic procedure usually includes the selection of a parameterized spreading function. The present theory, which is illustrated below for a pitch-and-roll buoy, decomposes the information into frequencies, amplitudes, directions, and also phases. Furthermore, this procedure requires no assumption of any function describing the expected form of the directional spread. The theory of this deterministic decomposition is described and compared to the traditional stochastic principles. Only for reasons of this comparison and presentation, the deterministically obtained directional distributions are fitted to normal distributions.Measurements taken by pitch-and-roll buoys and by current meter/wave gauge are presented and discussed. The remarkable tendency in the variation of the directional spread as a function of frequency is found for two quite different locations. To quantify the directional spread obtained from the deterministic method normal distributions are fitted, and the mean values and variances are plotted and discussed.     

Short-term variations in trace metal concentrations in the baltic

Baltic surface water was sampled at a fixed position at intervals of a few hours. The trace metal concentrations were measured by graphite furnace AAS after extraction. The mean concentrations found were (ng l^?1): Cd, 30 ± 2.7; Cu, 800 ± 48; Fe, 358 ± 165; Ni, 820 ± 49; Pb, 16 ± 4.5; Zn, 900 ± 160. The variability in the trace metal concentrations is of the same order of magnitude as the precision of the method. Thus, no spatial variations in trace metal concentrations were found.     

The national atlases of Finland

The first edition of Atlas of Finland was published in 1899, and since then four more editions have appeared, the fifth started in 1977. The two first editions (the second appeared in 1910) were published in order to define the identity of the nation during a time of Russian political opression and a nationalistic awakening. During the same period, in 1901 J. Gebhard published a social-statistical atlas of Finland, likewise a work of scholarly pioneering. The third edition of Atlas of Finland appeared in 1925, here the geographical analysis was much enhanced thanks to the editorial work of J.G. Granö. At this time Finland was still predominately an agrarian state, however, when the forth edition of the Finnish national atlas was published in 1960, the wind of change had set in. Prof. Leo Aario was the leader of this edition, where the deep changes after WW II were documentated,3also the beginning of the rapi d industrialization of the country.The fifth edition is published in separate thematic folios of some 25 pages each. The first folio on Forestry was published in 1977, and so far 4 folios have appeared of a total of 25. In each folio the graphic material and the text are integrated. There will be some 1 500 statistical maps, most of them on the scale of 1:8 mill., about 10 maps on the scale of 1:1 mill. will be included. The editorial work is organized in connection with the National Board of Survey of Finland, which has also the responsibility for the printing and marketing of the atlas. The fifth edition should be finished in 1986. At the same time the work on the next edition should be on its way.     

Seasonal and spatial changes in the zooplankton community of Kongsfjorden, Svalbard

Seasonal changes in the zooplankton composition of the glacially influenced Kongsfjorden, Svalbard (79°N, 12°E), and its adjacent shelf were studied in 2002. Samples were collected in the spring, summer and autumn in stratified hauls (according to hydrographic characteristics), by means of a 0.180-mm Multi Plankton Sampler. A strong front between the open sea and the fjord waters was observed during the spring, preventing water mass exchange, but was not observed later in the season. The considerable seasonal changes in zooplankton abundance were related to the seasonal variation in hydrographical regime. The total zooplankton abundance during the spring (40–2010 individuals m⁻³) was much lower than in the summer and autumn (410–10 560 individuals m⁻³). The main factors shaping the zooplankton community in the fjord include: the presence of a local front, advection, the flow pattern and the decreasing depth of the basin in the inner fjord. Presumably these factors regulate the gross pattern of zooplankton density and distribution, and override the importance of biological processes. This study increased our understanding of seasonal processes in fjords, particularly with regard to the strong seasonal variability in the Arctic.     

Ordovician conodonts of the Tarim Region, Xinjiang, China: Occurrence and use as paleoenvironment indicators

A review of the distribution of different Ordovician conodont faunas in eight areas of the Tarim Region shows that these conodont faunas can be classified into the North China and South China types. The North China type is characterized by Aurilobodus leptosomatus, A. aurilobodus, A. simplex, Tangshanodus tanshanensis, Loxodus dissectus, Parasseratognathus paltodiformis, Microcoelodus symmetricus, Belodina compressa, B. confluens, Pseudobelodina dispansa, Yaoxianognathus yaoxianensis, and Taoqupognathus blandus. These were adapted to shallow, warm-water environments. The South China type is represented by the genera Amorphognathus, Baltoniodus, Cahabagnathus, Eoplacognathus, Lenodus, Microzarkodina, Oepikodus, Paroistodus, Paracordylodus, Periodon, Polonodus, and Pygodus, which were adapted to outer shelf, deeper, and colder water environments. Using the general pattern of conodont distribution, it is possible to interpret the various depositional environments and to reconstruct broad changes in palaeogeography of the Tarim Region during Ordovician time. In general, during Tremadocian to early Middle Ordovician time, most of the Tarim Region was a shallow semi-restricted platform that became deeper towards the north and east, with an open platform in Kalping and in the northern part of Taklimakan Desert. A slope and deep basin existed in the current Tianshan Mountains region. The Tarim sea was shallow during the Early Ordovician and became deeper during “Caradocian” (Sandbian and Early Katian) time, to become shallow again during “Ashgillian” (Late Katian) time, with the exception of part of central Taklimakan, which was a land area during “Caradocian” (Sandbian and Early Katian) time.     

The determination of Cd,Cu, Fe,Ni, Pb and Zn in Baltic Sea water

Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined in 123 samples from the Baltic Sea proper. The trace metals were extracted directly on board the vessel, using a dithiocarbamate-Freon procedure. Final analyses of the extracts are performed onshore by atomic absorption spectrometry.Similar trace-metal concentrations are found in different areas of the Baltic proper. Most values fall in the following ranges: Cd, 30–60 ng 1^?1; Cu, 0.6–1.0 μg 1^?1; Fe, 0.3–0.9 μg 1^?1; Ni, 0.6–0.9 μg 1^?1; Pb, 0.05–0.2 μg 1^?1; and Zn, 1.5–3.5 μg 1^?1. The metal-concentrations are generally independent of depth. However, copper exhibits a small but significent decrease in concentration below 80 m.Filtration did not affect trace-metal concentrations, with the exception of iron in waters from lower layers. Similarly, storage under acid conditions was shown to affect only the concentration of iron. An electro-chemical technique was also used to determine Cu in some samples.     

Emission rating: Trials of engines in the fjord ferries

Transport authorities, engine manufacturers and operators, together with researchers from Norwegian Marine Technology Research Institute (MARINTEK), have carried out work to document, by practical tests, emission reduction effects by a simple emission rating of marine propulsion diesel engines in Norwegian car-carrying ferries. The tests were carried out on four individual ferries, all representative of the fleet linking up national roads in coastal areas of Norway. The demonstration project gave valuable information on the potential decrease in emissions by a simple emission rating of propulsion engines. It also quantified the verified circumstances that otherwise easily could have been regarded as allegations. It put the control of emissions on the agenda of the ferry industry, and further work is being planned.     

An improved Kajak-type gravity core sampler for soft bottom sediments

A new, modified model of the Kajak tube core sampler is presented. The new sampler is intended for use on soft sediments, and hence of light weight (12 kg). The improved sampler offers the following advantages. (1) increased robustness, (2) simplified attachment of the coring tube to the holder and valve assembly, permitting quick exchange of sampling tubes, (3) unimpeded flow of water through the tube during slow descent, (4) a reliable, automatic mechanism closing the top of the core tube after impact, and (5) an easily dismantled supporting frame, which also protects the sampler from damage against the side of the boat in rought weather. The operation of the sampler has been observedin situ and during ordinary shipboard collection of core samples, with satisfactory results.