A new look at the alkalinity of the Sea of Japan

The most important feature of the distribution of the alkalinity and calcium in the Sea of Japan—the increase in the potential alkalinity with depth under the conditions when the waters are supersaturated in relation to calcium carbonate—is considered. It is demonstrated that this fact cannot be accounted for by the reaction of the formation-dissolution of calcium carbonate. A new concept explaining the alkalinity distribution in the sea is proposed. According to it, the biological pump is the basic process responsible for the alkalinity transport from the euphotic layer into the interior of the sea. Photosynthesis is the driving force for this process. The role of the active element transporting the alkalinity is not calcium carbonate, as has been claimed elsewhere, but extracellular polysaccharides (EPSs) produced by phytoplankton. EPSs bind to calcium and other cations to form transparent exopolymer particles (TEPs). The proposed conception makes it possible to explain the following: (a) the vertical flux of calcium carbonate that is independent of the super-saturation—undersaturation state of the ambient water regarding calcium carbonate; (b) the existence of the calcium carbonate flux regardless of the nature of the plankton skeletons; (c) the nonstoichiometric ratio between the alkalinity and calcium fluxes.     

Seasonality and duration in extreme value distributions of significant wave height

This paper presents a statistical model to characterize the long-term extreme value distribution of significant wave height, conditioning to the duration of the storm and accounting for seasonality. A time-dependent version of the peak over threshold (POT) approach is used to build the model, which is then applied to specific reanalysis time series and NOAA buoy records. The model considers the annual and semiannual cycles which are parameterized in terms of harmonic functions. The inclusion of seasonal variabilities substantially reduces the residuals of the fitted model. The information obtained in this study can be useful to design maritime works, because (a) the model improves the understanding of the variability of extreme wave climate along a year and (b) the model accounts for the duration of the storm, which is a key parameter in several formulations for rubble mound breakwater design.     

Anomalous Decimeter Radio Noise from the Region of the Atmospheric Front: II. On the Nonthermal Mechanism of UHF Noise

The intensity and spectrum of nonthermal radiation from a cloud of oppositely charged drops as a possible explanation for the anomalous UHF radio noise originating from frontal clouds have been considered. It has been shown that the noise intensity is determined by the dimensions of charged particles and the particle electrification rate, which must equal 0.1–0.3 C/s km³. The radiation spectrum in the UHF range strongly depends on the resistance of microdischarge channels between drops. The frequency dependence of the radiation agrees with experimental data if R ≤ 377 Ω, i.e., if oscillations of the discharge current appear.     

Equilibrium constants of triethanolamine in major seawater salts

Acid–base equilibrium constants of triethanolamine (TEA) have been determined by potentiometric titrations with a glass electrode, at 25 °C. Ionic strength was kept constant with only one electrolyte (using one of these salts: NaCl, KCl, MgCl₂ or CaCl₂), with binary mixtures of MgCl₂ and CaCl₂, and finally, in a solution with a composition approximately similar to that of natural seawater without sulfate. Equilibrium constants have been expressed in function of ionic strength by means of Pitzer equations and interaction parameters proposed in this theory have been obtained. It has been found that acid–base behaviour of TEA depends greatly on the salt used: basicity of TEA is decreased by CaCl₂, while it is increased by the other electrolytes used in this work.     

Optimization of dissolved urea measurements in coastal waters with the combination of a single reagent and high temperature

Urea is an unstable and intermediate organic nitrogenous compound present in coastal environments and is derived from the excretion of some aquatic organisms and wastewater discharges. Urea plays an important role in the nitrogen cycle, where it is utilized by algae, including diatoms. However, there are very limited relevant data on the production, consumption, and degradation of urea because of the lack of appropriate measurement techniques. The conventional method is based on the formation of a colored product when urea reacts with diacetyl monoxime in a sulfuric acid solution. We examined the optimal conditions for the formation of the colored product; specifically, we evaluated different temperatures (22–80 °C), reaction times, mixing ratios of color reagents, and sample storage times. Application of the single mixed color-developing reagent (COLDER) at 70 °C resulted in the optimal formation of the colored product within a short reaction time of 60 min. This method was then used to measure dissolved urea in different coastal environments. The concentrations detected were as follows: 0.65–0.72, 0.49–0.58, and 1.09–2.28 µM urea-N at coral reef, seagrass, and mangrove sites, respectively. Our results showed high precision (SD = 0.02, CV = 1.2%), a low detection limit (0.03 µM urea-N), and a high recovery rate (94–99%). In summary, this high-temperature procedure for urea measurements should be valuable for obtaining high-precision data that can further the understanding of urea dynamics and its role in coastal ecosystems.     

Peculiarities of slick formation on the sea surface

This paper deals with surface slicks, their nature, and causes of formation in context of the development of remote detection methods and investigation of dynamic processes in the ocean and at the air–ocean interface. A simplified formalism is introduced for slick–sea surface contrast formation which takes into account the upward sea radiation and qualitatively explains in situ measurement results. The results of a detection of slicks on the coastal water surface are also described, which, together with the simplified formalism suggested, provide optimal experimental conditions for slick–sea surface contrast measurements; i.e., the contrast of the P component of reflected radiation is measured at viewing angles close to the horizon.     

Model of sand-particle separation by wind

We consider a mechanism for sand-particle separation by wind. A computational experiment has been conducted to find the possible characteristics of the structure of the mutual location of particles. We consider some scenarios for particle separation from the surface: the direct separation of particles by wind (without primary rotation) and the rolling of particles over the surface and separation after rolling. The critical wind velocities calculated for these two scenarios have made it possible to describe the probable states of surface particles as a function of wind velocity at the surface.     

Identifying Rocky Seabed Using GIS-Modeled Predictor Variables

Mapping the seabed along the Norwegian coast is costly and time consuming. Hence, finding a modeling method to separate rocky seabed from other substrate types will provide digital maps that may be used to develop cost-effective sampling designs to predict species and habitat distribution. Our approach was to use geophysical data that were quantitative and objectively defined, generalized additive models (GAMs), and Akaike information criterion (AIC) to develop statistical models and select among them. We found that slope, terrain curvature, wave exposure, and depth predicted rocky seabed occurrence with a high degree of certainty.     

A study in the determination of depth information from side looking Sonar

Abstract

The paper describes a general mathematical model for the determination of depths, using “stereoscopic”; Side Scan Sonar images. It is based on the assumption that the attitude and position parameters of the sensor can be continuously recorded or reconstructed by calculation.     

Reproductive cues in Panulirus ornatus

Two experiments were performed to assess the effect of photoperiod and temperature on spawning of Panulirus ornatus. In experiment 1, sexually mature lobsters taken from the wild during summer were held at one of two photoperiods, winter (13 Light: 11 Dark) and summer (14.5 Light:9.5 Dark). Additionally, lobsters were also exposed to either summer (29°C) or winter (24°C) average water temperatures. Spawning was significantly greater when animals were exposed to summer photoperiod than to winter photoperiod, irrespective of temperature. Although a higher percentage of lobsters spawned when placed under a higher temperature, this trend was not statistically significant. In experiment 2, sexually mature lobsters were taken from the wild during winter and exposed to the same two photoperiods as in experiment 1, at a summer equivalent temperature of 29°C. Breeding started earlier and was more successful at the summer photoperiod. Time to first breeding was 17 weeks after exposure to summer photoperiod, compared with less than 1 week in experiment 1, and did not occur until individuals had moulted. Moulting occurred in 81% of lobsters, primarily after an increase in temperature to 29°C. The time between moulting and mating was varied and there was no significant difference in moult frequency between the two experimental photoperiods. After the lobsters had moulted, breeding success was reached earlier if photoperiod was lengthened. Results suggest photoperiod is the primary cue for the onset of gonad maturity and mating activity, with temperature playing a less important role. Physiological rest and possibly a moult may be required between breeding seasons before spawning can occur. Furthermore, temperature may be an important cue for pre‐reproduction moulting.