Efficiency of reduced-order, time-dependent adjoint data assimilation approaches

Applications of adjoint data assimilation, which is designed to bring an ocean circulation model into consistency with ocean observations, are computationally demanding. To improve the convergence rate of an optimization, reduced-order optimization methods that reduce the size of the control vector by projecting it onto a limited number of basis functions were suggested. In this paper, we show that such order reduction can indeed speed up the initial convergence rate of an assimilation effort in the eastern subtropical North Atlantic using in situ and satellite data as constraints. However, an improved performance of the optimization was only obtained with a hybrid approach where the optimization is started in a reduced subspace but is continued subsequently using the full control space. In such an experiment about 50% of the computational cost can be saved as compared to the optimization in the full control space. Although several order-reduction approaches seem feasible, the best result was obtained by projecting the control vector onto Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs) computed from a set of adjusted control vectors estimated previously from an optimization using the same model configuration.     

2-D and 3-D modelling of wide-angle seismic data: an example from the Vøring volcanic passive margin

This study presents the modelling of 2-D and 3-D wide-angle seismic data acquired on the complex, volcanic passive margin of the Vøring Plateau, off Norway. Three wide-angle seismic profiles were shot and recorded simultaneously by 21 Ocean Bottom Seismometers, yielding a comprehensive 3-D data set, in addition to the three in-line profiles. Coincident multi-channel seismic profiles are used to better constrain the modelling, but the Mesozoic and deeper structures are poorly imaged due to the presence of flood basalts and sills. Velocity modelling reveals an unexpectedly large 30 km basement high hidden below the flood basalt. When interpreted as a 2-D structure, this basement high produces a modelled gravity anomaly in disagreement with the observed gravity. However, both the gravity and the seismic data suggest that the structure varies in all three directions. The modelling of the entire 3-D set of travel times leads to a coherent velocity structure that confirms the basement high; it also shows that the abrupt transition to the slower Cretaceous basin coincides in position and orientation with the fault system forming the Rån Ridge. The positive gravity anomaly over the Rån Ridge originates from the focussed and coincident elevation of the high velocity lower crust and pre-Cretaceous basement. Although the Moho is not constrained by the seismic data, the gravity modelled from the 3-D velocity model shows a better fit along the profiles. This study illustrates the interest of a 3-D acquisition of wide-angle seismic over complex structures and the benefit of the subsequent integrated interpretation of the seismic and gravity data.     

Ten-year observation of the Gironde tributary fluvial system: fluxes of suspended matter, particulate organic carbon and cadmium

A program of long-term observation of suspended solids (TSS), particulate organic carbon (POC) and cadmium transported into the Gironde estuary (France) by its major tributaries has been carried out between 1990 and 1999. This decade included contrasting hydrologic cycles and appears representative of a much longer period (1959–1999). The Garonne and the Dordogne river systems are the main tributaries of the Gironde estuary and derive their waters from drainage basins with different geological, industrial and agricultural features. To better understand their respective contributions, they have been observed separately and compared. Water and TSS fluxes of the Garonne River show greater temporal variations and discharge is more related to the hydrology of the drainage basin (e.g. wet/dry years, local flood events etc.). As POC and particulate Cd concentrations in suspended matter are much less variable than turbidity, their fluxes are mainly controlled by the TSS transport. A major part of annual fluxes of TSS and associated pollutants may occur within few flood days (depending on various parameters, e.g. intensity, duration, season, etc.), and also the succession of dry and wet years has an important influence on annual fluxes. The presented data allow calculating fluvial inputs into the Gironde as the sum of fluxes transported by its major tributaries, the Garonne and the Dordogne river systems. Mean annual fluxes into the Gironde observed in 1990–1999 are about 34×10⁹ m³ year⁻¹ for river water, 3.24×10⁶ t year⁻¹ for suspended solids (TSS) and 9.88×10⁹ mol year⁻¹ for particulate organic carbon (POC). Generally, these fluxes are dominated by the contributions of the Garonne River. However, in dry years, the mean contribution of the Dordogne river system (including Dronne and Isle rivers) to the POC input into the estuary exceeded that of the Garonne. This reflects significant differences in vegetation and soil due to natural properties and land management of the basins. Mean Cd fluxes into the estuary are about 110×10³ mol year⁻¹ of which 19.6×10³ mol year⁻¹ are transported in the dissolved and 90.8×10³ mol year⁻¹ in the particulate phases, respectively. In 1991 (dry year), the net (dissolved) Cd flux towards the ocean exceeded the gross fluvial input of total Cd, suggesting the release of Cd from an important stock in the maximum turbidity zone (MTZ) or the fluid mud of the Gironde estuary.     

Buchbesprechungen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

On lipid surface films on the sea. I. A simple method for sampling and studies of composition

A method for collection of surface films on the sea has been developed and tested at various places along the Swedish West Coast. Considerable amounts of lipids on the sea surface were found even when no seaslicks were observed. Triglycerides, free fatty acids, and wax esters are the dominating constituents, and there are characteristic deviations in the fatty-acid patterns compared to the corresponding lipids dissolved in the sub-surface water. Organochlorine residues, phthalic acid esters and heavy metals also occur in considerable amounts.     

Disorder and recovery of environmental health monitored by means of lysosomal stability in liver of European flounder (Platichthys flesus L.)

From 1995 to 2000 biological effects were studied in liver of flounder (Platichtysflesus L.) from the German Bight. During the study period deleterious consequences of acute discharges of DDT and PCBs in early spring 1996 and after 1998 due to remobilization of contaminants from riverbed deepening of the River Elbe became evident. As core biomarker which reflects toxically induced liver pathologies and integrates effects of various classes of pollutants we measured the integrity of lysosomal membranes in individual flounder liver. During the study period, twice statistically significant disturbances of lysosomal function was detected in fish from the River Elbe: in summer 1996 and in spring 1999. Yet, the detrimental contaminant effects were not only restricted to individuals from the Elbe but expanded to those flounder inhabiting formerly less polluted reference areas. In contrast to flounder of the Elbe, their ability to recover from the lysosomal disorders were limited. While in autumn 2000 Elbe individuals showed clear signs of recovery, those fish caught in areas more distant to the source of toxicant input still maintained significantly decreased lysosomal membrane integrity. It can be speculated that fish populations which are not continuously exposed to chronic anthropogenic stress may have a lower potential or need a longer period to recover from the effects of pollution.     

Sedimentological parameters and erosion behaviour of submarine coastal sediments in the south-western Baltic Sea

The aim of this study was to evaluate the erodibility of submarine coastal sediments for the purpose of modelling sediment dynamics in Mecklenburg Bay, south-western Baltic Sea. Erosion thresholds derived from experiments with a device microcosm on cores of fine sand (n=5, mean grain size=132 µm) and mud (n=5, medium silt size, mean=21 µm), collected at different times of the year, were compared to theoretical critical shear stress velocities based on grain-size measurements. For this purpose, a sedimentological map of natural surface sediments was constructed for the study area. Calculated values for critical shear stress velocities (u* _{cr-Hjulström} ) are 1.2 cm s^?1 for fine sand, and 3.75 cm s^?1 for cohesive mud. At the mud station, erosion experiments showed an initial transport of the fluffy surface layer (u* _cr-initial ) at a mean critical shear stress velocity of 0.39 cm s^?1. Initial rolling transport at the fine sand station for single sand grains was recorded at values of 0.5 cm s^?1. At higher shear stress velocities, the two sediment types showed diverging erosion behaviour. Measurable erosion (ε>5.0×10^?6 kg m^?2 s^?1) of fine sand starts at a mean critical shear stress velocity (u* _cr-erosion ) of 1.15 cm s^?1 whereas fluffy surface material on mud cores was eroded at mean u* _cr-erosion of 0.62 cm s^?1. This indicates that measured erosion thresholds at the fine sand site fit well to calculated critical shear stress velocities whereas calculated erosion thresholds for cohesive mud are roughly 6 times higher than measured values. As erosion behaviour at the mud station was dominated by fluffy surface material, the comparability of measured and calculated threshold values may be reduced. The underlying silt-sized sediment itself was stable due to cohesive effects. This behaviour has to be taken into consideration by using sediment types instead of mean grain sizes for mapping and modelling sediment dynamics. A comparison of the near-bottom hydrodynamic conditions in the study area and experimentally derived critical shear stress velocities suggests that particle transport is controlled by storm events whereas under calm conditions shear stress velocities do not exceed the critical values.     

Magmatic evolution of the Easter microplate-Crough Seamount region (South East Pacific)

The Easter microplate-Crough Seamount region located between 25° S–116° W and 25° S–122° W consists of a chain of seamounts forming isolated volcanoes and elongated (100–200 km in length) en echelon volcanic ridges oriented obliquely NE (N 065°), to the present day general spreading direction (N 100°) of the Pacific-Nazca plates. The extension of this seamount chain into the southwestern edge of the Easter microplate near 26°30 S–115° W was surveyed and sampled. The southern boundary including the Orongo fracture zone and other shallow ridges (< 2000 m high) bounding the Southwest Rift of the microplate consists of fault scarps where pillow lava, dolerite, and metabasalts are exposed. The degree of rock alternation inferred from palagonitization of glassy margins suggests that the volcanic ridges are as old as the shallow ridges bounding the Southwest Rift of the microplate. The volcanics found on the various structures west of the microplate consist of depleted (K/Ti < 0.1), transitional (K/Ti = 0.11–0.25) and enriched (K/Ti > 0.25) MORBs which are similar in composition to other more recent basalts from the Southwest and East Rifts spreading axes of the Easter microplate. Incompatible element ratios normalized to chondrite values [(Ce/Yb)_N = 1–2.5}, {(La/Sm)_N = 0.4–1.2} and {(Zr/Y)_N = 0.7–2.5} of the basalts are also similar to present day volcanism found in the Easter microplate. The volcanics from the Easter microplate-Crough region are unrelated to other known South Pacific intraplate magmatism (i.e. Society, Pitcairn, and Salas y Gomez Islands). Instead their range in incompatible element ratios is comparable to the submarine basalts from the recently investigated Ahu and Umu volcanic field (Easter hotspot) (Scientific Party SO80, 1993) and centered at about 80 km west of Easter Island. The oblique ridges and their associated seamounts are likely to represent ancient leaky transform faults created during the initial stage of the Easter microplate formation ( 5 Ma). It appears that volcanic activity on seamounts overlying the oblique volcanic ridges has continued during their westward drift from the microplate as shown by the presence of relatively fresh lava observed on one of these structures, namely the first Oblique Volcanic Ridge near 25° S–118° W at about 160 km west of the Easter microplate West Rift. Based on a reconstruction of the Easter microplate, it is suggested that the Crough seamount (< 800 m depth) was formed by earlier (7–10 Ma) hotspot magmatic activity which also created Easter Island.     

Influence of magnesium on the ion-activity product of calcium and carbonate dissolved in seawater: A new approach

The influence of Mg²⁺ ions on the ion-activity product of calcium and carbonate dissolved in seawater has been investigated. The present approach is based mainly on: (1) the preponderance of this element in the marine system; (2) the observations by Weyl (1965), Jansen and Kitano (1963), and more recently by Plummer and Mackenzie (1974) on the higher solubility of magnesian calcite relative to pure calcite; and (3) the inferences drawn from our laboratory studies on the Ca²⁺—Mg²⁺ ion-exchange behaviour on surfaces of pure calcite. From these considerations, the pK value corresponding to a calcite containing 12 mole% of MgCO, has been estimated to be 7.7± 0.1 at 20°C. This value has serious reflections on the extent of saturation of seawater with respect to calcium-carbonate polymorphs. The reassessed degree of carbonate saturation for an average warm-surface ocean turns out to be only between 1.0 and 2.2.