Assimilation of altimetry data in the numerical model of the circulation in the Black Sea: The model numerical experiments

The numerical algorithm of the Kalman optimum filtration generalized for the case of three-dimensional fields and a multicomponent vector of the ocean state, with level measurements discrete over space and time being available, is given. The results of model numerical experiments on the assimilation of data on the Black Sea level are given. An attempt to estimate the effect of the time interval of data input on the results of field reconstruction was made.Translated by Mikhail M. Trufanov.     

Harpacticoida taxocen diversity in the silty-sandy littoral zone of Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea

The fauna composition, ecological groups, and life forms of Harpacticoids of soft littoral grounds from 15 sites off the Karelian coast in Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea were studied. Six types of harpacticoid taxocens with different sets of dominating species are described. On silty sands with clear signs of desalination, the Stenchelia palustris taxocen is common; medium-grained sands are characterized by the Heterolaophonte minuta, Paraleptastacus kliei — Huntemannia jadensis, and Amphiascoides nanus — Scottopsyllus minor taxocens; while on coarse sands, the Ameira parvula and Ameira scotti — Mesochra lilljeborgi taxocens have developed. The diversity of the taxocens is partly explained by the differences in the grain-size composition and salinity at different sites. In addition, groups of various taxocens dwelling on the same type of the sediments were found in different minor bights of the coastline.     

Dynamic response of the leg of a tension leg platform subjected to an axial, suddenly applied load at one end

This paper deals with the solution of the problem of the dynamic response of the leg of a tension leg platform subjected to an axial, suddenly applied load at one end, considering a highly simplified model but taking into account several complicating factors. The problem is solved by means of a non-harmonic Fourier expansion in terms of eigenfunctions obtained from a non-regular Sturm-Liouville system.     

An inexpensive instrument for measuring benthic current velocity and direction at sea

An instrument which measures the velocity and direction of benthic water currents at depths of up to 80 m is described. Characteristics of this meter include: (i) readings are not affected by water flow during sinking or retrieval; (ii) it is portable; (iii) it operates unattended; (iv) it is inexpensive; and (v) it requires only simple maintenance. A timing circuit which operates two time periods in succession is used to activate and de-activate a revolution counter and a fluidfilled compass which are mounted on a special frame and vane system. In the field, the instrument accurately measured average current velocities of up to 6 m s⁻¹. Data are presented which illustrate the usefulness of this instrument in describing the velocity and direction of benthic currents along the east coast of Australia and demonstrate a positive correlation between benthic current velocity and catch rates of the commercially-exploited spanner crab Ranina ranina.     

Proper movement of a current meter mounted on a suspended drift station

In situ observations of the movement of a current meter attached to a long cable system of a drifting research vessel are discussed. A method is suggested which allows the cable configuration to be restored using measurement data on tangent orientation with respect to the given points. The compiled data indicate that the elements of the cable system shift by dozens of metres with a speed of the order of tens of cm per second. These shifts account for about 90% of the estimated value of current velocity energy pulsations in the frequency band corresponding to the proper frequency oscillations of the current meter and of the vessel's roll and-and-pitch motions.Translated by V. Puchkin.     

Ageostrophic dynamics of the upper ocean layer: Measurements over the transatlantic section along 53° N

Some aspects of the upper ocean layer dynamics are considered, including the Ekman transport, the relation of the thickness of the quasi-homogeneous layer to the thickness of the layer of rotation of the drift current vector, and the correlation between the level of the turbulent energy dissipation and the thickness of the quasi-homogeneous layer.     

Sediment-starved sand ridges on a mixed carbonate/siliciclastic inner shelf off west-central Florida

High-resolution side-scan mosaics, sediment analyses, and physical process data have revealed that the mixed carbonate/siliciclastic, inner shelf of west-central Florida supports a highly complex field of active sand ridges mantled by a hierarchy of bedforms. The sand ridges, mostly oriented obliquely to the shoreline trend, extend from 2 km to over 25 km offshore. They show many similarities to their well-known counterparts situated along the US Atlantic margin in that both increase in relief with increasing water depth, both are oriented obliquely to the coast, and both respond to modern shelf dynamics. There are significant differences in that the sand ridges on the west-central Florida shelf are smaller in all dimensions, have a relatively high carbonate content, and are separated by exposed rock surfaces. They are also shoreface-detached and are sediment-starved, thus stunting their development. Morphological details are highly distinctive and apparent in side-scan imagery due to the high acoustic contrast. The seafloor is active and not a relict system as indicated by: (1) relatively young AMS ¹⁴C dates (<1600 yr BP) from forams in the shallow subsurface (1.6 meters below seafloor), (2) apparent shifts in sharply distinctive grayscale boundaries seen in time-series side-scan mosaics, (3) maintenance of these sharp acoustic boundaries and development of small bedforms in an area of constant and extensive bioturbation, (4) sediment textural asymmetry indicative of selective transport across bedform topography, (5) morphological asymmetry of sand ridges and 2D dunes, and (6) current-meter data indicating that the critical threshold velocity for sediment transport is frequently exceeded. Although larger sand ridges are found along other portions of the west-central Florida inner shelf, these smaller sand ridges are best developed seaward of a major coastal headland, suggesting some genetic relationship. The headland may focus and accelerate the N–S reversing currents. An elevated rock terrace extending from the headland supports these ridges in a shallower water environment than the surrounding shelf, allowing them to be more easily influenced by currents and surface gravity waves. Tidal currents, storm-generated flows, and seasonally developed flows are shore-parallel and oriented obliquely to the NW–SE trending ridges, indicating that they have developed as described by the Huthnance model. Although inner shelf sand ridges have been extensively examined elsewhere, this study is the first to describe them in a low-energy, sediment-starved, dominantly mixed siliciclastic/carbonate sedimentary environment situated on a former limestone platform.