Elucidating the dynamics and mixing agents of a shallow fjord through age tracer modelling

The mixing agents and their role in the dynamics of a shallow fjord are elucidated through an Eulerian implementation of artificial tracers in a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model. The time scales of vertical mixing in this shallow estuary are short, and the artificial tracers are utilized in order to reveal information not detectable in the temperature or salinity fields. The fjord's response to external forcing is investigated through a series of model experiments in which we quantify vertical mixing, transport time scales of fresh water runoff and estuarine circulation in relation to external forcing.Using age tracers released at surface and bottom, we quantify the time scales of downward mixing of surface water and upward mixing of bottom water. Wind is shown to be the major agent for vertical mixing at nearly all depth levels in the fjord, whereas the tide or external sea level forcing is a minor agent and only occasionally more important just close to the bottom. The time scale of vertical mixing of surface water to the bottom or ventilation time scale of bottom water is estimated to be in the range 0.7 h to 9.0 days, with an average age of 2.7 days for the year 2004.The fjord receives fresh water from two streams entering the innermost part of the fjord, and the distribution and age of this water are studied using both ageing and conservative tracers. The salinity variations outside this fjord are large, and in contrast to the salinity, the artificial tracers provide a straight forward analysis of river water content. The ageing tracer is used to estimate transport time scales of river water (i.e. the time elapsed since the water left the river mouth). In May 2004, the typical age of river water leaving the fjord mouth is 5 days. As the major vertical mixing agent is wind, it controls the estuarine circulation and export of river water. When the wind stress is set to zero, the vertical mixing is reduced and the vertical salinity stratification is increased, and the river water can be effectively exported out of the fjord.We also analyse the river tracer fields and salinity field in relation to along estuary winds in order to detect signs of wind-induced straining of the along estuary density gradient. We find that events of down estuary winds are primarily associated with a reduced along estuary salinity gradient due to increased surface salinity in the innermost part of the fjord, and with an overall decrease in vertical stratification and river water content at the surface. Thus, our results show no apparent signs of wind-induced straining in this shallow fjord but instead they indicate increased levels of vertical mixing or upwelling during down estuary wind events.     

Temporal change of clustered distribution of planktonic ciliates in Toyama Bay in summers of 1989 and 1990

Temporal change of clustered distribution in vertical profiles of three nutritional groups of planktonic ciliates, e.g. heterotrophic naked ciliates, mixotrophic naked ciliates and heterotrophic loricated ciliates, was investigated by following a drifting buoy in Toyama Bay on the Japan Sea coast of central Japan in summers of 1989 and 1990. Clustered distribution, represented as the mode of population density in the vertical plane, occurred mainly in the oligotrophic upper layer (0–50 m depth) above the subsurface chlorophyll-a maximum layer. Its clustered degree was stronger when the mode of population density in the vertical plane was formed at shallower depth, while its longevity was shorter as mentioned above. Vertical distribution of ciliates during summer in Toyama Bay is characterized by ephemeral clustered distribution, or in other wards, by rapid alternations of appearance and disappearance of the clustered distribution.     

湍流数值模拟中封闭模式应用的局限性

通过对琼州海峡的潮流场特征进行数值模拟，指出了选择不同的特征混合长度表达式对数值模拟结果的影响，表明了基于特征混合长度理论的流封闭模式在近海湍流数值模拟中应用的局限性。     

Microphytobenthos vertical migratory photoresponse as characterised by light-response curves of surface biomass

The migratory response of intertidal microphytobenthos to changes in irradiance was studied on undisturbed estuarine sediments. Two non-destructive optical techniques were used to trace variations in vivo of surface biomass: PAM fluorometry, for measuring the minimum fluorescence level (F_o); and spectral reflectance analysis, for quantifying the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Following the formation of a dense biofilm at the surface, replicated sediment samples were simultaneously exposed to six different irradiance levels, ranging from 50 to 1500 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, during a period of 120 min. The migratory photoresponse of the biofilms was characterised by constructing biomass vs. light curves (BLC), relating the accumulation of microalgal biomass after that period (estimated by F_o or NDVI) to the irradiance level incident on the surface. BLCs allow characterising the main features of the migratory photoresponse of intact biofilms. Typical BLC showed a clear biphasic pattern, with an increase in microalgal accumulation under irradiances below 100 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, maximum values under 100–250 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹, and a gradual decrease of surface biomass under higher irradiances, indicating a strong photophobic downward migratory response. Similar BLC patterns were obtained when measuring F_o or NDVI. The construction of BLCs for biofilms from intertidal sites with distinctive sediment characteristics and diatom taxonomic composition allowed to detected significant differences in the migratory photoresponse. Biofilms from a muddy sediment exhibited considerably larger amplitude in the migratory photoresponse than the biofilms from a sandy mud site, especially under high irradiances. The photophobic migratory response to high light was found to vary among diatom species, particularly in the case of the biofilms from the muddy sediments.     

Vertical distribution of the macrobenthic community and its relationships to trace metals and natural sediment characteristics in the lower Douro estuary, Portugal

Vertical distribution (0–15 cm) of the macrobenthic community and its relationships to natural sediment characteristics and trace metal contents and bioavailability were studied at five locations in the lower Douro estuary, Portugal. An analysis of vertical metal distribution, for the interpretation of anthropogenic impact on the estuarine sediments, was also investigated. Sediment characterisation included organic matter, grain size, metals (Al, Fe, Cu, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cd, Zn and Mn), acid volatile sulphide (AVS) and simultaneously extracted metals (SEM). The macrobenthic community had low diversity (14 species), was dominated by small size opportunists and seemed to be controlled mainly by natural factors such as grain size distribution, Al and Fe contents and sediment depth. The vertically heterogeneous distribution of macrobenthic community appears to affect redox status of the sediments and consequently metal bioavailability. Despite anthropogenic contamination in terms of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cr and Ni having already been detected in the north bank, the analysis of vertical distribution was essential for the identification of current anthropogenic contamination in terms of Zn, Pb and Cd in the south bank.     

9012号热带气旋维持的卫星云图和垂直结构特征分析

本文根据卫星云图的演变和常规天气分析相结合，对9012号热带气旋登陆后维持水消的成因进行了分析。指出该热带气旋经久不消的重要原因为其西南侧对流云团和东北侧高空槽前对流云带与热带气旋云系相衔接在中低层东北气流引导下卷入，热带气旋内部的两条云带的维持，以及利有的环流条件。     

波群作用于垂直桩柱的峰力统计性质

研究具有窄谱和Ｗｅｉｂｕｌｌ波高分布的波群对非线性桩柱系统作用力的统计性质。求得了桩桩的波浪峰力的各种特征值及其比值。指出这些数值不仅是阻力一惯性力参数ｂＨ的函数，也随着波群因子而变化。本文模式更具广泛性。文中给出了一系列计算图表，可从理论计算波群作用于桩柱的波浪峰力。     

泰利台风对台湾东北黑潮入侵东海陆架影响的研究

本文利用卫星高度计数据和分析数据,并结合同时期现场深水潜标的流速观测数据,研究了超强台风泰利过境前后台湾东北附近海域流场、位势密度场、位势涡度场以及黑潮入侵东海陆架强度的变化。分析结果表明,泰利台风通过改变台湾东北陆坡附近海域的流场、位势密度场,显著地削弱(增强)了西段(东段)陆坡附近的位势涡度梯度,从而使得西段(东段)陆坡黑潮入侵东海陆架的强度显著增强(减弱)。此外,本文还区分了台湾东北西部陆坡附近表层的跨陆坡“上凸型”位势涡度分布与次表层的跨陆坡“下凹型”位势涡度分布,并认为次表层的跨陆坡“下凹型”位势涡度分布也应作为台湾东北西部陆坡附近“位势涡度障碍”的重要组成部分。本文的研究结果揭示了大气中的台风过程对台湾东北黑潮入侵东海陆架产生显著影响的关键过程及机制,相关结论可为台湾东北黑潮入侵东海陆架变化规律的研究提供有价值的参考。