Changes in trophic flow structure of Independence Bay (Peru) over an ENSO cycle

During the strong warm El Niño (EN) that occurred in 1997/98, Independence Bay (14°S, Peru) showed a ca. 10 °C increase in surface temperatures, higher oxygen concentrations, and clearer water due to decreased phytoplankton concentrations. Under these quasi-tropical conditions, many benthic species suffered (e.g. macroalgae, portunid crabs, and polychaetes) while others benefited (e.g. scallop, sea stars, and sea urchins). The most obvious change was the strong recruitment success and subsequent proliferation of the scallop Argopecten purpuratus, whose biomass increased fiftyfold. To understand these changes, steady-state models of the bay ecosystem trophic structure were constructed and compared for a normal upwelling year (1996) and during an EN (1998), and longer-term dynamics (1996–2003) were explored based on time series of catch and biomass using Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE) software. Model inputs were based on surveys and landings data collected by the Instituto del Mar del Perú (IMARPE). Results indicate that while ecosystem size (total throughput) is reduced by 18% during EN, mainly as a result of decreased total primary production, benthic biomass remains largely unchanged despite considerable shifts in the dominant benthic taxa (e.g. scallops replace polychaetes as secondary consumers). Under normal upwelling conditions, predation by snails and crabs utilize the production of their prey almost completely, resulting in more efficient energy flow to higher trophic levels than occurs during EN. However during EN, the proliferation of the scallop A. purpuratus combined with decreased phytoplankton increased the proportion of directly utilized primary production, while exports and flows to detritus are reduced. The simulations suggest that the main cause for the scallop outburst and for the reduction in crab and macroalgae biomass was a direct temperature effect, whereas other changes are partially explained by trophic interactions. The simulations suggest that bottom-up effects largely control the system.     

双环海链藻(Thalassiosira diporocyclus Hasle)赤潮

20 0 1— 2 0 0 2年的秋冬季节 ,于中国东南沿海的南澳岛周围海域突发了双环海链藻赤潮 ,该赤潮藻及其赤潮在中国都是首次记录。该赤潮藻以实心胶质块的群体形式出现 ,其群体一般呈球形或椭球形 ,常为茶褐色 ,大小不一 ,直径多数在 2— 3mm之间 ,最小的不到 0 1mm ,最大的约有 5mm。胶质块由双环海链藻和数种羽纹硅藻组成 ,前者分布于外层 ,后者包埋其中。双环海链藻的细胞密度最大达 1 75× 10 7cells/L ,占浮游植物总细胞数的 78 8%。如把包埋其中的羽纹硅藻考虑进去 ,赤潮藻胶质块的组成细胞总密度则高达 2 2 8× 10 7cells/L以上 ,占浮游植物总细胞数的 95 9%。赤潮藻的密度由湾内向外海呈显著递减趋势 ,与营养盐的平面分布格局相反。该赤潮起源于外海 ,赤潮发生机制可能与 2 0 0 1— 2 0 0 2厄尔尼诺年导致的水温异常升高有关。     

1997~89年冬季大气环流变化及中国近海海区天气气候特征

1997～98年发生了近百年最强的厄尔尼诺现象,本文对1997～98年冬季(12～2月)500hpa环流特征、东亚温带气旋活动及天气特征进行了分析．同时也对多年厄尔尼诺过程、非厄尔尼诺过程相对应的大气环流及天气特征做了对比分析．研究表明,厄尔尼诺年北半球500hpa环流30°N以南低纬地区位势高度偏高中纬度的槽脊分布与多年平均有较大不同,东亚大相偏弱,同时北美大槽减弱,北太平洋高压也减弱,西风环流指数偏强,西太平洋副热带高压西伸明显,强度偏强。中国东部沿海气旋分布特征为北部偏少,南部明显偏多;降水为东部沿海地区偏多明显;气温为南部海区出现高温的机率较大。     

1997∽1998年厄尔尼诺事件的特征、成因及对气候的影响

1997年爆发了20世纪以来最强的一次厄尔尼诺事件。此次ElNin～o事件的发生,与赤道中、西太平洋地区大气季节内振荡(ISO)在1996年冬到1997年春的异常增强有重要关系。西太平洋暖池次表层海温(SOT)正距平沿温跃层东传到赤道东太平洋并向海洋表层扩展是ElNin～o事件爆发的直接原因。1997～1998年的ElNin～o事件爆发后,引起全球大气环流和世界许多地区的气候异常,导致一些国家和地区多雨洪涝,另外一些国家和地区高温少雨和严重干旱。     

Basin‐scale stream‐flow forecasting using the information of large‐scale atmospheric circulation phenomena

It is well recognized that the time series of hydrologic variables, such as rainfall and streamflow are significantly influenced by various large‐scale atmospheric circulation patterns. The influence of El Niño‐southern oscillation (ENSO) on hydrologic variables, through hydroclimatic teleconnection, is recognized throughout the world. Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) has been proved to be significantly influenced by ENSO. Recently, it was established that the relationship between ISMR and ENSO is modulated by the influence of atmospheric circulation patterns over the Indian Ocean region. The influences of Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) mode and equatorial Indian Ocean oscillation (EQUINOO) on ISMR have been established in recent research. Thus, for the Indian subcontinent, hydrologic time series are significantly influenced by ENSO along with EQUINOO. Though the influence of these large‐scale atmospheric circulations on large‐scale rainfall patterns was investigated, their influence on basin‐scale stream‐flow is yet to be investigated. In this paper, information of ENSO from the tropical Pacific Ocean and EQUINOO from the tropical Indian Ocean is used in terms of their corresponding indices for stream‐flow forecasting of the Mahanadi River in the state of Orissa, India. To model the complex non‐linear relationship between basin‐scale stream‐flow and such large‐scale atmospheric circulation information, artificial neural network (ANN) methodology has been opted for the present study. Efficient optimization of ANN architecture is obtained by using an evolutionary optimizer based on a genetic algorithm. This study proves that use of such large‐scale atmospheric circulation information potentially improves the performance of monthly basin‐scale stream‐flow prediction which, in turn, helps in better management of water resources. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impacts of climate variability on stream-flow in the Yellow River

This paper examines the impacts of climate variability upon the regional hydrological regimes of the Yellow River in China. Results indicate that the average annual precipitation is 494·8 mm in La Niña years and only 408·8 mm in El Niño years. The difference is 86·0 mm, or 18·8% over the long-term average. The stream-flows in the La Niña years are higher than that in El Niño years: 9·2% at the Lan-Zhou station, 9·5% for Tou-Dao-Guai station, 11·8% for Long-Men, 17·6% for San-Men-Xia, 19·2% at the Hua-Yuan-Hou station, and 22·0% at the Li-Jin station. Both precipitation and stream-flow responses show temporal and spatial patterns. The relationship among the stream-flow, precipitation, and temperature, which was obtained by ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst based on observed data, indicates stream-flow is sensitive to both precipitation and temperature. For small precipitation increases (less than 13%), the stream-flow percentage change is less than the precipitation change for the Yellow River. The results of this paper can be used as a reference for watershed water resources planning and management to maintain the healthy life and proper function of the river. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Relationship between El Niño and the Duration and Frequency of the Santa Ana Winds of Southern California

This study examines the variability of the duration and frequency of Santa Ana winds due to El Niño over a thirty‐three‐year period. Daily Weather Maps and NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis were used to study large‐scale upper‐level and surface circulation patterns during wind events. A Student's t‐test was used to determine statistically significant changes in the winds during March of El Niño winters. A significant decrease in the duration and frequency of wind events was found in March during El Niño. This can be attributed to the decrease in strength and frequency of the Great Basin high pressure and the increase in wintertime cyclones in southern California.     

Erosion and accretion rates and their associated sediment characters along Ras El Bar coast,northeast Nile Delta,Egypt

Beach profile data, covering the coast of Ras El Bar, northeast Nile Delta, collected during the years from 1990 to 2002 combined with landsat images for the area and sedimentological investigation have been used to identify beach and nearshore seafloor sediment changes. Along the coast of Ras El Bar, two accretion sectors and one of erosion have been recognized. The first accretion sector is located west of Damietta harbour, where the harbour jetties have halted the littoral transport, while the second one is behind a system of detached breakwaters protecting Ras El Bar resort. Both the two sectors are characterized by growing shoreline with maximum rates ∼15 and 10 m/year, respectively. Also, they have maximum nearshore seafloor accretion rates of ∼18 and 22 cm/year, respectively. The erosion sector is located east of Damietta port and has a maximum rate of shoreline retreat ∼−10 m/year. Erosion of its nearshore seafloor is indicated recording a maximum rate of ∼−20 cm/year. The rate of net sediment volume change in the area indicates shifting of the accretion sector (II) westward, responding to installation of the new breakwaters unit. The two accretion sectors are characterized by dominance of moderately sorted fine sands in their shore area which change seaward into less sorting very fine sands. Beach sands of the eroded sector are poorly sorted medium grain size. The dominant constituents of heavy mineral species in beach and sea-bottom sands are the characteristic assemblages of the Nile deposits. The sands of the eroded zone are relatively enriched in monazite, zircon, tourmaline, garnet, and rutile.     

VARIATIONS OF 30—60 DAY OSCILLATION IN ATMOSPHERE BEFORE AND DURING 1982 EL NINO

By using the upper-wind data from July 1980 to June 1983,the variations of the low-frequency oscillation(LFO)in the atmosphere before and during 1982 El Nino have been investigated.Before the El Nino,the LFOpropagates from west to east over the equator of the Eastern Hemisphere and from east to west over 20°N.The eastward propagating LFO over the equator consists of zonal wavenumber 1 propagating eastward andzonal wavenumber 2 with a character of stationary wave.The oscillation of zonal wavenumber 2 can modulatethe oscillation strength.After the onset of the El Nino,the propagating directions of the LFO over the equatorand 20°N of the Eastern Hemisphere change to be westward and eastward,respectively.The LFO over thewestern Pacific weakens rapidly and one coming from middle and high latitudes propagates to the equator.From the phase compositions of streamline fields for the zonal wavenumber 1 of equatorial westward propa-gatirg LFO,it is found that the atmospheric heat source in the equator of the eastern Pacific(EEP)excites aseries of the equatorial cyclones and anticyclones which move northward and westward and form the westwardpropagating LFO over the equator.With the wavelength of 20000km,this kind of equatorial wave is similarto the mixing Rossby-gravity wave.In its westward and northward movement,the circulation in East Asiais modified.This may be the mechanism of the influence of El Nino on the climate of China.     

IAP/LASG海洋环流模式对风应力的响应

为了检验第三代IAP/LASG全球海洋环流模式在模拟20世纪80年代热带太平洋年际变化方面特别是ElNino和LaNina事件的能力,作者使用了三种风应力资料强迫该模式.然后,将模拟的海温同NCEP海洋同化资料相比较.分析表明,在赤道附近,模式对风应力的响应在SST分布、温跃层的描绘以及突出E1Nino和LaNina事件方面同NCEP海洋同化资料有许多共同点.然而,在描绘l0°N以北和l0°S以南的SST异常以及描写季节循环方面,响应是不够精确的.另外,模拟的温度异常滞后于NCEP海洋同化数据两个月左右.