南海土台风强度变化特征分析

南海土台风,是在南海局地形成的热带气旋的统称。本文选用1949—2014年CMA-STI 整编的“热带气旋最佳路径数据集”,对研究区域范围(5°～22.5°N、105°～120.5°E)的南海土台风强度及强度变化特征进行了探讨。结果表明:(1)南海土台风强度随时间的变化曲线呈近似对称的“漏斗状”,即强度从弱—强—弱的变化,在最大强度前后6 h时域内强度变化最显著,夏季台风强度变化比冬季快。(2)土台风强度存在1个增强中心,位于海南岛以东的南海北部近海区域,在中国华南沿岸陆区则减弱明显;台风增强/减弱区域随着季节变化而南北移动,夏季主要在北部近海/近岸区域18°~23°N附近,冬季随台风活动南移至10~18°N附近靠近西部近海/近岸区域,且冬季的平均减弱速率较夏季大。(3)东向移动的土台风最大强度一般比西向移动的强,其中夏季东移台风平均强度最大,冬季西移台风强度最小;夏季东移台风最大强度前后强度变化最快,冬季西移台风变化最慢;夏季西移台风强度分布呈北强南弱、东移台风强度呈东北向带状分布,冬季东、西移台风强度分布皆呈西强东弱,这种空间分布差异,主要是台风移动路径随季节变化而形成的。(4)海上活动时间的长短与台风最大强度的大小、变化幅度成正比。海上活动时间较短的台风,以西行路径为主,强度的分布较均匀,平均强度较弱,增强/减弱中心较多而小,增强/减弱速率较慢;反之,海上活动时间较长的台风,以东行路径居多,强度的分布呈多中心状,平均强度较强,增强/减弱中心较集中且广阔,增强/减弱速率较快。     

不同台风合成风场方案在南海的适用性研究

我国南海地区常受台风侵扰,台风场是研究台风浪灾害以及风暴增水灾害的必要条件之一。因遥感风场存在台风大风圈附近风速明显偏小的问题,所以在台风场相关研究中,多采用台风模型风场和背景风场相结合的方式——即合成风场。本文选取南海相关研究中常用的3种台风场模型,对比其特点,并采用NECP CFSR作为背景风场,将合成风场和实际观测风速进行对比,结果显示在南海地区采用Jelesnianski模型得出的风场和实际风场吻合度最好,建议在该风场基础上考虑南海的地理特殊性,进行台风场模型的改进。     

西太平洋暖池1990s中期的年代际扩张对夏季登陆中国台风的影响

应用美国联合预警中心(Joint Typhoon Warning Center,JTWC)的台风最佳路径资料、美国国家海洋大气局(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,NOAA)的扩展海表面温度资料以及美国国家环境预报中心(National Centers for Environmental Prediction,NCEP)和美国国家大气科学研究中心(National Center for Atmospheric Research,NCAR)的大气环流场资料,研究了20世纪90年代西太平洋暖池(简称暖池)年代际扩张对西北太平洋台风和登陆中国沿岸台风的影响。研究发现,相比于暖池扩张前期(1965—1992),后期(1993—2013)台风生成在西北太平洋中部区域(10°—20°N,135°—145°E)显著减弱,在10°—20°N,145°—160°E区域和南海北部区域则表现出增多的特点。台风移动路径变异特征呈现为移动进入南海和登陆中国东部沿岸的西行和西北行路径减少,登陆日本的转向型路径增多,同时登陆我国海南岛和东南部沿岸的台风增多。进一步探查这种影响的可能原因发现,与暖池扩张密切相关的太平洋年代际变化引起的纬向环流的变异是西北太平洋中部台风生成减少的主要原因;而南海北部台风生成增多则归因于南海区域局地环流特征的变异。同时,南海北部台风生成增多是登陆我国海南岛和东南沿岸台风增多的主要决定因素。     

Wave-like aquatic propulsion of mono-hull marine vessels

The present paper describes results of the experimental investigation of a small-scale mono-hull model boat propelled by a localised flexural wave propagating along the plate of finite width forming the boat's keel. Forward propulsion of the boat was achieved through flexural wave propagation in the opposite direction, which is similar to the aquatic propulsion used in nature by stingrays. The model boat under consideration underwent a series of tests both in a Perspex water tank and in an experimental pool. In particular, the forward velocity of the boat has been measured for different frequencies and amplitudes of the flexural wave. The highest velocity achieved was 32 cm/s. The thrust and propulsive efficiency have been measured as well. The obtained value of the propulsive efficiency in the optimum regime was 51%. This indicates that the efficiency of this type of aquatic propulsion is comparable to that of dolphins and sharks (around 75%) and to that of a traditional propeller (around 70%). In contrast with a propeller though, the wave-like aquatic propulsion has the following advantages: it does not generate underwater noise and it is safe for people and marine animals.     

Sub-seasonal variability of Luzon Strait Transport in a high resolution global model

The Luzon Strait is the main impact pathway of the Kuroshio on the circulation in South China Sea (SCS). Based on the analysis of the 1997–2007 altimeter data and 2005–2006 output data from a high resolution global HYCOM model, the total Luzon Strait Transport (LST) has remarkable subseasonal oscillations with a typical period of 90 to 120 days, and an average value of 1.9 Sv into SCS. Further spectrum analysis shows that the temporal variability of the LST at different depth is remarkable different. In the upper layer (0–300 m), westward inflow has significant seasonal and subseasonal variability. In the bottom layer (below 1 200 m), eastward outflow exhibits remarkable seasonal variability, while subseasonal variability is also clear. In the intermediate layer, the westward inflow is slightly bigger than the eastward outflow, and both of them have obvious seasonal and subseasonal variability. Because the seasonal variation of westward inflow and eastward outflow is opposite, the total transport of intermediate layer exhibits significant 50–150 days variation, without obvious seasonal signals. The westward Rossby waves with a period of 90 to 120 days in the Western Pacific have very clear correlationship with the Luzon Strait Transport, this indicates that the interaction between these westward Rossby waves and Kuroshio might be the possible mechanism of the subseasonal variation of the LST.     

A study of internal solitary waves observed on the continental shelf in the northwestern South China Sea

Based on in-situ time series data from the acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) and thermistor chain in Wenchang area, a sequence of internal solitary wave (ISW) packets was observed in September 2005, propagating northwest on the continental shelf of the northwestern South China Sea (SCS). Corresponding to different stratification of the water column and tidal condition, both elevation and depression ISWs were observed at the same mooring location with amplitude of 35 m and 25 m respectively in different days. Regular arrival of the remarkable ISW packets at approximately the diurnal tidal period and the dominance of diurnal internal waves in the study area, strongly suggest that the main energy source of the waves is the diurnal tide. Notice that the wave packets were all riding on the troughs and shoulders of the internal tides, they were probably generated locally from the shelf break by the evolution of the internal tides due to nonlinear and dispersive effects.     

Importance of wave-induced bed liquefaction in the fine sediment budget of Cleveland Bay,Great Barrier Reef

Data from a three-year long field study of fine sediment dynamics in Cleveland Bay show that wave-induced liquefaction of the fine sediment bed on the seafloor in shallow water was the main process causing bed erosion under small waves during tradewinds, and that shear-induced erosion prevailed during cyclonic conditions. These data were used to verify a model of fine sediment dynamics that calculates sediment resuspension by both excess shear stress and wave-induced liquefaction of the bed. For present land-use conditions, the amount of riverine sediments settling on the bay may exceed by 50–75% the amount of sediment exported from the bay. Sediment is thus accumulating in the bay on an annual basis, which in turn may degrade the fringing coral reefs. For those years when a tropical cyclone impacted the bay there may be a net sediment outflow from the bay. During the dry, tradewind season, fine sediment was progressively winnowed out of the shallow, reefal waters.     

Impact of hydrographic parameters and seasonal variation in sediment fluxes on coral status at Chumbe and Bawe reefs,Zanzibar, Tanzania

Coral reefs which are an important resource to coastal communities and nation at large are adversely affected by rate of sediment flux to the reefs. However, there is little information on seasonal trend in sediment flux and its impact at the reefs off Zanzibar. Two years’ monthly data on sedimentation at Chumbe and Bawe reefs were used to assess seasonal variability in sediment flux and its implication on the coral status. Sediment flux to the Bawe reefs for the duration of the study ranged from 0.2 to 41.5 mg cm⁻² d⁻¹, while it ranged from 0.8 to 65.8 mg cm⁻² d⁻¹ at the Chumbe reefs. Sediment fluxes at Bawe reefs were highest between November and March, while they were highest between April and September at Chumbe reefs. Generally, sediment fluxes at Bawe reefs were low compared to those at Chumbe. The total sediment input to the reefs ranged from 4615 to 123,403 kg d⁻¹ for Bawe reefs and 2750 to 79,636 kg d⁻¹ for Chumbe reefs. High sediment fluxes at Bawe reefs between November and March; and the Chumbe reefs between April and September can be attributed to water currents and wind pattern in the east African region which are under the influence of the monsoons. The observed trend suggests that the period for coral transplant as a management option for the two sites should be different. Coral transplant can be undertaken in such a way that stress of the corals due to sedimentation can be felt after they have overcome stress from transplant process and temperature. The results from this study contribute to the much needed information for coral transplant, restoration, and management.     

The form of the asymptotic depth-limited wind-wave spectrum: Part III — Directional spreading

The directional spreading of both the wavenumber and frequency spectra of finite-depth wind generated waves at the asymptotic depth limit are examined. The analysis uses the Wavelet Directional Method, removing the need to assume a form for the dispersion relationship. The paper shows that both the wavenumber and frequency forms are narrowest at the spectral peak and broaden at wavenumbers (frequencies) both above and below the peak. The directional spreading of the wavenumber spectrum is bi-modal above the spectral peak. In contrast, the frequency spectrum is uni-modal. This difference is shown to be the result of energy in the wind direction being displaced from the linear dispersion shell. A full parametric relationship for the directional spreading of the wavenumber spectrum is developed. The analysis clearly shows that typical dispersion relationships are questionable at high frequencies and that such effects can be significant. This result supports greater attention being focussed on the routine recording of wavenumber spectra, rather than frequency spectra.     

Some statistical characteristics of large deepwater waves around the Korean Peninsula

The relationship between significant wave height and period, the variability of significant wave period, the spectral peak enhancement factor, and the directional spreading parameter of large deepwater waves around the Korean Peninsula have been investigated using various sources of wave measurement and hindcasting data. For very large waves comparable to design waves, it is recommended to use the average value of the empirical formulas proposed by Shore Protection Manual in 1977 and by Goda in 2003 for the relationship between significant wave height and period. The standard deviation of significant wave periods non-dimensionalized with respect to the mean value for a certain significant wave height varies between 0.04 and 0.21 with a typical value of 0.1 depending upon different regions and different ranges of significant wave heights. The probability density function of the peak enhancement factor is expressed as a lognormal distribution, with its mean value of 2.14, which is somewhat smaller than the value in the North Sea. For relatively large waves, the probability density function of the directional spreading parameter at peak frequency is also expressed as a lognormal distribution.