Interannual Salinity Variability in the Tropical Pacific in CMIP5 Simulations

Salinity variability and its causes in the tropical Pacific are analyzed using observations, reanalysis products and model simulations. The mixed-layer salinity(MLS) budget analyses from observations and reanalysis products indicate that its interannual evolution is closely related to ENSO and is predominantly governed by surface forcing and surface advection in the western-central equatorial Pacific. It is found that the observed MLS tendency leads Nin?o3.4 by about 12 months due to the effect of negative freshwater flux(evaporation minus precipitation). These observation-based analyses are used to evaluate the corresponding simulation using GFDL-ESM2 M. It is evident that the model can simulate the spatiotemporal variations of MLS with some discrepancies compared to observations. In the warm pool of the equatorial Pacific the MLS tendency in the model is sensitive to ocean dynamics, however model biases cause the tendency to be underestimated. In particular, the freshwater flux is overestimated while the ocean surface zonal current and vertical velocity at the base of the mixed layer are underestimated. Due to model biases in representing the related physics, the effects of surface forcing on the simulated MLS budget are overestimated and those of subsurface and surface advection are relatively weak. Due to weaker surface advection and subsurface forcing than observed, the simulated compensations for surface forcing are suppressed, and the simulated MLS tendency that leads Nin?o3.4 by 8–10 months, which is shorter than the observed lead time. These results are useful for the interpretation of observational analyses and other model simulations in the tropical Pacific.     

西北太平洋副高东西变动与西南地区降水的关系

西北太平洋副热带高压（简称副高）位置的异常变动对东亚和中国气候有十分重要的影响。为进一步认识副高东西变动对中国西南地区降水的影响,根据东亚—西北太平洋地区高低层大气环流的季节特征,选取700 hPa不同关键区区域平均相对涡度定义了一个新的表征副高位置东西变动的VORT指数。分析发现:该指数不仅能客观定性地表征副高反气旋环流位置的东西变动,而且能反映副高与东亚经向环流变化的关系,副高偏东（西）时,东亚呈负-正-负（正-负-正）经向异常波列。与其他副高指数相比,该指数能较好地反映夏季中国东部雨带位置的季节性移动,并与西南地区降水呈显著相关,对西南地区降水变化有指示意义。其中,6月和7月的相关非常显著,副高偏西时,6月四川西部和南部、云南中北部地区降水偏少,贵州大部降水偏多;7月四川北部和东部、贵州东北部降水偏多,而云南中部和西北部降水偏少,反之亦然。进一步分析还发现,副高与海温的关系与副高活动的位置有关,副高越偏北,与海温的关系就越弱。     

西太平洋暖池近3万年来的沉积序列及其环境特征-WP92-3柱样的REE记录

WP92-3柱样采自西太平洋暖池核心区。利用稀土元素(REE)特征参数研究了该柱样的沉积物来源和地层序列划分,并对其所揭示的环境变化特征进行了探讨。研究认为:样品的REE分布模式揭示了该海域的沉积物源主要为海相自生沉积;基于REE指标的垂向深度变化特征可将该柱样划分为3个地层序列;∑REE,LREE/HREE和δCe几个指标对环境的温度变化以及地磁场的极性变换均有良好的响应,∑REE高值段基本对应于δ18O和SST所揭示的暖池低温期,而地磁场极性转变的时间正好对应着稀土指标(∑REE,LREE/HREE和δCe)快速大幅波动的层位。REE特征参数较好地记录了暖池区近3万年来的沉积和环境变化信息,是一组对气候环境演化具有潜在良好指示作用的地球化学指标。     

大洋锰结核(壳)中南极底流活动的矿物学与地球化学记录

总结了大洋锰结核(壳)的形态、构造、矿物组合、元素富集特点,以及区域分布和南极底流活动的关系,采用ICP-MS测试手段对中太平洋海山区17个锰结壳样品和1个基岩样品的稀土元素进行测试,结果表明,富钴结壳的REE含量很高,平均为1716.66×10-6,轻稀土明显富集,LREE/HREE平均为4.82,锰结壳样品中除MID06样品有轻微的Ce负异常外,其余样品均具明显的Ce正异常,基岩MKD01呈明显的Ce负异常。不同区域锰结核(壳)中稀土元素的对比研究表明,南极底流活动区和非活动区Ce/La值有显著差异,但不能通过Ce/La值确定底流的迁移路径。这一成果将有助于全面认识大洋成矿作用与海洋环境变迁的内在联系。     

秋行夏令:2021年10月初北方致灾性持续暴雨及水汽极端性分析

2021年10月3—6日,我国北方地区经历了历史罕见的持续性极端强降水过程,暴雨中心稳定维持在陕西中部、山西、京津冀、辽宁等地南部和山东北部,给上述地区造成了巨大的经济损失和严重的人员伤亡。基于台站观测降水、NCEP/NCAR和ERA5再分析资料诊断了本次降水过程的极端性。结果表明,本次暴雨过程无论是降水强度、持续时长还是经向水汽输送均表现出典型北方夏季暴雨和大气环流配置特征。上述五省二市区域平均的过程累计雨量强度远远超过秋季其他暴雨个例,即使在夏季也位列第二。本次过程的极端性与强降水中心稳定在上述地区密切相关。上述五省二市区域平均降水连续4日均超过15 mm,这在秋季历史上从未出现过。除过程的极端性强外,9月山西等地降水异常偏多对10月初秋涝也起到了叠加作用。本次秋涝对应的大气环流呈现出典型的北方夏季主雨季环流型,表现为西太平洋副热带高压（副高）偏西偏北,副高西侧的经向水汽输送异常强盛,同时10月4—6日北方地区发生一次强冷空气过程,冷暖气流交汇在上述地区。水汽收支计算表明,本次过程的经向水汽输送强度为秋季历史之最,甚至超过了盛夏时期北方大部分暴雨过程水汽输送强度。上述分析结果表明,即使在仲秋时节亦可产生有利于北方极端持续暴雨的环流形势和水汽输送,并导致秋涝发生。     

WP和NAO对中国东南部冬季温度的协同影响

利用NCEP/NCAR和ERA-Interim再分析资料,通过多元线性回归等分析方法,研究了西太平洋遥相关型(Western Pacific teleconnection,WP)和北大西洋涛动(North Atlantic Oscillation,NAO)的不同配置对中国东南部冬季气温的影响.结果 表明:WP正位相年,...     

地震活动性总体参量Rt在东南沿海地震带西段地震预测中的应用

分析了1974年以来东南沿海地震带西段发生的MS≥4.9级地震前地震活动性总体状态参量Rt的变化特点,同时对Rt值在东南沿海地震带西段的地震预测效能进行了检验评估。结果表明,当Rt>0.82时,表明东南沿海地震带西段地震活动状态比较正常,发生4.9级以上地震的概率较低;反之,当Rt≤0.82时,则表明东南沿海地震带西段地震活动比较活跃,发生4.9级以上地震的概率较大。     

Sun and landscape orientation in adult and juvenile sandhoppers Orchestoidea tuberculata (Amphipoda, Talitridae) from two beaches in south central Chile

The behaviour of a talitrid amphipod, Orchestoidea tuberculata Nicolet 1849, was investigated for populations inhabiting two exposed sandy beaches in south central Chile to evaluate orientation capabilities with respect to sun azimuthal changes and landscape. The study beaches (Calfuco and La Misión) were backed by high cliffs but differed in shoreline orientation. Under test conditions of dry substrate, both populations oriented seawards using celestial cues when landscape vision was screened off and showed a higher concentration seawards when they could see the landscape suggesting additive effects of these cues. The absence of a phototactic response to the sun implies the involvement of an inner circadian clock, as the experiments were conducted at different times of the day. The distribution of juveniles was more concentrated than adults in the trials, a result in accordance with their tendency to occupy a zone located closer to the water than adults. Our results suggest that the Calfuco population was oriented to its shoreline, while animals at La Misión tended to deviate from the expected direction and their distribution was more scattered. This observed difference between the populations may be related to the higher human impact on the latter beach, which was more intensively used for recreation and periodically cleaned, removing the wrack. The comparison of results on orientation of O. tuberculata with those of different sandhopper species contributes new phylogenetic insight concerning this important adaptation. This study not only represents an extension of contemporary knowledge of behavioural adaptations of beach amphipods to coasts differing geographically and ecologically, but also analyses orientation in a southern Pacific species of talitrid amphipod for the first time.     

Abundance,distribution, and feeding patterns of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in the Juan de Fuca Eddy

The Juan de Fuca Eddy is a seasonal, counter-clockwise gyre off the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca between Washington, USA and British Columbia, Canada that may provide favorable feeding habitat for juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) during their early marine existence. In late September 2002, physical and biological sampling was conducted along two transects of the eddy region. Surface rope trawling was conducted to capture juvenile salmon and other nekton, along with bongo and neuston net tows to examine potential mesozooplanktonic salmon prey. Presence of the Juan de Fuca Eddy was confirmed with vertical water profiles. In addition, nutrient and chlorophyll a concentrations collected from 3-m depth were within the range observed in previous studies within the eddy region. In the mesozooplankton community, euphausiids, chaetognaths, and decapod megalopae were common. In the diet of juvenile coho salmon, euphausiids and decapod megalopae were dominant by percent number, and larval and juvenile fish were dominant by percent weight. Feeding intensity (percent body weight) based on stomach contents was variable, but not significantly different among stations. To compare the Juan de Fuca Eddy region with an upwelling area, we sampled along a transect off La Push (LP), Washington, USA which is south of the eddy. The eddy region was found to be less productive than the LP transect. Nutrients were lower, chlorophyll a concentrations were higher, and zooplankton abundance was generally higher along the LP transect than in the eddy region. In addition, more juvenile coho salmon were captured from the LP transect than the eddy region. Prey items in stomachs of salmon from the LP transect were heterogeneous compared to those from the eddy region. Feeding intensity along the LP transect was slightly lower and more variable than in the eddy region, and differences in feeding intensity among LP stations were significant. In addition, feeding intensities among stations nested within regions were significantly different.     

Otolith chemical signature and growth of Chaetodon speculum in coastal areas of New Caledonia

Coral reefs are one of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. They are currently exposed to increasing levels of anthropogenic perturbations. Several recent reviews point to the lack of good indicators for these perturbations especially to monitor their effects on fish populations or fish assemblages. The SW lagoon of New Caledonia is an ideal location to test indicator species in this context as contrasting sites are present within a small geographical range. This study analysed fish from four sites, one with heavy industrial pollution, another dominated by domestic waste, a third with historic mining activities, and the fourth as a control. The butterfly fish, Chaetodon speculum, was chosen to determine C. speculum's potential as an indicator species due to its link to coral, its sedentary behaviour and its wide geographical distribution. The size distribution, growth rate, age distribution and whole otolith composition were analysed at each site. Age and mean growth rate were analysed from daily increments of the otoliths. The concentrations of eight elements (Li, Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, Rb, Sr, and Ba) were measured by ICP-MS in the otoliths of a subset of individuals. The sites under anthropogenic impact were distinct from the control site by fish size frequencies, age distributions, and the chemical content of their otoliths. The chemical elements Mg, Co, Ni, Cu, and Rb showed differences amongst sites. Fish belonging to the sites furthest from Nouméa could be discriminated in nearly 80% of samples or 60% of the cases when otolith weight or fish age respectively were taken into account. Ni concentrations of the otoliths were also higher in the bays where water concentrations of this element were known to be higher, but these differences were no longer significant once corrected for otolith weight. These results should be mitigated by the fact that: (1) despite significant differences between sites in age distribution and size frequencies there were no differences in growth rates or body condition; (2) differences in age or size were not correlated to perturbation levels; and (3) discrimination between sites based on chemical levels in the otoliths, even though significant, was not sufficient to identify the origin of the fish at a level useful for screening tests. The hypothesis that environmental differences between sites would be reflected in the otolith chemical composition is therefore not fully supported by our results.