Nutrient distributions in baroclinic eddies of the oligotrophic North Atlantic and inferred impacts on biology

High-sensitivity (nanomolar) techniques for nitrate and phosphate were applied to study nutrient patterns in the euphotic zone of mesoscale eddies in the Sargasso Sea during the EDDIES project. Surface concentrations of nitrate plus nitrite (DNN) and phosphate (DIP) were found in the range of 1–20 nM with substantial spatial variability in the eddies, with resulting mean N:P molar ratios of 2.1. Chlorophyll biomass was well correlated with DNN but not DIP in the upper euphotic zone, suggesting N-limitation of marine phytoplankton at this time of year. Within the upper 140 m, the water column experienced a transition from a P-enriched (relative to Redfield ratio) shallow layer to a N-enriched deep layer, which may suggest downward transport and subsequent remineralization of high N/P biogenic products presumably originating from N₂ fixation. Chlorophyll biomass in the deep chlorophyll maximum of eddies was found to be tightly related to eddy–induced variability in major nutrients (N, P, Si) and nutrient stoichiometry, suggesting that the impact of eddies on biology is through control of nutrient availability. Because the eddies were likely to be in various phases of development (different degrees of both biological and physical maturity), full interpretation of eddy data and dynamics will require better coverage of a full eddy life cycle.     

Particle export within cyclonic Hawaiian lee eddies derived from Pb–Po disequilibrium

Particle export from the upper waters of the oligotrophic ocean may play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle. Mesoscale eddies have been hypothesized to inject new nutrients into oligotrophic surface waters, thereby increasing new production and particle export in otherwise nutrient deficient regimes. The E-Flux Program was a large multidisciplinary project designed to investigate the physical, biological and biogeochemical characteristics of cold-core cyclonic eddies that form in the lee of the Hawaiian Islands. There, we investigated particle dynamics using ²¹⁰Pb–²¹⁰Po disequilibrium. Seawater samples for ²¹⁰Pb and ²¹⁰Po were collected both within (IN) and outside (OUT) of two cyclones, Noah and Opal, at different stages of their evolution as well as from the eddy generation region. Particulate carbon (PC), particulate nitrogen (PN) and biogenic silica (bSiO₂) export fluxes were determined using water-column PC, PN, and bSiO₂ inventories and the residence times of ²¹⁰Po. PC and PN fluxes at 150 m ranged from 1.58±0.10 to 1.71±0.16 mmol C m⁻² d⁻¹ and 0.22±0.02 to 0.30±0.02 mmol N m⁻² d⁻¹ within Cyclones Opal and Noah. PC and PN fluxes at OUT stations sampled during both cruises were of similar magnitudes, 1.69±0.16 to 1.67±0.16 mmol C m⁻² d⁻¹ and 0.30±0.03 to 0.26±0.03 mmol N m⁻² d⁻¹. The bSiO₂ fluxes within Cyclone Opal were 0.157±0.010 mmol Si m⁻² d⁻¹ versus 0.025±0.002 mmol Si m⁻² d⁻¹ at OUT stations. These results of minimal PC and PN export, but significant eddy-induced bSiO₂ fluxes, agree very well with other studies that used a variety of direct and indirect methods. Thus, our results suggest that using elemental inventories and residence times of ²¹⁰Po is another independent and robust method for determining particle export and should be investigated more fully.     

准噶尔盆地南缘一次强对流风暴雷达回波演变特征

利用Doppler雷达产品,结合常规观测资料对2008年7月25日中国准噶尔盆地南缘冰雹、强降水的雷达回波结构演变特征进行分析。结果表明：此次冰雹、强降水天气过程发生在西伯利亚至巴尔喀什湖冷槽东南象限的对流不稳定层结中,近低层至地面有中尺度辐合切变线。强风暴的演变可归为＂逗点—‘人’字形—螺旋形＂3个回波阶段,相应径向速度图上出现＂逆风区＂、中气旋和辐合区。冰雹的雷达回波强度中心值超过65 dBz6,0 dBz回波顶高为5.5 km,65 dBz回波顶高为3.0 km。垂直累积液态含水量由10 kg·m^-2增至70 kg·m^-2。强降水的雷达回波强度中心值达60 dBz,55 dBz回波顶高为3.7 km6,0 dBz回波顶高为2.2 km。垂直累积液态含水量由15 kg·m^-2增加至55kg·m^-2。Doppler雷达产品对冰雹、强降水天气监测预警具有指示意义。     

Formation,Evolution, and Dissipation of Coastal Sea Fog

Evolution of sea fog has been investigated using three-dimensional Mesoscale Model 5 (MM5) simulations. The study focused on widespread fog-cloud layers advected along the California coastal waters during 14–16 April 1999. According to analysis of the simulated trajectories, the intensity of air mass modification during this advection significantly depended on whether there were clouds along the trajectories and whether the modification took place over the land or ocean. The air mass, with its trajectory endpoint in the area where the fog was observed and simulated, gradually cooled despite the gradual increase in sea-surface temperature along the trajectory. Modelling results identified cloud-top cooling as a major determinant of marine-layer cooling and turbulence generation along the trajectories. Scale analysis showed that the radiative cooling term in the thermodynamic equation overpowered surface sensible and latent heat fluxes, and entrainment terms in cases of the transformation of marine clouds along the trajectories. Transformation of air masses along the trajectories without clouds and associated cloud-top cooling led to fog-free conditions at the endpoints of the trajectories over the ocean. The final impact on cloud-fog transition was determined by the interaction of synoptic and boundary-layer processes. Dissipation of sea fog was a consequence of a complex interplay between advection, synoptic evolution, and development of local circulations. Movement of the high-pressure system over land induced weakening of the along-shore advection and synoptic-pressure gradients, and allowed development of offshore flows that facilitated fog dissipation.     

一次热带系统北上引发华南大暴雨的诊断分析和数值研究

2006年5月21—22日,南海北部洋面上一强的气旋性风速扰动快速北上,在广东西南部发展成一中尺度涡旋后,它与南下的中纬度切变线结合,期间出现了3次强的中尺度对流系统活动,造成了广东沿海大暴雨甚至特大暴雨。利用1°×1°NCEP再分析资料和WRF中尺度模式对该过程进行了数值模拟、位涡反演和敏感性试验,并结合常规观测资料、卫星云图和中尺度模式输出结果等资料对这次暴雨过程进行了初步分析。结果发现:暴雨发生在高温高湿、抬升凝结高度低以及对流不稳定的有利环境中。暴雨高温高湿条件的形成与南海北部热带洋面上气旋性风速扰动向北推进时强偏南气流对水汽的输送密切相关。中尺度涡旋形成之后,在东移南压的北支槽前西南气流的引导下,中尺度涡旋向偏北方向移动,造成广东境内大部分地区出现了暴雨,中尺度涡旋为对流的触发以及暴雨的产生提供了一定的抬升条件。中尺度涡旋活动期间,广东境内云雾山中尺度地形一定程度上增强了暴雨,但它对暴雨的作用随其上空盛行气流的方向变化而变化,云雾山地形相对于暴雨中尺度系统的位置不同其作用也不相同。珠江三角洲喇叭口地形一定程度上决定了强暴雨的落区。南海洋面对华南暴雨区水汽的近距离输送是大暴雨形成的主要原因之一。     

强烈发展的中尺度涡旋影响下持续性暴雨的位涡诊断

利用高分辨率的模式输出资料,对2008年6月广西致洪暴雨及其中尺度低涡(简称广西涡)进行了等熵位涡(IPV)和湿位涡(MPV)的诊断分析。结果表明,低值等熵面上正IPV带的位置和强度可以反映暴雨的落区和强度,等熵面上的西风气流可分别将高纬度干冷和低纬度暖湿的高值IPV向广西涡处输送,使得广西涡维持高IPV。高值等熵面上南部的IPV存在下传现象,有利于其下游的广西涡IPV的增长,从而使得广西涡强烈发展、降水增强。利用MPV守恒原理的分析表明,持续性暴雨出现在高值等熵湿位涡前方的对流不稳定区中;暴雨区南北两侧对流层中高层的冷空气下沉时对流稳定性减小,对应的气旋性涡度增大;而暖湿气流沿着干冷空气爬升,它与具有强涡度的沿等熵面下滑的干冷空气发生强烈的辐合,使得涡度急剧增强,再加上地形的强迫抬升作用,形成强烈的垂直上升运动,导致涡旋强烈发展。等压面上的MPV及其分量分布显示,对流层中低层MPV负值带对雨带有指示作用,强降水时段对应着对流不稳定和条件性对称不稳定。     

2000年7月西南涡暴雨过程的分析和数值模拟

对2000年7月1～8日西南涡暴雨过程进行了大尺度分析,并利用中尺度暴雨模式MRM1对这次过程进行了数值模拟,结果表明,这次西南涡暴雨过程分为两个阶段,分别对应着两次冷空气南下。暖切变线的南北摆动是发生大暴雨的一个重要原因,而西南急流核的向北传播导致雨区向北传播。模式成功地模拟出了中-α尺度的低涡、切变线,沿暖切变线的强烈倾斜上升气流、中尺度正涡度以及水汽通量散度辐合柱状结构,这些对暴雨的发生提供了动力和水汽条件;而沿低空急流轴的狭长暖湿舌,其北部的干冷区构成的南北向能量锋区,以及较强的中低空不稳定层结是这次暴雨持续发生的重要条件。     

一次华南静止锋上的mcs的云图特征及成因分析

利用卫星云图及柳州Doppler雷达等资料,对2010年6月17—18日发生在桂西北局地性的一次强降雨天气过程进行分析,结果表明：（1）高原有小槽不断东移、超低空西南急流的建立为此次暴雨发生提供了有利的大尺度背景。（2）地面静止锋附近有明显的上升运动区存在,非常有利于中尺度对流的发生发展。（3）高水汽、高对流不稳定能量...     

基于GIS的数值预报降水产品精细化方法研究

以中尺度数值预报模式MM5为基础,将其降水预报结果提供给地理信息系统ArcInfo平台,各气象站点降水预报结果被转换成数据点图层,然后通过样条插值法生成网格图层,再与具有甘肃省、市、县级边界以及各县乡镇点位置的基础数据图层叠加,用不同颜色表示预报降水量级的大小,最后分区、县及落点三级标准分别生成甘肃降水预报精细化产品。通过实例检验,表明该产品无论在降水分布、量级,还是降水趋势的预报上均与实况基本吻合,对过程降水、局地强对流天气及定点、定量、定时降水预报均有一定的参考价值。这样,将降水预报产品与地理信息系统GIS相结合,不但实现了甘肃降水预报产品的数字化和可视化,而且精度高、效果好。     

一次MCS过程的特征分析

对2010年9月7-8日江苏北部的中尺度对流系统(MCS)特征和暴雨过程进行了分析,应用卫星云图、热力和动力物理量诊断.结果表明:MCS是由若干个α和β中尺度对流云团组成,在MCS成熟阶段有一个逐渐发展成中尺度对流复合体(MCC)的过程;MCS出现在高温高湿对流不稳定的环境中,低层低涡的辐合和锋面的抬升作用为其提供了动力条件;强水中心与MCS云顶温度梯度最大值中心相对应,为暴雨落区预报提供了着眼点.