ARGO upper salinity measurements: perspectives for L-band radiometers calibration and retrieved sea surface salinity validation

With the view of preparing the strategy for the calibration/validation of future L-band satellite radiometers, we examine the salinity variability recorded by Array for Real-Time Geostrophic Oceanography (ARGO) floats in the upper 10-m layer of the surface ocean. Using one year of ARGO measurements,we show that the surface salinity variability at ten days and 200-km scales is above /spl plusmn/0.1 psu for 30% of the drifters and that this variability is larger than 0.2 psu in tropical regions affected by strong river discharges and by precipitations, and in frontal areas characterized by strong mesoscale activity. Vertical gradient observed between 5-10-m depth is much lower than the horizontal variability but leads to systematic biases in the tropics. The South Pacific Ocean appears to be the less variable both vertically and horizontally.     

Spatio-temporal changes in the abundance of the populations of the gastrotrich community in a shallow lake of tropical Africa

Studies on the biodiversity and population dynamics of freshwater planktonic Gastrotricha have been carried out in conjunction with a physical–chemical analysis of the water in the Yaounde Municipal Lake (Cameroon, Central Africa) over a 14 months period (November 1996–December 1997). The results obtained allow to consider the Yaounde Municipal Lake as an eutrophic lake. It harbours eight species of Gastrotricha belonging to four genera (Chaetonotus, Dasydytes, Neogossea and Polymerurus) of the order Chaetonotida. This community was characterized by high abundances of populations, and was dominated by the genus Neogossea and Chaetonotusreaching up to 2000 ind. L⁻¹. Polymerurus was mostly abundant at the almost anoxic bottom layers. The highest abundances were found mostly during the rainy season, when there is an important sedimentation process of organic matter, and were influenced by several different environmental factors such as dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH of the water.

Finally this community which may play an important role in the water bodies, is a potential water quality indicator.     

Etude experimentale d'une relation entre le coefficient de frottement et le facteur de rafales en regime de vent faible et au-dessus d'une surface d'eau

In usual aerodynamic bulk formulas, the drag coefficient C _d has been best estimated in the 5 to 16 m s^–1 range of mean wind velocity; a value of 1.3 × 10^–3 is often considered for operational use. However, in the 0 to 5 m s^–1 range of mean wind velocity, corresponding to meteorological conditions of very light wind, experimental results have not resulted in any convincing agreement between various authors (Hicks et al., 1974; Wu, 1969; Kondo and Fujinawa, 1972; Mitsuta, 1973; Brocks and Krugermeyer, 1970).In the present paper, the drag coefficient is experimentally determined in conditions of very light wind and limited fetch (about 250 m). Due to this limited fetch, we have to be cautious in the extrapolation of our results to other sites. Nevertheless, some of experimental results are worth describing, considering the paucity of data in light wind conditions.Mean value and standard deviation (respectively 1.84 × 10^–3 and 1.24 × 10^–3) are obtained from 70 runs of 10-min duration. Mean wind velocities observed at 2 m above water surface are found to lie between 1.2 and 3.6 m s^–1. Whereas this mean value is in fair agreement with C _{d 10} = 1.3 × 10^–3, usually given for the 5 to 16 m s^–1 range (Kraus, 1972), the above value for the standard deviation seems too large to be left without further analysis.A more exhaustive analysis of the 70 values obtained for C _d shows that it depends on a parameter characteristic of longitudinal fluctuations of the wind velocity. A similar idea was put forward earlier by Kraus (1972). Relations between the drag coefficient and wind fluctuations may be tentatively given by: % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaam4qamaaBa% aaleaacaWGKbGaaGOmaaqabaGccqGH9aqpdaqadaqaaiabgkHiTiaa% igdacaGGUaGaaGimaiaaiEdacqGHRaWkcaaIXaGaaGinaiaac6caca% aIZaGaaGinamaalaaabaGaeq4Wdm3aaSbaaSqaaiaadwhacaGGNaaa% beaaaOqaaaaaaiaawIcacaGLPaaaruqqYLwySbacfaGaa8hEaiaa-b% cacaaIXaGaaGimamaaCaaaleqabaGaeyOeI0IaaG4maaaakiaabcca% caqGGaGaaeiiaiaabccacaqGXaGaaeOlaiaabAdacaqGGaGaaeyBai% aabccacaqGZbWaaWbaaSqabeaacaqGTaGaaeymaaaakiabgsMiJkqa% dwhagaqeamaaBaaaleaacaaIYaaabeaakiabgsMiJkaaiodacaGGUa% GaaGOnaiaab2gacaqGGaGaae4CamaaCaaaleqabaGaaeylaiaabgda% aaaaaa!634E!\[C_{d2} = \left( { - 1.07 + 14.34\frac{{\sigma _{u'} }}{{}}} \right)x 10^{ - 3} {\text{ 1}}{\text{.6 m s}}^{{\text{ - 1}}} \leqslant \bar u_2 \leqslant 3.6{\text{m s}}^{{\text{ - 1}}} \] and % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaGaam4qamaaBa% aaleaacaWGKbGaaGOmaaqabaGccqGH9aqpdaqadaqaaiabgkHiTiaa% iodacaGGUaGaaGioaiaaiAdacqGHRaWkcaaIZaGaaiOlaiaaiodaca% aI2aGaam4raaGaayjkaiaawMcaaerbbjxAHXgaiuaacaWF4bGaa8hi% aiaaigdacaaIWaWaaWbaaSqabeaacqGHsislcaaIZaaaaOGaaeilaa% aa!4B42!\[C_{d2} = \left( { - 3.86 + 3.36G} \right)x 10^{ - 3} {\text{,}}\] where _u/\-u ₂ and G, respectively, represent the standard deviation of u normalized with \-u ₂ and the longitudinal gust factor quoted in Smith (1974).We have established a relationship between these fluctuation parameters and the stability as given by a bulk layer Richardson number (between 0 and 2 m). These relations are given by: % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+-% feaafiart1ev1aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn% hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqtubsr% 4rNCHbGeaGqiVu0Je9sqqrpepC0xbbL8F4rqqrFfpeea0xe9Lq-Jc9% vqaqpepm0xbba9pwe9Q8fs0-yqaqpepae9pg0FirpepeKkFr0xfr-x% fr-xb9adbaqaaeGaciGaaiaabeqaamaabaabaaGcbaWaaSaaaeaacq% aHdpWCdaWgaaWcbaGaamyDaiaacEcaaeqaaaGcbaGabmyDayaaraWa% aSbaaSqaaiaaikdaaeqaaaaakiabg2da9iaaicdacaGGUaGaaGymai% aaikdacqGHRaWkcaaIZaGaaiOlaiaaiIdacaaI1aGaaeiiaiaabkfa% caqGPbWaaSbaaSqaaiaabcdacaqGTaGaaeOmaaqabaaaaa!4802!\[\frac{{\sigma _{u'} }}{{\bar u_2 }} = 0.12 + 3.85{\text{ Ri}}_{{\text{0 - 2}}} \] and G=1.35+14.56 Ri_0–2. The increase in gustiness with stability is in qualitative agreement with Goptarev (1957)'s experimental results.In spite of the high-level correlation between C _d and _u/\-u ₂(G) on the one hand and between _u/\-u ₂(G) and Ri_0–2on the other hand, we found a poor relationship between C _d and Ri_0–2. It is worth noting too that the trend observed here for C _d to increase with stability is in complete disagreement with the usual theoretical expectation for C _d to decrease with increasing layer stability above water.

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E.R.A. du C.N.R.S. n 259.     

Compressibility and permeability of sand–kaolin mixtures. Experiments versus non‐linear homogenization schemes

This study deals with the behaviour of mixtures of sand and saturated kaolin paste considered as composite materials made of permeable and deformable (with non‐linear behaviour) matrix (the kaolin paste) with rigid and impervious inclusions (the sand grains). Oedometric and permeability tests highlight the key role of the state of the clay paste, and show the existence of a threshold of sand grain concentration above which a structuring effect influences both compressibility and permeability. At the light of these experiments two homogenization schemes (with simplifying assumptions to make the problem manageable) are considered to model these two parameters. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons with experimental data point out their respective domain of interest and limitations: a tangent homogenization scheme is shown to be sufficient to describe the macroscopic properties for dilute sand concentration; above the concentration threshold, the structuring effect is captured by the new homogenization scheme developed in this paper. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

From biological to lithological control of the B geochemical cycle in a forest watershed (Strengbach, Vosges)

There is a fast growing interest in understanding the coupling between mineralogical and biological processes responsible for the migration of elements through continental ecosystems. This issue has fundamental impacts at the soil/plant scale because it can explain the tight links between soil and plant development and at the watershed scale because it gives a direct access to the water quality. In the present study, we performed an extended investigation of the bio-geochemical cycle of boron, which is an element known to be suitable for investigating water/rock interactions and vegetation cycling. New B data are provided along the hydro-bio-geochemical continuum in a forest ecosystem (Strengbach basin, Vosges, France), from rainwaters down to the outlet of the basin including systematic analyses of throughfalls, soil solutions, springs and brooks scattered in the watershed. At the watershed scale, we evidence a relationship between the B isotopic composition of river waters and the weathering regime outlining a predominant control of the parent rock mineralogy on the B geochemical behavior. At the soil/plant scale, it appears that the B geochemical cycle is controlled by the vegetation cycling, which is characterized by an uncommon, easy to distinguish, B isotopic composition (δ¹¹B ranging from about +30‰ to +45‰). Each year the amount of B being involved in the vegetation cycle is about four times greater than that of B being exported out of the watershed. At 10 cm depth in soil, where the plant roots are expected to be the most active, we observe a marked seasonal oscillation of the B isotopic values, which is interpreted as resulting from the vegetation activity. A mass balance calculation based on the assumption that that ¹⁰B is preferentially accumulated in the biomass tends to indicate that the soil/plant system does not behave at steady state with respect to B.Because of the very distinct B isotopic signature of vegetation and minerals in soil, box modeling allows to quantify the part of the B fluxes involved in the vegetation cycling and the mineral reactions, respectively. This calculation reveals a clear correlation between the amount of B derived from soil weathering and the amount of B absorbed by plant roots. This result clearly supports the idea that a coupling exists between mineral weathering and plant activity, for the study of which B isotopes appear particularly suitable.     

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Anthropogenic and natural metal contents of coastal sediments with potential transfer to associated waters: the case of El Melah lagoon near Slimane,Tunisia

Cu, Zn, Ni, Cr and Co pollution of El Melah lagoon waters near the city of Slimane in northwestern Tunisia was evaluated relative to identified human activity and waste repositories in the neighborhood. These metals were measured in lagoon waters and sediments, and in the potential pollutants, during two consecutive years for evaluation of their impact on the lagoon waters. A sequential extraction of the metals from sediments was designed to distinguish those potentially anthropogenic from those naturally scavenged by the sediments. This procedure allowed identification and quantification of the metals that are temporarily trapped, therefore contributing directly to the ecotoxicity of the lagoon waters, from those incorporated in the sediments. The highest supplies of Cr and Co to the lagoon waters come from El-Bey creek waters, while the wastewater treatment plant contributes for most of the Zn, and the urban garbage deposit for most of the Ni. Alternatively, the impact of the cultivated soils is minimal for the studied metals. In fact, Zn and Ni contents of the sediments amount 100 to 20 times less than in the present water, which is negligible. Cr is potentially the most polluting with contents up to ten times more in the sediments of the eastern lagoon pool and next to the outlet of the wastewater plant than in the waters. Potentially, contents of the anthropogenic Cu of the sediments amount 3–15 times less than in the lagoon waters.     

Fine-Scale Detection of Estuarine Water Quality with Managed Freshwater Releases

Freshwater pulses to subtropical estuaries often occur on time scales less than 1 week. In particular, introduction of low-level pulses are potentially important during the dry season (November–April) when freshwater is scarce. Determining potential ecological benefits of pulses requires an innovative method of data acquisition at the appropriate spatial and temporal scales. The South Florida Water Management District conducted a pilot study to assess changes in water column attributes with pulse releases to the Caloosahatchee River Estuary (CRE) from January to April 2012. An average inflow of 450 cfs was targeted for a series of freshwater pulses. This study utilized an onboard, flow-through system to record surface water temperature, salinity (S), pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and in situ chlorophyll a (in situ CHL) at 5 s intervals along the 42-km length of the estuary. On each of seven research cruises, the vessel stopped at multiple stations to conduct vertical water column profiles. Salinity increased throughout the CRE as inflow decreased during the study period. Simple correlation and partial least squares regression were used to determine that the downstream locations of the S?=?10 isohaline and the maximum CHL concentration (in situ CHL_max) were positively related to inflow. While the in situ CHL_max was located 12–20 km downstream on five of the cruises, it was only a few kilometer from the estuary head on the first (1/12) and last (4/11) dates. It is possible that two circumstances related to freshwater inflow accounted for this pattern. First, water column stratification before January could have stimulated remineralization and primary production. Second, inflow ceased as water temperature increased to 26.0 °C by April to promote algal growth. Further study of the relationships among inflow, water level, flushing time, and CHL is warranted. Future efforts will examine the range of wet season discharge by incorporating a sensor for colored dissolved organic matter to fully connect inflow, salinity, submarine light, and phytoplankton attributes in the CRE.