Investigation of the electromagnetic fields induced by sea wave motion

This paper discusses a theoretical model of the electromagnetic field induced by internal waves of baric origin. Comparison of thein situ data on the differences between the horizontal electrical field potentials conditioned by internal waves in some Black Sea and tropical Atlantic areas and of the results of calculations of the model electrical field's intensity in those areas shows their good agreement. The dependences of the electromagnetic field component amplitudes on the internal waves parameters and sea-bed rock conductivity are considered. Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.     

Sediment Flux of Particulate Organic Phosphorus in the Open Black Sea

The interannual variation of the monthly average (weighted average) concentrations of particulate organic phosphorus (P_POM) in the photosynthetic layer, oxycline, redox zone, and H₂S zone in the open Black Sea is estimated based on long-term observation data. The suspension sedimentation rates from the studied layers are assessed using model calculations and published data. The annual variation of P_POM sediment fluxes from the photosynthetic layer, oxycline, redox zone, and upper H₂S zone to the anaerobic zone of the sea and the correspondingly annual average values are estimated for the first time. A regular decrease in the P_POM annual average flux with depth in the upper active layer is demonstrated. A correlation between the annual average values of P_POM sediment flux from the photosynthetic layer and ascending phosphate flux to this layer is shown, which suggests their balance in the open sea. The results are discussed in terms of the phosphorus biogeochemical cycle and the concept of new and regenerative primary production in the open Black Sea.     

Long-term seasonal variability of water transparency in the surface layer of the deep part of the Black Sea

Basing on the data of long-term observations of the Secchi disk visibility depth (1923–2000) and the beam attenuation coefficient (1978–1995), considered are the main peculiarities of seasonal spatial distribution of transparency and its intraannual and interannual variability in the deep part of the Black Sea. Noted is a decrease in the transparency in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Obtained are the statistic estimates of its seasonal variations for the whole water area of the sea and for cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies. It is demonstrated that the interannual seasonal variations of transparency are basically connected with the interannual dynamics of phytoplankton biomass which is defined with climatic conditions.     

The Role of Salinity in the Global Distribution of Surface Density Fluxes in the World Ocean Based on the Example of 2014

Oceanology - We have analyzed the dependence of the calculated magnitudes of buoyancy fluxes at the ocean surface on the various sources of information used about salinity based on the example of...     

Variability peculiarities of distribution of transparency and suspended matter content in the northwestern part of the Black Sea in spring caused by large-scale processes in the ocean–atmosphere system

The display is considered of global processes in the ocean-atmosphere system in the variability of hydrophysical and hydrobiological fields of the northwestern part of the Black Sea in spring period of 1978–1995. It is demonstrated that the variability of North Atlantic and Southern oscillations in winter-spring period affects the spring hydrometeorological conditions in catchment areas of European rivers of the Black Sea basin causing the variability of runoff volumes of these rivers and the scales of spreading river waters at the northwestern shelf. Hydrological and hydrobiological characteristics of shelf waters varying in the process influence the formation of distribution of suspended matter content and transparency.     

Spatial structure and variability of fields of currents, attenuation factor of light, and temperature in the surface layer of the northwest part of the Black Sea

On the basis of the results of simultaneous observations of parameters of currents, attenuation factor of light, and temperature performed aboard a moving vessel, we established the main characteristics and features of the circulation of waters and the structure of transparency and temperature fields in the surface layer of the northwest part of the Black Sea. We investigate the correlation between the variability of fluid dynamics and redistribution of transparency and temperature fields. The measured currents are compared with those calculated using the actual field of atmospheric pressure during the time of observation. It is shown that the results obtained in the areas of steady currents in the west and central regions are in good agreement. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

River Runoff Effects on the Coastal Water Transparency in the Western Black Sea

Using the data of long-term observations of the Secchi disk visibility depth and water salinity (1947-2000) and satellite monitoring of chlorophyll a concentration (1978-1986), their seasonal spatial distributions and intraannual variability in the coastal waters of the western Black Sea are considered. The estimates of seasonal variations are obtained for the coastal zone of the sea. A good agreement is demonstrated between intraannual variations in the salinity of transformed river water, chlorophyll a concentration, and transparency in the areas where these waters propagate. We studied the effects of the Danube River runoff and transformed river water on the phytoplankton development and chlorophyll a concentration which largely define water transparency.     

Features of the distributions of the transparency and particulate matter content in the surface water layer in the northwestern part of the Black Sea in the autumn period

Using the data of long-term simultaneous optical, biological, and hydrological observations (1980–1993), particular features of the horizontal distribution of the transparency and the total particulate matter content and the contents of its organic components (organic carbon and nitrogen and chlorophyll a) and their variability in the surface water layer (0–5m) over the northwestern shelf and the adjacent abyssal part of the Black Sea in the autumn season are considered. The detritus/phytoplankton ratio in the particulate organic matter and their relative contents in the total particulate matter are calculated. The distributions of the transparency and particulate matter content were found to be in good agreement and both depend on the water dynamics. It was established that, during the period of the abrupt growth in the Black Sea water turbidity (in the early 1990s), a significant decrease in the transparency and an increase in the particulate matter content caused by the production-destruction processes were observed only in the central and southern regions of the sea.     

Variability of suspended organic matter in the surface layer of the Black Sea (deep-sea areas)

The peculiarities of the distribution of the components of the suspended organic matter (SOM) and their interannual and seasonal variability have been analysed in the surface water layer and photic water layer of the Black Sea (the deep-sea areas) for the period of 1978–1995. The statistical assessment of the seasonal and monthly dynamics of the SOM components and their ratios was performed. The seasonal dynamics of the concentration of particulate organic carbon have been calculated based on the data on the Chlorophyll “a” (Chl “a”) concentration in the surface water layer based on the regression relationship between these two parameters measured in situ simultaneously. Taking these relationships into account, the interannual dynamics of the Chl “a” concentration have been analysed for the period of 1978–2010. It was found that the concentrations of the SOM components increased significantly in the 1980’s and early 1990’s with the maximum reached in the summer of 1992. It was also found that the seasonal interannual dynamics of the components of the SOM were mainly preconditioned by the interannual dynamics of the phytoplankton biomass, which, in turn, depended on the climatic conditions.     

Spatiotemporal Variability of Suspended Particulate Matter in the Surface Layer of the Open Part of the Black Sea

Oceanology - Based on long-term measurements of the concentration of total suspended particulate matter (TSM), particulate organic carbon, chlorophyll a, and the water transparency index for...