bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A nested circulation model for the North Aegean Sea
Authors: Kourafalou V. H. , Tsiaras K. P.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. A multi-nested approach has been employed for numerical simulations in the northern part of the Aegean Sea in the framework of the MFSTEP (Mediterranean Forecast System: Toward Environmental Predictions) project. The high resolution (~1.6 km) hydrodynamic model of the North Aegean Sea (NAS) has been nested within a coarser model of the Eastern Mediterranean (resolution ~3.6 km) which is also nested within a basin scale model for the Mediterranean Sea (resolution of ~7 km). The high resolution of the NAS model allows the representation of topographic details that have never been reproduced in modelling studies of the region. Such details can enhance the simulation of coastal features, but can also influence basin-scale processes, such as the pathways of waters of Black Sea origin inflowing at the Dardanelles Straits and bifurcating through island passages. We employ comparisons of the North Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean models in terms of computed flow fields and distribution of hydrodynamic properties, to evaluate the nesting procedure, the initialization requirements and the ability of a nested model to perform reliable short term simulations that employ high resolution atmospheric forcing, when initialized from a longer running coarser OGCM. We show that the topographic details of the high resolution, nested NAS model mostly affect the distribution of the Dardanelles plume, while the imposed high frequency, high resolution atmospheric forcing allows for the formation of an overall energetic flow field after a few days of spin-up period. A longer initialization procedure is suggested for the establishment of stronger currents and better developed buoyant plumes.
Energetics of the layer-thickness form drag based on an integral identity
Authors: Aiki H. , Yamagata T.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The vertical redistribution of the geostrophic momentum by the residual effects of pressure perturbations (called the layer-thickness form drag) is investigated using thickness-weighted temporal-averaged mean primitive equations for a continuously stratified fluid in an adiabatic formulation. A four-box energy diagram, in which the mean and eddy kinetic energies are defined by the thickness-weighted mean velocity and the deviation from it, respectively, shows that the layer-thickness form drag reduces the mean kinetic energy and endows the eddy field with an energy cascade. The energy equations are derived using an identity (called the "pile-up rule'') between cumulative sums of the Eulerian mean quantity and the thickness-weighted mean quantity in each vertical column. The pile-up rule shows that the thickness-weighted mean velocity satisfies a no-normal-flow boundary condition at the top and bottom of the ocean, which enables the volume budget of pressure flux divergence in the energy diagram to be determined. With the pile-up rule, the total kinetic energy based on the Eulerian mean can be rewritten in a thickness-weighted form. The four-box energy diagram in the present study should be consistent with energy diagrams of layer models, the temporal-residual-mean theory, and Iwasaki's atmospheric theory. Under certain assumptions, the work of the layer-thickness form drag in the global ocean circulation is suggested to be comparable to the work done by the wind forcing.
Tropical Extra-tropical thermocline water mass exchanges in the community climate model v.3 Part I: the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Wainer I. , Lazar A. , Solomon A.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The NCAR CCSM numerical coupled model is used to understand the tropical-extra-tropical pathways of thermocline waters in the Atlantic Ocean. Climatological annual mean simulation results from three numerical experiments are analyzed. Two are fully coupled runs with different spatial resolution (T42 and T85) for the atmospheric component. The third numerical experiment is an ocean-only run forced by NCEP winds and fluxes. Results show that the different atmospheric resolutions have a significant impact on the subduction pathways in the Atlantic because of how the wind field is represented. These simulation results also show that the water subducted at the subtropics reaching the EUC is entirely from the South Atlantic. The coupled model ability to simulate the STCs is discussed.
Operational analysis of the circulation and shelf-slope exchanges in the continental margin of the northwestern Mediterranean
Authors: Jordi A. , Basterretxea G. , Orfila A. , Tintoré J.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. In this paper, we present the results from a high horizontal resolution numerical simulation of the northwestern Mediterranean using a z-level, non-hydrostatic, primitive equation ocean model (DieCAST). The high resolution allows an accurate representation of the submarine canyons that presides in the region. The model is one-way coupled to a large scale model of the Mediterrenean Sea through open boundaries and uses the atmospheric forcing fields provided in terms of HIRLAM outputs by the Spanish National Institute of Meteorology. Results show that the model can successfully reproduce the complex general circulation characteristics of the area, including the modificacions induced by canyons in their vicinity and other phenomena observed such as instabilities and coastal trapped waves. The sea surface temperature is similar to satellite observations except that simulated temperatures are slightly warmer near the coast than observations and colder near the open boundaries. An important topic of this work is the computation of the shelf-slope exchanges, which are able to renew shelf waters in a few months.
DINEOF reconstruction of clouded images including error maps. Application to the Sea-Surface Temperature around Corsican Island
Authors: J.-M. Beckers  , A. Barth  , A. Alvera-Azcárate
Published: April 2010

Abstract. We present an extension to the Data INterpolating Empirical Orthogonal Functions (DINEOF) which allows not only to fill in clouded images but also to provide an estimation of the error covariance of the reconstruction. This additional information is obtained by an analogy with optimal interpolation. It is shown that the error fields can be obtained with a clever rearrangement of calculations at a cost comparable to that of the interpolation itself. The method is presented on the reconstruction of sea-surface temperature in the Ligurian Sea and around the Corsican Island (Mediterranean Sea), including the calculation of inter-annual variability of average surface values and their expected errors. The application shows that the error fields are not only able to reflect the data-coverage structure but also the covariances of the physical fields.
Results from the implementation of the elastic viscous plastic sea ice rheology in HadCM3
Authors: Connolley W. , Keen A. , McLaren A.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. We present results of an implementation of the Elastic Viscous Plastic (EVP) sea ice dynamics scheme into the Hadley Centre coupled ocean-atmosphere climate model HadCM3. Although the large-scale simulation of sea ice in HadCM3 is quite good with this model, the lack of a full dynamical model leads to errors in the detailed representation of sea ice and limits our confidence in its future predictions. We find that introducing the EVP scheme results in a worse initial simulation of the sea ice. This paper documents various improvements made to improve the simulation, resulting in a sea ice simulation that is better than the original HadCM3 scheme overall. Importantly, it is more physically based and provides a more solid foundation for future improvement. We then consider the interannual variability of the sea ice in the new model and demonstrate improvements over the HadCM3 simulation.
The subtropical Deacon cells
Authors: Polton J. A. , Marshall D. P.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The circulation of the subtropical gyres can be decomposed into a horizontal recirculation along contours of constant Bernoulli potential and an overturning circulation across these contours. While the geometry and topology of Bernoulli contours is more complicated in the subtropical gyres than in the Southern Ocean, these subtropical overturning circulations are very much analogous to the Deacon cell found in the Southern Ocean. This analogy is formalised through an exact integral constraint, including the rectified effects of transient eddies. The constraint can be interpreted either in terms of vertical fluxes of potential vorticity, or equivalently as an integral buoyancy budget for an imaginary fluid parcel recirculating around a closed Bernoulli contour. Under conditions of vanishing buoyancy and mechanical forcing, the constraint reduces to a generalised non-acceleration condition, under which the Eulerian-mean and eddy-induced overturning circulations exactly compensate. The terms in the integral constraint are diagnosed in an eddy-permitting ocean model in both the North Pacific subtropical gyre and the Southern Ocean. The extent to which the Eulerian-mean and eddy-induced overturning circulations compensate is discussed in each case.
Forecast and analysis assessment through skill scores
Authors: Tonani M. , Pinardi N. , Fratianni C. , Dobricic S.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. This paper describes a first comprehensive evaluation of the quality of the ten days ocean forecasts produced by the Mediterranean ocean Forecasting System (MFS). Once a week ten days forecasts are produced. The forecast starts on Tuesday at noon and the prediction is released on Wednesday morning with less then 24 hr delay. In this work we have considered 22 ten days forecasts produced from the 16 August 2005 to the 10 January 2006. All the statistical scores have been done for the Mediterranean basin and for 13 regions in which the Mediterranean sea has been subdivided. The forecast evaluation is given here in terms of root mean square (rms) values. The main skill score is computed as the root mean square of the difference between forecast and analysis (FA) and forecast and persistence (FP), where the persistence is defined as the average of the day of the analysis corresponding to the first day of the forecast. A second skill score (SSP) is defined as the ratio between rms of FA and FP, giving the percentage of accuracy of the forecast with respect to the persistence (Murphy 1993). The rms of FA is always better than FP and the FP rms error is double than the rms of FA. It is found that in the surface layers the error growth is controlled mainly by the atmospheric forcing inaccuracies while at depth the forecast errors could be due to adjustments of the data assimilation scheme to the data insertion procedure. The predictability limit for our ocean forecast seems to be 5–6 days connected to atmospheric forcing inaccuracies and to the data availability for assimilation.
On the assimilation of ice velocity and concentration data into large-scale sea ice models
Authors: Dulière V. , Fichefet T.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Data assimilation into sea ice models designed for climate studies has started about 15 years ago. In most of the studies conducted so far, it is assumed that the improvement brought by the assimilation is straightforward. However, some studies suggest this might not be true. In order to elucidate this question and to find an appropriate way to further assimilate sea ice concentration and velocity observations into a global sea ice-ocean model, we analyze here results from a number of twin experiments (i.e. experiments in which the assimilated data are model outputs) carried out with a simplified model of the Arctic sea ice pack. Our objective is to determine to what degree the assimilation of ice velocity and/or concentration data improves the global performance of the model and, more specifically, reduces the error in the computed ice thickness. A simple optimal interpolation scheme is used, and outputs from a control run and from perturbed experiments without and with data assimilation are thoroughly compared. Our results indicate that, under certain conditions depending on the assimilation weights and the type of model error, the assimilation of ice velocity data enhances the model performance. The assimilation of ice concentration data can also help in improving the model behavior, but it has to be handled with care because of the strong connection between ice concentration and ice thickness. This study is preliminary study towards real observation data assimilation into NEMOLIM, a global sea ice-ocean model.
On the Indonesian throughflow in the OCCAM 1/4 degree ocean model
Authors: Humphries U. W. , Webb D. J.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The Indonesian Throughflow is analysed in two runs of the OCCAM 1/4 degree global ocean model, one using monthly climatological winds and one using ECMWF analysed six-hourly winds for the period 1993 to 1998. The long-term model throughflow agrees with observations and the value predicted by Godfrey's Island Rule. The Island Rule has some skill in predicting the annual signal each year but is poor at predicting year to year and shorter term variations in the total flow especially in El Nino years. The spectra of transports in individual passages show significant differences between those connecting the region to the Pacific Ocean and those connecting with the Indian Ocean. This implies that different sets of waves are involved in the two regions. Vertical profiles of transport are in reasonable agreement with observations but the model overestimates the near surface transport through the Lombok Strait and the dense overflow from the Pacific through the Lifamatola Strait into the deep Banda Sea. In both cases the crude representation of the passages by the model appears responsible. In the north the model shows, as expected, that the largest transport is via the Makassar Strait. However this is less than expected and instead there is significant flow via the Halmahera Sea. If Godfrey's Island Rule is correct and the throughflow is forced by the northward flow between Australia and South America, then the Halmahers Sea route should be important. It is the most southerly route around New Guinea to the Indian Ocean and there is no apparent reason why the flow should go further north in order to pass through the Makassar Strait. The model result thus raises the question of why in reality the Makassar Strait route appears to dominate the throughflow.
Sea surface salinity variability from a simplified mixed layer model of the global ocean
Authors: Michel S. , Chapron B. , Tournadre J. , Reul N.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. A bi-dimensional mixed layer model (MLM) of the global ocean is used to investigate the sea surface salinity (SSS) balance and variability at daily to seasonal scales. Thus a simulation over an average year is performed with daily climatological forcing fields. The forcing dataset combines air-sea fluxes from a meteorological model, geostrophic currents from satellite altimeters and in situ data for river run-offs, deep temperature and salinity. The model is based on the "slab mixed layer" formulation, which allows many simplifications in the vertical mixing representation, but requires an accurate estimate for the Mixed Layer Depth. Therefore, the model MLD is obtained from an original inversion technique, by adjusting the simulated temperature to input sea surface temperature (SST) data. The geographical distribution and seasonal variability of this "effective" MLD is validated against an in situ thermocline depth. This comparison proves the model results are consistent with observations, except at high latitudes and in some parts of the equatorial band. The salinity balance can then be analysed in all the remaining areas. The annual tendency and amplitude of each of the six processes included in the model are described, whilst providing some physical explanations. A map of the dominant process shows that freshwater flux controls SSS in most tropical areas, Ekman transport in Trades regions, geostrophic advection in equatorial jets, western boundary currents and the major part of subtropical gyres, while diapycnal mixing leads over the remaining subtropical areas and at higher latitudes. At a global scale, SSS variations are primarily caused by horizontal advection (46%), then vertical entrainment (24%), freshwater flux (22%) and lateral diffusion (8%). Finally, the simulated SSS variability is compared to an in situ climatology, in terms of distribution and seasonal variability. The overall agreement is satisfying, which confirms that the salinity balance is reliable. The simulation exhibits stronger gradients and higher variability, due to its fine resolution and high frequency forcing. Moreover, the SSS variability at daily scale can be investigated from the model, revealing patterns considerably different from the seasonal cycle. Within the perspective of the future satellite missions dedicated to SSS retrieval (SMOS and Aquarius/SAC-D), the MLM could be useful for determining calibration areas, as well as providing a first-guess estimate to inversion algorithms.
The backward Îto method for the Lagrangian simulation of transport processes with large space variations of the diffusivity
Authors: Spivakovskaya D. , Heemink A. W. , Deleersnijder E.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Random walk models are a powerful tool for the investigation of transport processes in turbulent flows. However, standard random walk methods are applicable only when the flow velocities and diffusivity are sufficiently smooth functions. In practice there are some regions where the rapid but continuous change in diffusivity may be represented by a discontinuity. The random walk model based on backward Îto calculus can be used for these problems. This model was proposed by LaBolle et al. (2000). The latter is best suited to the problems under consideration. It is then applied for two test cases with discontinuous diffusivity, highlighting the advantages of this method.
Technical Note: Is radiation important for the high amplitude variability of the MOC in the North Atlantic?
Authors: Nof D. , Yu L.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Radiation is of fundamental importance to climate modeling and it is customary to assume that it is also important for the variability of North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) formation and the meridional overturning cell (MOC). Numerous articles follow this scenario and incorporate radiation into the calculation. Using relatively old heat-flux maps based on measurements taken in the nineteen sixties, Sandal and Nof (2007) recently suggested that, even though the radiation terms are of the same order as the other heat-flux terms, they are not important for the variability of the NADW and the MOC. They proposed that only sensible and latent heat fluxes are important for the long-term variability of the convection, i.e., for processes such as Heinrich events, which supposedly correspond to turning convection on-and-off in the Atlantic. Here, we place this suggestion on a firmer ground by presenting new and accurate up-to-date heat flux maps that also suggest that the radiation is of no major consequence to the NADW variability. Also, we attribute the relative importance of sensible and latent heat fluxes and the contrasting negligible role of radiation to the fact that the latent and sensible heat fluxes are primarily proportional to the difference between the sea surface and the air temperature whereas the radiation is primarily proportional to the sea surface temperature, i.e., radiation is approximately independent of the atmospheric temperature. Due the small heat capacity ratio of air/water (1/4), the difference between the ocean temperature and the air temperature varies dramatically between the state of active and inactive MOC, whereas the ocean temperature by itself varies very modestly between a state of active and inactive convection.
A comparison between vertical motions measured by ADCP and inferred from temperature data
Authors: van Haren H.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Combined vertical current (w) and thermistor string data demonstrate that high-frequency internal "wave" trains along a pycnocline in a flat-bottom shelf sea consist for 2 periods of a dominant mode-1 non-linear part, while thereafter mainly of linear [mode-2, quadrupled frequency] waves, to first order. In a simple [linear] heat budget, the use of unfiltered temperature gradient or its time mean changes results by only 10%. The observations also demonstrate that temperature is not always adequate to estimate vertical motions using the linear 1-D heat equation. In shallow seas, tidal-w estimated from temperature data can be an order of magnitude weaker than directly observed w, and thus do not represent free internal waves. In the open ocean, tidal motions represent linear waves and are well described by temperature-inferred w. There however, the internal wave continuum is not well-described: near the buoyancy frequency it is dominated by non-linear waves and near [sub]inertial frequencies by eddies and gyroscopic waves.
Geothermal heating, diapycnal mixing and the abyssal circulation
Authors: Emile-Geay J. , Madec G.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The dynamical role of geothermal heating in abyssal circulation is reconsidered using three independent methods. First, we show that a uniform geothermal heat flux close to the observed average (86.4 mW m−2) supplies as much heat to the abyss as diapycnal mixing with a rate of ~1 cm2 s−1. A simple scaling law, based upon a purely advective balance, indicates that such a heat flux is able to generate a deep circulation of order 5 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) associated with the Antarctic Bottom Water mass (AABW). Its intensity is inversely proportional to the strength of deep temperature gradients. Second, this order of magnitude is confirmed by the density-binning method (Walin, 1982) applied to the observed thermohaline structure of Levitus (1998). Additionally, the method allows to investigate the effect of realistic spatial variations of the flux obtained from heatflow measurements and classical theories of lithospheric cooling. It is found that a uniform heatflow forces a transformation of about 6 SV at σ4=45.90, consistent with the previous estimate. The result is very similar for a realistic heatflow, albeit shifted towards slightly lighter density classes. Third, we use a general ocean circulation model in global configuration to perform three sets of experiments: (1) a thermally homogenous abyssal ocean with and without uniform geothermal heating; (2) a more stratified abyssal ocean subject to (i) no geothermal heating, (ii) a constant heat flux of 86.4 mW m−2, (iii) a realistic, spatially varying heat flux of identical global average; (3) experiments (i) and (iii) with enhanced vertical mixing at depth. It is found, for strong vertical mixing rates, that geothermal heating enhances the AABW cell by about 15% (1.5 Sv) and heats up the last 2000 m by 0.3°, reaching a maximum of 0.5° in the deep North Pacific. Its impact is even stronger in a weakly diffusive deep ocean. The spatial distribution of the heat flux acts to enhance this temperature rise at mid-depth and reduce it at great depth, producing a more moderate increase in overturning than in the uniform case. The three approaches converge to the conclusion that geothermal heating is an important actor of abyssal dynamics, and should no longer be neglected.
On the time to tracer equilibrium in the global ocean
Authors: Primeau F. , Deleersnijder E.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. An important issue for the interpretation of data from deep-sea cores is the time for tracers to be transported from the sea surface to the deep ocean. Global ocean circulation models can help shed light on the timescales over which a tracer comes to equilibrium in different regions of the ocean. In this note, we discuss how the most slowly decaying eigenmode of a model can be used to obtain a relevant timescale for a tracer that enters through the sea surface to become well mixed in the ocean interior. We show how this timescale depends critically on the choice between a Neumann surface boundary condition in which the flux of tracer is prescribed or a Dirichlet surface boundary condition in which the concentration is prescribed. Explicit calculations with a 3-box model and a three-dimensional ocean circulation model show that the Dirichlet boundary condition when applied to only part of the surface ocean greatly overestimate the time needed to reach equilibrium. As a result regional-"injection" calculations which prescribe the surface concentration instead of the surface flux are not relevant for interpreting the regional disequilibrium between the Atlantic and Pacific found in paleo-tracer records from deep-sea cores. For tracers such as δ18O that enter the ocean from melt water, a Neumann boundary condition is more relevant. For tracers that enter the ocean through air-sea gas exchange such as 14C, a prescribed concentration boundary condition can be used to infer relevant timescales, but the Dirichlet Boundary condition must be applied over the entire ocean surface and not only to a patch of limited area. Our three-dimensional model results based on a steady-state modern circulation suggest that the relative disequilibrium between the deep Atlantic and Pacific is on the order of "only" 1200 years or less and does not depend on the size and location of the patch where the tracer is injected.
Molecular biology techniques and applications for ocean sensing
Authors: Zehr J. P. , Hewson I. , Moisander P. H.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The study of marine microorganisms using molecular biological techniques is now widespread in the ocean sciences. These techniques target nucleic acids which record the evolutionary history of microbes, and encode for processes which are active in the ocean today. Here we review some of the most commonly used molecular biological techniques. Molecular biological techniques permit study of the abundance, distribution, diversity, and physiology of microorganisms in situ. These techniques include the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse-transcriptase PCR, quantitative PCR, whole assemblage "fingerprinting" approaches (based on nucleic acid sequence or length heterogeneity), oligonucleotide microarrays, and high-throughput shotgun sequencing of whole genomes and gene transcripts, which can be used to answer biological, ecological, evolutionary and biogeochemical questions in the ocean sciences. Moreover, molecular biological approaches may be deployed on ocean sensor platforms and hold promise for tracking of organisms or processes of interest in near-real time.
Carbon export and sequestration in the southern Benguela upwelling system: lower and upper estimates
Authors: Waldron H. N. , Monteiro P. M. S. , Swart N. C.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Three independent studies of carbon export and sequestration in the southern Benguela upwelling system are presented. They were undertaken by Waldron (upwelling index), Monteiro (discrete upwelling centres – gate hypothesis model) and Swart (cross-shelf advection in bottom nelpheloid layers). The annual estimates were, 3.9×1013, 0.72×1013 and 8.6×1011 gC respectively. The lowest estimate was derived from a consideration of low frequency lateral carbon export in the bottom nepheloid layer and was thought likely to be an under-estimate. Taking into account high frequency episodic events, intermediate nepheloid layers and along isopycnal export of DOC at surface and intermediate depths was thought likely to result in a substantial upward revision. The remaining two estimates were considered to be an upper and lower estimate of carbon export and sequestration due to factors inherent in the methodologies. The upper estimate presents a two-dimensional system, integrated alongshore; the lower estimate sums a series of upwelling centres in order to obtain a system flux. The former is therefore a uniform extrapolation along the coast while the latter omits upwelling between the upwelling centres.
Pre-operational short-term forecasts for the Mediterranean Sea biogeochemistry
Authors: Lazzari P. , Teruzzi A. , Salon S. , Campagna S. , Calonaci C. , Colella S. , Tonani M. , Crise A.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Operational prediction of the marine environment is recognised as a fundamental research issue for Europe. We present a pre-operational implementation of a biogeochemical model for pelagic waters of the Mediterranean Sea, as developed within the framework of the MERSEA-IP European project. The OPATM-BFM coupled model is the core of a fully automatic system that weekly delivers analysis and forecast maps for the Mediterranean Sea biogeochemistry. The system in the present configuration has been working since April 2007 with successful execution of the fully automatic operational chain in the 87% of the cases, and in the remaining cases the runs were successfully accomplished after operator intervention. A description of the system developed and a comparison of the model results with satellite data are also presented, with Spearman correlation on surface chlorophyll temporal evolution equal to 0.71. Future studies will be addressed to the implementations of a data assimilation scheme for the biogeochemical compartment in order to increase the skill of the model performances.
Observed and simulated estimates of the meridional overturning circulation at 26.5° N in the Atlantic
Authors: Baehr J. , Cunnningham S. , Haak H. , Heimbach P. , Kanzow T. , Marotzke J.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Daily timeseries of the meridional overturning circulation (MOC) estimated from the UK/US RAPID/MOCHA array at 26.5° N in the Atlantic are used to evaluate the MOC as simulated in two global circulation models: (i) an 8-member ensemble of the coupled climate model ECHAM5/MPI-OM, and (ii) the ECCO-GODAE state estimate. In ECHAM5/MPI-OM, we find that the observed and simulated MOC have a similar variability and time-mean within the 99 percent confidence interval. In ECCO-GODAE, we find that the observed and simulated MOC show a significant correlation within the 99 percent confidence interval. To investigate the contribution of the different transport components, the MOC is decomposed into Florida Current, Ekman and upper mid-ocean geostrophic transports. In both models, the mid-ocean transport is closely approximated by the residual of the MOC minus Florida Current and Ekman transports. As the models conserve volume by definition, future comparisons of the RAPID/MOCHA mid-ocean transport should be done against the residual transport in the models. The similarity in the variance and the correlation between the RAPID/MOCHA, and respectively ECHAM5/MPI-OM and ECCO-GODAE MOC estimates at 26.5° N is encouraging in the context of estimating (natural) variability in climate simulations and its use in climate change signal-to-noise detection analyses. Enhanced confidence in simulated hydrographic and transport variability will require longer observational time series.
Modelling approach to the assessment of biogenic fluxes at a selected Ross Sea site, Antarctica
Authors: Vichi M. , Coluccelli A. , Ravaioli M. , Giglio F. , Langone L. , Azzaro M. , Azzaro F. , La Ferla R. , Catalano G. , Cozzi S.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Several biogeochemical data have been collected in the last 10 years of Italian activity in Antarctica (ABIOCLEAR, ROSSMIZE, BIOSESO-I/II). A comprehensive 1-D biogeochemical model was implemented as a tool to link observations with processes and to investigate the mechanisms that regulate the flux of biogenic material through the water column. The model is ideally located at station B (175° E–74° S) and was set up to reproduce the seasonal cycle of phytoplankton and organic matter fluxes as forced by the dominant water column physics over the period 1990–2001. Austral spring-summer bloom conditions are assessed by comparing simulated nutrient drawdown, primary production rates, bacterial respiration and biomass with the available observations. The simulated biogenic fluxes of carbon, nitrogen and silica have been compared with the fluxes derived from sediment traps data. The model reproduces the observed magnitude of the biogenic fluxes, especially those found in the bottom sediment trap, but the peaks are markedly delayed in time. Sensitivity experiments have shown that the characterization of detritus, the choice of the sinking velocity and the degradation rates are crucial for the timing and magnitude of the vertical fluxes. An increase of velocity leads to a shift towards observation but also to an overestimation of the deposition flux which can be counteracted by higher bacterial remineralization rates. Model results suggest that the timing of the observed fluxes depends first and foremost on the timing of surface production and on a combination of size-distribution and quality of the autochtonous biogenic material. It is hypothesized that the bottom sediment trap collects material originated from the rapid sinking of freshly-produced particles and also from the previous year's production period.
Transformation of an Agulhas eddy near the continental slope
Authors: Baker-Yeboah S. , Flierl G. R. , Sutyrin G. G. , Zhang Y.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The transformation of Agulhas eddies near the continental slope of South Africa and their subsequent self-propagation are analyzed in both observational data and numerical simulations. Self-propagation results from a net dipole moment of a generalized heton structure consisting of a surface-intensified anticyclonic eddy and deep cyclonic pattern. Such Agulhas vortical structures can form near the retroflection region and further north along the western coast of South Africa. We analyze nonlinear topographic wave generation, vortex deformations, and filament production as an important part in water mass exchange. Self-propagating structures provide a conduit for exchange between the deep ocean and shelf regions in the Benguela upwelling system.
What are "ecogenomic sensors?" – a review and thoughts for the future
Authors: Scholin C. A.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The OceanSensors08 workshop held 31 March–4 April 2008 in Warnemünde, Germany, brought together an international group of marine scientists, sensor developers and technologists with a common interest in shaping the future of ocean sensing. In preparation for that meeting a series of review papers were commissioned, one of which was meant to cover Sensors for Ocean-omics. The "ocean-omics" topic was cast very broadly. The notion was to review use of genetic techniques for assessing presence and diversity of organisms, their genomic capacity and gene expression, and to provide a prospectus of how such methods could be applied in an autonomous capacity. I chose "ecogenomic sensor" as a descriptor to covey the essence of such a system – a device that integrates genetic level sensing with larger scale environmental characterization. But what exactly are ecogenomic sensors? A clear definition is lacking and conceptualizations of these devices far outweigh actual hardware that can be deployed in the ocean. This prospectus builds from that point. I advance a definition of "ecogenomic sensor" and outline the opportunities and challenges associated with developing such devices. Suggestions as to how this class of instrument may be further refined and applied are offered against the backdrop of the Autonomous Microbial Genosensor (AMG) and Environmental Sample Processor (ESP). Applications that center on detection of DNA and RNA are emphasized. The word "review" appears in the title at the request of the editors.
The role of atmosphere and ocean physical processes in ENSO
Authors: Philip S. Y. , Collins M. , van Oldenborgh G. J. , van den Hurk B. J. J. M.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. We examine the behaviour of the El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in an ensemble of global climate model simulations with perturbations to parameters in the atmosphere and ocean components respectively. The influence of the uncertainty in these parametrisations on ENSO are investigated systematically. The ensemble exhibits a range of different ENSO behaviour in terms of the amplitude and spatial structure of the SST variability. The nature of the individual feedbacks that operate within the ENSO system are diagnosed using an Intermediate Complexity Model (ICM), which has been used previously to examine the diverse ENSO behaviour of the CMIP3 multi-model ensemble. Unlike in that case, the ENSO in these perturbed physics experiments is not principally controlled by variations in the mean climate state. Rather the parameter perturbations influence the ENSO characteristics by modifying the coupling feedbacks within the cycle. The associated feedbacks that contribute most to the ensemble variations are the response of SST to local wind variability and damping, followed by the response of SST to thermocline anomalies and the response of the zonal wind stress to those SST anomalies. Atmospheric noise amplitudes and oceanic processes play a relatively minor role.
Derivation and assessment of a mixed layer sub-mesoscale model
Authors: Canuto V. M. , Dubovikov M. S.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. Present studies of mixed layer sub-mesoscales rely primarily on high resolution numerical simulations. Only few of these studies have attempted to parameterize the ensuing buoyancy submesoscale fluxes in terms of the resolved fields so that they can be used in OGCMs (ocean circulation models) that do not resolve sub-mesoscales. In reality, OGCMs used in climate studies include a carbon-cycle which also requires the flux of a passive tracer. The goal of this work is to derive and assess a parameterization of the submesoscale vertical flux of an arbitrary tracer in terms of the resolved fields. The parameterization is obtained by first solving the dynamic equations governing the velocity and tracer fields that describe sub-mesoscales and then constructing second-order moments such as the tracer fluxes. A key ingredient of the present approach is the modeling of the non-linear terms that enter the dynamic equations of the velocity and tracer fields, a problem that we discuss in two Appendices. The derivation of the sub-mesoscale tracer vertical flux is analytical and can be followed in detail since no additional information is required. The external forcing includes both baroclinic instabilities and wind stresses. We compare the model results with data from sub-mesoscale resolving simulations available in the literature which are of two kinds, one with no wind (baroclinic instabilities only) and the other with both baroclinic instabilities and wind. In both cases, the model results reproduce the simulation data satisfactorily.
The gyre-scale circulation of the North Atlantic and sea level at Brest
Authors: Woodworth P. L. , Pouvreau N. , Wöppelmann G.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The relationship between the gyre-scale circulation of the North Atlantic, represented by air pressure near to the centre of the sub-tropical gyre, and sea level measured at the eastern boundary of the ocean has been investigated using records commencing in the middle of the 18th century. These time series are twice as long as those employed in an earlier study of this relationship. Near-continuous values of annual mean sea level and mean high water from Brest, and air pressure fields for the eastern North Atlantic derived from terrestrial instrumental pressure records and ship logbook information, have been used to demonstrate that sea level on the eastern boundary does indeed appear to be related to air pressure at the centre of the gyre, confirming the earlier conclusions but on much longer timescales. This relationship can explain at least part of the century timescale accelerations in European sea level records obtained from tide gauge and saltmarsh data. This finding has important implications for interpretation of the observed sea level rise and acceleration on the European Atlantic coast, suggesting that redistribution of water could play an important role instead of (or as well as) change in ocean volume.
Seasonal cycles of mixed layer salinity and evaporation minus precipitation in the Pacific Ocean
Authors: Bingham F. M. , Foltz G. R. , McPhaden M. J. , Suga T.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The seasonal variability of mixed-layer salinity (MLS) is examined in the Pacific Ocean between 20° S and 60° N using a variety of data sources. Significant seasonal cycles were found in 5 regions: 1) the western North Pacific, 2) the northeastern North Pacific and Alaska gyre, 3) the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) 4) an area of the central North Pacific north of the Hawaiian Islands, 5) the central south Pacific along 10–20° S. The phase and amplitude of the seasonal cycle were determined. Amplitudes range from 0.1 to >0.5. The largest amplitudes are in the tropical band and the western North Pacific. Maximum salinity is obtained in late (northern) winter in the western North Pacific, late winter and early spring in the northeastern North Pacific, early summer in the ITCZ area, late summer and early fall in the central North Pacific area and (northern) summer in the central South Pacific. Large areas of the North and Tropical Pacific have no significant seasonal variation in MLS. Seasonal variability of evaporation rate, precipitation rate and the difference between them (E-P) were calculated from the OAFlux and Global Precipitation Climatology Project datasets. Typical amplitudes of E-P are 0.1–1×10−4 kg m−2 s−1. The seasonal variability of E-P is largely dominated by variability in evaporation in the western North Pacific and precipitation elsewhere. The largest amplitudes are in areas along the edge of the western North Pacific and in the far eastern tropical Pacific around 10° N. Phases in these areas indicate maximum E-P in mid- to late winter in these areas of large amplitude. The closest correspondence between E-P and MLS is in the ITCZ. Some terms of the MLS balance were calculated, and found to have similar magnitudes, but very different distributions. Averaged over large areas in the western North Pacific, ITCZ, South Pacific and northern North Pacific, the seasonal cycle is a balance between changes in MLS, E-P, and entrainment, with advection playing a relatively minor role. This work highlights the potentially significant role of surface salinity in the hydrologic cycle and in subtropical mode water formation. It can also help to interpret measurements that will soon be available from the Aquarius and SMOS satellite missions.
Ensemble smoother for optimizing tidal boundary conditions by assimilation of high-frequency radar surface currents – application to the German Bight
Authors: Barth A. , Alvera-Azcárate A. , Gurgel K.-W. , Staneva J. , Port A. , Beckers J.-M. , Stanev E.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. High-Frequency (HF) radars measure the ocean currents at various spatial and temporal scales. These include tidal currents, wind-driven circulation, density-driven circulation and Stokes drift. Sequential assimilation methods updating the model state have been proven successful to correct the density-driven currents by assimilation of observations such as sea surface height, sea surface temperature and in-situ profiles. However, the situation is different for tides in coastal models since these are not generated within the domain, but are rather propagated inside the domain through the boundary conditions. For improving the modeled tidal variability it is therefore not sufficient to update the model state via data assimilation without updating the boundary conditions. The optimization of boundary conditions to match observations inside the domain is traditionally achieved through variational assimilation methods. In this work we present an ensemble smoother to improve the tidal boundary values so that the model represents more closely the observed currents. To create an ensemble of dynamically realistic boundary conditions, a cost function is formulated which is directly related to the probability of each perturbation. This cost function ensures that the perturbations are spatially smooth and that the structure of the perturbations satisfies approximately the harmonic linearized shallow water equations. Based on those perturbations an ensemble simulation is carried out using the full three-dimension General Estuarine Ocean Model (GETM). Optimized boundary values are obtained using all observations within the assimilation period using the covariances of the ensemble simulation.
Spatio-temporal complexity analysis of the sea surface temperature in the Philippines
Authors: Botin Z. T. , David L. T. , del Rosario R. C. H. , Parrott L.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. A spatio-temporal complexity (STC) measure which has been previously used to analyze data from terrestrial ecosystems is employed to analyse 21 years of remotely sensed sea-surface temperature (SST) data from the Philippines. STC on the Philippine wide SST showed the monsoonal variability of the Philippine waters but did not show significant differences between El Niño, La Niña and normal years. The spatial domain was subsequently divided into six thermal regions computed via clustering of temperature means. The STC values of each thermal region showed variations corresponding to the monsoonal shifts – as well as – to ENSO events. STC characterized environmental heterogeneity over space and time has the potential to define limits of bio-regions. The same approach can be utilized for many long-term remotely sensed data.
Malvinas-slope water intrusions on the northern Patagonia continental shelf
Authors: Piola A. R. , Avellaneda N. M. , Guerrero R. A. , Jardón F. P. , Palma E. D. , Romero S. I.
Published: April 2010

Abstract. The Patagonia continental shelf located off southeastern South America is bounded offshore by the Malvinas Current, which extends northward from northern Drake Passage (~55° S) to nearly 38° S. The transition between relatively warm-fresh shelf waters and Subantarctic Waters from the western boundary current is characterized by a thermohaline front extending nearly 2500 km. We use satellite derived sea surface temperature, and chlorophyll-a data combined with hydrographic and surface drifter data to document the intrusions of slope waters onto the continental shelf near 41° S. These intrusions create vertically coherent localized negative temperature and positive salinity anomalies extending onshore about 150 km from the shelf break. The region is associated with a center of action of the first mode of non-seasonal sea surface temperature variability and also relatively high chlorophyll-a variability, suggesting that the intrusions are important in promoting the local development of phytoplankton. The generation of slope water penetrations at this location may be triggered by the inshore excursion of the 100 m isobath, which appears to steer the Malvinas Current waters over the outer shelf.