In situ observations of Stygiomedusa gigantea in the Gulf of Mexico with a review of its global distribution and habitat

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (6) ◽  
pp. 1079-1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark C. Benfield ◽  
William M. Graham
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
Low Latitudes ◽  
The World ◽  
In Situ Observations ◽  
Scyphozoan Jellyfish ◽  
Available Information

Four individuals of the large scyphozoan jellyfish Stygiomedusa gigantea were observed in the northern Gulf of Mexico over 2005–2009 by industrial remotely operated vehicles as part of the SERPENT Project. One of these observations included the symbiotic bythitid fish Thalassobathia pelagica. Prior to these observations, neither S. gigantea nor T. pelagica had been observed in, or collected from the Gulf of Mexico. In order to summarize the available information on S. gigantea, we located 110 observations obtained over 110 years (1899–2009) representing 118 individual specimens of this species from around the world. The resulting dataset confirms that this species is cosmopolitan occurring with records from all oceans except the Arctic. While the depth-range of the four Gulf of Mexico specimens was bathypelagic, there appears to be a pattern of S. gigantea occurring in mesopelagic and epipelagic depth-zones at high latitudes, particularly in the Southern Ocean and mesopelagic and bathypelagic depths at mid- and low-latitudes. This pattern may be related to the meridional vertical distribution of temperature or perhaps avoidance of light levels that could degrade porphyrin pigments. There was no evidence that this species migrates vertically. Two of the individuals in the Gulf of Mexico appeared to be actively clinging to subsea structures and we speculate that this is a consequence of its normal mode of feeding, which may entail using its large oral lobes to hold on to, and trap prey.

scholarly journals International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere: An International Polar Year Legacy Consortium

2016 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 1033-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taneil Uttal ◽  
Sandra Starkweather ◽  
James R. Drummond ◽  
Timo Vihma ◽  
Alexander P. Makshtas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
International Polar Year ◽  
Network Measurements ◽  
International Polar ◽  
In Situ Observations ◽  
Arctic Atmosphere

Abstract International Arctic Systems for Observing the Atmosphere (IASOA) activities and partnerships were initiated as a part of the 2007–09 International Polar Year (IPY) and are expected to continue for many decades as a legacy program. The IASOA focus is on coordinating intensive measurements of the Arctic atmosphere collected in the United States, Canada, Russia, Norway, Finland, and Greenland to create synthesis science that leads to an understanding of why and not just how the Arctic atmosphere is evolving. The IASOA premise is that there are limitations with Arctic modeling and satellite observations that can only be addressed with boots-on-the-ground, in situ observations and that the potential of combining individual station and network measurements into an integrated observing system is tremendous. The IASOA vision is that by further integrating with other network observing programs focusing on hydrology, glaciology, oceanography, terrestrial, and biological systems it will be possible to understand the mechanisms of the entire Arctic system, perhaps well enough for humans to mitigate undesirable variations and adapt to inevitable change.

scholarly journals Integrative and comprehensive Understanding on Polar Environments (iCUPE): the concept and initial results

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuukka Petäjä ◽  
Ella-Maria Duplissy ◽  
Ksenia Tabakova ◽  
Julia Schmale ◽  
Barbara Altstädter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Natural Resources ◽  
Satellite Remote Sensing ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Comprehensive Understanding ◽  
In Situ Observations ◽  
Initial Results

Abstract. The role of polar regions increases in terms of megatrends such as globalization, new transport routes, demography and use of natural resources consequent effects of regional and transported pollutant concentrations. We set up the ERA-PLANET Strand 4 project iCUPE – integrative and Comprehensive Understanding on Polar Environments to provide novel insights and observational data on global grand challenges with an Arctic focus. We utilize an integrated approach combining in situ observations, satellite remote sensing Earth Observations (EO) and multi-scale modeling to synthesize data from comprehensive long-term measurements, intensive campaigns and satellites to deliver data products, metrics and indicators to the stakeholders concerning the environmental status, availability and extraction of natural resources in the polar areas. The iCUPE work consists of thematic state-of-the-art research and provision of novel data in atmospheric pollution, local sources and transboundary transport, characterization of arctic surfaces and their changes, assessment of concentrations and impacts of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants and their cycling, quantification of emissions from natural resource extraction and validation and optimization of satellite Earth Observation (EO) data streams. In this paper we introduce the iCUPE project and summarize initial results arising out of integration of comprehensive in situ observations, satellite remote sensing and multiscale modeling in the Arctic context.

scholarly journals Decorrelation scales for Arctic Ocean hydrography – Part I: Amerasian Basin

Ocean Science ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Sumata ◽  
Frank Kauker ◽  
Michael Karcher ◽  
Benjamin Rabe ◽  
Mary-Louise Timmermans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Assimilation ◽  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Autocorrelation Function ◽  
Gaussian Function ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Space And Time ◽  
Amerasian Basin ◽  
Decorrelation Scale

Abstract. Any use of observational data for data assimilation requires adequate information of their representativeness in space and time. This is particularly important for sparse, non-synoptic data, which comprise the bulk of oceanic in situ observations in the Arctic. To quantify spatial and temporal scales of temperature and salinity variations, we estimate the autocorrelation function and associated decorrelation scales for the Amerasian Basin of the Arctic Ocean. For this purpose, we compile historical measurements from 1980 to 2015. Assuming spatial and temporal homogeneity of the decorrelation scale in the basin interior (abyssal plain area), we calculate autocorrelations as a function of spatial distance and temporal lag. The examination of the functional form of autocorrelation in each depth range reveals that the autocorrelation is well described by a Gaussian function in space and time. We derive decorrelation scales of 150–200 km in space and 100–300 days in time. These scales are directly applicable to quantify the representation error, which is essential for use of ocean in situ measurements in data assimilation. We also describe how the estimated autocorrelation function and decorrelation scale should be applied for cost function calculation in a data assimilation system.

New record of Munidopsis taiwanica (Decapoda, Anomura) from a mud volcano field in the Mariana Trench, with in-situ observations on habitat

Crustaceana ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Dong ◽  
Xinzheng Li
Keyword(s):  
New Record ◽  
Mud Volcano ◽  
In Situ Observation ◽  
Mariana Trench ◽  
Squat Lobster ◽  
The World ◽  
In Situ Observations ◽  
Seafloor Sediments ◽  
Squat Lobsters

Squat lobsters are prevalent in chemosynthetic environments but have been insufficiently studied in mud volcano habitats. An abyssal species,Munidopsis taiwanicaOsawa, Lin & Chan, 2008 was recently collected in a mud volcano field in the Mariana Trench at a depth greater than 5000 m, which represents a new distributional record. Its diagnostic characters are presented in this study. In-situ observation suggested thatM. taiwanicawas closely associated with this chemosynthetic environment and probably exhibited camouflage behaviour by attaching seafloor sediments onto its body.Munidopsis taiwanicais the first confirmed species of squat lobster found in the mud volcano environment, and currently represents the deepest record (5491 m) of squat lobsters in the world.

scholarly journals The Energy Budget of the Polar Atmosphere in MERRA

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard I. Cullather ◽  
Michael G. Bosilovich
Keyword(s):  
Energy Budget ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Polar Cap ◽  
The South ◽  
Atmospheric Energy ◽  
In Situ Observations ◽  
Energy Convergence ◽  
South Polar

Abstract Components of the atmospheric energy budget from the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) are evaluated in polar regions for the period 1979–2005 and compared with previous estimates, in situ observations, and contemporary reanalyses. Closure of the budget is reflected by the analysis increments term, which indicates an energy surplus of 11 W m−2 over the North Polar cap (70°–90°N) and 22 W m−2 over the South Polar cap (70°–90°S). Total atmospheric energy convergence from MERRA compares favorably with previous studies for northern high latitudes but exceeds the available previous estimate for the South Polar cap by 46%. Discrepancies with the Southern Hemisphere energy transport are largest in autumn and may be related to differences in topography with earlier reanalyses. For the Arctic, differences between MERRA and other sources in top of atmosphere (TOA) and surface radiative fluxes are largest in May. These differences are concurrent with the largest discrepancies between MERRA parameterized and observed surface albedo. For May, in situ observations of the upwelling shortwave flux in the Arctic are 80 W m−2 larger than MERRA, while the MERRA downwelling longwave flux is underestimated by 12 W m−2 throughout the year. Over grounded ice sheets, the annual mean net surface energy flux in MERRA is erroneously nonzero. Contemporary reanalyses from the Climate Forecast Center (CFSR) and the Interim Re-Analyses of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ERA-I) are found to have better surface parameterizations; however, these reanalyses also disagree with observed surface and TOA energy fluxes. Discrepancies among available reanalyses underscore the challenge of reproducing credible estimates of the atmospheric energy budget in polar regions.

Gelatinous zooplankton of the Arctic Ocean: in situ observations under the ice

Polar Biology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Raskoff ◽  
J. E. Purcell ◽  
R. R. Hopcroft
Keyword(s):  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Gelatinous Zooplankton ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
The Arctic Ocean ◽  
In Situ Observations

scholarly journals Deriving Arctic 2 m air temperatures over snow and ice from satellite surface temperature measurements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pia Nielsen-Englyst ◽  
Jacob L. Høyer ◽  
Kristine S. Madsen ◽  
Rasmus T. Tonboe ◽  
Gorm Dybkjær ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Satellite Observations ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Ice Surface ◽  
Air Temperatures ◽  
In Situ Observations ◽  
The Arctic Region

Abstract. The Arctic region is responding heavily to climate change, and yet, the air temperature of ice covered areas in the Arctic is heavily under-sampled when it comes to in situ measurements, resulting in large uncertainties in existing weather- and reanalysis products. This paper presents a method for estimating daily mean clear sky 2 meter air temperatures (T2m) in the Arctic from satellite observations of skin temperature, using the Arctic and Antarctic ice Surface Temperatures from thermal Infrared (AASTI) satellite dataset, providing spatially detailed observations of the Arctic. The method is based on a linear regression model, which has been tuned against in situ observations to estimate daily mean T2m based on clear sky satellite ice surface skin temperatures. The daily satellite derived T2m product includes estimated uncertainties and covers clear sky snow and ice surfaces in the Arctic region during the period 2000–2009, provided on a 0.25 degree regular latitude-longitude grid. Comparisons with independent in situ measured T2m show average biases of 0.30 °C and 0.35 °C and average root mean square errors of 3.47 °C and 3.20 °C for land ice and sea ice, respectively. The associated uncertainties are verified to be very realistic for both land ice and sea ice, using in situ observations. The reconstruction provides a much better spatial coverage than the sparse in situ observations of T2m in the Arctic, is independent of numerical weather prediction model input and it therefore provides an important supplement to simulated air temperatures to be used for assimilation or global surface temperature reconstructions. A comparison between in situ T2m versus T2m derived from satellite and ERA-Interim/ERA5 estimates shows that the T2m derived from satellite observations validate similar or better than ERA-Interim/ERA5 in the Arctic.

scholarly journals Cloud microphysical characteristics versus temperature for three Canadian field projects

2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (11) ◽  
pp. 1891-1898 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Gultepe ◽  
G. A. Isaac ◽  
S. G. Cober
Keyword(s):  
General Circulation ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Liquid Water Content ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Bay Of Fundy ◽  
Arctic Clouds ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
In Situ Observations

Abstract. The purpose of this study is to better understand how cloud microphysical characteristics such as liquid water content (LWC) and droplet number concentration (Nd) change with temperature (T). The in situ observations were collected during three research projects including: the Radiation, Aerosol, and Cloud Experiment (RACE) which took place over the Bay of Fundy and Central Ontario during August 1995, the First International Regional Arctic Cloud Experiment (FIRE.ACE) which took place in the Arctic Ocean during April 1998, and the Alliance Icing Research Study (AIRS) which took place in the Ontario region during the winter of 1999–2000. The RACE, FIRE.ACE, and AIRS projects represent summer mid-latitude clouds, Arctic clouds, and mid-latitude winter clouds, respectively. A LWC threshold of 0.005 g m-3 was used for this study. Similar to other studies, LWC was observed to decrease with decreasing T. The LWC-T relationship was similar for all projects, although the range of T conditions for each project was substantially different, and the variability of LWC within each project was considerable. Nd also decreased with decreasing T, and a parameterization for Nd versus T is suggested that may be useful for modeling studies.Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure (cloud physics and chemistry) – Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (climatology; general circulation)

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