Characterization of the different behaviours exhibited by juvenile grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) under rearing conditions

This research described the common behaviour of grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) under rearing conditions. The different behaviours exhibited by mullets were videorecorded with submersible cameras installed inside of three tanks. A total of 690 minutes per day (07:30 - 18:30 hours) were recorded per tank during a week. Afterwards, an ethogram was elaborated to organize the different behaviours exhibited by juvenile M. cephalus, with two general categories: a) locomotion, including three different observed behaviours (resting, swimming and fast swimming) b) feeding, including three behaviours (surface feeding, bottom feeding and rubbing). The video recordings showed that M. cephalus is a species with a constant locomotion associated to feeding, since they showed constantly movement during most of day light period the opposite to dark periods. Mullets were observed to be a non-aggressive fish species, due to the absence of dominance and aggression towards conspecifics, resulting in a high predisposition for adaptation to captivity. Finally, behavioural frequencies of grey mullet’s juveniles were not significantly different among the three tanks for most of the behavioural variables analysed (p>0.05) except for the variable bottom feeding (p=0.02). Results from this study could be of interest to the aquaculture industry to implement protocols and to optimize rearing techniques for the production of grey mullet.

Experimental and numerical studies of boat waterjets with increased seakeeping performance

Object and purpose of research. The object of the research is a fundamentally new waterjet, intended for installation on ships of increased seakeeping performance with discrete-variable bottom deadrise. The purpose of the research is to develop and test three waterjet designs that can be installed on vessels with large deadrise, operating in severe weather conditions. Materials and methods. Experimental data of waterjet tests as a part of self-propelled models obtained in deep-water and cavitation test tanks of KSRC. Numerical simulation of the flow in water conduits of full-scale vessel taking into account the waterjet performance. Main results. As a result of the performed experimental and computational studies, the characteristics of three waterjet designs with partial-pressure water inlets were obtained: two waterjets with isolated single-elbow water ducts and inlets on the bottom section with medium deadrise, "II"design; two waterjets with combined water duct and inlets on the bottom section with maximum deadrise and double jet, “X” design; single waterjet with bifurcating two-elbow water duct and a pair of water inlets on the bottom section with maximum deadrise, “Y” design. Conclusion. The studies have shown that all the developed innovative waterjet designs are practically equal to conventional ones (or even better than them), and air suction creates a smooth, rather than a sharp force decrease on the impeller. The preference is given to a high-pressure water inlet with a bifurcated water inlet and a combined water conduit, because in intense waves, even if one of the inlets is aerated, the vessel will not abruptly lose speed or run off the course.

Development of a standard range of waterjets for vessels with high seakeeping performance

Object and purpose of research. The object of the research is a fundamentally new waterjet, intended for installation on ships of increased seakeeping performance with discrete-variable bottom deadrise. The purpose of the research is to develop and experimentally test the impeller and water duct for a variety of waterjet design possible for installation aboard vessels with large deadrise operating in severe weather conditions. Materials and methods. Test data for waterjet impellers obtained at KSRC Cavitation Tunnel for Special Propulsors. Main results. The study made it possible to select optimal impeller geometry and develop the shapes for water inlets and water ducts of three waterjet designs with partial-pressure water inlets: two waterjets with isolated single-elbow water ducts and inlets on the bottom section with medium deadrise, "II"design; two waterjets with combined water duct and inlets on the bottom section with maximum deadrise and double jet, “X” design; single waterjet with bifurcating two-elbow water duct and a pair of water inlets on the bottom section with maximum deadrise, “Y” design. Conclusion. The studies have shown that developed waterjet impeller features good hydrodynamic and cavitation characteristics, and possible air suction creates a smooth, rather than sharp, force decrease.

A Mathematical Model of Stratified Geophysical Fluid Flows Over Variable Bottom Topography

In this paper, a mathematical model of stratified geophysical fluid flow over variable bottom topography was derived for shallow water. The equations are derived from the principles of conservation of mass and conservation of momentum. The force acting on the fluid is gravity, represented by the gravitational constant. A system of six nonlinear partial differential equations was obtained as the model equations. The solutions of these models were obtained using perturbation method. The presence of the coriolis force in the shallow water equations were shown as the causes of the deflection of fluid parcels in the direction of wave motion and causes gravity waves to disperse. As water depth decreases due to varied bottom topography, the wave amplitude were shown to increase while the wavelength and wave speed decreases resulting in overturning of the wave. The results are presented graphically.

Adaptive Numerical Modeling of Tsunami Wave Generation and Propagation with FreeFem++

A simplified nonlinear dispersive Boussinesq system of the Benjamin–Bona–Mahony (BBM)-type, initially derived by Mitsotakis (2009), is employed here in order to model the generation and propagation of surface water waves over variable bottom. The simplification consists in prolongating the so-called Boussinesq approximation to bathymetry terms, as well. Using the finite element method and the FreeFem++ software, we solve this system numerically for three different complexities for the bathymetry function: a flat bottom case, a variable bottom in space, and a variable bottom both in space and in time. The last case is illustrated with the Java 2006 tsunami event. This article is designed to be a pedagogical paper presenting to tsunami wave community a new technology and a novel adaptivity technique, along with all source codes necessary to implement it.

Adaptive Numerical Modelling of Tsunami Wave Generation and Propagation with FreeFem++

A simplified nonlinear dispersive system of BBM-type, initially derived by D. Mitsotakis, is employed here in order to model the generation and propagation of surface water waves over variable bottom. The simplification consists in applying the so-called Boussinesq approximation. Using the finite element method and the FreeFem++ software, we solve numerically this system for three different complexities for the bathymetry function: a flat bottom case, a variable bottom in space, and a variable bottom both in space and in time. The last case is illustrated with the Java 2006 tsunami event. This article is designed rather as a tutorial paper even if it contains the description of completely new adaptation techniques.