South Adriatic Recipes: Estimating the Vertical Mixing in the Deep Pit

<p>The available historical oxygen data show that the deepest part of the South Adriatic Pit remains well-ventilated despite the winter convection reaching only the upper 700 m depth. Here, we show that the evolution of the vertical temperature structure in the deep South Adriatic Pit (dSAP) below the Otranto Strait sill depth (780 m) is described well by continuous diffusion, a continuous forcing by heat fluxes at the upper boundary (Otranto Strait sill depth) and an intermittent forcing by rare (several per decade) deep convective and gravity-current events. The analysis is based on two types of data: (i) 13-year observational data time series (2006–2019) at 750, 900, 1,000, and 1,200 m depths of the temperature from the E2M3A Observatory and (ii) 55 vertical profiles (1985–2019) in the dSAP. The analytical solution of the gravest mode of the heat equation compares well to the temperature profiles, and the numerical integration of the resulting forced heat equation compares favorably to the temporal evolution of the time-series data. The vertical mixing coefficient is obtained with three independent methods. The first is based on a best fit of the long-term evolution by the numerical diffusion-injection model to the 13-year temperature time series in the dSAP. The second is obtained by short-time (daily) turbulent fluctuations and a Prandtl mixing length approximation. The third is based on the zero and first modes of an Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of the time series between 2014 and 2019. All three methods are compared, and a diffusivity of approximately κ = 5 · 10<sup>−4</sup>m<sup>2</sup>s<sup>−1</sup> is obtained. The eigenmodes of the homogeneous heat equation subject to the present boundary conditions are sine functions. It is shown that the gravest mode typically explains 99.5% of the vertical temperature variability (the first three modes typically explain 99.85%) of the vertical temperature profiles at 1 m resolution. The longest time scale of the dissipative dynamics in the dSAP, associated with the gravest mode, is found to be approximately 5 years. The first mode of the EOF analysis (85%) represents constant heating over the entire depth, and the zero mode is close to the parabolic profile predicted by the heat equation for such forcing. It is shown that the temperature structure is governed by continuous warming at the sill depth and deep convection and gravity current events play less important roles. The simple model presented here allows evaluation of the response of the temperature in the dSAP to different forcings derived from climate change scenarios, as well as feedback on the dynamics in the Adriatic and the Mediterranean Sea.</p>

South Adriatic Recipes: Estimating the Vertical Mixing in the Deep Pit

The available historical oxygen data show that the deepest part of the South Adriatic Pit remains well-ventilated despite the winter convection reaching only the upper 700 m depth. Here, we show that the evolution of the vertical temperature structure in the deep South Adriatic Pit (dSAP) below the Otranto Strait sill depth (780 m) is described well by continuous diffusion, a continuous forcing by heat fluxes at the upper boundary (Otranto Strait sill depth) and an intermittent forcing by rare (several per decade) deep convective and gravity-current events. The analysis is based on two types of data: (i) 13-year observational data time series (2006–2019) at 750, 900, 1,000, and 1,200 m depths of the temperature from the E2M3A Observatory and (ii) 55 vertical profiles (1985–2019) in the dSAP. The analytical solution of the gravest mode of the heat equation compares well to the temperature profiles, and the numerical integration of the resulting forced heat equation compares favorably to the temporal evolution of the time-series data. The vertical mixing coefficient is obtained with three independent methods. The first is based on a best fit of the long-term evolution by the numerical diffusion-injection model to the 13-year temperature time series in the dSAP. The second is obtained by short-time (daily) turbulent fluctuations and a Prandtl mixing length approximation. The third is based on the zero and first modes of an Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of the time series between 2014 and 2019. All three methods are compared, and a diffusivity of approximately κ = 5 · 10−4m2s−1 is obtained. The eigenmodes of the homogeneous heat equation subject to the present boundary conditions are sine functions. It is shown that the gravest mode typically explains 99.5% of the vertical temperature variability (the first three modes typically explain 99.85%) of the vertical temperature profiles at 1 m resolution. The longest time scale of the dissipative dynamics in the dSAP, associated with the gravest mode, is found to be approximately 5 years. The first mode of the EOF analysis (85%) represents constant heating over the entire depth, and the zero mode is close to the parabolic profile predicted by the heat equation for such forcing. It is shown that the temperature structure is governed by continuous warming at the sill depth and deep convection and gravity current events play less important roles. The simple model presented here allows evaluation of the response of the temperature in the dSAP to different forcings derived from climate change scenarios, as well as feedback on the dynamics in the Adriatic and the Mediterranean Sea.

Bathymetry and oceanic flow structure at two deep passages crossing the Lomonosov Ridge

The Lomonosov Ridge represents a major topographical feature in the Arctic Ocean which has a large effect on the water circulation and the distribution of water properties. This study presents detailed bathymetric survey data along with hydrographic data at two deep passages across the ridge: a southern passage (80–81∘ N), where the ridge crest meets the Siberian continental slope, and a northern passage around 84.5∘ N. The southern channel is characterized by smooth and flat bathymetry around 1600–1700 m with a sill depth slightly shallower than 1700 m. A hydrographic section across the channel reveals an eastward flow with Amundsen Basin properties in the southern part and a westward flow of Makarov Basin properties in the northern part. The northern passage includes an approximately 72 km long and 33 km wide trough which forms an intra-basin in the Lomonosov Ridge morphology (the Oden Trough). The eastern side of the Oden Trough is enclosed by a narrow and steep ridge rising 500–600 m above a generally 1600 m deep trough bottom. The deepest passage (the sill) is 1470 m deep and located on this ridge. Hydrographic data show irregular temperature and salinity profiles indicating that water exchange occurs as midwater intrusions bringing water properties from each side of the ridge in well-defined but irregular layers. There is also morphological evidence that some rather energetic flows may occur in the vicinity of the sill. A well expressed deepening near the sill may be the result of seabed erosion by bottom currents.

Bathymetry and oceanic flow structure at two deep passages crossing the Lomonosov Ridge

The Lomonosov Ridge represents a major topographical feature in the Arctic Ocean which has a large effect on the water circulation and the distribution of water properties. This study presents detailed bathymetric survey data along with hydrographic data at two deep passages across the ridge: A southern passage (80–81° N) where the ridge crest meets the Siberian continental slope and a northern passage around 84.5° N. The southern channel is characterized by smooth and flat bathymetry around 1600–1700 m with a sill depth slightly shallower than 1700 m. A hydrographic section across the channel reveals an eastward flow with Amundsen Basin properties in the southern part and a westward flow of Makarov Basin properties in the northern part. The northern passage includes an approximately 72 km long and 33 km wide trough which forms an intra basin in the Lomonosov Ridge morphology (the Oden Trough). The eastern side of Oden Trough is enclosed by a narrow and steep ridge rising 500–600 m above a generally 1600 m deep trough bottom. The deepest passage (the sill) is 1470 m deep and located on this ridge. Hydrographic data show irregular temperature and salinity profiles indicating that water exchange occurs as midwater intrusions bringing water properties from each side of the ridge in well-defined but irregular layers. There is also morphological evidence that some rather energetic flows may occur in the vicinity of the sill. A well expressed deepening near the sill may be the result of seabed erosion by bottom currents.

The evolution of mode-2 nonlinear internal waves over the northern Heng-Chun Ridge south of Taiwan

Two research cruises were conducted from the R/V OCEAN RESEARCHER 3 during 05–16 August 2011 to study the generation and propagation of high-frequency nonlinear internal waves (NLIWs) over the northern Heng-Chun Ridge south of Taiwan. The primary study site was on top of a smaller ridge about 15 km wide by 400 m high atop the primary ridge, with a sill depth of approximately 600 m. A single mooring was used in conjunction with shipboard observations to sample the temperature, salinity and velocity structure over the ridge. All the sensors observed a profusion of mode-2 NLIWs. Some of the waves were solitary, while others had as many as seven evenly spaced waves per packet. The waves all exhibited classic mode-2 velocity structure with a core near 150–200 m and opposing velocities in the layers above and below. At least two and possibly three most common propagation directions emerged from the analysis, suggesting multiple generation sites near the eastern side of the ridge. The turbulent dissipation due to overturns in the wave cores was very high at order 10−4–10−3 W kg−1. The energy budget suggests that the waves cannot persist very far from the ridge and likely do not contribute to the South China Sea transbasin wave phenomenon.

The evolution of Mode-2 nonlinear internal waves over the northern Heng-Chun ridge south of Taiwan

Two research cruises were conducted from the R/V OCEAN RESEARCHER 3 during 5–16 August 2011 to study the generation of high-frequency nonlinear internal waves (NLIW) over the northern Heng-Chun Ridge south of Taiwan. The primary study site, centered near 21°34' N, 120°54' E, was on top of a smaller ridge about 15 km wide by 400 m high atop the primary ridge, with a sill depth of approximately 600 m. The bottom slope was steep over both sides of the ridge, supercritical with respect to both diurnal and semidiurnal tides. The key result of the experiments is that a profusion of mode-2 NLIW were observed by all the sensors. Some of the waves were solitary while others had as many as seven evenly-spaced waves per packet. The waves all exhibited classic mode-2 velocity structure with a core near 150–200 m and opposing velocities in the layers above and below. At least two and possibly three most common propagation directions emerged from the analysis, suggesting multiple generation sites near the east side of the ridge. The turbulent dissipation due to overturns in the wave cores was very high at order 10−4–10−3 W kg−1. The energy budget suggests that the waves cannot persist very far from the ridge and likely do not contribute to the South China Sea transbasin wave phenomenon.

Changes in Mediterranean circulation and water characteristics due to restriction of the Atlantic connection: a high-resolution ocean model

A high-resolution parallel ocean model is set up to examine how the sill depth of the Atlantic connection affects circulation and water characteristics in the Mediterranean Basin. An analysis of the model performance, comparing model results with observations of the present-day Mediterranean, demonstrates its ability to reproduce observed water characteristics and circulation (including deep water formation). A series of experiments with different sill depths in the Atlantic–Mediterranean connection is used to assess the sensitivity of Mediterranean circulation and water characteristics to sill depth. Basin-averaged water salinity and, to a lesser degree, temperature rise when the sill depth is shallower and exchange with the Atlantic is lower. Lateral and interbasinal differences in the Mediterranean are, however, largely unchanged. The strength of the upper overturning cell in the western basin is proportional to the magnitude of the exchange with the Atlantic, and hence to sill depth. Overturning in the eastern basin and deep water formation in both basins, on the contrary, are little affected by the sill depth. The model results are used to interpret the sedimentary record of the Late Miocene preceding and during the Messinian Salinity Crisis. In the western basin, a correlation exists between sill depth and rate of refreshment of deep water. On the other hand, because sill depth has little effect on the overturning and deep water formation in the eastern basin, the model results do not support the notion that restriction of the Atlantic–Mediterranean connection may cause lower oxygenation of deep water in the eastern basin. However, this discrepancy may be due to simplifications in the surface forcing and the use of a bathymetry different from that in the Late Miocene. We also tentatively conclude that blocked outflow, as found in experiments with a sill depth ≤10 m, is a plausible scenario for the second stage of the Messinian Salinity Crisis during which halite was rapidly accumulated in the Mediterranean. With the model setup and experiments, a basis has been established for future work on the sensitivity of Mediterranean circulation to changes in (palaeo-)bathymetry and external forcings.

Researching on the Single Lock Chamber Automatic Layout Algorithm

Arrange the ships reasonable as much as possible in the lock chamber, can help improving the traffic ability and the utilization rate of the lock. At present, it is not enough for the factors that considered in the automatic layout algorithm, such as: the safety distance between the ships, ship bottom sill depth. The algorithm can be further optimized. This paper will present a new automatic layout algorithm for single chamber which is able to enhance the efficiency of the chamber space and improve the traffic ability.

Changes in Mediterranean circulation and water characteristics due to restriction of the Atlantic connection: a high-resolution parallel ocean model

A high-resolution parallel ocean model is set up to examine how the sill depth of the Atlantic connection affects circulation and water characteristics in the Mediterranean Basin. An analysis of the model performance, comparing model results with observations on the present-day Mediterranean, demonstrates its ability to reproduce observed water characteristics and circulation (including deep water formation). A series of experiments with different sill depths in the Atlantic–Mediterranean connection is used to assess the sensitivity of Mediterranean circulation and water characteristics to sill depth. Basin-averaged water salinity and, to a lesser degree, temperature rise when the sill depth is less and exchange with the Atlantic is lower. Lateral and interbasinal differences in the Mediterranean are, however, largely unchanged. The strength of the upper overturning cell in the western basin is proportional to the magnitude of the exchange with the Atlantic, and hence to sill depth. Overturning in the eastern basin and deep water formation in both basins, on the contrary, are little affected by the sill depth. The model results are used to interpret the sedimentary record of the Late Miocene preceding and during the Messinian Salinity Crisis. In the western basin a correlation exists between sill depth and rate of refreshment of deep water. On the other hand, because sill depth has little effect on the overturning and deep water formation in the eastern basin, the model results do not support the notion that restriction of the Atlantic–Mediterranean connection may cause lower oxygenation of deep water in the eastern basin. However, this discrepancy may be due to simplifications in the surface forcing and the use of a bathymetry different from that in the Late Miocene. We also tentatively conclude that blocked outflow, as found in experiments with a sill depth ≤10 m, is a plausible scenario for the second stage of the Messinian Salinity Crisis during which halite was rapidly accumulated in the Mediterranean. With the model setup and experiments, a basis has been established for future work on the sensitivity of Mediterranean circulation to changes in (palaeo-)bathymetry and external forcings.