Observed and modelled climatology of the land–sea breeze circulation over the Persian Gulf

The effect of synoptic flow on the coastal boundary layer and land sea breeze circulation on the west and east coasts has been investigated by a numerical simulation using PSU/NCAR-MM5 mesoscale model. A study on 24th May 2003 during ARMEX observation period shows occurrence of land-sea breeze circulation and formation of thermal internal boundary layer (TIBL) on both the coastal regions in the daytime but of some differences. An early development and accelerated propagation of sea breeze circulation is noticed on the west coast compared to the east coast under the influence of the prevailing southwesterly flow. The strength of the sea breeze is more on the west coast. The mixing heights during daytime in the coastal regions are reduced by the formation of TIBL. The horizontal extent of TIBL is very less (24 km) on the west coast under the complex topographic effect. The sea breeze frontal activity is more intensive on the east coast with vertical velocity of the order of 2-4 m/sec by the retarding influence of southwesterly synoptic flow.

Malaysia is one of the fast economic developing nations in the region. From the ecotoxicological points of view, many environmental concerns are expected to continually rise up due to the potential anthropogenic inputs such as industries and urbanization. Although the heavy metal concentrations had been reported in the sediments from the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the east coast receives lesser attention since it is not as populous and industrialized as in the west coast. In this study, concentrations of Cu and Zn for surface sediments were determined and the samples were collected between 2002 and 2004, from west (five sites), south (five sites) and east (10 sites) intertidal area of Peninsular Malaysia. Total Cu concentrations ranged from 3.80 to 117 μg/g dry weight with south coast recording the highest mean concentration (38.8 μg/g dry weight), followed by west (31.13 μg/g dry weight) and east coasts (12.96 μg/g dry weight). Total Zn concentrations ranged from 36.6 to 395 μg/g dry weight with west coast recording the highest mean concentration (137 μg/g dry weight), followed by south (111 μg/g dry weight) and east coasts (73.8 μg/g dry weight). Apart from the comparison based on the conventional total concentrations of metals, three geochemical fractions (EFLE, acid-reducible and oxidisable-organic) were also useful in identifying the polluted sites in which the three geochemical fractions in the sediments of the west and south coasts of Peninsular Malaysia had significantly (P < 0.05) higher concentrations of Cu and Zn when compared to those in the east coastal sediments. This had strengthened our previous assumption that the east coast is less polluted by anthropogenic Cu and Zn when compared to the west and south coasts of Peninsular Malaysia.

Malaysia is one of the fast economic developing nations in the region. From the ecotoxicological points of view, many environmental concerns are expected to continually rise up due to the potential anthropogenic inputs such as industries and urbanization. Although the heavy metal concentrations had been reported in the sediments from the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the east coast receives lesser attention since it is not as populous and industrialized as in the west coast. In this study, concentrations of Cu and Zn for surface sediments were determined and the samples were collected between 2002 and 2004, from west (five sites), south (five sites) and east (10 sites) intertidal area of Peninsular Malaysia. Total Cu concentrations ranged from 3.80 to 117 μg/g dry weight with south coast recording the highest mean concentration (38.8 μg/g dry weight), followed by west (31.13 μg/g dry weight) and east coasts (12.96 μg/g dry weight). Total Zn concentrations ranged from 36.6 to 395 μg/g dry weight with west coast recording the highest mean concentration (137 μg/g dry weight), followed by south (111 μg/g dry weight) and east coasts (73.8 μg/g dry weight). Apart from the comparison based on the conventional total concentrations of metals, three geochemical fractions (EFLE, acid-reducible and oxidisable-organic) were also useful in identifying the polluted sites in which the three geochemical fractions in the sediments of the west and south coasts of Peninsular Malaysia had significantly (P < 0.05) higher concentrations of Cu and Zn when compared to those in the east coastal sediments. This had strengthened our previous assumption that the east coast is less polluted by anthropogenic Cu and Zn when compared to the west and south coasts of Peninsular Malaysia.

We examined spatial variability in meristic and morphological characteristics of the branchial basket of sardine Sardinops sagax collected from four geographical regions around the southern African coast, namely Namibia and the South African west, south and east coasts. Our analysis tested the hypothesis of three putative sardine stocks off South Africa, one in each of the three geographical regions. We therefore collected fish data from Namibia to compare with South Africa, because sardine from the two countries are considered to be separate stocks. Morphometric measurements (gill arch length and gill raker spacing) and meristic data (number of gill rakers) were collected from the left side of the first gill arch from a total of 377 sardine, approximately equally divided between the regions. A multivariate general linear model with caudal length as covariate was used to assess differences among fish from the four regions and significant differences were observed, although not always consistently across all fish size classes. Small South Coast sardine had shorter gill arches than small West Coast sardine, but adults had gill arches of similar length, longer than those from Namibia and the East Coast. Small sardine from the South Coast had fewer gill rakers than small sardine from the West Coast, but larger fish had similar numbers of gill rakers, significantly more than sardine from Namibia and the East Coast. Sardine from the West and South coasts had similar gill raker spacings, which were smaller than those of fish from the East Coast and Namibia. Despite spatially and particularly temporally unbalanced sampling, we consider that these differences provide evidence of spatial variation in Benguela sardine phenotype and that it would support the hypothesis of discrete sardine stocks off Namibia and South Africa. The results are consistent with the hypothesis of three sardine stocks within the southern Benguela.

Morphological and isozyme variations between 13 populations of the species hitherto named Patella granularis were investigated to see whether differences in shell structure between the west coast versus the south and east coasts of southern Africa are supported by other morphological features or by genetic differences. The shells showed a definite decrease in size from west to east, but this is correlated with productivity and is of no diagnostic use in distinguishing between populations. Discriminant functions analysis based on shell morphometrics failed to separate populations from the three coastal regions. Shells from the northern east coast do, however, have shell nodules with a dark pigmentation, distinctly separating them from those further south and west. No differences in radular or soft part morphology were detected between the populations, but the four northernmost populations on the east coast have a significantly shorter Z looping of the gut than the other populations along the coast. Significant microstructural differences in the sperm were also detected between these two groups of populations. Electrophoretic analysis of 16 enzyme loci failed to detect any significant differences between the west and south coast populations, but revealed a genetic identity (Nei) of 0.528 as well as four diagnostic alleles between the four northernmost populations from the east coast compared with those to the south and west. The two genetically distinct forms occurred sympatrically at one of the study sites on the east coast (Coffee Bay). It was concluded the two groupings were sufficiently different to warrant the recognition of a separate species, which is centred in KwaZulu-Natal on the east coast and extends south to Coffee Bay, from where it is replaced by P. granularis. There is, however, no evidence at all that the west coast populations are in any way separable from the remaining populations of P. granularis on the south coast.

Morphological and isozyme variations between 13 populations of the species hitherto named Patella granularis were investigated to see whether differences in shell structure between the west coast versus the south and east coasts of southern Africa are supported by other morphological features or by genetic differences. The shells showed a definite decrease in size from west to east, but this is correlated with productivity and is of no diagnostic use in distinguishing between populations. Discriminant functions analysis based on shell morphometrics failed to separate populations from the three coastal regions. Shells from the northern east coast do, however, have shell nodules with a dark pigmentation, distinctly separating them from those further south and west. No differences in radular or soft part morphology were detected between the populations, but the four northernmost populations on the east coast have a significantly shorter Z looping of the gut than the other populations along the coast. Significant microstructural differences in the sperm were also detected between these two groups of populations. Electrophoretic analysis of 16 enzyme loci failed to detect any significant differences between the west and south coast populations, but revealed a genetic identity (Nei) of 0.528 as well as four diagnostic alleles between the four northernmost populations from the east coast compared with those to the south and west. The two genetically distinct forms occurred sympatrically at one of the study sites on the east coast (Coffee Bay). It was concluded the two groupings were sufficiently different to warrant the recognition of a separate species, which is centred in KwaZulu‐Natal on the east coast and extends south to Coffee Bay, from where it is replaced by P. granularis. There is, however, no evidence at all that the west coast populations are in any way separable from the remaining populations of P. granularis on the south coast.

Over the past two decades, the South African abalone (Haliotis midae), has been under serious threat mainly due to overexploitation. To assure successful management and conservation of wild stocks, the consideration of species-specific evolutionary and population dynamic aspects is critical. In this study, eight microsatellites and 12 single nucleotide polymorphic loci (SNPs) were applied to determine genetic structure in nine populations sampled throughout the species’ natural distribution range. It spans along three biogeographical regions of the South African coastline: temperate in the West coast, warm temperate in the South coast and subtropical in the East coast. Data analysis applying frequentist and Bayesian-based clustering methods indicated weak genetic differentiation between populations of the West, South and East coast. Spatial Bayesian inference further revealed clinal variation along a longitudinal gradient and a transitional zone in the South coast. Coalescent analysis of long-term migration showed restricted interchange among the sampling locations of the South coast while estimates of effective population size were comparable between coastal regions. Furthermore demographic analysis of microsatellite data suggested population expansion, probably reflecting range expansion that occurred following glacial retreat during the Pleistocene. Overall, population structure analysis suggested contemporary (hydrographical conditions) as well as historical (Pleistocene contraction of habitat) restrictions to gene flow. This study provides the foundation for the establishment of an integrated management policy for preserving the natural diversity and adaptive potential of H. midae.

Nearly 17 years wave records from deep water and shore‐based stations are used to describe the ocean wave characteristics around New Zealand. The wave environment is dominated by west and southwest swell and storm waves generated in the temperate latitude belt of westerly winds. As a result, the west and south coasts are exposed, high energy shores, the east coast is a high energy lee shore, and the northern coast from North Cape to East Cape is a low energy lee shore sheltered from these winds and waves. South of New Zealand, wave energies are extremely high; the prevailing deep water wave is 3.5–4.5 m high and has a 10–12 s period, with a slight increase in wave heights in winter. The west coast wave environment is mixed, and consists of locally generated westerly and southerly storm waves, and swell waves generated to the south. The prevailing wave is t.0–3.0 m and 6–8 s period. There are no strong seasonal rhythms, only shorter period cycles of wave height (5 day) associated with similar quasi‐rhythmic cycles in the weather. The east coast also has a mixed wave climate with southerly swells, originating in the westerlies south of New Zealand, and locally generated southerly and northerly storm waves. The prevailing wave is 0.5–2.0 m and 7–11 s period. A short period rhythmic cycle, similar to that on the west coast, is superimposed on a weak seasonal cycle. The seasonal, cycle results from an increase in the frequency of local northerly waves in summer. The prevailing wave on the north coast is a northeasterly, 0.5–1.5 m high and 5–7 s period. Subtropical disturbances and southward‐moving depressions generate a mixed wave environment and a possible seasonally reflecting a winter increase in. storminess.

In the present study, an attempt has been made to understand the variability of mean sea level (MSL) over east and west coast of India during 1973–2010. For this purpose, the monthly tide gauge data available over Kandla, Mumbai and Cochin along west coast and Diamond Harbour, Haldia, Visakhapatnam and Chennai along east coast obtained from PSMSL data archives has been considered. Sea level data from the tide gauge records show loss of data due to any disfunctioning of equipment or upgrade of the tide gauge resulting loss of data. It requires no gaps in the time series of MSL during the study period, and needs to be filled with better accuracy and hence artificial neural networks was implemented. To examine any periodicities of MSL variability, continuous wavelet analysis was conducted. The interrelationships between the stations in time–frequency space were examined, using cross and coherence wavelet analysis as well. The study reveals notable interannual variability of MSL. An observational analysis was done to understand the relation between inter-annual variability of MSL anomalies and ENSO. During positive (negative) SOI as associated with positive (negative) MSL anomaly was noticed significantly for the winter season over east (west) coast, where as during post-monsoon season this was observed for east coast and is less prevalent along the west coast. The observational analysis revealed that for the west (east) coast positive IOD showed significantly increased (decreased) MSL anomalies and negative IOD showed significantly decreased (increased) MSL anomalies. It is also found that the concurrent ENSO and IOD may have a different impact on MSL. The observations also reveal an increase of 1.353 mm/year on the east coast and observed a total 0.372 mm/year on the west coast.

Chukotkan hunters were employed as observers between 1990 and 2000 to document the occurrence of killer whales off the coast of the Chukotka Peninsula throughout the year. The study area was divided into three parts: the south, north and east coasts and all showed a significant negative correlation between sea-ice coverage and number of killer whales sighted (r =-0.76, -0.64 and -0.74 respectively). For all areas, the majority of whales were sighted during the summer months (June-September), but during years with late ice-destruction, whales arrived a month later than in ‘warm’ years. Killer whales were sighted three times as often per observation off the north coast than the east and twice as often when compared with the south coast and were also more likely to be part of a group off the north coast. The former was thought to be due to prey availability and the latter to increase the success of the hunt when targeting large prey species. Although the aim was not to determine abundance, a crude estimate of 56 was obtained, since this was the maximum number of killer whales ever reported independently on the same day. The data presented could be used to improve predictions of the most likely/unlikely times that killer whales are present off the Chukotka Peninsula, which would be beneficial to those conducting, for example, photoidentification surveys, or conversely seismic surveys.

The purpose of this study was to assess the association between seawater temperature and Vibrio vulnificus cases in coastal regions of Korea. All V. vulnificus cases in coastal regions notified to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency between 2003 and 2016 were included in this work. Data for seawater temperature on the south, west, and east coast during the study period were provided by the Korea Oceanographic Data Center of the National Institute of Fisheries Science. We used a generalized additive model and performed a negative binomial regression analysis. In total, 383 notified cases were analyzed (west coast: 196 cases, south coast: 162, and east coast: 25). The maximum seawater temperature was the most significant predictor of V. vulnificus cases on the south and east coasts (relative risk according to the 1 °C increase in seawater temperature (RR) = 1.35 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.19–1.53) and 1.30 (95% CI: 1.06–1.59), respectively). However, the mean seawater temperature was the most significant predictor for the west coast (RR = 1.34 (95% CI: 1.20–1.51)). These results indicate that continuously monitoring seawater temperature increase in each coastal area is crucial to prevent V. vulnificus infections and protect high-risk groups, such as persons with liver disease.

Variation in hatch date distributions, settlement and growth of juvenile plaice ( Pleuronectes platessa L.) in Icelandic waters

Parasitism and introduced species: epidemiology of trematodes in the intertidal mussels Perna perna and Mytilus galloprovincialis

This study assessed whether behavioral differences explained higher human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence among injection drug users (IDUs) in three East Coast versus two West Coast cities in the United States. Sociodemographic, sexual, and injecting information were collected during semiannual face-to-face interviews. Baseline data from New York City; Baltimore, Maryland; and New Haven, Connecticut, were compared with data from Los Angeles, California, and San Jose, California. Among 1,528 East Coast and 1,149 West Coast participants, HIV sero-prevalence was 21.5% and 2.3%, respectively (odds ratio [OR] 11.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.9-17.8). HIV risk behaviors were common among IDUs on both coasts, and several were more common among West Coast participants. Adjusting for potential risk factors, East (vs. West) Coast of residence remained highly associated with HIV status (adjusted OR 12.14; 95% CI 7.36-20.00). Differences in HIV sero-prevalence between East and West Coast cities did not reflect self-reported injection or sexual risk behavior differences. This suggests that other factors must be considered, such as the probability of having HIV-infected injection or sexual partners. Prevention efforts are needed on the West Coast to decrease HIV-associated risk behaviors among IDUs, and further efforts are also needed to reduce HIV incidence on the East Coast.

Regional variation in African-American English (AAE) is especially salient to its speakers involved with hip-hop culture, as hip-hop assigns great importance to regional identity and regional accents are a key means of expressing regional identity. However, little is known about AAE regional variation regarding prosodic rhythm and melody. In hip-hop music, regional variation can also be observed, with different regions’ rap performances being characterized by distinct “flows” (i.e., rhythmic and melodic delivery), an observation which has not been quantitatively investigated yet. This study concerns regional variation in AAE speech and rap, specifically regarding the United States’ East and West Coasts. It investigates how East Coast and West Coast AAE prosody are distinct, how East Coast and West Coast rap flows differ, and whether the two domains follow a similar pattern: more rhythmic and melodic variation on the West Coast compared to the East Coast for both speech and rap. To this end, free speech and rap recordings of 16 prominent African-American members of the East Coast and West Coast hip-hop communities were phonetically analyzed regarding rhythm (e.g., syllable isochrony and musical timing) and melody (i.e., pitch fluctuation) using a combination of existing and novel methodological approaches. The results mostly confirm the hypotheses that East Coast AAE speech and rap are less rhythmically diverse and more monotone than West Coast AAE speech and rap, respectively. They also show that regional variation in AAE prosody and rap flows pattern in similar ways, suggesting a connection between rhythm and melody in language and music.