Water Formation Processes Research Articles

Warm Deep Water Variability During the Last Millennium in the CESM–LME: Pre-Industrial Scenario versus Late 20th Century Changes

Water transformation around Antarctica is recognized to significantly impact the climate. It is where the linkage between the upper and lower limbs of the Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC) takes place by means of dense water formation, which may be affected by rapid climate change. Simulation results from the Community Earth System Model Last Millennium Ensemble (CESM–LME) are used to investigate the Weddell Sea Warm Deep Water (WDW) evolution during the Last Millennium (LM). The WDW is the primary heat source for the Weddell Sea (WS) and accounts for 71% of the Weddell Sea Bottom Water (WSBW), which is the regional variety of the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW)—one of the densest water masses in the ocean bearing directly on the cold deep limb of the MOC. Earth System Models (ESMs) are known to misrepresent the deep layers of the ocean (below 2000 m), hence we aim at the upper component of the deep meridional overturning cell, i.e., the WDW. Salinity and temperature results from the CESM–LME from a transect crossing the WS are evaluated with the Optimum Multiparameter Analysis (OMP) water masses decomposition scheme. It is shown that, after a long–term cooling over the LM, a warming trend takes place at the surface waters in the WS during the 20th century, which is coherent with a global expression. The subsurface layers and. mainly. the WDW domain are subject to the same long–term cooling trend, which is decelerated after 1850 (instead of becoming warmer like the surface waters), probably due interactions with sea ice–insulated ambient waters. The evolution of this anomalous temperature pattern for the WS is clear throughout the three major LM climatic episodes: the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA), Little Ice Age (LIA) and late 20th century warming. Along with the continuous decline of WDW core temperatures, heat content in the water mass also decreases by 18.86%. OMP results indicate shoaling and shrinking of the WDW during the LM, with a ~6% decrease in its cross–sectional area. Although the AABW cannot be directly assessed from CESM–LME results, changes in the WDW structure and WS dynamics have the potential to influence the deep/bottom water formation processes and the global MOC.

Mass spectrometry of d-ribose molecules

The results of mass spectra of d-ribose molecular beam study by electron impact for the 20–70 eV energy range at the evaporation temperature 310–430 K are presented. The experiment was carried out in two stages: first the mass spectra were measured in the range of 0–200 Da at different ionization energies, then relative cross-sections of single ionization of fragment ions were investigated in the electron energy range of 5–60 eV. The measured temperature dependences show the competing character of water and oxonium cation formation processes. It is the first determination of the appearance energy (AE) for the d-ribose molecule from the threshold region of the energy dependence of the effective ionization cross section. For the most intense fragment ions in the mass spectrum, the potentials of appearance are determined at the threshold of the dissociative ionization cross sections. Schemes for the fragmentation of positive d-ribose ions are proposed.

Long-term integrated biogeochemical budget driven by circulation in the eastern subpolar North Atlantic

The eastern subpolar North Atlantic (eSPNA) is a key region in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), playing an important role in biogeochemical cycles and climate regulation. Quantitative basin-scale biogeochemical budgets are still scarce despite the current need of establishing baselines of knowledge in a changing ocean. The physico-chemical data from the eight repetitions of the OVIDE section (2002–2016) are an unique opportunity to develop a novel evaluation of biogeochemical budgets in the eSPNA by combining robust and well established decadal mean mass transports with carbon variables, oxygen and inorganic nutrients in a full-depth inverse box model. The net balance between the carbon fixation and the respiration throughout the whole water column shows that the eSPNA is an important dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) sink area where 119 ± 43 kmol·s−1 and 49 ± 31 kmol·s−1 of organic and inorganic carbon, respectively, are currently exported. The uptake due to mixed layer depth oxygenation of 807 ± 114 kmol·s−1 of oxygen from the atmosphere and its subsequent southward export are responsible for deep Atlantic Ocean oxygenation. Deep water formation processes connect the northward upper limb with the southward lower limb of the AMOC leading to tracer export to the deep ocean. With regard to the net macronutrient budgets, all element consumptions are balanced within uncertainties. The results presented here for carbon export and oxygen uptake are in agreement with the upper range of previous observations based on different methods. The findings of this integrated budget driven by circulation in the highly dynamic region of the eSPNA can be taken as a reference in future biogeochemical evaluations of the North Atlantic.

PO303 Functional Mitral Regurgitation in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Without Myocardial Infarction: Men Versus Women

The article deals with industrial use of Uraveli mineral water deposit, in particular identification of feasibility for development of bottling facility and arrangement of balneal-climate resort. The subject is topical – construction of bottling plants and promotion of bottled water industry in Georgia, rich in ground water resources is considered as priority for development of the country's economy. The article describes: the deposit area, peculiarities of the landscapes and climate conditions, geological composition of the region, bicarbonate mineral water formation processes and coordinates of water outcrops. Water quality has been studied in compliance with ISO and USEPA requirements - chemical and microbiological analyses have been carried out at certified lab of scientific-research firm Gamma. Results of analysis revealed that based on the Uraveli bicarbonate mineral water deposit development of high quality, competitive bottled water production and balneal climate resort is feasible. For achievement of this goal, first of all, thorough hydrogeologcial survey of the deposit and assessment of exploitation reserves must be carried out, optimum operation regime of the bottling facility – developed.

Visual Investigation of the Occurrence Characteristics of Multi-Type Formation Water in a Fracture–Cavity Carbonate Gas Reservoir

It is difficult to investigate the formation process and occurrence states of water in multi-type reservoirs, due to the strong heterogeneity and complex microstructure of the fracture–cavity carbonate gas reservoirs. To date, there is no systematic study on the occurrence characteristics of multi-type formation water, especially through visual observation experiments. In this paper, a new creation method for visual micromodels based on CT scan images and microelectronic photolithography techniques was described. Subsequently, a gas–drive–water visual experiment was conducted to intuitively study the formation mechanism and the occurrence states of formation water. Then, the ImageJ gray analysis method was utilized to quantitatively investigate the gas-water saturation and the proportion of residual water film. Finally, the occurrence characteristics of formation water and its effects on gas seepage flow were comprehensively analyzed. Visual experimental results showed that: the migration processes of natural gas in different types of reservoirs are different; the water in multiple media consists of native movable water and residual water, and residual water is composed of secondary movable water and irreducible water; the residual water mainly occurs in different locations of different reservoirs with the forms of “water film”, “water mass”, “water column” and “water droplets”; the main influencing factors are capillary force, surface tension, displacement pressure and channel connectivity. Quantitative results reflect that the saturation of movable water and residual water are the parameters related directly to reservoir physical properties, pore structure and displacement pressure—the smaller the size of flow channel, the larger the space occupied by water film; the thickness proportion of water film is increasing exponentially with the channel size; the thickness proportion of water film decreases as the increase of displacement pressure; the thickness proportion of water film is essentially constant when the displacement pressure increases to a certain extent. The conducted visual investigation not only improves our intuitive understanding of the occurrence characteristics of formation water, but also provides a theoretical basis for the efficient development of fracture-cavity gas reservoirs.

Uraveli mineral spring and its exploration for industrial development

Abstract The article deals with industrial use of Uraveli mineral water deposit, in particular identification of feasibility for development of bottling facility and arrangement of balneal-climate resort. The subject is topical – construction of bottling plants and promotion of bottled water industry in Georgia, rich in ground water resources is considered as priority for development of the country's economy. The article describes: the deposit area, peculiarities of the landscapes and climate conditions, geological composition of the region, bicarbonate mineral water formation processes and coordinates of water outcrops. Water quality has been studied in compliance with ISO and USEPA requirements - chemical and microbiological analyses have been carried out at certified lab of scientific-research firm Gamma. Results of analysis revealed that based on the Uraveli bicarbonate mineral water deposit development of high quality, competitive bottled water production and balneal climate resort is feasible. For achievement of this goal, first of all, thorough hydrogeologcial survey of the deposit and assessment of exploitation reserves must be carried out, optimum operation regime of the bottling facility – developed.

Interannual variability of water masses in the area of bottom water formation in Рrydz Вay

The results of field studies of the processes of Antarctic Bottom Water formation conducted in the period from 2004 to 2016 in the Prydz Bay of the Commonwealth Sea is discussed. During this period the oceanographic observations along the 70° E section, crossing the shelf and the continental slope, were repeated nine times. In this area in the austral summer of 2004 during the AARI expedition on the r/v “Akademik Fedorov” the process of formation of bottom water has been recorded for the first time. A further study of the structure and characteristics of water masses on this section and in the adjacent area confirmed the regularity of these processes during the summer period. At the same time, a significant interannual variability of the structure, characteristics, and mechanisms of distribution of the main water masses in the section shelf, deep and bottom waters — was found. For the first time, detailed information on the bottom topography of the ocean in the vicinity of this section made it possible to show the determining role of bottom topography features in the distribution of newly formed bottom water along the continental slope. The tendency of increasing of the volume of bottom water formed in the Prydz Bay in recent years is revealed, which is associated with the intensification of the basal melting of the ice shelf leading to an increase in the volume of the formation of supercooled Shelf Water, the most important component in the formation of bottom water.

Observation of oxygen ventilation into deep waters through targeted deployment of multiple Argo‐O2 floats in the north‐western Mediterranean Sea in 2013

AbstractDuring the winter 2013, an intense observation and monitoring was performed in the north‐western Mediterranean Sea to study deep water formation process that drives thermohaline circulation and biogeochemical processes (HYMEX SOP2 and DEWEX projects). To observe intensively and continuously the impact of deep convection on oxygen (O2) ventilation, an observation strategy was based on the enhancement of the Argo‐O2 floats to monitor the offshore dense water formation area (DWF) in the Gulf of Lion prior to and at the end of the convective period (December 2012 to April 2013). The intense O2 measurements performed through shipborne CTD casts and Argo‐O2 floats deployment revealed an O2 inventory rapidly impacted by mixed layer (ML) deepening on the month scale. The open‐sea convection in winter 2013 ventilated the deep waters from mid‐February to the end of May 2013. The newly ventilated dense water volume, based on an Apparent Oxygen Utilization (AOU) threshold, was estimated to be about 1.5 × 1013 m3 during the DWF episode, increasing the deep O2 concentrations from 196 to 205 µmol kg−1 in the north‐western basin.

A New Mechanism for Mode Water Formation Involving Cabbeling and Frontogenetic Strain at Thermohaline Fronts. Part II: Numerical Simulations

AbstractSubmesoscale-resolving numerical simulations are used to investigate a mechanism for sustained mode water formation via cabbeling at thermohaline fronts subject to a confluent strain flow. The simulations serve to further elucidate the mechanism and refine the predictions of the analytical model of Thomas and Shakespeare. Unlike other proposed mechanisms involving air–sea fluxes, the cabbeling mechanism, in addition to driving significant mode water formation, uniquely determines the thermohaline properties of the mode water given knowledge of the source water masses on either side of the front. The process of mode water formation in the simulations is as follows: Confluent flow associated with idealized mesoscale eddies forces water horizontally toward the front. The frontogenetic circulation draws this water near adiabatically from the full depth of the thermohaline front up to the surface 25 m, where resolved submesoscale instabilities drive intense mixing across the thermohaline front, creating the mode water. The mode water is denser than the surrounding stratified fluid and sinks to fill its neutral buoyancy layer at depth. This layer gradually expands up to the surface, and eddies composed entirely of this mode water detach from the front and accumulate in the diffluent regions of the domain. The process continues until the source water masses are exhausted. The temperature–salinity (T–S) relation of the resulting mode water is biased to the properties of the source water that has the larger isopycnal T–S anomaly. This mechanism has the potential to drive O(1) Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) mode water formation and may be important in determining the properties of mode water in the global oceans.

Dissolved iron distribution in the western and central subarctic Pacific: HNLC water formation and biogeochemical processes

AbstractIt is well known that phytoplankton growth is broadly limited by iron (Fe) availability in the subarctic Pacific. To investigate which Fe sources control the amplitude of seasonal variation in biogeochemical parameters in the subarctic Pacific, we examined the spatial variation in the west‐to‐east distribution of dissolved Fe (DFe) across the western and central subarctic Pacific through the Japanese GEOTRACES program. The vertical section profile of the western subarctic Pacific gyre showed high dissolved Fe concentrations from the bottom of the surface mixed layer to as deep as approximately 3000 m, suggesting that Fe‐rich intermediate water is transported laterally and distributed across the western subarctic gyre, over 2000 km. The section data also indicate that the influence of the western Fe‐rich intermediate water does not reach the Alaskan gyre. Fe* index (= [DFe] (observed) – [PO4] (observed) × RFe : P) distribution clearly indicates that the western Fe‐rich intermediate water is well explained by external sedimentary Fe sources and water transport systems from a subpolar marginal sea, the Sea of Okhotsk, and the continental margin. The spatial pattern of Fe to nutrient stoichiometry supplied from the intermediate water to the surface, in comparison with reported Fe and nutrient demand in surface phytoplankton, quantitatively explains the differences in surface macronutrient consumption between the western and eastern gyre as well as the formation of the high nutrient and low chlorophyll region in the whole subarctic Pacific.

The Origin of the Natural Water Chemical Composition in the Permafrost Region of the Eastern Slope of the Polar Urals

This article presents the results of the study of water chemical composition and formation processes in the eastern slope of the Polar Ural where permafrost is widely spread. To date, this region has not been studied in detail. However, it is very important to have information on the natural waters in this region because they play a significant role in all geochemical processes, including climate formation. For this study, 107 water samples were collected from lakes, rivers and active layer waters. The studied waters are ultrafresh; total dissolved solids vary from 14 to 438 mg/L. pH ranges from 3.5 to 9.0. The chemical type of the studied waters is mostly HCO3–Ca–Mg. The geochemical environment of the studied waters contributes to the accumulation of such trace elements as Fe, Mn, Al, Ni, Au, Co, Li, Sc, Ti, Cr, Sr, Nb, Mo, Cs, La, Eu, Lu, Hg, and Se. The chemical composition peculiarities of active layer waters, rivers, lakes and waters of stone pits and exploration trenches and the description of their chemical composition formation processes are given in the present study. The water–rock interaction is a dominant process of water chemical composition formation in the studied region. The obtained results have both potential theoretical and practical applications.

Hydrodynamic features of the South Aegean Sea as derived from Argo T/S and dissolved oxygen profiles in the area

In this work, the hydrodynamic picture of the South Aegean Sea is examined through an analysis of recent measurements in its sub-basins, the Myrtoan and Cretan Sea. Both sub-basins play an important role in the water circulation, exchange, and formation processes that affect the dynamics of the whole Eastern Mediterranean. For the first time, Bio-Argo floats were deployed in the area under the Greek Argo Research Infrastructure coordination. The acquired profiles cover an almost 2-year period (November 2013–July 2015) and are compared with previous Argo profiles and the re-processed time-series data recorded from the E1-M3A POSEIDON observatory operating in the area since 2007. The spatio-temporal distribution of the physical and chemical properties in each sub-basin is examined. Dense water formation events are revealed in the northern part (Myrtoan), while the wider area can be characterized as pre-conditioned. In the Cretan basin, a strong inter-annual variability of the salinity field at intermediate and deep layers is observed that is associated with water exchange from its open boundaries. Furthermore, comparison of the dissolved oxygen (DO) distribution with physical water properties within both the mixed layer, and at greater depths, indicated that relatively high but still under-saturated DO values are more likely to be associated with convection events. Finally, an updated picture of the physical properties and the DO distribution is presented based on the last 5 years of measurements and the recent introduction of Bio-Argo floats with DO sensors in the area.

The influence of Black Sea Water inflow and its synoptic time-scale variability in the North Aegean Sea hydrodynamics

The exchange water fluxes between the Black Sea and the North Aegean Sea through the Dardanelles Strait constitute an essential factor for the general circulation of the region. The Black Sea Water (BSW) inflow to the Aegean plays an important role in the hydrography and circulation of the basin and can affect the North Aegean deep water formation processes. Numerical experiments evaluating the influence of the time-scale variability (synoptic and seasonal) and the seasonality (period of maximum/minimum) of the Black Sea Water inflow on the dynamics of the North Aegean basin were performed. The experiments were carried out for the period from August 2008 to October 2009, using observed upper and lower-layer fluxes from the Dardanelles Strait, high-resolution atmospheric forcing, and boundary conditions derived from an operational system (ALERMO). The large-scale spatial patterns of the circulation and the seasonal variability of the North Aegean circulation show that dynamics of the basin can effectively absorb most of the Black Sea Water inflow variability. The overall cyclonic circulation of the North Aegean Sea and the predominant cyclonic and anti-cyclonic features are robust and are little affected by the different lateral fluxes. However, differences in the seasonality of the BSW inflow have an important impact in the North Aegean water column structure, while the synoptic variability observed in the Black Sea Water inflow affects the kinetic energy of the basin and the pathway of the Black Sea Water plume.

Analysis of liquid water formation in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell flow fields with a dry cathode supply

PEM fuel cells can be operated within a wide range of different operating conditions. In this paper, the special case of operating a PEM fuel cell with a dry cathode supply and without external humidification of the cathode, is considered. A deeper understanding of the water management in the cells is essential for choosing the optimal operation strategy for a specific system.In this study a theoretical model is presented which aims to predict the location in the flow field at which liquid water forms at the cathode. It is validated with neutron images of a PEM fuel cell visualizing the locations at which liquid water forms in the fuel cell flow field channels. It is shown that the inclusion of the GDL diffusion resistance in the model is essential to describe the liquid water formation process inside the fuel cell. Good agreement of model predictions and measurement results has been achieved.While the model has been developed and validated especially for the operation with a dry cathode supply, the model is also applicable to fuel cells with a humidified cathode stream.

Catalytic water dehydrogenation and formation on nickel: Dual path mechanism in high electric fields

To better understand the water/Ni electronic interaction relevant to many industrial catalytic processes, we performed a comprehensive investigation of water dehydrogenation–formation on Ni surfaces. Three perspectives were considered: interactions of water (i) over two distinct Ni surfaces, (ii) in the presence of a pre-adsorbed O atom, and (iii) under the influence of different electric fields. The theoretical results showed that Ni(211) lowered the overall reaction energies of water dehydrogenation–formation reactions as compared with Ni(111). A pre-adsorbed O atom largely accelerated the water dehydrogenation reaction on Ni(211). A negative electric field significantly promoted water dehydrogenation processes, while a positive field greatly enhanced water formation processes. Experimental evidence of water consumption and Ni surface compositions verifies these qualitative findings during methane steam reforming under different applied field conditions. Overall, an applied electric field can play a critical role in catalytic reaction dynamics, which is important when designing water-based catalytic processes.

Temporal and spatial variability of nutrients and oxygen in the North Aegean Sea during the last thirty years

Inorganic nutrient and dissolved oxygen data collected in the North Aegean Sea during 1986 - 2008 were analyzed in order to evaluate the role of the inflowing Black Sea originated surface water (BSW) in the nutrient regime of the area. In periods of high buoyancy inflow from Dardanelles strait, a reduction of inorganic nutrients in the surface layer is observed along the north-west route of the BSW; in parallel, the underlying layer of Levantine intermediate water revealed an increase of inorganic nutrients, receiving the degradation material from the surface layer. The above spatial patterns suggest a contribution of the BSW to the observed enhanced production of the North Aegean Sea. Anomalously low buoyancy inflow of BSW combined with severe winter meteorological conditions promote deep water formation events. The physical and chemical characteristics of the deep waters found in the different basins of the North Aegean Sea in 1997 (following the deep water formation in winters of 1992-1993) differed from those observed after the formation in winter 1987. These differences were probably related to the drastic changes occurred in the deep waters of the Eastern Mediterranean in the early 1990, by the Eastern Mediterranean Transient. Considering that deep water formation processes provide occasionally inorganic nutrients to the euphotic layer, it seems that BSW through its uninterrupted supply of small quantities of nutrients should play an additional role in the production in the North Aegean Sea.

The Atlantic Overturning Circulation: More Evidence of Variability and Links to Climate

A unique feature of the Atlantic Ocean is the presence of regions in the Labrador Sea and Nordic Seas where surface water can convect and sink to deep levels. This process of deep water formation and the related northward transport of warm surface water are components of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC), which annually transports in excess of 1 PW of heat northward through the northern subtropics. Between 26°N and Greenland much of this heat flux enters the atmosphere where it is then transported eastward by the atmospheric circulation and is responsible for the mild U.K. and European climate. Coupled models suggest that one of the consequences of anthropogenic climate change will be a slowing of the AMOC and an alteration of the ocean's role in climate (e.g., Cheng et al. 2013). Observing, quantifying, and understanding the detailed mechanisms controlling AMOC variability, its present circulation, and past behaviors, and the extent to which changes in the AMOC are predictable all remain preeminent scientific challenges for the twenty-first century.

Climate variability and deep water mass characteristics in the Aegean Sea

The main objective of this study is to investigate the variability of the thermohaline characteristics of the deep-water masses in the Aegean Sea and the possible impact of the regional atmospheric forcing variability by analyzing the available oceanographic and atmospheric datasets for the period of 1960–2012. During this period the variability of the deep water characteristics of the Aegean sub-basins is found to be very large as well as the diversity of the deep water characteristics among the sub-basins. The Central Aegean seems to play the key role in the Aegean deep water formation processes. Due to its small size, the Aegean Sea surface responds rapidly to the meteorological changes and/or the variability of the lateral fluxes and this variability propagates in the thermohaline characteristics of the deep water masses of the basin through deep water formation processes. There are many episodes characterized by a tight coupling of the atmosphere and the ocean during the examined period, with the Eastern Mediterranean Transient (EMT) being the most prominent case. We suggest that deep water formation is triggered mostly by the combination of preconditioning during early winter and/or previous winters together with the number of subsequent extreme events during present winter and not only by the total amount of the extreme heat loss winter days.

Does the sensitivity of Southern Ocean circulation depend upon bathymetric details?

The response of the major ocean currents to changes in wind stress forcing is investigated with a series of idealized, but eddy-permitting, model simulations. Previously, ostensibly similar models have shown considerable variation in the oceanic response to changing wind stress forcing. Here, it is shown that a major reason for these differences in model sensitivity is subtle modification of the idealized bathymetry. The key bathymetric parameter is the extent to which the strong eddy field generated in the circumpolar current can interact with the bottom water formation process. The addition of an embayment, which insulates bottom water formation from meridional eddy fluxes, acts to stabilize the deep ocean density and enhances the sensitivity of the circumpolar current. The degree of interaction between Southern Ocean eddies and Antarctic shelf processes may thereby control the sensitivity of the Southern Ocean to change.

Intermediate and deep water formation in the Okinawa Trough

Water mass formation in the intermediate and deep layers of the Okinawa Trough is investigated using two distinct data sets: a quasi‐climatological data set of the water properties of the minimum salinity surface produced from Argo float profiles and historical CTD data, and a velocity data set in the Kerama Gap measured by moored current meters during June 2009 to June 2011. The formation process of Okinawa Trough Intermediate Water is explained on the basis of horizontal advection and mixing of North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) and South China Sea Intermediate Water (SCSIW). The salinity‐minimum water intruding into the Okinawa Trough through the channel east of Taiwan is approximately composed of 45% NPIW and 55% SCSIW, while that through the Kerama Gap is 75% NPIW and 25% SCSIW. Salinities of these water masses increase in the Okinawa Trough due to strong diapycnal diffusion; its coefficient is estimated as 6.8–21.5 × 10−4 m2 s−1 based on a simple advection‐diffusion equation. On the other hand, deep water in the Okinawa Trough, below the sill depth of the Kerama Gap (∼1100 m), is ventilated by overflow in the bottom layer of the Kerama Gap down to the deepest layer (∼2000 m) in the southern Okinawa Trough. A simple box model predicts that this bottom overflow (0.18–0.35 Sv) causes strong upwelling (3.8–7.6 × 10−6 m s−1) in the southern Okinawa Trough, which must be maintained by buoyancy gain of the deep water due to strong diapycnal diffusion (4.8–9.5 × 10−4 m2 s−1).