Western Passage Research Articles

Evaluating the performance of turbulence closure models for tidal stream resource characterization

Harvesting tidal stream energy from the ocean for electricity generation has been considered as an energy resource alternative to fossil fuels for mitigating the negative impact of climate change and enhancing energy security and coastal resilience. Numerical models have been used extensively to characterize and assess tidal resources at potential tidal energy development sites. Turbulence plays an important role in site selection and tidal turbine farm deployment. However, most of the numerical modeling studies for tidal energy resource characterization do not include turbulence characteristics because of the limitation of Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes coastal ocean model in resolving the inertial sub-range turbulence scales. However, studies also demonstrated that turbulence properties, such as turbulence intensity and turbulence kinetic energy, simulated by the coastal ocean models based on turbulence closures can be useful in assisting tidal resource characterization at tidal energy sites. In this study, we evaluated four General Ocean Turbulence Model (GOTM) turbulence closure models implemented in a tidal hydrodynamic model –Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) to characterize the tidal energy resource in the Western Passage, Maine, USA – a top ranked tidal energy site. The four turbulence closure models used in this analysis are k–kl (Mellor–Yamada Level 2.5), k-ε, k–ω, and a generic model. Model sensitivities showed that the MY2.5 model performed the best in comparison with the field measurements. In particular, the simulated time series of turbulence intensity and kinetic energy matched the observed data very well in the Western Passage. Detailed analysis was conducted to characterize turbulence properties on the horizontal plane and at selective cross-sections. This study demonstrated that turbulence properties simulated by a coastal ocean model, along with tidal hydrodynamic properties, can be very informative for tidal energy resource characterization and project site selection, as recommended by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) technical specifications (IEC TS 62600-201).

Turbulence modeling to aid tidal energy resource characterization in the Western Passage, Maine, USA

Numerical models combined with field measurements are regularly used to characterize tidal energy resources at potential energetic sites. However, most existing works only focus on the tidal hydrodynamic characteristics, and turbulence parameters are often not reported because of the lack of high-quality turbulence measurements and the limitations of numerical models in resolving turbulent eddies. In this study, we used FVCOM – a hydrostatic primitive equation (HPE) model – to characterize the tidal energy resource in the Western Passage, Maine, USA, by taking care of the essential macro-scale turbulence properties. We observed an excellent model performance using the Mellor–Yamada Level 2.5 Turbulence Model; estimating the spatial and vertical distribution of the turbulent kinetic energy and intensity added a new perspective to the site ranking for tidal energy converter (TEC) deployments. In addition, we also examined the role of channel geometry and bathymetry, such as headlands and underwater sills, in enhancing turbulent eddies around potential TEC siting locations. Ultimately, the detailed analysis of the turbulent flow characteristics has changed the site-ranking results and demonstrated that the regional-scale HPE models could be used for the relative understanding of more or less turbulent sites for a refined resource assessment.

Applying Two Active Acoustic Technologies to Document Presence of Large Marine Animal Targets at a Marine Renewable Energy Site

Coastal regions are highly used by humans. The growing marine renewable energy (MRE) industry will add to existing anthropogenic pressures in these regions. Regulatory bodies require animal risk assessment before new industrial activities can progress, and MRE is no exception. Preliminary data of marine mammal use of an MRE device deployment location could be informative to permitting. A combination of downlooking hydroacoustics using an echosounder and acoustic camera (imaging sonar) was used to provide a number of large targets (proxy for large fish and marine mammals) in an area of interest for MRE tidal turbine deployment in Western Passage, Maine, USA. Data were collected in May, June, August, and September of 2010 and 2011. Of the nine large targets confirmed to be animals, eight were porpoises and one was a shark. Few large targets were observed in May and June, with the majority (90%) being present in August and September of both years. The most large targets were observed when tidal current speed was less than 1 m·s−1. These data provide a preliminary assessment of large targets in a single location over sixteen 24-h surveys. The aforementioned methodology could be used for future pre- and post-installation assessments at MRE device deployment locations. Their use in concert with visual and passive acoustic monitoring can provide water depth usage by marine mammals, which is a metric that is difficult to assess with passive acoustic and visual techniques.

Modeling Assessment of Tidal Energy Extraction in the Western Passage

Numerical models have been widely used for the resource characterization and assessment of tidal instream energy. The accurate assessment of tidal stream energy resources at a feasibility or project-design scale requires detailed hydrodynamic model simulations or high-quality field measurements. This study applied a three-dimensional finite-volume community ocean model (FVCOM) to simulate the tidal hydrodynamics in the Passamaquoddy–Cobscook Bay archipelago, with a focus on the Western Passage, to assist tidal energy resource assessment. IEC Technical specifications were considered in the model configurations and simulations. The model was calibrated and validated with field measurements. Energy fluxes and power densities along selected cross sections were calculated to evaluate the feasibility of the tidal energy development at several hotspots that feature strong currents. When taking both the high current speed and water depth into account, the model results showed that the Western Passage has great potential for the deployment of tidal energy farms. The maximum extractable power in the Western Passage was estimated using the Garrett and Cummins method. Different criteria and methods recommended by the IEC for resource characterization were evaluated and discussed using a sensitivity analysis of energy extraction for a hypothetical tidal turbine farm in the Western Passage.

Seasonal distribution of Dall's porpoise in Prince William Sound, Alaska

Dall's porpoise, Phocoenoides dalli, are a conspicuous predator in the Prince William Sound ecosystem, yet there has been little effort directed towards monitoring this species since the 1980s, prior to the Exxon Valdez oil spill. We used vessel-based surveys to examine the seasonal distribution of Dall's porpoise in the waters of Prince William Sound during eight years from 2007 to 2015. Over the course of 168 days and 15,653km of survey effort, 921 Dall's porpoise were encountered in 210 groups. We estimate an encounter rate of 0.061 porpoise/km traveled or 1 porpoise encountered for every 16.5km traveled. Dall's porpoise were found throughout the year in Prince William Sound, and used a wide range of habitats, including those not considered typical of the species, such as bays, shallow water, and nearshore waters. Dall's porpoise seasonally shifted their center of distribution from the western passages in fall to the bays of the eastern Sound in winter and spring. Dall's porpoises were widely dispersed throughout the Sound in summer. We identified potential Dall's porpoise habitat (depth, slope, and distance from shore) within Prince William Sound using generalized additive models (GAM). Dall's porpoise were found in deeper water during summer and in shallowest water during spring. We propose that their use of novel habitats is a function of reduced predation risk associated with the decline of their main predator, killer whales (Orcinus orca), following the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and the presence of overwintering and spawning Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii). While the size of the Dall's porpoise population within Prince William Sound remains unknown, our encounter rates were lower than those reported in the 1970s. Their high metabolic rate and ubiquitous presence makes them one of the more important, yet understudied, forage fish predators in the region.

Determining tidal turbine farm efficiency in the Western Passage using the disc actuator theory

Tidal power potential is determined across the Western Passage in Passamaquoddy Bay using the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM). The tidal turbines are implemented in FVCOM using the disc actuator theory method to determine the power potential for different densities and arrangements of tidal turbines. At the most efficient setting for 10 turbines across the Western Passage, the optimal turbine drag coefficient is 2.0 and the average power output, in a 2-week period, is ∼819 kW. Results suggest that for a single row of turbines, the addition of turbines decreases the efficiency of the turbine farm, but this decrease in efficiency is less than 7 %. A parallel distribution of turbines in an array diminishes the average power for turbines in the shadow of other turbines, while staggered distribution in an array increases the average power extraction for some turbines, due to the speed gains in the gaps between turbines. A simple tidal farm optimization using the OpenTidalFarm (OTF) model suggests a similar tidal farm distribution.

Seasonal surface circulation, temperature, and salinity in Prince William Sound, Alaska

Salinity, temperature, and depth profiles from 1973 to 2010 were used to construct a seasonal climatology of surface temperature, surface salinity, mixed layer depth (MLD), potential energy of mixing, and surface geostrophic circulation in Prince William Sound (PWS) and the adjacent Gulf of Alaska. Surface salinity is greatest in winter and least in summer due to the influence of increased freshwater runoff in summer. It is generally lowest in the northwest and highest in the Gulf of Alaska. The surface temperature is lowest in the winter and highest in the summer when surface heating is greatest, with little spatial variability across the Sound. The MLD is deepest in winter (9–27m) and shallowest in summer (4–5m). The work by winds was estimated from meteorological buoy data in central PWS and compared to the potential energy of mixing of the upper water column. The potential depth to which winds mix the upper water column was generally consistent with the MLD. The surface geostrophic circulation in the central Sound has: a southerly flow in the western central Sound in the winter; a closed, weak anticyclonic cell in spring; a closed, cyclonic cell in the summer; an open, cyclonic circulation in the fall. In the western passages, a southerly flow occurs in spring, summer, and fall. These results have important implications for oil spill response in PWS, the use of oil dispersants, and for comparison to numerical studies.

Numerical modeling of the 1964 Alaska tsunami in western Passage Canal and Whittier, Alaska

Abstract. A numerical model of the wave dynamics in Passage Canal, Alaska during the Mw 9.2 megathrust earthquake is presented. During the earthquake, several types of waves were identified at the city of Whittier, located at the head of Passage Canal. The first wave is thought to have been a seiche, while the other two waves were probably triggered by submarine landslides. We model the seiche wave, landslide-generated tsunami, and tectonic tsunami in Passage Canal and compute inundation by each type of wave during the 1964 event. Modeled results are compared with eyewitness reports and an observed inundation line. Results of the numerical experiments let us identify where the submarine landslides might have occurred during the 1964 event. We identify regions at the head and along the northern shore of Passage Canal, where landslides triggered a wave that caused most of the damage in Whittier. An explanation of the fact that the 1964 tectonic tsunami in Whittier was unnoticed is presented as well. The simulated inundation by the seiche, landslide-generated tsunami, and tectonic tsunami can help to mitigate tsunami hazards and prepare Whittier for a potential tsunami.

Autumn migratory fuelling: a response to simulated magnetic displacements in juvenile wheatears, Oenanthe oenanthe

Recent experiments exposing migratory birds to altered magnetic fields simulating geographical displacements have shown that the geomagnetic field acts as an external cue affecting migratory fuelling behaviour. This is the first study investigating fuel deposition in relation to geomagnetic cues in long-distance migrants using the western passage of the Mediterranean region. Juvenile wheatears (Oenanthe oenanthe) were exposed to a magnetically simulated autumn migration from southern Sweden to West Africa. Birds displaced parallel to the west of their natural migration route, simulating an unnatural flight over the Atlantic Ocean, increased their fuel deposition compared to birds experiencing a simulated migration along the natural route. These birds, on the other hand, showed relatively low fuel loads in agreement with earlier data on wheatears trapped during stopover. The experimental displacement to the west, corresponding to novel sites in the Atlantic Ocean, led to a simulated longer distance to the wintering area, probably explaining the observed larger fuel loads. Our data verify previous results suggesting that migratory birds use geomagnetic cues for fuelling decisions and, for the first time, show that birds, on their first migration, can use geomagnetic cues to compensate for a displacement outside their normal migratory route, by adjusting fuel deposition.

Third San Juan photoelectric astrolabe catalogue (CPASJ3)

Resulting from the cooperation between Beijing, San Juan and La Plata Astronomical Observatories, the photoelectric astrolabe Mark II(PAII) of the Beijing Astronomical Observatory was moved and installed at the San Juan Observatory, Argentina in January, 1992 for observations of stars in the southern hemisphere. Using the data observed with the instrument from Feb. 23 1992 to Mar. 11, 2000 over 2382 days, the Third San Juan photoelectric astrolabe catalogue has been compiled from double transits at both the eastern and western passages. There are 6762 stars in this catalogue, including 6156 Hipparcos stars (in which there are 69 radio stars), 8 FK5 stars, 47 SRS stars, 551 CAMC4 stars. The mean precisions are ± 3.0 ms and ± in right ascension and declination, respectively. The magnitudes of stars are from 1.0 to 11.5. The declinations are from -3° to -60°. The mean epoch is 1996.3. Systematic corrections of (CPASJ3-Hipp) are given.

Small Fish in a Large Landscape: Diversification of Rhinichthys osculus (Cyprinidae) in Western North America

We mapped 112 restriction sites in the mitochondrial DNA genome of the Speckled Dace (Rhinichthys osculus), a small cyprinid fish broadly distributed in western North America. These data were used to derive a molecular phylogeny that was contrasted against the hydrographic evolution of the region. Although haplotypic variation was extensive among our 59 sampled populations and 104 individuals, their fidelity to current drainage basins was a hallmark of the study. Two large clades, representing the Colorado and Snake Rivers, were prominent in our results. The Colorado River clade was divided into four cohesive and well-defined subbasins that arose in profound isolation as an apparent response to regional aridity and tectonism. The Lower and Little Colorado River subbasins are sister to one another and (with the Upper Colorado River) form a large clade of higher-elevation populations that seemingly reflect postglacial recolonization from refugia in the Middle Colorado River. The latter subbasin is sister to the Los Angeles Basin and, thus, supports the hypothesis of an ancient connection between the two. A haplotype from the Northern Bonneville was sister to the entire Colorado River clade. The Snake River clade revealed a strongly supported Lahontan group that did not share haplotypes with surrounding basins. It contained instead scattered sites from former Pluvial Lake Lahontan, as well as from eastern California. It was, in turn, sister to the Owens River, whereas Rhinichthys falcatus was sister to this larger clade. The hypothesis of a southerly, “fishhook”-configured tributary associated with a westward-draining Pliocene Snake River was manifested by the relationship of this Lahontan clade to upper Snake and northern Bonneville localities. The Klamath/Pit and Columbia Rivers were sisters in a clade basal to all the above, which in turn supported the hypothesis of a pre-Pliocene western passage of the Snake River. Our data also suggested at least three separate ichthyofaunal invasions of California, as well as a Bonneville Basin fragmented by a north-south connection between southeastern Idaho and the Colorado River. The dual western and southern movements of R. osculus from southern Idaho argued for a northern origin, possibly associated with Tertiary Lake Idaho.

Deep-water circulation at low latitudes in the western North Pacific

Full-depth conductivity-temperature-depth-oxygen profiler (CTDO 2) data at low latitudes in the western North Pacific in winter 1999 were analyzed with water-mass analysis and geostrophic calculations. The result shows that the deep circulation carrying the Lower Circumpolar Water (LCPW) bifurcates into eastern and western branch currents after entering the Central Pacific Basin. LCPW colder than 0.98°C is carried by the eastern branch current, while warmer LCPW is carried mainly by the western branch current. The eastern branch current flows northward in the Central Pacific Basin, supplying water above 0.94°C through narrow gaps into an isolated deep valley in the Melanesian Basin, and then passes the Mid-Pacific Seamounts between 162°10′E and 170°10′E at 18°20′N, not only through the Wake Island Passage but also through the western passages. Except near bottom, dissolved oxygen of LCPW decreases greatly in the northern Central Pacific Basin, probably by mixing with the North Pacific Deep Water (NPDW). The western branch current flows northwestward over the lower Solomon Rise in the Melanesian Basin and proceeds westward between 10°40′N and 12°20′N at 150°E in the East Mariana Basin with volume transport of 4.1 Sv (1 Sv=10 6 m 3 s −1). The current turns north, west of 150°E, and bifurcates around 14°N, south of the Magellan Seamounts, where dissolved oxygen decreases sharply by mixing with NPDW. Half of the current turns east, crosses 150°E at 14–15°N, and proceeds northward primarily between 152°E and 156°E at 18°20′N toward the Northwest Pacific Basin (2.1 Sv). The other half flows northward west of 150°E and passes 18°20′N just east of the Mariana Trench (2.2 Sv). It is reversed by a block of topography, proceeds southward along the Mariana Trench, then detours around the south end of the trench, and proceeds eastward along the Caroline Seamounts to the Solomon Rise, partly flowing into the West Mariana and East Caroline Basins. A deep western boundary current at 2000–3000 m depth above LCPW (10.0 Sv) closes to the coast than the deep circulation. The major part of it (8.5 Sv) turns cyclonic around the upper Solomon Rise from the Melanesian Basin and proceeds along the southern boundary of the East Caroline Basin. Nearly half of it proceeds northward in the western East Caroline Basin, joins the current from the east, then passes the northern channel, and mostly enters the West Caroline Basin (4.6 Sv), while another half enters this basin from the southern side (>3.8 Sv). The remaining western boundary current (1.5 Sv) flows over the middle and lower Solomon Rise, proceeds westward, then is divided by the Caroline Seamounts into southern (0.9 Sv) and northern (0.5 Sv) branches. The southern branch current joins that from the south in the East Caroline Basin, as noted above. The northern branch current proceeds along the Caroline Seamounts and enters the West Mariana Basin.

Second San Juan photoelectric astrolabe catalogue

According to the cooperation between Beijing, San Juan and La Plata Astronomical Observatories, the photoelectric astrolabe Mark II(PAII) of the Beijing Astronomical Observatory was moved and installed at the San Juan Observatory, Argentina in January, 1992 for observations of the catalogue of stars in the southern hemisphere. The first observing period was from Feb. 23, 1992 to Mar. 31, 1997. Using the data observed in San Juan with the instrument during this period, residuals for 11002 stars are reduced from about 405700 observations of stars over 1532 days. The mean precision of the residuals is ± . The Second Catalogue of Stars (CPASJ2) has been compiled from double transits at both the eastern and western passages. There are 5241 stars in this catalogue, including 1225 FK5/FK4Supp stars, 794 FK5Ext stars, 1084 SRS stars, 937 CAMC4 stars, 310 GC stars and 891 IMF stars. The mean precisions are ±3.2ms and ± in right ascension and declination, respectively. The magnitudes of stars are from 2.0 to 11.5. The declinations are from to . The mean epoch is 1994.9. Finally, systematic corrections of(CPASJ2-FK5) are given.

The Bordeaux Port Radar

At the end of 1963, to assist ships making use of the extensive facilities in the Gironde estuary, the port of Bordeaux installed surveillance radar covering the mouth of the Gironde. As it is still too early to assess its potentialities, this paper describes the technical arrangements and makes some general comments on the use of radar, suggested by the new installation.Ships approaching the Gironde estuary from the open sea follow the buoyed channel from the landfall buoy BXA, 18 kilometres west of Pointe de la Coubre. After picking up the pilot they enter the western or outer entrance passage, whose seaward termination lies 8 kilometres from the coast. This provides a dredged channel, 800 metres wide and 3500 metres long, running east–west. The depth of 12 metres at low water springs enables ships to cross the annular river bar separating the deep water on the seaward side from the mud banks at the mouth of the inner channel.

Flow of Water in the Passages of Passamaquoddy Bay Measured by the Electromagnetic Method

Water transports in the passages connecting Passamaquoddy Bay and the Bay of Fundy were measured by the electrical potential differences induced in the water moving across the earth's magnetic field. A phase difference between the transports in Letite and Western Passages was observed, slack water occurring later in Western Passage by 15 to 60 minutes. Variation of the transport with time for each passage was studied. A marked harmonic content was found, particularly of the second and third harmonics with periods six (6.2) and four (4.1) hours, and was evaluated by harmonic analysis.The harmonic component content of the tidal current transports in the Saint Croix Estuary was found to be in close agreement with that of the observed tidal heights at St. Andrews, N.B. The harmonic content of the transports in Letite Passage and in Western Passage was related to hydraulic or frictional tidal flow and to shallow-water tides respectively. Currents in Letite Passage found at anchor Sta. 51 and deduced from the square root of the head measured by tide staffs were consistent in form and phase with data from the electrode voltages.A small residual transport from Passamaquoddy Bay through Western Passage was inferred with some uncertainty.

Drift-Bottle Experiments in the Quoddy Region, Bay of Fundy

In conjunction with the research program of the International Passamaquoddy Fisheries Board, approximately 10,000 drift bottles were released in the Quoddy Region of the Bay of Fundy in 1957 and 1958. Overall return of bottles was 25%. Results have been analyzed and surface drift inferred on monthly and seasonal bases. On the average, there is a counter-clockwise circulation in Passamaquoddy Bay, an outflow through Western Passage, a variable flow in Letite Passage, an outflow on the Campobello side and an inflow along the Deer Island side of Head Harbour Passage. In the outer Quoddy Region, there is evidence of a clockwise circulation around The Wolves, a variable flow in Grand Manan Channel, and a southerly movement off the east coast of Grand Manan Island.Wind speed and direction, which vary seasonally, appear very effective in altering the pattern of drift.