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Vivo-Vilches C, López-Gutiérrez JM, Periáñez R, Marcinko C, Le Moigne F, McGinnity P, Peruchena JI, Villa-Alfageme M. Recent evolution of 129I levels in the Nordic Seas and the North Atlantic Ocean. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 621:376-386. [PMID: 29202284 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Most of the anthropogenic radionuclide 129I released to the marine environment from the nuclear fuel reprocessing plants (NFRP) at Sellafield (England) and La Hague (France) is transported to the Arctic Ocean via the North Atlantic Current and the Norwegian Coastal Current. 129I concentrations in seawater provides a powerful and well-established radiotracer technique to provide information about the mechanisms which govern water mass transport in the Nordic Seas and the Arctic Ocean and is gaining importance when coupled with other tracers (e.g. CFC, 236U). In this work, 129I concentrations in surface and depth profiles from the Nordic Seas and the North Atlantic (NA) Ocean collected from four different cruises between 2011 and 2012 are presented. This work allowed us to i) update information on 129I concentrations in these areas, required for the accurate use of 129I as a tracer of water masses; and ii) investigate the formation of deep water currents in the eastern part of the Nordic Seas, by the analysis of 129I concentrations and temperature-salinity (T-S) diagrams from locations within the Greenland Sea Gyre. In the Nordic Seas, 129I concentrations in seawater are of the order of 109 at·kg-1, one or two orders of magnitude higher than those measured at the NA Ocean, not so importantly affected by the releases from the NFRP. 129I concentrations of the order of 108atoms·kg-1 at the Ellet Line and the PAP suggest a direct contribution from the NFRP in the NA Ocean. An increase in the concentrations in the Nordic Seas between 2002 and 2012 has been detected, which agrees with the temporal evolution of the 129I liquid discharges from the NFRPs in years prior to this. Finally, 129I profile concentrations, 129I inventories and T-S diagrams suggest that deep water formation occurred in the easternmost area of the Nordic Seas during 2012.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Vivo-Vilches
- Departamento de Física Aplicada I, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de Sevilla, Virgen del África 7, 41011 Seville, Spain; Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (CNA) (Universidad de Sevilla, CSIC, Junta de Andalucía), Thomas Alva Edison 7, 41092 Seville, Spain.
| | - José María López-Gutiérrez
- Departamento de Física Aplicada I, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de Sevilla, Virgen del África 7, 41011 Seville, Spain; Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (CNA) (Universidad de Sevilla, CSIC, Junta de Andalucía), Thomas Alva Edison 7, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - Raúl Periáñez
- Departamento de Física Aplicada I, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Universidad de Sevilla, Ctra. Utrera km 1, 41013 Seville, Spain
| | - Charlotte Marcinko
- National Oceanography Centre (NOC), European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH, United Kingdom
| | | | - Paul McGinnity
- Environmental Protection Agency, 3 Clonskeagh Square, Dublin 14, Ireland
| | - Juan Ignacio Peruchena
- Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (CNA) (Universidad de Sevilla, CSIC, Junta de Andalucía), Thomas Alva Edison 7, 41092 Seville, Spain
| | - María Villa-Alfageme
- Departamento de Física Aplicada II, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería de Edificación, Universidad de Sevilla, Reina Mercedes 4A, 41012 Seville, Spain
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Sarafanov A, Falina A, Mercier H, Sokov A, Lherminier P, Gourcuff C, Gladyshev S, Gaillard F, Daniault N. Mean full-depth summer circulation and transports at the northern periphery of the Atlantic Ocean in the 2000s. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012. [DOI: 10.1029/2011jc007572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Sarafanov A, Falina A, Lherminier P, Mercier H, Sokov A, Gourcuff C. Assessing decadal changes in the Deep Western Boundary Current absolute transport southeast of Cape Farewell, Greenland, from hydrography and altimetry. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1029/2009jc005811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Odier P, Chen J, Rivera MK, Ecke RE. Fluid mixing in stratified gravity currents: the Prandtl mixing length. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2009; 102:134504. [PMID: 19392360 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.102.134504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Shear-induced vertical mixing in a stratified flow is a key ingredient of thermohaline circulation. We experimentally determine the vertical flux of momentum and density of a forced gravity current using high-resolution velocity and density measurements. A constant eddy-viscosity model provides a poor description of the physics of mixing, but a Prandtl mixing length model relating momentum and density fluxes to mean velocity and density gradients works well. For the average gradient Richardson number Ri(g) approximately 0.08 and a Taylor Reynolds number Re(lambda) approximately 100, the mixing lengths are fairly constant, about the same magnitude, comparable to the turbulent shear length.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Odier
- Condensed Matter and Thermal Physics Group and Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
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5
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Condron A, Bigg GR, Renfrew IA. Modeling the impact of polar mesocyclones on ocean circulation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008. [DOI: 10.1029/2007jc004599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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6
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Stow D, Faugères JC. Chapter 13 Contourite Facies and the Facies Model. DEVELOPMENTS IN SEDIMENTOLOGY 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s0070-4571(08)10013-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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Lherminier P, Mercier H, Gourcuff C, Alvarez M, Bacon S, Kermabon C. Transports across the 2002 Greenland-Portugal Ovide section and comparison with 1997. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1029/2006jc003716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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8
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Smethie WM, LeBel DA, Fine RA, Rhein M, Kieke D. Strength and variability of the deep limb of the North Atlantic meridional overturning circulation from chlorofluorocarbon inventories. OCEAN CIRCULATION: MECHANISMS AND IMPACTS—PAST AND FUTURE CHANGES OF MERIDIONAL OVERTURNING 2007. [DOI: 10.1029/173gm09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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9
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Wintertime nordic seas cyclone variability and its impact on oceanic volume transports into the Nordic seas. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005. [DOI: 10.1029/158gm10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
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11
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Knights B. A review of the possible impacts of long-term oceanic and climate changes and fishing mortality on recruitment of anguillid eels of the Northern Hemisphere. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2003; 310:237-244. [PMID: 12812748 DOI: 10.1016/s0048-9697(02)00644-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Possible causes of declines in recruitment of European, American and Japanese eels to continental waters are reviewed. Negative correlations between the Den Oever glass eel recruitment index (DOI) and the North Atlantic Oscillation Index since 1938 are discussed, together with older anecdotal evidence. Correlations are established between the DOI and sea surface temperature anomalies at 100-250 m between 1952 and 1995 in the Sargasso Sea/Sub-Tropical Gyre (STG) spawning area. It is hypothesised that, associated with global warming trends, STG warming inhibits spring thermocline mixing and nutrient circulation, with negative impacts on productivity and hence food for leptocephalus larvae. Concurrent gyre spin-up also affects major currents and slowing of oceanic migration has probably enhanced starvation and predation losses. Local factors, such as unfavourable wind-driven currents, can also affect recruitment of glass eels on continental shelves. In contrast, evidence is discussed that indicates fishing mortality and continental climate change appear to have had lesser impacts. Similar starvation-advection explanations for declines in Japanese eel recruitment are proposed. Predictions for the future are made and multidisciplinary and integrated monitoring and research are recommended for managing eel stocks and fisheries.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Knights
- University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, W1M 8JS, London, UK.
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12
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Käse RH. Structure and variability of the Denmark Strait Overflow: Model and observations. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003. [DOI: 10.1029/2002jc001548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Abstract
Oceans cover more than two-thirds of our blue planet. The waters move in a global circulation system, driven by subtle density differences and transporting huge amounts of heat. Ocean circulation is thus an active and highly nonlinear player in the global climate game. Increasingly clear evidence implicates ocean circulation in abrupt and dramatic climate shifts, such as sudden temperature changes in Greenland on the order of 5-10 degrees C and massive surges of icebergs into the North Atlantic Ocean --events that have occurred repeatedly during the last glacial cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Rahmstorf
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, PO Box 601203, 14412 Potsdam, Germany
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Penduff T, de Verdière AC, Barnier B. General circulation and intergyre dynamics in the eastern North Atlantic from a regional primitive equation model. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.1029/2000jc000346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Hansen B, Turrell WR, Østerhus S. Decreasing overflow from the Nordic seas into the Atlantic Ocean through the Faroe Bank channel since 1950. Nature 2001; 411:927-30. [PMID: 11418852 DOI: 10.1038/35082034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The overflow of cold, dense water from the Nordic seas, across the Greenland-Scotland ridge and into the Atlantic Ocean is the main source for the deep water of the North Atlantic Ocean. This flow also helps drive the inflow of warm, saline surface water into the Nordic seas. The Faroe Bank channel is the deepest path across the ridge, and the deep flow through this channel accounts for about one-third of the total overflow. Previous work has demonstrated that the overflow has become warmer and less saline over time. Here we show, using direct measurements and historical hydrographic data, that the volume flux of the Faroe Bank channel overflow has also decreased. Estimating the volume flux conservatively, we find a decrease by at least 20 per cent relative to 1950. If this reduction in deep flow from the Nordic seas is not compensated by increased flow from other sources, it implies a weakened global thermohaline circulation and reduced inflow of Atlantic water to the Nordic seas.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Hansen
- Faroese Fisheries Laboratory, PO Box 3051, FO-110 Tórshavn, Faroe Islands.
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Abstract
The Redfield ratio [carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus (C:N:P)] of particle flux to the deep ocean is a key factor in marine biogeochemical cycling. Changes in oceanic carbon sequestration have been linked to variations in the Redfield ratio on geological time scales, but this ratio generally is assumed to be constant with time in the modern ocean. However, deep-water Redfield ratios in the northern hemisphere show evidence for temporal trends over the past five decades. The North Atlantic Ocean exhibits a rising N:P ratio, which may be related to increased deposition of atmospheric nitrous oxides from anthropogenic N emissions. In the North Pacific Ocean, increasing C:N and C:P ratios are accompanied by rising remineralization rates, which suggests intensified export production. Stronger export of carbon in this region may be due to enhanced bioavailability of aeolian iron. These findings imply that the biological part of the marine carbon cycle currently is not in steady state.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pahlow
- Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Post Office Box 120161, D-27515 Bremerhaven, Germany.
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Keigwin LD, Pickart RS. Slope water current over the laurentian fan on interannual to millennial time scales. Science 1999; 286:520-3. [PMID: 10521345 DOI: 10.1126/science.286.5439.520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The strength and position of surface and deep currents in the slope water south of Newfoundland are thought to vary as a coupled system in relation to the dipole in atmospheric sea level pressure known as the North Atlantic oscillation (NAO). Paleoceanographic data from the Laurentian Fan, used as a proxy for sea surface temperature, reveal that surface slope waters north of the Gulf Stream experienced warming during the Little Ice Age of the 16th to 19th centuries and support the notion of an NAO-driven coupled system. The NAO may be a useful model for millennial-scale ocean variability during interglacial climate states.
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Affiliation(s)
- LD Keigwin
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
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Changing spatial structure of the thermohaline circulation in response to atmospheric CO2 forcing in a climate model. Nature 1999. [DOI: 10.1038/21170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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