Salinity fronts in the tropical P acific O cean
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Abstract:
This study delineates the salinity fronts (SF) across the tropical Pacific, and describes their variability and regional dynamical significance using Aquarius satellite observations. From the monthly maps of the SF, we find that the SF in the tropical Pacific are (1) usually observed around the boundaries of the fresh pool under the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), (2) stronger in boreal autumn than in other seasons, and (3) usually stronger in the eastern Pacific than in the western Pacific. The relationship between the SF and the precipitation and the surface velocity are also discussed. We further present detailed analysis of the SF in three key tropical Pacific regions. Extending zonally around the ITCZ, where the temperature is nearly homogeneous, we find the strong SF of 1.2 psu from 7° to 11°N to be the main contributor of the horizontal density difference of 0.8 kg/m3. In the eastern Pacific, we observe a southward extension of the SF in the boreal spring that could be driven by both precipitation and horizontal advection. In the western Pacific, the importance of these newly resolved SF associated with the western Pacific warm/fresh pool and El Niño southern oscillations are also discussed in the context of prior literature. The main conclusions of this study are that (a) Aquarius satellite salinity measurements reveal the heretofore unknown proliferation, structure, and variability of surface salinity fronts, and that (b) the fine-scale structures of the SF in the tropical Pacific yield important new information on the regional air-sea interaction and the upper ocean dynamics.Keywords:
Intertropical Convergence Zone
Tropical Eastern Pacific
Methane concentrations were determined for air samples collected over the western Pacific and the Antarctic Ocean in the years from 1978 to 1986. The latitudinal distribution from 35°N to 65°S revealed a decrease in methane concentration towards south, with two sharp gradients around 20°N and the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). The methane concentrations south of ITCZ were much lower than those in the Northern Hemisphere. The average concentrations of methane in samples collected over the western North Pacific (9°N–24°N) indicate an almost linear increase from 1978 to 1986 with no significant fluctuation of the annual rate of methane increase. The average rate of the increase from 1978 to 1986 was calculated to be 17 ± 2 ppb/yr over the western North Pacific, and that over the Antarctic Ocean was estimated to be 16–17 ppb/yr from 1978 to 1984.
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The distribution and composition of species of the holoplanktonic family Tomopteridae are presented. The material was taken from 579 zooplankton samples collected on 12 cruises made by the international oceanographic Program EASTROPAC during five of 2-3-mo periods between January-March 1967 to January-April 1968. A total of 4110 specimens were identified consisting of only one genus and eight species. Tomopteris elegans (61%) and T planktonis (25%) were the dominant species during this period. T. euchaeta, and T. dunckeri are reported for the first time from the Pacific Ocean and, T. krampi is recorded for the first time in the southeastern region of the Pacific.
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A specimen of the genus Tretodictyum Schulze was found among the collections made by Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Ltd., in their 1986 excursion to Cocos Island, tropical eastern Pacific Ocean. No member of that genus is known from the region. The specimen differs in many characters from the five known members of Tretodictyum and is described here as a new species, T. cocosensis.
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One new genus (Marianaxius) and seven new species of axiid shrimps, and one new calocaridid species are recorded from scattered sites around the Pacific Ocean. The axiid species include Axiopsis bythos from the Philippines; Bouvieraxius springeri from the Sulu Sea; Eiconaxius albatrossae from Pacific Panama; Eiconaxius baja from Baja California; Eiconaxius kimbla from Queensland, Australia; and Marianaxius kroppi from Guam. Eiconaxius cristagalli (Faxon), originally described from Pacific Panama, is recorded from the Galapagos Islands. The new species of calocaridid, Ambiaxius japonicus, is recorded from Japan.
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