Éditeur(s) : IEEE
Résumé : Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity, European Space Agency, is the first satellite mission addressing the challenge of measuring sea surface salinity from space. It uses an L-band microwave interferometric radiometer with aperture synthesis (MIRAS) that generates brightness temperature images, from which both geophysical variables are computed. The retrieval of salinity requires very demanding performances of the instrument in terms of calibration and stability. This paper highlights the importance of ocean salinity for the Earth's water cycle and climate; provides a detailed description of the MIRAS instrument, its principles of operation, calibration, and image-reconstruction techniques; and presents the algorithmic approach implemented for the retrieval of salinity from MIRAS observations, as well as the expected accuracy of the obtained results.
Proceedings of the IEEE (0018-9219) (IEEE), 2010-05 , Vol. 98 , N. 5 , P. 649-665

Droits : 2010 IEEE – All Rights Reserved
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00004/11482/8066.pdf
DOI:10.1109/JPROC.2009.2033096
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00004/11482/

Éditeur(s) : Amer Geophysical Union
Résumé : Sea surface salinity (SSS) measured from space by the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission is validated in the subtropical North Atlantic Ocean. 39 transects of ships of opportunity equipped with thermosalinographs (TSG) crossed that region from 2010 to 2012, providing a large database of ground truth SSS. SMOS SSS is also compared to Aquarius SSS. Large seasonal biases remain in SMOS and Aquarius SSS. In order to look at the capability of satellite SSS to monitor spatial variability, especially at scales less than 300 km (not monitored with the Argo network), we first apply a monthly bias correction derived from satellite SSS and In Situ Analysis System (ISAS) SSS differences averaged over the studied region. Ship SSS averaged over 25 km is compared with satellite and ISAS SSS. Similar statistics are obtained for SMOS, Aquarius and ISAS products (root mean square error of about 0.15 and global correlation coefficient r of about 0.92). However, in the above statistics, SSS varies due to both large scale and mesoscale (here, for scales around 100 km) variability. In order to focus on mesoscale variability, we consider SSS anomalies with respect to a monthly climatology. SMOS SSS and Aquarius SSS anomalies are more significantly correlated (r > 0.5) to TSG SSS anomaly than ISAS. We show the effective gain of resolution and coverage provided by the satellite products over the interpolated in situ data. We also show the advantage of SMOS (r=0.57) over Aquarius (r=0.52) to reproduce SSS mesoscale features.
Journal Of Geophysical Research-oceans (0148-0027) (Amer Geophysical Union), 2014-12 , Vol. 119 , N. 12 , P. 8878-8896

Droits : 2014. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00210/32150/34082.pdf
DOI:10.1002/2013JC009610
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00210/32150/

Éditeur(s) : Ieee-inst Electrical Electronics Engineers Inc
Résumé : We validate Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) sea surface salinity (SSS) retrieved during August 2010 from the European Space Agency SMOS processing. Biases appear close to land and ice and between ascending and descending orbits; they are linked to image reconstruction issues and instrument calibration and remain under study. We validate the SMOS SSS in conditions where these biases appear to be small. We compare SMOS and ARGO SSS over four regions far from land and ice using only ascending orbits. Four modelings of the impact of the wind on the sea surface emissivity have been tested. Results suggest that the L-band brightness temperature is not linearly related to the wind speed at high winds as expected in the presence of emissive foam, but that the foam effect is less than previously modeled. Given the large noise on individual SMOS measurements, a precision suitable for oceanographic studies can only be achieved after averaging SMOS SSS. Over selected regions and after mean bias removal, the precision on SSS retrieved from ascending orbits and averaged over 100 km $times$ 100 km and 10 days is between 0.3 and 0.5 pss far from land and sea ice borders. These results have been obtained with forward models not fitted to satellite L-band measurements, and image reconstruction and instrument calibration are expected to improve. Hence, we anticipate that deducing, from SMOS measurements, SSS maps at 200 km $times$ 200 km, 10 days resolution with an accuracy of 0.2 pss at a global scale is not out of reach.
Ieee Transactions On Geoscience And Remote Sensing (0196-2892) (Ieee-inst Electrical Electronics Engineers Inc), 2012-05 , Vol. 50 , N. 5 , P. 1662-1675

Droits : 2012 IEEE
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00074/18557/16108.pdf
DOI:10.1109/TGRS.2012.2184546
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00074/18557/

Éditeur(s) : Copernicus Gesellschaft Mbh
Résumé : The sea surface salinity (SSS) measured from space by the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission has recently been revisited by the European Space Agency first campaign reprocessing. We show that, with respect to the previous version, biases close to land and ice greatly decrease. The accuracy of SMOS SSS averaged over 10 days, 100 x 100 km(2) in the open ocean and estimated by comparison to ARGO (Array for Real-Time Geostrophic Oceanography) SSS is on the order of 0.3-0.4 in tropical and subtropical regions and 0.5 in a cold region. The averaged negative SSS bias (-0.1) observed in the tropical Pacific Ocean between 5 degrees N and 15 degrees N, relatively to other regions, is suppressed when SMOS observations concomitant with rain events, as detected from SSM/Is (Special Sensor Microwave Imager) rain rates, are removed from the SMOS-ARGO comparisons. The SMOS freshening is linearly correlated to SSM/Is rain rate with a slope estimated to -0.14 mm(-1) h, after correction for rain atmospheric contribution. This tendency is the signature of the temporal SSS variability between the time of SMOS and ARGO measurements linked to rain variability and of the vertical salinity stratification between the first centimeter of the sea surface layer sampled by SMOS and the 5 m depth sampled by ARGO. However, given that the whole set of collocations includes situations with ARGO measurements concomitant with rain events collocated with SMOS measurements under no rain, the mean -0.1 bias and the negative skewness of the statistical distribution of SMOS minus ARGO SSS difference are very likely the mean signature of the vertical salinity stratification. In the future, the analysis of ongoing in situ salinity measurements in the top 50 cm of the sea surface and of Aquarius satellite SSS are expected to provide complementary information about the sea surface salinity stratification.
Ocean Science (1812-0784) (Copernicus Gesellschaft Mbh), 2013 , Vol. 9 , N. 1 , P. 183-192

Droits : Author(s) 2013. CC Attribution 3.0 License.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00139/25073/23161.pdf
DOI:10.5194/os-9-183-2013
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00139/25073/

Éditeur(s) : American Geophysical Union
Résumé : The origins and fates of the Atlantic salinity maximum water (SMW), formed through excess evaporation in the tropics and subtropics of both hemispheres, are studied using monthly mean outputs of a numerical simulation of the world ocean climatological circulation. After defining formation domains from the surface salinity field and the vertical stratification, a Lagrangian technique is used to estimate the formation rates and main pathways in each hemisphere and the role of this water in the framework of the warm water return flow of the meridional overturning cell. Formation rates around 9 and 11 Sv are found in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres, respectively. While the export of the southern SMW from its formation area is realized by the western boundary currents, that of the northern SMW mainly results from interior subduction. Equatorward of the formation regions, a fraction of each SMW variety is entrained in the subtropical cells that connect the subtropics to the equatorial region. Poleward of them, both varieties are seen to feed the regions of subtropical mode water (STMW) formation around 35degrees of latitude in both hemispheres. The bulk of the transport associated with each variety eventually turns northward: This amounts to similar to6 Sv of southern SMW gathered in the North Brazil Undercurrent (NBUC), and similar to10 Sv of northern SMW found in the Gulf Stream at 35degreesN, of which 8 Sv have gone through the Caribbean Sea. Of the 13.4-Sv northward transport of the meridional overturning cell estimated by the model at 47degreesN, more than 50% (6.9 Sv) is found to have transited through at least one of the SMW regions. This gives an indication of the likely important role of SMW formation in the observed northward salinity increase of the upper Atlantic Ocean.
Journal of Geophysical Union - Research C - Oceans (0148-0227) (American Geophysical Union), 2002-09 , Vol. 107 , N. C10 , P. NIL_610-NIL_624

Droits : 2002 by the American Geophysical Union
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2002/publication-769.pdf
DOI:10.1029/2002JC001318
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/769/

Éditeur(s) : Université Bordeaux 1
Résumé : The mercury cycle was explored in the Petit-Saut reservoir / Sinnamary Estuary continuum in French Guiana. Main processes involve (i) photo-induced reduction, (ii) adsorption and desorption at the particle surfaces, (iii) methylating bacterial activity, (iv) precipitation and dissolution of iron oxyhydroxides and sulfides. Sources of mercury to the Petit-Saut reservoir consist of the partly impacted river-tributaries, the atmospheric deposition and the flooded soils or vegetation. Once into the reservoir, divalent mercury undergoes a large spectrum of transformations including speciation and phase changes. We, here, probe these processes and demonstrate that the Petit-Saut reservoir behaves as a privileged site for atmospheric recycling and in situ methylation. At the air / water interface, the mercury evasion exceeds by 50 % the direct atmospheric deposition. The in situ monomethylmercury (MMHg) production mostly occurs at the water-column chemocline and near the benthic interface. It reaches, for the whole reservoir, 8.1 moles yr-1 which corresponds to a 0.06 % d-1 methylation rate. We calculated that the 2003/04 period MMHg outputs from the reservoir to the Sinnamary Estuary averaged 13.5 moles yr-1 while the inputs were 5.4 moles yr-1. The dynamic Sinnamary Estuary is the genuine geochemical reactor of the continuum. There, the divalent mercury undergoes rapid yet profound partitioning among phases, recycling to the atmosphere and methylation processes. Those mostly originate from the long-scale oxygen paucity of the dam discharged waters. The expression of marked redox gradients and the intense organic matter turnover enhance the production of methylable inorganic mercurial species and tend to favor the sulfate reducing bacteria (methylating agents) activity. As a result, the dynamic Sinnamary Estuary exports 60 % more MMHg than it does import: 27 versus 17 moles yr-1. Further at large, in the saline estuary, we determined: (i) a non conservative behavior of dissolved (< 0.2 µm) mercury, (ii) a lowering of the mercury level of particles during mixing with the Amazon plume and (iii) a gradual dilution of the estuarine mercury concentrations by oceanic waters.
La retenue de Petit-Saut et, à l'aval, l'estuaire du Sinnamary sont deux centres d'altération du cycle naturel du mercure. Les processus sont, entre autres, (i) la photoréduction, (ii) la sorption / désorption en surface des particules, (iii) l'activité méthylante des bactéries, (iv) la dissolution / précipitation des oxyhydroxydes et des sulfures de fer. Les sources de mercure vers la retenue sont variées. Elles regroupent, en premier lieu, les affluents (partiellement orpaillés), l'atmosphère, les sols et la végétation ennoyés. Dans la colonne d'eau, les formes divalentes du mercure subissent un train complet de transformations couplant changements de phase et de spéciation. Nos résultats illustrent ces processus et démontrent que la retenue constitue un site privilégié de recyclage vers l'atmosphère et de méthylation. A l'interface air / eau, les exports en mercure de la retenue excèdent de 50 % le dépôt atmosphérique. La production endogène de monométhylmercure (MMHg) a lieu dans des sites particuliers : la chemocline et l'interface benthique. Elle atteint pour l'ensemble de la retenue 8,1 moles a-1 soit un taux de méthylation de 0,06 % j-1. On estime que la retenue exporte vers l'estuaire du Sinnamary 13,5 moles a-1 de MMHg alors qu'elle n'importe que 5,4 moles a-1. L'estuaire dynamique du Sinnamary constitue le véritable réacteur chimique du système fonctionnant en liaison avec celui de la retenue. Le mercure y décrit un cycle rapide aux processus de partition, de recyclage et de méthylation marqués. Ces processus résultent de l'oxygénation incomplète et durable des masses d'eau anoxiques exportées par la retenue de Petit-Saut. L'expression de gradients rédox prononcés conjuguée à un intense recyclage de la matière organique y favorise la production de formes méthylables de mercure ainsi que l'activité des bactéries sulfatoréductrices (agents de la méthylation). C'est pourquoi, l'estuaire dynamique du Sinnamary exporte 60 % plus de MMHg qu'il n'importe : 27 contre 17 moles a-1. Plus en aval, dans l'estuaire salin, nous avons mis en évidence : (i) un comportement non conservatif du mercure dissous, (ii) un appauvrissement du mercure des particules suite au mélange avec le panache de l'Amazone et (iii) une dilution des concentrations par les masses d'eau océaniques.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/these-1508.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/1508/

Éditeur(s) : American Geophysical Union
Résumé : Microwave Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) measurements can be performed by isolating the emissivity response to salinity changes from numerous geophysical effects, including surface temperature and wind waves. At L-band frequencies (1 to 2 GHz), the sensitivity to SSS is sufficient but it falls off quickly as frequency is increased. Nevertheless, methods using higher microwave frequencies with much lower SSS sensitivity than at L band, can already be tested. In particular, combining 6 and 10 GHz data in vertical polarization efficiently minimizes sea surface roughness and thermal impacts. Using AMSR-E data, the retrieved bi-monthly maps of SSS at 0.5 degrees resolution over the region of the Amazon plume show relative accuracy in-line with the future L-band dedicated mission objectives. Citation: Reul, N., S. Saux-Picart, B. Chapron, D. Vandemark, J. Tournadre, and J. Salisbury (2009), Demonstration of ocean surface salinity microwave measurements from space using AMSR-E data over the Amazon plume, Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L13607, doi:10.1029/2009GL038860.
Geophysical Research Letters ( GRL ) (0094-8276) (American Geophysical Union), 2009-07 , Vol. 36 , P. 1-5

Droits : 2009. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2009/publication-6620.pdf
DOI:10.1029/2009GL038860
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/6620/

Éditeur(s) : Gauthier-Villars
Résumé : Data collected in an area enclosing New Caledonia are analysed both for the open ocean (17 degrees S-27 degrees S, 169 degrees E-170 degrees E; 1972-1992) and for one point in its lagoon (1967-1993), in order to improve our knowledge of the regional environment, with emphasis on seasonal and interannual (i.e. ENSO) variability. Long-term means and seasonal changes in surface wind, sea-surface temperature and salinity, and 0-400 m temperature, salinity and zonal geostrophic current are first described to Set the context. Through comparisons with the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), it is demonstrated that there are signals in these parameters that are connected with ENSO. During the warm phase of ENSO (SOI < 0, El Nino), we observed saltier-than-average anomalies in sea-surface salinity (similar to 0.2), 0-50 m cold temperature anomalies (similar to 0.5 degrees C) contrasting with the well-known warm eastern equatorial Pacific anomalies, together with westerly (similar to 10 m(2) s(-2)) and southerly (similar to 4 m(2) s-2) wind anomalies over a large part of the studied area. Conversely, anomalies of similar magnitude but of opposite sign were detected during the cold phase of ENSO (SOI > 0; La Nina). The mechanisms which connect these regional anomalies to ENSO evolution at low-latitudes are qualitatively discussed.
Oceanolica Acta (0399-1784) (Gauthier-Villars), 1997 , Vol. 20 , N. 3 , P. 481-491

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00093/20410/18077.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00093/20410/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier Science Bv
Résumé : The euryhaline white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei lives in both coastal and oceanic areas through ontogeny. Its osmoregulation pattern and variations in its tolerance to salinity are partially known from several studies under different experimental conditions (developmental stages, salinities and acclimation procedures). Although L. vannamei is recognized as one of the most euryhaline penaeid species, with adults and juveniles exhibiting an hyper-hypo-osmoregulatory pattern and being able to tolerate a wide salinity range, little is known on larval and early postlarval strategies to cope with salinity fluctuations. In order to establish their euryhalinity range and to fully understand the ontogenetic changes in L. vannamei osmoregulatory pattern, we evaluated the effect of six salinities (5, 10, 20, 32, 45 and 60 psu) on 17 developmental stages by directly exposing them to experimental salinities and conducting observations during the next 48 hours. At 5 hours post osmotic shock (hps), all developmental stages survived (> 20%) in 20, 32 and 45 psu. The euryhalinity and osmoregulation pattern changed at some developmental stages of L. vannamei. The hyper-hypo osmoregulatory pattern exhibited by Juvenile and Adult appears to be established early in the first post-larval stage PL1 (ontogenetic osmoregulation pattern type 3), with higher tolerance to salinity variations observed in PL2, PL4 and PL22 suggesting that L. vannamei shows a progressive increase in the efficiency of osmoregulatory mechanism following last metamorphosis.
Aquaculture (0044-8486) (Elsevier Science Bv), 2014-02 , Vol. 422 , P. 261-267

Droits : 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00169/28068/26283.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2013.11.034
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00169/28068/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
The most active deep convection area in the western Mediterranean Sea is located in the Gulf of Lions. Recent studies in this area provides some insights on the complexity of the physical dynamics of convective regions, but very little is known about their impacts on the biogeochemical properties. The CASCADE (CAscading, Surge, Convection, Advection and Downwelling Events) cruise, planed in winter 2011, give us the opportunity to compare vertical profiles of properties sampled either during stratified conditions or after/during a convection event. In the present study, we focus on the distributions of the carbonate system properties (mainly total alkalinity, AT; and total dissolved inorganic carbon, CT) because, in the context of the climate change, deep convection areas are suspected to significantly increase the sequestration of anthropogenic CO2 (CANT). Given its limited size, the impact of the Mediterranean Sea on the global carbon budget is probably minor but this marginal sea can be used as a laboratory to better understand carbon sequestration and its transfer to the basin interior by deep convection processes. Distributions of AT and CT, both measured from bottle samples, and that of CANT (estimated with the TrOCA approach) are first analyzed in the light of other key properties (salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen). An objective interpolation procedure is then applied to estimate CT and AT from CTD measured properties. With this procedure, the vertical resolution goes from a maximum of 32 samples per station to one property estimate every meter (more detailed distributions are obtained). Results provide arguments to conclude that CANT is rapidly transferred to the deepest layer due to deep convection events. During deep convection events, the increase of CANT in the water column is positively correlated to that of potential density and oxygen content. The challenge of quantifying the amount of sequestered carbon is however not resolved due to the complexity and the highly dynamical nature of the convective regions. Deep convection in the Gulf of Lions, in parallel with cascading along the continental slope, could thus potentially explain the very high levels of both CANT and acidification estimated in the deep layers of the western Mediterranean Sea.
Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers

hal-01336725
https://hal-univ-perp.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01336725
DOI : 10.1016/j.dsr.2016.04.003

Éditeur(s) : European Geosciences Union (EGU)
Résumé : Barrier layers are defined as the layer between the pycnocline and the thermocline when the latter are different as a result of salinity stratification. We present a revisited 2-degree resolution global climatology of monthly mean oceanic Barrier Layer (BL) thickness first proposed by de Boyer Montegut et al. (2007). In addition to using an extended data set, we present a modified computation method that addresses the observed porosity of BLs. We name porosity the fact that barrier layers distribution can, in some areas, be very uneven regarding the space and time scales that are considered. This implies an intermittent alteration of air-sea exchanges by the BL. Therefore, it may have important consequences for the climatic impact of BLs. Differences between the two computation methods are small for robust BLs that are formed by large-scale processes. However, the former approach can significantly underestimate the thickness of short and/or localized barrier layers. This is especially the case for barrier layers formed by mesoscale mechanisms (under the intertropical convergence zone for example and along western boundary currents) and equatorward of the sea surface salinity subtropical maxima. Complete characterisation of regional BL dynamics therefore requires a description of the robustness of BL distribution to assess the overall impact of BLs on the process of heat exchange between the ocean interior and the atmosphere.
Ocean Science (1812-0784) (European Geosciences Union (EGU)), 2009-09 , Vol. 5 , N. 3 , P. 379-387

Droits : European Geosciences Union (EGU)
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2009/publication-6915.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2009/sup-6915.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/6915/

Éditeur(s) : Amer Geophysical Union
Résumé : The freshest surface waters in the tropical Pacific are found at its eastern boundary. Using in situ observations, we depict the quasi-permanent presence of a far eastern Pacific fresh pool with Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) lower than 33, which is confined between Panama's west coast and 85W in December and extends westward to 95W in April. Strong SSS fronts are found at the outer edge of this fresh pool. We investigate the seasonal dynamics of the fresh pool using complementary satellite wind, rain, sea level and in situ oceanic current data at the surface, along with hydrographic profiles. The fresh pool appears off Panama due to the strong summer rains associated with the northward migration of the ITCZ over Central America in June. During the second half of the year, the eastward-flowing North Equatorial Counter Current keeps it trapped to the coast and strengthens the SSS front on its western edge. During winter, as the ITCZ moves southward, the north-easterly Panama gap wind creates a south-westward jet-like current in its path with a dipole of Ekman pumping/eddies on its flanks. As a result, upwelling in the Panama Bight brings to the surface cold and salty waters which erode the fresh pool on its eastern side while both the jet current and the enhanced South Equatorial Current stretch the fresh pool westward until it nearly disappears in May. New SMOS satellite SSS data proves able to capture the main seasonal features of the fresh pool and monitor its spatial extent.
Journal Of Geophysical Research-oceans (0148-0227) (Amer Geophysical Union), 2012-04 , Vol. 117 , P. -

Droits : 2012 AGU
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00072/18311/16581.pdf
DOI:10.1029/2011JC007802
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00072/18311/

Éditeur(s) : Amer Geophysical Union
Résumé : At its seasonal peak the Amazon/Orinoco plume covers a region of 10^6 km2 in the western tropical Atlantic with more than 1m of extra freshwater, creating a near-surface barrier layer (BL) that inhibits mixing and warms the sea surface temperature (SST) to >29oC. Here new sea surface salinity (SSS) observations from the Aquarius/SACD and SMOS satellites help elucidate the ocean response to hurricane Katia, which crossed the plume in early fall, 2011. Its passage left a 1.5psu high haline wake covering >10^5 km2 (in its impact on density, the equivalent of a 3.5oC cooling) due to mixing of the shallow BL. Destruction of this BL apparently decreased SST cooling in the plume, and thus preserved higher SST and evaporation than outside. Combined with SST, the new satellite SSS data provide a new and better tool to monitor the plume extent and quantify tropical cyclone upper ocean responses with important implications for forecasting.
Geophysical Research Letters (0094-8276) (Amer Geophysical Union), 2012-10 , Vol. 39 , N. L20603 , P. 1-8

Droits : 2012. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00094/20540/18943.pdf
DOI:10.1029/2012GL053335
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00094/20540/

Éditeur(s) : Amer Geophysical Union
Résumé : An analysis is presented for the spatial and intensity distributions of North Atlantic extreme atmospheric events crossing the buoyant Amazon-Orinoco freshwater plume. The sea surface cooling amplitude in the wake of an ensemble of storm tracks traveling in that region is estimated from satellite products for the period 1998-2012. For the most intense storms, cooling is systematically reduced by approximate to 50% over the plume area compared to surroundings open-ocean waters. Historical salinity and temperature observations from in situ profiles indicate that salt-driven vertical stratification, enhanced oceanic heat content, and barrier-layer presence within the plume waters are likely key oceanic factors to explain these results. Satellite SMOS surface salinity data combined with in situ observations are further used to detail the oceanic response to category 4 hurricane Igor in 2010. Argo and satellite measurements confirm the haline stratification impact on the cooling inhibition as the hurricane crossed the river plume. Over this region, the SSS mapping capability is further tested and demonstrated to monitor the horizontal distribution of the vertical stratification parameter. SMOS SSS data can thus be used to consistently anticipate the cooling inhibition in the wake of TCs traveling over the Amazon-Orinoco plume region.
Journal Of Geophysical Research-oceans (0148-0027) (Amer Geophysical Union), 2014-12 , Vol. 119 , N. 12 , P. 8271-8295

Droits : 2014. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00252/36326/34855.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00252/36326/34856.pdf
DOI:10.1002/2014JC010107
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00252/36326/

Éditeur(s) : Gauthier-Villars
Résumé : In the sedimentary areas surrounding the Florida Keys, Soritidae and Peneroplidae are very well represented. These benthic foraminifera are generally attached to seagrasses or algae and more rarely to carbonate deposits. The colouring of their protoplasm results from the nature of endosymbiotic algae. The principal species represented are: Androsina lucasi (never recorded before in Florida) which lives only in the margino-littoral biotopes where the salinity is highly variable; Archaias angulatus and Amphisorus hemprichii which live in the biotopes of the littoral platform but also in those of the interior margin of the bay where the variations of salinity are weak; Cyclorbiculina compressa and Peneroplis proteus which live for the main part in the littoral biotopes of the oceanic platform where the salinity is normal and quite constant; five other species of secondary importance take the number of taxa observed alive in the Keys area up to ten. Moreover, if the comparison of the biocenoses and thanatocenoses emphasizes their comparative similitude, knowledge of the biocenoses permits a better understanding of their adaptation to present-day environments.
Oceanologica Acta (0399-1784) (Gauthier-Villars), 1991 , Vol. 14 , N. 5 , P. 515-524

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00103/21379/18979.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00103/21379/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
The « METYSS » cruise was carried out in June 2009 onboard the R/V « Téthys II » along the eastern Sardinian and south-eastern Corsican margins, western Tyrrhenian Sea, in order to better constrain the potential links between deformation related to either crustal tectonics or salt tectonics and sediment accumulation, especially during the Messinian and Plio-Quaternary times. We acquired 15 high-resolution seismic reflection profiles (about 1200 km in cumulative length) along the south-eastern Corsican margin, immediately north of the Bonifacio Strait and along the upper and middle parts of the eastern Sardinian margin, from the continental slope to the Cornaglia Terrace. The Tyrrhenian Sea is considered as a Neogene back-arc basin that opened during continental rifting and oceanic spreading related to the eastward migration of the Apennine subduction system from Tortonian to Pliocene times (Jolivet et al., 2006). Rifting of the Tyrrhenian Sea started first along the Eastern Sardinian margin during the Tortonian-Messinian times and therefore the series of that age should be considered as syn-rift sediments (Sartori et al., 2004). The « METYSS » seismic profiles clearly illustrate that this part of the Tyrrhenian was highly segmented during the rifting stage by N-S trending normal faults delineating ridges (e.g., Baronie Ridge) and basins (e.g., Sardinian Basin and Cornaglia Terrace), as previously described for example by Thommeret (1999) and Sartori et al. (2004). The Messinian sedimentary units and especially the « Upper Unit » (UU, Lofi et al., this congress, corresponding to the « Upper Evaporites » in the previous literature) are, without any doubt, of syn-rift age, as they display a fan-shaped stratal geometry. The Mobile Unit (MU, Lofi et al., this congress), i.e. the Messinian halite, is clearly imaged in the study area and its spatial repartition can be outlined. The highly-variable thickness of the confined salt basins could be due to the initial basin geometry (i.e. before the Messinian salinity Crisis) or to the syn-rift character of the deposition. Southeastward of the study area, in the vicinity of the Cornaglia Seamount, salt tectonics appears surprisingly vigorous. More surprisingly, several normal faults seem to have remained active in recent times, if not even at present time. Fault slip has been recorded by bathymetric scarps and associated footwall debris flows interfingered within the Plio-Quaternary sequence, even though the eastern Sardinian margin is usually considered to be passive now. Moreover, some amount of tectonic inversion is visible on some normal faults that show contractional or transpressional components of late slip. In addition, this “post-rift” deformation can be illustrated within the Plio-Quaternary sequence by a regional unconformity. Consequently, numerous mass-transport deposits and channel-levees systems observed in the Plio-Quaternary cover could be partly controlled by tectonic activity. These very preliminary results require further investigations in order to better decipher the role of crustal tectonics and salt tectonics, salt-related structures being very efficient markers to discriminate between the respective contribution of gravity-driven, salt tectonics and deep-seated, crustal tectonics (Gaullier et al., 2010). Finally, we aim to precisely determine the relative vertical movements (tilting, subsidence, magmatism. . . ) and geodynamical history of the different segments of the area since 6 Ma.
Geophysical Research Abstracts
Vienne, Austria

hal-00537828
https://hal-brgm.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00537828
https://hal-brgm.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00537828/document
https://hal-brgm.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00537828/file/EGU2010-15469_ref6821.pdf

Éditeur(s) : Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research
Résumé : The objectives of this study were to observe foraminiferal colonization patterns and behavior in shrimp ponds in New Caledonia during a shrimp-growing (farming) cycle. Weekly collecting at 10 stations in 8 shrimp ponds yielded a total of 170 samples accompanied by environmental data. Seawater pumped from the nearby ocean filled the ponds at the beginning of the growth cycle and its daily renewal maintained salinity at 32-39, and supplied the ponds with influxes of smaller, mostly juvenile, foraminifera. A few days after initial filling, the pioneering species Ammonia tepida and Quinqueloculina seminula appeared, with A. tepida dominant. Their high reproduction rates increased both living and dead assemblage densities during the first 10 weeks. Populations of these two species then stabilized with higher oxygen demand (drop of redox) and consumption of living foraminifera by shrimp. Only a few colonizers subsequently appeared, which was attributed to the isolation of the pond, despite the high rate of water renewal. Only one pond had notably higher species richness, but it could not be distinguished from the others by its physicochemical parameters. The species that appeared in ponds initially barren of foraminifera also survived where there was water seepage between growing cycles, suggesting that the assemblages had already reached equilibrium with the environment. Despite the number of environmental parameters measured, only oxygen and reactive organic matter correlated with the microfauna on a weekly timescale. We assume that other parameters do not significantly affect foraminifera until they reach critical threshold. Consistent with previous studies, A. tepida was the species most tolerant of organic influx, but its relative abundance dropped once the organic matter flocculated and settled, leading to disoxic conditions in the sediment. Conversely, Q. seminula was able to climb through the floc and reach the oxygenated layer, where its relative abundance increased.
Journal of Foraminiferal Research (0096-1191) (Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research), 2009-10 , Vol. 39 , N. 4 , P. 249-266

Droits : 2009 Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2009/publication-6954.pdf
DOI:10.2113/gsjfr.39.4.249
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/6954/

Éditeur(s) : Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd
Résumé : Quantitative analyses on calcareous nannofossil assemblages on high temporal resolution (600-800 years) have been carried out from Core KC01B in the Ionian Sea (Eastern Mediterranean) throughout Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 13-9, between 500 and 300 ka. This is an interval of considerable climate changes, known as the Mid-Brunhes event, which includes MIS 11, considered as a possible analogue for future interglacial conditions. In the Mediterranean core, the interval is characterized by the dominance of Gephyrocapsa spp., as also known from ocean records. Calcareous nannofossil abundance fluctuations have been interpreted in terms of modification of sea surface primary productivity/water stratification and temperature. Specifically, the increase in abundance of Gephyrocapsa caribbeanica and small Gephyrocapsa coupled with decreases of Florisphaera profunda, Syracosphaera spp. and Rhabdosphaera spp. suggests enhanced primary productivity/mixed surface waters during interglacial stages and at the Terminations, which can be interpreted in terms of interaction between climate changes and mesoscale oceanographic circulation. On the other hand, distributions of Calciosolenia spp., Oolithotus spp. and Umbilicosphaera sibogae, which are in phase with delta O-18 curve showing higher abundances at the lighter values of the marine isotope record, are considered as warm-water indicators. Biotic proxies point to peculiar climate dynamics through the MIS 12-11 transition (i.e. Termination V). High productive, cool, low salinity and turbid surface waters characterize the early MIS 11(421-408 ka) and likely reflect enhanced continental humidity/monsoon activity over North Africa and increased runoff into the basin. A late surface water warming with respect to Termination V is established at about 403 ka, during a period of low insolation forcing, almost coeval with the deposition of sapropel S11. A climate optimum, lasting about 15 ky (403-389 ka), is then recorded during a period of low insolation forcing centred at 398 ka. The later part of MIS 11 is characterized by climate deterioration at about 389 ka. Comparison with results from subtropical to polar Atlantic records suggests a remarkable relation between Mediterranean and Atlantic climate regimes.
Quaternary International (1040-6182) (Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd), 2013-03 , Vol. 288 , P. 97-111

Droits : 2011 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00181/29194/27593.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.quaint.2011.12.007
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00181/29194/

Éditeur(s) : Amer Geophysical Union
Résumé : The meridional transport of salt in the Atlantic ocean is an important process for climate, controlling the stability of the meridional overturning circulation. The contribution of transient eddies to this transport is quantified in an eddy resolving North Atlantic model at 1/12 degrees resolution (NATL12), and compared with lower resolution North-Atlantic and global 1/4 degrees models. In NATL12 between 10 degrees N and 40 degrees N, there is a volume loss by evaporation of 0.6 Sverdrups (Sv). The divergence of the eddy flux of salt (normalized by a reference salinity of 34.8) is 0.2 Sv over the region, a significant fraction of the total air-seawater exchange, but it is compensated by an opposite convergent transport of salt by the mean flow, so that the total transport of salt is small. The compensation between eddy and mean salt transport is almost complete in a multicentury long global model experiment, but less effective in NATL12 because the short integration time does not allow the salt content to equilibrate and the model drift is large. Eddies arising from baroclinic instability contribute to the meridional salt transports at the northern and southern boundary of the subtropical gyre, where they appear consistent with a lateral diffusion acting on the mean salinity gradient. However, the eddy transport of salt is the sum of two terms: an advective contribution (arising from the correlations of velocity and isopycnal thicknesses) and a diffusion along isopycnals. Both components have the same amplitude at the southern boundary of the subtropical gyre, while diffusion is dominant at the northern boundary.
Journal Of Geophysical Research-oceans (0148-0227) (Amer Geophysical Union), 2012-05 , Vol. 117 , N. C05010 , P. 19 pp.

Droits : 2012 AGU
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00083/19441/17052.pdf
DOI:10.1029/2012JC007927
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00083/19441/