Éditeur(s) : Yale University
Résumé : Data from a hydrographic section carried out in January-March 1994 offshore from the eastern coast of South America from 50S to 10N, are used to quantify the full-depth exchanges of water between the western boundary currents and the ocean interior. In the upper and intermediate layers, the westward transport associated with the southern branch of the South Equatorial Current was 49 Sv at the time of the cruise. The transports of the central and northern branches in the upper 200 m were 17 Sv and 12 Sv, respectively. After subtraction of the parts that recirculate in the subtropical, subequatorial, and equatorial domains, the fraction of the South Equatorial Current that effectively contributes to the warm water export to the North Atlantic is estimated at 18 Sv. The poleward boundary of the current southern branch is at 31S through the whole thickness of the subtropical gyre, but the latitude of the northern boundary varies from 7 degrees 30'S at the surface to 27S at 1400 m depth. The estimated latitude of its bifurcation into the Brazil Current and North Brazil Undercurrent also varies downward from about 14S at the surface to 28S at a depth of 600 m.In the North Atlantic Deep Water, eastward flows exceeding 10 Sv are observed at 3 degrees -4 degrees of latitude in both hemispheres, at 10S, and at 34S-30S. Between 4S and 17S, a net westward flow with an estimated transport of 19 Sv reinforces the southward deep western boundary current. Cyclonic circulations of Antarctic Bottom Water along the western boundaries of the Argentine and Brazil basins have amplitudes of 15 Sv and 13 Sv, respectively, exceeding those of the interbasin exchanges. The net alongshore transport of this water mass between the hydrographic section and the continental slope reverses to a southward direction from 13S to 27S, probably in relation with an eastward shift of the equatorward near-bottom boundary current at these latitudes.
Journal of Marine Research (0022-2402) (Yale University), 2000-11 , Vol. 58 , N. 6 , P. 1007-1039

Droits : 2000 Yale University
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2000/publication-803.pdf
DOI:10.1357/002224000763485782
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/803/

Éditeur(s) : American Geophysical Union
Résumé : Lagrangian analyses of a global ocean circulation model quantify the salinity changes experienced by the warm limb of the thermohaline circulation during the northward flow to the Atlantic deep convection regions. 6 Sv out of the estimated 10-Sv transfer from 45 degrees S to 47 degrees N flow through regions of prevailing surface evaporation: the southern and northern formation regions of Salinity Maximum Water and the Gulf of Cadiz/Mediterranean Sea domain. The remaining transport gains salinity through mixing with adjacent waters. As much as 6 Sv flow through the low-salinity surface mixed layer at the latitudes of the ITCZ whose effect annihilates that of the southern region of Salinity Maximum Water. Most of the salinity increase corresponds to the transformation of South to North Atlantic Central Water, with strong diapycnal transfers for the water that intersects the high and low salinity regions, and nearly isopycnal modifications for the water that avoids these regions.
Geophysical Research Letters ( GRL ) (0094-8276) (American Geophysical Union), 2006-03 , Vol. 33 , N. 6 , P. NIL_44-NIL_47

Droits : 2006 by the American Geophysical Union
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/publication-1213.pdf
DOI:10.1029/2005GL024938
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/1213/

Éditeur(s) : Gauthier-Villars
Résumé : Relatively little is known of the fauna found on rock substrates in the deep ocean. As a result of the Franco-British deep diving cruise Cyaporc in 1986 using the submersible Cyana we present observations of a highly diverse sponge, cnidarian and echinoderm fauna occurring between 1 800 and 3 000 m on the steep slopes to the west of the Porcupine Bank and Goban Spur. This fauna is dominated. by suspension feeders and appears to show a vertical zonation corresponding to water mass structure. The highest biomass and variety of echinoderms are found between 2 100 and 2 600 m bathed in northward flowing North East Atlantic Deep Water. We present also additional observations of species known from previous sampling programmes but rarely photographed in their natural environment.
Oceanologica Acta (0399-1784) (Gauthier-Villars), 1992 , Vol. 15 , N. 2 , P. 211-226

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00100/21154/18773.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00100/21154/

Éditeur(s) : Amer Geophysical Union
Résumé : In the Atlantic Ocean, the northward export of warm surface water is compensated by a southward flow of cold North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW). The NADW is transported southward along the American continental margin within the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC). Some tracer and float observations have shown that part of the DWBC water flows eastward along the equator. Here we present three meridional velocity sections which give an instantaneous image of the top-to-bottom zonal circulation along the equatorial Atlantic. They reveal the presence of Equatorial Deep Jets (EDJs) between 1 degrees 30'N and 1 degrees 30'S, alternating eastward-westward currents with short vertical scale, surrounded by columns of eastward currents (the Extra Equatorial Jets or EEJs) at 2 degreesN and 2 degreesS. In addition to direct velocity measurements, tracer distributions give indications of water-mass feeding of the EDJs and EEJs by the DWBC.
Geophysical Research Letters (0094-8276) (Amer Geophysical Union), 2001-03 , Vol. 28 , N. 5 , P. 819-822

Droits : 2001 AGU
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/10369/9567.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/10369/

Éditeur(s) : Gauthier-Villars
Résumé : The dissolved Mn distribution on an oceanographic section along 50-degrees-W in the western North Atlantic shows decreasing concentrations in the offshore direction in the surface layer and with depth at the deep water stations. Leachable particulate Mn concentrations are low in the open ocean surface waters and elevated at intermediate depths. Dissolved Al concentrations in the surface layer are higher in the open ocean than on the shelf and the vertical distributions are characterized by surface maxima, a subsurface minimum at almost-equal-to 1 000 m and increasing concentrations in the deep waters. Leachable particulate Al concentrations are elevated on the shelf and in open ocean surface waters compared to the intermediate and deep waters. The Deep Western Boundary Current has high levels of dissolved Al and leachable particulate Mn and Al, and low levels of dissolved Mn. The distribution of dissolved Al is controlled primarily by inputs from atmospheric dust and removal onto biogenic particles. Both fluvial and atmospheric inputs affect dissolved Mn levels with removal occurring primarily by oxidation of Mn2+. The Al distribution is characterized by short residence times in shelf and surface waters and relatively constant distribution coefficients. The Mn distribution is characterized by longer surface water residence times, shorter deep water residence times, and more widely varying distribution coefficients than Al. Removal of Al by a surface adsorption mechanism and Mn by slower oxidation of Mn2+ are consistent with these observations. A model of Mn oxidation kinetics accurately predicts the intermediate depth leachable particulate Mn maximum.
Oceanologica Acta (0399-1784) (Gauthier-Villars), 1992 , Vol. 15 , N. 6 , P. 609-619

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00101/21186/18803.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00101/21186/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : A comprehensive analysis of velocity data from subsurface floats in the northwestern tropical Atlantic at two depth layers is presented: one representing the Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW, pressure range 600-1050dbar), the other the upper North Atlantic Deep Water (uNADW, pressure range 1200-2050dbar). New data from three independent research programs are combined with previously available data to achieve blanket coverage in space for the AAIW layer, while coverage in the uNADW remains more intermittent. Results from the AAIW` mainly confirm previous studies on the mean flow, namely the equatorial zonal and the boundary currents, but clarify details on pathways, mostly by virtue of the spatial data coverage that sets float observations apart from e.g. shipborne or mooring observations. Mean transports in each of five zonal equatorial current bands is found to be between 2.7 and 4.5 Sv. Pathways carrying AAIW northward beyond the North Brazil Undercurrent are clearly visible in the mean velocity field, in particular a northward transport of 3.7Sv across 16 degrees N between the Antilles islands and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. New maps of Lagrangian eddy kinetic energy and integral time scales are presented to quantify mesoscale activity. For the uNADW, mean flow and mesoscale properties are discussed as data availability allows. Trajectories in the uNADW east of the Lesser Antilles reveal interactions between the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) and the basin interior, which can explain recent hydrographic observations of changes in composition of DWBC water along its southward flow. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers (0967-0637) (Elsevier), 2009-10 , Vol. 56 , N. 10 , P. 1615-1632

Droits : 2009 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2009/publication-6815.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.dsr.2009.06.002
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/6815/

Éditeur(s) : Copernicus Gesellschaft Mbh
Résumé : Boundary Exchange (BE - exchange of elements between continental margins and the open ocean) has been emphasized as a key process in the oceanic cycle of neodymium (Nd) (Lacan and Jeandel, 2005a). Here, we use a regional eddy-permitting resolution Ocean General Circulation Model (1/4A degrees) of the North Atlantic basin to simulate the distribution of the Nd isotopic composition, considering BE as the only source. Results show good agreement with the data, confirming previous results obtained using the same parameterization of the source in a coarse resolution global model (Arsouze et al., 2007), and therefore the major control played by the BE processes in the Nd cycle on the regional scale. We quantified the exchange rate of the BE, and found that the time needed for the continental margins to significantly imprint the chemical composition of the surrounding seawater (further referred as characteristic exchange time) is of the order of 0.2 years. However, the timescale of the BE may be subject to large variations as a very short exchange time (a few days) is needed to reproduce the highly negative values of surface waters in the Labrador Sea, whereas a longer one (up to 0.5 years) is required to simulate the radiogenic influence of basaltic margins and distinguish the negative isotopic signatures of North Atlantic Deep Water from the more radiogenic southern origin water masses. This likely represents geographical variations in erosion fluxes and the subsequent particle load onto the continental margins. Although the parameterization of the BE is the same in both configurations of the model, the characteristic exchange time in the eddy-permitting configuration is significantly lower than the previous evaluations using a low resolution configuration (6 months to 10 years), but however in agreement with the available seawater Nd isotope data. This results highlights the importance of the model dynamics in simulating the BE process.
Ocean Science (1812-0784) (Copernicus Gesellschaft Mbh), 2010 , Vol. 6 , N. 3 , P. 789-797

Droits : Author(s) 2010. This work is distributed, EGU
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00013/12412/9201.pdf
DOI:10.5194/os-6-789-2010
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00013/12412/

Éditeur(s) : Gauthier-Villars
Résumé : Pegasus current measurements carried out along a section located off French Guiana are presented; the section was repeated five times from September 1989 to June 1991 during the NOE (region Nord-Ouest equatoriale)/STACS (Sub Tropical Atlantic Climate Studies) cruises on board the NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration) research vessels. The data (vertical and horizontal distributions) show, as suggested by earliest observations, the presence of different currents. At the surface, and in winter, the North Brazil Current (NBC) flows northwestward (positive), is strong (120 cm/s), confined in the first 250 m, coastally trapped (within 250 km) and fed by offshore waters; in summer the NBC strengthens (the velocity increases to 150 cm/s), vertically extends (down to 800 m) and veers offshore; the mean NBC mass flux computed from all the sections available is 34 +/- 9 Sv with absolute maximum and minimum respectively in September 1989 (81 +/- 4 Sv) and February 1990 (13 +/- 1 Sv). Subsurface, a southeastward (negative) undercurrent (herein after named Western Boundary UnderCurrent) is present in winter-spring and located in the layer 250-800 m with similar velocities in February 1990 (- 33 cm/s) and June 1991 (- 29 cm/s) but with largest vertical and horizontal extensions in the latter case; in summer (September 1989 and September 1990) this undercurrent is absent; the mean mTBUC mass flux is - 9 +/- 3 Sv; the maximum is observed in June 1991 (- 19 +/- 2 Sv) and the minimum in February 1990 (- 3 +/- 0.4 Sv) and January 1991 (- 5 +/- I Sv). Deeper, the equatorward Deep Western Boundary Current is trapped against the continental shelf (within 100 km of the shelf break), extends downward from 1 200 to 3 000 m depth with the velocity core centred in the 1 700-2 000 m layer, is maximum (- 50 cm/s) in spring-summer and minimum (- 23 cm/s) in winter; the absolute velocity (- 92 cm/s) has been recorded at 2 000 m depth in September 1989 suggesting a strong variability at this level; the mean equatorward DWBC mass flux is - 30 +/- 14 Sv with absolute maximum and minimum respectively in September 1989 (- 59 +/- 6 Sv) and September 1990 (- 7 +/- 1 Sv). The Integrated Mass, Temperature and Salt Fluxes (IMF, ITF and ISF) with the cumulated errors, computed across the whole section and down to 3 000 m depth for the September 1990, January 1991 and June 1991 cruises, are all positive in September 1990 (respectively 1.9 +/- 19 Sv, 3.1 +/- 30.1 PW and 74 +/- 1 845 Tt/s) but all negative both in January 1991 (- 13.3 +/- 17.0 Sv, - 15.6 +/- 26.5 PW and - 478 +/- 1594 Tt/s) and June 1991 (- 3.8 +/- 10.1 Sv, - 4.0 +/- 16.3 PW, - 130 +/- 989 Tt/s) showing a strong variability between the summer and winter periods. The mean IMF, ITF and ISF values (respectively - 5.1 +/- 46.4 Sv, - 5.2 +/- 73 PW and - 178 +/- 4428 Tt/s) are high and negative, indicating the large influence of the DWBC and the associated North Atlantic Deep Water (upper part) off French Guiana at 5 degrees N.
Oceanologica Acta (0399-1784) (Gauthier-Villars), 1994 , Vol. 17 , N. 2 , P. 143-157

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00098/20881/18495.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00098/20881/

Éditeur(s) : Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd
Résumé : We report the northernmost and deepest known occurrence of deep-water pycnodontine oysters based on two surveys along the French Atlantic continental margin to the La Chapelle continental slope (2006) and the Guilvinec Canyon (2008) The combined use of multibeam bathymetry seismic profiling CTD casts and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) made it possible to describe the physical habitat and to assess the oceanographic control for the recently described species Neopycnodonte zibrowii These oysters have been observed in vivo in depths from 540 to 846 m colonizing overhanging banks or escarpments protruding from steep canyon flanks Especially in the Bay of Biscay such physical habitats may only be observed within canyons where they are created by both long-term turbiditic and contouritic processes Frequent observations of sand ripples on the seabed indicate the presence of a steady but enhanced bottom current of about 40 cm/s The occurrence of oysters also coincides with the Interface between the Eastern North Atlantic Water and the Mediterranean Outflow Water A combination of this water mass mixing internal tide generation and a strong primary surface productivity may generate an enhanced nutrient flux which is funnelled through the canyon When the ideal environmental conditions are met up to 100 individuals per m(2) may be observed These deep-water oysters require a vertical habitat which is often incompatible with the requirements of other sessile organisms and are only sparsely distributed along the continental margins The discovery of these giant oyster banks illustrates the rich biodiversity of deep-sea canyons and their underestimation as true ecosystem hotspots (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved
Deep-sea Research Part I-oceanographic Research Papers (0967-0637) (Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd), 2010-12 , Vol. 57 , N. 12 , P. 1561-1572

Droits : 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00023/13419/14034.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.dsr.2010.09.002
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00023/13419/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley
Résumé : Diversified deep-water corals and associated communities occur in early Pleistocene (early Calabrian; ∼1.7–1.6 Ma) calcareous crusts discovered on the south-western coast of Karpathos Island (eastern Greece). Apart from abundant and conspicuous solitary and colonial corals (12 species), the accompanying fauna comprises mostly bivalves (10 species), serpulid worms (4 species), and bryozoans (40 species). The growth and deposition of the studied organisms occurred in an upper bathyal environment at water depths around 400–600 m. The calculated mean uplift rate after deposition of the crusts indicates that Karpathos was drowned during the earliest Calabrian and experienced severe uplifts by the late Calabrian. A comparison between these communities and those of the Pleistocene to Recent Mediterranean and north-east Atlantic shows that a common stock of taxa exist(ed); among them two azooxanthellate colonial scleractinians (Lophelia pertusa and Madrepora oculata) are predominant.
ISSN: 0267-8179

hal-01622744
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01622744
DOI : 10.1002/jqs.2966

Éditeur(s) : Université Paris 7 – Denis Diderot
Résumé : Sea surface salinity (SSS) influences numerous oceanic phenomena, for instance surface water ventilation, deep water formation and thermohaline circulation. SSS also controls some ocean-atmosphere coupled processes, such as the intensity of freshwater flux and the penetration of heat flux and turbulence. Salinity is more difficult to measure than temperature from in situ surveys, which results in 20 times less data being currently available. Moreover, sea surface temperature (SST) is routinely estimated from satellites, which is not possible yet for SSS. Two space missions will fill this gap soon: SMOS from the European Space Agency and Aquarius/SAC-D from NASA and CONAE. To contribute to the SMOS project, we propose a method for estimating SSS from current satellite observations and for studying the mechanisms governing its variability. We developed a simplified model of the ocean mixed layer, based on the "slab mixed layer" formulation (Frankignoul et Hasselmann, 1977). This 2D horizontal model is implemented over the global ocean, using a near 100 km resolution, and integrated during a climatological year. Air-sea fluxes are taken from the ECMWF meteorological model (ERA40 reanalysis) and the surface currents are provided by altimeter data (SSALTO-DUACS analysis). The mixed layer depth (MLD) is derived from SST observations, using an original inversion technique. The MLD fields obtained from this inversion are well correlated to in situ estimates. This effective depth represents the air-sea fluxes penetration and ensures consistency between fluxes, les currents and SST. We first validate the simulation through examination of the heat balance in north-eastern Atlantic, by comparing to measurements and models from the POMME experiment. Then we study the salinity balance in the global domain, in terms of its geographical distribution and seasonal evolution. Equilibrium between the various processes appears generally more complex than for temperature. Noteworthy, the role of atmospheric flux is less predominant (22%), while geostrophic advection (33%) and diapycnal mixing (22%) contribute more strongly. Our results indicate this model succeeds in reconstructing SSS variability over most of the oceans. Daily SSS variations are also simulated, whereas they are not represented in current observed data at a global scale. Owing to its simplicity and fast computation, the model will be useful to the SMOS mission. It can help for the measurement calibration/validation and provide a first guess estimate to the sophisticated algorithm required for SSS restitution.
La salinité de surface des océans (SSS) influence de nombreux phénomènes océaniques, parmi lesquels la ventilation des eaux de surface, la formation d'eaux profondes et la circulation thermohaline. Elle détermine aussi certains processus couplés océan-atmosphère, notamment l'intensité du flux d'eau douce, la pénétration du flux de chaleur et de la turbulence. La mesure in situ de salinité est plus compliquée que celle de température, si bien qu'on dispose actuellement de 20 fois moins de données pour cette propriété. De plus, la température de surface (SST) est couramment estimée par satellite, ce qui n'est pas encore le cas de la SSS. Deux missions spatiales vont prochainement combler cette lacune : le satellite SMOS de l'Agence Spatiale Européenne et le satellite Aquarius/SAC-D de la NASA et de la CONAE. En préparation du projet SMOS, nous proposons une méthode pour estimer la SSS à partir des observations satellitaires actuelles et étudier les mécanismes de sa variabilité. Nous avons développé un modèle simplifié de couche mélangée océanique, basé sur la formulation "slab mixed layer" (Frankignoul et Hasselmann, 1977). Ce modèle 2D horizontal est implémenté sur l'océan global, avec une résolution proche de 100 km, et intégré au cours d'une année climatologique. Les flux air-mer proviennent du modèle météorologique ECMWF (réanalyse ERA40) et les courants de surface sont issus de l'altimétrie (analyse SSALTO-DUACS). La profondeur de la couche mélangée (MLD) est dérivée des observations de SST, grâce à une technique d'inversion originale. La MLD obtenue par inversion est bien corrélée aux estimations basées sur des données in situ. Cette profondeur effective représente la pénétration des flux air-mer et assure la cohérence entre les flux, les courants et la SST. La simulation est d'abord validée en examinant le bilan de chaleur dans l'Atlantique Nord-Est, par comparaison aux mesures et aux modèles de l'expérience POMME. Puis le bilan de salinité est étudié dans le domaine global, en termes de distribution géographique et d'évolution saisonnière. L'équilibre entre les différents processus est généralement plus complexe que pour la température. Notamment, le rôle du flux atmosphérique est moins prépondérant (22%), tandis que l'advection géostrophique (33%) et le mélange diapycnal (22%) contribuent fortement. Nos résultats montrent que ce modèle parvient à restituer la variabilité de la SSS sur la majeure partie des océans. Le modèle simule aussi les variations journalières de SSS, qui ne sont pas représentées à l'échelle globale dans les observations actuelles. Grâce à sa simplicité et à sa rapidité, le modèle pourra être utile dans le cadre de SMOS. Il pourra aider à la calibration/validation de la mesure et fournir une estimation a priori pour l'algorithme complexe nécessaire à la restitution de la SSS.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/these-2302.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/2302/

Éditeur(s) : Editions de l’institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer
Résumé : Epsilonematids are epifaunal nematodes characterized by an epsilon-shaped body and the presence of ambulatory setae, which are used in their locomotion. Nematodes belonging to this family were recently found in deep sea, especially in cold-water coral and seamount ecosystems. Akanthepsilonema oceanopolis sp. nov. (Nematoda: Epsilonematidae) is described from sediments of the Condor Seamount (North-East Atlantic Ocean) at 206 m water depth. Its main features are a heterogeneous cuticule with large horn-like dorsal spines both in anterior and in posterior regions; the presence of eight subcephalic setae arranged in two rows and the ratio maximum/minimum body diameter larger than two. The taxonomic position of this new species within the genus is discussed and a key to all species from the genus was added.
Les nématodes de la famille des Epsilonematidae se caractérisent par un corps en forme d’epsilon et par la présence de soies ambulatoires servant à la mobilité. Des représentants de cette famille ont récemment été découverts en environnement marin profond, notamment au niveau des récifs de coraux d’eau froide et des monts sous-marins. La nouvelle espèce Akanthepsilonema oceanopolis (Nematoda : Epsilonematidae) est décrite des sédiments du mont sous-marin Condor, situé dans l’Atlantique nord-est, collectés à 206 m de profondeur. Ses principaux caractères sont la présence d’une cuticule hétérogène munie de grandes épines dorsales recourbées, à la fois dans les régions antérieure et postérieure ; la présence de quatre paires de soies subcéphaliques disposées en deux rangées et un ratio diamètre maximal/diamètre minimal du corps supérieur à deux. La position taxinomique de cette espèce au sein du genre Akanthepsilonema est discutée et une clé des espèces connues du genre est donnée.
An aod - les cahiers naturalistes de l’Observatoire marin (2263-5718) (Editions de l’institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer), 2014 , Vol. 3 , N. 1 , P. 1-10

Droits : Editions de l’institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00199/31050/29470.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00199/31050/