Spectral variations in the near-infrared ocean reflectance

The optical properties of natural waters beyond the visible range, in the near-infrared (NIR, 700-900 nm), have received little attention because they are often assumed to be mostly determined by the large absorption coefficient of pure water, and because of methodological difficulties. It is now growingly admitted that the NIR represents a potential optical source of unambiguous information about suspended sediments in turbid waters, thence the need for better understanding the NIR optical behaviour of such waters. It has recently been proposed (Ruddick et al., Limnology and Oceanography. 51, 1167-1179, 2006) that the variability in the shape of the surface ocean reflectance spectrum in the NIR is negligible in turbid waters. In the present study, we show, based on both in situ and remote sensing data, that the shape of the ocean reflectance spectrum in the NIR does vary in turbid to extremely turbid waters. Space-borne ocean reflectance data were collected using 3 different sensors (SeaWiFS, MODIS/Aqua and MERIS) over the Amazon, Mackenzie and Rio de la Plata turbid river plumes during extremely clear atmospheric conditions so that reliable removal of gas and aerosol effects on reflectance could be achieved. In situ NIR reflectance data were collected in different European estuaries where extremely turbid waters were found. In both data sets, a flattening of the NIR reflectance spectrum with increasing turbidity was observed. The ratio of reflectances at 765 nm and 865 nm, for instance, varied from ca. 2 down to 1 in our in situ data set, while a constant value of 1.61 had been proposed based on theory in a previous study. Radiative transfer calculations were performed using a range of realistic values for the seawater inherent optical properties, to determine the possible causes of variations in the shape of the NIR reflectance spectrum. Based on these simulations, we found that the most significant one was the gradual increase in the contribution of suspended sediments to the color of surface waters, which often leads to the flattening of the reflectance spectrum. Changes in the scattering and absorption properties of particles also contributed to variations in the shape of the NIR surface ocean reflectance spectrum. The impact of such variations on the interpretation of ocean color data is discussed.     

盐城滨海平原地下水质量现状及健康风险评价

为了查明盐城滨海平原区地下水质量状况,选择具有代表性的267个地下水井,检测了33项化学指标,利用单指标综合评价和影响因素识别相结合的方法研究了本区地下水的质量现状,并同时给出毒理学指标的饮水途径健康风险以供参考。结果表明:一般化学指标对本区地下水质量影响程度最高,原生指标中钠离子、铁、锰、氯化物、溶解性总固体、碘化物,砷化物对超Ⅲ类水单指标贡献率超过20%,污染指标中氨氮贡献率最大,为8%,重金属指标对区域地下水质量影响很小;化学致癌物As、Cd和Cr中,As的健康风险值最大,各含水层所致健康危害风险值数量级在10~(-5)~10~(-3)a~(-1),为研究区首要的环境健康风险管理控制指标;化学非致癌物亚硝酸盐、硝酸盐、氟化物中,氟化物的健康风险最大,其数量级在10~(-8)~10~(-6)a~(-1),深层地下水和浅层地下水样品中超过USEPA(1×10~(-4)a~(-1))最大可接受风险的比例分别为82%和88%;重金属指标汞、锰、铜、锌和铅的健康危害风险值均较小,绝大部分都低于10~(-6)a~(-1),其中锰和铅的健康风险值相对较高。开展地下水质量和毒理指标的健康风险评价,可为本区地下水资源的合理开采利用和保护提供参考。     

Ocean transparency from space: Validation of algorithms estimating Secchi depth using MERIS, MODIS and SeaWiFS data

Ocean transparency, often measured using Secchi disk, is a useful index of water quality or productivity and is used in many environmental studies. The spaceborne ocean color sensors provide synoptic and regular radiometric data and can be used for applying environmental policies if the data is converted into relevant biogeochemical properties. We adapted and developed semi-analytical and empirical algorithms to estimate the Secchi depth from satellite ocean color data in both coastal and oceanic waters. The development of the algorithms is based on the use of a comprehensive in situ bio-optical dataset. The algorithms are validated using an extensive set of coincident satellite estimates and in situ measurements of the Secchi depth (so-called matchups). More than 400 matchups are compiled for the MERIS, MODIS and SeaWiFS sensors. The comparison between Secchi depth retrievals from remote sensing data and in situ measurements yields determination coefficients (R²) between 0.50 and 0.73, depending on the sensor and algorithm. The type II linear regression slopes and intercepts vary between 0.95 and 1.46, and between − 0.8 and 6.2 m, respectively. While semi-analytical algorithms provide the most promising results on in situ data, the empirical one proves to be more robust on remote sensing data because it is less sensitive to error due to erroneous atmospheric corrections. Using ocean color archives, one can derive maps of ocean transparency for different areas. Our climatology of the Secchi depth based on ocean color for the transition zone between the North Sea and Baltic Sea is compared to an historical dataset.     

滩海水深遥感反演模型应用研究

研究船舶准确探测滩海水深的信息问题。由于海水深度不同,散射特征和输入均有信号衰减,影响准确探测定位。传统探测方法利用船载声纳测深方法测量难度大,更新速度慢。为了弥补不足,提出了遥感探测滩海水深的方法,利用遥感的水深探测技术可快速获取大面积的滩海水深信息,根据遥感反演水深的基本原理,采用我国渤海滩海光学数据和实测水深资料,结合半理论半经验模型和统计相关模型,进行水深探测模型仿真,得到平均标准误差为2.7m。实验结果表明了方法的快速有效,可为渤海湾滩浅海水深地形研究提供可靠的依据。     

Estimating phytoplankton biomass in coastal waters of Alaska using airborne remote sensing

Empirical airborne remote-sensing relationships were examined to estimate chlorophyll a concentration in the first optical depth (chl_FOD) of coastal waters of Afgonak/Kodiak Islands during July-August 2002. Band-ratio and spectral-curvature models were tested using satellite remote-sensing reflectance (R_rs(λ)) measurements. Additional shipboard and airborne R_rs(λ) data were also analysed to evaluate consistency of proposed chl_FOD-R_rs(λ) relationships. Validation of chlorophyll algorithms was performed using data collected in the northern-part of the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea during 1996, 2002, and 2003 cruises. Likewise, oceanographic conditions during the surveys were typified to interpret variability of chl_FOD fields. The SeaWiFS band-ratio algorithm OC2d was the most sensitive R_rs combination (R_rs(509)/R_rs(553)) to detect chl_FOD variability. Conversely, OC2a (R_rs(412)/R_rs(553)) had the lowest performance to derive chl_FOD values. No valid statistical regressions were established for spectral-curvature relationships in the blue spectrum (< 500 nm). Fertile waters (> 5 mg m^− 3) were preferentially located over shallow banks (∼50 m) and at the entrance of the bays. The approach used in this study to derive chl_FOD values could be universal for Alaskan coastal waters. However, chl_FOD-R_rs(λ) relationships must be calibrated locally for a given season.     

Dietary ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol mitigates oxidative stress induced by copper in the thornfish Terapon jarbua

The protective effects of vitamins C and E against oxidative stress were evaluated in various tissues of thornfish Terapon jarbua exposed to copper. Preliminary bioassay tests performed with copper and T. jarbua revealed that 4.0, 2.5 and 1.0 mg L(-1) of copper were lethal (LC(100)), medial lethal (LC(50)) and sublethal (LC(0)) respectively. Oxidative stress parameters viz. lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione were evaluated in control and experimental fishes. Lipid peroxidation activity increased in tissues of copper exposed fishes, while the antioxidant system exhibited a reduction in their activity. On the contrary copper stressed fishes fed with vitamins C and E enriched pellet feed showed significant reduction in lipid peroxidation activity and the antioxidant levels increased reaching near normal levels comparable to control values. Bioaccumulation of copper was studied in addition to oxidative stress. Substantial copper residue was detected in the tissues of T. jarbua exposed to copper and the level of copper in tissues reduced when the fishes were treated with vitamins ensuring copper depuration and thereby protecting them against stress. We concluded that vitamin supplementation offered significant reduction of the oxidative stress mediated by copper and we discuss the possible application of vitamins in costal aquaculture process.     

Methodologies for abstraction from coastal aquifers for supplying desalination plants in the south-east of Spain

Supplying seawater to desalination plants using boreholes or drains can be less expensive than direct water intakes, since the silt density index (SDI) tends to be much lower. This approach is dependent on the presence of coastal aquifers with good hydraulic connection to the sea. Moreover, conventional boreholes are not suitable for pumping water on a long-term basis, since seawater is very aggressive. Hence, this type of abstraction requires the application of special technologies, from borehole location to borehole lining and special operations. These include the selection of the most appropriate drilling method, which depends on the lithology to be penetrated and its structure. This study focuses on Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), which encompasses very advanced technology. Various examples of work done in south-eastern Spain are described, along with the keys to their success.     

Invasive cattail reduces fish diversity and abundance in the emergent marsh of a Great Lakes coastal wetland

Great Lakes coastal wetlands (GLCWs) provide critical fish habitat. The invasion of GLCWs by hybrid and narrow-leaved cattail, Typha × glauca and Typha angustifolia (hereafter Typha), homogenizes wetlands by out-competing native plant species and producing copious litter. However, the effect of this invasion on fish communities is little known. To measure the effect of Typha on fishes, we established plots in Typha invaded and native wetland emergent zones in a northern Lake Michigan coastal wetland, and measured environmental variables, plants, and fishes in each zone over two summers. Dissolved oxygen and water temperature were significantly lower in invaded compared to native plots. Invaded plots were dominated by Typha and its litter; whereas. sedges (Carex spp.) were the most abundant species in native plots. Fish abundance and species richness were significantly lower in Typha compared to native wetland plots. The Typha fish community was dominated by hypoxia tolerant mudminnow whereas other small, schooling, fusiform species such as cyprinids and fundulids were absent. These results illustrate the negative impact of a dominant invasive plant on Great Lakes fishes that is expected to be found in Typha invasions in other GLCWs.     

The Impact of Changes in Water Level and Human Development on Forage Fish Assemblages in Great Lakes Coastal Marshes

Changes in water levels and development of shorelines are expected to negatively affect coastal marshes. The small-bodied fish assemblage was sampled in the inner marsh vegetation zone in five Les Cheneaux bays with differing levels of development. Observations were made from 1996 to 2004 during which time summer water levels varied from 177.2 m to 176.0 m (chart datum = 176.0 m). Each marsh was sampled for 10 consecutive days in July and August using gangs of five baited commercial minnow traps. Assemblage composition was assayed by species richness, the number of native minnow species, the percentage of selected tolerant fishes (bowfin, Amia calva, mudminnow, Umbra limi, common carp, Cyprinus carpio, and brown bullhead, Ameiurus nebulosus), and catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE). There were no consistent relationships between fish assemblage measures and year, water level, annual change in water level, exposure, and water temperature. Fish assemblage measures except CPUE were impacted by the density of building along the shoreline, a measure of development. Impervious surface area was < 4.5% and was not consistently related to fish assemblage measures.     

Two-Dimensional SPH Simulations of Landslide-Generated Water Waves

Water waves generated by landslides have been of interest to ocean and coastal engineers, as well as to dam engineers. The present study uses a meshless and pure Lagrangian method known as smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) to simulate nonlinear water waves due to landslides, with the aim of an accurate numerical prediction of the generation and propagation of such water waves. Validation is carried out by comparison between the computed prediction and experimental data of water waves generated by a two-dimensional triangular rigid body sliding into water. The calculated results show that the simulated water waves agree well with those observed in the experiment confirming the effectiveness and the accuracy of the proposed scheme.