Zooplankton assemblages were examined from waters off the west coast of Scotland encompassing the Firths of Lorn and Clyde, the North Channel, and the Malin Shelf. Size fractionated samples (coarse, >1000μm; medium, 1000μm-330μm; fine, 330μm-180μm) were collected with a submersible pump from 10m and 30m depth in March (1987) and May (1986) providing a composite picture of the fauna in early and late spring conditions, respectively. The feasibility of using image analysis as a method for processing zooplankton samples was examined. Although a programme was successfully operated to obtain individual measurement data, much work is still required before a fully automated programme for routine use by planktologists is available. Total zooplankton numbers and biomass, and species distributions and relative abundances were examined. Species assemblages were identified using multivariate analyses. Biomass and abundance spectra by size were examined for the major station groupings. In general, meroplankton dominated the fauna in the Firth of Lorn while large numbers of Calanus spp. occurred in the Firth of Clyde. Small copepods such as Oithona spp. were characteristic of the assemblage on the Malin Shelf. Salinity, followed by temperature, showed the strongest association with the observed station clusters. Chlorophyll a and depth did not generally appear to influence station groupings. The potential for the mixing and exchange of zooplankton between the regions of the study area was evaluated. The results suggest that zooplankton may be entrained from the Firth of Clyde by the Scottish Coastal Current during the spring period. The Malin Shelf may also be an important source of zooplankton for the Firth of Lorn during winter months when an onshore flow of Atlantic water occurs.

L’objectif de ce travail était d’étudier la variabilité de la circulation océanique méridienne aux échelles de temps pluri décennales dans l’océan Atlantique nord au cours des deux mille dernières années, ainsi que son lien avec la variation de l’extension des gyres subtropicales et subpolaires. J’ai donc étudié, à partir de carottes de sédiments marins à fort taux de sédimentation, l’évolution de la température des eaux de surface et de la stratification de la colonne d’eau en lien avec le fonctionnement des gyres subpolaire et subtropicale.Compte tenu des difficultés spécifiques à la période de temps considérée, la première partie de mon travail a consisté à contraindre le milieu et la période de calcification des principaux foraminifères utilisés, à partir de la composition isotopique de l’oxygène analysée dans la coquille des foraminifères planctoniques. J’ai également précisé la calibration en Magnésium et en Calcium en fonction de la température. La deuxième partie de mon travail a consisté à reconstruire les conditions hydrologiques dans des zones clés de l’océan Atlantique Nord sur les deux mille dernières années. J’ai ainsi construit un index de la gyre subpolaire à partir d’un gradient de température Est-Ouest, qui traduit l’intensité dynamique de la gyre subpolaire et de la gyre subtropicale. L’apport de l’analyse des foraminifères planctoniques profonds a permis de reconstituer les variations de la colonne d’eau supérieure. La stratification plus ou moins marquée de la colonne d’eau est reliée directement à l’intensité des vents d’Ouest. Les similitudes entre les vents et l’index de gyre m’ont amené à proposer un couplage entre l’océan et l’atmosphère aux échelles de temps pluri décennales.La dernière partie de ma thèse s’est focalisée sur les conséquences des variations de la dynamique des gyres océaniques sur le transport de chaleur vers les hautes latitudes ainsi que sur l’impact des variations des vents d’Ouest sur le climat européen. / The purpose of this thesis was to study the surface oceanic circulation in the North Atlantic Ocean during the last 2,000 years, and its link with the intensity of the subpolar and the subtropical gyres. To fulfill these objectives, I studied sediment cores with a high sedimentation rate to reconstruct the multidecadal variability of the temperature and the water column stratification, controlled by the dynamic of oceanic gyres. To improve the marine paleoclimatic signal recorded from planktonic foraminifera, I constrained their growing season and their calcification depth by analyzing the oxygen isotopic composition of their calcitic shells. I also established calibrations between Mg/Ca ratio and temperature for the main species used.I applied these calibrations to reconstruct the hydrological conditions in key areas of the North Atlantic Ocean. I constructed an index of the subpolar gyre that traduces the dynamic intensity of the subpolar gyre and the subtropical gyre. I also studied the variability of the upper water column based on the analysis of deep-dwelling foraminifera. I interpret past changes in the water column stratification as resulting from changes in the intensity of Westerly winds. The similarities between the wind forcing evolution and the index of the subpolar gyre dynamics led me to propose a coupling between the ocean and the atmosphere on the multidecadal time scale. The consequences of the gyres dynamic on heat transport and the impacts of the change in westerly wind strength on European climate are studied in the last part of the manuscript.

Currents and sea level fluctuations in the Avalon Channel, driven over a broad range of time scales by buoyancy forces, atmospheric pressure, and wind stress, are described and compared with dynamical theory. / Seasonal fluctuations in adjusted coastal sea level at St. John's are shown to be consistent with steric height and bottom pressure variations 3 km offshore in a depth of 180 m. / Low frequency fluctuations (periods of 7-50 d) in observed Avalon Channel currents and water properties suggest the presence of a baroclinically-unstable, buoyancy-driven coastal current. A kinematic analysis of the current fluctuations reveals an eddy structure resembling that predicted for baroclinically-unstable waves on a longshore current with the density stratification and vertical shear observed in the fall. / Cross-spectral analysis of St. John's sea level and meteorological records, and Avalon Channel steric height estimates, shows that sea level responds isostatically to atmospheric pressure forcing at periods longer than 2 days, and to seasonal changes in steric height. Adjusted sea level responds 180 degrees out-of-phase to forcing by longshore wind stress at periods longer than 2 days. Longshore current responds in-phase to longshore wind stress forcing, with surface intensification of the response close to shore. / Frequency response functions are derived from the shallow water equations of motion for the response of sea level and current to atmospheric pressure and wind stress forcing in homogeneous and two-layer, uniform-depth coastal ocean models, and in a homogeneous, step-shelf model. Linear bottom friction is assumed in the homogeneous ocean models. The phases of the observed sea level and current responses to wind stress suggest that the response is due to the existence of continental shelf waves originating at the northern edge of the Grand Banks, about 150 km away from the study site. The near-shore surface intensification of the current and sea level responses are consistent with the predictions of the two-layer uniform-depth model.

Thesis: Ph. D., Joint Program in Physical Oceanography (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences; and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2017. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 163-174). / The Gulf Stream and Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) shape the distribution of heat and carbon in the North Atlantic, with consequences for global climate. This thesis employs a combination of theory, observations and models to probe the dynamics of these two western boundary currents. First, to diagnose the dynamical balance of the Gulf Stream, a depth-averaged vorticity budget framework is developed. This framework is applied to observations and a state estimate in the subtropical North Atlantic. Budget terms indicate a primary balance of vorticity between wind stress forcing and dissipation, and that the Gulf Stream has a significant inertial component. The next chapter weighs in on an ongoing debate over how the deep ocean is filled with water from high latitude sources. Measurements of the DWBC at Line W, on the continental slope southeast of New England, reveal water mass changes that are consistent with changes in the Labrador Sea, one of the sources of deep water thousands of kilometers upstream. Coherent patterns of change are also found along the path of the DWBC. These changes are consistent with an advective-diffusive model, which is used to quantify transit time distributions between the Labrador Sea and Line W. Advection and stirring are both found to play leading order roles in the propagation of water mass anomalies in the DWBC. The final study brings the two currents together in a quasi-geostrophic process model, focusing on the interaction between the Gulf Stream's northern recirculation gyre and the continental slope along which the DWBC travels. We demonstrate that the continental slope restricts the extent of the recirculation gyre and alters its forcing mechanisms. The recirculation gyre can also merge with the DWBC at depth, and its adjustment is associated with eddy fluxes that stir the DWBC with the interior. This thesis provides a quantitative description of the structure of the overturning circulation in the western North Atlantic, which is an important step towards understanding its role in the climate system. / by Isabela Astiz Le Bras. / Ph. D.

No description available.

This study aimed at complementing studies of sperm whale social and vocal behaviour that were restricted to the Pacific Ocean. The characteristic multi-pulsed structure of sperm whale clicks allows for estimation of whales' size from measurements of the inter-pulse intervals (IPI). I have developed two new automatic methods for IPI estimation from clicks recorded during foraging dives. When compared to other previously developed methods, the newly developed method that averages several clicks' autocorrelation function showed the best performance amongst the automatic methods. Previous studies did not support individual identity advertisement among social unit members as the function for the sperm whale communication signals called codas. I tested within coda type variation for individual specific patterns and found that, while some coda types do not allow for individual discrimination, one did so. This variation suggests that different coda types may have distinct functions. Analysis of social structure in the Azores found that, similar to the Eastern Tropical Pacific, sperm whales form long term social units of about 12 individuals. Unlike the Pacific Ocean, Azorean social units do not form temporary groups with other units, suggesting differences in the costs and benefits of group formation. I argue that these are due to differences in terms of predation pressure and intraspecific competition between the Azores and the Pacific study sites. The variation of coda repertoires in the Atlantic also showed a pattern dissimilar to that previously documented in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. In the North Atlantic, coda repertoire variation is mostly geographic, which is parsimoniously explained by random drift of culturally transmitted coda repertoires. No sympatric vocal clans with distinct dialects were found as has been noted in the Pacific. Drawing upon the differences found in social structure I argue that selection for maximization of differences between units with similar foraging strategies may have led to the Pacific vocal clans. The differences between oceans suggest that sperm whales may adaptively adjust their behaviour according to experienced ecological conditions.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 77-86). / Microfiche. / ix, 86 leaves, bound ill. (some col.) 29 cm

No description available.

This thesis presents a new template for multidisciplinary habitat mapping that combines the analyses of seafloor geomorphology, oceanographic proxies and modelling of associated biologic features. High resolution swath bathymetry of the Faial and western Pico shelves is used to present the first state-of-the-art geomorphologic assessment of submerged island shelves in the Azores. Solid seafloor structures are described in previously unreported detail together with associated volcanic, tectonic and erosion processes. The large sedimentary expanses identified in the area are also investigated and the large bedforms identified are discussed in view of new data on the local hydrodynamic conditions. Coarse-sediment zones of types hitherto unreported for volcanic island shelves are described using swath data and in situ imagery together with sub-bottom profiles and grainsize information. The hydrodynamic and geological processes producing these features are discussed. New oceanographic information extracted from satellite imagery is presented including yearly and seasonal sea surface temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration fields. These are used as proxies to understand the spatio-temporal variability of water temperature and primary productivity in the immediate island vicinity. The patterns observed are discussed, including onshore-offshore gradients and the prevalence of colder/more productive waters in the Faial-Pico passage and shelf areas in general. Furthermore, oceanographic proxies for swell exposure and tidal currents are derived from GIS analyses and shallow-water hydrographic modelling. Finally, environmental variables that potentially regulate the distribution of benthic organisms (seafloor nature, depth, slope, sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a concentration, swell exposure and maximum tidal currents) are brought together and used to develop innovative statistical models of the distribution of six macroalgae taxa dominant in the infralittoral (articulated Corallinaceae, Codium elisabethae, Dictyota spp., Halopteris filicina, Padina pavonica and Zonaria tournefortii). Predictive distributions of these macroalgae are spatialized around Faial island using ordered logistic regression equations and raster fields of the explanatory variables found to be statistically significant. This new approach represents a potentially highly significant step forward in modelling benthic communities not only in the Azores but also in other oceanic island shelves where the management of benthic species and biotopes is critical to preserve ecosystem health.