The possible influence of curvature and rotation on ocean currents

Recent laboratory investigations have shown that rotation and (streamwise) curvature can have spectacular effects on momentum transport in turbulent shear flows. A simple model that takes account of these effects (based on an analogy with buoyant flows) utilises counterparts of the Richardson number Rg and the Monin-Oboukhov length. Estimates of Rg for meanders in ocean currents like the Gulf Stream show it to be of order 1 or more, while laboratory investigations reveal strong effects even at |Rg|∼0·1. These considerations lead to the conclusion that at a cyclonic bend in the Gulf Stream, a highly unstable flow in the outer half of the jet rides over a highly stable flow in the inner half. It is conjectured that the discrepancies noticed between observation and the various theories of Gulf Stream meanders, and such phenomena as the observed detachment of eddies from the Gulf Stream, may be due to the effects of curvature and rotation on turbulent transport.

Data assimilation using ensemble transform Kalman filter (ETKF) in ROMS model for Indian Ocean

Study of Oceans dynamics and forecast is crucial as it influences the regional climate and other marine activities. Forecasting oceanographic states like sea surface currents, Sea surface temperature (SST) and mixed layer depth at different time scales is extremely important for these activities. These forecasts are generated by various ocean general circulation models (OGCM). One such model is the Regional Ocean Modelling System (ROMS). Though ROMS can simulate several features of ocean, it cannot reproduce the thermocline of the ocean properly. Solution to this problem is to incorporates data assimilation (DA) in the model. DA system using Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter (ETKF) has been developed for ROMS model to improve the accuracy of the model forecast. To assimilate data temperature and salinity from ARGO data has been used as observation. Assimilated temperature and salinity without localization shows oscillations compared to the model run without assimilation for India Ocean. Same was also found for u and v-velocity fields. With localization we found that the state variables are diverging within the localization scale.

Stable isotopic signature of Southern Ocean deep water CO2 ventilation

The link between atmospheric CO2 level and ventilation state of the deep ocean is poorly understood due to the lack of coherent observations on the partitioning of carbon between atmosphere and ocean. In this Southern Ocean study, we have classified the Southern Ocean into different zones based on its hydrological features and have binned the variability in latitudinal air-CO2 concentration and its isotopic ratios. Together with air-CO2, we analysed the surface water for the isotopic ratios in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). Using the binary mixing approach on the isotopic ratio of atmospheric CO2 and its concentration, we identified the delta C-13 value of source CO2. The isotopic composition of source CO2 was around -9.22 +/- 0.26 parts per thousand for the year 2011 and 2012, while a composition of -13.49 +/- 4.07 parts per thousand was registered for the year 2013. We used the delta C-13 of DIC to predict the CO2 composition in air under equilibrium and compared our estimates with actual observations. We suggest that the degeneration of the DIC in presence of warm water in the region was the factor responsible for adding the CO2 to the atmosphere above. The place of observation coincides with the zone of high wind speed which promotes the process of CO2 exsolution from sea water. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pt metal-CeO2 interaction: Direct observation of redox coupling between Pt-0/Pt2+/Pt4+ and Ce4+/Ce3+ states in Ce0.98Pt0.02O2-delta catalyst by a combined electrochemical and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study

Pt ions-CeO2 interaction in Ce1-xPtxO2-delta (x=0.02) has been studied for the first time by electrochemical method combined with x-ray diffraction and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Working electrodes made of CeO2 and Ce0.98Pt0.02O2-delta mixed with 30% carbon are treated electrochemically between 0.0-1.2 V in potentiostatic (chronoamperometry) and potentiodynamic (cyclic voltametry) mode with reference to saturated calomel electrode. Reversible oxidation of Pt-0 to Pt2+ and Pt4+ state due to the applied positive potential is coupled to simultaneous reversible reduction of Ce4+ to Ce3+ state. CeO2 reduces to CeO2-y (y=0.35) after applying 1.2 V, which is not reversible; Ce0.98Pt0.02O2-delta reaches a steady state with Pt2+:Pt4+ in the ratio of 0.60:0.40 and Ce4+:Ce3+ in the ratio of 0.55:0.45 giving a composition Ce0.98Pt0.02O1.74 at 1.2 V, which is reversible. Composition of Pt ion substituted compound is reversible between Ce0.98Pt0.02O1.95 to Ce0.98Pt0.02O1.74 within the potential range of 0.0-1.2 V. Thus, Ce0.98Pt0.02O2-delta forms a stable electrode for oxidation of H2O to O-2 unlike CeO2. A linear relation between oxidation of Pt2+ to Pt4+ with simultaneous reduction in Ce4+ to Ce3+ is observed demonstrating Pt-CeO2 metal support interaction is due to reversible Pt-0/Pt2+/Pt4+ interaction with Ce4+/Ce3+ redox couple.

The first observation of a Na2TiS2 related structure in a 2-D anionic manganese trimesate intercalated by cationic imidazole

A hydrothermal reaction of Mn(OAc)2·4H2O, trimesic acid, imidazole, KOH and water at 75 °C for 24 h gave rise to a 2-D compound, [HImd][Mn(BTC)(H2O)] (Imd = imidazole; BTC = trimesate), with protonated imidazole molecules occupying the inter-lamellar space, and the structure resembles the classic inorganic compound, the sodium intercalated TiS2 (Na2TiS2).

Ocean atmosphere coupling over monsoon regions

In monsoon regions, the seasonal migration of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is manifested as a seasonal reversal of winds. Most of the summer monsoon rainfall over India occurs owing to synoptic and large-scale convection associated with the continental ITCZ (Fig. 1). We have investigated the interaction between these large-scale convective systems and the ocean over which they are generated1â3, concentrating on the relationship between organized convection over the Indian Ocean and sea surface temperature (SST). We report here that on a monthly basis the degree of cloudiness correlates well with SST for the relatively colder oceans, but when SST is maintained above 28 °C it ceases to be an important factor in determining the variability of cloudiness. Over the major regions of convection east of 70°E, which are warm year after year, the observed cloudiness cannot be correlated with variations in SST.

EPR observation of phase transitions in calcium cadmium acetate hexahydrate: Using Mn2+ and Cu2+ ions as probe

Results of temperature dependence of EPR spectra of Mn2+ and Cu2+ ions doped calcium cadmium acetate hexahydrate (CaCd(CH3COO)4•6H2O) have been reported. The investigation has been carried out in the temperature range between room temperature ( 300 K) and liquid nitrogen temperature. A I-order phase transition at 146 ± 0.5 K has been confirmed. In addition a new II-order phase transition at 128 ± 1 K has been detected for the first time. There is evidence of large amplitude hindered rotations of CH3 groups which become frozen at 128 K. The incorporation of Cu2+ and Mn2+ probes at Ca2+ and Cd2+ sites respectively provide evidence that the phase transitions are caused by the molecular rearrangements of the common coordinating acetate groups between Ca2+ and Cd2+ sites. In contradiction to the previous reports of a change of symmetry from tetragonal to orthorhombic below 140 K, the symmetry of the host is concluded to remain tetragonal in all the three observed phases between room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature.

New species of Ptychozoon (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the Nicobar Archipelago, Indian Ocean

A new species of Ptychozoon is described from the central portion of the Nicobar Archipelago, Bay of Bengal, India. It has been formerly referred to P. kuhli, a species widely distributed in Sundaland. Ptychozoon nicobarensis sp. nov. reaches an SVL of 100.3 mm, and is diagnosable from congeneric species in showing the following combination of characters: dorsum with a tan vertebral stripe, lacking dark transverse bars; supranasals in contact; cutaneous expansions on sides of head; absence of predigital notch in preantebrachial cutaneous expansion; imbricate parachute support scales; four irregular rows of low, rounded enlarged scales on dorsum; 20-29 scales across widest portion of tail terminus; three indistinct chevrons on dorsum; 7-11 pairs of preanal pores; femoral pores absent; tail with an expanded terminal flap and weak lobe fusion at proximal border of tail terminus. The curious distribution of the new species, centred around the central Nicobars is speculated to be the result of competition with and/or predation by large gekkonid species, to the north (Gekko verreauxi) and south (G. smithii) of the group of islands occupied by the new Ptychozoon from the central Nicobars.

Normal-mode sound propagation in an ocean with sinusoidal surface waves

The normal-mode solution to the problem of acoustic wave propagation in an isovelocity ocean with a wavy surface is considered. The surface wave amplitude is assumed to be small compared to the acoustic wavelength, and the method of multiple scales is employed to study the interaction between normal-mode acoustic waves and the surface waves. A nonresonant interaction causes small fluctuations of the amplitude and phase of the acoustic wave at a rate dependent on the frequency of the surface wave. Backscatter occurs if the wavenumber of the surface wave is larger than that of the acoustic wave. The interaction becomes resonant if appropriate phase-matching conditions are satisfied. In this case, two acoustic normal modes get coupled, resulting in a large-scale periodic exchange of energy from one mode to another.

Indian Ocean sea surface salinity variations in a coupled model

The variability of the sea surface salinity (SSS) in the Indian Ocean is studied using a 100-year control simulation of the Community Climate System Model (CCSM 2.0). The monsoon-driven seasonal SSS pattern in the Indian Ocean, marked by low salinity in the east and high salinity in the west, is captured by the model. The model overestimates runoff int the Bay of Bengal due to higher rainfall over the Himalayan-Tibetan regions which drain into the Bay of Bengal through Ganga-Brahmaputra rivers. The outflow of low-salinity water from the Bay of Bengal is to strong in the model. Consequently, the model Indian Ocean SSS is about 1 less than that seen in the climatology. The seasonal Indian Ocean salt balance obtained from the model is consistent with the analysis from climatological data sets. During summer, the large freshwater input into the Bay of Bengal and its redistribution decide the spatial pattern of salinity tendency. During winter, horizontal advection is the dominant contributor to the tendency term. The interannual variability of the SSS in the Indian Ocean is about five times larger than that in coupled model simulations of the North Atlantic Ocean. Regions of large interannual standard deviations are located near river mouths in the Bay of Bengal and in the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean. Both freshwater input into the ocean and advection of this anomalous flux are responsible for the generation of these anomalies. The model simulates 20 significant Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events and during IOD years large salinity anomalies appear in the equatorial Indian Ocean. The anomalies exist as two zonal bands: negative salinity anomalies to the north of the equator and positive to the south. The SSS anomalies for the years in which IOD is not present and for ENSO years are much weaker than during IOD years. Significant interannual SSS anomalies appear in the Indian Ocean only during IOD years.

Interaction of manganese(II) with valinomycin: Observation of mixed complexes

The interaction of antibiotic valinomycin with manganese (II) has been studied using circular dichroism, electron spin resonance and infrared techniques. Results show that Mn(II) forms complexes with valinomycin in both 2:1 (valinomycin-ion-valinomycin sandwich) and 1:1 (equimolar) stoichiometries. The 1:1 type observed here is very different from the well known K+-valinomycin bracelet conformation.

1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance studies on X-537A (lasalocid-A)-calcium complexes: observation of a sandwich complex

Studies on the conformational and binding characteristics of the ionophoric antibiotic X-537A (lasalocid-A)�calcium ion complexes have been carried out in deuteriated acetonitrile (CD3 CN) using proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H and 13C n.m.r.) spectroscopy. Detailed analysis of the salt-induced chemical shifts at various X-537A to calcium concentration ratios indicated that X-537A forms charged complexes with calcium with 2 : 1 and 1 : 1 stoicheiometries. The conformational model for the complex based on the n.m.r. data showed that the calcium ion is preferentially bound to one end of the molecule, which is binding to three oxygen atoms, the other end (the salicylic acid part) being relatively free. In the 2 : 1 (sandwich) complex, the calcium ion is sandwiched between two X-537A molecules with three oxygen atoms binding to it from each molecule.

Observation of kink shear bands in an aluminium single crystal fracture specimen

The near-tip deformation field in a high-constraint three-point bend specimen of pure aluminium single crystal is studied using in situ electron back-scattered diffraction and optical metallography. The orientation considered has the notch lying on the (0 1 0) plane and the notch front along direction. Results clearly show the occurrence of a kink shear sector boundary at 90° to the notch line on the specimen free surface as predicted by the analytical model of Rice [J.R. Rice, Mech. Mater. 6 (1987) 317].

Modification of chemical reactivity by cyclodextrins. Observation of moderate effects on Norrish type I and type II photobehavior

The photochemistry and photophysics of organic molecules in organized assemblies are being studied with great interest in order to understand the features controlling the selectivity in the photoreactions brought about by these media.l These studies have paved the way to an intriguing number of possibilities by which photoreactivity can be modified. In this connection, we have investigated the photobehavior of a number of phenyl alkyl ketones and cu,cu-dimethylphenyl alkyl ketones (Scheme I) incorporated in the hydrophobic interior of cyclodextrin cavities.

Observation of reentrant spin glass behavior in LaCo0.5Ni0.5O3

The magnetic and transport properties of LaCo0.5Ni0.5O3 have been studied. The dc magnetization and the ac susceptibility studies suggest the presence of a magnetic-phase transition from a ferromagnetic (FM) to a spin glass phase at a low temperature. This type of reentrant spin-glass (RSG) behavior attached to a long-range ordered ferromagnet is observed in this system. A magnetoresistance of ~10% is observed at 5 K which is unsaturated up to 11 Tesla suggests the presence of antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions. It is likely that the competition between such AFM interactions with FM interactions yield an RSG phase.