ALBERT

Description: The Sr/Ca ratio of coral aragonite is used to reconstruct past sea surface temperature (SST). Twentyone laboratories took part in an interlaboratory study of coral Sr/Ca measurements. Results show interlaboratory bias can be significant, and in the extreme case could result in a range in SST estimates of 7°C. However, most of the data fall within a narrower range and the Porites coral reference material JCp- 1 is now characterized well enough to have a certified Sr/Ca value of 8.838 mmol/mol with an expanded uncertainty of 0.089 mmol/mol following International Association of Geoanalysts (IAG) guidelines. This uncertainty, at the 95% confidence level, equates to 1.5°C for SST estimates using Porites, so is approaching fitness for purpose. The comparable median within laboratory error is 〈0.5°C. This difference in uncertainties illustrates the interlaboratory bias component that should be reduced through the use of reference materials like the JCp-1. There are many potential sources contributing to biases in comparative methods but traces of Sr in Ca standards and uncertainties in reference solution composition can account for half of the combined uncertainty. Consensus values that fulfil the requirements to be certified values were also obtained for Mg/Ca in JCp-1 and for Sr/Ca and Mg/Ca ratios in the JCt-1 giant clam reference material. Reference values with variable fitness for purpose have also been obtained for Li/Ca, B/Ca, Ba/Ca, and U/Ca in both reference materials. In future, studies reporting coral element/Ca data should also report the average value obtained for a reference material such as the JCp-1.

Description: Earth system climate models generally underestimate dissolved oxygen concentrations in the deep eastern equatorial Pacific. This problem is associated with the "nutrient trapping" problem, described by Najjar et al. [1992], and is, at least partially, caused by a deficient representation of the Equatorial Intermediate Current System (EICS). Here we emulate the unresolved EICS in the UVic earth system climate model by locally increasing the zonal isopycnal diffusivity. An anisotropic diffusivity of ∼50,000 m 2 s-1 yields an improved global representation of temperature, salinity and oxygen. In addition, it (1) resolves most of the local "nutrient trapping" and associated oxygen deficit in the eastern equatorial Pacific and (2) reduces spurious zonal temperature gradients on isopycnals without affecting other physical metrics such as meridional overturning or air-sea heat fluxes. Finally, climate projections of low-oxygenated waters and associated denitrification change sign and apparently become more plausible

Description: Drift is a prominent parameter characterizing the Arctic sea ice cover that has a deep impact on the climate system. Hence it is a key issue to both the remote sensing as well as the modeling community, to provide reliable sea ice drift fields. This study focuses on the comparison of sea ice drift results from different sea ice‐ocean coupled models and the validation with observational data in the period 1979–2001. The models all take part in the Arctic Ocean Model Intercomparison Project (AOMIP) and the observations are mainly based on satellite imagery. According to speed distributions, one class of models has a mode at drift speeds around 3 cm s −1 and a short tail toward higher speeds. Another class shows a more even frequency distribution with large probability of drift speeds of 10 to 20 cm s −1 . Observations clearly agree better with the first class of model results. Reasons for these differences are manifold and lie in discrepancies of wind stress forcing as well as sea ice model characteristics and sea ice‐ocean coupling. Moreover, we investigated the drift patterns of anticyclonic and cyclonic wind‐driven regimes. The models are capable of producing realistic drift pattern variability. The winter of 1994/1995 stands out because of its maximum in Fram Strait ice export. Although export estimates of some models agree with observations, the corresponding inner Arctic drift pattern is not reproduced. The reason for this is found in the wind‐forcing as well as in differences in ocean velocities.

Description: A numerical ocean sea-ice model is used to demonstrate that Arctic sea ice retreat affects momentum transfer into the ocean. A thinner and thus weaker ice cover is more easily forced by the wind, which increases the momentum flux. In contrast, increasing open water reduces momentum transfer because the ice surface provides greater drag than the open water surface. We introduce the concept of optimal ice concentration: momentum transfer increases with increasing ice concentration up to a point, beyond which frictional losses by floe interaction damp the transfer. For a common ice internal stress formulation, a concentration of 80–90% yields optimal amplification of momentum flux into the ocean. We study the seasonality and long-term evolution of Arctic Ocean surface stress over the years 1979–2012. Spring and fall feature optimal ice conditions for momentum transfer, but only in fall is the wind forcing at its maximum, yielding a peak basin-mean ocean surface stress of ∼0.08 N/m2. Since 1979, the basin-wide annual mean ocean surface stress has been increasing by 0.004 N/m2/decade, and since 2000 by 0.006 N/m2/decade. In contrast, summertime ocean surface stress has been decreasing at −0.002 N/m2/decade. These trends are linked to the weakening of the ice cover in fall, winter and spring, and to an increase in open water fraction in summer, i.e., changes in momentum transfer rather than changes in wind forcing. In most areas, the number of days per year with optimal ice concentration is decreasing. Key Points Weaker Arctic sea ice causes increased annual mean ocean surface stress (+20%) Increasing open water area in summer yields momentum flux reduction (−7%) An optimal ice concentration of 80–90% amplifies momentum transfer threefold

Description: We present data on the co-registered geochemistry (in situ mass spectrometry) and microbiology (pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA genes; V1, V2, V3 regions) in five fluid samples from Irina II in the Logatchev hydrothermal field. Two samples were collected over 24min from the same spot and further three samples were from spatially distinct locations (20cm, 3m and the overlaying plume). Four low-temperature hydrothermal fluids from the Irina II are composed of the same core bacterial community, namely specific Gammaproteobacteria and Epsilonproteobacteria, which, however, differs in the relative abundance. The microbial composition of the fifth sample (plume) is considerably different. Although a significant correlation between sulfide enrichment and proportions of Sulfurovum (Epsilonproteobacteria) was found, no other significant linkages between abiotic factors, i.e. temperature, hydrogen, methane, sulfide and oxygen, and bacterial lineages were evident. Intriguingly, bacterial community compositions of some time series samples from the same spot were significantly more similar to a sample collected 20cm away than to each other. Although this finding is based on three single samples only, it provides first hints that single hydrothermal fluid samples collected on a small spatial scale may also reflect unrecognized temporal variability. However, further studies are required to support this hypothesis.

Description: Structure and growth of the Izu‐Bonin‐Mariana arc crust: 1. Seismic constraint on crust and mantle structure of the Mariana arc–back‐arc system Narumi Takahashi Institute for Research on Earth Evolution Japan Agency for Marine‐Earth Science and Technology Kanagawa Japan Shuichi Kodaira Institute for Research on Earth Evolution Japan Agency for Marine‐Earth Science and Technology Kanagawa Japan Yoshiyuki Tatsumi Institute for Research on Earth Evolution Japan Agency for Marine‐Earth Science and Technology Kanagawa Japan Yoshiyuki Kaneda Institute for Research on Earth Evolution Japan Agency for Marine‐Earth Science and Technology Kanagawa Japan Kiyoshi Suyehiro Institute for Research on Earth Evolution Japan Agency for Marine‐Earth Science and Technology Kanagawa Japan A high‐resolution seismic velocity model is presented for the crust and upper mantle of the Mariana arc–back‐arc system (MABS) based on active source seismic profiling. The major characteristics are (1) slow mantle velocity of 〈8 km s −1 in the uppermost mantle, especially, and deep reflectors under the Mariana arc (MA) and the West Mariana Ridge (WMR), (2) a deep reflector in the upper mantle beneath the relative thick crust of the Mariana Trough (MT) axis, (3) distribution of lower‐velocity lower crusts (6.7–6.9 km s −1 ) beneath the volcanic front and adjacent to the MT, and (4) high‐velocity lower crust (7.2–7.4 km s −1 ) beneath the boundary regions between the MA and MT, and between the WMR and the Parece Vela Basin (PVB), adding to structural characteristics of crust and upper mantle beneath the MABS. Of the characteristics described above, characteristic 1 suggests that the origins of the slow mantle velocity and the deep reflectors be explained by transfer of the lower crustal residues to the upper mantle across the Moho, considering that the WMR is extinct arc currently. On the other hand, characteristic 2 suggests that the origin of deep reflectors beneath the MT axis might be lower velocity materials due to the diffractive signals with strong amplitudes, characteristic 3 suggests that the lower‐velocity lower crust advanced crustal growth and characteristic 4 suggests that the high‐velocity lower crust beneath arc–back‐arc transition zone is composed of mafic/ultramafic materials created by extensive partial melting of mantle peridotites or last stage of the arc magmatism rather than serpentinized peridotite.

Description: On the Pacific margin off central Costa Rica, an anomalous lens-shaped zone is located between the overriding plate and the subducting oceanic lithosphere approximately 25 km landward of the deformation front. This feature was previously recognized in reflection seismic data when it was termed 'megalens'. Its origin and seismic velocity structure, however, could not unambiguously be derived from earlier studies. Therefore during RV SONNE cruise SO163, seismic wide-angle data were acquired in 2002 using closely spaced ocean bottom hydrophones and seismometers along two parallel strike and two parallel dip lines above the 'megalens', intersecting on the middle slope. The P-wave velocities and structure of the subducting oceanic Cocos Plate and overriding Caribbean Plate were determined by modelling the wide-angle seismic data in combination with the analysis of coincident reflection seismic data and the use of synthetic seismograms. The margin wedge is defined by high seismic velocities (4.3-6.1 km s(-1)) identified within a wedge-shaped body covered by a slope sediment drape. It is divided into two layers with different velocity gradients. The lower margin wedge is clearly constrained by decreasing velocities trenchward and terminates beneath the middle slope at the location of the 'megalens'. Seismic velocities of the 'megalens' are lower (3.8-4.3 km s(-1)) relative to the margin wedge. We propose that the 'megalens' represents hybrid material composed of subducted sediment and eroded fragments from the base of the upper plate. Upward-migrating overpressured fluids weaken the base of the margin wedge through hydrofracturing, thus causing material transfer from the upper plate to the lower plate. Results from amplitude modelling support that the 'megalens' observed off central Costa Rica is bound by a low-velocity zone documenting fluid drainage from the plate boundary to the upper plate.

Description: Lilliput was discovered in 2005 as the southernmost known hydrothermal field along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It is exceptional in that it lacks high-temperature venting probably because of a thickened crust. The absence of thermophilic and hyperthermophilic prokaryotes in emissions supports the argument against the presence of a hot subsurface at Lilliput, as is typically suggested for diffuse emissions from areas of high-temperature venting. The high phylogenetic diversity and novelty of bacteria observed could be because of the low-temperature influence, the distinct location of the hydrothermal field or the Bathymodiolus assemblages covering the sites of discharge. The low-temperature fluids at the Lilliput are characterized by lowered pH and slightly elevated hydrogen (16 nM) and methane (∼2.6 μM) contents compared with ambient seawater. No typical hydrogen and methane oxidizing prokaryotes were detected. The higher diversity of reverse tricarboxylic acid genes and the form II RubisCO genes of the Calvin Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle compared with the form I RubisCO genes of the CBB cycle suggests that the chemoautotrophic community is better adapted to low oxygen concentrations. Thiomicrospira spp. and Epsilonproteobacteria dominated the autotrophic community. Sulfide is the most abundant inorganic energy source (0.5 mM). Diverse bacteria were associated with sulfur cycling, including Gamma-, Delta- and Epsilonproteobacteria, with the latter being the most abundant bacteria according to fluorescence in situ hybridization. With members of various Candidate Divisions constituting for 25% of clone library sequences we suggest that their role in vent ecosystems might be more important than previously assumed and propose potential mechanisms they might be involved in at the Lilliput hydrothermal field.

Description: We analyze an extensive set of global coupled biogeochemical ocean circulation models. The focus is on the equatorial Pacific. In all simulations, which are consistent with observed standing stocks of relevant biogeochemical species at the surface, we find spuriously enhanced (reduced) macronutrient (oxygen) concentrations in the deep eastern equatorial Pacific. This modeling problem, apparently endemic to global coupled biogeochemical ocean circulation models, was coined “nutrient trapping” by Najjar et al. (1992). In contrast to Aumont et al. (1999), we argue that “nutrient trapping” is still a persistent problem, even in eddy-permitting models and, further, that the scale of the problem retards model projections of nitrogen cycling. In line with previous work, our results indicate that a deficient circulation is at the core of the problem rather than an admittedly poor quantitative understanding of biogeochemical cycles. More specifically, we present indications that “nutrient trapping” in models is a result of a spuriously damped Equatorial Intermediate (zonal) Current System and Equatorial Deep Jets—phenomenon which await a comprehensive understanding and have, to date, not been successfully simulated.

Description: Lateral diffusivity is computed from a tracer release experiment in the northeastern tropical Atlantic thermocline. The uncertainties of the estimates are inferred from a synthetic particle release using a high-resolution ocean circulation model. The main method employed to compute zonal and meridional components of lateral diffusivity is the growth of the second moment of a cloud of tracer. The application of an areal comparison method for estimating tracer-based diffusivity in the field experiments is also discussed. The best estimate of meridional eddy diffusivity in the Guinea Upwelling region at about 300 m depth is estimated to be inline image m2 s−1. The zonal component of lateral diffusivity is estimated to be inline image m2 s−1, while areal comparison method yields areal equivalent zonal diffusivity component of inline image m2 s−1. In comparison to Ky, Kx is about twice larger, resulting from the tracer patch stretching by zonal jets. Employed conceptual jet model indicates that zonal jet velocities of about inline image m s−1 are required to explain the enhancement of the zonal eddy diffusivity component. Finally, different sampling strategies are tested on synthetic tracer release experiments. They indicate that the best sampling strategy is a sparse regular sampling grid covering most of the tracer patch.