• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.55-68
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• 2011

The distribution and inter-annual variation of nutrients (N, P, Si) and dissolved/particulate organic carbon were investigated in the equatorial thermocline ridge ($7^{\circ}{\sim}11.5^{\circ}N$, $131.5^{\circ}W$) of the northeast Pacific. From the Oceanic Nino Index and Multivariate ENSO Index provided by NOAA, normal condition was observed in July 2003 and August 2005 on the aspect of global climate/ocean change. However, La Ni$\~{n}$a and El Ni$\~{n}$o episodes occurred in July 2007 and August 2009, respectively. Thermocline ridge in the study area was located at $9^{\circ}N$ in July 2003, $8^{\circ}N$ in August 2005, $10^{\circ}N$ in July 2007, and $10.5^{\circ}N$ in August 2009 under the influence of global climate/ocean change and surface current system (North Equatorial Counter Current and North Equatorial Current) of the northeast Pacific. Maximum depth integrated values (DIV) of nutrients in the upper layer (0~100 m depth range) were shown in July 2007 (mean 21.12 gN/$m^2$, 4.27 gP/$m^2$, 33.72 gSi/$m^2$) and higher variability of DIV in the equatorial thermocline ridge was observed at $10^{\circ}N$ during the study periods. Also, maximum concentration of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the upper 50 m depth layer was observed in July 2007 (mean $107.48{\pm}14.58\;{\mu}M$), and particulate organic carbon (POC, mean $9.42{\pm}3.02\;{\mu}M$) was similar to that of DOC. Nutrient concentration in the surface layer increased with effect of upwelling phenomenon in the equatorial thermocline ridge and La Ni$\~{n}$a episode, which had formed in the central Pacific. This process also resulted in the increasing of organic carbon concentration (DOC and POC) in the surface layer. From these results, it is suggested that spatial and temporal variation of chemical and biological factors were generated by physical processes in the equatorial thermocline ridge.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• v.1
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• pp.364-367
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• 2006

Nonlinear internal waves (NLIWs) are usually generated by nonlinear process on linear internal waves (IW). Near HengChun Ridge that links Taiwan and Luzon Islands, we found that there are linear internal waves following NLIW and they travel westward at different speed, about 1.5 m/s for IW and 2.9 m/s for NLIW. This phenomenon was observed on site with ship radar and echo sounders, and later verified with thermistor chain. West of Luzon Strait, the separation of NLIW are 5 km or more, while linear internal waves are lines of wave crests at nearly equal distance that is only a few hundred meters apart. The current hypothesis is that most of the energy of internal tide forms a beam that propagates upward from the eastern shoulder of ocean ridge and later interacts with sea surface and thermocline. The interaction with thermocline generates linear internal wave that propagate along the pycnocline at about 1.5 m/s. The interaction with sea surface scatters internal wave energy downward, ensonifies the water column and generates large nonlinear waves that propagate westward at 2.9 m/s as mode 1 in a waveguide.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.217-226
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• 2001

Stable isotope, paleoceanographic and sedimentological analyses were carried out along the core Ml5612 from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Distinct negative ${\delta}^{18}O anomalies punctuate the planktonic isotope records and correlate with the Heinrich-IRD cvents. The IRD layer in the corc contains varying amounts of quartz, K-feldspar, plagioclase, calcite, dolomite and mica, in which detrital carbonate contributes between I and 13% (except H3 and H6). Anomalies are strongest in the N. pachydenna (sin.) isotope record. Systematic changes in the ${\delta}^{18}O offset of G. hul/aides and G. inJlata signify variations in mid-latitude thermocline structure. In conjunction with negative benthic ${\delta}^{13}C anomalies, the data document a stronger contribution of a ${\delta}^{13}C depleted, nutrient-rich water mass during the IRD events. The ${\delta}^{13}C amplitude of > 1 $\textperthousand$ between 25 and 57 ka indicates changes between northern source (NADW) and southern source (AABW) water masses at this site. The IRD layers in the core Ml56l2 are correlative with those from the core S075-26KL and DSDP 609. The IRD layers from the Portuguese margin arc coeval with HI, H2 and H4 of the open North Atlantic. This similarity (and/or synchronicity in both regions may have been resulted from common changes in a North Atlantic thermohaline switch.