The 9–11 November 2013 Explosive Cyclone over the Japan Sea- Okhotsk Sea: Observations and WRF Modeling Analyses

During the period from 9 to 11 November 2013,an explosive cyclone(EC)occurred over the Japan Sea-Okhotsk Sea.This EC initially formed around 18 UTC 9 November over the Japan Sea and developed over the Okhotsk Sea when moving northeastward.It had a minimum sea level pressure of 959.0 hPa,a significant deepening rate of central pressure of 2.9 Bergeron,and a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 42.7 m s−1.This paper aims to investigate the conditions that contributed to the rapid development of this low-pressure system through analyses of both observations and the Weather Research Forecasting(WRF)modeling results.The evolutionary processes of this EC were examined by using Final Analyses(FNL)data,Multi-Functional Transport Satellites-1R(MTSAT-1R)data,upper observation data and surface observation data.WRF-3.5 modeling results were also used to examine the development mechanism of this EC.It is shown that the interaction between upper-level and low-level potential vorticity seemed to be very essential to the rapid development of this EC.

Formation Mechanism for the Anomalous Anticyclonic Circulation over Northeast Asia and the Japan Sea in Boreal Winter 1997/98 and the Spring of 1998

A robust anomalous anticyclonic circulation (AAC) was observed over Northeast Asia and the Japan Sea in boreal win-ter 1997/98 and over the Japan Sea in spring 1998. The formation mechanism is investigated. On the background of the vertically sheared winter monsoonal flow, anomalous rainfall in the tropical Indo-Western Pacific warm pool excited a wave train towards East Asia in the upper troposphere during boreal winter of 1997/98. The AAC over Northeast Asia and the Japan Sea is part of the wave train of equivalent barotropic structure. The AAC over the Japan Sea persisted from winter to spring and even intensified in spring 1998. The diagnostic calculations show that the vorticity and temperature fluxes by synoptic eddies are an important mechanism for the AAC over the Japan Sea in spring 1998.

Impact of Autumn SST in the Japan Sea on Winter Rainfall and Air Temperature in Northeast China

We studied the impact of sea surface temperature anomaly(SSTA) in the Japan Sea and the sea area east of Japan on the winter rainfall and air temperature in Northeast(NE) China using the singular value decomposition(SVD) and empirical orthogonal function(EOF). The monthly-mean rainfall data observed at 160 stations in China, monthly-mean sea surface temperature(SST) of the Hadley Center for Climate Prediction and Research and monthly-mean air temperature from the NCEP reanalysis during 1960–2011 were used. Correlation analysis indicates that the SSTAs in the Japan Sea in September may last for three or four months and are an important index for forecasting the winter rainfall and air temperature in NE China. Positive SSTAs in the central Japan Sea and in the sea area east of Tokyo correspond to positive rainfall anomaly and negative air temperature anomaly in NE China. With the rise of SST in the Japan Sea, a weak cyclone appears over the Japan Sea. The northeasterly wind transports water vapor from the Okhotsk to NE China, resulting in more rainfall and lower air temperature. Negative SSTA years are accompanied by warmer air temperature and less snow in NE China. The 1000 h Pa geopotential height anomaly and wind anomaly fields are simulated by IAP-9L model, which supports the analysis results.

GENERAL FEATURES OF POLAR LOWS OVER THE JAPAN SEA AND THE NORTHWESTERN PACIFIC

This study of the general features of occurrence frequencies, spatial distribution of locations, life time and cloud patterns of polar lows over the Japan Sea and the neighboring Northwestern Pacific in winter of 1995/1996 based on observation and satellite data showed that polar lows develop most frequently in mid winter over the Japan Sea (35-45°N ) and the Northwestern Pacific (30-50°N). They rarely form over the Eurasian Continent. Polar lows over the Northwestern Pacific are usually long lived (2-3 days). But polar lows over the Japan Sea are relatively short lived (1-2 days), because the east west width of the Japan Sea is relatively narrow and polar lows tend to decay after their passing over the Japan Islands. Generally speaking, polar lows over the Japan Sea are characterized by tight, spiral (or comma) cloud patterns on satellite images. It was observed that polar lows over the Japan Sea have a typically spiral cloud band with clear “eye” at their mature stage. In winter, because of the effect of the warm Tsushima Current, the annual mean SST of the Japan Sea is 5-9℃ higher than that of the same latitude oceans. The large sea air temperature difference sustained over the Japan Sea provides favorable condition for polar low formation. The general features of polar lows over the Japan Sea are compared with those of other areas where polar lows often occur.

Role of Gas Hydrate System Associated with Active Methane Seepage,Off Joetsu,Eastern Margin of the Japan Sea

The Umitaka Spur and Joetsu Knoll region,eastern margin of the Japan Sea,has been investigated as the gas hydrate field associated with the occurrence of methane-related/induced activities.Massive to vein-like gas hydrates are found on/near the seafloor where huge methane plumes,reaching 600-650 m height, have been observed on the echo sounding images around the summits.Columnar chaotic gas-charged sediment structures are observed beneath the gas hydrate occurrences on the seismic images。

NOAA/AVHRR sea surface temperature accuracy in the East/Japan Sea

Sea surface temperature(SST)retrieved from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer(AVHRR)onboard National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA)polar orbiting environmental satellites were validated in the East/Japan Sea(EJS)using surface drifter measurements as ground truths from 2005 to 2010.Overall,the root-mean-square(rms)errors of multichannel SSTs(MCSSTs)and non-linear SSTs(NLSSTs)using global SST coefficients were approximately 0.85℃ and 0.80℃,respectively.An analysis of the SST errors(satellite-drifter)revealed a dependence on the amount of atmospheric moisture.In addition,satellite-derived SSTs tended to be related to wind speeds,particularly during the night.The SST errors also demonstrated diurnal variations with relatively higher rms from 0.80℃ to 1.00℃ during the night than the day,with a small rms of about 0.50℃.Bias also exhibited reasonable diurnal differences,showing small biases during the daytime.Although a satellite zenith angle has been considered in the global SST coefficients,its effect on the SST errors still remained in case of the EJS.Given the diverse use of SST data,the continuous validation and understanding of the characteristic errors of satellite SSTs should be conducted based on extensive in-situ temperature measurements in the global ocean as well as local seas.

Impact of the Pacific–Japan Teleconnection Pattern on July Sea Fog over the Northwestern Pacific: Interannual Variations and Global Warming Effect

The northwestern Pacific （NWP） is a fog-prone area, especially the ocean east of the Kuril Islands. The present study analyzes how the Pacific-Japan （PJ） teleconnection pattern influences July sea fog in the fog-prone area using independent datasets. The covariation between the PJ index and sea fog frequency （SFF） index in July indicates a close correlation, with a coefficient of 0.62 exceeding the 99% confidence level. Composite analysis based on the PJ index, a case study, and model analysis based on GFDL-ESM2M, show that in high PJ index years the convection over the east of the Philippines strengthens and then triggers a Rossby wave, which propagates northward to maintain an anticyclonic anomaly in the midlatitudes, indicating a northeastward shift of the NWP subtropical high. The anticyclonic anomaly facilitates the formation of relatively stable atmospheric stratification or even an inversion layer in the lower level of the troposphere, and strengthens the horizontal southerly moisture transportation from the tropical-subtropical oceans to the fog-prone area. On the other hand, a greater meridional SST gradient over the cold flank of the Kuroshio Extension, due to ocean downwelling, is produced by the anticyclonic wind stress anomaly. Both of these two aspects are favorable for the warm and humid air to cool, condense, and form fog droplets, when air masses cross the SST front. The opposite circumstances occur in low PJ index years, which are not conducive to the formation of sea fog. Finally, a multi-model ensemble mean projection reveals a prominent downward trend of the PJ index after the 2030s, implying a possible decline of the SFF in this period.

Effects of winds,tides and storm surges on ocean surface waves in the Sea of Japan

Ocean surface waves are strongly forced by high wind conditions associated with winter storms in the Sea of Japan. They are also modulated by tides and storm surges. The effects of the variability in surface wind forcing, tides and storm surges on the waves are investigated using a wave model, a high-resolution atmospheric mesoscale model and a hydrodynamic ocean circulation model. Five month-long wave model simulations are inducted to examine the sensitivity of ocean waves to various wind forcing fields, tides and storm surges during January 1997. Compared with observed mean wave parameters, results indicate that the high frequency variability in the surface wind filed has very great effect on wave simulation. Tides and storm surges have a significant impact on the waves in nearshores of the Tsushima-kaihyS, but not for other regions in the Sea of Japan. High spatial and temporal resolution and good quality surface wind products will be crucial for the prediction of surface waves in the JES and other marginal seas, especially near the coastal regions.

High-Resolution Simulation and Analysis of the Mature Structure of a Polar Low over the Sea of Japan on 21 January 1997

This paper presents a high-resolution simulation of a remarkable polar low observed over the Sea of Japan on 21 January 1997 by using a 5-km mesh non-hydrostatic model MRI-NHM (Meteorological Research Institute Non-Hydrostatic Model). A 24-hour simulation starting from 0000 UTC 21 January 1997 successfully reproduced the observed features of the polar low such as the wrapping of western part of an initial E-W orientation vortex, the spiral-shaped bands, the cloud-free 'eye', and the warm core structure at its mature stage. The 'eye' of the simulated polar low was relatively dry, and was associated with a strong downdraft. A thermodynamic budget analysis indicates that the 'warm core' in the 'eye' region was mainly caused by the adiabatic warming associated with the downdraft. The relationship among the condensational diabatic heating, the vertical velocity, the convergence of the moisture flux, and the circulation averaged within a 50 km×50 km square area around the polar low center shows that they form a positive feedback loop, and this loop is not inconsistent with the CISK (Conditional Instability of the Second Kind) mechanism during the developing stage of the polar low.

Mixed layer in the Sea of Japan:numerical simulation andlong-term data analysis

Seasonal variation and topography of the mixed layer in the Sea of Japan are studied by comparison of results from long-term observation data analysis and from numerical simulation with the MHI oceanic model (Shapiro. 1998. Marine Hydrophysical Journal, 6: 26-40). The data are retrieved from Oceanographic A tlas of the Bering Sea, Okhotsk Sea, and Japan/East Sea (Rostov, Rostov, Dmitrieva, et al. 2003. Pacific Oceanography, 1(1):70-72). The simulated and long-term patterns are compared. An impact of surface buoyancy flux, wind, and convergence/divergence of surface currents upon the mixed layer in the Sea of Japan is analyzed.

The Interannual and Decadal Variability of the Sea Level in the Japan/East Sea

Sea level observed by altimeter during the 1993–2007 period and the thermosteric sea level from 1945 through 2005 obtained by using the global ocean temperature data sets recently published are used to investigate the interannual and decadal variability of the sea level in the Japan/East Sea (JES) and its response to El Nio and Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Both the interannual variations of the sea level observed by altimeter and those of the thermosteric sea level obtained from reanalyzed data in the JES are closely related to ENSO. As a result, one important consequence is that the sea level trends are mainly caused by the thermal expansion in the JES. An ‘enigma’ is revealed that the correlation between the thermosteric sea level and ENSO during the PDO (Pacific Decadal Oscillation) warm phase (post mid-1970s) is inconsistent with that during the cold phase (pre mid-1970s) in the JES. The thermosteric sea level trends and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) suggest a strong negative correlation during the period 1977–1998, whereas there appears a relatively weak positive correlation during the period 1945–1976 in the JES. Based on the SODA (Simple Oceanographic Data Assimilation) datasets, possible mechanisms of the interannual and decadal variability of the sea level in the JES are discussed. Comprehensive analysis reveals that the negative anomalies of SOI correspond to the positive anomalies of the southeast wind stress, the net advective heat flux and the sea level in the JES during the PDO warm phase. During the PDO cold phase, the negative anomalies of SOI correspond to the positive anomalies of the southwest wind stress, the negative anomalies of the net advective heat flux and the sea level in the JES.

MINERALOGY OF COASTAL DEPOSITS OF NORTH-WESTERN SEA OF JAPAN

Distribution of heavy, light and clay minerals in Late Pleistocene—Holocene deposits from different coastal environments (beaches, lagoons, dunes, relict lakes, ria bays and inlets, open inlets) was analysed. It was established that mineralogical composition of coastal deposits was a result of provenance and its hypergenous changes, transformation of material within transit zone, and accumulative conditions of inshore zone. Contents of stable minerals increase in deposits of the inlets confined to mouths of the small streams and in horizons of the sections, formed during regressive phases. Unstable minerals amount is higher in deposits of inlets, confined to mouths of the large river. The clay mineral fraction of shelf sediments consists mostly of illite. Authigenous pyrites dominate in deposits of ria bays, lagoons and relict lakes, formed during transgressive phases. Volcanic glass, found in deposits, is product of Holocene eruptions of Baegdusan (Baitushen) Volcano.

Effect of the Bottom Topography on Tsunami Propagation in the East (Japan) Sea

A study of tsunami events in the East （Japan） Sea using continuous Galerkin finite element model, aiming at reproducing tsunami waves generated by underwater earthquakes in 1983 and 1993 respectively has been performed focusing on the geographic extent of a topographic feature in the East （Japan） Sea. Numerical models can be the proper tools to study the combined effects of realistic topography. Subsequently, using the FEM based two-dimensional model we have simulated the smoothed and flattened topographic effects by removal of Yamato Rise and seamounts for the cases of tthe 1983 Central region earthquake tsunami and the 1993 southwestern Hokkaido earthquake tsunami. The results have shown that there will be higher tsunamis along the eastern coasts of Korea in general except some areas, like Sokcho with removal of topographic highs, thus providing complicated bottom topography of the East （Japan） Sea as effective tsunami energy scattering.

Discussion on the Sea Power Dispute between China and Japan and the Prospect to Solve It

The concept of new comprehensive sea power established in Japan shows that a marine development course is actively taken by Japanese government,for the purpose of realizing the country’s sustainable development.However,Japan is actively developing its naval forces to fight for sea interests,so that an adverse effect has been played on the development of China.In the sea power dispute between China and Japan,the core interests of both countries are involved,so that the cold situation of the political,economic and cultural exchanges has been caused.In view of the sea power disputes between China and Japan,cooperation and negotiation should be promoted by China more commonly;a concept of sea power and a marine strategy conforming to the actual national conditions should be established;the mutually beneficial and win-win situation should be actively promoted with the neighboring countries;the studies of the international maritime law and the establishment of marine legal system should be strengthened.

Background Concentrations of Heavy Metals in Brown Algae from the Northwest Sea of Japan

Background concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and Ni were calculated for brown algae Costaria costata from the northwest Sea of Japan. Also the paper contains refined data on heavy metal concentrations in the widespread distributed brown algae, such as Stephanocystis crassipes, Sargassum pallidum and S. miyabei. As the upper threshold levels of metal background concentrations, the median values plus double medians of absolute deviations from the medians were used (Me + 2MAD). The lower threshold level of the background concentration equal to the physiological need for an element is the median of 15% minimum values in the sampling minus the double median of absolute deviations from the median (Me15 - 2MAD15). The calculated ranges of the background concentrations of metals in algae were compared with concentrations of elements in mac-rophytes collected from habitats with background concentrations of metals in water.

THE FLUX OF LAND-BASED SOURCE POLLUTANTS FROM TUMEN RIVER SYSTEM ENTERING THE SEA OF JAPAN

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Teleconnection between Sea Ice in the Barents Sea in June and the Silk Road,Pacific–Japan and East Asian Rainfall Patterns in August

In contrast to previous studies that have tended to focus on the influence of the total Arctic sea-ice cover on the East Asian summer tripole rainfall pattern, the present study identifies the Barents Sea as the key region where the June sea-ice variability exerts the most significant impacts on the East Asian August tripole rainfall pattern, and explores the teleconnection mechanisms involved. The results reveal that a reduction in June sea ice excites anomalous upward air motion due to strong near-surface thermal forcing, which further triggers a meridional overturning wave-like pattern extending to midlatitudes.Anomalous downward motion therefore forms over the Caspian Sea, which in turn induces zonally oriented overturning circulation along the subtropical jet stream, exhibiting the east–west Rossby wave train known as the Silk Road pattern. It is suggested that the Bonin high, a subtropical anticyclone predominant near South Korea, shows a significant anomaly due to the eastward extension of the Silk Road pattern to East Asia. As a possible descending branch of the Hadley cell, the Bonin high anomaly ultimately triggers a meridional overturning, establishing the Pacific–Japan pattern. This in turn induces an anomalous anticyclone and cyclone pair over East Asia, and a tripole vertical convection anomaly meridionally oriented over East Asia. Consequently, a tripole rainfall anomaly pattern is observed over East Asia. Results from numerical experiments using version 5 of the Community Atmosphere Model support the interpretation of this chain of events.

The accumulation characteristics and exploration potential of oil and gas in the back-arc basin of Japan under the background of high heat flow

The Sea of Japan is located in the southeast margin of Eurasia, in the triangle area of the western Pacific Ocean. Due to the interaction of the Pacific plate, Eurasian plate and Philippine plate, its tectonic environment is complex, forming a typical trench-arc-basin system. At present, 148 oil and gas fields have been discovered in Japan, with an oil and gas resource of 255.78×10^(6) t, showing a good prospect for oil and gas exploration. Based on the previous research and the recently collected geological and geophysical data, the characteristics of tectonic-sedimentary evolution and geothermal field in the basins around the Sea of Japan are analyzed. The results show that the tectonic evolution of the basin is mainly controlled by plate subduction and back-arc oceanic crust expansion, and it mainly undergone four tectonic-sedimentary evolution stages: Subduction period, basin development period, subsidence period and compression deformation period. The overall heat flow value of Japan Sea is high, and it is distributed annularly along Yamato Ridge. The geothermal heat flow value is about 50–130 MW/m^(2), and the average heat flow is75.9±19.8 MW/m^(2), which has a typical “hot basin ”. The high heat flow background provides unique thermal evolution conditions for hydrocarbon generation, which leads to the high temperature and rapid evolution. The authors summarized as “early hydrocarbon generation, rapid maturity and shallow and narrow hydrocarbon generation window”. The type of oil and gas is mainly natural gas, and it mainly distributed in Neogene oil and gas reservoirs. The trap types are mainly structural traps, lithologic traps and composite traps. In addition, the pre-Neogene bedrock oil and gas reservoirs also show a good exploration prospect. The resource prospecting indicates that Niigata Basin, Ulleung Basin and kitakami Basin are the main target areas for future exploration and development.

氧同位素3早期以来千年尺度气候事件在日本海北部的磁学记录

日本海是西北太平洋最大的边缘海,长期以来普遍认为其沉积物处于强烈的还原环境中而导致相应的磁学信号非常微弱,以致常用的磁学方法在该区的应用一直受限。为深入探讨磁学指标在日本海古环境与古海洋学研究中是否有效,本文对位于研究程度相对薄弱的北部一根626 cm长的柱状沉积物岩心(LV87-2-3孔,水深740 m)开展了系统的岩石磁学测试分析以及高分辨率的AMS14C测年和粒度分析。结果显示岩心系约48.3 ka BP以来的沉积记录,其55 cm以下层位的原生亚铁磁性矿物(主要为磁铁矿)已被大量还原而生成黄铁矿,导致磁性极弱。这与Dansgaard-Oeschger(D-O)旋回间冰阶水体分层加强和表层生产力提高等因素密切相关。然而,在此背景下仍存在4个以高矫顽力矿物(如赤铁矿和针铁矿)占比较高为明显特征的强磁性层位,即“硬磁异常”层;其很好地对应了海因里希(Heinrich)事件,指示了东亚冬季风(EAWM)增强和高盐度对马暖流(TWC)注入而导致的相对减弱的还原环境。上述变化在沉积物粒度上却未见清晰体现。因此,该研究不仅表明磁学参数对于指示末次冰期日本海古海洋与古环境演化的作用不容忽视,同时也为后续相关工作提供了新视角和新思路。

日本核污染水排海的生态环境损害及其赔偿机制

日本排海的核污染水直接接触核电站反应堆堆芯,含有大量的放射性核素。排海后的核污染水不仅在海洋中迅速扩散,还在洋流、季风等综合作用下伴随海洋风暴、洋流等运动进入全球的水文循环,威胁人体健康,对生态环境也造成极大损害。探索日本排海核污染水的生态环境损害机理、构建生态环境损害赔偿机制,可为运用更严厉的生态环境损害赔偿责任来约束日本核污染水排海行为提供依据。为此,结合水文循环理论,解析核污染水排海的生态环境损害机理,明确环境要素损害、生物要素损害以及生态系统服务功能损害原理;借鉴美国自然资源损害制度建设经验,解析生态环境损害赔偿的关键要素,研究提出日本核污染水排海生态环境损害赔偿机制。研究表明:日本核污染水放射性核素种类多、放射性强、污染效应长、处理难度高,排海后不仅会使海洋生物受到核污染水污染的影响而大量死亡的威胁,还对大气环境、水环境、土壤环境、生物环境、地质环境等环境要素,植物、动物、微生物等生物要素,以及生态系统服务功能带来损害风险,影响生物圈的能量转化、物质提供和自我调节能力,可能危及全球生态安全,威胁人体健康和人类安全。现有案例经验启示:损害赔偿的求偿,确定法律依据是基础、证明行为有损害是前提、赔偿责任认定是根本、外交加诉讼是相对有效的途径。构建日本核污染水排海的生态环境损害机制,以日本政府和东京电力公司为赔偿主体,以受到损害的国家和受损害的自然资源所有权人为赔偿对象,赔偿涵盖修护和重建损失的费用、修复期间的价值减少部分、鉴定评估等费用,聘请国际专家、组建律师团队适时向国际法院提起诉讼。基于研究结果认为:通过建立全球生态环境损害救济联盟,建立国际监测网络、开展责任追溯调查、提升基础研究能力等,构建科学完善的核污染水排放的生态环境损害赔偿保障机制,可有效救济生态环境权益,维护国际、国家主体合法权益,为日本核污染水排海相关利益方确定生态环境损害边界及诉讼决策制定提供支撑。