Three-D numerical simulation of wind-driven current and density current in the Beibu Gulf

The Casulli's difference scheme was introduced into the three-dimensional ocean model in the present paper, and the wind-driven current and thermohaline current were simulated. The results show that, southwesterly monsoon in summer induces a clockwise circulation in the Beibu Gulf, and the density gradient induces a counter-clockwise one; but the density current is more intense than the wind- driven one in summer, espeially in surface layer. In addition, the northeasterly monsoon in winter in- duces a counter-clockwise circulation. The simulated results don't support the traditional condusion that there is a clockwise circulation in the Beibu Gulf in summer and a counter-clockwise one in winter, but support the statement that a counterclockwise circulation exists in the Beibu Gulf all year round.

Three-dimensional numerical simulation for tide and tidal current in the Beibu Gulf

By means of three dimensional POM model,which computes the eddy viscosity coefficient based on two order turbulent closed model,the tide and tidal current in the Beibu Gulf are simulated with fine grid.In the computed region,six islands are considered and the bottom friction coefficients are taken to be various values from the difference of sea region.Acquired tidal harmonic constants are compared with that of 81 tidal observatories.The absolute mean error of K 1 constituent amplitude is 4 6 cm and of the lag is 9°.The absolute mean error of O 1 constituent amplitude is 5 6 cm and of the lag is 7°.The absolute mean error of M 2 constituent amplitude is 6 2 cm and of the lag is 15°.The tide,tidal current,residual water level and tide induced residual current,as well as the vertial distribution of horizontal velocity in this sea region are analysed by the simulated results.

Feeding ecology of hairtail Trichiurus margarites and largehead hairtail Trichiurus lepturus in the Beibu Gulf, the South China Sea

We evaluated the feeding ecology of largehead hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus) and hairtail (T. margarites). We collected specimens from fishing ports in the Beibu Gulf (Gulf of Tonkin) from October 2008 to September 2009 and analyzed their gut contents. We collected 857 T. lepturus and 666 T. margarites samples. The number of stomachs examined in this study was sufficient to describe the monthly and ontogenetic diet shifts for the two species, as indicated by the trophic diversity curves. T. lepturus was a general omnivore, feeding primarily on Bregmaceros rarisquamosu, Decapterus maruadsi, and Acetes chinensis. Conversely, T. margarites preyed primarily on D. maruadsi, B. rarisquamosus, B. nectabanus, and A. chinensis. Both species exhibited distinct ontogenetic diet shifts. Although the two hairtail specie fed on similar sources in the same habitat, the diet overlap was relatively low. Our results suggest that hairtail play an important role in controlling small pelagic and benthic fish populations in the gulf. This trophic correlation shall be used for developing a marine ecosystem model for the Beibu Gulf.

Size-dependent spatio-temporal dynamics of eukaryotic plankton community near nuclear power plant in Beibu Gulf,China

Pico-and nano-eukaryotic plankton are important members of marine ecosystems.To understand their community structure and spatio-temporal variations in the Beibu Gulf,and to study the impact of Changjiang Nuclear Power Plant(CNPP)located in the northwest coast of the Hainan Island on the eukaryotic plankton,we studied these issues in the coastal water near CNPP bimonthly from February 2018 to January 2019 via 18 S Illumina sequencing.The results reveal a higher genetic alphadiversity and less beta-diversity of the plankton community in small-size(0.45-5μm and 5-20μm)fractions than in large-size(20-200μm and>20μm)fractions.The small-sized phytoplankton,including Micromonas(Chlorophyta)and Minutocellus(Bacillariophyta),as well as heterotrophic plankton,including Paraphysomonas(Chrysophyceae),Ellobiopsis(Dinoflagellates),and Syndiniales(Dinoflagellates),took up a considerable proportion in eukaryotic plankton community.In addition,it showed a slight temperature increase and no significant difference in eukaryotic plankton community between the outfall of CNPP and other sampling sites,suggesting that the impact of the thermal discharge from the CNPP on local eukaryotic plankton community was limited.