Diagnosis of Physical and Biological Control over Phytoplankton in the Gulf of Maine-Georges Bank Region Using an Adjoint Data Assimilation Approach

The linkage between physical and biological processes, particularly the effect of the circulation field on the distribution of phytoplankton, is studied by applying a two-dimensional model and an adjoint data assimilation approach to the Gulf of Maine-Georges Bank region. The model results, comparing well with observation data, reveal seasonal and geographic variations of phytoplankton concentration and verify that the seasonal cycles of phytoplankton are controlled by both biological sources and advection processes which are functions of space and time and counterbalance each other. Although advective flux divergences have greater magnitudes on Georges Bank than in the coastal region of the western Gulf of Maine, advection control over phytoplankton concentration is more significant in the coastal region of the western Gulf of Maine. The model results also suggest that the two separated populations in the coastal regions of the western Gulf of Maine and on Georges Bank are self-sustaining.

Spatio-temporal analysis and simulation on shallow rainfall-induced landslides in China using landslide susceptibility dynamics and rainfall I-D thresholds

An empirical simulation method to simulate the possible position of shallow rainfall-induced landslides in China has been developed.This study shows that such a simulation may be operated in real-time to highlight those areas that are highly prone to rainfall-induced landslides on the basis of the landslide susceptibility index and the rainfall intensity-duration(I-D) thresholds.First,the study on landslide susceptibility in China is introduced.The entire territory has been classified into five categories,among which high-susceptibility regions(Zone 4-'High' and 5-'Very high') account for 4.15%of the total extension of China.Second,rainfall is considered as an external triggering factor that may induce landslide initiation.Real-time satellite-based TMPA3B42 products may provide real rainfall spatial and temporal patterns,which may be used to derive rainfall duration time and intensity.By using a historical record of 60 significant past landslides,the rainfall I-D equation has been calibrated.The rainfall duration time that may trigger a landslide has resulted between 3 hours and 45 hours.The combination of these two aspects can be exploited to simulate the spatiotemporal distribution of rainfall-induced landslide hazards when rainfall events exceed the rainfall I-D thresholds,where the susceptibility category is 'high' or 'very high'.This study shows a useful tool to be part of a systematic landslide simulation methodology,potentially providing useful information for a theoretical basis and practical guide for landslide prediction and mitigation throughout China.