Influence of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation on regional sea level rise in the Pacific Ocean from 1993 to 2012

The rate of regional sea level rise （SLR） provides important information about the impact of human activities on climate change. However, accurate estimation of regional SLR can be severely affected by sea surface height （SSH） change caused by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation （PDO-SSH）. Here, the PDO- SSH signal is extracted from satellite altimeter data by multi-variable linear regression, and regional SLR in the altimeter era is calculated, before and after removing that signal. The results show that PDO-SSH trends are rising in the western Pacific and falling in the eastern Pacific, with the strongest signal confined to the tropical and North Pacific. Over the past 20 years, the PDO-SSH accounts for about 30%/-400% of altimeter-observed SLR in the regions 8° 15°N, 130°-160°E and 30°-40°N, 170°-220°E. Along the coast ＆North America, the PDO-SSH signal dramatically offsets the coastal SLR, as the sea level trends change sign from falling to rising.

Regional sea level change in Northwest Pacific： Process, characteristic and prediction

Based on 22 sparse-distributed tide gauge records in the Northwest Pacific Ocean marginal sea, the process, characteristic and prediction of regional sea level change are discussed by the integration of the following methods. Firstly, the regularized EM algorithm （RegEM） and the Multi-taper Spectral Method （MTM） are adopted to interpret their multiscale fluctuation processes and their spatial-temporal variations. Secondly, the orderly cluster method is introduced to classify these tidal stations, and with the consideration of the space adjacent relation, we obtain five sub-regions （the coasts of Bohai Sea-northern Yellow Sea, Yellow Sea-East China Sea along Chinese coast, the East China Sea along Japanese coast, the southern East China Sea and the northwestern South China Sea）. Furthermore, the Mean Generation Function （MGF） is explored to predict the medium- and long-term trends of each tide station. Finally, the Principal Component Analysis （PCA） is employed to obtain regional-scale sea level change trends, sea level rise rates of the above five sub-regions from 2001 to 2030 are 1.23-1.27 mm/a, 3.30-3.34 mm/a, 2.72-2.76 mm/a, 1.43-1.47 mm/a and 1.13-1.15 mm/a respectively, and the whole region sea level rise rate is between 2.01 mm/a and 2.11 mm/a. The aim of our work is to conduct an integrated research on regional sea level change.

Seasonal and Intraseasonal Variations of East Asian Summer Monsoon Precipitation Simulated by a Regional Air-Sea Coupled Model

The performance of a regional air-sea coupled model, comprising the Regional Integrated Environment Model System （RIEMS） and the Princeton Ocean Model （POM）, in simulating the seasonal and intraseasonal variations of East Asian summer monsoon （EASM） rainfall was investigated. Through comparisons of the model results among the coupled model, the uncoupled RIEMS, and observations, the impact of air-sea coupling on simulating the EASM was also evaluated. Results showed that the regional air sea coupled climate model performed better in simulating the spatial pattern of the precipitation climatology and produced more realistic variations of the EASM rainfall in terms of its amplitude and principal EOF modes. The coupled model also showed greater skill than the uncoupled RIEMS in reproducing the principal features of climatological intraseasonal oscillation （CISO） of EASM rainfall, including its dominant period, intensity, and northward propagation. Further analysis indicated that the improvements in the simulation of the EASM rainfall climatology and its seasonal variation in the coupled model were due to better simulation of the western North Pacific Subtropical High, while the improvements of CISO simulation were owing to the realistic phase relationship between the intraseasonal convection and the underlying SST resulting from the air-sea coupling.

Does regional air–sea coupling improve the simulation of the summer monsoon over the western North Pacific in the WRF4 model?

A new regional coupled ocean–atmosphere model,WRF4-LICOM,was used to investigate the impacts of regional air–sea coupling on the simulation of the western North Pacific summer monsoon(WNPSM),with a focus on the normal WNPSM year 2005.Compared to WRF4,WRF4-LICOM improved the simulation of the summer mean monsoon rainfall,circulations,sea surface net heat fluxes,and propagations of the daily rainband over the WNP.The major differences between the models were found over the northern South China Sea and east of the Philippines.The warmer SST reduced the gross moist stability of the atmosphere and increased the upward latent heat flux,and then drove local ascending anomalies,which led to the increase of rainfall in WRF4-LICOM.The resultant enhanced atmospheric heating drove a low-level anomalous cyclone to its northwest,which reduced the simulated circulation biases in the stand-alone WRF4 model.The local observed daily SST over the WNP was a response to the overlying summer monsoon.In the WRF4 model,the modeled atmosphere exhibited passive response to the underlying daily SST anomalies.With the inclusion of regional air–sea coupling,the simulated daily SST–rainfall relationship was significantly improved.WRF4-LICOM is recommended for future dynamical downscaling of simulations and projections over this region.

Using a skillful statistical model to predict September sea ice covering Arctic shipping routes

The rapid decrease in Arctic sea ice cover and thickness not only has a linkage with extreme weather in the midlatitudes but also brings more opportunities for Arctic shipping routes and polar resource exploration,both of which motivate us to further understand causes of sea-ice variations and to obtain more accurate estimates of seaice cover in the future.Here,a novel data-driven method,the causal effect networks algorithm,is applied to identify the direct precursors of September sea-ice extent covering the Northern Sea Route and Transpolar Sea Route at different lead times so that statistical models can be constructed for sea-ice prediction.The whole study area was also divided into two parts:the northern region covered by multiyear ice and the southern region covered by seasonal ice.The forecast models of September sea-ice extent in the whole study area(TSIE)and southern region(SSIE)at lead times of 1–4 months can explain over 65%and 79%of the variances,respectively,but the forecast skill of sea-ice extent in the northern region(NSIE)is limited at a lead time of 1 month.At lead times of 1–4 months,local sea-ice concentration and sea-ice thickness have a larger influence on September TSIE and SSIE than other teleconnection factors.When the lead time is more than 4 months,the surface meridional wind anomaly from northern Europe in the preceding autumn or early winter is dominant for September TSIE variations but is comparable to thermodynamic factors for NSIE and SSIE.We suggest that this study provides a complementary approach for predicting regional sea ice and is helpful in evaluating and improving climate models.

Characteristics of Upper Mantle Activity in the South China Sea Region and the Indochina Mantle Plume

Abstract According to computed results of the mantle traction field beneath the lithosphere based on satellite-modelled gravity anomalies of different degrees, it has been revealed that the three types of mantle convection on different scales existing in the South China Sea region is the key factor controlling the geodynamics. The mantle convection models on large and middle scales have been proved by natural seismic S-wave tomographic data and interpreted by using the present mantle plume concept. In consideration of other relevant geological and geophysical data, the authors put emphasis on discussing the expression form, origin and age of the Indochina mantle plume and its important effect on the conversion of organic matter and hydrocarbon accumulation in Cenozoic basins.

Numerical simulation of characteristics of semidiurnal tidal waves in sea region around Taiwan

POM97, an oceanic model, has been used for the first time to the numerical study on the tidal waves of the as Regions around Taiwan. In this paper, we have got the result that the semidiurnal tidal waves of these area mainly are the co-operating tides which come from the south of 23'N of the western Pacific. Those semidiurnal tidal waves affecting the Taiwan Straits come respectively from the south and the north entrance of the channel, and the north tidal wave is stronger than the south one. The strongest tidal field is the area from the Meizhou Bay to the Xinhua Bay along the coast of Fujian Province, where the biggest amplitude of the M2 partial tide can reach 240 cm. The strongest tidal cur- rent fields lie in the Penghu watercourse, where the maximum velocity of the M2 partial tide can arrive at 196 m/s. In the horizontal structure of the tidal currets, we have found that there is a stream dot in the north of the channel, besides, there still exist four new ones. As for the vertical structure, it mainly is biassed to the right at the surface, and to the left near the bottom layer.

Effect of crude oil pollution on organic carbon and humus content in grey-brown soils in Mangyshlak, Pre-Caspian Sea Region

The organic carbon and humus content in oil polluted brown and grey-brown soils in Mangyshlak,Pre-Caspian Sea Region,was analyzed from 2000 to 2008.The results indicated that bitumen substances from crude oil pollution deteriorated the soil property,however,the organic carbon content increased significantly.The products of oil pollution changed the composition of car-bonaceous substances which formed soil humus,and changed the ratios of the humus components.Residual insoluble carbon increased with the rise of oil organic carbon.The mobility of humus components was significantly increased because of the high oxidation-reduction process in the topsoil,and the humus content and microorganism activity increased.The organic carbon content increased significantly,while it decreased with the distance away from the oil well.The rearrangement of physical,physical-chemical and chemical properties of the polluted soils was significant.

Winter sea ice albedo variations in the Bohai Sea of China

Sea ice conditions in the Bohai Sea of China are sensitive to large-scale climatic variations. On the basis of CLARA-A1-SAL data, the albedo variations are examined in space and time in the winter（December, January and February） from 1992 to 2008 in the Bohai Sea sea ice region. Time series data of the sea ice concentration（SIC）, the sea ice extent（SIE） and the sea surface temperature（SST） are used to analyze their relationship with the albedo. The sea ice albedo changed in volatility appears along with time, the trend is not obvious and increases very slightly during the study period at a rate of 0.388% per decade over the Bohai Sea sea ice region.The interannual variation is between 9.93% and 14.50%, and the average albedo is 11.79%. The sea ice albedo in years with heavy sea ice coverage, 1999, 2000 and 2005, is significantly higher than that in other years; in years with light sea ice coverage, 1994, 1998, 2001 and 2006, has low values. For the monthly albedo, the increasing trend（at a rate of 0.988% per decade） in December is distinctly higher than that in January and February. The mean albedo in January（12.90%） is also distinctly higher than that in the other two months. The albedo is significantly positively correlated with the SIC and is significantly negatively correlated with the SST（significance level 90%）.

Characteristics of seismic reflections in central region of the South China Sea and their geological significance

More than 4 000 km 48-channel seismic reflection data from the central region of the South China Sea have been interpreted. Five seismic interfaces have been distinguished, named T1, T2, T4, T6 and Tg respectively Meanwhile, five seismic sequences numbered I - V have been divided with the ages of Quaternary and Pliocene, Later Mocene, Earlier and Middle Miocene, Oligocene and Pre- Oligocene separately. Sequences I-II overlie all parts of the area. In the continental slope and island slope, Sequences III-V are mainly found in the grabens. Sequence III is found at moot profiles of the deep-sea basin, and Sequnce IV is seen not only at the margins of the east subbasin but also at the margins of the southwest subbasin. Strong reflection from Moho is found at most profiles of the deep-sea basin. The depth of Moho varies between 10 and 12 km, with a thickness of 6- 8 km for the crust. Calculated by age-basement depth correlation formula, the age of basaltic basement in the southwest subbasin is 51-39 Ma. It is indicated that the evolution of the southwest subbasin is simultaneous with or earlier than that of the east subbasin.

Distribution characteristics of historical earthquake classes in Jiangsu Province and South Huanghai Sea region

According to the analysis on the characteristics of historic earthquakes in Jiangsu Province and South Huanghai Sea region, the historical earthquakes in the studied area are divided into two kinds of comparatively safe class and comparatively dangerous class. Then the statistical result of earthquake class, the characteristics of geo-graphical distribution and geological structures are studied. The study shows: a) In Jiangsu Province and South Huanghai Sea region, the majority of historical strong earthquakes belong to comparatively safe class, only 13.8% belong to comparatively dangerous class; b) Most historical earthquakes belong to comparatively safe class in the land area of Jiangsu, eastern sea area of Yangtze River mouth and northern depression of South Huanghai Sea region. However, along the coast of middle Jiangsu Province and in the sea area of South Huanghai Sea, the distribution of historical earthquake classes is complex and the earthquake series of comparatively dan-gerous class and comparatively safe class are equivalent in number; c) In the studied area, the statistical results of historical earthquake classes and the characteristics of spatial distribution accord very well with the real case of present-day earthquake series. It shows that the seismic activity in the region has the characteristic of succession, and the result from this study can be used as a reference for early postseismic judgment in the earthquake emer-gency work in Jiangsu Province.

Dynamic Controls on the Formation of Mantle Plume Beneath the South China Sea Region

The South China Sea(SCS)has attracted intensive structural and geophysical research over the past decades,with a focus on its extensional history and relevant dynamic tectonic models.Seismic tomographic images obtained

Economic stability analysis of blue carbon cooperation in the South China sea region using evolutionary game model with Weber's law

The political environment of the South China Sea Region(SCSR)has gradually stabilized,such that regional cooperation in the preservation of marine resources seems realistic.Blue carbon international cooperation is an important solution to the problem of global warming,which has a large number of economic and political attributes.As a region that has incredibly abundant blue carbon resources,further cooperation among SCSR governments would present the opportunity to establish meaningful economic and environmental protections that would promote peaceful blue carbon development of this region.To examine the feasibility of such an undertaking,we leverage the imitator's dynamic game as a research method and introduce Weber's law to examine the subjective psychological factors(i.e.,biases)of participants in qualifying the economic stability of blue carbon cooperation in the SCSR.The results suggest that the economic stability of blue carbon cooperation correlates to Weber's coefficient and the income produced by the different strategies.Based on these findings,we discussed policy recommendations to promote the sustainable economic development of SCSR.

Sustainable Consumption and Production in the Baltic Sea Region

Economic activity always has an impact on the environment, but the potential degree of this impact depends on consumption and production pattems. The aim of this paper is to analyse the environmental and well being impacts of consumption and production systems in Baltic Sea Region and draw conclusions about transferring of best practises in Latvia. This study is based on indicator analyses, focusing on data of environmental impacts from consumption and production in the region, and analyses drivers behind these impacts. The paper concludes two trends--Scandinavian countries and Germany which have more advanced economies demonstrate much higher ecoefficiency and environmental management practices compared to the new EU member states. The example of the Baltic Sea region shows that high income levels and a stable development path in the old EU member states provide grounds for technology advancement to reduce the environmental impact of production. However Baltic States and Poland on average demonstrate much more sustainable consumption patterns. But the trends in these countries are negative--they try to copy lifestyles and consumption patterns of more advanced economies with higher ecological footprint. Challenge for Latvia is to improve its ecoefficiency but at the same time develop more sustainable consumption patterns.

Evaluation of reanalysis surface wind products with quality-assured buoy wind measurements along the north coast of the South China Sea

Three archived reanalysis wind vectors at 10 m height in the wind speed range of 2-15 m/s,namely,the second version of the National Centres for Environmental Prediction(NCEP)Climate Forecast System Reanalysis(CFSv2),European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting Interim Reanalysis(ERA-I)and NCEPDepartment of Energy(DOE)Reanalysis 2(NCEP-2)products,are evaluated by a comparison with the winds measured by moored buoys in coastal regions of the South China Sea(SCS).The buoy data are first quality controlled by extensive techniques that help eliminate degraded measurements.The evaluation results reveal that the CFSv2 wind vectors are most consistent with the buoy winds(with average biases of 0.01 m/s and 1.76°).The ERA-I winds significantly underestimate the buoy wind speed(with an average bias of-1.57 m/s),while the statistical errors in the NCEP-2 wind direction have the largest magnitude.The diagnosis of the reanalysis wind errors shows the residuals of all three reanalysis wind speeds(reanalysis-buoy)decrease with increasing buoy wind speed,suggesting a narrower wind speed range than that of the observations.Moreover,wind direction errors are examined to depend on the magnitude of the wind speed and the wind speed biases.In general,the evaluation of three reanalysis wind products demonstrates that CFSv2 wind vectors are the closest to the winds along the north coast of the SCS and are sufficiently accurate to be used in numerical models.

The Romania-US Strategic Partnership and the Security of the Wider Black Sea Region: Historical Landmarks

The Strategic Partnership,launched in 1997 with the purpose of becoming an advanced mechanism of bilateral cooperation between Romania and the United States regarding fields of strategic interest for both countries,is an important element of maintaining peace and stability in South-Eastern Europe and in the Black Sea area.The Partnership determined a substantial evolution of the bilateral relations based on an intense political speech,as an important aspect for the regional security,and promoted democracy near the Euro-Atlantic community.Romania’s relation with the United States,being focused on security aspects,proves its utility,considering that to this day the North Atlantic Alliance and the European Union do not have a common strategic vision regarding the Wider Black Sea Region.This is due to conceptual differences and to the fact that,unlike Central and Eastern Europe—where the integrations of NATO and EU were linked,in the Black Sea area,the situation is different,having in mind that only Romania and Bulgaria have been part of these structures.This study’s purpose is to present both the evolution of this cooperation format between Romania and the United States in the last two decades and its relevance for the new regional security system.In the circumstances in which the events in Ukraine in 2014 lead to unprecedented tension(Post-Cold War)between the Russian Federation and the Occident,the USA’s involvement in ensuring the security of the extended Black Sea Region gains even more relevance.

Vernacular Building Heritage in the Eastern Black Sea Region in Turkey

The eastern Black Sea Region, in Turkey, has a significantly authentic characteristic as regards to its rural architecture. The climate, geography, and local living culture in the region have developed an invaluable rural built environment in terms of cultural heritage, Thus, the architectural heritage of the region shows the perfect balance between the nature and human life, there is a need to understand the value of the vernacular architecture heritage in the region, The architecture is a response to functional requirements as well as environmental factors. Indeed, rural architectural of this region is a reflection of the cultural values of the society, behavioural patterns of the people and environmental factors from the past. In this study, the aim is understand and appreciate this heritage through systematic surveying and documentation in eastern Black Sea Region composed from Trabzon, Rize and Artvin Cities. Further aims are the establishment of an architectural typology based on the plan, faqade and site plan, and materials use, with the goal to develop guidelines for new buildings in the region.

Conflict and Peace Attitudes of Black Sea Region States

The relationship between the democratic form of government and the tendency of states to use force in solving internal and foreign policy problems is one of the central research issues of modem international relations. This report summarizes the results of conflict research on countries in a democratic transformation process. Results of a study of their application for the Black Sea countries for the period 1990-2015 are presented.

NATO and EU Strategies for the Black Sea Region： The Challenge of Power Balance in New Security Environment

The article gives an overview on the dynamic political processes in the Black Sea region after some major geostrategic changes posing instability concerns in the region. The aim is to summarise the policy tendencies of the international organisations （NATO and EU） towards Russia and to present some analytical thoughts on current Euro-Atlantic strategies. Proposed is a different way of thinking based on the ＂congagement＂ approach.

Heavy Metals in Water and Bottom Sediments of Odessa Region of the Black Sea

The paper presents the results of a comprehensive monitoring of the polygon： ＂Odessa Region, north-western part of the Black Sea＂ for the period 2009-2011. It is shown that most of the copper and nickel is brought into the sea from the catchment area, and zinc and cadmium are mainly of the autochthonous origin. It is found that in 2010, after heavy rains, the area of bottom sediments contaminated by copper and nickel was increased. The main source of copper in the sea is vast vineyards.