气象节律视角下探析“脾主长夏”的涵义

“脾主长夏”是《黄帝内经》中脾与岁时关系的一种概念,历年来各医家均对其中长夏季的起止时间说法不一,后人对此概念阐释甚少,不利后学。运气理论中的气象节律蕴含着丰富的季节特征,其中的土季与长夏季,气候特点十分接近,运用其发病规律对长夏季病邪特点及具体时间段进行分析,认为长夏季可由1个主体时间段和2个缓冲时间段组成。主体时间段由夏至开始,到处暑结束,整体上以湿邪为主,其中前一阶段为夏至到大暑时段,暑邪流行,后一阶段为大暑到处暑时段,风湿邪气流行;处于主体时间段前后的2个缓冲时间段(芒种到夏至、处暑到白露)均蕴含湿气,并对于长夏季主体起到承前启后的作用。

Macrobenthic assemblages of the Changjiang River estuary (Yangtze River, China) and adjacent continental shelf relative to mild summer hypoxia

To assess the effects of hypoxia, macrobenthic communities along an estuarine gradient of the Changjiang estuary and adjacent continental shelf were analyzed. This revealed spatial variations in the communities and relationships with environmental variables during periods of reduced dissolved oxygen （DO） concentration in summer. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in macrobenthic community composition among the three zones： estuarine zone （EZ）, mildly hypoxic zone （MHZ） in the continental shelf, and norrnoxic zone （NZ） in the continental shelf（Global R=0.206, P=0.002）. Pairwise tests showed that the macrobenthic community composition of the EZ was significantly different from the MHZ （pairwise test R=0.305, P=0.001） and the NZ （pairwise test R=0.259, P=-0.001）. There was no significant difference in macrobenthic communities between the MHZ and the NZ （pairwise test R=0.062, P=-0.114）. The taxa included small and typically opportunistic polychaetes, which made the greatest contribution to the dissimilarity between the zones. The effects of mild hypoxia on the macrobenthic communities are a result not only of reduced DO concentration but also of differences in environmental variables such as temperature, salinity, and nutrient concentrations caused by stratification.

Study on Nutrient Limitation of Phytoplankton in the Field Experiment of the Yangtze River Estuary in Summer

From July 23rd to August 15th, 2001, a field cultivation experiment was carried out to determine the limitation factors of phytoplankton in the Yangtze River estuary and the adjacent areas. The results indicated that the potential limiting nutrient was phosphorus in the Yangtze River diluted water area, nitrogen in the offshore of the Yangtze River estuary and the conversion of phosphorus to nitrogen in the middle area. Iron and silicon were not the potential limiting factors. If there were some kinds of limiting factors in the water, the growth of phytoplankton would be limited obviously. In case of disappearance of the limiting factor, the phytoplankton would grow fast. When the Noctiluca scintiuans bloom occurred, the phytoplankton biomass level was very low in a short time due to the grazing pressure. When the grazing pressure disappeared, the phytoplankton would grow quickly in abundant nutrients condition.

Potential vorticity analysis of quasi-biweekly rainfall events over the Yangtze Basin in summer 2014

A series of heavy rainfall events occurred over the Yangtze River Valley(YRV)in summer 2014,which were modulated by the 10-20-day quasi-biweekly oscillation(QBWO).Thus,the strongest QBWO cycle for the period 10-24 July was used as a representative case to reveal the dynamical mechanism for the QBWO of the YRV rainfall from the potential vorticity(PV)perspective and based on MERRA-2 reanalysis data.The quasi-biweekly YRV rainfall was found to depend closely on the QBWO of the upper-tropospheric South Asian high(SAH),with the SAH configuration modified by the southward-intruding midlatitude high PV stream along with southwestward-advected high PV,altering the divergent condition over the YRV.Quantitative diagnoses for the anomalous vertical motion demonstrated that,in the wet phase of the QBWO cycle,the upper-tropospheric southward-intruding high PV stream acted as a positive PV advection,while negative PV advection was generated due to the lower-tropospheric southerlies,thereby forming a positive vertical gradient of horizontal PV advection to induce evident isentropic-displacement ascending motion.On the other hand,the southward-intruding high PV stream extended downward to the middle troposphere,causing the isentropic surfaces to become more sloping,thus producing a strong isentropic-gliding ascending component.Subsequently,the stronger diabatic heating-related ascending motion was induced to generate positive rainfall anomalies over the YRV.The opposite situation arose in the dry phase,with weak descending motion in magnitude.

Inorganic Carbon Parameters Responding to Summer Hypoxia Outside the Changjiang Estuary and the Related Implications

The eutrophication, hypoxia and coastal acidification are attracting more and more attention. In this study, inorganic carbon parameters, including dissolved inorganic carbon （DIC）, total alkalinity （TA） and calculated partial pressure of CO2 （pCO2）, obtained from a summer cruise in August, 2009, were used to investigate their integrated response to biological processes accompanying the oxygen depletion in the areas off the Changjiang Estuary. According to the observations, the typical hypoxia occurred in the bottom water just outside the Changjiang Estuary with Dissolved Oxygen （DO） lower than 2.00 mg L^-1. The biological uptake in the surface water and the decomposition of organic matter in the bottom water were fully coupled with each other. The high concentration of Chl_a （Chl_a = 10.9μgL^-1） and DO （9.25 mgL^-1）, profoundly decreased DIC concentration 0828 μmolkg^-1） and elevated pH （8.42） was observed in the surface water. The correspondingly increased DIC and depletion of oxygen were observed in the bottom water. The semi-quantitative analysis proved that the locally-produced phytoplankton, determined by primary productivity, was deposited to the bottom and contributed about 76% of total amount of the organic carbon decomposition in the bottom. However, in the bottom hypoxia （DO = 2.05 mgL^-1） area observed in the Southern Zhejiang coastal water, the responding patterns of inorganic carbon parameters deviated from the previous one. The expanding of Changjiang Diluted Water （CDW）, the adding of Hangzhou Bay water （with high DIC concentration） and Coastal Current together modify the DIC background value in this area, and the local degeneration and upwelling process may also help to offset the local DIC removed by net biological uptake in surface water. In addition when the mixing occurring in autumn, which may break the summer stratification, the excess release of high DIC in the bottom water to the subsurface water could have an important influence on coastal acidification and the CO2 uptake capacity in this area.

An Observational Analysis of the Relationship Between Wind and the Expansion of the Changjiang River Diluted Water during Summer

This paper presents an analysis of the impact of wind on the transport of the Changiiang River Diluted Water （CRDW） in August by using the salinity data col- lected on two zonal sections near Cheju-do. Based on the climatological mean conditions and four extreme events, the analysis indicates that wind-induced Ekman transport plays an important role in the extension of the CRDW. The strong northeastward Ekman transport induced by southeasterly wind in 1996, 2003, 2004, and 2006 pushes the core of the CRDW to the sea adjacent to Cheju-do. A comparison of the wind variation before observation among these four extreme events indicates that the expan- sion pattern of the CRDW is primarily changed by synop- tic variation with tirnescales of days to weeks, such as during a typhoon. The weak eastward extension of the CRDW in 2004, accompanied with a relatively strong southerly wind, implies that the oceanographic state （e.g., the depth of halocline） may strongly affect the impact of wind on the extension of the CRDW.

Statistically Downscaled Summer Rainfall over the Middle-Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River

The summer rainfall over the middle-lower reaches of the Yangtze River valley (YRSR) has been estimated with a multi-linear regression model using principal atmospheric modes derived from a 500 hPa geopotential height and a 700 hPa zonal vapor flux over the domain of East Asia and the West Pacific.The model was developed using data from 1958 92 and validated with an independent prediction from 1993 2008.The independent prediction was efficient in predicting the YRSR with a correlation coefficient of 0.72 and a relative root mean square error of 18%.The downscaling model was applied to two general circulation models (GCMs) of Flexible Global Ocean-Atmosphere-Land System Model (FGOALS) and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory coupled climate model version 2.1 (GFDL-CM2.1) to project rainfall for present and future climate under B1 and A1B emission scenarios.The downscaled results pro-vided a closer representation of the observation compared to the raw models in the present climate.In addition,compared to the inconsistent prediction directly from dif-ferent GCMs,the downscaled results provided a consistent projection for this half-century,which indicated a clear increase in the YRSR.Under the B1 emission scenario,the rainfall could increase by an average of 11.9% until 2011 25 and 17.2% until 2036 50 from the current state;under the A1B emission scenario,rainfall could increase by an average of 15.5% until 2011 25 and 25.3% until 2036 50 from the current state.Moreover,the increased rate was faster in the following decade (2011 25) than the latter of this half-century (2036 50) under both emissions.

Relationship between the Late Spring NAO and Summer Extreme Precipitation Frequency in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River

The relationship between the late spring North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the summer extreme precipitation frequency (EPF) in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Valley (MLYRV) is examined using an NECP/NCAR reanalysis dataset and daily precipitation data from 74 stations in the MLYRV. The results show a significant negative correlation between the May NAO index and the EPF over the MLYRV in the subsequent summer. In positive EPF index years, the East Asian westerly jet shifts farther southward, and two blocking high positive anomalies appear over the Sea of Okhotsk and the Ural Mountains. These anomalies are favorable to the cold air from the mid-high latitudes invading the Yangtze River Valley (YRV). The moisture convergence and the ascending motion dominate the MLYRV. The above patterns are reversed in negative EPF index years. A wave train pattern that originates from the North Atlantic extends eastward to the Mediterranean and then moves to the Tibetan Plateau and from there to the YRV, which is an important link in the May NAO and the summer extreme precipitation in the MLYRV. The wave train may be aroused by the tripole pattern of the SST, which can explain why the May NAO affects the summer EPF in the MLYRV.

Numerical Simulation of the Heavy Rainfall in the Yangtze-Huai River Basin during Summer 2003 Using the WRF Model

In this study, a 47-day regional climate simulation of the heavy rainfall in the Yangtze-Huai River Basin during the summer of 2003 was conducted using the Weather Research and Forecast （WRY） model. The simulation reproduces reasonably well the evolution of the rainfall during the study period＇s three successive rainy phases, especially the frequent heavy rainfall events occurring in the Huai River Basin. The model captures the major rainfall peak observed by the monitoring stations in the morning. Another peak appears later than that shown by the observations. In addition, the simulation realistically captures not only the evolution of the low-level winds but also the characteristics of their diurnal variation. The strong southwesterly （low-level jet, LLJ） wind speed increases beginning in the early evening and reaches a peak in the morning; it then gradually decreases until the afternoon. The intense LLJ forms a strong convergent circulation pattern in the early morning along the Yangtze-Huai River Basin. This pattern partly explains the rainfall peak observed at this time. This study furnishes a basis for the further analysis of the mechanisms of evolution of the LLJ and for the further study of the interactions between the LLJ and rainfall.

A Typical Mode of Seasonal Circulation Transition: A Climatic View of the Abrupt Transition from Drought to Flood over the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River Valley in the Late Spring and Early Summer of 2011

In this study, the seasonal transition of precipitation over the middle and lower reaches of the Yang-tze River Valley (YRV) from late spring to early summer is investigated. The results show that the seasonal transition of precipitation exhibits multi-modes. One of these modes is characterized by an abrupt transition from drought to flood (ATDF) over the middle and lower reaches of the YRV in the seasonal transition of precipitation. It is shown that the ATDF event from May to June 2011 is simply one prominent case of the ATDF mode. The ATDF mode exhibits an obvious decadal variability. The mode has occurred more frequently since 1979, and its amplitude has apparently strengthened since 1994. From the climatic view, the ATDF mode configures a typical seasonal circulation transition from winter to summer, for which the winter circulations are prolonged, and the summer circulations with the rainy season are built up early over the YRV.

Inter-decadal variations,causes and future projection of the Asian summer monsoon

The present paper presents a concise summary of our recent studies on the Asian summer monsoon,with highting decadal and inter- decadal scales. The studies on the long- term variations of the Asian summer monsoon and its impacts on the change in the summer precipitation in China are reviewed. Moreover,recent changes in the Asian summer monsoon and summer precipitation in East Asia(including Meiyu precipitation)are discussed. Finally,the future changes of the Asian summer monsoon are also pointed out in this paper.

DECADAL CLIMATE VARIABILITY OF RAINFALL AROUND THE MIDDLE AND LOWER REACHES OF THE YANGTZE RIVER AND ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION

This study examined the rainfall around the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and related atmospheric circulation by using NCEP reanalysis data. The purpose of this study is to analyze their decadal variation and the relationship among rainfall, atmospheric circulation around East Asia and the ENSO episodes. Current results are presented as follows: (1) Very clear increasing trend of the rainfall around the middle and low reaches of the Yangtze River during the Meiyu period and June to July is found in the recent 15 years. Meanwhile, the geopotential height at 500 hPa around the Okhotsk Sea also holds similar increasing trend. It is noticeable that ENSO episodes tend to occur more frequently in the recent 15 years. (2) An index describing East Asian summer monsoon is well correlated with the SST in the Nino-3 region in preceding autumn in the recent 20 years but is not prior to the period. This means that the El Nino phenomenon exerts more impacts on East Asian summer monsoon recently. (3) The warm phase of PDO in the recent 20 years basically coincides with the increasing trend of the atmospheric circulation in East Asia.

The Relationship between the Interdecadal Variation of Summer Precipitation and Its Interannual Variability over the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River Valley

The intensity of summer precipitation interannual variability is strongest over the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Valley(MLYRV). The variability is larger than 1.5 mm d–1 and up to 35%–40% of the climatological mean summer precipitation. The relationship between the interdecadal change in the intensity of summer precipitation and its interannual variability over this area is investigated, by analyzing five gauged and re-constructed precipitation datasets. The relationship is found to be very weak over the MLYRV, with a correlation coefficient of only approximately 0.10. The Pacific Decadal Oscillation influences the western North Pacific subtropical high, which is responsible for the interdecadal change in summer precipitation over the MLYRV. However, the precipitation interannual variability is closely related to the ENSO events in the preceding winter due to its impact on the meridional displacement of the East Asian westerly jet. Different physical mechanisms cause different interdecadal variation in the intensity of summer precipitation and its interannual variability, and thus result in a poor relationship.

Interdecadal variations of surface winds over China marginal seas

Long term variability in the surface winds over the marginal seas of China is examined with a dominant-mode singular value decomposition method. Both interannual and interdecadal patterns are found to be seasonally and spatially dependent, with reanalyses and satellite remote sensing data yielding highly consistent results. The study reveals that summer monsoon winds over the East China Sea experienced an interdecadal weakening in the late 1960s and began a persistent recovery in 2005. The study also shows gradual weakening of the winter monsoon in the southern South China Sea by more than 2m/s since the 1960s, with corroboration from coastal climate stations in Borneo. This phenomenon has not been reported in previous monsoon studies.

Mechanisms leading to the frequent occurrences of hypoxia and a preliminary analysis of the associated acidification off the Changiiang estuary in summer

Based on literature data and shipboard observations,this study investigated the main environmental characteristics of the seafloor topography,current field,front,and upwelling that are closely related to hypoxia occurrence off the Changjiang estuary.The physical processes of the plume front and upwelling off the Changjiang estuary in summer were coupled.The vertical distribution pattern of the plume front was closely related to the upwelling.By reviewing and analyzing the historical summer hypoxia events off the Changjiang estuary,we statistically demonstrated the spatial structure of the horizontal distribution of the hypoxic zone and investigated the location of occurrence zone of the hypoxia.We found that the dissolved oxygen(DO)concentration on the inner continental shelf off the estuary showed a"V"shape in relation to station depth.Therefore,we noted that the hypoxic water on the inner continental shelf mostly occurred on the slopes with steep seafloor topography.Base on the current understanding of the hypoxic mechanisms off the Changjiang estuary,we analyzed the biogeochemical mechanisms that could cause the steep terrain off the Changjiang estuary to become the main areas prone to summer hypoxia and explained the internal relations between the location of the hypoxic zone on the slopes and the plume front and upwelling.The plume front and upwelling off the Changjiang estuary and their coupling were important driving forces of summer hypoxia.The continuous supply of nutrients affected by the interaction of the plume front extension of the Changjiang Diluted Water(CDW)and upwelling and the favorable light conditions were important mechanisms causing the phytoplankton blooms and benthic hypoxia off the Changjiang estuary in summer.By analyzing oxygen utilization,organic carbon mineralization,and nutrient regeneration in the hypoxic zone,we observed that the significant oxygen utilization process off the Changjiang estuary in summer also mainly occurred near the steep slopes with front and upwelling features and confirmed the apparent nutrient loss in the benthic hypoxic zone.Meanwhile,our analysis revealed that the sediment resuspension in the benthic boundary layer in the mud areas off the Changjiang estuary could also affect the oxygen utilization and mineralization of organic carbon and nutrient recycling and regeneration.This study also demonstrated that the steep terrain off the Changjiang estuary was the main location for summer acidification,and the coupling between the plume front and upwelling on the steep slopes was an important physical driving force inducing summer benthic acidification.Finally,we discussed issues to address in future studies of the hypoxic zone and water acidification off the Changjiang estuary.