Journal Description
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal of marine science and engineering, published monthly online by MDPI. The Australia New Zealand Marine Biotechnology Society (ANZMBS) is affiliated with JMSE and their members receive a discount on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed with Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), GeoRef, Inspec, and many other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Oceanography) / CiteScore - Q2 (Ocean Engineering)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision provided to authors approximately 14.6 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.7 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2021).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Sections: published in seven topical sections.
Impact Factor:
2.458 (2020)
;
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.455 (2020)
Latest Articles
Broadband Characteristics of Zooplankton Sound Scattering Layer in the Kuroshio–Oyashio Confluence Region of the Northwest Pacific Ocean in Summer of 2019
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 938; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090938 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2021
Abstract
Acoustic technology, as an important investigation method for fishery resources, has been widely used in zooplankton surveys. Since the Kuroshio–Oyashio confluence region has an extensive distribution of zooplankton, describing and analyzing the characteristic of the zooplankton sound scattering layer (SSL) in this area
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Acoustic technology, as an important investigation method for fishery resources, has been widely used in zooplankton surveys. Since the Kuroshio–Oyashio confluence region has an extensive distribution of zooplankton, describing and analyzing the characteristic of the zooplankton sound scattering layer (SSL) in this area is essential for marine ecology research. To understand its spatial–temporal distribution, acoustic data of the Kuroshio–Oyashio confluence region at the Northwest Pacific Ocean, obtained by a Simrad EK80 broadband scientific echosounder in 2019, were used on board the research vessel (RV) Songhang. After noise removal, the volume backscattering strength (SV) was measured to plot the broadband scattering spectrogram of each water layer and to exhibit zooplankton distribution. The results show that the main sound scattering within 0–200 m originate from the zooplankton, and the SV of each layer increases with the rise of the transducer frequency. The magnitude of SV was closely synchronized with the solar altitude angle, which gets smaller when the angle is positive, then larger when the angle is negative. It means that the SSL has a diel vertical migration (DVM) behavior with the variation of solar height. Meanwhile, scattering strength was positively correlated with temperature in the vertical direction and showed a maximum of −54.31 dB at 20–40 m under the influence of the thermocline. The Kuroshio and Oyashio currents had an obvious influence on the scattering strengths in this study, indicating a low value when next to the Oyashio side and a high value on the Kuroshio side. The scattering strength near the warm vortex center was higher than that at the vortex edge. The results of this study could provide references for a long-term study on ecological environment variation and its impacts on zooplankton distribution.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Environment Monitoring)
Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
Investigation on the Reflection Coefficient for Seawalls Protected by a Rubble Mound Structure
by
, , , , , and
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 937; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090937 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2021
Abstract
Sea wave reflection from coastal protection structures is one of the main issues in the coastal design process. Several empirical formulas have been proposed so far to predict reflection coefficient from rubble mound breakwaters and smooth slopes. The aim of this study is
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Sea wave reflection from coastal protection structures is one of the main issues in the coastal design process. Several empirical formulas have been proposed so far to predict reflection coefficient from rubble mound breakwaters and smooth slopes. The aim of this study is to investigate wave reflection from a rubble mound structure placed in front of a vertical concrete seawall. Several experimental tests were performed on a two-dimensional wave flume by reproducing on a rubble mound structure with a steep single primary layer armored with a novel artificial unit. A new approach for the prediction of the reflection coefficient based on dimensional analysis is also proposed, and a new empirical equation is derived. The performance of the proposed equation was compared with widespread existing formulas, and a good accuracy was found.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Coastal Engineering)
Open AccessArticle
A Numerical Study of Sheet Flow Driven by Skewed-Asymmetric Shoaling Waves Using SedWaveFoam
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 936; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090936 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
SedWaveFoam, an OpenFOAM-based two-phase model that concurrently resolves the free surface wave field, and the bottom boundary layer is used to investigate sediment transport throughout the entire water column. The numerical model was validated with large-scale wave flume data for sheet flow driven
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SedWaveFoam, an OpenFOAM-based two-phase model that concurrently resolves the free surface wave field, and the bottom boundary layer is used to investigate sediment transport throughout the entire water column. The numerical model was validated with large-scale wave flume data for sheet flow driven by shoaling skewed-asymmetric waves with two different grain sizes. Newly obtained model results were combined with previous nonbreaking and near-breaking wave cases to develop parameterization methods for time-dependent bed shear stress and sediment transport rate under various sediment sizes and wave conditions. Gonzalez-Rodriguez and Madsen (GRM07) and quasi-steady approaches were compared for intra-wave bed shear stress. The results show that in strongly asymmetric flows, considering the separated boundary layer development processes at each half wave-cycle (i.e., GRM07) is essential to accurately estimating bed shear stress and highlights the impact of phase-lag effects on sediment transport rates. The quasi-steady approach underpredicts (∼60%) sediment transport rates, especially for fine grains under large velocity asymmetry. A modified phase-lag parameter, incorporating velocity asymmetry, sediment stirring, and settling processes is proposed to extend the Meyer-Peter and Mueller type power law formula. The extended formula accurately estimated the enhanced net onshore sediment transport rate observed under skewed-asymmetric wave conditions.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Coastal Sediment Dynamics and Transport)
Open AccessArticle
A Study of the Potential Impact of Dredging the Corpus Christi Ship Channel on Passive Particle Transport
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 935; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090935 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
We present a study of the potential impact of deepening the Corpus Christi Ship Channel through Aransas Pass; in particular, we study the effect on the transport of red drum fish larvae due to the change in channel depth. The study was conducted
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We present a study of the potential impact of deepening the Corpus Christi Ship Channel through Aransas Pass; in particular, we study the effect on the transport of red drum fish larvae due to the change in channel depth. The study was conducted by high resolution simulation of the circulation of the seawater entering and exiting the pass for the current and proposed Ship Channel depths. The computer model incorporates tides and meteorological forcing and includes the entire Gulf of Mexico and the North American Atlantic coast. The corresponding transport of larvae modeled as passive particles due to the sea water circulation is established by releasing particles in the nearshore region outside Aransas Pass and subsequently tracking their trajectories. We compare the difference in the number of larvae that successfully reach appropriate nursery grounds inside Aransas Pass for four distinctive initial larvae positions in the nearshore region. Our results indicate that the change in channel depth does not significantly alter the number of red drum larvae that reach suitable nursery grounds, overall, across all considered scenarios, we see a net increase of 0.5%.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Transport of Material near the Ocean Surface)
Open AccessArticle
Improving the Performance of Mode-Based Sound Propagation Models by Using Perturbation Formulae for Eigenvalues and Eigenfunctions
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 934; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090934 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
Numerous sound propagation models in underwater acoustics are based on the representation of a sound field in the form of a decomposition over normal modes. In the framework of such models, the calculation of the field in a range-dependent waveguide (as well as
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Numerous sound propagation models in underwater acoustics are based on the representation of a sound field in the form of a decomposition over normal modes. In the framework of such models, the calculation of the field in a range-dependent waveguide (as well as in the case of 3D problems) requires the computation of normal modes for every point within the area of interest (that is, for each pair of horizontal coordinates x,y). This procedure is often responsible for the lion’s share of total computational cost of the field simulation. In this study, we present formulae for perturbation of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of normal modes under the water depth variations in a shallow-water waveguide. These formulae can reduce the total number of mode computation instances required for a field calculation by a factor of 5–10. We also discuss how these formulae can be used in a combination with a wide-angle mode parabolic equation. The accuracy of such combined model is validated in a series of numerical examples.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modeling Techniques for Underwater Acoustic Scattering and Propagation (including 3D Effects))
Open AccessArticle
Undercurrents in the Northeastern Black Sea Detected on the Basis of Multi-Model Experiments and Observations
by
, , , , , and
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090933 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
Numerical simulation results of the Black Sea circulation obtained by four ocean dynamics models are compared to each other and to in situ data in order to determine the features of the Black Sea deep-water circulation such as deep-water undercurrents. The year 2011
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Numerical simulation results of the Black Sea circulation obtained by four ocean dynamics models are compared to each other and to in situ data in order to determine the features of the Black Sea deep-water circulation such as deep-water undercurrents. The year 2011 is chosen as the test period due to the availability of deep-sea observations, including ARGO profiles and ADCP current velocities. Validation of the simulation results is based on comparison with the temperature and salinity measured by the ARGO floats. Anticyclonic currents (undercurrents) under the cyclonic Rim Current are detected by the results of all numerical models near the North Caucasian coast. The main characteristics of undercurrents are consistent with in situ data on current velocity up to a depth of 1000 m obtained by the Aqualog probe at the IO RAS test site near Gelendzhik in June 2011. The analysis of the spatio-temporal variability of the modeled salinity and velocity fields reveals that the most probable origin of the undercurrents is the horizontal density gradient of seawater in the region.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamics of Ocean General Circulation and Its Variability)
Open AccessArticle
A Novel Cargo Ship Detection and Directional Discrimination Method for Remote Sensing Image Based on Lightweight Network
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 932; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090932 (registering DOI) - 28 Aug 2021
Abstract
Recently, cargo ship detection in remote sensing images based on deep learning is of great significance for cargo ship monitoring. However, the existing detection network is not only unable to realize autonomous operation on spaceborne platforms due to the limitation of computing and
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Recently, cargo ship detection in remote sensing images based on deep learning is of great significance for cargo ship monitoring. However, the existing detection network is not only unable to realize autonomous operation on spaceborne platforms due to the limitation of computing and storage, but the detection result also lacks the directional information of the cargo ship. In order to address the above problems, we propose a novel cargo ship detection and directional discrimination method for remote sensing images based on a lightweight network. Specifically, we design an efficient and lightweight feature extraction network called the one-shot aggregation and depthwise separable network (OSADSNet), which is inspired by one-shot feature aggregation modules and depthwise separable convolutions. Additionally, we combine the RPN with the K-Mean++ algorithm to obtain the K-RPN, which can produce a more suitable region proposal for cargo ship detection. Furthermore, without introducing extra parameters, the directional discrimination of the cargo ship is transformed into a classification task, and the directional discrimination is completed when the detection task is completed. Experiments on a self-built remote sensing image cargo ship dataset indicate that our model can provide relatively accurate and fast detection for cargo ships ( of 91.96% and prediction time of 46 ms per image) and discriminate the directions (north, east, south, and west) of cargo ships, with fewer parameters (model size of 110 MB), which is more suitable for autonomous operation on spaceborne platforms. Therefore, the proposed method can meet the needs of cargo ship detection and directional discrimination in remote sensing images on spaceborne platforms.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Machine Learning and Remote Sensing in Ocean Science and Engineering)
Open AccessArticle
Prediction of Changes in Seafloor Depths Based on Time Series of Bathymetry Observations: Dutch North Sea Case
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 931; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090931 (registering DOI) - 27 Aug 2021
Abstract
Guaranteeing safety of navigation within the Netherlands Continental Shelf (NCS), while efficiently using its ocean mapping resources, is a key task of Netherlands Hydrographic Service (NLHS) and Rijkswaterstaat (RWS). Resurvey frequencies depend on seafloor dynamics and the aim of this research is to
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Guaranteeing safety of navigation within the Netherlands Continental Shelf (NCS), while efficiently using its ocean mapping resources, is a key task of Netherlands Hydrographic Service (NLHS) and Rijkswaterstaat (RWS). Resurvey frequencies depend on seafloor dynamics and the aim of this research is to model the seafloor dynamics to predict changes in seafloor depth that would require resurveying. Characterisation of the seafloor dynamics is based on available time series of bathymetry data obtained from the acoustic remote sensing method of both single-beam echosounding (SBES) and multibeam echosounding (MBES). This time series is used to define a library of mathematical models describing the seafloor dynamics in relation to spatial and temporal changes in depth. An adaptive, functional model selection procedure is developed using a nodal analysis (0D) approach, based on statistical hypothesis testing using a combination of the Overall Model Test (OMT) statistic and Generalised Likelihood Ratio Test (GLRT). This approach ensures that each model has an equal chance of being selected, when more than one hypothesis is plausible for areas that exhibit varying seafloor dynamics. This ensures a more flexible and rigorous decision on the choice of the nominal model assumption. The addition of piecewise linear models to the library offers another characterisation of the trends in the nodal time series. This has led to an optimised model selection procedure and parameterisation of each nodal time series, which is used for the spatial and temporal predictions of the changes in the depths and associated uncertainties. The model selection results show that the models can detect the changes in the seafloor depths with spatial consistency and similarity, particularly in the shoaling areas where tidal sandwaves are present. The predicted changes in depths and uncertainties are translated into a probability risk-alert map by evaluating the probabilities of an indicator variable exceeding a certain decision threshold. This research can further support the decision-making process when optimising resurvey frequencies.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spatial and Spatiotemporal Methods in Marine Science)
Open AccessArticle
A Comparative Study on the Hydrodynamic-Energy Loss Characteristics between a Ducted Turbine and a Shaftless Ducted Turbine
by
and
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 930; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090930 (registering DOI) - 27 Aug 2021
Abstract
The shaftless ducted turbine (abbreviated as SDT), as an extraordinary innovation in tidal current power generation applications, has many advantages, and a wide application prospect. The structure of an SDT resembles a ducted turbine (abbreviated as DT), as both contain blades and a
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The shaftless ducted turbine (abbreviated as SDT), as an extraordinary innovation in tidal current power generation applications, has many advantages, and a wide application prospect. The structure of an SDT resembles a ducted turbine (abbreviated as DT), as both contain blades and a duct. However, there are some structural differences between a DT and a SDT, which can cause significant discrepancy in the hydrodynamic characteristics and flow features. The present work compares the detailed hydrodynamic-energy loss characteristics of a DT and a SDT by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), performed by solving the 3D steady incompressible Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations in combination with the Menter's Shear Stress Transport (SST ) turbulence model and entropy production model. The results show the SDT features a higher power level at low tip speed ratio ( ) and a potential reduction in potential flow resistance and disturbance with respect to the DT. Moreover, a detail entropy production analysis shows the energy loss is closely related to the flow separation and the reverse flow, and other negative flow factors. The entropy production of the SDT is lessened than that of the DT at different . Unlike the DT, the SDT allows a large mass flow of water to leak through the open-center structure, which plays an important role in improving the wake structure and avoiding the negative flow along the central axis.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Marine Renewable Energy)
Open AccessArticle
Bonamia exitiosa in European Flat Oyster (Ostrea edulis) on the Croatian Adriatic Coast from 2016 to 2020
by
, , , , , , and
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 929; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090929 (registering DOI) - 27 Aug 2021
Abstract
The annual production of European flat oysters (Ostrea edulis) in Croatia is about 50 to 65 tons, and it has a long tradition. All Croatian oyster farms are subjected to the national surveillance program aiming to detect the presence of Bonamia
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The annual production of European flat oysters (Ostrea edulis) in Croatia is about 50 to 65 tons, and it has a long tradition. All Croatian oyster farms are subjected to the national surveillance program aiming to detect the presence of Bonamia ostreae and Marteilia refringens according to the Council Directive 2006/88/EC. Within the surveillance program, the first findings of the parasite Bonamia spp. occurred in 2016 in two production areas in the north and south of the Eastern Adriatic coast. The repeated findings of the parasite were noted up to 2020 but also on two additional sites in the north. The parasite was detected by cytological analysis of stained heart smears, histological examination, and PCR. PCR positive samples were sequenced for SSU rDNA gene, and BLAST analysis confirmed infection with Bonamia exitiosa. Attempts to prove the Pacific oyster as a putative vector of the parasite failed. The infection prevalence from 2016 until 2020 ranged from 3.3 to 20% in different sites. No mortalities were reported from the infected sites, and it seemed that infection of flat oysters with B. exitiosa did not affect their health. The study has not shown the source and way of infection spread, which imposes the need for more comprehensive molecular and epidemiological studies.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbial Diseases of Marine Organisms)
Open AccessArticle
Numerical Simulation of the Ice Breaking Process for Hovercraft
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 928; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090928 (registering DOI) - 27 Aug 2021
Abstract
A hovercraft can adapt to an ice area, open water, land and other environments, owing to its unique hull structure. It also plays an important role in transporting supplies, rescuing people, breaking ice and conducting other tasks. Ice load prediction is very important
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A hovercraft can adapt to an ice area, open water, land and other environments, owing to its unique hull structure. It also plays an important role in transporting supplies, rescuing people, breaking ice and conducting other tasks. Ice load prediction is very important for structural safety and navigation of a polar ship, especially in design of air cushion icebreakers or ice breaking platforms. In this paper, based on a simplified circumferential icebreaking pattern, the icebreaking force of the hovercraft operating on the ice sheet at low speed is simulated in a numerical way. Numerical analysis of the icebreaking process with different ice thicknesses and bending strengths are performed. The numerical results are compared with model test data in a time domain for three operating cases. By analyzing the average ice force, the errors between numerical simulation results and model test measurements are less than 30%. The present study is significant for the preliminary design of new icebreaking hovercraft and it assists the operation possibility for existing hovercraft.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Understanding and Modelling of Ship-Ice Interaction)
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Open AccessFeature PaperArticle
Naturally Occurring Rock Type Influences the Settlement of Fucus spiralis L. zygotes
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 927; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090927 (registering DOI) - 26 Aug 2021
Abstract
The settlement of spores and larvae on hard substrates has been shown to be influenced by many factors, but few studies have evaluated how underlying bedrock may influence recruitment. The characteristics of coastal rock types such as color, heat capacity, mineral size, and
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The settlement of spores and larvae on hard substrates has been shown to be influenced by many factors, but few studies have evaluated how underlying bedrock may influence recruitment. The characteristics of coastal rock types such as color, heat capacity, mineral size, and free energy have all been implicated in settlement success. We examined the influence of naturally occurring rock types on the initial attachment of zygotes of the brown alga Fucus spiralis Linnaeus 1753. We also assessed the dislodgment of zygotes on four bedrock types after initial attachment in laboratory experiments using wave tanks. Settling plates were prepared from limestone, basalt, schist, and granite, found in the region of Orrs Island, Maine, USA. The plate surfaces tested were either naturally rough or smooth-cut surfaces. We measured the density of attached zygotes after 1.5 h of settlement and subsequently after a wave treatment, in both winter and summer. The pattern of initial attachment was the same on natural and smooth surfaces regardless of season: highest on limestone (range 7.0–13.4 zygotes/cm2), intermediate on schist (1.8–8.5 zygotes/cm2) and basalt (3.5–14.0 zygotes/cm2), and lowest on granite (0.8–7.8 zygotes/cm2). Patterns of survivorship following the wave treatment were similar to those of initial settlement with the mean survivorship varying from 60.1% (SE = 3.8) (limestone, smooth substrate) to 31.8% (SE = 0.59) (granite, natural substrate), and with the highest mean survival on limestone, basalt, and schist, and the lowest on granite. Our results suggest that rock type has a significant effect on zygote attachment and persistence. Patterns of attachment were the same on smooth and rough surfaces, indicating that surface roughness is not the predominant factor controlling the difference in successful attachment among rock types. Other properties of bedrock, possibly grain size, surface free energy, or chemical interaction with the adhesives used by the zygotes, directly affect the attachment of these algal propagules. These results suggest that patterns of benthic community structure could be determined in part by the distribution of bedrock types.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Larval Settlement on Marine Surfaces: The Role of Physico-Chemical Interactions)
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Open AccessArticle
Method of Studying Modulation Effects of Wind and Swell Waves on Tidal and Seiche Oscillations
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 926; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090926 - 26 Aug 2021
Abstract
This paper describes a method for identifying modulation effects caused by the interaction of waves with different frequencies based on regression analysis. We present examples of its application on experimental data obtained using high-precision laser interference instruments. Using this method, we illustrate and
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This paper describes a method for identifying modulation effects caused by the interaction of waves with different frequencies based on regression analysis. We present examples of its application on experimental data obtained using high-precision laser interference instruments. Using this method, we illustrate and describe the nonlinearity of the change in the period of wind waves that are associated with wave processes of lower frequencies—12- and 24-h tides and seiches. Based on data analysis, we present several basic types of modulation that are characteristic of the interaction of wind and swell waves on seiche oscillations, with the help of which we can explain some peculiarities of change in the process spectrum of these waves.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sea Level Fluctuations)
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Open AccessArticle
Comparative Analysis of Two Approaches for Correcting the Systematic Ocean Temperature Bias of CAS-ESM-C
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 925; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090925 - 26 Aug 2021
Abstract
Currently, several ocean data assimilation methods have been adopted to increase the performance of air–sea coupled models, but inconsistent adjustments between the sea temperature with other oceanic fields can be introduced. In the coupled model CAS-ESM-C, inconsistent adjustments for ocean currents commonly occur
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Currently, several ocean data assimilation methods have been adopted to increase the performance of air–sea coupled models, but inconsistent adjustments between the sea temperature with other oceanic fields can be introduced. In the coupled model CAS-ESM-C, inconsistent adjustments for ocean currents commonly occur in the tropical western Pacific and the eastern Indian Ocean. To overcome this problem, a new ensemble-based bias correction approach—a simple modification of the Ensemble Optimal Interpolation (EnOI) approach for multi-variable into a direct approach for a single variable—is proposed to minimize the model biases. Compared with the EnOI approach, this new approach can effectively avoid inconsistent adjustments. Meanwhile, the comparisons suggest that inconsistent adjustment mainly results from the unreasonable correlations between temperature and ocean current in the background matrix. In addition, the ocean current can be directly corrected in the EnOI approach, which can additionally generate biases for the upper ocean. These induced ocean biases can produce unreasonable ocean heat sinking and heat storage in the tropical western Pacific. It will generate incorrect ocean heat transmission toward the east, further amplifying the inconsistency introduced through the tropical air–sea interaction process.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Earth System Modeling, Data Assimilation, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning and Ocean Information Engineering)
Open AccessArticle
Atmospheric and Climatic Drivers of Tide Gauge Sea Level Variability along the East and South Coast of South Africa
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 924; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090924 (registering DOI) - 26 Aug 2021
Abstract
Atmospheric forcing and climate modes of variability on various timescales are important drivers of sea level variability. However, the influence of such drivers on sea level variability along the South African east and south coast has not yet been adequately investigated. Here, we
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Atmospheric forcing and climate modes of variability on various timescales are important drivers of sea level variability. However, the influence of such drivers on sea level variability along the South African east and south coast has not yet been adequately investigated. Here, we determine the timescales of sea level variability and their relationships with various drivers. Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) was applied to seven tide gauge records and potential forcing data for this purpose. The oscillatory modes identified by the EMD were summed to obtain physically more meaningful timescales—specifically, the sub-annual (less than 18 months) and interannual (greater than two years) scales. On the sub-annual scale, sea level responds to regional zonal and meridional winds associated with mesoscale and synoptic weather disturbances. Ekman dynamics resulting from variability in sea level pressure and alongshore winds are important for the coastal sea level on this timescale. On interannual timescales, there were connections with ENSO, the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), although the results are not consistent across all the tide gauge stations and are not particularly strong. In general, El Niño and positive IOD events are coincident with high coastal sea levels and vice versa, whereas there appears to be an inverse relationship between SAM phase and sea level.
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(This article belongs to the Section Coastal Engineering)
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Open AccessArticle
Hydrodynamic Behaviour of Floating Polygonal Platforms under Wave Action
by
and
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 923; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090923 - 25 Aug 2021
Abstract
The hydrodynamic behaviour of floating regular polygonal platforms under wave action was studied by conducting parametric studies. Considering triangular, square, hexagonal, and circular platforms of similar size and draft, the results show that their added mass, radiation damping, and RAOs are similar. However,
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The hydrodynamic behaviour of floating regular polygonal platforms under wave action was studied by conducting parametric studies. Considering triangular, square, hexagonal, and circular platforms of similar size and draft, the results show that their added mass, radiation damping, and RAOs are similar. However, the wave exciting forces are slightly different, particularly the horizontal forces. The polygonal platforms oriented with one of its corners in line with the prevailing wave direction can lead to a reduction in the horizontal force on the platform, a feature that helps in reducing the cost of a mooring system. Moreover, such oriented platforms are able to disperse the waves better in multiple directions and hence will not pose problems for ships or marine vessels passing by the platform on the weather side. Thus, the orientation of a polygonal platform is an important design consideration. From the comparison study among different polygonal platforms, their wave attenuation performances are slightly similar. The hydrodynamic analyses performed herein for the parametric studies were sped up considerably by using a significantly lesser number of Fourier coefficient sets for the series functions that define the velocity potentials when compared to those used by previous researchers in their analytical approaches. The adoption of the radius function defined by cosine-type radial perturbation does not only generate the geometric boundaries of polygonal platforms, but it also simplifies the formulation and quickens the computations.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Floating Structures)
Open AccessArticle
Hydraulic and Structural Assessment of a Rubble-Mound Breakwater with a Hybrid Wave Energy Converter
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 922; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090922 - 25 Aug 2021
Abstract
Seaports’ breakwaters serve as important infrastructures capable of sheltering ships, facilities, and harbour personnel from severe wave climate. Given their exposure to ocean waves and port authorities’ increasing awareness towards sustainability, it is important to develop and assess wave energy conversion technologies suitable
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Seaports’ breakwaters serve as important infrastructures capable of sheltering ships, facilities, and harbour personnel from severe wave climate. Given their exposure to ocean waves and port authorities’ increasing awareness towards sustainability, it is important to develop and assess wave energy conversion technologies suitable of being integrated into seaport breakwaters. To fulfil this goal whilst ensuring adequate sheltering conditions, this paper describes the performance and stability analysis of the armour layer and toe berm of a 1/50 geometric scale model of the north breakwater extension project, intended for the Port of Leixões, with an integrated hybrid wave energy converter. This novel hybrid concept combines an oscillating water column and an overtopping device. The breakwater was also studied without the hybrid wave energy device as to enable a thorough comparison between both solutions regarding structural stability, safety, and overtopping performance. The results point towards a considerable reduction in the overtopping volumes through the integration of the hybrid technology by an average value of 50%, while the stability analysis suggests that the toe berm of the breakwater is not significantly affected by the hybrid device, leading to acceptable safety levels. Even so, some block displacements were observed, and the attained stability numbers were slightly above the recommended thresholds from the literature. It is also shown that traditional damage assessment parameters should be applied with care when non-conventional structures are analysed, such as rubble-mound breakwaters with integrated wave energy converters.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Systems for Marine Energy Harvesting)
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Open AccessCommunication
On the Duality of Marine Geoheritage: Evidence from the Abrau Area of the Russian Black Sea Coast
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 921; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090921 - 24 Aug 2021
Abstract
Marine geoheritage is an important but still underdeveloped concept. Field investigations in the Abrau area (Krasnodar Region, southwestern Russia) and subsequent interpretations allow for the characterization of its geoheritage. Two geosites, namely Abrau and Limanchik, are delineated and assessed semi-qualitatively. Their high heritage
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Marine geoheritage is an important but still underdeveloped concept. Field investigations in the Abrau area (Krasnodar Region, southwestern Russia) and subsequent interpretations allow for the characterization of its geoheritage. Two geosites, namely Abrau and Limanchik, are delineated and assessed semi-qualitatively. Their high heritage value, complexity, and appropriate “technical” properties are appraised. The Abrau geosite features Abrau Lake with its enigmatic origin and the outcrops of deformed Upper Cretaceous carbonate flysch deposits. The Limanchik geosite represents an outstanding example of coastal abrasion, Paleocene siliciclastic flysch with trace fossils, and a coastal lagoon separated from the sea by a bar. The heritage aspects of the study areas are related to the development of the Late Cretaceous, Paleocene, and Pliocene seas, as well as to the active dynamics of the Black Sea coastal zone. The duality of marine geoheritage is linked to its relation to both ancient and modern marine environments.
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(This article belongs to the Section Geological Oceanography)
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Open AccessArticle
CICE-LETKF Ensemble Analysis System with Application to Arctic Sea Ice Initialization
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 920; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090920 (registering DOI) - 24 Aug 2021
Abstract
To study the effectiveness of methods to reduce errors for Arctic Sea ice initialization due to underestimation of background error covariance, an advanced ensemble analysis system has been developed. The system integrates the local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF) with the community ice
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To study the effectiveness of methods to reduce errors for Arctic Sea ice initialization due to underestimation of background error covariance, an advanced ensemble analysis system has been developed. The system integrates the local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF) with the community ice code (CICE). With a mixed layer ocean model used to compute the sea surface temperature (SST), the experiments on assimilation of observations of sea ice concentration (SIC) have been carried out. Assimilation experiments were performed over a 3-month period from January to March in 1997. The model was sequentially constrained with daily observation data. The effects of observation density, amplification factor for analysis error covariance, and relaxation of disturbance and spread on the results of SIC initialization were studied. It is shown that doubling the density of observation of SIC does not bring significant further improvement on the analysis result; when the ensemble size is doubled, most severe SIC biases in the Labrador, Greenland, Norwegian, and Barents seas are reduced; amplifying the analysis error covariance, relaxing disturbance, and relaxing spread all contribute to improving the reproduction of SIC with amplifying covariance with the largest magnitude.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Influence of Sea Surface Temperature on Sea Ice and Polar Climate Change)
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Lateral and Overturning Resistance of Wind Turbine Foundations Reinforced with Piles on Bedrock by Modelling Experiments
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2021, 9(9), 919; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse9090919 - 24 Aug 2021
Abstract
This study evaluated the lateral and overturning resistance of wind turbine foundations reinforced with piles on bedrock through model experiments. In particular, changes in lateral and overturning resistance of wind turbine foundations were analyzed according to cross-sectional size and the presence of piles
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This study evaluated the lateral and overturning resistance of wind turbine foundations reinforced with piles on bedrock through model experiments. In particular, changes in lateral and overturning resistance of wind turbine foundations were analyzed according to cross-sectional size and the presence of piles of wind turbine foundations. As a result, by reducing the cross-section, the lateral resistance of the pile-reinforced wind turbine foundation was compared to the existing wind turbine foundation with large cross-sections and was shown to be 1.68 times greater. In the case of vertical displacements affecting overturning, the safety of overturning was also greater, as the vertical displacement of the pile-reinforced wind turbine foundation was 36% smaller than the existing wind turbine foundation. As a result of the unidirectional cyclic load on a pile-reinforced wind turbine foundation, lateral resistance value was similar to that of the static load in target displacement value, and it showed that the elastic resilience was very large due to pile reinforcement. According to the bending moment measurement of piles embedded in wind turbine foundations and bedrock, bending moments were large in the order of the front row, the right-hand row, and the back row, while the maximum bending moment generation was found on the boundary surface of the wind turbine foundation and the rubble mound layer for the front row, as well as on the boundary surface of the rubble mound layer and bedrock for the right-hand row and back row.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Installations and Constructions)
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