SungHyun Nam

Seasonal advection of Pacific Equatorial Water alters oxygen and pH in the Southern California Bight

Chemical properties of the California Undercurrent (CU) have been changing over the past several decades, yet the mechanisms responsible for the trend are still not fully understood. We present a survey of temperature, salinity, O2, pH, and currents at intermediate depths (defined here as 50–500 m) in the summer (30 June to 10 July) and winter (8–15 December) of 2012 in the southern region of the Southern California Bight. Observations of temperature, salinity, and currents reveal that local bathymetry and small gyres play an important role in the flow path of the California Undercurrent (CU). Using spiciness (π) as a tracer, we observe a 10% increase of Pacific Equatorial Water (PEW) in the core of the CU during the summer versus the winter. This is associated with an increase in π of 0.2, and a decrease in O2 and pH of 30 μmol kg−1 and 0.022, respectively; the change in pH is driven by increased CO2, while total alkalinity remains unchanged. The high-π, low-O2, and low-pH waters during the summer are not distributed uniformly in the study region. Moreover, mooring observations at the edge of the continental shelf reveal intermittent intrusions of PEW onto the shelf with concomitant decreases in O2 and pH. We estimate that increased advection of PEW in the CU could account for approximately 50% of the observed decrease in O2, and between 49 and 73% of the decrease in pH, over the past three decades.

Dynamic variability of biogeochemical ratios in the Southern California Current System

We use autonomous nitrate (NO3−), oxygen (O2), and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) observations to examine the relationship between ratios of C:N:O at an upwelling site in the Southern California Current System. Mean ratios and 95% confidence intervals observed by sensors over 8 months were NO3−:O2 = −0.11 ± 0.002, NO3−:DIC = 0.14 ± 0.001, and DIC:O2 = −0.83 ± 0.01, in good agreement with Redfield ratios. Variability in the ratios on the weekly time scale is attributable to shifts in biological demand and nutrient availability and shown to exhibit a spectrum of values ranging from near 100% New Production to 100% Regenerated Production.

Resonant Diurnal Oscillations and Mean Alongshore Flows Driven by Sea/Land Breeze Forcing in the Coastal Southern California Bight

AbstractThis study presents observations of the cross-sectional structure of resonant response to sea/land breezes (SLBs) off Huntington Beach (HB) in the Southern California Bight (SCB). A resonant response to local diurnal wind stress fluctuations associated with SLB forcing occurs intermittently and produces strong diurnal oscillations of flow and temperature resulting from enhanced work of the diurnal local wind on the sea surface. At nighttime (daytime), a coherent cross-sectional circulation with offshore (onshore) currents in the surface layer (upper 15 m) and onshore (offshore) currents in the intermediate layer around 20 m are generated, with a three-layered vertical structure on the outer shelf. The authors find a net cross-shore eddy heat flux (net cooling of nearshore water) during the period of strong response to SLB, that is, a rectified mean heat flux and steeper isotherms resulting from the diurnal SLB fluctuations. The steepened mean isotherms are also found to be in thermal–wind balance ...

Observed impact of mesoscale circulation on oceanic response to Typhoon Man-Yi (2007)

The oceanic response to a typhoon, where mesoscale ocean circulations co-exist, was investigated by analyzing the independent observations of profiling floats data at three different locations, satellite altimetry data near the eye of Typhoon Man-Yi (2007) before and after its passage, and synthetic aperture radar data taken during the typhoon’s passage. In spite of the nearly symmetric wind pattern around the eye, the distribution of mesoscale eddies had a major impact on the surface currents and mixed layer (ML) depths. As a result, the entrainment of the water below the ML into the ML was affected by the mesoscale circulation and became asymmetric, which accounted for most of the changes observed in the temperature profiles. Changes in the isotherms were driven primarily by the westward propagation of the mesoscale pattern rather than by the typhoon-induced shoaling. The typhoon-induced shoaling could have played a significant role in the generation of high-frequency (e.g., near-inertial) oscillations and/or sub-mesoscale structures. Although a similar or even greater energy flux was observed at the surface, the entrainment within the anticyclonic circulation was weaker than that within the cyclonic circulation and at the edge of the anticyclonic circulation because of the thick pre-existing ML. A strong ocean response to Typhoon Man-Yi (2007) within a cyclonic circulation or at the edge of an anticyclonic circulation, rather than within an anticyclonic eddy, has implications for the role of mesoscale ocean circulations in better understanding and forecasting the typhoon intensity.

Tidal influence on the sea‐to‐air transfer of CH4 in the coastal ocean

We obtained real-time monitoring data of water temperature, salinity, wind, current, CH4 and other oceanographic parameters in a coastal bay in the southern sea of Korea from July 8 to August 15, 2003, using an environmental monitoring buoy. In general, the transfer velocity of environmental gases across the air–sea interface is obtained exclusively from empirical relationships with wind speeds. However, our monitoring data demonstrate that the agitation of the aqueous boundary layer is controlled significantly by tidal turbulence, similar to the control exercised by wind stress in the coastal ocean. The sea-to-air transfer of CH4 is enhanced significantly during spring tide due to an increase in the gas transfer velocity and vertical CH4 transport from bottom water to the surface layer. Thus, our unique timeseries results imply that the sea-to-air transfer of gases, such as CH4, DMS, DMHg, N2O, CO2 and 222Rn, from highly enriched coastal bottom waters, is controlled not only by episodic wind events but also by regular tidal turbulence in the coastal ocean.

Reply to comment by Q. Zheng on “Can near-inertial internal waves in the East Sea be observed by synthetic aperture radar?”

[1] SAR images of the sea surface are very useful to detect numerous phenomena which are driven by oceanic as well as atmospheric processes [Johannessen et al., 1994]. We think that the SAR images of D. J. Kim et al. [2005] are not exceptions as they show regular patterns of various scales in the East Sea. In particular, we investigated the specific signals denoted by A, B and C in Figure 1, which is the same as Figure 2 by D. J. Kim et al. [2005] except that it is enlarged to show feature clearly. [2] Zheng [2005] argued that the wave phase speed, which was derived by D. J. Kim et al. [2005] from two SAR images, was not a real phase speed but related to a group speed. This argument is based on an assumption that these wave-like patterns (A, B and C) are footprints of atmospheric coastal lee waves. However, it should be noticed that interpretations by D. J. Kim et al. [2005] are based on characteristics of near-inertial internal waves, which were clearly observed by an ocean buoy as well. The relationship between the phase velocity and group velocity of near-inertial internal waves is shown in Figure 2. The phase velocity and group velocity are perpendicular and the horizontal directions of two velocities are the same, but vertical directions are opposite [Thorpe, 1999]. The horizontal directions of the two velocities are shoreward because the crest of A, B and C moves to A0, B0 and C0 toward the coast. The vertical direction of group velocity of near-inertial waves is downward because the phase of the east-west currents measured at the ESROB propagates upward in the depth 5–15 meters during 140– 142 days [see D. J. Kim et al., 2005, Figure 5]. The movement of the wave crests between the A-A0, B-B0 and C-C0 on the two successively acquired SAR images is about 12 km, indicating that the horizontal phase speed (not group speed) of the waves is about 0.3 m/s in average. We can not estimate the group velocity with SAR images only, because the movements of the near-inertial internal wave group can not be detected directly on the SAR image.

Long-term and real-time monitoring system of the East/Japan sea

Long-term, continuous, and real-time ocean monitoring has been undertaken in order to evaluate various oceanographic phenomena and processes in the East/Japan Sea. Recent technical advances combined with our concerted efforts have allowed us to establish a real-time monitoring system and to accumulate considerable knowledge on what has been taking place in water properties, current systems, and circulation in the East Sea. We have obtained information on volume transport across the Korea Strait through cable voltage measurements and continuous temperature and salinity profile data from ARGO floats placed throughout entire East Sea since 1997. These ARGO float data have been utilized to estimate deep current, inertial kinetic energy, and changes in water mass, especially in the northern East Sea. We have also developed the East Sea Real-time Ocean Buoy (ESROB) in coastal regions and made continual improvements till it has evolved into the most up-to-date and effective monitoring system as a result of remarkable technical progress in data communication systems. Atmospheric and oceanic measurements by ESROB have contributed to the recognition of coastal wind variability, current fluctuations, and internal waves near and off the eastern coast of Korea. Long-term current meter moorings have been in operation since 1996 between Ulleungdo and Dokdo to monitor the interbasin deep water exchanges between the Japanese and Ulleung Basins. In addition, remotely sensed satellite data could facilitate the investigation of atmospheric and oceanic surface conditions such as sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface height, near-surface winds, oceanic color, surface roughness, and so on. These satellite data revealed surface frontal structures with a fairly good spatial resolution, seasonal cycle of SST, atmospheric wind forcing, geostrophic current anomalies, and biogeochemical processes associated with physical forcing and processes. Since the East Sea has been recognized as a natural laboratory for global oceanic changes and a clue to abrupt climate change, we aim at constructing a 4-D continuous real-time monitoring system, over a decade at least, using the most advanced techniques to understand a variety of oceanic processes in the East Sea.

Silver-cotton nanocomposites: Nano-design of microfibrillar structure causes morphological changes and increased tenacity

The interactions of nanoparticles with polymer hosts have important implications for directing the macroscopic properties of composite fibers, yet little is known about such interactions with hierarchically ordered natural polymers due to the difficulty of achieving uniform dispersion of nanoparticles within semi-crystalline natural fiber. In this study we have homogeneously dispersed silver nanoparticles throughout an entire volume of cotton fiber. The resulting electrostatic interaction and distinct supramolecular structure of the cotton fiber provided a favorable environment for the controlled formation of nanoparticles (12 ± 3 nm in diameter). With a high surface-to-volume ratio, the extensive interfacial contacts of the nanoparticles efficiently “glued” the structural elements of microfibrils together, producing a unique inorganic-organic hybrid substructure that reinforced the multilayered architecture of the cotton fiber.

Summertime coastal current reversal opposing offshore forcing and local wind near the middle east coast of Korea: Observation and dynamics

A 6 year long current measurement at a buoy station off the middle east coast of Korea reveals an equatorward reversal of coastal current in summer opposing poleward local wind stress and offshore boundary current. The current reversal extends about 40 km offshore from the coast and is concurrent with warming and freshening of water column. Estimates of the depth-averaged alongshore momentum balance suggest a major balance between the alongshore pressure gradient and the lateral friction. Sources of the pressure gradient for the summertime current reversal are identified as the alongshore buoyancy gradient driven by the wind curl gradient and the prevalence of warmer and lower salinity water in the north. Alongshore pressure gradient and velocity induced by the wind curl gradient are quantified, which yields the observed seasonal current reversal.

Induction of Low-Level Hydrogen Peroxide Generation by Unbleached Cotton Nonwovens as Potential Wound Dressing Materials

Greige cotton is an intact plant fiber. The cuticle and primary cell wall near the outer surface of the cotton fiber contains pectin, peroxidases, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and trace metals, which are associated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation during cotton fiber development. Traditionally, the processing of cotton into gauze involves scouring and bleaching processes that remove the components in the cuticle and primary cell wall. The use of unbleached, greige cotton fibers in dressings, has been relatively unexplored. We have recently determined that greige cotton can generate low levels of H2O2 (5–50 micromolar). Because this may provide advantages for the use of greige cotton-based wound dressings, we have begun to examine this in more detail. Both brown and white cotton varieties were examined in this study. Brown cotton was found to have a relatively higher hydrogen peroxide generation and demonstrated different capacities for H2O2 generation, varying from 1 to 35 micromolar. The H2O2 generation capacities of white and brown nonwoven greige cottons were also examined at different process stages with varying chronology and source parameters, from field to nonwoven fiber. The primary cell wall of nonwoven brown cotton appeared very intact, as observed by transmission electron microscopy, and possessed higher pectin levels. The levels of pectin, SOD, and polyphenolics, correlated with H2O2 generation.