Tsukasa Nishimura

Kinetic Study of Self-Propelled Marine Vortices Based on Remotely Sensed Data

Based on remotely sensed data, a kinetic study is developed about the self-propelled marine vortices. The motion is detected on remote sensing imageries and its mechanism is revealed using the kinematics of the isolated vortices in the perfect fluid. It is shown that the self-propelled marine vortices have an important role to activate the shelf-sea environment around Japan by inducing substantial mass transport and coastal currents.

Surface currents around Hokkaido in the late fall of 1981 obtained from analysis of satellite images

This paper describes the characteristics of currents around Hokkaido using a current vector map compiled by chasing the displacement of sea marks on a pair of successive thermal infrared images taken from a satellite, NOAA-6. The points of some sea surface patterns showing distinctive features which can be commonly identified in both images are called “Sea Marks≓. This “sea mark chase method≓ has a great advantage over velocity measurements by boats or buoys, in that it gives a synoptic view of the velocity distribution over a broad sea area extending for some hundreds of miles on a short time scale of half a day.In order to investigate the current in the late fall of 1981, we used the data taken at 19:05 JST on 30 October and at 7:20 JST on 31 October. With these data taken with a 12 hr difference, the measurement accuracy of the speed of sea marks reached ±0.1 knot through geometrical correction. The velocity vectors of sea marks agreed with results of GEK measurements performed on those days, and also with the mean current pattern obtained in the past based on sea surface data.The most distinct features recognized were some cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies of the order of 100 km in diameter which dominated in the Kuril Basin of the Okhotsk Sea. They appeared clearly in the original NOAA images and their physical parameters were determined quantitatively from the vector map. These eddies were located in the region of decay of the Soya Warm Current and were rotating at a speed nearly as large as that of the current. The problems of what feeds energy to these eddies and how long they live remain to be solved in future studies.

Satellite monitoring of oceanic turbulence around Japan Islands

Abstract Based on kinematic features of the coherent structure, daminant in the oceanic turbulence around Japan Islands, obtained from the NOAA/AVHRR monitoring, the Kuroshio behavior was discussed. Most eddies shed from cusped capes on the Pacific-Coast increase the turbulent boundary layer, and form an organized coherent structure of mesoscale eddies interlocked in the Shikoku-Basin. Some eddies shed from the Cape-Shionomisaki, however, trap part of the Kuroshio watermass and deviate it coastward, leading to a decay of the boundary layer. The formed coherent structure induces the basin-scale Kuroshio variability, which has usually been described through the meandering and nonmeandering phenomena of the Kuroshio path.

STUDY ON VORTEX CURRENT IN STRAIT WITH REMOTE-SENSING

Parameter Identification (PI) algorithm is an optimization procedure that systematically searches the parameters embedded in a mathematical model. These parameters are not measurable from a physical point of view. The optimization is based on the minimization of a selected norm of the differences between the solution of the mathematical model and scattered observations collected from the system. Parameter identification (or inverse problem) has been studied in groundwater systems extensively for the past decade (15), and it has also drawn many researchers in the fields of open-channel flow and estuarine modeling since 1972 (1,2,9,17). All the past estuarine PI works in the literature are confined to the one-dimensional case, and hydrodynamics and transport equations are treated separately. This study deals with PI in a two-dimensional vertically-averaged estuarine salinity model. The salinity transport equation is coupled with the hydrodynamics equations. The coupled relationship introduces extra density terms in the hydrodynamics equations, which must be solved simultaneously with the transport equation. One of the most difficult problems in PI is the collection of needed observations from the system which is being modeled. With limited exception, the currently available data from the prototype estuaries are not adequate for the purposes of developing a PI algorithm. This is usually critical in quantity (the number of stations and/or the period of time) and in quality (noise of data). However, if an operational hydraulic model is available, the data could then be obtained economically and accurately under an ideally controlled environment. The large amount of data that can be collected from a hydraulic model of an estuary will provide a sufficient number of observations and the required initial and boundary conditions for the development of a PI algorithm. The use of the estuary hydraulic model could provide a better source of prototype data than would be available from the real estuary. It will be much easier to distinguish between the inadequacy of the mathematics and the inadequacy of our understanding of the prototype. Thus, it will give us an idea of how well we could expect to mathematically model the real estuary if we had an unlimited amount of prototype data. Additionally, when these types of data are used in PI, parameters can be optimally identified and the mathematical model can then be used conjunctively with the hydraulic model for prototype applications, provided that the mathematical model is consistently formulated. How well a hydraulic model simulates the prototype estuary is not considered in this study.The problem of buoyant surface jet (BSJ) is relevant from the practical standpoint to the discharge of cooling water of power plants into the receiving water bodies. The buoyant surface jet has extensively been studied by numerous investigators both theoretically and experimentally. Most studies have been concerned with the problems of BSJ discharged horizontally into a surface of a deep ambient water with or without cross current. From a practical standpoint, however, the design engineers are often confronted with the design of thermal outfalls in the coastal regions which are frequently shallow and have the boundary effects. Few investigators have studied the problem of BSJ discharged horizontally over slopping bottom into quiescent receiving water (1), (2), (4), (5), (6), and (7). However, no information on the foregoing problem with moving ambient water is available. The purpose of this paper is (a) to present the experimental results of BSJ which is discharged over slopping bottom into moving ambient water, and (b) to see the degree of error which is introduced by applying the deep water integral models to the case of a buoyant surface jet with a bottom boundary.This study deals with the statistical properties of the group formation of random waves determined by the zero-up-cross method. Probability distributions about (1) the run of high waves (2) the total run (3) the run of resonant wave period are derived theoretically providing that the time series of wave height and wave period form the Markov chain. Transition probabilities are given by the 2-dimensional Rayleigh distribution for the wave height train and the 2-dimensional Weibull distribution for the wave period train. And very good agreements between data and the theoretical distributions have been obtained. Then the paper discusses those parameters which affect the statistical properties of the runs and shows that the spectrum peakedness parameter for the. run of wave height and the spectrum width parameter for the run of wave period are the most predominant.One of the characteristics of the North Sea between the British Isles, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark is the occurrence of heave storm surges especially in autumn and winter with heights of about 4 m above spring highwater. Coastal areas and especially the estuaries of the tidal rivers are hit by these storm surge events. The mean tidal range at the German coast comes to about 3 m with relatively low daily and semimonthly inequalities of less than 0.5m. Within the framework of long-term developments of the navigation channels of the estuaries as well as of the storm surge protection works, physical model tests had to be carried out in order to predict the influences of such measures on the storm surge heights to be expected.A two-dimensional laboratory investigation of sediment transport, induced by shallow-water waves, showed that the sediment motion over suspension-dominant asymmetric ripples is closely related to the development of eroding beaches. High-speed motion picture analysis revealed that vortices, formed over this type of ripple, play a crucial role in transporting the sediment to the offshore region. A relation for net offshore sediment flux was formulated for sand 0.02 cm in diameter. A simple model for eroding beaches was proposed and its validity was checked by using two existing data sets for 0.02-cm sand beaches; the model could predict fairly well profile and shoreline changes in the early stages.Queenslands Beach Protection Act (1968-1974) resulted, inter alia in the formation of the Beach Protection Authority, which is responsible for investigating coastal erosion, planning remedial works, recording and evaluating results of investigations, and various other functions. Control of windblown sand and retention of vegetated and naturally stable coastal sand dunes are valuable means of decreasing coastal erosion and because of this the Authority implements a broad research program into the management of coastal dunes in Queensland. Field trials are carried out at the Authoritys Dune Management Research Station on South Stradbroke Island to determine methods of repairing, stabilizing and managing coastal dunes. The research program conducted so far consists of fifteen separate field trials within four general areas of investigation:- (a) Dune Forming Fences Two trials were installed in blown-out sections of the frontal dune to compare different types of semi-permeable fences (eg. wooden slats) and brush matting (a surface mulch of tree branches) on the basis of their ability to accumulate windblown sand and initiate dune formation. (b) Dune Stabilization Techniques Three trials were installed on bare dunal areas to evaluate methods of temporary sand surface stabilization (organic mulches and spray-on materials) as an aid in establishing dune vegetation. (c) Dune Vegetation Two trials were conducted to produce and compile information on the performance of important or potentially useful dune plants. (d) Plant Nutrition Eight trials using different combinations and rates of fertilizer were used to study methods of improvement of establishment and early growth of dune stabilizing plants, particularly sand spinifex grass (Spinifex hirsutus). Good establishment and rapid early growth is required in order to accelerate, improve, and decrease the costs of, the stabilization process.Construction of the Jebel Ali Port complex, 35 km southwest of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, has included the disposal of 110 Million cubic metres of excavated spoil. Disposal of dredged carbonaceous breccia raised particular problems due to the high proportion of fines generated and which, unless properly controlled, could cause wide scale environmental damage in the coastal zone. At the same time it was necessary that acceptable reclamation should be created. An extensive data collection exercise was carried out in order to monitor the geotechnical, hydraulic, meteorological, marine climate and marine biology aspects of the operation.Tung-Kang Fishing Harbor, which is about 16 km to the south of Kaohsiung Harbor, is a river harbor on the south-west coast of Taiwan. This harbor is located at the estuary of the Niu-Pu River, which meets the Tung- Kang River and the Kao-Ping River on the north side, (see Fig. 1) The original north and south jetties were constructed in 1959. Because the entrance is located at the meeting of the three rivers and the water depth at the entrance is shallower than that in the breaking zone, the entrance is easily chocked with sand during the summer season when the south-west wind and waves are strong. Therefore, dredging is always necessary to maintain the required depth. On. the other hand, because of the increasing number of fishing boats and deeper draft, the port cannot function effectively. There-fore, how to keep the required water depth at the entrance and to obtain a wider and stable water basin is an urgent problem with this harbor. Based on the sounding of 1973, the littoral drift is mainly from the south. In the next year the construction of a 176 m long new south jetty was begun to protect the entrance and to facilitate the sedimentation study. In 1975, the Taiwan Fisheries Consultants was appointed to undertake the investigation and long-term planning work. This project includes littoral process study, planning, model test and design. Finally it is recommended that an adequate layout of south and north jetties can solve the problem of accretation of the harbor entrance. The purpose of this paper is to describe some aspects with emphasis on how to prevent the shoaling of the entrance channel located at the meeting of the rivers.

COHERENT STRUCTURE OF TIDAL TURBULENCE IN A ROTATING SYSTEM OF OSAKA-BAY

A special reflecting wall 12 m long and 2.1 m high was built off the beach at Reggio Calabria, and 30 wave gauges were assembled before the wall and were connected to an electronic station on land. It was possible to observe the reflection of wind waves generated by a very stable wind over a fetch of 10 Km. The experiment aimed to verify the general closed solution for the wave group mechanics (Boccotti, 1988, 1989), for the special case of the wave reflection.Significant features on Wadden Sea wave climate are evaluated in respect of the state of the art. Main emphasis was laid on an analysis of the governing boundary conditions of local wave climate in island sheltered Wadden Sea areas with extensions being sufficient for local wind wave growth. Explanatory for significant wave heights a reliable parametrization of local wave climate has been evaluated by using generally available data of water level and wind measurements.