Computer Science Symposium in Russia 

About: Computer Science Symposium in Russia is an academic conference. The conference publishes majorly in the area(s): Continental shelf & Sediment. Over the lifetime, 2941 publications have been published by the conference receiving 106324 citations.

Microbial biofilms in intertidal systems: an overview

Abstract: Intertidal marine systems are highly dynamic systems which are characterized by periodic #uctuations in environmental parameters. Microbial processes play critical roles in the remineralization of nutrients and primary production in intertidal systems. Many of the geochemical and biological processes which are mediated by microorganisms occur within microenvironments which can be measured over micrometer spatial scales. These processes are localized by cells within a matrix of extracellular polymeric secretions (EPS), collectively called a ‘microbial bio"lma. Recent examinations of intertidal systems by a range of investigators using new approaches show an abundance of bio"lm communities. The purpose of this overview is to examine recent information concerning the roles of microbial bio"lms in intertidal systems. The microbial bio"lm is a common adaptation of natural bacteria and other microorganisms. In the #uctuating environments of intertidal systems, bio"lms form protective microenvironments and may structure a range of microbial processes. The EPS matrix of bio"lm forms sticky coatings on individual sediment particles and detrital surfaces, which act as a stabilizing anchor to bu!er cells and their extracellular processes during the frequent physical stresses (e.g., changes in salinity and temperature, UV irradiation, dessication). EPS is an operational de"nition designed to encompass a range of large microbially-secreted molecules having widely varying physical and chemical properties, and a range of biological roles. Examinations of EPS using Raman and Fourier-transform infared spectroscopy, and atomicforce microscopy suggest that some EPS gels possess physical and chemical properties which may hasten the development of sharp geochemical gradients, and contribute a protective e!ect to cells. Bio"lm polymers act as a sorptive sponge which binds and concentrates organic molecules and ions close to cells. Concurrently, the EPS appear to localize extracellular enzyme activities of bacteria, and hence contribute to the e$cient biomineralization of organics. At larger spatial scales, the copious secretion of speci"c types of EPS by diatoms on the surfaces of

Turbidity as a control on phytoplankton biomass and productivity in estuaries

Abstract: In many coastal plain estuaries light attenuation by suspended sediments confines the photic zone to a small fraction of the water column, such that light limitation is a major control on phytoplankon production and turnover rate. For a variety of estuarine systems (e.g. San Francisco Bay, Puget Sound, Delaware Bay, Hudson River plume), photic-zone productivity can be estimated as a function of phytoplankton biomass times mean irradiance of the photic zone. Net water column productivity also varies with light availability, and in San Francisco Bay net productivity is zero (estimated respiratory loss of phytoplankton balances photosynthesis) when the ratio of photic depth ( Z p ) to mixed depth ( Z m ) is less than about 0.2. Thus whenever Z p : Z m Much of the spatial and temporal variability of phytoplankton biomass or productivity in estuaries is explained by variations in the ratio of photic depth to mixed depth. For example, phytoplankton blooms often coincide with stratification events that reduce the depth of the surface mixed layer (increase Z p : Z m ). Shallow estuarine embayments (high Z p : Z m ) are often characterized by high phytoplankton biomass relative to adjacent channels (low Z p : Z m ). Many estuaries have longitudinal gradients in productivity that mirror the distribution of suspended sediments: productivity is low near the riverine source of sediments (low Z p : Z m ) and increases toward the estuary mouth where turbidity decreases. Some of these generalizations are qualitative in nature, and detailed understanding of the interaction between turbidity and estuarine phytoplankton dynamics requires improved understanding of vertical mixing rates and phytoplankton respiration.

Transformation of Dissolved and Particulate Materials on Continental Shelves Influenced by Large Rivers: Plume Processes

Abstract: The world's ten largest rivers transport approximately 40% of the fresh water and particulate materials entering the ocean. The impact of large rivers is important on a regional/continental scale (e.g. the Mississippi drains ∼40% of the conterminous US and carries approximately 65% of all the suspended solids and dissolved solutes that enter the ocean from the US) and on a global scale (e.g. the Amazon River annually supplies approximately 20% of all the freshwater that enters the ocean; e.g. approximately 85% of all sedimenting organic carbon in the ocean accumulates in coastal margin regions). River plume processes are affected by a suite of complex factors that are not fully understood. It is clear however, that the composition, concentration and delivery of terrestrial materials by large rivers cannot be understood by simply scaling up the magnitudes and impacts of dominant processes in smaller rivers. Because of high rates of particulate and water discharge, the estuarine processes associated with major rivers usually take place on the adjacent continental shelf instead of in a physically confined estuary. This influences the magnitude and selectivity of processes that transform, retain or export terrestrial materials. Buoyancy is a key mediating factor in transformation processes in the coastal margin. In this paper we review and synthesize current understanding of the transformation processes of dissolved and particulate organic and inorganic materials associated with large river (buoyant) plumes. Chemical and biological activities are greatly enhanced by the changed physical and optical environment within buoyant plumes. Time and space scales over which these transformation processes occur vary greatly, depending on factors such as scales of discharge, suspended sediment loads, light and temperature. An adequate understanding of transformation processes in these highly dynamic, buoyancy-driven systems is lacking. In this paper, we review the biogeochemical processes that occur in large river plumes.

A review of acoustic measurement of small-scale sediment processes

Abstract: Over the past two decades the application of acoustics to the measurement of small-scale sediment processes has been gaining increasing acceptance within the sedimentological community. This has arisen because acoustics has the potential to measure non-intrusively, with high temporal and spatial resolution, profiles of suspended sediment size and concentration, profiles of flow, and the bedform morphology. In the present article we review the capability of acoustics to deliver on its potentiality to make a valuable and unique contribution to the measurement of small-scale sediment processes. The article introduces the reasons for using acoustics, the physics underlying the approach, a series of examples illustrating collected data, a discussion on some of the difficulties encountered when applying acoustics and finally a look to the future and possible new developments.

The role of wave-induced density-driven fluid mud flows for cross-shelf transport on the Eel River continental shelf

Abstract: Observations of cross-shelf sediment transport conducted in the winter of 1997–1998 as part of the STRATAFORM program reveal that gravitationally forced density flows of fluid mud trapped within the thin wave bottom boundary layer provide a mechanism for forming flood deposits on the Eel river continental shelf. The data from two moored tripods located on the 20 and 60 m isobaths combined with “rapid response” hydrographic surveys, indicate a process whereby the Eel River delivers sediment on to the inner shelf faster than dispersal and transport processes are able to move it offshore. The river does not deliver sediment beyond the inner shelf because the plume is trapped along the coast due to onshore surface flow associated with downwelling favorable winds. However, the final flood deposition region is located seaward of the 50-m isobath. Acoustic backscattering data taken on the 60-m isobath (in the historic flood deposit region) show two depositional events of 6 and 13 cm during a period of high river discharge and high waves in January of 1998. These depositional events are associated with fluid mud layers that scale in thickness with the wave boundary layer. Velocity profiles from a vertical array of current meters spanning the bottom 2 m of the water column show that the current meter closest to the seafloor has the largest offshore velocity during the depositional events, indicating an offshore flow of the fluid mud from the inner shelf to the flood deposit region. During periods of low concentration suspended sediment transport without fluid mud layers present, either no deposition or erosion was found indicating that the offshore flow of the fluid mud is the dominant depositional mechanism.