Draft Genome Sequence of the New Pathogen for Bivalve Larvae \u3cem\u3eVibrio bivalvicida\u3c/em\u3e

Vibrio bivalvicida is a novel pathogen of bivalve larvae responsible for recent vibriosis outbreaks affecting shellfish hatcheries. Here, we announce the draft genome sequence of V. bivalvicida 605 and describe potential virulence factors

Towards operational modeling and forecasting of the Iberian shelves ecosystem

There is a growing interest on physical and biogeochemical oceanic hindcasts and forecasts from a wide range of users and businesses. In this contribution we present an operational biogeochemical forecast system for the Portuguese and Galician oceanographic regions, where atmospheric, hydrodynamic and biogeochemical variables are integrated. The ocean model ROMS, with a horizontal resolution of 3 km, is forced by the atmospheric model WRF and includes a Nutrients-Phytoplankton-Zooplankton-Detritus biogeochemical module (NPZD). In addition to oceanographic variables, the system predicts the concentration of nitrate, phytoplankton, zooplankton and detritus (mmol N m(-3)). Model results are compared against radar currents and remote sensed SST and chlorophyll. Quantitative skill assessment during a summer upwelling period shows that our modelling system adequately represents the surface circulation over the shelf including the observed spatial variability and trends of temperature and chlorophyll concentration. Additionally, the skill assessment also shows some deficiencies like the overestimation of upwelling circulation and consequently, of the duration and intensity of the phytoplankton blooms. These and other departures from the observations are discussed, their origins identified and future improvements suggested. The forecast system is the first of its kind in the region and provides free online distribution of model input and output, as well as comparisons of model results with satellite imagery for qualitative operational assessment of model skill.publishe

Model-Derived Dispersal Pathways from Multiple Source Populations Explain Variability of Invertebrate Larval Supply

Background: Predicting the spatial and temporal patterns of marine larval dispersal and supply is a challenging task due to the small size of the larvae and the variability of oceanographic processes. Addressing this problem requires the use of novel approaches capable of capturing the inherent variability in the mechanisms involved. Methodology/Principal Findings: In this study we test whether dispersal and connectivity patterns generated from a biophysical model of larval dispersal of the crab Carcinus maenas, along the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula, can predict the highly variable daily pattern of wind-driven larval supply to an estuary observed during the peak reproductive season (March–June) in 2006 and 2007. Cross-correlations between observed and predicted supply were significant (p,0.05) and strong, ranging from 0.34 to 0.81 at time lags of 26 to+5 d. Importantly, the model correctly predicted observed cross-shelf distributions (Pearson r = 0.82, p,0.001, and r = 0.79, p,0.01, in 2006 and 2007) and indicated that all supply events were comprised of larvae that had been retained within the inner shelf; larvae transported to the outer shelf and beyond never recruited. Estimated average dispersal distances ranged from 57 to 198 km and were only marginally affected by mortality. Conclusions/Significance: The high degree of predicted demographic connectivity over relatively large geographic scales is consistent with the lack of genetic structuring in C. maenas along the Iberian Peninsula. These findings indicate that the dynamic nature of larval dispersal can be captured by mechanistic biophysical models, which can be used to provid

Generation and unstable evolution of a density-driven Eastern Poleward Current: The Iberian Poleward Current.

International audienceThe generation and evolution of a density-driven Eastern Poleward Current is investigated using a high-resolution primitive equation numerical model. The simulations focus on the Iberian Poleward Current (IPC) as a case study. The flow is generated by a meridional upper ocean density gradient balanced by an eastward surface-intensified flow that adjusts at the coastal margin. The resulting current system has a baroclinic character with poleward flow at the surface layer, and equatorward flow underneath. A few weeks after initialization, the sheared along-slope flow generates several vorticity structures downstream of the main topographic features. In the lee of the topography, persistent anticyclones are observed and deep cyclogenesis is induced in relation to the meandering of the upper layer jet. These structures evolve preferentially as cyclone/anticyclone eddy pairs, and after interaction some dipoles are ejected offslope. Within a period of a few months, the initial meridional gradient evolves into a complex system of fronts, eddies and slope flows. The dynamics of flow topography interaction is analyzed. A comparison with satellite imagery of the IPC is conducted and similarity in scales and patterns is noted

Interactions of surface and deep anticyclonic eddies in the Bay of Biscay.

International audienceIn 1990, satellite observations revealed that an anticyclonic surface eddy (a SWODDY, for Slope Water Oceanic eDDY) followed a cycloidal trajectory north of the Iberian coast in the Bay of Biscay. To understand the mechanisms underlying such a trajectory, we study the evolution of an idealized surface eddy in a twolayer flat-bottom quasi-geostrophic model. The effect of several processes is studied, notably the presence of deep anticyclonic vorticity. This deep vorticity may result either from the tilting of the swoddy itself, or from the presence of an anticyclonic eddy of different origins, such as a meddy (Mediterranean Water EDDY). We also study the influence of a zonal coast south of the swoddy, via the "mirror effect". Firstly, a point-vortex model is used on the f-plane. When the surface and deep vortices lie much farther away from the coast than from each other, their motion is close to the addition of a mutually induced rotation and of a quasi-uniform zonal drift induced by the mirror vortices. The sensitivity of the rotation and translation characteristics to vortex position, strength, thickness and to a surrounding flow, are investigated. Such a surface-deep vortex interaction can reasonably well represent the observed motions of the swoddy, if the deep vortex is far enough from the surface one, and if they have comparable strengths. Then, a numerical code of the two-layer quasi-geostrophic equations is used to model finite-area vortices, again on the f-plane. Vertical alignment of the surface and deep vortices or vortex pairing with the mirror image, are not observed. Vortex splitting due to mutual shearing effects occurs only for vortices with very different strengths. Vortex trajectories similar to the ones observed are reproduced by the model for equal strength vortices. Complementary data, from the CONGAS experiments in 2004-2007, and from the ARGO profiling float database, are used to show that meddies (or at least coherent salinity anomalies at 1000 m depth) can originate from the continental slope near 45°N, 8°W and move regularly northeastward toward the region of swoddy generation and drift. These data also show that meddy-swoddy ("deep vortex-surface vortex") encounters may occur in the southeastern Bay of Biscay

Correction: Transient response of the Northwestern Iberian upwelling regime.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0197627.]

A high-resolution modeling study of the Western Iberian Margin mean and seasonal upper ocean circulation

The mean seasonal hydrography and circulation of the Western Iberian Margin (WIM) are studied by means of a high-resolution configuration of the Regional Oceanic Modeling System. A comparison of 5-year model averages for January and July with climatological datasets shows a general good agreement in the reproduction of the mean water mass properties and hydrographic distribution. We find that there is a prevailing tendency for slope poleward flow at about 80-100 km offshore at all latitudes from the surface to 1,500 m with strong vertical coupling. This northward flow, which is mainly along slope and amounts up to 8-10 cm s(-1), exhibits several mean flow recirculation regions on its way and evidences of an offshore pathway of poleward flow. Transports at different zonal sections further confirm the poleward flow tendency with two peaks of poleward transport in summer (3-10 Sv) and winter (2-7 Sv). The transport time series emphasize the seasonal character of the alongshore circulation and the interannual intrinsic variability of the circulation, since the forcing fields are climatological. As a conceptual essay with the purpose of assessing the Mediterranean Water flow influence on the WIM mean circulation, a second model configuration is setup, where the Mediterranean outflow into the study domain is removed. We find that there is an attenuation of the mesoscale field, but the slope poleward flow intensifies and remains as a mean dynamical feature closer to the upper slope

Mean circulation, seasonal cycle and eddy interactions in the Eastern Brazilian Margin, a nested ROMS model

A nested configuration of the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) is used to study the seasonal circulation patterns and mesoscale activity of the Eastern Brazilian Margin (EBM). The EBM encompass an oligotrophic and bathymetrically complex zone in the NW South Atlantic from 8uS to 20 uS. Sea-level anomaly data are used to validate the model. Analysis of the mean circulation reveals that the EBM is dominated by seasonal and spatial dynamics of the southward Brazil Current (BC) and the northward North Brazil Undercurrent (NBUC), as well as their connection to the South Equatorial Current (SEC) dynamics. The EBM can be divided in three dynamic provinces, which are seasonally connected either by the permanent main flow or by mesoscale process. In the northern province, from 8uS to 13 uS, the NBUC is the major permanent feature and the BC is just a thin flow, confined to the top few meters. As it moves southward, the BC gets deeper and stronger. In the middle province, from 13uS to 16 uS, the dominance of the top 0–100-m circulation is seasonally alternated between the southward BC flow and the northward NBUC flow. In the southern province, from 16uS to 20 uS, the BC appears as a dominating surface feature. While on the top (0–100 m) the main current presents a pronounced seasonal and spatial variability, on subsurface waters (100–500 m) the NBUC connects the EBM continuously. Finally, analysis of the regional simulation reveals well-defined cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies. They detach from the main flow and translate along the domain throughout the year. The translation patterns are associated with the seasonal variability of the main EBM flow, with anticyclonic mesoscale features translating southward and mesoscale cyclonic features translating northward. On their pathway, these features may come very close to the margin, interacting with the near-shelf flow.publishe

A high-resolution modeling study of the Western Iberian Margin mean and seasonal upper ocean circulation

International audienceThe mean seasonal hydrography and circulation of the Western Iberian Margin (WIM) are studied by means of a high-resolution configuration of the Regional Oceanic Modeling System. A comparison of 5-year model averages for January and July with climatological datasets shows a general good agreement in the reproduction of the mean water mass properties and hydrographic distribution. We find that there is a prevailing tendency for slope poleward flow at about 80 – 100 km offshore at all latitudes from the surface to 1,500 m with strong vertical coupling. This northward flow, which is mainly along slope and amounts up to 8 – 10 cm s1, exhibits several mean flow recirculation regions on its way and evidences of an offshore pathway of poleward flow. Transports at different zonal sections further confirm the poleward flow tendency with two peaks of poleward transport in summer (3 –10 Sv) and winter (2 – 7 Sv). The transport time series emphasize the seasonal character of the alongshore circulation and the interannualintrinsic variability ofthe circulation,since the forcing fields are climatological. As a conceptual essay with the purpose of assessing the Mediterranean Water flow influence on the WIM mean circulation, a second model configuration is setup, where the Mediterranean outflow into the study domain is removed. We find that there is an attenuation of the mesoscale field, but the slope poleward flow intensifies and remains as a mean dynamical feature closer to the upper slope