南海环流的三维数值模拟

A THREE-DIMENSIONAL NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA CIRCULATION

本文采用Backhaus的三维海流模式,运用半隐式及C-网格方法求解基本方程,对南海各季的平均海流流场进行了数值模拟。将模拟结果与已有的研究结果进行比较,其主要流系基本上是相符的,夏季表层基本上为一反气旋型环流;冬季则转变成气旋型;在冬季,从50m层起开始显露出“南海暖流”的存在。这些表明南海海流的某些主要特征基本上已经被此模型成功地再现出来,同时此模型又给出了垂直方向各层的海流情况,在目前尚缺乏深层实测海流资料的情况下,上述深层海流的模拟结果有一定参考意义。

In this paper, a three-dimensional ocean circulation model developed by Backhaus has been used for simulating the seasonal mean ocean currents in the South China Sea. The governing equations are solved by using a semi-implicit scheme and the C-grid. The main circulation patterns obtained in the simulations are generally consistent with the previous results.For example, the simulations show that : the general surface circulation of the South China Sea in clockwise in summer and counter--clockwise in winter; and in 50m water depth there exist the South China Sea warm currents. The results indicate that some important current features in the South China Sea have been revealed with good success by the model. On the other hand, the vertical distributions of currents are also given. These results may have certain reference values for studying the deep layer currents in the South China Sea of which observations ane quite lacking so far.