Frontogenesis and Frontolysis of a Cold Filament Driven by the Cross-Filament Wind and Wave Fields Simulated by a Large Eddy Simulation

The variations of the frontogenetic trend of a cold filament induced by the cross-filament wind and wave fields are studied by a non-hydrostatic large eddy simulation. Five cases with different strengths of wind and wave fields are studied.The results show that the intense wind and wave fields further break the symmetries of submesoscale flow fields and suppress the levels of filament frontogenesis. The changes of secondary circulation directions—that is, the conversion between the convergence and divergence of the surface cross-filament currents with the downwelling and upwelling jets in the filament center—are associated with the inertial oscillation. The filament frontogenesis and frontolysis caused by the changes of secondary circulation directions may periodically sharpen and smooth the gradient of submesoscale flow fields.The lifecycle of the cold filament may include multiple stages of filament frontogenesis and frontolysis.

The impact of ocean data assimilation on seasonal predictions based on the National Climate Center climate system model

An ensemble optimal interpolation(EnOI)data assimilation method is applied in the BCCCSM1.1 to investigate the impact of ocean data assimilations on seasonal forecasts in an idealized twin experiment framework.Pseudoobservations of sea surface temperature(SST),sea surface height(SSH),sea surface salinity(SSS),temperature and salinity(T/S)profiles were first generated in a free model run.Then,a series of sensitivity tests initialized with predefined bias were conducted for a one-year period;this involved a free run(CTR)and seven assimilation runs.These tests allowed us to check the analysis field accuracy against the"truth".As expected,data assimilation improved all investigated quantities;the joint assimilation of all variables gave more improved results than assimilating them separately.One-year predictions initialized from the seven runs and CTR were then conducted and compared.The forecasts initialized from joint assimilation of surface data produced comparable SST root mean square errors to that from assimilation of T/S profiles,but the assimilation of T/S profiles is crucial to reduce subsurface deficiencies.The ocean surface currents in the tropics were better predicted when initial conditions produced by assimilating T/S profiles,while surface data assimilation became more important at higher latitudes,particularly near the western boundary currents.The predictions of ocean heat content and mixed layer depth are significantly improved initialized from the joint assimilation of all the variables.Finally,a central Pacific El Ni?o was well predicted from the joint assimilation of surface data,indicating the importance of joint assimilation of SST,SSH,and SSS for ENSO predictions.

Influence of Coriolis Parameter Variation on Langmuir Turbulence in the Ocean Upper Mixed Layer with Large Eddy Simulation

Langmuir turbulence is a complex turbulent process in the ocean upper mixed layer.The Coriolis parameter has an important effect on Langmuir turbulence through the Coriolis-Stokes force and Ekman effect,however,this effect on Langmuir turbulence has not been systematically investigated.Here,the impact of the Coriolis parameter on Langmuir turbulence with a change of latitude(LAT)from 20°N to 80°N is studied using a non-hydrostatic large eddy simulation model under an ideal condition.The results show that the ratio of the upper mixed layer depth to Ekman depth scale(RME)RME=0.266(LAT=50°N)is a key value(latitude)for the modulation effect of the Coriolis parameter on the mean and turbulent statistics of Langmuir turbulence.It is found that the rate of change of the sea surface temperature,upper mixed layer depth,entrainment flux,crosswind velocity,downwind vertical momentum flux,and turbulent kinetic energy budget terms associated with Langmuir turbulence are more evident at RME≤0.266(LAT≤50°N)than at RME≥0.266(LAT≥50°N).However,the rate of change of the depth-averaged crosswind vertical momentum flux does not have a clear variation between RME≤0.266 and RME≥0.266.The complex changes of both Langmuir turbulence characteristics and influence of Langmuir turbulence on the upper mixed layer with latitude presented here may provide more information for further improving Langmuir turbulence parameterization.

Variation in concentration of dissolved silicate in the Eastern Philippine deep sea

Upper Circumpolar Deep Water(UCDW)and North Pacifi c Deep Water(NPDW)coexist in the upper deep layer(i.e.,with a 1.2-2.0-℃potential temperature range and a 2000-4100-dbar pressure range)of the Eastern Philippine Sea.They have similar properties in potential temperature and salinity,while have a signifi cant diff erence in dissolved silicate.Based on the repeated observations along a 137°E transect from the World Ocean Database(WOD18),this study revealed the interannual variability of dissolved silicate in the upper deep layer of the Eastern Philippine Sea.Dissolved silicate increased in 1995,1996,2005,2006,and 2007,and decreased in 1997,2000,2001,2002,and 2004.Composition analysis showed that the large diff erence between positive and negative dissolved silicate anomalies occurred mainly at~15°N and north of 25°N,with the concentration reaching 4.25μmol/g.Further analysis indicated that the interannual dissolved silicate variability was related to the zonal current variation in the upper deep layer.The relatively strong(weak)westward current transport increased(decreased)NPDW to the Eastern Philippine Sea,thereby resulting in increased(decreased)dissolved silicate.

Multi-agent mobile networking observation experiment at the air-sea interface of ocean eddy

Current climate forecasting has advanced to the stage of investigating mesoscale air-sea interactions. Recent studies have identified significant structural differences between the cores and edges of mesoscale eddies;however, the effects of these structural variations on air-sea fluxes and the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer(MABL) remain underexplored. Traditional observations often fail to capture the detailed structures of eddies, necessitating enhanced observations at high spatiotemporal resolution for mesoscale eddies. To address this, efforts have been made to develop multi-agent platforms and expendable air-sea interface observation technologies. A task-oriented observation scheme was developed to monitor the spatial characteristics of mesoscale eddies. The South China Sea(SCS) is rich in mesoscale eddies with rapid motion changes, requiring enhanced observations of the air-sea interface using multi-agent mobile networking. An anticyclonic eddy was observed in the eastern region of the Xisha Islands in the SCS, and we examined variations in air-sea fluxes across different regions within the eddy.

Field-observation for an anticyclonic mesoscale eddy consisted of twelve gliders and sixty-two expendable probes in the northern South China Sea during summer 2017

An intensive field observation experiment using 12 Chinese gliders equipped with conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) sensors and 62 expendable CTD probes (XCTDs) was performed to investigate the 3-D structure and time evolution of an anticyclonic eddy in the northern South China Sea (NSCS). The observed results showed that the anticyclonic eddy had a horizontal radius of about 80 km at surface and a vertical depth of impact of more than 1000 m. The largest temperature and salinity anomalies compared with the averaged values of the temperature and salinity profiles were 3.5°C and 0.4 psu at 120 m depth, respectively. Combined analysis of altimeter sea level and water mass properties indicated that the anticyclonic eddy was shed from the Kuroshio loop current. The vertical axis of the anticyclonic eddy tilted from surface to the observed maximum depth (1000 m) along its translation direction against the 2000 m isobath. The center of the anticyclonic eddy remained in the region east of Dongsha Island for more than half a month. During this time, the long axis direction of the eddy changed from across the slope to along the slope. Then, the eddy moved southward along the 2000 m isobaths. Both the geostrophic current and temperature distribution revealed that the eddy intensity weakened during the observation period gradually. These observations indicated strong interaction between the anticyclonic eddy and the slope topography of Dongsha Island.

Advances in research of the mid-deep South China Sea circulation

The South China Sea(SCS)is a large marginal sea connecting the Indian and Pacific oceans.Under the factors of monsoons,strait transport,and varied bathymetry,the SCS presents a three-layer structure and strong diapycnal mixing which is far greater than that in the open ocean.Theoretical analysis and observations reveal that internal tides,internal solitary waves,and strong winds are the sources of the strong mixing in the northern SCS.A major consequence of the strong mixing is an active mid-deep circulation system.This system promotes exchange of water between the SCS and adjacent oceans,and also regulates the upper layer of wind-driven circulation,making the 3 dimensional SCS circulation clearly different from that in other tropical and subtropical marginal seas.The mass transport capacity of the mid-deep circulation has a substantial impact on marine sedimentation,the biogeochemical cycle,and other processes in the SCS.This paper summarizes the recent advances in middeep sea circulation dynamics of the SCS,and discusses the opportunities and challenges in this area.

Hydrographic field investigations in the Northern South China Sea by open cruises during 2004-2013

In the past 10 years （2004-2013）, annual open cruise during late summer provided new opportunities for comprehensive studies in the Northern South China Sea （NSCS）. The 10-year field investigation program was carried out by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences （SCSIO, CAS）. Measurements inclu- ded water mass property, ocean circulation, atmospheric structure, and chemical and biological elements. The observation data collected during these open cruises have been intensively used in the studies of marine oceanographic, meteorological, chemical, and biological processes in the NSCS. In this study, comprehensive assessment of data application in oceanographic and meteorological studies is provided： （1） the property and variability of water masses in different layers; （2） the distribution of main currents and three-dimensional structure of mesoscale eddies; and （3） atmospheric structure and its feedback to the ocean. With the continuance of open cruises, it is feasible to construct high- quality, gridded climatological marine meteorological datasets in the NSCS in the near future.

Origin of the springtime South China Sea Warm Current in the southwestern Taiwan Strait: Evidence from seawater oxygen isotope

Oxygen isotope(δ^18O)of seawater is an excellent proxy for tracing the origins of water masses and their mixing processes.Combining with hydrographic observation,hybrid coordinate ocean model(HYCOM)analysis data,and seawater oxygen isotope,we investigated the source of the South China Sea Warm Current(SCSWC)in the southwestern Taiwan Strait and its underlying mechanism.Results show that the Kuroshio subsurface water(KSSW)can intrude the continental slope in the southwestern Taiwan Strait,and thereby climb up the continental slope coupled with upwelling.Theδ^18O-salinity relationship further indicates that in spring,the SCSWC in the southwestern Taiwan Strait originates from the upslope deflection of the slope current formed by the KSSW intrusion into the South China Sea,rather than from the west segment of the SCSWC formed to the east of Hainan Island.In addition,the southward flowing Zhe-Min Coastal Current(ZMCC)can reach as far as the Taiwan Bank(TB)and deflects offshore over the western TB at approximately 23.5°N,to some extent affecting the SCSWC.Moreover,this study reveals that seawaterδ^18O is exquisitely sensitive to the determination of the origin and transport of water masses as compared with traditional potential temperature-salinity plot(θ-S)and HYCOM analysis data.In addition,their coupling can more reliably interpret the mixing processes of shelf water masses.

Progress on shelf and slope circulation in the northern South China Sea

Influenced by the seasonally reversed monsoons, water exchange through straits, and topography, the shelf and slope circulation in the northern South China Sea(NSCS) is complex and changeable. The typical current system in the NSCS consists of the slope current, South China Sea warm current(SCSWC), coastal current, and associated upwelling(in summer) and downwelling(in winter). This paper reviews recent advances in the study of NSCS shelf and slope circulation since the 1990 s,and summarizes the roles of Kuroshio intrusion, the monsoons, topography, and the buoyancy effect of the Pearl River plume in the shelf and slope current system of the NSCS. We also point out some potential scientific issues that require further study, such as the dynamic connection between the internal basin and shelf areas of the NSCS, the persistence of the SCSWC in winter, the temporo-spatial characteristics of downwelling during winter in the NSCS, and its material and energy transport.