Distribution of modified Circumpolar Deep Water and its threat in Vincennes Bay,East Antarctica

The Antarctic Bottom Water formation site Vincennes Bay,East Antarctica is experiencing a substantial intrusion of modified Circumpolar Deep Water(mCDW),which may inhibit the formation of Dense Shelf Water(DSW)and drive basal melting of the ice shelves.Based on hydrographic data obtained from March to November in 2012,we evaluated the spatial spread of mCDW over the continental shelf region of Vincennes Bay and the associated temporal evolution of water properties,as well as the sea ice formation effect on water column in the coastal polynya.Results show that two branches of mCDW occupied the deep layers of the continental shelf,distinguished by the potential density(smaller than 27.8 kg/m^(3) or not)when potential temperatureθ=0.5°C in theθ-salinity space.The warmer and less dense branch observed on the east plateau,accessed the eastern ice shelves in the coastal polynya to drive basal melting of ice shelves.In contrast,the other colder and denser branch in the mid-depression reached the western Underwood Ice Shelf.DSW formation was detectable in the coastal polynya during September-November,proving the occurrence of deep convection.Surface heat loss and brine rejection during the intensive sea ice formation contributed to the destratification of the water column in the coastal polynya.It was estimated that at least 1.11±0.79 TW heat carried by mCDW into the inner part of the polynya.

Evolution characters of water exchange abilities between Dongting Lake and Yangtze River

By using field-survey hydrological data of the related control stations in Dongting Lake and the Yangtze River mainstream in 1951-2010, the evolution characters of water exchange abilities between the two. water bodies and their response to the operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir （TGR） from different time scales are analyzed based on their hydraulic relations. The results are shown as follows. Firstly, during July-September, the replenishment ability of Three Outlets to Dongting Lake is stronger, and in January-March, the replenishment ability of Dongting Lake to Yangtze River is stronger. Secondly, there has been an obvious inter-decadal wave on the water exchange coefficient between Dongting Lake and Yangtze River. In 1951-1958 and 1959-1968, the replenishment ability of Three Outlets to Dongting Lake was stronger, but in 2003-2010, the replenishment ability of Dongting Lake to Yangtze River has been strengthened. Thirdly, the spill-division ability of Three Outlets weakens, and the water of Dongting Lake coming from Three Outlets decreases either in typical years or under different dispatching modes of the TGR after the operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir. Furthermore, the water of Dongting Lake coming from Four Rivers takes the dominant position, which obviously enhances the replenishment ability of Dongting Lake to Yangtze River. Fourthly, if the effect of the runoff fluctuation in the basin is not considered, the evolution characters of the exchange capacities and the exchange process between Dongting Lake and Yangtze River in different time scales are generally changed with the variation of the water exchange amount between them, although the factors influencing the water exchange capacities between them is very complex. These show that there is an in-line growth or decline relation between the river-lake water exchange ability and the river-lake water exchange amount.