Formation Mechanism for the Anomalous Anticyclonic Circulation over Northeast Asia and the Japan Sea in Boreal Winter 1997/98 and the Spring of 1998

A robust anomalous anticyclonic circulation (AAC) was observed over Northeast Asia and the Japan Sea in boreal win-ter 1997/98 and over the Japan Sea in spring 1998. The formation mechanism is investigated. On the background of the vertically sheared winter monsoonal flow, anomalous rainfall in the tropical Indo-Western Pacific warm pool excited a wave train towards East Asia in the upper troposphere during boreal winter of 1997/98. The AAC over Northeast Asia and the Japan Sea is part of the wave train of equivalent barotropic structure. The AAC over the Japan Sea persisted from winter to spring and even intensified in spring 1998. The diagnostic calculations show that the vorticity and temperature fluxes by synoptic eddies are an important mechanism for the AAC over the Japan Sea in spring 1998.

Effects of winds,tides and storm surges on ocean surface waves in the Sea of Japan

Ocean surface waves are strongly forced by high wind conditions associated with winter storms in the Sea of Japan. They are also modulated by tides and storm surges. The effects of the variability in surface wind forcing, tides and storm surges on the waves are investigated using a wave model, a high-resolution atmospheric mesoscale model and a hydrodynamic ocean circulation model. Five month-long wave model simulations are inducted to examine the sensitivity of ocean waves to various wind forcing fields, tides and storm surges during January 1997. Compared with observed mean wave parameters, results indicate that the high frequency variability in the surface wind filed has very great effect on wave simulation. Tides and storm surges have a significant impact on the waves in nearshores of the Tsushima-kaihyS, but not for other regions in the Sea of Japan. High spatial and temporal resolution and good quality surface wind products will be crucial for the prediction of surface waves in the JES and other marginal seas, especially near the coastal regions.

Mixed layer in the Sea of Japan:numerical simulation andlong-term data analysis

Seasonal variation and topography of the mixed layer in the Sea of Japan are studied by comparison of results from long-term observation data analysis and from numerical simulation with the MHI oceanic model (Shapiro. 1998. Marine Hydrophysical Journal, 6: 26-40). The data are retrieved from Oceanographic A tlas of the Bering Sea, Okhotsk Sea, and Japan/East Sea (Rostov, Rostov, Dmitrieva, et al. 2003. Pacific Oceanography, 1(1):70-72). The simulated and long-term patterns are compared. An impact of surface buoyancy flux, wind, and convergence/divergence of surface currents upon the mixed layer in the Sea of Japan is analyzed.

Impact of Autumn SST in the Japan Sea on Winter Rainfall and Air Temperature in Northeast China

We studied the impact of sea surface temperature anomaly(SSTA) in the Japan Sea and the sea area east of Japan on the winter rainfall and air temperature in Northeast(NE) China using the singular value decomposition(SVD) and empirical orthogonal function(EOF). The monthly-mean rainfall data observed at 160 stations in China, monthly-mean sea surface temperature(SST) of the Hadley Center for Climate Prediction and Research and monthly-mean air temperature from the NCEP reanalysis during 1960–2011 were used. Correlation analysis indicates that the SSTAs in the Japan Sea in September may last for three or four months and are an important index for forecasting the winter rainfall and air temperature in NE China. Positive SSTAs in the central Japan Sea and in the sea area east of Tokyo correspond to positive rainfall anomaly and negative air temperature anomaly in NE China. With the rise of SST in the Japan Sea, a weak cyclone appears over the Japan Sea. The northeasterly wind transports water vapor from the Okhotsk to NE China, resulting in more rainfall and lower air temperature. Negative SSTA years are accompanied by warmer air temperature and less snow in NE China. The 1000 h Pa geopotential height anomaly and wind anomaly fields are simulated by IAP-9L model, which supports the analysis results.

The Interannual and Decadal Variability of the Sea Level in the Japan/East Sea

Sea level observed by altimeter during the 1993-2007 period and the thermosteric sea level from 1945 through 2005 obtained by using the global ocean temperature data sets recently published are used to investigate the interannual and decadal variability of the sea level in the Japan/East Sea （JES） and its response to E1 Nifio and Southern Oscillation （ENSO）. Both the interannual variations of the sea level observed by altimeter and those of the thermosteric sea level obtained from reanalyzed data in the JES are closely related to ENSO. As a result, one important consequence is that the sea level trends are mainly caused by the thermal expansion in the JES. An ＇enigma＇ is revealed that the correlation between the thermosterie sea level and ENSO during the PDO （Pacific Decadal Oscillation） warm phase （post mid-1970s） is inconsistent with that during the cold phase （pre mid-1970s） in the JES. The thermosteric sea level trends and the Southern Oscillation Index （SOI） suggest a strong negative correlation during the period 1977-1998, whereas there appears a relatively weak positive correlation during the period 1945-1976 in the JES. Based on the SODA （Simple Oceanographic Data Assimilation） datasets, possible mechanisms of the interannual and decadal variability of the sea level in the JES are discussed. Comprehensive analysis reveals that the negative anomalies of SOI correspond to the positive anomalies of the southeast wind stress, the net advective heat flux and the sea level in the JES during the PDO warm phase. During the PDO cold phase, the negative anomalies of SOI correspond to the positive anomalies of the southwest wind stress, the negative anomalies of the net advective heat flux and the sea level in the JES.

Impact of the Pacific–Japan Teleconnection Pattern on July Sea Fog over the Northwestern Pacific: Interannual Variations and Global Warming Effect

The northwestern Pacific （NWP） is a fog-prone area, especially the ocean east of the Kuril Islands. The present study analyzes how the Pacific-Japan （PJ） teleconnection pattern influences July sea fog in the fog-prone area using independent datasets. The covariation between the PJ index and sea fog frequency （SFF） index in July indicates a close correlation, with a coefficient of 0.62 exceeding the 99% confidence level. Composite analysis based on the PJ index, a case study, and model analysis based on GFDL-ESM2M, show that in high PJ index years the convection over the east of the Philippines strengthens and then triggers a Rossby wave, which propagates northward to maintain an anticyclonic anomaly in the midlatitudes, indicating a northeastward shift of the NWP subtropical high. The anticyclonic anomaly facilitates the formation of relatively stable atmospheric stratification or even an inversion layer in the lower level of the troposphere, and strengthens the horizontal southerly moisture transportation from the tropical-subtropical oceans to the fog-prone area. On the other hand, a greater meridional SST gradient over the cold flank of the Kuroshio Extension, due to ocean downwelling, is produced by the anticyclonic wind stress anomaly. Both of these two aspects are favorable for the warm and humid air to cool, condense, and form fog droplets, when air masses cross the SST front. The opposite circumstances occur in low PJ index years, which are not conducive to the formation of sea fog. Finally, a multi-model ensemble mean projection reveals a prominent downward trend of the PJ index after the 2030s, implying a possible decline of the SFF in this period.

Role of Gas Hydrate System Associated with Active Methane Seepage,Off Joetsu,Eastern Margin of the Japan Sea

The Umitaka Spur and Joetsu Knoll region,eastern margin of the Japan Sea,has been investigated as the gas hydrate field associated with the occurrence of methane-related/induced activities.Massive to vein-like gas hydrates are found on/near the seafloor where huge methane plumes,reaching 600-650 m height, have been observed on the echo sounding images around the summits.Columnar chaotic gas-charged sediment structures are observed beneath the gas hydrate occurrences on the seismic images。

THE FLUX OF LAND-BASED SOURCE POLLUTANTS FROM TUMEN RIVER SYSTEM ENTERING THE SEA OF JAPAN

The influence of land based source pollutants to marine ecological environment is principally in coastal or enclosed sea waters. Flux of land based source pollutants into the sea will be effected due to social and economic development in the Tumen River basin. Pollutant type and primary pollution factor of the Tumen River in Northeast China is described by weighted coefficient method in this paper. The results indicate that the river is organic pollution type and primary pollution factor is COD. Fresh water fraction proves that the estuary is not affected by tide cycle. COD annual flux entering the Sea of Japan calculated by zero dimension model in 1993 was 90.50 ×10 3 tons. It is estimated with emission coefficient method that the COD will be 176.4 ×10 3 and 458.6 ×10 3 tons for the years of 2000 and 2010 respectively.

Effect of the Bottom Topography on Tsunami Propagation in the East (Japan) Sea

A study of tsunami events in the East （Japan） Sea using continuous Galerkin finite element model, aiming at reproducing tsunami waves generated by underwater earthquakes in 1983 and 1993 respectively has been performed focusing on the geographic extent of a topographic feature in the East （Japan） Sea. Numerical models can be the proper tools to study the combined effects of realistic topography. Subsequently, using the FEM based two-dimensional model we have simulated the smoothed and flattened topographic effects by removal of Yamato Rise and seamounts for the cases of tthe 1983 Central region earthquake tsunami and the 1993 southwestern Hokkaido earthquake tsunami. The results have shown that there will be higher tsunamis along the eastern coasts of Korea in general except some areas, like Sokcho with removal of topographic highs, thus providing complicated bottom topography of the East （Japan） Sea as effective tsunami energy scattering.

Background Concentrations of Heavy Metals in Brown Algae from the Northwest Sea of Japan

Background concentrations of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, and Ni were calculated for brown algae Costaria costata from the northwest Sea of Japan. Also the paper contains refined data on heavy metal concentrations in the widespread distributed brown algae, such as Stephanocystis crassipes, Sargassum pallidum and S. miyabei. As the upper threshold levels of metal background concentrations, the median values plus double medians of absolute deviations from the medians were used (Me + 2MAD). The lower threshold level of the background concentration equal to the physiological need for an element is the median of 15% minimum values in the sampling minus the double median of absolute deviations from the median (Me15 - 2MAD15). The calculated ranges of the background concentrations of metals in algae were compared with concentrations of elements in mac-rophytes collected from habitats with background concentrations of metals in water.

Tracing the sources of nutrients through the Tsushima/Korea Strait

The nutrients from the East China Sea(ECS) through the Tsushima/Korea Strait(TS) strongly impact the eco system of the Japan Sea(JS).The complex origins of the Tsushima Warm Current and the various nutrient sources in the ECS result in complex spatial-temporal variations in nutrients in the TS.Using a physical-biological model with a tracking technique,we studied the effects of nutrient sources from the ECS on the TS.Among all the nutrient sources,the Kuroshio has the highest nutrient concentrations in the TS.Its maximum concentration occurs at the bottom,while those of rivers and atmospheric depo sition occur at the surface,and that of the Taiwan Strait occurs in the middle layer.The nutrient transport through the TS exhibits similar seasonal variations,as does the volume transport.The transport of nutrients from the Kuroshio accounts for more than 85% of the total.The transport of nutrients from the Taiwan Strait is greater during autumn and winter.The transport of dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN) from both rivers and atmospheric deposition through the TS peak in August.Nutrient transport cannot be equated with volume transport.The DIN in the less saline zone originates not only from rivers but also from atmospheric deposition and the Kuroshio.The transport of nutrients from the Taiwan Strait is not as significant as its volume transport in the TS.

GENERAL FEATURES OF POLAR LOWS OVER THE JAPAN SEA AND THE NORTHWESTERN PACIFIC

This study of the general features of occurrence frequencies, spatial distribution of locations, life time and cloud patterns of polar lows over the Japan Sea and the neighboring Northwestern Pacific in winter of 1995/1996 based on observation and satellite data showed that polar lows develop most frequently in mid winter over the Japan Sea (35-45°N ) and the Northwestern Pacific (30-50°N). They rarely form over the Eurasian Continent. Polar lows over the Northwestern Pacific are usually long lived (2-3 days). But polar lows over the Japan Sea are relatively short lived (1-2 days), because the east west width of the Japan Sea is relatively narrow and polar lows tend to decay after their passing over the Japan Islands. Generally speaking, polar lows over the Japan Sea are characterized by tight, spiral (or comma) cloud patterns on satellite images. It was observed that polar lows over the Japan Sea have a typically spiral cloud band with clear “eye” at their mature stage. In winter, because of the effect of the warm Tsushima Current, the annual mean SST of the Japan Sea is 5-9℃ higher than that of the same latitude oceans. The large sea air temperature difference sustained over the Japan Sea provides favorable condition for polar low formation. The general features of polar lows over the Japan Sea are compared with those of other areas where polar lows often occur.

MINERALOGY OF COASTAL DEPOSITS OF NORTH-WESTERN SEA OF JAPAN

Distribution of heavy, light and clay minerals in Late Pleistocene—Holocene deposits from different coastal environments (beaches, lagoons, dunes, relict lakes, ria bays and inlets, open inlets) was analysed. It was established that mineralogical composition of coastal deposits was a result of provenance and its hypergenous changes, transformation of material within transit zone, and accumulative conditions of inshore zone. Contents of stable minerals increase in deposits of the inlets confined to mouths of the small streams and in horizons of the sections, formed during regressive phases. Unstable minerals amount is higher in deposits of inlets, confined to mouths of the large river. The clay mineral fraction of shelf sediments consists mostly of illite. Authigenous pyrites dominate in deposits of ria bays, lagoons and relict lakes, formed during transgressive phases. Volcanic glass, found in deposits, is product of Holocene eruptions of Baegdusan (Baitushen) Volcano.

High-Resolution Simulation and Analysis of the Mature Structure of a Polar Low over the Sea of Japan on 21 January 1997

This paper presents a high-resolution simulation of a remarkable polar low observed over the Sea of Japan on 21 January 1997 by using a 5-km mesh non-hydrostatic model MRI-NHM (Meteorological Research Institute Non-Hydrostatic Model). A 24-hour simulation starting from 0000 UTC 21 January 1997 successfully reproduced the observed features of the polar low such as the wrapping of western part of an initial E-W orientation vortex, the spiral-shaped bands, the cloud-free 'eye', and the warm core structure at its mature stage. The 'eye' of the simulated polar low was relatively dry, and was associated with a strong downdraft. A thermodynamic budget analysis indicates that the 'warm core' in the 'eye' region was mainly caused by the adiabatic warming associated with the downdraft. The relationship among the condensational diabatic heating, the vertical velocity, the convergence of the moisture flux, and the circulation averaged within a 50 km×50 km square area around the polar low center shows that they form a positive feedback loop, and this loop is not inconsistent with the CISK (Conditional Instability of the Second Kind) mechanism during the developing stage of the polar low.

Teleconnection between Sea Ice in the Barents Sea in June and the Silk Road,Pacific–Japan and East Asian Rainfall Patterns in August

In contrast to previous studies that have tended to focus on the influence of the total Arctic sea-ice cover on the East Asian summer tripole rainfall pattern, the present study identifies the Barents Sea as the key region where the June sea-ice variability exerts the most significant impacts on the East Asian August tripole rainfall pattern, and explores the teleconnection mechanisms involved. The results reveal that a reduction in June sea ice excites anomalous upward air motion due to strong near-surface thermal forcing, which further triggers a meridional overturning wave-like pattern extending to midlatitudes.Anomalous downward motion therefore forms over the Caspian Sea, which in turn induces zonally oriented overturning circulation along the subtropical jet stream, exhibiting the east–west Rossby wave train known as the Silk Road pattern. It is suggested that the Bonin high, a subtropical anticyclone predominant near South Korea, shows a significant anomaly due to the eastward extension of the Silk Road pattern to East Asia. As a possible descending branch of the Hadley cell, the Bonin high anomaly ultimately triggers a meridional overturning, establishing the Pacific–Japan pattern. This in turn induces an anomalous anticyclone and cyclone pair over East Asia, and a tripole vertical convection anomaly meridionally oriented over East Asia. Consequently, a tripole rainfall anomaly pattern is observed over East Asia. Results from numerical experiments using version 5 of the Community Atmosphere Model support the interpretation of this chain of events.

The 9–11 November 2013 Explosive Cyclone over the Japan Sea- Okhotsk Sea: Observations and WRF Modeling Analyses

During the period from 9 to 11 November 2013,an explosive cyclone(EC)occurred over the Japan Sea-Okhotsk Sea.This EC initially formed around 18 UTC 9 November over the Japan Sea and developed over the Okhotsk Sea when moving northeastward.It had a minimum sea level pressure of 959.0 hPa,a significant deepening rate of central pressure of 2.9 Bergeron,and a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 42.7 m s−1.This paper aims to investigate the conditions that contributed to the rapid development of this low-pressure system through analyses of both observations and the Weather Research Forecasting(WRF)modeling results.The evolutionary processes of this EC were examined by using Final Analyses(FNL)data,Multi-Functional Transport Satellites-1R(MTSAT-1R)data,upper observation data and surface observation data.WRF-3.5 modeling results were also used to examine the development mechanism of this EC.It is shown that the interaction between upper-level and low-level potential vorticity seemed to be very essential to the rapid development of this EC.

The accumulation characteristics and exploration potential of oil and gas in the back-arc basin of Japan under the background of high heat flow

The Sea of Japan is located in the southeast margin of Eurasia, in the triangle area of the western Pacific Ocean. Due to the interaction of the Pacific plate, Eurasian plate and Philippine plate, its tectonic environment is complex, forming a typical trench-arc-basin system. At present, 148 oil and gas fields have been discovered in Japan, with an oil and gas resource of 255.78×10^(6) t, showing a good prospect for oil and gas exploration. Based on the previous research and the recently collected geological and geophysical data, the characteristics of tectonic-sedimentary evolution and geothermal field in the basins around the Sea of Japan are analyzed. The results show that the tectonic evolution of the basin is mainly controlled by plate subduction and back-arc oceanic crust expansion, and it mainly undergone four tectonic-sedimentary evolution stages: Subduction period, basin development period, subsidence period and compression deformation period. The overall heat flow value of Japan Sea is high, and it is distributed annularly along Yamato Ridge. The geothermal heat flow value is about 50–130 MW/m^(2), and the average heat flow is75.9±19.8 MW/m^(2), which has a typical “hot basin ”. The high heat flow background provides unique thermal evolution conditions for hydrocarbon generation, which leads to the high temperature and rapid evolution. The authors summarized as “early hydrocarbon generation, rapid maturity and shallow and narrow hydrocarbon generation window”. The type of oil and gas is mainly natural gas, and it mainly distributed in Neogene oil and gas reservoirs. The trap types are mainly structural traps, lithologic traps and composite traps. In addition, the pre-Neogene bedrock oil and gas reservoirs also show a good exploration prospect. The resource prospecting indicates that Niigata Basin, Ulleung Basin and kitakami Basin are the main target areas for future exploration and development.

Discussion on the Sea Power Dispute between China and Japan and the Prospect to Solve It

The concept of new comprehensive sea power established in Japan shows that a marine development course is actively taken by Japanese government,for the purpose of realizing the country’s sustainable development.However,Japan is actively developing its naval forces to fight for sea interests,so that an adverse effect has been played on the development of China.In the sea power dispute between China and Japan,the core interests of both countries are involved,so that the cold situation of the political,economic and cultural exchanges has been caused.In view of the sea power disputes between China and Japan,cooperation and negotiation should be promoted by China more commonly;a concept of sea power and a marine strategy conforming to the actual national conditions should be established;the mutually beneficial and win-win situation should be actively promoted with the neighboring countries;the studies of the international maritime law and the establishment of marine legal system should be strengthened.

A Novel Approach for Inferring the Proportion of Terrestrial Organic Matter Input to Marine Sediments on the Basis of TOC:TN and δ¹³C_orgSignatures

The ratio of total organic carbon to total nitrogen (TOC:TN) and the stable carbon isotope ratio of organic matter (δ13Corg) are widely applied for inferring the origin of organic matter (OM) in Quaternary marine sediments. A plot of TOC:TN vs. δ13Corg is useful for such studies but is strongly based on qualitative constraints. This study is based on the qualitative characterization of the source of Quaternary OM via analysis of TOC:TN and δ13Corg signatures, but also proposes a probability parameter, which combines both signatures, to infer the amount of Terrestrial OM Input (TOMI). This index provides a method for quantifying the proportion of terrestrial OM vs. marine OMin a more comprehensive manner. The TOMI index concept was applied to a study area in theJoetsuBasin, eastern margin of theJapanSea, where previous studies have characterized theOMfrom the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) to the present. The upwards increase in TOC indicates thatOMproduction during the Holocene was higher than during the LGM. The enriched δ13Corg signature upwards and decrease in TOC:TN suggest predominantly marine phytoplankton OM during the Holocene. Throughout the LGM, low OM production with depleted δ13Corg values and high TOC:TN values in the sediments suggest a predominantly C3 terrestrial plant source for the OM. Using these data, it was possible to calculate a proxy for a sea level variation curve during that period and to investigate the influence of the proximity of the coastal line to the continental slope on the input of terrestrial material to the basin. The proposal provides information for the application of sequence stratigraphic concepts. The TOMI index could confirm that the proximity to the shoreline and shelf break has a strong influence on the input of terrestrial material during lowstand periods.

Anomalies of bromine in the estuarine sediments as a signal of floods associated with typhoons

X-ray fluorescence scanning with synchrotron radiation was performed to study sediment core records of floods in Amur Bay,Sea of Japan.Interlayers of 3–8 mm with abnormally low bromine content were formed by the Razdolnaya River discharge to the central part of the bay during extreme floods,accompanied by severe storms at sea.Such conditions in the region are typical for periods of deep tropical cyclones(typhoons),to which the distinguished interlayers were compared on the timescale.This approach was made possible thanks to the high rate of sedimentation in the bay(3–5 mm/a) and low bioturbation of sediments under anoxic conditions.