Fuzzy cluster analysis of water mass in the western Taiwan Strait in spring 2019

The classification of the springtime water mass has an important influence on the hydrography,regional climate change and fishery in the Taiwan Strait.Based on 58 stations of CTD profiling data collected in the western and southwestern Taiwan Strait during the spring cruise of 2019,we analyze the spatial distributions of temperature(T)and salinity(S)in the investigation area.Then by using the fuzzy cluster method combined with the T-S similarity number,we classify the investigation area into 5 water masses:the Minzhe Coastal Water(MZCW),the Taiwan Strait Mixed Water(TSMW),the South China Sea Surface Water(SCSSW),the South China Sea Subsurface Water(SCSUW)and the Kuroshio Branch Water(KBW).The MZCW appears in the near surface layer along the western coast of Taiwan Strait,showing low-salinity(<32.0)tongues near the Minjiang River Estuary and the Xiamen Bay mouth.The TSMW covers most upper layer of the investigation area.The SCSSW is mainly distributed in the upper layer of the southwestern Taiwan Strait,beneath which is the SCSUW.The KBW is a high temperature(core value of 26.36℃)and high salinity(core value of 34.62)water mass located southeast of the Taiwan Bank and partially in the central Taiwan Strait.

A survey on Hydroidomedusae from the upwelling region of southern part of the Taiwan Strait of China I. On new species and records of Anthomedusae

Fhrough the examination of 377 samples of the Anthomedusae, eight new species and one new record are described.

Species composition and distribution of marine nematode community in the North Taiwan Strait

Marine free-living nematodes were investigated at 13 sampling stations divided into three transects in the northern Taiwan Strait in February 1998. One hundred species of marine nematodes belonging to 91 Genera 28 Families 3 Orders were identified and were first recorded in the northern Taiwan Strait. The dominant species were Vasostoma sp., Sabatieria sp. 1, Linhystera sp. 1, Spilophorella sp., Daptonema sp., Halalaimus sp. and Dorylaimopsis variabilis. Their main densities were all over 4 950 ind./m2. According to mean density at transects, marine nematode density decreased from coastal Weitou to off Minjiang Estuary, which was similar to polychaete distribution in northern Taiwan Strait. The selective deposit feeder (1A) was the dominant food type of marine nematodes in the northern Taiwan Strait, but non-selective deposit feeders (1B) and epigrowth feeders (2A) occupied high proportion, indicating diverse feeding types of marine nematodes in the northern Taiwan Strait. Some environmental factors such as currents are discussed.

Three-dimensional structure of a low salinity tongue in the southern Taiwan Strait observed in the summer of 2005

Cruise observations with CTD （conductivity-temperature-depth） profiler were carried out in the southern Taiwan Strait in the summer of 2005. Using the cruise data, two-dimensional maps of salinity and temperature distributions at depths of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 m were generated. The maps show a low salinity tongue sandwiched by low temperature and high salinity waters on the shallow water side and high temperature and high salinity waters on the deep water side. The further analysis indicates that the low salinity water has a nature of river-diluted water. A possible source of the diluted water is the Zhujiang （Pearl） Estuary. Meanwhile, the summer monsoon is judged as a possible driving force for this northeastward jet-like current. The coastal upwelling and the South China Sea Warm Current confine the low salinity water to flow along the central line of the strait. Previous investigations and a numerical model are used to verify that the upstream of the low salinity current is the Zhujiang Estuary. Thus, the low salinity tongue is produced by four major elements： Zhujinag Estuary diluted water, monsoon wind driving, coastal upwelling and South China Sea Warm Current modifications.

Wave height measurement in the Taiwan Strait with a portable high frequency surface wave radar

As an important equipment for sea state remote sensing, high frequency surface wave radar （HFSWR） has received more and more attention. The conventional method for wave height inversion is based on the ratio of the integration of the second-order spectral continuum to that of the first-order region, where the strong external noise and the incorrect delineation of the first- and second-order Doppler spectral regions due to spectral aliasing are two major sources of errors in the wave height. To account for these factors, two more indices are introduced to the wave height estimation, i.e., the ratio of the maximum power of the second-or- der continuum to that of the Bragg spectral region （RSCB） and the ratio of the power of the second harmonic peak to that of the Bragg peak （RSHB）. Both indices also have a strong correlation with the underlying wave height. On the basis of all these indices an empirical model is proposed to estimate the wave height. This method has been used in a three-months long experiment of the ocean state measuring and analyzing ra- dar, type S （OSMAR-S）, which is a portable HFSWR with compact cross-loop/monopole receive antennas developed by Wuhan University since 2006. During the experiment in the Taiwan Strait, the significant wave height varied from 0 to 5 m. The significant wave heights estimated by the OSMAR-S correlate well with the data provided by the Oceanweather Inc. for comparison, with a correlation coefficient of 0.74 and a root mean square error （RMSE） of 0.77 m. The proposed method has made an effective improvement to the wave height estimation and thus a further step toward operational use of the OSMAR-S in the wave height extraction.

The spatio-temporal variation of wintertime subtidal currents in the western Taiwan Strait

A new data set of observations by six cruises of ship-mounted acoustic doppler current profiler（SADCP） and three 40 d long bottom-mounted ADCPs（BADCPs） is employed to reveal the spatiotemporal variability of tidal and subtidal currents in the western Taiwan Strait（TWS） during winter season. The results confirm the existence of intense cotidal lines for M2 tidal current, which is located north of 25°N. In this case, no existence of an amphidromic point can be identified. It is also revealed that the counter-wind current（CWC） can extend through the whole western TWS and even occupy the entire water column during winter monsoon relaxation. However,this CWC is observed to be thoroughly overwhelmed by the downwind China coastal current（CCC） during the two big monsoon bloom events in the winter of 2007, and the CCC consequently extends southward throughout the western TWS instead. Most importantly, the variation of the spatial extent for the CWC and the CCC in the western TWS is found to be well explained by the first two modes of the vector empirical orthogonal function（VEOF） analysis, that is, it is mainly controlled by a wind-driven quasi barotropic current as the first mode and slightly modulated by a relatively weak background current with a first-order baroclinic structure as the second mode.

Evolution of a coastal upwelling event during summer 2004 in the southern Taiwan Strait

A coastal upwelling event in the southern Taiwan Strait （STWS） was investigated using intensive cruise surveys （four repeated transects in a month） and satellite data in July and early August 2004. The extensive upwelling-associated surface cold water was first observed in early July （-2.0×10a km2） along the STWS coast. Then, the cold surface water reduced in size by -50% with decreased chlorophyll concentrations after 15 days, indicating the weakening of the upwelling event. At the end of July, the cold surface water disappeared. The temporal variations of the surface cold water and the 3-D hydrography around Dongshan Island are thought to be mainly attributed to the weakened upwelling-favorable southwestern wind, the asymmetric spatial structure of the wind field and the intrusion of warm water from the northern South China Sea.

Spatial and temporal variability of colored dissolved organic matter absorption properties in the Taiwan Strait

Spatial and temporal variability of the absorption properties of colored dissolved organic matter （CDOM） in the Taiwan Strait was investigated in summer （July to August of 2006） and winter （from December 2006 to January of 2007） seasons. The CDOM absorption coefficient at 280 nm （a 280 ） showed a decreasing trend from nearshore to offshore areas while the spectral slope coefficient parameter calculated between wavelengths 275–295 nm （S 275 295 ） showed an increase, indicative of decreasing aromaticity and molecular weight of the CDOM. The average a 280 in winter （1.47 ± 0.50 m ^-1 ） was significantly higher than in summer （1.10 ± 0.41 m ^-1 ）, while the average S 275 295 in winter （26.7 ± 5.2 μm^- 1 ） was significantly lower than in summer （30.6 ± 5.5 μm^- 1 ）, demonstrating clear seasonal variation in CDOM abundance and properties in the Taiwan Strait. A three-end- member conservative mixing model showed that local terrestrial CDOM inputs from several rivers along the western coast were small （〈5%）. However, the distribution of CDOM in the Taiwan Strait is mainly controlled by water mass movement [i.e., the Zhe-min Coastal Current （ZCC） and the Kuroshio Branch Current （KBC） in winter and the South China Sea Water （SCSW） in summer]. Biological activity was also an important factor affecting the distribution of CDOM in the offshore region in summer months.

Spatial structure and seasonal changes of nekton assemblages in the Taiwan Strait

The Taiwan Strait is a transition zone between the East China Sea and the South China Sea with unique hydrology and a geographical environment that creates special marine community features.To analyze the spatial structure and seasonal changes of the nekton assemblages in the Taiwan Strait,seasonal experimental trawl surveys were conducted during 2006-2007.The results showed that there were two assemblages in the area with different sets of species,and the average similarity within each group varies between 39.38% and 74.20%.By using multivariate statistical analysis and analyzing the distribution of dominant species,we found that the structures of the assemblages had obvious seasonal variation.The middle region from the Putian transect to the Xiamen transect could be considered a mixing area for the two assemblages.The analysis of the relationship between species assemblages and environmental factors indicated that temperature was the most important factor affecting the community structure in cold seasons,and 22.5°C and 17°C could be considered dividing lines for spring and winter,respectively.In warm seasons,the most important factor was water depth,but the relationship with depth was not as significant,with a correlation between 0.264 and 0.399.The seasonal changes of nekton assemblages basically reflected the dynamic currents in the Taiwan Strait.The south coastal assemblage extended to nearly the entire area of the Taiwan Strait along with a strong and intense warm current that shrinks in spring and winter when the southward intrusion of the cold Zhejiang-Fujian coastal current becomes stronger.The impact of shortterm and long-term environmental changes,such as extreme weather,global warming and human activity on nekton assemblages,had been recognized but need further research.Our study on nekton assemblages could be used as a baseline for measuring future changes.

Two new species of Ectopleura from the Taiwan Strait,China (Cnidaria,Hydroidomedusae)

Two new species of genus Ectopleura, i.e., Ectopleura elongata sp. nov. and E. triangularis sp. nov. are described in the present paper based on type specimens from the Taiwan Strait. The types are deposited in the Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Xiamen, China.

The impact of Kuroshio water on the source water of the southeastern Taiwan Strait:numerical results

Model output from a Pacific basin-wide three-dimensional physical-biogeochemical model during the period of 1991 to 2008 was used to investigate the impact of Kuroshio water on the source water of the southeastern Taiwan Strait. Based on the characteristic salinities of both Kuroshio water and the South China Sea water, a Kuroshio impact index （KII） was designed to measure the degree of impact. The KII correlates significantly with the northeast-southwest component of wind stress, but the former lags the latter by approximately two months. The correlation coefficient between them increases from 0.267 4 to 0.852 9, with a lag time increasing from 0 to 63 days. The impact of Kuroshio Water is greater in winter and spring than in summer and autumn. At the interannual time scale, E1 Nifio and La Nifia events play an important role in impacting the KII. During E1 Nifio events, more Kuroshio water contributes to the source water of the southeastern Taiwan Strait. Conversely, during La Nifia events, less Kuroshio water contributes to the source water.

Sectional distribution of salinity and its indication of Kuroshio'sintrusion in the southern Taiwan Strait and northeastern South China Sea late summer, 1994

Using the CTD data investigated at about 330 stations in the southern Taiwan Strait, the northeastern South China Sea and their adjacent seas in August and September of 1994, this paper anayses the sectional distributions of salinity in 10 selected sections and discusses the possibility of the Kuroshio's intrusion into the northeastern South China Sea and the southern Taiwan Strait. The results show that: as the main stream of Kuroshio passes by the northern Luzon Strait during the survey period, the 'Kuroshio-influenced water' with some hydrological features of the Kuroshio may extend through the Luzon Strait to the sea areas near both the Dongsha Islands and the Taiwan Shoal of the southern Taiwan Strait.

Observation of continental shelf wave propagating along the eastern Taiwan Strait during Typhoon Meranti 2016

This study is the fi rst to depict typhoon-induced continental shelf wave(CSW)propagation in the eastern Taiwan Strait(TWS)during the passage of Typhoon Meranti in 2016 using tidal gauge data and along-track satellite altimeter data.The strong amplitude response of sea level oscillations(within the range of 0.30–0.54 m)as a free,barotropic CSW after Meranti,which impacted the TWS,was clearly detected in time and frequency(in bands of 64–81 h)using wavelet and cross-wavelet analyses.The measured group and phase speeds were consistent with the dispersion curves for CSW with the fi rst-mode derived from the cross-shelf sections of the eastern TWS,with the mean speeds reaching 3 and 5.6±0.7 m/s,respectively.Coincidentally,the typhoon-induced sea level anomaly(SLA)was also captured by the satellite altimeter before this CSW entered into the TWS.Using the theoretical cross-shore CSW modes to fi t the SLA data,the results indicated that the fi rst three wave modes can interpret this CSW event appeared in the southern TWS very well,with the fi rst mode being the dominant one.

Distribution patterns of 210Po, 210Pb and the particle export in the Taiwan Strait during the winter

210Po and 210Pb are increasingly used to constrain particle dynamics in the open oceans,however they are less used in coastal waters.Here,distributions and partitions of 210Po and 210Pb were examined in the Taiwan Strait,as well as their application to quantify particle sinking.Activity concentrations of dissolved 210Po and 210Pb(<0.6μm)ranged from 1.21 to 7.63 dpm/(100 L)and from 1.07 to 6.33 dpm/(100 L),respectively.Activity concentrations of particulate 210Po and 210Pb varied from 1.96 to 36.74 dpm/(100 L)and from 3.11 to 38.06 dpm/(100 L).Overall,particulate 210Po and 210Pb accounted for the majority of the bulk 210Po and 210Pb.210Po either in dissolved or particulate phases showed similar spatial patterns to 210Pb,indicating similar mechanisms for controlling the distributions of 210Po and 210Pb in the Taiwan Strait.The different fractionation coefficients indicated that particles in the Zhemin Coastal Current(ZCC)inclined to absorb 210Po prior to 210Pb while they showed an opposite effect in the Taiwan Warm Current(TWC).Based on the disequilibria between 210Po and 210Pb,the sinking fluxes of total particulate matter(TPM)were estimated to range from–0.22 to 3.84 g/(m2·d),showing an overall comparable spatial distribution to previous reported sediment accumulation rates.However,our sinking fluxes were lower than the sedimentation rates,indicating a sediment resuspension in winter and horizontal transport of particulate matter from the Taiwan Strait to the East China Sea.

Studies on ecological characteristics variation and population dynamics of four lizardfishes in the southern Taiwan Straits

The ecological characteristics of four lizardfishes, Trachinocephalus myops, Saurida undosquamis, Saurida tumbil and Saurida elongata, were studied from specimens （910 T. myops, 454 S. un-dosquamis, 686 S. tumbil and 744 S. elongata） collected monthly in the southern Taiwan Straits from April 2005 to March 2006. The population dynamics of the four lizardfishes was also discussed by the comparison with the previous studies. All being composed of 7 a classes; the dominant group of T. myops and S. tumbil was 1–2 a, while S. undosquamis and S. elongate were 2–3 a. The total mortality coefficient Z and the fishing mortality F were at high as indicated by the exploitation ratio E（0.5）, and a large number of by-caught juvenile and young fishes showing that the stock of lizardfishes in this area was overexploited and the fishing gear was irrational. Compared with the previous studies, the maximum and mean fork length, body mass and age of the four lizard- fishes declined gradually, the lizardfishes populations were younger in age and smaller in size. The asymptotic fork length L ∞ decreased while increasing growth coefficient k, and age at the inflexion point of mass t r was younger compared with the previous studies. The declining of older ones has moderated the feeding competition and the younger ones grew faster. The larger mortality param-eters Z, M and F have revealed higher fishing pressure. The smaller change of the first mature fork length of female T . myops and the change from K selection pattern to r selection pattern of S. tumbil have indicated a more vulnerable fishery ecosystem in this area. The changes of ecological characteristics and population dynamics may be caused by over-exploitation of demersal fishes such as the lizardfishes, especially a large number of juvenile and young fishes by-catch by the current fishing gears and methods. Therefore, in addition to the traditional fishery management approach such as the minimum length-limit, ecosystem approach to fisheries management （EAF） should be taken to improve the practical marine ecosystem management, including increased fishing intensity of the non-economic species especially the feeding competitors of the lizardfishes and the conservation of the pelagic fishery population in the fisheries ecosystem, in order to restore the fishery population and achieve the sustainable use of the fishery stocks.

Degree of nutrient consumption as an aging index of upwelling or vertically mixed water in the northern Taiwan Strait

In order to determine the relative aging status of upwelled or vertically mixed water in the northern Taiwan Strait, a recently developed method of calculating the degree of nutrient consumption (DNC) was employed. Upwelling was detected at a water depth of about 75 m in summer. Bottom waters in the aphotic zone and newly-upwelled waters in the euphoric zone were found to be low in terms of their DNC. In general, a low DNC was noted alongside the other traditional upwelling indicators, such as lower temperature and degree of oxygen saturation, but higher salinity, apparent oxygen utilization, nutrient contents and chlorophyll-a. Enhanced vertical mixing, but without an apparent upwelling signal, was detected near the same location in winter.

Characteristics of metals in atmosphereover the western Taiwan StraitⅡ. Sources and fluxes

Atmospheric metals the over t he western Taiwan Siral t are studied and t heir sources are identified. Al and Feare mainly from crustal soil. A little amount of Fe is from pollution. Pb and Cd are banly from pollution sources. Alittlee zmount of Pb is from crustal soil and recycled sea spray. Na is mostly from seawater and a little amonut of Na isfrom crustal soil or encondary aerosol Particles. Cu is mainly from crustal soil, Partly from pollutants, and a littleamount from recycled sea spray. Comparing the total inputs of the atmospheric deposition of the metals to the TaiwanStrait waters with the inputs from the rivers shaws that the input of Cu from the atmosphere is lower than that from the rivers, and the input of Ph is higher than that from the rivers; the input of Cd is a little higher than that from therivere.

Calculation of current in the Taiwan Strait during summerⅡ. Three-dimensional semidiagnostic and prognostic calculations

The semidiagnostic and prognostic models are used to compute the current in the Taiwan Strait with wind and hydrographic data collected during August, 1984 and September 1 ~ 6, 1988. This calculation can be divided into two stages, i. e. (1 ) the adjustable stage; (2) prognostic calculation. The computed result shows tha the density and velocity fields etc. have been adjusted when t = 2. 5 d, namely the solution of semidignostic calculation is obtained,and the quasi-steady state solution have been reached after about 40 d. Comparing the results of diagncotic calculation with those of semidiagnortic and prognostic calculations indicates that they agree qualitatively. For example, they all have the following common features: (1 ) there is a persistent northward fiow with a volume transport of 0. 8 × 10 6 m3/s through the Taiwan Strait in summer; (2 ) the current near the western coas of Taiwan is stronger than that in other regiona; (3) the upweiling occurs near the Fujian coast and so on. However, there is a quantitative difference between them as follows. For example, the horizotal velocity near the westem cot of Taiwan and the upwelling speed near the Fujian aret both are underestimaed in the diagnestic calculation, because the data used in which is smoothed, and they both are intensified in the solutions of semidiagnostic and prognostic calculations. For example, the maximum velocity near the western coast of Taiwan at t = 0 d (diagnostic), 2. 5 d (semidiagnostic) and 300 d (prognostic) is 59.1, 62. 1 and 62. 0 cm/s, respectively. From the above comparison we see it is quite necessary that a semidiagnostic model be used to compute the currents when the data have been smoothed.

Study on fish life history traits and variation in the Taiwan Strait and its adjacent waters

Large portions of the world＇s fishery resources are overexploited. Life history traits of fish species are important indicators to reveal different life history strategies and to indicate population responses to fishing pressures. For this study, empirical data on fishing grounds located in the coastal area between Fujian Coast and Taiwan Island were collected. These areas have experienced severe overfishing in the past 30 years, leading to changes in the structure and function of the fish communities. Fifty-one commercial fish species in this fishing ground were selected to study the life history traits. Using the life history traits, all the species were grouped into five different life history strategies by principle component analysis. More than 60% of the species were categorized in Group 5 that was similar to r-strategists. Twenty-five commercial species were selected for further analysis of changes in life history variables, and to discuss the population responses to exploitation. Results showed that most of the species appeared to become smaller size, shorter life, earlier maturation and faster growing under long-term exploitation. The exploitation rate of each species was also calculated to further discuss the impacts of fishing pressures to fish populations. Four species were found with the severest changes on life history traits indicating some of the species might be more susceptible to exploitation. This study on fish life history traits and their long-term variations under fishing pressures could provide important scientific implications for fishery management and conservation.

An overview of cetacean strandings, bycatches and rescues along the western coast of the Taiwan Strait, China: 2010–2015

The analysis of cetacean strandings can provide fundamental information about species diversity and composition in a particular region. The present study collected and analyzed cetacean strandings, bycatches and rescues along the western coast of the Taiwan Strait, China, from 2010 to 2015. In total, 48 records, including 37 strandings, 8 bycatches and 3 rescues, involving 13 known species were collected. Among them, Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins（Sousa chinensis） and finless porpoises（Neophocaena phocaenoides） were the most common species, consisting of 31.3% and 25%, respectively. Notably, 10 out of the 48（20.8%） records were collected from the Pingtan Island and included 3 species of Mysticeti and 4 species of Odontoceti. Finally, we compared the cetacean species composition between the western and eastern coasts of the Taiwan Strait; 31 cetacean species occurred in the Taiwan Strait, indicating a relatively high cetacean diversity in this region. Systematic field surveys are urgently needed to explore the cetacean species composition, population stock and the related habitat status in the Taiwan Strait, which may improve conservation management in the future.