Formation and evolution of the modern warm current system in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea since the last deglaciation

To reconstruct the formation and evolution process of the warm current system within the East China Sea （ECS） and the Yellow Sea （YS） since the last deglaciation, the paleoceangraphic records in core DGKS9603, core CSH1 and core YSDP102, which were retrieved from the mainstream of the Kuroshio Current （KC）, the edge of the modern Tsushima Warm Current （TWC） and muddy region under cold waters accreted with the Yellow Sea Warm Current （YSWC） respectively, were synthetically analyzed. The results indicate that the formation and evolution of the modern warm current system in the ECS and the YS has been accompanied by the development of the KC and impulse rising of the sea level since the last deglaciation. The influence of the KC on the Okinawa Trough had enhanced since 16 cal kyr BP, and synchronously the modern TWC began to develop with the rising of sea level and finally formed at about 8.5 cal kyr BP. The KC had experienced two weakening process during the Heinrich event 1 and the Younger Drays event from 16 to 8.5 cal kyr BP. The period of 7-6 cal kyr BP was the strongest stage of the KC and the TWC since the last deglaciation. The YSWC has appeared at about 6.4 cal kyr BE Thus the warm current system of the ECS and the YS has ultimately formed. The weakness of the KC, indicated by the occurrence of Pulleniatina minimum event （PME） during the period from 5.3 to 2.8 cal kyr BE caused the main stream of the TWC to shift eastward to the Pacific Ocean around about 3 cal kyr BE The process resulted in the intruding of continent shelf cold water mass with rich nutrients. Synchronously, the strength of the YSWC was relatively weak and the related cold water body was active at the early-mid stage of its appearance against the PME background, which resulted in the quick formation of muddy deposit system in the southeastern YS. The strength of the warm current system in the ECS and the YS has enhanced evidently, and approached to the modern condition gradually since 3 cal kyr BE

Observational evidence of the Yellow Sea warm current

The Yellow Sea Warm Current (YSWC) is one of the principal currents in the Yellow Sea in winter. Former examinations on current activity in the Yellow Sea have not observed a stable YSWC because of the positioning of current meters. To further understand the YSWC, a research cruise in the southern Yellow Sea was carried out in the winter of 2006/2007. Five moorings with bottom-mounted acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) were deployed on the western side of the central trough of the Yellow Sea. The existence and distributional features of the YSWC were studied by analyzing three ADCP moorings in the path of the YSWC in conjunction with conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) data over the observed area in the southern Yellow Sea. The results show the following. (1) The upper layer of the YSWC is strongly influenced by winter cold surge; its direction and speed often vary along a south-north axis when strong cold surges arrive from the north. (2) The YSWC near the bottom layer is a stable northwest flowing current with a speed of 4 to 10 cm/s. By combining the analyses of the CTD data, we speculate that the core of the YSWC may lie near the bottom. (3) On a monthly average timescale, the YSWC is stably oriented with northward flow from the sea surface to the sea floor.

Seasonal variation of the Taiwan Warm Current Water and its underlying mechanism

Based on the historical observed data and the modeling results,this paper investigated the seasonal variations in the Taiwan Warm Current Water(TWCW)using a cluster analysis method and examined the contributions of the Kuroshio onshore intrusion and the Taiwan Strait Warm Current(TSWC)to the TWCW on seasonal time scales.The TWCW has obviously seasonal variation in its horizontal distribution,T-S characteristics and volume.The volume of TWCW is maximum(13746 km^3)in winter and minimum(11397 km^3)in autumn.As to the contributions to the TWCW,the TSWC is greatest in summer and smallest in winter,while the Kuroshio onshore intrusion northeast of Taiwan Island is strongest in winter and weakest in summer.By comparison,the Kuroshio onshore intrusion make greater contributions to the Taiwan Warm Current Surface Water(TWCSW)than the TSWC for most of the year,except for in the summertime(from June to August),while the Kuroshio Subsurface Water(KSSW)dominate the Taiwan Warm Current Deep Water(TWCDW).The analysis results demonstrate that the local monsoon winds is the dominant factor controlling the seasonal variation in the TWCW volume via Ekman dynamics,while the surface heat fl ux can play a secondary role via the joint ef fect of baroclinicity and relief.

Winter heat budget in the Huanghai Sea and the effect from Huanghai Warm Current (Yellow Sea Warm Current)

Four sources of surface heat flux （SHF） and the satellite remote sensing sea surface temperature （SST） data are combined to investigate the heat budget closure of the Huanghai Sea （HS） in winter.It is found that heat loss occurs all over the HS during winter and the area averaged heat content change decreases with a rate of-106 W/m 2.Comparing with the area averaged SHF of-150 W/m 2 from the four SHF data sets,it can be concluded that the SHF plays a dominant role in the HS heat budget during winter.In contrast,the heat advection transported by the Huanghai Warm Current （Yellow Sea Warm Current,HWC） accounted for up to 29% of the HS heat content change.Close correlation,especially in February,between the storm events and the SST increase demonstrates that the HWC behaves strongly as a wind-driven compensation current.

Nutrient Structure of the Taiwan Warm Current and Estimation of Vertical Nutrient Fluxes in Upwelling Areas in the East China Sea in Summer

Based on field data for nutrients collected on the continental shelf of the East China Sea(ECS) during summer 2006, the structure and variations of nutrients in every water mass related to the Taiwan Warm Current(TWC) were analyzed. The supplementary effect of nutrient of upwelling on harmful algal blooms(HABs) in the ECS was also estimated, based on upwelling data. Then the maintenance contribution of nutrient of upwelling to HABs was assessed. The results showed that N/P ratio is fairly low in both surface and deep layers of the TWC, which possibly controls nutrient structure of the HABs-frequently-occuring areas. In upwelling areas, the rate of phosphate(PO4-P) uptake exceeds that of nitrate(NO3-N) of the TWC. The TWC may relieve PO4-P limitation during the process of HABs. Furthermore, upwelling plays an important role in providing nutrients to HABs. After estimating nutrient fluxes(NO3-N, PO4-P, Si O3-Si) in the upwelling areas along a typical section(S07), the results showed that the nutrient uptake rate is the greatest at 10-20 m below euphotic zone, sustaining the ongoing presence of HABs. The uptake rate of PO4-P is the highest among dissolved inorganic nutrients. Therefore, upwelling is most likely the main source of PO4-P supply to HABs.

A numerical study on seasonal variations of the Taiwan Warm Current

Princeton Ocean Model (POM) is employed to investigate the Taiwan Warm Current (TWC) and its seasonal variations. Results show that the TWC exhibits pronounced seasonal variations in its sources,strength and flow patterns. In summer, the TWC flows northeast in straight way and reaches around 32°N; it comes mainly from the Taiwan Strait, while its lower part is from the shelf-intrusion of the Kuroshio subsurface water (KSSW). In winter, coming mainly from the shelf-intrusion of the Kuroshio northeast of Taiwan, the TWC flows northward in a winding way and reaches up around 30°N. The Kuroshio intrusion also has distinct seasonal patterns. The shelf-intrusion of KSSW by upwelling is almost the same in four seasons with a little difference in strength; it is a persistent source of the TWC. However, Kuroshio surface water (KSW) can not intrude onto the shelf in summer, while in winter the intrusion of KSW always occurs. Additional experiments were conducted to examine effects of winds and transport through the Taiwan Strait on the TWC. In winter, northerly winds enhance the shelf-intrusion of the Kuroshio and spread northward, but hamper the northward inflow from the Taiwan Strait. In summer, the effect of the winds is confined in the surface layer, and less obvious than that of winter. Transport through the Taiwan Strait influences the TWC significantly. With the Taiwan Strait closed in the simulation, the TWC would be dramatically weakened.

The inter-annual variability of the Yellow Sea Warm Current surface axis and its influencing factors

Based on the Pathfinder sea surface temperature(PFSST),the surface axis and its pattern of the Yellow Sea Warm Current(YSWC) are discussed.A structure of double-warm-tongue is found in February and it varies in different years.Two indexes are calculated to represent the westward shift(WSI) and northward extension(NEI) of the warm water in the Yellow Sea(YS).Wavelet analysis illustrates that the WSI and NEI have prominent periods of 3-6 years and 3-4 years,respectively.The Empirical Orthogonal Function(EOF) decomposition is applied to the winter wind stress curl and the Kuroshio Current(KC) transport,which are believed to play important roles in forcing the variability of the YSWC surface axis.Statistics shows that the WSI is significantly related with the second EOF mode of the wind stress curl in February,which may force the YSWC surface axis moving westward and maintaining the double warm tongues because of its opposite curl in the YSWC domain.The first EOF mode of wind stress curl in January is propitious for inducing the warm tongue in the YS to advance more northward.Hence,the wind stress curls both in January and in February could force variations of the YSWC surface axis;however,the effect of the January wind stress curl is relatively weaker than that of the February.The relationship between the NEI and the KC transport is remarkable,and it seems that the stronger KC supplies more power to push the YSWC northward against the southward wind.

A numerical study of the South China Sea Warm Current during winter monsoon relaxation

Using a Finite-Volume Community Ocean Model, we investigated the dynamic mechanism of the South China Sea Warm Current(SCSWC) in the northern South China Sea(NSCS) during winter monsoon relaxation. The model reproduces the mean surface circulation of the NSCS during winter, while model-simulated subtidal currents generally capture its current pattern. The model shows that the current over the continental shelf is generally southwestward, under a strong winter monsoon condition, but a northeastward counter-wind current usually develops between 50-and 100-m isobaths, when the monsoon relaxes. Model experiments, focusing on the wind relaxation process, show that sea level is elevated in the northwestern South China Sea(SCS), related to the persistent northeasterly monsoon. Following wind relaxation, a high sea level band builds up along the mid-shelf, and a northeastward current develops, having an obvious vertical barotropic structure. Momentum balance analysis indicates that an along-shelf pressure gradient provides the initial driving force for the SCSWC during the first few days following wind relaxation. The SCSWC subsequently reaches a steady quasi-geostrophic balance in the cross-shelf direction, mainly linked to sea level adjustment over the shelf. Lagrangian particle tracking experiments show that both the southwestward coastal current and slope current contribute to the northeastward movement of the SCSWC during winter monsoon relaxation.

Kuroshio warm filament and the source of the warm water of the Tsushima Current

Characteristics and evolution of the Kuroshio frontal eddies and warm filaments are analyzed according to two series of satellite images (March 5 to 7, 1986 and April 14 to 16, 1988). The results show that the frontal eddies in the East China Sea are generated at the shelf break and move along the continental slope at a speed of 15 cm/s with the Kuroshio. The frontal eddies occur about every 10 d and evolve to be warm filaments a few hundred km in length and 30-40 km in width in the area west of the Yaku-shima. Meanwhile, the existence of the warm filament was also found in the area by analysing the hydrographic data in the area west of Kyushu during May 24-June 5, 1988.The Kuroshio warm filaments move westward opposite to the Kuroshio and then turn northward at the shelf break and become the main source of the warm water of the Tsushima Warm Current. A simple dynamic explanation for the process is presented in this paper.

NUMERICAL STUDY ON THE FORMATION OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA WARM CURRENT I. BAROTROPIC CASE

In this work, Princeton Ocean Model (POM) was used to study the formation of the South China Sea Warm Current (SCSWC) in the barotropic case. Monthly averaged wind stress and the inflow/outflow transports in January were used in the numerical simulation which reproduced the SCSWC. The effects of wind stress and inflow/outflow were studied separately. Numerical experiments showed that the Kuroshio intrusion through the Luzon Strait and the slope shelf in the northern SCS are necessary conditions for the formation of the SCSWC. In a flat bottom topography experiment, the wind stress driven northeast current in the northern SCS is a compensatory current.

On the origin of the Tsushima Warm Current Water

The origin of the Tsushima Warm Current Water(TWCW) in summer is studied mainly on the basis of the CTD data and the observations of satellite-traced surface drifters of Coastal Ocean Process Experiment of the East China Sea(COPEX-ECS) conducted by Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute. The main results are as follows: (1) The structures of the TWCW show obvious regional varitaions. The TWCW can be divided into three layers in the northern Okinawa Trough west of Kyushu and into two layers on the continental shelf and in the Tsushima/Korea Strait. (2) The surface TWCW, charactered by a sub-high salinity (33. 5～ 34. 10), comes mainly from the coastal water composed largely of the Changjiang Diluted Water, the surface Kuroshio water and the shelf water in the area south of the East China Sea (ECS). (3) The middle TWCW is sub-grouped into two parts: the water of salinity (S) larger than 34. 50 located below the thermocline originates from the climbed sub-surface Kuroshio water;the TWCW lying in the thermocline is a mixture of the Kuroshio water and the shelf water with low salinity. (4) In the strait, the water from the source area is denatured obviously due to mixing unceasingly wth the shelf water and coastal water. The high salinity water of S >34. 5 appears only in the bottom layer with depths>50m.

NUMERICAL STUDY ON THE FORMATION OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA WARM CURRENT II. BAROCLINIC CASE

In this part, Levitus’ climatological temperature and salinity are incorporated in the numerical model developed in Part I. Diagnostic and prognostic experiment on the thermohaline circulation were conducted. The smooth Levitus’ data do not include any information on the South China Sea Warm Current (SCSWC), so it is not in the model produced diagnostic thermohaline circulation. Although the SCSWC does not appear in the wind driven circulation in the barotropic case, it appears in the prognostic wind driven circulation in the baroclinic case. This implies that the differing circulation patterns between barotropic case and baroclinic case are due to the stratification. The prognostic thermohaline circulation with wind stress and inflow/outflow transports at open boundaries are also discussed. Coupling of density and dynamic forces makes the circulation pattern more complicated. Even though the stratification is not always a direct cause of the formation of the SCSWC, it is at least an indirect cause.

Sea surface temperature evolution in the Yellow Sea Warm Current pathway and its teleconnection with high and low latitude forcing during the mid-late Holocene

Sea surface temperature(SST)in the Yellow Sea Warm Current(YSWC)pathway is sensitive to the East Asian Winter Monsoon(EAWM)and YSWC.However,the role of the YSWC in the evolution of regional SST remains unclear.Here,we present new U 37 k′based SST and grain size sequences spanning the last 6092 years in the sediment core Z1,which was retrieved from the central Yellow Sea muddy area.Overall,U 37 k′-SST gradually increased since 6.1 ka BP,with a series of centennial-scale fl uctuations.Its variation was mainly caused by EAWM when YSWC was weak between 6.1 and~3.9 ka BP,as shown by the end-member content of grain size.However,after YSWC was fully developed,i.e.,since~3.9 ka BP,it exerted critical eff ects on SST evolution in its pathway.The 1010-and 538-year cycles of the SST sequence indicated a basic control of solar activity on the oceanic conditions in the Yellow Sea.It is suggested that the variation of total solar irradiance was amplifi ed by thermohaline circulation and then transmitted to the Yellow Sea through the EAWM.Meanwhile,the tropical Pacifi c signal of El Niño was transmitted to the YSWC through the Kuroshio Current.The dual properties of warm water transported by YSWC to compensate the EAWM and driving by Kuroshio Current closely linked the variation of SST in the YSWC pathway to the Northern Hemisphere high latitude climate and the tropical Pacifi c.These fi ndings highlight the signifi cance of YSWC on regional SST evolution and its teleconnection to high and low latitude forcing,which grains a better understanding of the long-term evolution of SST in the middle latitude Yellow Sea.

Characteristics of zooplankton community in North Yellow Sea unveiled an indicator species for the Yellow Sea Warm Current in winter: Euchaeta plana

Zooplankton distributions are largely influenced by both biotic and abiotic factors in the surrounding environment.Some zooplankton species can be used as bio-indicators for particular currents and water masses to help discover the dynamics of water current in the ocean.In this study,we investigated the distribution of zooplankton in North Yellow Sea(NYS)during winter when the Yellow Sea Warm Current(YSWC)influenced that area.Zooplankton communities in the NYS were dominated by temperate and warm-temperate species,such as Calanus sinicus,Paracalanus parvus,Acartia bifilosa,and Sagitta crassa.Two warm-water species,Eucheata plana and Sagitta enflata were also present.Cluster analysis grouped NYS zooplankton into three communities,the Shandong Coastal Community(SCC)in the Shandong neritic area,the Yellow Sea Central Community(YSCC)in the central waters of the NYS,and the Liaoning Coastal Community(LCC)in the Liaoning neritic area.Abundances varied significantly among these communities,with an average of 102.2 ind./m^3 in SCC,179.8 ind./m^3 in YSCC,and 1244.2 ind./m^3 in LCC.Depth and the bottom(3 m from the sea floor)temperature were likely the primary abiotic factors influencing zooplankton distributions.The appearance of E.plana,an indicator species for the YSWC path,indicated a significant northwestward trend for the YSWC in 2007.

On the Taiwan Warm Current Water

Using our data from special observation in the source area of the Taiwan Warm Current from 19S2 to 1985) and historical data, the authors conducted studies to clarify the temperature and salinity characteristics, variability, and origin of the Taiwan Warm Current Water, and its influence on the expanding direction of the Changjiang Diluted Water.The main results of these studies are briefly given below. (1) The Taiwan Warm Current Water can be divided into two parts:the Surface Water of the Taiwan Warm Current and the Deep Water of the Taiwan Warm Current; the former is formed due to the mixing of the Kuroshio Surface Water flowing northward along the east coast of Taiwan with the Taiwan Strait Water; the latter completed originates from Kuroshio Subsurface Water to the east of Taiwan. It is characterized by lower temperature and higher salinity in summer and the characteristics of temperature and salinity are more stable. The maximum seasonal variational range and maximum secular variational range of

A study on the source of the Tsushima Warm Current water

On the basis of the hydrographic data in the area west of Kyushu from four cruises of R/V Xiangyanghong No. 9 from 1987 to 1988 , the circulation features in the investigation area are described and the source of the Tsushima Warm Current water (TWCW) is explored by using the observed and geostrophic current results and tracking the Kuroshio Subsurface High Salinity Core (KSHSC).

On the Huanghai (Yellow) Sea circulation:a review by current measurements

The Huanghai (Yellow) Sea circulations suggested in the past were constructed mostly based on hydrographic data or simple numerical models, and were not rigorously compered with direct current measurements. Ourpresent understanding of the Huanghai Sea circulation is still very poor and superficial. To evaluate our present knowledge about the circulation and to sketch a more realistic circulation pattern, the previous studies on the circulation arebriefly reviewed and directly measured current data collected in the past are revisited. The Huanghai Sea Warm Current and the northeastward extension in summer of the Changjiang diluted water are paid more attention to, which arethe major currents of the basic circulation, and then attempted to sketch the Huanghai Sea circulation by synthesizinghydrography and current data. The Huanghai Sea circulation is not considered to be persistent since the thin water column, less than 100 m, responds quickly and sensitively to external driving forces. Directly measured current data showthat saline water originating from the Kuroshio water turns clockwise around Cheju-do throughout the year and eventually joins the Tsushima Warm Current at the western channel of the Korea Strait. This clockwise current is called theCheju Warm Current. The current data do not support the persistent existence of the Huanghai Sea Warm Current,which has ho believed to supply heat and salt to the Huanghai Sea throughout the year. However, a northward flowis generated intermittently during the weakening phase of cold air outbreaks in winter. The northeast extension of theChangjiang diluted water in summer is evidenced by satellite-tracked surface drifters.

Analysis of thermohaline and current distribution characteristics of Zhejiang and Fujian waters in summer

This paper analyzed the distribution of thermohaline and circulation characteristics of Zhejiang and Fujian waters,based on the cross-sectional thermohaline data and on current data （up to 30 d duration） at fixed-point moorings,collected in the summer of 2006.We also performed low-pass filtering and spectrum analysis on the mooring submersible buoy data.Based on that analysis,we discussed the characteristics of low frequency currents and time-variations in these waters.The main conclusions are as follows.（1） There is a low salinity pinnate area near the Hangzhou Bay in summer,and outside the low salinity area,an obvious salinity front is present from surface to bottom near 123 E.There is also a temperature front below the surface at a corresponding position.（2） Bottom water of the Taiwan Warm Current comes from the subsurface of Kuroshio.（3） The direction of low frequency current at fixed anchor stations is N-NE or S,which mainly depends on the interaction of control currents in this waters.（4） Significant spectral peaks at all mooring stations are typically semidiurnal and diurnal tides.Semidiurnal tidal waves are the main ones in these waters,and have more energy closer to the shore.（5） Significant energy spectral peaks of middle period （3 to 8 d） of currents are responses to weather frequency.（6） Significant energy spectral peaks of long periods at the surface or bottom are probably responses to seasonal wind or bottom friction,while,the long period peaks of other depths can reflect cyclical changes of interactions between currents.We conclude that the pulsation period of the Taiwan Warm Current in these waters is 10-17 d.

A numerical study of the wintertime double-warm-tongue structure in the Huanghai(Yellow) Sea

Satellite remote sensing observations show that during winter, sea surface temperature （SST） presents the structure of double warm tongues in the Huanghai Sea trough： the western and the eastern warm tongues. Numerical experiments based on POM are carried out to study the forming mechanism of this thermal structure and its relation to the Huanghai Sea Warm Current （HSWC）. The control experiment reproduces this phenomenon quite well, and comparing experiments investigate the effect of wind and tide. It is found that the western warm tongue is mainly caused by the HSWC, which can be strengthened by wintertime southward wind. The eastern warm tongue develops under the influence of an anti-clockwise circulation which is induced by the temperature front of the Huanghai Sea Cold Water Mass （HSCWM） in summer and autumn. In the eastern portion of this circulation, the northward current carries warm water to the north, forming the eastern warm tongue, which remains till winter.

Performance improvement of lithium-ion battery by pulse current

Periodically changed current is called pulse current.It has been found that using the pulse current to charge/discharge lithium-ion batteries can improve the safety and cycle stability of the battery.In this short review,the mechanisms of pulse current improving the performance of lithium-ion batteries are summarized from four aspects:activation,warming up,fast charging and inhibition of lithium dendrites.Related content may help us use the pulse current to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries and further optimize pulse current technology.