Transport patterns of micro nutrient elements from the continental shelf of the East China Sea to the Kuroshio area

On the basis of the in situ data of DO2, pH, SiO2. PO4-P, NO3-N and NO2-N collected in the north of the East China Sea during 1987-1988, the following points are mainly expounded.1.The inorgonic nutrients are obviously affected by continent runoff in the north of the East China Sea. Their distributions are characteristic of its distribution of terrigenous materials.2.There are three transport paths of nutrients from the shelf to the Kuroshio area. The first is mixing-diffusing-advec-tion and upwelling process, the process of biology and biochemistry belongs to the second, and the sinking process is the last one.3.The swing of the Kuroshio axis affectes both the range of the migration of substances through mixing-diffusing-advec-tion process and the upwelling degree of the subsurface Kuroshio water to the shelf.4.Most part of the substances sink as macroparticles to the deep layer before reaching the Kuroshio area.

Study on interaction between the coastal water, shelf water and Kuroshio water in the Huanghai Sea and East China Sea

The main processes of interaction between the coastal water, shelf water and Kuroshio water in the Huanghai Sea (HS) and East China Sea (ECS) are analyzed based on the observation and study results in recent years. These processes include the intrusion of the Kuroshio water into the shelf area of the ECS, the entrainment of the shelf water into the Kuroshio, the seasonal process in the southern shelf area of the ECS controlled alternatively by the Taiwan Strait water and the Kuroshio water intruding into the shelf area, the interaction between the Kuroshio branch water, shelf mixed water and modified coastal water in the northeastern ECS, the water-exchange between the HS and ECS and the spread of the Changjiang diluted water.

Impact of Kuroshio on the dissolved oxygen in the East China Sea region

A marine survey was conducted from 18 May to 13 June 2014 in the East China Sea (ECS) and its adjacent Kuroshio Current to examine the spatial distribution and biogeochemical characteristics of dissolved oxygen (DO) in spring. Waters were sampled at 10?25 m intervals within 100 m depth, and at 25?500 m beyond 100 m. The depth, temperature, salinity, and density (sigma- t ) were measured in situ with a conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) sensor. DO concentrations were determined on board using traditional Winkler titration method. The results show that in the Kuroshio Current, DO content was the highest in the euphotic layer, then decreased sharply with depth to about 1 000 m, and increased with depth gradually thereafter. While in the ECS continental shelf area, DO content had high values in the coastal surface water and low values in the near-bottom water. In addition, a low-DO zone off the Changjiang (Yangtze) River estuary was found in spring 2014, and it was formed under the combined influence of many factors, including water stratification, high primary productivity in the euphotic layers, high accumulation/ sedimentation of organic matter below the euphotic layers, and mixing/transport of oceanic current waters on the shelf. Most notable among these is the Kuroshio intruded water, an oceanic current water which carried rich dissolved oxygen onto the continental shelf and alleviated the oxygen deficit phenomenon in the ECS, could impact the position, range, and intensity, thus the formation/destruction of the ECS Hypoxia Zone.

Variability of the Kuroshio in the East China Sea in 1993 and 1994

Based on the hydrographic data obtained by the R/V Chofu Maru of eight cruises of 1993~1994, a modified inverse method is used to compute the velocity, volume and heat transports of the Kuroshio in the East China Sea. The calculated results show that: (1) At Section PN, there are two current cores of the Kuroshio in autumn, one or two cores in other seasons. The main cores always lie over the shelf break. Countercurrents always exist east of and in the deep layer under the Kuroshio. (2) At Section TK, the velocity distribution is more complicated, and it may have one, two or three current cores of the Kuroshio. The current cores often appear in the middle and northern parts of the Tokara Strait. There are westward countercurrents in the southern end and deep layer of the strait, and the countercurrent in the southern end of the strait is the strongest in autumn. (3) At Section A, the Tsushima Warm Current (hereafter TSWC) core lies in the shelf break area, and its Vmax varies between 26~46 cm/s. The Huanghai Warrn Current (hereafter HWC) lies to the west of the TSWC, and it is weaker. (4) In 1993 and 1994 the volume transport (hereafter VT) of the Kuroshio is the smallest in spring, but it is the largest or has a larger value in summer. The average net northward VT of the Kuroshio during the four seasons each year, for example, through Section PN, almost has the same value for 1993 and 1994, but both are smaller than that in 1992. The average net northward VT through Sections PN and TK during the eight cruises are 27. 1×106 and 25. 0 ×106 m3/s, respectively. (5) The average heat transports (hereafter HT) through Sections PN and TK are 1. 99 × 1015 and 1. 78× 1015 W, respectively. (6) At the computation area, heat transfer is from the ocean to the atmosphere in autumn and winter, but the direction reverses in summer, and the direction of heat transfer is uncertain in spring. The average rate of heat transfer is the largest in winter, but smaller in spring and summer.

Variability of the Kuroshio in the East China Sea in 1995

A modified inverse method is ed to compute the Kuroshio in the East China Sea with the CTD andwind data collected by R/V Chofu Maru during four cruises of 1995. The computed results show that: (1) The volume transport (hereafter VT) of the Kuroshio through fortion PN is 23. 3×106, 34. 1× 106,21. 1× 106 and 26. 7 ×106 m3/s, respectively , during winter, spring, summer and autumn, i. e., its VT is largest in spring but smallest inthe summer of 1995. However, from the statistical average results [e. g., Yuan et al. (1993) ], its VT is largest insummer but smallest in autumn. This means that the year 1995 is an anomalous year, which can also be shown from the T - S distributions. The heat transport (hereafter HT ) through Section PN is 1. 6×1015, 2. 5× 1015, 1. 7 x1015 and 2.1× 1015 W, respectively, during winter, spring, summer and autumn. This shows also that the year 1995is an anomalous year. VT through Section TK (at the Tokara Staik) is the largest in the spring of 1995. (2) Thereare two current cores at Section PN during winter, spring and summer, and three cores in autumn. (3) The Kuroshiovelocities at Section PN are stronger in spring and autumn than those in the winter and summer of 1995. (4) Thereare countercurrents under and east of the Kuroshio at Section PN. (5 ) The average rate of heat transfer in the computed area from the ocean to the atmosphere is 6.28×103, -0.83× 103, -2.09×103 and 2.49×103J/(cm2.d), respectively, during winter, spring, summer and autumn.

A spectral mixture model analysis of the Kuroshio variability and the water exchange between the Kuroshio and the East China Sea

For understanding more about the water exchange between the Kuroshio and the East China Sea,We studied the variability of the Kuroshio in the East China Sea(ECS) in the period of 1991 to 2008 using a three-dimensional circulation model,and calculated Kuroshio onshore volume transport in the ECS at the minimum of 0.48 Sv(1 Sv ;106 m3/s) in summer and the maximum of 1.69 Sv in winter.Based on the data of WOA05 and NCEP,The modeled result indicates that the Kuroshio transport east of Taiwan Island decreased since 2000.Lateral movements tended to be stronger at two ends of the Kuroshio in the ECS than that of the middle segment.In addition,we applied a spectral mixture model(SMM) to determine the exchange zone between the Kuroshio and the shelf water of the ECS.The result reveals a significantly negative correlation(coefficient of-0.78) between the area of exchange zone and the Kuroshio onshore transport at 200 m isobath in the ECS.This conclusion brings a new view for the water exchange between the Kuroshio and the East China Sea.Additional to annual and semi-annual signals,intra-seasonal signal of probably the Pacific origin may trigger the events of Kuroshio intrusion and exchange in the ECS.

A Modelling Study of Inter-Annual Variation of Kuroshio Intrusion on the Shelf of East China Sea

Inter-annual variability of the Kuroshio water intrusion on the shelf of East China Sea (ECS) was simulated with a nested global and Northwest Pacific ocean circulation model.The model analysis reveals the influence of the variability of Kuroshio transport east of Taiwan on the intrusion to the northeast of Taiwan:high correlation (r=0.92) with the on-shore volume flux in the lower layer (50 200 m) ;low correlation (r=0.50) with the on-shore flux in the upper layer (0 50 m) .Spatial distribution of correlations between volume fluxes and sea surface height suggests that inter-annual variability of the Kuroshio flux east of Taiwan and its subsurface water intruding to the shelf lag behind the sea surface height anomalies in the central Pacific at 162 E by about 14 months,and could be related to wind-forced variation in the interior North Pacific that propagates westward as Rossby waves.The intrusion of Kuroshio surface water is also influenced by local winds.The intruding Kuroshio subsurface water causes variations of temperature and salinity of bottom waters on the southern ECS shelf.The influence of the intruding Kuroshio subsurface water extends widely from the shelf slope northeast of Taiwan northward to the central ECS near the 60 m isobath,and northeastward to the region near the 90 m isobath.

STUDY OF WATER-TRANSPORT THROUGH SOME MAIN STRAITS IN THE EAST CHINA SEA AND SOUTH CHINA SEA

OCCAM global ocean model results were applied to calculate the monthly water transport through 7 straits around the East China Sea (ECS) and the South China Sea (SCS). Analysis of the features of velocity profiles and their variations in the Togara Strait, Luzon Strait and Eastern Taiwan Strait showed that: 1) the velocity profiles had striped pattern in the Eastern Taiwan Strait, where monthly flux varied from 22.4 to 28.1 Sv and annual mean was about 25.8 Sv; 2) the profiles of velocity in the Togara Strait were characterized by core structure, and monthly flux varied from 23.3 to 31.4 Sv, with annual mean of about 27.9 Sv; 3) water flowed from the SCS to the ECS in the Taiwan Strait, with maximum flux of 3.1 Sv in July and minimum of 0.9 Sv in November; 4) the flux in the Tsushima Strait varied by only about 0.4 Sv by season and its annual mean was about 2.3 Sv; 5) Kuroshio water flowed into the SCS in the Luzon Strait throughout the year and the velocity profiles were characterized by multi core structure. The flux in the Luzon Strait was minimum in June (about 2.4 Sv) and maximum in February (about 9.0 Sv), and its annual mean was 4.8 Sv; 6) the monthly flux in the Mindoro Strait was maximum in December (3.0 Sv) and minimum in June (only 0.1 Sv), and its annual mean was 1.3 Sv; 7) Karimata Strait water flowed into the SCS from May to August, with maximum inflow flux of about 0.75 Sv in June and flowed out from September to April at maximum outflow flux of 3.9 Sv in January. The annual mean flux was about 1.35 Sv.

The Effect of the East China Sea Kuroshio Front on the Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer

Various satellite data,JRA-25(Japan reanalysis of 25 years) reanalyzed data and WRF(Weather Research Forecast) model are used to investigate the in situ effect of the ESKF(East China Sea Kuroshio Front) on the MABL(marine atmospheric boundary layer).The intensity of the ESKF is most robust from January to April in its annual cycle.The local strong surface northerly/northeasterly winds are observed right over the ESKF in January and in April and the wind speeds decrease upward in the MABL.The thermal wind effect that is derived from the baroclinic MABL forced by the strong SST gradient contributes to the strong surface winds to a large degree.The convergence zone existing along the warm flank of the ESKF is stronger in April than in January corresponding to the steeper SST(sea surface temperature) gradient.The collocations of the cloud cover maximum and precipitation maximum are basically consistent with the convergence zone of the wind field.The clouds develop higher(lower) in the warm(cold) flank of the ESKF due to the less(more) stable stratification in the MABL.The lowest clouds are observed in April on the cold flank of the ESKF and over the Yellow Sea due to the existence of the pronounced temperature inversion.The numerical experiments with smoothed SST are consistent with the results from the ovservations.

TRANSPORT OF SUSPENDED MATTER FROM THE CHANGJIANG RIVER TO THE EAST CHINA SEA SHELF

Suspended matter (SM) in the East China Sea (ECS) shelf seawater was investigated during Oct. 1993, Apr. and Oct. 1994. Results showed that the high total suspended matter(TSM) region (>7200)mg/L) was limted to near the estuary and reduced rapidly to <10 mg/L at 122 °30’E. The high TSM contour extended mainly NE in surface water but SE in near bottom Water,i. e., SM transport from the Changjiang River was characterized by "stratification and different transport directions in different layers’. TSM distribution on sections showed that the up-climbing Kuroshio water prevents Changjiang River SM in middle and bottom water from transporting to the Okinawa Trough. Vertical distributions of the TSM showed a suspended-cline that appeared in the inner and middle shelf TSM below it was dense and formed a turbid water laper, TSM above it was less dense, so the water was reatively clear. Formation of the suspended-cline correlated with high density current and resuspension of bottom sediment.

Relationships between intensity of the Kuroshio current in the East China Sea and the East Asian winter monsoon

Based on satellite altimeter and reanalysis data,this paper studies the relationships between the intensity of the Kuroshio current in the East China Sea（ECS） and the East Asian winter monsoon（EAWM）.The mechanisms of their possible interaction are also discussed.Results indicate that adjacent transects show consistent variations,and on an interannual timescale,when the EAWM is anomalously strong（weak）,the downstream Kuroshio in the ECS is suppressed（enhanced） in the following year from February to April.This phenomenon can be attributed to both the dynamic effect（i.e.,Ekman transport） and the thermal effect of the EAWM.When the EAWM strengthens（weakens）,the midstream and downstream Kuroshio in the ECS are also suppressed（intensified） during the following year from October to December.The mechanisms vary for these effects.The EAWM exerts its influence on the Kuroshio＇s intensity in the following year through the tropospheric biennial oscillation（TBO）,and oceanic forcing is dominant during this time.The air-sea interaction is modulated by the relative strength of the EAWM and the Kuroshio in the ECS.The non-equivalence of spatial scales between the monsoon and the Kuroshio determines that their interactions are aided by processes with a smaller spatial scale,i.e.,local wind stress and heating at the sea surface.

Seasonal variability of the Kuroshio Current at the PN Section in the East China Sea based on in-situ observation from 1987 to 2010

As the spatio-temporal variability of the Kuroshio is highly influenced by mesoscale eddies, representing its seasonal variability characteristics requires sufficiently long term observations to reduce the uncertainties. Geostrophic velocity data estimated from hydrographic observation from 1987 to 2010 and the shipboard ADCP velocity data from 1993 to 2008 at the PN Section in the central East China Sea are collected to view the seasonal variability objectively. From both types of observation, it is found that the seasonal climatology mean of the Kuroshio Current exhibits significant difference in three areas, which are located at the Kuroshio Current core and its two flanks in a shallow layer less than 300 m, with the weakest northeast current at the core in autumn, the strongest counter current on the right flank in spring, and the strongest northeast current on the left flank in autumn, respectively. The seasonal variance of the Kuroshio Current also exhibits significant difference on the off- shore side of the Kuroshio, with larger variance in spring and summer while smaller variance in autumn and winter. For the current parallel to the PN Section, the ratio of the seasonal variability component to the intraseasonal variability component is relatively smaller than that for the current perpendicular to the PN Section. Further analyses indicate that the seasonal variability at the PN Section is tightly linked to the upstream and downstream current variability.

The study of the Kuroshio in the East China Sea and the currents east of the Ryukyu Islands

In this study, the inverse method is used to compute the Kuroshio in the East China Sea and southeast of Kyushu and the currents east of the Ryukyu Islands, on the basis of hydrographic data obtained during September-October, 1987 by R/V Chofu Maru. The results show that: (1)A part of the Taiwan Warm Current has a tendency to converge to the shelf break; (2) the Kuroshio flows across the section C3 (PN) with a reduced current width, and the velocity of the Kuroshio at the section C3 increases and its maximum current speed is about 158 cm/s, and its volume transport here is about 26×106m3/s; (3) the Kuroshio has two current cores at the sections C3 (PN) and B2 (at the Tokara Strait); (4) the currents east of the Ryukyu Islands are found to flow northward over the Ryukyu Trench during September-October, 1987. The velocities of the currents are not strong throughout the depths. At the section C2 east of the Ryukyu Islands, the maximum current speed is at the 699 m levei and its magnitude is 25 cm/s, and its volume transport is about 21×06 m3/s; (5) the volume transports of the Kuroshio through the sections B2 (at the Tokara Strait) and C6 (southeast of Kyushu) are 23. 33, 67. 31×106 m3/s, respectively; (6) there are two meso-scale anticyclonic warm eddies between 135° E and the area east of the Ryukyu Islands, and their characters and hydrographic structure are discussed.

The numerical simulation of the Kuroshio frontal eddies in the East China Sea using a hybrid coordinate ocean mode

A hybrid coordinate ocean model （ltYCOM） is used to simulate the Kuroshio frontal eddies in the East China Sea （ECS）. The research area is located （20°-32°N, 120°-132°E）. Using tile simulating data, it is figured out that the Kuroshio frontal eddies occur in summer as well as in the other season in this area. The life cycle of the Kuroshio and its frontal eddies is different with the position. The life-cycle of the Kuroshio frontal eddies of the northwest Diaoyu Islands is about 14 d; and the life cycle of the Kuroshio frontal eddies of southwest Yakushima about 20 d. This result extends the in situ researching results greatly. In addition, the vertical impact depth of the Kuroshio frontal eddies is also changing with the position. On the whole, in the ECS, the maximum impact depth of the Kuroshio frontal eddies of the northwest Taiwan Islands is about 75 m; the maximum impact depth of the Kuroshio frontal eddies of the northwest Diaoyu Islands is more than 125 m, but no more than 200 m; and the maximum impact depth of the Kuroshio frontal eddies of southwest Yakushima is up to 100 m.

Interannual variation of nutrients along a transect across the Kuroshio and shelf area in the East China Sea over 40 years

Long-term datasets of water temperature,salinity,dissolved oxygen,phosphate and nitrate from 1973 to 2013 were used to study interannual variations of these parameters along a transect(section PN)across the Kuroshio and shelf area in the East China Sea.Water temperature and salinity at depths of 0–200 m showed a low-high-low-high pattern over the 40-year period.Water temperature and salinity at 500 m were relatively high from 1985 to 1990 and decreased continuously thereafter.Salinity at 800 m was lowest around 1993 and increased thereafter.Nutrients were highest between 1980 and 1985.After 1985,nutrients at 500 m were increasing.The range of variation in nutrients was large before 1985 and the magnitude increased with greater depths.Apparent oxygen utilization at 500 m depth was decreasing before 1990 and started to increase after 1992.Significant changes after 1990 at 500 m depth may be due to the upward trend of the upper boundary of Kuroshio intermediate water.Interannual variation of water temperature,salinity,dissolved oxygen,phosphate and nitrate along section PN has a significant correlation with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation index.

Statistical analysis of intensity variations in tropical cyclones in the East China Sea passing over the Kuroshio

Intensity variations of the SE-NW-oriented tropical cyclones(TC)in the East China Sea(ECS)passing over the Kuroshio are studied using multi-year high-resolution sea surface temperature data,the tropical cyclone data,and the global reanalysis dataset.The statistical results show that there are 81 TCs passing over the Kuroshio from the southeast in the East China Sea,over 68 years from 1949 to 2016.In terms of the change of the atmospheric pressure in the center of the TC,there are three categories:31 TCs are intensified,28 maintain their intensities,and 22 weakened.Significant seasonal differences are presented in the distribution.In the analysis on the intensified TCs,it is found that the TCs in the range where the center translational speed is from 1 m/s to 8 m/s and the distance from the Kuroshio main axis is from 10 km to 75 km are intensified more significantly.The analysis of three specific examples of TCs show that the stronger characteristics of the Kuroshio warm water in the ECS,the greater the intensity increase of such tropical cyclones.

Characteristics of Light Transmission in Summer and Winter and Its Relation to Sediment Transport in the East China Sea

Light transmission data collected from June to July 1987 and from February to March 1997 by the R/V Kexue 1 in the East China Sea were used to analyze its distribution characteristics and its relation to the sediment transport in this sea. Some results obtained were: (1) The Taiwan Warm Current flowing northwards seemed to be a barrier preventing suspended matter discharged from the Changjiang River Estuary from continuously moving southeastward and causing the suspended matter to flow along a path near 123°30′E in summer and 123°00′E in winter. (2) Suspended matter in the area adjacent to the Changjiang River Estuary could not be transported southward along the coast in summer due to opposing offshore currents including the Taiwan Warm Current flowing northward and the Changjiang Diluted Water turning northeastward. (3) The thermocline and temperature front bar suspended matter from crossing through.

Detection of the Kuroshio frontal instable processes (KFIP) in the East China Sea using the MODIS images

The Kuroshio frontal instable processes （KFIP） in the East China Sea （ECS） not only have a great impact on the hydrologic characteristics,the pollutants drift,the distribution of seafloor sediment and the ships navigation of the ECS,but also are closely related to the climate changes of the coastal areas of the ECS.However the frequency and area of occurrence of the KFIP have not been studied fully and detailedly.Because of its high spatial and temporal resolution,MODIS data is a kind of very good data source for surveying and researching the KFIP in the ECS.The aim of this study is to detect the KFIP in the ECS by using MODIS data,and to study the frequency and region of occurrence of the KFIP in the ECS.The selection has coverage of level 2 data of MODIS SST and Kd490 ranging from July 1,2002 to June 30,2009 of the ECS when there was no cloud impact or little.By using of the data,the minimum standard of the Kuroshio temperature fronts and the diffuse attenuation coefficient （Kd490） fronts of the ECS are given.Based on these standards and the curvature distinguish methods,the standard of curvature distinguish for the KFIP in the ECS are put forward.By making use of this standard,we study a total of 2073 satellite-derived images,and discover that as long as there is no cloud impact from January to May and October to December,the KFIP in the ECS are surely found in MODIS satellite images.From June to September,the frequency of occurrence can also reach to 82.9% at least.Moreover,it is obtained that there are three source regions of these instability processes,namely,（26°N,121.5°E） nearby,（27°N,125°E） nearby and （30°N,128°E） nearby.The differences of the characteristics of these instability processes which are generated in different regions are analyzed in the present study.

Variability of the Kuroshio in the East China Sea in 1992

Based on the hydrographic data of the four cruises in 1992, a modified inverse method is used to compute the velocity, volume and heat transports of the Kuroshio in the East China Sea. The computed results show that: (1)There are two current cores of the Kuroshio at Section PN in spring and autumn, but one core in winter and summer.The main core always lies over the shelf break.The Kuroshio is strongest in spring, secondary in winter and summer and weakest in autumn. There are also countercurrents under and east of the Kuroshio at Section PN. (2) There are two current cores of the Kuroshio at Section TK in winter, three cores in spring and summer. Countercurrents exist in the southern Part and the deep layer of the Tokara Strait. (3) The Tsushima Warm Current (TSWC) at action A is strongest in autumn and weakest in winter, and is stronger than the Huanghai Warm Current which lies to the west of the TSWC. (4) The net northeastward volume transport (hereafter VT) through Section PN is largest in summer and smallest in autumn with an average of 28. 0 ×106m3/s in the four cruises of 1992. The net eastward VT at Section TK is also largest in summer. The net northward VT at Section A is largest in autumn. (5) The average heat transport through Section PN during the four cruises is 2. 03×1015 W, and that through Section TK is 2. 00×1015 W during the three cruises. (6) In the computation area, heat transfer is from the ocean to the atmosphere during winter,spring and autumn, but from the atmosphere to the ocean in summer. The average rate of heat transfer is largest in winter, but smallest in summer.

Estimation of water volume transports through the main straits of the East China Sea

The structure of current speed and the variability of volume transports of the Kuroshio in the Tokara-kaikyo and Osumi-kaikyo are discussed on the basis of data of KER in the period from 1977 to 1984. The average geostrophic transport through these two straits is estimated to be 24. 5×106 m3/s and only 1/12 of the transport is through the Osumi-kaiky5. Countercurrents on both sides of the Kuroshio trunk are observed in the Tokara-kaikyo. Calculation indicates that the average geostrophic current speed is less than the GEK current speed, systematically. On the basis of the current measurements, the northward transports through the Taiwan Strait in winter and summer are estimated to be 1. 05×106and 3. 16×106m3/s, respectively. From Chu's data (1976) the average transport of the Kuroshio flowing into the East China Sea passing through the passage east of Taiwan is about 29. 3×106m3/s. From Miita and Ogawa's data (1984) the average transport through the Tsushima-kaikyo is 3. 6×106m3/s. Thus the volume transports through the above four straits are roughly in balance, the total outflowing transport is slightly larger than the total inflowing transport. The possible reasons resulting in the difference of transports are also discussed.