Seasonal features of the Sverdrup circulation in the South China Sea

Based on the Sverdrup relation, using climatological wind stress data, the basin scale Sverdrup transport in the South China Sea(SCS) is calculated and the basic seasonal features of the Sverdrup circulation are obtained. A comparison of these calculated features with observations proves that the wind-driven circulation in the SCS is very important for the formation of the SCS upper oceanic circulation in winter, summer and fall. It is shown that the non-uniform sea surface wind is one of the causes to form multi circulation centers in the basin of the SCS. The westward current at 18°N is caused by the local wind, which is stronger in fall and winter. The seasonal variation of circulation in the southern SCS is much more remarkable than that in the north. The wind in spring is helpful to the seasonal reversal of the circulation in the central SCS. The northward transport of the cyclonic circulation reaches the maximum in fall.     

滴水湖夏季环流的三维数值模拟

利用改进的ECOM三维数值模式,计算夏季滴水湖由河流驱动的吞吐流、海表面加热产生的密度环流和风生环流,以及三者综合作用下的总环流.由河流驱动的吞吐流主要出现在河流进水和出水的连线上,并在湖中出现涡流.由湖表面加热产生的表层密度环流在两深潭处出现气旋式的环流,东侧的范围比西侧的大,中层和底层的流速减小.表层风生流在湖的中央为大致流向西北的弯曲流动,在大弯曲的地方一侧出现涡流.为满足质量守恒,底层出现与表层流向相反的补偿流.总环流在表层基本上为朝西北的流动,在底层同样出现向东南的回流,主要是由风应力驱动的.在总环流中河流驱动的吞吐流受逆风的作用,出现在中下层.     

Moist convection as an energy source for the large-scale motions in Jupiter's atmosphere. Galileo Imaging Team

Jupiter's dominant large-scale weather patterns (dimensions approximately 10,000 km) are zonal jets and long-lived ovals. The jets have been flowing east and west at constant speeds of up to 180 m s(-1) for over 100 years. These jets receive energy from small-scale eddies, which pump eastward momentum into the eastward jets and westward momentum into the westward jets. This momentum transfer was predicted by numerical models before it was observed on Jupiter. The large ovals roll between the jets in an anticyclonic direction-clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere--where they regularly assimilate small anticyclonic eddies. But from where the eddies receive their energy has been an open question. Here we argue that the eddies, which ultimately drive both the jets and the ovals, receive their energy from moist convection. This hypothesis is consistent with observations of jovian lightning, which is an indicator of moist convection. It also explains the anticyclonic rotation and poleward drift of the eddies, and suggests patterns of upwelling and downwelling that resemble the patterns of large-scale axisymmetric overturning in the Earth's atmosphere.     

湾流及其邻近海域中尺度涡统计特征分析

为了得到中尺度涡的特征,综合利用1993-2012年共20a的卫星高度计资料及Argo浮标资料等,对湾流及其邻近海域的中尺度涡特征进行统计,并采用合成方法对涡的三维结构特征进行分析。结果表明:该海域气旋涡(CE)和反气旋涡(AE)的平均生命史及平均半径十分相近;湾流主体段与延续段的涡动能(EKE)、涡能量密度(EI)和涡度明显大于其他区域,气旋涡平均强度大于反气旋涡;对于生命周期内的长周期涡,半径和EKE的变化幅度较大,EI和涡度的变化较小;涡以西向移动为主,平均移速3.2cm/s;长周期气旋涡和反气旋涡均具有向赤道移动的特征;在垂直剖面上,气旋涡(反气旋涡)存在2个温度负(正)异常结构和上下2个盐度负(正)异常结构,涡对海水温盐的垂向影响可达1km以上。     

Progress of regional oceanography study associated with western boundary current in the South China Sea

Recent progress of physical oceanography in the South China Sea (SCS) associated with the western boundary current (WBC) and eddies is reviewed in this paper. It includes Argo observations of the WBC, eddy detection in the WBC based on satellite images, cross-continental shelf exchange in the WBC, eddy-current interaction, interannual variability of the WBC, air-sea interaction, the SCS throughflow (SCSTF), among others. The WBC in the SCS is strong, and its structure, variability and dynamic processes on seasonal and interannual time scales are yet to be fully understood. In this paper, we summarize progresses on the variability of the WBC, eddy-current interaction, air-sea interaction, and the SCSTF achieved in the past few years. Firstly, using the drifting buoy observations, we point out that the WBC becomes stronger and narrower after it reaches the central Vietnam coast. The possible mechanisms influencing the ocean circulation in the northern SCS are discussed, and the dynamic mechanisms that induce the countercurrent in the region of northern branch of WBC in winter are also studied quantitatively using momentum balance. The geostropic component of the WBC was diagnosed using the ship observation along 18°N, and we found that the WBC changed significantly on interannual time scale. Secondly, using the ship observations, two anti-cyclonic eddies in the winter of 2003/2004 in the northern SCS, and three anti-cyclonic eddies in the summer of 2007 along 18°N were studied. The results show that the two anti-cyclonic eddies can propagate southwestward along the continental shelf at the speed of first Rossby wave (～0.1 ms-1 ) in winter, and the interaction between the three anti-cyclonic eddies in summer and the WBC in the SCS is preliminarily revealed. Eddies on the continental shelf of northern SCS propagated southeastward with a maximum speed of 0.09 ms-1 , and those to the east of Vietnam coast had the largest kinetic energy, both of which imply strong interaction between eddy activity and WBC in the SCS. Thirdly, strong intraseasonal variability (ISV) of sea surface temperature (SST) near the WBC regions was found, and the ISV signal of SST in winter weakens the ISV signal of latent heat flux by 20%. Fourthly, the long-term change of SCSTF volume transport and its connection with the ocean circulation in the Pacific were discussed.     

Lag influences of winter circulation conditions in the tropical western Pacific on South Asian summer monsoon

<正>By means of monthly mean NCEP/NCAR data analyses, this note investigates the lag influences of winter circulation conditions in the tropical western Pacific on South Asian summer monsoon through the methods of composite, correlation and statistical confident test. The results indicate clearly that winter climate variations in the equatorial western Pacific would produce significant influences on the following South Asian summer monsoon, and with the lapse of time the lag influences show clearly moving northward and extending westward features. When winter positive (negative) sea level pressure anomalies occupy the equatorial western Pacific, there is an anticyclonic (cyclonic) circulation anomaly appearing in the northwestern Pacific. With the lapse of time, the anticyclonic (cyclonic) circulation anomaly gradually moves to northeast, and its axis in the west-east directions also stretches, therefore, easterly (westerly) anomalies in the south part of the anticyclonic (cyclonic) circulation anomaly continuously expand westward to the peninsula of India. Undoubtedly, the South Asian summer monsoon is weak (strong).     

Mid-depth recirculation observed in the interior Labrador and Irminger seas by direct velocity measurements

The Labrador Sea is one of the sites where convection exports surface water to the deep ocean in winter as part of the thermohaline circulation. Labrador Sea water is characteristically cold and fresh, and it can be traced at intermediate depths (500-2,000 m) across the North Atlantic Ocean, to the south and to the east of the Labrador Sea. Widespread observations of the ocean currents that lead to this distribution of Labrador Sea water have, however, been difficult and therefore scarce. We have used more than 200 subsurface floats to measure directly basin-wide horizontal velocities at various depths in the Labrador and Irminger seas. We observe unanticipated recirculations of the mid-depth (approximately 700 m) cyclonic boundary currents in both basins, leading to an anticyclonic flow in the interior of the Labrador basin. About 40% of the floats from the region of deep convection left the basin within one year and were rapidly transported in the anticyclonic flow to the Irminger basin, and also eastwards into the subpolar gyre. Surprisingly, the float tracks did not clearly depict the deep western boundary current, which is the expected main pathway of Labrador Sea water in the thermohaline circulation. Rather, the flow along the boundary near Flemish Cap is dominated by eddies that transport water offshore. Our detailed observations of the velocity structure with a high data coverage suggest that we may have to revise our picture of the formation and spreading of Labrador Sea water, and future studies with similar instrumentation will allow new insights on the intermediate depth ocean circulation.     

An initial note on quasistationary, cold-core Lanyu eddies southeast off Taiwan Island

Drifting buoys,satellite altimetry and satellite-derived sea surface thermal images are used to identify the existence of a large cold-core,cyclonic Kuroshio fontal eddy between Hengchun Peninsula and Lanyu,southeast off Taiwan Island around March 1996.The cold eddy accompanies an offshore meander of the Kuroshio near Lanyu,about 70 km and 100 km in horizontal zonal and meridional scales,respectively.The cold eddy is different from normal Kuroshio frontal eddies for its persisting of about 2 months near Lanyu.Supporting evidence suggests that the Kuroshio intruded into the South China Sea(SCS,hereafter) forming a loop-like structure during the persisting period of the cold eddy and that similar eddies occur occasionally in the same location.Compared with the corresponding studies in the Gulf of Mexico,it is suggested that Lanyu cold eddies are SCS analogues of Tortugas eddies found in the southern Straits of Florida.Overshooting of the meandering Kuroshio when it leave the SCS and effects from conservation of potential vorticity are the possible mechanism of eddy genesis.     

北部湾环流研究述评

针对北部湾环流的季节变化和琼州海峡水体输送的传统观念,根据近20多年的海流、底质、浮游生物的实地调查资料,对众多的研究结果进行对比和评述。认为:从平均态来说,琼州海峡水体输送全年都是从东向西,冬季多于夏季;冬季北部湾环流是气旋式,夏季,北部湾北部环流是气旋式,南部是反气旋式,其中分界线大致在19°30′N处。北部湾存在多处上升流区域,不计越南沿岸,仅靠近我国大陆,就有广西沿海铁山港和北海的上升流区;海南省西部,从八所—莺歌海的上升流区;海南省南部上升流区。虽然,北部湾环流研究已取得长足进步,但是,还存在许多不足之处,如潮汐余流的研究:未能在充分考虑水体边界、实际风场、真实地形、潮汐余流、密度流等诸多要素情况下,计算出北部湾真实环流。     

January temperature anomalies over Northeast China and precursors

This paper analyzes the large-scale atmospheric circulation characteristics of anomalous cases of January temperatures that occurred in Northeast China during 1960-2008 and precursory oceanic conditions.The January monthly mean surface air temperature(SAT) anomalies and the duration of low temperature are used to define temperature anomaly cases.The anomalous cyclonic circulation over northeast Asia strengthens the northerly flow in cold Januarys,while the anomalous anticyclonic circulation weakens the northerly flow in the warm Januarys.The negative(positive) North Pacific sea surface temperature anomaly(SSTA) and increased(decreased) sea ice concentration in the Barents-Kara seas in the preceding month are probably linked to the cyclonic(anticyclonic) circulation pattern over northeast Asia in the cold(warm) cases.Further analyses indicate that the preceding oceanic conditions play distinct roles in the SAT anomalies over Northeast China on different time scales.Strong relationships exist between North Pacific SSTA and the SAT in Northeast China on the interannual time scale.On the other hand,the sea ice concentration is more closely associated with the interdecadal variations of SAT in Northeast China.     

Onset of Nucleate Boiling in Natural Circulation Systems Predicted Using the Second Stir Theory

Experimental data and calculated results for the onset of nucleate boiling (ONB) in natural circulation systems show that for the same operating conditions, the equilibrium vapor quality for ONB in natural circulation is lower than for forced convections. The differences can be explained using second stir theory. The weak vortices and small stir energy in natural circulation systems result in nucleate boiling occurring earlier than in forced convection systems. In natural circulation systems high mass flow rates are accompanied by large kinetic energies and large stir energies, which enables changes in the directions of flow eddies and energy transport. The equilibrium vapor qualities at ONB are then higher at higher mass flow rates. The influence of other flow parameters on ONB can be evaluated by the relationships between these flow parameters and the mass flow rate. The same values can lead to different results due to different eddy directions. This indicates that the quantitative comparability in mathematics cannot be considered as only scientific standard. The second stir theory offers a new visual angle for researches on natural circulation.     

2003 vs 2002: A large amplitude wintertime temperature anomaly reversion event and its anomalous atmospheric circulation

It is revealed that there happened a large amplitude wintertime temperature anomaly reversion event (LTAR) in Northern Hemisphere high latitude regions and South Australia for the year 2003 versus 2002, with the most notable change in Eurasia, eastern North America, North Pacific, and South Australia. The accompanying atmospheric general circulation anomalies are analyzed and the dominant changes in the circulation are found out. The anomalous cyclonic eddies over the north Pacific and the anomalous anticyclonic eddies over North Europe that cooperate each other are mostly linked with the event. Both anomalous eddy systems are connected with the remote teleconnection patterns respectively. The research also suggests the existence of a cross-equator teleconnection pattern, namely, the Northern Pacific-Western Pacific-Australia teleconnection pattern (NPWPA). It is not only related to LTAR, but also associated with the temperature transition from cold episode to warm episode in the year 2003 versus 2002 during December-January-February.     

基于HYCOM模拟的南海西北部环流

为研究北部湾在内的南海西北部海域环流结构的时空特征,本文基于Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model(HYCOM)模式和气象强迫数据,通过三重嵌套模拟研究南海西北部环流在风力强迫下的结构及其时空分布特征,结果表明:(1)南海西北部流场受季风影响较大,冬季基本为西南向流,夏季基本为东向流,流场结构复杂,外海涡旋众多,Ekman运动特征较为明显;(2)北部湾流场呈现出较强的密度流特征,冬季基本为气旋式环流,夏季同时存在较小尺度的气旋式和反气旋式环流; 7月湾口表层的气旋式环流结构向下直接影响到海底;(3)北部湾的海表面盐度受蒸发降雨影响较大,盐度分布西低东高,这与湾口和琼州海峡入侵的南海高盐海水有关;(4)在热盐作用和季风驱动下,琼州海峡的表、底层流冬季为西向流,夏季为东向流,冬季广东沿海地区的富营养化海水可能通过琼州海峡影响广西近海海域环境质量。     

北部湾冬半年环流特征及驱动机制分析

【目的】为了给北部湾的环境保护提供科学依据,研究北部湾冬半年的环流变化特征及其驱动机制。【方法】通过POM模型构建三维斜压后报模型,模拟2006~2007年南海西北部的环流,模拟时考虑了日平均风场、日平均热通量、河流径流和潮汐等强迫场;通过无季风驱动的敏感性实验分析东北季风对北部湾冬半年流场的作用;通过洋浦港外海在2005年12月25日到2006年1月25日的一个月海流观测数据来分析冬季海南岛西北岸的海流特征。【结果】模拟结果与观测数据吻合较好,北部湾冬半年环流呈气旋式,嵌套着南部的气旋式环流,而且秋季与冬季环流存在季节性振荡特征:在秋季,南部的气旋式环流可向北侵入至19°N,比冬季深入得多;在冬季,湾西岸和海南岛西北岸的南向流比秋季要强;这种季节性变化特征可从表层直达深层。另外,海南岛西北岸流在冬季为西南向而非东北向。【结论】冬半年北部湾的北部环流为局地风驱动,南部环流是由东北季风驱动的南海陆架流侵入北部湾而形成的;这种季节性涛动受东北季风的高频振荡分量驱动,尤其风场的南北向分量贡献较大,也说明风场的时间分辨率对北部湾环流影响较大;海南岛西北岸的西南向流受琼州海峡的西向流驱动,而东北季风只起辅助作用。     

Sea surface temperature east of Australia： A predictor of tropical cyclone frequency over the western North Pacific？

The relationship between sea surface temperature (SST) east of Australia and tropical cyclone frequency over the western North Pacific (WNPTCF) is analyzed by use of observation data.The WNPTCF from June to October is correlated negatively to spring SST east of Australia.When the spring SST is in the positive phase,a cyclonic circulation anomaly in the upper troposphere and an anticyclonic circulation anomaly in the lower troposphere prevail over the western North Pacific from June to October,concurrent with an anomalous atmospheric subsidence and an enlarged vertical zonal wind shear.These conditions are unfavorable for tropical cyclone genesis,and thus WNPTCF decreases.The negative phase of the spring SST east of Australia leads to more tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific.The spring SST east of Australia may give rise to simultaneous change in tropical atmospheric circulation via the teleconnection wave train,and then subsequently affect atmospheric circulation variation over the western North Pacific.     

风对北部湾入海径流扩散影响的研究

本文根据北部湾红河等入海径流的最新资料,使用FVCOM数值模式计算风场显著不同的1988年和1989年夏季径流扩散特征;使用冬季平均风场计算包括径流在内的冬季北部湾环流。得出如下结论:(1)1988年8月,强的西南风除了在北部湾西岸产生较强的北向沿岸流外,东部涠洲岛附近形成气旋式环流;相应地在北部湾中偏北部有一个弱的反气旋涡,中部出现较大的气旋式环流;(2)1989年8月的西南风非常弱,表层的红河冲淡水主要沿北部湾西岸向南流,来自琼州海峡的余流,在北部湾北部形成范围较大的气旋式环流,与此同时,海湾南部也出现一个较强的气旋式环流;(3)冬季,在冬季偏北风驱动下,北部湾基本是气旋式环流,只有西北部水域出现一个反气旋式环流。     

防城港湾以西海域水体输运及其机制研究

为了探究防城港湾外海域的水体输运方式及机制，本文对历史调查数据及最新的海流调查资料的海流玫瑰图进行分析，结果发现：防城港湾以西海域的水体输运，冬季为反气旋式环流控制，水体输运主要为NE向；夏季为沿岸入海径流、气旋涡控制，水体输运主要为WSW向。春季和秋季，表层水体输运主要为WSW向，中层以下水体输运为NE向。风对表层流的影响较明显，夏季西南季风造成沿岸水的堆积产生正压梯度力使表层水体往西南向输运，但不起主导作用。中层以下主要受北部湾北部气旋式、反气旋式两种不同形式的环流控制。除此之外，琼州海峡西向流、入海径流、地形等对水体输运也产生重要的作用。     

The interdecadal variation of Indonesian Throughflow and its mechanism

The interdecadal variation of the volume and heat transport of Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) and its mechanism are preliminarily studied on the basis of the updated SODA data. It is found that the interdecadal variation of ITF‘s volume transport is mainly concentrated in upper 714 m and that of ITF‘s heat transport is mainly confined to upper 450 m. There is fairly consistent interdecadal variation in the depth-integrated seawater pressure above different depths in the region south of Davao, north of New Guinea and southwest of Australia. The depth-integrated pressure difference between northwest of Australia and south of Java has best correspondence with ITF‘s volume transport on interdecadal time scales. The relation between the wind stress on the Pacific and ITF‘s volume transport on interdecadal time scales is studied based on Island Rule. It is shown that both the wind stress along the zonal lines just south of Australia and the Equator act as the dominant contributors to ITF‘s volume transport, with the latter dominating the phase of ITF‘s interdecadal variation. These results indicate that the atmospheric forcing and oceanic adjustment in the tropical region both contribute significantly to the ITF‘s interdecadal variation.     

Analysis of deep-layer and bottom circulations in the South China Sea based on eight quasi-global ocean model outputs

This study is a preliminary analysis of the South China Sea (SCS) deep circulations using eight quasi-global high-resolution ocean model outputs. The goal is to assess models’ ability to simulate these deep circulations. The analysis reveals that models’ deep temperatures are colder than the observations in the World Ocean Atlas, while most models’ deep salinity values are higher than the observations, indicating models’ deep water is generally colder and saltier than the reality. Moreover, there are long-term trends in both temperature and salinity simulations. The Luzon Strait transport below 1500 m is 0.36 Sv when averaged for all models, smaller compared with the observation, which is about 2.5 Sv. Four assimilated models and one unassimilated (OCCAM) display that the Luzon deep-layer overflow reaches its minimum in spring and its maximum in winter. The vertically integrated streamfunctions below 2400 m from these models show a deep cyclonic circulation in the SCS on a large scale, but the pattern is different from the diagnostic streamfunction from the U.S Navy Generalized Digital Environment Model (GDEM-Version 3.0, GDEMv3). The meridional overturning structure above 1000 m is similar in all models, but the spatial distribution and intensity below 1500 m are quite different from model to model. Moreover, the meridional overturning below 2400 m in these models is weaker than that of the GDEMv3, which indicates a deep vertical mixing process in these models is biased weak. Based on the above evaluation, this paper discusses the impacts of T/S initial value, topography, and mixing scheme on the SCS deep circulations, which may provide a reference for future model improvement.     

北部湾海洋环流研究进展

20世纪60年代初中越合作开展的北部湾海洋综合调查,分析北部湾潮汐和潮流运动,标志着北部湾物理海洋学研究工作的开始。此后的一些调查,例如1964—1971年中国科学院南海海洋研究所等利用投放大量漂流瓶来研究北部湾表层海流的试验、1980—1986年全国海岸带和海涂资源综合调查、1988—1995年全国海岛资源综合调查等,令人们对北部湾环流结构有了进一步认识。最近20年,不少学者通过调查资料和数值模拟方法分析北部湾季节性环流结构后得到与以往研究调查相反的观点。本文回顾近年来北部湾海洋环流研究的主要进展,阐述利用调查资料、数值计算等不同研究手段获得的对北部湾环流分布的整体认识,以及在环流结构方面存在的不同观点,进而介绍北部湾环流尤其是北部环流机制的一些新进展。以前的研究多认为北部湾环流主要受风场控制,夏季为反气旋式环流,冬季则为气旋式环流,然而近年研究发现北部湾夏季也为气旋式环流;也有人认为北部湾北部被气旋式环流控制,但南部环流呈反气旋式;在形成机制上,北部湾环流受地形、风、外海水、海水密度分布及河流冲淡水注入等影响呈现复杂的态势;风对北部湾北部环流形成有影响但不起主导作用;琼州海峡东部水进入北部湾对广西沿海气旋式环流的形成有着重要的影响。北部湾海洋环流与海域物质输运扩散密切相关,依托更精细化的数值计算手段,结合动力场探究近海海洋环境污染净化及生态平衡问题,是今后的重要发展趋势之一。