Estimations of primary production and export production in the South China Sea based on sediment trap experiments

The results of time series sediment trap experiments in the South China Sea show that particulate organic carbon (POC) fluxes are influenced by the monsoons. The increase of productivity in the northern South China Sea is mainly due to northeast monsoon while in the central South China Sea the influence of southwest monsoon becomes more prominent. The annual primary production and export production calculated based on POC fluxes are 53.0–63.4 and 10.32–12.93 gC m^-2a^-1, respectively. The enhancement of POC flux during monsoon period suggest that higher palaeoproductivity or organic carbon accumulation rate in glacial age in the South Chma Sea might be the result of strengthening of the monsoons.     

Siliceous microplankton fluxes and seasonal variations in the central South China Sea during 1993–1995: monsoon climate and El Niño responses

Seasonal variations of radiolarian and diatom fluxes in the central South China Sea during 1993–1995 were overwhelmingly controlled by monsoon climate. Radiolarian and diatom increased obviously during the Northeast (from November to February) and Southwest (from June to September) monsoons and decreased during the periods between the monsoons. The change of circulation driven by the monsoons improved water exchange in the different areas that brought rich nutrient materials for the surface microplankton, thereby enhancing radiolarian and diatom fluxes. Variation of radiolarian flux coincided with organic carbon flux, surface primary and export productivities. High radiolarian flux corresponded to high surface primary productivity. Radiolarian and diatom fluxes raised abnormally during 1994–1995 could be attributed to the El Nino event during the period.     

Carbon isotopic record of foraminifers in surface sediments from the South China Sea and its significance

Since the 1990s, the papers and data involved withthe South China Sea (SCS) have been emerging in largenumbers in the world as people pay more attention to thepaleoceanography of the SCS. There have been more than100 cores mentioned in papers containing p…     

Temporal and spatial variabilities of sea surface heights in the northeastern South China Sea

Analyses of sea surface height anomalies (SSHA) from Jan. 1993 to Dec. 2001 measured by TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) satellite altimetry indicate that there are two energy highs of SSHA fluctuations on both sides of the Luzon Strait. The highs centered at (19.5°N, 119.5°E) and (22.0°N, 124.0°E) respectively, are separated by a low energy band in the Strait. Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis on the "Far Field" suggests that fluctuations of these two areas are mutually independent. EOF analysis on the "Near Field" shows that SSHA oscillation in the northeastern South China Sea (SCS) is dominated by seasonal variations accompanied with significant intra-seasonal and inter-annual fluctuations. Among which, EOFI and EOF2 reflect 66.7% of the total variance. They are both seasonal but showing three months difference in phase. The basic pattern of EOFI appears to be the seasonal SSHA oscillation centered at (18.0°N, 119.0°E) northwest off Luzon Island, which shows maximums (minimums) in August/Septemb     

伴随南海季风爆发区域尺度环流演变机理的诊断分析和数值模拟

利用1957－1998年NCEP／NCAR候平均再分析资料，分析伴随南海夏季风爆发中南半岛和南海地区环流系统的演变，揭示该地区热力特征与南海夏季风爆发之间的可能联系。结果发现，不同高度上标志着南海爆发的环流系统如500hPa上的副热带高压、200hPa上的南亚高压以及850hPa 上的孟加拉湾低槽等系统在南海季风爆发期间具有显的变化特征，对流层中高层以上的环流系统反映了大尺度环流的季节变化特征，而对流层低层环流系统的变化可能与局地特征具有密切关系。从中南半岛和南海两个地区地面感热和潜热加热与该地区温压场变化之间的关系上看，中南半岛地区的热力作用对南海季风爆发期间区域环流系统演变具有重要作用，数值试验结果进一步证实了这一点。     

Siliceous microplankton fluxes and seasonal variations in the central South China Sea during 1993-1995:monsoon climate and El Ni(n)o responses

Seasonal variations of radiolarian and diatom fluxes in the central South China Sea during 1993-1995 were overwhelmingly controlled by monsoon climate. Radiolarian and diatom increased obviously during the Northeast (from November to February) and Southwest (from June to September) monsoons and decreased during the periods between the monsoons. The change of circulation driven by the monsoons improved water exchange in the different areas that brought rich nutrient materials for the surface microplankton, thereby enhancing radiolarian and diatom fluxes. Variation of radiolarian flux coincided with organic carbon flux, surface primary and export productivities. High radiolarian flux corresponded to high surface primary productivity. Radiolarian and diatom fluxes raised abnormally during 1994-1995 could be attributed to the El Ni(n)o event during the period.     

Nd isotopic variations and its implications in the recent sediments from the northern South China Sea

The chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns in recent sediments from the northern South China Sea and surrounding areas are similar, with the HREE values being almost equal to or slightly higher, and the La_N/Lu_N ratio being lower, than PAAS standards. However, samples from the Xijiang River, a major branch of the Pearl River system, show opposite trends, i.e., with slightly lower HREE values and higher La_N/Lu_N ratio than PAAS. The distribution of Nd isotopes in sediments from the northern South China Sea was controlled by the Pearl River and the inshore area of South China, respectively. The volume of ε_Nd(0) from inshore areas of southern China is apparently higher than that from the Pearl River, and ε_Nd(0) values in offshore sediments and Taiwan Island are between these values. The results clearly show that ε_Nd(0) volume in the northeastern South China Sea is higher than in the southwest part of the northern South China Sea, indicating different source rock types. The main source rock of the Pearl River sediment is carbonate types and affects sediment deposition in the southwest of the northern South China Sea, while the source rock in the inshore area of southern China, mainly Mesozoic and Cenozoic granites, contributes to sediments in the northeastern area of the northern South China Sea. Due to different source rock types, the HREE values and the volume of ε_Nd(0) in recent sediments supplied by the inshore area of southern China are higher than those from the Pearl River. Over 80% of the rapidly accumulated sediments on the northern slope of the South China Sea in the southeast of Dongsha Islands area were derived from Taiwan Island and from inshore areas of South China, with only less than 20% from the Pearl River. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40276019, 40238060 and 40621063), and National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB819501)     

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.     

Intraseasonal variability of the subsurface temperature observed in the South China Sea (SCS)

Using Morlet wavelet transform we investi- gated the intraseasonal variability of the subsurface tem- perature in the SCS by analyzing ATLAS mooring data ob- tained during the South China Sea Monsoon Experiment (SCSMEX). It is found for the first time that subsurface temperature in the SCS exists intraseasonal variability, par ticularly in winter. The strongest intraseasonal variability ranges from 50 to 100 m with its maximum amplitude about 1.0-2.0℃. The subsurface temperature intraseasonal vari- ability in the SCS is primarily induced by local wind stress curl via adjusting the vertical displacement of thermocline. It reveals the important characteristic of intraseasonal varia- tions in the SCS upper ocean vertically.     

Circulation in the South China Sea in summer of 1998

Based on the CTD and meteorological data obtained by R/VXiangyanghong No. 14 in the South China Sea (SCS) in the summer of 1998, both current velocity and volume transport are calculated by using a modified inverse model. Circulation in the SCS is analyzed by combining the calculated results with ADCP data. The following results are obtained, (i) The most important feature of the circulation in the northeastern SCS is that a branch of the Kuroshio intrudes into the SCS with a small volume transport. It flows anticyclonically through the Bashi Strait and towards the southwest off the Taiwan Island, and it does not intrude into the inner SCS. (ii) The northern SCS is dominated mainly by a cyclonic circulation system with two cold eddies, (iii) The central and southwestern SCSs are mainly occupied by anticyclonic circulation systems, including three anticyclonic and one stronger cyclonic eddies. (iv) In the southeastern SCS, there is a large scope of cyclonic circulation extending in the SW-NE direction, (v) There is a “multi-eddy phenomenon” in the SCS, and a larger eddy contains several small eddies. (vi) There is western intensifying of the currents and eddies in the SCS.     

Timing of Holocene sea-level highstands by mass spectrometric U-series ages of a coral reef from Leizhou Peninsula, South China Sea

Systematic mass spectrometric 230Th ages are reported for a Porites coral reef terrace from Dengloujiao,Leizhou Peninsula, South China Sea. Seven episodes of coral growth were recognized in this terrace: 7125±96, 6764±29,5826±37, 5006±54, 2543±24, 1915±15, and 1513±22 calendar years before present (cal. aBP). 50% of the coral age population fall between 7200 and 6600 cal. aBP, marking post-glacial stabdization of global sea level. Considering the facts that ( i ) Dengloujiao reef fiat was measured at 1.6-2.5m above modern tidal datum plane; (ii) modern Porites corals in the South China Sea are living at least ～1 m below the modern tidal datum plane; (iii) the top 20-30 cm of the reef was eroded; and (iv) crustal subsidence in the region since mid-Holocene was negligible, we conclude that the above age groups record at least two major periods (7200-5000 and 2500-1500 cal. aBP) of high sea-level at least 2.9-3.8 m above the present-day level.     

南海夏季风爆发与华南前汛期锋面降水气候平均的联系

利用1958-2000年NCEP/NCAR再分析日平均资料、中国气象局气候中心常规地面观测日降水资料,从气候平均角度诊断分析了南海夏季风爆发和撤退前后大气结构特征及其与南亚季风的差异,探讨华南前汛期锋面降水对南海夏季风爆发的可能影响。结果表明:①季节转换期间南海地区大气热力结构、动力结构的配置具有与孟加拉湾和南亚地区明显不同的特征,大气低层(850 hPa以下)温度梯度的逆转(由负变正)发生在西南季风爆发之后。②850hPa西风建立在南海大气低层(850 hPa以下)经向温度梯度为弱负值的时候,是受热成风约束的结果。③季节转换期间南海地区大气热力结构、动力结构的配置具有独特性,是由于东亚地区独特的地理位置,受来源于中纬度冷空气影响的缘故。④随着华南降水强度加强,对流释放潜热加热了中高层大气,有利于南海经向温度梯度的逆转,从而在热成风关系约束下使高层南亚高压的北移,因此华南前汛期第一阶段锋面降水是南海夏季风爆发的有利因素。     

High-precision U-series dating of Holocene corals from South China Sea by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS)

Using the isotopic diluting and thermal ionization mass spectrometric (TIMS) technique, the U-series dating procedure was established on the basis of measurement of national standard GBW04412. With this highly precise technique the Holocene corals from the South China Sea were dated. Comparison between this method and α-spectrometry was made. The results show that a thriving period of corals in the South China Sea appeared at 6 800-5 800 a BP, during which the paleosea level was the higher than at present in the Holocene.     

中国海域钵水母类(Scyphomedusae)区系的研究

报道了分布在中国海域45种钵水母类的种类组成、生态类群、地理分布及其各海区区系特点,并与邻近海域相比较.研究表明:南海区钵水母类属于印度-马来区系,与马来半岛和菲律宾海域的十分相似;东海区钵水母类属于亚热带区系,与日本南部海域的较为相似;而渤海-黄海区的钵水母类属暖温带区系,与日本北部海域的十分相似.白色霞水母(Cyanea nozakii)、海蜇(Rhopilema esculentum)、黄斑海蜇(Rhopilema hispidum)和口冠水母(Stomolophus meleagris)是中国沿岸大型水母的优势种;近岸暖水性类群是中国海域的优势类群.中国海域钵水母类的地理分布与中国沿岸流和暖流特征相一致.     

Meridional seesaw-like distribution of the Meiyu rainfall over the Changjiang-Huaihe River Valley and characteristics in the anomalous climate years

Although Meiyu rainfall has its in-phase spatial variability over the Changjiang-Huaihe River Valley (CHRV) in most years, it is distributed in some years like a seesaw to the north and south of the Changjiang River, when the precipitation tends to be nearly normal throughout the valley, which would inevitably increase difficulties of making short-term prediction of the rainfall. For this reason, EOF analysis is made on 15 related stations’ precipitation from June to July during 1951─2004, revealing that the EOF2 mode shows largely a north-south seesaw-like pattern, and thereby classifying Meiyu patterns into two types: "northern drought and southern flood (NDSF)" and "northern flood and southern drought (NFSD)". Afterwards, the authors investigated ocean-atmospheric characteristics when these two anomalous types occured using the NCEP reanalysis (version 1) and the extended reconstructed SSTs (version 2). The results show that in the NDSF years, the low-level frontal area and moisture convergence center lie more southward, accompanied by weaker subtropical summer mon- soon over East Asia, with the western Pacific subtropical high and 200 hPa South Asia High being more southward. Both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere Annular Modes are stronger than normal in preceding February; SST is higher off China during boreal winter and spring and the opposite happens in the NFSD years. Also, this seesaw-form Meiyu rainfall distribution might be affected to some degree by the previous ENSO event.     

Carbonate dissolution and deep-water paleoceanography of the South China Sea since the Middle Pleistocene

Based on the data of oxygen isotope, micropaleontology and paleomagnetism, we set up the detailed chronology of Core 17957-2 from the southern South China Sea and discuss the change of carbonate dissolution over the last 800 ka. Down-core variation of carbonate content records the “Pacific-type” cycle of higher glacial values and lower interglacial values, though the core lies above the modern lysocline. Carbonate dissolution indices indicate that several severe dissolution of CaCO₃happened during the transition from interglacial to glacial stages. Spectral analyses of these indices show that the carbonate dissolution periodicities are mainly made up of 500 ka and 100 ka. Compared with the cycles of carbonate dissolution of the Indian Ocean, the long-term (500-ka) periodicity reflects the characteristic of the deep-water circulation of the oceans.     

East Asian monsoon change for the 21st century: Results of CMIP3 and CMIP5 models

Forty-two climate models participating in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phases 3 and 5 were first evaluated in terms of their ability to simulate the present climatology of the East Asian winter (December-February) and summer (June-August) monsoons. The East Asian winter and summer monsoon changes over the 21st century were then projected using the results of 31 and 29 reliable climate models under the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios (SRES) mid-range A1B scenario or the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) mid-low-range RCP4.5 scenario, respectively. Results showed that the East Asian winter monsoon changes little over time as a whole relative to the reference period 1980-1999. Regionally, it weakens (strengthens) north (south) of about 25°N in East Asia, which results from atmospheric circulation changes over the western North Pacific and Northeast Asia owing to the weakening and northward shift of the Aleutian Low, and from decreased north- west-southeast thermal and sea level pressure differences across Northeast Asia. In summer, monsoon strengthens slightly in East China over the 21st century as a consequence of an increased land-sea thermal contrast between the East Asian continent and the adjacent western North Pacific and South China Sea.     

Simulation or meridional overturning in the upper layer of the South China Sea with an idealized bottom topography

The large-scale upper circulations and meridional overturning in the upper layer of the South China Sea (SCS) with idealized bottom topography in winter and summer are investigated. Simulations with the GFDL general circulation model are carried out under the conditions of open or enclosed boundary regarding transport in the Luzon Strait. The intrusion area of Kuroshio, its impact on the meridional overturning in the upper layer of the SCS and seasonal characteristic of this impact are explored, respectively. The model is forced by climatological wind stress and relaxed to monthly mean climatological temperature and salinity. The resultant meridional overturning is non-enclosed, wit htransporting from north to south in the surface and returning to north at the depth of about 500 m in winter, about 200 m in summer, with amplitudes of 10^5 m^3/s. It shows the transporting path of intermediate water of the SCS and offers an idealized reference for further study on dynamics of wind-driven and thermohaline circulation of the SCS.     

南海表层环流和热结构特征的数值模拟与影响因素分析

 采用普林斯顿海洋模式,在真实的地形数据、计算区域右边界上半部分设为开边界的条件下,对南中国海98°-126°E,3°S -26°N的范围进行了环流和温度结构的模拟。模拟从静止的海洋开始,以1月份的月平均温盐数据为初始场,在12个不同的月平均风场驱动下,模式稳定地模拟了4个模式年。从第3年开始进行数据分析。首先从数值模拟的角度给出了南海表层环流和热结构的时空演变过程,继而详细分析了气候和环境因素的影响。结果表明：冬季南海主要被一个大的气旋式环流占据,夏季主要呈大的反气旋式环流。春季和秋季是季风转换季节,南海环流在受到上一个季节影响的同时也向下一个季节的典型流态转换,并由多个涡旋组成。此外,气候和环境条件的设置,都会影响到南海的环流和热结构特征。     

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。