Evaluation of a 3dVAR system for the South China Sea

The authors evaluate a three-dimensional variational (3dVAR) system for the South China Sea (SCS) in this study. The assimilation method applied in the system takes into consideration error correlation along each ground track and uses recursive filter for optimization. Data from three R/V cruises during the spring and summer of 1998 and the summer of 2000 are used to evaluate the system. The root-mean-square error and bias are reduced significantly and when the altimeter data is assimilated, the distribution of the error is much closer to the Gaussian distribution. Precipitation and river discharge in the southwestern SCS are reproduced, and the variability of sea surface height is efficiently transferred to the subsurface. The 3dVAR system performs well for each of the three cruises, suggesting that it is steady for routine usage.     

南海夏季风建立日期的预报研究

利用1958-2001年ECMWF和1948-2006年NCEP的全球再分析气象资料,研究南海夏季风爆发迟早与前期气象要素场之间的关系。结果表明,南海夏季风建立日期与当年2月份全球风场(u、v、ω分量)、位势高度场、气温场等气象要素场之间都存在显著相关区。把各要素场中的显著高相关区视为影响季风建立日期的关键区,并定义关键区内的要素平均值为建立日期的预报因子,从中选取10个与建立日期关系最为紧密的预报因子建立预报方程,对季风建立日期进行预测。分析发现,有10个预报因子与季风建立日期有密切联系,对季风爆发迟早有一定的指示能力和预测作用。最后,经过SAS系统的分析和试验选择最好的回归预测方案,利用10个预测因子建立南海夏季风建立日期回归预报方程(简称回归预报方程)。对回归预测方程进行回报实验发现,拟合得到的南海夏季风建立日期与许多学者确定的建立日期之间的相关系数都达到95%以上的置信度,拟合误差基本控制在2候以内,有一定的预报能力。可以说,该方法是作为预报南海夏季风爆发迟早的一种新的尝试。     

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.     

用湿位涡定义的南海西南季风指数及其与我国区域降水的关系研究

使用美国NCEP／NCAR1958－1997年逐日资料,对南海季风爆发前后的气象要素场作了分析。结果表明：南海季风爆发时,南海南、北部要素场变化有差异,北部西南季风爆发特征更为显著。针对南海西南季风爆发特征,提出了用湿位势涡度定义季风指数,它能很好地反映夏季风爆发的特征。其中,用湿位热涡度定义的季风指数对长江中下及华北华南地区的旱涝具有一定的预示性。相关分析表明：前一年冬季的季风指数和秋季的季风指数分别与华北次年夏季降水、华南次年春季降水有显著的相关,而当年夏季的季风指数与长江中下游当年秋季降水呈显著正相关。     

Factors affecting the abundance and community structureof the phytoplankton in northern South China Sea in the summerof 2008： a biomarker study

Phytoplankton biomarkers were analyzedusing suspended particles collected from the northernSouth China Sea （SCS） during the summer cruise of2008, with the goal of understanding the algal communitystructure and biomass distribution pattern in the summerseason. The results indicated that the distribution of algalbiomarkers in surface water of SCS was impacted andconstrained by the local hydrological settings： the highbiological community generally appeared in Pearl Riverestuaries, southwestern off Taiwan island and southeast-em off Hainan Island, while the relatively lower biomasswas found in the deep basin and strait areas. Diatomswere the dominant phytoplankton species, which werefollowed by dinoflagellates. Coccolithophorid biomassgradually increased toward the open ocean. The presentwork indicated that the algal biomarkers effectively doc-umented the variability of the phytoplankton biomass andcommunity structure as well as their linkage with theoceanic dynamics in SCS during summer 2008. Thisresearch provided not only the foundation for the appli-cation of algal lipids in the modem ocean ecosystem, butalso the basis for the reconstruction of the past oceanicalgal community structures.     

北部湾夏、冬两季异养细菌的水平分布特征及其影响因子

于2006年7月15日-8月7日和2006年12月25日-2007年1月22日对北部湾夏、冬两季水体中异养细菌丰度进行调查,探讨环境网子对异养细菌丰度的影响.结果表明,北部湾夏、冬两季异养细菌平均丰度分别是8.00×103和3.85× 102 mL-1.夏季北部湾北部海域表、中、底3个水层异养细菌丰度均显著高于中部和南部海域(p＜0.05),而冬季北部海域表层水体反而成为异养细菌丰度的低值区(p＜0.05),中层和底层水体中异养细菌丰度分布差异不大.随着离岸距离的增加,夏季水体中异养细菌丰度呈现逐步降低的趋势,而冬季这种趋势不明显.活性硅酸盐(SiO3 -Si)和叶绿素a(Chl a)浓度是影响北部湾夏、冬季异养细菌丰度水平分布的关键环境因子.除此之外,冬季水体中异养细菌的丰度还与温度、盐度和溶解氧(DO)显著相关.     

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

The South China Sea (SCS) is the largest marginal sea in the northwestern Pacific. Several important water gateways exist around the SCS, such as Luzon Strait, Taiwan Strait, etc., that lie in the northeastern SCS, and others like Kalimantan Strait, Balawan Strait, etc., lie in the south. Luzon Strait connects the SCS and Pacific via the Philippine Sea, and its water exchange has significant impact on the interior circulations of the SCS[1]. Since direct observation data about the …     

2003年东亚夏季风活动的特点

利用2003年国家气象中心提供的再分析资料以及台站降水资料，诊断分析了2003我国东部地区汛期降水和东亚夏季风的活动特点，并对二者之间的联系进行讨论。结果表明：(1)2003年南海夏季风于5月第5候在南海南部建立。6月第1候全面爆发，比常年偏晚，南海夏季风强度也比常年偏弱；(2)该年夏季，副热带高压的一个显著特点是强度强、位置偏西，其中从6月下旬至7月中旬，副热带高压的位置稳定少变，其北脊线位25oN附近，且副高位置偏西，这导致了长江以南的犬部分地区高温少雨。这个阶段副热带高压西侧的南风气流将南海地区的水汽源源不断地输送到淮河流域，是淮河流域强降水过程水汽主要来源。     

热带气旋与南海季风的相互作用

通过个例分析和历史统计, 对热带气旋与夏季南海季风的相互作用进行了研究, 揭示了热带气旋活动导致南海低空急流增强的机制。在个例分析中, 以0604 号热带气旋 “碧利斯”为例, 利用中尺度数值模式 MM5 进行了多组数值模拟实验。结果表明, 强盛的西南季风使热带气旋登陆的维持时间变长, 对热带气旋的降水有显著的增幅作用; 与此同时, 热带气旋对西南季风的作用也不可忽略。在热带气旋登陆过程中引发的一系列中尺度对流系统, 会使得南海上空低层大气的气压梯度力增大, 导致南海季风中低空急流增强。最后, 对 1950?2009 年具有与 “碧利斯”相似路径的30 个热带气旋进行了统计, 发现其中80% 的热带气旋活动伴随着南海区域低空风速的正异常。     

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.     

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.     

1998年南海夏季风爆发过程数值模拟

用中尺度模式MM5(V3)对1998年南海（SCS）夏季风爆前后低纬环流的演变过程进行了数值模拟，共做了2个数值试验，分别是固定海温试验和日平均海温试验。结果表明，在两种海温强迫下，模式系统都能模拟出南海季风爆发前后区域环流的演变特征，并且进一步证实5月21日是1998年南海季风爆发日。日平均海温强迫模拟的降水中心位置和实况更接近，而两种海温强迫对环流和降水影响的差别主要表现在对中尺度特征的影响方面。     

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.     

基于CMLE的改进型IR-UWB同步算法

提出了一种基于CMLE的改进型IR-UWB同步算法,包含3项优化方案:帧级噪声抑制、噪声模板互相关估计以及滑动相关搜索.其中,帧级噪声抑制、噪声模板互相关估计通过加强噪声抑制能力从而改善算法在低信噪比情况下的参数估计精度;滑动相关搜索进一步优化了高信噪比情况下参数估计的均方误差性能.数学分析及仿真实验的结果表明每项优化方案均在不同程度上实现了预期的性能优化.     

Barrier layer in the northeastern South China Sea and its formation mechanism

A VERTICALLY UNIFORM LAYER OF TEMPERATURE(ISOTHERMAL LAYER),SALINITY(ISOHALINE LAYER)AND DENSITY(MIXED LAYER)IS USUALLY FORMED IN THE UPPER OCEAN DUE TO THE WIND STIRRING.UNDERNEATH IS THE LAYER WITH RELATIVELY STRONG VERTICAL GRADIENT AS THE THERMOCLINE,…     

福建省三沙湾饵料浮游动物生态特征研究

饵料浮游动物是海洋经济水产动物直接或者间接的饵料,对它的研究有着重要的理论意义和实用价值.根据2007年2、5、8、11月福建省三沙湾4个航次的调查资料,分析三沙湾饵料浮游动物的生态特征.共鉴定饵料浮游动物82种(类);饵料浮游动物生物量均值为94.52 mg/m~3,占浮游动物总生物量的90.21%,生物量季节分布呈典型双峰型:春、秋两季高于夏、冬两季,且随着季节的变化,呈现不同的平面分布特点;丰度的季节变化和平面分布特点与生物量的季节变化趋势一致;分析结果显示,水温和不同流系是影响三沙湾饵料浮游动物季节变化与平面分布的主要因素.三沙湾饵料浮游动物群落多样性丰富,均匀度均较高,表现出较高的稳定性;小拟哲水蚤(Paracalanus parvus)是三沙湾的主要优势种类.     

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。     

Effect of global warming on the distribution of Lucifer intermedius and L. hanseni （Decapoda） in the Changjiang estuary

We conducted an oceanographic census in 1959, 2002, and 2005 to evaluate changes in the temporo-spatial distribution and abundance of Lucifer intermedius and L. hanseni in the Changjiang estuary. In general, the abundance and frequency of occurrence (OF) for these two species were highest during the summer. We measured a significant change in the abundance and OF between years. The abundance and OF of L. intermedius increased from 3.7 individuals m⁻³ and 66.67%, respectively, in 1959, to 8.93 individuals m⁻³ and 85.19%, in 2002. In 1959, L. hanseni was only found during the summer (abundance: 0.01 individuals m⁻³, OF: 3.70%). However, in 2002, this species was collected during all seasons except the winter. Furthermore, abundance (0.47 individuals m⁻³) and OF (25.93%) were higher in 2002 than in 1959. Further increases in abundance and OF were measured during cruises during the spring of 2005. We hypothesize that global warming is responsible for the increase in abundance of L. intermedius and L. hanseni and the northward expansion of L. hanseni in the Changjiang estuary. Given our results, monitoring of both species may be useful to evaluate the effects of climate change.     

Opening and evolution of the South China Sea constrained by studies on volcanic rocks: Preliminary results and a research design

The South China Sea (SCS) is characterized by abundant seamounts, which provide important information about the evolution of the SCS and related deep processes. Cenozoic volcanism in the SCS and its surroundings comprises three stages relative to the spreading of the SCS:prespreading (>32 Ma), syn-spreading (32-16 Ma), and post-spreading (<16 Ma). The pre-spreading magmatism predominantly occurs on the northern margin of the SCS and in South China coastal areas and shows a bi-modal affinity. The syn-spreading magmatic activity was very limited on the periphery of the SCS, but may be concentrated in the SCS. However, seafloor samples of this stage are not available yet because of overlying thick sedimentary deposits. Post-spreading magmatism is widespread in the central and southwest sub-basins of the SCS, Hainan Island, Leizhou Peninsula, Thailand, and Vietnam. These are mainly alkali basalts with subordinate tholeiites, and display OIB-type geochemical characteristics. The Dupal isotope anomaly and presence of high-magnesian olivine phenocrysts suggests their possible derivation from the Hainan mantle plume. The temporal and spatial distribution of Cenozoic volcanism in the SCS and its surroundings may be accounted for either by plate stress re-organization before and after SCS spreading, or by ridge suction of plume flow during opening of the SCS. If the latter is the case, the volcanic rocks within the SCS basin may not be typical mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB). It remains puz-zling, however, that the transition between the South China continental margin and the SCS basin does not have features typical of a volcanic rifted margin. Clearly, the relationship between mantle plume and SCS opening needs further evaluation. A better un-derstanding of the link between deep processes and opening of the SCS not only requires enhanced studies on igneous petrogene-sis, but also is heavily dependent on systematic sampling of seafloor rocks.     

Dynamic control on grain-size distribution of terrigenous sediments in the western South China Sea: Implication for East Asian monsoon evolution

High-resolution oxygen isotope stratigraphy of Core MD05-2901, which is located off eastern Vietnam in the western South China Sea （SCS）, was established and indicated that the core spans a time period of the past 450 ka. Based on the bulk density, fractional porosity and lithogenic content of the sediments, terrigenous mass accumulation rate （TMAR） was obtained, which is 4.9-6.0 g cm^-2 ka^-1 on average during interglacial stages, higher than that during glacial stages, i.e. 1.9-5.0 g cm^-2 ka^-1, which is different from northern and southern SCS which show higher TMAR in glacial stages. By principle component analysis of grain size distribution of all the samples, two main control factors （F1 and F2） were obtained, which are responsible for about 80% variance of granularity. The contents of grain size population 1.26-2.66 μm% and 10.8-14.3 μm% which are sensible to F1 show high-frequency fluctuation, and correlate well with the summer insolation at 15^o N. They exhibit a distinct cyclicity with frequencies near 23 ka and 13 ka, in contrast to a strong frequency peak near 100 ka obtained in proxies 4.24-7.42 μm% and 30.1-43.7 μm% controlled mainly by F2. The sedimentary character of this part of the SCS was controlled by variations of input flux from two main source areas, namely the southwest and north SCS, which were transported by different circulations of surface current forced by East Asian summer monsoon and winter monsoon respectively. We believe that the East Asian summer monsoon has fluctuated with high frequency and been forced by changes in solar insolation in low latitude associated with precession and half precession, while ice-volume forcing is probably a primary factor in determining the strength and timing of the East Asian winter monsoon but with less important insolation forcing.