Simulation of wind-induced near-inertial oscillations in a mixed layer near the east coast of Korea in the East/Japan Sea

Using a simple damped slab model,it was possible to show that a local wind induced 88%(15 of 17)of the near-inertial oscillations(NIO)observed in the mixed layer near the east coast of Korea from 1999 to 2004.The model,however,overestimated the energy level in about two-thirds of the simulated cases,because the slab model was forced with winds whose characteristic period was shorter than the damping time scale of the model at 1.5 d.At the observation site,due to typhoons and orographic effects,high-frequency wind forcing is quite common,as is the overestimation of the energy level in the slab model results.In short,a simple slab model with a damping time-scale of about 1.5 d would be enough to show that the local wind was the main energy source of the near-inertial energy in this area,but the model could not be used to accurately estimate the amount of the work done by the wind to the mixed layer.     

Spatio-temporal variability in sea surface wind stress near and off the east coast of Korea

Sea surface wind stress variabilities near and off the east coast of Korea, are examined using 7 kinds of wind datasets from measurements at 2 coastal (land) stations and 2 ocean buoys,satellite scatterometer (QuikSCAT), and global reanalyzed products (ECMWF,NOGAPS,and NCEP/NCAR). Temporal variabilities are analyzed at 3 frequency bands; synoptic (2-20 d), intra-seasonal (20-90 d),and seasonal (>90 d).Synoptic and intra-seasonal     

Long-term and real-time monitoring system of the East/Japan sea

Long-term, continuous, and real-time ocean monitoring has been undertaken in order to evaluate various oceanographic phenomena and processes in the East/Japan Sea. Recent technical advances combined with our concerted efforts have allowed us to establish a real-time monitoring system and to accumulate considerable knowledge on what has been taking place in water properties, current systems, and circulation in the East Sea. We have obtained information on volume transport across the Korea Strait through cable voltage measurements and continuous temperature and salinity profile data from ARGO floats placed throughout entire East Sea since 1997. These ARGO float data have been utilized to estimate deep current, inertial kinetic energy, and changes in water mass, especially in the northern East Sea. We have also developed the East Sea Real-time Ocean Buoy (ESROB) in coastal regions and made continual improvements till it has evolved into the most up-to-date and effective monitoring system as a result of remarkable technical progress in data communication systems. Atmospheric and oceanic measurements by ESROB have contributed to the recognition of coastal wind variability, current fluctuations, and internal waves near and off the eastern coast of Korea. Long-term current meter moorings have been in operation since 1996 between Ulleungdo and Dokdo to monitor the interbasin deep water exchanges between the Japanese and Ulleung Basins. In addition, remotely sensed satellite data could facilitate the investigation of atmospheric and oceanic surface conditions such as sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface height, near-surface winds, oceanic color, surface roughness, and so on. These satellite data revealed surface frontal structures with a fairly good spatial resolution, seasonal cycle of SST, atmospheric wind forcing, geostrophic current anomalies, and biogeochemical processes associated with physical forcing and processes. Since the East Sea has been recognized as a natural laboratory for global oceanic changes and a clue to abrupt climate change, we aim at constructing a 4-D continuous real-time monitoring system, over a decade at least, using the most advanced techniques to understand a variety of oceanic processes in the East Sea.     

Preliminary Results of the Ground-Based Orographic Snow Enhancement Experiment for the Easterly Cold Fog （Cloud） at Daegwallyeong during the 2006 Winter

The snow enhancement experiments, carried out by injecting AgI and water vapor into orographically enhanced clouds (fog), have been conducted to confirm Li and Pitter’s forced condensation process in a natural situation. Nine ground-based experiments have been conducted at Daegwallyeong in the Taebaek Mountains for the easterly foggy days from January–February 2006. We then obtained the optimized condi- tions for the Daegwallyeong region as follows: the small seeding rate (1.04 g min-1) of AgI for the easte...     

Observed impact of mesoscale circulation on oceanic response to Typhoon Man-Yi (2007)

The oceanic response to a typhoon, where mesoscale ocean circulations co-exist, was investigated by analyzing the independent observations of profiling floats data at three different locations, satellite altimetry data near the eye of Typhoon Man-Yi (2007) before and after its passage, and synthetic aperture radar data taken during the typhoon’s passage. In spite of the nearly symmetric wind pattern around the eye, the distribution of mesoscale eddies had a major impact on the surface currents and mixed layer (ML) depths. As a result, the entrainment of the water below the ML into the ML was affected by the mesoscale circulation and became asymmetric, which accounted for most of the changes observed in the temperature profiles. Changes in the isotherms were driven primarily by the westward propagation of the mesoscale pattern rather than by the typhoon-induced shoaling. The typhoon-induced shoaling could have played a significant role in the generation of high-frequency (e.g., near-inertial) oscillations and/or sub-mesoscale structures. Although a similar or even greater energy flux was observed at the surface, the entrainment within the anticyclonic circulation was weaker than that within the cyclonic circulation and at the edge of the anticyclonic circulation because of the thick pre-existing ML. A strong ocean response to Typhoon Man-Yi (2007) within a cyclonic circulation or at the edge of an anticyclonic circulation, rather than within an anticyclonic eddy, has implications for the role of mesoscale ocean circulations in better understanding and forecasting the typhoon intensity.