An analysis and modeling study of a sea fog event over the Yellow and Bohai Seas

In this study, a sea fog event which occurred on 27 March 2005 over the Yellow and Bohai Seas was investigated observationally and numerically. Almost all available observational data were used, including satellite imagery of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)-9, three data sets from station observations at Dandong, Dalian and Qingdao, objectively reanalyzed data of final run analysis (FNL) issued by the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) and Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) results. Synoptic conditions and fog characteristics were analyzed. The fog formed when warm,moist air was advected northwards over the cool water of the Yellow and Bohai Seas, and dissipated when a cold front brought northerly winds and cool, dry air. In order to better understand the fog formation mechanism, a high-resolution RAMS modeling with a 6km×6km grid, initialized and validated by FNL data, was designed. A 48h modeling that started from 12 UTC 26 March 2005reproduced the main characteristics of this sea fog event. The simulated lower visibility area agreed reasonably well with the sea fog region identified from the satellite imagery. Advection cooling effect seemed to play a significant role in the fog formation.     

Barotropic current fluctuations coupled with sea level drawdown in Yellow and Bohai Seas

Sub-tidal barotropic current variations coupled with residual sea level fluctuation in the Bohai and Yellow Seas during wintertime are addressed in this study.The temporal evolution and spatial distribution of current fluctuation are investigated using moored acoustic Doppler current profiler data in a three-dimensional numerical model.It is found that a southward current followed by a northward current occurred in the northern Yellow Sea during the fluctuation,concurrent with a significant outflow followed by inflow through the Bohai Strait.The process is consistent from surface to bottom and is coupled with remarkable residual sea level fluctuation.This quasi three-day fluctuation with amplitude 0.2-0.3 m/s leads to 1 m/1.2 m drawdown in the northern Yellow and Bohai Seas,respectively,strongly influencing water exchange between those seas.Because this a prominent feature in the seas,it is necessary to evaluate its effect on fluctuation during winter in future studies,in particular,the northward current during the recovery phase of sea level in the Bohai and Yellow Seas regarding seasonal variation.     

Case analysis of water exchange between the Bohai and Yellow Seas in response to high winds in winter

Journal of Oceanology and Limnology - Based on the data from a special project titled China’s Offshore Marine Integrated Investigation and Evaluation as well as Regional Ocean Modeling...     

Application of a sea surface temperature front composite algorithm in the Bohai,Yellow, and East China Seas

The oceanic front is a narrow zone in which water properties change abruptly within a short distance. The sea surface temperature (SST) front is an important type of oceanic front, which plays a signifi cant role in many fi elds including fi sheries, the military, and industry. Satellite-derived SST images have been used widely for front detection, although these data are susceptible to infl uence by many objective factors such as clouds, which can cause missing data and a reduction in front detection accuracy. However, front detection in a single SST image cannot fully refl ect its temporal variability and therefore, the long-term mean frequency of occurrence of SST fronts and their gradients are often used to analyze the variations of fronts over time. In this paper, an SST front composite algorithm is proposed that exploits the frontal average gradient and frequency more eff ectively. Through experiments based on MODIS Terra and Aqua data, we verifi ed that fronts could be distinguished better by using the proposed algorithm. Additionally through its use, we analyzed the monthly variations of fronts in the Bohai, Yellow, and East China Seas, based on Terra data from 2000 to 2013.     

A NUMERICAL STUDY OF THE WINTERTIME CIRCULATION IN THE BOHAI AND HUANGHAI SEAS

The paper presents a numerical two-dimensional model (with a realistic sea basin and wind fields as exter nal forcing) to simulate the basic features of the wintertime circulation in the Bohai and Huanghai (Yellow) Seas (BHS) and to show how the circulation can be driven by wind. The main results can be summarized as follows (1) The basic features of the BHS wintertime circulation can be depicted by the wind-driven barotropi'c motion. (2) The traditionally named Huanghai Sea Warm Current (HSWC) is actually generated by the north wind field, at least in winter. (3) The southward coastal current off the Korean west coast plays a more significant role in the southern Huanghai Sea wintertime circulation than traditionally believed. (4) Though the coastal landform and bottom topography play important roles in the wintertime BHS circulation pattern, the wind is a primary forcing.     

The Stable Carbon Isotopic Compositions of n-Alkanes in Sediments of the Bohai and North Yellow Seas: Implications for Sources of Sedimentary Organic Matter

Stable carbon isotopic compositions of n-alkanes in surface sediments of the Bohai and North Yellow Seas were investigated to elucidate sources of sedimentary organic matter in these seas. The long-chain n-alkanes in surface sediments are predominantly long-chain C27, C29, and C31 types, with obvious odd carbon predominance. The δ13 C values of long-chain n-C27, n-C29, and n-C31 alkanes are-30.8% ± 0.5‰,-31.9% ± 0.6‰, and-32.1% ± 1.0‰, respectively, within the range of n-alkanes of C3 terrestrial higher plants. This suggests that sedimentary n-alkanes are derived mainly from terrestrial higher plants. Compound-specific carbon isotopic analysis of long-chain n-alkanes indicates that C3 terrestrial higher plants predominate(64%–79%), with angiosperms being the main contributors. The n-alkane δ13 C values indicate that mid-chain n-alkanes in sediments are derived mainly from aquatic emergent macrophytes, with significant petroleum pollution and bacterial degradation sources for short-chain n-alkanes.     

Impacts of tropical cyclone inflow angle on ocean surface waves

The inflow angle of tropical cyclones(TC) is generally neglected in numerical studies of ocean surface waves induced by TC.In this study,the impacts of TC inflow angle on ocean surface waves were investigated using a high-resolution wave model.Six numerical experiments were conducted to examine,in detail,the effects of inflow angle on mean wave parameters and the spectrum of wave directions.A comparison of the waves simulated in these experiments shows that inflow angle significantly modifies TC-induced ocean surface waves.As the inflow angle increases,the asymmetric axis of the significant wave height(SWH) field shifts 30u clockwise,and the maximum SWH moves from the front-right to the rear-right quadrant.Inflow angle also affects other mean wave parameters,especially in the rear-left quadrant,such as the mean wave direction,the mean wavelength,and the peak direction.Inflow angle is a key factor in wave models for the reproduction of double-peak or multi-peak patterns in the spectrum of wave directions.Sensitivity experiments also show that the simulation with a 40u inflow angle is the closest to that of the NOAA statistical SLOSH inflow angle.This suggests that 40u can be used as the inflow angle in future TC-induced ocean surface wave simulations when SLOSH or observed inflow angles are not available.     

Inversion of two-dimensional tidal open boundary conditions of M<Subscript>2</Subscript> constituent in the Bohai and Yellow Seas

Two-dimensional tidal open boundary conditions of the M2 constituent in the Bohai and Yellow Seas(BYS) have been estimated by assimilating T/P altimeter data.During inversion,independent point(IP) strategy was used,in which several IPs on the open boundary is assumed,values at these IPs can be optimized with an adjoint method,and those at other grid points are determined by linearly interpolating the values at IPs.The reasonability and feasibility of the model are tested by ideal twin experiments.In the practical experiment(PE) after assimilation,the cost function may reach 1% or less of its initial value.Mean absolute errors in amplitude and phase can be less than 5 cm and 5°,respectively,and the obtained co-chart can show the character of the M2 constituent in the BYS.The results of the PE indicate that using only two IPs on the open boundary can yield better simulated results.     

Numerical experiments on the wind-driven circulation in the Bohai, Huanghai and East China Seas in winter

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The distribution of dissolved aluminum in the Yellow and East China Seas

Water samples containing dissolved aluminum were collected from the Yellow and East China Seas in October-November 2000. The average concentrations of dissolved AI in the Yellow Sea （YS） and East China Sea （ECS） were 0.042 and 0.056 μ molL^-1, respectively. The concentration of dissolved aluminum decreased gradually across the continental shelf. The lower concentrations appeared in the YS cold water center and in the bottom layer at the shelf edge of the ECS, where they were 0.016 and 0.011 μmolL^-1, respectively. The distribution of dissolved Al was controlled by physical mixing processes rather than biological uptake processes. The impact of different water masses along the PN transect was calculated based on the mass balance model. The results show that the impact of the Changjiang River was mainly concentrated on the coastal area and the top thermocline water on the ECS shelf, where the impact percentage decreased from 12.6% to 1.1% in the surface water, while the contribution of the Kuroshio water was dominant on the ECS shelf in this survey, increasing from 77.6% to 97,8% along the PN transect from the Changjiang River Estuary to the Ryukyu Islands. It is concluded that aluminum can serve as a proper tracer for studying the impact of Changjiang terrestrial matter on the ECS shelf water.     

Long-term variability of the sharp thermocline in the Yellow and East China Seas

Based on observed temperature data since the 1950s, long-term variability of the summer sharp thermocline in the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM) and East China Sea Cold Eddy (ECSCE) areas is examined. Relationships between the thermocline and atmospheric and oceanic forcing were investigated using multiyear wind, Kuroshio discharge and air temperature data. Results show that: 1) In the YSCWM area, thermocline strength shows about 4-year and 16-year period oscillations. There is high correlation between summer thermocline strength and local atmospheric temperature in summer and the previous winter; 2) In the ECSCE area, interannual oscillation of thermocline strength with about a 4-year period (stronger in El Ni o years) is strongly correlated with that of local wind stress. A transition from weak to strong thermocline during the mid 1970s is consistent with a 1976/1977 climate shift and Kuroshio volume transport; 3) Long-term changes of the thermocline in both regions are mainly determined by deep layer water, especially on the decadal timescale. However, surface water can modify the thermocline on an interannual timescale in the YSCWM area.     

近海地形对热带气旋移动影响的数值试验

利用含地形、摩擦及非绝热加热外源强迫的准地转正压涡度方程模式 ,通过构造理想的坡地地形及椭圆型岛地形 ,首先分析了孤立地形的动力抬升作用及动力抬升、摩擦、非绝热加热 3者共同作用下对热带气旋 (TC)移动的影响。发现 :地形的动力抬升、摩擦作用以及地形附近海域的非绝热加热对TC移动均有影响 ;然后 ,引入了我国东南近海的实际地形 ,通过数值试验分析了TC移经或登陆在近海不同位置时TC移向、移速的可能变化 ,并给出了近海地形对TC移向、移速影响的空间分布。     

Comparison of wind data from ERA-Interim and buoys in the Yellow and East China Seas

We compared data of sea surface wind from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Interim Reanalysis(ERA-Interim) with that collected from eight buoys deployed in the Yellow and East China seas.The buoy data covered a period from 2010 to 2011,during which the longest time series without missing data extended for 329 days.Results show that the ERA-Interim wind data agree well with the buoy data.The regression coefficients between the ERA-Interim and observed wind speed and direction are greater than 0.7 and 0.79,respectively.However,the ERA-Interim wind data overestimate wind speed at most of the buoy stations,for which the largest bias is 1.8 m/s.Moreover,it is found from scatter plots of wind direction that about 13%of the ERA-Interim wind data can be classified as bad for wind speeds below6 m/s.Overall,the ERA-Interim data forecast both the wind speed and direction well,although they are not very representative of our observations,especially those where the wind speed is below 6 m/s.     

Geomorphology and environmental management of the Yellow River source zone

Geologic,climatic and anthropogenic factors have fashioned the distinctive landscapes and ecosystems of the Yellow River source zone(Brierley and Huang2013;Figure1).Located at thenorth-east corner of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau(QTP),at elevations between 2500 and 4500m,     

Distribution of Different Biogeographical Tintinnids in Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea

There were different biogeographical tintinnids in the oceans. Knowledge of their distribution pattern and mixing was important to the understanding of ecosystem functions. Yellow Sea (YS) and Bohai Sea (BS) were semi-enclosed seas influenced by warm water intrusion and YS cold bottom water. The occurrence of tintinnids in YS and BS during two cruises (summer and winter) were investigated to find out: i) whether warm-water tintinnids appeared in YS and BS; ii) whether boreal tintinnids appeared in high summer; iii) the core area of neritic tintinnids and iv) how these different biogeographical tintinnids mixed. Our results showed that tintinnid community was dominated by neritic tintinnid. We confirmed the occurrence of warm-water tintinnids in summer and winter. In summer, they intruded into BS and mainly distributed in the upper 20 m where Yellow Sea Surface Warm Water (YSSWW) developed. In winter, they were limited in the surface water of central deep region (bottom depth >50 m) of YS where were affected by Yellow Sea Warm Water (YSWW). Boreal tintinnids occurred in YS in high summer (August) and in winter, while they were not observed in BS. In summer, the highest abundance of boreal tintinnids occurred in Yellow Sea Bottom Cold Water, indicating the presence of an oversummering stock. In winter, they were concentrated in the north of YSWW. Vertically, neritic tintinnids abundance was high in the bottom layers. Horizontally, high neritic tintinnids abundance in bottom layers occurred along the 50 m isobath coinciding with the position of front systems. Front systems were the core distribution area of neritic tintinnids. High abundance areas of warm-water and boreal tintinnids were clearly separated vertically in summer, and horizontally in winter. High abundance of neritic tintinnids rarely overlapped with that of warm-water or boreal tintinnids.     

渤海与黄河三角洲地震活动性差异初探

黄河三角洲地区地震强度小,频度低,但与之相毗邻的渤海地区却是华北地区强震多发区之一,地震强度大、频度高,成为影响黄河三角洲地区地震危害性最大最严重的区域。从地震地质角度出发,通过对深部地球物理场、构造应力场、地温场及断裂活动性等方面的研究,发现渤海强震构造区与黄河三角洲在这些方面存在明显的差异,这些差异造成了两个地区在地震活动性方面的差别,渤海更具备发生强震的条件。     

热带气旋活动对陕西2007年两次大暴雨影响的综合分析

通过2007年陕西两次区域性大暴雨的分析发现,台风远距离的影响作用明显。在对流层中低层,台风西行发展和加强时,台风低压的东侧或东北侧的风场出现显著增强现象,为暴雨区输送大量能量和提供充沛的水汽。台风在海南附近时,其径向特征表现明显,大暴雨出现在秦岭以南;台风在台湾附近时,其纬向特征表现明显,大暴雨出现在秦岭以北。垂直运动分析表明,台风低压系统的存在、维持、发展和加强对副热带高压有一定的维持、加强作用,有利于强降水的形势能够稳定和维持。     

渤海与黄河三角洲地震活动性差异初探

黄河三角洲地区地震强度小,频度低,但与之相毗邻的渤海地区却是华北地区强震多发区之一,地震强度大、频度高,成为影响黄河三角洲地区地震危害性最大最严重的区域。从地震地质角度出发,通过对深部地球物理场、构造应力场、地温场及断裂活动性等方面的研究,发现渤海强震构造区与黄河三角洲在这些方面存在明显的差异,这些差异造成了两个地区在地震活动性方面的差别,渤海更具备发生强震的条件。     

Variability of tropical cyclone in high frequent occurrence regions over the western North Pacific

In this study, three high frequent occurrence regions of tropical cyclones(TCs), i.e., the northern South China Sea(the region S), the south Philippine Sea(the region P) and the region east of Taiwan Island(the region E), are defined with frequency of TC's occurrence at each grid for a 45-year period(1965–2009), where the frequency of occurrence(FO) of TCs is triple the mean value of the whole western North Pacific. Over the region S, there are decreasing trends in the FO of TCs, the number of TCs' tracks going though this region and the number of TCs' genesis in this region. Over the region P, the FO and tracks demonstrate decadal variation with periods of 10–12 year, while over the region E, a significant 4–5 years' oscillation appears in both FO and tracks. It is demonstrated that the differences of TCs' variation in these three different regions are mainly caused by the variation of the Western Pacific Subtropical High(WPSH) at different time scales. The westward shift of WPSH is responsible for the northwesterly anomaly over the region S which inhibits westward TC movement into the region S. On the decadal timescale, the WPSH stretches northwestward because of the anomalous anticyclone over the northwestern part of the region P, and steers more TCs reaching the region P in the greater FO years of the region P. The retreating of the WPSH on the interannual time scale is the main reason for the FO's oscillation over the region E.     

SEDIMENT DISCHARGE OF THE HUANGHE RIVER AND ITS EFFECT ON SEDIMENTATION OF THE BOHAI SEA AND THE YELLOW SEA

The Huanghe (Yellow) River, with annual sediment discharge about 11 ×108tons, contributes about 17% of the fluvial sediment discharge of world's 21 major rivers to the ocean because its middle reaches flow across the great Loess Plateau of China. Sediment discharge of the Huanghe River has a widespread and profound effect on sedimentation of the sea. The remarkable shift of its outlet in 1128-1855 A.D. to the South Yellow Sea formed a large subaqueous delta and provided the substrate for an extensive submarine ridge field.The shift of its outlet in the modern delta every 10 years is the main reason why with an extremely heavy sediment input and a micro- tidal environment, the Huanghe River has not succeeded in building a birdfoot delta like the Mississippi. The Huanghe River has consistently brought heavy sediment input to sea at least since 0.7 myr.B.P. Paleochannels, paleosols, cheniers and fossils on the sea bottom indicate that the Yellow Sea was exposed during the late Quaternary glacial low-sea l