Geostrophic meridional transport in tropical Northwest Pacific based on Argo profiles

Absolute geostrophic currents in the North Pacific Ocean were calculated using P-vector method from newly gridded Argo profiling float data collected during 2004–2009. The meridional volume transport of geostrophic currents differed significantly from the classical Sverdrup balance, with differences of 10×10⁶–20×10⁶m³/s in the interior tropical Northwest Pacific Ocean. Analyses showed that errors of wind stress estimation could not explain all of the differences. The largest differences were found in the areas immediately north and south of the bifurcation latitude of the North Equatorial Current west of the dateline, and in the recirculation area of the Kuroshio and its extension, where nonlinear eddy activities were robust. Comparison of the geostrophic meridional transport and the wind-driven Sverdrup meridional transport in a high-resolution OFES simulation showed that nonlinear effects of the ocean circulation were the most likely reason for the differences. It is therefore suggested that the linear, steady wind-driven dynamics of the Sverdrup theory cannot completely explain the meridional transport of the interior circulation of the tropical Northwest Pacific Ocean.     

Fast and slow responses of the North Pacific mode water and Subtropical Countercurrent to global warming

Six coupled general circulation models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) are employed for examining the full evolution of the North Pacific mode water and Subtropical Countercurrent (STCC) under global warming over 400 years following the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) 4.5. The mode water and STCC first show a sharp weakening trend when the radiative forcing increases, but then reverse to a slow strengthening trend of smaller magnitude after the radiative forcing is stablized. As the radiative forcing increases during the 21st century, the ocean warming is surface-intensified and decreases with depth, strengthening the upper ocean’s stratification and becoming unfavorable for the mode water formation. Moving southward in the subtropical gyre, the shrinking mode water decelerates the STCC to the south. After the radiative forcing is stabilized in the 2070s, the subsequent warming is greater at the subsurface than at the sea surface, destabilizing the upper ocean and becoming favorable for the mode water formation. As a result, the mode water and STCC recover gradually after the radiative forcing is stabilized.     

Can Langmuir Circulations Solve the Problem of Insufficient Upper-Ocean Mixing?

Insufficient vertical mixing in the upper ocean during summer is a common problem of oceanic circulation and climate models. The turbulence associated with non-breaking waves is widely believed to effectively solve this problem. In many studies, non-breaking surface wave processes are attributed to the effects of Langmuir circulations(LCs). In the present work, the influences of LCs on the upper-ocean thermal structure are examined by using one-and three-dimensional ocean circulation, as well as climate, models. The results indicated that the effect of vertical mixing enhanced by LCs is limited to the upper ocean. The models evaluated, including those considering LC effects alone and the combined effects of LCs and wave breaking, failed to produce a reasonable summertime thermocline, resulting in a large cold bias in the subsurface layer. Therefore, while they can slightly reduce the biases of mixed layer depths and sea surface temperatures in models, LCs are insufficient to solve the problem of insufficient vertical mixing. Moreover, restriction of non-breaking surface wave-induced processes in LCs may be questionable.     

The modeled atmospheric and oceanic response to the South China Sea SST anomaly

The sensitivity of the global atmospheric and oceanic response to sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) throughout the South China Sea (SCS) is investigated using the Fast Ocean-Atmosphere Model (FOAM). Forced by a warming SST, the experiment explicitly demonstrates that the responses of surface air temperature (SAT) and SST exhibit positive anomalous center over SCS and negative anomalous center over the Northern Pacific Ocean (NPO). The atmospheric response to the warm SST anomalies is characterized by a barotropical anomaly in middle-latitude, leading to a weak subtropical high in summer and a weak Aleutian low in winter. Accordingly, Indian monsoon and eastern Asian monsoon strengthen in summer but weaken in winter as a result of wind convergence owing to the warm SST. It is worth noting that the abnormal signals propagate poleward and eastward away in the form of Rossby Waves from the forcing region, which induces high pressure anomaly. Owing to action of the wind-driven circulation, an anomalous anti-cyclonic circulation is induced with a primary southward current in the upper ocean. An obvious cooling appears over the North Pacific, which can be explained by anomalous meridional cold advection and mixing as shown in the analysises of heat budget and other factors that affect SST.     

冰川均衡调整模型对全球质量变化的影响分析

利用国际上常用的8个冰川均衡调整（GIA）模型分别对利用卫星重力(GRACE)数据解算的2005~2014年全球质量变化趋势进行GIA改正。在对南极地区进行改正时发现,ICE-6G_C、ICE-6G_D和IJ05这3种模型的改正值相近;在对全球海水质量变化趋势进行改正时发现,不同改正模型对全球海水质量变化影响的均值都小于-2.0 mm/a;对比陆地水及冰盖对海水质量变化趋势的贡献,同时联合卫星测高和Argo温盐数据集进一步验证发现,Paulson07、GW13和ICE-6G_D模型对全球海水质量改正效果较好。综合整个陆地和海洋的分析结果来看,ICE-6G_D模型更适用于全球质量变化趋势的调整。     

An assessment of a nowcast/forecast system for the straits of Florida/Florida Current regime

The Florida Current （FC） largely fills the Straits of Florida and is variable on a broad spectrum of time and space scales. Some portions of the variability are due to variable forcing by tides, winds, heating/cooling, and throughflow; other portions are due to intrinsic instabilities of the FC. To predict, as well as to better understand this complex regime, a nowcast/forecast system （East Florida Shelf Information System （EFSIS）） has been implemented and assessed （http：//efsis. rsmas. miami. edu）. EFSIS is based on an implementation of the Princeton Ocean Model （POM） with mesoscale-admitting resolution on a curvilinear grid. It is forced by a mesoscale numerical weather prediction system （called Eta） run operationally by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction （NCEP）, eight tidal constituents from a global tidal model, and lateral boundary conditions from an operational global ocean prediction model, i.e., the Navy Coastal Ocean Model （NCOM）. Real-time observations of coastal sea level, coastal sea surface temperature, coastal HF radar-derived surface current maps, and FC volume transport are used to verify and validate EFSIS. EFSIS is part of an evolving strategy for real-time predictive coastal ocean modeling methodology, and for fostering the understanding of the variability of the regime on several time and space scales. Here, some of the verification and validation results are provided, as well as diagnostic analyses of dynamical processes. The central point is that an example is provided of a ＇scientific revolution＇ in progress that combines real-time observations and numerical circulation models to yield a credible sequence of synoptic views of coastal ocean circulation for the first time.     

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.     

NUMERICAL MODELLING OF THREE-DIMENSION CHARACTERISTICS OF WIND-DRIVEN CURRENT IN THE BOHAI SEA

Three- dimension (3-D) wind-driven currents in the Bohai Sea in both winter and summer are calculated by using a 3- D barotropic steady model, and the results are consistent with observed flow char -acteristics. Based on the results, 3- D characteristics of flow, currents at different depths, compensated flow in the lower layer , long and narrow alongshore current, the area of upwelling and downwelling, main circulation in vertical profile, and the current in Bohai Strait are discussed.     

Effect of wave-induced Stokes drift on the dynamics of ocean mixed layer

The wave-forcing ’Coriolis-Stokes forcing’ and ’Stokes-vortex force’ induced by Stokes drift affect the upper ocean jointly.To study the effect of the wave-induced Stokes drift on the dynamics of the ocean mixed layer,a new three-dimensional(3D) numerical model is derived using the primitive basic equations and Eulerian wave averaging.The Princeton Ocean Model(POM),a 3D primitive equation ocean model is used with the upper wave-averaged basic equations.The global ocean circulation is simulated using the POM model,and the Stokes drift is evaluated based on the wave data generated by WAVEWATCH III.We compared simulations with and without the Stokes drift.The results show that the magnitude of the Stokes drift is comparable with the Eulerian mean current.Including the Stokes drift in the ocean model affects both the Eulerian current and the Lagranian drift and causes the vertical mixing coefficients to increase.     

卫星截止高度角、对流层映射函数和海潮模型对南极GNSS精密定位的影响分析

利用长城站、中山站及周边13个IGS站2018年的观测数据,对比分析不同卫星截止高度角、对流层映射函数和全球海潮模型对GNSS坐标精度的影响。结果表明,截止高度角设为7°时,GNSS坐标解算精度最优,随着截止高度角的增大或减小,精度逐渐降低;采用VMF3模型解算的双差定位精度优于NMF、GMF和VMF1模型,VMF3模型解算的精密单点定位精度与GMF和VMF1模型相当;海潮负荷对GNSS坐标解算的影响与坐标方位有关,高程方向可达cm级,选用不同的海潮模型解算的GNSS坐标差异可忽略不计。     

不同海潮模型对中国沿海区域海潮负荷位移改正影响分析

选取FES2004、EOT11a、TPXO7.2和Chinasea2010等4个海潮模型,首先通过矢量差评价不同海潮模型的潮波参数差异,然后利用中国大陆构造环境监测网络23个沿海测站的GNSS连续观测数据,通过计算不同海潮模型改正前后GNSS时间序列的wRMS,评价基于不同海潮模型的海潮负荷位移改正的有效性。结果表明,不同海潮模型的潮波参数存在mm级差异,且沿海区域差异远比内陆区域显著。此外,海潮负荷改正对中国沿海区域测站坐标时间序列wRMS影响较大,大部分测站坐标时间序列进行海潮负荷改正后,wRMS减小10%~70%;改正后wRMS改善幅度与测站所属区域有关,东海沿岸测站wRMS的改善较渤海、黄海和东海沿岸测站更显著,可减小50%以上;wRMS改善程度的模型间差异为1%~2%,其中基于FES2004模型的改正对序列wRMS的影响最大,可达67.5%。     

Trends in significant wave height and surface wind speed in the China Seas between 1988 and 2011

Wind and waves are key components of the climate system as they drive air-sea interactions and influence weather systems and atmospheric circulation. In marine environments, understanding surface wind and wave fields and their evolution over time is important for conducting safe and efficient human activities, such as navigation and engineering. This study considers long-term trends in the sea surface wind speed(WS) and significant wave height(SWH) in the China Seas over the period 1988–2011 using the Cross-Calibrated Multi-Platform(CCMP) ocean surface wind product and a 24-year hindcast wave dataset obtained from the WAVEWATCH-III(WW3) wave model forced with CCMP winds. The long-term trends in WS and SWH in the China Seas are analyzed over the past 24 years to provide a reference point from which to assess future climate change and offshore wind and wave energy resource development in the region. Results demonstrate that over the period 1988–2011 in the China Seas: 1) WS and SWH showed a significant increasing trend of 3.38 cm s~(-1)yr~(-1) and 1.52 cm yr~(-1), respectively; 2) there were notable regional differences in the long-term trends of WS and SWH; 3) areas with strong increasing trends were located mainly in the middle of the Tsushima Strait, the northern and southern areas of the Taiwan Strait, and in nearshore regions of the northern South China Sea; and 4) the long-term trend in WS was closely associated with El Ni?o and a significant increase in the occurrence of gale force winds in the region.     

MODEL OF UPPER OCEANIC CIRCULATIONS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA DURING NORTHEAST MONSOON

MODUrnONTheS0uthChinaSea(SCS)isabophalrnarginalbasinwhereEastAsiamonsoonsprevail.0bviousadjustInentSoftheupperocanoccurduetOthealtematingsurnxneandwintermonsoons.ThemostboohantaspchoflargeanlecurmtSintheSesaretheupperoonnicresponsetothemonsoons(Dale,l956).MostpreviousmrehesfocusedondiagnostiesandmodelingofsuffocecurmtS.Wwti(l96l)plotalsurfacentsbasedonshipdriflsintheNAGAReportNo.2anddescritaltheperiodicallysdri-annualreversingofwindsandrtinthisarea.Xuetal.(l982)calculatalthedy-naAn…     

Optimal nonlinear excitation of decadal variability of the North Atlantic thermohaline circulation

Nonlinear development of salinity perturbations in the Atlantic thermohaline circulation （THC） is investigated with a three-dimensional ocean circulation model, using the conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation method. The results show two types of optimal initial perturbations of sea surface salinity, one associated with freshwater and the other with salinity. Both types of perturbations excite decadal variability of the THC. Under the same amplitude of initial perturbation, the decadal variation induced by the freshwater perturbation is much stronger than that by the salinity perturbation, suggesting that the THC is more sensitive to freshwater than salinity perturbation. As the amplitude of initial perturbation increases, the decadal variations become stronger for both perturbations. For salinity perturbations, recovery time of the THC to return to steady state gradually saturates with increasing amplitude, whereas this recovery time increases remarkably for freshwater perturbations. A nonlinear （advective） feedback between density and velocity anomalies is proposed to explain these characteristics of decadal variability excitation. The results are consistent with previous ones from simple box models, and highlight the importance of nonlinear feedback in decadal THC variability.     

Wave effect on the ocean circulations through mass transport and wave-induced pumping

The wave Coriolis-Stokes-Force-modified ocean momentum equations are reviewed in this paper and the wave Stokes transport is pointed out to be part of the ocean circulations. Using the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts 40-year reanalysis data (ERA-40 data) and the Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) version 2.2.4 data, the magnitude of this transport is compared with that of wind-driven Sverdrup transport and a 5-to-10-precent contribution by the wave Stokes transport is found. Both transports are stronger in boreal winter than in summers. The wave effect can be either contribution or cancellation in different seasons. Examination with Kuroshio transport verifies similar seasonal variations. The clarification of the efficient wave boundary condition helps to understand the role of waves in mass transport. It acts as surface wind stress and can be functional down to the bottom of the ageostrophic layer. The pumping velocities resulting from wave-induced stress are zonally distributed and are significant in relatively high latitudes. Further work will focus on the model performance of the wave-stress-changed-boundary and the role of swells in the eastern part of the oceans.     

Three-dimensional water quality model based on FVCOM for total load control management in Guan River Estuary,Northern Jiangsu Province

Guan River Estuary and adjacent coastal area (GREC) suffer from serious pollution and eutrophicational problems over the recent years. Thus, reducing the land-based load through the national pollutant total load control program and developing hydrodynamic and water quality models that can simulate the complex circulation and water quality kinetics within the system, including longitudinal and lateral variations in nutrient and COD concentrations, is a matter of urgency. In this study, a three-dimensional, hydrodynamic, water quality model was developed in GREC, Northern Jiangsu Province. The complex three-dimensional hydrodynamics of GREC were modeled using the unstructured-grid, finite-volume, free-surface, primitive equation coastal ocean circulation model (FVCOM). The water quality model was adapted from the mesocosm nutrients dynamic model in the south Yellow Sea and considers eight compartments: dissolved inorganic nitrogen, soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), phytoplankton, zooplankton, detritus, dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP), and chemical oxygen demand. The hydrodynamic and water quality models were calibrated and confirmed for 2012 and 2013. A comparison of the model simulations with extensive dataset shows that the models accurately simulate the longitudinal distribution of the hydrodynamics and water quality. The model can be used for total load control management to improve water quality in this area.     

Absolute geostrophic currents in global tropical oceans

A set of absolute geostrophic current(AGC) data for the period January 2004 to December 2012 are calculated using the P-vector method based on monthly gridded Argo profi les in the world tropical oceans. The AGCs agree well with altimeter geostrophic currents, Ocean Surface Current Analysis-Real time currents, and moored current-meter measurements at 10-m depth, based on which the classical Sverdrup circulation theory is evaluated. Calculations have shown that errors of wind stress calculation, AGC transport, and depth ranges of vertical integration cannot explain non-Sverdrup transport, which is mainly in the subtropical western ocean basins and equatorial currents near the Equator in each ocean basin(except the North Indian Ocean, where the circulation is dominated by monsoons). The identifi ed nonSverdrup transport is thereby robust and attributed to the joint effect of baroclinicity and relief of the bottom(JEBAR) and mesoscale eddy nonlinearity.     

Decadal variability shown by the arctic ocean hydrochemical data and reproduced by an ice-ocean model

The Arctic is experiencing a significant warming trend as well as a decadal oscillation. The atmospheric circulation represented by the Polar Vortex and the sea ice cover show decadal variabilities, while it has been difficult to reveal the decadal oscillation from the ocean interior. The recent distribution of Russian hydrochemical data collected from the Arctic Basin provides useful information on ocean interior variabilities. Silicate is used to provide the most valuable data for showing the boundary between the silicate-rich Pacific Water and the opposite Atlantic Water. Here, it is assumed that the silicate distribution receives minor influence from seasonal biological productivity and Siberian Rivers outflow. It shows a clear maximum around 100m depth in the Canada Basin, along with a vertical gradient below 100 m, which provides information on the vertical motion of the upper boundary of the Atlantic Water at a decadal time scale. The boundary shifts upward （downward）, as realized by the silicate reduction （increase） at a fixed depth, responding to a more intense （weaker） Polar Vortex or a positive （negative） phase of the Arctic Oscillation. A coupled ice-ocean model is employed to reconstruct this decadal oscillation.     

Quantification of the impact of environmental factors on chlorophyll in the open ocean

Many previous studies of the impact of oceanic environmental factors on chlorophyll(CHL)in a specific region focused on sea surface temperature(SST),mixed-layer depth(MLD),or wind stress(WS) alone.In this study,relationship between CHL and all those environmental factors(SST,MLD,and WS) in the open ocean was quantified for five regions within the subtropical gyres and the variation trend of 13-year(2003-2015) was analyzed using satellite observations and Argo measurements.The correlation analysis results show that MLD was correlated positively with CHL,SST was correlated negatively with CHL,and the correlation between CHL and WS was either positive or negative.Based on the significance of the correlations,models representing the relationships were established using the multiple linear regression and analyzed,showing that the environmental factors were the major determinants of CHL change.The regression coefficients show that both SST and MLD have remarkable effect on CHL.Our derived models could be used to diagnose the past changes,understand present variability,and predict the future state of CHL changes based on environmental factors,and help us understand the dynamics of CHL variation in the open ocean.