Chlorophyll a increase induced by surface winds in the northern South China Sea

The response of chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentration to wind stress is analyzed in the South China Sea (SCS), using in-situ data of Chl a and remote sensing data (QuikScat-sea surface wind (SSW), AVHRR-sea surface temperature (SST), AVISO merged-sea level anomalies (SLA), SeaWiFSderived Chl a and MODIS Terra-derived Chl a) in August/September/October 2004, 2006 and 2009. The variability of SSW, SST and SLA 7 d before in-situ Chl a sampling (including the work day of in-situ Chl a sampling) with the same latitude and longitude of the study area are investigated, and the correlation coefficients are calculated between these hydrographic factors and in-situ Chl a concentration. The results show that the Chl a-SSW correlation coefficients at upper layers (such as 0 m and 25 m) are more significant than those at deeper layers (such as 50, 75 and 100 m) 1-3 d before, which indicates that there is a time lag of strong surface winds stimulating phytoplankton bloom. By analyzing the relationship among the daily remote sensing derived (RSderived) SSW, SST, SLA and 3 d averaged SeaWiFS/MODIS-derived Chl a concentration in the northern SCS in September 2004 and 2009 respectively, it shows that the intensity and speed of surface winds could have great influence on extend of Chl a increase. If surface winds reach 4-5 m/s over, Chl a concentration would increase 1-3 d after the process of strong surface winds in open sea area of the northern SCS mainly during September.     

Impacts of a wind stress and a buoyancy flux on the seasonal variation of mixing layer depth in the South China Sea

The seasonal variation of mixing layer depth(MLD) in the ocean is determined by a wind stress and a buoyance flux.A South China Sea(SCS) ocean data assimilation system is used to analyze the seasonal cycle of its MLD.It is found that the variability of MLD in the SCS is shallow in summer and deep in winter,as is the case in general.Owing to local atmosphere forcing and ocean dynamics,the seasonal variability shows a regional characteristic in the SCS.In the northern SCS,the MLD is shallow in summer and deep in winter,affected coherently by the wind stress and the buoyance flux.The variation of MLD in the west is close to that in the central SCS,influenced by the advection of strong western boundary currents.The eastern SCS presents an annual cycle,which is deep in summer and shallow in winter,primarily impacted by a heat flux on the air-sea interface.So regional characteristic needs to be cared in the analysis about the MLD of SCS.     

A comparison of summer precipitation structures over the South China Sea and the East China Sea based on tropical rainfall measurementmission

The three-dimensional structures of summer precipitation over the South China Sea （SCS） and the East China Sea （ECS） are investigated based on tropical rainfall measurement mission （TRMM）. The primary results are as follows. First, both the convective and stratiform precipitation rates in the SCS are much higher than those of the ECS. The contribution of the convective cloud precipitation to the surface precipitation is primarily over the SCS and the ECS with a proportion of about 70%, but the contribution of convective cloud precipitation is slightly larger in the SCS than the ECS. The contribution of stratus precipitation is slightly larger in the ECS than that in the SCS. Second, the content of cloud particles and precipitation particles in the ECS in June was greater than that in the SCS, while in July and August, the content of cloud and precipitation particles in the ECS was less than that in the SCS. Third, the latent heat profile of the ECS is quite different from that of the SCS. In June, the peak values of evaporation and condensation latent heating rates in the ECS are greater than those in the SCS. In July and August, however, the peak values of evaporation and condensation latent heating rates in the ECS are about 0.05°/h less than those in the SCS.     

The influence of thermohaline fronts on chlorophyll a concentrations during spring and summer in the southeastern Yellow Sea

A spatial and temporal variation in physiochemical parameters in the southeastern Yellow Sea(YS) is investigated in the spring and summer of 2009 to 2011.Nutrient show a strong negative relationship with chlorophyll a(Chl a) concentration in spring,and the subsurface chlorophyll a maxima(SCM) layer was associated with the nitracline in summer.In summer,the SCM was usually found within or above the pycnocline and at the depths of shoals from the open sea to the coastal sea due to tidal and/or topographical fronts in the southernmost study area.High Chl a concentrations were found in the central southern YS,where the YS cold water layer expanded under the pycnocline and encountered water masses during spring and summer.After a typhoon in the summer of 2011,Chl a concentration increased,especially in the central southern YS,where cold waters occurred below the pycnocline.The results suggest that the development of thermohaline fronts may play an important role in the growth and accumulation of phytoplankton biomass in the upper layer of the southeastern YS during spring and summer.     

南海北部冬、夏季浮游群落呼吸率

Plankton respiration is an important part of the carbon cycle and significantly affects the balance of autotrophic assimilation and heterotrophic production in oceanic ecosystems. In the present study, respiration rates of the euphotic zone plankton community(CR_(eu)), size fractionated chlorophyll a concentration(Chl a), bacterial abundance(BAC), and dissolved oxygen concentration(DO) were investigated during winter and summer in the northern South China Sea(n SCS). The results show that there were obvious spatial and temporal variations in CR_(eu) in the n SCS(ranging from 0.03 to 1.10 μmol/(L·h)), CR_(eu) in winter((0.53±0.27) μmol/(L·h)) was two times higher than that in summer((0.26±0.20) μmol/(L·h)), and decreased gradually from the coastal zone to the open sea. The distribution of CR_(eu) was affected by coupled physical-chemical-biological processes, driven by monsoon events. The results also show that CR_(eu) was positively correlated with Chl a, BAC, and DO, and that BAC contributed the highest CR_(eu) variability. Furthermore, the results of the stepwise multiple linear regression suggest that bacteria and phytoplankton were the dominant factors in determining CR_(eu)(R~2 = 0.82, p0.05) in the n SCS. Based on this relationship, we estimated the integrated water column respiration rate(CRint) within 100 m of the investigated area, and found that the relationship between the biomass of the plankton community and respiration may be nonlinear in the water column.     

Satellite observations of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the surface water of the Huanghai Sea and the Bohai Sea

Based on 5 831 continuous in situ measurements of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide on the sea surface p(CO2),related parameters of the sea surface temperature(SST) and chlorophyll-a(Chl a) concentration in 2010 winter,spring and summer of the Huanghai Sea and the Bohai Sea,the inherent relations among them are investigated preliminarily.This study reveals that the seasonal variability of SST and Chl a concentration has a significant influence on p(CO2).The authors have proposed a new algorithm to estimate p(CO2) from SST and Chl a concentration measurements.Compared with the vessel data,the root mean square error(RMSE) of p(CO2) retrieved by using the new model is 13.45 μatm(1atm=101.325 kPa) and the relative error is less than 4%.Then,SST and Chl a concentration data observed by satellite are used to retrieve p(CO2) in the Huanghai Sea and the Bohai Sea;and a better accuracy can be obtained if the quality control for sea surface chlorophyll-a concentration observed by satellite is used.The RMSE of retrieved p(CO2) data with quality control and that without quality control are 15.82 μatm and 31.74 μatm,respectively.     

中尺度涡影响下的南海西部活性铝分布

To understand the distribution of aluminum(Al) under the influence of mesocale eddies in the western South China Sea(SCS), sea level anomaly, geostrophic current, environmental parameters and reactive Al were investigated in the western SCS in August 2013. The highest reactive Al concentration((180±64) nmol/L) was observed in the surface waters, indicating a substantial atmospheric input. Vertically, the reactive Al decreased from the surface high concentration to the subsurface minima at the depth of chlorophyll a(Chl a) maxima and then increased again with depth at most of the stations. The average concentration of reactive Al in the upper 100 m water column was significantly lower in the cyclonic eddy((137±6) nmol/L) as compared with that in the noneddy waters((180±21) nmol/L). By contrast, the average concentrations of Chl a and silicate in the upper 100 m water column were higher in the cyclonic eddy and lower in the anticyclonic eddy. There was a significant negative correlation between the average concentrations of reactive Al and Chl a in the upper 100 m water column. The vertical distribution of reactive Al and the negative correlation between reactive Al and Chl a both suggest that the reactive Al in the upper water column was significantly influenced by biological removal processes. Our results indicate that mesoscale eddies could regulate the distribution of reactive Al by influencing the primary production and phytoplankton community structure in the western SCS.     

Different roles of Ekman pumping in the west and east segments of the South China Sea Warm Current

A three-dimensional model is used to investigate the mechanism of the South China Sea (SCS) winter counter-current (also known as the SCS Warm Current,or the SCSWC),which flows against the wind.The model can reproduce the structure of the band-like currents over the northern shelf of the SCS,including the westward coastal current and slop current,and the SCSWC sandwiched in between.Sensitivity experiments are designed to understand the different roles of Ekman pumping of the SCSWC at different longitude.The results show that the Ekman pumping drives the SCSWC in the west segment.In the east,it is not the Ekman pumping but the intrusion of the Kuroshio that drives the SCSWC.     

Spatio-temporal variability of chlorophyll a and its responses to sea surface temperature, winds and height anomaly in the western South China Sea

To understand the response of marine ecosystem to environmental factors, the oceanographic (physical and biochemical) data are analyzed to examine the spatio-temporal distributions of chlorophyll a (Chl a) associated with surface temperature, winds and height anomaly for long periods (1997-2008) in the western South China Sea (SCS). The results indicate that seasonal and spatial distributions of Chl a are primarily influenced by monsoon winds and hydrography. A preliminary Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis of remotely sensed data is used to assess basic characteristics of the response process of Chl a to physical changes, which reveals interannual variability of anomalous low Chl a values corresponding to strong El Ni o (1997-1998), high values corresponding to strong La Ni a (1999-2000), low Chl a corresponding to moderate El Ni o (2001-2003), upward Chl a after warm event in 2005 off the east coast of Vietnam. The variability of Chl a in nearshore and the Mekong River Estuary (MER) waters also suggests its response to these warm or cold processes. Considering the evidence for covariabilities between Chl a and sea surface temperature, winds, height anomaly (upwelling or downwelling), cold waters input and strong winds mixing may play important roles in the spatial and temporal variability of high Chl a. Such research activities could be very important to gain a mechanistic understanding of ecosystem responses to the climate change in the SCS.     

Seasonal response of surface wind to SST perturbation in the Northern Hemisphere

The seasonal response of surface wind speed to sea surface temperature (SST) change in the Northern Hemisphere was investigated using 10 years (2002-2011) high-resolution satellite observations and reanalysis data. The results showed that correlation between surface wind speed perturbations and SST perturbations exhibits remarkable seasonal variation, with more positive correlation is stronger in the cold seasons than in the warm seasons. This seasonality in a positive correlation between SST and surface wind speed is attributable primarily to seasonal changes of oceanic and atmospheric background conditions in frontal regions. The mean SST gradient and the prevailing surface winds are strong in winter and weak in summer. Additionally, the eddy-induced response of surface wind speed is stronger in winter than in summer, although the locations and numbers of mesoscale eddies do not show obvious seasonal features. The response of surface wind speed is apparently due to stability and mixing within the marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL), modulated by SST perturbations. In the cold seasons, the stronger positive (negative) SST perturbations are easier to increase (decrease) the MABL height and trigger (suppress) momentum vertical mixing, contributing to the positive correlation between SST and surface wind speed. In comparison, SST perturbations are relatively weak in the warm seasons, resulting in a weak response of surface wind speed to SST changes. This result holds for each individual region with energetic eddy activity in the Northern Hemisphere.     

近20年渤海叶绿素a浓度时空变化

浮游植物作为食物链的基础,对海洋生态系统具有重要作用。渤海作为我国最大的内海和重要渔业生物的产卵场、育幼场和索饵场,该区浮游植物研究具有重要意义。叶绿素a浓度是反映浮游植物生物量的重要指标。利用Google Earth Engine平台,对1997–2010年的宽视场海洋观测传感器(SeaWiFS)叶绿素a浓度数据和2002–2018年的水色卫星中分辨率成像光谱仪传感器(MODIS Aqua)叶绿素a浓度数据进行合并,并研究其时空变化特征。研究表明,近20年来,渤海全年叶绿素a浓度增加了14.1%,且增加显著。叶绿素a浓度在所有季节都呈现增加趋势;除11月外,其他各月都呈现稳定或增加趋势。从滦河入河口沿岸至渤海海峡的渤海中部,叶绿素a浓度增加较明显。同时也分析了海洋表面温度、风速和降水量数据。夏季渤海周边区域降水量和风速增加以及秋季海表温度的降低都有助于同季叶绿素a浓度的升高。渤海浮游植物可能受陆源营养物质输入影响较大。     

夏季南海西部叶绿素浓度高值带的年际变化

基于1998-2013年SeaWiFS和MODIS传感器的叶绿素浓度资料,本文分析了夏季南海西部叶绿素浓度高值带的年际变化规律。夏季,叶绿素及营养盐在海流的作用下离岸输送,从而在南海西部形成叶绿素浓度高值带,其分布与东向急流的流向一致。分析结果显示,高值带分布主要受13°N以南海域风场的调控,且滞后风场1周。当13°N以南海域受异常东北风（西南风）控制时,高值带位于其多年平均位置以北（南）。     

中国南海表层叶绿素a季节内变化特征及成因

对中国南海表层叶绿素a季节内变化的研究有助于深入认识其海洋特征,满足渔情预报等实际应用需求。利用卫星观测资料分析南海表层叶绿素a不同季节的季节内变化特征,结果表明南海表层叶绿素a季节内振荡强度冬季最高。冬季和春季的季节内振荡最强区域都位于吕宋岛西北侧海区,夏季和秋季振荡较强的区域偏向菲律宾群岛一侧。分析表明研究海区表层温度和表层叶绿素a 存在负相关,冬强夏弱,北强南弱。大部分海区海面高度和叶绿素a 相关性不显著,但南海东南边缘海区海面高度和叶绿素a在季节内存在正相关。冬季海盆尺度逆时针旋转的环流结构应是这些现象产生的原因。除南海东南边缘海区、海南岛东南海区和吕宋岛西侧海区之外,风应力大小和热通量均与叶绿素a 在季节内呈正相关。这显示非局地风场和海流等因素、海洋动力调整过程可能在吕宋海峡以西和南海东南边缘的表层叶绿素a 季节内变化中起到重要作用。     

浮游植物化学分类法—CHEMTAX运算在南中国海应用的改进和优化

In order to determine the phytoplankton community composition, the modification and optimizing of the CHEMical TAXonomy (CHEMTAX) running was carried out through samples grouping, successive run and ev...     

南海北部表层颗粒有机碳的季节和年际变化遥感分析

海洋颗粒有机碳（POC）是海洋固碳的一个关键参数。为了研究南海北部陆架及海盆表层POC浓度的时空分布特征以及变化趋势,本文利用2009-2011年4个季节的实测数据,对NASA发布的MODIS/AQUA卫星月平均POC遥感产品,进行了验证和校正;并利用校正后的遥感数据分析了2003-2014年POC的时空分布特征和变化趋势。发现POC遥感产品与南海北部实测数据具有较好的线性关系（R2=0.72）,但存在系统性偏高,需利用实测数据对遥感数据进行区域性校正。分析校正后的遥感数据发现,南海北部陆架POC浓度较高,平均为（33.34±8.02）mg/m3;吕宋海峡西南海域浓度较低,平均为（29.25±6.20）mg/m3;中央海盆区浓度最低,平均为（27.02±4.84）mg/m3。春夏季POC浓度较低,最低值一般出现在5月,冬季（12月至翌年1月）POC浓度达到最高。利用2003-2014年的长时间序列遥感叶绿素（Chl a）和海表温度（SST）、混合层深度（MLD）模式数据,以及实测数据对南海北部POC浓度的影响机制进行了分析。发现POC与Chl a在秋冬呈现较好的相关关系（R2=0.51）,但在春夏季较离散,表明秋冬季生物作用对POC影响较大。2003-2014年期间,POC与Chl a、MLD及SST存在明显的年际变化,但并没有显著的上升或下降趋势。     

The distribution of chlorophyll a and its influencing factors in different regions of the Bering Sea

The distribution of chlorophyll a(Chl a) and its relationships with physical and chemical parameters in different regions of the Bering Sea were discussed in July 2010. The results showed the seawater column Chl a concentrations were 13.41–553.89 mg/m2 and the average value was 118.15 mg/m2 in the study areas. The horizontal distribution of Chl a varied remarkably from basin to shelf in the Bering Sea. The regional order of Chl a concentrations from low to high was basin, slope, outer shelf, inner shelf, and middle shelf. The vertical distribution of Chl a was grouped mainly from single-peak type in basin, slope, outer shelf, and middle shelf, where the deep Chl a maxima(DCM) layer was observed at 25–50 m, 30–35 m, 36–44 m, and 37–47 m, respectively. The vertical distribution of Chl a mainly had three basic patterns: standard single-peak type, surface maximum type, and bottom maximum type in the inner shelf. The analysis also showed that the transportation of ocean currents may control the distribution of Chl a, and the effects were not simple in the basin of the Bering Sea. There was a positive correlation between Chl a and temperature, but no significant correlation between Chl a and nutrients. The Bering Sea slope was an area deeply influenced by slope current. Silicate was the factor that controlled the distribution of Chl a within parts of the water in the slope. Light intensity was an important environmental factor in controlling seawater column Chl a in the shelf, where Chl a was limited by nitrate rather than phosphate within the upper water. Meanwhile, there was a positive relationship between Chl a and salinity. Algal blooms broke out at Sta. B6 of the southwestern St. Lawrence Island and Stas F6 and F11 in the middle of the Bering Strait.     

南海U形海疆线的生态环境分区特征

南海U形海疆国界线（简称南海U形线）是我国的南海国界线。该研究分析多源卫星遥感和GIS数据,系统研究南海U形海疆线水域的水深地形和环境生态要素,并重点分析2014年生态要素的季节变化,首次整体展现了南海U形线立体水深分布特征。根据海底地形的平缓、波峰、波谷和递增四大特征,将南海U形线分为东北、西北、东、西和南区5个区间。南海U形线总长大于4 000 km。西北区和南区的水深浅且变化平缓（<1 000 m）,西区水深呈波峰分布（平均2 303 m）,东区水深由南向北递增（>2 000 m）;东北区水深最深且呈波谷分布（平均3 535 m）。南海U形线的5个区间,西北区与北部湾盆地、西区与越东断裂、南区与曾母盆地、东区与南海海槽、东北区与马尼拉海沟地形构造相吻合。研究发现季风对南海U形线5个区间海洋环境季节性变化有明显影响:西北区和东北区海表温度温差大,呈冬季最低夏季最高,混合层深度冬季最深春季最浅,海表流场和海表盐度季节变化小,但西北区海表叶绿素a浓度冬季爆发,其余季节呈对数分布,而东北区冬季区内中部略有增长;西区、南区和东区海表温度盐度季节变化小,海表风场和混合层深度冬季最强春季最弱,但海表叶绿素a浓度西区季节变化小,南区区内中部冬季增长明显,东区区内南部冬季小幅增长。西北区和南区（浅地形区）呈相似的季节分布。研究阐明了5个区间具有各自明显的区域性海洋环境特征:西北区海表温度和海表叶绿素a浓度的季节变化最大、西区混合层深度季节变化最大、南区海表流场季节变化最大、东区海表盐度季节变化最大、东北区风场变化大但海表叶绿素a浓度季节变化小。研究显示,南海U形线上的台风路径时空分布南北差异大,东西不均。1945—2016年共604个台风跨过南海U形线,年均8个,路径集中在东北、西北、东3个区,112.3°E以东台风537个,112.3°E以西415个。南海U形线东北区的生态环境受台风"风泵效应"影响最大。1991—2000年为台风多发期,跨线台风年均达11个。研究提出的南海U形海疆线5区间分法,具有科学意义和实践指导作用。