Cloudiness regime shift during 1946-1992 recorded by coral in the South China Sea

1 IntroductionCorals from the tropical oceans are the well-known paleoclimate proxies that offer both the high-resolution and multi-century record length needed forquantification of seasonal to centennial variations.Most corals build skeletons of aragonite (CaCO3) andgrow at rates of millimeters to centimeters per year(Sun et al., 2002). During growth, annual densitybands are produced in the skeleton that shows timemarkers for the development of chronologies (seeFig.1). Coral skeletons may p…     

Sea surface temperature variations in the southwestern South China Sea over the past 160 ka

Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the southwestern South China Sea have been reconstructed for the past 160 ka using the Uk37 paleothermometer from the core MD01-2392. The temperature differences between glacial times (MISs 6 and 2) and interglacial times (MISs 5.5 and 1) are 2.2~2.5 ℃. Younger Dryas event during the last deglaciation was documented in both the planktonic foraminiferal δ18O and SST records. After MIS 5.5, SSTs displayed a progressive cooling from 28.6 to 24.5 ℃, culminating at the LGM. During this gradual cooling period, warm events such as MISs 5.3, 5.1 and 3 were also clearly documented. By comparison of SST between the study core and Core 17954, a pattern of low or no meridional SST gradients during the interglacial periods and high meridional SST gradients during the glacial periods was exhibited. This pattern indicates the much stronger East Asian winter monsoon at the glacial than at the interglacial periods. Spectral analysis gives two prominent cycles: 41 and 23 ka, with the former more pronounced, suggesting that SSTs in the southern SCS varied in concert with high-latitude processes through the connection of East Asian winter monsoon.     

Mesoscale eddies in the South China Sea and their impact on temperature profiles

Some life history statistics of the mesoscale eddies of the South China Sea (SCS) derived from altimetry data will be further discussed according their different formation periods.A total of three ATLAS (autonomous temperature line acquisition system)mooring buoys data will be analyzed to discuss eddies‘ impact on temperature profiles.They identify that the intraseasonal variation of SCS thermocline is partly controlled by mesoscale eddies.     

Significant salinity increase in subsurface waters of the South China Sea during 2016–2017

The South China Sea(SCS) is the largest semi-enclosed marginal sea in the North Pacific. Salinity changes in the SCS play an important role in regional and global ocean circulation and the hydrological cycle. However, there are few studies on salinity changes over the SCS due to lack of high-quality and long-term observations. In the past decade, the deployment of floats from the Argo program in the SCS and their accumulated temperature and salinity profiles have made it possible for us to examine salinity changes over the entire basin. In this study,salinity changes were investigated with Argo and underwater glider temperature and salinity observations and gridded temperature–salinity objective analyses(UK Met Office Hadley Centre EN4.2.1 objective analysis and China Argo Real-time Data Center BOA_Argo). The results indicated that the subsurface water in the entire SCS became significantly saltier during 2016–2017. The most significant salinity increase was found during 2016 in the northeastern SCS. The subsurface water in the northeastern SCS exhibited a salinity maximum above 35, which was recorded by three Argo floats during 2015–2016. Such high salinity water was rarely observed and reported prior to the Argo era. Average salinity of 2016–2017 along the 25.5σ_θ–23.5σ_θ isopycnal surfaces in the whole SCS is 0.014-0.130 higher than the climatology. Increases in subsurface salinity started from the northeastern SCS and extended southwestward gradually. Moreover, the subsurface salinity changes, especially in the northern SCS,exhibited a semiannual lead behind the subsurface Luzon Strait transport. Further analysis indicated that the predominance of advection, driven by subsurface Luzon Strait transport, led to salinification along the western boundary of the SCS. In other parts of the SCS, negative wind stress curl trends tended to preserve the high salinity characteristics of the subsurface water.     

Multi-scale variability of subsurface temperature in the South China Sea

Using Morlet wavelet transform and harmonic analysis the multi-scale variability of subsurface temperature in the South China Sea is studied by analyzing one-year (from April 1998 to April 1999) ATLAS mooring data. By wavelet transform, annual and semi-annual cycle as well as intrasea-sonal variations are found, with different dominance, in subsurface temperature. For annual harmonic cycle, both the downward net surface heat flux and thermocline vertical movement partially control the subsurface temperature variability. For semi-annual cycle and intraseasonal variability, the subsurface temperature variability is mainly linked to the vertical displacement of thermocline.     

Comparison among four kinds of data of sea surface wind stress in the South China Sea

By using remote sensing (ERS) data, FSU data, COADS data and Hellerman & Rosen-stein objective analysis data to analyze the sea surface wind stress in the South China Sea, it is found that the remote sensing data have higher resolution and more reasonable values. Therefore we suggest that remote sensing data be chosen in the study of climatological features of sea surface wind stress and its seasonal variability in the South China Sea, especially in the study of small and middle scale eddies.     

Dynamics of picoplankton in the Nansha Islands area of the South China Sea

Dynamics of major picoplankton groups, Synechococcus (Syn), Prochlorococcus (Pro), picoeukaryotes (Euk) and heterotrophic bacteria (Bact) was investigated by flow cytometry for the first time in the Nansha Islands area in the South China Sea. Averaged over the whole investigation area, depth-weighted integrated cell abundance (DWA) of Syn, Pro, Euk and Bact was 1.6 (0.4-5.7)×103, 5.4 (0.1-7.3)×104, 0.7 (0.2-2.2)×103, and 2.3 (1.4-3.2)×105 cells/mL respectively. Picoautotrophic cell abundance was low in the northwest part of the Nansha Islands where surface water temperature was low and the upper mixed layer was shallow. Concurrently, a surface maximum vertical distribution pattern was observed in this area. While in the southeast and east zones where temperatures were relatively higher and nitraclines were deeper, picoplankton is abundant and a subsurface maximum around 50-75 m is observed. Coupling of horizontal and vertical distribution patterns of picoplankton abundance and hydrological status wa     

Mineral provinces and material provenance of the surficial sediments near the Zhongsha Islands in the South China Sea

1 IntroductionThe South China Sea is one of the northwesternPacific marginal basins, which is located atthe junc-tion region among Euro-Asia plate, Pacific plate andIndia plate. Owing to its unique geological charac-teristics, the South China Sea has beco…     

Homogenization and trend analysis of 1960–2015 in situ sea surface temperature observations along the coast of China

Sea surface temperature(SST) measurements from 26 coastal hydrological stations of China during 1960–2015 were homogenized and analyzed in this study. The homogenous surface air temperature(SAT) series from meteorological stations which were highly correlated to SST series was used to construct the reference series.Monthly mean SST series were then derived and subjected to a statistical homogeneity test, called penalized maximal t test. Homogenized monthly mean SST series were obtained by adjusting all significant change points which were supported by historic metadata information. Results show that the majority of break points are caused by instrument change and station relocation, which accounts for about 61.3% and 24.2% of the total break points,respectively. The regionally averaged annual homogeneous SST series from the 26 stations shows a warming trend(0.19°C per decade). This result is consistent with that based on the homogenized annual mean SAT at the same region(0.22°C per decade), while the regionally averaged mean original SST series from the same stations shows a much weaker warming of 0.09°C per decade for 1960–2015. This finding suggests that the effects of artificial change points on the result of trend analysis are remarkable, and the warming rate from original SST observations since 1960 may be underestimated. Thus a high quality homogenized observation is crucial for robust detection and assessment of regional climate change. Furthermore, the trends of the seasonal mean homogenized SST were also analyzed. This work confirmed that there was an asymmetric seasonal temperature trends in the Chinese coastal water in the past decades, with the largest warming rate occurring in winter. At last,the significant warming in winter and its relationships to the variability of three large-scale atmospheric modes were investigated.     

On the features of the SST annual cycle and surface heat budget in the South China Sea

The annual cycle in the ocean and atmosPhere system 15 the important signal of the climatic variabilities.Observed studies had indicated that the seasonal feature of the climatic system which 15 of an annual period 15 due to the seasonal variation of the solar radiation.Funher researches has shown that the formation and maintenance of the annual cycle of the thermal condition(situation)in the upper oceans are the results of both dynamical and thermal processes which both are involved in air-sea interaction.Since researches on the large-scale air-sea interaction were Propoed,sea surface temperature(SST)has always been the primary object to observe,study and predict by the scientists.     

2000-2008年期间南海海面温度的年际与空间变异

通过对2000-2008年更高空间分辨率的南海海面温度(SST)的卫星遥感数据进行经验正交函数(EOF)分析,着重研究21世纪以来整个南海海域SST年际变化的时空变异,并探讨了其与南海海面风场和海面高度的关系,以及期间南海发生的两次负异常事件的特点和成因.SST年际变化的第一模态表现为全海盆同相变化,年际振荡主要发生在...     

大气低层风场对南海海温的影响及其与季风的关系

利用1960-1999年月平均海表温度资料和大气低层风场资料,分析了南海海表温度与局地风场之间的关系及其季节变化特征,讨论了局地风场对南海海温的影响与季风的联系.结果表明,南海海表温度异常与局地风场异常之间的关系具有明显的季节变化特征,南海海表温度异常在夏季与纬向风异常呈明显的负相关,在冬季与经向风异常呈明显的正相关,这种季节变化与东亚季风特性(即盛行风存在明显的季节变化)密切相关.为南海海表温度监测预测提供气候背景,从而也解释了过去在大气低层风速与南海海表温度异常相关性方面不同研究结果存在差异的原因.     

南海海域浮游植物叶绿素与海表温度季节变化特征分析

利用 SeaWiFS卫星遥感叶绿素质量浓度及TRMM微波遥感海表温度产品,研究了南海海表叶绿素a的季节变化特征及其同海表温度的关系。研究结果表明,南海叶绿素质量浓度具有很强的季节变化:通常低叶绿素质量浓度(<0.12 mg. m^-3)出现在弱风、高海表温度(>28 °C)的春、夏季节;高叶绿素质量浓度(>0.13 mg·m^-3)出现在有较强风速和较低海表温度(<27 °C)的冬季。线性回归分析显示,南海叶绿素质量浓度同海表温度呈显著负相关关系。尽管在南海南部、南海中部、南海西部及吕宋西北部4个代表子区域的显著性有所差异,但都暗示温度变化所反映的垂向层化调控了营养盐质量浓度和浮游植物量变化。可见,温度可能是影响海洋上层稳定程度及垂向交换强度的重要指标,从而可能调控营养盐及浮游植物的变化。     

卫星遥感南海海表面日增温的时空变化特征

利用搭载在Aqua和Terra卫星上的MODIS(moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer)、AMSR-E(advanced microwave scanning radiometer for the earth observing system)传感器测量反演的昼夜海表温度(SST),计算海表面日增温(sea surface diurnal warming),分析南海海表面日增温的短期和年变动特征。受观测平台过境时间、传感器测量SST方式、反演算法等影响,MODIS/Aqua计算的日增温幅度略大于AMSR-E/Aqua和MODIS/Terra,但在表征南海海表面日增温的时空分布特征以及变化趋势上三者并未见显著性差异。南海海表面日增温在时间分布上以冬季为最小,春季为最大;在空间分布上则是南部海域大于中部和北部海域,东部海域大于西部海域。春夏之交的吕宋海峡西北部尤其容易发生日增温事件。海表面日增温与太阳辐射、风速、云量等影响有关,其中风速与海表面日增温显著负相关。     

Bias correction of sea surface temperature retrospective fore-casts in the South China Sea

Offline bias correction of numerical marine forecast products is an effective post-processing means to improve forecast accuracy. Two offline bias correction methods for sea surface temperature(SST) forecasts have been developed in this study: a backpropagation neural network(BPNN) algorithm, and a hybrid algorithm of empirical orthogonal function(EOF) analysis and BPNN(named EOF-BPNN). The performances of these two methods are validated using bias correction experiments implemented in the South...     

南海海域浮游植物叶绿素与海表温度季节变化特征分析

利用 Sea WiFS卫星遥感叶绿素质量浓度及TRMM微波遥感海表温度产品, 研究了南海海表叶绿素a的季节变化特征及其同海表温度的关系。研究结果表明, 南海叶绿素质量浓度具有很强的季节变化:通常低叶绿素质量浓度(<0.12 mg·m^-3)出现在弱风高海表温度(>28°C)的春、夏季节;高叶绿素质量浓度(>0.13 mg·m^-3)通常出现在有较强风速和较低海表温度(<27°C)的冬季。线性回归分析显示, 南海叶绿素质量浓度同海表温度呈显著负相关。尽管在南海南部、南海中部、南海西部及吕宋西北部4个代表子区域的显著性有所差异, 但都暗示温度变化所反映的垂向层化调控了营养盐质量浓度和浮游植物量变化。可见, 温度可能是影响海洋上层稳定程度及垂向交换强度的重要指标, 从而可能调控营养盐及浮游植物的变化。     

南海表层水温年循环的数值模拟

本文采用一个非线性约化重力海洋模式对南海表层水温(SST)年循环过程进行了数值研究,探讨了南海表层水温年循环形成和维持的动力学和热力学机制·模拟结果表现出与观测分析相一致的年循环变化阶段性和空间结构,并发现南海SST年循环的阶段性是海面动力强迫和热力强迫共同作用的结果;南海上层海洋的热力平衡有着明显的季节特征.     

Trends of sea surface wind energy over the South China Sea

Studies on climate change typically consider temperature and precipitation over extended periods but less so the wind. We used the Cross-Calibrated Multi-Platform (CCMP) 24-year wind fi eld data set to investigate the trends of wind energy over the South China Sea during 1988-2011. The results reveal a clear trend of increase in wind power density for each of three base statistics (i.e., mean, 90 th percentile and 99 th percentile) in all seasons and for annual means. The trends of wind power density showed obvious temporal and spatial variations. The magnitude of the trends was greatest in winter, intermediate in spring, and smallest in summer and autumn. A greater trend of increase was found in the northern areas of the South China Sea than in southern parts. The magnitude of the annual and seasonal trends over the South China Sea was larger in extreme high events (i.e., 90 th and 99 th percentiles) compared to the mean conditions. Sea surface temperature showed a negative correlation with the variability of wind power density over the majority of the South China Sea in all seasons and annual means, except for winter (41.7%).     

南海岛礁周边海域表面叶绿素浓度的时空特征

南海海域内岛礁众多, 渔业资源丰富, 而目前针对岛礁周边海区生态要素开展的研究仍较少。本文利用近20年多卫星融合水色遥感数据, 分析了南海38个主要岛礁周边区域海面叶绿素浓度的空间分布、季节变化和年际变化特征。结果表明, 岛礁周边普遍存在叶绿素浓度高值区, 其浓度约在离岛礁5个等效半径外降至海区背景水平。岛礁周边海域的叶绿素(相对于背景值的)浓度异常受海区背景值影响, 两者在南海的空间分布格局与背景值基本一致: 在平均温度较低、季风强度较大的东沙、西沙海区, 叶绿素浓度异常高于温度较高、季风强度相对较弱的中沙、南沙海区。叶绿素浓度呈现出明显的季节变化和年际变化特征, 一般在冬季风期间升高, 而在夏季风爆发前降至最低; 在El Ni?o次年随海温升高和季风减弱而下降, 在La Ni?a次年则相反。岛礁周边的叶绿素浓度异常受到温度变化的影响, 随着近年来海温变化幅度加大, 其年均水平呈显著下降趋势(P=5.05×10 ^-5)。这些结果可为我国岛礁区域渔业资源的开发和管理提供信息支持。