南海北部深水区东西构造差异性及其动力学机制

This paper overviews research progress in observation, theoretical analysis and numerical modeling of submesoscale dynamic processes in the South China Sea(SCS) particularly during recent five years. The submesoscale processes are defined according to both spatial and dynamic scales, and divided into four subcategories as submesoscale waves, submesoscale vortexes, submesoscale shelf processes, and submesoscale turbulence. The major new findings are as follows.(1) Systematic mooring observations provide new insights into the solitary waves(ISWs) and the typhoon-forced near-inertial waves(NIWs), of which a new type of ISWs with period of 23 h was observed in the northern SCS(NSCS), and the influences of background vorticity, summer monsoon onset, and deep meridional overturning circulation on the NIWs, as well as nonlinear wave-wave interaction between the NIWs and internal tides, are better understood. On the other hand, satellite altimeter sea surface height data are used to reveal the internal tide radiation patterns and provide solid evidence for that the ISWs in the northeastern SCS originate from the Luzon Strait.(2) Submesoscale offshore jets and associated vortex trains off the Vietnam coast in the western boundary of the SCS were observed from satellite chlorophyll concentration images. Spiral trains with the horizontal scale of 15–30 km and the spacing of 50–80 km were identified.(3) 3-D vertical circulation in the upwelling region east of Hainan Island was theoretically analyzed. The results show that distribution patterns of all the dynamic terms are featured by wave-like structures with horizontal wavelength scale of 20–40 km.(4) Numerical models have been used for the research of submesoscale turbulence. Submesoscale vertical pump of an anticyclonic eddy and the spatiotemporal features of submesoscale processes in the northeastern SCS are well modeled.     

南海东北部亚中尺度过程时空分布特征

基于高分辨率模型2009-2012年的模拟结果,本文对南海东北部亚中尺度过程的时空分布特征进行了研究。模拟结果表明,南海东北部上层广泛存在着相对涡度接近于局地行星涡度的亚中尺度过程。统计结果发现,亚中尺度过程的相对涡度的分布具有着明显的非对称性,即正涡度明显强于负涡度。这意味着相比于负涡度,具有正涡度的亚中尺度过程要更为活跃,而这主要是由离心不稳定导致。同时,亚中尺度过程在时间分布上表现出明显的冬强夏弱的季节变化特征。通过对该海区亚中尺度过程可能生成机制的分析发现,该季节变化与流场拉伸和混合层的厚度有着密切关系,冬季更强的流场拉伸和更深的混合层有利于通过锋生过程和混合层不稳定为亚中尺度过程生成提供更多的能量。     

High-resolution simulation of upper-ocean submesoscale variability in the South China Sea: Spatial and seasonal dynamical regimes

Submesoscale processes in marginal seas usually have complex generating mechanisms, highly dependent on the local background flow and forcing. This numerical study investigates the spatial and seasonal differences of submesoscale activities in the upper ocean of the South China Sea (SCS) and the different dynamical regimes for sub-regions. The spatial and seasonal variations of vertical vorticity, horizontal convergence, lateral buoyancy gradient, and strain rate are analyzed to compare the submesoscale phenomenon within four sub-regions, the northern region near the Luzon Strait (R1), the middle ocean basin (R2), the western SCS (R3), and the southern SCS (R4). The results suggest that the SCS submesoscale processes are highly heterogeneous in space, with different seasonalities in each sub-region. The submesoscale activities in the northern sub-regions (R1, R2) are active in winter but weak in summer, while there appears an almost seasonal anti-phase in the western region (R3) compared to R1 and R2. Interestingly, no clear seasonality of submesoscale features is shown in the southern region (R4). Further analysis of Ertel potential vorticity reveals different generating mechanisms of submesoscale processes in different sub-regions. Correlation analyses also show the vertical extent of vertical velocity and the role of monsoon in generating submesoscale activities in the upper ocean of sub-regions. All these results suggest that the sub-regions have different regimes for submesoscale processes, e.g., Kuroshio intrusion (R1), monsoon modulation (R2), frontal effects (R3), topography wakes (R4).     

南海上层海洋次中尺度过程空间差异和季节变化特征

南海是西太平洋最大的边缘海, 由于受季风影响显著以及北部海域的黑潮入侵, 其动力环境复杂多变, 次中尺度过程丰富, 且在空间上和时间上存在多变性。文章基于高分辨率数值模式的结果, 通过对次中尺度动力参数的分析, 对比讨论了南海北部、中部、西部和南部海域4个典型子区域上层海洋次中尺度过程的空间差异、季节变化、影响深度、影响因素等问题。研究发现各区域季节性变化特征和机制有所不同: 北部海域受冬季风和黑潮入侵影响, 冬季次中尺度的混合层不稳定较强; 中部海域同样表现为“冬强夏弱”; 西部海域受夏季风影响显著, 夏季次中尺度过程更为活跃; 而南部海域主要受岛屿地形影响较大, 容易产生地形尾涡, 季节性特征不明显。统计分析表明, 次中尺度过程往往表现出强正相对涡度与高应变特征, 在表层更容易出现负位涡, 流体稳定性较差。此外, 文章从能量学角度对次中尺度过程的主要能量来源、控制因素等进行了讨论。     

南海西部夏季上升流锋面的次中尺度特征分析

利用卫星遥感资料和区域海洋数值模式ROMS(regional ocean modeling system)高分辨率数值模拟结果, 对南海西部夏季上升流锋面的次中尺度特征及其非地转过程进行了探讨。高分辨率卫星遥感观测和数值模拟结果显示, 南海西部夏季锋面海域存在活跃的次中尺度现象, 其水平尺度约为1~10km, 且具有O(1)罗斯贝数(Rossby number, Ro)的典型次中尺度动力学特征。进一步的诊断分析表明, 在夏季西南风的驱动下, 沿锋面射流方向的风应力(down-front wind stress)引起的跨锋面埃克曼输运有利于将海水由锋面冷水侧向暖水侧输运, 减小了锋面海域的垂向层结和Ertel位涡, 加剧了锋面的不稳定, 并形成跨锋面的垂向次级环流。高分辨率模拟结果显示, 锋面海域最大垂向流速可达100m?d ^-1, 显著增强了上层海洋的垂向物质交换。因此, 活跃在锋面海域的次中尺度过程可能是增强南海西部上升流海域垂向物质交换的重要贡献者。     

南海西部风驱离岸急流次中尺度锋面的动力学分析

本文利用卫星观测资料和500 m分辨率数值模拟结果,结合理论分析,对南海西部夏季风场驱动的离岸急流海域次中尺度锋面及其不稳定对背景流场的动力学影响进行了研究。卫星观测和模拟结果表明,南海西部（WSCS）存在侧向尺度为O（1-10）km的次中尺度锋面,在地转和非地转运动的共同作用下,次中尺度密度锋面具有一阶Rossby（Ro）和Richardson（Ri）数。锋面诊断结果显示,沿锋面急流方向的风场强迫引起了显著的跨锋面Ekman净输送,有效地在跨锋面方向将表层冷水平流输送至暖水侧,导致海表浮力损失。减弱的垂向层结和增强的水平浮力梯度使得锋面海域出现负Ertel位涡（PV）,表明该密度锋面易受次中尺度对称不稳定（SI）的影响。次中尺度锋面不稳定引起的跨锋面次级环流能够显著增强垂向速度,其最大值可达100 m·d^-1。能量评估结果表明,次中尺度湍流的两个主要能量源,即地转剪切项（GSP）和垂向浮力通量（BFLUX）在锋面海域显著增强表明在沿锋面急流方向的风场强迫作用下,大尺度地转流的地转剪切动能和锋面有效位能能有效地通过锋面不稳定向次中尺度过程传递。因此,次中尺度锋面及其不稳定有助于增强局地垂向交换和正向串级地转能量,可以为夏季WSCS高叶绿素浓度的相干结构和锋面地转能量的正向传递提供新的动力解释。     

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.     

Seasonal variability of tropical cyclones generated over the South China Sea

The seasonal variability of tropical cyclones (CTCs) generated over the South China Sea (SCS) from 1948 to 2003 is analyzed. It peaks in occurrence in August and few generate in late winter (from January to March). The seasonal activity is attributed to the variability of atmosphere and ocean environments associated with the monsoon system. It is found that the monsoonal characteristics of the SCS basically determine the region of tropical cyclone (TC) genesis in each month.     

南海北部东沙岛附近海洋底层流场特征及时间变化规律

Near-bottom currents play important roles in the formation and dynamics of deep-water sedimentary systems.This study examined the characteristics and temporal variations of near-bottom currents, especially the tidal components, based on two campaigns(2014 and 2016) of in situ observations conducted southeast of the Dongsha Island in the South China Sea. Results demonstrated near-bottom currents are dominated by tidal currents, the variance of which could account for ～70% of the total current variance. Diurnal tidal currents were found stronger than semidiurnal currents for both barotropic and baroclinic components. The diurnal tidal currents were found polarized with predominantly clockwise-rotating constituents, whereas the clockwise and counterclockwise constituents were found comparable for semidiurnal tidal currents. It was established that diurnal tidal currents could induce strong current shear. Baroclinic tidal currents showed pronounced seasonal variation with large magnitude in winter and summer and weak magnitude in spring and autumn in 2014. The coherent components accounted for ～65% and ～50% of the diurnal and semidiurnal tidal current variances,respectively. The proportions of the coherent and incoherent components changed little in different seasons. In addition to tidal currents, it was determined that the passing of mesoscale eddies could induce strong nearbottom currents that have considerable influence on the deep circulation.     

南海表层水温年际变化的大尺度特征

通过对COADS海洋气象资料的分析,得出南海表层水温(SST)年际变化的若干大尺度特征.结果表明:南海SST年际具有一定的准周期性,其显著周期为24～30个月;南海SST年际变化与年循环之间有着一种锁相关系,关键位相在于北半球冬春季节;南海典型冷暖年份合成SST距平场的时空结构十分相似;在年际时间尺度上,南海SST和南方涛动指数有反相关系,与经向风海面热收支之间有同位相关系;南海暖池面积指数的年际变化与南海SST年际变化一致.     

Submesoscale-enhanced filaments and frontogenetic mechanism within mesoscale eddies of the South China Sea

Submesoscale activity in the upper ocean has received intense studies through simulations and observations in the last decade, but in the eddy-active South China Sea (SCS) the fine-scale dynamical processes of submesoscale behaviors and their potential impacts have not been well understood. This study focuses on the elongated filaments of an eddy field in the northern SCS and investigates submesoscale-enhanced vertical motions and the underlying mechanism using satellite-derived observations and a high-resolution (~500 m) simulation. The satellite images show that the elongated highly productive stripes with a typical lateral scale of ~25 km and associated filaments are frequently observed at the periphery of mesoscale eddies. The diagnostic results based on the 500 m-resolution realistic simulation indicate that these submesoscale filaments are characterized by cross-filament vertical secondary circulations with an increased vertical velocity reaching O(100 m/d) due to submesoscale instabilities. The vertical advections of secondary circulations drive a restratified vertical buoyancy flux along filament zones and induce a vertical heat flux up to 110 W/m2. This result implies a significant submesoscale-enhanced vertical exchange between the ocean surface and interior in the filaments. Frontogenesis that acts to sharpen the lateral buoyancy gradients is detected to be conducive to driving submesoscale instabilities and enhancing secondary circulations through increasing the filament baroclinicity. The further analysis indicates that the filament frontogenesis detected in this study is not only derived from mesoscale straining of the eddy, but also effectively induced by the subsequent submesoscale straining due to ageostrophic convergence. In this context, these submesoscale filaments and associated frontogenetic processes can provide a potential interpretation for the vertical nutrient supply for phytoplankton growth in the high-productive stripes within the mesoscale eddy, as well as enhanced vertical heat transport.     

南海东北海域海面高度的多尺度变异

利用8a的TOPEX/Poseidon高度计资料,采用小波分析方法,研究南海东北部海域海面高度的多尺度变异.研究得出,南海东北部海域的海面高度变化主要受3个不同时间尺度因素的影响,其中最强的是季节变化(V_a)的影响,其周期范围为0.60～1.20a,它主要与海面高度的年循环相联系;其次是周期在0.17～0.45a(即2～5个月)的变化(V₂₅)的影响,它主要与中尺度时间周期引起的海面高度变化相联系.较小的一个因素是周期在1 50～5 00a的年际变化(V_i)的影响,它主要与El Niño事件引起的海面高度变化相联系.分析表明对8a平均而言,海面高度变化所引起的能量偏差V₂₅的高值区主要分布在吕宋海峡以西海域,在1995,1996和1999年出现最大值;偏差V_a的高值区分布在吕宋岛西北海域,在1995年出现最大值;年际偏差V_i的高值区位于台湾的西南海域,在1997～1998年El Niño事件期间达到最大.     

南海北部的春季流场季节内变异个例分析

在南海北部,与中尺度涡相关的季节内变异特征十分显著,通过比较不同时期流场的季节内变异特征,有助于揭示不同动力不稳定中尺度涡对季节内活动的影响。本文以南海北部2009年春季和2020年春季为例,分析了两个时期中尺度涡的动力不稳定性,从而探究季节内变异特征。基于潜标实测流速数据,本文进行了动能谱分析,结果显示这两个时期的流场季节内变异具有相似特征,显著周期分别为10～60 d和30～90 d。季节内信号主要出现在200 m以上的上表层水域,其中30～90 d的季节内流是对应观测期间的主要季节内成分。滞后回归分析和动力不稳定性的计算表明,2009年春季的季节内变异受移动快但强度弱的表层中尺度涡影响,动力不稳定性由斜压不稳定和正压不稳定共同调制;而2020年春季的季节内变异是受强斜压性的中尺度涡影响,通过流速垂向切变增强,从而较快地触发流场季节内变异的发生。本文研究结果有助于深入了解中尺度涡对南海北部季节内活动的影响机制,为海洋动力学和气候研究提供了重要的参考和理论基础。     

Interannual variability of the Kuroshio intrusion in the South China Sea

The interannual variability of intrusions of the Kuroshio into the South China Sea (SCS) is investigated using satellite remote sensing data supported by in-situ measurements. The mesoscale circulation of the SCS is predominantly wind-forced by the northeast winter and southwest summer monsoons. Although the region has been studied extensively, considerable uncertainty remains about the annual and interannual mesoscale nature of the circulation. The frequency and characteristics of Kuroshio intrusions and their effect on circulation patterns in the northeast SCS are also not well understood. Satellite observations of Sea Surface Temperature (SST) from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and Sea Surface Height Anomalies (SSHA) from TOPEX/ Poseidon for the period 1997–2005 are used here to analyze the annual and interannual variability in Kuroshio intrusions and their effects on the region. Analysis of SST and SSHA shows the formation and characteristics of intrusions vary considerably each year. Typically, the intrusion occurs in the central region of Luzon Strait and results in an anticyclonic circulation in the northeastern SCS. However, in some years, the intrusion is located in the northern portion of Luzon Strait and a cyclonic intrusion results. Wind stress and wind stress curl derived from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) QuikSCAT satellite scatterometer are used to evaluate the relationship between wind stress or wind stress curl and the presence of winter Kuroshio intrusions into the SCS.     

1998年春夏南海温盐结构及其变化特征

利用1998年5～8月“南海季风试验”期间“科学1”号和“实验3”号科学考察船两个航次CTD资料,分析了1998年南海夏季风暴发前后南海主要断面的温盐结构及其变化特征.观测发现,南海腹地基本被典型的南海水团所控制,但在南海东北部尤其是吕宋海峡附近,表层和次表层水明显受到西太平洋水的影响.季风暴发以后,南海北部表面温度有显著升高,升幅由西向东递减,而南海中部和南部表面温度基本没变,这使得南海北部东西向温度梯度和整个海盆南北向温度梯度均减小.北部断面表层盐度普遍由34以上降低到34以下,混合层均有所发展,是季风暴发后降水和风力加剧的结果.观测期间黑潮水跨越吕宋海峡的迹象明显但变化剧烈.4～5月,黑潮次表层水除在吕宋海峡中北部出现外,在吕宋岛以西亦有发现,表明有部分黑潮水从吕宋海峡南端沿岸向西进而向南进入南海.6～7月,次表层高盐核在吕宋海峡中北部有极大发展,但在吕宋岛以西却明显萎缩;虽然看上去黑潮水以更强的流速进、出南海,但对南海腹地动力热力结构的影响未必更大.一个超过34.55的表层高盐水体于巴拉望附近被发现,似与通过巴拉望两侧水道入侵南海的西太平洋水有关.     

High-frequency atmospheric variability over South China Sea as depicted by TRMM and QuikSCAT

By using the TRMM and QuikSCAT datathe characteristics of the 2–8 day high frequency atmospheric variability over the South China Sea are studied in this paper.It’s found that: (1) the 2–8 day high frequency signals are significant not only during the periods of the South China Sea Summer Monsoon (SCSSM),but also after the retreat of the SCSSM.It reaches its peak around July to August;(2) the 2–8 day high frequency signals exhibit strong intermittent features;(3) During El Nino years,the 2–8 day high freque...     

南海中尺度涡强度的季节和年际变化分析

为了研究南海中尺度涡强度的季节和年际变化规律,利用Matlab提取50 a(1958~2007年)简单海洋资料同化(Simple Ocean Data Assimilation,SODA)月平均数据集中流场和海表面高度场数据,应用一个涡旋自动探测算法对南海中尺度涡初始生成位置进行分析,并分析了海表面高度异常均方根值的季节变化和年际变化。结果表明:50 a里南海中尺度涡主要分布在吕宋岛西北海域、吕宋岛西南海域和越南以东广大海域,秋、冬季中尺度涡能量较高,春季中尺度涡最弱,中尺度涡强度高值区年际变化明显。从季节变化上看,海面高度异常均方根春、夏季最小,秋冬季最大;从年际变化上看,与同时期Nino3指数有显著负相关,周期大约为3 a。     

南海名浅考

根据历史文献分析,已知南海海名最早出现于周宣王（827BC--782BC在位）时的《江汉》诗中。秦汉之间214BC—111BC时著的《山海经·海内东经》篇,记述了现时广东省三水和广州以南地区当时为海,称南海。这可从《史记》和《汉书》的记述,以及现代珠江三角洲的考古学、第四纪地质学和河口演变的研究成果所证实。南海古时别名涨海,明清时期外国人称为大明海和大清海。清朝以来,外国人把它翻译成（或称作）英文“South China Sea”,而近代某些中国人再把这个英文名词直译成汉文“南中国海”,忽视“南海”固有的中文名称。民国和中华人民共和国政府先后出版的地图和其他正式出版物,皆只用“南海”名。     

Ekman抽吸对南海海面升高变化的贡献

利用NECP海表风场资料和T/P卫星高度计资料,研究风场通过Ekman抽吸对南海海面升高变化的贡献。通过分析发现:对于南海200 m以深区域的平均海面升高的变化,Ekman抽吸在1月和2月份起到主要作用,其他月份和海面升高变化反号。在年际尺度上,Ekman抽吸的EOF第二模态对海面高度的第一模态具有紧密的联系。     

基于多源融合卫星高度计观测数据的南海海浪有效波高的季节变化研究

The seasonal variability of the significant wave height(SWH) in the South China Sea(SCS) is investigated using the most up-to-date gridded daily altimeter data for the period of September 2009 to August 2015. The results indicate that the SWH shows a uniform seasonal variation in the whole SCS, with its maxima occurring in December/January and minima in May. Throughout the year, the SWH in the SCS is the largest around Luzon Strait(LS) and then gradually decreases southward across the basin. The surface wind speed has a similar seasonal variation, but with different spatial distributions in most months of the year. Further analysis indicates that the observed SWH variations are dominated by swell. The wind sea height, however, is much smaller. It is the the largest in two regions southwest of Taiwan Island and southeast of Vietnam Coast during the northeasterly monsoon, while the largest in the central/southern SCS during the southwesterly monsoon. The extreme wave condition also experiences a significant seasonal variation. In most regions of the northern and central SCS, the maxima of the 99 th percentile SWH that are larger than the SWH theoretically calculated with the wind speed for the fully developed seas mainly appear in August–November, closely related to strong tropical cyclone activities.Compared with previous studies, it is also implied that the wave climate in the Pacific Ocean plays an important role in the wave climate variations in the SCS.