Effects of mesoscale eddies on the internal solitary wave propagation

The mesoscale eddy and internal wave both are phenomena commonly observed in oceans. It is aimed to investigate how the presence of a mesoscale eddy in the ocean affects wave form deformation of the internal solitary wave propagation. An ocean eddy is produced by a quasi-geostrophic model in f-plane, and the one-dimensional nonlinear variable-coefficient extended Korteweg-de Vries (eKdV) equation is used to simulate an internal solitary wave passing through the mesoscale eddy field. The results suggest that the mode structures of the linear internal wave are modified due to the presence of the mesoscale eddy field. A cyclonic eddy and an anticyclonic eddy have different influences on the background environment of the internal solitary wave propagation. The existence of a mesoscale eddy field has almost no prominent impact on the propagation of a smallamplitude internal solitary wave only based on the first mode vertical structure, but the mesoscale eddy background field exerts a considerable influence on the solitary wave propagation if considering high-mode vertical structures. Furthermore, whether an internal solitary wave first passes through anticyclonic eddy or cyclonic eddy, the deformation of wave profiles is different. Many observations of solitary internal waves in the real oceans suggest the formation of the waves. Apart from topography effect, it is shown that the mesoscale eddy background field is also a considerable factor which influences the internal solitary wave propagation and deformation.     

A study of internal solitary waves observed on the continental shelf in the northwestern South China Sea

Based on in-situ time series data from the acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) and thermistor chain in Wenchang area, a sequence of internal solitary wave (ISW) packets was observed in September 2005, propagating northwest on the continental shelf of the northwestern South China Sea (SCS). Corresponding to different stratification of the water column and tidal condition, both elevation and depression ISWs were observed at the same mooring location with amplitude of 35 m and 25 m respectively in different days. Regular arrival of the remarkable ISW packets at approximately the diurnal tidal period and the dominance of diurnal internal waves in the study area, strongly suggest that the main energy source of the waves is the diurnal tide. Notice that the wave packets were all riding on the troughs and shoulders of the internal tides, they were probably generated locally from the shelf break by the evolution of the internal tides due to nonlinear and dispersive effects.     

南海东北部内潮的模态结构和传播

The evolution of energy, energy flux and modal structure of the internal tides(ITs) in the northeastern South China Sea is examined using the measurements at two moorings along a cross-slope section from the deep continental slope to the shallow continental shelf. The energy of both diurnal and semidiurnal ITs clearly shows a～14-day spring-neap cycle, but their phases lag that of barotropic tides, indicating that ITs are not generated on the continental slope. Observations of internal tidal energy flux suggest that they may be generated at the Luzon Strait and propagate west-northwest to the continental slope in the northwestern SCS. Because the continental slope is critical-supercritical with respect to diurnal ITs, about 4.6 kJ/m~2 of the incident energy and 8.7 kW/m of energy flux of diurnal ITs are reduced from the continental slope to the continental shelf. In contrast, the semidiurnal internal tides enter the shelf because of the sub-critical topography with respect to semidiurnal ITs.From the continental slope to the shelf, the vertical structure of diurnal ITs shows significant variation, with dominant Mode 1 on the deep slope and dominant higher modes on the shelf. On the contrary, the vertical structure of the semidiurnal ITs is stable, with dominant Mode 1.     

南海北部陆坡区内孤立波的垂向热量输送

An integrated analysis of internal solitary wave(ISW) observations obtained from two moorings over the continental slope in the northern South China Sea(SCS) leads to an assessment of the vertical heat transport of the ISWs. The clusters of ISW packets are phase-locked to the fortnightly cycle of the semidiurnal tide. The ISWs appear during large semidiurnal tides, and there is a period of 5–6 d when no ISWs are observed. The effect of the ISWs on the continental slope heat budget is observed. The ISWs can modify a local temperature field in which the temperature in the upper layer can be changed by O(100) °C after the ISWs passed the mooring. Both ISWinduced diffusion and ISW-induced advection contribute to the temperature variation. The estimates imply an average vertical heat flux of 0.01 to 0.1 MW/m~2 in the ISWs in the upper 500 m of the water column. The vertical heat transport ranges from 0.56 to 2.83 GJ/m~2 with a mean value of 1.63 GJ/m~2. The observations suggest that the vertical heat transport is proportional to the maximum vertical displacement.     

东海南部海域夏秋季沿岸流特征

Current characteristics and vertical variations during summer and autumn in the southern East China Sea were investigated by measuring current profile, tide, wind, and wave data for 90 d from July 28 to October 25, 2015. Our results are:(1) The current was mainly a(clockwise) rotating flow, displaying reciprocating flow characteristics,and vertically the current directions were the same throughout the vertical profile.(2) The horizontal current speed was strongest during August(summer) with an average speed of 51.8 cm/s. The average current speeds during spring tides were highest in August and weakest in September, with speeds of 59.9 and 42.8 cm/s,respectively.(3) Considerable differences exist in average current speeds in different layers and seasons. The highest average current speeds were found in the middle–upper layers in August and in the middle–lower layers in September and October.(4) The residual current speed was highest in August, when the speed was 12.5–47.1 cm/s,whereas the vertical average current speed was 34.3 cm/s. The depth-averaged residual current speeds in September and October were only 50% of that in August, and the residual current direction gradually rotated in a counter-clockwise direction from the lower to surface layers.(5) Typhoon waves had a significant influence on the currents, and even affected the middle and lower water layers at depths of >70.0 m. Our results showed that the currents are controlled by the dynamic interplay of the Taiwan Warm Current, incursion of the Kuroshio Current onto the continental shelf, and monsoonal changes.     

A possible generation mechanism of the strong current over the northwestern shelf of the South China Sea

Continuous observation in late April 2005 on the northwestern shelf of the South China Sea reveals vigorous strong currents, the maximum velocity of which exceeds 3.8 m/s. The strong currents occurred around spring tide period, when the internal tide waves were also expected to be vigorous. Analysis shows that the major peaks of the current power spectrum are in low frequency band. Using a numerical method applied to the actual ocean stratification, we find that the amplitude profiles of the strong current are similar to that of the currents induced by some low-mode internal waves (at diurnal or semi-diurnal frequency). It indicates that the temporal and spatial features of strong currents were possibly induced by low frequency internal waves.     

Study of the propagation direction of the internal waves in the South China Sea using satellite images

Internal wave propagation carries considerable vertical shear which can lead to turbulence and mixing. Based on the analysis of more than 2 500 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and optical satellite images, the internal wave propagation in the whole South China Sea was investigated systematically. The results show that (1) in the northeastern South China Sea, most internal waves propagate westward from the Luzon Strait and are diffracted by coral reefs near the Dongsha Islands. Some impinge onto the shelf and a few are reflected; (2) in the northwestern South China Sea, most internal waves are generated at the shelf and propagate northwestward or westward to the coast; (3) in the western South China Sea, most internal waves propagate westward to the Vietnamese coast, except a few propagate southward to the deep sea; and (4) in the southern South China Sea, most internal waves propagate southwestward to the coast. Some propagate southeastward to the coast of Kalimantan Island, and a few propagate southeastward because of the influence of the Mekong River.     

A 2D-numerical modeling of the generation and propagation of internal solitary waves in the Luzon Strait

The wide presence of internal solitary waves (ISWs) in the northern South China Sea (SCS) has been confirmed by both Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images and in situ observations. These ISWs are believed being generated over the varying topography in the Luzon Strait. They typically propagate westwards into the SCS with a diurnal or semidiurnal period. Their generation sites are, however, not yet solidly identified. To obtain a clear picture of the ISWs, we designed numerical experiments to analyze the generation and propagation of the ISWs in the Luzon Strait using a 2-dimensional non-hydrostatic model. The model current is forced by barotropic or baroclinic currents imposed at open boundaries. The experiments show that the tidal current serves as a kind of triggering force for the ISWs over the submarine ridges in the strait. Under the forcing of tidal currents, depressions are formed near the ridges. The ISWs then split from the depressions through a process different from lee-wave generation mechanism. The appearance of the ISWs is influenced by the strength and period of the forcing current:the ISWs are more likely to be generated by a stronger tidal current. That is why the ISWs in the Luzon Strait are frequently observed during spring tide. Compared with diurnal tidal current, the ISWs generated by semidiurnal tidal current with the same amplitude is much more energetic. It is partly because that the wave beams in diurnal frequency have a larger angle with the vertical direction, thus are more likely to be reflected by the topography slope. The impact of the Kuroshio to the ISWs is also analyzed by adding a vertical uniform or shear current at boundaries. A vertically uniform current may generate ISWs directly. On the other hand, a vertically shear current, which is more realistic to represent the Kuroshio branch, seems to have little influence on the generation process and radiating direction of the ISWs in the Luzon Strait.     

Evolution of Interface Soliton over Topography

Several ray-type 1D and 2D KdV equations for two-layer stratified ocean with topographic effect are derived in detail in the present study.A simplified version of these equations,ray type 1D KdV equation,is used to calculate numerically the disintegration of initial interface soliton from the deep sea to the continental shelf.At the same time,a laboratory experiment is carried out in a 2D stratified flow and internal wave tank to examine the numerical results.A comparison of the numerical results with the experimental results shows that they are in good agreement.The numerical results also show that the ray-type KdV equation has high accuracy in describing the evolution of initial interface waves in shelf/slope regions.Form these results,it can be concluded that the fission process is a dominant generating mechanism of interface soliton packets on the continental shelf.     

The continental shelf wave of the East China Sea and its effect on the Kuroshio

The free shelf wave theory is applied to the practical case of the continental shelf in the East China Sea to analyse the effects of the shelf wave on the Kuroshio. The results indicate that the shelf wave in lower frequency travels from north to south and its phase velocity is proportional to the Kuroshio's current velocity) the maximum current velocity of the Kuroshio lies at the continental margin. The analytical solutions obtained indicate that the hydrodynamic characters of the sea region over the shelf present band structure. The horizontal motion ( x -component) caused by the shelf wave at the margin may be one of the causes for generating wavy pattern of the Kuroshio's axis .     

南海北部陆架区内孤立波向岸传播过程研究

南海北部是全球海洋中内孤立波最强和最为活跃的海域。然而,内孤立波在传入陆架区后,其形态发生显著变化,其传播演变过程表现出高度的复杂性。本研究综合卫星图像和数值模式手段研究了内孤立波在向岸传播过程中的空间变化特征。可见光卫星图像研究结果显示,南海北部陆架区存在三种形态的内孤立波,分别为第一模态下凹型内孤立波、第一模态上凸型内孤立波和第二模态内孤立波。受水深和层结变化的控制,它们的分布区域显著不同。基于MITgcm的数值模拟研究表明,上凸型内孤立波由第一模态下凹内孤立波经过极性转换过程发展而来,而第二模态内孤立波由第一模态下凹内孤立波与急剧变浅地形相互作用而产生。     

2009 年夏季东沙群岛附近内孤立波的现场观测

通过对东沙群岛附近2009年夏季测到的三个孤立波事件的分析, 结合现场的X 波段雷达、ADCP和CTD 观测, 发现内孤立波经过时, 伴有突发性强流, 最大水平东西分量U大于0.5 m/s, 周期大约15 min, 各深度层海流均为西向。第三个孤立波事件中, 雷达后向散射影像中包含至少4个亮条带, 其中最后的条带雷达表面信号最强。而内波表面信号强弱不仅与内波的振幅有关, 还可能与潮流、混合层深度等环境条件有关, 该研究可加深对内波遥感观测的理解。     

一个典型南海北部第二模态内孤立波的观测分析

第二模态内孤立波在海洋中极少被观测到。本文基于潜标高时空分辨率观测数据,对南海北部陆架区的一个典型第二模态内孤立波进行了分析。结果表明,该第二模态内孤立波的流核出现在135 m深度处,其最大水平流速为0.66 m/s,传播方向为西偏北58°。沿传播方向的内孤立波流速分布在80～170 m的深度范围内,而与传播方向相反的逆流出现在海表和海底附近。垂向模态分析表明,该第二模态内孤立波水平流速的垂向结构与理论结果吻合良好。能量计算结果显示其动能密度的垂向积分可达14 kJ/m2,而波峰线方向单位长度上的动能估算值为5.98 MJ/m。尽管该第二模态内孤立波的动能比陆架区第一模态内孤立波小1个量级,但其高达0.045 s-1的流速垂向剪切约为典型第一模态内孤立波的2倍,表明其导致的混合可能更强。     

2002年夏季广东陆架边缘上升流海域的内潮现象及其局地反馈初探

基于2002年夏季开展的"中国近海环流形成变异机理、数值预测方法及对环境的影响"观测项目获得的往复走航温盐流资料,结合同期的卫星观测(风、SST、海表动力高度)数据,初步探讨了粤东陆架边缘上升流区的内潮现象及其局地反馈特征.研究结果表明:粤东陆架边缘海域存在显著的、间歇性的相对低温海水的沿陆坡涌升现象,其中A航段的低温(18～23℃)海水涌升发生在约50～150m深度,B航段的低温(<18℃)海水涌升则主要位于150 m以深.由于观测期间海表风变化很小,而海洋涡旋在几周至几个月内相对稳定,并且研究海域涡旋对流场的影响似乎局限于75 m以浅的上层海洋,因而A、B航段的差异显然不能用海表风或海表动力高度变化来解释.进一步的分析表明粤东陆架边缘上升流区存在显著的内潮现象,尽管资料所限使得我们无法准确判定该内潮性质,往复走航海流剖面的确揭示了1阶和5阶内潮模的存在.内潮的不同模态极大地改变了上层海洋的热力和环流结构;低阶内潮模导致沿最大温度水平梯度处水温的剧烈垂向起伏(>30 m)以及跃层两侧的海流反向现象;高阶内潮模导致垂直陆坡方向水平流速的多次反向,强烈的流剪切可能与增强的混合联系在一起.导致低阶内潮模(A航段)向高阶内潮模(B航段)转变的原因可能是由于内潮特征线倾角与地形坡度比较接近而激发的"临界反射"效应.分析结果还表明,不同内潮模态导致的环流结构变异叠加在背景环流场之上,会显著影响粤东陆架边缘上升流的空间结构及强度.     

季节性层结对孤立内波作用于圆柱载荷的影响

On the basis of Morison＇s empirical formula and modal separation method in estimating the force and torque exerted by internal solitary waves （ISWs） on a cylindrical pile, it is found that the loads exerted by the ISWs change largely in different seasons at the same site of the continental shelf in the South China Sea （SCS） even under the condition that the amplitudes of ISWs are the same. Thus, the effect of a seasonal water stratification variation on the force and torque exerted by the ISWs is investigated, and a three-parameter stratification model is employed. It is shown that the loads exerted by the ISWs depend largely on the wa- ter stratification. The stronger the water stratification, the larger the force and the torque; when the depth where the maximum thermocline appears is deepened, the force decreases but the torque increases; when the width of the thermocline is narrowed, the force increases but the torque decreases. The seasonal varia- tion of the force and the torque exerted by the ISWs in four seasons in the SCS is thus explained. Key words： internal solitary waves, force, torque, water stratification, South China Sea     

Numerical study of enhanced energy dissipation near a seamount

Using a two-dimensional primitive equation model, we examine nonlinear responses of a semidiurnal tidal flow impinging on a seamount with a background Garrett-Munk-like (GM-like) internal wavefield. It is found that horizontally elongated pancake-like structures of high vertical wavenumber near-inertial current shear are created both in the near-field (the region over the slope of the seamount) and far-field (the region over the flat bottom of the ocean). An important distinction is that the high vertical wavenumber near-inertial current shear is amplified only at mid-latitudes in the far-field (owing to a parametric subharmonic instability (PSI)), whereas it is amplified both at mid-and high-latitudes (above the latitude where PSI can occur) in the near-field. In order to clarify the generating mechanism for the strong shear in the near-field, additional numerical experiments are carried out with the GM-like background internal waves removed. The experiments show that the strong shear is also created, indicating that it is not caused by the interaction between the background GM-like internal waves and the semidiurnal internal tides. One possible explanation is proposed for the amplification of high vertical wavenumber near-inertial current shear in the near-field where tide residual flow resulting from tide-topography interaction plays an important role in transferring energy from high-mode internal tides to near-inertial internal waves.