Eddy Shedding from the Kuroshio Bend at Luzon Strait

TOPEX/POSEDIENT-ERS satellite altimeter data along with the mean state from the Parallel Ocean Climate Model result have been used to investigate the variation of Kuroshio intrusion and eddy shedding at Luzon Strait during 1992–2001. The Kuroshio penetrates into the South China Sea and forms a bend. The Kuroshio bend varies with time, periodically shedding anticyclonic eddies. Criteria of eddy shedding are identified: 1) When the shedding event occurs, there are usually two centers of high Sea Surface Height (SSH) together with negative geostrophic vorticity in the Kuroshio Bend (KB) area. 2) Between the two centers of high SSH there usually exists positive geostrophic vorticity. These criteria have been used to determine the eddy shedding times and locations. The most frequent eddy shedding intervals are 70, 80 and 90 days. In both the winter and summer monsoon period, the most frequent locations are 119.5°E and 120°E, which means that the seasonal variation of eddy shedding location is unclear.     

谱松弛动力降尺度方法及其在吕宋海峡黑潮模拟中的应用

本文采用区域高分辨率海洋数值模型,将谱松弛动力降尺度方法应用于吕宋海峡及其邻近区域,对吕宋海峡黑潮流径的流型特征进行模拟与分析。实验结果显示,应用谱松弛法能够较好地改善区域模型的模拟效果：通过约束大尺度误差,不仅能直接约束区域内的大尺度海洋状态,也间接调整了小尺度过程的演变规律,改善了吕宋海峡黑潮流径的模拟效果。     

黑潮流轴在吕宋海峡的变化分析

黑潮在流经吕宋海峡时呈现各种时间尺度的流态变化。本文基于高分辨率的区域海洋环流模式(ROMS)输出数据,分析了黑潮主流轴在吕宋海峡附近的变化特征和可能原因。研究结果表明,黑潮流轴在该区域具有明显的年际、季节和季节内变化,其中季节内变化最为强烈;在年际和季节时间尺度上,黑潮流轴在表层主要受局地风驱动的艾克曼漂流的影响,而在次表层则主要由黑潮本身的惯性决定;在季节内时间尺度上,黑潮流轴的变化主要受制于涡旋与黑潮的相互作用。     

Primary Study of the Mechanism of Eddy Shedding from the Kuroshio Bend in Luzon Strait

The mechanism of the anticyclonic eddy's shedding from the Kuroshio bend in Luzon Strait has been studied using a nonlinear 2 1/2 layer model, in a domain including the North Pacific and South China Sea. The model is forced by steady zonal wind in the North Pacific. Energy analysis is adopted to detect the mechanism of the eddy shedding. Twelve experiments with unique changes of wind forcing speed (to obtain different Kuroshio transports at Luzon Strait) were performed to examine the relationship between the Kuroshio transport (KT) and the eddy shedding events. In the reference experiment with KT of 22.7 Sv (forced with zonal wind idealized from the annual mean wind stress from the COADS data set), the interval of eddy shedding is 70 days and the shed eddy centers at (20°N, 117.5°E). When the Kuroshio bend extends westward, the southern cyclonic perturbation grows so rapidly as to form a cyclonic eddy (18.5°N, 120.5°E) because of the frontal instability in the south of the Kuroshio bend. In the evolution of the cyclonic eddy, it cleaves the Kuroshio bend and triggers the separation of the anticyclonic eddy. In statistical terms, anticyclonic eddy shedding occurs only when KT fluctuates within a moderate range, between 21 Sv and 28 Sv. When the KT is larger than 28 Sv, a stronger frontal instability south of the Kuroshio bend tends to generate a cyclonic eddy of size similar to the width of the Luzon Strait. The bigger cyclonic eddy prevents the Kuroshio bend from extending into the SCS and does not lead to eddy shedding. On the other hand, when the KT decreases to less than 21 Sv, the frontal instability south of the Kuroshio bend is so weak that the size of corresponding cyclonic eddy is smaller than half the width of the Luzon Strait. The cyclonic eddy, lacking power, fails to cleave the Kuroshio bend and cause separation of an anticyclonic eddy; as a result, no eddy shedding occurred then, either.     

Evolution of the Kuroshio Tropical Water from the Luzon Strait to the east of Taiwan

This study examines the evolution of the Kuroshio Tropical Water (KTW) from the Luzon Strait to the I-Lan Ridge northeast of Taiwan. Historical conductivity temperature depth (CTD) profiles are analyzed using a method based on the calculation of the root mean square (rms) difference of the salinity along isopycnals. In combination with analysis of the distribution of the salinity maximum, this method enables water masses in the Kuroshio and the vicinity, to be tracked and distinguished as well as the detection of the areas where water masses are modified. Vertical and horizontal eddy diffusivities are then calculated from hydrographic and current velocity data to elucidate the dynamics underlying the KTW interactions with the surrounding water masses. Changes in KTW properties mainly occur in the southern half of the Luzon Strait, while moderate variations are observed east of Taiwan on the right flank of the Kuroshio. In spite of a front dividing the KTW from the South China Sea Tropical Water (SCSTW) on Kuroshio׳s western side, mixing between these two water masses seemingly occurs in the Luzon Strait. These water masses׳ interaction is not evident east of Taiwan. The estimation of eddy diffusivities yields high horizontal diffusivities (K_h~10² m² s⁻¹) all along the Kuroshio path, due to the high current shear along the Kuroshio׳s flanks. The vertical diffusivity approaches 10⁻³ m² s⁻¹, with the highest values in the southern Luzon Strait. Instabilities generated when the Kuroshio encounters the rough topography of this region may enhance both vertical and horizontal diffusivities there.     

Several characteristics of water exchange in the Luzon Strait

1IntroductionTheLuzonChannelissituatedonthewest-ernsideofthenorthernPacificandbetweenTaiwanandLuzonIslands.ItisthemainpassageofthePacificwaterenteringtheSCS.Therearenumerousdifferent-sizedislandsformingmanynarrowwaterpassagesinthischannel,sotheLuzonChannelisthegeneralnameofthesepas-sages(includingBabuyan,BalintangandBashiChannels,etc.).Customarily,theLuzonStraitiscalledtheBashiChannel.Itswidthis386kmandhasameandepthof1400m. Toagreatextent,thehydro-meteorologi-calconditionso…     

潮汐对吕宋海峡附近海域环流结构的影响

为了考察潮汐混合效应对吕宋海峡附近海域环流场的影响,本文使用ROMS区域海洋模式,通过无潮实验与有潮实验的对比分析指出,潮汐混合作用可以影响121°E断面上的水交换和120d平均的纬向流速分布;在模拟时段内加入潮汐后,模拟结果中台湾岛西南的反气旋涡强度大幅减弱,贴近黑潮东侧的涡旋强度明显强于无潮实验,证明潮汐作用可以引起吕宋海峡海洋环流场较大的改变,特别对黑潮以"跨隙"路径通过吕宋海峡有贡献。     

吕宋海峡海洋环流的基本特征

根据对高分辨率的并行海洋气候模式输出的较长时间序列的海面高度（ＳＳＨ）场的分析,推断在吕宋海峡附近海区常年存在吕宋海峡黑潮流套,该流套出现于吕宋海峡的中部和北部,表现为一个舌状的ＳＳＨ的高值中心自海峡东部的太平洋向西扩展到南海北部,大致到达１１０°Ｅ的位置,但其位置、形状、强度等表现季节变化,年际变化和季节内时间尺度变化的特征。在吕宋海峡东侧的大洋上,经常出现位置和范围时有变化的反气旋涡,与之对应,在ＳＳＨ的月平均经向和纬向剖面上,吕宋海峡东侧的大洋上有永久存在的ＳＳＨ高值中心。另外在１９９５年１～７月期间有一次完整的黑潮流环脱离黑潮主体并在南海北部向西南方向移动的过程。     

吕宋海峡水交换季节和年际变化特征的数值模拟研究

利用ROMS(Regional Ocean Modeling System)建立了一套覆盖西北太平洋的涡尺度分辨率环流模型,并对吕宋海峡附近的环流进行了模拟研究。结果表明,吕宋海峡120.75°E断面净流量季节变化显著,全年均为西向输运,6月份达到最小,为0.40×106 m3/s,然后逐渐增大,在12月份达到最大,为6.14×106 m3/s,全年平均流量为3.04×106 m3/s。在500 m以浅,秋、冬季都有明显的黑潮流套存在,并伴有黑潮分支入侵南海,而春、夏季黑潮南海分支减弱或消失,黑潮入侵不明显。在500 m以深,冬、春季,吕宋海峡以东有非常明显的南向流存在,流速约10 cm/s,而到了夏、秋季该南向流出现明显的减弱,黑潮与南海的水交换主要通过吕宋海峡以北的吕宋海沟进行。在垂向结构上,120.75°E断面浅层呈多流核结构,并且流核的位置和强弱受黑潮的季节性变化影响显著,深层流的季节变化不大。在年际尺度方面,吕宋海峡年际体积输运量异常与Niño3.4滞后6个月相关系数达到41.6%,吕宋海峡水交换与ENSO现象有较为显著的正相关关系,并存在2~3 a和准8 a周期的年际变化。     

吕宋海峡及南海北部海域的水团分析

根据1992年3月和1994年9月台湾海峡两岸科学家对南海北部两次协同调查的CTD资料以及由此计算的重力势资料,对吕宋海峡及南海北部400m以上海水的温盐性质进行分析。结果发现,调查海区基本可划分为两种水团,即黑潮水和南海水。黑潮水主要从吕宋海峡中部和北部进入南海,侵入的黑潮水向西北方向扩展,受到台湾海峡海底地形的阻挡而大部分集中于台湾西南海域,向西的范围基本不超过119°E。虽然两次观测所处的季节不同（分别为春初和夏末）,但黑潮入侵南海的差异并不明显。另外,在二次调查的部分层次上,南海北部陆坡边缘都发现有一团水平尺度约百公里的黑潮性质水。配合重力势的水平分布形式,可以用地转流场的结构解释水团分析的结果。     

热带气旋过境期间黑潮流轴变化的初步分析

利用卫星高度计资料分析了热带气旋"艾碧"(Abe,9315)、"贝姬"(Becky,9316)、"莫拉克"(Morakot,0309)和"茉莉"(Melor,0319)对吕宋海峡及其附近海域黑潮流轴的影响。研究表明:1)吕宋海峡附近海域黑潮流轴容易受到热带气旋的影响而发生一定的变化。2)在热带气旋的作用下,黑潮流轴因中尺度涡的变异而变化;当吕宋海峡东侧的暖涡西移时,将使黑潮的流轴向西弯曲,有利于黑潮在该处的入侵。     

A numerical study of the summertime flow around the Luzon Strait

Luzon Strait, a wide channel between Taiwan and Luzon islands, connects the northern South China Sea and the Philippine Sea. The Kuroshio, South China Sea gyre, monsoon and local topography influence circulation in the Luzon Strait area. In addition, the fact that the South China Sea is a fairly isolated basin accounts for why its water property differs markedly from the Kuroshio water east of Luzon. This work applies a numerical model to examine the influence of the difference in the vertical stratification between the South China Sea and Kuroshio waters on the loop current of Kuroshio in the Luzon Strait during summer. According to model results, the loop current’s strength in the strait reduces as the strongly stratified South China Sea water is driven northward by the southwest winds. Numerical results also indicate that Kuroshio is separated by a nearly meridional ridge east of Luzon Strait. The two velocity core structures of Kuroshio can also be observed in eastern Taiwan. Moreover, the water flowing from the South China Sea contributes primarily to the near shore core of Kuroshio.     

基于拉格朗日拟序结构的吕宋海峡表层水交换研究

黑潮通过吕宋海峡入侵南海呈现明显的瞬态特征。以往的研究通常将黑潮在吕宋海峡附近的流态分为几种不同类型。本文基于表层地转流计算得到的有限时间李雅普诺夫指数场（FTLE）,展示了拉格朗日视角下的吕宋海峡上层水交换特征。从FTLE场提取的拉格朗日拟序结构（LCSs）很好地识别了吕宋海峡附近的典型流态和旋涡活动。此外,这些LCSs还揭示了吕宋海峡周围复杂的输运路径和流体域,这些特征得到了卫星跟踪浮标轨迹的验证,且从流速场中是无法直接识别的。FTLE场显示,吕宋海峡附近表层水体的输运形态主要可分为四类。其中,黑潮直接向北流动的“跨越”形态和顺时针旋转的“流套”形态的发生频次明显高于直接进入南海的黑潮分支“渗入”形态和南海水流出至太平洋的“外流”形态。本文还进一步分析了黑潮在吕宋海峡处的涡旋脱落事件,突出强调了LCSs在评估涡旋输运方面的重要性。反气旋涡旋的脱落个例表明,这些涡旋主要源自黑潮“流套”,涡旋脱落之前可有效地俘获黑潮水。LCS所指示的输运通道信息有助于预测最终被反气旋涡所挟卷水体在上游的位置。而在气旋涡的形成过程中,LCS的分布特征表明,大部分气旋涡并未与黑潮水的输运路径相连通。因此,气旋涡对从太平洋到南海的上层水交换的贡献较小。     

Observations of near surface current at the Luzon Strait in winter

One hundred and ninety-one Argos satellite-tracked drifters deployed at the Luzon Strait in winter during 1991 to 2004 were ana- lyzed to understand the near surface current in northern South China Sea (SCS). Several major track patterns of these drifters have been found. There are: (1)shelf slope landing way (SLW) ; (2)deep basin way (DBW) ;(3) weak loop current pattern; (4) northward movement directly driven by the Kuroshio. These observations show the effects of the basin scale gyre circulation, mesoscale eddies and the Kuroshio on the drifters' ovement.     

源区黑潮季节变异及其动力机制的数值研究

应用POM2K模式对中国海黑潮区气候态平均环流进行了数值模拟。采用正交曲线网格, 模式区域为太平洋海盆, 特别的在中国海区域进行加密并较好的拟合了岸线; 垂向分为21层, 并在海表9层以上采用对数网格分布; 采用COADS气候态月平均的风应力, 并将模式的温度结果和MODIS月平均的SST数据进行同化, 然后将模式模拟出的流量、海表高度异常同实测数据和卫星观测数据进行了对比验证, 结果均显示模拟结果可信度较高。接着本文探讨了北赤道流分岔位置季节性的变化对源区黑潮流量的影响, 结果表明, 秋冬季节北赤道流分岔位置较靠北, 源区黑潮流量较大, 而春夏季节北赤道流分岔位置较靠南, 黑潮流量较小。在此基础上, 针对源区黑潮的动力机制进行了数值实验。实验中主要考虑了以下动力因子对源区黑潮季节性变化的影响: (1)风应力; (2)非线性; (3)黑潮的斜压敏感性, 然后通过与控制实验的对比, 讨论了不同的动力因素对吕宋海峡净流量和吕宋海峡上层环流场的影响。     

吕宋海峡纬向海流及质量输送

分析和计算了吕宋海峡PR21断面最近海洋调查的部分CTD资料和ADCP资料,再一次证明吕宋海峡常年存在纬向流。但对于天气尺度而言,该流型是多变的。根据高分辨率的海洋环流数值模式4a(1992～1996年)海平面高度(SSH)的输出值,运用地转关系估计了吕宋海峡纬向流的月平均值。研究表明;通过海峡流入、流出南海纬向流的深度一般达到500m左右,200m以上流速较大,平均流速为50cm/s,最大时达80cm/s以上。500m以下的纬向地转流流速较小,通常小于10cm/s.由大洋进入海峡的入流位置位于海峡的中部和南部,月平均入流最大值出现在11月,为50cm/s.位于海峡的北部和南部上层海洋的月平均出流,最大流速亦出现在11月,也为50cm/s,这与秋季北赤道流分叉位置最北(15°N),春季分叉位置最南(14°N)有关。上层流入、流出海峡的流量的月平均值分别约为10×106m3/s和5×106m3/s.当东北季风盛行时(从10月到翌年2月),流入海峡的流量远大于流出海峡的流量,两者的差可达8×106m3/s,而在其他季节两者的差仅为3×106m3/s.这说明东北季风盛行时,会有较多的水从南海南？     

吕宋海峡输送年际变异数值研究

利用MITgcm数值模式1980—2001年的常规模拟输出数据,研究了吕宋海峡22年平均的体积、热量和盐量输送随深度的变化,并利用小波变换分别分析了吕宋海峡3个层次(0—145、145—915、915—1 837m)体积和热量输送的年际变化,主要结果如下。(1)在吕宋海峡1 837m层以下,仍有一定数量的西北太平洋海水(体积和盐)西向输送到南海;(2)915—1 615m层的年际体积输送的变化趋势与上两个层次(0—145m、145—915m)类似,但是在某些ENSO时期(如1985、1987、1991—1995年),其年际变化与145—915m层年际变化的位相相反;(3)吕宋海峡年际体积(热量)输送的小波谱图较明显地反映出ENSO现象对吕宋海峡不同层次的输送均产生一定影响。145—915m层次的吕宋海峡年际体积输送与ENSO现象相关性显著。     

吕宋海峡附近中尺度涡特征的统计分析

采用1993年1月到2008年12月16a融合海面高度距平数据,追踪吕宋海峡附近海域(18°～23°N,116°～126°E)中尺度涡的移动轨迹,结果表明:时间分辨率为7d的卫星高度计资料难以观测到中尺度涡从西北太平洋通过吕宋海峡传进南海的过程,但对1994年吕宋海峡中部观测到的一个气旋涡及其附近中尺度涡的运动轨迹进行分析可见,西北太平洋海面高度变化会与吕宋海峡内部海面高度耦合后向南海传播。海面高度距平数据的时间-经度图表明,西北太平洋海面高度变化信号在西传至吕宋海峡附近(121°～122°E)时出现信号不连续。对21°N,116°～140°E断面的海面高度距平数据按周期分别为1～3月、3～6月、330～390d(年信号)进行分段带通滤波,发现不同周期的西北太平洋信号穿过吕宋海峡传入南海受到的阻隔作用、向西传播的速度以及它们所受的强迫机制均不同。     

Seasonal characteristics and forcing mechanisms of the surface Kuroshio branch intrusion into the South China Sea

Using observational data of Argos satellite-tracked drifters from 1988 to 2012, we analyzed seasonal characteristics of the surface Kuroshio branch(KB) intrusion into the South China Sea(SCS). The analysis results are as follows.The surface KB originates from the southern Balintang Channel(BLTC) and Babuyan Channel(BBYC). It begins in late September, reaches peak strength in November–December, and declines at the end of March. The mean speed of drifters along the KB path during their traverse of the Luzon Strait(LS) was 43% faster than during the two days before entering the LS for the flow originating from the southern BLTC, but there was a 24% increase in speed for the flow from the BBYC. The observations show that in winter, monthly-mean sea-level anomalies(SLAs) were positive southwest of Taiwan Island and extended to the northern LS. The SLAs were negative northwest of Luzon Island and extended to the southern LS, which acted like a pump, forcing a part of Kuroshio water westward into the SCS. The condition under which the KB forms was solved by a set of simplified motion equations. The results indicate that whether the KB can form depends upon the sea-level gradient at the central LS and region to the west, as well as the location, speed and direction of Kuroshio surface water when it enters the LS.