Seasonal variation of the barrier layer in the PN section |
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Authors: | Yuan Zhang Dexing Wu Xiaopei Lin Feng Shan |
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Institution: | (1) Physical Oceanography Laboratory, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China;(2) First Institute of Oceanography, SOA, Qingdao, 266100, China |
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Abstract: | In this paper, we use the conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) observation data and a three-dimensional ocean model in a seasonally-varying
forcing field to study the barrier layer (BL) in the PN section in the East China Sea (ECS). The BL can be found along the
PN section with obviously seasonal variability. In winter, spring and autumn, the BL occurs around the slope where the cold
shelf water meets with the warm Kuroshio water. In summer, the BL can also be found in the shelf area near salinity front
of the Changjiang (Yangtze) River Dilution Water (YRDW). Seasonal variations of BL in the PN section are caused by local hydrological
characteristics and seasonal variations of atmospheric forcing. Strong vertical convection caused by sea surface cooling thickens
the BL in winter and spring in the slope area. Due to the large discharge of Changjiang River in summer, the BL occurs extensively
in the shelf region where the fresh YRDW and the salty bottom water meet and form a strong halocline above the seasonal thermocline.
The formation mechanism of BL in the PN section can be explained by the vertical shear of different water masses, which is
called the advection mechanism. The interannual variation of BL in summer is greatly affected by the YRDW. In the larger YRDW
year (such as 1998), a shallow but much thicker BL existed on the shelf area.
Supported by National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, No. 2005CB422303 and 2007CB411804), the Key Project of
the International Science and Technology Cooperation Program of China (No. 2006DFB21250), the “111 Project” of the Ministry
of Education (No. B07036), the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University, China (No. NECT-07-0781) |
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Keywords: | Keyword" target="_blank">Keyword the barrier layer the PN section the Changjiang (Yangtze) River Kuroshio |
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