Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Weakening of the Kuroshio Intrusion into the South China Sea over the Past Two Decades

Feng Nan * Key Laboratory of Ocean Circulation and Wave Studies, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and College of Physical and Environmental Oceanography, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China, and School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine

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Huijie Xue School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine

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Fei Chai School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine

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Dongxiao Wang Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Environmental Dynamics, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Science, Guangzhou, China

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Fei Yu Key Laboratory of Ocean Circulation and Wave Studies, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China

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Maochong Shi College of Physical and Environmental Oceanography, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China

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Peifang Guo College of Physical and Environmental Oceanography, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China

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Peng Xiu School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine

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Print Publication:
15 Oct 2013
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-12-00315.1
Page(s):
8097–8110
Restricted access

Abstract

Inferred from the satellite and in situ hydrographic data from the 1990s and 2000s, the Kuroshio intrusion into the South China Sea (SCS) had a weakening trend over the past two decades. Associated with the weakened Kuroshio intrusion, the Kuroshio loop and eddy activity southwest of Taiwan became weaker, whereas the water above the salinity minimum became less saline in the northern SCS. The sea surface height southwest of Taiwan increased at a slower rate compared to other regions of the SCS because of the weakened Kuroshio intrusion. Simulations using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) Pacific model show that the strength of the Kuroshio intrusion into the SCS decreased from 1993 to 2010 with a negative trend, −0.24 sverdrups (Sv) yr−1 (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1), in the total Luzon Strait transport (LST). Although wind-induced Ekman transport through the Luzon Strait became weaker, the magnitude at 0.001 Sv yr−1 was too small to compensate for the negative trend of the LST. On the other hand, the piling up of the water induced by monsoon winds was an important mechanism for changing the pressure gradient across the Luzon Strait and eventually affecting the LST. The sea level gradient between the western Pacific and the SCS had a negative trend, −0.10 cm yr−1, corresponding to a negative trend in the geostrophic transport at −0.20 Sv yr−1. The Kuroshio transport east of Luzon Island also had a negative trend, which might also be linked to the weakening Kuroshio intrusion.

Corresponding author address: Huijie Xue, School of Marine Science, University of Maine, 5706 Aubert Hall, Room 360, Orono, ME 04469. E-mail: hxue@maine.edu

Abstract

Inferred from the satellite and in situ hydrographic data from the 1990s and 2000s, the Kuroshio intrusion into the South China Sea (SCS) had a weakening trend over the past two decades. Associated with the weakened Kuroshio intrusion, the Kuroshio loop and eddy activity southwest of Taiwan became weaker, whereas the water above the salinity minimum became less saline in the northern SCS. The sea surface height southwest of Taiwan increased at a slower rate compared to other regions of the SCS because of the weakened Kuroshio intrusion. Simulations using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) Pacific model show that the strength of the Kuroshio intrusion into the SCS decreased from 1993 to 2010 with a negative trend, −0.24 sverdrups (Sv) yr−1 (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1), in the total Luzon Strait transport (LST). Although wind-induced Ekman transport through the Luzon Strait became weaker, the magnitude at 0.001 Sv yr−1 was too small to compensate for the negative trend of the LST. On the other hand, the piling up of the water induced by monsoon winds was an important mechanism for changing the pressure gradient across the Luzon Strait and eventually affecting the LST. The sea level gradient between the western Pacific and the SCS had a negative trend, −0.10 cm yr−1, corresponding to a negative trend in the geostrophic transport at −0.20 Sv yr−1. The Kuroshio transport east of Luzon Island also had a negative trend, which might also be linked to the weakening Kuroshio intrusion.

Corresponding author address: Huijie Xue, School of Marine Science, University of Maine, 5706 Aubert Hall, Room 360, Orono, ME 04469. E-mail: hxue@maine.edu
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