Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Formation and Circulation Processes of Intermediate Water in the Japan Sea

Yutaka Yoshikawa Department of Geophysics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

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Toshiyuki Awaji Department of Geophysics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

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Kazunori Akitomo Department of Geophysics, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

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Print Publication:
01 Aug 1999
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0485(1999)029<1701:FACPOI>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
1701–1722
Restricted access

Abstract

The formation and circulation processes of intermediate water in the Japan Sea have been investigated by study of the subduction of mixed layer water. To simulate realistic seasonal variations in the velocity and hydrographic structures, a numerical model with a nudging method for potential temperature and salinity, which reproduced the general features in the Japan Sea, is used. Close investigation of the subduction process reveals two major formation areas (A and B) of intermediate water. Area A (41°∼43°N, west of 135°E) corresponds to the region reported by recent observations, whereas Area B (40°∼43°N, east of 136°E) has not been reported so far. The mixed layer water subducted in Area A is advected southwestward and eventually its upper portion (above 200 m) reaches the eastern part of the Japan Basin, whereas the lower branch (below 200 m) reaches the Tsushima Basin. This indicates that the East Sea Intermediate Water originates from the mixed layer in Area A, and suggests that the East Sea Intermediate Water and the upper portion of the Japan Sea Proper Water represent the same type of intermediate water. In contrast, the water subducted in Area B is advected northward and some of it flows out through the Soya Strait, while another portion is reentrained into the mixed layer off the Primorye coast. Tracking of the subducted water particles clearly shows that the southward transport of the intermediate water takes a seasonally varying path: for example, a path along the continental coast in winter and one along the Japanese coast in summer. The total formation rate of the intermediate water is estimated to range between 0.48 and 0.69 (×106 m3 s−1) according to the strength of nudging terms, and the corresponding range in ventilation time is 20.3∼25.6 years.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Yutaka Yoshikawa, Department of Geophysics, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.

Abstract

The formation and circulation processes of intermediate water in the Japan Sea have been investigated by study of the subduction of mixed layer water. To simulate realistic seasonal variations in the velocity and hydrographic structures, a numerical model with a nudging method for potential temperature and salinity, which reproduced the general features in the Japan Sea, is used. Close investigation of the subduction process reveals two major formation areas (A and B) of intermediate water. Area A (41°∼43°N, west of 135°E) corresponds to the region reported by recent observations, whereas Area B (40°∼43°N, east of 136°E) has not been reported so far. The mixed layer water subducted in Area A is advected southwestward and eventually its upper portion (above 200 m) reaches the eastern part of the Japan Basin, whereas the lower branch (below 200 m) reaches the Tsushima Basin. This indicates that the East Sea Intermediate Water originates from the mixed layer in Area A, and suggests that the East Sea Intermediate Water and the upper portion of the Japan Sea Proper Water represent the same type of intermediate water. In contrast, the water subducted in Area B is advected northward and some of it flows out through the Soya Strait, while another portion is reentrained into the mixed layer off the Primorye coast. Tracking of the subducted water particles clearly shows that the southward transport of the intermediate water takes a seasonally varying path: for example, a path along the continental coast in winter and one along the Japanese coast in summer. The total formation rate of the intermediate water is estimated to range between 0.48 and 0.69 (×106 m3 s−1) according to the strength of nudging terms, and the corresponding range in ventilation time is 20.3∼25.6 years.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Yutaka Yoshikawa, Department of Geophysics, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.

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