• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.207-213
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• 2002

We have analyzed sea surface temperature and salinity data collected in the western Pacific Ocean by using an automated Thermosalinograph (TSG) installed on the RV Onnuri during May - June of 2001. The TSG data exhibit characteristics of water masses distributed in the near surface layer of the cruise area very well. Especially, they reveal the diurnal surface temperature cycle and the effect of rainfall on temperature and salinity in the equatorial region, showing the effectiveness of the use of TSG. Problems to be improved for the better TSG operation are the method of water sampling and calibration of TSG sensors. Installation of a pressure gauge in the TSG system and periodical sensor calibration are strongly recommended to ensure reliability of data.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.33 no.spc3
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• pp.371-383
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• 2011

To investigate the physical characteristics and variations of oceanic parameters in the tropical central North Pacific, oceanographic surveys were carried out in summer of 2006 and 2007. The survey periods were classified by Oceanic Ni$\tilde{n}$o Index as a weak El Ni$\tilde{n}$o in 2006 and a medium La Ni$\tilde{n}$a in 2007. The survey instruments were used to acquire data on CTD (Conductivity Temperature and Depth), XBT (Expendable Bathythermograph), and TSG (Thermosalinograph). The dominant temporal variation of surface temperature was diurnal. The diurnal variation in 2007, when the La Ni$\tilde{n}$a weather pattern was in place, was stronger than that in 2006. Surface salinity in 2006 was affected by a northwestward branch of North Equatorial Current, which implies that the El Ni$\tilde{n}$o affects surface properties in the North Equatorial Current region. Two salinity minimum layers existed at stations east of Chuuk in both year's observations. The climatological vertical salinity section along $180^{\circ}E$ shows that the two salinity minimum layers exist in $2^{\circ}N{\sim}12^{\circ}N$ region, consistent with our observations. Analysis of isopycnal lines over the salinity section implies that the upper salinity minimum layer is from intrusion of the upper part of North Pacific Intermediate Water into the lower part of South Pacific Subtropical Surface Water and the lower salinity minimum layer is from Antarctic Intermediate Water.