• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.117-124
• /
• 2013

We investigated the short-term and local changes in the thermohaline front in the Jeju Strait, Korea, which is usually formed during winter and spring. To do so, we compared Real-Time Observation System by Ferryboat (RTOSF) data with wind data and routinely collected oceanographic data. During February and April 2007, a thermohaline front formed in the Jeju Strait around the 13-$14^{\circ}C$ isotherms and 33.0-33.5 isohalines. The thermohaline was clearly weakened and began moving southward in mid-March. The variations in the surface temperature and salinity showed a continuous north-south oscillation of the thermohaline front with a period of 3-10 days. The speed of the short-term and local fluctuation of thermohaline front was about 5-30 cm/s. We confirmed these findings by examining the variation in the maximum temperature gradient and $14^{\circ}C$ isotherm during the study period. These short-term and local changes had not been previously detected using serial oceanographic and satellite data. Analysis of local wind data revealed a northerly wind fluctuation with a period of 3-10 days, which was clearly related to the short-term and local changes in the thermohaline front. The short-term and local changes of the thermohaline front in the Jeju Strait originated from local changes in the winter monsoon in this area.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.191-207
• /
• 2022

Using the results of CTD casts made in Spring from 2017 to 2021, in this study we investigated the water mass distribution and occurrence of temperature inversion in the western seas of Jeju Island in spring. The distribution of water masses was characterized by cold and fresh water in the northwest and warm and saline water in the southeast, forming a strong thermohaline front running in the southwest-to-northeast direction. Strong temperature inversion mainly occurred in the frontal boundary when the cold water intrudes beneath the warm water at depths of 30-50 m. Analysis of the mixing ratio demonstrated that Jeju Warm Water is dominantly distributed in the western seas of Jeju Island, but its ratio can be modified depending on the southward extension of Yellow Sea Cold Water (YSCW). Results of in situ measurement showed that in 2020, the YSCW largely expanded to the western seas of Jeju Island, occupying approximately 40 % of the mixing ratio. Due to the expansion of YSCW, a strong thermohaline front was formed in the study area, thereby causing thick and strong temperature inversion. On the other hand, in 2018 the mixing ratio of YSCW was minimum (~18%) during the study period of 2017-2021, and thus a relatively weak frontal boundary was formed, without the occurrence of temperature inversion. The observational results also suggest that the interannual changes of water mass distribution and the associated temperature inversion in the western seas of Jeju Island are closely related with wind-driven Yellow Sea circulation in spring, which is the summer monsoon transition period.

• 한국해양학회지
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.56-67
• /
• 1984

Mesoscale thermohaline structures of the meandering front in the Korea Strait during November 1976, 1980 and 1982 are studied by means of closely spaced oceanographic observations and the satellite infrared images. Strong thermal and salinity fronts coincide each other and show a wavelike meander motion with wavelengths of 40-60km and amplitudes of, 15-20km. Salinity minimum band of less than 33.0 is found along the onshore edge of the front. Width of the frontal zone corresponds approximately to the internal radius of deformation (R=5-10km) and the slope of density interface is confined to about 2R. A series of satellite infrared images with the interval of 4-5 days show a noticeable growth of frontal meander over the flat shelf west of the Korea Strait. Possible mechanisms of frontal meander and its growth are discussed.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• v.44 no.1
• /
• pp.69-82
• /
• 2022

The Ross Sea, Antarctica plays an important role in the formation of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) which is the densest water mass in global thermohaline circulation. Of the AABW, 25% is formed in the Ross Sea, and sea ice formation at the polynya (ice-free area) developed in front of ice shelves of the Ross Sea is considered as a pivotal mechanism for AABW production. For this reason, monitoring the Ross Sea variations is very important to understand changes of global thermohaline circulation influenced by climate change. In addition, the Ross Sea is also regarded as a natural laboratory in investigating ice-ocean interactions owing to the development of the polynya. In this article, I introduce characteristics of the Ross Sea described in previous observational studies, and investigate variations that have occurred in the Ross Sea in the past and those taking place in the present. Furthermore, based on these observational results, I outline variations or changes that can be anticipated in the Ross Sea in the future, and make an appeal to researchers regarding the importance and necessity of continuous observations in the Ross Sea.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.17 no.9
• /
• pp.949-956
• /
• 2008

The data of temperature, chlorophyll a, phytoplankton and NOAA/AVHRR satellite data were analyzed about 7 stations around Wando Island area on August 30, 2005. The sea water temperature range was from $15.19^{\circ}C$ to $24.97^{\circ}C$, and there was a cold water mass from the station 1 to 5 around the outside of Chungsando Island, the water temperature was lower at the bottom than surface. The salinity was $32.41{\sim}34.03$, DO was $7.40{\sim}9.14mg/L$, but the concentration of chlorophyll a was 1ug/L higher at the bottom than surface. Total phytoplankton appeared from the whole stations were 47 genus, 80 species and diatoms were dominant. A lot of dinoflagellates Ceratium forca and diatoms Thalassithrix spp. mostly appeared in the cold water mass were turned up from the station 1 to 5. 4 groups of phytoplankton clusters were shown in the surface, and 3 groups of phytoplankton clusters were shown at the bottom according to the water temperature. On the ground of the result analyzed with NOAA/AVHRR satellite data, the SST around Wando Island was $22{\sim}25^{\circ}C$, it was formed by thermohaline front latitudinally

• 한국해양학회지
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.187-194
• /
• 1984

Water masses and circulation in the yellow Sea (Hwanghae) were briefly reviewed and synthesized. Water masses were classified into four types: Hwanghae Cold Water, Hwanghae Warm Current Water, Coastal Waters and Changjiang River Diluted Water. The Hwanghae Cold Water can be defined to have a salinity of 32.0∼33.0% and a temperature below 10$^{\circ}C$, based on long-term hydrographic data and recent CTD casts (KORI, 1984). Concerning circulation, there exists a cyclonic gyre throughout the year in the southern part. In winter, the coastal current along the Chinese coast is very strong due to northerly or northwesterly winds and the Hwanghae Warm Current becomes weak as can be expected from a surface to bottom thermohaline front west of Cheju-do. Meanwhile in summer, the Changjiang River Diluted Water flows northeastward toward Cheju-do and the coastal current in the western part is greatly reduced. The northward current during summer in the southeastern Hwanghae has been accepted to be the Hwanghae Warm Current until now, coastal waters and the Hwanghae Cold Water in the central deep area, not a continuation of the Hwanghae Warm Current.