Using TPI to Map Spatial and Temporal Variations of Significant Coastal Upwelling in the Northern South China Sea

Abstract

Based on Himawari-8 Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data and the semi-automatic Topographic Position Index (TPI)-based mapping method, this study maps the significant coastal upwelling in the northern South China Sea (NSCS). The results show that the Minnan coastal upwelling mainly occurs within 100 km off the south coast of Fujian; the Yuedong coastal upwelling appears to the east of Pearl River Estuary, limited to the area shallower than 40 m; and the Qiongdong coastal upwelling occurs most frequently in the area shallower than 75 m off the east coast of Hainan Island. Based on the results, this paper quantitatively describes the temporal and spatial variations of upwelling duration, influence area, upwelling SST anomaly, and chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) increase. Different coastal upwelling regions in the NSCS are significantly different in characteristics. The Qiongdong coastal upwelling has the longest duration and occurs most frequently, the Yuedong coastal upwelling has the largest influence area and Chl-a increase, and the Minnan coastal upwelling is quite strong in the NSCS.