The Deflection of the China Coastal Current over the Taiwan Bank in Winter

Author:

Liao Enhui1,Oey Lie Yauw2,Yan Xiao-Hai3,Li Li4,Jiang Yuwu5

Affiliation:

1. State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China, and College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware

2. National Taiwan University, Jhongli City, Taiwan, and Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey

3. College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, and State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China

4. Third Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, and State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China

5. State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China

Abstract

AbstractIn winter, an offshore flow of the coastal current can be inferred from satellite and in situ data over the western Taiwan Bank. The dynamics related to this offshore flow are examined here using observations as well as analytical and numerical models. The currents can be classified into three regimes. The downwind (i.e., southward) cold coastal current remains attached to the coast when the northeasterly wind stress is stronger than a critical value depending on the upwind (i.e., northward) large-scale pressure gradient force. By contrast, an upwind warm current appears over the Taiwan Bank when the wind stress is less than the critical pressure gradient force. The downwind coastal current and upwind current converge and the coastal current deflects offshore onto the bank during a moderate wind. Analysis of the vorticity balance shows that the offshore transport is a result of negative bottom stress curl that is triggered by the positive vorticity of the two opposite flows. The negative bottom stress curl is reinforced by the gentle slope over the bank, which enhances the offshore current. Composite analyses using satellite observations show cool waters with high chlorophyll in the offshore current under moderate wind. The results of composite analyses support the model findings and may explain the high productivity over the western bank in winter.

Funder

Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and Fujian Province

SOA Global Change and Air-Sea Interaction Project

Natural Science Foundation of China

Delaware Space Grant College and Fellowship Program

Publisher

American Meteorological Society

Subject

Oceanography

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