Tracing Changjiang Diluted Water (CDW) in the East China Sea during summer season by use of satellite data and particle tracking

Abstract

Low-salinity water plumes have been observed throughout the East China Sea (ECS), which connected to the Korea with the Pacific. The Changjang River, the major plume source, loads the wide range of river discharge in the Changjiang river mouth and transports the mass of suspended particulate matter and dissolved organic matter along and/or across the ECS. Especially, during summer, low-salinity water makes the Changjiang Diluted Water (CDW) and transports the south sea of Korea and the East/Japan Sea. This research traces the pathway and contribution of CDW from the East China Sea to the East/Japan Sea. This study used HYCOM data (sea surface velocity and sea surface salinity data) to determine the trace trajectory and influence of CDW during summer (July to September) in 2009 to 2016. MODIS-Aqua ocean color image used the comparison of the spatial and temporal variation of CDW.Daily particles with low-salinity water under 32 psu were released in 123OE near Changijiang estuary and dispersed by surface current. The simulated particles passed the Jeju Island and then transported the East/Japan Sea throughout Korea and Tsushima Strait. The saline water was generally transported into the eastern channel than the western channel in the Korea and Tsushima Strait, which originated from the southern part of the Changjing river mouth. The ocean color images showed the similar spatial and temporal distribution and variation.uth and transports the mass of suspended particulate matter and dissolved organic matter along and/or across the ECS. Especially, during summer, low-salinity water makes the Changjiang Diluted Water (CDW) and transports the south sea of Korea and the East/Japan Sea. This research traces the pathway and contribution of CDW from the East China Sea to the East/Japan Sea. This study used HYCOM data (sea surface velocity and sea surface salinity data) to determine the trace trajectory and influence of CDW during summer (July to September) in 2009 to 2016. MODIS-Aqua ocean color image used the comparison of the spatial and temporal variation of CDW.Daily particles with low-salinity water under 32 psu were released in 123OE near Changijiang estuary and dispersed by surface current. The simulated particles passed the Jeju Island and then transported the East/Japan Sea throughout Korea and Tsushima Strait. The saline water was generally transported into the eastern channel than the western channel in the Korea and Tsushima Strait, which originated from the southern part of the Changjing river mouth. The ocean color images showed the similar spatial and temporal distribution and variation.