Characteristics of seawater in the Yellow Sea in spring and summer, 2014

Abstract

Oceanographic data that has been observed in the southeastern Yellow Sea in spring (April) and summer (August) in 2014 were analyzed. In Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, we are performing detailed ocean investigation from 2009 in the southeastern Yellow Sea for continuous monitoring of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass. Relatively high temperature and high salinity water (over 11ºC and 33.9 psu) was observed in the bottom layer of the south area of the Yellow Sea in April. In this time, temperature is increased maximum 3.8 ºC than the average, and salinity is increased maximum 1.2 psu. Influx of the high temperature and high salinity water into the Yellow Sea in spring is not common phenomenon. Recently, it had been observed in April 2011. In August 2014, a distribution range of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass was a somewhat reduced compared to previous years. Temperature is increased maximum 4.5 ºC in the coastal area of Korea than the average, and the cold water (less than 10 ºC) is narrowly distributed in the central area of the Yellow Sea. Similar characteristics were also observed in August 2011.09 in the southeastern Yellow Sea for continuous monitoring of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass. Relatively high temperature and high salinity water (over 11ºC and 33.9 psu) was observed in the bottom layer of the south area of the Yellow Sea in April. In this time, temperature is increased maximum 3.8 ºC than the average, and salinity is increased maximum 1.2 psu. Influx of the high temperature and high salinity water into the Yellow Sea in spring is not common phenomenon. Recently, it had been observed in April 2011. In August 2014, a distribution range of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass was a somewhat reduced compared to previous years. Temperature is increased maximum 4.5 ºC in the coastal area of Korea than the average, and the cold water (less than 10 ºC) is narrowly distributed in the central area of the Yellow Sea. Similar characteristics were also observed in August 2011.