Characteristics of water distribution in the southeastern Yellow Sea in summer during 2010-2013

Abstract

To understanding the characteristic of the water property and distribution of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM), which is one of the important water mass in the Yellow Sea (YS), the ocean hydrographic survey is performed in the southeastern YS during 2010 to 2013.The YSCWM is relatively extensive distributed in the YS central part with the temperature less than 10 degree and the salinity lower than 33.0. In summer, it is located in the lower layer of the YS central trough and is influenced on the marine ecosystem because of oversummering site of the copepod Calanus sinicus which is the one of the most important zooplankton in the YS. Hence, to identify the characteristics of the YSCWM is important in understanding the marine environment and ecosystem of the YS. The analysis results showed that the YSCWM has a large temporal and spatial variation and the also interannual variability.stern YS during 2010 to 2013.The YSCWM is relatively extensive distributed in the YS central part with the temperature less than 10 degree and the salinity lower than 33.0. In summer, it is located in the lower layer of the YS central trough and is influenced on the marine ecosystem because of oversummering site of the copepod Calanus sinicus which is the one of the most important zooplankton in the YS. Hence, to identify the characteristics of the YSCWM is important in understanding the marine environment and ecosystem of the YS. The analysis results showed that the YSCWM has a large temporal and spatial variation and the also interannual variability.