Seasonal variations of physical conditions and currents in the sea near Gadeok-Sudo

Abstract

In order to investigate seasonal variations of the physical environments in the region of Jinhae Bay-Nakdongpo, we carried out hydrographic surveys from November 2000 to November 2001. Horizontal and vertical distribution of salinity and temperature shows large seasonal variations. Water column is well mixed in winter and stratified in summer. Low-salinity water is distributed in the form of patches because of the drainage control at the Nakdong River. Seasonal variations in the sea near Gadeok-Sudo are affected by topography, river discharge and tidal current. Currents have been measured using a bottom mounted ADCP and DCM12 between November 2000 and August 2001 in the Gadeok-Sudo. The current in the Gadeok-Sudo shows a distinct two-layer structure with reversed current. Low-pass filtered time series of wind, sea elevation and current are coherent for the period of 1-2 days and are attributed to Ekman-like dynamics. Spatial and temporal circulation pattern shows a slight different. The subtidal current in Jinbae Bay goes northward, however is reversed in the Gadeok-Sudo mouth.