Coastal upwelling in the East China Sea in winter

Abstract

The dynamic mechanisms of the upwelling off the East China Sea (ECS) coast in wintertime are studied. First, the upwelling signals off the ECS coast are identified by the observed temperature, salinity, nutrients, and dissolved oxygen data obtained during the cruises in January 1999. The MASNUM wave‐tide‐circulation coupled model is then employed to simulate the hydrography of the ECS. Comparisons between the simulations and observations show that the model performance is satisfactory. On the basis of successful simulation, four numerical experiments are conducted to investigate the upwelling mechanisms. The results suggest that the density (or salinity) front, which separates the inshore Low Salinity Coastal Water and the offshore Taiwan Warm Current (TWC), is the primary inducement for the upwelling. Owing to strong density gradient, the baroclinic pressure gradient force (PGF) is quite large near the frontal zone, and this PGF elicits an upwelling branch along the topography slope. Wind, TWC, and tide affect the density front in extension and intensity, thus exerting subsidiary influences on the upwelling. According to Ekman's theory, the northerly monsoon is downwelling favorable. However, the net effects of wind on the upwelling off the ECS coast in winter are positive because it drives the Changjiang River Diluted Water (CDW) flowing southward and forms the density front. Similarly, the resultant effects of TWC on the upwelling are negative for obstructing the pathway of CDW. Tide contributes to the upwelling because tidal mixing facilitates the expansion of CDW.