Cross-shelf transport off the northern Taiwan, East China Sea

Abstract

Cross-shelf transport is an important material exchange process between the shelf seas and open seas. The distribution characteristics of phytoplankton, surface sediment particle size, minerals, etc., all indicate the possible existence of a cross-shelf transport conduit from the inner shelf to the outer shelf off northern Taiwan. This study confirmed cross-shelf transport off northern Taiwan based on remote sensing sea surface temperature (SST) data and heat flux data, which can be divided into two patterns: cold eddy and cold water tongue. Furthermore, combined with AVISO sea surface level data, CCMP wind field data, the dynamic formation factors of different morphological characteristics of cross-shelf transport are studied.Topographic changes mainly induce cross-shelf transport off northern Taiwan and occur at the curve of isobath to deep water. When there is a strong thermal front along the coast, cross-shelf transport is more likely to occur. Against the steady, strong northerly wind, the Zhe-Min coastal current's southward flow and Kuroshio's invasion strengthened the temperature front and facilitated cross-shelf transport. Typhoon strengthened cross-shelf transport over northern Taiwan after passing through the southern part of the study area. This research has important implications to find the channel and transporting pattern for material exchange between the East China Sea and the West Pacific, which will contribute to the study of ecological environmental protection and seabed muddy area formation.