Enhanced vertical turbulent nitrate flux in the intermediate layer of the Kuroshio in the Tokara Strait

Abstract

Vertical mixing in the ocean is an important physical process that brings deep nutrients to the upper layer. The Tokara Strait, where the Kuroshio flows out to the North Pacific from the East China Sea, is known for a mixing hotspot, but the associated vertical nutrient transport has not been well quantified yet, especially in the intermediate layer below 200 m depth. This study involved flow, turbulence, and nitrate observations to quantify the vertical turbulent nitrate flux in the Tokara Strait and discuss its impact on the Kuroshio nutrient transport. Temporal variation of current velocity, derived from a 3.5-day mooring observation, captured semi-diurnal internal waves propagating vertically at depths between 200 and 400 m. Vertical shear associated with the semi-diurnal flow was elevated at this depth range. Vertical shear due to the mean and the diurnal flow was also elevated at about 220 m and 400 m depths, respectively. Mean vertical eddy diffusivity was elevated to O(10–3–10–2 m2 s−1) at the density layers of 25.2–26.4 σθ (200–450 m depth). Associated vertical turbulent nitrate flux reached O(10 mmol m−2 day−1), especially at around 25.6 σθ (250 m depth) and 26.2–26.4 σθ (400–450 m depth). The enhanced vertical turbulent nitrate flux suggests a large amount of nitrate is injected vertically to the nutrient stream from the layer just above the North Pacific Intermediate Water and is transported throughout the core of the Kuroshio nutrient stream situated at 25.0–26.2 σθ.