Observation of Luzon Strait transport in summer 2007

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted across the Luzon Strait in July 2007, and a total of 51 profiles covering variables of horizontal velocity, temperature, salinity, and pressure were collected at 11 stations. Using this observation, the volume transport through the Luzon Strait, its differences between July 2007 and October 2005, and the distribution of subtidal flow and geostrophic flow have been investigated. The net transport has a two-layer vertical structure, which is eastward both in the upper layer (<26 kg m −3 σ 0), and in the intermediate layer (26–27.3 kg m −3 σ 0), while it is westward in the deeper layer (>27.3 kg m −3 σ 0), with respective values of 3.0, 4.0, and −1.5 Sv. The net transport is eastward, and estimated to be 5.5 Sv. The distribution of the subtidal flow in the intermediate layer shows that a westward flow exists in the northern part, countered by an eastward flow existing in the southern part of the strait. This distribution is in direct contrast to the previous results obtained in October 2005, in which a westward flow occurs in the south countered by an eastward flow in the north in the intermediate layer. This suggests that the flow pattern varies greatly from October 2005 to July 2007 not only in the upper layer but also in the intermediate layer. The deep layer, on the other hand, shows few changes between the two observation periods.