Wind-driven retreat of cold water pool and abrupt sea temperature rise off the southwest coast of Korea in summer 2017

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Variations in seawater temperature have a critical influence on marine ecosystems and aquaculture industries in coastal regions. From July 25 to August 5, 2017, the sea surface temperature off the southwestern coast of Korea rose rapidly from 17.1 °C to 27.3 °C, which induced environmental stress in marine organisms such as farmed abalone. This study investigated the cause of this abrupt sea temperature rise. Westerly winds from July 1 to 25 were favorable for the upwelling of cold subsurface water along the bottom slope in this coastal region, helping maintain cool surface water temperatures. As the wind changed to easterly, the cold subsurface water moved away and warmer, fresher surface water moved into the coastal region, where the surface currents changed from a southeastward flow to a northeastward flow from July 25 to August 5. Thus, to maintain stable, cool seawater temperatures during summer, both cold water supply and upwelling wind conditions are essential. The analysis of water masses indicated that the cold water was formed by the mixing of the Tsushima Warm Current Water and Yellow Sea Bottom Water in the northern East China Sea. The cold water advected eastward and formed a cold water pool in the intermediate depths (30–80 m) of the northern Jeju Strait, providing cold water to the coastal region during the upwelling period. The westerly winds were disrupted by the approach of a typhoon, which discontinued the supply of bottom cold water. The physical processes identified in this study will help predict short-term increases in water temperature and can assist in the development of countermeasures for the aquaculture industry against the negative effects of abrupt environmental changes.