Wintertime temperature-salinity characteristics in the southeastern Hwanghae (Yellow Sea)

Abstract

Wintertime temperature-salinity properties of the southeastern Hwanghae (Yellow Sea) were analysed, based on long-term hydrographic data gathered between 1961 and 1980. A strong thermohaline front is formed in the area west of Cheju-do (along 33‡40′N in the region bounded by 124‡ E and 126‡20′E) during winter and extends to the bottom. This surface-to-bottom front, running from west to east, divides water properties into two types: one type of low temperature and low salinity to the north of the front and another one of high temperature and high salinity to the south of the front. The existence of the front suggests that there is no northward flow in the study area, a finding which runs counter to the conventional belief that there is the Hwanghae Warm Current carrying waters of high temperature and salinity to the north. T-S diagrams show that in winter the Hwanghae Warm Current Water and the Hwanghae Cold Water are the representative water masses in the study area.