Progress on the formation dynamics of the layered circulation in the South China Sea

Cai，Zhongya1; Gan，Jianping1; Liu，Zhiqiang2; Hui，Chiwing Rex1; Li，Junlu1

2020-02-01

10.1016/j.pocean.2019.102246

PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY   影响因子和分区

0079-6611

1873-4472

In the South China Sea (SCS), an alternating cyclonic-anticyclonic-cyclonic (CAC) circulation is recognized in the upper-middle-deep layers based on the principle of Stokes theorem. The CAC circulation is driven extrinsically by the East Asia monsoonal winds, a vertical sandwich-like inflow-outflow-inflow through Luzon Strait (LS) and intrinsically by the slope current-topography interaction. The understandings on the formation mechanisms of CAC circulation have been achieved based on different principles, and the physically solid interpretation on the CAC circulation need to be further clarified. In this paper, we review different dynamic perspectives from recent researches that describe the combined effects of surface wind forcing, lateral external forcing, and the intrinsic coupling among different layers. Our aim is to obtain a consistent understanding of the dynamics of the circulation in the SCS. The CAC circulation forms largely from the planetary vorticity flux that is extrinsically induced by the inflow-outflow-inflow through LS, which is predominantly balanced by the interaction between the CAC flow and bottom topography. Inside basin, the vertical motion dynamically links the circulation in three layers, and its spatial pattern has a strong impact on the basin circulation, particularly in the middle and deep layers. Vertical coupling of the layers occurs mainly over the slope because of the cross-slope motion due to interaction between strong slope current and topography. The internal layered circulation and intensified mixing, in turn, affect and maintain the layered current structure in LS. Based on the review of the forcing mechanisms, we offer perspectives for further investigations.

External vorticity flux Formation dynamics Intrinsic coupling South China Sea layered circulation Stokes theorem

SCI ; EI

英语

其他

[41930539] ; National Key Basic Research Program For Youth[2015CB954004] ; Hong Kong Arts Development Council[GRF 16206516]

Oceanography

Oceanography

WOS:000512481200006

Elsevier Ltd

20195207925818

Vorticity

Fluid Flow, General:631.1 ; Materials Science:951

GEOSCIENCES

2-s2.0-85076841640

Scopus

1.Department of Mathematics and Department of Ocean Science,The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,Hong Kong,Hong Kong
2.Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,China

Cai，Zhongya,Gan，Jianping,Liu，Zhiqiang,et al. Progress on the formation dynamics of the layered circulation in the South China Sea[J]. PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY,2020,181.

Cai，Zhongya,Gan，Jianping,Liu，Zhiqiang,Hui，Chiwing Rex,&Li，Junlu.(2020).Progress on the formation dynamics of the layered circulation in the South China Sea.PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY,181.

Cai，Zhongya,et al."Progress on the formation dynamics of the layered circulation in the South China Sea".PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY 181(2020).