Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Advances in studying oceanic circulation from hydrographic data with applications in the South China Sea

  • Published:
Advances in Atmospheric Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Methods for studying oceanic circulation from hydrographic data are reviewed in the context of their applications in the South China Sea. These methods can be classified into three types according to their different dynamics as follows: (1) descriptive methods, (2) diagnostic methods without surface and bottom forcing, and (3) diagnostic methods with the above boundary forcing. The paper discusses the progress made in the above methods together with the advancement of study in the South China Sea circulation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bigg, G. R., 1985: The Beta spiral method.Deep-Sea Research,32, 465–484.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bryden, H. L., 1977: Geostropic comparisons from moored measurements of currents and temperature during the Mid-ocean Dynamic Experiments.Deep-Sea Research,24, 667–681.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai Shuqun, Su Jilan, Gan Zijun, and Liu Qingyu, 2003: The numerical study of the South China Sea upper circulation characteristics and its dynamic mechanism in winter.Continental Shelf Research,22(15), 2247–2264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chou Dezhong, Yang Tianhong, and Guo Zhongxin, 1984: A westward current at the northern South China Sea in summer.Chinese Journal of Tropic Oceanography,3(4), 65–72. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chu P. C., 1993: P-vector method for determining absolute velocity from hydrographic data.MTS Journal,29(2), 3–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chu P. C., 1995: An airborne expendable bathythermography survey of the South China Sea.J. Geophys. Res,103(10), 21637–21652.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chu P. C., and Li Rongfeng, 2000: South China Sea isopycnal surface circulation.J. Phys. Ocean,30, 2419–2438.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, R., 1978: On estimating velocity from hydrographic data.J. Geophys. Res.,83, 5507–5509.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ding Yihui, and Li Chongyin, 1999:South China Sea Monsoon Onset and its Variation and Interaction with the Ocean. China Meteorological Press, Beijing, 423pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang Guohong, Fang Wendong, Fang Yue, and Wang Kai, 1998: A survey of studies on the South China Sea upper ocean circulation.Acta Oceanographica Taiwanica,37(1), 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang Wendong, Guo Zhongxin, and Huang Yuting, 1997: Observation and study on South China Sea southern circulation. Chinese Science Bulletin,42(21), 2264–2271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan Bingxun, 1978: South China Sea warm current.Chinese Journal of Oceanography and Limnology,9(2), 118–126. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang Qizhou, Wang Wenzhi, and Fu Sunchen, 1994: Calculation of middle and lower layers’ circulation near Nansha Archipelago.Journal of Tropic Oceanography.13(2), 33–39. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hogg, N. G., 1987: A least-squares fit of the advectivediffusive equations to Levitus Atlas Data.J. Mar. Res.,50, 385–420.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Li, Su Jilan, and Xu Jianping, 1997: An anticyclonic eddy in South China Sea from Kuroshio.Chinese Journal of Tropic Oceanography,16(2), 42–57. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Yonggang, Yuan Yaochu, and Su Jilan, 2000: the southern South China Sea circulation in 1998.Chinese Journal of Science Bulletin,45(12), 1252–1259. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Z. Y., Yang Haijun, and Liu Qingyu, 2001: Regional dynamics of seasonal variability in the South China Sea.J. Phys. Ocean,31(1), 272–284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Metzger, E. J., and H. E. Hurburt, 1996: Coupled dynamics of the South China Sea, the Sulu Sea and the Pacific Ocean.J. Geophys. Res,101(c5), 12331–12352.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Metzger, E. J., and H. E. Hurburt, 2001: The nondeterministic nature of Kuroshio penetration and eddy shedding in the South China Sea.J. Phys. Ocean,31, 1721–1732.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Park, Y. H., and Jean, M. G., 2001: A simple method for diagnosing the bottom current field of the world’s ocean.J. Phys. Ocean,31, 972–991.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pedolosky, J., 1986: Thermocline theories.General Circulation of the Ocean. D. I. Henry, Ed., Springer Verlag, New York, 55–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pohlmann, T., 1987: A three dimensional circulation model of the South China Sea.Three-Dimensional Models of Marine Estuarine Dynamics, J. C. Nihou et al., Eds., Elsevier, New York, 245–268.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Reid, J. L., and R. S. Arthur, 1975: Interpretation of maps of geopotential anomaly for the deep Pacific Ocean.J. Mar. Res.,33, Suppl., 37–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarkisyan, A. S., 1980:Numerical Analysis and Prediction on Ocean Currents. Science Press, Beijing, 261pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarkisyan, A. S., and Y. L. Demin, 1983: A semidiagnostic calculation for open sea circulation.WCRP MESO-Large Scale Circulation Experiments. Chen Xiuhu et al., Eds., China Meteorological Press, Beijing, 106–112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schott, F., and H. Stommel, 1978: Beta spirals and absolute velocities in different oceans,25, 961–1010.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, Ping Tung, and G. T. Csanady, 1983: Shelfadvection of density disturbance on a sloping continental shelf.J. Phys. Ocean,13(5), 769–783.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • South China Sea Institute of Oceanography, 1985:South China Sea General Observation Report II. Science Press, Beijing, 423pp. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stommel, H., and F. Schott, 1977: The Beta spiral and the determination of the absolute velocity field from hydrographic station data.Deep-Sea Research,24, 325–329.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun Detong, and Yuan Yaochu, 1995: A diagnostic calculation for 3 dimensional currents at East China Sea Kuroshio and Ryukyu Islands.Oceanography in China,5, Su Jilan et al., Eds., China Ocean Press, Beijing, 74–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Guihua, Xu Huijie, and Xu Jianping, 2001: A study of an improved inverse method on the South China Sea North Eastern Circulation.Oceanography in China,13, Chao Jiping, Eds, China Ocean Press, 15–22. (in Chinese)

  • Wang Huiqun, and Yuan Yaochu, 2001: Three dimensional diagnostic, semidiagnostic and prognostic calculations of current in the East China Sea in April 1994.Acta Oceanologica Sinica,20(1), 15–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Jia, 1985: A model for the South China Sea circulation independent of time.Journal of Shandong College of Oceanography,15, 22–31. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Worthigton, L. V., 1976:On the North Atlanic Circulation. Johns Hopkins Press, Baltimore, 110pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wrytki, K., 1961: Scientifc results of marine investigation of the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand. NAGA Report 2, 195pp.

  • Wunsch, C., 1978: The North Atlantic general circulation west of 150°W determined by inverse methods.Rev. Geophys. Space Phys.,16, 538–560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wunsch, C., 1996:The Ocean Circulation Inverse Problem. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 437pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wust, G., 1935: Schichtung and Zirkulation des Atlantischen Ozens. Die Stratosphare des Atlantschen Ozeans Wiss Erge b Decat Atl Ed,Exped Metor.,6(1), 109–228. (in German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu Jianping, 2000: Supplementary observation reports for South China Sea enviroment: Hydrographic Part. Second/Third Institute of Oceanography, 175pp. (in Chinese)

  • Xu Jianping, and Su Jilan, 1997: Hydrographic analysis for Kuroshio intrudes into the South China Sea II.Chinese Journal of Tropic Oceanography,16(2), 1–23. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu Jianping, Su Jilan, and Chou Dezhong, 1996: Hydrographic analysis for Kuroshio intrudes into the South China Sea I.Oceanography in China,6, Su Jilan et al., Eds., China Ocean Press, Beijing, 1–11. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu Xizhen, 1980: General description of the South China Sea circulation. Zeng Qingcun et al., Eds., Chinese Oceanography and Limnology Meeting, 137–145. (in Chinese)

  • Yuan Yaochu, and Pan Ziqun, 1992: Kuroshio transports and heat flux variation in the East China Sea in summer, 1989.Research Papers of Kuroshio Observations IV, Su Jilan Ed., China Ocean Press, 279–297. (in Chinese)

  • Yuan Yaochu, Su Jilan, and Xia Songyun, 1986: A diagnostic model of summer circulation on the northwest shelf of the East China Sea.Progress in Oceanography,17, 163–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yuan Yaochu, Su Jilan, and Jia Songjun, 1987: Three dimensional diagnostic calculation over the East China Sea Shelf.Acta Oceanologica Sinica,6, 36–50. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Huaimin, and N. G. Hogg, 1992: Circulation and water mass balance in the Brazil Basin.J. Mar. Res.,45, 347–375.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Huaimin, and N. G. Hogg, 1996: Deducing dynamic properties from simulated hydrographic data. Part I: Results from a non-eddy-resolving model.J. Mar. Res.,54, 679–703.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Faxiu, Shen Jijun, and A. L. Berestove, 1995: Seasonal characters of the South China Sea large-scale geostophic circulation.Journal of Tropic Oceanography,14(4), 9–14. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Ocean Dynamic Processes and Satellite Oceanography, Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, 310012, Hangzhou

    Wang Guihua

  2. LASG, Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100029, Beijing

    Wang Guihua, Li Rongfeng & Yan Changxiang

Authors
  1. Wang Guihua
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Li Rongfeng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yan Changxiang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wang Guihua.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Guihua, W., Rongfeng, L. & Changxiang, Y. Advances in studying oceanic circulation from hydrographic data with applications in the South China Sea. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 20, 914–920 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02915514

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02915514

Key words

Search

Navigation