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Based on satellite altimeter data, it was found that the mesoscale eddy propagates along the continental slope in northern South China Sea. When the mesoscale eddy passed the Dongsha Islands, the propagation speed clearly slowed down. Additionally, the radius increased and strength decreased when the mesoscale eddy touched the Dongsha Islands. Using the analytic expression for the speed of the center of an isolated eddy, it was found that the sudden slowdown of the zonal propagation speed was accompanied by the sudden decrease of the meridional topography gradient, which was the main reason for the slowdown of the propagation speed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Based on the satellite altimeter data, it is found that the topography trapped wave (TTW) propagates along the continental shelf in the northern South China Sea (NSCS). The TTW obviously slows down while passing by the Dongsha Islands. Using a quasi-geostrophic equation including the topography effect, we found that the topographic gradient induced by the Dongsha Islands determines the propagation speed, leading to the slowdown of the TTW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on simulation, the summer upper-ocean cross-isobath's flow on the Northern South China Sea has been analyzed. East to Xisha water, the cross-isobaths flow mainly onshore, including little offshore flows. On Xisha water, the sea water flows onshore on the north side and is reversed on the other side. The momentum balance shows that the along-isobath's barotropic pressure gradient determines the distribution of the cross-isobath flow. Theoretical analysis shows that the along-isobath's density gradient and the windstress curl are two important factors that determine the along-isobath's sea surface height gradient, which is the main contributor to the barotropic pressure gradient. Numerical experiments demonstrate that the temperature distribution dominates the along-isobath's density gradient and determines the along-isobath's sea surface height gradient. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The large-scale upper circulations and meridional overturning in the upper layer of the South China Sea (SCS) with idealized bottom topography in winter and summer are investigated. Simulations with the GFDL general circulation model are carried out under the conditions of open or enclosed boundary regarding transport in the Luzon Strait. The intrusion area of Kuroshio, its impact on the meridional overturning in the upper layer of the SCS and seasonal characteristic of this impact are explored, respectively. The model is forced by climatological wind stress and relaxed to monthly mean climatological temperature and salinity. The resultant meridional overturning is non-enclosed, with transporting from north to south in the surface and returning to north at the depth of about 500 m in winter, about 200 m in summer, with amplitudes of 105 m³/s. It shows the transporting path of intermediate water of the SCS and offers an idealized reference for further study on dynamics of wind-driven and thermohaline circulation of the SCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]