Progress on deep circulation and meridional overturning circulation in the South China Sea

• Published in: Science China. Earth sciences Vol. 59; no. 9; pp. 1827 - 1833
• Main Authors: Wang, DongXiao, Xiao, JinGen, Shu, YeQiang, Xie, Qiang, Chen, Ju, Wang, Qiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Beijing Science China Press 01.09.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Deep water; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Marine; Ocean circulation; Ocean-atmosphere interaction; Overflow; Progress; Topography; 动力学机制; 南海; 吕宋海峡; 深循环; 环和; 环流; 空间结构; 翻转; South China Sea; ISEW, South China Sea; ISEW, Pacific, Luzon Strait; Luzon overflow; SCS deep circulation; Topography; SCSMOC
• ISSN: 1674-7313; 1869-1897
• DOI: 10.1007/s11430-016-5324-6

The deep overflow through the Luzon Strait drives the cyclonic deep circulation in the South China Sea （SCS）. In the mean time, the intruding Pacific deep water transforms and upwells due to enhanced diapycnal mixing in the SCS. Both processes greatly contribute to the SCS meridional overturning circulation （SCSMOC）. At the same time, both the deep circulation and meridional overturning circulation are modulated by rough topography in the SCS. Furthermore, the spatial structure of the SCSMOC infers a link between the upper-layer circulation and deep circulation in the SCS. This paper reviews recent advances in the SCS deep circulation and meridional overturning circulation, including the driving mechanism of the SCS deep circulation and its modulation by topography, as well as the spatial structure of the SCSMOC and its dynamical mechanism.