Southward Intrusion of the East Sea Intermediate Water into the Ulleung Basin: Observations in 1992 and 1993

Abstract

Hydrographic data retrieved in the southwestern part of the East Sea in 1992-1993 were analyzed to investigate the probability of southward intrusion of the East Sea Intermediate Water (ESIW) into the Ulleung Basin. The ESIW showed the ranges of 1 to 4$^{\circ}$C in potential temperature, 33.80-34.06 psu in salinity, and 26.9-27.3 kg/m$^3$ in potential density (${\sigma}$$_{\theta}$). The mean depth occupied by the ESIW was 170 m, where the characteristic values of the above three were 2.64$^{\circ}$C , 34.02 psu, and 27.13 kg/m$^3$, respectively. One of the most prominent features of the ESIW was that its salinity changed not only seasonally but also interannually. It was low in summer and high in winter. The salinity within the isopycnal layer of 26.9-27.3 kg/m$^3$ was closely related with the potential vorticity (${\rho}$$_{\theta}^{-1}$ f ${\varrho}$${\rho}_{\theta}$/${\varrho}$z), being in direct proportion to the salinity. This implies that the low-salinity water was thicker than the high-salinity water. The flow path of the ESIW was investigated by tracking the low-salinity or the low-potential vorticity water and by referring to acceleration potential. Careful analysis of the flow path proves that the ESIW intrudes from the north between the Korean coast and Ulleung Island into the Ulleung Basin in summer. Existence of the high-potential vorticity water in the Ulleung Basin is associated with the interruption of the inflow of low-salinity water.

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