Seasonal variation in the current field and development of bottom cold water in Harima-Nada

We investigated the seasonal variation in the current field in Harima-Nada using a high-resolution three-dimensional numerical model. The model showed sufficiently good performance at recreating its spatial and seasonal variation. Additionally, the model successfully reproduced the observed temperature and salinity patterns and values, as well as the observed surface current fields. The seasonal variation was consistent with previous studies, showing downwind circulation in winter induced by northwesterly winds and cyclonic circulation in summer induced by density-driven circulation. The water was well-mixed during winter and stratified in summer. During summer, a bottom cold water (BCW) dome develops beneath the thermocline in the central basin, where a surface cyclonic eddy occurs. Cold water from the previous winter is trapped at the bottom in topographic depressions after the onset of spring, forming BCW in the Harima-Nada (HNBCW). Meanwhile, pressure gradients associated with the density difference across the BCW drive geostrophic flow and form a cyclonic eddy at the surface above the HNBCW. HNBCW experiences a temperature increase of approximately 12.8 & DEG;C from spring to summer, which is associated with vertical diffusion and horizontal advection processes. Air-sea heat flux is the main factor influencing water temperature and its changes in the HNBCW. In addition, topographic features and river discharge factors affected water circulations as well as the formation and variation in the HNBCW. Harima-Nada is a small, shallow semi-enclosed coastal sea, and therefore any small change in these dynamic factors can affect water characteristics.

Automated summary

We studied the seasonal variation in the current field in Harima-Nada using a high-resolution three-dimensional numerical model. The model accurately reproduced the observed temperature and salinity patterns, as well as the surface current fields. The seasonal variation was consistent with previous studies, showing downwind circulation in winter and cyclonic circulation in summer.