Kuroshio Transports continued

Do the Kuroshio transports fluctuate in patterns related to the meander cycles? Volume transport of the Kuroshio was estimated by integrating the simply connected region of eastward velocities, derived from GEM, enclosing the Kuroshio position shown on the previous page. This procedure avoids including, as Kuroshio transport, the offshore westward recirculation or unconnected deep eastward flows. Temperature transport of the Kuroshio was estimated by integrating (within the same region used for the Kuroshio volume transport) the product of eastward current velocity, temperature (from the T GEM), and (density x C_p) = 4.08 x 10⁶J m^-3°C^-1. Note that (density x C_p) may be taken as a constant within the accuracy of the calculation (Hall and Bryden 1982).

Kuroshio volume transport during this two-year study had a mean value of 66±4 Sv and standard deviation of 20 Sv. Individual daily transports ranged from 25 to 139 Sv. The average error and average percentage error for the Kuroshio transport time series (one estimate per day) were ±14 Sv and 23%, respectively. Kuroshio temperature transport during this two-year study had a mean value of 3.7 PW and standard deviation of 0.9 PW. Individual daily temperature transports ranged from 1.5 to 6.2 PW.

NEXT: Transports continued

Abstract

Introduction

Dynamic Heights

Velocities

Transports

Conclusions

References

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