Estimation of water transport exchange between the East Vietnam Sea and the neighboring seas using a 3D hydrodynamic model

Abstract

The East Vietnam Sea connects the Pacific and Indian Oceans through several interocean straits (SCSTF). A high resolution (4 km) simulation is performed with the three-dimensional regional ocean model SYMPHONIE to provide consistent estimates of the climatological averages and the interannual variability of the water transport exchanged between the East Vietnam Sea and the neighboring seas. The East Sea receives an annual average water transport of 4.45±1.35 Sv, mainly from the Luzon Strait (95%). Less than 5% of the water input comes from the atmosphere, rivers and the Balabac Strait. The East Vietnam Sea laterally releases the total amount of water input, mainly to the Sulu Sea through the Mindoro strait (49%), to the East China Sea via the Taiwan strait (28%) and to the Java Sea through the Karimata strait (22%). The interannual variability of total exchanged water volume is driven by water transport at Luzon and Mindoro straits. ENSO has a significant impact on water transport at Luzon and Mindoro straits.