Water mass properties, variabilities and origins in northern bornea

Abstract

We present a definition of water mass properties, variabilities and origins along the coast of northern Borneo based on 55 CTD casts taken during cruises in July 2009. We also studied data from four Argo profiling floats in the surrounding seas. The temperature salinity (TS) relation in the South China Sea, Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea show the existence of eight water masses. Earlier studies defined the surface mixed layer water masses as Open Sea Water (OSW), Continental Shelf Water (CSW) and Seasonal Thermocline Water (STW). Below the layer of this active mixing are subsurface zones of rapid transition called the Tropical Surface Water (TSW) and Maximum Salinity Water (MaxSW). Permanent Thermocline Water (PTW), Minimum Salinity Water (MinSW) and Deep Water (DW) are at the intermediate layer to about 1000 m.