Variation in Water Masses on Shelf of Northern Bering Sea in September 2016-2018

Abstract

Based on hydrological data obtained during the 7th to 9th Chinese National Arctic Research Expeditions in the summers of 2016–2018, the main water structure on the shelf of the northern Bering Sea and the volume and heat fluxes of the Bering Strait throughflow were analyzed. Distinct variability was identified in the three Pacific water masses feeding the strait - Anadyr Water (AW), Bering Shelf Water (BSW) and Alaskan coastal water (ACW). Overall, the temperature and salinity of the entire section increased each year, with 2018 showing significant anomalies, i.e., a temperature anomaly of up to 1 °C and a maximum salinity anomaly of 2. From 2016 to 2018, the extent of the ACW gradually narrowed in the eastern part of this section, while the AW expanded eastward each year. The net volume transport through each of the three sections increased poleward from 1.65 Sv to 2.76 Sv, with the AW increasing from 0 Sv to 1.03 Sv, the BSW varying between 0.52–1.65 Sv, and the ACW gradually decreasing from 1.04 Sv to disappearing completely. The net heat fluxes were also poleward, varying between 25.77 TW and 61.50 TW, and showing a significant increase. Significant variations in magnitude and extent were observed in each water mass of the Bering Strait throughflow, which could produce widespread effects in the Arctic Ocean and the global ocean beyond.

Keywords:

• Heat fluxes
• interannual variations
• Northern Bering Sea shelf
• volume transports
• water properties

Additional information

Funding

This article was funded by Ministry of Science and Technology of China under contact No. 2016YFC1402702, 2016YFC1400303 and 2019YFC1408201; National Natural Science Foundation of China under contact No. 41606221; National Key R&D Program Projects under contact No. 2017YFA0603104; “Operation of National Arctic Observing and Monitoring Network – Physical Oceanography Investigation in the Arctic in 2019”, “Arctic Drifting Ice Camp Project (MOSAiC Project) in 2019”, “Monitoring on Basic Environment and Marine Biodiversity in Key Regions of Arctic Ocean–Hydrological Elements in 2020”, “Arctic Sea-Ice-Air Interaction and Its Effect on Weather and Climate –Arctic Marine Environment Change and Its Climate Effect in 2020”, under Arctic and Antarctic Practical Investigation and Scientific Research Programme, Ministry of Natural Resources.