Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Seasonal variation of the surface North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC) in the western Pacific Ocean

  • Physics
  • Published:
Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC) is an important zonal flow in the upper circulation of the tropical Pacific Ocean, which plays a vital role in the heat budget of the western Pacific warm pool. Using satellite-derived data of ocean surface currents and sea surface heights (SSHs) from 1992 to 2011, the seasonal variation of the surface NECC in the western tropical Pacific Ocean was investigated. It was found that the intensity (INT) and axis position (Y CM ) of the surface NECC exhibit strikingly different seasonal fluctuations in the upstream (128°–136°E) and downstream (145°–160°E) regions. Of the two regions, the seasonal cycle of the upstream NECC shows the greater interannual variability. Its INT and YCM are greatly influenced by variations of the Mindanao Eddy, Mindanao Dome (MD), and equatorial Rossby waves to its south. Both INT and Y CM also show semiannual signals induced by the combined effects of equatorial Rossby waves from the Central Pacific and local wind forcing in the western Pacific Ocean. In the downstream region, the variability of the NECC is affected by SSH anomalies in the MD and the central equatorial Pacific Ocean. Those in the MD region are especially important in modulating the YCM of the downstream NECC. In addition to the SSH-related geostrophic flow, zonal Ekman flow driven by meridional wind stress also plays a role, having considerable impact on INT variability of the surface NECC. The contrasting features of the variability of the NECC in the upstream and downstream regions reflect the high complexity of regional ocean dynamics.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ando K, Hasegawa T. 2009. Annual zonal displacement of Pacific warm pool in association with El Niño onset. SOLA, 5: 149–152, http://dx.doi.org/10.2151/sola.2009-038.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arruda W Z, Nof D. 2003. The Mindanao and Halmahera eddies-twin eddies induced by nonlinearities. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 33 (12): 2815–2830.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balmaseda M A, Vidard A, Anderson D L T. 2008. The ECMWF ocean analysis system: ORA-S3. Mon. Wea. Rev., 136 (8): 3018–3034.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonjean F, Lagerloef G S E. 2002. Diagnostic model and analysis of the surface currents in the tropical Pacific Ocean. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 32 (10): 2938–2954, http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0485(2002)032<2938: DMAAOT> 2.0.CO;2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Z H, Wu L X. 2011. Dynamics of the seasonal variation of the North Equatorial Current bifurcation. J. Geophys. Res., 116 (C2): C02018, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2010JC006664.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christian J R, Murtugudde R, Ballabrera-Poy J, McClain C R. 2004. A ribbon of dark water: phytoplankton blooms in the meanders of the Pacific North Equatorial Countercurrent. Deep Sea Res. Part II, 51 (1-3): 209–228, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2003.06.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delcroix T, Eldin G, Hénin C. 1987. Upper ocean water masses and transports in the western tropical Pacific (165°E). J. Phys. Oceanogr., 17 (12): 2248–2262, http://dx.doi. org/10.1175/1520-0485(1987)017<2248:UOWMAT>2.0. CO;2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delcroix T, Eldin G, Radenac M H, Toole J, Firing E. 1992. Variation of the western equatorial Pacific Ocean, 1986-1988. J. Geophys. Res., 97 (C4): 5423–5445, http://dx. doi.org/10.1029/92JC00127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dibarboure G, Lauret O, Mertz F, Rosmorduc V, Maheu C. 2008. SSALTO/DUACS User Handbook: (M)SLA and (M)ADT Near-Real Time and Delayed Time Products, Aviso Altimetry, Ramonville St. Agne, France. 39p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Donguy J R, Meyers G. 1996. Mean annual variation of transport of major currents in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Deep Sea Res. Part I, 43 (7): 1105–1122, http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/0967-0637(96)00047-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ducet N, Le Traon P Y, Reverdin G. 2000. Global highresolution mapping of ocean circulation from TOPEX/Poseidon and ERS-1 and -2. J. Geophys. Res., 105 (C8), 19477–19498, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2000JC900063.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fine R A, Lukas R, Bingham F M, Warner M J, Gammon R H. 1994. The western equatorial Pacific: a water mass crossroads. J. Geophys. Res., 99 (C12): 25063–25025, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/94JC02277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gouriou Y, Toole J. 1993. Mean circulation of the upper layers of the western equatorial Pacific Ocean. J. Geophys. Res., 98 (C12): 22495–22520, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/93JC02513.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heron S F, Joseph Metzger E, Skirving W J. 2006. Seasonal variations of the ocean surface circulation in the vicinity of Palau. J. Oceanogr., 62 (4): 413–426, http://dx.doi. org/10.1007/s10872-006-0065-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hsin Y C, Qiu B. 2012. Seasonal fluctuations of the surface North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC) across the Pacific basin. J. Geophys. Res., 117 (C6): C06001, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2011JC007794.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu D X, Wu L X, Cai W J et al. 2015. Pacific western boundary currents and their roles in climate. Nature, 522 (7556): 299–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson E S, Bonjean F, Lagerloef G S E, Gunn J T, Mitchum G T. 2007. Validation and error analysis of OSCAR sea surface currents. J. Atmo s. Oceanic. Tech, 24 (4): 688–701, http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JTECH1971.1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson G C, Sloyan B M, Kessler W S, McTaggart K E. 2002. Direct measurements of upper ocean currents and water properties across the tropical Pacific during the 1990s. Prog. Oceanogr., 52 (1): 31–61, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0079-6611(02)00021-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kashino Y, Aoyama M, Kawano T, Syaefudi N H, Anantasena Y, Muneyama K, Watanabe H. 1996. The water masses between Mindanao and New Guinea. J. Geophys. Res., 101 (C5): 12391–12400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kashino Y, Atmadipoera A, Kuroda Y, Lukijanto. 2013. Observed features of the Halmahera and Mindanao Eddies. J. Geophys. Res., 118 (12): 6543–6560, http://dx. doi.org/10.1002/2013JC009207.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kashino Y, Watanabe H, Herunadi B, Aoyama M, Hartoyo D. 1999. Current variability at the Pacific entrance of the Indonesian Throughflow. J. Geophys. Res., 104 (C5): 11021–11035.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kessler W S. 1990. Observations of long Rossby waves in the northern tropical Pacific. J. Geophys. Res., 95 (C4): 5183–5217, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/JC095iC04p05183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuroda Y. 2000. Variability of currents offthe northern coast of New Guinea. J. Oceanogr., 56 (1): 103–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Traon P Y, Nadal F, Ducet N. 1998. An improved mapping method of multisatellite altimeter data. J. Atmo s. Oceanic. Tech nol., 15 (2): 522–534, http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(1998)015<0522:AIMMOM>2.0.CO;2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y L, Han W Q, Wilkin J L, Zhang W G, Arango H, Zavala- Garay J, Levin J, Castruccio F S. 2014. Interannual variability of the surface summertime eastward jet in the South China Sea. J. Geophys. Res., 119 (10): 7205–7228, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2014jc010206.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y L, Wang F, Zhai F G. 2012. Interannual variations of subsurface spiciness in the Philippine Sea: observations and mechanism. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 42 (6): 1022–1038.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y L, Wang F. 2012. Spreading and salinity change of North Pacific Tropical Water in the Philippine Sea. J. Oceanogr., 68 (3): 439–452.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lindstrom E, Lukas R, Fine R, Firing E, Godfrey S, Meyers G, Tsuchiya M. 1987. The western equatorial Pacific Ocean circulation study. Nature, 330 (6148): 533–537.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lukas R, Yamagata T, McCreary J P. 1996. Pacific low-latitude western boundary currents and the Indonesian throughflow. J. Geophys. Res., 101 (C5): 12209–12216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masumoto Y, Yamagata T. 1991. Response of the western tropical Pacific to the Asian winter monsoon: the generation of the Mindanao Dome. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 21 (9): 1386–1398, http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0485 (1991)021<1386: ROTWTP>2.0.CO;2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masunaga H, L’Ecuyer T S. 2011. Equatorial asymmetry of the east Pacific ITCZ: Observational constraints on the underlying processes. J. Clim., 24 (6): 1784–1800.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McPhaden M J. 1995. The Tropical Atmosphere-Ocean Array is completed. Bull. Amer. Meteorol. Soc., 76: 739–741.

    Google Scholar 

  • McPhaden M J. 1996. Monthly period oscillations in the pacific North Equatorial Countercurrent. J. Geophys. Res., 101 (C3): 6337–6359, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/95JC03620.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyers G. 1979. On the annual Rossby wave in the tropical North Pacific Ocean. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 9(4): 663–674, http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0485(1979)009<0663:OT ARWI>2.0.CO;2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Philander S G H, Hurlin W J, Seigel A D. 1987. Simulation of the seasonal cycle of the tropical Pacific Ocean. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 17 (11): 1986–2002, http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0485(1987)017<1986:SOTSCO>2.0.CO;2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinault J L. 2013. Long wave resonance in Tropical Oceans and implications on climate: the Atlantic Ocean. Pure Appl. Geophys., 170 (11): 1913–1930.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinault J L. 2014). From the Melody of the Oceans to Climate Change: A Fight Against Ostracism. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, South Carolina, USA. 218p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu B, Chen S M. 2012. Multidecadal sea level and gyre circulation variability in the northwestern tropical Pacific Ocean. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 42 (1): 193–206. http://dx.doi. org/10.1175/JPO-D-11-061.1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu B, Joyce T M. 1992. Interannual variability in the mid-and low-latitude western North Pacific. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 22 (9): 1062–1079, http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0485 (1992)022<1062:IVITMA>2.0.CO;2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu B, Lukas R. 1996. Seasonal and interannual variability of the North Equatorial Current, the Mindanao Current, and the Kuroshio along the Pacific western boundary. J. Geophys. Res., 101 (C5), 12315–12330, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/95JC03204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qu T D, Gan J P, Ishida A, Kashino Y, Tozuka T. 2008. Semiannual variation in the western tropical Pacific Ocean. Geophys. Res. Lett., 35 (16): L16602, http://dx.doi. org/10.1029/2008GL035058.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qu T D, Mitsudera H, Yamagata T. 1999. A climatology of the circulation and water mass distribution near the Philippine Coast. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 29 (7): 1488–1505.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reverdin G, Frankignoul C, Kestenare E, McPhaden M J. 1994. Seasonal variability in the surface currents of the equatorial Pacific. J. Geophys. Res., 99 (C10): 20323–20344, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/94JC01477.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards K J, Xie S P, Miyama T. 2009. Vertical mixing in the ocean and its impact on the coupled ocean-atmosphere system in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. J. Clim., 22 (13): 3703–3719, http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2009JCLI2702.1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rio M H, Guinehut S, Larnicol G. 2011. New CNES-CLS09 global mean dynamic topography computed from the combination of GRACE data, altimetry, and in situ measurements. J. Geophys. Res., 116 (C7): C07018, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2010JC006505.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shinoda T, Hurlburt H E, Metzger E J. 2011. Anomalous tropical ocean circulation associated with La Niña Modoki. J. Geophys. Res., 116 (C12): C12001, http://dx. doi.org/10.1029/2011JC007304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sprintall J, Kennan S, Kim Y Y, Niiler P. 2009. Wind-driven ageostrophic transport in the North Equatorial Countercurrent of the eastern Pacific at 95°W. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 39 (11): 2985–2998, http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2009JPO4088.1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki T, Sakamoto T T, Nishimura T, Okada N, Emori S, Oka A, Hasumi H. 2005. Seasonal cycle of the Mindanao Dome in the CCSR/NIES/FRCGC atmosphere-ocean coupled model. Geophys. Res. lett., 32 (17): L17604, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2005GL023666.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toole J M, Millard R C, Wang Z, Pu S. 1990. Observations of the Pacific North Equatorial current bifurcation at the Philippine coast. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 20 (2): 307–318.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyrtki K, Kendall R. 1967. Transports of the Pacific equatorial countercurrent. J. Geophys. Res., 72 (8): 2073–2076, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/JZ072i008p02073.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyrtki K. 1975. El Niño-the dynamic response of the Equatorial Pacific Ocean to atmospheric forcing. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 5 (4): 572–584, http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0485(1975)005<0572:ENTDRO>2.0.CO;2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyrtki K. 1979. Sea level variations: monitoring the breath of the Pacific. Eos, 60 (3): 25–27, http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/EO060i003p00025.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yaremchuk M, Qu T D. 2004. Seasonal variability of the largescale currents near the coast of the Philippines coast. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 34 (4): 844–855.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu X R, McPhaden M J. 1999. Seasonal variability in the equatorial Pacific. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 29 (5): 925–947.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao J, Li Y L, Wang F, Zhai F G, Yu X L. 2012. Spatialtemporal patterns and driving mechanisms of semiannual variations in the Philippine Sea. Deep-Sea Res. Part I, 68: 105–115, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2012.07.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao J, Li Y L, Wang F. 2013a. The role of mindanao dome in the variability of the Pacific North equatorial current bifurcation. J. Oceanogr., 69 (3): 313–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao J, Li Y L, Wang F. 2013b. Dynamical responses of the west Pacific North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC) system to El Niño events. J. Geophys. Res., 118 (6): 2828–2844, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jgrc.20196.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Ocean Circulation and Waves, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China

    Jun Zhao  (赵君), Yuanlong Li  (李元龙) & Fan Wang  (王凡)

  2. Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, USA

    Yuanlong Li  (李元龙)

  3. Function Laboratory for Ocean Dynamics and Climate, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266000, China

    Fan Wang  (王凡)

Authors
  1. Jun Zhao  (赵君)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yuanlong Li  (李元龙)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Fan Wang  (王凡)
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fan Wang  (王凡).

Additional information

Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41276001), the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. XDA11010201), the Global Change and Air-Sea Interaction Program (No. GASI-03-01-01-05), the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program) (No. 2012CB417401), and the Scientific and Technological Development Plan Project of Shandong Province (No. 2013GRC31503)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhao, J., Li, Y. & Wang, F. Seasonal variation of the surface North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC) in the western Pacific Ocean. Chin. J. Ocean. Limnol. 34, 1332–1346 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-016-5119-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-016-5119-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation