Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Surface suspended particulate matter concentration in the Taiwan Strait during summer and winter monsoons

  • Published:
Ocean Dynamics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Taiwan Strait (TS), situated between Taiwan and China, is shallow, relatively turbid, and characterized by strong tidal currents and winter and summer monsoon seasons. The aim of this study was to use images from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board the Aqua satellite to investigate how local sediment sources in addition to the seasonality in wind, oceanographic currents, and waves influence the suspended particulate matter (SPM) dynamics in the TS. In winter, northeast (NE) winds drive the China Coastal Current southward. Cold water with a high SPM concentration is transported southward into the Strait. After the highest SPM concentration reaches its peak in December and January, the winds weaken and the SPM concentration decreases. During summer, winds are less strong and SPM concentration is lower. Although typhoons typically occur in summer, they generate only a weak signal in the surface SPM concentration data from MODIS because of the low number of cloud-free images during these periods. Typhoons result in a short-term increase in the SPM concentration but do not strongly influence the seasonal values in the satellite-derived SPM concentration maps.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Atlas R, Hoffman RN, Ardizzone J, Leidner SM, Jusem JC, Smith DK, Gombos D (2011) A cross-calibrated, multiplatform ocean surface wind velocity product for meteorological and oceanographic applications. Bull Am Meteorol Soc 92:157–174. doi:10.1175/2010BAMS2946.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bai Y, Huang T-H, He X, Wang S-L, Hsin Y-C, Wu C-R, Lui H-K, Chen C-TA (2015) Intrusion of the Pearl River plume into the main channel of the Taiwan Strait in summer. J Sea Res 95:1–15. doi:10.1016/j.seares.2014.10.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen CTA, Wang S-L (2006) A salinity front in the southern East China Sea separating the Chinese coastal and Taiwan Strait waters from Kuroshio waters. Cont Shelf Res 26:1636–1653. doi:10.1016/j.csr.2006.05.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chien H, Chiang W-S, Cheng H-Y, Liu K-K (2011) On the resuspension of sediment in strong tidal current. Proc 33rd Ocean Eng Conf, National Kaohsiung Marine University, Taiwan

  • Cummings JA (2006) Operational multivariate ocean data assimilation. DTIC Document

  • Cummings JA, Smedstad OM (2013) Variational data assimilation for the global ocean. In: Data Assimilation for atmospheric, oceanic and hydrologic applications (Vol. II), p 303–343

  • Dadson S, Hovius N, Pegg S, Dade WB, Horng M, Chen H (2005) Hyperpycnal river flows from an active mountain belt. J Geophysi Res 110:F04016. doi:10.1029/2004JF000244

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeMaster DJ, McKee BA, Nittrouer CA, Jiangchu Q, Guodong C (1985) Rates of sediment accumulation and particle reworking based on radiochemical measurements from continental shelf deposits in the East China Sea. Cont Shelf Res 4:143–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dogliotti AI, Ruddick KR, Nechad B, Doxaran D, Knaeps E (2015) A single algorithm to retrieve turbidity from remotely-sensed data in all coastal and estuarine waters. Remote Sens Environ 156:157–168. doi:10.1016/j.rse.2014.09.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doxaran D, Froidefond J-M, Lavender S, Castaing P (2002) Spectral signature of highly turbid waters: application with SPOT data to quantify suspended particulate matter concentrations. Remote Sens Environ 81:149–161. doi:10.1016/S0034-4257(01)00341-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fettweis MP, Nechad B (2011) Evaluation of in situ and remote sensing sampling methods for SPM concentrations, Belgian continental shelf (southern North Sea. Ocean Dyn 61:157–171. doi:10.1007/s10236-010-0310-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fettweis M, Monbaliu J, Baeye M, Nechad B, Van den Eynde D (2012) Weather and climate induced spatial variability of surface suspended particulate matter concentration in the North Sea and the English Channel. Meth Oceanogr 3–4:25–39. doi:10.1016/j.mio.2012.11.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fox D, Teague W, Barron C, Carnes M, Lee C (2002) The Modular Ocean Data Assimilation System (MODAS). J Atmosph Ocean Technol 19:240–252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han B, Loisel H, Vantrepotte V, Mériaux X, Bryère P, Ouillon S, Dessailly D, Xing Q, Zhu J (2016) Development of a semi-analytical algorithm for the retrieval of suspended particulate matter from remote sensing over clear to very turbid waters. Remote Sens 8:211. doi:10.3390/rs8030211

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoefel F, Elgar S (2003) Wave-induced sediment transport and sandbar migration. Science 299:1885–1887

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hong H, Zhang C, Shang S, Huang B, Li Y, Li X, Zhang S (2009) Interannual variability of summer coastal upwelling in the Taiwan Strait. Cont Shelf Res 29:479–484. doi:10.1016/j.csr.2008.11.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jan S, Wang J, Chern C-S, Chao S-Y (2002) Seasonal variation of the circulation in the Taiwan Strait. J Mar Syst 35:249–268. doi:10.1016/S0924-7963(02)00130-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jan S, Wang Y-H, Wang D-P, Chao S-Y (2004) Incremental inference of boundary forcing for a three-dimensional tidal model: tides in the Taiwan Strait. Cont Shelf Res 24:337–351. doi:10.1016/j.csr.2003.11.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kao SJ, Milliman JD (2008) Water and sediment discharge from small mountainous rivers, Taiwan: the roles of lithology, episodic events, and human activities. J Geol 116:431–448. doi:10.1086/590921

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Y, Xu X, Yin X, Fang J, Hu W, Chen J (2015) Remote-sensing observations of typhoon Soulik (2013) forced upwelling and sediment transport enhancement in the northern Taiwan Strait international. J Remote Sens 36:2201–2218. doi:10.1080/01431161.2015.1035407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liao H-R, H-S Y, C-C S (2008) Morphology and sedimentation of sand bodies in the tidal shelf sea of eastern Taiwan Strait. Mar Geol 248:161–178. doi:10.1016/j.margeo.2007.10.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin M-C, Juang W-J, Tsay T-K (2000) Applications of the mild-slope equation to tidal computations in the Taiwan Strait. J Oceanogr 56:625–642

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu JT, Lin H-L, Hung J-J (2006) A submarine canyon conduit under typhoon conditions off southern Taiwan. Deep Sea Res I 53:223–240. doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2005.09.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Z, Tuo S, Colin C, Liu JT, Huang CY, Selvaraj K, Chen CTA, Zhao Y, Siringan FP, Boulay S, Chen Z (2008) Detrital fine-grained sediment contribution from Taiwan to the northern South China Sea and its relation to regional ocean circulation. Mar Geol 255:149–155. doi:10.1016/j.margeo.2008.08.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milliman JD, Kao SJ (2005) Hyperpycnal discharge of fluvial sediment to the ocean: impact of super-typhoon herb (1996) on Taiwanese rivers. J Geology 113:503–516

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milliman JD, Meade RH (1983) World-wide delivery of river sediment to the oceans. J Geol 91:1–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NASA/GSFC/NOAA (2009) Cross-calibrated multi-platform ocean surface wind vector L3.0 first-look analyses. Ver. 1. PO.DAAC, CA, USA. Dataset accessed [2015–04-21] at 10.5067/CCF30-01XXX

  • Nechad B, Ruddick K, Park Y (2010) Calibration and validation of a generic multisensor algorithm for mapping of total suspended matter in turbid waters. Remote Sens Environ 114:854–866. doi:10.1016/j.rse.2009.11.022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patt FS, Barnes R, Eplee R, Franz B, Robinson W (2003) Algorithm updates for the fourth SeaWiFS data reprocessing. NASA Technical Memorandum, 22

  • Qiu Y, Li L, Chen CA, Guo X, Jing C (2011) Currents in the Taiwan Strait as observed by surface drifters. J Oceanogr 67:395. doi:10.1007/s10872-011-0033-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schoellhamer DA (2002) Variability of suspended-sediment concentration at tidal to annual time scales in San Francisco Bay, USA. Cont Shelf Res 22:1857–1866. doi:10.1016/S0278-4343(02)00042-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song GS, Chen MP (1992) Grain size distributions and depositional processes in northern Taiwan Strait Hsin-Chu offshore area. Acta Oceanogr Taiwanica 13:84–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Vanhellemont Q, Ruddick K (2011) Generalized satellite image processing: eight years of ocean colour data for any region on Earth. Proc SPIE 8175:81750Q. doi:10.1117/12.898300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vanhellemont Q, Nechad, B, Ruddick, K (2011) GRIMAS: gridding and archiving of satellite-derived ocean colour data for any region on Earth. In: Longhorn R et al (eds) CoastGIS 5–8 September 2011 Oostende, Belgium, p 26–27

  • Wang YH, Jan S, Wang DP (2003) Transports and tidal current estimates in the Taiwan Strait from shipboard ADCP observations (1999–2001). Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 57:193–199. doi:10.1016/S0272-7714(02)00344-X

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang P, Li Q, Li C-F (2014) Sedimentalogy. Geology of the China Seas, 1st edition. Elsevier. 301 pp

  • WRA (2016) Statistic of water resources. Water Resources Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs. http://eng.wra.gov.tw/lp.asp?ctNode=6901&CtUnit=874&BaseDSD=4. Accessed 20 Jan 2016

  • Xu K, Milliman JD, Li A, Liu JP, Kao S-J, Wan S (2009) Yangtze-and Taiwan-derived sediments on the inner shelf of East China Sea. Cont Shelf Res 29:2240–2256. doi:10.1016/j.csr.2009.08.017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu H-C, Yu C-S, Chu C-H, Teyr T-C (2014) A regional ocean current forecast operational system for the sea around Taiwan. In: EGU Conf, 27 April–2 May, Vienna 5613

Download references

Acknowledgments

Part of this research is supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST105-2221-E-110-002). T.Y. Chou visited RBINS with a 2015 student abroad training fund granted by the Ministry of Education. M. Fettweis visited NSYSU with MOST and NSYSU scholar exchange funds. Part of the ocean seurface current data were retrieved 2015–05-07, from HYCOM https://hycom.org/data/glbu0pt08/expt-19pt1 HYCOM + NCODA Global 2015 1/12° reanalysis (GLBu0.08/expt_19.1).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marine Environment and Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Lien-Hai Road 70, 80424, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Jason C. S. Yu, Tzu-Yin Chou, Hao-Cheng Yu & Peihung Chen

  2. Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Operational Directorate Natural Environment, Gulledelle 100, B-1200, Brussels, Belgium

    Quinten Vanhellemont & Michael Fettweis

Authors
  1. Jason C. S. Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tzu-Yin Chou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hao-Cheng Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Peihung Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Quinten Vanhellemont
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Michael Fettweis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jason C. S. Yu.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Joris Vanlede

This article is part of the Topical Collection on the 13th International Conference on Cohesive Sediment Transport in Leuven, Belgium 7–11 September 2015

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yu, J.C.S., Chou, TY., Yu, HC. et al. Surface suspended particulate matter concentration in the Taiwan Strait during summer and winter monsoons. Ocean Dynamics 66, 1517–1527 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-016-0992-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-016-0992-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation