Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A review on the South China Sea western boundary current

  • Published:
Acta Oceanologica Sinica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The advances in understanding the South China Sea (SCS) western boundary current (SCSwbc) have been reviewed since the works of Dale (1956) and Wyrtki (1961) in the middle of the 20th century. The features of the pattern of SCSwbc and the oceanic phenomena associated with it are focused on. The current is driven mainly by monsoon over the SCS and partially by winds over the tropical Pacific governed by the island rule. The SCSwbc exhibits strong seasonal variation in its direction and patterns. In winter, the current is strong and flows southwestward along the South China shelf and slope from the east of Dongsha Islands to the northern central Vietnamese coast, then turns to the south along the central and southern Vietnamese coast, and finally partially exits the SCS through the Karimata Strait. In summer and early fall, the SCSwbc can be divided into three segments based on their characteristics. The southern segment is stable, flowing northward from the Karimata Strait up to about 11°N, where it separates from the coast forming an eastward offshore current. The separation of the current from Vietnamese coast induces some striking features, such as upwelling and cold sea-surface temperature. The middle segment off the central Vietnamese coast may have a bimodal behavior: northward coastal current and meandering current in early summer (June–July), and cyclonic gyre in later summer and early fall (August–September). The northern segment is featured by the summer SCS Warm Current on the South China shelf and a southwestward subsurface current along the continental slope.

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.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bao Lifeng, Lu Yang, Wang Yong, et al. 2005. Seasonal variation of upper ocean circulation over the South China Sea from satellite altimetry data of many years. Chin J Geophys (in Chinese), 48(3): 543–550

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai Shuqun, He Yinghui. 2010. Association of the Sulu Sea surface circulation with the South China Sea. J Mar Syst, 81: 335–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cai Shuqun, Long Xiaomin, Wang Shengan. 2007. A model study of the summer Southeast Vietnam Offshore Current in the southern South China Sea. Cont Shelf Res, 27: 2357–2372

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carton A C, Giese B S. 2008. A reanalysis of ocean climate using simple ocean data assimilation (SODA). Mon Weather Rev, 136: 2999–3017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chao Jiping, Feng Licheng, Wang Dongxiao, et al. 2006. Asymptotic theory of the wind-driven boundary jet’s stability. Chin J Geophys (in Chinese), 49(3): 642–649

    Google Scholar 

  • Chao Shenn-Yu, Shaw Ping-Tung, Wang Joe. 1995. Wind relaxation as a possible cause of the South China Sea warm current. J Oceanogr, 51: 111–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chao Shenn-Yu, Shaw Ping-Tung, Wu S Y. 1996. Deep water ventilation in the South China Sea. Deep-Sea Res, 43: 445–466

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Gengxin, Hou Yijun, Zhang Qilong, et al. 2012. The eddy pair off eastern Vietnam: interannual variability and impact on themohaline structure. Cont Shelf Res, 30: 715–723

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Weifang, Liu Qian, Huh Chih-An, et al. 2010. Signature of the Mekong River plume in the western South China Sea revealed by radium isotopes. J Geophys Res, 115: C12002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chern Ching-Sheng, Wang Joe. 2003. Numerical study of the upper-layer circulation in the South China Sea. J Oceanogr, 59: 11–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chu P C, Chen Yuchun, Lu Shihua. 1998. Wind-driven South China Sea deep basin warm-core/cool-core eddies. J Oceanogr, 54: 347–360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chu P C, Edmons N L, Fan Chenwu. 1999. Dynamical mechanisms for the South China Sea seasonal circulation and thermohaline variabilities. J Phys Oceanogr, 29: 2971–2991

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chu P C, Li Rongfeng. 2000. South China Sea isopycnalsurface circulation. J Phys Oceanogr, 30: 2419–2438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dale W L. 1956. Wind and drift currents in the South China Sea. The Malaysian J Trop Geogr, 8: 1–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Dippner J W, Nguyen K V, Hein H, et al. 2007. Monsoon-induced upwelling off the Vietnamese coast. Ocean Dyn, 57: 46–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du Yan, Wang Dongxiao, Chen Rongyu, et al. 2004. Vertical structure of ADCP observed current in the western boundary of the South China Sea. The Ocean Engineering (in Chinese), 22(2): 31–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang Guohong, Chen Haiying, Wei Zexun, et al. 2006. Trends and interannual variability of the South China Sea surface winds, surface height, and surface temperature in the recent decade. J Geophys Res, 111: C11S16

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang Wendong, Guo Zhongxin, Huang Yuting. 1998. Observational study of the circulation in the southern South China Sea. Chin Sci Bull, 43: 898–905

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang Wendong, Fang Guohong. 1998. The recent progress in the study of the southern South China Sea circulation. Advance in Earth Sciences (in Chinese), 13(2): 166–172

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang Guohong, Fang Wendong, Fang Yue, et al. 1998. A survey of studies on the South China Sea upper ocean circulation. Acta Oceanographica Taiwannica, 37: 1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang Wendong, Guo Junjian, Shi Ping, et al. 2006. Low frequency variability of South China Sea surface circulation from 11 years of satellite altimeter data. Geophys Res Lett, 33: L22612, doi: 10.1029/2006GL027431

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang Wendong, Fang Guohong, Shi Ping, et al. 2002. Seasonal structures of upper layer circulation in the southern South China Sea from in situ observations. J Geophys Res, 107(C11): 3202, doi:10.1029/2002JC001343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang Yue, Fang Guo-hong, Yu Ke-jun. 1996. ADI barotropic ocean model for simulation of Kuroshio intrusion into China southeastern waters. Chin J Oceano Limno, 14: 357–366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang Guohong, Susanto R D, Soesilo I, et al. 2005. A note on the South China Sea shallow interocean circulation. Adv Atmos Sci, 22: 946–954

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang Guohong, Susanto R D, Wirasantosa S, et al. 2010. Volume, heat, and freshwater transports from the South China Sea to Indonesian seas in the boreal winter of 2007–2008. J Geophys Res, 115: C12020, doi:10.1029/2010JC006225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang Guohong, Wang Yonggang, Wei Zexun, et al. 2009. Interocean circulation and heat and freshwater budgets of the South China Sea based on a numerical model. Dyn Atmos Oceans, 47(1–3): 55–72

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo Zhongxin, Yang Tianhong, Qiu Dezhong. 1985. The South China Sea Warm Current and a southwestward current on its right-side in winter. Tropical Oceanology (in Chinese), 4(1): 1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • He Zhigang, Sui Dandan. 2010. Remote sensing and validation of the South China Sea western boundary current in December 2003, 2004 and 2005. Proceeding of 2010 Second IITA International Conference on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Qingdao, 515–518. IEEE, doi: 10.1109/IITA-GRS.2010.5602670

  • Ho Chung-Ru, Kuo Nan-Jung, Zheng Quanan, et al. 2000. Dynamically active areas in the South China Sea detected from TOPEX/POSEIDON satellite altimeter data. Remote Sens Environ, 71: 320–328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu Jianyu, Kawamura H, Hong Huasheng, et al. 2000. A review on the currents in the South China Sea: Seasonal circulation, South China Warm Current and Kuroshio intrusion. J Oceanogr, 56: 617–624

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang Qizhou, Wang Wenzhi, Fu Suncheng, et al. 1997. A westward current that flows through the north of the Dongsha Islands in summer. Tropical Oceanology, 16(2): 58–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuo Nan-Jun, Zheng Quanan, Ho Chung-Ru. 2000. Satellite observation of upwelling along the western coast of the South China Sea. Remote Sensing of Environment, 74: 463–470

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kwan Pingshien. 1978. The warm current in the South China SeaCA current flowing against the wind in winter in the open sea off Guangdong Province. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica (in Chinese), 9(2): 117–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Rongfeng, Huang Qizhou, Wang Wenzhi. 1994. Numerical simulation of South China Sea upper layer currents. Acta Oceanologica Sinica (in Chinese), 16(4): 13–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Li, Wu Lisheng, Guo Xiaogang. 2000. Seasonal circulation in the South China Sea-A TOPEX/Poseidon satellite altimetry study. Acta Oceanologica Sinica (in Chinese), 22(6): 13–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Zhengyu, Yang Haijun, Liu Qinyu. 2001. Regional dynamics of seasonal variability in the South China Sea. J Phys Oceanogr, 31: 272–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu Yonggang, Yuan Yaochu, Su Jilan, et al. 2000. South China Sea summer circulation in 1998. Chin Sci Bull (in Chinese), 45(12): 1252–1259

    Google Scholar 

  • Metzger E J, Hurlburt H E. 1996. Coupled dynamics of the South China Sea, the Sulu Sea, and the Pacific Ocean. J Geophys Res, 101: 12331–12352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Penjan R, Siriporn P, Natinee S, et al. 2001. Temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and water masses of Vietnamese waters. Proceeding of the SEAFDEC Seminar on Fisheries resources in the South China Sea area IV, Vietnamese Waters. Thailand: Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, 346–355

  • Qiu Dezhong, Yang Tianhong, Guo Zhongxin, 1984. A west-flowing current in the northern part of the South China Sea in summer. Tropical Oceanology (in Chinese), 3(4): 65–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Qu Tangdong, Kim Y Y, Yaremchuk M, et al. 2004. Can Luzon Strait transport play a role in conveying the impact of ENSO to the South China Sea? J Climate, 17: 3644–3656

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rong Zengrui, Liu Yuguang, Zong Haibo, et al. 2007. Interannual sea level variability in the South China Sea and its response to ENSO. Global and Planetary Change, 55: 257–272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw Ping-Tung, Chao Shenn-Yu. 1994. Surface circulation in the South China Sea. Deep-Sea Res: I, 41: 1663–1683

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shaw Ping-Tung, Chao Shenn-Yu, Fu Lee-Lueng. 1998. Sea surface height variations in the South China Sea from satellite altimetry. Oceanologica Acta, 22: 1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Su Jilan. 2004. Overview of the South China Sea circulation and its influence on the coastal physical oceanography outside the Pearl River Estuary. Cont Shelf Res, 24: 1745–1760

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takano K, Harashima A, Nnmba T. 1998. A numerical simulation of the circulation in the South China Sea-Preliminary results. Acta Oceanographica Taiwanica, 37: 165–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Tangang F T, Xia Changshui, Qiao Fangli. 2011. Seasonal circulations in the Malay Peninsula eastern continental shelf from a wave-tide-circulation coupled model. Ocean Dyn, 61: 1317–1328

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Yonggang, Fang Guohong, Wei Zexun, et al. 2006. Interannual variation of the South China Sea circulation and its relation to El Niño, as seen from a variable grid global ocean model. J Geophys Res, 111: C11S14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Bin, Huang Fei, Wu Zhiwei, et al. 2009. Multiscale climate variability of the South China Sea monsoon: a review. Dyn Atmos Oceans, 47: 15–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Liping, Koblinsky C J, Howden S. 2000. Mesoscale variability in the South China Sea from the TOPEX/Poseidon altimetry data. Deep-Sea Res: I, 47: 681–708

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Dongxiao, Xie Qiang, Du Yan et al. 2002. The 1997–1998 warm event in the South China Sea. Chin Sci Bull, 47(14): 1221–1227

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Guihua, Chen Dake, Su Jilan. 2006. Generation and life cycle of the dipole in the South China Sea summer circulation. J Geophys Res, 111: C06002, doi:10.1029/2005JC003314

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Guihua, Wang Chunzai, Huang Ruixin. 2010. Interdecadal variability of the eastward current in the South China Sea associated with the summer Asian monsoon. J Climate, 23: 6115–6123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang Chunzai, Wang Weiqiang, Wang Dongxiao, et al. 2006. Interannual variability of the South China Sea associated with El Niño. J Geophys Res, 111: C03023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wyrtki K. 1961. Physical oceanography of the southeast Asian waters. NAGA Report 2. San Diego: eScholarship Repository, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of California

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie Shang-Ping, Xie Qiang, Wang Dongxiao. 2003. Summer upwelling in the South China Sea and its role in regional climate variations. J Geophys Res, 108(C8): 3261

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Hui, Yuan Dongliang, Li Ruixiang, et al. 2010. The western South China Sea currents from measurements by Argo profiling floats during October to December 2007. Chin J Oceano Limno, 28: 398–406

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Marine Science and Numerical Modeling, First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao, 266061, China

    Guohong Fang & Gang Wang

  2. Key Laboratory of Data Analysis and Applications, First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao, 266061, China

    Gang Wang

  3. Center for Ocean and Climate Research, First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Qingdao, 266061, China

    Yue Fang

  4. State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, China

    Wendong Fang

Authors
  1. Guohong Fang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gang Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yue Fang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Wendong Fang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gang Wang.

Additional information

Foundation item: The National Basic Research Program (“973” Program) of China under contract Nos 2011CB403500 and 2012CB957803; the National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 41006018 and 40730842; and the National High Technology Research and Development Program (“863” Program) of China under contract No. 2008AA09A402.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fang, G., Wang, G., Fang, Y. et al. A review on the South China Sea western boundary current. Acta Oceanol. Sin. 31, 1–10 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-012-0231-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-012-0231-y

Key words

Search

Navigation