Seasonal variation of the surface cross-shelf exchange in the northern South China Sea: a Lagrangian perspective

Hao, Dongliang; Zu, Tingting; Liu, Zhiqiang; Qu, Lixin; Cai, Zhongya (ORCID:0000000347339047); Thyng, Kristen; Wang, Qiang Q.; Hetland, Robert D. (ORCID:0000000195312119)

doi:10.1007/s13131-025-2603-0

DOE OSTI · 3604586

Seasonal variation of the surface cross-shelf exchange in the northern South China Sea: a Lagrangian perspective

Hao, Dongliang·Zu, Tingting·Liu, Zhiqiang·Qu, Lixin·Cai, Zhongya (ORCID:0000000347339047)·Thyng, Kristen·Wang, Qiang Q.·Hetland, Robert D. (ORCID:0000000195312119)

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Abstract

Previous studies on cross-shelf exchange, predominantly adopted an Eulerian perspective, struggled to identify water sources and pathways. Using a high-resolution regional ocean modeling system (ROMS) and Lagrangian particle tracking, this study systematically investigates the seasonal variation and dynamics of surface cross-shelf exchange in the northern South China Sea (NSCS) from a Lagrangian perspective. Based on daily released 30-day drifter trajectories we identify the key pathways, source regions for surface cross-shelf exchange, revealing pronounced seasonal variability. Results show the surface cross-shelf exchange generally following monsoon-driven Ekman transport. However, local dynamics, especially topographic modulation, can outweigh the expected Ekman-driven transport, producing surface exchange patterns opposite to that predicted from the prevailing winds. Topographic effects vary across different scales. In the coastal waters of western Guangdong during winter, despite downwelling-favorable winds, the modulation of alongshore currents by island topography induces an eastward pressure gradient. This gradient, through geostrophic balance, drives offshore flows opposite to wind-driven Ekman onshore transport. Furthermore, the eastern widened shelf exhibits a distinct seasonal variation of cross-shelf exchange, with strong offshore transport (opposite to the direction of Ekman transport) in winter and exceedingly weak exchange in summer. Analysis of the underlying mechanisms reveals that this winter offshore transport is primarily attributed to geostrophic flows driven by surface pressure gradient that is jointly modulated by the Kuroshio intrusion and local widened shelf topography, and enhanced by cumulative submesoscale processes. In summer, a persistent and strong along-isobath jet acts as a dynamic barrier, effectively suppressing the exchange. These findings highlight the important role of topography in regulating surface material transport, and have important implications for predicting the advection and dispersion of plankton or oil spills over the continental shelf influenced by monsoon.

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Hao, Dongliang, Zu, Tingting, Liu, Zhiqiang, Qu, Lixin, Cai, Zhongya (ORCID:0000000347339047), Thyng, Kristen, Wang, Qiang Q., Hetland, Robert D. (ORCID:0000000195312119). 2026-06-02. Seasonal variation of the surface cross-shelf exchange in the northern South China Sea: a Lagrangian perspective. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-025-2603-0

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