Water Mass Characterization in the Okinawa Trough Based on Physical Properties and Isotopic Compositions

概要

The Nd isotope composition of both OT and Pacific sides showed similar compositions along the water column. This suggests that in the long-term, waters mix horizontally and homogenize the εNd values. This is likely because in the KG, the water inflow-outflow may be different in different areas. Surface water is strongly affected by cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies, which are likely to carry water and sediments from the ECS shelf to the limit of Okinawa Island. The εNd compositions of the KC decrease from the southern OT to the central OT, revealing constant and strong continental inputs charged with low the εNd. Moreover, the εNd values of intermediate water around the central OT, fall in between those of the South China Sea intermediate Water and North Pacific Intermediate Water, suggesting that the Kuroshio Intermediate Water results from the mix of these two water masses.

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