Numerical modeling of the seasonal circulation in the coastal ocean of the Northern South China Sea

The Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) was adapted to the Northern South China Sea (NSCS) to investigate the seasonality of coastal circulation, as well as along-shelf and cross-shelf transport. In fall and winter, southwestward current dominates the NSCS shelf, while the current’s direction shifts to northeast in summer. The circulation pattern in spring is more complicated: both southwestward and northeastward currents are detected on the NSCS shelf. The mean shelf circulation pattern in winter does not show the permanent counter-wind South China Sea Warm Current (SCSWC) along the 100–200 m isobaths. Meanwhile, the model results indicate a northeastward current flowing along 50–100 m isobaths in spring. Southwestward along-shelf transport varies from 0.30–1.93 Sv in fall and winter, and it redirects to northeast in summer ranging from 0.44–1.09 Sv. Onshore transport is mainly through the shelf break segment southeast of the Pearl River Estuary.