Collaborative Research: Kuroshio Extension System Study

[0221008]黑潮延伸系统研究（KESS）的总体目标是确定和量化控制黑潮延伸与再循环环流之间的可变性和相互作用的动态和热力学过程。来自三家美国机构的调查人员将部署一个最先进的阵列，包括系泊剖面仪和流量表系泊，以及配备近底压力和电流传感器的反向回声测深仪。剖面浮标将监测黑潮延伸区以南再循环环流的温度和盐度结构。KESS阵列的设计目的是利用这些工具协同观察黑潮延伸，以一种比任何一个工具都更完整的方式进行观测。特别是，反向回声测深仪将绘制急流演变过程中的特征，并与系泊剖面仪结合，量化横锋通量，而剖面浮标将监测黑潮延伸区及其再循环环流周围的上层海洋结构。KESS将利用这些综合观测来确定和量化控制黑潮扩展和再循环环流变化的动力和热力学过程，以及它们之间的相互作用。该方法广泛利用卫星数据（地表温度和海面高度）。调查人员还将与研究整个黑潮系统的日本科学家密切合作。作为CLIVAR的一部分，KESS阵列的测量将指导未来长期观测计划的规划。

0221008 WattsThe overall goal of the Kuroshio Extension System Study (KESS) is to identify and quantify the dynamic and thermodynamic processes governing the variability of and the interaction between the Kuroshio Extension and the recirculation gyre. Investigators from three US institutions will deploy a state-of-the-art array consisting of moored-profiler and current-meter moorings and inverted echo sounders equipped with near-bottom pressure and current sensors. Profiling floats will monitor the temperature and salinity structure in the recirculation gyre south of the Kuroshio Extension. The KESS array is designed to use these tools synergistically to observe the Kuroshio Extension in a more complete way than any one of them could do alone. In particular, the Inverted Echo Sounders will map features of the jet as they evolve and, in combination with the Moored Profilers, will quantify the cross-frontal fluxes, while the profiling floats will monitor the upper ocean structure around the Kuroshio Extension and its recirculation gyres. KESS will use these combined observations to identify and quantify the dynamic and thermodynamic processes governing the variability of, and the interaction between, the Kuroshio Extension and the recirculation gyre. The proposed approach makes extensive use of satellite data (surface temperature and sea-surface height). The investigators will also collaborate closely with Japanese scientists studying the overall Kuroshio system. The measurements from the KESS array will guide future planning for a long term observational program as part of CLIVAR.