Hydrological characteristics of the Bering Sea in the summer of 2019

• Published in: Marine environmental research 2024-01, Vol.193, p.106287-106287, Article 106287
• Main Authors: Chen, Hongxia, Lin, Lina, Fan, Long, Kong, Bin, He, Yan, Wei, Zexun, Liu, Na, Xu, Yida
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alaska; Arctic region; Arctic Regions; Bering Sea; CHINARE; coastal water; Cold Temperature; Hydrological characteristics; Inversion structure; salinity; Seawater; summer; Temperature; The bering sea; Warming phenomenon; Water; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; water temperature
• ISSN: 0141-1136; 1879-0291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106287

Based on the data of three CTD sections in the northern, northeastern and western Bering Sea of 2019 voyage of Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition (CHINARE), this paper analyzes and studies the hydrological characteristics of the water mass distribution, layered structure, and cline characteristics in different sea areas of the Bering Sea. The results indicate that the hydrological characteristics of the Bering Sea in the summer of 2019 are different from those in the past and that the water mass is warming in many locations. The maximum water temperature reaches 11.13 °C, and the maximum thickness of the warm water is about 32 m. The water mass composition and characteristics of the north-northeast-west sections are significantly different: the BL section has the highest salinity, while the BS section has the lowest salinity, and both the lowest temperature and the largest temperature variation appear in the BL section. The stratification characteristics in all sea areas are noteworthy. In the deep-water seas, there are three types of water masses: upper water (BSW), middle water (BIW) and deep water (BDW) from top to bottom, while two main water masses appear in the shelf waters with the Alaska Coastal Water (ACW) overlies the Bering Sea Shelf Water (BSW). Along the Bering Sea Slope Current (BSC), the water mass is essentially steady. Statically unstable hydrological inversion structure appears near the bottom of the three stations at the northern end of the BL section. •The North-Northeast-West Bering Sea in 2019 presented unique hydrological characteristics compared to past records, based on data from CHINARE's Arctic voyage.•The summer of 2019 witnessed an alarming increase in the temperature of the cold water mass, deviating significantly from historical patterns of 2003, 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014. There was an absence of specific cold water masses, while the emergence of waters with temperatures reaching 11.13 °C signified an approximated increase of 1.2 °C in the last 11 years.•Different sections of the Bering Sea exhibited diverse water mass compositions, with BSW being predominant in BS and BR sections, whereas BL displayed both BSW and MW. Clear stratification was evident across all studied sections, with deep sections revealing a tiered structure of BSW, BIW, and BDW.•Water properties along the Bering Sea Slope Current (BSC) showcased remarkable stability even after long distances.•Unique temperature, salinity, and density anomalies we