THE KUROSHIO (ON THE PN SECTION) IN THE EAST CHINA SEA DURING 1972-1983

The current elements of the Kuroshio in the East China Sea are analysed and discussed using the temperature-salinity and GEK data of the PN section obtained during 1972-1983.The calculations have proved (ⅰ) that the 12-year's mean volume transport of the Kuroshio at PN in the 0-800 m layer is about 20×10⁶m³/s; (ⅱ) that the mean volume transport has seasonal variations, i.e.slightly stronger in spring and summer than in the other seasons; and (ⅲ) that the period of high-volume transport thereof corresponds to the appearance of a meander of the Kuroshio south of Japan.It is also discovered that this Kuroshio meander usually appears after a sharp increase in such volume transport.Finally, the differences of the Kuroshio volume transport between the PN, E and Suao-Yonakuni-jima sections are discussed.