A three-layer model for the thermal structure in the Huanghai Sea

A one-dimentional three-layer model for the thermal structure in the Huanghai Sea is presented in this study,me model consists of the upper mixed layer caused by heating and wind mixing,the lower mixed layer driven by tidal mixing,and the thermocline with certain thickness.The entrainment velocities of the upper and lower layers are obtained respectively.The results show that the model is capable of describing the development and decline processes of the seasonal thermocline in the Huanghai Sea,simulating successfully the Huanghai Sea Cold Water Mass,the nearshore front and surface cold water off North Jiangsu and explaining reasonably their formation mechanisms as well as the strong thermocline off Qingdao.It is suggested that the tidal mixing plays key role in the formation of the nearshore front off North Jiangsu and the strong thermocline off Qingdao.The wind mixing and the tidal mixing make the lower layer water with high nutrients go up to the upper layer.This physical process may be significant for biological plant productuion.