Sains Malaysiana 41(6)(2012): 701–714

Surface Circulation and Temperature Distribution of Southern South China Sea from Global Ocean Model (OCCAM)

(Peredaran Permukaan dan Taburan Suhu Selatan Laut China Selatan melalui

Model Lautan Global (OCCAM)

Mohd Fadzil Mohd Akhir*

Jabatan Sains Marin, Fakulti Pengajian Maritim dan Sains Marin, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu,

21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia

Institut Oseanaografi dan Sekitaran (INOS)

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu,

21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia

Received: 18 January 2010 / Accepted: 5 January 2012

ABSTRACT

The South China Sea (SCS) circulation in its southern region in the area between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia was studied from the OCCAM (Ocean Circulation and Climate Advanced Modelling). This research aimed to illustrate the general overview of the seasonal surface current circulation and the surface temperature profile which are lacking in the region. The current along the Malaysia coast flows northward in the  southwest monsoon and move in opposite direction in northeast monsoon with the maximum speed of 0.4 m/s and 1 m/s, respectively. While the current basins nearly 3°C. The study manages to analyse the importance of the monsoonal system on the region circulation and temperature distribution.

Keywords: Current circulation; ocean model; sea surface temperature; South China Sea

ABSTRAK

Peredaran arus di bahagian selatan Laut China Selatan (LCS) di antara Semenanjung Malaysia dan Malaysia Timur dikaji melalui OCCAM (Ocean Circulation and Climate Advanced Modelling). Kajian ini bertujuan untuk memberi gambaran secara umum peredaran arus permukaan dan suhu permukaan laut mengikut musin yang amat kurang difahami di kawasan ini. Arus di sepanjang pantai timur Semenanjung Malaysia bergerak menuju utara semasa musim monsoon barat daya dengan kelajuan maksimum mencecah 0.4 m/s. Manakala semasa monsun timur laut arus menuju arah berlawanan iaitu ke arah selatan dengan kelajuan maksimum mencecah 1 m/s. Semasa arus bergerak menuju selatan,air bersuhu rendah dibawa dari bahagian utara yang menyebabkan bahagian tengah LCS mengalami penurunan suhu sebanyak 3^oC. Secara keseluruhan kajian ini mampu membuat analisis kepentingan monsun terhadap perubahan sistem melibatkan pergerakan arus dan perubahan suhu permukaan laut.

Kata kunci: Laut China Selatan; pemodelan laut; peredaran arus; suhu permukaan laut

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*Corresponding author; email: mfadzil@umt.edu.my