SCS monsoon is a major component of the Asian monsoons and frequently affects the prosperity of heavily populated regions in southern China. During the onset of SCS monsoon, majestic water vapor arising from the ocean moves northward meets the cold front in the Nanling Mountains, leading to lasting and heavy rainfall in south China. Hence begins the rainy season.
A group photo of cruise participants from Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU). Photo: Jiajun Huang
To further study the onset process of the SCS monsoon, the SYSU-led South China Sea monsoon comprehensive investigation cruise (KK2101 cruise) was conducted on R/V TKK to investigate the ocean-atmosphere interaction on various scales, with a vertical range of tropopause to five-kilometer-deep sea. Comprehensive multi-disciplinary survey mainly focusing on atmosphere and ocean, as well as remote sensing, biology, chemistry and geology, was implemented to improve the forecasts of the SCS monsoon onset, and the disaster prevention and mitigation in southern China.
The deployment of a wave glider. Photo: Lixuan Huang
Totally there were 658 on-site operations conducted at 68 stations on the ship during this 36-day cruise, including 11 MVP300 operations that collected 316 profiles along 940 nautical miles survey lines. Abundant observation data of underway sea surface temperature and salinity, and Doppler weather radar were acquired. In addition, the first deep-sea trial of “White Dragon” buoy, and the tests of a wave glider were successfully completed aboard. The newly-installed Doppler weather radar, along with other air-sea instruments and equipment were jointly utilized for the first time on the expedition, indicating that the vessel is fully capable of real-time ocean-atmosphere observations.
STS prepared for deck operations. Photo: Lixuan Huang
Moreover, the pre-acceptance of several shipborne scientific equipment, and the on-site and in-cruise training of marine technicians for the newly-commissioned RV Zhong Shan Da Xue were accomplished during this cruise.
