On the role of wave breaking in ocean dynamics under typhoon Matsa in the Bohai Sea, China

The role of wave breaking (WB) in the ocean dynamics in the Bohai Sea, China under typhoon condition is systematically investigated utilizing a coupled wave-current model. The influences of WB on ocean dynamics and processes (mixing coefficient, temperature, mixed layer depth, and current) during the entire typhoon period (including the pre-typhoon, during-typhoon and after-typhoon stages) are comprehensively detected and discussed. Experimental results show that WB greatly enhances the turbulent mixing at about top 10 m depth under typhoon condition, the increase can be up to 10 times that of the normal weather. At the same time, WB generally strengthens the sea surface cooling by ∼1.2°C at the during-typhoon stage, about 3 times that in normal weather. The mixed layer depth, is rapidly increased by ∼1.6–3.6 m during typhoon due to WB, particularly, the deepening is stronger in the region from 120.5°E to 121.0°E on account of close to the typhoon eye. In addition, WB renders the current speed more uniformly within the entire depth in the Bohai Sea, the change in speed is ∼0.2 m/s, whereas the alternation in current vector is generally opposite to the wind direction except for the typhoon eye region, reflecting that WB has an inhibitory effect on the typhoon-forced current change. The effects of WB on vertical mixing coefficient response to the typhoon rapidly, while the impacts of WB on temperature, and mixed layer depth present hysteretic responses to typhoon. Finally, the mechanisms and distribution characteristics of WB-induced mixing and tidal mixing are compared under typhoon condition.