Temporal variability of diapycnal mixing in the northern South China Sea

Temporal variability of diapycnal mixing over 7 months in the northern South China Sea was examined based on McLane Moored Profiler observations from 850 to 2200 m by employing a finescale parameterization. Intensified diffusivity exceeding the order of 10(-3) m(2)/s in magnitude was found over the first half of October 2014, and from 2 December 2014 to 21 January 2015 (a typical wintertime). Strong internal tides and winds in winter were the likely candidates for the high-level diapycnal mixing in winter. As for the enhanced mixing during October 2014, we suspect the generation of near-bottom near-inertial waves through the interaction of mesoscale eddies and unique bottom topography was the cause.