Ocean stratification in the Indonesian-Australian basin and its influencing factors
Based on ocean reanalysis system version 5(ORAS5)and ECMWF reanalysis v5(ERA5)data,the strength of oceanic stratification and its influencing factors in the Indonesian-Australian basin and its surrounding waters are revealed by using the buoyancy frequency of mixed layer bottom to characterize the oceanic stratification intensity.The results show that the oceanic stratification in this basin is stronger in the north and weaker in the south spatially,while stronger in the boreal spring and weaker in autumn temporally.The analysis of the factors influencing the changes of mixed layer temperature and mixed layer salinity in the basin highlights the significant contributions of surface flux and ocean advection.Particularly,zonal advection associated with the Indonesian Throughflow plays a crucial role in pycnocline stratification by affecting the density structure of the subsurface.Further analysis of the influence of the Indonesian Throughflow on the oceanic stratification in the basin indicates close relationships between the throughflow and thermohaline anomalies above and below the mixed layer interface of the basin;the salinity anomalies affect the seasonal variations in the oceanic stratification by influencing the vertical density gradient.