Transformation of South Pacific Water Masses in the Halmahera Sea

Abstract

The Halmahera Sea is part of the eastern entry route of the Indonesian throughflow (ITF) passages. The characteristics and transformation of the South Pacific water masses are presented based on the HYCOM model (Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model) and direct observations of CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth) acquired during the East Indonesian Expedition in October 2017 using RV Baruna Jaya VIII. This study is aimed at characterizing the typical water masses observed in the Halmahera Sea and tracking the transformation of the South Pacific water masses in the region. The results show that there was an indication of strong vertical mixing of maximum salinity of the South Pacific thermocline water masses, i.e., South Pacific Subtropical Water (SPSW), from ~35.2 PSU at isopycnal 24 – 25 kg m-3 becomes ~34.8 PSU in the Southern Halmahera Strait (around 200 km from the entry passage, the Northern Halmahera Strait), and rapidly decreases from the Southern Halmahera Strait and Obi Strait to become 34.6 PSU in the Maluku Sea. These preliminary findings suggest a strong mixing in the southern Halmahera Strait and Obi Strait.