A short note on the dispersion, mixing, stratification and circulation within the plume of the partially-mixed Changjiang River estuary, China

The plume of the Changjiang River in the East China Sea is the site of many interesting oceanographic and hydraulic processes. The improved COHERENS model is used to understand the dispersal and mixing processes, stratification, and circulation within the plume of the partially-mixed Changjiang River estuary during the spring tide under 6 m s−1 of prevailing south–southeasterly steady winds in the flood season. Modeled results show: (i) a part of the surface Changjiang River plume expands eastwardly and southeastwardly in the form of cloudy patchiness; (ii) the low salinity patch in the east offshore area, which is enhanced by winds; (iii) there is an increase in the thickness of the upper buoyant plume within the partially-mixed Changjiang River estuary; (iv) the stratification is enhanced by winds within the plume of the partially-mixed Changjiang River estuary; (v) modeled stratification parameter (ϕ) ranges from 50 to 450 J m−3; and (vi) the longitudinal landward and seaward estuarine circulations.