Geochemical evidence of the indirect pathway of terrestrial particulate material transport to the Okinawa Trough

Between June and August, when southwest winds prevail, the Changjiang plume generally flows northeastward. Yet, strong cyclonic currents that are generated by typhoons that pass through the ECS move the suspended particulates and the resuspended sediments southwestward from the coast of China. The turbid water then turns toward Taiwan in the northern Taiwan Strait and joins the Kuroshio, before reaching the Okinawa Trough. Again, young sediments are transported to the Okinawa Trough without passing through the central ECS.