MECHANISMS TO FORM HYPOXIA IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF KAGOSHIMA BAY

Abstract

In order to make clear the mechanism to form the oxygen-depleted water at the bottom layer of the northern region of Kagoshima Bay, we carried out field observations at two representative positions. Then, we evaluated the processes to form the density stratification and vertical DO profiles by the numerical simulations based on the observational results. As a result, the following findings were obtained: 1) The seasonal change in DO concentration at the bottom layer of the observational position was controlled mainly by the seasonal change in the degree of density stratification. 2) Due to the relatively large depth, the stable stratification does not disappear until December and the most anoxic water is formed in winter in Kagoshima Bay.