Abstract
The mechanism of formation and the wind response of low salinity water mass in Isahaya Bay have been investigated by using the 3-D flow simulation model incorporating time-varying wind stress on the water surface. The northerly wind and the southerly wind are prevailing in Isahaya Bay and are repeated at the period of several days. The analytical results show that the change of the prevailing wind direction induces the appearance and disappearance of low salinity water mass. When the southerly wind blows, the low salinity water mass near the water surface is swept out Isahaya Bay and the salinity stratification is gone with the wind. On the other hand, the inflow of low salinity water mass to Isahaya Bay is accelerated by the northerly wind and the salinity stratification is formed.
