ABSTRACT
Based on the survey of the waters of Jiaozhou Bay in April and August 1981, this study examines the water temperature and horizontal distribution in the surface waters of Jiaozhou Bay. The results showed that in August and November, the variation range of water temperature in Jiaozhou Bay was 8.57–27.32°C, above 8.00°C, of which the interval length was 18.75°C. This indicates that in terms of water temperature changes, the water temperature in the entire waters of Jiaozhou Bay is relatively high in August and November, with more significant changes and a faster decrease. In August, the variation range of water temperature in Jiaozhou Bay was 25.19–27.32°C, of which the interval length was 2.13°C. In the northwestern coastal waters of Jiaozhou Bay, the water temperature reached 27.32°C. From the north to the south of the Bay, the variation range of water temperature was 25.19–27.32°C, of which the interval length was 2.13°C. In November, the variation range of water temperature in Jiaozhou Bay was 8.57–13.49°C, of which the interval length was 4.92°C. Outside the mouth of the Bay, a high-temperature zone was formed with a relatively high temperature of 13.49°C. From the north to the south of the Bay, the variation range of water temperature was 8.57–13.49°C, of which the interval length was 4.92°C. According to the variation of water temperature in Jiaozhou Bay, three factors influencing water temperature changes have been proposed: 1) total solar radiation energy; 2) air condition; and 3) water depth. These three factors influence changes in water temperature. In addition, a mechanism for the variation in water temperature has been suggested: 1) In June, the total solar radiation energy is the strongest, while it is weaker in December. As the total solar radiation energy increased, its heat to seawater increased. When the air temperature was higher than the water temperature, the air conduction transferred more and more heat to the surface seawater. When the water depth is small, the water temperature increases quickly; alternatively, the water temperature rises slowly when the water depth is large. Thus, the variation of total solar radiation energy, air conduction, and water depth determined the rise in water temperature. 2) In June, the total solar radiation energy is the strongest, while weaker in December. As the total solar radiation energy decreased, the heat supplied by solar radiation energy to seawater decreased. When the air temperature was lower than the water temperature, cold energy was transferred by the air conduction to the surface seawater. As the temperature becomes lower and lower than the water temperature, more cold energy is transferred through the air conduction to the surface seawater. When the water depth is small, the water temperature declines quickly; alternatively, when the water depth is large, the water temperature declines slowly. Thus, the variation of total solar radiation energy, air conduction, and water depth determined water temperature decline. Moreover, this study further confirmed the following: 1) The total radiation energy of the sun provides heat, but the amount of heat provided is different. 2) Both heat and cold energy can be transferred to surface seawater by air conduction. 3) Water depth determines the speed of changes in water temperature.
