Distribution of Desalinated Waters of the Amur Estuary in the Okhotsk Sea According to Satellite Observations

Abstract

The distribution of desalinated waters from the Amur Estuary in the northwestern Sea of Okhotsk during the summer period is analyzed using satellite data on the sea surface height (SSH), sea surface salinity (SSS), temperature, and concentrations of particulate organic carbon. There is a good agreement between the spatial distributions of SSS (data from the SMAP satellite) and SSH (AVISO data) in the study area. Identification of the Amur Estuary waters in terms of surface water temperature and concentration of particulate organic carbon is confined by Sakhalin Bay and the coastal zone of Sakhalin Island. An increase (a decrease) in the Amur River discharge during the spring–summer high-water period leads to an increase (a decrease) in the SSH in the northern part of Sakhalin Bay in July. Strengthening of the northwestern (southeastern) winds in September reduces (increases) the inflow of waters with low salinity and causes an elevated SSH in the water area to the north of Sakhalin Bay.