Journal of Tropical Oceanography ›› 2026, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (1): 17-26.doi: 10.11978/2025034CSTR: 32234.14.2025034

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Research progress on the characteristics of deep-sea circulation and water masses in the deep Eastern Indian Ocean*

LIANG Zhanlin1,2(), WANG Weiqiang1,2()   

  1. 1State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 511458, China
    2Guangdong Key Lab of Ocean Remote Sensing and Big Data (LORS), South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
  • Received:2025-01-28 Revised:2025-03-03 Online:2026-01-10 Published:2026-01-30
  • Contact: WANG Weiqiang. email: weiqiang.wang@scsio.ac.cn
  • Supported by:
    Project Deployment for the Overseas Science and Education Cooperation Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(133244KYSB20200024); National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFE0203500); Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province, China(2022B1212050003); International Partnership Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences(059GJHZ2023104MI); Development Fund of South China Sea Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(SCSIO202201); Development Fund of South China Sea Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(SCSIO2023HC07); Shiptime Sharing Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)(42249910); Shiptime Sharing Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)(42149910)

Abstract:

The deep water of the Eastern Indian Ocean is a crucial component of the global deep-sea system, playing a significant role in the global carbon cycle and the distribution of heat and nutrients. It is divided by the Ninety East Ridge into the Central Indian Basin (CIB) and the West Australian Basin (WAB). These two basins exhibit distinct differences in their water mass characteristics and circulation patterns. To further understand the deep-sea circulation and water mass features in the Eastern Indian Ocean, this paper reviews existing research findings and summarizes the following aspects: 1) the unique topography of the deep Eastern Indian Ocean; 2) the sources and pathways of deep-sea water masses; 3) the deep meridional overturning circulation; and 4) the differences and connections between the deep-sea water masses in the CIB and the WAB. Finally, this paper highlights key scientific issues that need to be addressed in future research on the deep sea of the Eastern Indian Ocean, providing a reference for related studies.

Key words: Eastern Indian Ocean, deep sea, circulation, water masses

CLC Number: 

  • P731.27