| Abstract: | A massive bloom of the giant jellyfi sh Nemopilema nomurai occurred in waters off Qinhuangdao,a port city in Hebei Province,in July 2013.However,jellyfi sh larvae were not found in this location during the previous winter and spring.To determine the possible origin of the giant jellyfi sh medusa in the Bohai Sea,we developed a backward particle-tracking model and a series of numerical simulations were conducted by using the hydrodynamic,three-dimensional Regional Ocean Modeling System(ROMS)results.The simulated results showed that passive particles,representing jellyfi sh medusae,released in surface waters at diff erent dates during the summer had consistent trajectories.Particles released at the sea surface on August1 and 15 could be traced back to the center of the Bohai Sea and to waters between Feiyan Shoal and the new Huanghe(Yellow)River estuary.Particles released on July 1 and 15 could also be traced back to the center of the Bohai Sea and to waters between Feiyan Shoal and only to Zhuangxi tide station.However,none of the particles released in the middle and bottom water layers could be traced back to those areas.Based on the results of the numerical simulations,the distribution characteristics of seafl oor sediments,and observational data for giant jellyfi sh in the region,we suggest that waters between Feiyan Shoal and the new Huanghe River estuary are the likely origin of giant jellyfi sh observed near Qinhuangdao in summer. |
