| Abstract: | The water under the main thermocline in the Japan Sea is a single water mass referred to as the Japan Sea Proper Water. It can be defined as having temperature below 2.0°C, salinity above 34.00%, and dissolved oxygen below 7.0 ml 1−1. In the north most of the water above the potential temperature 0.1°C depth (about 800–1000 m) is a mode water, with σθ of 27.32 to 27.34 kg m−3. North of 40°N it has high oxygen (more than 6.00 ml 1−1) with a distinct discontinuity (oxygen-cline) at the bottom of the mode water. The most probable region for the formation of the water is the area north of 41°N between 132° and 134°E. The deeper water probably is formed in the norther area of 43°N, and directly fills the main part of the Japan Basin north of 41°N and east of 134°E. |
