Liu Sihai, Chen Chunqing, Lu Xuan, Wu Junhui, Lao Qibin, Cai Shangjun, Chen Fajin
College of Ocean and Meteorology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China.
School of Chemistry and Environment, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China.
Sci Data. 2025 Jul 1;12(1):1123. doi: 10.1038/s41597-025-05444-4.
Dual water isotopes (δ¹⁸O, δ²H, referred to as δD) serve as robust tracers for water masses, enabling the identification and quantification of ocean currents and circulation patterns, thereby complementing traditional temperature-salinity and velocity metrics. This study presents a comprehensive dual water isotope dataset covering the northern South China Sea (SCS) to quantify summer water mass transport, addressing the scarcity of isotope observations in this region. The dataset comprises 873 dual isotope samples collected from 169 stations during summer (2015-2021), covering depths of 0-3700 m. Core parameters include δ¹⁸O, δD, temperature, and salinity. Additionally, using uniform end-member selection criteria and an isotope correction method, we applied the SIAR isotope mixing model to quantify the contributions of distinct water masses and characterize circulation features. This dataset fills a critical gap in SCS isotope data and establishes a standardized methodology for quantitatively interpreting water mass transport using dual water isotopes, underscoring the significance of isotopes as supplementary indicators for monitoring ocean currents and circulation dynamics.
双水同位素（δ¹⁸O、δ²H，称为δD）是水体的可靠示踪剂，能够识别和量化洋流及环流模式，从而补充传统的温度-盐度和流速指标。本研究展示了一个涵盖南海北部的综合双水同位素数据集，以量化夏季水体输运，解决该区域同位素观测数据稀缺的问题。该数据集包含2015年至2021年夏季从169个站点采集的873个双同位素样本，覆盖深度为0至3700米。核心参数包括δ¹⁸O、δD、温度和盐度。此外，我们使用统一的端元选择标准和同位素校正方法，应用SIAR同位素混合模型来量化不同水体的贡献并表征环流特征。该数据集填补了南海同位素数据的关键空白，并建立了一种使用双水同位素定量解释水体输运的标准化方法，强调了同位素作为监测洋流和环流动力学补充指标的重要性。
