The spatial and temporal characteristics of the seasonal sea level cycle in the South China Sea (SCS) and its forcing mechanisms are investigated using tide gauge records and satellite altimetry observations along with steric and meteorological data. The coastal mean annual amplitude of the seasonal cycle varies between zero and 24 cm, reaching a maximum between July and January. The maximum mean semiannual amplitude is 7 cm, peaking between March and June. Along the coast, the seasonal cycle accounts for up to 92% of the mean monthly sea level variability. Atmospheric pressure explains a significant portion of the seasonal cycle with dominant annual signals in the northern SCS, the Gulf of Thailand and the north‐western Philippines Sea. The wind forcing is dominant on the shelf areas of the SCS and the Gulf of Thailand where a simple barotropic model forced by the local wind shows annual amplitudes of up to 27 cm. In the deep basin of the SCS, the Philippines Sea and the shallow Malacca Strait, the steric component is the major contributor with the maximum annual amplitudes reaching 15 cm. Significant variability in the seasonal cycle is found on a year‐to‐year basis. The annual and semiannual amplitudes vary by up to 63% and 45% of the maximum values, 15 cm and 11 cm, respectively. On average, stepwise regression analysis of contribution of different forcing factors accounts for 66% of the temporal variability of the annual cycle. The zonal wind was found to exert considerable influence in the Malacca Strait.

Abstract. Atmospheric concentrations of very short-lived species (VSLS) bromocarbons, including CHBr 3 , CH 2 Br 2 , CHCl 2 Br, CHClBr 2 , and CH 2 BrCl, were measured in the Strait of Malacca and the South China and Sulu-Sulawesi seas during a two-month research cruise in June-July 2009. The highest bromocarbon concentrations were found in the Strait of Malacca, with smaller enhancements in coastal regions of northern Borneo. CHBr 3 was the most abundant bromocarbon, ranging from 5.2 pmol mol −1 in the Strait of Malacca to 0.94 pmol mol −1 over the open ocean. Other bromocarbons showed lower concentrations, in the range of 0.8-1.3 pmol mol −1 for CH 2 Br 2 , 0.1-0.5 pmol mol −1 for CHCl 2 Br, and 0.1-0.4 pmol mol −1 for CHClBr 2 . There was no significant correlation between bromocarbons and in situ chlorophyll a, but positive correlations with both MODIS and SeaWiFS satellite chlorophyll a. Together, the shortlived bromocarbons contribute an average of 8.9 pmol mol −1 (range 5.2-21.4 pmol mol −1 ) to tropospheric bromine loading, which is similar to that found in previous studies from global sampling networks (Montzka et al., 2011). Statistical tests showed strong Spearman correlations between brominated compounds, suggesting a common source. Log-log plots of CHBr 3 /CH 2 Br 2 versus CHBr 2 Cl/CH 2 Br 2 show that both chemical reactions and dilution into the background atmosphere contribute to the composition of these halocarbons at each sampling point. We have used the correlation to . Finally, we note that satellite-derived chlorophyll a (chl a) products do not always agree well with in situ measurements, particularly in coastal regions of high turbidity, meaning that satellite chl a may not always be a good proxy for marine productivity.

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Abstract. Atmospheric concentrations of very short-lived species (VSLS) bromocarbons, including CHBr3, CH2Br2, CHCl2Br, CHClBr2, CH2BrCl, were measured in the Strait of Malacca and the South China and Sulu-Sulawesi Seas during a two month research cruise in June/July 2009. The highest bromocarbon concentrations were found in the Strait of Malacca, with smaller enhancements in coastal regions of Northern Borneo. CHBr3 was the most abundant bromocarbon, ranging from 5.2 pmol mol−1 in the Strait of Malacca to 0.94 pmol mol−1 over the open ocean. Other bromocarbons showed lower concentrations, in the range of 0.8–1.3 pmol mol−1 for CH2Br2, 0.1–0.5 pmol mol−1 (CHCl2Br) and 0.1–0.4 pmol mol−1 (CHClBr2). There was no significant correlation between bromocarbons and in situ chlorophyll a. Together the short-lived bromocarbons contribute an average of 8.9 pmol mol−1 (range 5.2–21.4 pmol mol−1) to tropospheric bromine load, which is similar to that found in previous studies (Montzka et al., 2011). Statistical tests showed strong Spearman correlations amongst brominated compounds suggesting a common source. Log-log plots of CHBr3/CH2Br2 vs. CHBr2Cl/CH2Br2 show that both chemical reactions and dilution into the background atmosphere contribute to the composition of these halocarbons at each sampling point. We have used the correlation to make a crude estimate of the regional emissions of CHBr3 and derive a value of 63 Gg yr−1 for the South East (S.E.) Asian region (10° N–20° S, 90–150° E). Finally, we note that satellite-derived chlorophyll a (chl a) products do not always agree well with in situ measurements, particularly in coastal regions of high turbidity, meaning that satellite chl a may not always be a good proxy for marine productivity.