Fluid in a rotating coordinate generally flows along equi-potential vorticity line. Without disturbances such as dissipation, rapid vertical mixing, and external forcing such as energy exchanges, potential vorticity is conserved in the thermally and dynamically closed system. This study is the first trial to investigate the potential vorticity in the East Sea. The purpose of this study is to show the distribution of the potential vorticity due to the variation of sea water density and topography in baroclinic and barotropic conditions. The conclusions are given as follows. First, vertical mixing is well striking in February than in August, and flow patterns in February are different from those in August. Secondly, contour lines of isotrophe is similar to bottom topography, while potential vorticity is similar to the distribution of dynamic topography. Thirdly, the circulation of the East Sea Water flows approximately along contours of potential vorticity in the region of high baroclinicity and along those of isotrophe in other region.

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