822 EIGHTH PACIFIC SCIENCE CONGRESS 



it originates from the coast of North China and is reinforced by the 

 outflows from the Chinese mainland. The properties of this current 

 vary in different seasons. The water temperature is much higher dur- 

 ing the summer time and cooler in the winter time. 



The climate of Taiwan is mild with a .small seasonal variation of 

 air temperature, but the distribution of rainfall is variable at different 

 places. During the rainy season there are great outflows from the 

 island which influence greatly both the water temperature and salinity 

 along the coast. 



With the vast area of outstretching waters surrounding the island, 

 Taiwan is a suitable place to serve as a base ground for oceanographical 

 investigations. Owing to the shortage of funds and technical experts, 

 research works have not been conveniently carried out during the past 

 few years. The writer can only make a brief study on the distribution 

 and seasonal variation of water temperature and salinity of the sur- 

 rounding waters of Taiwan with all the data available. 



II. Surface Water Teiniperature and Salinity along the Coast 



Coastal observations of water temperature and salinity are made at 

 nine stations situated all around the island as shown in Figure 1. The 

 average monthly values of each station are listed in Tables I and II, 

 which have been prepared from records covering more than ten years. 



At the station of Penkiayu, which is situated at the coast of a 

 small island some 100 km. off the north coast of the island, the water 

 temperature is similar to the open seas. It reaches its minimum in 

 February and maximum in July with a yearly mean of 23.2 °C. and a 

 small annual range of 7.5 °C. The seasonal variation of salinity is also 

 small and the yearly mean is 33.86 °/oo- 



The stations of Fukuikiao, Keelung and Bidiukiao are all found 

 on the north coast of the main island. At these places the water tem- 

 peratures are influenced by the outflows from the island. Their annual 

 ranges are greater than Penkiayu, i.e., ]2.2°C. for Fukuikiao, 10.9^C. 

 for Keelung and 10.0°C. for Bidiukiao. The minimum and maximum 

 water temperatures are also found in February and July respectively. 

 Mean values of salinity are little lower than Penkiayu; they are also 

 influenced by outflows from the island. 



Along the east coast of the island, there are two stations, Hwalien 

 and Singkang. These two stations approach more to the south and the 

 warm current of Kuroshio comes very near to the coast. It makes the 

 water temperatures a little higher and the annual ranges are 5.8 °C. for 

 Hwalien and 4.9°C. for Singkang. The salinity of Hwalien is 32.34 "/oo 

 and that of Singkang is 34.07 °/po. 



