VARIABILITY OF SEA SURFACE SALINITY IN THE EASTERN INDONESIAN WATERS – WESTERN PACIFIC (1993-2019)

• Main Author: Nilam Alifia, Muyasara
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/85190
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Salinity is one of the key indicators in understanding the global hydrological cycle and climate variability. Sea surface salinity is influenced by the interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere. The waters of Eastern Indonesia are particularly interesting to study due to their direct border with the Pacific Ocean. An analysis was conducted on data related to salinity, sea surface temperature, evaporation, and precipitation to understand the relationships between these parameters. Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis in Eastern Indonesia and the Pacific Ocean was performed to illustrate the spatial and temporal patterns of salinity variability. The EOF results were then cross correlated with climate phenomenon indices (ONI, IOD, PDO, and AUSMI). In Eastern Indonesia, the EOF analysis revealed three main modes that account for 74.5% of the total variance. The first and second modes strongly correlate with the AUSMI monsoon, while the third mode correlates with ENSO. In the Pacific Ocean, the analysis showed three main modes that account for 68.5% of the total variance. The first and third modes correlate with ENSO, while the second mode correlates with the AUSMI monsoon.