Sequential Evolution of Changjiang Diluted Water and Its Impact on Stratification and Phytoplankton Blooms in the East China Sea During Summer 2020

Abstract The Changjiang Diluted Water (CDW) plays a crucial role in shaping the hydrography and ecosystem dynamics of the East China Sea (ECS), particularly during summer when freshwater discharge enhances stratification and modulates biogeochemical processes. Despite its importance, the detailed progression of CDW and its short‐term impacts remain poorly understood due to the limited availability of high‐resolution observations. Using high‐resolution in situ observations from the Ieodo Ocean Research Station in summer 2020, we examined the sequential evolution of CDW and its effects on the upper‐ocean structure and phytoplankton blooms. CDW evolution was categorized into six distinct phases, characterized by abrupt shifts in salinity and stratification, driven by monsoonal winds, tides, and typhoon‐induced mixing. CDW intrusion formed a persistent barrier layer that suppressed vertical mixing and trapped surface heat, leading to increased sea surface temperatures. Nutrient influx from CDW, enriched in nitrate and phosphate, promoted the proliferation of diatoms relative to picoplankton and dinoflagellates, although all groups increased during the CDW‐influenced period. Internal wave‐induced mixing facilitated nutrient replenishment from deeper layers, partially alleviating phosphate deficiency inherent in CDW and enhancing phytoplankton productivity. Typhoon Bavi disrupted stratification through strong vertical mixing, resulting in a high‐salinity state that differed from preintrusion hydrography. This study provides a time‐resolved view of CDW‐driven variability and demonstrates how episodic freshwater inputs, coupled with physical forcing, regulate stratification, nutrient supply, and ecosystem response in the ECS.