Coastal current - Enganryu (English spelling) coastal current

Coastal currents are ocean currents that flow parallel to the coastline, generally found between the coastal surf zone and several tens of kilometers offshore. Coastal currents include currents caused by a variety of factors, including some of the ocean currents that flow offshore, their tributaries, tidal currents, wind-driven currents, and local currents caused by river water, and their flow speeds range widely from strong currents of over 5 knots, such as tidal currents near straits, to weak currents of less than 0.5 knots. Coastal currents transport, mix, and disperse various substances (nutritional salts, fish eggs, larvae, sand and mud) that flow in from land or are produced in coastal areas, as well as sea ice, and have a significant impact on coastal fisheries, environmental conservation, and ship navigation.

[Koichi Nagasaka]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

一般に海岸の磯波(いそなみ)帯に隣接する部分から、その沖合い数十キロメートル付近までの間にみられる、海岸線に平行に流れる海流をいう。沿岸流には、沖合いを流れる海流の一部やその支流、潮流、吹送流、河川水による局所的なものなど、さまざまな原因の流れが含まれ、流速も海峡付近の潮流のように5ノット以上の強流から、0.5ノットにも満たない微弱流まで広範にわたっている。沿岸流は、陸上から流入したり、沿岸域で生産される種々の物質（栄養塩類、魚卵、稚仔(ちし)、砂泥）や海氷等を輸送、混合、分散する働きをし、沿岸域の漁業、環境保全、船舶の航行などに多くの影響をもたらしている。

［長坂昂一］

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