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www.ocean-sci-discuss.net/5/581/2008/
doi:10.5194/osd-5-581-2008
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On contribution of horizontal and intra-layer convection to the formation of the Baltic Sea cold intermediate layer
P.~P.~Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Kaliningrad, Russia
Abstract. Seasonal cascades down the coastal slopes and intra-layer convection are considered as the two mechanisms contributing to the Baltic Sea cold intermediate layer (CIL) formation. On the base of TS-diagrams, mean-annual and real-time temperature profiles, the CIL features are re-analyzed. The presence within the CIL of water with temperature below that of maximum density (Tmd) and that at the local surface allows tracing its formation. Field measurements are presented, showing specific features of denser water formation in marine environment. It is argued that such cascades formed during early spring heating (March–April) – before reaching the Tmd – are the source of the coldest waters of the CIL. Fast increase of the open water heat content during further spring heating indicates that horizontal exchange rather than direct solar heating is responsible for that. When the surface is covered with water, heated above the Tmd, the conditions within the CIL become favorable for intralayer convection due to the presence of waters of Tmd in intermediate layer, which can explain the observed increase of its salinity and deepening with time.
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Citation: Chubarenko, I. P. and Demchenko, N. Y.: On contribution of horizontal and intra-layer convection to the formation of the Baltic Sea cold intermediate layer, Ocean Sci. Discuss., 5, 581-623, doi:10.5194/osd-5-581-2008, 2008. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
