Temperature structure and SSM/I images of the cosmonaut polynya region

Abstract

Water temperature structure in the Cosmonaut Sea between 60-68°S, 35-65°E in 1987-1992 shows that cold water with temperature below -1.5℃ was present in the coastal region. The Circumpolar Deep Water with temperature higher than 1.0℃ was found below about 150m in depth from northeast to northwest of the cold water area. The SSM/I images in 1987-1991 indicate that polynya activity was intensive in 1988,and a typical Cosmonaut Polynya was observed; due to weak activity, small and sporadic Cosmonaut Polynyas formed in 1987,1989,1990 and 1991. A coastal polynya frequently was observed in every year at about 66°S, 50-60°E. A train of polynyas to the east of the Cosmonaut Polynya often appeared. It is considered that the Atmospheric Convergence Line and Antarctic Divergence Region are responsible for polynya activity in the Cosmonaut Sea.