ADCP-referenced geostrophic velocity and transport in the West Spitsbergen Current

Abstract

During the summer of 2000 and 2002 (June-July) the West Spitsbergen Current (WSC) was investigated by the Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences. CTD and current measurements by a vessel-mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) were performed along three transects perpendicular to the WSC main stream and covering the region from 76°30' N to 78°20' N and from 02°30' E to 15° E. In general, the geostrophic, baroclinic flow patterns and the ADCP-measured currents were found to be in good agreement but measured current velocities were significantly higher than calculated values. This fact supports earlier observations that the barotropic component is dominant in the WSC. Since ADCP has a better spatial resolution than CTD records, the West Spitsbergen Current could be investigated and described in much greater detail than before.     The main stream of Atlantic Water is topographically steered by the continental slope (isobars 800-2000 m) and the complex, multistream structure of the West Spitsbergen Current is clearly visible. The absolutely referenced total geostrophic transport is about three times higher than the estimated value assuming the level of no motion lies at 1000 m.

Keywords

• Geostrophic flow
• ADCP and CTD measurements
• Arctic circulation
• Baroclinic and barotropic components of velocity