Geostrophic currents and kinetic energies in the Black Sea estimated from merged drifter and satellite altimetry data

[摘要] Drifter measurements and satellite altimetry data are merged to reconstructthe surface geostrophic circulation of the Black Sea in the period1999–2009. This combined data set is used to estimate pseudo-Eulerianvelocity statistics for different time periods. Seasonal and interannualvariability of currents and kinetic energy fields are described withparticular attention to the mesoscale and sub-basin coastal eddies. The meancurrents are generally stronger in winter and enhanced speeds are observed inthe period 2002–2006. The most intense activity of sub-basin Batumi Eddyoccurs in summer with greater speeds and dimensions in 2006 and 2008. Thesub-basin Sevastopol Eddy is generated in spring from a meander of the RimCurrent. Mesoscale eddies located along the Anatolia, Caucasus and Crimeacoasts are permanent, quasi-permanent or intermittent features and caninteract and merge with each other, showing high values of kinetic energy.

[学科分类] 海洋学与技术