Deep water renewal and associated processes in Skjomen, a fjord in North Norway

Abstract

In Skjomen, a 156 m deep fjord with a 60 m sill depth at the entrance, renewal of the basin water occurs annually, during winter. Dilution and heating of outside waters during summer prevents inflow, but estuarine circulation inside the fjord dilutes the basin water and makes it exchangeable when the density of outside water increases. Dominant seaward winds during winter lift deep water outside the sill and cause it to flow into the basin at intervals throughout the winter and spring. Other processes like turbulent diffusion of salt from the basin water towards the surface, cooling of water over the sill, and tidal currents, possibly also bring about and/or enhance inflows.