Temperature structure and characteristics appearing on SSM/I images of the Cosmonaut Sea, Antarctica

Abstract

Water-temperature structure in the Cosmonaut Sea at 60 68° S, 35 65° E in 1987–92 shows that cold water with a temperature below -1.5°C was present in the coastal region. The Circumpolar Deep Water with a temperature higher than 1.0°C was found below about 150m depth from northeast to northwest of the cold water area. The SSM/I images in 1987–91 indicate that polynya activities were intensive in 1988 and the typical Cosmonaut Polynya was observed; due to weaker activities, the small and sporadic Cosmonaut Polynya formed in 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991. A coastal polynya was frequently observed every year at about 66° S, 50–60° E. A train of polynyas to the east of Cosmonaut Polynya often appeared. It is considered that the Atmospheric Convergence Line and Antarctic Divergence Region are responsible for polynya activities in the Cosmonaut Sea.