The West Spitsbergen Current volume and heat transport from synoptic observations in summer

Abstract

This study describes the results of quasi-synoptic hydrographic observations of the West Spitsbergen Current made in summer 2003. Various sources of information and calculation methods were used to estimate the northward volume and heat transport. Ultimately, the results based on the Lowered Acoustic Doppler Current Profiled data were selected as the most reliable. The results of direct current measurements in the entire water column with relatively high horizontal resolution confirm the complicated, multi-path structure and high barotropic component of the West Spitsbergen Current. Measurements show high temporal variability of the volume transport and strong current dependence on wind conditions. The quasi-synoptic northward volume transport across section 78°50′N from 002°E to the Spitsbergen shelf is estimated at 11.6 Sv, and total heat transport at 70.6 TW.