Transport of Atlantic Water in the western Barents Sea

Abstract

Measurements from an array of current meter moorings along a section between Norway and Bear Island indicate that the seasonal mean of inflowing Atlantic Water extends further to the north during the summer than during the winter. To further investigate this seasonal divergence and the transport routes of Atlantic Water in the western Barents Sea, numerical experiments of tracer advection have been performed. The numerical results agree with the observations by showing a more northerly transport route of tracer water masses in the western Barents Sea during summer. The tracer water masses originate in the core of the Atlantic Water inflow at the Norway-Bear Island section, thus represents an indication of the transport routes of the Atlantic Water. The main reason for this change from summer to winter is probably the seasonal changes in the atmospheric fields.