The mechanisms of formation and distribution of total suspended matter (tsm) off the West Coast of Crimea under the influence of strong winds of various directions were investigated on the base of satellite data of medium and high resolution. The maximum tsm reaching the values of 200 mg / l was is observed during strong southern winds. In this case, the zone of high tsm is located at the western shelf of the Crimea limited by a 50 m isobath. The wave impact on resuspension of bottom sediments and the erosion of clay cliffs located on the west coast of Crimea lead to the formation of a large amount of tsm. After the storm, a northern alongshore current transfers tsm to the north. During northeast winds, the highest tsm are observed not near the coast, but in the seaward part of the shelf between 30 and 50 m isobaths. It is likely that turbulent mixing during such winds resuspense bottom sediments in shallow areas, which are further transported from the coast due to the offshore winds. The wind surge in this case leads to the formation of a band of clean cold water near the coast. A specific feature of the action of the northern and northwestern storms is the formation of a longshore jet stream along the western coast. The current occurs at the front of the upwelling zone. The stream transports the suspended matter offshore southward. The concentration of the suspended matter in this case is also much lower than when exposed to the southern winds, but it can reach a value of 3 mg/l.
Purpose. The paper is aimed at studying the relationship between the wind regime and the wind stress curl in the Black Sea, on the one hand, and the long-term changes in the sea level pressure fields in winter months, on the other. Methods and Results. The data on wind speed and sea level pressure in January – February from the NCEP/NСAR reanalysis for 1948–2018 are used. Based on the 6-hour data, the synoptic conditions accompanied by high and low values of the wind stress curl in the sea were determined. The synoptic situations in which a vast anticyclone is located north and northeast of the sea, and the area of low pressure – to the southwest of the sea in the Mediterranean region, are accompanied by the northeast and east winds, and by the cyclonic curl predominance. On the contrary, passing of the cyclones to the north of the sea and increase of pressure to the southwest are followed by the westerly and southwesterly winds, and by the anticyclonic curl predominance. Extremely high monthly mean values of the cyclonic curl were observed in those years, when the area occupied by the Siberian anticyclone increased and expanded westward, so that the Black Sea was on the southwestern periphery of its spur. Extremely low values of the anticyclonic curl were noted when the Azores anticyclone area expanded to the Mediterranean region. The wind stress curl changes on the multidecadal scales have shown its relation to the global changes in the field of the sea level pressure and the sign of the pressure anomalies at the low latitudes. Conclusions. The opposite sign of the surface pressure anomalies taking place to the northeast and southwest of the sea is accompanied by the highest values of the wind stress curl.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.