Seasonal variation of geostrophic current and water transport in the central part of Red Sea

الملخص EN

The data from meteor R-V cruise legs-5 are used to discuss the circulation pattern and geostrophic current in the area extending between 19º and 24ºN during February and July 1987.

During winter season, the distributions of temperature, salinity, density and geostrophic current show the existence of gyratory pattern as a result of convection or advection processes.

The extension of these gyres differs from surface to 250 m depth.

About 7 gyres can be detected at the surface level and 4 gyres at 250 m depth.

The existence of these gyres causes a strong cross currents.

On the other hand the cyclonic gyratory pattern help in the renewal of deep Red Sea water.

The pattern of flow along the east-west section consists of 2 layers.

The surface one flowing to the north with net volume transport through this layer of about 1.975 × 106 m3 / sec.

While the lower flows to the south and with net volume transport equal to 0.984 × 106 m3 / sec.

During the summer season, the geostrophic currents appear in southeast direction in the area extending between 19 and 22ºN, while at the rest of the investigated area (22-24ºN) 6 gyres in between cyclonic and anticyclonic ones are present.

At 250 m depth, the current problem is changed.

In the area between 19-21ºN, the currents flow in northwest direction and in the rest of the investigated area the currents were mainly in southwest direction accompanied with 4 different gyres.

The water transport at the same east-west section is through two layers.

The upper one moves to the south and the net volume transport is about 2.621 106 m3 / sec.

While the second layer was to the north with net volume transport of about 2.1368 × 106 m3 / sec.