TITLE:
Evaluation of the Circulation Patterns in the Black Sea Using Remotely Sensed and in Situ Measurements
AUTHORS:
Robert Toderascu, Eugen Rusu
KEYWORDS:
Black Sea; Circulation Patterns; Statistical Analyses; Rose Graphics
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Geosciences,
Vol.4 No.7,
September
9,
2013
ABSTRACT:
The objective of the present work is to provide an
overview of the general circulation features in the Black
Sea basin. In order to achieve this, 18 years (1993-2010) of satellite
data coming from the Aviso website were analyzed. A description of the general
circulation patterns in the Black Sea is first
presented. This is followed by statistical analyses of the satellite data in 20
points covering the entire area of the sea. The reference points were chosen as
follows: 12 points along the Rim cyclonic current, 3 points inside the Rim
cyclonic current, 4 points on the edge of two of the biggest anticyclonic gyres
outside the Rim current and one point in the northwestern shelf area of the
basin. Rose graphics were drawn for the reference points for winter and summer
time. Finally, 9 years of in situ data obtained from the Gloria drilling platform were analyzed and compared with
the satellite data. The present study shows that most of the reference points
are sensitive to seasonal changes. The current velocities depend mostly on the
points location: the points located on the Rim current and on the nearshore
anticyclonic eddies present higher values than the ones located in or outside
the general circulation features.