The White Sea
The White Sea is one of the smallest inner seas of Russia with complex topography
and intense tidal currents. Radar images and field measurements have shown that
submesoscale eddies were observed throughout the waters of the sea, the greatest
number of them were recorded near the fronts and in the areas of sharp increase in
depth [28, 39]. Characteristic diameters of these eddies are 2–8 km (R d varied in the
range of 1–8 km with the lowest values in the shelf areas with intense tidal mixing
and the maximum values in the deep ones [39]. Preferential direction of rotation of
the vortices is cyclonic. Short-lived intrapycnocline eddies are also observed in the
same phase of tide over the irregularities of bottom relief.
Conclusions
Satellite remote sensing has shown that submesoscale eddies are a common element
of the dynamics of the inner Russian seas. They have short lifetime (a day or a few
days) and small dimensions (a few kilometers); hence, the main tool for their
Fig. 14 Vortex street in the Southeastern Baltic Sea (ASAR Envisat, May 17, 2008, 20:16 UTC)
410
A. G. Kostianoy et al.
The White Sea is one of the smallest inner seas of Russia with complex topography
and intense tidal currents. Radar images and field measurements have shown that
submesoscale eddies were observed throughout the waters of the sea, the greatest
number of them were recorded near the fronts and in the areas of sharp increase in
depth [28, 39]. Characteristic diameters of these eddies are 2–8 km (R d varied in the
range of 1–8 km with the lowest values in the shelf areas with intense tidal mixing
and the maximum values in the deep ones [39]. Preferential direction of rotation of
the vortices is cyclonic. Short-lived intrapycnocline eddies are also observed in the
same phase of tide over the irregularities of bottom relief.
Conclusions
Satellite remote sensing has shown that submesoscale eddies are a common element
of the dynamics of the inner Russian seas. They have short lifetime (a day or a few
days) and small dimensions (a few kilometers); hence, the main tool for their
Fig. 14 Vortex street in the Southeastern Baltic Sea (ASAR Envisat, May 17, 2008, 20:16 UTC)
410
A. G. Kostianoy et al.