Upwelling in the Kerch Strait and the Adjacent Waters of the Black Sea Based on the Contact and Satellite Data

Abstract

Local and large-scale upwellings in the Kerch Strait and in the Black Sea adjacent waters are considered based on the contact and satellite data. The spatial scales and the temporal variability characteristics of these phenomena as well as regularities of thermohaline field transformation are identified. It is shown that a stable northwestern wind generates local upwelling pockets in the southern and central areas of the Kerch Strait. Quite a rare natural phenomenon when a wind-generated local upwelling induces temperature rise in the coastal waters is described. The upwelling observed in late September is accompanied by water temperature growth in the strait. It is revealed that the Black Sea subsurface waters that flow to the strait within the upwelling circulation system and that are of total suspended and dissolved organic matters low concentrations, contribute to improving water quality. Large-scale upwelling is originated in the Feodosiya Gulf; its influence extends to the Kerch Strait and to a wide strip along the eastern coast of the Crimea. The cycle of this kind of upwelling varies within the range of 1-8 days. Maximum frequency is typical for an upwelling cycle of about 24 hours. Considerably variable on interannual scale temporal characteristics of a large-scale upwelling off the eastern coast of the Crimea and in the Kerch Strait are shown on the quantitative level.