Oceanography and fluorescence at the shelf break off the north Norwegian coast (69°′N-70°30′N) during the main productive period in 1994

Abstract

Abstract Data on hydrography, fluorescence, wind and currents from shelf studies on the Norwegian shelf between 69°30′N and 70°30′N are presented. The sampling was performed along five transects, covering a narrow shelfbreak site, a trench, and a bank. The sampling programme was conducted during cruises of 4-5 days duration each month from March until October 1994. Three distinct water masses were identified: i) Coastal Water (S 12 oq above the shelf and the shelfbreak (0-300 m depth), 2) Atlantic Water (S > 35; 5 10 oq off shelf (0-400 m depth) and below the Coastal Water in the trenches (300-400 m depth), and 3) Norwegian Sea Deep Water (S < 35; T < 0 °C) off the shelf break, below 700 m depth. Wind direction between southeast and northwest prevailed during all cruises, except in May, when northeasterly wind was most frequent. Typical wind speeds were in the order of 7-l2 m s-1, but the wind exceeded l 5 m s-1 frequently during the whole investigation period. Current regime above the...