THE PROCESSES OF HEATING AND COOLING IN A SECTION OF THE IRISH SEA

Abstract

The heat balance equation is applied to the Holyhead-Dublin Bay section of the Irish Sea. It is shown that the seasonal variation in the heat content of the section as a whole can be accounted for, largely, by the local effects of radiation and exchange of heat with the atmosphere. There is, however, a considerable transfer of heat from the coastal waters towards the centre of the channel in summer and in the reverse direction in winter. Attributing this transfer to mixing due to horizontal turbulance, an estimate is made of the horizontal eddy diffusivity.