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North sea interaction with the north atlantic ocean

Austauschprozesse zwischen Nordsee und Nordatlantik

  • Interaction With The North Atlantic Ocean
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Summary

Evidence is reviewed regarding the average rates of exchange, dominated by a total inflows & 1.7 x 106 m3s-1 by various routes to the northern North Sea. Possible contributory processes are reviewed. It is concluded that the topographic constraint at the shelf edge is relaxed by strong friction and large variability on short time-scales, both associated with strong tidal and wind-driven flows around Scotland. There are suggestions that the North Sea circulation is controlled by North Atlantic fields, forcing around Scotland and Atlantic — North Sea salinity differences: these warrant further investigation.

Zusammenfassung

Die vorliegende Arbeit befa\t sich mit den durchschnittlichen Austauschraten bei einem Gesamteinstrom von & 1.7 x 106 m3s-1, der auf verschiedenen Wegen in die Nordsee gelangt. Es wird auch auf andere möglicherweise wirksame Prozesse eingegangen. Die Arbeit gelangt zu dem Schlu\, da\ die topographische Begrenzung durch die Schelfkante durch starke Reibung und gro\e kurzzeitige VariabilitÄt gelockert wird, beides VorgÄnge im Zusammenhang mit starken gezeiten- und windbedingten Strömungen um Schottland herum. Es wird vermutet, da\ die Nordseezirkulation durch nordatlantische Felder, AntriebskrÄfte bei Schottland und Salzgehaltsunterschiede zwischen Atlantik und Nordsee unterhalten wird. Weitere Untersuchungen sollten in diesem Zusammenhang durchgeführt werden.

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  1. Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, Bidston Observatory, L43 7RA, Birkenhead Merseyside, UK

    John M. Huthnance

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Correspondence to John M. Huthnance.

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Huthnance, J.M. North sea interaction with the north atlantic ocean. Deutsche Hydrographische Zeitschrift 49, 153–162 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02764030

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