Analysis of velocity field in the eastern Black Sea from satellite data during the Black Sea '99 experiment

Abstract

Maximum cross correlation (MCC) analysis of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) advanced very high resolution radiometer (AVHRR) imagery of the eastern Black Sea in late September 1999 has been used to reconstruct the velocity and vorticity fields of the upper layer of the sea. Analysis revealed the large-scale dynamic features characteristic of the Black Sea, namely the Rim Current, as well as the detailed pattern of mesoscale vortical activity including meanders, eddies, and dipoles, which are often observed on satellite visible, infrared, or sea color imagery. The dynamical character of the pronounced dipole structure in the northeastern part of the Black Sea was determined by comparison with satellite IR images, geostrophic velocities calculated on the basis of conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) casts performed and trajectories of six Argos-tracked surface velocity program (SVP) drifters deployed during the Black Sea '99 expedition onboard R/V Akvanavt on 25-30 September 1999.