A diagnostic study of the Arctic Ocean winter density-driven circulation in 1973–79

Diagnostic computations of density-driven circulation for seven winters from 1973 through 1979 were carried out. The only forcing was provided by observed temperature and salinity data collected during onsite Russian winter surveys in 1973–79. Computed circulations from 1973 through 1978 were close to the mean circulation obtained earlier by averaging observed 1973–79 temperature and salinity (Polyakov & Timokhov 1994). The computed 1979 density-driven circulation flowed counter-clockwise to the north of the Laptev Sea. This circulation pattern was caused by an anomalous salinity distribution associated with changes in the atmospheric circulation regime in 1979. Prevailing offshore winds blew fresh water from the Laptev and East Siberian shelves toward Fram Strait. Fresh water was exchanged for saltier intermediate water that upwelled to the surface along the slope. The observed surface salinity anomalies at the continental slope of the Laptev Sea in 1979 increased by several salinity units. One may speculate that the same process may have caused the observed salinification of the Eurasian Basin in the 1990s.     

Hydrodynamic modelling of some metamorphic processes

The P–T paths for metamorphic complexes from the Precambrian shields and fold belts of different ages may result from advection, i.e. one-cycle convective processes in the lithosphere. This conclusion has been exemplified by the metamorphic evolution of several well-known complexes, for which an advective model can be successfully applied. Numerical simulations of the above processes in terms of Newtonian rheology by using a two-dimensional finite element program have been conducted.
Two representative models for intracontinental gravitational ordering initiated presumably by mantle activity are considered: (i) a thermally activated multi-layered rhythmic sequence and (ii) huge rising diapiars causing circulation, in which crustal lithologies underwent high- P metamorphism (above 10–15 kbar) and subsequent ascent toward the Earth's surface.     

Maintenance of the Arctic Ocean large-scale baroclinic structure by the M2 tide

A three-dimensional structure of the M2 tidal currents has been reproduced by mathematical modelling. The possibility of energy transfer from the tidal barotropic motion to large-scale baroclinic circulation of the Arctic Ocean has been estimated. It has been shown that the bottom relief plays an important role in the formation of the large-scale pattern of the baroclinic fields. The hypothesis has been proposed that the M2 tide may support the near-slope convection of the East-Siberian and Laptev seas. Polar Research 13 (2), 219–232