Surface circulation and transport in the mozambique channel

Abstract

Surface circulation and transport in the Mozambique Channel have been determined using altimetry and the hydrographic section along 25 S covered during the World Ocean Circulation Experiment. Vertical sections of potential temperature and salinity are prepared to understand the water characteristics. The meridional component of geostrophic velocity is computed referring to the deepest common depth between stations. The mean circulation field exhibits the strong Mozambique current in the northern part of the Channel. But, it is weakened and embedded with anticyclonic eddies towards south. The geostrophic flow reveals the eddy circulation in the Mozambique Channel. The meridional volume and heat transports have been estimated and presented with respect longitude. Both the net volume transport and the heat transport are towards south and are 22.8 Sv and 0.7 pw respectively.