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Research Document - 2002/049

Physical oceanographic conditions on the Scotian Shelf and in the Gulf of Maine during 2001

By K.F. Drinkwater, B. Petrie, R.G. Pettipas, W.M. Petrie and V. Soukhotsev

Abstract

A review of physical oceanographic conditions on the Scotian Shelf and in the Gulf of Maine and adjacent offshore areas during 2001 is presented. Surface temperatures varied spatially with higher-than-normal temperatures in the Gulf of Maine and the central and northeastern portions of the Scotian Shelf. In contrast, the southwestern section of the Scotian Shelf and along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, sea surface temperatures were negative. Cold subsurface temperatures appeared in the northeastern Scotian Shelf region, resulting in below normal values and reversing the warming trend of the past decade. This followed 2 years of above normal temperatures. Waters in the deep basins both on the Shelf and in the Gulf of Maine indicate continuance of the warm conditions re-established in 1999 after the cold water event of 1998. Mid-depth temperatures over Emerald Basin were much colder-than-normal, ~1°C from 50 to 150 m. Near-bottom temperatures throughout the Scotian Shelf were generally below normal in 2001 and the area of bottom covered by cold temperatures increased significantly. There was some evidence to suggest the return of Cold Slope Water along the Scotian Shelf during 2001. While the vertical stratification in the upper water column (between surface and 50 m) over the Scotian Shelf generally weakened in 2001 relative to 2000, it remained higher than normal. The Shelf/Slope front and the Gulf Stream moved seaward of their positions during 2001. This resulted in the Shelf/Slope front being seaward of its normal position but the Gulf Stream still remained shoreward of its normal position.

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