Spatial and temporal variability of the heat budget parameters and currents in the coastal waters of Visakhapatnam, east coast of India

Abstract

Analysis of the thermal structure in coastal waters off Visakhapatnam revealed sub-surface inversions during October. In postmonsoon, a good association existed between wind stress (tau) and total heat loss (Qe+Qs) and between SST and heat content (H) on diurnal scale. Horizontal eddy diffusion coefficient (Kx) estimated from the horizontal advection equation was 3 x 10 sup(4) cm sup(2).s sup(-1) during October. During February 1993, surface currents had magnitudes of 105-126 cm.s sup(-1) and the flow was towards north-east