DIAPYCNIC ENTRAINMENT OF SHELF WATERS ALONG THE CONTINENTAL SLOPE

V. A. Sosnin, P. Ya. Tishchenko, and N. Biebow

Analysis of the seasonal variability of oceanographic conditions demonstrates diapycnic entrainment of shelf waters at intermediate depths along the continental slope of Sakhalin during winter and spring seasons. The maximum density of shelf waters during the year does not exceed 26.84σθ, but they can penetrate deeper than 600 m. They cool the sea interior near the continental slope, deepening the intermediate temperature maximum in comparison with the central part of the sea and the ocean. The main source of energy for this process is the potential energy of shelf waters they possess in the cold season. The effect of cabbeling is an additional source of energy for diapycnic mixing.