Winter Thermohaline Features along 10 degree N in the Bay of Bengal

Abstract

To commemorate the contributions made by Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kistna during the first International Indian ocean expedition programme a scientific cruise was planned in the Bay of Bengal during November 2017 onboard INS Sagardhwani. The objective was to study the thermohaline properties along 10 °N in the Bay of Bengal and understand the sound channel characteristics in the region. A fresh water cap of ~20 m thickness is noticed in the top layers of the Bay of Bengal occupying the region extending from 83 °E – 93 °E. A prominent anti-cyclonic eddy was noticed around 10 °N centered between 90 °E and 93 °E, a negative sea level (west of 90 °E) co-exists with a positive sea level anomaly to its east along the observational tracks along 10 °N. The climatological temperature and salinity sections also shows the same features as observed along the transect. The study also sheds light on the deep sound channel characteristics along the 10 °N channel.