Onset and Evolution of Upwelling along the West Coast of India

  • Dominic Ricky Fernandez DRDO-Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi
  • A. Raghunadha Rao DRDO-Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi
  • T. Y. Niji DRDO-Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.69.14223
Keywords: Upwelling, Southwest coast of India, Isotherms

Abstract

To describe the onset and evolution of upwelling along the south west coast of India, authors collected a series of conductivity temperature depth measurements on board INS Sagardhwani extending from 7 °N – 15 °N during the period extending from February 2017 - October 2017. In this paper we utilised the undulations of the 23 °C isotherm as a proxy to study the upwelling phenomenon. The upward movement of the waters at the southern tip off India (77.5 °E) in the subsurface levels was observed to commence from late February 2017 in depths around 80 m and by the end of May 2017, it is observed to rise rapidly to the surface. The upwelled waters reach the surface during the 2nd week of July all along the Indian coast, and then intensified during August 2017. Beyond 12 °N maximum upwelling is seen in July and thereafter in early August 2017 upwelling was intense till October 2017.

Author Biographies

Dominic Ricky Fernandez, DRDO-Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi

Mr Dominic Ricky Fernandez obtained his MSc (Physical Oceanography) from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, Currently working as a Scientist ‘D’ at Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi. Kerala. His research areas include: Thermohaline studies, ocean dynamics, database management, operational oceanography.

A. Raghunadha Rao, DRDO-Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi

Dr A.R. Rao obtained his Masters from Andhra University and PhD from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi. Currently working as Team Leader and Scientist ‘F’ at DRDO-Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi. His field of specialisation include: Satellite oceanography, air-sea interaction, upper ocean dynamics, thermohaline structure, ocean modelling, sonar oceanography.

T. Y. Niji, DRDO-Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi

Ms T.Y. Niji obtained her Maters in computer application. Currently working as a Technical Officer ‘B’ at DRDO-Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi. Her research areas include: Database management, computer programming.

Published
2019-03-06
How to Cite
Fernandez, D., Rao, A., & Niji, T. (2019). Onset and Evolution of Upwelling along the West Coast of India. Defence Science Journal, 69(2), 120-126. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.69.14223
Issue
Vol 69 No 2: Anti-submarine Warfare Oceanography
Section
Special Issue Papers
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