Mixed Layer Depth in the Aegean, Marmara, Black and Azov Seas: Part I: General Features

摘要

Climatological fields of mixed layer depth (MLD) are presented over the Aegean, Marmara, Black and Azov Seas. Monthly fields of MLD are formed by historical individual temperature and salinity profiles from combination of various data sets with additional quality control procedures applied. Various definitions that are based solely on temperature (T) or those that include the impact of salinity (S) are applied to investigate the robustness in the pattern and values of the MLDs. Interpolation of the MLD fields to a 0.25 deg x 0.25 deg regular grid over the region is accomplished using a combination of median filter and ordinary kriging. Strong seasonal variability is noted in all regions. Given a density-based MLD criterion that includes both T and S, deep mixed layers (> 200 m) are noted in the Aegean Sea, especially eastern part of the region during winter while MLDs are generally much shallower.