Physical Oceanographic and Meteorological Conditions in the Northwest Gulf of Alaska

摘要

A summary is presented of the major findings of Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Assessment Program research into physical oceanographic conditions in the northwest Gulf of Alaska. The emphasis is on circulation features, since water circulation plays a major role in the path and dispersal of surface contaminants, a problem of major impetus for the OCSEAP program. Combined with knowledge of the local and regional wind field, this allows at least an approximate predictability of contaminant dispersion and trajectory.