Publication Abstract

Thirty year time-series of surface temperature and salinity in the Southern Bight of the North Sea (ICES Area 9)

S. R. Dye, K. J. Medler, S. W. Norris and R. R. Dickson

Near surface hydrography has been collected by a ship-of-opportunity along a route along 52°N between Felixstowe and Rotterdam since 1971. Temperature and salinity samples are collected weekly at 9 standard stations by the Stena Freeway providing an insight to the seasonal, interannual and decadal variability of surface water in the Southern Bight of the North Sea. Here we show data collected at the six standard stations most isolated from high variability coastal processes (Figure1) in order to put the conditions seen in 2002 in the context of those of the past 30 years. Samples were not available over the late summer/early autumn period as the ferry route changed operator and administrative headquarters in 2002, fortunately only 3 months (August-October) were lost to the time-series, and the sample collection recommenced in November.

Reference:

S. R. Dye, K. J. Medler, S. W. Norris and R. R. Dickson (2003) Thirty year time-series of surface temperature and salinity in the Southern Bight of the North Sea (ICES Area 9). pp137-142 In: Report of the Working Group on Oceanic Hydrography, ICES CM 2003/C:07