Cooling in the western Bering Sea in 1999: quick propagation of La Niña signal or compensatory processes effect?

• Published in: Progress in oceanography Vol. 49; no. 1-4; pp. 407 - 422
• Main Authors: Radchenko, V.I., Khen, G.V., Slabinsky, A.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01-01-2001
• Subjects: INW, Russia, Kamchatskaya; ISE, Pacific; INW, Bering Sea; IN, Bering Sea
• ISSN: 0079-6611
• DOI: 10.1016/S0079-6611(01)00033-7

In 1999, synoptic and hydrological conditions in the western Bering Sea were characterized by negative SST and air temperature anomalies, extensive ice coverage and late melting. Biological processes were also delayed. In 1999, the average zooplankton biomass was 1.76 g/m super(3), approximately half the average 3.07 g/m super(3) in 1998. Pacific salmon migrated to the northeastern Kamchatka streams two weeks later. This contrasts with 1997 (spring and summer) and 1998 (summer) when positive SST anomalies were widely distributed throughout the northwestern Bering Sea shelf. Since the second half of the 1990s, seasonal atmospheric processes developed over the western Bering Sea that were similar to those of the cold decades of the 1960-1970s. A meridional atmospheric circulation pattern began to replace zonal transport. Colder Arctic air masses have shifted over the Bering Sea region and shelf water temperatures have cooled considerably with the weakening of zonal atmospheric circulation. Temperature decreased in the cold intermediate layer during its renewal in winter. Besides, oceanic water inflow intensified into the Bering Sea in intermediate layers. Water temperature warmed to 4 degree C and a double temperature maximum existed in the warm intermediate layer in late summer in both 1997 and 1998. Opposing trends of cold water temperature and a warm intermediate layer led to an increase of vertical gradients in the main thermocline and progressing frontogenesis. It accelerates frontal transport and can be regarded as a chief cause of increased water exchange with the Pacific Ocean.