Seasonal and long term evolution of oceanographic conditions based on year-around observation in Kongsfjorden, Arctic Ocean

Recently measured oceanographic data (Temperature, Salinity and Current) from July 2014-July 2015 in the Kongsfjorden marine environment has been used for studying the seasonal hydrographic variation. Seasonal fluctuation in salinity and temperature for the entire period of observation in different seasons matches with the previous year records. Overall trend of the surface zonal current pattern is towards west compared to eastward flowing bottom current. In order to study stratification and mixing during different seasons (summer and winter), density and buoyancy frequency were derived from temperature and salinity. The observed range difference in the buoyancy frequency clearly supports stratification in summer and mixing during winter seasons. The energy level variation in spectral analysis of temperature also indicates the seasonal variation in stratification. The comparison of temperature with previous year records since 1969 clearly shows a warming trend, which indicates the impact of climate change in Kongsfjorden. Present study confirms the requirement of year around observation in Kongfjorden, for seasonal as well as long term climate change monitoring studies.