Hydrographical features of the inner shelf waters along the central west coast of India during winter, spring and summer

Abstract

Physical oceanographic data collected on board Arjun Prasad during the monthly cruises from January to April, 1972 in the sea extending upto 15 miles offshore along the central west coast (Vengurla to Karwar) have been analysed and the results are discussed. In winter, the waters were well mixed and homogeneous. From March onwards they exhibited significant temperature and density gradients. incursion of relatively saline and dense subsurface waters along the inner shelf due to upwelling was encountered in March and April off Karwar and in April off Cape Ramas and Aguada. Surface currents in the nearshore regions showed a complex pattern while those in the offshore regions of the southern part (off Cape Ramas and Karwar) could be related to the seasonal drifts.