Vertical structure of currents in the western Weddell Sea

The Southern Ocean plays a key role in the global circulation of the World Ocean. The Weddell Gyre, being one of two gyres that determine the large-scale dynamics of the Southern Ocean, makes a significant contribution to the global thermohaline circulation. In this regard, the study of the dynamics and structure of waters in the Weddell Sea seems very relevant for improving our understanding of the processes occurring in the World Ocean. In this work, based on an array of data on current velocities from moorings collected from an open source (Pangaea), the vertical structure of currents on a slope in the western part of the Weddell Sea (northwestern and southern parts) was studied. The main result is the intensification of the current in the bottom layer identified, based on the mean velocities calculated over the period of measurement, which, apparently, is a characteristic feature of the Weddell Gyre for both its western and southern branches. An increase in velocities in the bottom layer at individual moorings previously noted in separate works was confirmed and shown based on an array of data on current velocities from 108 sensors at 37 moorings on the continental slope in the northwestern and southern parts of the Weddell Sea.