The GIN Sea: Review of physical oceanography and literature from 1972

Abstract

A synthesis and review of the physical oceanography of the GIN Sea (Greenland, Iceland, and Norwegian Seas) is presented. An accompanying bibliography complete from 1972 is included. Emphasis is placed on describing the GIN Sea as a major semi-enclosed basin that plays a function unique among the world's ocean: by providing a strong two-way advective exchange between the icecovered

Polar Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean and at the same time acting as the primary site for Northern Hemisphere bottom water formation. The water masses for the GIN Sea are defined, in a manner as consistent as possible with the literature. The large scale oceanographic and meteorological factors influencing the water mass formation and circulation are described. A sample

calculation of the various horizontal and vertical thermohaline-driven exchanges is given.