Geostrophic currents and kinetic energies in the Black Sea estimated from merged drifter and satellite altimetry data
Journal: Ocean science
Year: 2014

Abstract. Drifter measurements and satellite altimetry data are merged to reconstruct the surface geostrophic circulation of the Black Sea in the period 1999–2009. This combined data set is used to estimate pseudo-Eulerian velocity statistics for different time periods. Seasonal and interannual variability of currents and kinetic energy fields are described with particular attention to the mesoscale and sub-basin coastal eddies. The mean currents are generally stronger in winter and enhanced spe