Influence of Baroclinicity on Sea Level Oscillations in the Baltic Sea

On the basis of numerical experiments with the ocean model INMOM adapted for the Baltic Sea conditions, the influence of baroclinic processes on sea level oscillations is investigated. It is shown that baroclinic perturbations make a significant contribution to the total Baltic Sea level oscillations. Baroclinic effects have the dominate impact on formation of the mean sea level. The spectral analysis testifies the most considerable contribution of baroclinic fluctuations in the ranges of seasonal and mesoscale variability. The highest amplitudes of sea level baroclinic perturbations are noted in eastern part of the Gulf of Finland where they reach + 30 cm, as well as in Bay of Bothnia and Gulf of Riga (+ 20 divided by 25 cm). The greatest intensity of the baroclinic sea level oscillations is noted during the autumn and winter period in the local regions of open Baltic, the Bay of Bothnia, eastern part of the Gulf of Finland, Gulf of Riga, as well as the Kattegat and the Danish Straits.