SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIABILITY OF THE HEAT-BUDGET PARAMETERS AND CURRENTS IN THE COASTAL WATERS OF VISAKHAPATNAM, EAST-COAST OF INDIA

Analysis of the thermal structure in coastal waters off Visakhapatnam revealed sub-surface inversions during October. In postmonsoon, a good association existed between wind stress (tau) and total heat loss (Qe + Qs) and between SST and heat content (H) on diurnal scale. Horizontal eddy diffusion coefficient (Kx) estimated from the horizontal advection equation was 3 x 10(4) cm(2) . s(-1) during October. During February 1993, surface currents had magnitudes of 105-126 cm . s(-1) and the now was towards north-east.