EP A a on 
BA FRIDTJOF NANSEN. M.-N. Kl. 
lll. Distribution of Temperature, Salinity, and Density on 
the Sea Surface. 
Captain Amundsen’s numerous surface observations give most valuable 
information about the distribution of Temperature, Salinity, and Density on 
the surface of the Barents Sea and the Northern Norwegian Sea in the 
summer months of 19071. It is very fortunate that at the same time the 
Captains of the three sealing vessels the Capella (Capt. Støkken), the Jasai, 
and the Hvidfisken also took surface observations (temperature and water- 
samples) for the Bureau of the Norwegian Fishery- and Marine-Investigations 
under Dr. J. Hjorts leadership. Mr. Helland-Hansen who arranged 
the taking of these valuable observations, has kindly let me have the 
results for introduction here in the chart PI. I. 
In the months of May, June, and July, 1901, Dr. Hjort, with the 
"Michael Sars”, took many stations between Northern Norway and Spits- 
bergen. The surface observations from these stations have also been here 
introduced in the chart, PI. I. 
Finally Dr. N. Knipowitsch made in July, 1901, a cruise in the 
Barents Sea with the “Andrei Perwoswanny” (see the chart, PI. I). 
The whole of the material thus available gives an unusually full 
account of the distribution of surface-temperatures and salinities in these 
months. 
The isohalines have been drawn chiefly in occordance with the obser- 
vations made in June, and July 1901. As the surface-temperatures vary 
rapidly with the season, no isotherms have been drawn. 
If Amundsen’s surface-observations, made at different times in the same 
region, be compared with each other, and if his observations be compared 
with those made by the other expeditions in the same region, it is seen 
that at most places, both in the Barents Sea, in the seas south of Bear 
Island, west of Spitsbergen, and also north of Jan Mayen, the observations 
taken early in the season give as a rule lower temperatures and higher 
salinities than those taken later. This is most striking in the case of the 
Barents Sea, where in April and May Amundsen found surface-salinities 
approaching 34'9 %0, whilst later in the season the surface-salinities in the 
same region often sink much below 34'0 %00. 
