PE VE ur 
1906. No.3. AMUNDSEN'S OCEANOGRAPHIC OBSERVATIONS IN 1901. 35 
was 27°70 and the salinity 34'39%00. As the sea-water over this ex- 
tensive, submerged coastal platform is much diluted by water from the 
great rivers (of the White Sea, the Pechora, etc.), and as the shallowness 
of the sea prevents an active horizontal circulation bringing in fresh 
supplies of Atlantic water from the north, it must be expected that 
comparatively low salinities with considerable local variations will be 
found. This is in accordance with Amundsen’s actual observations. It 
is seen that both his numerous surface observations (cf. Pl. I) and his 
vertical series of observations show striking differences in temperature 
and salinity, often in regions which are not far apart; their horizontal 
and vertical distribution is also greatly influenced by the local conditions, 
For example take the three most southern Stations, Stats. 6, 7, and 8 (see 
Table II), covering a period of 7 days (May 9—16, 1901), and very near each 
other on the extensive flat bank west of Kolguyev. At the most western 
Station, Stat. 6, with the shallowest water, the vertical circulation has 
been most complete, the temperature of the bottom-layers being near 
freezing-point, and the salinity comparatively low. At the most eastern 
Station, Stat. 7, there was higher temperatures and higher salinity near 
the bottom, showing the influence of the deeper channel or depression 
coming from the north and producing more horizontal circulation in the 
deep waters. But near the surface the temperature is higher and salinity 
lower showing the influence of the nearer vicinity to land. Stat. 8 shows an 
intermediate position between the two, both locally and with respect to 
temperature and salinity, but having been taken several days later, it 
has got higher temperatures near the surface. 
A Station taken by Mr. Alf Wollebæk further west on the same 
platform, on May 25, 1900, is also very interesting. 
Wollebæk I. | 69° 0‘ N. Lat. | Depth in Metres o 10 20 | 40 65 
May 25 Ft eal Long. | Temp: Cl — 165) —x65| = #6 —565| —165 
1900 | Salin. Ms 3 | +94 06 |. 3406 34:06 | 34°10 
This station is just north of the outlet from the White Sea, and 
consequently a still lower salinity than at Amundsen’s Stat. 6 may be 
expected. It is a very common feature that near the bottom, the 
salinity is higher than in overlying perfectly uniform stratal. 
I The salinities are here computed according to Knudsens Tables. They were determined 
by Dr. Heidenreich by Titration, and by the aid of a standard water, the salinity 
of which had not been accurately determined, when the memoir on the Oceanography 
of the North Polar Basin (cf. loc. cif. p. 261) was written. Heidenreich’s original 
