As we know (paragraph 12) , in order to draw conclusions on the variations of temperature in 

 the same water masses, the formula* 



dt__^ dt_ 



is used. 



In order to utilize this formula, it is necessary to employ at least two parallel oceanological 

 cross sections (for the calculation of the temperature gradient and the current direction) across 

 the given current and, in addition, to determine the current speed between the cross sections. The 

 cross sections intersecting the Nordkapp current (in addition to the Kola longitude) in the Barents 

 Sea were set up along the 38th longitude and in the direction, Nordkapp-Ostrov Medvezhiy. When 

 comparing the cross sections along the Kola longitude and along the line Nordkapp-Ostrov Medve- 

 zhiy, it was found that, in all seasons of the year, the first cross section was approximately 1.5° 

 colder than the second. 



The data concerning the mean speed of the Nordkapp current from the line Nordkapp-Ostrov 

 Medvezhiy to the Kola longitude are still less accurate. Judging from the existing current charts, 

 it appears that at least three months are needed for the Atlantic water to travel from the Nordkapp- 

 Ostrov Medvezhiy sector to the KUa longitude. In other words, the mean current speed is about 

 5 cm/sec. Thus, a water column 200 m thick, while on its way from the Nordkapp to the Kola 

 longitude in winter and summer, is lowered in temperature by approximately half a degree each 

 month. 



Applying the above mentioned formulae and calculations to a concrete case, we find that, for 

 instance, from 15 May to 15 June 1934, the temperature along the Kola longitude increased from 

 3.22° to 4.06°, i.e., the rate temperature variation in geographical coordinates equals 0.84° per 

 month. 



On the basis of the above formula (because the temperature gradient is negative) we find that 

 the rate of temperature variations in oceanological coordinates equals 0.34° per month. 



In other words, we find that from 15 May to 15 June, the rise of temperature in the moving 

 Nordkapp waters to a depth of 200 m equals 0.34° or, if the heat capacity of water is assumed to 

 equal unity, the heat content xmder each cm^ of the Nordkapp current increases by 6. 8 kg-cal. 



From 15 January to 15 February 1935, the mean temperature along the Kola longitude 

 dropped from 4.25° to 3.65°, i.e., by 0.60°. Consequently, the drop of temperature in oceano- 

 logical coordinates equalled 1.10° during this time. In other words, each cm^ of the surface of 

 Nordkapp current gave off to the atmosphere 22 kg-cal. 



It is not difficult to demonstrate by such reasoning that, despite the rise of temperature in 

 the cross section along the Kola longitude in the summer — which is almost balanced with cooling in 

 the winter — each cm'' of the Nordkapp current (between the Nordkapp and Kola longitude) gives off 

 to the atmosphere at least 120 kg-cal. 



*It is evident that these reasonings are applicable not only to warm but also to cold currents 

 (only the sign of temperature gradient is reversed) . 



59 



