ABSTRACT 



Results of oceanographic research during the U. S. Navy operations in support of 

 DEEP FREEZE 63 and 64, 1962-63 and 1963-64, are presented. Oceanographic 

 observations were conducted aboard USS EDISTO (AGB-2) during DEEP FREEZE 

 63 and USS ATKA (AGB-3) during DEEP FREEZE 64. Emphasis was focused on 

 the distribution of water masses in the Ross Sea and the identifying physical char- 

 acteristics of each type. 



U. S. Naval Oceanographic Office personnel obtained data at 122 stations during 

 DEEP FREEZE 63 and at 79 stations during DEEP FREEZE 64. Included in these 

 totals are 23 annual ice forecasting stations which were reoccupied both years 

 along the Victoria Land coast and in McMurdo Sound to determine sea ice potential 

 by the heat budget reversal. The stations occupied on DEEP FREEZE 63 were in 

 the western half of the Ross Sea and most of those occupied on DEEP FREEZE 64 

 were in the eastern half. 



Station data include vertical distribution of observed temperatures, salinities, dis- 

 solved oxygens, and phosphate-phosphorus and machine computed densities, 

 specific volume anomalies, dynamic height anomalies, and sound velocities. 

 Selected cross-section profiles of observed physical and chemical properties are 

 presented to illustrate the water masses in the Ross Sea. 



Water types are defined and discussed. From the data presented, it is evident 

 that warmer water from oceanic depths moves in over the continental shelf and is 

 forced to the surface causing the central Ross Sea to become ice free earlier than 

 surrounding areas. Additionally, there is evidence of the formation of colder, 

 more dense, Shelf Water during the austral winter which acts as a barrier to this 

 warmer water intrusion into the south-southwestern extremities of the sea. 



