OCEANOGRAPHIC INVESTIGATIONS IN BAFFIN BAY IN 1940 



By C. A. Barnes 



The ice observation cruise of the Northland to Baffin Bay in Sep- 

 tember 1940 afforded an opportunity for oceanographic studies in a 

 previously uninvestigated portion of those waters. Although an ex- 

 tensive oceanographic survey of Baffin Bay had been conducted by 

 the Godthaab expedition in 1928, ice conditions of that year prevented 

 a close approach to the Baffin Land coast except in the vicinity of 

 the Davis Strait ridge. Consequently data necessary to establish the 

 complete circulation system of Baffin Bay water were not obtained for 

 a large area on the western side of the bay. The relative freedom of 

 this area from ice during September 1940 permitted the Northland to 

 occupy stations therein at strategic positions. Oceanographic data 

 have been obtained which supplement those of the Godthaab to amplify 

 the circulation picture of Baffin Bay water. 



AREA INVESTIGATED 



Figure 17 shows the location of the sections and positions of the 

 individual stations occupied by the Northland. Thirteen stations 

 were taken, seven in section A and six in section B. Each section 

 extended from positions adjacent the Baffin Land coast seaward across 

 the continental shelf and into the deep water of the basin. It was 

 intended that the section lines cross the continental shelf and pre- 

 sumably the main axis of the current at right angles. Owing to the 

 paucity and poor reliability of bathymetric data for the region the 

 most suitable positions for the stations could not be selected prior to 

 sampling. A subsequent study of the bottom topography, our con- 

 ception of which was modified considerably by the sonic soundings 

 taken en route by the Northland, indicates that the stations might 

 have been more favorably situated. The limited time available for 

 sampling did not permit occupying additional stations. 



EQUIPMENT AND METHODS 



The oceanographic gear including the sampling bottles, reversing 

 thermometers, meter wheel, and sounding wire was a part of that 

 used on the General Greene during the Ice Patrol season. The North- 

 land was not equipped with an oceanographic winch, but a wooden 

 drum constructed on shipboard and fitted to the after capstan served 



(27) 



