Status of the South Georgia subarea (48.3) on satellite monitoring of the sea surface temperature, December 1999–January 2000

Data of satellite monitoring (GOES-E) of the sea surface temperature (SST) and realtime data from vessels allow us to understand the hydrologic situation off South Georgia (Subarea 48.3) in December, 1999 - January, 2000. Using the database of the SST maps for 1990-1991 and the current standard weekly SST maps, we have developed mean monthly SST maps, maps of the SST anomalies, and maps of difference between the current SST maps (the season of 1999-2000) and those for the season of 1990-1991. Analysis of the SST distribution in Subarea 48.3 developed by January, 2000 has revealed an unfavorable hydrologic situation for formation and maintenance of mass concentrations of krill (Euphausia superba) in shelf waters off South Georgia. This is primarily explained by an intensive advection of the Weddell Sea waters. The SST maps for December, 1999 and January, 2000 illustrate the event. The transformed Weddell Sea waters spread far north-westward up to 50-51° S and the associated krill transport passes the South Georgia shelf on the east because there are no favorable conditions to form mass concentrations in these waters.