DRIFTER EXPERIMENT IN THE BLACK-SEA

The results of joint Soviet-American expedition to the eastern part of the Black Sea are under discussion. Six drifters of WOCE construction have been built by Marine Hidrophysical Institute of the Ukrainian Ac ademy of Sciences and ''Manvic-ocean'' company of joint Soviet-Swiss v enture ''Manvic''. After their launch near Tuapse port drifters positi ons were fixed by ARGOS satellite system, transmitters being supplied by the Global Drifter Center of the Scripps Institution of Oceanograph y. The paper describes drifters construction, analyses their trajector ies, relative motions, data of sea surface temperature and diving sens ors. Experimental results demonstrate convenience and reliability of d rifters as tools for currents study in the upper mixed layer.