Abstract
Surface heat fluxes for the Gulf of Aden have been estimated using bulk formulae. The annual averages of sensible, latent and net back radiation fluxes are -16, 43 and 52 W m super(-2), respectively. The annual mean of observed solar radiation is 192 W m super(-2), thus the annual heat surplus amounts to 113 W m super(-2). This is equivalent to a total energy of 2.5 x 10 super(13) W, considering the surface area of the Gulf to be 220 x 103 km super(2). Two processes seem to balance the heat gain: upwelling and water exchange with the Red Sea and with the Arabian Sea. Upwelling appears to be a major diffuser of the heat accumulated by the surface processes. About 48 % (1.2 x 10 super(13) W) of the heat gain is lost by upwelling. The net annual advective heat flow into the Red Sea due to water exchange at Bab-al-Mandab disperses about 34 % (0.84 x 10 super(13) W) of the heat input. The remaining 18 % (0.46 x 10 super(13) W) may be carried away into the Arabian Sea.