Geomorphic analysis utilizing multibeam bathymetry and sediment profiler data along with conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD) measurements was undertaken to investigate morphological aspects of bottom current features that prevail in the area. The aim of the study was to deduce the prevailing water mass in the area and to infer interactions between water mass and seabed of South Eastern Arabian Sea. Morphological and bottom current features were identified and analysed. Based on morphological components and their structural orientation, deduction of flow pattern and direction of current flow in the area were attempted. Deconstructing structural aspects of typical bottom current features such as contourite drifts and scours reveal origin under influence of consistent exogenic bottom current having definitive flow pattern. Sub-surface seismic profiles were analysed to infer the presence of a consistently aggrading seafloor. The aspect distribution computed exhibits a prominent trend ranging between 200° and 275° indicating NNW-SSE orientation of erosive features which is usually synonymous with flow direction in the area. Backscatter intensity analysis undertaken for the area revealed seafloor with patches of loose to compact surface sediment distribution. Variation in reflection intensity level from surface sediments was utilized to demarcate zones that are susceptible in future to consistent turbulence-induced erosion. Temperature salinity (TS) diagram for values from CTD measurements was plotted overlaying isopycnals and the resulting plots tagged for various water masses that prevail in the Arabian Sea. Owing to the depth of the study area (~ 1800 m) and structural orientation of bottom current features, dominant oceanographic agent from TS plot was deduced to be the North Indian Deep Water (NIDW). Surface and sub-surface morphology of existing features were interpreted for influence of bottom current action. Geomorphic analysis of seabed is an efficient method to understand the flow pattern and of prevailing water masses and can be applied as passive indicators of bottom current flow. This approach of deducing flow pattern and intensity of water mass movement by analysing morphology of the undersea features can be effectively used globally especially in areas where adequate data and observations for deep water masses are scarce.

中文翻译：

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阿拉伯海东南部海床形态与水团的相互作用：水团流量的推论

利用多波束测深和沉积物剖面仪数据以及电导率、温度和深度 (CTD) 测量值进行地貌分析，以研究该地区普遍存在的底流特征的形态方面。该研究的目的是推断该地区盛行的水团，并推断水团与阿拉伯海东南部海床之间的相互作用。识别和分析了形态和底流特征。尝试基于形态成分及其结构取向，推断该地区的流型和电流方向。解构典型底流特征（例如等高线漂移和冲刷）的结构方面揭示了在具有确定流动模式的一致外生底流影响下的起源。分析了地下地震剖面以推断存在持续恶化的海底。计算的方位分布显示出 200° 和 275° 之间的突出趋势，表明侵蚀特征的 NNW-SSE 方向，这通常与该地区的流动方向同义。对该地区进行的反向散射强度分析显示，海底有松散至致密的表层沉积物分布。表层沉积物反射强度水平的变化被用来划分未来容易受到持续湍流引起的侵蚀的区域。将 CTD 测量值的温度盐度 (TS) 图绘制在覆盖等密度线上，所得图标记了阿拉伯海中普遍存在的各种水团。由于研究区的深度（~1800 m）和底流特征的结构方向，从 TS 图中推断出主要的海洋学因素是北印度深水（NIDW）。现有特征的表面和亚表面形态被解释为底部电流作用的影响。海底地貌分析是了解流动模式和盛行水团的有效方法，可用作底流的被动指标。这种通过分析海底特征的形态来推断水团运动的流动模式和强度的方法可以在全球有效地使用，特别是在深水团缺乏足够的数据和观测的地区。来自 TS 图的主要海洋学因素被推断为北印度深水 (NIDW)。现有特征的表面和亚表面形态被解释为底部电流作用的影响。海底地貌分析是了解流动模式和盛行水团的有效方法，可用作底流的被动指标。这种通过分析海底特征的形态来推断水团运动的流动模式和强度的方法可以在全球范围内有效地使用，特别是在缺乏足够的深水团数据和观测资料的地区。来自 TS 图的主要海洋学因素被推断为北印度深水 (NIDW)。现有特征的表面和亚表面形态被解释为底部电流作用的影响。海底地貌分析是了解流动模式和盛行水团的有效方法，可用作底流的被动指标。这种通过分析海底特征的形态来推断水团运动的流动模式和强度的方法可以在全球有效地使用，特别是在深水团缺乏足够的数据和观测的地区。海底地貌分析是了解流动模式和盛行水团的有效方法，可用作底流的被动指标。这种通过分析海底特征的形态来推断水团运动的流动模式和强度的方法可以有效地在全球范围内使用，特别是在缺乏足够的深水团数据和观测资料的地区。海底地貌分析是了解流动模式和盛行水团的有效方法，可用作底流的被动指标。这种通过分析海底特征的形态来推断水团运动的流动模式和强度的方法可以在全球有效地使用，特别是在深水团缺乏足够的数据和观测的地区。