The circulation and variability in the western Arctic Ocean : model results
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Authors
Dixon, Jeffrey S.
Subjects
Arctic Ocean
Oceanography
Modeling
Oceanography
Modeling
Advisors
Maslowski, Wieslaw
Date of Issue
2003-09
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Circulation in the western Arctic Ocean is not well understood. To address some of its outstanding questions, volume transport and property fluxes are investigated using a coupled ice-ocean model of the pan-Arctic region configured at a 1/12-degree and 45-level grid. Results for analyses are from the last 23 years of a 70-year integration forced with realistic 1979-2001 atmospheric data. Velocity at three depth intervals, mean transports and fluxes are investigated to identify the main current pathways and directions. Variability is determined by comparison of results a decade apart. Mean velocity fields describe a climatological circulation pattern that is cyclonic in nature with increased intensity during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The meander through the Chukchi Borderland Pass is the main pathway for boundary flow across the Chukchi Plateau. The northern Chukchi Plateau is modeled as a region of major volume, heat and freshwater transport into the Canada Basin interior. It also appears to be an area of net upward heat transport, which may be available for melting ice. Northward flow along the eastern side of the Northwind Ridge is identified as a mechanism for advection of freshwater from the Chukchi shelves into the interior.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Oceanography
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xviii, 109 p. : ill., maps (some col.)
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.