Microstructure profiles

Abstract

As a component of an overall investigation of sound velocity variations, a temperature microstructure study of Monterey Bay was conducted on September 11, 1978. Repeated temperature microstructure profiles were measured every hour during a 6 hour period using a specially designed profiler; simultaneously, surface forcing functions were recorded.A significant temperature inversion was evident and remained significant during the entire period of data collection. The inversion allowed investigation of the early stages of water mass convergence and the subsequent refinements of the initial large scale interleavings . Kelvin-He lmholtz phenomena and double diffusivity activity are suspected in many of the events observed during the 6 hour period. Spectra of both the gradients of the temperature as well as the perturbations on the mean profile were calculated. It was determined that the microstructure spectrum indicates an increase in density at frequencies greater than 1 cycle per meter. Cox numbers were calculated but are considered to be of marginal value since these data cover a portion of the ocean that consists of sharp gradients.