The descriptive and dynamic oceanography of the mesostructure near Arctic ice margins.

Abstract

Complex temperature anomalies observed near Arctic ice margins in the Chukchi Sea were found to be associated with the interaction of the warm coastal current with the ice cover and resident bottom water. These anomalies were characterized by large temperature gradients found in areas of very low density gradient. They were in the form of inversions, interleavings , and discrete parcels which varied greatly in short distances. The processes which produced mesostructure were directly linked to the presence of ice and were found to affect the entire water column. Structure was found in the vicinity of the ice margin but was observed to dissipate well inside the ice margin. A dynamic high was found which was related to the melting of ice and characteristically occurred in the melting zone of the ice margin. This dynamic high was limited to a depth of 10 meters and is believed to be a factor in the deepening of mesostructure elements and other phenomena as they pass the ice margin with the current.