The effect of salinity on density in the California Current system
Author
Batteen, Mary L.
Collins, Curtis A.
Gunderson, Christopher R.
Nelson, Craig S.
Date
1995-05-15Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
There are some indications that in large measure the density anomaly field
of the California Current system (CCS) follows temperature, salinity playing a
significantly lesser role. These indications have been used as justification for not taking
as extensive salinity as temperature observations in the CCS, as well as for using fixed
or prescribed salinity fields in density calculations in dynamic models of the CCS. An
extensive data base of temperature-salinity observations from the CCS is used to show
that there are noticeable differences between the dynamic height field calculated with
and without the inclusion of salinity variations. Hence the distribution of salinity is
important in defining the large-scale circulation of the CCS. In particular, owing to the
combined effect of temperature and salinity on density, the dynamic height fields show
a significant equatorward component along the coast of California and a strong offshore
component adjacent to Baja California. Based on these observations, it is concluded
that descriptively and dynamically, both temperature and salinity are essential to
accurately characterize the large-scale structure of the CCS.
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.Collections
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