The Physical Oceanography of the Northern Baffin Bay Region.
Abstract
Baffin Bay Water is three-layered, consisting of cold near-surface and deep layers separated by a warmer mid-depth layer. The structure has undergone no net changes from 1928 to the 1960's, except for the possible warming in the mid-depth layer. Greater temperature extremes occur in the upper and mid-depth layers in northeastern than in northwestern Baffin Bay. The salinity of the upper layer is higher in northeastern than northwestern Baffin Bay. No horizontal temperature or salinity variations have been observed in the deep layer. The upper layer originates both from Davis Strait and from the Arctic Ocean, water from the former source being modified by cooling in Baffin Bay. The mid-depth layer is advected northward from Davis Strait. The deep layer above 1400 m originates in the Arctic Ocean. Below 1400 m, the origin of water in the deep layer is uncertain, although it appears to have come from the Arctic Ocean in pulses. A net southward baroclinic transport of about 2,000,000 cu m/sec occurs through northern Baffin Bay. Continuity is satisfied by an inflow of Arctic Ocean Water through Smith, Jones and Lancaster sounds. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0718827
Entities
People
- Robin Davie Muench