Seasonal Variations of Temperature and Sound Speed in Block Island Sound.

Abstract

Seasonal variations in temperature and sound speed in Block Island Sound are analyzed for the period June-October 1968. Twenty-two charts of surface isotherms contoured from aerial radiometer data, and six vertical profiles and sections of temperature versus depth are presented. Charts showing the vertical sound speed field across the Block Island-Fishers Island acoustic range are presented for four seasons. Some results of the USNS SANDS (T-AGOR-6) hydrographic cruise of July-August 1967 are discussed. The prediction of the sound speed profile from temperature measurements alone is considered, and it is shown that this method is feasible in Block Island Sound for all seasons except autumn. The effects of tidal variation of hydrographic parameters are discussed, and examples are given for a four-day anchor station occupied from 2 to 5 August 1967. Methods of acquiring synoptic oceanographic data are compared, and recommendations are given for minimizing the error to tidal and other short-term variations in the data. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 30, 1971
Accession Number
AD0892988

Entities

People

  • James E. Lamoureux
  • Robert G. Williams
  • Thomas R. Azarovitz

Organizations

  • Naval Underwater Systems Center

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustic Ranges
  • Block Island
  • Block Island Sound
  • Islands
  • Isotherms
  • Measurement
  • Radiometers
  • Seasonal Variations
  • Seasons

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Oceanography.
  • Regression Analysis.