Analysis of Observations from the Coastal Mixing and Optics Moored Array
Abstract
Our long-term goal is to identify and understand the dominant vertical mixing processes influencing the evolution of the stratification over continental shelves. We want to understand the processes influencing the observed evolution of the stratification over the New England shelf during the Coastal Mixing and Optics program. We are particularly interested in the relative contributions of local, one-dimensional mixing processes, such as wind forced mixing, cooling, and tidal mixing versus three dimensional advective effects. Analysis of observations from a moored array of instruments deployed at a mid-shelf location in the Mid-Atlantic Bight from August 1996 through June 1997. The deployment spanned the destruction of the thermal stratification in fall and redevelopment of the stratification in spring and included currents, temperature and conductivity measurements spanning the water column and meteorological measurements to estimated surface fluxes. Additionally we plan to do some simple modeling to aid in interpreting the observations. A manuscript characterizing the temperature/salinity variability and the processes responsible for that variability during CMO has been completed and submitted to the Journal of Geophysical Research. Two manuscripts characterizing the subtidal current variability and the associated dynamics, and the tidal and supratidal current variability are nearly completed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA623157
Entities
People
- R. K. Shearman
- Steven J. Lentz
Organizations
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution