Acquisition of Ice-Tethered Profilers with Velocity (ITP-V) Instruments for Future Arctic Studies
Abstract
Funds to acquire/build/assemble/test 3 Ice-Tethered Profilers with velocity instrument systems (ITP-Vs) are requested. The ITP-V s will be fielded through deployments of opportunity to quantify the seasonally varying upper-ocean stratification and velocity field, and the turbulent ice-ocean exchanges of heat, buoyancy and momentum in the Arctic. High spatial (1 m) and temporal (3 hr.) resolution profile observations of upper-ocean temperature, salinity and velocity may be obtained in near-real time from the ice-ocean interface to 250 m depth following the drift of the supporting ice floe. (Shorter-duration missions allow observations to be extended to 750 m depth.) This high temporal resolution allows inertial motions to be resolved and differentiated from higher-frequency internal waves and sub-inertial eddy motions. In addition, by sampling at fixed depth for 20-minute periods between profiling operations, direct estimates of the turbulent vertical fluxes of heat, salt, and momentum just below the ice-ocean interface may be made. Data from previously-deployed ITP-Vs (most recently as part of the Marginal Ice Zone DRI) have shown the benefit of simultaneous observations of ice velocity, ocean velocity, turbulent fluxes, and mixed layer properties. ITP-Vs document the change in internal wave properties, turbulent fluxes, and entrainment of subsurface heat into the mixed layer as the sea ice evolves during the seasonal cycle and can provide initialization and/or validation data for numerical models. Although no dedicated field program that will utilize these (expendable) instruments is presently identified, several deployment opportunities exist annually through the International ITP program directed by the PIs and will be possible in conjunction with planned process experiments now being discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141512892
Entities
People
- John M. Toole
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution