scholarly journals Near-Inertial Internal Wave Field in the Canada Basin from Ice-Tethered Profilers

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 413-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hayley V. Dosser ◽  
Luc Rainville ◽  
John M. Toole
Keyword(s):  
Internal Wave ◽  
Wave Field ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Irregular Sampling ◽  
Canada Basin ◽  
Potential Density ◽  
Beaufort Gyre ◽  
Internal Wave Field ◽  
Vertical Displacements ◽  
One Year

Abstract Salinity and temperature profiles from drifting ice-tethered profilers in the Beaufort gyre region of the Canada Basin are used to characterize and quantify the regional near-inertial internal wave field over one year. Vertical displacements of potential density surfaces from the surface to 750-m depth are tracked from fall 2006 to fall 2007. Because of the time resolution and irregular sampling of the ice-tethered profilers, near-inertial frequency signals are marginally resolved. Complex demodulation is used to determine variations with a time scale of several days in the amplitude and phase of waves at a specified near-inertial frequency. Characteristics and variability of the wave field over the course of the year are investigated quantitatively and related to changes in surface wind forcing and sea ice cover.

scholarly journals Dynamics in the Deep Canada Basin, Arctic Ocean, Inferred by Thermistor Chain Time Series

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 1066-1076 ◽  
Author(s):  
M-L. Timmermans ◽  
H. Melling ◽  
L. Rainville
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Internal Wave ◽  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Temperature Fluctuations ◽  
Canada Basin ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
The Arctic Ocean ◽  
Vertical Displacements ◽  
Wave Energy Flux

Abstract A 50-day time series of high-resolution temperature in the deepest layers of the Canada Basin in the Arctic Ocean indicates that the deep Canada Basin is a dynamically active environment, not the quiet, stable basin often assumed. Vertical motions at the near-inertial (tidal) frequency have amplitudes of 10– 20 m. These vertical displacements are surprisingly large considering the downward near-inertial internal wave energy flux typically observed in the Canada Basin. In addition to motion in the internal-wave frequency band, the measurements indicate distinctive subinertial temperature fluctuations, possibly due to intrusions of new water masses.

scholarly journals The internal wave field in Sau reservoir: Observation and modeling of a third vertical mode

2005 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 1326-1333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Vidal ◽  
Xavier Casamitjana ◽  
Jordi Colomer ◽  
Teresa Serra
Keyword(s):  
Internal Wave ◽  
Wave Field ◽  
Vertical Mode ◽  
Internal Wave Field

scholarly journals Internal Waves and Mixing near the Kerguelen Plateau

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 417-437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelie Meyer ◽  
Kurt L. Polzin ◽  
Bernadette M. Sloyan ◽  
Helen E. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Internal Wave ◽  
Wave Field ◽  
Internal Waves ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Polar Front ◽  
Frontal Region ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Kerguelen Plateau ◽  
Flow Strength ◽  
Internal Wave Field

AbstractIn the stratified ocean, turbulent mixing is primarily attributed to the breaking of internal waves. As such, internal waves provide a link between large-scale forcing and small-scale mixing. The internal wave field north of the Kerguelen Plateau is characterized using 914 high-resolution hydrographic profiles from novel Electromagnetic Autonomous Profiling Explorer (EM-APEX) floats. Altogether, 46 coherent features are identified in the EM-APEX velocity profiles and interpreted in terms of internal wave kinematics. The large number of internal waves analyzed provides a quantitative framework for characterizing spatial variations in the internal wave field and for resolving generation versus propagation dynamics. Internal waves observed near the Kerguelen Plateau have a mean vertical wavelength of 200 m, a mean horizontal wavelength of 15 km, a mean period of 16 h, and a mean horizontal group velocity of 3 cm s−1. The internal wave characteristics are dependent on regional dynamics, suggesting that different generation mechanisms of internal waves dominate in different dynamical zones. The wave fields in the Subantarctic/Subtropical Front and the Polar Front Zone are influenced by the local small-scale topography and flow strength. The eddy-wave field is influenced by the large-scale flow structure, while the internal wave field in the Subantarctic Zone is controlled by atmospheric forcing. More importantly, the local generation of internal waves not only drives large-scale dissipation in the frontal region but also downstream from the plateau. Some internal waves in the frontal region are advected away from the plateau, contributing to mixing and stratification budgets elsewhere.

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