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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Keywords

  • turbulence
  • Arctic
  • topography

Index Terms

  • Oceanography: Physical: Turbulence, diffusion, and mixing processes
  • Oceanography: Physical: Topographic/bathymetric interactions
  • Geographic Location: Arctic region
  • Oceanography: General: Arctic and Antarctic oceanography

Abstract

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, VOL. 35, L08606, 5 PP., 2008
doi:10.1029/2008GL033532

Mixing across the Arctic Ocean: Microstructure observations during the Beringia 2005 Expedition

Luc Rainville

Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

Peter Winsor

Physical Oceanography Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA

Turbulent-scale temperature and conductivity were measured during the pan-arctic Beringia 2005 Expedition. The rates of dissipation of thermal variance and diapycnal diffusivities are calculated along a section from Alaska to the North Pole, across deep flat basins (Canada and Makarov Basins) and steep ridges (Alpha-Mendeleev and Lomonosov Ridges). The mixing rates are observed to be small relative to lower latitudes but also remarkably non-uniform. Relatively elevated turbulence is found over deep topography, confirming the dominant role of bottom-generated internal waves. Measured patterns of mixing in the Arctic are also associated with other mechanisms, such as double-diffusive structures and deep overflows. A better knowledge of the distribution of mixing is essential to understand the dynamics of the changing Arctic environment.

Received 6 February 2008; accepted 27 March 2008; published 30 April 2008.

Citation: Rainville, L., and P. Winsor (2008), Mixing across the Arctic Ocean: Microstructure observations during the Beringia 2005 Expedition, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L08606, doi:10.1029/2008GL033532.

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