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A model of the formation of high-salinity shelf water on polar continental shelvesThis study presents a model of the flow and salinity fields forced by sea-surface salinity flux and wind stress curl and examines the processes that create High-Salinity Shelf Water (HSSW). To investigate the relative effects of wind stress and buoyancy forcing in HSSW production, the polynya freezing rate in the model is varied from 0.0 to 0.30 m/d, and the Ekman pumping derived from the wind stress curl is varied independently from 0.0 to 1.8 x 10 exp 6 m/s. The Ekman pumping was found to control the magnitude of the circulation, while the polynya freezing rate controlled the extent of salinization in the shelf water. The flux of HSSW increases linearly with increasing Ekman pumping above 0.3 x 10 exp -6 m/s. The modeled flux of HSSW and the flux of derived Botttom Water for the present estimates of the forcings (a peak freezing rate of 0.10 m/d and Ekman pumping of 0.2 x 10 exp -6 m/s) agree with the fluxes inferred from physical and chemical observations in the deep Weddel Sea by oceanographic field programs.
Document ID
19920035394
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Grumbine, Robert W.
(Pennsylvania State University University Park, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
December 15, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 96
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Oceanography
Accession Number
92A18018
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGT-50059
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-87-09689
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF DPP-85-09451
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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