A summary of factors affecting thermal stratification and their effects on deep ocean disposal at the 106 mile industrial waste dumpsite

Abstract

Intensive studies in the middle Atlantic bight have shown that anthropogenic waste inputs have caused environmental degradation within coastal and shelf waters. Farther offshore in slope waters, degradation has not been demonstrated. Based on these results, increased use of the 106 Mile Dumpsite located in the slope waters may be likely. Processes modifying thermal stratification at the 106 Mile Dumpsite include meteorological and oceanographic factors. The slope water region located offshore of the 200m shelf break and inshore of the Gulf Stream is divided into a surface layer affected by the seasonal meteorological cycle and a deeper layer which remains seasonally unchanged. Offshore movement of shelf waters can affect the temperature field in the upper slope water in ways which are seasonally dependent. Gulf Stream meanders or warm core Gulf Stream rings can affect the thermohaline structure of the entire slope water column.