Formation and spreading of Eurasian source oxygen‐rich halocline water into the Canadian Basin in the Arctic Ocean

Abstract

We identify the source region and spreading pattern of cold, oxygen‐rich water observed in the halocline of the northern Canada Basin using both Joint Western Arctic Climate Studies 2002–2005 and other data. This water originates in the winter mixed‐layer in the Nansen Basin and, because of its convective origin, can be traced by its cold, oxygen‐rich properties together with a signature of low potential vorticity. This water, a component of the cold halocline complex, spreads into the Makarov Basin across the Lomonosov Ridge between 82°N and 86°N, enters the Canada Basin between the Alpha and Mendeleyev ridges, and continues eastward into the Beaufort Gyre north of Chukchi Plateau.