Observations of deep near-inertial internal waves in the Eurasian Basin.

Abstract

The Arctic Ocean has a less energetic internal wave climate than other oceans, mainly due to the thick sea ice cover which inhibits wind interaction with the surface. With the continued decrease in summer sea ice extent and the increase in seasonal ice-free areas, wind-driven internal waves, especially in the near-inertial range, are becoming more energetic. Coupled with the fact that most of the Arctic Ocean lies north of the critical latitude for semi-diurnal tides, the shift in ice dynamics implies an increase in the importance of near-inertial waves (NIW) for the internal wave climate. In particular, increased NIW amplitude and kinetic energy in the Canadian Basin and enhanced wind-driven vertical heat fluxes and dissipation rates in the Eurasian Basin have already been observed in the upper column. In the deep ocean beyond the critical latitude, NIWs are expected to drive mixing in the interior, but it is unclear to what extent. Here, we present innovative and unprecedented deep current observations from a mooring in the Gakkel Ridge in the Eurasian Basin at 82.53°N. The presence of barotropic diurnal and semi-diurnal tides and semi-diurnal harmonics enriches the complex interplay of internal waves. By comparing the observed downward and upward NIW kinetic energy with wind speed, sea ice properties and numerical simulations, we discuss the likely surface origin of the NIW. In particular, there is a lagged correlation of <26 days between ice drift speed and downward NIW energy, and of ~15 days between wind factor and downward NIW energy. In addition, the buoyancy frequency is weaker than the local Coriolis frequency, effectively limiting NIW propagation. Evidence for wave reflection is found and also discussed, with a focus on the implications for NIW coming from the surface.