Abstract
AbstractThe warmest water reaching the east and west coast of Greenland is found between 200 and 600 m. While important for melting Greenland's outlet glaciers, limited winter observations of this layer prohibit determination of its seasonality. To address this, temperature data from Argo profiling floats, a range of sources within the World Ocean Database, and unprecedented coverage from marine‐mammal borne sensors have been analyzed for the period 2002–2011. A significant seasonal range in temperature (~1‐2°C) is found in the warm layer, in contrast to most of the surrounding ocean. The phase of the seasonal cycle exhibits considerable spatial variability, with the warmest water found near the eastern and southwestern shelf break toward the end of the calendar year. High‐resolution ocean model trajectory analysis suggests the timing of the arrival of the year's warmest water is a function of advection time from the subduction site in the Irminger Basin.
Highlights
The warmest water to reach the east and west coasts of Greenland is found in the 200–600 m depth range [e.g., Fratantoni and Pickart, 2007; Mauritzen, 1996]
The seasonal cycle of the subsurface WL is explored using in situ observations from Argo floats as well as the range of platforms collated by the World Ocean Data Base (WODB), complemented with a large number of temperature measurements taken from marine-mammal borne sensors between 2002 and 2011
A distinctive feature of the Greenland, Baffin Bay, and Labrador coast regions is the existence of a vertical temperature maximum between 200 and 600 m, below the cooler fresh surface boundary current [e.g., Tang et al, 2004; Fratantoni and Pickart, 2007 and supporting information Figure S1]
Summary
The warmest water to reach the east and west coasts of Greenland is found in the 200–600 m depth range [e.g., Fratantoni and Pickart, 2007; Mauritzen, 1996]. The seasonal cycle of the subsurface WL is explored using in situ observations from Argo floats as well as the range of platforms collated by the World Ocean Data Base (WODB), complemented with a large number of temperature measurements taken from marine-mammal borne sensors between 2002 and 2011.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
