Formation of Antarctic bottom water on the continental shelf off larsen ice shelf


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Mathias.van.Caspel [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

The dense water flowing out from the Weddell Sea (WS) significantly contributes to Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) and plays an important role in the Meridional Overturning Circulation. The larger amount of this dense water consists of Weddell Sea Deep Water (WSDW) formed in the WS, mainly in front of the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelves and the Larsen Ice Shelf (LIS). We performed model simulations and analysis of hydrographic data that highlight the importance of the second source. Model simulations indicate that dense waters placed on the continental shelf off LIS flow down the slope and contribute to the WSDW that renews the AABW further downstream. Measurements made during the Polarstern cruise ANT XXIX-3 (2013) add evidence to the importance of the source in the western Weddell Sea. Using Optimum Multiparameter Analysis we show that the dense water found on the continental shelf in front of the former Larsen A and B together with water originating from Larsen C increases the thickness of the WSDW layer in 50%, and changes the temperature and salinity of this water mass. These modifications occur close to the WSDW outflow paths and therefore have high influence on the AABW properties.



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Conference (Talk)
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Primary Division
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Published
Event Details
26th General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG General Assembly), 22 Jun 2015 - 02 Jul 2015, Prague, the Czech Republic.
Eprint ID
40404
Cite as
van Caspel, M. , Timmermann, R. , Schröder, M. and Hellmer, H. , Alfred Wegener Institute- Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Oceanography, Bremerhaven, Germany. (2015): Formation of Antarctic bottom water on the continental shelf off larsen ice shelf , 26th General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG General Assembly), Prague, the Czech Republic, 22 June 2015 - 2 July 2015 .


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