Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-2018-140
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-2018-140
17 Jan 2019
 | 17 Jan 2019
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal OS. A final paper is not foreseen.

Distribution of Water Masses in the Atlantic Ocean based on GLODAPv2

Mian Liu and Toste Tanhua

Abstract. The distribution of the main water masses in the Atlantic Ocean are investigated with the Optimal Multi-Parameter (OMP) method. The properties of the main water masses in the Atlantic Ocean are described in a companion article; here these definitions are used to map out the general distribution of those water masses. Six key properties, including conservative (potential temperature and salinity) and non-conservative (oxygen, silicate, phosphate and nitrate), are incorporated into the OMP analysis to determine the contribution of the water masses in the Atlantic Ocean based on the GLODAP v2 observational data. To facilitate the analysis the Atlantic Ocean is divided into four vertical layers based on potential density. Due to the high seasonal variability in the mixed layer, this layer is excluded from the analysis. Central waters are the main water masses in the upper/central layer, generally featuring high potential temperature and salinity and low nutrient concentrations and are easily distinguished from the intermediate water masses. In the intermediate layer, the Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) from the south can be detected to ~30 °N, whereas the Subarctic Intermediate Water (SAIW), having similarly low salinity to the AAIW flows from the north. Mediterranean Overflow Water (MOW) flows from the Strait of Gibraltar as a high salinity water. NADW dominates the deep and overflow layer both in the North and South Atlantic. In the bottom layer, AABW is the only natural water mass with high silicate signature spreading from the Antarctic to the North Atlantic. Due to the change of water mass properties, in this work we renamed to North East Antarctic Bottom Water NEABW north of the equator. Similarly, the distributions of Labrador Sea Water (LSW), Iceland Scotland Overflow Water (ISOW), and Denmark Strait Overflow Water (DSOW) forms upper and lower portion of NADW, respectively roughly south of the Grand Banks between ~50 and 66 °N. In the far south the distributions of Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) and Weddell Sea Bottom Water (WSBW) are of significance to understand the formation of the AABW.

This preprint has been withdrawn.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Mian Liu and Toste Tanhua

Interactive discussion

Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement

Interactive discussion

Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Mian Liu and Toste Tanhua
Mian Liu and Toste Tanhua

Viewed

Total article views: 1,982 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
1,141 738 103 1,982 110 116
  • HTML: 1,141
  • PDF: 738
  • XML: 103
  • Total: 1,982
  • BibTeX: 110
  • EndNote: 116
Views and downloads (calculated since 17 Jan 2019)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 17 Jan 2019)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 1,615 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 1,611 with geography defined and 4 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 

Cited

Latest update: 13 Oct 2024
Download

This preprint has been withdrawn.