The 150kHz ADCP-equipped Oleander
measures upper ocean currents to ~250m in GS.
New 75kHz system reaches to ~600m.
The Oleander section: 1992 to today...
Example of a good weather (no bubbles)
ADCP section. The data are uploaded
when the vessel docks in Port Elisabeth. We are striving to serve
the final product within a few days.
cont. slo
pe
backscatter limit
Direct measurements of currents provide highly accurate information on currents, their structure
and space-time variability. In absolute units, no assumptions about geostrophy, and/or
reference velocities.
The non-dimensional Ekman spiral as derived
from Oleander ADCP measurements and NCEP winds and heat fluxes. The numbers indicate
depth normalized by the Price-Sundermeyer
Ekman scale depth. The axes are E-W and N-S velocity normalized by windstress and Ekman layer depth. Given that
the actual Ekman velocities are only a few
cm/s this is an impressive result!
(S. Stoermer, MS-thesis, GSO/URI)
Detection and quantification of coherent
vortices in the SS.The main point of this figure is that repeat sampling allows for
quantitative analysis of the mesoscale eddy
velocity field.
Repeat detection of an eddy
Distribution of core vorticity across the SS. (D. Luce, MS-thesis, GSO/URI)
The red lines highlight the
GS, Slope and Sargasso Sea
transports over the 11 years.
Integration of velocities across the ship track gives transport in the Slope Sea, Gulf Stream and Sargasso
Seas as a function of time. (Transport in 1 m thick layer at 52 m.) .
We have written that the mean path of the
GS may be controlled by Slope Sea transport and
thus has a thermohaline
(Labrador Sea) origin, but is
considered an open question.
-The large variations in the Sargasso Sea very likely have a
wind-driven explanation.
SW
NE
SW
Time-varying fluxes from the Labrador region are very likely responsible not only for path (top) but
also for SSS variations. But exactly how is not clear.
data
court
esy
NM
FS
At this juncture the main signal to emerge is the constancy of GS transport yet x2 variations in both the Slope and Sargasso Seas. Why is GS transport so stable but not that of surrounding waters which
in part feed it?
By September we will have been in operation for 15 years. This summer we plan to submit a proposal to continue for another five years. The deeper ADCP
reaches well below the main pycnocline in the Slope Sea so we can measure directly upper Labrador Sea water velocities and transport.
Similarly for the Gulf Stream and Sargasso Sea (600+m).
This ongoing effort has been possible by the excellent cooperation of the BCL and with our NMFS colleagues across the street at home. They operate
the XBT and TSG program. have been and are terrific partners.