An examination of the radiative and dissipative properties of deep ocean internal tides

In this study, the energy flux and energy dissipation of deep ocean internal tides are examined. Properties of the internal tide from two distinct generation regions are contrasted: the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) and the Hawaiian Ridge. Considerable differences are noted for the baroclinic energy flux, u^′p^′, radiated from each site. Radiation from the MAR is relatively rich in high modes, with an energy flux spectral peak at mode 5 and modes 10 and greater accounting for 40% of the total flux. In contrast, Hawaiian Ridge radiation is dominantly composed of modes 1 and 2, with modes 10 and greater accounting for less than 5% of the total flux. Depth integrated energy flux levels are at the MAR site, and at the Hawaiian Ridge. Despite these differences, observed turbulent dissipation rates at these sites are similar in magnitude and depth dependence. Decay scales, estimated as , range from O(100)km to . The mean decay scale based on the MAR data is 230 km, a factor of 3 smaller than at the Hawaiian Ridge site. We demonstrate that the dissipation level scales with the energy flux available in the high modes, which is comparable at both sites, rather than the total energy flux.     

2-D and 3-D modelling of wide-angle seismic data: an example from the Vøring volcanic passive margin

This study presents the modelling of 2-D and 3-D wide-angle seismic data acquired on the complex, volcanic passive margin of the Vøring Plateau, off Norway. Three wide-angle seismic profiles were shot and recorded simultaneously by 21 Ocean Bottom Seismometers, yielding a comprehensive 3-D data set, in addition to the three in-line profiles. Coincident multi-channel seismic profiles are used to better constrain the modelling, but the Mesozoic and deeper structures are poorly imaged due to the presence of flood basalts and sills. Velocity modelling reveals an unexpectedly large 30 km basement high hidden below the flood basalt. When interpreted as a 2-D structure, this basement high produces a modelled gravity anomaly in disagreement with the observed gravity. However, both the gravity and the seismic data suggest that the structure varies in all three directions. The modelling of the entire 3-D set of travel times leads to a coherent velocity structure that confirms the basement high; it also shows that the abrupt transition to the slower Cretaceous basin coincides in position and orientation with the fault system forming the Rån Ridge. The positive gravity anomaly over the Rån Ridge originates from the focussed and coincident elevation of the high velocity lower crust and pre-Cretaceous basement. Although the Moho is not constrained by the seismic data, the gravity modelled from the 3-D velocity model shows a better fit along the profiles. This study illustrates the interest of a 3-D acquisition of wide-angle seismic over complex structures and the benefit of the subsequent integrated interpretation of the seismic and gravity data.     

Oxygen-carbon dioxide-nutrients relationships in the Southeastern Region of the Bering Sea

The vertical distribution of density, salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, apparent oxygen utilization, nutrients, preformed phosphate, pH, alkalinity, alkalinity: chlorinity ratio, in situ partial pressure of carbon dioxide, and percent saturation of calcite and aragonite, for the Southeastern Bering Sea, is studied and explained in terms of biological and physical processes. Some hydrological interactions between the Bering Sea and the North Pacific Ocean are explained. The horizontal distribution of dissolved oxygen at 2000 and 2500 m depths, throughout the Bering Sea, indicates that deep water is flowing from the Pacific, through the Kamchatka Strait, and then northward and eastward in the Bering Sea. Based on the dissolved oxygen distribution we estimate roughly that it takes 20 years for the deep waters to move from the Kamchatka Strait to the Southeastern part of the eastern basin. The surface concentration of nutrients is higher in the Bering Sea than in the North Pacific Ocean, probably because of upwelling and intense vertical mixing in the Bering Sea. A multivariable regression analysis of dissolved oxygen as a function of phosphate concentration and potential temperature was applied for the region where the potential temperature-salinity diagram is straight, and the confidence interval of the PO₄ coefficient, at the 95% probability level, was found consistent with theRedfield biochemical oxidation model. The calcium carbonate saturation calculations show that the Bering Sea is supersaturated with aragonite in the upper 100 m, and with calcite in the upper 200 m. Below these depths seawater is undersaturated with respect to these two minerals.