 |
| Titel |
Mediterranean intermediate circulation estimated from Argo data in 2003–2010 |
| VerfasserIn |
M. Menna, P. M. Poulain |
| Medientyp |
Artikel
|
| Sprache |
Englisch
|
| ISSN |
1812-0784
|
| Digitales Dokument |
URL |
| Erschienen |
In: Ocean Science ; 6, no. 1 ; Nr. 6, no. 1 (2010-03-03), S.331-343 |
| Datensatznummer |
250003363
|
| Publikation (Nr.) |
 copernicus.org/os-6-331-2010.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
| Zusammenfassung |
| Data from 38 Argo profiling floats are used to describe the intermediate
Mediterranean currents for the period October 2003–January 2010. These
floats were programmed to execute 5-day cycles, to drift at a neutral
parking depth of 350 m and measure temperature and salinity profiles from
either 700 or 2000 m up to the surface. At the end of each cycle the floats
remained at the sea surface for about 6 h, enough time to be localised
and transmit the data to the Argos satellite system. The Argos positions
were used to determine the float surface and intermediate displacements. At
the surface, the float motion was approximated by a linear displacement and
inertial motion. Intermediate velocities estimates were used to investigate
the Mediterranean circulation at 350 m, to compute the pseudo-Eulerian
statistics and to study the influence of bathymetry on the intermediate
currents. Maximum speeds, as large as 33 cm/s, were found northeast of the
Balearic Islands (western basin) and in the Ierapetra eddy (eastern basin).
Typical speeds in the main along-slope currents
(Liguro-Provençal-Catalan, Algerian and Libyo-Egyptian Currents) were
~20 cm/s. In the central and western part of Mediterranean basin, the
pseudo-Eulerian statistics show typical intermediate circulation pathways
which can be related to the motion of Levantine Intermediate Water. In
general our results agree with the qualitative intermediate circulation
schemes proposed in the literature, except in the southern Ionian where we
found westward-flowing intermediate currents. Fluctuating currents appeared
to be usually larger than the mean flow. Intermediate currents were found to
be essentially parallel to the isobaths over most of the areas characterized
by strong bathymetry gradients, in particular, in the vicinity of the
continental slopes. |
| |
|
| Teil von |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|