Eugene Morozov: Transport of Antarctic Bottom Water in Deep Channels of the Atlantic and Mixing Caused by Tidal Internal Waves

The study is based on field measurements since 2002. We analyze the transport of Antarctic Bottom Water in Deep Channels of the Atlantic: Vema Channel (31deg S), Romanche Fracture Zone (0 deg) and Vema Fracture Zone (11 deg N). The flow of bottom water in the Vema Channel can reach 4 mln. sq. m per second and the velocity is as high as 60 cm/s. The transport and velocities in the Romanche Fracture Zone and Vema Fracture Zone are smaller and do not exceed 500 th. sq. m per sec. The major penetration of bottom waters to the Northeastern Atlantic basins occurs through the Vema FZ but not through the Romanche FZ because strong tidal internal waves on the slopes of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge near Romanche FZ exceed 50 m, while at the Vema FZ they are approximately 20 m. Such difference in mixing of bottom waters with the overlying North Atlantic Deep water results in the fact the deep Northeastern Atlantic basins are filled with the bottom water transported through the Vema FZ.

Eugene Morozov is proessor at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Moscow

Published June 13, 2014 10:58 AM - Last modified June 13, 2014 10:58 AM