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Article
Cross-Shelf Exchange Associated With the Gulf Stream in the South Atlantic Bight: Direct Observations Using an Autonomous Underwater Glider
Marine Technology Society Journal
  • Ruoying He
  • Austin C. Todd
  • Chad Lembke, University of South Florida
  • Todd Kellison
  • Chris Taylor
  • David A. Mann
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2018
Keywords
  • Gulf Stream,
  • South Atlantic Bight,
  • cross-shelf exchange,
  • underwater glider
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.4031/MTSJ.52.3.5
Disciplines
Abstract

An autonomous underwater glider was deployed in March 2014 to sample the Gulf Stream and its adjacent shelf waters in the South Atlantic Bight, providing a new look at cross-shelf exchange associated with Gulf Stream dynamics. Observations collected over 4 weeks reveal significant cross-shelf exchange (up to 0.5 Sv) at the shoreward edge of the Gulf Stream, which was 2 orders of magnitude larger than estimates from long-term mean hydrographic conditions. Gulf Stream frontal eddies may have contributed to some of the largest fluxes of heat (0.5°C Sv) and salt (0.03 Sv g/kg) onto the shelf. We estimate that the largest upwelling event during the mission could have brought nitrate concentrations over 20 μM to within 125 m of the surface. This study demonstrates clear capabilities of autonomous underwater gliders for sampling in and near fast moving boundary currents to obtain unique and critical in situ observations effectively.

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Marine Technology Society Journal, v. 52, issue 3, p. 19-27

Citation Information
Ruoying He, Austin C. Todd, Chad Lembke, Todd Kellison, et al.. "Cross-Shelf Exchange Associated With the Gulf Stream in the South Atlantic Bight: Direct Observations Using an Autonomous Underwater Glider" Marine Technology Society Journal Vol. 52 Iss. 3 (2018) p. 19 - 27
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/chad-lembke/16/