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Article
Tidally Driven Exchange in an Archipelago Strait: Biological and Optical Responses
Oceanography
  • B. H. Jones
  • C. M. Lee
  • G. Toro-Farmer
  • Emmanuel Boss, University of Maine - Main
  • M. C. Gregg
  • C. L. Villanoy
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2011
Abstract/ Summary

Measurements in San Bernardino Strait, one of two major connections between the Pacific Ocean and the interior waters of the Philippine Archipelago, captured 2-3 m s(-1) tidal currents that drove vertical mixing and net landward transport. A TRIAXUS towed profiling vehicle equipped with physical and optical sensors was used to repeatedly map subregions within the strait, employing survey patterns designed to resolve tidal variability of physical and optical properties. Strong flow over the sill between Luzon and Capul islands resulted in upward transport and mixing of deeper high-salinity, low-oxygen, high-particle-and-nutrient-concentration water into the upper water column, landward of the sill. During the high-velocity ebb flow, topography influences the vertical distribution of water, but without the diapycnal mixing observed during flood tide. The surveys captured a net landward flux of water through the narrowest part of the strait. The tidally varying velocities contribute to strong vertical transport and diapycnal mixing of the deeper water into the upper layer, contributing to the observed higher phytoplankton biomass within the interior of the strait.

Citation/Publisher Attribution
Jones BH, Lee CM, Toro-Farmer G, Boss ES, Gregg MC, Villanoy CL. Tidally Driven Exchange in an Archipelago Strait: Biological and Optical Responses. Oceanography. 2011;24(1): 142-155. Available on publisher's site at http://www.tos.org/oceanography/archive/24-1_jones.html
Version
publisher's version of the published document
Citation Information
B. H. Jones, C. M. Lee, G. Toro-Farmer, Emmanuel Boss, et al.. "Tidally Driven Exchange in an Archipelago Strait: Biological and Optical Responses" Oceanography Vol. 24 Iss. 1 (2011) p. 142 - 155
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/emmanuel_boss/4/