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Turbulent Kinetic Energy Dissipation in Barrow Canyon

ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University

Field Value
Title Turbulent Kinetic Energy Dissipation in Barrow Canyon
Names Shroyer, E. L. (creator)
Date Issued 2012-06 (iso8601)
Note This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the American Meteorological Society and can be found at: http://www.ametsoc.org/pubs/journals/jpo/index.html.
Abstract Pacific Water flows across the shallow Chukchi Sea before reaching the Arctic Ocean, where it is a source of heat, freshwater, nutrients, and carbon. A substantial portion of Pacific Water is routed through Barrow Canyon, located in the northeast corner of the Chukchi. Barrow Canyon is a region of complex geometry and forcing where a variety of water masses have been observed to coexist. These factors contribute to a dynamic physical environment, with the potential for significant water mass transformation. The measurements of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation presented here indicate diapycnal mixing is important in the upper canyon. Elevated dissipation rates were observed near the pycnocline, effectively mixing winter and summer water masses, as well as within the bottom boundary layer. The slopes of shear/stratification layers, combined with analysis of rotary spectra, suggest that near-inertial wave activity may be important in modulating dissipation near the bottom. Because the canyon is known to be a hotspot of productivity with an active benthic community, mixing may be an important factor in maintenance of the biological environment.
Genre Article
Topic Arctic
Identifier Shroyer, E. L., 2012: Turbulent Kinetic Energy Dissipation in Barrow Canyon. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 42, 1012–1021. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JPO-D-11-0184.1

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