Determining vertical water velocities from Seaglider

Vertical velocities in the world's oceans are typically small, less than 1 cm/s, posing a significant challenge to observation techniques. Seaglider, an autonomous profiling instrument, can be used to estimate vertical water velocity in the ocean to about half a centimeter per second. Using a S...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Frajka-Williams, E. (Author), Eriksen, C.C (Author), Rhines, P.B (Author), Harcourt, R.R (Author)
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: 2011-12.
Subjects:
Online Access:Get fulltext
LEADER 01509 am a22001573u 4500
001 206147
042 |a dc 
100 1 0 |a Frajka-Williams, E.  |e author 
700 1 0 |a Eriksen, C.C.  |e author 
700 1 0 |a Rhines, P.B.  |e author 
700 1 0 |a Harcourt, R.R.  |e author 
245 0 0 |a Determining vertical water velocities from Seaglider 
260 |c 2011-12. 
856 |z Get fulltext  |u https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/206147/1/2011_jtech_frajkawilliams_etal_determining_vertical_water_velocities_Seaglider.pdf 
520 |a Vertical velocities in the world's oceans are typically small, less than 1 cm/s, posing a significant challenge to observation techniques. Seaglider, an autonomous profiling instrument, can be used to estimate vertical water velocity in the ocean to about half a centimeter per second. Using a Seaglider flight model and pressure observations, vertical water velocities are estimated along glider trajectories in the Labrador Sea before, during and after deep convection. Results indicate that vertical velocities in the stratified ocean agree with theoretical WKB-scaling of w, and in the turbulent mixed layer, scale with buoyancy and wind forcing. We estimate that accuracy is within 0.6 cm/s. Due to uncertainties in the flight model, velocities are poor near the surface and deep apogees, and during extended roll maneuvers. Some of this may be improved by using a dynamic flight model permitting acceleration, and by better constraining flight parameters through pilot choices during the mission. 
655 7 |a Article