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Mean circulation and hydrography in the Ross Sea sector, Southern Ocean: representation in numerical models

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 May 2010

Graham J. Rickard ,
Malcolm J. Roberts ,
Michael J.M. Williams ,
Alistair Dunn  and
Murray H. Smith
Graham J. Rickard*
Affiliation:
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, PO Box 14-901, Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand
Malcolm J. Roberts
Affiliation:
Met Office Hadley Centre, Fitzroy Rd, Exeter EX1 3PB, United Kingdom
Michael J.M. Williams
Affiliation:
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, PO Box 14-901, Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand
Alistair Dunn
Affiliation:
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, PO Box 14-901, Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand
Murray H. Smith
Affiliation:
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, PO Box 14-901, Kilbirnie, Wellington, New Zealand
*
[email protected]
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Abstract

Three models were used to look at the Southern Ocean Ross Sea sector circulation and hydrography. Two were climate models of low (1°) to intermediate resolution (1/3°), and one was an operational high resolution (1/10°) ocean model. Despite model differences (including physics and forcing), mean and monthly variability aspects of off-shelf circulation are consistently represented, and could imply bathymetric constraints. Western and eastern cyclonic gyral systems separated by shallow bathymetry around 180°E redistributing water between the wider Southern Ocean and the Ross Sea are found. Some model seasonal gyral transports increase as the Antarctic Circumpolar Current transport decreases. Model flows at 900 m at the gyral eastern end compare favourably with float data. On-shelf model depth-averaged west–east flow is relatively consistent with that reconstructed from longline fishing records. These flows have components associated with isopycnal gradients in both light and dense waters. The climate models reproduce characteristic isopycnal layer inflections (‘V’s) associated with the observed Antarctic Slope Front and on-shelf deep water formation, and these models transport some 4 Sv of this bottom water northwards across the outer 1000 m shelf isobath. Overall flow complexity suggests care is needed to force regional Ross Sea models.

Keywords

Antarcticacoastal currentsgyre transportmodellingsea icevalidation
Type
Physical Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 22 , Issue 5 , October 2010 , pp. 533 - 558
Copyright
Copyright © Antarctic Science Ltd 2010

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