Analysis of hydrographic and stable isotope data to determine water masses, circulation, and mixing in the eastern Great Australian Bight
Files
(Published version)
Date
2009
Authors
Richardson, L.
Kyser, T.
James, N.
Bone, Y.
Editors
Advisors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Journal of Geophysical Research, 2009; 114(10):1-14
Statement of Responsibility
Laura E. Richardson, T. Kurt Kyser, Noel P. James and Yvonne Bone
Conference Name
Abstract
Hydrographic and stable isotope data from waters in the eastern Great Australian Bight (GAB) sampled during March–April 1998 indicate that both mixing and evaporative processes are important on the shelf. Five water masses are defined on the basis of their temperature, salinity, δ 2H and δ 18O values. Two of these are end-members, the Flinders Current (FC) and the Great Australian Bight Plume (GABP), whereas the other three are a result of mixing between these two end-members. Water mass distribution reflects an anticyclonic gyre in the eastern GAB. Cool and fresh water present at depth along the Eyre Peninsula is sourced from upwelling of Flinders Current water directly from the shelf break. This water is progressively heated, evaporated, and mixed with warmer and more saline shelf waters as it flows around the gyre. High temperatures, salinities, and δ 2H values in surface waters in the central GAB suggest that the Great Australian Bight Plume has a greater spatial extent than previously recorded, also occurring along the shelf edge between 130°E and 133°E. A high temperature, high salinity, low δ 2H water mass that is isotopically similar to the Flinders Current occurs in the west of the study area, indicating intrusion of Flinders Current water into the central GAB. Differences in isotopic compositions of off-shelf water suggest that the Great Australian Bight Plume is flowing off the shelf and mixing with Flinders Current water at ∼132°E; however, this outflow does not generate an eastward flowing current during the period when samples were collected.
School/Discipline
Dissertation Note
Provenance
Description
Extent: 14p.
Access Status
Rights
Copyright 2009 by the American Geophysical Union.