Temperature-Salinity Variability in the Upper Ocean

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9529752 Rudnick This project will observe temperature (T) and salinity (S) in the upper ocean and evaluate competing hypotheses about how T-S variability along isopyclals, introduced by surface fluxes and advection, is reduced to establish a T-S relationship. This area of investigation is of great importance to understanding near-surface processes and their relationship to the large-scale circulation, but remains virtually unexplored. Recent developments in towed vehicles make this exploration possible now. Changes in the T-S relationship and the density ratio with changing horizontal scale will be key elements in distinguishing competing theories of T-S regulation. Field data will be obtained using a depth-controllable, towed vehicle (SeaSoar) equipped with T, S, and pressure sensors. Three different sampling strategies (constant depth, isopycnal, and sawtooth) will be employed during a series of long (1000 km) tows. ***