An Observational/Modeling Study of Wintertime Convection and Water Mass Formation

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OCE 9530249 Brown This project will investigate atmospherically forced, winter convection in the Gulf of Maine and consider the relative importance of wind and convection in mixed layer deepening. Both the general process of winter convection and the specific issue of Maine Intermediate Water formation will be addressed. Two field experiments, including moored arrays and hydrographic surveys, will be conducted during consecutive winter seasons. The experiments will determine the scales of convective overturning, the relationship between mixed layer variation and surface fluxes, and the relationship between convection history and the volume of winter water produced in a season. Observations will also be used to assess the fidelity of a numerical model of convective plumes.