Seasonal-to-Interannual Modulation of Fine-Scale Thermohaline Structure

本研究的目标是对上层海洋水文进行持续采样，以解决中尺度和细尺度温盐结构的季节到年际调制。水下滑翔机将被部署在从夏威夷到北纬35度沿着西经158度的1300公里长的赤道地区。观测将量化以下方面的调制：（1）混合层和上层温跃层的水平密度比，（2）温跃层的香料变化，（3）混合层深度的水平变化，（4）深层叶绿素最大值的水平变化，（5）深度平均速度和涡度。使用部署在夏威夷外的夏威夷海洋时间序列（HOT）站点附近的两个喷雾滑翔机，该部分将大致每月重复一次。经过四个月的反复切片，滑翔机将被回收，新维修的滑翔机将被重新部署。滑翔机将携带传感器来测量温度，盐度，深度和荧光。采样特性的相对较慢的滑翔机将进行评估，从一个快速拖曳vehicle.Broader ImpactsThe量化的低频调制的精细尺度结构的基本目标是相关的气候动力学问题，如气候变化和变应性研究。观测将解决气候模型中“次网格尺度”过程参数化的问题。滑翔机部分将受益于并扩展HOT现场的活动。教育和推广活动包括培训一名研究生、建立一个网站和传播数据。研究生将参与滑翔机操作和数据分析的各个方面。将建立一个网站，向公众提供简单的地块。PI将参与社区讨论如何将滑翔机数据存档并分发给感兴趣的科学家。

ABSTRACTOCE-0452574The goal of this studyl is sustained sampling of upper ocean hydrography to resolve the seasonal-to-interannual modulation of meso- and fine-scale thermohaline structure. Underwater gliders will be deployed to make repeated occupations of a 1300-km meridional section northward from Hawaii to 35 degrees N along 158degrees W. The observations will quantify the modulation of: (1) the horizontal density ratio in the mixed layer and upper thermocline, (2) spice variability in the thermocline, (3) horizontal variability in mixed-layer depth, (4) horizontal variability in the deep chlorophyll maximum, (5) depth-average velocity and vorticity. Using two Spray gliders deployed near the Hawaii Ocean Time-series (HOT) site off Hawaii, the section will be repeated on a roughly monthly basis. After making repeated sections for four months, the gliders will be recovered and freshly serviced glider will be redeployed. The gliders will carry sensors to measure temperature, salinity, depth, and fluorescence. Sampling characteristics of the relatively slow gliders will be assessed by comparison with data from a rapidly towed vehicle .Broader ImpactsThe fundamental goal of quantifying low-frequency modulation of fine-scale structure is relevant for climate dynamics concerns such as CLIVAR. The observations will address the problem of parameterizing "sub-grid-scale" processes in climate models. The glider sections will benefit from, and extend, the activities at the HOT site. Education and outreach activities include the training of a graduate student, the establishment of a web site, and dissemination of data. The graduate student will be involved in every aspect of the glider operation and data analysis. A web site will be developed with a purpose of making simple plots available to the public. The PIs will participate in community discussions on how to archive and distribute glider data to interested scientists.