Annual Absolute Velocity Structure Along AR7W in the Labrador Sea Since 1995

该项目涉及处理和分析自1995年以来沿拉布拉多海（“AR7W”）样带收集的降低和船载声学多普勒流速仪（LADCP， SADCP）的速度数据，通常在每年春季/初夏收集一次。这条横断面穿过拉布拉多海大部分冬季强对流区域的南部。在这些巡航中还收集了海道测量数据，允许以两种方式计算横断面的绝对速度场：单独使用ADCP数据，并将其与海道测量数据结合使用。此外，绝对速度和水文资料的结合可用于估算该样带的热通量。利用这些结果，本项目的目标是：1)量化环流强度、对流强度和强迫参数之间的关系；2)评价AR7W经向热输运各分量与深对流和边界流强度的关系；3)考察拉布拉多海流/深西部边界流在大浅滩周围的连续性。此外，作为该项目的一部分，LADCP仪器将继续在这些年度巡航中发送，以便这个时间序列可以至少延长到2010年：这是重要的，因为该区域的年代际变化预计会很大。处理后的降低ADCP数据集将通过网站及时公布，而船上ADCP数据将提交给加拿大国家档案馆以及NODC JASADCP。拉布拉多海仍然是一个活跃的研究领域，事实上，我们的项目补充了最近为该地理区域资助的其他项目。此外，尽管我们计划用该数据集解决特定的科学问题，但速度观测的公开可用性可能会为该领域和相关领域的科学家和学生带来更多的研究机会。

Annual Absolute Velocity Structure along AR7W in the Labrador Sea since 1995 This project involves processing and analyzing lowered and shipboard acoustic Doppler current meter (LADCP, SADCP) velocity data that have been collected along a transect of the Labrador Sea ("AR7W"), usually once each year in spring/early summer, since 1995. This transect crosses the southern part of the region of strong convection that occurs most winters in the Labrador Sea. Hydrographic data were also collected on these cruises, allowing for the computation of absolute velocity fields for the transects in two ways: using the ADCP data alone, and using it in conjunction with the hydrographic data. In addition, the combination of absolute velocity and hydrographic data can be used to evaluate the heat flux across this transect. The goals of this project, using these results, are: 1) to quantify the relationships between the strength of the circulation, the strength of convection, and forcing parameters; 2) to evaluate the various components of meridional heat transport across AR7W and relate them to deep convection and boundary current strength; and 3) to examine the continuity of the Labrador Current/Deep Western Boundary Current around the Grand Banks. Also, as part of this project, the LADCP instrument will continue to be sent on these annual cruises, so that this time series can be extended through at least 2010: this is important because interdecadal variability in the region is expected to be significant. The processed lowered ADCP datasets will be made public in a timely manner, through a website, while the shipboard ADCP data will be submitted to both the national Canadian archive as well as the NODC JASADCP. The Labrador Sea continues to be an area of active research, and indeed our project complements other programs recently funded for this geographical region. Furthermore, although we plan to address specific scientific questions with this dataset, the public availability of the velocity observations may stimulate additional research opportunities for scientists and students in this and related fields.