Average sea surface salinity in latitude bands: 40-50 deg S, 50-60 deg S, 60 deg S-continent

• Other Authors: AADC (originator), AU/AADC > Australian Antarctic Data Centre, Australia (resourceProvider)
• Format: Dataset
• Language: unknown
• Published: Australian Ocean Data Network
• Subjects: environment; geoscientificInformation; inlandWaters; oceans; CONDUCTIVITY; EARTH SCIENCE; TERRESTRIAL HYDROSPHERE; WATER QUALITY/WATER CHEMISTRY; SALINITY; SALINITY/DENSITY; SEA SURFACE SALINITY; STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT; SOUTHERN OCEAN; SALINOMETERS; SHIPS; AMD/AU; CEOS; AMD; OCEAN > GEOGRAPHIC REGION > POLAR; Antarctic; Southern Ocean; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://researchdata.ands.org.au/average-sea-surface-s-continent/687166; https://data.aad.gov.au/metadata/records/SOE_sea_surface_salinity; https://data.aad.gov.au/eds/3636/download; http://data.aad.gov.au/aadc/metadata/citation.cfm?entry_id=SOE_sea_surface_salinity

This indicator is now OBSOLETE. These data are no longer archived in this location, and are therefore not up-to-date. Salinity varies systematically across the Southern Ocean, as a series of fronts are crossed from north to south. Averaging sea surface values in latitude bands corresponding to each front provides a sensitive indicator of change. Complementary measurements obtained from research cruises and from free-floating profiling floats (e.g. the Argo program) assist in the interpretation of the surface measurements. This indicator is no longer maintained, and is considered OBSOLETE. INDICATOR DEFINITION Measurements of sea surface salinity in the Southern Ocean. Measurements are averaged over latitude bands: 40-50 deg S, 50-60 deg S, 60 deg S-continent. TYPE OF INDICATOR There are three types of indicators used in this report: 1.Describes the CONDITION of important elements of a system; 2.Show the extent of the major PRESSURES exerted on a system; 3.Determine RESPONSES to either condition or changes in the condition of a system. This indicator is one of: CONDITION RATIONALE FOR INDICATOR SELECTION Australian and Antarctic climate and marine living resources are sensitive to the distribution of ocean salinity. Sea surface values are relatively easy to monitor, and therefore can be used as a relevant indicator of the state of the ocean environment. The information provided by long records of sea surface salinity is needed to detect changes in the Southern Ocean resulting from climate change; to test climate model predictions; to develop an understanding of links between the Ocean and climate variability in Australia; and for sustainable development of marine resources. DESIGN AND STRATEGY FOR INDICATOR MONITORING PROGRAM Spatial scale: Southern Ocean: 40 deg S to the Antarctic continent Frequency: Monthly averages over summer Measurement technique: Measurements of sea surface salinity from Antarctic supply ships. RESEARCH ISSUES Sea surface salinity has not been previously used as a spatially averaged environmental indicator. Some experimentation with past data are required to define the most appropriate averaging strategy. New technologies like profiling Argo floats need to be exploited to provide better spatial and temporal coverage of salinity in the Southern Ocean. LINKS TO OTHER INDICATORS Sea surface temperature Sea ice extent and concentration Chlorophyll concentrations concentrations