Eddy-Kinetic Energy, Benthic Storms and Sediment Redistribution in the Argentine Basin

To establish and define relationships between benthic storms (periods of intense currents and bottom resuspension) sediment distribution patterns, and the intensity of eddy kinetic energy observed in surface or bottom waters. A correlation between benthic storms, background particle concentrations a...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gardner, W. D., Richardson, M. J.
Other Authors: TEXAS A AND M UNIV COLLEGE STATION COLL OF GEOSCIENCES
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: 1989
Subjects:
Physical and Dynamic Oceanography
*OCEAN BASINS
*SUSPENDED SEDIMENTS
*EDDIES(FLUID MECHANICS)
INTENSITY
BOUNDARIES
CORRELATION
SURFACE WATERS
KINETIC ENERGY
STORMS
CONCENTRATION(COMPOSITION)
PATTERNS
SEA WATER
NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN
ABYSSAL ZONES
SEDIMENTS
ARGENTINA
BENTHONIC ZONES
SURFACE ENERGY
SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN
HIGH RATE
BOTTOM WATERS
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
OCEAN CURRENTS
ARGENTINE BASIN
BENTHIC STORMS
Argentina
Argentine
North Atlantic
South Atlantic Ocean
Online Access:http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA210087
http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA210087
Description
Summary:To establish and define relationships between benthic storms (periods of intense currents and bottom resuspension) sediment distribution patterns, and the intensity of eddy kinetic energy observed in surface or bottom waters. A correlation between benthic storms, background particle concentrations and eddy kinetic energy has been established for the western North Atlantic. A similar correlation for another area known to have high standing stocks of resuspended sediments and surface eddy kinetic energy is to be made for previous data which has shown the Argentine Basin to be a region of extremely high concentrations and large lateral gradients of suspended sediment. The highest suspended sediment loads found worldwide are located in the Argentine Basin, but, as in the western North Atlantic, maximum values are in the central basin, away from strong boundary currents that would normally be expected to account for resuspension. High values and gradients of eddy kinetic energy are found in surface waters across the Argentine Basin, and, based on Weatherly's findings in the western North Atlantic, are expected to be mirrored at reduced levels in abyssal waters. One plans to determine whether the presence of benthic storms can be predicted by the intensity of abyssal eddy kinetic energy as measured by Weatherly.

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