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

• 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

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.