Using C-Vector Method to Derive the Three-Dimensional Circulation Pattern Near the East Greenland Polar Front

• Main Author: Li, Wei-Szu
• Other Authors: NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1992
• Subjects: Physical and Dynamic Oceanography; *OCEAN CURRENTS; *VORTICES; POLAR REGIONS; DENSITY; MOTION; THREE DIMENSIONAL; MASS FLOW; SALINITY; GEOSTROPHIC CURRENTS; CONTOURS; HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEYING; WATER MASSES; CYCLONES; GEOSTROPHIC WIND; CIRCULATION; ATLANTIC OCEAN; BATHYMETRY; SURFACES; THESES; WIND; TEMPERATURE; *OCEAN CIRCULATION; VORTICITY; EAST GREENLAND CURRENT; GREENLAND SEA; Curl; Greenland; Psi; East Greenland; east greenland current; Greenland Sea
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA261979; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA261979

The C-vector method is used to determine the three-dimensional pseudo-vorticity field of the East Greenland Current by using a CTD data set acquired during the 1984 Northwind cruise. The value of the ageostrophic pseudo- vorticity, the total (geostrophic and ageostrophic) pseudo vorticity and the vertical component of the C-vector curl, Psi, can be calculated by the C-vector method. From these values the pseudo-vorticity can be investigated for the East Greenland Current. Additionally, the positive and the negative vertical motion at each level can be investigated from the Psi value. A two-cell structure with downward motion around the East Greenland Polar Front was found. The C-vector method also demonstrates that the vertical circulation induced by an anticyclonic gyre and the cross-coastal circulation generated by the surface wind can be depicted.