Submesoscale streamers exchange water on the north wall of the Gulf Stream
Date
2016
Authors
Klymak, Jody M.
Shearman, R. Kipp
Gula, Jonathan
Lee, Craig M.
D'Asaro, Eric A.
Thomas, Leif N.
McWilliams, James C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Geophysical Research Letters
Abstract
The Gulf Stream is a major conduit of warm surface water from the tropics to the subpolar North Atlantic. Here we observe and simulate a submesoscale (<20 km) mechanism by which the Gulf Stream exchanges water with subpolar water to the north. Along isopycnals, the front has a sharp compensated temperature‐salinity contrast, with distinct mixed water between the two water masses 2 and 4 km wide. This mixed water does not increase downstream despite substantial energy available for mixing. A series of streamers detrain this water at the crest of meanders. Subpolar water replaces the mixed water and resharpens the front. The water mass exchange accounts for a northward flux of salt of 0.5–2.5 psu m2 s−1, (large‐scale diffusivity O (100 m2 s−1)). This is similar to bulk‐scale flux estimates of 1.2 psu m2 s−1 and supplies fresher water to the Gulf Stream required for the production of 18° subtropical mode water.
Description
Keywords
ocean mixing, Gulf Stream, submesoscale mixing, eddies
Citation
Klymak, J. M., Shearman, R. K., Gula, J., Lee, C. M., D;Asaro, E. A., Thomas, L. N., & McWilliams, J. C. (2016). Submesoscale streamers exchange water on the north wall of the Gulf Stream. Geophysical Research Letters, 43(3), 1226-1233. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015GL067152.