Dynamics of the direct intrusion of Gulf Stream ring water onto the Mid-Atlantic Bight shelf

Onshore intrusions of offshore waters onto the Mid‐Atlantic Bight shelf can greatly affect shelf circulation, biogeochemistry, and fisheries. Previous studies have concentrated on onshore intrusions of slope water. Here we present a direct intrusion of Gulf Stream warm‐core ring water onto the shelf...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Geophysical research letters 2015-09, Vol.42 (18), p.7687-7695
Main Authors: Zhang, Weifeng G., Gawarkiewicz, Glen G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arrays
Biogeochemistry
Circulation
Computer simulation
cross-shelf exchange
Dynamics
Entrainment
Exchanging
Fisheries
Geophysics
Gulf Stream
Impingement
Intrusion
Isobaths
Marine
Marine ecology
Mathematical models
Mid-Atlantic Bight
Migration
Migrations
Mineral nutrients
Nose
Numerical simulations
Nutrient transport
Nutrients
Ocean bottom
Ocean currents
Offshore
onshore intrusion
OOI Pioneer Array
Rivers
Satellite observation
Satellites
Shelf dynamics
Shelves
Slope water
Slopes
Transport
Vorticity
vorticity dynamics
warm-core ring
Water
Water circulation
Water scarcity
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Summary:Onshore intrusions of offshore waters onto the Mid‐Atlantic Bight shelf can greatly affect shelf circulation, biogeochemistry, and fisheries. Previous studies have concentrated on onshore intrusions of slope water. Here we present a direct intrusion of Gulf Stream warm‐core ring water onto the shelf representing a previously unknown exchange process at the shelfbreak. Impingement of warm‐core rings at the shelfbreak generates along‐isobath intrusions that grow like Pinocchio's nose, extending hundreds of kilometers to the southwest. By combining satellite and Ocean Observatory Initiative Pioneer Array data and idealized numerical simulations, we discover that the intrusion results from topographically induced vorticity variation of the ring water, rather than from entrainment of the shelfbreak frontal jet. This intrusion of the Gulf Stream ring water has important biogeochemical implications and could facilitate migration of marine species across the shelfbreak barrier and transport low‐nutrient surface Gulf Stream ring water to the otherwise productive shelfbreak region. Key Points Satellite and OOI Pioneer Array data show ring water intruding onto the shelf The intrusions extend southwestward along the shelf edge over large distances Vortex squashing of the ring flow by the rising seafloor drives the intrusion
ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007
DOI:10.1002/2015GL065530