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Step-like structure in temperature and salinity profiles, observed near icebergs trapped by fast ice, Antarctica

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Abstract

Step-like thermohaline structure was observed near icebergs trapped by fast ice in Lützow-Holm Bay, Antarctica. The structure was developed within the draft depth of the icebergs. The typical vertical distance between the succeeding step surfaces is 20–30 m, and the temperature and salinity differences across the step surface are about 0.05–0.06 deg and 0.06–0.10 psu, respectively. The structure appears to be generated by a sea-water/iceberg interaction, and is explainable by a simple model in which an ice wall is placed in the ocean linearly stratified by vertical salinity gradient.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, 060, Sapporo, Japan

    Kay I. Ohshima & Toshiyuki Kawamura

  2. Japan Marine Science and Technology Center, Natsushima-cho, 237, Yokosuka, Japan

    Takatoshi Takizawa

  3. National Institute of Polar Research, 9-10, Kaga 1-chome, Itabashi-ku, 173, Tokyo, Japan

    Shuki Ushio

Authors
  1. Kay I. Ohshima
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  2. Toshiyuki Kawamura
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  3. Takatoshi Takizawa
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  4. Shuki Ushio
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Ohshima, K.I., Kawamura, T., Takizawa, T. et al. Step-like structure in temperature and salinity profiles, observed near icebergs trapped by fast ice, Antarctica. J Oceanogr 50, 365–372 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02239522

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02239522

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