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Spatial and Temporal Variability Within the Southern Ocean

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Antarctic Ocean and Resources Variability

Summary

The Southern Ocean is not radially symmetric; many circulation and water mass features vary markedly with longitude. This recommends care in making generalizations of the ocean dynamics and ventilation for the Southern Ocean. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) varies in latitude from a position slightly north of 50°S in the Atlantic sector to near 60°S southeast of New Zealand. The ACC displays significant temporal variation, ranging from mesoscale structures of meanders and eddies, to broad regional low frequency variations. South of the ACC are vast areas of more sluggish flow, many of which are organized into cyclonic circulation gyres. The largest is the Weddell Gyre; smaller gyres are located north and east of the Ross Sea, east of the Kerguelan Plateau. Variation in the strength of the western boundary current of the Weddell Gyre may be a primary factor in driving variations in the biology of the region. Wind-induced variations, perhaps coupled to changes in the freshwater balance, would also influence the vertical stability of the water column, the vertical heat flux and the sea ice cover extent. The oceanography along the continental margins is also very dependent on longitude. These variations are related to changes in the geometry of the shelf, the characteristics of the adjacent glacial ice, and on the wind field.

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  1. Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, Palisades, New York, 10964, USA

    A. L. Gordon

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  1. Institut für Seefischerei, Bundesforschungsanstalt für Fischerei, Palmaille 9, 2000, Hamburg 50, Germany

    Dietrich Sahrhage

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© 1988 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Gordon, A.L. (1988). Spatial and Temporal Variability Within the Southern Ocean. In: Sahrhage, D. (eds) Antarctic Ocean and Resources Variability. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73724-4_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73724-4_4

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