Upper Ocean Temperature, Salinity, and Turbulence Across the Marginal Ice Zone from Autonomous Seaglider Surveys

Abstract:

We present initial results from several autonomous Seaglider deployments during summer 2014 in the ice-free region, under ice, and in the marginal ice zone (MIZ) of the Beaufort Sea. Measuring temperature and salinity of the upper ocean on scales of 2-3 km, these surveys resolve the short temporal and spatial scales associated with key upper ocean processes in the MIZ.

Gliders also carry temperature and shear microstructure sensors, providing direct direct estimates of turbulent dissipation rates at the base of the surface mixed layer and in the halocline. The objective of this work to understand the balance and interplay of processes that supply freshwater and heat to the ice ocean boundary layer and their variations as a function of ice cover.