Project CONVERGE: Estimated physical and biological decorrelation time and space scales from coordinated AUV observations in coastal Antarctica

Coastal ecosystems are organized around persistent and predictable environmental phenomena. Near Palmer Station, Antarctica, a large submarine canyon is associated with enhanced primary production that supports top predators that feed in the water column. However, it is unknown what drives water column structures in this biological hotspot. To investigate the link between this canyon and water column structure, we deployed three coordinated Slocum gliders in a high frequency radar field to estimate both the temporal and spatial decorrelation scales of density, temperature, chlorophyll and acoustic scattering. The along, and cross canyon transects intersected at a station-keeping glider. We used the station-keeping glider to estimate the temporal decorrelation scales of the canyon system and used this scale to interpret the spatial variability along and across the canyon. We find that despite the extreme depth of the canyon (>1000m), the upper water column structure is significantly structured by the presence of the canyon. This study shows the importance of simultaneously estimating temporal and spatial decorrelation scales through coordinated glider flights to understand the linkages between physical and biological systems.