HR: 1400h
AN: OS23F-02 [Abstracts]
TI: Density ratio along an isopycnal surface in the upper ocean off Baja California
AU: * Jeronimo, G
EM: gjeronim@cicese.mx
AF: Centro de Investigacion Cientifica y de Educacion Superior de Ensenada, Km 107
Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada, Ensenada, BC 22860, Mexico
AU: Gomez-Valdes, J
EM: jgmez@cicese.mx
AF: Centro de Investigacion Cientifica y de Educacion Superior de Ensenada, Km 107
Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada, Ensenada, BC 22860, Mexico
AU: Wang, D
EM: Dong-Ping.Wang@stonybrook.edu
AF: Marine Sciences Research Center, SUNY, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5000, United States
AU: Robles- Pacheco, J
EM: jrobles@cicese.mx
AF: Centro de Investigacion Cientifica y de Educacion Superior de Ensenada, Km 107
Carretera Tijuana-Ensenada, Ensenada, BC 22860, Mexico
AB:
Seasonal variations of the density ratio (R) along the 25 surface potential density were studied using the
1997/2005 data of the program Investigaciones Mexicanas de la Corriente de California (IMECOCAL) off Baja
California. In particular, the effect of the El Nino 1997/1998 in the R field was examined. In order to explain the
results of the R variability, the mixed layer depth was calculated. In January and April, when the differences
between the 25 surface potential density and the mixed layer depth were < 30 m, temperature and salinity
gradients tend to be compensated (0.8 < R < 1.2). This is consistent with the theory that suggests that the
compensation mechanisms in the mixed layer are function of the horizontal density gradients. On the other hand,
in July and October, the depth of the 25 surface potential density was greater than the mixed layer depth and 1.2
< R < 1.8, furthermore, in the stronger El Nino 1997/1998 there was R > 1.8 in almost all the study area.
Results that are in agreement with the theory that suggests that the salt and heat transports are proportional to
the buoyancy in the thermocline. Termohaline fronts produced by the confluence of subartic and equatorial water
masses generated areas of compensation off Punta Eugenia.
UR: http:www.cicese.mx
DE: 4215 Climate and interannual variability (1616, 1635, 3305, 3309, 4513)
DE: 4516 Eastern boundary currents
DE: 4520 Eddies and mesoscale processes
DE: 4522 ENSO (4922)
DE: 4962 Thermohaline
SC: Ocean Sciences [OS]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly