Hydrography and circulation of the West Antarctic Peninsula Continental Shelf

Smith, Dale; Hofmann, Eileen E.; Klinck, John M.; Lascara, Cathy M.

doi:10.1016/s0967-0637(98)00103-4

Cited by 201 publications

(221 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Maximum depths of around 1600 m are found close to Alexander Island (Figure 2). The water mass structure over the WAP continental shelf and in Marguerite Bay is relatively straightforward, and has been described in detail previously (Hofmann et al, 1996;Klinck et al, 2004;Meredith et al, 2004;Smith et al, 1999). The oceanic source for all other water masses found here is Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW).…”

Section: Oceanographic Contextmentioning

confidence: 79%

Variability in the freshwater balance of northern Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula: Results from δ18O

Meredith

Brandon

Wallace

et al. 2008

Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography

107

126

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We investigate the seasonal variability in freshwater inputs to the Marguerite Bay region (Western Antarctic Peninsula) using a time series of oxygen isotopes in seawater from samples collected in the upper mixed layer of the ocean during 2002 and 2003. We find that meteoric water, mostly in the form of glacial ice melt, is the dominant freshwater source, accounting for up to 5% of the near-surface ocean during the austral summer. Sea ice melt accounts for a much smaller percentage, even during the summer (maximum around 1%). The seasonality in meteoric water input to the ocean (around 2% of the near-surface ocean) is not dissimilar to that of sea ice melt (around 2% in 2002 and 1% in 2003), contradicting the assumption that sea ice processes dominate the seasonal evolution of the physical ocean environment close to the Antarctic continent. Three full-depth profiles of oxygen isotopes collected in successive Decembers (2001, 2002 and 2003) indicate that around 4 m of meteoric water is present in the water column at this time of year, and around 1 m of sea ice formed from this same water column. The predominance of glacial melt is significant, since it is known to be an important factor in the operation of the ecosystem, for example by providing a source of nutrients and modifying the physical environment to control the spatial extent and magnitude of phytoplankton blooms.The Western Antarctic Peninsula is undergoing a very rapid change in climate, with increasing ocean and air temperatures, retreating glaciers and increases in precipitation associated with changes in atmospheric circulation. As climate change continues, we expect meteoric water inputs to the adjacent ocean to rise further. Sea ice in this sector of the Antarctic has shown a climatic decrease, thus we expect a reduction in oceanic sea ice melt fractions if this change continues. Continued monitoring of the oceanic freshwater budget at the western Peninsula is 2 needed to track these changes as they occur, and to better understand their ecological consequences.

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Section: Oceanographic Contextmentioning

confidence: 79%

Variability in the freshwater balance of northern Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula: Results from δ18O

Meredith

Brandon

Wallace

et al. 2008

Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography

107

126

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“…As well as feeding the world's oceans by circulating cold bottom water, the Weddell Sea produces some of the coldest deep waters in the world. Weddell Sea Bottom Water is highly influential in the Weddell and Scotia Seas as a stable, dense and extreme cold water mass as low as -1.88°C (Carmack and Foster, 1975;Fahrbach et al, 1995;Smith et al, 1999). Flowing west into the Scotia Sea, bottom water acts as an important counter current to the powerful Antarctic Circumpolar Current.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasticity in shell morphology and growth among deep-sea protobranch bivalves of the genus Yoldiella (Yoldiidae) from contrasting Southern Ocean regions

Reed

Morris

Linse

et al. 2013

Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers

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Cite this article as: Adam J. Reed, James P. Morris, Katrin Linse, Sven Thatje, Plasticity in shell morphology and growth among deep-sea protobranch bivalves of the genus Yoldiella (Yoldiidae) from contrasting Southern Ocean regions, Deep-Sea Research I, http://dx.doi.org/10. 1016/j.dsr.2013.07.006 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting galley proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. ability to differentially adapt between cold-stenothermal environments. This study suggests that subtle changes in the environment may lead to a divergence in the ecology of invertebrate populations and showcases the protobranch bivalves as a future model group for the study of speciation and radiation processes through cold-stenothermal environments.

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“…Surface water currents on the shelf west of the Antarctic Peninsula show weak cyclonic gyres (Smith et al, 1999). The circulation of deep and bottom water masses along the Antarctic Peninsula is still discussed controversially Smith et al, 1999).…”

Section: Geological and Oceanographic Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The circulation of deep and bottom water masses along the Antarctic Peninsula is still discussed controversially Smith et al, 1999). Still, evidence has been put forward for the south-westward flow of deep and bottom-water masses, which originate in the Weddell Sea, as far as 63°W on the Antarctic Peninsula slope (Whitworth et al, 1998) and at least 78°W on the continental rise Giorgetti et al, 2003).…”

Section: Geological and Oceanographic Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Depositional patterns at Drift 7, Antarctic Peninsula: Along-slope versus down-slope sediment transport as indicators for oceanic currents and climatic conditions

Uenzelmann-Neben

2006

Marine Geology

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Understanding the processes and phases of deep-sea sediment drift formation is essential for a reconstruction of their evolution. This leads to a better understanding of the properties of oceanographic currents active during drift formation and in turn to information on the climatic conditions. A system of sediment drifts at the Antarctic Peninsula Pacific rise has been chosen to learn more about the Neogene evolution of both current systems and palaeo-climate in that area. Drift 7 was extensively surveyed (seismic and sampling), and two ODP Leg 178 sites were drilled there. Using this information, maps of reflectors depth and seismic unit thickness were compiled and interpreted regarding the controlling depositional processes. The depositional model shows an initially major along-slope sediment transport by a SW-setting bottom current (25-15 Ma), which deflected sediment supplied from the continental shelf. Between 15 Ma and 9.5 Ma down-slope transport took over as a result of the growth of the Antarctic Peninsula ice sheet. The SW setting bottom current appears to have broken down. Down-slope transport has decreased since 9.5 Ma, but a re-onset of the bottom current can only be observed since 5.3 Ma. The analysis has further shown that the nucleus of the drift is connected to a basement ridge. It is hence inferred that basement topography played a major role in the formation of this sediment drift.

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Hydrography and circulation of the West Antarctic Peninsula Continental Shelf

Cited by 201 publications

References 24 publications

Variability in the freshwater balance of northern Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula: Results from δ18O

Variability in the freshwater balance of northern Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula: Results from δ18O

Plasticity in shell morphology and growth among deep-sea protobranch bivalves of the genus Yoldiella (Yoldiidae) from contrasting Southern Ocean regions

Depositional patterns at Drift 7, Antarctic Peninsula: Along-slope versus down-slope sediment transport as indicators for oceanic currents and climatic conditions

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