Observations of Modified Warm Deep Water Beneath Ronne Ice Shelf, Antarctica, From an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Davis, Peter E. D.; Jenkins, Adrian; Nicholls, Keith W.; Dutrieux, Pierre; Schröder, Michael; Janout, Markus; Hellmer, Hartmut; Templeton, Rob; McPhail, S.D.

doi:10.1029/2022jc019103

Cited by 7 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 84 publications

(226 reference statements)

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“…This new mode of AABW observation unveiled the occurrence of important, previously undocumented submesoscale dynamics, suggested to be centrally implicated in the wind-forced regulation of the deep ocean heat budget of the South Atlantic (Meredith et al, 2011;Naveira Garabato et al, 2019). Autonomous robotic missions have also been deployed under ice shelves, including the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf (AUV; Davis et al, 2022) and Ross Ice Shelf (gliders; Nelson et al, 2017). As the endurance and robustness of autonomous robotic assets expand in coming years, it is expected that the AABW observing system will increasingly rely on these technologies for process-understanding and monitoring AABW characteristics across key circulation pathways.…”

Section: Auvs and Glidersmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…In particular, the advent of deep ocean gliders (Osse and Eriksen, 2007;Testor et al, 2019) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs; Furlong et al, 2012;Roper et al, 2021) capable of measuring in waters as deep as 6,000 m over distances of up to several thousand kilometers and periods of several months are enabling the controlled, spatially targeted observation of AABW properties and flow with fine spatio-temporal resolution-reaching areas that are difficult to access with ship-deployed instrumentation or drifting platforms. Examples include AUV (Jenkins et al, 2010;Davis et al, 2022;Davis et al, 2023) and glider (Nelson et al, 2017;Friedrichs et al, 2022) missions under Antarctic ice shelves, as well as glider campaigns on the continental shelf (Kohut et al, 2013) and AUV deployments in the abyssal Southern Ocean (Naveira Garabato et al, 2019).…”

Section: Auvs and Glidersmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Observing Antarctic Bottom Water in the Southern Ocean

Silvano,

Purkey,

Gordon

et al. 2023

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Dense, cold waters formed on Antarctic continental shelves descend along the Antarctic continental margin, where they mix with other Southern Ocean waters to form Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW). AABW then spreads into the deepest parts of all major ocean basins, isolating heat and carbon from the atmosphere for centuries. Despite AABW’s key role in regulating Earth’s climate on long time scales and in recording Southern Ocean conditions, AABW remains poorly observed. This lack of observational data is mostly due to two factors. First, AABW originates on the Antarctic continental shelf and slope where in situ measurements are limited and ocean observations by satellites are hampered by persistent sea ice cover and long periods of darkness in winter. Second, north of the Antarctic continental slope, AABW is found below approximately 2 km depth, where in situ observations are also scarce and satellites cannot provide direct measurements. Here, we review progress made during the past decades in observing AABW. We describe 1) long-term monitoring obtained by moorings, by ship-based surveys, and beneath ice shelves through bore holes; 2) the recent development of autonomous observing tools in coastal Antarctic and deep ocean systems; and 3) alternative approaches including data assimilation models and satellite-derived proxies. The variety of approaches is beginning to transform our understanding of AABW, including its formation processes, temporal variability, and contribution to the lower limb of the global ocean meridional overturning circulation. In particular, these observations highlight the key role played by winds, sea ice, and the Antarctic Ice Sheet in AABW-related processes. We conclude by discussing future avenues for observing and understanding AABW, impressing the need for a sustained and coordinated observing system.

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Section: Auvs and Glidersmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Auvs and Glidersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observing Antarctic Bottom Water in the Southern Ocean

Silvano,

Purkey,

Gordon

et al. 2023

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Closing the Loops on Southern Ocean Dynamics: From the Circumpolar Current to Ice Shelves and From Bottom Mixing to Surface Waves

Bennetts,

Shakespeare,

Vreugdenhil

et al. 2024

Reviews of Geophysics

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A holistic review is given of the Southern Ocean dynamic system, in the context of the crucial role it plays in the global climate and the profound changes it is experiencing. The review focuses on connections between different components of the Southern Ocean dynamic system, drawing together contemporary perspectives from different research communities, with the objective of closing loops in our understanding of the complex network of feedbacks in the overall system. The review is targeted at researchers in Southern Ocean physical science with the ambition of broadening their knowledge beyond their specific field, and aims at facilitating better‐informed interdisciplinary collaborations. For the purposes of this review, the Southern Ocean dynamic system is divided into four main components: large‐scale circulation; cryosphere; turbulence; and gravity waves. Overviews are given of the key dynamical phenomena for each component, before describing the linkages between the components. The reviews are complemented by an overview of observed Southern Ocean trends and future climate projections. Priority research areas are identified to close remaining loops in our understanding of the Southern Ocean system.

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Mixing and Water Mass Transformation Over Discovery Bank, in the Weddell‐Scotia Confluence of the Southern Ocean

Brearley,

Girton,

Lucas

et al. 2024

JGR Oceans

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The South Scotia Ridge, in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean, is a key region for water mass modification. It is the location of the Weddell‐Scotia Confluence, an area of reduced stratification which separates the Weddell Gyre to the south and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current to the north, and which receives input of shelf waters from the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. To elucidate the transformations over the ridge, we focus on one of its largest seamounts, Discovery Bank, which has previously been observed as hosting a stratified Taylor column that retains water for months to years, during which time water masses are entrained from north and south of the Weddell Front and steadily mixed. Data from ship‐deployed sensors and autonomous platforms are analyzed to quantify and understand the diapycnal mixing, heat fluxes and water mass transformations over the bank. Ocean glider and free‐profiling drifting float data show that the mid‐depth temperature maximum of the Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) is eroded between the northern and southern sides of the bank, while diapycnal diffusivity is enhanced by up to an order‐of‐magnitude over its steeply sloping portions. This is accompanied by heat fluxes from the CDW layer being increased by up to a factor of six, which may contribute to a reduction in mid‐depth stratification. Tidal model analysis shows that the southern side of the bank hosts strong barotropic to baroclinic energy conversion (>150 N m−2), emphasizing the role of internal tides in modulating water mass transformations in the Confluence.

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Observations of Modified Warm Deep Water Beneath Ronne Ice Shelf, Antarctica, From an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Cited by 7 publications

References 84 publications

Observing Antarctic Bottom Water in the Southern Ocean

Observing Antarctic Bottom Water in the Southern Ocean

Closing the Loops on Southern Ocean Dynamics: From the Circumpolar Current to Ice Shelves and From Bottom Mixing to Surface Waves

Mixing and Water Mass Transformation Over Discovery Bank, in the Weddell‐Scotia Confluence of the Southern Ocean

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