The volume of Shelf Water in the Middle Atlantic Bight: seasonal and interannual variability, 1977–1987

Variability in the properties of Shelf Water in the Middle Atlantic Bight, 1977–1999

“…The time of maximum volume shifts from day 109 in SNE to day 224 in SS1. This represents an propagation rate of about 0.04–0.05 m s −1 , similar to the result reported by M91. The ratio of the range to the mean in the annual cycles increases progressively from 39% to 45% to 64% to 80% from SNE to SS1.…”

“…The annual cycles for SHW volume (Figure 4) have characteristics similar to those described by M91. The amplitudes of the cycles are significant portions of the mean volume.…”

“…This volume anomaly series is similar to the observed MAB SHW volume anomalies (Figure 12) in both the temporal pattern and the amplitude of the anomalies. Therefore, as suggested by M91, the interannual variability in the volume of SHW in the MAB is believed to result largely from changes in the net inflow of water to the Gulf of Maine system. Changes in the volume of SHW reflect changes in the balance between the rates of inflow to and outflow from the MAB.…”

Variability in the properties of Shelf Water in the Middle Atlantic Bight, 1977–1999

“…The time of maximum volume shifts from day 109 in SNE to day 224 in SS1. This represents an propagation rate of about 0.04–0.05 m s −1 , similar to the result reported by M91. The ratio of the range to the mean in the annual cycles increases progressively from 39% to 45% to 64% to 80% from SNE to SS1.…”

“…The annual cycles for SHW volume (Figure 4) have characteristics similar to those described by M91. The amplitudes of the cycles are significant portions of the mean volume.…”

“…This volume anomaly series is similar to the observed MAB SHW volume anomalies (Figure 12) in both the temporal pattern and the amplitude of the anomalies. Therefore, as suggested by M91, the interannual variability in the volume of SHW in the MAB is believed to result largely from changes in the net inflow of water to the Gulf of Maine system. Changes in the volume of SHW reflect changes in the balance between the rates of inflow to and outflow from the MAB.…”

Flux of larval fish around Cape Hatteras

“…Churchill and Berger (1998) demonstrated that MAB water lost to the Gulf Stream came selectively from a narrow band toward the eastern edge of the southern MAB. However, net southward transport of plume and MAB water combined (0.1 Sv during the current study period) was on the low side of the 0.1-0.8 Sv estimated for southward MAB flow by numerous workers including Beardsley and Boicourt (1981), Lillibridge et al (1990), Mountain (1991), and Churchill and Berger (1998). Larval retention resulted from a net gain of MAB water to the area, clearly that cannot be indefinite.…”

Amounts, isotopic character, and ages of organic and inorganic carbon exported from rivers to ocean margins: 1. Estimates of terrestrial losses and inputs to the Middle Atlantic Bight

“…As demonstrated in earlier studies, however, most of the MAB DIC derives from waters near atmospheric equilibrium (i.e., modern‐aged) such as the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank waters to the north (Δ 14 C ∼− 50‰ to 50‰; [Sherwood et al ., ]) and MAB slope waters to the south and southwest (Δ 14 C ∼− 50‰ to 80‰; [ Bauer et al ., ]). Additional atmospheric exchange of CO 2 can also be expected during the approximately 100 days residence time on the MAB shelf [ Mountain , ].…”

Variability in the properties of Shelf Water in the Middle Atlantic Bight, 1977–1999

“…The time of maximum volume shifts from day 109 in SNE to day 224 in SS1. This represents an propagation rate of about 0.04–0.05 m s −1 , similar to the result reported by M91. The ratio of the range to the mean in the annual cycles increases progressively from 39% to 45% to 64% to 80% from SNE to SS1.…”

“…The annual cycles for SHW volume (Figure 4) have characteristics similar to those described by M91. The amplitudes of the cycles are significant portions of the mean volume.…”

“…This volume anomaly series is similar to the observed MAB SHW volume anomalies (Figure 12) in both the temporal pattern and the amplitude of the anomalies. Therefore, as suggested by M91, the interannual variability in the volume of SHW in the MAB is believed to result largely from changes in the net inflow of water to the Gulf of Maine system. Changes in the volume of SHW reflect changes in the balance between the rates of inflow to and outflow from the MAB.…”

Flux of larval fish around Cape Hatteras

“…Churchill and Berger (1998) demonstrated that MAB water lost to the Gulf Stream came selectively from a narrow band toward the eastern edge of the southern MAB. However, net southward transport of plume and MAB water combined (0.1 Sv during the current study period) was on the low side of the 0.1-0.8 Sv estimated for southward MAB flow by numerous workers including Beardsley and Boicourt (1981), Lillibridge et al (1990), Mountain (1991), and Churchill and Berger (1998). Larval retention resulted from a net gain of MAB water to the area, clearly that cannot be indefinite.…”

Amounts, isotopic character, and ages of organic and inorganic carbon exported from rivers to ocean margins: 1. Estimates of terrestrial losses and inputs to the Middle Atlantic Bight

“…As demonstrated in earlier studies, however, most of the MAB DIC derives from waters near atmospheric equilibrium (i.e., modern‐aged) such as the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank waters to the north (Δ 14 C ∼− 50‰ to 50‰; [Sherwood et al ., ]) and MAB slope waters to the south and southwest (Δ 14 C ∼− 50‰ to 80‰; [ Bauer et al ., ]). Additional atmospheric exchange of CO 2 can also be expected during the approximately 100 days residence time on the MAB shelf [ Mountain , ].…”

Variability in the properties of Shelf Water in the Middle Atlantic Bight, 1977–1999

“…The time of maximum volume shifts from day 109 in SNE to day 224 in SS1. This represents an propagation rate of about 0.04–0.05 m s −1 , similar to the result reported by M91. The ratio of the range to the mean in the annual cycles increases progressively from 39% to 45% to 64% to 80% from SNE to SS1.…”

“…The annual cycles for SHW volume (Figure 4) have characteristics similar to those described by M91. The amplitudes of the cycles are significant portions of the mean volume.…”

“…This volume anomaly series is similar to the observed MAB SHW volume anomalies (Figure 12) in both the temporal pattern and the amplitude of the anomalies. Therefore, as suggested by M91, the interannual variability in the volume of SHW in the MAB is believed to result largely from changes in the net inflow of water to the Gulf of Maine system. Changes in the volume of SHW reflect changes in the balance between the rates of inflow to and outflow from the MAB.…”

Flux of larval fish around Cape Hatteras

“…Churchill and Berger (1998) demonstrated that MAB water lost to the Gulf Stream came selectively from a narrow band toward the eastern edge of the southern MAB. However, net southward transport of plume and MAB water combined (0.1 Sv during the current study period) was on the low side of the 0.1-0.8 Sv estimated for southward MAB flow by numerous workers including Beardsley and Boicourt (1981), Lillibridge et al (1990), Mountain (1991), and Churchill and Berger (1998). Larval retention resulted from a net gain of MAB water to the area, clearly that cannot be indefinite.…”

Amounts, isotopic character, and ages of organic and inorganic carbon exported from rivers to ocean margins: 1. Estimates of terrestrial losses and inputs to the Middle Atlantic Bight

“…As demonstrated in earlier studies, however, most of the MAB DIC derives from waters near atmospheric equilibrium (i.e., modern‐aged) such as the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank waters to the north (Δ 14 C ∼− 50‰ to 50‰; [Sherwood et al ., ]) and MAB slope waters to the south and southwest (Δ 14 C ∼− 50‰ to 80‰; [ Bauer et al ., ]). Additional atmospheric exchange of CO 2 can also be expected during the approximately 100 days residence time on the MAB shelf [ Mountain , ].…”