Water circulation in the Gulf of Papua

Biological indicators of sedimentary dynamics in the central Gulf of Papua: Seasonal and decadal perspectives

“…Because the 2003 NW Monsoon period was impacted by El Niño conditions (i.e., low river runoff) and 2004 was not [ Ogston et al , 2008], the relative NW Monsoon‐SE Trades differences observed in the central Gulf are likely robust. These seasonal salinity patterns are also consistent with model calculations of Wolanski et al [1995]. In general, the topset region, which represents ∼70% of the clinoform surface area, experiences substantial seasonality in water column properties, and is relatively warmer and more saline during the NW Monsoon compared to the SE Trades or NW Monsoon → SE Trades Transition periods.…”

“…[21] Salinity profiles show that in the most inshore/ shallowest regions (<10 m), bottom-water salinities were $18.5-22, becoming relatively saline (>31) compared to surface waters at bathymetric depths >15 m, and remaining roughly constant seaward of the outer-topset (Figure 2b , the relative NW Monsoon-SE Trades differences observed in the central Gulf are likely robust. These seasonal salinity patterns are also consistent with model calculations of Wolanski et al [1995]. In general, the topset region, which represents $70% of the clinoform surface area, experiences substantial seasonality in water column properties, and is relatively warmer and more saline during the NW Monsoon compared to the SE Trades or NW Monsoon !…”

“…The relative increase of Chl‐ a , organic detritus, water column microbes, and decreases in salinity and temperature over the topset observed during the SE Trades in the present study implies seasonally elevated water column primary production as well as enhanced delivery of terrestrial detrital substrates to the Gulf during the SE Trades compared to the NW Monsoon period. Although most previous water column studies have emphasized either the inshore estuarine channels or offshore zones (foreset), past observations are also generally consistent with relatively increased water column Chl‐ a , bacterial abundances, suspended matter, and primary production, and with lowered salinities (greater river influence) over the topset during the SE Trades [ Wolanski et al , 1995; Robertson et al , 1998; Davies , 2004].…”

Biological indicators of sedimentary dynamics in the central Gulf of Papua: Seasonal and decadal perspectives

“…Because the 2003 NW Monsoon period was impacted by El Niño conditions (i.e., low river runoff) and 2004 was not [ Ogston et al , 2008], the relative NW Monsoon‐SE Trades differences observed in the central Gulf are likely robust. These seasonal salinity patterns are also consistent with model calculations of Wolanski et al [1995]. In general, the topset region, which represents ∼70% of the clinoform surface area, experiences substantial seasonality in water column properties, and is relatively warmer and more saline during the NW Monsoon compared to the SE Trades or NW Monsoon → SE Trades Transition periods.…”

“…[21] Salinity profiles show that in the most inshore/ shallowest regions (<10 m), bottom-water salinities were $18.5-22, becoming relatively saline (>31) compared to surface waters at bathymetric depths >15 m, and remaining roughly constant seaward of the outer-topset (Figure 2b , the relative NW Monsoon-SE Trades differences observed in the central Gulf are likely robust. These seasonal salinity patterns are also consistent with model calculations of Wolanski et al [1995]. In general, the topset region, which represents $70% of the clinoform surface area, experiences substantial seasonality in water column properties, and is relatively warmer and more saline during the NW Monsoon compared to the SE Trades or NW Monsoon !…”

“…The relative increase of Chl‐ a , organic detritus, water column microbes, and decreases in salinity and temperature over the topset observed during the SE Trades in the present study implies seasonally elevated water column primary production as well as enhanced delivery of terrestrial detrital substrates to the Gulf during the SE Trades compared to the NW Monsoon period. Although most previous water column studies have emphasized either the inshore estuarine channels or offshore zones (foreset), past observations are also generally consistent with relatively increased water column Chl‐ a , bacterial abundances, suspended matter, and primary production, and with lowered salinities (greater river influence) over the topset during the SE Trades [ Wolanski et al , 1995; Robertson et al , 1998; Davies , 2004].…”

Potential transport pathways of terrigenous material in the Gulf of Papua

“…Uniformly southeast surface currents near the northeast coast reach 1 m s −1 and the bottom flow is nearly aligned with surface flow. These results are consistent with observations [ Wolanski et al , 1995]. The modeled CSCC forms a closed clockwise loop during the trade‐wind season but it has less impact on bottom flow at the shelf break than during the monsoon.…”

Building the Holocene clinothem in the Gulf of Papua: An ocean circulation study

“…Predicted surface flow over the outer shelf (Figure 11a) exceeds 0.1 m s −1 and is generally NE directed as also reported by Wolanski et al [1995b]. Occasionally however, these outer‐shelf flows increase in strength and trend to the SE, coincident with the wind breakouts typical of the monsoon season.…”

Biological indicators of sedimentary dynamics in the central Gulf of Papua: Seasonal and decadal perspectives

“…Because the 2003 NW Monsoon period was impacted by El Niño conditions (i.e., low river runoff) and 2004 was not [ Ogston et al , 2008], the relative NW Monsoon‐SE Trades differences observed in the central Gulf are likely robust. These seasonal salinity patterns are also consistent with model calculations of Wolanski et al [1995]. In general, the topset region, which represents ∼70% of the clinoform surface area, experiences substantial seasonality in water column properties, and is relatively warmer and more saline during the NW Monsoon compared to the SE Trades or NW Monsoon → SE Trades Transition periods.…”

“…[21] Salinity profiles show that in the most inshore/ shallowest regions (<10 m), bottom-water salinities were $18.5-22, becoming relatively saline (>31) compared to surface waters at bathymetric depths >15 m, and remaining roughly constant seaward of the outer-topset (Figure 2b , the relative NW Monsoon-SE Trades differences observed in the central Gulf are likely robust. These seasonal salinity patterns are also consistent with model calculations of Wolanski et al [1995]. In general, the topset region, which represents $70% of the clinoform surface area, experiences substantial seasonality in water column properties, and is relatively warmer and more saline during the NW Monsoon compared to the SE Trades or NW Monsoon !…”

“…The relative increase of Chl‐ a , organic detritus, water column microbes, and decreases in salinity and temperature over the topset observed during the SE Trades in the present study implies seasonally elevated water column primary production as well as enhanced delivery of terrestrial detrital substrates to the Gulf during the SE Trades compared to the NW Monsoon period. Although most previous water column studies have emphasized either the inshore estuarine channels or offshore zones (foreset), past observations are also generally consistent with relatively increased water column Chl‐ a , bacterial abundances, suspended matter, and primary production, and with lowered salinities (greater river influence) over the topset during the SE Trades [ Wolanski et al , 1995; Robertson et al , 1998; Davies , 2004].…”

Potential transport pathways of terrigenous material in the Gulf of Papua

“…Uniformly southeast surface currents near the northeast coast reach 1 m s −1 and the bottom flow is nearly aligned with surface flow. These results are consistent with observations [ Wolanski et al , 1995]. The modeled CSCC forms a closed clockwise loop during the trade‐wind season but it has less impact on bottom flow at the shelf break than during the monsoon.…”

Building the Holocene clinothem in the Gulf of Papua: An ocean circulation study

“…Predicted surface flow over the outer shelf (Figure 11a) exceeds 0.1 m s −1 and is generally NE directed as also reported by Wolanski et al [1995b]. Occasionally however, these outer‐shelf flows increase in strength and trend to the SE, coincident with the wind breakouts typical of the monsoon season.…”

Biological indicators of sedimentary dynamics in the central Gulf of Papua: Seasonal and decadal perspectives

“…Because the 2003 NW Monsoon period was impacted by El Niño conditions (i.e., low river runoff) and 2004 was not [ Ogston et al , 2008], the relative NW Monsoon‐SE Trades differences observed in the central Gulf are likely robust. These seasonal salinity patterns are also consistent with model calculations of Wolanski et al [1995]. In general, the topset region, which represents ∼70% of the clinoform surface area, experiences substantial seasonality in water column properties, and is relatively warmer and more saline during the NW Monsoon compared to the SE Trades or NW Monsoon → SE Trades Transition periods.…”

“…[21] Salinity profiles show that in the most inshore/ shallowest regions (<10 m), bottom-water salinities were $18.5-22, becoming relatively saline (>31) compared to surface waters at bathymetric depths >15 m, and remaining roughly constant seaward of the outer-topset (Figure 2b , the relative NW Monsoon-SE Trades differences observed in the central Gulf are likely robust. These seasonal salinity patterns are also consistent with model calculations of Wolanski et al [1995]. In general, the topset region, which represents $70% of the clinoform surface area, experiences substantial seasonality in water column properties, and is relatively warmer and more saline during the NW Monsoon compared to the SE Trades or NW Monsoon !…”

“…The relative increase of Chl‐ a , organic detritus, water column microbes, and decreases in salinity and temperature over the topset observed during the SE Trades in the present study implies seasonally elevated water column primary production as well as enhanced delivery of terrestrial detrital substrates to the Gulf during the SE Trades compared to the NW Monsoon period. Although most previous water column studies have emphasized either the inshore estuarine channels or offshore zones (foreset), past observations are also generally consistent with relatively increased water column Chl‐ a , bacterial abundances, suspended matter, and primary production, and with lowered salinities (greater river influence) over the topset during the SE Trades [ Wolanski et al , 1995; Robertson et al , 1998; Davies , 2004].…”

Potential transport pathways of terrigenous material in the Gulf of Papua

“…Uniformly southeast surface currents near the northeast coast reach 1 m s −1 and the bottom flow is nearly aligned with surface flow. These results are consistent with observations [ Wolanski et al , 1995]. The modeled CSCC forms a closed clockwise loop during the trade‐wind season but it has less impact on bottom flow at the shelf break than during the monsoon.…”

Building the Holocene clinothem in the Gulf of Papua: An ocean circulation study

“…Predicted surface flow over the outer shelf (Figure 11a) exceeds 0.1 m s −1 and is generally NE directed as also reported by Wolanski et al [1995b]. Occasionally however, these outer‐shelf flows increase in strength and trend to the SE, coincident with the wind breakouts typical of the monsoon season.…”