Analysis of the Vema Fracture Zone Exploratory Measurements [VEX] Datasets

Vema 断裂带探索性测量 [VEX] 数据集分析

• 批准号: 0424076
• 负责人: Michael McCartney
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2004
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2004-08-01 至 2007-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0424076&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Analysis; Vema; Fracture; Zone; Exploratory

0424076Intellectual Merit: This project will analyze observations collected during the field phase of the Vema Fracture Zone Exploratory (VEX) Measurement program carried out in 2001-2003. The Vema Fracture Zone (VFZ) is an abyssal passage through the Mid-Atlantic Ridge near 11 degrees N, connecting the Guiana and Gambia Basins and permitting eastward flow of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) and North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW). The VEX measurements were directed towards determination of the intensity and structure of the flow in the VFZ, the source pathways delivering waters to the VFZ, and the strength of the vertical mixing within the fracture zone. In the field phase of the project, 95 hydrographic stations were sampled and six moorings with a total of 18 current meters and three moored profilers were deployed. The completed analysis and synthesis of the VEX data will provide a greatly improved picture of the abyssal flow through a low-latitude fracture zone linking two of the North Atlantic abyssal basins. This will advance our understanding of the deep component of the meridional overturning circulation, particularly through the recognition that much of the total diapycnal flow occurs in the restricted areas of fracture zones and steep topography. The description of the VFZ flow will also aid in validating the representation of flow through narrow passages in large-scale numerical simulations. Broader Impacts: The moored profilers deployed during VEX for the first time outside their test and developmental phase, are novel instruments profiling current velocities, temperature, salinity, and pressure. Demonstrating the utility of simultaneous time series of velocity and CTD profiles for improved estimation of transports and mixing will benefit future moored profiler deployments. The analysis of the VEX data forms one component of the joint GAGE/VEX program. The funds requested will provide the opportunity for a young scientist to advance her skills in analyzing oceanographic processes using data from a variety of instrument sources.

0424076Intlectual的优点：该项目将分析在VEMA断裂区探索性（VEX）测量计划的现场阶段收集的观察结果。 Vema断裂区（VFZ）是一个深处穿过11度N附近的中大西洋山脊，连接了圭亚那和冈比亚盆地，并允许南极底部水（AABW）和北大西洋深水（NADW）向东流动。 VEX测量值针对VFZ中流动的强度和结构的确定，源通路将水输送到VFZ以及断裂区内垂直混合的强度。 在该项目的现场阶段，对95个水文站进行了采样，并部署了6个电流，总共有18米和3个系泊探影仪。 VEX数据的完整分析和合成将极大地改善通过连接北大西洋深渊盆地的低纬度裂缝区域的深渊流动。这将提高我们对子午倾覆循环的深层组成部分的理解，特别是通过认识到，大部分总毛囊流量发生在断裂区域和陡峭地形的受限区域中。 VFZ流的描述还将有助于通过大规模数值模拟中的狭窄段落来验证流量的表示。 更广泛的影响：在Vex期间部署的停泊的剖析师首次在他们的测试和发育阶段之外，是新的工具谱图当前速度，温度，盐度和压力。证明速度和CTD配置文件的同时时间序列的实用性，以改进对运输和混合的估计，将使未来的系泊剖面部署受益。 VEX数据的分析构成了关节量规/VEX程序的一个组成部分。所要求的资金将为年轻科学家提供机会，以利用来自各种仪器来源的数据来提高她在分析海洋学过程方面的技能。