The wind-forced response on a buoyant coastal current: Observations of the western Gulf of Maine plume
Journal of Marine Systems
By: D.A. Fong, W.R. Geyer, and R. P. Signell
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
The Freshwater plume in the western Gulf of Maine is being studied as part of an interdisciplinary investigation of the physical transport of a toxic alga. A field program was conducted in the springs of 1993 and 1994 to map the spatial and temporal patterns of salinity, currents and algal toxicity. The observations suggest that the plume's cross-shore structure varies markedly as a function of fluctuations in alongshore wind forcing. Consistent with Ekman drift dynamics, upwelling favorable winds spread the plume offshore, at times widening it to over 50 km in offshore extent, while downwelling favorable winds narrow the plume width to as little as 10 km. Using a simple slab model, we find qualitative agreement between the observed variations of plume width and those predicted by Ekman theory for short time scales of integration. Near surface current meters show significant correlations between cross-shore currents and alongshore wind stress, consistent with Ekman theory. Estimates of the terms in the alongshore momentum equation calculated from moored current meter arrays also indicate a dominant Ekman balance within the plume. A significant correlation between alongshore currents and winds suggests that interfacial drag may be important, although inclusion of a Raleigh drag term does not significantly improve the alongshore momentum balance.
Suggested Citation
Fong, D., Geyer, W., Signell, R.P., 1997, The wind-forced response on a buoyant coastal current: Observations of the western Gulf of Maine plume: Journal of Marine Systems, v. 12, no. 1-4, p. 69-81, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-7963(96)00089-9.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | The wind-forced response on a buoyant coastal current: Observations of the western Gulf of Maine plume |
| Series title | Journal of Marine Systems |
| DOI | 10.1016/S0924-7963(96)00089-9 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue | 1-4 |
| Year Published | 1997 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Elsevier |
| Contributing office(s) | Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center |
| Description | 13 p. |
| First page | 69 |
| Last page | 81 |
| Country | United States |
| Other Geospatial | Gulf of Maine |