Evidence for enhanced mixing over rough topography in the abyssal ocean
Article Abstract:
Measurements of tracer disperson and turbulent energy dissipation in the abyssal Brazil basin show diffusivities of between 2 cm2 s-1 and 4 cm2 s-1 at a depth of 500 mt above abyssal hills on the flank of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and around 10 cm2 s-1 nearer the bottom. This amount of mixing may be sufficiently large to close the buoyancy budget for the Brazil basin. The turbulent diffusivities are a factor of two to three larger than those obtained from preliminary observations above the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and a revised estimate now closes the abyssal Brazil basin heat budget within the uncertainties.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2000
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Intense mixing of Antarctic Bottom Water in the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean
Article Abstract:
The Antarctic Bottom Water, the densest water mass, in the equatorial Atlantic Ocean is regionalized to the western basins while the eastern basins are replenished by water coming from the gaps and improved by mixing when it falls. Measurements to this effect were made using a High-Resolution Profiler (HRP), a free-falling recording profiler, and a Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) instrument. The flow was described to be vertically sheared resulting in severe disorder. This disorder was responsible for the lowered temperature of waters as a result of mixing.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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Volcanic growth faults and the origin of Pacific abyssal hills
Article Abstract:
Origins of the abyssal hills which characterize more than 30% of the Pacific Ocean floor were modeled based on observations made with the submersible Alvin. It was found that these abyssal hills are created on the flanks of the East Pacific Rise as horsts and grabens which lengthen with time. Normal faulting produce ridge-facing scarps which bound the hills on one side, while volcanic growth faulting produce the more gentle slopes which bound the hills on the other side.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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