The climode field campaign observing the cycle of convection and restratification over the gulf stream

A field experiment that provides a wintertime atmospheric and oceanic convection over the Gulf Stream, where the ocean gives up its heat to the atmosphere during intense storms is discussed. Key aspects of the fluid dynamics associated with mode water formation and dispersion remain uncertain. The fundamental mechanism of mode water formation itself has been the subject of recent debate. The CLIMODE field program involved a synergistic deployment of moorings, profiling floats, surface drifters, and shipboard studies. Biogeochemcial observations were integrated into CLIMODE to resolve the impact of biological uptake air-sea gas exchange, advection, and mixing during STMW formation and dispersal. CLIMODE used several different observing strategies to study upper-ocean structure during wintertime convection: cable-lowered conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) to examine cross-frontal structure and ventilation; SeaSoar and shipboard Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) for mesoscale structure, subduction, and ventilation.

Duke Scholars

Author M. Susan Lozier Earth and Climate Sciences