Edwards, C. R.; Haines, S. M.; Seim, H. E.; Nelson, J. R.; Moore, T.; Seasonal and Interannual Variability in the Georgia Bight, ASLO/TOS Ocean Research 2004 Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii

Abstract

The South Atlantic Bight Synoptic Offshore Observation Network (SABSOON) comprises a grid of towers outfitted with multiple observational packages designed to capture synoptic activity on the continental shelf in real-time. The database now available from the long record of continuous real-time observations allows the unique opportunity to examine shelf.

This study focuses on observations at two towers located on the mid- to Georgia coast. Multi-year records of near-surface and near-bottom temperature and salinity data are available from both of the towers in the observational array, at six minute resolution for three and four years, respectively, at the near and offshore towers.

Further, two and three year records of continuous six-minute currents from ADCPs give an unprecedented view of seasonal and interannual variability through the water column, at 1-meter vertical resolution. Data from both towers are examined, and the vertical and temporal structure of the currents described, noting evidence of periodic intrusions of Gulf Stream influence.In addition to standard time series analysis techniques, non-stationary methods are employed to characterize variability. The seasonal and interannual variability in the two and three dimensional structure of the current and density fields is further analyzed and put into context with what is known about coastal processes at subtidal time scales in the South Atlantic Bight.

Citation

Edwards, C. R.; Haines, S. M.; Seim, H. E.; Nelson, J. R.; Moore, T.; Seasonal and Interannual Variability in the Georgia Bight, ASLO/TOS Ocean Research 2004 Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii

The complete powerpoint poster is available.

For more information, see the SEACOOS Modeling Working Group.