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www.ocean-sci-discuss.net/6/1007/2009/
doi:10.5194/osd-6-1007-2009
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Problems with estimating oceanic heat transport – conceptual remarks for the case of Fram Strait in the Arctic Ocean
Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
Abstract. While the concept of oceanic heat transport – or rather heat transport divergence – is known since long, it is sometimes applied inaccurately. Often temperature transports are computed across sections with unbalanced volume flow which then depend entirely on the choice of the temperature scale. The consequences of such arbitrariness are demonstrated with a simple calculation exercise for the passages to the Arctic Ocean. To circumvent the arising difficulties for the Fram Strait as an example we propose a stream tube concept to define a net zero volume flow section which can, with coarse assumptions, be used to determine oceanic heat transport by the Atlantic water flow. Weaknesses of this approach and consequences for observational strategies are discussed.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 1950 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 3 Comments) Final Revised Paper (OS)
Citation: Schauer, U. and Beszczynska-Möller, A.: Problems with estimating oceanic heat transport – conceptual remarks for the case of Fram Strait in the Arctic Ocean, Ocean Sci. Discuss., 6, 1007-1029, doi:10.5194/osd-6-1007-2009, 2009. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager XML
