Freshwater from the Bay of Biscay shelves in 2009.
Authors
Reverdin, G.; Marié, L.; Lazure, P.; D'Ovidio, F.; Boutin, J.; Testor, P.; Martín, N.; Lourenço, A.; Gaillard, F.; Lavín, A. (Alicia); Rodríguez, C.; Somavilla, R.; Mader, J.; Rubio, A.; Blouch, P.; Rolland, J.; Bozec, Y.; Charria, G.; Batifoulier, F.; Dumas, F.; Louazel, S.; Chanut, J.Editor's version
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924796311002326Type
articleKeywords
Shelf circulationSalinity
Cross-slope exchanges
Ocean monitoring
Abstract
In April
–
November 2009, surface salinity data provide a good coverage of most of the south-east Bay of Biscay
and nearby Aquitaine/Armorican shelves. By late April most of the shelf, in particular south of 46°N, is covered
by a fresh surface layer amounting to a fresh water volume of 49·10
9
m
3
. At that time, a moderate amount of
fresh water has spread over the Landes Plateau. By mid-June, this shelf water penetrates over the Cape Ferret
Canyon north of the Landes Plateau. By mid-July, it is found west of the Landes Plateau to at least 4°W, with an
estimated fresh-water content of 11
–
14·10
9
m
3
. Drifters deployed on June 17 in the Cape Ferret Canyon, or
later on the shelves, con
fi
rm the spreading of shelf fresh-water over the deep ocean. Lagrangian tracking using
altimetric products, also con
fi
rms the transport by a quasi-stationary circulation. Operational numerical simula-
tions (PREVIMER, IBI, HYCOM) display this spread of the freshwater, but in ...