ADCP and CMiPS data collection during 2002

L. Padman, R. Beardsley, and S. Howard

We briefly describe the status of vessel-mounted ADCP data collection, post-cruise editing, and web-based accessibility of the data. We then describe the collection of vertical profiles of scalar microstructure with “CMiPS” on 2 cruises in 2002, concentrating on the winter Palmer survey cruise. CMiPS measures T and C at much higher resolution than is possible with the CTD. The data indicate patches of turbulence in the pycnocline that are capable of generating locally strong vertical fluxes. We have not yet fully processed enough of the data to determine mean heat fluxes or to make comparisons with the results of bulk parameterizations that we used in our mixing paper submitted to the DSR II SO GLOBEC special issue. Nevertheless, a quick scan of the CMiPS data supports our contention that double-diffusive convection (DDC) provides little if any flux upwards from the UCDW to the mixed layer, leaving shear-driven mixing as the most likely cause of heat, salt and nutrient provision to the mixed layer from below. These results allow us to focus future modeling efforts on sources of velocity shear.