Ocean Turbulence Measurements from the Western Weddell Sea

Direct measurements of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation and vertical mixing processes were collected in the western Weddell Sea, Antarctica. The data was gathered by the German research icebreaker RV Polarstern using microstructure profilers. The project is funded by the NSF and is anticipated to be updated through 2027.

Use Cases

• Estimate diapycnal diffusivities from direct measurements of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation.
• Examine the influence of tides, topography, and wind forcing on ocean mixing rates.
• Evaluate the effects of turbulent mixing on vertical fluxes of heat and nutrients.
• Improve model predictions of ocean–ice interactions using observed turbulence data.

Strengths

• Data collected from a rarely visited region where thick multi-year sea ice hinders research vessel access.
• Direct measurements of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation using microstructure profilers.
• Project funded through NSF's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

Limitations

• Specific row count, column details, and sample size are unknown.
• Geographic scope is limited to the western Weddell Sea continental shelf.

Provenance

Source

AMD_USAPDC, collected via RV Polarstern.

Collection Method

Microstructure profilers deployed from a research icebreaker.

Freshness

Data is anticipated to be updated through 2027-08-31.

Geography

Western Weddell Sea continental shelf, Antarctica.