Observations of thermal variations in the mixed layer depth of the equatorial Atlantic

Kwame Adu Agyekum, George Wiafe, Bob Houghton, Shaun Dolk, Tom Drake, Augustus Vogel

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

A set of Argo temperature data collected in the equatorial Atlantic [0° -5° N, 55° W-10° E] was used to estimate the mixed layer depth (MLD) and associated thermal variability for the period between January 2002 to April 2009. MLD climatology were estimated from 0.3° *0.3° median binned temperature profile using temperature difference criterion with a reference layer at 10m depth. At the 30m depth, 22° C cold water flows from the south onto the continental shelfs of Ghana-Cote D'Ivoire indicating the potential source of nutrient rich bottom water that nourishes the MLD and drives biological production. The MLD was shallow at the east and relatively deeper at the western end of the equatorial Atlantic. Variability within the MLD can be associated with variations in the westward flow of the warm and saline Equatorial Undercurrent. Further warming of the equatorial Atlantic has a potential of increasing the mixed layer depth and affecting upper surface ocean processes.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2009 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2009 - Proceedings
PagesI100-I103
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Event2009 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2009 - Cape Town
Duration: 12 Jul 200917 Jul 2009

Publication series

NameInternational Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS)
Volume1

Conference

Conference2009 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2009
Country/TerritorySouth Africa
CityCape Town
Period12/07/0917/07/09

Keywords

  • Argo profiles
  • Mixed layer depth
  • Ocean thermal variability

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