This project involves processing and analyzing lowered and shipboard acoustic Doppler current meter (LADCP, SADCP) velocity data that have been collected along a transect of the Labrador Sea ("AR7W"), usually once each year in spring/early summer, since 1995. This transect crosses the southern part of the region of strong convection that occurs most winters in the Labrador Sea. Hydrographic data were also collected on these cruises, allowing for the computation of absolute velocity fields for the transects in two ways: using the ADCP data alone, and using it in conjunction with the hydrographic data. In addition, the combination of absolute velocity and hydrographic data can be used to evaluate the heat flux across this transect. The goals of this project, using these results, are: 1) to quantify the relationships between the strength of the circulation, the strength of convection, and forcing parameters; 2) to evaluate the various components of meridional heat transport across AR7W and relate them to deep convection and boundary current strength; and 3) to examine the continuity of the Labrador Current/Deep Western Boundary Current around the Grand Banks. Also, as part of this project, the LADCP instrument will continue to be sent on these annual cruises, so that this time series can be extended through at least 2010: this is important because interdecadal variability in the region is expected to be significant.
The processed lowered ADCP datasets will be made public in a timely manner, through a website, while the shipboard ADCP data will be submitted to both the national Canadian archive as well as the NODC JASADCP. The Labrador Sea continues to be an area of active research, and indeed our project complements other programs recently funded for this geographical region. Furthermore, although we plan to address specific scientific questions with this dataset, the public availability of the velocity observations may stimulate additional research opportunities for scientists and students in this and related fields.
