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Title: Eddy‐driven sediment transport in the A rgentine B asin: Is the height of the Z apiola R ise hydrodynamically controlled?

Journal Article · · Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/2014JC010573· OSTI ID:1240444
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5]
  1. Computational, and Statistical Sciences Division Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos New Mexico USA
  2. Theoretical Division Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos New Mexico USA
  3. Department of Earth Sciences University of Oxford Oxford UK
  4. Department of Physical Oceanography Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Woods Hole Massachusetts USA
  5. Department of Physical Oceanography Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research den Burg Netherlands
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Abstract In this study, we address the question whether eddy‐driven transports in the Argentine Basin can be held responsible for enhanced sediment accumulation over the Zapiola Rise, hence accounting for the existence and growth of this sediment drift. To address this question, we perform a 6 year simulation with a strongly eddying ocean model. We release two passive tracers, with settling velocities that are consistent with silt and clay size particles. Our experiments show contrasting behavior between the silt fraction and the lighter clay. Due to its larger settling velocity, the silt fraction reaches a quasisteady state within a few years, with abyssal sedimentation rates that match net input. In contrast, clay settles only slowly, and its distribution is heavily stratified, being transported mainly along isopycnals. Yet, both size classes display a significant and persistent concentration minimum over the Zapiola Rise. We show that the Zapiola Anticyclone, a strong eddy‐driven vortex that circulates around the Zapiola Rise, is a barrier to sediment transport, and hence prevents significant accumulation of sediments on the Rise. We conclude that sediment transport by the turbulent circulation in the Argentine Basin alone cannot account for the preferred sediment accumulation over the Rise. We speculate that resuspension is a critical process in the formation and maintenance of the Zapiola Rise.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
DE‐AC52‐06NA25396; AC52-06NA25396
OSTI ID:
1240444
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1212459; OSTI ID: 1240386; OSTI ID: 1295961
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-14-28687
Journal Information:
Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans Vol. 120 Journal Issue: 3; ISSN 2169-9275
Publisher:
American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 6 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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