Heat transfer from Atlantic waters to sea ice in the Arctic ocean: Evidence from dissolved argon

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL017i012p02149· OSTI ID:5547211

Moore, R M; Spitzer, W

In an attempt to determine whether the temperature and salinity properties of Arctic Ocean waters above the Atlantic water temperature maximum are the result of heat transfer to sea-ice, dissolved Ar has been measured as a temperature tracer. Consistent with such a hypothesis, it is found that there is a transition from supersaturation of Ar in the upper waters to undersaturation below a depth of 275m. Using the known dependence of the solubility of Ar on T and S, assuming that the water was originally equilibrated with the atmosphere at 760mm Hg, it has been calculated that ca. 0.6C of cooling can be attributed to transfer of heat to sea-ice.

• OSTI ID: 5547211
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA), Vol. 17:12; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ARCTIC OCEAN
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
SALINITY
ARGON
ATLANTIC OCEAN
COOLING
DEPTH
DISSOLUTION
HEAT TRANSFER
ICE
SOLUBILITY
SUPERSATURATION
TRACER TECHNIQUES
DIMENSIONS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLUIDS
GASES
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
NONMETALS
RARE GASES
SATURATION
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
540310* - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (1990-)