Observing the bottom density current over a shelf using an Argo profiling float

Abstract

Pressure, temperature, and salinity data collected during the winter of 2011/2012 by an Argo profiling float over the Adriatic shelf were used to document the dense water formation and subsequent bottom density current (BDC) normally occurring along the shelf slope. The float was advected to the Jabuka Pit and neighboring shallow area (<275 m) after October 2010. The parking depth was set to approximately 150 m, enabling the float to mostly follow the firstOnlineseabed between December 2011 and July 2012. The profiler measured strong spatial-temporal changes in the BDC thickness (from a few to about 50 m) and the bottom density (between 29.46 and 29.88 kg/m3). These observations show that an Argo float has the capability to observe a bottom density current and suggest that it would be possible to systematically use such floats to investigate these processes on coastal shelves. © 2013. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.