Long-term observations of Alaska Coastal Current in the northern Gulf of Alaska

Details

• Journal Title:
  Deep-Sea Research Part II-Topical Studies in Oceanography
• Personal Author:
  Stabeno, Phyllis J. ; Bell, Shaun ; Cheng, Wei ; Danielson, Seth ; Kachel, Nancy B. ; Mordy, Calvin W.
• NOAA Program & Office:
  OAR (Oceanic and Atmospheric Research) ; PMEL (Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory) ; JISAO (Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean)
• Description:
  The Alaska Coastal Current is a continuous, well-defined system extending for 1700 km along the coast of Alaska from Seward, Alaska to Samalga Pass in the Aleutian Islands. The currents in this region are examined using data-collected at > 20 mooring sites and from > 400 satellite-tracked drifters. While not continuous, the mooring data span a 30 year period (1984-2014). Using current meter data collected at a dozen mooring sites spread over four lines (Seward, Gore Point, Kennedy and Stevenson Entrances, and the exit to Shelikof Strait) total transport was calculated. Transport was significantly correlated with alongshore winds, although the correlation at the Seward Line was weak. The largest mean transport in the Alaska Coastal Current occurred at Gore Point (1.4 x 10(6) m(3) s(-1) in winter and 0.6 x 10(6) m(3) S-1 in summer), with the transport at the exit to Shelikof Strait (1.3 x 10(6) m(3) s(-1) in winter and 0.6 x 10(6) m(3) S-1 in summer) only slightly less. The transport was modified at the Seward Line in late summer and fall by frontal undulations associated with strong river discharge that enters onto the shelf at that time of year. The interaction of the Alaska Coastal Current and tidal currents with shallow banks in the vicinity of Kodiak Archipeligo and in Kennedy-Stevenson Entrance results in mixing and prolonged primary production throughout the summer. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
• Source:
  Deep-Sea Research Part Ii-Topical Studies in Oceanography, 132, 24-40.
• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2015.12.016
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  Grant no. NA17RJ1232
• Rights Information:
  Accepted Manuscript
• Rights Statement:
  The NOAA IR provides access to this content under the authority of the government's retained license to distribute publications and data resulting from federal funding. While users may legally access this content, the copyright owners retain rights that govern the reproduction, redistribution, and re-use of this work. The user is solely responsible for complying with applicable copyright law.
• Compliance:
  Submitted
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:45a32ef79b40b8dfa96028fa02e69253167cc393f4f17bd931f6036029b8cd2ff19b828e1b67e5c6971ece36cae11f7790cd8592108c4fd6e05c7c0a45f6bc73
• Download URL:
  https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/13254/noaa_13254_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 8.92 MB ]