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Subduction of South Pacific waters
Author(s) -
Qu Tangdong,
Gao Shan,
Fukumori Ichiro,
Fine Rana A.,
Lindstrom Eric J.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2007gl032605
Subject(s) - argo , subduction , antarctic intermediate water , mode water , geology , subtropics , range (aeronautics) , oceanography , mixed layer , ocean gyre , deep water , seismology , north atlantic deep water , materials science , fishery , biology , composite material , tectonics
Using existing high‐resolution CTD observations, complemented by a large amount of recently available Argo floating data, this study provides a detailed description of the subduction of South Pacific waters. With a significantly improved climatological dataset on the mixed layer properties, we obtain an annual subduction rate of 48.8 Sv (1 Sv = 10 6 m 3 s −1 ) from 10°S to 60°S in the South Pacific. Two peaks stand out in this subduction rate sorted by winter mixed layer density: one corresponds to the formation of eastern Subtropical Mode Water (STMW) and part of the Subtropical Underwater (SUW) between 25.0 and 25.5 σ θ , and the other has a density range between 26.6 and 27.1 σ θ , representing the formation of Sub‐Antarctic Mode Water and Antarctic Intermediate Water (SAMW/AAIW). The subduction in eastern STMW/SUW range is 12.7 Sv, only slightly smaller than that (14.6 Sv) associated with the SAMW/AAIW. Sandwiched between these two peaks, roughly in the density range between 26.0 and 26.5 σ θ , is the southwestern STMW, with a relatively small annual subduction of 5.6 Sv. Uncertainties of these estimates are discussed.