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Annual period temperature and salinity signals of surface waters in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Author(s) -
Okkonen Stephen R.,
Bélanger Claude
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 - 10.1029/2008gl034456
Subject(s) - salinity , period (music) , oceanography , climatology , environmental science , temperature salinity diagrams , sound (geography) , geology , physics , acoustics
Temperature and salinity measurements acquired during thermosalinograph surveys conducted throughout Prince William Sound (PWS) between March 2006 and January 2008 are used to identify annual period temperature and salinity signals of surface waters. Mean states and annual period changes in oceanic conditions throughout PWS reflect proximity to glaciated watersheds. Mean temperatures are coolest in northern and western PWS and warmest in southeastern PWS. Annual period temperature amplitude is greatest in western PWS. Mean salinities are lowest in northern and western PWS and highest in central and southeastern PWS. Annual period salinity amplitude is greatest in northern and western PWS. These results represent the most spatially comprehensive descriptions to date of annual period temperature and salinity signals in PWS. The results are applicable as benchmarks for validation of numerical PWS circulation models and as a decision support tool for the use of dispersants in the event of an oil spill.