EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Meier 2005
Meier, H.E.M. (2005). Modeling the age of Baltic Seawater masses: Quantification and steady state sensitivity experiments. Journal of Geophysical Research 110: doi: 10.1029/2004JC002607. issn: 0148-0227.

Ages of Baltic Seawater masses for the period 1903--1998 were quantified using a three-dimensional (3-D) coupled ice-ocean model. Therefore an additional Eulerian tracer for the age of seawater was embedded. The age is the time elapsed since a water particle left the sea surface. Median ages of the bottom water between 1 year in the Bornholm Basin and 7 years in the northwestern Gotland Basin were found. During 1903--1998 the oldest bottom water of about 11 years appeared at Landsort Deep. In the halocline of the deeper basins a secondary age maximum was calculated. In the eastern Gotland Basin 3 stagnation periods (in the 1920/1930s, 1950/1960s, and 1980/1990s) with ages exceeding 8 years were found. Further, the sensitivities of modeled salinity and age on freshwater supply, wind speed, and amplitude of the sea level in Kattegat were investigated. In steady state the average salinity of the Baltic is most sensitive to perturbations of freshwater inflow. Increased freshwater inflow and wind speed result both in decreased salinity whereas increased amplitude of the Kattegat sea level results in increased salinity. The average age is most sensitive to perturbations of the wind speed. Especially, decreased wind speed causes significantly increased age of the deep water. On the other hand, the impact of changing freshwater or sea level in Kattegat on the average age is comparatively small, suggesting invariance of stability and ventilation in steady state approximately. A simple conceptual model for the Baltic deep water ventilation was applied to explain the 3-D model results.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Oceanography, General, Climate and interannual variability (1616, 1635, 3305, 3309, 4513), Oceanography, General, Marginal and semi-enclosed seas, Oceanography, General, Numerical modeling (0545, 0560), Oceanography, General, Water masses, Baltic Sea, numerical modeling, climate variability, deepwater ventilation, age of seawater, residence times
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit