Science Meetings

The North Atlantic Subtropical Surface Salinity Maximum as Observed by Aquarius

Bingham, F., Busecke, J., Gordon, A., Giulivi, C., and Li, Z. (26-Feb-14)

The subtropical surface salinity maximum (SSM) in the North Atlantic was studied as part of the SPURS (Salinity Processes in the Upper Ocean Regional Study) experiment in 2012-2013. This poster documents the structure and variability of the SSM using Aquarius data during the two-year period August 2011 - August 2013. The Aquarius data show the seasonal migration and freshening of the SSM in good agreement with previous observations. The extent of the SSM has a surprisingly large amount of secular variability. It has decreased in area by about 20% over the time period that Aquarius has been making measurements. There has also been a general freshening of the area where the SSM is located, larger than any expected seasonal changes.

The Aquarius/SAC-D mission is a collaboration between NASA and Argentina's space agency, Comisión Nacional de Actividades Espaciales (CONAE). Communication, public engagement and web content for Aquarius is provided by the University of Maine. The Aquarius mission is supported by the NASA Science Mission Directorate and additional information on the Aquarius mission is available here. Click here for privacy policy and important notices.

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Last Updated: 26 July 2017