Fall 2009


Turbulent Mixing in Coastal Waters of China

Professsor Hao WEI

Tianjin University of Science and Technology
Tianjin, China

4:00 p.m., Thursday, October 1, 2009


No seminar this week

Thursday, October 8, 2009


No seminar this week

Thursday, October 15, 2009


Secular and seasonal changes of ocean tides: Model results and observations

Malte Muller

School of Earth and Ocean Sciences
University of Victoria

4:00 p.m., Thursday, October 22, 2009


Labrador Sea Water Formation, Variability and Export

Paul Myers

Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
University of Alberta

4:00 p.m., Thursday, October 29, 2009

Abstract: Based on an isopyncal analysis of historical data, 3-year overlapping triad fields of objectively analysed temperature and salinity are produced for the Labrador Sea, covering 1949-1999. These fields are then used to spectrally nudge an eddy-permitting ocean general circulation model of the sub-polar gyre, otherwise forced by inter-annually varying surface forcing based upon the Coordinated Ocean Reference Experiment (CORE). High frequency output from the reanalysis is used to examine Labrador Sea Water formation and its export. A number of different apprpoaches are used to estimate Labrador Sea Water formation, including an instanteous kinematic approach to calculate the annual rate of water mass subduction at a given density range. Historical transports are computed along sections at 53 and 56N for several different water masses for comparison with recent observations. The variability of the strength of the meridional overturning circulation (MOC) from the reanalysis is also examined in both depth and density space. Linkages between MOC variability and water mass formation variability is considered.


No seminar this week

Thursday, November 5, 2009


No seminar this week

Thursday, November 12, 2009


No seminar this week

Thursday, November 17, 2009


Impact of Arctic Storms on coastal ocean processes

Will Perrie

Bedford Institute of Oceanography

4:00 p.m., Thursday, November 26, 2009

Abstract: The focus is to simulate and understand coastal oceanographic processes driven by intense storms in the southern Beaufort Sea and related waters of the western Canadian Arctic. This area is important because the communities and industrial infrastructure are concentrated at the coast and are being impacted by coastal erosion and sediment transport processes related to marine storms. The area is also undergoing hydrocarbon exploration with potential development of the nearshore within the next decade. The project undertakes detailed studies of coastal oceanographic processes, including sea ice and ocean currents, waves, storm surges, marine winds, and related nearshore coastal erosion and sediment transport effects. Important factors are the changing extent of open water and ice, as well as the associated oceanic surface fluxes which potentially modify Arctic storm development, including marine winds, and storm-generated waves and currents. Changes and natural variability in weather and climate, including in storm tracks and intensities, associated with warming in the Beaufort-Chukchi region, can endanger coastal settlements, their expected use of coastal marine environments, aquatic species, and activities related to offshore resource development.


Bay of Fundy Tides - Past Present Future

David Greenberg

Bedford Institute of Oceanography

4:00 p.m., Thursday, December 3, 2009

Abstract: The Bay of Fundy competes with Ungava Bay for the title of highest tides in the world. The tides are the dominant influence of life in on and around the Bay. This talk will cover some of the physics of these tides and how the physics might change with the implementation of tidal power schemes and over time with changing sea level. Using our knowledge of the tidal regimes, we also explore different aspects of the ecology of the Bay and opportunities for management and planning.


Title: TBA

Speaker

Institute

4:00 p.m., Thursday, December 10, 2009


Title: TBA

Speaker

Institute

4:00 p.m., Thursday, December 17, 2009


Christmas Eve - no seminar

Thursday, December 24, 2009