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Sound speed as a proxy variable to temperature in Fram Strait.
Brian D Dushaw1, Hanne Sagen1, Agnieszka Beszczynska-Möller2
1Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, Thormøhlens gate 47, N-5006 Bergen, Norway.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|August 1, 2016
Summary
Ocean acoustic tomography in Fram Strait requires accurate sound speed to temperature conversion. Salinity significantly impacts sound speed, but depth-averaged temperature estimates remain reliable despite potential surface errors.
Area of Science:
- Oceanography
- Acoustics
- Arctic studies
Background:
- Fram Strait features turbulent mixing of North Atlantic and Arctic waters.
- Salinity is a key factor influencing sound speed in this dynamic ocean environment.
- Ocean acoustic tomography applications necessitate accurate sound speed-to-temperature conversions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the accuracy of converting sound speed estimates to temperature in Fram Strait.
- To investigate the influence of salinity on sound speed in the study region.
- To evaluate errors in temperature estimation from acoustic tomography data.
Main Methods:
- Utilized climatological and in situ glider data for analysis.
- Examined the relationship between sound speed, temperature, and salinity.
- Applied a scale factor for sound speed-temperature conversion.
Main Results:
- A scale factor of approximately 4.5 m/s/°C is applicable for sound speed-temperature conversion in cold waters.
- In situ data revealed ambiguities between temperature, salinity, and sound speed.
- Depth-averaged temperature errors from sound speed conversion were approximately 20 m°C, less than tomographic uncertainties.
Conclusions:
- Depth averaging suppresses errors in sound speed-temperature conversion, particularly near the surface.
- Simple scale factors provide reliable depth-averaged temperature estimates from acoustic tomography.
- The study validates the use of ocean acoustic tomography for temperature estimation in Fram Strait.
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