Continental Shelf Processes
How will the key science questions be addressed?
Upwelling and downwelling
What is the temporal and spatial variability and nature of cross-shelf exchange (upwelling and downwelling) including carbon, for the Kangaroo Island – Eyre Peninsula region and what role do canyons, the gulfs and coastal trapped waves play?
The role of canyons in upwelling will be investigated using Conductivity, Temperature Depth surveys and sea glider observations. Both cross- and alongshore variability can be measured with the repeat mission path. For the Kangaroo Island - Eyre Peninsula region, the slope data streams noted above will be supplemented using the shelf moorings, Slocum gliders, HF RADAR and the eight Conductivity Temperature Depth field surveys that the SA-IMOS Node currently undertakes each year. The National Reference Station off Kangaroo Island is deployed at a choke point of isobaths and thus the along shore flow. In addition, it sits in the western part of the Kangaroo Island cold pool, (McClatchie et al 2006). The Slocum glider path allows for the determination of cross- and along-shelf variability.
What is the temporal and spatial variability and nature of cross-shelf exchange (upwelling and downwelling) for the Bonney and Otway Coastal regions?
For the Bonney Coast, the CODAR RADAR system will provide data that will allow surface currents to be mapped and related to satellite sea-surfece temperature. In addition, sea level data is available from the National Tide Centre Portland monitoring station. Bottom temperature data is also been obtained from the Acoustic Observatory off Portland. To supplement these data streams a new mooring will be deployed on the shelf so as to provide the supplementary vertical current structure to that of the RADAR. For the Otway Coast, 6 new Conductivity Temperature Depth moorings will gather data over 3 cross-shelf transects that will, in conjunction with that above, allow for the determination of the spatial and temporal variability of upwelling to be determined.