@article{ed79812b0fe047e3b7e32825dc1f69a6,
title = "Structure and Transport of the North Atlantic Current in the Eastern Subpolar Gyre From Sustained Glider Observations",
abstract = "Repeat glider sections obtained during 2014–2016, as part of the Overturning in the Subpolar North Atlantic Program, are used to quantify the circulation and transport of North Atlantic Current (NAC) branches over the Rockall Plateau. Using 16 glider sections collected along 58°N and between 21°W and 15°W, absolute geostrophic velocities are calculated, and subsequently the horizontal and vertical structure of the transport are characterized. The annual mean northward transport (± standard deviation) is 5.1 ± 3.2 Sv over the Rockall Plateau. During summer (May to October), the mean northward transport is stronger and reaches 6.7 ± 2.6 Sv. This accounts for 43% of the total NAC transport of upper-ocean waters (σO<27.55 kg/m3) estimated by Sarafanov et al. (2012, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JC007572) along 59.5°N, between the Reykjanes Ridge and Scotland. Two quasi-permanent northward flowing branches of the NAC are identified: (i) the Hatton Bank Jet (6.3 ± 2.1 Sv) over the eastern flank of the Iceland Basin (20.5°W to 18.5°W) and (ii) the Rockall Bank Jet (1.5 ± 0.7 Sv) over the eastern flank of the Hatton-Rockall Basin (16°W to 15°W). Transport associated with the Rockall Bank Jet is mostly depth independent during summer, while 30% of the Hatton Bank Jet transport is due to vertical geostrophic shear. Uncertainties are estimated for each individual glider section using a Monte Carlo approach, and mean uncertainties of the absolute transport are less than 0.5 Sv. Although comparisons with altimetry-based estimates indicate similar large-scale circulation patterns, altimetry data do not resolve small mesoscale current bands in the Hatton-Rockall Basin which are strongly needed for the right transport estimates.",
keywords = "AMOC, North Atlantic Current, boundary current, glider, observing system, ocean transport",
author = "L. Houpert and Inall, {M. E.} and E. Dumont and S. Gary and C. Johnson and M. Porter and Johns, {W. E.} and Cunningham, {S. A.}",
note = "Funding Information: We would like to acknowledge the efforts of Karen Wilson and Colin Griffiths in piloting the gliders and assistance from the officers and crew of the R/V Pelagia and RRS Discovery in recovering the gliders. UK-OSNAP gliders, S.?A.?C., M.?A., and L.?H. are supported by the OSNAP NERC Large grant (NE/K010700/1). M.?P. is supported by the FASTNEt NERC Consortium grant (NE/I030224/1). C.?J. received funding from the European Unions Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement 678760 (ATLAS). S.?A.?C. was supported by the Blue-Action project (European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, grant 727852). S.?F.?G. was supported by NERC National Capability funding (R8-H12-85). This study has been conducted using E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Information. This output reflects only the authors' view, and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. BODC curates the near-real-time data set (https://doi.org/10.5285/630bd9f3-2aec-2135-e053-6c86abc01eed). Please see text and references for other data sources. The authors would like to thank Jim Bennett and Fritz Stahr for their support. Funding Information: We would like to acknowledge the efforts of Karen Wilson and Colin Griffiths in piloting the gliders and assistance from the officers and crew of the R/V Pelagia and RRS Discovery in recovering the gliders. UK-OSNAP gliders, S. A. C., M. A., and L. H. are supported by the OSNAP NERC Large grant (NE/K010700/1). M. P. is supported by the FASTNEt NERC Consortium grant (NE/I030224/1). C. J. received funding from the European Unions Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement 678760 (ATLAS). S. A. C. was supported by the Blue-Action project (European Union{\textquoteright}s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, grant 727852). S. F. G. was supported by NERC National Capability funding (R8-H12-85). This study has been conducted using E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Information. This output reflects only the authors{\textquoteright} view, and the European Union cannot be held responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. BODC curates the near-real-time data set (https://doi.org/10.5285/630bd9f3- 2aec-2135-e053-6c86abc01eed). Please see text and references for other data sources. The authors would like to thank Jim Bennett and Fritz Stahr for their support.",
year = "2018",
month = aug,
doi = "10.1029/2018JC014162",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "123",
pages = "6019--6038",
journal = "Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres",
issn = "2169-897X",
number = "8",
}