An updated observational record of Davis Strait ocean transports, 2004-2017 | CU Experts

The Davis Strait, located in Southern Baffin Bay between Greenland and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, is a key gateway of oceanic exchange between the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans. Large fluxes of fresh Arctic Waters through the Davis Strait potentially influence deep-water formation in the Labrador Sea, with implications for the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. From 2004-2017, and 2020-present, ocean temperatures, salinities, and velocities have been measured along a moored array spanning the entire strait, allowing for ocean transports to be assessed over both the continental shelves and central channel. Here we will present new data from 2011-2017, extending the previously published data for 2004-2010. Furthermore, the whole record has been updated, filling spatial and short temporal data gaps using average temperature, salinity, and velocity sections from high resolution Seaglider surveys from 2004 to 2010. These updated volume, freshwater, and watermass transports will increase understanding of changing oceanic conditions in Baffin Bay, as well as local and remote physical mechanisms that govern the Davis Strait throughflow on synoptic to interannual timescales.

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