Observations of Flow Structure Around Pockmarks in Belfast Bay, Maine

Abstract

Belfast Bay, located in the Northwestern Gulf of Maine, is characterized as a shallow, muddy embayment with an extensive pockmark field. Moored current profiles were acquired over a 4 day period in July of 2011 in a spherical pockmark, approximately 35 m in diameter, with maximum and rim depths of 33 m and 22 m, respectively, and an elongated pockmark, 50 m in diameter, with maximum and rim depths of 45 m and 25 m, using ADCPs mounted on the rim and bottom of each pockmark. CTD casts at the rim and center of each pockmark indicate warmer, fresher water with fossil thermoclines above 12-15 m, about 5-8 m above the rim, and well-mixed water below 12-15 m. Current profiles show a general decrease in velocity with depth in both pockmarks. Current velocities in the elongate pockmark indicate considerable vertical structure below the rim with significant rotation, on the order of 180-360 degrees, from the surface to bottom. Lower velocities, structure and rotation were observed in the spherical pockmark. These observations suggest active mixing within both pockmarks. (Abstract ID 12116)

Department

Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping

Publication Date

2-2012

Journal Title

Ocean Sciences Meeting

Conference Date

Feb 20 - Feb 24, 2012

Publisher Place

Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Publisher

TOS/AGU/ASLO

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

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