Protecting the Ross Sea

Tides of the Ross Sea and Ross Ice Shelf cavity

Two new ocean tide models for the Ross Sea including the ocean cavity under the Ross Ice Shelf, are described. The optimum model for predicting ice shelf surface height variability is based on assimilation of gravimetry-derived tidal constituents from the Ross Ice Shelf. Synthetic aperture radar interferograms provide an independent test of model performance. The standard deviation of tide heig...

Photosynthesis--irradiance responses in the Ross Sea

Introduction Conclusions References

Microzooplankton herbivory in the Ross Sea, Antarctica

Microplankton abundances and phytoplankton mortality rates were determined at six stations during four cruises spanning three seasons in the Ross Sea polynya, Antarctica (early spring, Oct.}Nov. 1996; mid-late summer, Jan.}Feb. 1997; fall, Apr. 1997; mid-late spring, Nov.}Dec. 1997). Rates of microzooplankton herbivory were measured using a modi"ed dilution technique, as well as by examining th...

Tidal Dynamics in the Ross Sea

Numerical Simulations of the Ross Sea Tides

Tidal currents below the floating Ross Ice shelf are reconstructed by using a numerical tidal model. They are predominantly diurnal, achieve maximum strength in regions near where the ice shelf runs aground, and are significantly enhanced by topographic Rossby wave propagation along the ice front. A comparison with observations of the vertical motion of the ice shelf surface indicates that the ...