The near‐surface circulation and exchange in the newfoundland grand banks region

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Abstract
Analysis of 39 satellite‐tracked drifter records from the Newfoundland Grand Banks region has allowed maps of the mean and variable flows to be drawn. The variable currents are particularly large relative to the mean for the shelf, Flemish Cap and in the Newfoundland Basin. The ratio of the mean to variable flow is largest along the path of the Labrador Current. Drifters that either have been released on or migrate onto the Grand Banks remain therefor an average of 71 d. A statistical study of the effect of wind on drifter motion has shown that winds can only account for about 10% of current variability. This result is examined with consideration given to data noise, aliasing and non‐stationary conditions. Some drifters that were deployed in the Labrador Current moved onto the shelf and vice versa. These observations have been used to estimate the rate of exchange between the Current and the Grand Banks. Using this exchange rate in a box model, it is calculated that, over the iceberg season, 30% of the bergs will be in the Avalon Channel, 20% on the Grand Banks and 50% in the Labrador Current, in good agreement with the observed distribution. An alternative model based solely on advection is considered as well. The exchange model is also applied to the salinity budget for the Labrador Current with some success.

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