The Labrador Sea Convection Experiment

Deep convection is a central component of the thermohaline circulation of the world ocean. Cooling and salinization of surface waters at high latitudes cause them to sink to great depth. This cold, dense water then spreads away from the formation site to renew the deep and bottom waters of the world ocean. The details of the convective process remain largely unknown, however, because they are difficult to observe and model. The purpose of the Labrador Sea experiment is, by a combination of field observations, laboratory studies, theory and modeling, to improve our understanding of the convective process and hence the fidelity of parametric representations used in large-scale models.

In the winter of 1996-97 and again in 1997-98 major field experiments were carried out in the Labrador Sea to study the process of water mass formation due to ocean deep convection. The file experiment consist of hydrographic expeditions, moored sensors and floats and drifter. In addition a few air craft overflight are planned. This is an international effort with groups from Canada, Germany and the USA. Much of the knowlegde of the detailed process of deep convection relies on results from laboratory and numerical experiments. Therefor theoretical ideas and laboratory experiemtns are pursued as part of this experiment. Moreover, basin scale numerical gerneral circulation models are set up to simulate the large scale behavior of the Labrador Sea.