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I am interested in the use of Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as tracers of ocean circulation and mixing processes. Our group has made CFC measurements on a number of WHP Pacific Basin Sections (P16N, P16C, P13N, P18, P21W, P15S, P14S) and have been involved in the coordination of several WHP Pacific expeditions (P16N, P13N, P18, P15S, P14S).
I am interested in the large scale distribution of CFCs in the Pacific, and the use of these transient tracers, together with the other WOCE data, to examine the time-scales, pathways, mechanisms, and rates at which CFC-bearing waters spread and ventilate the ocean interior.
Together with other WOCE CFC investigators, we are preparing an overview of the CFC data sets collected as part of the WOCE Pacific Basin One-time survey. This description focuses on large-scale features revealed by the WOCE CFC measurements and highlights the paths and various key processes for ventilation of the upper and intermediate waters of the Pacific Ocean.
CFCs are presently below detection limits in the deep waters of the North Pacific. During the WHP one-time survey, CFCs were detected in high latitude deep waters along a number of sections in the South Pacific. Measurments have revealed a distinct CFC signal in the deep western boundary current flowing northward in the Southwest Pacific Basin. Analyses are underway to describe this transport using CFCs and other tracers.
A goal of the WOCE CFC observational program is to provide a baseline for comparison with simulations generated by a variety of ocean and coupled ocean-atmosphere numerical models. Such observations-model comparisons should provide insights into the ability of present models to realistically simulate oceanic ventilation processes, and perhaps suggest means of improving the model's predicting capabilities.
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