Topographically Controlled Flow on the West Spitsbergen Shelf

No abstracts are to be cited without prior reference to the author.

A one layer numerical model is developed that demonstrates how the Atlantic Water (AW) from the West Spitsbergen Current (WSC) is topographically steered onto the West Spitsbergen Shelf (WSS) with a special emphasize on the Isfjorden Trough. Model results show that the WSC connects easier to the Isfjorden Trough than anywhere else on the shelf, letting the trough being exposed to warm and saline AW. The simple one layer barotropic model gives a good approximation of the dynamical processes on the WSS, which plays a significant role in the cooling process of the AW in the WSC on its way towards the Arctic Ocean. The intrusion of AW on Arctic shelves and into fjord systems also represents a transition from Arctic-type water masses to Atlantic-type water masses, and a complete change in the biomass and species composition. Estimates of oceanic heat transport on the WSS and towards the fjord system is presented. This heat has the potential to increase the melt rate of glaciers and has been identified as a likely mechanism leading to the acceleration, thinning and retreat of glaciers along the west coast of Spitsbergen.