Problems with estimation and interpretation of oceanic heat transport – conceptual remarks for the case of Fram Strait in the Arctic Ocean

[摘要] While the concept of oceanic heat transport – or rather heat transportdivergence – is well known, it is sometimes applied inaccurately. Oftenso-called "heat transports" are computed across a partial section whichmeans that the volume flow through such a section is not zero. In this casethe "heat transports" depend entirely on the choice of the temperaturescale. The consequences of such arbitrariness are demonstrated with a simplecalculation exercise for the passages to the Arctic Ocean. To circumvent thearising difficulties for the Fram Strait in the Arctic we propose a streamtube concept to define a net zero volume flow section which can, with coarseassumptions, be used to determine oceanic heat transport by the portion ofAtlantic water flow that passes through Fram Strait. Weaknesses of thisapproach and consequences for observational strategies are discussed.

[学科分类] 海洋学与技术