Water masses and flow fields of the southern ocean measured by autonomous profiling floats (Argo floats)

Abstract

Using data from Argo floats collected in the Southern Ocean, we describe water mass properties and flow fields at intermediate levels (1000 m and 2000 m levels). Water mass properties from Argo floats, which are consistent with those from previous hydrographic surveys, reflect the movement of the floats well even without quality control on the Argo data. Since the flow fields from the Argo floats do not cover the entire Southern Ocean, we could not obtain a general circulation pattern, especially at the 2000 m level. We, however, can confirm the general eastward tendency due to ACC largely following the topography.