Proposal to collect more T/S vertical profiles during Sat/Sunday

One of the most challenging task in modeling the PWS circulation is to ensure sufficient fresh-water input into the sound coming from rainfall, rivers, runoff and glaciers. We have been estimating the fresh-water input from rivers and runoff based on the WRF simulated rainfall over land (routing them through the various watersheds to put them back in the right place around the sound). However, the fresh-water inflows from glaciers remain unknown, as a result, not represented in ROMS. Thus, the ROMS simulated salinity is significantly saltier than observed.

In order to quantify the fresh-water input from glaciers, we propose to use the last two days to collect more temperature/salinity vertical profiles along a few selected sections, see blue lines in the image, filling the data gaps and close the salinity budget. The proposed cross-sections include: Valdez arm, sections for Columbia Glacier outflow, and sections for glaciers from the College Fjord.

These sections can be surveyed by ship CTDs, gliders and REMUS AUV.

Thanks for your considerations. We can discuss this at tonight and tomorrow morning's telecons.