Using OMP analysis to observe temporal variability in water mass distribution

Previous optimum multiparameter analyses have investigated spatial distribution of water masses and reported successful results. This study tests the method further with application to a time series to examine temporal variability in water mass distribution. Observations collected from the Sargasso Sea are utilised, mainly to detect well-documented property changes that have occurred in Labrador Sea Water, but also possible fluctuations in water mass contributions as a whole. The results show much structure and variability in the contributions of Central Water and upper deep waters in the depth range 900–2000 m. It is proposed that the passage of warm and cold core eddies is indicated by these changes in relative contributions of water masses, although quantitative comparison of satellite altimetry data with the model results is not conclusive. Significant irregularities in the distribution of Labrador Sea Water are also revealed by the model. Through-flow of modified (since the early 1990s) Labrador Sea Water is denoted in the results by an apparent absence from mid-1995 to early 1998. This suggests a transit time of 5–6 years between the Labrador Sea and Bermuda, which is consistent with observational findings described in the literature.