Near-field variability of the TAG non-buoyant plume, 26°N, Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Rudnicki, M.D.; James, R.H.; Elderfield, H.. 1994 Near-field variability of the TAG non-buoyant plume, 26°N, Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 127 (1-4). 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(94)90193-7

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Abstract/Summary

We report the initial results of a nine hour monitoring of the non-buoyant plume above the TAG hydrothermal vent field at 26°N on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. A CTD (conductivity, temperature and pressure) and nephelometer (particle sensor) were continuously raised and lowered through the non-buoyant plume for nine hours at a site situated ∼ 100 m south of the hydrothermal mound. This method permits a detailed record of the variability of the non-buoyant plume close to the vent field to be made. Our results show that the particulate maximum of the non-buoyant plume appears ∼ 150 m lower in the water column at the start and end of the record, compared with profiles recorded towards the middle of the record. A corresponding structure also appears in the temperature and salinity records, with the result that the plume particle maximum resides on the σθ ≈ 27.8035 isopycnal throughout. Modelling of the rise height of an axisymmetric plume can only account for ∼ 95 m of the variability in the final level of neutral buoyancy. Plume bending due to currents is a likely explanation for the recorded temporal variability.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(94)90193-7
ISSN:	0012821X
Date made live:	07 Feb 2012 14:07 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/310305

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X(94)90193-7

ISSN:

0012821X

Date made live:

07 Feb 2012 14:07 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/310305