Salinity
as a function of time at 10 meters, 200 meters, and 1,000
meters depth as recorded at Ocean Weather Station Bravo
in the Labrador Sea. Deep convection is possible when
the salinity difference between shallow and deep water
is small. This normally occurs every winter. However,
from 1968 to 1971, the presence of the fresh, shallow,
Great Salinity Anomaly prevented deep convection. Unfortunately,
Weather Station Bravo is no longer maintained. Scientists
will need to use new technology like the PALACE float
in order to reestablish such time series. Such data is
essential for understanding the role of freshwater anomalies
in the climate system.[back]
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