Gulf Stream Velocity Structure through Combined Inversion of Hydrographic and Acoustic Doppler Data

Near-surface velocities from an acoustic doppler instrument are used in conjunction with CTD/Oz data to produce estimates of the absolute flow field off of Cape Hatteras. The data set consists of two transects across the Gulf Stream made by the R/V Endeavor cruise EN88 in August 1982. An inverse procedure is applied which makes use of both the acoustic doppler data and property conservation constraints. Velocity sections at approximately 7 3 O W and 71OW are presented with formal errors of 1-2 cm/s. The net Gulf Stream transports are estimated to be 116 = 2 Sv across the 'south' leg and 161 f 4 Sv across the 'north'. A Deep Western Boundary Current transport of 4 +. 1 Sv is also estimated. While these values do not necessarily represent the mean, they are accurate estimates of the synoptic flow field in the region.