NASA understands ocean currents around Antarctica with help of elephant seal

In latest study published by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, an oceagrapher studied movement of ocean currents around Antarctic for three months. study was conducted with help of a sourn elephant seal, who was deployed with a small hat-like instrument which was equipped with sensors.

Movement of ocean currents 

study looked at movement of Antarctic Circumpolar Current which influences movement of warm water, which in turn has a major role in climate change. study found that “Antarctic Circumpolar Current flows in a loop around Antarctica, connecting Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans”. Scientists call this as most important ocean currents in our climate system as it helps in exchange of heat and or important properties among various oceans which it connects. scientists were unable to figure out process of exchange of heat which is directed vertically from top to bottom. report said that “This current is very turbulent, producing eddies - swirling vortices of water similar to storms in atmosphere - between 30 to 125 miles (50 to 200 kilometres) in diameter. It also spans some 13,000 miles (21,000 kilometres) through an especially remote and inhospitable part of world, making it one of most difficult currents for scientists”. 

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sensors used by Scientists were able to record results every time seal would dive. It recorded time, depth and water temperature. Throughout study, seal travelled 3,000 miles across Antarctic. “ seal made around 80 dives at depths ranging from 550 to 1,090 yards (500 to 1,000 meters) per day during this time.” data collected by seal was combined with altimetry data from satellites, which collect data related to ocean currents, wind direction, and wave height. This will provide new insight into research. 

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According to a study published in Nature Geoscience, oceagrapher Siegelman that ocean current consists of swirling eddies. Siegelman said, "se medium-sized eddies are kwn to drive production of small-scale fronts - sudden changes in water density similar to cold and warm fronts in atmosphere.” She furr added, “We found that se fronts were evident some 500 meters [550 yards] into ocean interior, t just in surface layer like many studies suggest and that y played an active role in vertical heat transport." According to new results provided by seal, it is difficult to conclude that movement of heat is from surface to interior of ocean. 

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