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Research Document - 2002/077

A comparison of the 1961-1990 and 1971-2000 means for selected oceanographic data sets in the Newfoundland Region

By E. Colbourne, C. Fitzpatrick and J. Craig

Abstract

A comparison of the 1961-1990 and 1971-2000 monthly means of temperature and salinity at several sites in Newfoundland waters including St. Pierre Bank, Station 27 and the Flemish Cap are presented. In addition, seasonal and annual oceanographic indices derived from annual oceanographic and fish assessment surveys are also presented for the two time periods. The 30-year time period of 1961-1990 included data from the warm-salty 1960s and the two cold-fresh periods of the early 1970s and mid-1980s, whereas the new standard (1971-2000) covers three cold-fresh periods of the early 1970s, mid-1980s and the early 1990s. As a result ocean temperatures in Newfoundland waters were generally colder during the 1971-2000 time period compared to 1961-1990. The most significant temperature anomalies occurred in the upper water column where some of the largest monthly mean differences were observed. Although the deeper waters of the cold intermediate layer (>75-m) were also colder during the 1971-2000 time period during all months of the year. Salinities were generally lower during 1971-2000 compared to the 1961-1990 base period. Again the most significant salinity anomalies and monthly mean differences over the two time periods were restricted to the upper water column, where the freshening effects of sea ice melt dominates. As a result of the changing standards for computing long-term means, time series of temperature and salinity anomalies on the Newfoundland Shelf during the past several decades will appear warmer and saltier referenced to the new base period compared to the previous.

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