Modeling Turbulent Subglacial Meltwater Plumes: Implications for Fjord-Scale Buoyancy-Driven Circulation

TLDR

"The simulations reveal that turbulent entrainment vertically transports heat and salt, causing plumes to appear warm and salty rather than cold and fresh, and that fjord-scale circulation—and the return flow of warm water toward the glacier—is strongly influenced by subglacial conduit geometry." Now ensure each sentence ends with period, no extra. Count 4 sentences. Good. Check no semicolons?

Abstract

Abstract Fjord-scale circulation forced by rising turbulent plumes of subglacial meltwater has been identified as one possible mechanism of oceanic heat transfer to marine-terminating outlet glaciers. This study uses buoyant plume theory and a nonhydrostatic, three-dimensional ocean–ice model of a typical outlet glacier fjord in west Greenland to investigate the sensitivity of meltwater plume dynamics and fjord-scale circulation to subglacial discharge rates, ambient stratification, turbulent diffusivity, and subglacial conduit geometry. The terminal level of a rising plume depends on the cumulative turbulent entrainment and ambient stratification. Plumes with large vertical velocities penetrate to the free surface near the ice face; however, midcolumn stratification maxima create a barrier that can trap plumes at depth as they flow downstream. Subglacial discharge is varied from 1–750 m 3 s −1 ; large discharges result in plumes with positive temperature and salinity anomalies in the upper water column. For these flows, turbulent entrainment along the ice face acts as a mechanism to vertically transport heat and salt. These results suggest that plumes intruding into stratified outlet glacier fjords do not always retain the cold, fresh signature of meltwater but may appear as warm, salty anomalies. Fjord-scale circulation is sensitive to subglacial conduit geometry; multiple point source and line plumes result in stronger return flows of warm water toward the glacier. Classic plume theory provides a useful estimate of the plume’s outflow depth; however, more complex models are needed to resolve the fjord-scale circulation and melt rates at the ice face.