Circulation patterns and processes in Barkley Sound, Vancouver, BC

Senior thesis written for Oceanography 444

[author abstract]This study attempts to analyze the circulation patterns within Barkley Sound, British Columbia, and to better understand these underlying processes. Conductivity, temperature, and depth profiles were taken at various stations throughout the sound to determine vertical profiles of temperature, salinity, and oxygen in each of the four main basins: Imperial Eagle Channel, Effingham Inlet, Alberni Inlet, and Trevor Channel over a seven day period from January, 27th to February 2nd 2013. Oxygen concentrations and the apparent oxygen utilization (AOU) were used to determine the age of the water and rates of renewal. It was found that net flow through Barkley Sound is primarily through Imperial Eagle Channel. Using oxygen as a proxy for the age of water, it was also determined exchange rates between Alberni and Effingham Inlets with Trevor and Imperial Eagle Channels are relatively low, due to their extreme isolation by the bathymetry and narrow breadth.

University of Washington School of Oceanography