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This dataset contains the supporting data for figures in “Icelandic Riverine Freshwater Distribution, Offshore Export, and Alongshelf Connectivity,” a manuscript for Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science by Michael M. Whitney (affiliated with the University of Connecticut). This study simulates Iceland’s shelf and open-ocean waters to investigate riverine freshwater distributions and transports. Tracers are applied to determine flushing times and quantify exports to the open ocean relative to downshelf transports. Results have broader relevance to Iceland’s coastal ecosystems and transports on other continental shelves. The dataset includes MATLAB data files that contain all the output data presented in the corresponding figures within the manuscript. Details about variables and units are described within the figure captions and manuscript text. Modified model code, settings, and input files are included for the Regional Ocean Model System (ROMS) application. The FORTRAN code files have the modifications for tracers that allow for decay in deep waters. The manuscript contains complete descriptions of methods, analysis, and interpretation. List of MATLAB data files: Figure01_data.mat Figure02_data.mat Figure03_data.mat Figure04_data.mat Figure05_data.mat Figure06_data.mat Figure07_data.mat Figure08_data.mat List of modified ROMS code files: def_info.F mod_scalars.F read_phypar.F step3d_t.F wrt_info.F ana_passive.h ana_psource.h List of ROMS settings and input files: iceland.h roms.in boundary2km_lonlatgrid.nc rivers2km_with_additional_rivers_lonlatgrid.nc grid_iceland2km_lonlatgrid.nc iceland2km_lonlatgrid_tideforcing_M2_NA_phase010119.nc initial2km_lonlatgrid_yearend_dyes.nc windforcing2km_lonlatgrid.nc
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This content will become publicly available on March 1, 2026
Icelandic riverine freshwater distribution, offshore export, and alongshelf connectivity
This study models Iceland’s shelf and surrounding ocean waters to quantify shelf distributions, flushing times, offshore exports (beyond the 400-m isobath), and alongshelf transports of Iceland’s riverine freshwater. Analysis of the 2019 period divides the shelf into four quadrants and follows river waters delivered to each quadrant with tracked freshwater tracers that decay over time in open-ocean waters. Tracked freshwater thicknesses are large in the southwest quadrant and near major rivers in other areas. Freshwater is present around the entire shelf, but is less prevalent in the southeast quadrant. Many river waters can reach halfway around Iceland before being exported offshore; diminishing amounts can almost entirely circumnavigate Iceland. Annual average freshwater flushing times have an approximately seasonal scale at around 3 and 4 months for eastern and western river waters, respectively. Annual average freshwater exports are larger from northern shelf quadrants than southern ones. Average alongshelf freshwater transports are downshelf. Alongshelf connectivity is strong between most quadrants and moderate between the eastern quadrants. Regressions show how export and downshelf transport increase during upwelling-favorable and downwelling-favorable winds, respectively. Results indicate the Icelandic Coastal Current has robust buoyancy signatures and connected currents in western Iceland, and has generally weaker buoyancy and less-pronounced connected flows on the eastern side.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2242070
- PAR ID:
- 10578944
- Publisher / Repository:
- Elsevier
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
- ISSN:
- 0272-7714
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 109266
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Iceland, rivers freshwater tracers continental shelf export connectivity
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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