Formation and spreading of Eurasian source oxygen-rich halocline water into the Canadian Basin in the Arctic Ocean

[1] We identify the source region and spreading pattern of cold, oxygen-rich water observed in the halocline of the northern Canada Basin using both Joint Western Arctic Climate Studies 2002-2005 and other data. This water originates in the winter mixed-layer in the Nansen Basin and, because of its convective origin, can be traced by its cold, oxygen-rich properties together with a signature of low potential vorticity. This water, a component of the cold halocline complex, spreads into the Makarov Basin across the Lomonosov Ridge between 82 degrees N and 86 degrees N, enters the Canada Basin between the Alpha and Mendeleyev ridges, and continues eastward into the Beaufort Gyre north of Chukchi Plateau.