Eddy Surface Characteristics and Vertical Structure in the Gulf of Mexico from Satellite Observations and Model Simulations.
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| Title: | Eddy Surface Characteristics and Vertical Structure in the Gulf of Mexico from Satellite Observations and Model Simulations. |
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| Authors: | Brokaw, Richard J.1 rbrokaw@email.sc.edu, Subrahmanyam, Bulusu1, Trott, Corinne B.2, Chaigneau, Alexis3,4,5 |
| Source: | Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans. Feb2020, Vol. 125 Issue 2, p1-25. 25p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Ocean circulation, *Salinity, *Chlorophyll, Topographic maps, Loop Current |
| Geographic Terms: | Gulf of Mexico |
| Abstract: | The Gulf of Mexico exhibits strong circulation due to the Loop Current System, along with high mesoscale eddy activity. In order to investigate eddy characteristics, we apply an automatic eddy‐tracking algorithm to absolute dynamic topography maps and analyze the spatial distribution and evolution of eddy attributes including amplitude, radius, and eddy kinetic energy. The Loop Current region in the eastern Gulf of Mexico is an area of robust eddy generation for both cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies. Anticyclonic eddies were generally characterized by smaller amplitudes and larger radii when compared to their cyclonic counterparts. We also examine eddy surface properties including temperature and salinity anomalies as well as chlorophyll‐a concentration and observe how these properties vary between the eastern and western Gulf of Mexico. Persistent features such as the Loop Current System and coastal low‐salinity, highly biologically productive waters dominate eddy properties in the eastern side of the basin. We also apply the eddy‐tracking algorithm to a regional Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model validated using Argo floats. We find that this model accurately reflects surface characteristics in the mesoscale eddy field as well as the mean vertical eddy structure and use it to extend our analysis of eddy properties with depth. We find that subsurface characteristics of density, salinity, temperature, and velocities vary greatly between eddies in the eastern and western Gulf of Mexico. Through composite analysis of both surface and subsurface eddy properties, we gain a more complete picture of the mechanisms behind the observable characteristics of these eddies. Plain Language Summary: The Gulf of Mexico's surface circulation is dominated by the large‐scale Loop Current System and mesoscale eddies. We apply an automatic eddy‐tracking algorithm to absolute dynamic topography in the Gulf of Mexico. This algorithm aids in analyzing the spatial variability in eddy physical characteristics such as amplitude, radius, and eddy kinetic energy. We also observe the surface and subsurface properties of salinity, temperature, and chlorophyll‐a concentration of these eddies and their surrounding waters. By separating the eddies based on circulation type (anticyclonic or cyclonic) and observing the depth structure of these eddies, we can better understand their dynamical characteristics. We also separate eddies based on their location in either the western or eastern Gulf. We find that the climatological features of the Loop Current and riverine discharge heavily affect eddy properties. This is seen in major differences in the temperature and salinity surface properties, as well as the vertical structure of eddies between the western and eastern Gulf of Mexico. Key Points: An eddy‐tracking algorithm was applied in the Gulf of Mexico to examine biophysical characteristicsComposites of anticyclonic and cyclonic eddies show surface and subsurface characteristics and vertical eddy structureEddy properties vary between the eastern and western Gulf of Mexico due to air‐sea interaction and differing long‐term gradients [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | GreenFILE |
| FullText | Text: Availability: 0 |
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| Header | DbId: 8gh DbLabel: GreenFILE An: 141915155 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Eddy Surface Characteristics and Vertical Structure in the Gulf of Mexico from Satellite Observations and Model Simulations. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Brokaw%2C+Richard+J%2E%22">Brokaw, Richard J.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> rbrokaw@email.sc.edu</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Subrahmanyam%2C+Bulusu%22">Subrahmanyam, Bulusu</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Trott%2C+Corinne+B%2E%22">Trott, Corinne B.</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Chaigneau%2C+Alexis%22">Chaigneau, Alexis</searchLink><relatesTo>3,4,5</relatesTo> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Geophysical+Research%2E+Oceans%22">Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans</searchLink>. Feb2020, Vol. 125 Issue 2, p1-25. 25p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ocean+circulation%22">Ocean circulation</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Salinity%22">Salinity</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Chlorophyll%22">Chlorophyll</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Topographic+maps%22">Topographic maps</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Loop+Current%22">Loop Current</searchLink> – Name: SubjectGeographic Label: Geographic Terms Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gulf+of+Mexico%22">Gulf of Mexico</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: The Gulf of Mexico exhibits strong circulation due to the Loop Current System, along with high mesoscale eddy activity. In order to investigate eddy characteristics, we apply an automatic eddy‐tracking algorithm to absolute dynamic topography maps and analyze the spatial distribution and evolution of eddy attributes including amplitude, radius, and eddy kinetic energy. The Loop Current region in the eastern Gulf of Mexico is an area of robust eddy generation for both cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies. Anticyclonic eddies were generally characterized by smaller amplitudes and larger radii when compared to their cyclonic counterparts. We also examine eddy surface properties including temperature and salinity anomalies as well as chlorophyll‐a concentration and observe how these properties vary between the eastern and western Gulf of Mexico. Persistent features such as the Loop Current System and coastal low‐salinity, highly biologically productive waters dominate eddy properties in the eastern side of the basin. We also apply the eddy‐tracking algorithm to a regional Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model validated using Argo floats. We find that this model accurately reflects surface characteristics in the mesoscale eddy field as well as the mean vertical eddy structure and use it to extend our analysis of eddy properties with depth. We find that subsurface characteristics of density, salinity, temperature, and velocities vary greatly between eddies in the eastern and western Gulf of Mexico. Through composite analysis of both surface and subsurface eddy properties, we gain a more complete picture of the mechanisms behind the observable characteristics of these eddies. Plain Language Summary: The Gulf of Mexico's surface circulation is dominated by the large‐scale Loop Current System and mesoscale eddies. We apply an automatic eddy‐tracking algorithm to absolute dynamic topography in the Gulf of Mexico. This algorithm aids in analyzing the spatial variability in eddy physical characteristics such as amplitude, radius, and eddy kinetic energy. We also observe the surface and subsurface properties of salinity, temperature, and chlorophyll‐a concentration of these eddies and their surrounding waters. By separating the eddies based on circulation type (anticyclonic or cyclonic) and observing the depth structure of these eddies, we can better understand their dynamical characteristics. We also separate eddies based on their location in either the western or eastern Gulf. We find that the climatological features of the Loop Current and riverine discharge heavily affect eddy properties. This is seen in major differences in the temperature and salinity surface properties, as well as the vertical structure of eddies between the western and eastern Gulf of Mexico. Key Points: An eddy‐tracking algorithm was applied in the Gulf of Mexico to examine biophysical characteristicsComposites of anticyclonic and cyclonic eddies show surface and subsurface characteristics and vertical eddy structureEddy properties vary between the eastern and western Gulf of Mexico due to air‐sea interaction and differing long‐term gradients [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1029/2019JC015538 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 25 StartPage: 1 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Ocean circulation Type: general – SubjectFull: Salinity Type: general – SubjectFull: Chlorophyll Type: general – SubjectFull: Topographic maps Type: general – SubjectFull: Loop Current Type: general – SubjectFull: Gulf of Mexico Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Eddy Surface Characteristics and Vertical Structure in the Gulf of Mexico from Satellite Observations and Model Simulations. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Brokaw, Richard J. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Subrahmanyam, Bulusu – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Trott, Corinne B. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Chaigneau, Alexis IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 02 Text: Feb2020 Type: published Y: 2020 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 21699275 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 125 – Type: issue Value: 2 Titles: – TitleFull: Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans Type: main |
| ResultId | 1 |
