The shedding of mesoscale anticyclonic eddies from the Alaskan Stream and westward transport of warm water

The south-flowing waters of the Kamchatka and Oyashio Currents and west-flowing waters of the Alaskan Stream are key components of the western sub-Arctic Pacific circulation. We use CTD data, Argo buoys, WOCE surface drifters, and satellite-derived sea-level observations to investigate the structure and interannual changes in this system that arise from interactions among anticyclonic eddies and the mean flow. Variability in the temperature of the upstream Oyashio and Kamchatka Currents is evident by warming in mesothermal layer in 1994–2005 compared to 1990–1991. A major fraction of the water in these currents is derived directly from the Alaskan Stream. The stream also sheds large anticyclonic (Aleutian) eddies, averaging approximately 300 km in diameter with a volume transport significant in comparison with that of the Kamchatka Current itself. These eddies enclose pools of relatively warm and saline water whose temperature is typically 4 °C warmer and salinity is 0.4 greater than that of cold-core Kamchatka eddies in the same density range. Aleutian eddies drift at approximately 1.2 km d⁻¹ and retain their distinctive warm and salty characteristics for at least 2 years. Selected westward pathways during 1990–2004 are identified. If the shorter northern route is followed, Aleutian eddies remain close to the stream and persist sufficiently long to carry warm and saline water directly to the Kamchatka Current. This was observed during 1994–1997 with substantial warming of the waters in the Kamchatka Current and upstream Oyashio. If the eddies take a more southern route they detach from the stream but can still contribute significant quantities of warm and saline water to the upstream Oyashio, as in 2004–2005. However, the eddies following this southern route may dissipate before reaching the western boundary current region.     

The numerical simulation of the Kuroshio frontal eddies in the East China Sea using a hybrid coordinate ocean mode

A hybrid coordinate ocean model (HYCOM) is used to simulate the Kuroshio frontal eddies in the East China Sea (ECS). The research area is located (20°-32°N, 120°-132°E). Using the simulating data, it is figured out that the Kuroshio frontal eddies occur in summer as well as in the other season in this area. The life cycle of the Kuroshio and its frontal eddies is different with the position. The life-cycle of the Kuroshio frontal eddies of the northwest Diaoyu Islands is about 14 d; and the life cycle of the Kuroshio frontal eddies of southwest Yakushima about 20 d. This result extends the in situ researching results greatly. In addition, the vertical impact depth of the Kuroshio frontal eddies is also changing with the position. On the whole, in the ECS, the maximum impact depth of the Kuroshio frontal eddies of the northwest Taiwan Islands is about 75 m; the maximum impact depth of the Kuroshio frontal eddies of the northwest Diaoyu Islands is more than 125 m, but no more than 200 m; and the maximum impact depth of the Kuroshio frontal eddies of southwest Yakushima is up to 100 m.     

Kuroshio warm filament and the source of the warm water of the Tsushima Current

Characteristics and evolution of the Kuroshio frontal eddies and warm filaments are analyzed according to two series of satellite images (March 5 to 7, 1986 and April 14 to 16, 1988). The results show that the frontal eddies in the East China Sea are generated at the shelf break and move along the continental slope at a speed of 15 cm/s with the Kuroshio. The frontal eddies occur about every 10 d and evolve to be warm filaments a few hundred km in length and 30-40 km in width in the area west of the Yaku-shima. Meanwhile, the existence of the warm filament was also found in the area by analysing the hydrographic data in the area west of Kyushu during May 24-June 5, 1988.The Kuroshio warm filaments move westward opposite to the Kuroshio and then turn northward at the shelf break and become the main source of the warm water of the Tsushima Warm Current. A simple dynamic explanation for the process is presented in this paper.     

台湾以东黑潮锋的中尺度过程研究

采用海洋再分析结果,研究了海洋涡旋和锋面波动对台湾以东黑潮锋的影响,结果表明,Rossby波第一斜压模态形成的冷涡(暖涡),减弱(增强)台湾以东黑潮温度锋强度,减小(加大)锋的宽度.在再分析结果中,捕获到1991年1-2月台湾以东的一次黑潮锋面波动.锋面波动的波槽(波脊)到达时,该温度锋强度减弱(增强),宽度和厚度减小...     

台湾以东黑潮锋的中尺度过程研究

采用海洋再分析结果,研究了海洋涡旋和锋面波动对台湾以东黑潮锋的影响,结果表明,Rossby波第一斜压模态形成的冷涡(暖涡),减弱(增强)台湾以东黑潮温度锋强度,减小(加大)锋的宽度.在再分析结果中,捕获到1991年1-2月台湾以东的一次黑潮锋面波动.锋面波动的波槽(波脊)到达时,该温度锋强度减弱(增强),宽度和厚度减小...     

Co-variation of the surface wind speed and the sea surface temperature over mesoscale eddies in the Gulf Stream region:momentum vertical mixing aspect

The co-variation of surface wind speed and sea surface temperature (SST) over the Gulf Stream frontal region is investigated using high-resolution satellite measurements and atmospheric reanalysis data. Results show that the pattern of positive SST-surface wind speed correlations is anchored by strong SST gradient and marine atmospheric boundary layer (MABL) height front, with active warm and cold-ocean eddies around. The MABL has an obvious transitional structure along the strong SST front, with greater (lesser) heights over the north (south) side. The significant positive SST-surface wind-speed perturbation correlations are mostly found over both strong warm and cold eddies. The surface wind speed increases (decreases) about 0.32 (0.41) m/s and the MABL elevates (drops) approximate 55 (54) m per 1℃ of SST perturbation induced by warm (cold) eddies. The response of the surface wind speed to SST perturbations over the mesoscale eddies is mainly attributed to the momentum vertical mixing in the MABL, which is confirmed by the linear relationships between the downwind (crosswind) SST gradient and wind divergence (curl).     

Drifter Observations of Anticyclonic Eddies near Bussol' Strait, the Kuril Islands

Hydrographic surveys and satellite imaging reveal that mesoscale anticyclonic (AC) eddies are common features of the area south of Bussol' Strait, the deepest of the Kuril straits connecting the western North Pacific and Sea of Okhotsk. To examine the velocity structure of these eddies, we deployed groups of 15-m drogued satellite-tracked surface drifters over the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench in the fall of 1990 and late summer of 1993. Drifters in both groups entered large AC eddies centered over the axis of the trench seaward of Bussol' Strait and subsequently underwent a slow northeastward translation. One drifter (Drifter 1315) deployed near the center of the “Bussol' eddy” in 1990, remained in the eddy for roughly 45 days and made five loops at successively greater distances from the eddy center. Large-amplitude (80–100 cm/s) storm-generated inertial oscillations were observed during the first two loops. The vorticity field associated with the eddy resulted in a Doppler “red-shift” of inertial frequency motions such that the “effective” inertial period of 21 hours was roughly 4 hours greater than the nominal inertial period for the drifter latitude (45°N). In 1993, a second drifter (Drifter 15371) was retained in the Bussol' eddy for about 40 days. This eddy had characteristics similar to those of the 1990 eddy but was devoid of significant high-frequency motions until the drifter's final half loop. The observed spatial scales, persistence, and slow poleward translation of the eddies suggests that they play an important role in the dynamics of the East Kamchatka and Oyashio current systems. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

基于2005~2019年卫星遥感观测的南大洋印度洋扇区中部涡旋特征分布研究

在南大洋印度洋扇区中部海域,除了地形控制(凯尔盖朗高台),南极绕极流和厄加勒斯回流的汇合流进一步加强了下游的斜压剪切强度,导致涡旋能量显著增强,因此,对该海域涡旋的研究有助于了解该海域的涡旋特征以及地形与涡旋的分布关系。基于2005~2019年卫星遥感数据,对该海域涡旋特征进行统计,并对涡旋产生地分布、跨锋面涡旋的移动状况进行分析,同时结合Argo剖面数据,进一步剖析涡旋内部水文分布特征。结果表明:该海域涡旋生命周期多在20 d以内(64.25%),平均半径多在30~100 km(96.13%);平均半径与平均振幅呈正相关关系(相关系数R=0.55);生命周期越大的涡旋平均传播距离也越大。2014年开始涡旋数量明显增加,主要由短寿命涡旋(<30 d)数量增加所贡献。反之, 21世纪10年代后期年平均涡动能异常呈减小趋势。涡旋产生地随着寿命增长,逐渐从亚南极锋与南极绕极流南部边界之间的锋面区域向亚南极锋以北移动。跨锋面涡旋中,暖涡向高纬,冷涡向低纬移动,大部分具有携带水团移动的能力。由涡旋内部水文特征分析结果可知,不同极性的涡旋能够实现完全不同来源水团的远距离输送,对同一来源水团,气旋涡具有抬升作用,而反气旋涡具有压沉作用。该研究工作有助于提升对南大洋涡旋特征及变动的认识,为进一步的涡旋动力研究提供支撑。     

台湾东北海域冷涡及其变异的遥感信息研究--Ⅰ.冷涡的季节性变化

利用NOAA卫星AVHRR传感器反演的MCSST图像 ,分析了台湾东北海域冷涡的季节变化。结果表明 :( 1 )台湾东北海域冷涡终年存在 ,出现在彭佳屿附近海域、台湾岛北部沿岸海域和东岸北部沿岸海域 3处 ,夏、秋季有 3涡或双涡并存现象。 ( 2 )彭佳屿附近海域冷涡 ,最早出现于 3月底 ,最迟发生于 1 1月中 ,冬季消失 ,表层形态、尺度、位置和强度有明显的季节性变化。 ( 3)冷涡的季节性变化可能与黑潮锋面弯曲的摆动和台湾海峡水入侵东海陆架间的动力平衡有关。     

北太平洋中尺度涡时空特征分析

利用1993~2011年19 a的AVISO卫星高度计资料研究了北太平洋(10°~60°N,120°E~100°W)中尺度涡的时空分布特征,结果表明:北太平洋每年约产生1 800余个涡旋,其中气旋涡稍多。北太平洋东部沿岸、西北沿岸、黑潮延伸体北侧、副热带逆流区是中尺度涡的高发区,春、冬季是涡旋的高发季节。涡极性分布以35°N为界,北部多反气旋涡,南部多气旋涡。涡旋半径以100 km左右为主,并且基本随纬度升高而减小,涡旋数量随着周期增长而急剧下降。反气旋涡的平均半径和周期均大于气旋涡。利用Argo浮标剖面资料分析的6个个例涡旋的垂直结构显示,每个涡旋都有其独特的冷暖核结构,深度不同。研究结果对于分析北太平洋涡动能分布及传输具有一定的参考价值。     

基于高度计观测和模式数据诊断南大洋主要锋面与涡旋的特征

锋面和涡旋是南大洋重要的中尺度过程,南极绕极环流(Antarctic Circumpolar Current,ACC)系统中的锋面及其裹携的涡旋构成了能量和物质的东向传播通道,对全球大洋的能量和物质平衡具有重要影响.基于海表高度计和B-SOSE(Biogeochemical Southern Ocean State E...     

An oceanographic survey of the Tasman Front

Results of a detailed expendable bathythermograph survey in the northern Tasman Sea are presented. The Tasman Front, with its origin in the edge of an East Australian Current eddy, extended throughout the survey region. The front marked a coherent, meandering, zonal jet which crosses the Tasman Sea and hence links at least part of the East Australian Current to the other western boundary currents in the subtropical gyre. The frontal meandering derives from both the variability of the East Australian Current system and the topographic effects of the major ridge systems in the north Tasman Sea. The front is less distinct over the crests of these ridges. The flow field in the survey area contained a number of anticyclonic eddies, and current records show that the oceanic eddies are long‐lived features similar to the eddies in the East Australian Current.     

进入中国南海的黑潮脱落中尺度涡的特征——基于OFES模式数据

自黑潮脱落并由吕宋海峡进入中国南海的中尺度涡(简称脱落涡旋)对黑潮与南海的水体交换、热量及物质输送等过程均有十分重要的作用.基于1993—2013年OFES(OGCM for the Earth Simulator)模式数据产品,分析研究了脱落涡旋的统计特征及其温盐流三维结构,并与卫星观测结果进行对比分析.OFES模式...     

Synoptic eddies of the Subantarctic and Agulhas fronts and generation of the Antarctic Intermediate Water in the Atlantic Ocean

The concept developed in [9] and [10], according to which the Antarctic Intermediate Water is generated owing to the formation and subsequent decay of cyclonic eddies of the Subantarctic Front, is tested for the Atlantic Ocean. The cross frontal water and salt transport by the Subantarctic Front eddies and the Agulhas Front anticyclones is estimated by developing cinematic eddy models and analyzing satellite altimetry maps. Calculations of the water and salt balance for a box in the South Atlantic based on these results and various experimental data confirmed the above-mentioned concept.     

我国近海陆架锋面与生态效应研究回顾

海洋锋面存在于特征明显不同的2种或多种水系或水团交界处,锋面区域形成的次生环流和辐聚作用可显著影响到海洋中的物质输运与生物生产,故受到海洋学家的广泛关注。研究发现,我国近海陆架存在14个永久性的准静止锋面（渤海海峡锋面、山东半岛沿岸锋面、苏北沿岸锋面、西韩湾锋面、京畿湾锋面、济州岛西锋面、长江环形浅滩锋面、闽浙沿岸锋面、黑潮锋面、台湾沿岸锋面、闽粤沿岸锋面、珠江口沿岸锋面、琼东锋面和北部湾锋面）,且部分海域观测到双锋面、穿刺锋面和锋面波等现象。它们与陆架环流及其他动力过程（如：涡旋、内波等）共同控制着我国边缘海的物质能量输运与交换以及生物生产力格局。近岸物质沿锋面、跨锋面输运与锋区的垂向输送过程对我国边缘海生物地球化学循环和生态过程存在显著季节性影响。冬季到春季,沿岸锋面松弛能够加强物质从近岸向陆架的输运,进而在空间上调制春季藻华暴发的时间与量级;夏季到秋季,我国边缘海存在显著的潮汐锋面系统,锋面的辐聚效应以及次级环流可显著提高锋面区域的营养盐浓度和改善光照水平,对浮游植物的生长聚集起到促进作用,故在富营养化的河口与沿岸海域,锋面区域容易成为赤潮或缺氧高发区。此外,锋面的物理屏障作用使得两侧水团保持相对独立的物理与化学特征,因而在我国边缘海生境区划和生物多样性梯度变化等方面扮演重要角色,这些研究对认识我国边缘海物质循环与生物生产的控制机制具有重要作用。未来仍需充分结合观测与卫星资料,运用多过程耦合的高分辨率模型,深入认识锋面的精细结构与动态变化,加强亚中尺度和小尺度过程及其生态效应的研究。     

Observations of Eddies in the Japan Basin Interior

Eddy features in the Japan Basin have been studied by combining satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST) images and WOCE drifter tracks with recent current meter data from a deep mooring in the interior of the Basin. SST images indicate that anticyclonic eddies often appear around the Subpolar Front in cold seasons and move into the northern cold water region entraining warm water of the frontal zone. The anti-cyclonic eddies "visualized" by the entrained warm water and trajectories of some drifters are typically 30 km in radius and have rotational speeds of 0.15 to 0.3 m/s at the surface. On the other hand, the current meter data of 3-year duration show that vertically coherent eddy-like currents of the order of 0.1 m/s occur every year in cold seasons in the deep (1000 to 3000 m) layer of the Japan Basin interior. An important finding is that available time series of SST patterns are well correlated to the vertically coherent deep currents. This correlation suggests that the anticyclonic eddies indicated by both SST images and drifter tracks are actually barotropic or quasi-barotropic, extending from the surface to the bottom. It is argued that the unique current features in the deep layer of the Japan Basin can be explained in terms of barotropic eddies. A brief discussion is also made of the possible source of the eddy kinetic energy. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Role of Kuroshio frontal eddy in exchange between shelf water and Kuroshio water in East China Sea

Basic patterns of the reversal of the Kuroshio water toward the shelf, intrusion of the shelf mixed waterinto the Kuroshio and uplifting of the near-bottom nutrient-rich water into the upper layer by the pumping of the frontal eddy are analyzed on the basis of satellite infrared images and hydrologic, chemical and biological observations. Results show that the Kuroshio frontal eddies play a very important role in the exchange between the shelf water and the Kuroshio water. The estimation of the average volume transports for three frontal eddy events indicates that the shelf mixed water entrained by an eddy into Kuroshio is 0.44×10~6 m3/s and the reversal Kuroshio water onto the shelf region only 0.04×10~6 m3/s. Along the whole shelf edge, the volume transport of the shelf mixed water entrained by the eddies into the Kuroshio is 1.8×10~6 m3/s. The nutrient (NO3-N) flux pumped to the euphotic zone and input to the continental shelf through a column with 1 m wide is 974 μmol/(s·m) when there is frontal eddy and only 79 μmol/(s·m) in the case of no frontal eddy. Yearly nutrient (NO3-N) flux input to the shelf area caused by the frontal eddy is 1.7×10~5 t/a.     

Inversion of the three-dimensional temperature structure of mesoscale eddies in the Northwest Pacific based on deep learning

Mesoscale eddies, which are mainly caused by baroclinic effects in the ocean, are common oceanic phenomena in the Northwest Pacific Ocean and play very important roles in ocean circulation, ocean dynamics and material energy transport. The temperature structure of mesoscale eddies will lead to variations in oceanic baroclinity, which can be reflected in the sea level anomaly (SLA). Deep learning can automatically extract different features of data at multiple levels without human intervention, and find the hidden relations of data. Therefore, combining satellite SLA data with deep learning is a good way to invert the temperature structure inside eddies. This paper proposes a deep learning algorithm, eddy convolution neural network (ECN), which can train the relationship between mesoscale eddy temperature anomalies and sea level anomalies (SLAs), relying on the powerful feature extraction and learning abilities of convolutional neural networks. After obtaining the temperature structure model through ECN, according to climatic temperature data, the temperature structure of mesoscale eddies in the Northwest Pacific is retrieved with a spatial resolution of 0.25° at depths of 0–1 000 m. The overall accuracy of the ECN temperature structure is verified using Argo profiles at the locations of cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies during 2015–2016. Taking 10% error as the acceptable threshold of accuracy, 89.64% and 87.25% of the cyclonic and anticyclonic eddy temperature structures obtained by ECN met the threshold, respectively.     

Kinematics of the upwelling front off southern Africa

Mesoscale circulation features have been shown to play an important role in the cross-frontal mixing of upwelling cells, their frontal morphology and in their interaction with oceanic water masses. With three years of detailed thermal infra-red satellite information on the South-East Atlantic upwelling system available, it proved possible to present a preliminary study of four prevalent frontal features intrinsic to the short-term behaviour of upwelling in this area. Upwelling filaments are shown to extend between 50 and 600 km seawards of the main front and are found, as are upwelling plumes, predominantly off the recognized major upwelling cells. Frontal eddies have a range of diameters and are found distributed over the full area of upwelling and on both sides of the main upwelling front. Warm filaments of Agulhas Current origin are advected preferentially along the western border of the Agulhas Bank and follow closely the front of the southernmost upwelling cells, where they may play a catalytic role in the creation of frontal turbulence.