Ocean eddies generated by seamounts in the north pacific

Small-scale (diameters of about 37 kilometers) fluctuations in dynamic topography north of Hawaii along 158 degrees W are well correlated with upstream seamounts. The fluctuations are subsurface but are manifested as baroclinic eddies at the sea surface. These eddies are confirmed by direct observations and supported by theoretical considerations. The eddies cause small-scale variability in the currents and hydrographic structures in this area, and they should be considered in any sampling programs of the region.     

Ice-edge eddies in the fram strait marginal ice zone

Five prominent ice-edge eddies in Fram Strait on the scale of 30 to 40 kilometers were observed over deep water within 77 degrees N to 79 degrees N and 5 degrees W to 3 degrees E. The use of remote sensing, a satellite-tracked buoy, and in situ oceanographic measurements showed the presence of eddies with orbital speeds of 30 to 40 centimeters per second and lifetimes of at least 20 days. Ice ablation measurements made within one of these ice-ocean eddies indicated that melting, which proceeded at rates of 20 to 40 centimeters per day, is an important process in determining the ice-edge position. These studies give new insight on the formation, propagation, and dissipation of ice-edge eddies.     

The coalescence of two East Australian current warm-core eddies

Two warm-core eddies coalesced in about 20 days as their centers rotated around a point on the contracting line that joined them. In the process of forming the new eddy, the subsurface isothermal-isohaline "signature" layer of one eddy was uplifted and somewhat depleted while that of the other was depressed.     

Surface-generated mesoscale eddies transport deep-sea products from hydrothermal vents

Atmospheric forcing, which is known to have a strong influence on surface ocean dynamics and production, is typically not considered in studies of the deep sea. Our observations and models demonstrate an unexpected influence of surface-generated mesoscale eddies in the transport of hydrothermal vent efflux and of vent larvae away from the northern East Pacific Rise. Transport by these deep-reaching eddies provides a mechanism for spreading the hydrothermal chemical and heat flux into the deep-ocean interior and for dispersing propagules hundreds of kilometers between isolated and ephemeral communities. Because the eddies interacting with the East Pacific Rise are formed seasonally and are sensitive to phenomena such as El Ni?o, they have the potential to introduce seasonal to interannual atmospheric variations into the deep sea.     

The influence of nonlinear mesoscale eddies on near-surface oceanic chlorophyll

Oceanic Rossby waves have been widely invoked as a mechanism for large-scale variability of chlorophyll (CHL) observed from satellites. High-resolution satellite altimeter measurements have recently revealed that sea-surface height (SSH) features previously interpreted as linear Rossby waves are nonlinear mesoscale coherent structures (referred to here as eddies). We analyze 10 years of measurements of these SSH fields and concurrent satellite measurements of upper-ocean CHL to show that these eddies exert a strong influence on the CHL field, thus requiring reassessment of the mechanism for the observed covariability of SSH and CHL. On time scales longer than 2 to 3 weeks, the dominant mechanism is shown to be eddy-induced horizontal advection of CHL by the rotational velocities of the eddies.     

Mesoscale ocean eddies in the north pacific: westward propagation

A set of subsurface temperature measurements in the trade wind region northeast of Hawaii reveals large perturbations about the mean state, with zonal wavelengths of 480 kilometers. The perturbations are identified as mesoscale baroclinic eddies, and they appear to drift westward at a rate of 4.7 +/- 2.0 centimeters per second. The large-scale ( 1000 kilometers) baroclinic flow at a depth of 200 meters is 1.5 +/- 0.7 centimeters per second, also toward the west, and comparable in magnitude with the eddy drift velocity; this finding suggests that the eddy drift is strongly influenced by the large-scale flow. Mesoscale eddies have been discovered in the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean. Their existence in the Pacific Ocean is now confirmed.     

Mesoscale eddies drive increased silica export in the subtropical Pacific Ocean

Mesoscale eddies may play a critical role in ocean biogeochemistry by increasing nutrient supply, primary production, and efficiency of the biological pump, that is, the ratio of carbon export to primary production in otherwise nutrient-deficient waters. We examined a diatom bloom within a cold-core cyclonic eddy off Hawaii. Eddy primary production, community biomass, and size composition were markedly enhanced but had little effect on the carbon export ratio. Instead, the system functioned as a selective silica pump. Strong trophic coupling and inefficient organic export may be general characteristics of community perturbation responses in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean.     

Turbulent jets and eddies in the california current and inferred cross-shore transports

The instantaneous California Current is seen to consist of intense meandering current filaments (jets) intermingled with synoptic-mesoscale eddies. These quasi-geostrophic jets entrain cold, upwelled coastal waters and rapidly advect them far offshore; this behavior accounts for the elongated, cool surface features that are seen extending across the California Current region in satellite infrared imagery. The associated advective mechanism should provide significant cross-shore transports of heat, nutrients, biota, and pollutants. The dynamics of the current system should be crucially influenced by its highly variable structure.     

马里亚纳海沟东西两侧海域中尺度涡的海面高度计观测研究

使用2001—2006年的卫星海面高度计数据,对马里亚纳海沟东西两侧(15°～25°N,120°～160°E)海域中尺度涡的传播特性及其强度变化进行了研究。结果表明:在马里亚纳海沟以东形成的很多涡旋,都具有明显的西向传播特性,传播速度与第一斜压模式的Rossby长波的传播速度基本一致;反气旋式涡旋(暖涡)的面积大于气旋式涡旋(冷涡)的面积,并且呈现面积交替变化的特征,即冷涡面积大时暖涡面积小,反之亦然;以海面高度距平均方根值为指标的中尺度涡强度呈春夏季大、秋冬季小的季节性变化,但2004年出现了相反的现象;夏季和秋季,台湾岛和菲律宾群岛东侧的水深与中尺度涡的强度分布有着较好的对应关系,水深越大,强度也越大。