Work

Three-dimensional circulation of a mesoscale eddy/front system and its biological implications

Year: 1995

Type: article

Abstract: The three-dimensional circulation of an eddy/front system is quantified using hydrographie data collected in the Channel of Ibiza, Western Mediterranean, during November 1990. The ageostrophic motion is derived from the quasi-geostrophic omega equation. Maximum upward velocities (= 4 rn/day) are diagnosed on the cold side of the front in the vicinity of a cyclonic eddy and coincident with a sub-surface convergence (below 50 rn). This upward motion can be explained in terms of advection over isopycnals that uplift in the along-front \ndirection. W e also show the relevance of the three-dimensional circulation for the enhanced fertilization observed in the surface layer. Our results establish the importance of the ageostrophic dynamics induced by frontal mesoscale events for the regional ecology of the Balearic Sea

Source: Institutional Archive of Ifremer (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea)

Authors: Pinot, Jm, Tintore, J, Lopezjurado, Jl, Depuelles, Mlf, Jansa, J

Institutions: Universitat de les Illes Balears, Centro Oceanográfico de Illes Balears

Language: English

Topic: Oceanographic and Atmospheric Processes

Subfield: Oceanography

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2520527083

FWCI: 1

Cites: 15

Cited by: 27

Related to: 10