Ideas on Observing Eddies and Their Biogeochemical Functions

Cyclone C1 in 2004

SLA and ADCP

Hydro Section: 0-700m

C1

T/S and Oxygen Anomalies in the C1

Oxygen [umol/L]Salinity Eddy Core

Survey 1Outside Eddy

σσ σσ θθ θθ σσ σσ θθ θθ

Salinity

PO

NO

Overlay of multi-tracers at σθ of 26.2

T/S and Oxygen During 1st and 2nd Surveys

1st

2nd

Eddy transport of AOU into the North Atlantic Subtr opical GyreG

ulf-s

tream

/ w

este

rn

boun

dary

cur

rent

How does eddy impact the AOU and related New Produc tion estimation?

AOU

AOU

AOU

AOU

Li and Jenkins, in progress

Drop packages by aircraft

The“Dr. ‘Strangelove’McGillicuddyIntelligent DeploymentInto An Eddy” Technique

IntelligentEnough?

Surface Layer Circulation

Mathis et al. (2007)

SBI ProjectSummer 2002

Chukchi Shelf Break

Region of Eddy Formation

Pt. Barrow

ALASKA

0.2 SvChukchi Sea

0.8 Sv

1 Sv = 106 m3 s-1

Canada Basin

Region of Eddy Formation

76º N

72º N

70º N

68º N

66º N

74º N

180º E 150º W160º W170º W

• The eastward flowing current has been shown to be unstable and capable of generating subsurface eddies that transport water from the current offshore.

EDDY CORE PROPERTIESTemperature (°C)

-1.7

Silicate ( µmol kg -1)

45

Particulate Organic Carbon

Organic Carbon and Oxygen Utilization

Vertical Export Production

Canada Basin

Chukchi Shelf

4.2x1010 mole-C yr -1Horizontal Export

from Eddies

4.6x1010 mole-C yr -1

•Rates of vertical export production estimated from O2 utilization in the halocline should be considered too high.

zone of low DO due to remineralizarion

Eddies

• Can we catch an eddy at formation?

• We can observe them after formation, so we can observe their role in horizontal transport and contribution to export production signatures in the mesopelagic