Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-501
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-501
27 Mar 2023
 | 27 Mar 2023

Long-term eddy modulation inhibited the meridional asymmetry of halocline in the Beaufort Gyre

Jinling Lu, Ling Du, and Shuhao Tao

Abstract. Under the background of wind forcing change along with Arctic sea ice retreat, the mesoscale processes undergoing distinct variation in Beaufort Gyre (BG) region are more and more significant to oceanic transport and energic cascade, and then these changes put oceanic stratification into a new state. Here the varying eddies and eddy kinetic energy (EKE) in the central Canada Basin (CB) and Chukchi–Beaufort continental slope are obtained based on mooring observations (2003–2018), altimetry measurements (1993–2019) and reanalysis data (1980–2021). In this paper, the variability of halocline in BG representing adjustment of stratification in the upper layer is shown so as to analyze how it occurs under significantly changing mesoscale processes. We find that the halocline depth has deepened by ~40 m while that in the north has deepened by ~70 m in the in the last nearly two decades by multiple data sets. The halocline depth lifting to the north initially was shifted to a final nearly symmetric structure. Eddy strength and Eddy induced low salinity water transportations have been continuously increasing toward the central basin at the mean time the halocline depth and strength among the southern and northern parts in the basin have reached a nearly identical and stable regime. It is clearly clarified that the long-term dynamical eddy modulation through eddy fluxes facilitating the freshwater redistribution inhibited the meridional asymmetry of halocline of the BG. Further research into high-resolution observations and data simulations can helps us to better understand the eddy modulation processes and its influence on large-scale circulation.

Jinling Lu et al.

Status: final response (author comments only)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-501', Anonymous Referee #1, 30 Apr 2023
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC1', Ling Du, 15 Jul 2023
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-501', Anonymous Referee #2, 21 May 2023
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC2', Ling Du, 15 Jul 2023
  • EC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-501', Karen J. Heywood, 22 May 2023
    • AC1: 'Reply on EC1', Ling Du, 23 May 2023
  • EC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-501', Karen J. Heywood, 15 Jul 2023

Jinling Lu et al.

Jinling Lu et al.

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Short summary
With the recent developments of observations and data simulation in the Beaufort Gyre, we possess an improved understanding of eddy activity and halocline variability in the upper ocean. The halocline among the south and north of the basin have reached a nearly similar state in the past nearly 20 years. The investigation suggests that long-term enhanced eddy modulation influence reduced meridional asymmetry of the halocline through eddy induced freshwater redistribution.