Preprints
https://doi.org/10.22541/essoar.169833426.64842571/v1
https://doi.org/10.22541/essoar.169833426.64842571/v1
10 Jul 2024
 | 10 Jul 2024

Assessing the Material Coherence of Mesoscale Eddies as described from In Situ Data

Yan Barabinot, Sabrina Speich, and Xavier Carton

Abstract. Mesoscale eddies are a ubiquitous feature of the global ocean. According to Lagrangian theory, these eddies often transport a distinct water mass within their cores, making them materially coherent. This study aims to determine if such a distinct water mass exists in eddy cores, thereby verifying their material coherence using in situ data, despite the lack of temporal continuity. We introduce the term "thermohaline coherence" to describe this approach. Identifying such a water mass would signal Lagrangian transport from the eddy formation region. We analyzed the water masses at the cores of various eddies sampled during eight research cruises, using high-resolution data (approximately 20 km horizontally and 10 m vertically). We revisited coherence definitions and checked data accuracy. Comparing the horizontal positions of these core anomalies with eddy surface signatures revealed that surface data alone are insufficient for characterizing the eddy material coherence. To calculate eddy volumes, we compare thermohaline anomalies with other criteria and we present two methods for extrapolating eddy volumes from a single hydrographic section. The results show that the outermost closed contour of the Brunt-Väisälä frequency anomaly at each depth provides a reliable approximation for the eddy boundary.

Yan Barabinot, Sabrina Speich, and Xavier Carton

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2029', Anonymous Referee #1, 10 Jul 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Yan Barabinot, 16 Jul 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2029', Anonymous Referee #2, 12 Aug 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2029', Anonymous Referee #3, 11 Sep 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Yan Barabinot, 12 Sep 2024
  • EC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2029', Karen J. Heywood, 11 Sep 2024
    • AC4: 'Reply on EC1', Yan Barabinot, 12 Sep 2024

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2029', Anonymous Referee #1, 10 Jul 2024
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Yan Barabinot, 16 Jul 2024
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2029', Anonymous Referee #2, 12 Aug 2024
  • RC3: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2029', Anonymous Referee #3, 11 Sep 2024
    • AC3: 'Reply on RC3', Yan Barabinot, 12 Sep 2024
  • EC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-2029', Karen J. Heywood, 11 Sep 2024
    • AC4: 'Reply on EC1', Yan Barabinot, 12 Sep 2024
Yan Barabinot, Sabrina Speich, and Xavier Carton
Yan Barabinot, Sabrina Speich, and Xavier Carton

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Latest update: 08 Dec 2024
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Short summary
Mesoscale eddies are ubiquitous rotating currents in the ocean. Some eddies called "Materially Coherent" are able to transport a different water mass from the surrounding water. By analyzing 3D eddies structures sampled during oceanographic cruises, we found that eddies can be nonmaterially coherent accounting only for their surface properties, but materially coherent considering their properties at depth. Future studies cannot rely solely on satellite data to evaluate heat and salt transport.