Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-89
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-89
24 Jan 2025
 | 24 Jan 2025
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Ocean Science (OS).

Determining the depth and pumping speed of the equatorial Ekman layer from surface drifter trajectories

Nathan Paldor and Yair De-Leon

Abstract. Trajectories of more than 500 drogued surface drifters launched since 1979 in the equatorial ocean are analyzed by employing the results of a new Lagrangian theory of wind-driven transport along the equator forced by the prevailing Trade winds. The analysis yields robust estimates of 45 meters for the Ekman layer’s depth and 1.0 meters/day for the upwelling speed of deep water into the layer.

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Nathan Paldor and Yair De-Leon

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Nathan Paldor and Yair De-Leon
Nathan Paldor and Yair De-Leon

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Short summary
The study combines archived surface drifter trajectories along the equator with a novel extension of Ekman's wind-driven theory to the equatorial β-plane to estimate the depth the equatorial Ekman layer and the speed of upwelling into it.
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