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04:35
Preparation of Free-Surface Hyperbolic Water Vortices
Published on: July 28, 2023
The oceanic vertical pump induced by mesoscale and submesoscale turbulence
Patrice Klein1, Guillaume Lapeyre
1Laboratoire de Physique des Océans, IFREMER, BP 70, Plouzané, France. patrice.klein@ifremer.fr
Annual Review of Marine Science
|December 15, 2010
Summary
Vertical exchanges of oceanic tracers by mesoscale eddies are crucial for global budgets. Submesoscale processes (10 km) are increasingly recognized for their significant role in these vertical tracer transports.
Area of Science:
- Oceanography
- Biogeochemistry
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Oceanic tracer concentrations vary significantly with depth.
- Mesoscale eddies (100 km) are known to influence vertical tracer transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advances in understanding vertical tracer exchanges by mesoscale eddies.
- To assess the role of submesoscales (10 km) in these exchanges.
- To bridge biogeochemical hypotheses with fluid dynamics findings.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of biogeochemical studies on tracer budgets.
- Review of fluid dynamics research on submesoscale generation by eddies.
- Synthesis of findings to address key scientific questions.
Main Results:
- Mesoscale eddies significantly impact vertical tracer transport.
- Submesoscale processes play a critical role in vertical exchanges.
- There's a growing understanding of the interplay between mesoscales and submesoscales.
Conclusions:
- Submesoscale dynamics are essential for accurately modeling global tracer budgets.
- Future research should integrate fluid dynamics and biogeochemistry to explore submesoscale vertical exchanges.
- Addressing uncertainties in submesoscale transport is key for advancing ocean science.
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