Large Mesoscale Eddies in the Western Arctic Ocean From Satellite Altimetry Measurements

Kubryakov, A. A.; Kozlov, Igor E.; Manucharyan, Georgy E.

doi:10.1029/2020jc016670

Cited by 25 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…At diameter scales of 1-15 km, cyclones strongly dominate over anticyclones, in agreement with historical field observations [1] and model results [8]. However, in the range of 15-30 km this difference is gradually vanishing, and for diameter values above 30 km we observe an approximate parity between them, in agreement with satellite altimetry results [24,40], with a slight dominance of anticyclones. Such a transitioning from dominating cyclones to anticyclones happens when the eddy size exceeds the Rossby deformation radius, i.e., when mesoscale eddies start to dominate over submesoscale, as earlier reported for open-ocean eddies in [22,30].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Almost twice better spatial resolution of Sentinel-1 means that it may better resolve spatial patterns of fine-and small-scale dynamic features in the MIZ. The orbital design of two Sentinel-1 sensors allows sequential mapping of MIZ eddies on a daily regular basis which is critical to assess their dynamic properties and evolution [7], that was previously available only from altimetry observations of large mesoscale open-ocean eddies in the Arctic Ocean [24,40]. However, in this study, we do not consider kinematic properties of MIZ eddies which is a subject of future work.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Eddies in the Marginal Ice Zone of Fram Strait and Svalbard from Spaceborne SAR Observations in Winter

Kozlov

Атаджанова

2021

Remote Sensing

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Here we investigate the intensity of eddy generation and their properties in the marginal ice zone (MIZ) regions of Fram Strait and around Svalbard using spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from Envisat ASAR and Sentinel-1 in winter 2007 and 2018. Analysis of 2039 SAR images allowed identifying 4619 eddy signatures. The number of eddies detected per image per kilometer of MIZ length is similar for both years. Submesoscale and small mesoscale eddies dominate with cyclones detected twice more frequently than anticyclones. Eddy diameters range from 1 to 68 km with mean values of 6 km and 12 km over shallow and deep water, respectively. Mean eddy size grows with increasing ice concentration in the MIZ, yet most eddies are detected at the ice edge and where the ice concentration is below 20%. The fraction of sea ice trapped in cyclones (53%) is slightly higher than that in anticyclones (48%). The amount of sea ice trapped by a single ‘mean’ eddy is about 40 km2, while the average horizontal retreat of the ice edge due to eddy-induced ice melt is about 0.2–0.5 km·d–1 ± 0.02 km·d–1. Relation of eddy occurrence to background currents and winds is also discussed.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eddies in the Marginal Ice Zone of Fram Strait and Svalbard from Spaceborne SAR Observations in Winter

Kozlov

Атаджанова

2021

Remote Sensing

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“…The MOSAiC data are to make a central contribution to this activity. Another example of the joint modeling and observational effort is to examine sub-mesoscale and mesoscale eddy statistics, and to improve their parameterization using data and high-resolution modeling (e.g., Danilov et al, 2017;Kubryakov et al, 2021). A further aspect is to explore largescale dynamical structures in the surface ice and ocean flows (Wilson et al, 2021).…”

Section: Relation To Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Overview of the MOSAiC expedition: Physical oceanography

et al. 2022

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Arctic Ocean properties and processes are highly relevant to the regional and global coupled climate system, yet still scarcely observed, especially in winter. Team OCEAN conducted a full year of physical oceanography observations as part of the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of the Arctic Climate (MOSAiC), a drift with the Arctic sea ice from October 2019 to September 2020. An international team designed and implemented the program to characterize the Arctic Ocean system in unprecedented detail, from the seafloor to the air-sea ice-ocean interface, from sub-mesoscales to pan-Arctic. The oceanographic measurements were coordinated with the other teams to explore the ocean physics and linkages to the climate and ecosystem. This paper introduces the major components of the physical oceanography program and complements the other team overviews of the MOSAiC observational program. Team OCEAN’s sampling strategy was designed around hydrographic ship-, ice- and autonomous platform-based measurements to improve the understanding of regional circulation and mixing processes. Measurements were carried out both routinely, with a regular schedule, and in response to storms or opening leads. Here we present along-drift time series of hydrographic properties, allowing insights into the seasonal and regional evolution of the water column from winter in the Laptev Sea to early summer in Fram Strait: freshening of the surface, deepening of the mixed layer, increase in temperature and salinity of the Atlantic Water. We also highlight the presence of Canada Basin deep water intrusions and a surface meltwater layer in leads. MOSAiC most likely was the most comprehensive program ever conducted over the ice-covered Arctic Ocean. While data analysis and interpretation are ongoing, the acquired datasets will support a wide range of physical oceanography and multi-disciplinary research. They will provide a significant foundation for assessing and advancing modeling capabilities in the Arctic Ocean.

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“…Detection of eddies from space is largely limited in the Arctic Ocean by the presence of sea ice and the eddies' small scales. In the open water, however, satellite altimetry can be used to detect large eddies (Kubryakov et al, 2021). von Appen et al ( 2016) demonstrated that along-track altimetry data can be used in the non-ice-covered ocean to obtain EKE estimates consistent with mooring-based estimates.…”

Section: Impacts Of Mesoscale Variability On Arctic Ocean Circulation...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Eddies and the Distribution of Eddy Kinetic Energy in the Arctic Ocean

Appen¹,

Baumann²,

Janout³

et al. 2022

Oceanog

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Mesoscale eddies are important to many aspects of the dynamics of the Arctic Ocean. Among others, they maintain the halocline and interact with the Atlantic Water circumpolar boundary current through lateral eddy fluxes and shelf-basin exchanges. Mesoscale eddies are also important for transporting biological material and for modifying sea ice distribution. Here, we review what is known about eddies and their impacts in the Arctic Ocean in the context of rapid climate change. Eddy kinetic energy (EKE) is a proxy for mesoscale variability in the ocean due to eddies. We present the first quantification of EKE from moored observations across the entire Arctic Ocean and compare those results to output from an eddy resolving numerical model. We show that EKE is largest in the northern Nordic Seas/Fram Strait and it is also elevated along the shelf break of the Arctic Circumpolar Boundary Current, especially in the Beaufort Sea. In the central basins, EKE is 100–1,000 times lower. Generally, EKE is stronger when sea ice concentration is low versus times of dense ice cover. As sea ice declines, we anticipate that areas in the Arctic Ocean where conditions typical of the North Atlantic and North Pacific prevail will increase. We conclude that the future Arctic Ocean will feature more energetic mesoscale variability.

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Large Mesoscale Eddies in the Western Arctic Ocean From Satellite Altimetry Measurements

Cited by 25 publications

References 81 publications

Eddies in the Marginal Ice Zone of Fram Strait and Svalbard from Spaceborne SAR Observations in Winter

Eddies in the Marginal Ice Zone of Fram Strait and Svalbard from Spaceborne SAR Observations in Winter

Overview of the MOSAiC expedition: Physical oceanography

Eddies and the Distribution of Eddy Kinetic Energy in the Arctic Ocean

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