Eddy-fying Research: Understanding Properties of Southern Ocean Eddies Intern: Bridget Zakrzewski...
Transcript of Eddy-fying Research: Understanding Properties of Southern Ocean Eddies Intern: Bridget Zakrzewski...
Eddy-fying Research: Understanding Properties of Southern Ocean EddiesIntern: Bridget Zakrzewski Mentor: Ivy Frenger
How can we combine surface and sub-surface data to observe mesoscale eddies?
What Is An Eddy?• Whirlpools• Part of ocean turbulence• Importance: - Mixing and water-mass transport - Tracer distribution & ocean dynamics
Drake Passage Eddy, NASA(Southern Hemisphere)
How Can We Observe Eddies?• Altimetry (AVISO – 1992)(spatio-temporal coverage, no sub-surface data)
• In-Situ Data (Argo – early 2000s)(Vertical structure, less spatio-temporal coverage)
• Both(get the benefits of each!)
ACC Eddies• Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) surrounds
Antarctica• ACC is largest current in the world• Southern Ocean dynamics
Eddy anomalies shown above. Note: North of ACC = outside of ACC, South of ACC = inside of ACC
South ACC
North ACC North ACC North ACC
Eddies near South Western Australia(or “Weird” Eddies)
• Cyclones with positive anomaly• Maximum life span of 72+ weeks
(Courtesy of Ivy Frenger)
“Weird” Eddy Anomalies (3+ months)(Sorted by eddy lifespan)
Bin1: <22wks Bin5: 52-61wksBin2: 22-31wks Bin6: 62-71wksBin3: 32-41wks Bin7: 72-81wksBin4: 42-51wks Bin8: >82wks
Possible Origins of “Weird” Eddies• Warm surface boundary currents• Eddy-rich currents
Potential Future Research • Take a closer look at salinity anomaly
crossing• Observe eddies near other boundary
currents• Use absolute values, not anomalies• Understand differences in slopes for
anticyclones vs. cyclones
AcknowledgementsFor the continuous support throughout my summer
experience, I would like to thank:Ivy Frenger, Mentor
Professor Jorge Sarmiento, HostAOS/GFDL community, Support
Princeton Environment Institute (PEI)