Article (Scientific journals)
Strong Long‐Lived Anticyclonic Mesoscale Eddies in the Balearic Sea: Formation, Intensification, and Thermal Impact
Aguiar, E.; Mourre, B.; Alvera Azcarate, Aida et al.
2022In Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans, 127 (5)
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Keywords :
Oceanography; Mesoscale circulation; Eddies; Balearic Sea
Abstract :
[en] Anticyclonic mesoscale eddies are often observed in the Balearic Sea (BS) toward the end of summer and autumn. In some years, these eddies become strong and persistent, modifying the local water mass properties. In this study, we analyze two of the most significant recent long-lived anticyclonic eddies, occurring in 2010 and 2017, using data from a high-resolution circulation model, altimetry and satellite-borne sea surface temperature observations. These eddies lasted around 2 and 4 months, respectively, with a radius varying between 40 and 75 km. The generation and intensification mechanisms of these long-lived anticyclonic eddies are studied by means of (a) energy conversion terms associated with eddy-mean flow interaction and (b) model sensitivity tests. Results show that these eddies were formed and intensified through mixed barotropic and baroclinic instabilities. The former are produced under the action of intense northwesterly (NW) winds. The latter are related to the existence of an intense summer thermal front between the BS and the Gulf of Lion, and to northward inflows of relatively lower salinity waters. Both the wind events and the presence of the thermal front are necessary for the formation of the eddies. The intensification process varied between both events. While in 2010 it was driven by significant salinity gradients produced by northwards inflows, in 2017 it was produced by additional intense NW winds. Both long-lived anticyclonic eddies created long-lasting surface temperature anomalies up to 2.5°C, which have characteristics of local marine heatwaves.
Research Center/Unit :
FOCUS - Freshwater and OCeanic science Unit of reSearch - ULiège
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
Aguiar, E. ;  SOCIB Palma de Mallorca Spain
Mourre, B. ;  SOCIB Palma de Mallorca Spain
Alvera Azcarate, Aida  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège
Pascual, A. ;  IMEDEA (UIB‐CSIC) Esporles Spain
Mason, Evan  ;  Université de Liège - ULiège ; IMEDEA (UIB‐CSIC) Esporles Spain
Tintoré, J. ;  SOCIB Palma de Mallorca Spain ; IMEDEA (UIB‐CSIC) Esporles Spain
Language :
English
Title :
Strong Long‐Lived Anticyclonic Mesoscale Eddies in the Balearic Sea: Formation, Intensification, and Thermal Impact
Publication date :
03 May 2022
Journal title :
Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans
ISSN :
2169-9275
eISSN :
2169-9291
Publisher :
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Volume :
127
Issue :
5
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
La Caixa Foundation
Available on ORBi :
since 30 May 2022

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