TY - JOUR
T1 - Submesoscale and Mesoscale Eddies in the Florida Straits
T2 - Observations from Satellite Ocean Color Measurements
AU - Zhang, Yingjun
AU - Hu, Chuanmin
AU - Liu, Yonggang
AU - Weisberg, Robert H.
AU - Kourafalou, Vassiliki H.
PY - 2019/11/28
Y1 - 2019/11/28
N2 - Despite their well-recognized importance in driving ocean physics and biology, submesoscale (diameter < Rossby radius of deformation) eddies have been extremely difficult to observe due to technical difficulties from both field and remote platforms. Here using novel satellite ocean color data products and modified algorithms, we address this challenge for the Florida Straits (22–28°N, 78–85°W). Between 2002 and 2018, while mesoscale eddies (radius >15 km) show strong seasonality with occurrence frequency decreasing from Lower Keys to Upper Keys, submesoscale eddies show little or no seasonality with high occurrence frequency restricted to 30–200-m isobaths. The number of mesoscale eddies decreases exponentially in size, but submesoscale eddies show a normal distribution in size. These findings are significant in filling our knowledge gap in submesoscale eddies in this physically and ecologically important region as it encompasses world-renowned coral reefs, seagrasses, and fisheries.
AB - Despite their well-recognized importance in driving ocean physics and biology, submesoscale (diameter < Rossby radius of deformation) eddies have been extremely difficult to observe due to technical difficulties from both field and remote platforms. Here using novel satellite ocean color data products and modified algorithms, we address this challenge for the Florida Straits (22–28°N, 78–85°W). Between 2002 and 2018, while mesoscale eddies (radius >15 km) show strong seasonality with occurrence frequency decreasing from Lower Keys to Upper Keys, submesoscale eddies show little or no seasonality with high occurrence frequency restricted to 30–200-m isobaths. The number of mesoscale eddies decreases exponentially in size, but submesoscale eddies show a normal distribution in size. These findings are significant in filling our knowledge gap in submesoscale eddies in this physically and ecologically important region as it encompasses world-renowned coral reefs, seagrasses, and fisheries.
KW - Florida Keys
KW - Florida Straits
KW - mesoscale eddies
KW - remote sensing
KW - submesoscale eddies
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U2 - 10.1029/2019GL083999
DO - 10.1029/2019GL083999
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85075913451
VL - 46
SP - 13262
EP - 13270
JO - Geophysical Research Letters
JF - Geophysical Research Letters
SN - 0094-8276
IS - 22
ER -