@article{2bfdf516f85d4f31a092d1b74549bd12,
title = "Submesoscale and Mesoscale Eddies in the Florida Straits: Observations from Satellite Ocean Color Measurements",
abstract = "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.",
keywords = "Florida Keys, Florida Straits, mesoscale eddies, remote sensing, submesoscale eddies",
author = "Yingjun Zhang and Chuanmin Hu and Yonggang Liu and Weisberg, {Robert H.} and Kourafalou, {Vassiliki H.}",
note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NNX14AL98G), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NA15OAR4320064), Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GOMA231607‐00, G‐231804 and G‐231819), and National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (UGOS, 2000009918), and by a NASA student fellowship (FINESST, 80NSSC19K1358). All images can be found and accessed at the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information and Data Cooperative (GRIIDC) at https://data.gulfresearchinitiative.org/pelagos‐symfony/data/R6.x818.000:0001 (doi: 10.7266/n7‐adrz‐4567 ). We thank Dr. Igor Belkin (University of Rhode Island) for the useful discussions on the various edge detection methods applied to satellite imagery. We thank Mr. Brock Murch (USF) for his various editorial comments, and thank the two anonymous reviewers for their contribution in improving the presentation of this work. Funding Information: This work was supported by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NNX14AL98G), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NA15OAR4320064), Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GOMA231607-00, G-231804 and G-231819), and National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (UGOS, 2000009918), and by a NASA student fellowship (FINESST, 80NSSC19K1358). All images can be found and accessed at the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative Information and Data Cooperative (GRIIDC) at https://data.gulfresearchinitiative.org/pelagos-symfony/data/R6.x818.000:0001 (doi: 10.7266/n7-adrz-4567). We thank Dr. Igor Belkin (University of Rhode Island) for the useful discussions on the various edge detection methods applied to satellite imagery. We thank Mr. Brock Murch (USF) for his various editorial comments, and thank the two anonymous reviewers for their contribution in improving the presentation of this work. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright}2019. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.",
year = "2019",
month = nov,
day = "28",
doi = "10.1029/2019GL083999",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "46",
pages = "13262--13270",
journal = "Geophysical Research Letters",
issn = "0094-8276",
publisher = "American Geophysical Union",
number = "22",
}