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Three-dimensional mesoscale eddy identification and tracking algorithm based on pressure anomalies

  • Physics
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Abstract

The Kuroshio Extension (KE) is one of the most eddy-energetic regions in the global ocean. However, most mesoscale eddy studies in the region are focused on surface eddies and the structure and characteristics of three-dimensional (3-D) eddies require additional research. In this study, we proposed a 3-D eddy identification and tracking algorithm based on pressure anomalies, similar to sea level anomalies (SLAs) for surface eddy identification. We applied this scheme to a 5-year (2008–2012) high-resolution numerical product to develop a 3-D eddy dataset in the KE. The reliability of the numerical product was verified by the 5-year temperature/salinity hydrological characteristics and surface eddy distribution. According to the 3-D eddy tracking dataset, the number of eddies decreased dramatically as the eddy existence-time increased and more anticyclonic eddies (AEs) had an existence-time longer than 1 week than cyclonic eddies (CEs). We presented daily variations in the 3-D structure of two 3-D eddy-tracking trajectories that exhibit a certain jump in depth and a shift toward the west and equator. In addition to the bowl, lens, and cone eddies that have been discovered by previous researchers, we found that there is a cylindrical eddy, and its eddy radii are almost consistent across all layers. CEs cause significant negative temperature anomalies, “negative-positive” salinity anomalies, and sinking current fields in the KE region, while AEs cause positive temperature anomalies, “positive-negative” salinity anomalies, and upward current fields. The four types of eddies have different effects on the temperature/salinity anomalies and current field distribution which are related to their structure.

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Data Availability Statement

The HYCOM data and the altimeter data can be obtained freely from http://ncss.hycom.org/thredds/catalogs/GLBu0.08/expt_19.1.html and http://marine.copernicus.eu/, respectively. The datasets generated and analyzed in the current study are not publicly available because they are the property of the project but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgment

The authors thank the anonymous reviewers for their thorough reviews and constructive suggestions on a previous version of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSSC Ocean Exploration Technology Institute Co., Ltd., Wuxi, 214000, China

    Liming Yuan & Chun Zhou

  2. College of Information Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China

    Fenglin Tian

  3. PLA Naval Submarine Academy, Qingdao, 266199, China

    Suqin Xu & Jie Chen

Authors
  1. Liming Yuan
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  2. Fenglin Tian
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  3. Suqin Xu
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  4. Chun Zhou
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  5. Jie Chen
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Correspondence to Suqin Xu.

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Yuan, L., Tian, F., Xu, S. et al. Three-dimensional mesoscale eddy identification and tracking algorithm based on pressure anomalies. J. Ocean. Limnol. 39, 2153–2166 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-021-0309-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00343-021-0309-5

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