4B.3
Eddy and Chlorophyll-a Structures in the Kuroshio Extension Detected from Altimeter and SeaWiFS
Peter C. Chu, NPS, Monterey, CA; and Y. H. Kuo
Ten years (1998-2007) of Sea Level Anomaly (SLA) from multiple satellite altimeters and chlorophyll-a concentration from the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) were used to investigate variations of sea level and associated biophysical processes in the Kuroshio Extension (KE) region near 35oN. Seasonal SeaWiFS chlorophyll-a concentrations cycles and annual changes of altimeter SLA are derived for the subtropical North Pacific near 35°N and along the KE axis. Spatial structure of SeaWiFS, is determined as the deviations from a local seasonal cycle and examined in relation to altimeter eddy structure. In the KE region, SeaWiFS structure is evident during the spring bloom period with a scale around 460 km. Eddy propagation speeds and scales are examined. Cold-core (cyclonic) rings correspond to areas of high SeaWiFS chlorophyll-a. Warm-core (anticyclonic) rings relate to areas of low chlorophyll-a concentration. SeaWiFS chlorophyll-a anomalies and Altimeter SLA structure have an overall negative correlation coefficient of r=-0.36. Swirl currents between eddies redistribute surface chlorophyll concentrations and can spatially bias maximum and minimum concentration levels off eddy center.
Supplementary URL: http://faculty.nps.edu/pcchu/index.html
Session 4B, Ocean observations for data assimilation and climate I
Tuesday, 19 January 2010, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM, B306
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