Submesoscale coherent vortices in the deep Brazil Basin

• Main Author: Kassis, Patricia
• Other Authors: W. Brechner Owens., Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution., Joint Program in Physical Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2000
• Subjects: Joint Program in Physical Oceanography; Earth; Atmospheric; and Planetary Sciences; Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; GC7.8 .K37; Eddies South Atlantic Ocean; Vortex-motion South Atlantic Ocean; North Atlantic Deep Water; North Atlantic; South Atlantic Ocean
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/59646

Thesis (S.M.)--Joint Program in Physical Oceanography (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution), 2000. Includes bibliographical references (p. 65-67). With Lagrangian and hydrographic data taken in the deep Brazil Basin, we identify several submesoscale coherent vortices (SCVs). These features contrast with SCV paradigms in that float data indicate approximately equal populations of cyclonic and anticyclonic vortices, and hydrographic data suggest that roughly half exhibit the convex lens shape generally associated with SCVs, while half are instead shaped like a concave lens, with isopycnal surfaces pinched together. There is some evidence that the vortex cores may be enriched in warm, salty North Atlantic Deep Water, suggesting formation in the north or northwest regions of the basin. Data is available from 153 floats which were ballasted for 2500 and 4000 db pressures. They tracked 34 eddies, which are believed to be roughly 30 km in diameter, and rotate with apparent periods of about 30 days. Many floats experienced formation or entrainment events, and destruction or detrainment events, near seamounts. by Patricia Kassis. S.M.