The cyclonic circulation in the Australian-Antarctic basin simulated by an eddy-resolving general circulation model

• Published in: Ocean Dynamics
• Main Authors: Aoki, S, Sasai, Y, Sasaki, H, Mitsudera, H, Williams, GD
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer 2010
• Subjects: Earth Sciences; Oceanography; Physical Oceanography; Antarctic; Australian Antarctic Basin; Australian-Antarctic Basin; Kerguelen; Princess Elizabeth Trough; Prydz Bay; The Antarctic; Weddell; Antarc*; Iceberg*
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-009-0261-y; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/71466

Flow structure in the Australian-Antarctic basin is investigated using an eddy-resolving general ocean circulation model and validated with iceberg and middepth float trajectories. A cyclonic circulation system between the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and Antarctic Slope Current consists of a large-scale gyre in the west (80-110 degrees E) and a series of eddies in the east (120-150 degrees E). The western gyre has an annual mean westward transport of 22 Sv in the southern limb. Extending west through the Princess Elizabeth Trough, 5 Sv of the gyre recirculates off Prydz Bay and joins the western boundary current off the Kerguelen Plateau. Iceberg trajectories from QuickScat and ERS-1/2 support this recirculation and the overall structure of the Antarctic Slope Current against isobath in the model. Argo float trajectories also reveal a consistent structure of the deep westward slope current. This study indicates the presence of a large cyclonic circulation in this basin, which is comparable to the Weddell and Ross gyres.