Effects of the seasonality of mesoscale eddies on the planktonic dynamics off eastern Brazil

Author(s)

Luko, Caique D. ; Pereira, Filipe ; da Silveira, Ilson C. A. ; Tandon, Amit ; Flierl, Glenn R.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: DYNAMICS OF ATMOSPHERES AND OCEANS; v. 98, p. 16-pg., 2022-04-05.

Abstract

The South Equatorial Current's southern branch (SSEC) reaches the Brazilian continental margin through several bands between 30 degrees S and 10 degrees S. As the SSEC 14 degrees S band reaches the Brazilian continental margin, it bifurcates into the poleward-flowing Brazil Current (BC), and the surface portion of the equatorward-flowing North Brazil Undercurrent (NBUC). Some semi-permanent eddies are formed in association with the bifurcation, and their variability is controlled by the seasonality of the SSEC bands. This work aims to investigate the role of the seasonality of these mesoscale eddies on the regional phytoplanktonic dynamics. We analyze chlorophyll-a satellite observations and perform two experiments using a Nutrients-Phytoplankton-Zooplankton (NPZ) model coupled to a 11/2-layer quasi-geostrophic model. The results show that the phytoplankton annual cycle off eastern Brazil is mainly controlled by the seasonally varying advection of material offshore caused by the mesoscale eddies. Such a mechanism may represent an important source of material to the tropical oligotrophic ocean. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/00451-6 - Recovery of lanthanides and other metals from electronic waste
• Grantee: Ariane Tiemi Mitsuhara
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Technical Training Program - Technical Training
• FAPESP's process: 17/15026-6 - Physical-biological interactions in coastal and oceanic fronts off Southeastern Brazil
• Grantee: Filipe Pereira dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 17/21698-7 - Mesoscale structures of the equatorial south current bifurcation northern branch
• Grantee: Caique Dias Luko
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 18/00452-2 - Supporting scalablility and efficiency for scientific applications
• Grantee: Hermes Senger
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/00009-4 - Physical-biological interactions within the mesoscale structures of the South Equatorial Current bifurcation northern branch
• Grantee: Caique Dias Luko
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 20/04124-0 - Submesoscale activity associated with the São Tomé Cape Cyclone: a numerical study
• Grantee: Caique Dias Luko
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 15/21729-4 - The role of the Vitória-Trindade Ridge in the generation of sub and meso-scale dynamics
• Grantee: Ilson Carlos Almeida da SIlveira
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants