Three-dimensional structure of sub-mesoscale eddies on the continental shelf
- 1The University of Western Australia (Perth, Australia)
Abstract
Sub-mesoscale eddies are oceanic features crucial for energy transfer processes, transport of heat and biogeochemical tracers, and for promoting diversity in marine ecosystems. Their relatively small length scales (< 20 km) and short lifespans ∼ O(days), make their characterization challenging using field measurements. In this paper, we combined remote sensing, ocean glider, High-Frequency Radar, shipborne, and mooring data to investigate the internal structure and dynamical properties of sub-mesoscale eddies and peddies (“petite” eddies; D ≤ 10 km extending through the water column) along the Wadjemup (Rottnest) Continental Shelf (WCS), Western Australia. Data collected in August 2010 showed an anti-cyclonic (counterclockwise) mesoscale eddy spawning several cyclonic (clockwise), cold core sub-mesoscale eddies that promoted upwelling (vertical extension of 185 m) with maxima in chlorophyll concentration at the centre. Results suggested that sub-mesoscale eddies drive chlorophyll advection either at (in) their periphery (centre) of cyclonic (anti-cyclonic) eddies, or at their interfaces. In general, cyclonic eddies promoted upwelling and anti-cyclonic eddies promoted downwelling; however, our data also showed that upwelling conditions could also occur in anti-cyclonic eddies. Winds were found to affect the internal structure and lifecycle of sub-mesoscale eddies, particularly under strong wind (speeds > 7 m s ⁻¹ ) conditions, through upwelling and/or vertical mixing. In the presence of dense shelf water outflows along the continental shelf, sub-mesoscale eddies were found to trap, upwell, and transport denser nearshore waters off the continental shelf. This unique dataset provided a detailed picture of the three-dimensional structure of sub-mesoscale eddies, including the characterization of sub-surface eddies, and contributes to the understanding of their role in chlorophyll advection in shelf and coastal environments.
Versions
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BibTeX
@article{bitencourt2026threedimensional,
title = {{Three-dimensional structure of sub-mesoscale eddies on the continental shelf}},
author = {Liliane Paranhos Bitencourt and Charitha Pattiaratchi and Simone Cosoli and Yasha Hetzel},
journal = {Ocean Science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.5194/os-22-3435-2026},
url = {https://os.copernicus.org/articles/22/3435/2026/},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Three-dimensional structure of sub-mesoscale eddies on the continental shelf
AU - Liliane Paranhos Bitencourt
AU - Charitha Pattiaratchi
AU - Simone Cosoli
AU - Yasha Hetzel
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/27
JO - Ocean Science
DO - 10.5194/os-22-3435-2026
UR - https://os.copernicus.org/articles/22/3435/2026/
AB - Sub-mesoscale eddies are oceanic features crucial for energy transfer processes, transport of heat and biogeochemical tracers, and for promoting diversity in marine ecosystems. Their relatively small length scales (< 20 km) and short lifespans ∼ O(days), make their characterization challenging using field measurements. In this paper, we combined remote sensing, ocean glider, High-Frequency Radar, shipborne, and mooring data to investigate the internal structure and dynamical properties of sub-mesoscale eddies and peddies (“petite” eddies; D ≤ 10 km extending through the water column) along the Wadjemup (Rottnest) Continental Shelf (WCS), Western Australia. Data collected in August 2010 showed an anti-cyclonic (counterclockwise) mesoscale eddy spawning several cyclonic (clockwise), cold core sub-mesoscale eddies that promoted upwelling (vertical extension of 185 m) with maxima in chlorophyll concentration at the centre. Results suggested that sub-mesoscale eddies drive chlorophyll advection either at (in) their periphery (centre) of cyclonic (anti-cyclonic) eddies, or at their interfaces. In general, cyclonic eddies promoted upwelling and anti-cyclonic eddies promoted downwelling; however, our data also showed that upwelling conditions could also occur in anti-cyclonic eddies. Winds were found to affect the internal structure and lifecycle of sub-mesoscale eddies, particularly under strong wind (speeds > 7 m s ⁻¹ ) conditions, through upwelling and/or vertical mixing. In the presence of dense shelf water outflows along the continental shelf, sub-mesoscale eddies were found to trap, upwell, and transport denser nearshore waters off the continental shelf. This unique dataset provided a detailed picture of the three-dimensional structure of sub-mesoscale eddies, including the characterization of sub-surface eddies, and contributes to the understanding of their role in chlorophyll advection in shelf and coastal environments.
SN - 1812-0792
ER -