@article{fdi:010079042,
  title = {{E}ddy surface characteristics and vertical structure in the {G}ulf of {M}exico from satellite observations and model simulations},
  author = {{B}rokaw, {R}. {J}. and {S}ubrahmanyam, {B}. and {T}rott, {C}. {B}. and {C}haigneau, {A}lexis},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he {G}ulf of {M}exico exhibits strong circulation due to the {L}oop {C}urrent {S}ystem, along with high mesoscale eddy activity. {I}n order to investigate eddy characteristics, we apply an automatic eddy-tracking algorithm to absolute dynamic topography maps and analyze the spatial distribution and evolution of eddy attributes including amplitude, radius, and eddy kinetic energy. {T}he {L}oop {C}urrent region in the eastern {G}ulf of {M}exico is an area of robust eddy generation for both cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies. {A}nticyclonic eddies were generally characterized by smaller amplitudes and larger radii when compared to their cyclonic counterparts. {W}e also examine eddy surface properties including temperature and salinity anomalies as well as chlorophyll-a concentration and observe how these properties vary between the eastern and western {G}ulf of {M}exico. {P}ersistent features such as the {L}oop {C}urrent {S}ystem and coastal low-salinity, highly biologically productive waters dominate eddy properties in the eastern side of the basin. {W}e also apply the eddy-tracking algorithm to a regional {H}ybrid {C}oordinate {O}cean {M}odel validated using {A}rgo floats. {W}e find that this model accurately reflects surface characteristics in the mesoscale eddy field as well as the mean vertical eddy structure and use it to extend our analysis of eddy properties with depth. {W}efind that subsurface characteristics of density, salinity, temperature, and velocities vary greatly between eddies in the eastern and western {G}ulf of {M}exico. {T}hrough composite analysis of both surface and subsurface eddy properties, we gain a more complete picture of the mechanisms behind the observable characteristics of these eddies. {P}lain {L}anguage {S}ummary {T}he {G}ulf of {M}exico's surface circulation is dominated by the large-scale {L}oop {C}urrent {S}ystem and mesoscale eddies. {W}e apply an automatic eddy-tracking algorithm to absolute dynamic topography in the {G}ulf of {M}exico. {T}his algorithm aids in analyzing the spatial variability in eddy physical characteristics such as amplitude, radius, and eddy kinetic energy. {W}e also observe the surface and subsurface properties of salinity, temperature, and chlorophyll-a concentration of these eddies and their surrounding waters. {B}y separating the eddies based on circulation type (anticyclonic or cyclonic) and observing the depth structure of these eddies, we can better understand their dynamical characteristics. {W}e also separate eddies based on their location in either the western or eastern {G}ulf. {W}e find that the climatological features of the {L}oop {C}urrent and riverine discharge heavily affect eddy properties. {T}his is seen in major differences in the temperature and salinity surface properties, as well as the vertical structure of eddies between the western and eastern {G}ulf of {M}exico.},
  keywords = {{ATLANTIQUE} ; {GOLFE} {DU} {MEXIQUE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {G}eophysical {R}esearch : {O}ceans},
  volume = {125},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {e2019{JC}015538 [25p.]},
  ISSN = {2169-9275},
  year = {2020},
  DOI = {10.1029/2019jc015538},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010079042},
}