@article{fdi:010082162,
  title = {{S}easonal variability of freshwater plumes in the {E}astern {G}ulf of {G}uinea as inferred from satellite measurements},
  author = {{H}oundegnonto, {O}. {J}. and {K}olodziejczyk, {N}. and {M}aes, {C}hristophe and {B}ourl{\`e}s, {B}ernard and {D}a-{A}llada, {C}. {Y}. and {R}eul, {N}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{I}n the eastern {G}ulf of {G}uinea ({GG}), freshwater originated from rivers discharges into the ocean and high precipitation rate are key contributors to the upper ocean vertical density stratification, and play a key role in modulating local air-sea interactions as well as biogeochemical cycle. {N}evertheless, the dynamics of the {GG} freshwater plumes remain poorly documented because of the scarcity of historical, in situ observations and the lack of an ad hoc satellite-based analysis in this region. {R}ecent advances in remote sensing capabilities from the {S}oil {M}oisture and {O}cean {S}alinity ({SMOS}) satellite mission offer unprecedented coverage and spatiotemporal resolution of {S}ea {S}urface {S}alinity ({SSS}) in the {GG}. {U}sing {SMOS} {SSS} and available in situ measurements, the seasonal variability of freshwater plumes and associated physical mechanisms controlling their seasonal cycle are presented and analyzed. {F}reshwater plumes in the {GG} follow two dynamical regimes. {T}hey present maximum offshore extension during boreal winter and exhibit minimum signature during summer. {I}n the northeastern {GG}, {SSS} variability is mainly explained by high precipitation rate and {N}iger {R}iver runoff during winter, while during late summer, {SSS} is mainly driven by horizontal advection. {I}n contrast, southeast of {GG}, freshwater plumes are mainly supplied by {C}ongo {R}iver runoff. {F}rom {S}eptember to {M}arch, {SSS} variability is driven by zonal advection, with a major contribution from {E}kman wind-driven currents. {D}uring spring-summer, the observed {SSS} increase is likely explained by entrainment and vertical mixing. {SSS} budget and freshwater advection processes are discussed in the context of the shallow stratification induced by freshwater.},
  keywords = {freshwater plumes ; {G}ulf of {G}uinea ; rivers runoff ; {SSS} seasonal ; variability ; {GUINEE} {GOLFE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {G}eophysical {R}esearch : {O}ceans},
  volume = {126},
  numero = {5},
  pages = {e2020{JC}017041 [27 p.]},
  ISSN = {2169-9275},
  year = {2021},
  DOI = {10.1029/2020jc017041},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010082162},
}