@article{fdi:010084402,
  title = {{C}an the surface quasi-geostrophic ({SQG}) theory explain upper ocean dynamics in the {S}outh {A}tlantic ?},
  author = {{M}iracca-{L}age, {M}. and {G}onzalez-{H}aro, {C}. and {C}ampagnoli {N}apolitano, {D}ante and {I}sern-{F}ontanet, {J}. and {P}olito, {P}. {S}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{S}atellite altimeters provide quasi-global measurements of sea surface height, and from those the vertically integrated geostrophic velocity can be directly estimated, but not its vertical structure. {T}his study discusses whether the mesoscale (30-400 km) dynamics of three regions in the {S}outh {A}tlantic can be described by the surface quasi-geostrophic ({SQG}) theory, both at the surface and in depth, using outputs from an ocean general circulation model. {A}t these scales, the model surface eddy kinetic energy ({EKE}) spectra show slopes close to k(-5/3) (k(-3)) in winter (summer), characterizing the {SQG} and quasi-geostrophic ({QG}) turbulence regimes. {W}e use surface density and temperature to (a) reconstruct the stream function under the {SQG} theory, (b) assess its capability of reproducing mesoscale motions, and (c) identify the main parameters that improve such reconstruction. {F}or mixed layers shallower than 100 m, the changes in the mixed-layer depth contributes nine times more to the surface {SQG} reconstruction than the {EKE}, indicating the strong connection between the quality of the reconstruction and the seasonality of the mixed layer. {T}o further explore the reconstruction vertical extension, we add the barotropic and first baroclinic {QG} modes to the surface solution. {T}he {SQG} solutions reproduce the model density and geostrophic velocities in winter, whereas in summer, the interior {QG} modes prevail. {T}ogether, these solutions can improve surface correlations (>0.98) and can depict spatial patterns of mesoscale structures in both the horizontal and vertical domains. {I}mproved spatial resolution from upcoming altimeter missions poses a motivating scenario to extend our findings into future observational studies.},
  keywords = {surface quasi-geostrophy ; quasi-geostrophy ; spectral slopes ; mixed layer ; depth ; eddy kinetic energy ; {ATLANTIQUE} {SUD}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {G}eophysical {R}esearch : {O}ceans},
  volume = {127},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {e2021{JC}018001 [23 p.]},
  ISSN = {2169-9275},
  year = {2022},
  DOI = {10.1029/2021jc018001},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010084402},
}