@article{fdi:010087493,
  title = {{M}esoscale variability, critical latitude and eddy mean properties in the {T}ropical {S}outh-{E}ast {A}tlantic {O}cean},
  author = {{H}alo, {I}. and {R}aj, {R}. {P}. and {K}orosov, {A}. and {P}enven, {P}ierrick and {J}ohannessen, {J}. {A}. and {R}ouault, {M}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{E}quatorward decrease of mesoscale eddy abundance, and meridional variations of their mean properties in the tropical {S}outh-{E}ast {A}tlantic {O}cean have been investigated on the basis of horizontal length-scales of geostrophic flows, and theories of two-dimensional geostrophic turbulence on a fl-plane. {M}eridional variations of satellite-derived altimetric eddy kinetic energy density spectra were assessed in bins of 5 degrees, from 5 degrees {S} to 25 degrees {S}, zonally averaged between 8 degrees {W} and 15 degrees {E}. {T}hey revealed two latitudinal bands of minimum eddy energy spectra: one in the northern {A}ngola {B}asin (5 degrees {S}-10 degrees {S}) and the other across the {A}ngola {B}enguela {F}ront (15 degrees {S}-20 degrees {S}). {I}n the latter, both the eddy forcing scale and the {R}hines scale were observed at wavelengths of 300 and 350 km respectively, suggesting that only a small spectral range exists for eddies to grow. {O}n the other hand, in the former, the eddy forcing scale and the {R}hines scale were observed at wavelengths of 454 and 520 km respectively. {T}he ratio between the {R}hines scale and the first baroclinic {R}ossby radius revealed an onset of a critical latitude at about 11.4 degrees {S}. {C}onsistently, maps of eddy frequency of occurrence computed from eddies identified in the region has shown a notable decay in signal of the eddy density distribution around that latitude. {T}his could explain the sharp equatorward transition of mesoscale processes observed in this region, which seems to shift from nonlinear eddies to linear {R}ossby waves, potentially explaining why fewer eddies are observed in the region when compared to other regions of the world oceans.},
  keywords = {mesoscale variability ; eddies ; {R}ossby waves ; {R}hines scale ; {R}ossby radius ; critical latitude ; {ATLANTIQUE} ; {ZONE} {TROPICALE} ; {ATLANTIQUE} {SUD} {EST}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {G}eophysical {R}esearch : {O}ceans},
  volume = {128},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {[20 p.]},
  ISSN = {2169-9275},
  year = {2023},
  DOI = {10.1029/2022jc019050},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010087493},
}