DOI

In this study, we investigate eddy dynamics in the northern Greenland Sea and the Fram Strait using AVISO altimetry, spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and Finite Element Sea ice-Ocean Model (FESOM) high-resolution numerical model data. In the region, eddies are thought to play an important role in the redistribution of the warmer and saltier Atlantic Water between the Arctic Ocean and the areas of deep convection in the central Greenland Sea. We found that eddies detected in AVISO and in SAR form two complementary data sets of large mesoscale eddies (with typical radii of 30–50 km) and of small mesoscale/submesoscale eddies (with typical radii of 1–5 km and not exceeding 30 km), respectively. For large mesoscale eddies, the number of cyclones and anticyclones is approximately the same, while for submesoscale eddies, cyclones are strongly dominating. The limitations and possible biases in each of the data sets are discussed and cross-validated against FESOM results. It is noted that the most energetic eddies are concentrated along the major currents and in the northern part of the region. Eddy translations follow the mean currents in their overall cyclonic circulation around the northern Greenland Sea. A convergence of the eddies toward the Nordbukta area is detected. On seasonal time scale, a higher number of more intense mesoscale eddies is observed during winter, associated with a quasi-simultaneous intensification of the mean currents. Model results also show an increase in the number of small eddies in spring-early summer attributed to the decay of large eddies, while in late autumn, the opposite tendency suggests eddy merger.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere2019JC015832
Number of pages26
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research: Oceans
Volume125
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jul 2020

    Scopus subject areas

  • Forestry
  • Aquatic Science
  • Soil Science
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Earth-Surface Processes
  • Geochemistry and Petrology
  • Geophysics
  • Oceanography
  • Paleontology
  • Ecology
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Atmospheric Science

    Research areas

  • eddies, FESOM model, Fram Strait, SAR, satellite altimetry, the North Greenland Sea, MARGINAL ICE-ZONE, BAROCLINIC INSTABILITY, NORDIC SEAS, SURFACE CIRCULATION, WEST SPITSBERGEN CURRENT, ATLANTIC WATER, OCEAN CIRCULATION, LOFOTEN BASIN, MEDITERRANEAN WATER EDDIES, MESOSCALE EDDY FIELD

ID: 61269097