TY - JOUR

T1 - Lagrangian Eddy Boundary Delineation Algorithm—LEBDA: A case study of the Lofoten Vortex

AU - Novoselova, E. V.

AU - Budyansky, M. V.

AU - Uleysky, M. Yu.

AU - Udalov, A. A.

AU - Belonenko, T. V.

N1 - Novoselova E.V., Budyansky M.V., Uleysky M.Yu., Udalov A.A., Belonenko T.V. (2025). Lagrangian Eddy Boundary Delineation Algorithm—LEBDA: A case study of the Lofoten Vortex. Phys. Fluids 37, 076657; doi: 10.1063/5.0279054

PY - 2025/7/30

Y1 - 2025/7/30

N2 - This paper presents a novel Lagrangian algorithm, the Lagrangian Eddy Boundary Delineation Algorithm (LEBDA), designed for determining the horizontal boundaries of mesoscale quasi-stationary eddies. In contrast to traditional Eulerian methods employed for similar tasks, LEBDA minimizes abrupt boundary changes, a critical advantage particularly relevant for the analysis of long-lived structures. A key feature of the algorithm is the use of passive tracer trajectories to construct R-contours, enabling accurate identification of both the eddy core and its periphery, while effectively filtering out transient perturbations. A comparison with the Automated Mesoscale Eddy Detection Algorithm (AMEDA), using the Lofoten Vortex as a case study, demonstrated that LEBDA provides a more physically consistent and temporally smooth delineation of the eddy boundary. Unlike AMEDA, which tends to overestimate eddy sizes (by up to 1.5 times), LEBDA exhibits a gradual and realistic evolution of boundaries. Analysis of the Lofoten Vortex parameters using LEBDA revealed a relationship between lobe formation, perimeter variations, interaction with the surrounding flow, and the influence of convection on the eddy's shape and stability.

AB - This paper presents a novel Lagrangian algorithm, the Lagrangian Eddy Boundary Delineation Algorithm (LEBDA), designed for determining the horizontal boundaries of mesoscale quasi-stationary eddies. In contrast to traditional Eulerian methods employed for similar tasks, LEBDA minimizes abrupt boundary changes, a critical advantage particularly relevant for the analysis of long-lived structures. A key feature of the algorithm is the use of passive tracer trajectories to construct R-contours, enabling accurate identification of both the eddy core and its periphery, while effectively filtering out transient perturbations. A comparison with the Automated Mesoscale Eddy Detection Algorithm (AMEDA), using the Lofoten Vortex as a case study, demonstrated that LEBDA provides a more physically consistent and temporally smooth delineation of the eddy boundary. Unlike AMEDA, which tends to overestimate eddy sizes (by up to 1.5 times), LEBDA exhibits a gradual and realistic evolution of boundaries. Analysis of the Lofoten Vortex parameters using LEBDA revealed a relationship between lobe formation, perimeter variations, interaction with the surrounding flow, and the influence of convection on the eddy's shape and stability.

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/aaa9a409-be65-330c-9c42-136322dd55e6/

U2 - 10.1063/5.0279054

DO - 10.1063/5.0279054

M3 - Article

VL - 37

JO - Physics of Fluids

JF - Physics of Fluids

SN - 1070-6631

IS - 7

M1 - 076657

ER -