Abstract
Abstract Upper layer diapycnal mixing in the Subtropical Front (STF) was estimated using microstructure shear profiles collected from the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean (ISSO) during the austral summer of 2012. Observations were made in the northern and southern boundary of the highly mesoscale turbulent STF, which is characterized by the presence of the dynamic Agulhas Return Current. During the observational period, the STF was populated with alternating cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies. In this mesoscale turbulent region, the average eddy diffusivity at the base of the euphotic zone was 5.5 × 10−5 m2 s−1. The average diapycnal nitrogen flux at the base of the euphotic zone, calculated using direct turbulence measurements, and nitrate (NO3) and nitrite (NO2) concentrations, was 6.4 × 10−5 μ mol m−2 s−1. The satellite-derived primary production in the STF was ~1000 mg C m−2 day−1. The observed diapycnal nutrient flux could only sustain
Published Version
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