North Equatorial Undercurrent Research Articles

Energetics of eddy-mean flow interactions in the western tropical Pacific Ocean

The eddy-mean flow interactions are critical processes in the ocean energy cycle. This study investigated the energetics of eddy-mean flow interactions in the western tropical Pacific Ocean using the multiscale window transform (MWT) and MWT-based canonical transfer theory, based on 16-year numerical outputs from the Ocean General Circulation Model for the Earth Simulator and two mooring measurements. Energy analysis revealed that prominent eddy kinetic energy (EKE) appears in the upper layer of the Sulawesi Sea and the source region of North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC), and in the subsurface layer along the Philippine coast. The kinetic energy in the upper layer is mainly transferred from the mean flow to the eddy field through barotropic instability. Below the thermocline, the prominent subsurface EKE is not only caused by barotropic conversion, but also by baroclinic one. Subsurface mesoscale eddies east of the Mindanao Island extract energy from mean flow through barotropic instability, and those further north seem to release their kinetic energy to the mean flow of North Equatorial Undercurrent, indicating inverse energy cascades. Our results highlight that the advection effect plays a key role in the horizontal distribution of EKE, which generally shifts the high EKE area a few degrees downstream from the eddy formation region. Particularly, in the source region of NECC, the advection term shifts the EKE center 5° eastward from ∼132°E to ∼137°E.

Mooring Measurements of Full-Depth Zonal Currents along the 143°E Meridian in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean

Abstract Full-depth ocean zonal currents in the tropical and extratropical northwestern Pacific (TNWP) are studied using current measurements from 17 deep-ocean moorings deployed along the 143°E meridian from the equator to 22°N during January 2016–February 2017. Mean transports of the North Equatorial Current and North Equatorial Countercurrent are estimated to be 42.7 ± 7.1 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) and 10.5 ± 5.3 Sv, respectively, both of which exhibit prominent annual cycles with opposite phases in this year. The observations suggest much larger vertical extents of several of the major subsurface currents than previously reported, including the Lower Equatorial Intermediate Current, Northern Intermediate Countercurrent, North Equatorial Subsurface Current, and North Equatorial Undercurrent (NEUC) from south to north. The Northern Subsurface Countercurrent and NEUC are found to be less steady than the other currents. Seasonal variations of these currents are also revealed in the study. In the deep ocean, the currents below 2000 m are reported for the first time. The observations confirm the striation patterns of meridionally alternating zonal currents in the intermediate and deep layers. Further analyses suggest a superposition of at least the first four and two baroclinic modes to represent the mean equatorial and off-equatorial currents, respectively. Meanwhile, seasonal variations of the currents are generally dominated by the first baroclinic mode associated with the low-mode Rossby waves. Overall, the above observational results not only enhance the knowledge of full-depth current system in the TNWP but also provide a basis for future model validation and skill improvement.

Biogeochemical Characteristics of Western Tropical Atlantic Ocean Water Masses

Water masses are commonly identified according to their conservative parameters. However, there are also studies that use non-conservative parameters, together with the conservative ones, to refine the water masses identification. The aim of this study was to analyze the chemical properties of the water masses in the western tropical Atlantic Ocean (WTAO) according to their inorganic nutrient concentration: nitrate-NO3–, phosphate-PO43–, and silicic acid-Si(OH)4, to set a regional descriptive framework of the water column in view of future comparative studies. We collected full-depth water column samples from 18 oceanographic stations from a latitudinal transect along 38°W, from 02°S to 15°N during the PIRATA-BR XVII and XVIII campaigns, in November 2017 and 2018. We have also used the regional data available from GLODAPv.2 data product to improve the water masses characterization. Six water masses were identified in the region based on their values of potential temperature, salinity, potential density, and neutral density observed in the study area according to the CTD-O2 data: Tropical Surface Water (TSW); South and North Atlantic Central Water (SACW and NACW, respectively); Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW); North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW); and Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW). Regarding the nutrient content within each water mass, our results showed that TSW corresponds to a surface oligotrophic water; NACW and SACW have intermediate nutrient concentration values between TSW and AAIW; AAIW showed the highest concentration of phosphate-PO43– (~ 1.35 µmol kg–1) and nitrate-NO3– (~30 µmol kg–1); AABW, on the other hand, was the water mass with the highest silicic acid-Si(OH)4 concentration (~ 80 µmol kg–1), as well as high nitrate-NO3– (~ 25 µmol kg–1) and phosphate-PO43– (~ 1.80 µmol kg–1) concentrations. Additionally, the water column between 300 and 650 m displays an increase in phosphate-PO43– concentrations north of 5oN, associated to a low dissolved oxygen area coupled to the North Equatorial Under Current (NEUC). Long-term, sustained hydrographic and ocean biogeochemistry observations are key to understand how climate change is affecting the ocean, and this study is a contribution to that.

Wave, Vortex and Wave‐Vortex Dipole (Instability Wave): Three Flavors of the Intra‐Seasonal Variability of the North Equatorial Undercurrent

AbstractIntra‐seasonal variations have been frequently observed in the North Equatorial Undercurrent (NEUC) jets, yet their dynamical nature remains elusive. Based on field observations and model results, we identify three flavors of the ISVs: Wave (accounting for 10%), wave‐vortex dipole (WVD) (20%) and vortex (70%). The wave flavor refers to a Rossby wave, the WVD flavor consists of a pair of counter‐rotating vortices, and the vortex flavor refers to a sub‐thermocline monopole eddy. To our knowledge, the WVD is identified for the first time and is found characterized by a unique dynamical feature: It manifests both as a second baroclinic mode‐like Rossby wave and as a pair of dipole‐like sub‐thermocline eddies. It is further identified as a second baroclinic mode‐like Rossby wave‐initiated instability wave in an equilibrium being fueled by baroclinic conversion. These results indicate that mesoscale instability waves are an important component of subthermocline intra‐seasonal and mesoscale variations.

A Newly Observed Deep Countercurrent in the Subtropical Northwest Pacific

AbstractThe existence of a deep countercurrent in the subtropical northwest Pacific, named Subtropical Deep Countercurrent (STDCC), has been revealed by moored current‐meter data obtained from a buoy system (∼21.6°N, ∼132.8°E) during 4 years (2010–2014). The climatological average of Argo‐based absolute geostrophic velocities and ocean reanalyzes have further confirmed the spatial picture of the eastward‐flowing STDCC. STDCC is identified as a time‐mean feature in the latitudinal range of 19°–25°N with a meridional scale of 200–300 km that persistently appears from 125° to 180°E and slightly shifts to the north as it goes east. Vertically, STDCC is mostly found below 1,000 m with its core located between the depths of 1,250 and 2,000 m, which corresponds to the undercurrent's meridional pattern with increasing depth northward and a meridional space of 2°–4°. Nevertheless, STDCC is distinctive where it lies along ∼27.6 − , which is deeper than the North Equatorial Undercurrent's density layer (∼27.0 − ). The mean velocity of STDCC at 2,000 m observed by mooring measurements was approximately 0.2 ± 0.15 cm s−1 with a maximum speed of approximately 5.59 cm s−1. The ocean reanalyzes also support the existence of STDCC with mean velocity of approximately 0.2–0.6 cm s−1 west of 145°E and can be as large as 1.6 cm s−1 at the eastern region. The results show that STDCC is closely related to the westward‐propagating eddies. Our finding emphasizes that the convergence of the cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies possibly generates time‐mean zonally elongated eastward flows forming STDCC feature.

Seasonal Variability of Subthermocline Eddy Kinetic Energy East of the Philippines

AbstractSeasonal modulation of subthermocline eddy kinetic energy (EKE) east of the Philippines and its associated dynamics are studied, using mooring measurements and outputs from an eddy-resolving ocean general circulation model for the period from 2000 to 2017. Significantly high EKE appears below the thermocline in the latitude band between 5° and 14°N east of the Philippines. Separated by 10°N, the EKE in the northern and southern parts of the region shows nearly opposite seasonal cycles, with its magnitude reaching a maximum in early spring and minimum in summer in the northern part and reaching a maximum in summer and minimum in winter in the southern part of the region. Further investigation indicates that both baroclinic and barotropic instabilities are essential in generating the subthermocline eddies, but the seasonal variation of subthermocline EKE is mainly caused by the seasonal modulation of barotropic instability. The seasonal modulation of barotropic instability in the northern and southern part of the region is associated with the seasonal evolution of North Equatorial Undercurrent and Halmahera Eddy, respectively.

Characteristics of subsurface mesoscale eddies in the northwestern tropical Pacific Ocean from an eddy-resolving model

Subsurface eddies (SSEs) are common features of the ocean interior. They are particularly abundant in oceanic basins and the vicinity of major intermediate water outflows. They are responsible for subsurface transport of mass, heat, and salt. Analysis of high-resolution general circulation model data has revealed the existence of subsurface anticyclonic eddies (SSAEs) and subsurface cyclonic eddies (SSCEs) in the northwestern tropical Pacific Ocean. SSEs are abundant east of the Philippines (0°-22°N, 120°E-140°E) and in latitude bands between 9°N-17°N east of 140°E. The composite structure of SSEs was investigated. SSEs had a core at about 400-m water depth and their maximum meridional velocity exceeded 10 cm/s. They exhibited two cores with different salinity polarities in the surface and subsurface. Additionally, spatial distributions of heat transport induced by SSEs in the northwestern tropical Pacific were presented for the first time. A net equatorward heat flux toward a temperature up-gradient was observed. The analysis of eddy-mean flow interactions revealed that the circulation is baroclinically and barotropically unstable at different depths and to differing degrees. The energy conversions suggest that both barotropic and baroclinic instabilities are responsible for SSE generation east of the Philippines, whereas baroclinic instability caused by a horizontal density gradient and vertical eddy heat flux are important between 9°N and 17°N east of 140°E. Meridional movement of the north equatorial current and the north equatorial undercurrent can contribute to SSE generation in our study region.

From Mixing to the Large Scale Circulation: How the Inverse Cascade Is Involved in the Formation of the Subsurface Currents in the Gulf of Guinea

In this paper, we analyse the results from a numerical model at high resolution. We focus on the formation and maintenance of subsurface equatorial currents in the Gulf of Guinea and we base our analysis on the evolution of potential vorticity (PV). We highlight the link between submesoscale processes (involving mixing, friction and filamentation), mesoscale vortices and the mean currents in the area. In the simulation, eastward currents, the South and North Equatorial Undercurrents (SEUC and NEUC respectively) and the Guinea Undercurrent (GUC), are shown to be linked to the westward currents located equatorward. We show that east of 20° W, both westward and eastward currents are associated with the spreading of PV tongues by mesoscale vortices. The Equatorial Undercurrent (EUC) brings salty waters into the Gulf of Guinea. Mixing diffuses the salty anomaly downward. Meridional advection, mixing and friction are involved in the formation of fluid parcels with PV anomalies in the lower part and below the pycnocline, north and south of the EUC, in the Gulf of Guinea. These parcels gradually merge and vertically align, forming nonlinear anticyclonic vortices that propagate westward, spreading and horizontally mixing their PV content by stirring filamentation and diffusion, up to 20° W. When averaged over time, this creates regions of nearly homogeneous PV within zonal bands between 1.5° and 5° S or N. This mean PV field is associated with westward and eastward zonal jets flanking the EUC with the homogeneous PV tongues corresponding to the westward currents, and the strong PV gradient regions at their edges corresponding to the eastward currents. Mesoscale vortices strongly modulate the mean fields explaining the high spatial and temporal variability of the jets.

Fluctuations of the Atlantic North Equatorial Undercurrent and Associated Changes in Oxygen Transports

AbstractAlthough the core velocity of the Atlantic North Equatorial Undercurrent (NEUC) is low (0.1−0.3 m s−1), it has been suggested to act as an important oxygen supply route towards the oxygen minimum zone in the eastern tropical North Atlantic. For the first time, the intraseasonal to interannual NEUC variability and its impact on oxygen are investigated based on shipboard and moored velocity observations around 5°N, 23°W. In contrast to previous studies that were mainly based on models or hydrographic data, we find hardly any seasonal cycle of NEUC transports in the central Atlantic. The NEUC transport variability is instead dominated by sporadic intraseasonal events. Only some of these events are associated with high oxygen levels suggesting an occasional eastward oxygen supply by NEUC transport events. Nevertheless, they likely contribute to the local oxygen maximum in the mean shipboard section along 23°W at the NEUC core position.

The intermediate water in the Philippine Sea

The dimensional and temporal distribution of Antarctic Intermediate Water (AAIW) and North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) in the Philippine Sea were explored using Argo profiles and gridded Argo data. As the salinity minimum of intermediate water from mid-high latitude of the southern and northern hemisphere of the Pacific Ocean, the properties of AAIW and NPIW merge at about 10°N with different properties in the Philippine Sea. The core of AAIW is located below 600 dbar with potential density of 27 ≤ σθ ≤ 27.3 kg/m3 and salinity of 34.5 ≤ S ≤ 34.55. The core of NPIW is located between 300-700 dbar with potential density of 26.2 ≤ σθ ≤ 27 kg/m3 and salinity of 34 ≤ S ≤ 34.4. The volume of AAIW and NPIW during January 2004 to December 2017 is negatively correlated. The time series of AAIW and NPIW is dominated by significant periods of 6 and 8 months, respectively. The variations of AAIW and NPIW are mainly affected by volume transport through a 130°E section by the North Equatorial Current (NEC) and North Equatorial Undercurrent (NEUC).

On the Formation Dynamics of the North Equatorial Undercurrent

AbstractBased on a physics-oriented modeling study, we investigate the underlying forcing processes of the North Equatorial Undercurrent (NEUC). Made up of large-scale (~90%) and mesoscale (~10%) components, the NEUC weakens eastward with a longitude-independent seasonality. The large-scale component reflects the effect of the meridional baroclinic pressure gradient force (PGF_BC). The vertical velocity shear forms the eastward NEUC, when the PGF_BC exceeds the meridional barotropic pressure gradient force (PGF_BT). The mesoscale variability with alternating jets is linked to the wind stress curl in different regions of the tropical North Pacific. Spatially, the NEUC has a northern (NEUC_N) and a southern branch (NEUC_S), which are mainly attributed to the transports from Luzon Undercurrent (LUC) and Mindanao Undercurrent (MUC), respectively. The LUC of ~3 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) feeds the NEUC_N in summer, while the MUC of ~4 Sv fuels the NEUC_S in autumn and the two branches do not coexist. The total NEUC transport peaks in August/September, and there exist three distinct periods in a 1-yr cycle: the non-NEUC period in winter, the LUC-driven period in summer, and the MUC-driven period in autumn. Based on the layer-integrated vorticity equation, we diagnose quantitatively that the variation of the NEUC is dominated by the lateral planetary vorticity influx from the LUC and the MUC. These external influxes interact with the internal dynamics of pressure torques and stress curls in the NEUC layer, to jointly govern the NEUC and its variability. Meanwhile, the nonlinearity due to relative vorticity advection near the coast modulates the strength of the NEUC.

Interannual Variability of the Atlantic North Equatorial Undercurrent and Its Impact on Oxygen

AbstractThe North Equatorial Undercurrent (NEUC) has been suggested to act as an important oxygen supply route toward the oxygen minimum zone in the eastern tropical North Atlantic. Observational estimates of the mean NEUC strength are uncertain due to the presence of elevated mesoscale activities, and models have difficulties in simulating a realistic NEUC. Here we investigate the interannual variability of the NEUC and its impact onto oxygen based on the output of a high‐resolution Ocean General Circulation Model (OGCM) and contrast the results with an unique data set of 21 ship sections along 23° W and a conceptual model. We find that the interannual variability of the NEUC in the OGCM is related to the Atlantic meridional mode with a stronger and more northward NEUC during negative Atlantic meridional mode phases. Discrepancies between the OGCM and observations suggest a different role of the NEUC in setting the regional oxygen distribution. In the model a stronger NEUC is associated with a weaker oxygen supply toward the east. We attribute this to a too strong recirculation between the NEUC and the northern branch of the South Equatorial Current in the OGCM. Idealized experiments with the conceptual model support the idea that the impact of NEUC variability on oxygen depends on the source water pathway. A strengthening of the NEUC supplied out of the western boundary acts to increase oxygen levels within the NEUC. A strengthening of the recirculations between NEUC and the northern branch of the South Equatorial Current results in a reduction of oxygen levels within the NEUC.

Interdecadal variability of the North Equatorial Undercurrent (NEUC) found in the long-term hydrographic observations along 137°E

The eastward jets beneath the North Equatorial Current (NEC) in the western North Pacific (the North Equatorial Undercurrents, NEUCs) were found to have long-term variability in their number and location with interdecadal timescales based on an analysis of a 48-year series of hydrographic observations (1967–2014) along 137°E made by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The main NEUC near 12°N stably existed at 10.5°N from 1976/77 to 1997/98 but has divided into two flow cores centered at 9.5°N and 12.5°N since 1997/98. The total 48-year observation period was divided into three subperiods with boundaries at 1976/77 and 1997/98, and the structure and variability in the physical quantities associated with the NEUC variability were examined. Meridionally narrow, deep, and sharp temperature anomalies were found at several latitudes including 12°N, which underwent a sign change in its subperiod mean at 1997/98. The long-term variability in temperature around 12°N explains the change in the position of the main NEUC near 12°N. The twofold flows of NEUC after 1997/98 exist on the northern and southern sides of the surface NEC core with a synchronous meridional movement, while the main NEUC exists on the southern side of the surface NEC core in 1977–1997, suggesting that the surface NEC corresponds to the state of the NEUC. Positive anomalies in the wind-induced surface current correspond to those observed to extend downward to the current anomalies constructing NEUC near 12°N. The wind effect emerges as an important large-scale background factor affecting the NEUC variability.

Interannual and decadal variability of the North Equatorial Undercurrents in an eddy-resolving ocean model

In the present study, the mean states of the North Equatorial Undercurrents (NEUCs) simulated in an eddy-resolving ocean model are evaluated, and the variability of the three NEUC jets is analyzed. This analysis provides a reference for future observations regarding how long the in-situ observations should be conducted to obtain a complete picture of NEUCs. We show that the primary features of the three eastward NEUC jets are fairly well reproduced by the high-resolution model of LICOM, such as the locations, tilting directions and widths of the three jets. However, the simulated NEUCs have slightly weaker magnitude and are located at shallower depths. In addition, two dominant time scales on interannual (2–7 years) and decadal (12–19 years) time scales for all three NEUC jets are found in a 39-year high-resolution LICOM simulation, although the latter is not statistically significant. The variation of these jets is related to the remarkable interannual and decadal variability in the Pacific Ocean. Our decomposition analysis indicates that both the small- and large-scale currents contribute to the total variation. Furthermore, the low-pass temporal filter of zonal velocity shows that the quasi-steady cross-basin NEUC jets can only emerge on time scales longer than the interannual periodicity.

New insights on the upper layer circulation north of the Gulf of Guinea

AbstractThe oceanic circulation in the upper layers of the north of the Gulf of Guinea is analyzed, as inferred from in situ observations and numerical simulations. This particular region, in spite of the presence of a coastal upwelling and its impact on resources and regional climate, is still poorly documented. Cruises carried out in the framework of different international programs (e.g., EGEE/AMMA, PIRATA) allowed to show the existence of an eastward flowing undercurrent, found under the Guinea Current, named the Guinea UnderCurrent (GUC). Numerical results from high resolution simulation allowed the description of the seasonal variability of this current. It appears that the GUC is stronger in spring and reverses westward in August–September. We also depict the fate and the sources of the GUC based on selected trajectories from numerical particle tracking. The simulated trajectories reveal: (i) a preferred route of the GUC along 4°N from Cape Palmas to Cape Three Points and following the coast east of Cape Three Points; (ii) strong recirculations in the most eastern part of the Gulf of Guinea and off Cape Palmas including warm and salty waters of the South Equatorial Current; (iii) a weak inflow from northern latitudes through a subsurface current flowing southward along the West African coast. In addition, Lagrangian experiments show that the GUC is not an extension of the North Equatorial UnderCurrent and confirm that this current does not penetrate into the Gulf of Guinea.

Water mass characteristics in the western North Pacific based on a streamfunction projection

A streamfunction projection method called gravest empirical mode (GEM) is applied to the hydrographic section at 137°E to filter out eddy noises in the western North Pacific and derive quantitative ensemble-average water mass properties in the North Equatorial Current region. The GEM fields capture more than 80% of total property variances in the thermocline layer. The core layer structures of key water masses, including the North Pacific Tropical Water (NPTW) and the North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW), are examined with a definition of water mass boundary based on property gradient. It shows that a tongue of maximal root-mean-square (RMS) residual exists in the upper half of NPIW for all water properties. These subsurface RMS tongues appear to be close to sharp property gradients. It is the first time a GEM diagnosis is applied to nutrient data, which reveals a drastic difference of N/P reaction rate ratio above and below the maximal-nutrient core at 1250 m. Additionally, a GEM velocity reconstruction successfully produces the North Equatorial Undercurrent (NEUC), demonstrating the stable thermal-wind nature of this newly-discovered current.

Activities of 50–80 day subthermocline eddies near the Philippine coast

AbstractAnalyses of outputs from an eddy‐resolving ocean general circulation model show that there are at least two groups of subthermocline eddies near the Philippine coast: one originates from the southeast, and the other from the east. The dominant period and principal depth of the former (latter) group of eddies are about 55 days (67 days) and 600 m (350 m), respectively. The propagation speed (∼0.12 m s−1) and diameter (∼3°) of the two groups of eddies are similar. We suggest that the westward propagating eddies are generated by interactions between meridional movement of the westward‐flowing North Equatorial Current, the eastward‐flowing North Equatorial Undercurrent, and their interactions with topography. Besides, the analysis indicates that, in comparison with the northwestward propagating subthermocline eddies, the westward propagating ones play a more important role in modulating the subsurface circulation near the Philippine coast.

On the subsurface countercurrents in the Philippine Sea

AbstractThe subsurface countercurrents in the Philippine Sea and their roles in water mass transportation have been reported in previous studies. Their existence is still controversial, and the underlying dynamics remains unclear. This study investigates the climatological structures and relationships of three subsurface countercurrents, namely the Mindanao Undercurrent (MUC), the Luzon Undercurrent (LUC), and the North Equatorial Undercurrent (NEUC), using recently available hydrographic and satellite altimeter data. The three subsurface currents below and opposite to the surface currents are confirmed by multisections analysis. The MUC, as traced at zonal sections between 6.5°N and 10.5°N, shows two northward velocity cores, both with maximum speed larger than 10 cm s−1. The LUC exhibits an obscure core with southward velocity larger than 2 cm s−1 under the Kuroshio at 18°N and 16.25°N sections. The eastward flowing NEUC also has two separated cores at 128.2°E and 130°E sections with velocity larger than 1 cm s−1. Analyses of θ‐S relationship suggest that the southern part of NEUC is fed by the MUC with the South Pacific water and South/North Pacific water mixture, while the northern NEUC is likely a destiny of the North Pacific water carried by the LUC. Tightly associated with the opposite horizontal gradients between sea surface height (SSH) and the depth of thermocline (DTC), the subsurface countercurrents exist in connected zones where the baroclinic adjustment below the thermocline overcomes the barotropic forcing at the sea surface, which indicates the dynamical linkages among the three subsurface countercurrents.

Generation of the North Equatorial Undercurrent Jets by Triad Baroclinic Rossby Wave Interactions

Abstract Formation processes responsible for the North Equatorial Undercurrent (NEUC) jets that appear across the tropical North Pacific Ocean near 9°, 13°, and 18°N are explored both theoretically and using numerical models with different complexities. Analyses of an eddy-resolving global ocean general circulation model output reveal that the NEUC jets have a mode-1 baroclinic vertical structure and are spatially persistent on the interannual and longer time scales. This OGCM-simulated vertical structure prompts the authors to adopt the simpler, nonlinear -layer reduced-gravity model, as well as the baroclinic Rossby wave triad interaction theory, to unravel the essential processes underlying the NEUC jets. The seed for the NEUC jets originates in annual baroclinic Rossby waves driven by the large-scale surface wind stress forcing. Emanating from the ocean basin’s eastern boundary, these wind-forced “primary” waves are subject to nonlinear triad interactions and break down offshore where the e-folding time scale of the most unstable triad instability matches the advective time scale of the primary waves. The breakdown boundary of the wind-forced primary waves tends to tilt northeast–southwest and, west of this boundary, finite-amplitude eddies emerge, whose meridional scales are set by the most unstable short secondary waves participating in the triad interactions along the breakdown boundary. With their meridional scales set similarly by the short secondary waves, the time-mean zonal jets of characteristics resembling the observed NEUC jets are formed by the converging potential vorticity fluxes of these finite-amplitude eddies.

Variability of the Atlantic off‐equatorial eastward currents during 1993–2010 using a synthetic method

We have developed, validated, and applied a synthetic method to monitor the off‐equatorial eastward currents in the central tropical Atlantic. This method combines high‐density expendable bathythermograph (XBT) temperature data along the AX08 transect with altimetric sea level anomalies (SLAs) to estimate dynamic height fields from which the mean properties of the North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC), the North Equatorial Undercurrent (NEUC) and the South Equatorial Undercurrent (SEUC), and their variability can be estimated on seasonal to interannual timescales. On seasonal to interannual timescales, the synthetic method is well suited for reconstructions of the NECC variability, reproduces the variability of the NEUC with considerable skill, and less efficiently describes variations of the SEUC, which is located in a region of low SLA variability. A positive correlation is found between interannual variations of the NECC transport and two indices based on an interhemispheric sea surface temperature (SST) gradient and southeasterly wind stress in the central tropical Atlantic. The NEUC is correlated on interannual timescales with SSTs and meridional wind stress in the Gulf of Guinea and zonal equatorial wind stress. This study shows that both altimetry and XBT data can be effectively combined for near‐real‐time inference of the dynamic and thermodynamic properties of the tropical Atlantic current system.