Warm Eddy Research Articles

Photophysiological status of phytoplankton communities in different types of eddies during winter in the western Pacific Ocean

The Western Pacific Ocean (WPO) is one of the most active eddy regions in the world, where a variety of ocean processes are frequently observed, but little research has been conducted on the phytoplankton communities and their photosynthetic physiological status within the eddies in this region. The bio-optical parameters of phytoplankton communities and their physiological status within the warm core and cold core eddies of the WPO during the winter of 2021 were investigated based on fast repetition rate fluorometry (FRRF). In this paper, environmental factors, phytoplankton community parameters, chlorophyll a (Chl a), and various bio-optical parameters were investigated for two opposite types of eddies at the WPO. The results show the maximum [Fv/Fm, 0.18 to 0.26 (warm eddy), 0.14 to 0.28 (cold eddy)] and effective photosynthetic efficiency [Fq'/Fm', 0.11 to 0.23 (warm eddy), 0.10 to 0.27 (cold eddy)] of the DCM for both warm and cold eddies, the electron transport rates ETRRCII [0.002–6.18 mol e− mol RCII−1 s−1 (warm eddy), 0.002–4.94 mol e− mol RCII−1 s−1 (cold eddy)] and the primary production potential PPmax [0.68–118.19 mg C (mg Chl a)−1 day−1 (warm eddy), 2.47–243.49 mg C (mg Chl a)−1 day−1 (cold eddy)] for different types eddies. In warm eddy, temperature and Chl a concentrations had significant effects on Fv/Fm and Fq'/Fm', while in cold eddy the correlation of Fv/Fm and Fq'/Fm' with temperature was not significant, and Fv/Fm was significantly negatively correlated with DIP only. Light was the main variable affecting the electron transport capacity and primary production potential of the phytoplankton community in the eddies, while larger cyanobacteria and dinoflagellates contributed significantly to the primary production potential of the cold eddy. In addition, both eddies centers had higher primary production potentials, with the cold eddy had a higher primary production potential than the warm eddy, based on microscopic analysis this phenomenon may be due to differences in electron transfer rates between phytoplankton communities.

A functional-group-based perspective on the response of marine phytoplankton to mesoscale eddies

This study analyzed the response of marine phytoplankton to environmental changes induced by mesoscale warm eddies through the lens of functional groups, highlighting the complex interactions within the ecosystem. It was found that warm eddies significantly affected phytoplankton distribution, with cell abundance in the center being only 75.60 cells/L, compared to 1095.00 cells/L in the periphery. Vertical transport within warm eddies altered light conditions, affecting photophilic diatoms more, while increased temperatures favored the growth of warm-water dinoflagellates. This study also emphasized that ocean currents were significant factors, showing correlations with various functional groups and playing a key role in material transport and phytoplankton distribution. Additionally, the distinct responses of different functional groups to temperature and salinity underscored their unique adaptations to environmental changes. In periods without warm eddies, phytoplankton primarily congregated in shallower water layers.

Chromatic Acclimating Synechococcus Dominate in Mesoscale Eddies

AbstractMesoscale eddies are found almost everywhere in global ocean. They can last for weeks to months with scales up to over 100 km and play important roles in global biogeochemical cycles. In this study, we analyzed the phylogenetic and pigment type composition of Synechococcus in a cyclonic eddy (CE, cold eddy) and an anticyclonic eddy (ACE, warm eddy) located in western South China Sea in summer, 2018. Nutrients pumping enhanced Synechococcus abundance markedly in the upper euphotic layers of CE. High diversity of both phylogenetic clades and pigment types of Synechococcus were discovered in the sampling area, with clear composition difference between CE and ACE. The chromatic acclimating pigment type (PT) 3dA dominated in CE while PT 3dB dominated in ACE. The potential weak chromatic acclimator PT 3eA contributed a significant proportion in both CE and ACE. To better understand the difference of PT composition in CE and ACE, we further investigated the phylogenetic composition of Synechococcus in CE and ACE. Clade CRD 1, which were the main strains in upwelling regions, were dominant in CE, where cooler and nutrient rich subsurface water was pumped to the upper layers. Warm water adapted clade II and clade III dominated in ACE. Our study, for the first time, indicated that chromatic acclimation was important in shaping the vertical profile of Synechococcus community in mesoscale eddies of the subtropical oceans.

Hidden underlying mechanisms for changes in mesozooplankton communities: Transport and eddy driven changes

Mesozooplankton communities have been used extensively as reliable climate change indicators, mainly because of their rapid growth and sensitivity to environmental changes. This study explored the modifications in the taxonomic composition of the mesozooplankton community and the associated physical changes of transport-driven, eddy-driven, and marine heatwaves in the summers of the last 14 years (2009–2022) within the mixed layer of the Ulleung Basin in the East Sea/Japan Sea, where surface waters have rapidly warmed in recent decades. A slight increase was observed in the abundance of mesozooplankton from 2009 (3709 inds.m−3) to 2022 (4231 inds.m−3), with two notable peaks in 2015 (11,377 inds.m−3) and 2020 (11,184 inds.m−3), which was mainly attributed to the prevalence of Noctiluca scintillans. The first peak in 2015 showed thaliaceans to be the next dominant taxa, in which the southward direction of meandering in East Korea Warm Current (EKWC), presence of the Ulleung warm eddy, lower volume of the Western Channel (V-west) of the Korea Strait, and marine heatwaves (MHWs) did not occur. In contrast to the first peak, the second peak in 2020 showed Pyrocystis pseudonoctiluca to be the next dominant species, which may have been transported and advected by the strong V-west and eastward direction of the EKWC and the occurrence of MHWs that allowed the persistence of the subtropical species P. pseudonoctiluca. Overall, the significant increases in the second dominant mesozooplankton taxa appeared to be affected by physical changes, including transport or eddy-driven changes, along with the occurrence of strong V-west, the direction of the EKWC, and the occurrence of MHWs, which may synergistically influence the increase in the second dominant taxa during summer. This study highlights the complex interplay between notable variations in mesozooplankton communities and environmental factors, highlighting the potential consequences of different physical changes (transport-driven and eddy-driven) in this regional ocean.

Viral Dynamics in the Tropical Pacific Ocean: A Comparison between Within and Outside a Warm Eddy.

In mesoscale eddies, the chemical properties and biological composition are different from those in the surrounding water due to their unique physical processes. The mechanism of physical-biological coupling in warm-core eddies is unclear, especially because no studies have examined the effects of environmental factors on bacteria and viruses. The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of an anticyclonic warm eddy on the relationship between bacterial and viral abundances, as well as viral activity (viral production), at different depths. At the core of the warm eddy, the bacterial abundance (0.48 to 2.82 × 105 cells mL-1) fluctuated less than that outside the eddy (1.12 to 7.03 × 105 cells mL-1). In particular, there was a four-fold higher viral-bacterial abundance ratio (VBR) estimated within the eddy, below the layer of the deep chlorophyll maximum, than outside the eddy. An anticyclonic warm eddy with downwelling at its center may contribute to viruses being transmitted directly into the deep ocean through adsorption on particulate organic matter while sinking. Overall, our findings provide valuable insights into the interaction between bacterial and viral abundances and their ecological mechanisms within a warm eddy.

The different dynamic influences of Typhoon Kalmaegi on two pre-existing anticyclonic ocean eddies

Abstract. Using multi-source observational data and GLORYS12V1 reanalysis data, we conduct a comparative analysis of different responses of two warm eddies, AE1 and AE2 in the northern South China Sea, to Typhoon Kalmaegi during September 2014. The findings of our research are as follows: (1) for horizontal distribution, the area and the sea surface temperature (SST) of AE1 and AE2 decrease by about 31 % (36 %) and 0.4 °C (0.6 °C). The amplitude, Rossby number (Ro = relative vorticity / Coriolis parameter) and eddy kinetic energy (EKE) of AE1 increase by 1.3 cm (5.7 %), 1.4×10-2 (20.6 %) and 107.2 cm2 s−2 (49.2 %) after the typhoon, respectively, while AE2 weakens and the amplitude, Rossby number and EKE decrease by 3.1 cm (14.6 %), 1.6×10-2 (26.2 %) and 38.5 cm2 s−2 (20.2 %), respectively. (2) In the vertical direction, AE1 demonstrates enhanced convergence, leading to an increase in temperature and a decrease in salinity above 150 m. The response below the mixed-layer depth (MLD) is particularly prominent (1.3 °C). In contrast, AE2 experiences cooling and a decrease in salinity above the MLD. Below the MLD, it exhibits a subsurface temperature drop and salinity increase due to the upwelling of cold water induced by the suction effect of the typhoon. (3) The disparity in the responses of the two warm eddies can be attributed to their different positions relative to Typhoon Kalmaegi. Under the influence of negative wind stress curl outside the maximum wind radius (Rmax) of the typhoon, triggering negative Ekman pumping velocity (EPV) and quasi-geostrophic adjustment of the eddy, the warm eddy AE1, with its center to the left of the typhoon's path, further enhances the converging sinking of the upper warm water, resulting in its intensification. On the other hand, the warm eddy AE2, situated closer to the center of the typhoon, weakens due to the cold suction caused by the strong positive wind stress curl within the typhoon's Rmax. The same polarity eddies may have different response to typhoons. The distance between eddies and typhoons, eddy intensity, and the background field need to be considered.

An interpretation experiment on eddies’ role in sound propagation in the ocean using ray model

The relationship between mesoscale eddies and ambient acoustic propagation under different conditions were studied using high resolution ocean reanalysis products in South China Sea, which was summarized by a linear-equation representing the convergence zone change with respect to eddy signatures and source positions. Beyond the experiments scales, warm eddies “dragged” the sound propagation and cold eddies “squeezed” that in contrast, and the acoustic amplifying mechanism can be summarized as stronger(eddies), nearer(eddies) and deeper(source).

Anomalously large latent heat fluxes in low to moderate wind conditions within the eddy-rich zone of the Northwestern Pacific

An air-sea interaction field campaign was conducted in September of 2017 within the warm and cold eddy region of the western Northwest Pacific (WNP) (17.5˚-20.5˚N, 127.5˚E-133.5˚E). Both near-surface oceanic and atmospheric conditions in addition to ocean heat content (OHC) were examined to better understand the mechanisms governing high heat flux magnitudes responsible for rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones. Observations from this experiment indicate that the latent heat flux (LHF) under modest wind conditions reached 400 W m-2 within the vicinity of a warm eddy, with OHC higher than 100 kJ cm-2 of warm eddy region being 2~3 times as large as that of cold eddy region. These high OHC and a resultant high LHF in the warm eddy, comparable to the magnitude of LHF in the North Equatorial Current, may explain the mechanism of why tropical cyclones over a warm eddy in eddy-rich zones often rapidly intensify in the WNP. A month later typhoon Lan rapidly intensified into a super typhoon, while passing over the boundary region of warm and cold eddies during the observation period. Results from this study illustrate that both the wind-normalized LHF and the difference (Qs-Qa) between the specific humidity at air (Qa) and at the sea surface (Qs), closely correlate with OHC patterns, which suggests that the ocean looks likely to control the spatial pattern of LHF. Overall, both the ocean and weather conditions govern the pattern of specific humidity difference between the air-sea interface, with large OHC over the warm eddy controlling higher Qs and the pattern of Qa depending on the pattern of wind direction. Qa as a factor impacting LHF magnitude is strongly linked to wind direction in the experimental area, that is, the drier northwesterly flow and southeasterly moist wind, resulting in the enhanced contrast of specific humidity at cold eddy region.

Eddy-driven sea-level rise near the frontal region off the east coast of the Korean peninsula during 1993–2020

IntroductionUnderstanding the underlying dynamics of regional sea-level rise (SLR), which often deviates from global trends, is crucial for mitigating and adapting to the impacts of severe climate change. This study investigated the causes of high regional SLR rates (> 6.0 mm yr-1) around the frontal region near Ulleung Island in the southwestern East/Japan Sea (EJS). Despite exhibiting rates higher than the global average (3.1 mm yr-1) from 1993 to 2020, the reasons for these higher rates in this region have not been clearly elucidated.MethodsWe aimed to clarify the quantitative effect of the long-term variations of the Ulleung Warm Eddy (UWE) on the high SLR rates near Ulleung Island based on satellite altimetry and ship-based hydrographic data.ResultsDuring this period, the temperature within the UWE increased, particularly at the temperature-homogeneous layer of approximately 200 m, the lower boundary of the UWE deepened, and the eddy duration per year increased, resulting in high SLR rates within the eddy owing to the steric height rise. The long-term variations in the internal temperature and vertical thickness of the UWE had significantly comparable impacts on SLR rates, with the duration being less influential. The SLR rates by integrating all long-term variations in the UWE (7.6 mm yr-1) quantitatively explained the high long-term SLR rates at Ulleung Island (7.0 mm yr-1).DiscussionThe increasing temperature within the UWE was attributed to the rising temperature of water flowing through the southwestern strait (Korean Strait) in late fall, and the deepening lower boundary and the increasing duration of the UWE resulted from the increased horizontal temperature gradients near the front, leading to enhanced baroclinic instability in the subsurface layers. Our findings suggest that long-term variations in mesoscale eddies can significantly influence the regional SLR rates, deviating substantially from the global average in the frontal region.

Persistent warm-eddy transport to Antarctic ice shelves driven by enhanced summer westerlies

The offshore ocean heat supplied to the Antarctic continental shelves by warm eddies has the potential to greatly impact the melting rates of ice shelves and subsequent global sea level rise. While featured in modeling and some observational studies, the processes around how these warm eddies form and overcome the dynamic sub-surface barrier of the Antarctic Slope Front over the upper continental slope has not yet been clarified. Here we report on the detailed observations of persistent eddies carrying warm modified Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) onto the continental shelf of Prydz Bay, East Antarctica, using subsurface mooring and hydrographic section data from 2013-2015. We show the warm-eddy transport is most active when the summer westerlies strengthen, which promotes the upwelling of CDW and initiates eddy formation and intrusions. Our study highlights the important role of warm eddies in the melting of Antarctica’s ice shelves, both now and into the future.

Influence of circulation processes on cyanobacteria bloom and phytoplankton succession in the Baltic Sea coastal area

Many studies related to the influence of eddies on the primary production chain of marine ecosystems have been conducted; however, this effect tends to be regionally specific, especially in coastal dynamic waters. In the Baltic Sea, mesoscale and submesoscale eddies are a ubiquitous feature of water circulation during summer, when diazotrophic cyanobacteria blooms occur in surface waters due to the excess of phosphorus in seawater. Climatic change may increase the frequency and duration of these negative events in the marine ecosystem. We examined the taxonomic composition, abundance, and primary production of phytoplankton in the southeastern Baltic Sea during the occurrence of the packed eddy system at the end of the abnormally warm summer of 2018. Massive cyanobacteria growth was observed in the plume of the eutrophic Vistula Lagoon in the Gulf of Gdansk. The only species diazotrophic Dolichospermum flos-aquae ((Bornet & Flahault) P. Wacklin, L. Hoffmann & Komárek, 2009) vegetated along the western coast of the Sambia Peninsula. Its colonies reached the highest biomass nearby the dumping site of the Amber Mining Plant in Yantarny, Kaliningrad Region, Russia. The cyanobacteria colonies dispersed in the outgoing jet of a relatively warm eddy dipole. Chrysochromulina spp. (Lackey, 1939) was dominant in these nitrogen-rich waters. In contrast, cryptophyte species dominated in the relatively cold waters of the dipole anticyclone that resulted in a fourfold decline in primary production. The decrease in the number of mobile phytoplankton species was revealed within the “old” eddies near the northern coast of the Sambia Peninsula and the Curonian Spit. Meanwhile, species of the spring–autumn complex Coscinodiscus granii (Gough, 1905), Peridiniella catenate ((Levander) Balech, 1977) and other developed in the community. This implies that the appearance of eddies can cause phytoplankton succession in the coastal area. The mechanism of their influence was similar to the action of other physical factors perturbing a relatively stationary environment. Capture of cyanobacterial colonies by eddies led to an improvement of the ecological situation in the area, as cyanobacteria transported their biomass outside the coastal area. However, the opposite direction processes obviously were the deterioration of light conditions, increased water turbidity, and organic matter concentration.

Quantification of the extremely intensified East Korea Warm Current in the summer of 2021: offshore and coastal variabilities

In this study, we investigate the record-breaking intensification and abrupt weakening of the East Korea Warm Current (EKWC) in the summer of 2021. We analyzed the ocean data assimilation products resolving this event to examine the association between the abrupt changes in the EKWC and various oceanic/atmospheric factors. The results indicate that during the summer of 2021, the EKWC extended northward beyond its climatology, reaching up to 40°N with the maximum speed of 1.16 m s-1 on August 1. In mid-August, the EKWC underwent a rapid weakening, returning to its climatological level. We could attribute the temporal variability in the anomalous EKWC in 2021 to the distinct temporal variability in the dynamic height anomalies between coastal and offshore regions. The offshore variability in the dynamic height anomaly, which is related to warm eddy variability, led to an anomalously increased EKWC velocity (up to 0.59 m s-1) during the EKWC peak velocity period in 2021. However, anomalous coastal downwelling induced by a weak northerly wind anomaly decelerated the EKWC by -0.06 m s-1 in the same period. In mid-August, a typhoon-related northerly wind induced a sudden rise in the coastal dynamic height anomaly, resulting in a rapid weakening of the EKWC. Our findings suggest that changes in geostrophic current related to warm eddies and typhoons have substantially contributed to the temporal variability in the EKWC, improving our understanding of the temporal variability in the western boundary currents.

Forecasting of Mesoscale Eddies in the Kuroshio Extension Based on Temporal Modes-Enhanced Neural Network

Mesoscale eddies are a common occurrence in the Kuroshio Extension (KE) that have a major impact on the levels of salinity and heat transport in the Northwest Pacific, the strength of the Kuroshio jet, and the fluctuations of the Kuroshio’s trajectory. In this study, a purely data-driven machine learning model, Temporal Modes-Enhanced Neural Network (TMENN), is proposed to forecast the spatiotemporal variation of mesoscale eddies based on daily sea surface height (SSH) data over a 20-year period (2000–2019) in the Kuroshio Extension. To reduce computational costs and facilitate faster forecasting, raw SSH data are decomposed into spatial modes and temporal modes (principal components, PCs) by empirical orthogonal functions (EOF) analysis, and the first 117 PCs (a total of 8384 PCs), wherein the cumulative variance contribution rate reaches 95%, are selected solely as the predictors of TMENN to train and forecast. Forecasting reconstruction results show that the model can reliably forecast the evolution of the eddy in the KE for about 30 days. Additionally, three classical mesoscale eddy processes are selected to verify the accuracy of the model, namely cold eddy attachment, warm eddy shedding, and attachment, and the results indicate that the model can well capture the evolution process of mesoscale eddies.

Occurrence and emissions of biogenic dimethylated sulfur compounds and their responses to mesoscale eddies and typhoon Yutu in the western tropical Pacific Ocean

The western tropical Pacific Ocean (WTPO) plays a vital role in the global sulfur biogeochemical cycle. Here, an investigation was conducted to explore the spatial variations in biogenic dimethylated sulfur compounds (BDSCs) and their controlling factors in the WTPO in 2018. Dimethylsulfide (DMS) sea-to-air fluxes and the contribution of DMS emissions to the atmospheric sulfate burden were estimated. The concentrations of BDSCs in the surface seawater were low compared to the marginal seas of the western Pacific Ocean, attributed to a limited supply of nutrients and low primary production. Besides, higher values of the BDSCs were observed in surface and subsurface water. The nanophytoplankton was the main dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) producer, and the abundance of low DMSP and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) producers determined the DMSP/O concentrations in the oligotrophic WTPO. Moreover, mixed layer depth might be the crucial factor affecting DMS values. DMS fluxes were low in the WTPO, but they still contributed substantially to global DMS emissions, given the vast areas of the Pacific Ocean. The contribution of biogenic non-sea-salt sulfate (nss-SO42-) to total SO42- reached 25.87%, which showed the oxidation products of DMS were the crucial sources of SO42- in aerosols. Responses of BDSCs to mesoscale eddies and a typhoon were investigated for the first time. The warm eddy increased the concentrations of chlorophyll a (Chl-a) and BDSCs. Nevertheless, no effect of a mesoscale cold eddy on Chl-a or BDSCs was evident. The values of Chl-a, DMS, DMSP, biogenic nss-SO42-, and the DMS fluxes increased after Typhoon Yutu passed, indicating that typhoons play a prominent role in DMS emissions and the global sulfur cycles.

Numerical simulation of upper ocean responses to Typhoon Maria (2018) in the Northwest Pacific: Behavior of sub-mesoscale processes

A deeper understanding of the upper ocean response to typhoons is beneficial to the further improvement of typhoon forecasting. However, because of model horizontal resolution limitations, we still do not understand how sub-mesoscale processes in the ocean may modulate the response of the upper ocean to typhoons. In this study, we set up one-way online nested parent (mesoscale resolving: Exp_9 km) and child (sub-mesoscale permitting: Exp_3 km) models to investigate how the 15–45-km sub-mesoscale processes in the ocean affected the thermal and dynamical response processes of the upper ocean to Super Typhoon Maria (2018). It was found that the sub-mesoscale processes and their induced vertical heat transport (VHT) were mainly concentrated at the eddy, and most of the sub-mesoscale processes and their accompanying VHT disappeared after the typhoon, indicating that typhoons may be destroyers of sub-mesoscale processes. The differences in the sea temperature response between Exp_3 km and Exp_9 km can reached 1.5 °C in the eddy-rich sea surface region and 3 °C at the thermocline. This thermal response difference could be attributed to the difference in vertical diffusion and the difference in total advection processes simulated by the two models. Furthermore, the sub-mesoscale VHT played an important role in causing smaller sea surface cooling (SSC) and larger subsurface warming to the right side of the typhoon, and considering more sub-mesoscale processes improved the simulation accuracy of the SSC on the right side of the typhoon. The difference in near-inertial kinetic energy (NIKE) and the difference in fD1 (a peak frequency approximately equal to the sum of f and D1) kinetic energy between the two experiments were mainly found in the eddy-rich region to the right side of the typhoon, accounting for, at most, 15% of Exp_3 km's NIKE and 50% of Exp_3 km's fD1 kinetic energy, respectively, and resolving more sub-mesoscale processes could limit the lateral propagation of NIKE, especially in warm eddy. The kinetic energy and vertical shear of the near-inertial currents (NICs) and fD1 currents of Exp_3 km were larger than those of Exp_9 km, suggesting that sub-mesoscale processes may enhance ocean vertical mixing. Moreover, sub-mesoscale processes promoted the downward propagation of NIKE, which may be of great significance for promoting NICs-induced ocean mixing into the deep ocean and accelerating the decay of NICs. This work is of great importance for improving the understanding of typhoon-induced thermal and dynamical responses, and thus for improving the typhoon prediction.

The abnormal track of super typhoon Hinnamnor (2022) and its interaction with the upper ocean

The upper ocean response and feedback to super typhoon Hinnamnor (2022) were systematically investigated considering multi-satellite, Array for Real-time Geostrophic Oceanography (Argo) float and reanalysis data. Hinnamnor experienced three main stages: a rapid intensification (RI) stage with a high moving speed along a westward track, a rapid weakening (RW) stage with a low moving speed along a northward sudden-turning track and a re-intensification (Re-I) stage with a moderate speed along a northward track. At the westward straight-line stage, despite the thin warm water layer (D26 < 40 m) and shallow mixed layer depth (MLD) (<20 m), its fast movement (∼8.1 m/s) tended to generate weaker sea surface temperature (SST) cooling (approximately 1 °C) and shorter cooling exposure. Consequently, the negative feedback decreased (negative feedback factor FSST:approximately−0.47to−0.20), causing Hinnamnor's rapid intensification (25 knots/6 h). Although the MLD was deeper (approximately 30 m) and the warm water layer was thicker (approximately 60 m) at the sudden-turning stage, the low translation speed (<2 m/s) tended to generate stronger SST cooling (approximately 5.6 °C) and longer cooling exposure, both of which intensified the negative feedback (FSST:approximately−0.8to−0.4), causing Hinnamnor's rapid weakening (−22 knots/6 h). At the northward stage, Hinnamnor re-intensified under a weak warm eddy with a moderate moving speed (3.6–5.4 m/s). An intriguing leftward bias in SST cooling occurred due to the preexisting cold eddy (CE) on the left side of the track. Analysis of the Argo floats in the RI and RW regions showed that the enhanced upwelling and vertical mixing yielded more significant SST cooling in the CE region at the RW stage due to the CE and low translation speed (<2 m/s). The differences between the RI and RW regions were remarkable when using the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) global ocean model output.

Distribution of picophytoplankton in the northern slope of the South China Sea under environmental variation induced by a warm eddy

Mesoscale eddies have been reported to have a substantial impact on the distribution of phytoplankton through the regulation of environmental variables in the open ocean. However, the influence of warm eddies on phytoplankton in continental slopes remains largely unknown. To reveal the impact of mesoscale eddies within slope regions, we conducted a field investigation of picophytoplankton on the northern slope of the South China Sea during an anticyclonic warm eddy propagation. We observed different picophytoplankton distribution patterns. Synechococcus dominated the picophytoplankton community in the Kuroshio-affected eddy core rather than the previously reported Prochlorococcus, and Prochlorococcus dominated outside the eddy in the shelf. In addition, through further vertical study of typical layers, we found that the influence of warm eddy varied in different layers. Analysis of the mechanisms indicated that the distributions were attributed to warm eddy-induced nutrients and light variations and the physical processes in it.

Warm-core eddy effects on sound propagation in the South China sea

The spatial and temporal redistribution of sound energy caused by a warm eddy was measured via a multiday experiment conducted in the South China Sea, utilizing two vertical line arrays, a mooring source, and some wide-band explosive sources. In the experiment area, a warm eddy was identified and tracked using an automatic detection method combined with the empirically reconstructed data. During the experimental period, the warm eddy diminished in size and kinetic energy until it vanished. The influence of the warm eddy on sound propagation during its lifespan is comprehensively analyzed and explained. The experimental acoustic results and simulations based on dynamic hydrographic data demonstrate that energy is redistributed both spatially and temporally due to the presence of the warm eddy. In comparison to the environment without an eddy, the first convergence zone disappears and the high-energy region appears in the typical position of the first shadow zone. The oscillating disturbance in energy is mainly affected by the fluctuation of sound speed caused by the warm eddy.

Enhanced upper ocean response within a warm eddy to Typhoon Nakri (2019) during the sudden-turning stage

The passage of typhoons usually induces a pronounced upper ocean response that is not only determined by typhoon attributes but also modulated by pre-existing mesoscale eddies. Here we examined the upper ocean response to Typhoon Nakri (2019) in the South China Sea, which first passed over a cold eddy following a straight path and then made a sudden turning over a warm eddy, on the basis of satellite observations and HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) reanalysis datasets in addition with numerical experiments. Two cold and salty patches with remarkable sea surface temperature (SST) cooling and sea surface salinity (SSS) increase emerged after Typhoon Nakri's passage in the pre-existing cold-eddy and warm-eddy regions. Particularly, the maximum SST cooling and SSS increase induced by Typhoon Nakri reached 6.6 °C and 1.6 psμ in the pre-existing warm-eddy region, which were even more pronounced than those in the pre-existing cold-eddy region (6.0 °C and 1.3 psμ). Typhoon Nakri enlarged the cold eddy and weakened the warm eddy significantly, with the maximum sea surface height reduction (up to 43 cm) appearing in the pre-existing warm eddy, which even disappeared after Nakri. Furthermore, Nakri induced phytoplankton blooms with a chlorophyll-a concentration increase reaching 2 mg m−3. The subsurface temperature (salinity) was also reduced (increased) significantly in the pre-existing warm-eddy region. The more pronounced ocean response in the warm-eddy region was largely attributed to the sudden turning of Nakri's track, prolonging the forcing time of typhoon winds. By employing the three-dimensional Price–Weller–Pinkel model, the results of numerical experiments demonstrated that typhoon's track turning as well as the accompanied slow translation speed during Nakri's sudden-turning stage, played a predominate role in resulting in the remarkable SST cooling within the warm-eddy region. These results highlight the important role of sudden track turning in modulating the upper ocean response to typhoons.

Reinforcing the Effect of Warm Ocean Anomalies in the South China Sea on the Extended Tropical-Depression-Induced Heavy Rainfall Event in Hainan Island

An unusually persistent and heavy rainfall event occurred in Hainan Island from 1 to 9 October 2010, in association with one extended tropical depression (TD) over the South China Sea (SCS). Based on rain-gauge precipitation, satellite altimetry, in situ Argo profile, air–sea enthalpy flux, and reanalysis data, this study investigates the impact of warm ocean anomalies in the SCS on the formation and intensification of the extended TD, and their reinforcing effect on TD-related heavy rainfall. The TD intensified and migrated northward to the vicinity of Hainan Island. A thicker-than-normal warm subsurface layer that was present beneath the positive sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies contained a sufficient upper-ocean heat content to effectively restrain the TD’s self-induced SST cooling effect, and available enthalpy fluxes were therefore sufficient to support the maintenance of the TD. The composite analyses confirm the reinforcing effect of warm oceanic anomalies in the central SCS off the south-central coast of Vietnam on heavy rainfall in Hainan Island, with the composite precipitation of “Warm eddy” cases being significantly larger in Hainan Island and northern Vietnam than that of the “Normal” cases, using reanalysis and remote sensing precipitation data over 29 years (1993–2021).