Observed Tracer Fields Structuration by Middepth Zonal Jets in the Tropical Pacific

• DOI: 10.1175/jpo-d-19-0132.1
• Publication Date: 2019-11-21T17:37:53Z
• Authors: Audrey Delpech; Sophie Cravatte; Frédéric Marin; Yves Morel; Enzo Gronchi; Elodie Kestenare
• Keywords: TRACER; Potential temperature; Circumpolar deep water

Abstract The middepth ocean circulation in the tropical Pacific is dominated by sets of alternating eastward and westward jets. origin transport properties these flow features remain many ways an open question, all more crucial since their usual underestimation global models has been identified as a potential bias for misrepresentation oxygen minimum zones. In this study, we analyze water mass associated with systems jets using velocity hydrographic sections. Data acquired during dedicated cruise carried out western part basin supplemented cross-equatorial sections from historical cruises central eastern parts are analyzed. While it confirmed that near-equatorial carry anomalies, contributing to ventilation Pacific, data also revealed unexpected features. Tracer distributions (oxygen, salinity, vorticity) show presence fronts extending 500 3000 m flanked homogeneous regions. These structures define meridional staircase profiles coincide profiles. Historical confirm off-equatorial deep zonal temporal coherence throughout basin. observations support existing theoretical studies involving homogenization isopycnic turbulent mixing formation maintenance effect other processes on equilibration tracer discussed.