Eddies and the Distribution of Eddy Kinetic Energy in the Arctic Ocean

• DOI: 10.5670/oceanog.2022.122
• Publication Date: 2022-04-27T23:22:47Z
• Authors: Wilken-Jon von Appen; Till Baumann; Markus Janout; Nikolay Koldunov; Yueng-Djern Lenn; Robert Pickart; Robert Scott; Qiang Wang
• Keywords: Boundary current; Eddy; Circumpolar star; Halocline; Canada Basin

Mesoscale eddies are important to many aspects of the dynamics Arctic Ocean. Among others, they maintain halocline and interact with Atlantic Water circumpolar boundary current through lateral eddy fluxes shelf-basin exchanges. also for transporting biological material modifying sea ice distribution. Here, we review what is known about their impacts in Ocean context rapid climate change. Eddy kinetic energy (EKE) a proxy mesoscale variability ocean due eddies. We present first quantification EKE from moored observations across entire compare those results output an resolving numerical model. show that largest northern Nordic Seas/Fram Strait it elevated along shelf break Circumpolar Boundary Current, especially Beaufort Sea. In central basins, 100–1,000 times lower. Generally, stronger when concentration low versus dense cover. As declines, anticipate areas where conditions typical North Pacific prevail will increase. conclude future feature more energetic variability.