On the Structure and Kinematics of an Algerian Eddy in the Southwestern Mediterranean Sea

An Algerian Eddy, anticyclonic vortex generated by the instability of the Algerian Current in the southwestern Mediterranean Sea, is studied using data provided by drifters (surface currents), Argo floats (temperature and salinity profiles), environmental satellites (absolute dynamic topography maps and ocean color images) and operational oceanography products. The eddy was generated in May 2018 and lasted as an isolated vortex until November 2018. Its morphology and kinematics are described in June-July 2018 when drifters were trapped in its core. During that period, the eddy was slowly moving to the NE (similar to 2 km/day), with an overall diameter of about 200 km (slowly growing with time) and maximal surface swirl velocity of similar to 50 cm/s at a radius of similar to 50 km. Geostrophic currents derived from satellite altimetry data compare well with low-pass filtered drifter velocities, with only a slight overestimation, which is expected as its maximum vorticity corresponds to a small Rossby number of similar to 0.6. Satellite ocean color images and some drifters show that the eddy has an elliptical spiral structure. The looping tracks of the drifters trapped in the eddy were analyzed using two statistical methods: least-squares ellipse fitting and wavelet ridge analysis, revealing a typical eccentricity of about 0.5, a wide range of inclination and a rotation period between 3 and 10 days. Clusters of drifters on the northeastern limb of the eddy were also considered to estimate divergence and vorticity. The results indicate convergence (divergence) and downwelling (upwelling) at scales of 20-50 km near the northeastern (northwestern) edge of the eddy, in agreement with the quasi-geostrophic theory. Vertically, the eddy extends mostly down to 250 m depth, with a warm, low-salinity and low-density signature and with geostrophic currents near 50 cm/s in the top layer (down to similar to 80 m) reducing to less than 10 cm/s near 250 m. Near the surface, colder water is advected into it.

Automated summary

An Algerian eddy, created by the instability of the Algerian Current in the southwestern Mediterranean Sea, was studied using data from drifters, Argo floats, environmental satellites, and operational oceanography products. The eddy had an overall diameter of 200 km and slowly moved to the NE with a maximum surface swirl velocity of around 50 cm/s. The eddy exhibited a spiral structure, and statistical analysis of drifting tracks showed typical eccentricity, inclination range, and rotation period.