On the surface circulation of the Levantine sub-basin derived from Lagrangian drifters and satellite altimetry data

The surface currents of the Levantine sub-basin (Mediterranean Sea) are described using 18 years (1992-2010) of drifter data and satellite-derived sea level anomalies. The combination of drifter and satellite data allowed to estimate maps of surface geostrophic circulation and to obtain more accurate pseudo-Eulerian velocity statistics for different time periods. Seasonal and interannual variability of surface currents are investigated with particular focus on the main sub-basin eddies of the eastern Levantine. The mean velocity field depicts the typical patterns of the along-slope and offshore currents and outlines the sub-regions where eddies are generated recurrently (west Egyptian coast, lerapetra, Mersa-Matruh, south-west of Cyprus, Israel-Lebanon coast, Latakia) or persist steadily (Rhodes Gyre). Highly variable and energetic currents are observed between the lerapetra and Mersa-Matruh regions, as the result of the interaction of the Mid-Mediterranean Jet meandering in between, and interacting with, the eddies generated by the instability of the coastal current. Seasonal pseudo-Eulerian maps show the current field stronger in summer and weaker in winter, mainly in the western Levantine and in the Cyprus-Syria Passage. The Shikmona Eddy displays a periodic nature with higher intensities during the cold months and an enhanced activity in the period 1998-2005. The Cyprus Eddy has a less periodic nature, characterised by events of high activity and periods in which it dominates as a single enlarged eddy in the southeast Levantine, eventually including the Shikmona Eddy. The Latakia Eddy is mainly cyclonic with higher intensities in summer and fall; occasional weekly or monthly inversions of circulation from cyclonic to anticyclonic are triggered by the interaction between the MMJ and the northward coastal meandering current. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.