scholarly journals The life cycle of submesoscale eddies generated by topographic interactions

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu Morvan ◽  
Pierre L'Hégaret ◽  
Xavier Carton ◽  
Jonathan Gula ◽  
Clément Vic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Red Sea ◽  
Persian Gulf ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Mesoscale Eddies ◽  
Shear Instability ◽  
Gulf Of Oman ◽  
Coherent Vortices ◽  
Persian Gulf Water ◽  
The Persian Gulf

Abstract. The Persian Gulf Water and Red Sea Water are salty and dense waters recirculating at subsurface in the Gulf of Oman and the Gulf of Aden respectively, under the influence of mesoscale eddies which dominate the surface flow in both semi-enclosed basins. In situ measurements combined with altimetry indicate that the Persian Gulf Water is driven by mesoscale eddies in the form of filaments and submesoscale structures. In this paper, we study the formation and the life cycle of intense submesoscale vortices and their impact on the spread of Persian Gulf Water and Red Sea Water. We use a three-dimensional hydrostatic model with submesoscale-resolving resolution to study the evolution of submesoscale vortices. Our configuration is an idealized version of the Gulf of Oman and Aden: a zonal row of mesoscale vortices interacting with north and south topographic slopes. Intense submesoscale vortices are generated in the simulations along the continental slopes due to two different mechanisms. The first mechanism is due to frictional generation of vorticity in the bottom boundary layer, which detaches from the topography, forms an unstable vorticity filament, and undergoes horizontal shear instability that leads to the formation of submesoscale coherent vortices. The second mechanism is inviscid and implies arrested topographic Rossby waves breaking and forming submesoscale coherent vortices where a mesoscale anticyclone interacts with the topographic slope. Submesoscale vortices subsequently drift away, merge and form larger vortices. They can also pair with opposite signed vortices and travel across the domain. They can weaken or disappear via several mechanisms, in particular fusion into the larger eddies or erosion on the topography. Particle patches are advected and sheared by vortices and are entrained into filaments. Their size first grows as the square root of time, a signature of the merging processes, then it increases linearly with time, corresponding to their ballistic advection by submesoscale eddies. On the contrary, witout intense submesoscale eddies, particles are mainly advected by mesoscale eddies; this implies a weaker dispersion of particles than in the previous case. This shows the important role of submesoscale eddies in spreading Persian Gulf Water and Red Sea Water.

scholarly journals The life cycle of submesoscale eddies generated by topographic interactions

Ocean Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1531-1543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu Morvan ◽  
Pierre L'Hégaret ◽  
Xavier Carton ◽  
Jonathan Gula ◽  
Clément Vic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Red Sea ◽  
Persian Gulf ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Mesoscale Eddies ◽  
Shear Instability ◽  
Gulf Of Aden ◽  
Gulf Of Oman ◽  
Persian Gulf Water

Abstract. Persian Gulf Water and Red Sea Water are salty and dense waters flowing at intermediate depths in the Gulf of Oman and the Gulf of Aden, respectively. Their spreading pathways are influence by mesoscale eddies that dominate the surface flow in both semi-enclosed basins. In situ measurements combined with altimetry indicate that Persian Gulf Water is stirred in the form of filaments and submesoscale structures by mesoscale eddies. In this paper, we study the formation and the life cycle of intense submesoscale vortices and their potential impact on the spreading of Persian Gulf Water and Red Sea Water. We use a primitive-equation three-dimensional hydrostatic model at a submesoscale-resolving resolution to study the evolution of submesoscale vortices. Our configuration idealistically mimics the dynamics in the Gulf of Oman and the Gulf of Aden: a zonal row of mesoscale vortices interacting with north and south topographic slopes. Intense submesoscale vortices are generated in the simulations along the continental slopes due to two different mechanisms. First, intense vorticity filaments are generated over the continental slope due to frictional interactions of the background flow with the sloping topography. These filaments are shed into the ocean interior and undergo horizontal shear instability that leads to the formation of submesoscale coherent vortices. The second mechanism is inviscid and features baroclinic instabilities arising at depth due to the weak stratification. Submesoscale vortices subsequently drift away, merge and form larger vortices. They can also pair with opposite-signed vortices and travel across the domain. They eventually dissipate their energy via several mechanisms, in particular fusion into the larger eddies or erosion on the topography. Since no submesoscale flow clearly associated with the fragments of Persian Gulf Water was observed in situ, we modeled Persian Gulf Water as Lagrangian particles. Particle patches are advected and sheared by vortices and are entrained into filaments. Their size first grows as the square root of time: a signature of the merging processes. Then, it increases linearly with time, corresponding to their ballistic advection by submesoscale eddies. On the contrary, without intense submesoscale eddies, particles are mainly advected by mesoscale eddies; this implies a weaker dispersion of particles than in the previous case. This shows the potentially important role of submesoscale eddies in spreading Persian Gulf Water and Red Sea Water.

scholarly journals Mesoscale eddies and submesoscale structures of Persian Gulf Water off the Omani coast in spring 2011

Ocean Science ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 687-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre L'Hégaret ◽  
Xavier Carton ◽  
Stephanie Louazel ◽  
Guillaume Boutin
Keyword(s):  
Persian Gulf ◽  
Arabian Sea ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Mesoscale Eddies ◽  
High Salinity Water ◽  
Strait Of Hormuz ◽  
Persian Gulf Water ◽  
Salinity Water ◽  
The Persian Gulf ◽  
Sea Of Oman

Abstract. The Persian Gulf produces high-salinity water (Persian Gulf Water, PGW hereafter), which flows into the Sea of Oman via the Strait of Hormuz. Beyond the Strait of Hormuz, the PGW cascades down the continental slope and spreads in the Sea of Oman under the influence of the energetic mesoscale eddies. The PGW outflow has different thermohaline characteristics and pathways, depending on the season. In spring 2011, the Phys-Indien experiment was carried out in the Arabian Sea and in the Sea of Oman. The Phys-Indien 2011 measurements, as well as satellite observations, are used here to characterize the circulation induced by the eddy field and its impact on the PGW pathway and evolution. During the spring intermonsoon, an anticyclonic eddy is often observed at the mouth of the Sea of Oman. It creates a front between the eastern and western parts of the basin. This structure was observed in 2011 during the Phys-Indien experiment. Two energetic eddies were also present along the southern Omani coast in the Arabian Sea. At their peripheries, ribbons of freshwater and cold water were found due to the stirring created by the eddies. The PGW characteristics are strongly influenced by these eddies. In the western Sea of Oman, in 2011, the PGW was fragmented into filaments and submesoscale eddies. It also recirculated locally, thus creating salty layers with different densities. In the Arabian Sea, a highly saline submesoscale lens was recorded offshore. Its characteristics are analyzed here and possible origins are proposed. The recurrence of such lenses in the Arabian Sea is also briefly examined.

Evidence for the existence of Persian Gulf Water and Red Sea Water in the Bay of Bengal

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 3207-3226 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vineet Jain ◽  
D. Shankar ◽  
P. N. Vinayachandran ◽  
A. Kankonkar ◽  
Abhisek Chatterjee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Red Sea ◽  
Bay Of Bengal ◽  
Persian Gulf ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Persian Gulf Water

Chthamalid barnacles (Cirripedia: Thoracica) of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, Iran

2010 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 745-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adnan Shahdadi ◽  
Alireza Sari
Keyword(s):  
Coastal Zone ◽  
Red Sea ◽  
Persian Gulf ◽  
Gulf Of Aden ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Gulf Of Oman ◽  
The World ◽  
The Persian Gulf ◽  
Key Characters

In the present study, chthamalid barnacles of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman were collected from the coastal zone of Iran. Extensive collecting of different habitat types resulted in finding two species: Chthamalus barnesi and Microeuraphia permitini. In addition to the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, the former species was also collected from the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Both species are described and compared for their key characters with some representative members of the genera from other parts of the world.

scholarly journals Mesoscale variability in the Arabian Sea from HYCOM model results and observations: impact on the Persian Gulf Water path

Ocean Science ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 667-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. L'Hégaret ◽  
R. Duarte ◽  
X. Carton ◽  
C. Vic ◽  
D. Ciani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Persian Gulf ◽  
Arabian Sea ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Mesoscale Eddies ◽  
Ocean Model ◽  
Water Masses ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Persian Gulf Water ◽  
The Persian Gulf ◽  
Sea Of Oman

Abstract. The Arabian Sea and Sea of Oman circulation and water masses, subject to monsoon forcing, reveal a strong seasonal variability and intense mesoscale features. We describe and analyze this variability and these features, using both meteorological data (from ECMWF reanalyses), in situ observations (from the ARGO float program and the GDEM – Generalized Digital Environmental mode – climatology), satellite altimetry (from AVISO) and a regional simulation with a primitive equation model (HYCOM – the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model). The model and observations display comparable variability, and the model is then used to analyze the three-dimensional structure of eddies and water masses with higher temporal and spatial resolutions than the available observations. The mesoscale features are highly seasonal, with the formation of coastal currents, destabilizing into eddies, or the radiation of Rossby waves from the Indian coast. The mesoscale eddies have a deep dynamical influence and strongly drive the water masses at depth. In particular, in the Sea of Oman, the Persian Gulf Water presents several offshore ejection sites and a complex recirculation, depending on the mesoscale eddies. The associated mechanisms range from coastal ejection via dipoles, alongshore pulses due to a cyclonic eddy, to the formation of lee eddies downstream of Ra's Al Hamra. This water mass is also captured inside the eddies via several mechanisms, keeping high thermohaline characteristics in the Arabian Sea. The variations of the outflow characteristics near the Strait of Hormuz are compared with variations downstream.

scholarly journals Mesoscale eddies and submesoscale structures of Persian Gulf Water off the Omani coast in Spring 2011

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2743-2782
Author(s):  
P. L'Hégaret ◽  
X. Carton ◽  
S. Louazel ◽  
G. Boutin
Keyword(s):  
Persian Gulf ◽  
Arabian Sea ◽  
High Salinity ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Mesoscale Eddies ◽  
High Salinity Water ◽  
Persian Gulf Water ◽  
Salinity Water ◽  
The Persian Gulf ◽  
Sea Of Oman

Abstract. The Persian Gulf produces a high salinity water (Persian Gulf Water, PGW hereafter) flowing into the Sea of Oman, in the northwestern Indian Ocean. Past the Strait of Hormuz, the PGW cascades down the continental slope and spreads in the Sea of Oman under the influence of the energetic mesoscale eddies with different thermohaline signatures and pathways depending of the season. In spring 2011, the Phys-Indien experiment was carried out in the Arabian Sea an in the Sea of Oman. This study uses the results from the measurements to characterize the water masses, their thermohaline and dynamical signatures. During the spring intermonsoon, an anticyclonic eddy is often observed at the mouth of the Sea of Oman. This structure was present in 2011 and created a front between the eastern and western part of the basin. As well two energetic gyres were present along the Omani coast in the Arabian Sea. At their peripheries, injections of fresh and cold water are found in relation with the stirring of the eddies. The PGW observed below or between these eddies have a different dilution depending of the position and formation periods of the gyres. Furthermore, in the western Sea of Oman, the PGW is fragmented in filaments and submesoscale eddies. As well, recirculation of the PGW is observed, thus having the presence of salty nearby patches with two densities. Offshore, in the Arabian Sea, a submesoscale lens was recorded. The different mechanisms leading to its formation and presence are assessed here.

scholarly journals Bioactive marine metabolites derived from the Persian Gulf compared to the Red Sea: similar environments and wide gap in drug discovery

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11778
Author(s):  
Reham K. Abuhijjleh ◽  
Samiullah Shabbir ◽  
Ahmed M. Al-Abd ◽  
Nada H. Jiaan ◽  
Shahad Alshamil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Red Sea ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Persian Gulf ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Bioactive Metabolites ◽  
Bioactive Materials ◽  
Gulf Of Oman ◽  
Marine Life ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
The Persian Gulf

Marine life has provided mankind with unique and extraordinary chemical structures and scaffolds with potent biological activities. Many organisms and secondary metabolites derived from fungi and symbionts are found to be more environmentally friendly to study than the marine corals per se. Marine symbionts such as Aspergillus sp., a fungus, which can be isolated and grown in the lab would be a potential and continuous source of bioactive natural compounds without affecting the marine environment. The Red Sea is known for its biodiversity and is well-studied in terms of its marine-derived bioactive metabolites. The harsh environmental conditions lead to the development of unique metabolic pathways. This, in turn, results in enhanced synthesis and release of toxic and bioactive chemicals. Interestingly, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman carry a variety of environmental stresses, some of which are similar to the Red Sea. When compared to the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf has been shown to be rich in marine fungi as well, and is, therefore, expected to contain elaborate and interesting bioactive compounds. Such compounds may or may not be similar to the ones isolated from the Red Sea environment. Astoundingly, there are a very limited number of studies on the bioactive portfolio of marine-derived metabolites from the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. In this perspective, we are looking at the Red Sea as a comparator marine environment and bioactive materials repertoire to provide a futuristic perspective on the potential of the understudied and possibly overlooked bioactive metabolites derived from the marine life of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman despite its proven biodiversity and harsher environmental stress.

scholarly journals Mesoscale variability in the Arabian Sea from HYCOM model results and observations: impact on the Persian Gulf Water path

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 493-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. L'Hégaret ◽  
R. Duarte ◽  
X. Carton ◽  
C. Vic ◽  
D. Ciani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Persian Gulf ◽  
Seasonal Variability ◽  
Arabian Sea ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Mesoscale Eddies ◽  
Water Masses ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Persian Gulf Water ◽  
The Persian Gulf ◽  
Sea Of Oman

Abstract. The Arabian Sea and Sea of Oman circulation and water masses, subject to the monsoon forcing, reveal a strong seasonal variability and intense mesoscale features. We describe and analyse this variability and these features, using both meteorological data (from ECMWF reanalyses), in-situ observations (from the ARGO float program and the GDEM climatology), satellite altimetry (from AVISO) and a regional simulation with a primitive equation model (HYCOM). The EOFs of the seasonal variability of the water masses quantify their main changes in thermohaline characteristics and in position. The model and observations display comparable variability, and the model is then used to analyse the three-dimensional structure of eddies and water masses with a higher resolution. The mesoscale eddies have a deep dynamical influence and strongly drive the water masses at depth. In particular, in the Sea of Oman, the Persian Gulf Water presents several offshore ejection sites and a complex recirculation, depending on the mesoscale eddies. This water mass is also captured inside the eddies via several mechanisms, keeping high thermohaline characteristics in the Arabian Sea. These characteristics are validated on the GOGP99 cruise data.

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