Serena Illig

Modulation of Wind Work by Oceanic Current Interaction with the Atmosphere

In this study uncoupled and coupled ocean-atmosphere simulations are carried out for the California Upwelling System to assess the dynamic ocean-atmosphere interactions, viz.,the ocean surface current feedback to the atmosphere. We show the current feedback by modulating the energy transfer from the atmosphere to the ocean, controls the oceanic Eddy Kinetic Energy (EKE). For the first time, we demonstrate the current feedback has an effect on the surface stress and an counteracting effect on the wind itself. The current feedback acts as an oceanic eddy killer, reducing by half the surface EKE, and by 27% the depth-integrated EKE. On one hand, it reduces the coastal generation of eddies by weakening the surface stress and hence the near-shore supply of positive wind work (i.e., the work done by the wind on the ocean). On the other hand, by inducing a surface stress curl opposite to the current vorticity, it deflects energy from the geostrophic current into the atmosphere and dampens eddies. The wind response counteracts the surface stress response. It partly re-energizes the ocean in the coastal region and decreases the offshore return of energy to the atmosphere. Eddy statistics confirm the current feedback dampens the eddies and reduces their lifetime, improving the realism of the simulation. Finally, we propose an additional energy element in the Lorenz diagram of energy conversion, viz., the current-induced transfer of energy from the ocean to the atmosphere at the eddy scale.

Interannual variability in the South‐East Atlantic Ocean, focusing on the Benguela Upwelling System: Remote versus local forcing

We investigate the respective roles of equatorial remote (Equatorial Kelvin Waves) and local atmospheric (wind, heat fluxes) forcing on coastal variability in the South-East Atlantic Ocean extending up to the Benguela Upwelling System (BUS) over the 2000–2008 period. We carried out a set of six numerical experiments based on a regional ocean model, that differ only by the prescribed forcing (climatological or total) at surface and lateral boundaries. Results show that at subseasonal timescales (<100 days), the coastal oceanic variability (currents, thermocline, and sea level) is mainly driven by local forcing, while at interannual timescales it is dominated by remote equatorial forcing. At interannual timescales (13–20 months), remotely forced Coastal-Trapped Waves (CTW) propagate poleward along the African southwest coast up to the northern part of the BUS at 248S, with phase speeds ranging from 0.8 to 1.1 m.s. We show that two triggering mechanisms limit the southward propagation of CTW: interannual variability of the equatorward Benguela Current prescribed at the model’s southern boundary (308S) and variability of local atmospheric forcing that modulates the magnitude of observed coastal interannual events. When local wind stress forcing is in (out) of phase, the magnitude of the interannual event increases (decreases). Finally, dynamical processes associated with CTW propagations are further investigated using heat budget for two intense interannual events in 2001 and 2003. Results show that significant temperature anomalies (628C), that are mostly found in the subsurface, are primarily driven by alongshore and vertical advection processes.

Subseasonal Coastal-Trapped Wave Propagations in the Southeastern Pacific and Atlantic Oceans: 2. Wave Characteristics and Connection With the Equatorial Variability: REMOTE SUBSEASONAL COASTAL-TRAPPED WAVES

The objective of this study is to compare the characteristics of the oceanic teleconnection with the linear equatorial dynamics of two upwelling systems along the southwestern South American and African continents at subseasonal time scales (<120 days). Altimetric data analysis shows that the coastal variability remains coherent with the equatorial signal until 278S in the southeastern Pacific (SEP), while in the southeastern Atlantic (SEA) it fades out south of 128S. To explain this striking difference, our methodology is based on the experimentation with twin regional model configurations of the SEP and SEA Oceans. The estimation of free Coastal-Trapped Waves (CTWs) modal structures and associated contribution to coastal variability allows inferring and comparing the characteristics of each CTW mode in the two systems; namely, their forcings, amplitude, dissipation rate, and scattering. Results show that the Pacific subseasonal equatorial forcing is only 20% larger than in the Atlantic, but important differences in the relative contribution of each baroclinic mode are reported. The first baroclinic mode dominates the eastern equatorial Pacific variability, while in the eastern equatorial Atlantic, the second mode is the most energetic. This leads to a drastic increase in the dissipation and scattering of the remotely forced CTW in the SEA sector, compared to the coastal SEP. Concomitantly, south of 158S, the subseasonal coastal wind stress forcing is substantially more energetic in the SEA and participates in breaking the link between the equatorial forcing and the coastal variability. Our results are consistent with the solutions of a simple multimode CTW model. Plain Language Summary The Humboldt and the Benguela upwelling systems are connected to the equatorial variability. Part of the incoming eastward equatorial wave energy is transmitted southward along the South American and African coasts as Coastal-Trapped Waves, where they imprint on the ecosystem variability. At subseasonal time scales (<120 days), altimetry reveals that the coastal variability remains coherent with the equatorial signal until 278S in the southeastern Pacific, while in the Atlantic counterpart it fades out south of 128S. To explain this striking difference, we compare the characteristics of coastal waves between the two systems: their forcing at the equator, their dissipation and scattering along their propagation, and the energization by the coastal wind stress. We use a variety of ocean models of different complexity ranging from regional general circulation models to simple linear coastal models. Results show that the difference between the two systems regarding the connection with the equatorial variability can be attributed to the distinct characteristics of their equatorial forcing. The latter favors fast and weakly dissipative coastal wave in the Humboldt. Off southwestern Africa, the equatorially-forced coastal-trapped waves dissipate at 138S and the subseasonal coastal wind stress forcing which is energetic south of 158S, participates in breaking the link between the equatorial and coastal variabilities.