Comparative study of mixing and biological activity of the Benguela and Canary upwelling systems
Rossi, V.; López,C.; Sudre, J.; Hernández-García,E.; Garçon, V.
Geophysical Research Letters 35, L11602 (1-5) (2008)
Geophysical Research Letters 35, L11602 (1-5) (2008)
We present a comparative study of the horizontal mixing
properties, from satellite derived data of the surface velocity
field, of the two eastern boundary Canary and Benguela upwelling
systems, based on a Finite Size Lyapunov Exponents analysis. Each
area can be subdivided into two subsystems attending to their
mixing activity values. These coincide nicely with distinct
biological signatures. When investigating links with chlorophyll
as a proxy for biological activity in these two upwelling systems,
results show that surface horizontal stirring and mixing vary
inversely with chlorophyll standing stocks. Ekman-transport
induced upwelling exhibits a positive correlation with
chlorophyll. These two findings are complementary since spatial
structure in plankton distributions results from both dynamics of
the $3D$ turbulent medium and of the marine ecosystem.
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