3 Dimensional structure of the eastern South Pacific eddies from surface drifters, satellite altimetry and ARGO profilers.

Alexis Chaigneau, Oscar Pizarro and Gérard Eldin.

COPAS/PROFC
Cabina 7, Barrio Universitario
Concepcion, CHILE

Using distinct but complementary information from 25 years of satellite-tracked surface drifters, 12 years of altimetry measurements, and 5 years of ARGO floats profiles, we investigate the mean structure of the mesoscale activity in the Pacific Ocean offshore Chile and Peru. The main eddy formation regions and their propagation modes are identified through altimetry measurements. Their horizontal structure is studied combining surface Lagrangian drifters and satellite altimetry, whereas their mean vertical structure is computed from ARGO floats data. In particular we estimate the mean vertical temperature and salinity anomalies of the cyclonic / anticyclonic eddy cores, relatively to the surrounding water. This estimation provides useful metrics to evaluate lateral heat and salt eddy fluxes from the coastal upwelling regions of the Eastern South Pacific to the ocean interior.