Observations show abrupt changes in the oceanic circulation of the southwestern Atlantic. These
studies report a southward drift of the Brazil/Malvinas Confluence (BMC) and a change in the spectral
characteristics of the Malvinas Current (MC) transport. We address the cause of these changes using the result
of a high-resolution numerical...
This article investigates the origins of the variability of the Malvinas Current (MC)
transport using the results of an eddy-permitting ocean general circulation model. First, the
dynamical links between the variabilities of the MC and the Antarctic Circumpolar
Current (ACC) transports at the Drake Passage are established. Time series analyses...
The circulation of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean is dominated by the Subtropical Gyre
and the confluence of the Brazil and Malvinas currents. Observations indicate that the latitude
of this confluence changes seasonally, lying farther north during the austral winter than during
the summer. This phenomenon has important consequences for the...
This article presents the results of a high-resolution (1/12°), two-way nested simulation of the
oceanic circulation in the southwestern Atlantic region. A comparison between the model results and
extant observations indicates that the nested model has skill in reproducing the best-known aspects of the
regional circulation, e.g., the volume transport...
Satellite-derived sea surface salinity (SSS) data from Aquarius and SMOS are used to study the
shelf-open ocean exchanges in the western South Atlantic near 35°S. Away from the tropics, these
exchanges cause the largest SSS variability throughout the South Atlantic. The data reveal a well-defined
seasonal pattern of SSS during...
Full Text:
offshore circulation patterns, such as the location of the BrazilMalvinasConfluence
and mesoscale eddies
Satellite-derived sea surface salinity (SSS) data from Aquarius and SMOS are used to study the
shelf-open ocean exchanges in the western South Atlantic near 35°S. Away from the tropics, these
exchanges cause the largest SSS variability throughout the South Atlantic. The data reveal a well-defined
seasonal pattern of SSS during...
Satellite‐derived sea surface salinity (SSS) data from Aquarius and SMOS are used to study the shelf‐open ocean exchanges in the western South Atlantic near 35°S. Away from the tropics, these exchanges cause the largest SSS variability throughout the South Atlantic. The data reveal a well‐defined seasonal pattern of SSS during...
The formation mechanisms and pathways of intermediate water in the Southern Ocean are analyzed from output of a high-resolution ocean general circulation model. Deep winter mixed layer formation in the Southern Ocean is diagnosed from the model results and is found to be mostly consistent with observations. Diapycnal water mass...
This article discusses the results of a suite of numerical simulations of the oceanic
circulation in the Southwestern Atlantic Shelf region that are aimed to characterize its
mean circulation and seasonal variability and to determine the dynamical mechanisms
controlling them. Our experiments indicate that south of 40°S the mean circulation...
We compare the oceanic circulation patterns over the
Southwestern Atlantic Shelf (SWAS) forced by nine
different wind stress climatologies. The largest differences
are observed in experiments forced with the Hellerman
and Rosenstein [1983, hereafter HR83] and Trenberth
et al. [1990, hereafter TR90] winds. HR83 shows a
general northeastward flow near...