Mechanisms of the 40–70 Day Variability in the Yucatan Channel Volume Transport

Journal article (2018)

Authors

R. M. van Westen Universiteit Utrecht
Henk A. Dijkstra Universiteit Utrecht
R. K. James Universiteit Utrecht
Tjeerd J. Bouma Universiteit Utrecht
R. Klees Physical and Space Geodesy - CEG
R.E.M. Riva Physical and Space Geodesy - CEG
D.C. Slobbe Physical and Space Geodesy - CEG
C.G. van der Boog Environmental Fluid Mechanics - CEG
C.A. Katsman Environmental Fluid Mechanics - CEG
A.S. Candy Environmental Fluid Mechanics - CEG
J.D. Pietrzak Environmental Fluid Mechanics - CEG
Marcel Zijlema Environmental Fluid Mechanics - CEG
Research Group
Physical and Space Geodesy (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2018 René M. van Westen, Henk A. Dijkstra, R. Klees, R.E.M. Riva, D.C. Slobbe, C.G. van der Boog, C.A. Katsman, A.S. Candy, J.D. Pietrzak, Marcel Zijlema, Rebecca K. James, Tjeerd J. Bouma
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JC013580
Caribbean Sea North Brazil Current Sea surface height variability Yucatan Channel
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Published Date

01-02-2018

Language

English

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Faculty

Civil Engineering & Geosciences

Department

Geoscience and Remote Sensing

Research Group

Physical and Space Geodesy

Abstract

The Yucatan Channel connects the Caribbean Sea with the Gulf of Mexico and is the main outflow region of the Caribbean Sea. Moorings in the Yucatan Channel show high-frequent variability in kinetic energy (50–100 days) and transport (20–40 days), but the physical mechanisms controlling this variability are poorly understood. In this study, we show that the short-term variability in the Yucatan Channel transport has an upstream origin and arises from processes in the North Brazil Current. To establish this connection, we use data from altimetry and model output from several high resolution global models. A significant 40–70 day variability is found in the sea surface height in the North Brazil Current retroflection region with a propagation toward the Lesser Antilles. The frequency of variability is generated by intrinsic processes associated with the shedding of eddies, rather than by atmospheric forcing. This sea surface height variability is able to pass the Lesser Antilles, it propagates westward with the background ocean flow in the Caribbean Sea and finally affects the variability in the Yucatan Channel volume transport.