Interbasin leakage through Agulhas current filaments

摘要: The climatologically important exchange of water between the South Indian and Atlantic oceans takes place mainly through shedding rings at Agulhas Current retroflection. A minor contribution is made by advection filaments into Atlantic. Satellite infrared images hydrographic sections are used to show that present about 56% time, on average 50 km wide m deep, carry excess heat 3.5 × 1019 J as well salt amounting 1–5 1011 kg in each individual filament. Since most this will be rapidly lost overlying atmosphere, lasting interbasin an annual flux 3–9 1012 kg. It thus estimated contribute up 15% total generated Current.