Eddies in eastern boundary subtropical upwelling systems

摘要: Over the last decade, mesoscale-resolving ocean models of eastern boundary upwelling systems (EBS) have helped improve our understanding functioning EBS and, in particular, assess role eddy activity these systems. We review main achievements this regard and highlight remaining issues challenges. In EBS, arises from baroclinic/barotropic instability inshore also offshore currents. Mesoscale eddies play a significant (although not leading) shaping dynamical structure, both directly through associated submesoscale (i.e., primarily frontal). They do so by modifying momentum tracer balances ways that cannot simply be understood terms diffusion. The relative degree to which assertions about apply each four major (Canary, Benguela, Peru–Chile, California Current Systems) remains established. Besides resolving eddies, benefits high-resolution modeling include possibility accounting for fine-scale structures nearshore wind, better representation Ekman-driven coastal divergence, (at resolution  (1 km) or lower) inclusion mainly frontal) processes. Recent numerical experiments suggest various processes climate models, increase (possibly locally) parameterization, would lead basin-scale bias reduction. mechanisms involved upscaling toward larger scale remain fully elucidated.