Observations of vortex dipoles on the Benguela upwelling front

Abstract

Vortex dipoles are unusual phenomena in the mesoscale turbulence of the world ocean which have, for the greater part, gone unnoticed until the advent of satellite remote sensing. We describe here for the first time some satellite observations of vortex dipoles which are an integral part of the oceanic upwelling front of the South East Atlantic Ocean. These peculiar systems are seen to form part of the suite of circulation features, including eddies, filaments and plumes, which all contribute to crossfrontal advection of heat, salt, momentum and nutrients in the upwelling system. -Author