Mesoscale structures of the equatorial south current bifurcation northern branch

Abstract

Large-scale circulation in the South Atlantic Ocean is characterized by a large anticyclonic gyre, and the current that limits this gyre to the north is the Equatorial South Current (CSE). When the southern branch of the CSE reaches the Brazilian continental margin, these current forks. The most known patterns regarding the bifurcation of the Equatorial South Current (BiCSE) are large scale. The mesoscale patterns are best known in the southern branch of BiCSE, which is associated with the formation of the Brazil Current. There are no studies on the mesoscale activity associated with the northern branch of BiCSE. This proposal aims to describe and characterize the spatial-temporal variability pattern of BiCSE and the mesoscale activity associated with its northern branch. This will be elaborated through the analysis of synoptic patterns applying the Classic Dynamic Method to hydrographic data of the "Oceano Leste" I and II commissions carried out by the Brazilian Navy. Seasonal weather patterns will be constructed from altimetry data provided by AVISO. (AU)