Generation of Mesoscale Hydrodynamic Phenomena by the Grappler and Whiting Seamounts, Southeast of Puerto Rico

摘要

This work presents the results of research on topographically generated mesoscale eddies in the region of the Grappler and Whiting Seamounts which are located 22km southeast of Puerto Rico. Three different data sets were used: (1) site specific hydrographic data, (2) satellite images from TIROS/NOAA, Landsat and Skylab satellites, and (3) free-drifting drogued-buoy tracks. A reference current meter station was established at the Benchmark B OTEC site at a depth of 20 meters. Predictions from numerical and analytical models were tested using the site specific data and then compared to experimental results. The hydrographic and drogue data definitively establish the presence of perturbations over the seamounts which are qualitatively consistent with model predictions. Closed contour regions in the distribution of dynamic heights, temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen were found in the surface and subsurface waters above the top of Grappler Seamount. A cyclonic eddy-like feature located close to Grappler Seamount, in the satellite images, also suggests that eddies are being shed from the seamount region.