The Argentine Basin: a case study for the integrated ocean observing system

Author:

Camila Artana - (MERCATOR OCEAN)

Co-Investigator(s):

Maxime Ballarotta (CLS)
Romain Bourdalle-Badie (MERCATOR OCEAN)
Clément Bricaud (MERCATOR OCEAN)
Yannis Cuypers (SU/LOCEAN)
Isabelle Durand (MNHN/LOCEAN)
Ramiro Ferrari (UMI-IFAECI)
Jean-Michel Lellouche (MERCATOR OCEAN)
Sandrine Mulet (CLS)
Young-Hyang Park (Emerite/LOCEAN)
Jose Luis Pelegri (CSIC)
Maria Dolores Perez Hernandez (ULPGC)
Léa Poli (SU/LOCEAN)
Christine Provost (LOCEAN)
Marie-Isabelle Pujol (CLS)
Denisse Sciamarella (UMI-IFAECI)
Nathalie Sénnechael (MNHN/LOCEAN)
Jérôme Sirven (SU/LOCEAN)

Abstract:

The BACI project aims at improving our knowledge of physical processes in the light of the 30 years of satellite altimetry data, new retreated satellite data and operational models. The Argentine Basin and the Drake Passage being amongst the most energetic regions of the world ocean, with a rich variety of fine-scale processes, are prominent locations to test new experimental, retreated and upcoming satellite products and high resolution (1/36°) regional and global simulations that are being developed respectively at CLS and Mercator Ocean. In addition the 30 year-long time series will permit study interannual variations and trends in these regions hosting unique oceanic features of prime importance for global circulation and marine ecosystems. Thus, physical processes will be investigated at spatial scales ranging from 3 kilometers to the basin scale, from the surface to the bottom and on time scales ranging from days to 30 years.

This project is organized in 4 work packages. The first two aim at producing and evaluating new experimental (CLS-CNES) and traditional products on the continental shelf and the shelf break and to assess the performance of the current and upcoming Mercator Ocean models. The third work package (WP3) focuses on processes with short spatio-temporal scales. Within WP3 we will use a new regional model (1/36°) to better understand physical submesoscale and mesoscale processes. We will examine the role of the small scales in the formation, intensification and decay of surface and subsurface Marine Heat Waves which have devastating consequences for marine ecosystems. We will use the nadir observations from the fast sampling SWOT orbit phase to improve our understanding of topographically-waves propagating along the continental slope and bringing nutrients to the surface sustaining the rich biodiversity. The fourth work package (WP4) addresses interannual and long-term variations of the circulation. We will investigate variations and trends in the Zapiola Anticyclone, the ACC fronts and the volume transport at Drake Passage. BACI will contribute to the understanding of physical processes with large impacts on marine ecosystems and regional/global climate and will provide guidance for the improvement of altimetric data processing and operational models. This project involves researchers from LOCEAN, MERCATOR, CLS, UMI-IFAECI, ICM and ULPGC.

Supported by CNES