Oceanic mesoscale eddies are energetic features where strong three-dimensional circulations are set up and consequently enhanced biological activity take place. Indeed, vertical circulation associated with mesoscale eddies is of great importance as it may explain the patchiness of chlorophyll in the surface layers of the ocean. The E-MOTION project is focused on the estimation and analysis of the vertical exchanges associated with mesoscaledynamics and of their interannual variability, concentrating on selected areas of the World Ocean. The rationale for this project comes, on one hand, from the fundamental role played by the mesoscale in modulating ocean circulation and the fluxes of heat, freshwater and biogeochemical tracers between the surface and the deeper layers and, on the other hand, from the high level of uncertainty related to the possible feedbacks from mesoscale variability on both Earth climate and marine ecosystem functioning.
E-Motion (CTM2012-31014) is a research project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness . E-Motion stands for 'Ocean mesoscale Eddies and vertical MOTION'.
Principal Investigator: Ananda Pascual
