Articles | Volume 19, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-615-2023
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-615-2023
Research article
 | 
11 May 2023
Research article |  | 11 May 2023

Origins of mesoscale mixed-layer depth variability in the Southern Ocean

Yu Gao, Igor Kamenkovich, and Natalie Perlin

Cited articles

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Dong, S., Sprintall, J., Gille, S. T., and Talley, L.: Southern Ocean Mixed-layer Depth from Argo Float Profiles, J. Geophys. Res., 113, C06013, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JC004051, 2008. a, b, c
Downes, S. M., Budnick, A. S., Sarmiento, J. L., and Farneti, R.: Impacts of Wind Stress on the Antarctic Circumpolar, Current Fronts and Associated Subduction: ACC Fronts and Subduction, Geophys. Res. Lett., 38, L11605, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GL047668, 2011. a, b
Fox-Kemper, B. and Ferrari, R.: Parameterization of Mixed Layer Eddies, Part II: Prognosis and Impact, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 38, 1166–1179, https://doi.org/10.1175/2007JPO3788.1, 2008. a
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Short summary
The mixed-layer depth (MLD) in the Southern Ocean varies significantly with time and location. We found that, while the wind forcing and surface heating induce the mesoscale MLD variability, the oceanic currents counteract the atmospheric effects. The role of oceanic currents also changes seasonally. This study emphasises the importance of ocean currents in driving mesoscale MLD variability and demonstrates how MLD modulates the effects of intrinsic oceanic variability.