Articles | Volume 21, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-21-1141-2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-21-1141-2025
Research article
 | Highlight paper
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25 Jun 2025
Research article | Highlight paper |  | 25 Jun 2025

The satellite chlorophyll signature of Lagrangian eddy trapping varies regionally and seasonally within a subtropical gyre

Alexandra E. Jones-Kellett and Michael J. Follows

Data sets

North Pacific Subtropical Gyre RCLV Atlas (version 2) Alexandra E. Jones-Kellett https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10849221

Global Ocean Gridded L4 Sea Surface Heights and Derived Variables Reprocessed 1993 Ongoing CMEMS https://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00148

Model code and software

RCLVatlas Alexandra E. Jones-Kellett https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7702978

OceanEddies Ivy Frenger https://github.com/ifrenger/OceanEddies

RCLV_chl Alexandra E. Jones-Kellett https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15699584

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Co-editor-in-chief
This paper is of high quality, it exemplifies the complexity of detecting ocean eddies (eulerian versus lagrangian, importance of the code parameters of the regions considered), it acknowledges the fact that not all ocean eddies are the same (dynamically talking), and that their effect on plankton is complex. The method presented is well-described, powerful and would allow digging into these biophysical interactions in many different oceanographic settings. It shows that the common view following seminal papers by e.g. McGillicuddy and D. Chelton that consists of "cyclonic eddies -> isopycnals shaoling -> increase phytoplankton biomass" versus "anticyclonic eddies -> isopycnal deepening -> decreased phytoplankton biomass" is too simplistic and needed to be updated.
Short summary
Eddies are rotating ocean vortices up to hundreds of kilometers in diameter that stimulate phytoplankton blooms. We used satellite data and simulations of currents to examine the effect of eddy trapping strength on phytoplankton concentration in the open North Pacific Ocean. Coherent eddies trap phytoplankton, while "leaky" ones have lower concentrations because they mix with surrounding waters. However, contrary to previous theory, eddy-trapped blooms are more prominent in southern latitudes.
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