Articles | Volume 22, issue 3
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-1745-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-1745-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Intraseasonal modulation of sea surface temperatures in the Tropical North Atlantic by African Easterly Waves
Marc Kakante Mendy
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Université de Toulouse, LEGOS (IRD/UT3/CNES/CNRS), Toulouse, France
Université Amadou Mahtar Mbow, UFR Sciences et Technologies Avancées, Pôle Urbain de Diamniadio, Diamniadio, Sénégal
Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Sénégal
Florent Gasparin
Université de Toulouse, LEGOS (IRD/UT3/CNES/CNRS), Toulouse, France
Manon Gévaudan
Météo-France, CNRS, Université de Toulouse, CNRM, Toulouse, France
Moussa Diakhaté
Université Amadou Mahtar Mbow, Polytech, Pôle Urbain de Diamniadio, Diamniadio, Sénégal
Issa Sakho
Université Amadou Mahtar Mbow, UFR Sciences et Technologies Avancées, Pôle Urbain de Diamniadio, Diamniadio, Sénégal
Julien Jouanno
Université de Toulouse, LEGOS (IRD/UT3/CNES/CNRS), Toulouse, France
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Biogeosciences, 23, 2601–2620, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-2601-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-2601-2026, 2026
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Marco Larrañaga, Julien Jouanno, Eric P. Chassignet, Giovanni Durante, Ilkyeong Ma, Julio Sheinbaum, and Lionel Renault
Ocean Sci., 22, 821–841, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-821-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-821-2026, 2026
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Elsa Mohino, Paul-Arthur Monerie, Juliette Mignot, Moussa Diakhaté, Markus Donat, Christopher David Roberts, and Francisco Doblas-Reyes
Earth Syst. Dynam., 15, 15–40, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-15-15-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-15-15-2024, 2024
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Peter Brandt, Gaël Alory, Founi Mesmin Awo, Marcus Dengler, Sandrine Djakouré, Rodrigue Anicet Imbol Koungue, Julien Jouanno, Mareike Körner, Marisa Roch, and Mathieu Rouault
Ocean Sci., 19, 581–601, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-581-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-581-2023, 2023
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Tropical upwelling systems are among the most productive ecosystems globally. The tropical Atlantic upwelling undergoes a strong seasonal cycle that is forced by the wind. Local wind-driven upwelling and remote effects, particularly via the propagation of equatorial and coastal trapped waves, lead to an upward and downward movement of the nitracline. Turbulent mixing results in upward supply of nutrients. Here, we review the different physical processes responsible for biological productivity.
Roy Dorgeless Ngakala, Gaël Alory, Casimir Yélognissè Da-Allada, Olivia Estelle Kom, Julien Jouanno, Willi Rath, and Ezinvi Baloïtcha
Ocean Sci., 19, 535–558, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-535-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-19-535-2023, 2023
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Surface heat flux is the main driver of the heat budget in the Senegal, Angola, and Benguela regions but not in the equatorial region. In the Senegal and Benguela regions, freshwater flux governs the salt budget, while in equatorial and Angola regions, oceanic processes are the main drivers. Results from numerical simulation show the important role of mesoscale advection for temperature and salinity variations in the mixed layer. Nonlinear processes unresolved by observations play a key role.
Sarah Berthet, Julien Jouanno, Roland Séférian, Marion Gehlen, and William Llovel
Earth Syst. Dynam., 14, 399–412, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-14-399-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-14-399-2023, 2023
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Phytoplankton absorbs the solar radiation entering the ocean surface and contributes to keeping the associated energy in surface waters. This natural effect is either not represented in the ocean component of climate models or its representation is simplified. An incomplete representation of this biophysical interaction affects the way climate models simulate ocean warming, which leads to uncertainties in projections of oceanic emissions of an important greenhouse gas (nitrous oxide).
Michel Tchilibou, Ariane Koch-Larrouy, Simon Barbot, Florent Lyard, Yves Morel, Julien Jouanno, and Rosemary Morrow
Ocean Sci., 18, 1591–1618, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-1591-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-1591-2022, 2022
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This high-resolution model-based study investigates the variability in the generation, propagation, and sea height signature (SSH) of the internal tide off the Amazon shelf during two contrasted seasons. ITs propagate further north during the season characterized by weak currents and mesoscale eddies and a shallow and strong pycnocline. IT imprints on SSH dominate those of the geostrophic motion for horizontal scales below 200 km; moreover, the SSH is mainly incoherent below 70 km.
Pierre Damien, Julio Sheinbaum, Orens Pasqueron de Fommervault, Julien Jouanno, Lorena Linacre, and Olaf Duteil
Biogeosciences, 18, 4281–4303, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4281-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-4281-2021, 2021
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The Gulf of Mexico deep waters are relatively poor in phytoplankton biomass due to low levels of nutrients in the upper layers. Using modeling techniques, we find that the long-living anticyclonic Loop Current eddies that are shed episodically from the Yucatan Channel strongly shape the distribution of phytoplankton and, more importantly, stimulate their growth. This results from the contribution of multiple mechanisms of physical–biogeochemical interactions discussed in this study.
Julien Jouanno, Rachid Benshila, Léo Berline, Antonin Soulié, Marie-Hélène Radenac, Guillaume Morvan, Frédéric Diaz, Julio Sheinbaum, Cristele Chevalier, Thierry Thibaut, Thomas Changeux, Frédéric Menard, Sarah Berthet, Olivier Aumont, Christian Ethé, Pierre Nabat, and Marc Mallet
Geosci. Model Dev., 14, 4069–4086, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-4069-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-14-4069-2021, 2021
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The tropical Atlantic has been facing a massive proliferation of Sargassum since 2011, with severe environmental and socioeconomic impacts. We developed a modeling framework based on the NEMO ocean model, which integrates transport by currents and waves, and physiology of Sargassum with varying internal nutrient quota, and considers stranding at the coast. Results demonstrate the ability of the model to reproduce and forecast the seasonal cycle and large-scale distribution of Sargassum biomass.
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Short summary
The North Tropical Atlantic plays an important role in shaping climate in the region. In our study we examined how African Easterly Waves influence the ocean surface. Using numerical modelling and buoy records, we found that these waves can warm or cool the sea by more than half a degree. The faster waves have the strongest impact. Because sea temperature affects rainfall and storms, understanding these waves can help improve weather and climate forecasts.
The North Tropical Atlantic plays an important role in shaping climate in the region. In our...