Articles | Volume 22, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-2333-2026
© 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-22-2333-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
04 Aug 2026
Research article |
| 04 Aug 2026
| 04 Aug 2026
Eddy kinetic energy and energy conversion rates along the Atlantic Water boundary current north of Svalbard
Department of Arctic Geophysics, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
Ilker Fer
Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Bergen, Norway
Department of Arctic Geophysics, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
Till M. Baumann
Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Bergen, Norway
Jon Albretsen
Institute of Marine Research, Bergen, Norway
Lukas Frank
Department of Arctic Geophysics, University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
now at: SINTEF Ocean, Trondheim, Norway
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Short summary
Warm Atlantic Water flowing eastward north of Svalbard loses heat faster than can be explained by cooling to the atmosphere and mixing alone. Using year-long mooring observations and an ocean model, we found that mesoscale variability and energy transfer into eddies are largest in autumn and winter, when the boundary current is also at its strongest and warmest. This mesoscale activity enhances lateral heat exchange and likely contributes to the observed cooling of Atlantic Water along its path.
Warm Atlantic Water flowing eastward north of Svalbard loses heat faster than can be explained...
