Thermohaline gradients and frontal regimes in the  northwestern Tropical Atlantic

Napolitano, Dante C.; Gula, Jonathan; Coadou-Chaventon, Solange; Speich, Sabrina; Rocha, Cesar B.; McWilliams, James C.; Zhang, Dongxiao; Carton, Xavier

doi:10.5194/os-22-2425-2026

Articles | Volume 22, issue 4

https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-2425-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-2425-2026

© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Articles | Volume 22, issue 4

Research article

|

13 Aug 2026

Research article |

| 13 Aug 2026

Thermohaline gradients and frontal regimes in the northwestern Tropical Atlantic

Dante C. Napolitano, Jonathan Gula, Solange Coadou-Chaventon, Sabrina Speich, Cesar B. Rocha, James C. McWilliams, Dongxiao Zhang, and Xavier Carton

Data sets

EUREC4A-OA, Cruise Report. 19 January-19 February 2020, Vessel: L'ATALANTE S. Speich et al. https://doi.org/10.13155/80129

Remote sensing systems SMAP ocean surface salinities [Level 3 running 8-day], version 5.0 validated release T. Meissner et al. https://doi.org/10.5067/SMP50-3SPCS

Global Ocean Gridded L4 Sea Surface Heights And Derived Variables Nrt CMEMS https://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00149

Model code and software

Description of the GIGATL simulations J. Gula et al. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4948523

Short summary

The Amazon River plume interaction with the North Brazil Current creates sharp temperature-salinity differences called fronts that are important for modulating air-sea interactions and biogeochemical cycles. This study uses data from robotic sailboats and a numerical model to provide a comprehensive picture of these fronts associated with the local dynamics. We characterize three distinct frontal regimes and the temperature-salinity relations linked to the Amazon discharge and current strength.