Articles | Volume 22, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-2449-2026
© 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-22-2449-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
17 Aug 2026
Research article |
| 17 Aug 2026
| 17 Aug 2026
Intraseasonal variability and eddy-induced structural modulation of the North Pacific intermediate water revealed by multi-mooring observations
Qiang Ren
Key Laboratory of Ocean Observation and Forecasting and Laboratory of Ocean Circulation and Waves, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
Laboratory for Ocean Dynamics and Climate, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China
Yansong Liu
Key Laboratory of Ocean Observation and Forecasting and Laboratory of Ocean Circulation and Waves, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
Laboratory for Ocean Dynamics and Climate, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China
Yansheng Zhang
National Marine Data and Information Service, Tianjing, China
Shumin Tu
Laboratory of Low Frequency Electromagnetic Communication Technology with the WMCRI, CSSC, Wuhan, China
Wei Huang
Laboratory of Low Frequency Electromagnetic Communication Technology with the WMCRI, CSSC, Wuhan, China
Feng Nan
Key Laboratory of Ocean Observation and Forecasting and Laboratory of Ocean Circulation and Waves, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
Laboratory for Ocean Dynamics and Climate, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China
College of Marine Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
Ran Wang
Key Laboratory of Ocean Observation and Forecasting and Laboratory of Ocean Circulation and Waves, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
Laboratory for Ocean Dynamics and Climate, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China
Xinyuan Diao
Key Laboratory of Ocean Observation and Forecasting and Laboratory of Ocean Circulation and Waves, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
Laboratory for Ocean Dynamics and Climate, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China
College of Marine Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
Jianfeng Wang
Key Laboratory of Ocean Observation and Forecasting and Laboratory of Ocean Circulation and Waves, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
Laboratory for Ocean Dynamics and Climate, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China
Xinchuang Liu
Key Laboratory of Ocean Observation and Forecasting and Laboratory of Ocean Circulation and Waves, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
Laboratory for Ocean Dynamics and Climate, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China
Zifei Chen
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Key Laboratory of Ocean Observation and Forecasting and Laboratory of Ocean Circulation and Waves, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
Laboratory for Ocean Dynamics and Climate, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China
Fei Yu
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Key Laboratory of Ocean Observation and Forecasting and Laboratory of Ocean Circulation and Waves, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
Laboratory for Ocean Dynamics and Climate, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China
College of Marine Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
Data sets
World Ocean Atlas 2023 James R. Reagan et al. https://doi.org/10.25921/va26-hv25
lobal Ocean Gridded L4 Sea Surface Heights and Derived Variables Reprocessed Copernicus Climate Service (SEALEVEL_GLO_PHY_CLIMATE_L4_MY_008_057) E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Information https://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00145
Multi 60 Observation Global Ocean 3D Temperature Salin- ity Height Geostrophic Current and MLD (MULTI- OBS_GLO_PHY_TSUV_3D_MYNRT_015_012) E.U. Copernicus Marine Service Information https://doi.org/10.48670/moi-00052
Short summary
This study reveals how mesoscale eddies modulate the North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) using three long-term mooring observations. By introducing “intermediate water thickness” as a new structural indicator, it shows that eddies compress or expand the NPIW layer, producing 60–80-day intraseasonal variability. Thickness and salinity are strongly inversely related, providing the first quantitative evidence of eddy-induced structural changes in mid-depth waters.
This study reveals how mesoscale eddies modulate the North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW)...
