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.
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
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This study examines two near-inertial wave events during winter storms using subsurface mooring observations and reanalysis data. Wind energy input during the first storm was about three times that during the second, but the observed near-inertial energy was similar. Eddies and modal contents are important factors. The low modes dominates the first event, while the high modes dominates the second event. These factors together affect the wintertime interior mixing.
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Preprint archived
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In this study, direct measurements from three moorings are utilized to reveal the intraseasonal variability of the North Pacific Intermediate Water in different regions for 60–80 days. It was found that the intraseasonal variation of NPIW is mainly caused by mesoscale eddies. Understanding these dynamics is critical for assessing the NPIW's response to climate change and its implications for the global carbon cycle and marine ecosystems.
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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)...