Articles | Volume 22, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-3435-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Special issue:
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-3435-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Three-dimensional structure of sub-mesoscale eddies on the continental shelf
Liliane Paranhos Bitencourt
School of Engineering and the UWA Oceans Institute, the University of Western Australia, 6009, Perth, Australia
Charitha Pattiaratchi
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
School of Engineering and the UWA Oceans Institute, the University of Western Australia, 6009, Perth, Australia
Simone Cosoli
School of Engineering and the UWA Oceans Institute, the University of Western Australia, 6009, Perth, Australia
Yasha Hetzel
School of Engineering and the UWA Oceans Institute, the University of Western Australia, 6009, Perth, Australia
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EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2901, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2901, 2024
Preprint archived
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Mesoscale eddies are rotating structures in the ocean. This study investigates the surface and subsurface characteristics of mesoscale eddies in the vicinity of Perth submarine canyon off the southwest coast of Western Australia using Ocean Gliders. Eight Seaglider missions that intersected eddies revealed nine distinct vertical structures, comprising four cyclonic and five anti-cyclonic eddies. There was upwelling in cyclonic eddies and downwelling in anti-cyclonic eddies.
Jessica Kolbusz, Jan Zika, Charitha Pattiaratchi, and Alan Jamieson
Ocean Sci., 20, 123–140, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-20-123-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-20-123-2024, 2024
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We collected observations of the ocean environment at depths over 6000 m in the Southern Ocean, Indian Ocean, and western Pacific using sensor-equipped landers. We found that trench locations impact the water characteristics over these depths. Moving northward, they generally warmed but differed due to their position along bottom water circulation paths. These insights stress the importance of further research in understanding the environment of these deep regions and their importance.
Jessica Kolbusz, Tim Langlois, Charitha Pattiaratchi, and Simon de Lestang
Biogeosciences, 19, 517–539, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-517-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-517-2022, 2022
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Western rock lobster larvae spend up to 11 months in offshore waters before ocean currents and their ability to swim transport them back to the coast. In 2008, there was a reduction in the number of puerulus (larvae) settling into the fishery. We use an oceanographic model to see how the environment may have contributed to the reduction. Our results show that a combination of effects from local currents and a widespread quiet period in the ocean off WA likely led to less puerulus settlement.
Charitha Pattiaratchi, Mirjam van der Mheen, Cathleen Schlundt, Bhavani E. Narayanaswamy, Appalanaidu Sura, Sara Hajbane, Rachel White, Nimit Kumar, Michelle Fernandes, and Sarath Wijeratne
Ocean Sci., 18, 1–28, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-1-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-18-1-2022, 2022
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The Indian Ocean receives a large proportion of plastics, but very few studies have addressed the sources, transport pathways, and sinks. There is a scarcity of observational data for the Indian Ocean. Most plastic sources are derived from rivers, although the amount derived from fishing activity (ghost nets, discarded ropes) is unknown. The unique topographic features of the Indian Ocean that create the monsoons and reversing currents have a large influence on the transport and sinks.
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Short summary
Field measurements from different platforms that included satellite, ships, oceanographic moorings, highh frequency radar and ocean gliders were used to indentify petite-eddies (peddies) along the Western Australia. The flow features were mainly found in regions of high velocity shear along the periphery of larger eddies. The high Rossby numbers (>5) reflected the diminished effect of the earths rotation. The eddies controlled the advection and distribution of chlorophyll locally.
Field measurements from different platforms that included satellite, ships, oceanographic...
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